NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationWeekend Camping Fun by Waterville
Mark the weekends of July 20-21 and September 14-15 on your calendar!
The members of Waterville Lodge #905 are conducting two weekends of Elkish fun and camping at the Two Rivers campground in Skowhegan.
There’ll be live music, food and lots of fun on the Kennebec to support the Waterville Lodge Backpack Program, their Soccer Shoot program and the ENF.
See the FLIER for more information and contact info.
MEA Calendar Winners for January, 2024
DATE | TICKET | NAME | AMOUNT | LODGE |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 609 | Sharon Darling | $100 | Millinocket |
2 | 757 | Gerald Ober | $25 | Rockland |
3 | 1209 | Mike LaFrance | $25 | Ellsworth |
4 | 784 | John Miller | $25 | Rockland |
5 | 689 | Corey Vandeventer | $25 | Portland |
6 | 252 | Ben Panik | $50 | Bidd-Saco |
7 | 552 | Shirley Snider | $50 | Millinocket |
8 | 573 | Peggy Bouchard | $25 | Millinocket |
9 | 1481 | Dolores Daggett- c/o Castonguay | $25 | Augusta |
10 | 90 | Larry Dawson | $25 | Bangor |
11 | 1416 | Micheal Hopkins | $25 | Bangor |
12 | 623 | Pat Achilli | $25 | Millinocket |
13 | 1965 | Brian Reeve | $50 | Farmington |
14 | 1286 | Kevin O'Connell | $50 | Bangor |
15 | 1372 | Billy Stewart | $100 | Bangor |
16 | 320 | Mathew Nichols | $25 | Ellsworth |
17 | 145 | Will Proctor | $25 | Bath |
18 | 224 | Denise Morin | $25 | Bidd-Saco |
19 | 1617 | Michelle & Mick McLaughlin | $25 | Bidd-Saco |
20 | 1345 | Matt Barnes | $50 | Bangor |
21 | 1006 | Tyler Eaton | $50 | Waterville |
22 | 1567 | Thomas J. Billings Sr | $25 | Rockland |
23 | 394 | Liz Grovogel | $25 | Ellsworth |
24 | 389 | Mallory Perry | $25 | Ellsworth |
25 | 1428 | Jerry Burns | $25 | Bangor |
26 | 500 | Joe Bergan | $25 | Houlton |
27 | 374 | Lewis Gordon | $50 | Ellsworth |
28 | 785 | Bob Richardson | $50 | Rockland |
29 | 1585 | Rosemary Myers | $25 | Rockland |
30 | 1412 | Katie Allen | $25 | Bangor |
31 | 546 | Brent Rollins | $25 | Millinocket |
Endorsed Candidate Pins & Pendants Now Available
Endorsed Candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler Douglas Schiefer of the Ohio Elks Association has made his fundraising pin and pendent set available through Lina Michaud. The pin or pendant can be purchased for $100 each, or a set can be purchased for $150 for both the pin and pendant. Purchasing the pin, pendant, or both will allow the recipient and a guest to be invited to the Grand Exalted Ruler-Elect’s Reception at the Grand Lodge Convention to be held in Austin, Texas this July. The event is scheduled for the evening of July1st, following the election of the Grand Exalted Ruler for 2024-2025.
To order the pin, pendant, or both, please download the order form by clicking the button below/ Fill out the form, and send it along with your payment to:
Lina B. Michaud
27 Bunny St.
Augusta, ME 04330
Coastal District Hoops Rescheduled
Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters.
Elks Scholarship News
This year the Most Valuable Student Contest had 100% participation with all Lodges having at least 1 Scholarship application. There was a total of 110 Applicants from Maine. Bangor #244 led the way with 11 Applicants, followed by Ellsworth #2743 and Farmington #2430, each with 10 applicants. District Level Scoring is currently underway and will end on January 10, 2024. State Scoring will begin on February 1 – 20, 2024
Congratulations, to Kathy Stevens of Augusta Lodge #964. She is moving up from Central District Chairperson to a MVS State Judge. Mike “Shu” Michaud, PER will step into the Central District Coordinator position. Please update your directory to include this change. Mike’s contact information is noted below:
Mike Michaud
27 Bunny St.
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 441-2838
shumichaud@gmail.com
Thank You, Mike! He’s been an enormous help through the years, and I am confident he’ll do an amazing job.
