NEWS

News from the Maine Elks Association

ELKS TO HOST FREE VETERANS DAY SUPPER FOR MILITARY VETERANS AND SPOUSES

Nov 7, 2024

Again next week, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will offer a free, Veterans’ Day supper for all military Veterans, current military service personnel, and their spouses, on Monday, November 11, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m., at the Elks Lodge
located at 508 Main Street in Presque Isle.
According to Tina Dougherty, Exalted Ruler of the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, the Veterans’ Day dinner follows the directive from the Elks Grand Exalted Ruler, which requires all Elks Lodges throughout this country to hold special events to
honor our nation’s military Veterans. November is Elks Veterans Remembrance Month.
“As long as there are Veterans, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will never forget them” is a principal precept of the Benevolent and Protective Oder of Elks, said Exalted Ruler Dougherty.
A wide variety of recipes featuring moose meat donated by the Maine Warden Service and trout donated by Mi’kmaq Farms. This will include marinated moose steaks, moose chili, Lasagna with moose meat, American chopsuey with moose hamburger, shepherd’s pie with moose meat, and moose meatballs in a variety of flavors.
For the first time this year, thanks to Mi’kmaq Farms, trout will be offered in avariety of recipes, including pan-fried and baked trout, and fish chowder.
In addition to the numerous moose recipes, the Elks will also be serving chicken stew, home baked beans, hot rolls, trout chowder, and a variety of desserts.
A calf moose, which had been illegally killed, was seized recently by the Maine Wardens Service. The wardens service donated that moose meat for this Veterans Day supper, as an expression of gratitude of the Maine Wardens Service to our military Veterans.
Similarly, Mi’kmaq Farms donated trout grown by them in order to express the gratitude of the tribe for the service of our Veterans. A large percentage of the Mi’kmaq tribe are military veterans.
Military Veterans, active servicemen and their spouses will eat for free. A minimal charge of Only Five Dollars ($5.00) per person will be charged for all other members of the public who wish to attend.
Military veterans, including James “Sheldon” Wright, Dale Hudson, Wendell Hudson, will share their musical talents with their fellow Veterans and guests, who attend this special supper.

Door prizes have been donated for Veterans and all current military service personnel.
If transportation to the Elks Lodge for this event is needed, it can be arranged by calling the Presque Isle Elks at 764-0985.

Wells Elks put ENF Money to Work

Nov 3, 2024

The “Elks Caring for the Caregiver” project is a compassionate initiative designed to support caregivers in the local community. Its primary goal is to address caregiver isolation and financial strain through practical assistance, emotional support, and education. The project aims to increase attendance at the monthly Caregiver Support Group, growing participation each month. This will be achieved through targeted marketing efforts such as social media promotion, local advertisements, and partnerships with healthcare providers. The project also plans to enhance the value of these meetings by inviting guest speakers to provide valuable insights on caregiving topics, helping caregivers develop skills and find emotional relief.
In addition, the initiative includes distributing Caregiver Essentials Kits to attendees of the meeting. These kits will provide caregivers with practical tools and resources to improve their caregiving tasks. A financial assistance program has also been launched to help caregivers afford more expensive supplies, like durable medical equipment, assistive technology, motion sensors, door and bed alarms, grab bars, toilet frames, support rails, bed rails, dinner trays, and grabber tools. Caregivers can apply by writing to the Wells Elks Lodge at PO Box 337, Wells, ME 04090 and explain your caregiving situation, the specific item you need assistance with, and include any relevant details about how these items will help improve care for your loved one. Please include your contact information!
By offering caregivers a well-rounded support system, from educational resources to financial aid, the “Elks Caring for the Caregiver” project aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of those caring for others, reinforcing the Elks’ commitment to community service and support.

