NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationThe Ongoing Travels of President Mike and Denise
What a wonderful weekend! Denise and I arrived in Portland on Friday evening to a beautiful room filled with gifts from the Portland Lodge. We met Joe, the ER, who welcomed us and later took us to the Lodge for a delicious meal, enjoyable rounds of three-card draw, and great music. We had the pleasure of meeting several friendly members of the Portland Lodge, including one who generously gave us pull-tab tickets. To our surprise, we won $10, which, as infrequent gamblers, we decided to donate to MCCP. We also distributed many pins and had the opportunity to meet visiting Elks from Massachusetts. It was wonderful catching up with Marybeth and Joe, Al and Stephanie, and enjoying a fantastic evening overall.
The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the three-masted schooner cruise around Portland Harbor on Saturday. Although the morning started somewhat threatening, the sun emerged as soon as we left the pier, creating perfect touring conditions with low humidity, a cool breeze, and calm waters. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough wind to fill our sails, so we relied on the engine, but the experience was still delightful. The Millinocket Elks provided onboard music, and we entertained ourselves and passing vessels alike. Marybeth even gave a ship’s bell salute to a wedding party, and we serenaded Casco Bay with “Sweet Caroline.” While we had a blast, it was clear that only the ship was truly “three sheets to the wind.” The crew was fantastic, and I highly recommend sailing with the Portland Schooner Company.
Later that evening, we enjoyed a delicious smorgasbord at the Lodge and connected with even more MEA members. I had a great time signing membership cards to raise funds for MCCP, and I was thrilled when the Portland Elks presented me with a $200 check for MCCP. The music was wonderful, and there were plenty of photo opportunities. It was a perfect weekend – fast-paced enough to be productive but slow enough to relax and enjoy. Thank you, Joe, Marybeth, and Martha. I look forward to sharing the amazing photos at the next state meeting.
On Sunday, we held our successful State Meeting, the primary purpose of our trip to Portland. I’m incredibly proud of my committee chairs for their hard work in creating clear and concise reports. We efficiently covered important information, distributed DD materials and new calendars, shared website updates, announced upcoming events, and provided other essential details. Please stay informed by regularly checking the website, and if you brought home any information, be sure to share it with others. Our next visit is the Waterville Elks Convention Homecoming Celebration next Friday.
Mike Hannigan, MEA President 2024-25
President attends Murder Mystery in Gardiner
“CAFE MURDER” Murder-Mystery Dinner
Gardiner Elks Lodge, in conjunction with Gaslight Theater of Hallowell, ME presents “CAFE MURDER” by Nathan Hartswick
Dinner begins at 6 PM, with the play to follow
Tickets are available by calling the Gardiner Elks Lodge @ 207-582-6520
Event with dinner is $30 apiece and must be purchased in advance
The Dinner Menu for that evening is Chicken Pot Pie, Cranberry Sauce, Salad, Rolls, assorted desserts & coffee. Other beverages will be available for purchase.
There’s no particular theme planned besides “dress as if you were going to a fancy restaraunt.” What that means is up to your discretion!
Proceeds from this event will benefit MCCP and the American Heart Associaiton
September 28, 2024, start Time 6:00 pm, ends 9:30 pm
Gardiner Elks Lodge, 148 Cobbossee Avenue Gardiner, Maine 04345
Contact Tammy Pierce (207 441-4645, bpoe1293@gmail.com) for more information.
July’s Winners of MEA Calendars
President at Austin National Convention
What a whirlwind the early summer has been. Following my visit to York, was the national convention in Austin Texas. The weather was excellent, however we did have one slightly cool day when it only reached 97 deg F. The convention is where the national business gets taken care of annually and this year there were 22 legislative items on the docket. Your exalted ruler should update you on those items and their dispositions. It is also when the new officers are installed, national ritual contests are conducted and decided, as well as a great opportunity to meet and greet other Elks from around the country.
While there were many highlights for me, watching the Sanford Elks participate extremely successfully in the ritual contest was one of mine. During the contest I was privileged to ring the 11th hour chimes. I was not nearly as well “tuned” as were the Sanford Elks. They made the final four in the nation, an accomplishment Maine hadn’t done in 22 years. Lets show our appreciation by getting our own ritual teams going again. Competition certainly breeds success. In fact the team recognized that the competition this year from Waterville directly help them prepare.