Legacy Awards deadline is February 5, 2024. Please make sure your fellow Elk members know that this deadline is upcoming.
The Emergency Grant Program was open May 1 – December 1, 2023, for children or stepchildren of a deceased or totally disabled Elk. These are $5,000.00 one-year, renewable grants. If you know of someone that may qualify, please have them contact Lina Michaud, so that she may review the guidelines with them and assist with the application process.
The Gunther & Lee Weigei Medical School Scholarship applications opened January 2, 2024. Last year, the 2023 contest, awarded ten (10) $22,000.00 scholarships to Elk Scholars, entering their 1st year of medical school in the Fall of 2023. This scholarship is open to current or former scholarship recipients of the Elks National Foundation Awards, ONLY.
Also, nominations are being accepted for the prestigious Maine Elks Association Scholarship Special Recognition Award. If you know of someone that has worked diligently at the local, district or state level on behalf of youth of their communities and the Elk Scholarship Programs, please submit a nomination by February 29, 2024 for this year’s award. You may e-mail the nomination to: Lina Michaud, PER, 27 Bunny St., Augusta, ME 04330 or E-Mail: slaale@hotmail.com.
I wish each and every one of you, a phenomenal New Year with good health, fortune and most importantly the love and support of your Elk Family.
Fraternally,
Lina Michaud PER
Maine Elks Association
State Scholarship Coordinator
(207) 485-4710
slaale@hotmail.com
December MEA Calendar Winners
December | Prize | Ticket | Name | Lodge |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $25 | 632 | Amy Harris | Bangor |
2 | $50 | 197 | Marie Hooper | Ellsworth |
3 | $50 | 511 | Steve Knowlton | Waterville |
4 | $25 | 845 | Devin Schmitt | Sanford |
5 | $25 | 1589 | Rich Haley | Wells |
6 | $25 | 647 | Janiece Valente | Bangor |
7 | $25 | 580 | Zoe Emery | Waterville |
8 | $25 | 1735 | Darby Newsome | Biddeford-Saco |
9 | $50 | 219 | David Whalen | Ellsworth |
10 | $50 | 586 | Brian Parks | Bangor |
11 | $25 | 1047 | Joan Howard | Biddeford-Saco |
12 | $25 | 446 | Denise Bouhie | Sanford |
13 | $25 | 1248 | Lawrence Surrette | Millinocket |
14 | $25 | 567 | Richard Sylvester | Waterville |
15 | $25 | 1245 | Laura McDonald | Millinocket |
16 | $50 | 1288 | Charlene Stubbs | Millinocket |
17 | $50 | 372 | Elliot Nathanson | Portland |
18 | $25 | 668 | Mark Eldridge | Bangor |
19 | $25 | 1075 | Linda Barrett | Biddeford-Saco |
20 | $25 | 1816 | Gwayne Guy (E) | Rockland |
21 | $500 | 1090 | Tanya Rushing | Biddeford-Saco |
22 | $25 | 1335 | Joe Joke | Rockland |
23 | $50 | 238 | Alicia Briggs | Ellsworth |
24 | $50 | 1773 | Darrin & Kerstin Roberts | Biddeford-Saco |
25 | $100 | 440 | Emily Giggey | Sanford |
26 | $25 | 1703 | Crystal Davis | Farmington |
27 | $25 | 1321 | Janel Goodman | Millinocket |
28 | $25 | 1665 | Heidi Worster | Bangor |
29 | $25 | 822 | Tiffany Gagnon | Sanford |
30 | $50 | 1636 | Charles Stratton | Ellsworth |
31 | $50 | 1251 | Christine Adams | Millinocket |
Elk Lodge News from around the State
Lodges of the Maine Elks Association have been busy living up to our Order’s motto of Elks Care-Elks Share. Here is some of what the Lodges have done and are doing around the State:
Augusta Elks Lodge
The Augusta Lodge with over 1,000 members has been very active. In December, the Lodge held its 3rd Annual Festival of Trees at which over 2,500 people came through the Lodge in support of the event. There were many positive comments on the appearance of the trees and the Lodge, as well as obtaining a few new membership applications. There were also a few new businesses interested in having a tree in next year’s event. Though all the numbers have not been reported yet, there will be a significant amount being given to the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP). KVCAP is a non-profit community action program which has been providing services to the people of Kennebec and Somerset counties since 1965. They offer a variety of services geared towards helping clients achieve economic and social self-sufficiency.
