NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationRockland hosting Mother of the Year Event
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Virginia Oliver, Maine’s 102-year-old lobster trapper, will be honored by the Maine Chapter of American Mothers, Inc. on Saturday, May 13 at the Rockland Elks lodge.
“Her legacy is definitely one that should be honored and shared,” said Lina Cloutier Michaud, president of the Maine Chapter of American Mothers, Inc.
The luncheon, scheduled for the day before Mother’s Day, is open to the public and will be held from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Rockland Elks lodge on 210 Rankin Street. Tickets are $15.00 and must be purchased in advance. LUNCHEON FLIER
Oliver began lobstering off Rockland’s coast when she was eight, and she continues to trap lobsters three days a week with her son, Max Oliver.
Though Oliver took time off from lobstering to raise her daughter and three sons, she has no plans to retire from a vocation she loves.
“You’ve got to keep moving,” Oliver said. “Otherwise, you’ll end up in a wheelchair.”
Oliver’s work ethic and her dedication to her family is inspirational, said Michaud, who was Maine Mother of the Year in 2019.
“We are delighted to honor Ginny as our 2023 Maine Mother of Achievement, this Mother’s Day,” Michaud said.
Copies of The Lobster Lady: Maine’s 102-Year-Old Legend, a book that chronicles Oliver’s life, will be available for purchase during the luncheon. The book is written by author Barbara Walsh and is illustrated by painter Shelby Crouse.
Checks or cash will be accepted for copies of the book.
Oliver, who has been interviewed by news media across the globe, was first featured in a documentary film produced by the Rockland Historical Society.
For more information on the event and purchasing tickets, contact Lina Cloutier Michaud at (207) 485-4710 or slaale@hotmail.com
FMI on the American Mothers, Inc.: https://www.americanmothers.org/
Fun During Grand Lodge
The afternoon of July 3rd the Minnesota Twins will be hosting the Kansas City Royals, 6:40 pm at Target Field and we have space in a Skyline Suite. Your ticket includes popcorn & chips, hot dogs, chicken tenders & burger sliders and a seasonal fruit platter, cookies & brownies and soft drinks.
Tickets are $130 each.
Get the Flier or contact Melinda Voisine for details.
UPDATE May 9: As of today I have 24 spots left for the game. We have till June 2nd to fill our spots, and may open this up to other Associations if we didn’t fill all of the spots with Maine Elks. Call me ASAP for one of these remaining seats! Mindy .
UPDATE May 14: The ELKS’ own GER Bruce Hidley will be throwing out the first pitch for this game!
MEA Calendar Winners for March are Posted
New England Regional Hoop Shoot Images are now Available
For photos of the New England Region Hoop Shoot event, over the weekend of 10-12 March, 2023 at the University of Southern Maine-Gorham campus’ Costello Sports Complex may now be accessed at the MEA Flickr feed HERE.
Volunteer Your Support to the Touring Wall’s Stop in Sanford
Scheduling and Other information for the 11th Hour and Flag Contests March 12th.
The Eleven O’clock Toast contest and Flag Presentation contest will be conducted at the Waterville Elks on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
Each will be two contests one for current Exalted Rulers and one for Past Exalted Rulers belonging to member lodges of the Maine Elks Association. The highest score of the two contests will represent the Maine Elks Association the Grand Lodge Contests in Minneapolis. The Maine Elks Association is allowing $1,000.00 to each winner to cover 1 round trip airfare and room for 3 nights Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Preliminary Contest is Sunday and finals are Monday with presentations on Tuesday. All Lodges having a member compete in these contests will be eligible for a 20 points in the All-American Lodge Contest for each contest participated in.
HERE are the ground rules as previously submitted to you for these contests. We will have judges from the State of Maine. Remember, dress is suit coat and tie, no jeans and appropriate attire for the ladies. (If your lodge has lodge attire re: Blazers, etc that is fine) No Esquire is required. No jewels are required but optional if you want to wear them.
Flag Presentation Contestants – remember to bring your own American Flag, neatly pressed. You can use your own candidate, but if you don’t have one, we have a member who will do it for all contestants.
All contestants – please arrive by 9:30 AM so we can discuss ground rules.
This is the schedule (Scheduled according to Lodge #)
10 am
Eleven O’clock Toast contest: (* indicates Exalted Ruler)
Exalted Rulers
Joe Ritchey, Waterville #905*
Pam Heal, Rockland #1008*
Robert Shaw, Sanford #1470*
Roberta Ranger. Farmington #2430*
Past Exalted Rulers
Eric Robinson Bangor #244
Michael Hannagan, Houlton #835
Ronald Smith, Waterville #905
Carlette Eaton Waterville #905
Adam Brock, Sanford #1470
Sheila Pillsbury, Sanford #1470
Aaron Allumbaugh, Farmington #2430
Flag Presentation Contest:
Pam Heal, Rockland #1008*
Robert Shaw, Sanford #1470*
Sheila Pillsbury, Sanford #1470
Vector Sensory Awareness Machine for Veterans-Fundraising Info
Elks National Veterans Service Commission
Robert Kittredge, P.E.R.