Of course during opening ceremonies I was proud to carry the Maine state flag onto the stage for display during the convention. This too was quite an experience. During the legislative session, our sponsor Mike Zellen appointed my as an election supervisor and this was both informative and an honor I’ll long remember. All week long our hospitality room was run by Cory and Joleen Dewitt, next years president and first lady. They did a wonderful job and the room was enjoyed by all who visited. Many of the lobster tickets were sold and the raffle should do quite well this year. Mike and Allison Desjardin worked our booth at the vendor center. The booth looked great and I am anxious to learn what the judges thought.
We also had a chance to see Austin TX and it was well worth the visit. There were numerous restaurants offering everything from beer gardens, barbecue, and even fine cuisine. The bat bridge was not at its peak, but still didn’t disappoint. In many ways the boat tour to see it was as much fun as the view of the bats leaving at night was. The duck-boat tour was also a good time, learning some of the history of Austin and seeing the mansions along the “lake”.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Portland.
Calendar Winners for June 24
Another Wonderful Lodge Visitation
What a great visit we had with the York Lodge just before going to Austin. We were treated to a beautiful room in Ogunquit very close to the beach and the room contained gifts from the lodge and ER Navish.
We were then cheufered by Beth Butler to the lodge for an authentic Hawaiian luau. The food was great, the company even better. We were visited by PSP John Desjardin and his wife Jessica who filled us in on the status of their new born grandchild. In fact the evening was filled with short stories and long laughs, like all journeys should be. The next day Denise and I got to explore the beach and a quaint Maine coastal town for the first time in years. The hospitality of our lodges has been tremendous and we anxiously await our next visitation.
Join us for Owie Box Run 2024!
The 22nd Maine Elks Association’s Owie Box Run is planned for July 20th, 2024.
The run will be departing the Bath Lodge at 10 am, and heads toward Skowhegan-Madison with lots beautiful Maine scenery along the way. Use the links below for more information, feel free to distribute both:
Maine Presents Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award
Shown from left to right: Maine Elks Association President Michael Hannigan, Chief Matthew Cummings, Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty, Maine Drug Awareness Program State Director Anthony Gause, and Presque Isle Drug Awareness Program Chairman Alan Harding.
On the evening of June 12 I had the distinct honor and pleasure of being present when the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena award was presented to Fort Fairfield Police chief Matthew Cummings during a session of the Fort Fairfield Town Council.
This award is offered by the BPOE to recognize and honor the efforts of a law enforcement officer in each state who has made a significant contribution in the field of drug abuse prevention. Such officers demonstrate Enrique’s belief that one person can make a difference.
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was an 11–year veteran Agent of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985. Prior to serving with the DEA, Agent Camarena was a firefighter, a criminal investigator, and a narcotics officer. He was a loving husband and a father of three children. His death has inspired millions of Americans to lead a drug-free life. The Elks celebrate his commitment to this effort with an annual award. Each year, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks presents the Enrique S. Camarena Award to a member of law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life.
This presentation is the result of a lot of hard work by Alan Harding, Presque Isle Lodge #1954 Drug Awareness chairman, and Anthony Gause, Augusta Lodge #964 and our state association Drug Awareness chairman. The Enrique Camarena award is offered annually based on the recommendation of local law enforcement departments. It is the duty of each Lodge to encourage and assist local law enforcement entities to participate and nominate an officer. If you need more information, Anthony and Alan are always available and ready to help out.
Also present were Presque Isle Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty, special assistant to the state drug awareness program Danielle Jones of Skowhegan-Madison Lodge #2531, and Mary Harding of Presque Isle Lodge #1954.
Mike Hanigan
MEA President 2024-25
MEA Attends State Veterans Program
Executive Director of the Sisters in Arms Center in Augusta and presented her with Irving gas cards and Walmart cards in celebration of this special day, and to honor their work in helping to bring hope and shelter to Maine women weterans and their children in need.
ENF Funds Heading to the Bangor Community
The Bangor Lodge has been approved for a $2,000 Spotlight Grant to partner with the Brewer Maine Dollar Tree to provide $2000 in non perishable food items to the Clifton Maine Baptist Church Food Pantry.
The lodge anticipates having the goods available for delivery in the next couple of weeks. Check back for the update.