PRESQUE ISLE ELKS JUNIOR GOLF COMPLETES TENTH SUCCESSFUL SEASON

Oct 28, 2024

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, the Presque Isle Elks Junior Golf Program at the Presque Isle Country Club celebrated its tenth successful season with an awards banquet catered by Northern Maine Catering at the golf clubhouse.
The 2024 season began on June 2, 2024. Every Friday thereafter, youth in the program received free golf instruction from Matthew Madore, the pro at the Presque Isle Country Club. On every Sunday thereafter, weather permitting, the junior golfers
engaged in competition mentored by Presque Isle Country Club pros and parent golfers.
According to Matthew Madore, the young golfers in his program exhibited exemplary motivation to improve their golf skills, which was evident on the final Sunday of golf competition.
Madore, who is also the coach of the Presque Isle Golf Team, said, “The Presque Isle Elks Junior Golf Program has been an incredibly effective recruiting tool for the high school golf team. The success of the Presque Isle High School golf team as state champions in 2023 is irrefutable evidence of that.”
Matthew Madore has been assisted in the Junior Golf Program by his father, Barry Madore, who originated the Elks Junior Golf program at the Presque Isle Country Club.

The President and First Lady attend a Brunswick Prom

Oct 28, 2024

On Saturday, October 26, Denise and I visited the Brunswick Lodge.  Unfortunately, E.R. Mike Cronin couldn’t attend due to recent surgery, however he organized a team to do a fantastic job.

Brunswick planned a prom-themed event, and we all dressed in our finest formal attire.  Before dinner, we met some Lodge members in the club room.  PDDGER Rod Bauer gave me a tour of the building, which, though not originally built as an Elk Lodge, boasts a fascinating history.  The Lodge’s significant role in the community was evident in the club room, where they had collected candy for children, created a wish list for veterans, and displayed examples of their many good deeds.

The meal was excellent, and as is typical at Lodges, there was more food than we could eat.  Pam and her team truly outdid themselves.  The music was fantastic, and the DJ, who was likely not even born at our first prom, kept us entertained.  We danced, chatted, and had a genuinely great time.  We concluded the evening with the 11th-hour toast, and Dick and his wife chauffeured us back to the hotel.

The hotel itself was a real treat.  Built around the structure of an old sea captain’s home, it was rich in history and elegantly designed.  Our next visit will be to Bangor on the 9th, but before that, expect a report on the Grand Exalted Ruler’s visit.

With the New Year comes Ritual Season!

Oct 14, 2024

All Maine Elks:
On Sunday October 27, 2024, there will be a Ritual Clinic at the Waterville #905 lodge at 9 a.m. The Clinic will be presented by Grand Lodge Ritual Chairman Bruce Brunelle.
All areas of our initiatory Ritual will be explored and discussed.  As the Toast & Flag Presentation are part of the initiatory ritual those contests will be covered as well.
Certifications for floor, word and computer judges will be offered.  Any member of the order can certify as word or computer judge and Past Exalted Rulers and Exalted Rulers can take first & final approvals for floor judge certification.  Information on
coaching and officer aids will be reviewed.  Lunch will be at noon followed by a live performance by the Waterville officers for the judging test.  Word and computer certification will also be presented.
All certified judges whose certification expires this year should make plans to attend this clinic for recertification.  This will be the only clinic offered in Maine this lodge year for Grand Lodge Certification.
Please contact me as to how many members of your lodge will be in attendance so they may plan for lunch accordingly.

Fraternally,
Frank L Ricker, PSP, PDDGER
Ritual Chairman, Maine Elks Association

DOWNLOAD THIS LETTER to Post in your Lodge                    DOWNLOAD the Ritual Contest Package

Update to Mike’s Sanford Visit Post

Oct 13, 2024

The first evening of Denise and my visit to the Sanford lodge we were hosted by Andy and Trish Bowles, but I couldn’t help but notice a glaring shortcoming in the composition of their barware, mainly that Andy’s pint glasses were only adorned with the emblem of the Red Sox.