Voluntary Service Representative
Augusta Lodge 964
873 Pond Rd. Sidney Maine 04330
207 242 6075 Bob@bbembmaine.info
March 6, 2023
Good afternoon,
It has come to my attention that many of you have funds to donate for the purchase of a Vector Sensory awareness Machine at Augusta Maine Veterans Home, and there is some confusion about where to send the money. Please make and send checks to the Maine Veterans Home AND most important in the Memo please write For Vector Sensory Machine
Maine Veterans Home
35 Heroes Way
Augusta, ME 04330
Attn: Life Enrichment
Thank you, again, for your contribution and support of Maine Veterans and their families.
Sincerely,
Robert Kittredge, PER
Voluntary Service Representative
Life Enrichment Coordinator Debbie Sirois and
VAVS Representative Bob Kittredge with the new
Vector Sensory Awareness Machine.
Scholarship Committee Year-end Wrap-up
Greetings,
The MEA Scholarship Committee at 3 levels completed the following Activities & Tasks:
20 Lodge Scholarship Coordinators promoted the MVS Contest, Legacy Awards and Emergency Grants to their Lodge Membership and area High School Guidance Offices. Flyers, Brochures, Posters and Bookmarks were provided to each Lodge by the Elks National Foundation. Also, the use of Social Media, Lodge Newsletters and Newspaper Articles promoted the Scholarship offering.
19 out of 20 of the Lodges had applicants apply for the MVS Contest. Northern District led the way with 53 Applicants, followed by Coastal District with 31 and Central District with 17, for a total of 101 MVS Applicants statewide.
We had two new judges at the State Level, this year, Kathleen Cotterly, PDDGER from the Augusta Lodge and Deborah Mitchell, ER/PER from the Old Town Lodge. We also had the privilege to welcome back retired teacher Shawn Kimball. We feel very fortunate to have his eyes and expertise at this level of judging, as well.
We had a new Scholarship Coordinator at the District Level this year, also. We welcomed Laura Rollins, PER from the Millinocket Lodge. Laura stumbled across a concern, right from the get-go when the District Applications opened for scoring. In researching the problem and bringing it to the National Level, it was found that the issue was a computer glitch, that was shortly rectified and resolved at the National Level. Kudos Laura!!!
There were several new Scholarship Coordinators at the local Lodge level, as well. Congratulations, on your commitment to the youth in your communities. A huge Thank You goes to all that worked hard in promoting the Elks Scholarships Programs. We appreciate your continued support in helping our youth further their educational endeavors.
I am pleased to announce that the following Lodges have scholars that have advanced to the National Level of Judging: Ellsworth, Farmington, Gardiner, Houlton, Portland and Presque Isle. These top six Scholars and their families will be invited to join us at the Maine Elks Association State Convention on Saturday, May 6th.
It is important that each of the Lodges complete and submit a Scholar/Family Registration Forms with Meal Selections,
and turn them in to Convention Committee Chairperson Vassie Fowler by the noted deadline of April 1st, 2023. Also, please send a copy of the Scholar/Family Registration forms to me at Lina Michaud, PER & MEA State Scholarship Coordinator, 27 Bunny Street, Augusta, ME 04330 or E-Mail: slaale@hotmail.com.
I will be sending each Lodge Scholarship Coordinator a copy of the Maine Elks Association District & Lodge Scholarship Awards Letters. These Awards are granted through the Maine Elks Association. This letter will also go out to each Scholar with a copy for their School Guidance Counselor’s, as well.
We should be notified in late March with the list National MVS Finalists and Legacy Award Winners will be announced in late April.
Nominations will be accepted through March 15th for the MEA SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD on behalf of their Dedicated and Meritorious Service to the Elks Scholarship Programs and the Youth of his/her community. Nominations may be for present or past service. Submit nominations to Lina Michaud @ slaale@hotmail.com.
Incoming Exalted Rulers, Congratulations!!! Please be sure to submit complete contact information for your Lodge Scholarship Coordinator, for the MEA Directory, to include, name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. This must be updated in CLMS by your Secretary, too.
ENF Emergency Grant Applications open May 1st. Contact Lina with any questions on these renewable grants for children of disabled or deceased Elks. There are special details and requirements around these grants.
Remember these Scholars are our Future Leaders! Elks Care ~ Elks Share
In Elkdom,
Lina Michaud, PER
MEA Scholarship Coordinator
(207) 485-4710
February 2023 Calendar Winners
Lodge’s Community Partnership Aims at Aiding Veterans Community
Partnering with neighbors and organizations in their community, members of Presque Isle Lodge #1954 are working a program geared toward helping area veterans meet basic needs sustaining needs. For more information see WAGM News Coverage