NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationBath Lodge Makes Impact on their Community
Prior to opening the December 8th lodge meeting Bath ER Craig Johnson and the lodge officers took the opportunity to distribute some of the funds they’d been raising since April, into their local community.
ER Johnson procured a grant from the Elks National Foundation to assist students and teachers after fire destroyed Bath’s Dike Newell elementary school. Katie Roulliard Walker, school Secretary at Dike Newell, received the $2,500 check from ER Craig and Leading Knight Mark Westrum. Katie has a long history with our Lodge. As a young child she served as one of the elves at our Children’s Christmas parties and her father, Jimmy Roulliard, was a great Elk member who left us too soon.
Through the fundraising efforts of Chairman Ronald Nygaard and his Youth Activities team, the lodge was able to present the Kennebec Sturgeons young mens baseball team, of the Pine Tree Baseball League, a $1,300 donation to Team Manager Tyler Rose for a fence at Varnum Field. The baseball diamond has been without a fence since that area was upgraded several years ago. It is a very important field for the children in the area, also benefitting our Little League and Babe Ruth League as well as the Sturgeons.
Youth Activities funds were also available to put the American Legion over the top in their fundraising effort to replace the scoreboard at Legion Field, directly across the street from the American Legion Post. The Bath Elks logo will be prominently displayed. Past Sons of the American Legion Commander Donald Allisot was on board to accept our $2,000 donation.
It was a heartwarming to precede a lodge meeting by giving back to our community, and it was one of the best meetings that we’ve had in years. Thanks to you ALL our members for your continued hard work and helping our lodge be as generous and giving as we are!
Presque Isle Lodge Serves Christmas Dinner to Hundreds
On Christmas Day, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954 hosted its annual Elks Family Christmas Dinner for anyone who would otherwise be celebrating Christmas alone.
Dinner began with the Northeastland Hotel’s renowned tomato bisque soup. A choice of country baked ham or roast turkey and gravy was offered along with Aroostook mashed potatoes, baked squash and a vegetable medley. The Governor’s wonderful dinner rolls were served. Dessert was a choice from a wide selection of pies, including Governor’s popular chocolate, coconut, and banana cream pies, as well as chocolate peanut butter and Boston cream pies, in addition to traditional apple, pumpkin, and assorted berry pies.
Everyone attending the sit-down dinner at the Elks Lodge was entertained by the “Soggybottom Boyz“, comprised of Wendell Hudson, Dale Hudson, James “Sheldon” Wright, Leland Clark,, and Agis Clark. Prior to departing, all received a Christmas stocking stuffed with assorted goodies.
In addition to serving dinner to those at the Elks Lodge, the Presque Isle Elks delivered over two hundred meals to individuals requesting delivered meals, Presque Isle Public Safety workers, residents of the Aroostook Homeless Shelter, and residents at Mapletree Estates, who had been without electrical power for nearly two days.
Over thirty volunteers gave up several hours of their Christmas day in order to cook, serve, and cleanup after the noontime meal, as well as to transport guests and to deliver meals outside the Lodge. Ten members of the family of the late Cassidy Charette again volunteered at the Elks Family Christmas Dinner as part of the work of the Shine on Cass Foundation, in memory of Cassidy Charette, who died at the age of 17 in a tragic hayride accident. Shown above at the Presque Isle Elks Lodge on Christmas Day, from left to right, Mark Wilcox, Sharon Parent, Alley Wilcox, Karson Wilcox, David Bernier, Ryan Bernier, Angela Bernier, and Randy Charette, Monica Charette and Colby Charette, parents and brother of Cassidy.
The family of Cassidy and the Shine on Cass Foundation, through their example, seek to inspire others and promote the importance of volunteerism in tribute to Cassidy, whose passion was volunteering.
Dana Dickinson, chairman of the Elks’ annual Family Christmas Dinner stated, “It was truly a Christmas blessing to have been able to help so many people in a meaningful way this Christmas. Elks care and Elks Share.”
President’s Visit and State Meeting in Biddeford-Saco
At 6:00 pm on January 7, 2023 the Biddeford-Saco lodge is holding a Sock Hop to welcome State Association President Al Ingraham and First Lady Stephanie on their official visitation.
