NEWS
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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.
Presque Isle Elks to host 19th ELKS FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, will again host the Elks Family Christmas Dinner at the Elks Lodge located at 508 Main Street in Presque Isle. Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty said, “It is my privilege to invite everyone
in this area, who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day, to join the Elks family for a five-course Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day, all free of charge.”
The dinner being served will be a sit-down meal, featuring roast turkey or country- baked ham, County mashed potatoes, stuffing, and a medley of vegetables. A multitude of desserts, including a variety of berry and cream pies, will be presented from which the
diners may choose.
The late Mary Dickinson, together with the current event chair, Dana Dickinson, originated the Elks Family Christmas Dinner in 2005. In every year thereafter, except 2020, Dana has assembled a large group of enthusiastic volunteers to cook and serve a
sit-down Christmas Dinner to 200 or more guests.
James “Sheldon” Wright, Leland Clark, Agis Clark, Wendell Hudson, Dale Hudson, Yvette Stephens and Eric Norton, with periodic additional help, have provided musical entertainment for the Christmas dinner. They will again this year. .
Transportation will be provided for anyone who is unable to travel to the Presque Isle Elks Lodge on their own. That transportation can be arranged by calling 764-0985.
Exalted Ruler Tina said, “No one in this area should be alone on Christmas Day. The Presque Isle Elks Family Christmas Dinner provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the holiday joyously with festive music and a wonderful abundance of friendly,
caring people.”
Visit to a Lodge Hoop Shoot
On Sunday, December 8th, Denise and I drove up to Pittsfield from Bath to join them for their hoop shoot competition. The trip coincided with a rather healthy snowstorm, but we made it to the Maine Central Institute without any trouble.
At the Sebasticook Valley Elks hoop shoot, despite the inclement weather, there was a strong turnout of young shooters. I had the opportunity to assist as a judge, calling whether the shots were successful. In the end, Sebasticook will be sending six talented shooters to the district shoot in Bangor.
It was a pleasure to visit with Mike, Jeremy, and the other officers present at the hoop shoot. Our next travels will take us to the state meeting in Old Town, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone at this important gathering.
Portland Lodge Supports Local Non-Profit Efforts
(Shown L-R): Margaret Poulin, chair, 188 Basket Raffle, Silvan Shawe, Cultivating Community; Melissa Skahan, McAuley Residence; Angela Stone, Maine Needs; and Kim Toppi, 188 Activity Chair/Trustee.
As a result of the recent Basket Raffle extravaganza, the lodge raised $6,120 for work in our neighborhood, and in the members’ lounge on Friday, December 13, Portland #188 presented donations to three local nonprofits. Present were Melissa Skahan, VP of Northern Light Mercy Hospital/ McAuley Residence and Silvan Shawe, Executive Director of Cultivating Community. Each were presented a check for $2,000. The remaining money is being used to purchase new dinner plates for the banquet side of the lounge.
Additionally, the lodge recently held a warming tree clothing drive for Maine Needs, and during the December 13th presentation Angela Stone, Executive Director and founder of Maine Needs, accepted 529 items of clothing, boots, gift cards, hats, mittens, coats, and other essential items to help our neighbors in need.
President Mike Makes Themed Cribbage Boards for Togus
November’s Calendar Winners
First Couple Visits Bath
This past Saturday, December 7th, Denise and I made an official visit to the Bath Lodge. We drove down on that Saturday, enjoying beautiful weather with bright sunshine and fluffy white clouds. Upon arrival, we were impressed by the hotel’s beauty and its thorough preparation for the visit. Exalted Ruler Craig graciously provided transportation to and from the Lodge. We received a tour of the Lodge and then settled in for an evening of silent auction, raffles, and karaoke.
Dinner featured a wonderful choice of pulled pork, available in both traditional and Caribbean jerk styles. Both options were phenomenal. The evening’s proceeds were generously donated to assist local children in need during the holiday season. A substantial amount of money was raised, and everyone had a fantastic time. The karaoke was very enjoyable, and I was even persuaded to sing the final song of the evening.
I highly recommend visiting the Bath Lodge if you ever have the opportunity. Stay tuned, as Denise and I will be sharing more details about our visit to Sebasticook very soon.
Togus National Cemetary Wreaths
Foggy Bottom Trail
Chelsea, ME 04330