The Augusta Lodge’s “Edge Program.” was also busy during the month. This program is a collaboration of several local electricians and plumbers several who are members that work with local high school students to provide hands on experience teaching the basics of house wiring and plumbing. This program is funded in part by an Elks National Foundation Impact Grant.
The Veterans Committee delivered gifts to the Maine Veterans Home as part of the Elks Adopt-A-Vet program. The Lodge adopted five veterans in the home, who provided a list of five items they wanted for Christmas. The Lodge then went shopping for those items, wrapped and tagged them, and then delivered them in time for the holiday. The items will hopefully brighten their holiday and show that the “So long as there are veterans, the Elks will never forget them.” and their service to our great nation.
Sanford Elks Lodge
The Sanford Elks Lodge is also an active Lodge with over 1,000 members. The Lodge has been promoting to their members access to the “My Elks” app. Members can download the app onto their phone or tablet, and access all of the events and happenings at the Lodge. Access to this app for members is free, though there is a fee paid by the Lodge’s that use the app. Many other Lodges across the country also use the app as well, which works great if you are traveling and want to see what is going on at a Lodge near you.
The Lodge officers have been working on preparing for the State Ritual Contest, which is scheduled to be held at their Lodge on February 25th. This contest is open to any Lodge that wants to compete and improve their presentation to new members during initiation. This is the Lodge contest, but later in March, there will be an 11 O’clock Toast and Flag Presentation competition that is open to all Exalted Rulers and Past Exalted Rulers. The winner of this contest will be offered the opportunity to compete at the national contest held at the Grand Lodge Convention in Austin, Texas in July.
The Lodge has also been busy raising money for the State Associations’ major project the “Maine Children’s Cancer Program.” The Lodge has a large committee that is focused on raising money for this great cause. On Sunday, February 18th, the Lodge plans to hold its 14th Annual Square Pond Fishing Derby, provided that there is ice on the pond.
The Lodge throughout the year has also been celebrating 100 years of service to the community.
Bath Elks Lodge
The Bath Elks Lodge also has been busy. The Lodge also hosted MEA State President Sandi Anderson and First Man David at the Lodge for their annual “Jingle Jam” event on December 9th which raises money for needy people in the community. The Lodge also donated $500 dollars to the Bath Area Backpack Program, and another $500 to the Morse High School Project Graduation. In addition, like many other Lodges, they held their annual Children’s Christmas party which was attended by 36 young people who were entertained by a local magician and provided with sweets and refreshments, as well as a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Lodge is also held its annual Hoop Shoot contest on December 16th with 16 youngsters competing. The winners will be advancing to the District Contest to be held on January 7, 2024, at the Bath YMCA.
Want More News?
If you want to provide news for the MEA Website on what your Lodge is and has been doing for the community, please submit the information using the form that as accessed at the top of the Members Only home page of the MEA Website. The link can be found here: MEA LODGE NEWS SUBMISSION | Maine Elks Association. The form also has the ability for your Lodge to submit a photo from the event. Please use the best photo that shows your Lodge members in action, as only one can be submitted for each news story.
Elks Float in Tournament of Roses Parade-January 1, 2024
It’s almost New Year’s Day, and many across this great country and around the world will be celebrating by watching the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2024. This will be the second year in a row that the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks will have a float in the parade. The theme this year is “Celebrating the World of Music: The Universal Language.
