NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationMaine Elks State Hoop Shoot Contest
The Maine Elks State Hoop Shoot Contest is a highly anticipated annual event that provides an excellent platform for children aged 8 to 13 years old to showcase their basketball skills. This prestigious competition is organized by the Maine Elks Association and is part of the national Elks Hoop Shoot program, which aims to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition among youth. The program for the Fraternal Year 2024 to 25 took place on January 26th at the Bangor High School gymnasium.
The Elks Hoop Shoot program has a storied history dating back to 1946 when it was first introduced by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The purpose of the program is to engage young people in a positive and supportive environment where they can develop their basketball abilities, learn the importance of physical fitness, and build self-confidence.
The Maine Elks State Hoop Shoot Contest is open to all children residing in Maine who fall within the specified age range, beginning their journey through one of the twenty local lodge contests. The competition is divided into three age groups for each boys and girls:
- 8-9 years old
- 10-11 years old
- 12-13 years old
Participants must meet the age criteria as of April 1st of the year in which the contest is held.
The journey to the state finals begins at the local level, where Elks lodges across Maine host preliminary contests. Winners from each local lodge advance to the district level, where they compete against other local champions. The top shooters from the three district competitions then progress to the state finals where they vie for the title of Maine State Hoop Shoot Champion.
The Hoop Shoot contest follows a straightforward yet challenging format. Each participant is required to shoot a series of 25 free throws from the designated foul line: children 10 to 13 years of age shoot from the official fowl line and 8- to 9-year-olds from a line four feet closer. The boy and girl with the highest number of successful free throws in their respective group is declared the winner and move on to the next stage.
Our six State Champions have earned the honor of representing Maine at the New England regional in March where they compete against youths from Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. Those six winners will then compete at the national level. The national finals are held annually in Chicago, Illinois, where state champions from across the United States compete for the coveted title of National Hoop Shoot Champion and be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts. This prestigious event offers participants the opportunity to meet and compete against some of the best young basketball players in the country.
Benefits of Participation
The Maine Elks State Hoop Shoot Contest is not just about basketball; it is also about community and family involvement. Elks lodges across the state work tirelessly to organize and promote the contest, ensuring that it is a memorable experience for all participants. Family members, friends, and community supporters are encouraged to attend the competitions, creating a festive and supportive atmosphere for the young athletes.
Participating in the Hoop Shoot Contest provides numerous benefits for young athletes. Beyond the excitement of competition, the contest helps participants develop essential life skills, such as:
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The Day’s Top Shooters were Charlotte, 8-9 year-olds from Brunswick #2034 and Jackson, 10-11 year olds from Houlton #835.
Discipline: Regular practice and preparation for the contest teach children the value of hard work and dedication.
- Sportsmanship: Competing in a respectful and supportive environment fosters a sense of fair play and camaraderie among participants.
- Confidence: Successfully competing in the contest boosts self-esteem and helps children build confidence in their abilities.
- Teamwork: Although the Hoop Shoot is an individual competition, participants often practice and support each other, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
The Maine Elks State Hoop Shoot Contest is a fantastic opportunity for children to engage in a fun and competitive basketball event. It offers a platform for young athletes to hone their skills, make new friends, and experience the thrill of competition. By promoting physical fitness, discipline, and sportsmanship, the Hoop Shoot program plays a vital role in the development of well-rounded and confident individuals. Whether a participant or a spectator, the Maine Elks State Hoop Shoot Contest is an event that brings the community together and celebrates the potential of our youth, and no matter where they finish, we believe EVERY participant is truly a winner!
Like all such events, the Elks depend heavily on volunteers from within their own ranks and this event was no exception. Shown below in no particular order are (from the Bangor Lodge) Peter Duff, Mark Gregory, Mike Murphy, Steve Jones, Sherry Pinkos, Heidi Worster, Jake Worster, Gary Turner, Dorreh Montieth, Bob Phair, Shawn and Shane Stacey, Scott Monroe, and Jan Winkler, (from the Waterville Lodge) David Hammond and Felice Gaulin, and (from the Augusta Lodge) Wayne and Kathleen Cotterly. Back at the lodge the lunch was readied and served by Heidi Wood, Lynne Noyes and Marietta D’Agnostine.
MEA State Hoop Shoot Photos are Available
Photos from the 2024-25 State Hoop Shoot are now available at the MEA FLICKR account. Share with your contestants, download for your Bulletin and Facebook feeds!