Rock around the clock to 50’s music at The Sock Hop enjoy Dinner, Dancing, Games and Prizes as we welcome the Maine Elks’ Association State President and his wife,
For $20 per person the Sock Hop includes a soda fountain with cherry cokes, rootbeer floats and milkshakes, nibbles, and for dinner you’ll have lasagne, chicken or sausage with peppers & onions and rolls.
For more information contact Vassie Fowler at 207-408-2274 or vassiefowler@yahoo.com or RSVP with Vassie by January 2nd.
Following the sock hop, on Sunday January 8th is the WInter meeting of the Maine Elks Association at the Biddeford-Saco Elks. 9:00 am is the Trustees session, and 10:00 am is the general business meeting.
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks to have Float in Rose Bowl Parade
KTLA in Los Angeles has been covering the decorating of the floats for the annual Rose Bowl Parade to take place on January 1st in Pasadena, California. This year, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks will be having a float entered in the parade. Past Grand Exalted Ruler (Past National President) Robert Duitsman provided an interview that explained the float and the good works that the Elks do across the country. You can see the interview and a preview of the float that is still under construction here: Elks Rose Bowl Float
Calendar Winners for November 2022
MEA Veterans Efforts Media Focus
For a Veterans Day suplement, Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel correspondent Valerie Tucker spoke with MEA National Veterans Service Director Dave Hassen about our Homeless Veterans’ efforts. Read the Article here
Area 1 Regional Soccer Shoot Information
On November 5, 2022, the Maine Elks Association hosted the Area 1 Regional Soccer Shoot contest at the Augusta Tennis Club. Photos from the weekend are now available in the Gallery Section of the Maine Elks website located here: Region 1 Soccer Shoot | Flickr.
Kids from all over New England recently gathered at the Kennebec Valley Tennis Association in Augusta, Maine to compete against each other in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks’ Soccer Shoot championship for Region 1.
Region 1 to the Elks encompasses lodges from New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Each state brought one boy and one girl from each of four age groups; 7 years old and younger, eight to nine, ten to eleven and twelve to thirteen.
Intended to help keep our youth focused and away from undesirable activities, the Elks’ Soccer Shoot program consists of two different contests that test different level skills at different ages. Contestants are grouped by gender and age.
The competition took place the morning of Saturday, November 5th, but the competitors and their families were hosted by the Elks of the Augusta Lodge #964 and the Maine Elks Association beginning with registration and a pizza party the evening of Friday, November 4th and extending to the families departures on Sunday morning.
Maine State Soccer Shoot Director Shawn Stacey, from the Bangor Elks #244, coordinated the event with help from his fellow Bangor lodge members as well as spirited volunteers from all levels of local and state Elks membership from the state Elks association and throughout New England who stepped up to retrieve loose balls and provide other assistance in operating the competition.
The final standings of the competition were announced, and trophies presented during a banquet Saturday evening at Augusta’s lodge on Civic Center Drive. Speakers for the evening included two past Elk National Presidents (Grand Exalted Rulers), Mike Zellen from Saugus, MA who’s responsible for lodges from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and David Carr from Ticonderoga, New York who oversees all the orders lodges from New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Rhode Island.
New England’s top girl and boy shooters are: under 8 – Alexa V from MA and Jayden E from NY, under 10 – Mya S from RI and Easton M from VT, under 12 – Ryan C from RI and Nathan S from RI, and under 14 – Griffin D from NH and Dominic D from RI.
The first-place shooters’ scores will now be forwarded to the National Soccer Shoot Coordinator. After comparing and analyzing all the age and gender specific scores from all six regions nation-wide the final top four boys and four girls are expected to be announced as the eight National Champions in the Spring of 2023.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
The Maine Elks Association coordinates the fraternal efforts of twenty lodges ranging from York Lodge # 2788 in the Coastal District to the Presque Isle lodge # 1954 in the Northern District. To find out more about this and other programs in your area go to www.maineelks.org or www.elks.org.
Advancing from Region I for consideration for National Title are:
| Girl | Boy | |
| Under 8: | ||
| Alexa V. from #959 in Hudson, MA | Jayden E. from #1097 in Middletown, NY | |
| Under 10: | ||
| Mya S. from #1860 in Bristol County, RI | Easton M. from #1566 in St. Albans, VT | |
| Under 12: | ||
| Ryen C. from #2359 in Smithfield,RI | Nathan S. from #2337 in East Providence, RI | |
| Under 14: | ||
| Griffen D. from #1393 in Rochester, NH | Domenic D. from #2337 in East Providence, RI |
MCCP Christmas Bells Are In!