Consequently, during our fall

Association meeting in Farmingtion I took the opportunity to supplement their bar with a couple of glasses adorned with the logo of the more successful NY franchise.

Many thanks again to you both for your hospitality! 

Final Totals from the Forks

Oct 12, 2024

THE 4TH ANNUAL MAINE ELKS ASSOCIATION WEEKEND IN THE FORKS RAISES NEARLY $80,000.00 FOR THE MAINE CHILDREN’S CANCER PROGRAM 

This year the Maine Elks Association MCCP/FORKS Steering Committee set a goal of $75,000.00 to bring our 4 year total up over $200,000.00.
We are proud to share that we exceeded our goal by raising $79,485.11 at our MCCP Christmas in the Forks Camping Weekend!  This brought our 4 year total just shy of $206,000.00!
We had 15 Lodges participate, with 240 registered Elks & Guests.
The top 3 Lodges raising the most funds for the entire weekend of events were:
# 1 – Waterville Lodge #905 – $16,528.00
# 2 – Skowhegan Lodge #2531 – $10,131.00
# 3 – Augusta Lodge #964 – $10,109.11
At the Event the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge won the large trophy by raising the most funds through the Silent & Live Auctions and the Festival of Trees.  They raised a whopping $5,119.00.  GREAT JOB!!!
We also filled a trailer full of toys for the Owie Box.  A BIG Thank You to Aaron Allumbaugh and Gary Pierce for delivering them for us to the MCCP Program.
Every Lodge made phenomenal strides, this year, many doubling their fundraising efforts from previous years.  This year we had nearly $20,000.00 in Corporate Donations, this gave us a great boost.  To all of the participating Lodges, congratulations on a job well done!
The MCCP/FORKS Steering Committee will plan to meet directly after the State Meeting this morning for a quick recap of this year’s event.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shu & Lina Michaud 
MCCP/FORKS Co-Chairs

A Scholarship Season note from our Chairman

Oct 12, 2024

Greetings from the Elks world of scholarships, a reminder the Most Valuable Student Scholarship deadline is November 12, 2024.

This contest is open to all high school seniors who are U.S. Citizens.  Judging is based on leadership, service, academics and financial need.
This year the 2025 MVS Leadership Weekend will be in Chicago May 1 – 4, 2025.  The Top 20 Scholars, selected from the 500 national semi-finalists, will receive an Invitation to the weekend and scholarship awards of $30,000.00.
The Elks National Foundation has (2) seats open on the Elks Scholar Advisory Board.
They are looking to fill the openings with a 2024 Legacy Scholar and the other with a 2024 MVS Scholar.
This would give the scholars the opportunity to share their ideas, become a member of a national board and assist ENF with shaping the future of the Elks scholar experience.  This is an awesome opportunity and I am hoping that we have a Maine Scholar that may be interested in applying.  I will be sending the information out to our  (4) 2024 Legacy and (6) MVS Scholars.
Also, the Legacy Awards application deadline is February 3, 2025.
Lodges, please remember, Legacy Award Winners have a Service Requirement, please help your student meet that requirement by reaching out to them and working with them to volunteer at your lodge, during school breaks, etc.
There is a form that needs to be completed and sent in to the Elks National Foundation, as they complete their Service Requirement, each year.
Scholars are required to volunteer with an Elks Lodge at least once every year after their first year of college for a total of three instances of service throughout their undergraduate career.
There is no time requirement, we just ask that you serve with a Lodge or Elks members in a meaningful way.
They can serve with any Elks Lodge across the nation, it does not have to be your sponsoring lodge.
 
Emergency Grant Applications for children of fully disabled or deceased Elks, must be submitted by December 31, 2024.
These are renewable one year grants, up to $5,000.00.  If you know of a student that may qualify, please give them my contact information and I will be happy to work with them through the application process.
Respectfully submitted,
Lina Michaud 
MEA Scholarship Coordinator
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