First Elks’ Visit to Millinocket
On Saturday January 18th Denise and I paid a visit to the Millinocket Elks Lodge #1521. Upon arrival we were met by Ronnie and some of his officers at the hotel. We treated to a wonderful welcome gift and then taken to a local brewery. At the brewery, along with Mindy and State Sergeant at Arms Jeff, we had lunch and tasted a few of the local brews. Even on a cloudy day the views of the Katahdin region from Knife’s Edge brewery were fantastic. Next we trekked down the Golden Road to another venue overlooking two local lakes. Here we caught up on old stories, it turns out that Ronnie and his crew were actually neighborhood childhood friends of myself and my brothers. I had lived in Millinocket from about 1970 to about 1977. Many of us had attended grade school together and we all had some stories about the old neighborhood. In fact, on the way back to the Lodge Ronnie drove us by my old house.
In the evening, we were taken to the Lodge and met up with State Chaplain Mike. We had a wonderful meal and then were treated to a group of three stand up comedians. They were very amusing and everyone had a wonderful time. I was presented with a check to the Maine Children’s Cancer program, gave the 11 o’clock toast and we returned to our hotel.
The next day we returned to Houlton only to meet with Ronnie, Shelly, Mindy and Jeff who were in town for a motorcycle riders meeting. All in all it was a great weekend, full of fun stories and lots of cheer. Next weekend we are off to Skowhegan-Madison Lodge #2531. My report will be posted soon afterwards.
President Mike’s January Message to the Association
Greetings, everyone and Welcome to the North District, we’ve come a long way since this journey started in May.
Since our last meeting Denise and I have been to Farmington and received my coveted jacket, attended a wonderful prom experience in Brunswick, entertained the Grand Exalted Ruler and his wife, gone to the veterans ball in Bangor, been to a Jingle Jam in Bath. We participated in a lodge hoop shoot in Sebasticook Valley and the North District hoop shoot in Bangor. As always there are detailed reports of each of these visits on Maineelks.org and pictures from them playing on the screen. In the interest of time, as I know we have a lot of important information to distribute I encourage you to check them out.
Part of my role as President, I believe, is to provide some thoughts at least on leadership. In particular leadership when things aren’t going their best. If your Lodge is anything like my Lodge when I was E.R. this is the time of year that can be one of the most difficult, which at first seems a little odd. After all we have just gotten through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Likely the busiest times of year in the Lodge and demanding the most help from what seems like a shallow pool of volunteers. As we get into the deep of winter, with its shortened days, nasty weather, and the realization that you are almost as far from your installation as you’ll ever be as an E.R. things can look bleak. Life, as the saying goes, has “swiftly changing scenes that mark the action of the play.” Not only have these scenes changed for you, but for your helpers as well, and with those changes, some of which were in our control and others not so much, have made many of those people who in April were ready willing and able to go all in, feel like they have already gone all in. Unfortunately, as their leader you know the year isn’t all over. In my experience, all too often E.R.s, like teachers, upon reaching this time of year feel as though they are drowning in a pit of apathy.
But take heart, spring is coming and an important role for a leader is to be able to rally people when things look bleak – to build up camaraderie and to remind everyone of how much more good work there is to do. Great leaders are forged from times of strife, Roosevelt had fireside chats to get the country through the depression, Churchill rallied Londoners during the blitz, Bush 43 united our country after 9/11. Such leadership should be the norm, but at this time of year it can be particularly important.
Unfortunately, some E.R.s get caught in the trap of I’ll just do it myself. It may seem like the easiest answer with only a couple of months left and being tired of looking for volunteers, however I urge you not to get caught in this trap, it is a sure plan for burn out. On top of that, now not only are your volunteers burning out but you are as well. In its worst case, it leads to a scenario in Lodges that by the time February and March role around nobody in the Lodge wants to do much, except bring on a complete change in leadership. While their intentions are good; to get the Lodge back to the way they remember it is more often detrimental. Wouldn’t it be much better if the officers and volunteers all worked together so that April was seen as a continuation of great work, and not an annual coup.
Part of making all this work is that the E.R., the officers, and those who volunteer must continually see that among their responsibilities is to train those who will take their place. Remember “we by each other oft may be aided in our part, or from each other catch inspiration for a high resolve”. No one can do it alone, at least not for long.
Thanks for listening, keep up the good work and continue to show Maine through thought word and deed that Elkdom is the heart of America.
96th Annual MEA Convention Information Available
Information packet for the 96th annual MEA Convention, May 2-4 at the Waterville Elks is now available! Registration submittal due April 1st.