The Elk’s U.S.A. float is titled “Chimes of Liberty / Protecting our Future” The float showcases the Elks’ impactful community work and their commitment to supporting the armed forces. The float features classic Revolutionary War fife and drum icons, highlighting battlefield communication, regimental pride, and identity. It also features the Preamble to the United States Constitution which takes center stage on the float, adorned with a revolutionary war bugle featuring intricate gold braiding. An oversized quill, representing the power of words, is also displayed next to the iconic BPOE clock. At the heart of the float, a majestic elk, the emblem of the BPOE, is nestled amidst the stars and stripes of the American flag, signifying the organization’s deep patriotism. The floral materials have no limit in creativity, with the big drum made of fine white ground rice and white mums and the Declaration of Independence made of ground oats, dark brown coffee, walnut shell, and black beans. The float is adorned with celebratory fireworks of red carnations and yellow strawflower at the rear, symbolizing the BPOE’s longstanding commitment to community service and its founding principles since 1868.
Riding aboard the float will be representatives from each of the six military branches including the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force representing the Elks support of our nation’s veterans. Also, on board will be three young people from the Elks Antler’s Youth Program representing our nation’s future.
The parade will be broadcast live starting at 8 AM PST on ABC and NBC. To the right is a preview of the float and an interview with Past Grand Exalted Ruler Robert Duitsman.
Wells Elks Lodge to Receive ENF Impact Grant
The Wells Elks Lodge may be small with only 71 members but is a powerhouse in their community. The Elks National Foundation (ENF) recently announced that the Lodge will be receiving a coveted Impact Grant through their Community Investment Program. This is a highly competitive grant offered by the ENF which are designed to set a standard of excellence in community leadership through service through volunteerism. Only 14 Lodges in the country will receive one of these grants in 2024.
The Wells Lodge will be receiving a $10,000 grant for their “Elks Caring for the Caregiver Program;” a program that seeks to provide emotional, social, and material support for adult caregivers in their community. The support group will meet monthly at the Lodge where caregivers will receive educational sessions and caregiver essential tips. Speakers will be brought in for a variety of topics such as stress management, nutrition elder law, Medicaid planning, basic first aid and CPR, medication management, and more.
This idea was brought to the Wells Elks Lodge after at least three of their own lodge members were experiencing this lack of finding support through 2021-2023. These Elks members and new Caregivers were caring for diagnosed family members of dementia and cancer. After hearing their stories detailing the amount of care and lack of support, some members took it upon themselves to start researching and finding financial and emotional support for their fellow Elks in their time of need. This opened up a wider discussion to see if this was a community wide issue. During the Lodge’s discussions with residents, home health care owners/aides and members of the local Elder Abuse Task Force they found that there was definitely a lack of education for new Caregivers as well as the need for a support group with evening hours available. In addition, the Lodge researched and found statistics on caregiver financial strain which was also confirmed in talking with the Elks members that were currently going through this. Currently, according to the CDC 20% of the population of the United States provide caregiving services for a friend or family, and according to AARP, those caregivers provide over $600 Billion in volunteer service, so being a caregiver has become an important need in this country. The Wells Elks Lodge is doing its part to help support those caregivers through this program.
The Wells Lodge joins the Augusta Lodge in being the only two Lodges in Maine to receive an Impact Grant. The Augusta Lodge is currently receiving a renewal of its impact grant for supporting local teenagers through their “Edge Program,” which is the second of two Impact grants the Augusta Lodge received: the first being a program in support of the Augusta Boys & Girls Club.
Impact grants are not the only grants offered by the Elks National Foundation. The ENF also offers Elk Lodges four other grants including the Beacon Grant, Spotlight Grant, Freedom Grant, and Gratitude Grant, each with their own requirements and uses to support communities across the country. Statewide, the Elk Lodges in Maine have received $117,500 to support their communities, helping to show that Elks Care–Elks Share. For more information on these grant programs, visit Resources (elks.org).