The 2022 Christmas Tree Bells are now in – RED this year, c
heck with your lodge soon, at only $10 each they’re sure to go fast!
Red Ribbon Week Held This Week
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was born on July 26, 1947, in Mexicali, Mexico. He graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, Calif., in 1966. After graduation he joined the U.S. Marines where he served for two years. After his military service, Kiki joined the Calexico Police Department and later moved to the El Centro Police Department. In 1974, he became part of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Seven years later he was assigned to the resident office in Guadalajara. He worked out of this office for four and a half years and was close to exposing a major drug trafficking operation. On February 7, 1985 Kiki was kidnapped. That was the last time he was seen alive. He was 37 years of age.
Shortly after Kiki’s death, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter; his wife Lynne Hunter; Calexico High School classmate, Henry Lozano; and Calexico City Councilman and educator, David Dillon launched the Calexico High School Kiki Camarena Club in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, Calif. On April 20, 1985, over one hundred Kiki Camarena Club members pledged to lead drug free lives.
Interest from school districts in other cities in California’s Imperial Valley afforded Henry Lozano, then-Executive Director of Imperial Valley Teen Challenge, to create Kiki Camarena Clubs in Holtville, Brawley, and El Centro, California with the support of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.
In 1986, Henry Lozano, as a member of the Board of Directors of Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc., created a statewide coalition comprised of the Elks, Lions, Rotary, California Narcotics Officers Association, California Drug Enforcement Administration and drug prevention parent groups who worked together to establish the first statewide Red Ribbon Week celebration in October.
In 1988, the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth championed the first national Red Ribbon Week campaign with Honorary Chairman President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. That same year, congress officially established Red Ribbon Week.
Now, at the end of every October, millions of Americans dawn red ribbons in memory of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. The Elks are proud to be a part of such an important tradition. For more information on the Maine Elks Association Drug Awareness Program, contact State Director Anthony Gause. Contact information can be found in the MEA State Directory.
Fact information about Drugs can be found here: Get Smart About Drugs
Red Ribbon Card: RedRibbonWeekCardUpdated.pdf (elks.org)
Maine Elks Hold State Soccer Shoot in Bangor
On a cool morning on Sunday, October 16th, the Maine Elks Association conducted their State championship Soccer Shoot contest at the John Bapst Practice field on Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor.
Intended to help keep our youth focused and away from undesirable activities, the Elks’ Soccer Shoot program consists of two different contests that test different level skills at different ages. Contestants are grouped by gender and age. Kids competes in groups of 7 years old and younger, eight to nine, ten to eleven and twelve to thirteen.
Hosted by the members of Bangor Elks Lodge #244, the state contest welcomed nineteen kids, ages 7 to 13, and their families from across the state. State Soccer Shoot Director Shawn Stacey coordinates the program in Maine and assembled the team to conduct this event with the help of several members of the Bangor lodge Soccer Shoot committee and the Bangor High School class of ’23. Final standings were announced, and trophies presented after the spaghetti lunch at the Elks lodge.
Maine’s 1st place boy and girl winners are:
Under 8 – Emma H (Rockland) and Jack R (Waterville),
Under 10 – Bella S (Sanford) and Drake L (Houlton)
Under 12 – Rihanna P (Sanford) and Brayden F (Rockland)
Under 14 – Lucy C (Presque Isle) and Reid R (Rockland).
The first-place shooters will advance next to the Area 1 Soccer Shoot to be held on November 5th at the Augusta Tennis Club in Augusta. At that venue, they will face the best shooters for their age and gender group from NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, and NY. Scores for the top shooters in that contest will be forwarded to the National Soccer Shoot Coordinator, with the highest scores named as National Soccer Shoot Champions. Last year, Maine had its first National Champion in the Soccer Shoot. Emily C., sponsored by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge #1954 was the top shooter in the country in the U-12 girls division. She was presented with her National Champion’s Trophy at the MEA State Convention in May.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
The Maine Elks Association coordinates the fraternal efforts of twenty lodges ranging from York Lodge # 2788 in the Coastal District to the Presque Isle lodge # 1954 in the Northern District. To find out more about this and other programs in your area go to www.maineelks.org or www.elks.org.
Photos from the event can be found here: State Soccer Shoot | Flickr