Winning Calendars for December ’24
| DATE | TICKET | NAME | AMOUNT | Lodge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 313 | Nancy Foss | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth |
| 2 | 548 | Donna Nadeau | $ 25.00 | Millinocket |
| 3 | 1391 | Jarrod Flewelling | $ 25.00 | Bangor |
| 4 | 1242 | Charles Haycock | $ 25.00 | Ellsworth |
| 5 | 492 | Sarah Hannigan | $ 25.00 | Houlton |
| 6 | 1700 | Nancy Jamo | $ 25.00 | Millinocket |
| 7 | 1196 | Lallie Trusdale | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth |
| 8 | 356 | Michael Linscott | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth |
| 9 | 914 | Matt Held | $ 25.00 | Sanford |
| 10 | 177 | Erica Benny | $ 25.00 | Bidd/Saco |
| 11 | 729 | LouAnn Penney | $ 25.00 | Portland |
| 12 | 1113 | Melanie Patstone | $ 25.00 | Wells |
| 13 | 718 | Denise Ernest | $ 25.00 | Portland |
| 14 | 1266 | Ricky Adams | $ 50.00 | Bangor |
| 15 | 1377 | Sharon Pouliot | $ 50.00 | Bangor |
| 16 | 37 | Rebecca & Oscar Barrera | $ 25.00 | Bangor |
| 17 | 300 | Scott Zepka | $ 25.00 | Ellsworth |
| 18 | 184 | D. Scott MacDougall | $ 25.00 | Bidd/Saco |
| 19 | 578 | Shelley Amari | $ 25.00 | Millinocket |
| 20 | 438 | Maureen Mosher | $ 25.00 | Farmington |
| 21 | 921 | Kathy Goodwin | $ 500.00 | Sanford |
| 22 | 1203 | Stephan Boutin | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth |
| 23 | 1580 | Carina Cameron | $ 25.00 | Rockland |
| 24 | 1495 | Cassandra Roy | $ 25.00 | Augusta |
| 25 | 1707 | Lisa Martin | $ 100.00 | Bangor |
| 26 | 485 | Vicki DeLong | $ 25.00 | Houlton |
| 27 | 1570 | Regan Myers | $ 25.00 | Rockland |
| 28 | 387 | Ann Perry | $ 50.00 | Ellsworth |
| 29 | 698 | Carl Smith | $ 50.00 | Portland |
| 30 | 1181 | John Feeley | $ 25.00 | Ellsworth |
| 31 | 549 | Jessica Nadeau | $ 25.00 | Millinocket |
Bulletin Contest for Fraternal Year 2024
It’s come time for the FY 2024 Lodge Bulletin Contest.
Interested lodges should submit three Consecutive editions of their lodge bulletin for review by March 15th, 2025.
Submission may be printed copies mailed to me at 190 South Strong Rd. Farmington, Me. 04938, or via email at aaron.allumbaugh1972@gmail.com
Aaron Allumbaugh
Lodge Activities Committee Chairman
Host a Future MEA Convention!
Community Christmas Dinner in Presque Isle
For the nineteenth year, beginning in 2005, the Presque Isle Elks, lodge #1954, hosted the Elks Family Christmas Dinner for anyone who would otherwise be alone on Christmas.
Thirty volunteers participated in preparing and serving the meals this year to serve dozens of individuals attending this popular Presque Isle Elks Community event. Preparation of the food for this event began on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Prior to the meal, guests enjoyed ten pounds of assorted cheeses, four pounds of assorted crackers, and two pounds of pepperoni.
Elks prepared 150 pounds of turkey, forty-three pounds of ham, thirty pounds of potatoes, ten pounds of squash, twenty pounds of stuffing, and twelve quarts of gravy. In addition, guests at the Christmas dinner enjoyed tomato bisque soup prepared by Rodney’s restaurant, seventeen dozen rolls and sixteen pies from Governors, and twelve pies supplied by Star City IGA.
Guests drank water, coffee and tea. Also included were mixed nuts and assorted chocolate candies.
Guests enjoyed the music of James “Sheldon” Wright and his friends, Ben Yeager, Leland Clark, Aegis Clark, Joe Romeo, and Jason Gagnon.
In commenting on the event, Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty said “The Presque Isle Elks Family Christmas Dinner is not only an annual gift to this community, it is also a prime example of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge carrying out the motto of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, ‘Elks care, Elks share’.”
PRESQUE ISLE ELKS DONATE TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF MAINE
At its regular meeting on December 18, 2024, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954 made a donation of $9,000 to Catholic Charities of Maine.
In making the presentation to Dixie Shaw, Director of Hunger and Relief Services for Catholic Charities of Maine, Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty said, “This donation to Catholic Charities represents the total of the Spotlight Grant, the Beacon Grant and the Gratitude Grant received by the Presque Isle Elks from the Elks National Foundation (ENF). Fighting food insecurity in the venues of the lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is one of the goals for each of the three grants requested by the Presque lsle Lodge from ENF.”
In accepting the donation, Dixie Shaw said, “Catholic Charities is so grateful for this generous donation. It comes at a critical time when the food pantries served in this
area by Catholic Charities are facing such a high demand. This is a result of the high price of groceries resulting from recent inflation and the fact that Aroostook County has
one of the highest median age populations of all the counties in the nation.”
In addition to providing a monetary donation to the Catholic Charities, members of the Presque Isle Lodge provide the manpower for the food donations sponsored by
Catholic Charities in Presque Isle throughout the year.