NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationPresident at Austin National Convention
What a whirlwind the early summer has been. Following my visit to York, was the national convention in Austin Texas. The weather was excellent, however we did have one slightly cool day when it only reached 97 deg F. The convention is where the national business gets taken care of annually and this year there were 22 legislative items on the docket. Your exalted ruler should update you on those items and their dispositions. It is also when the new officers are installed, national ritual contests are conducted and decided, as well as a great opportunity to meet and greet other Elks from around the country.
While there were many highlights for me, watching the Sanford Elks participate extremely successfully in the ritual contest was one of mine. During the contest I was privileged to ring the 11th hour chimes. I was not nearly as well “tuned” as were the Sanford Elks. They made the final four in the nation, an accomplishment Maine hadn’t done in 22 years. Lets show our appreciation by getting our own ritual teams going again. Competition certainly breeds success. In fact the team recognized that the competition this year from Waterville directly help them prepare.
Of course during opening ceremonies I was proud to carry the Maine state flag onto the stage for display during the convention. This too was quite an experience. During the legislative session, our sponsor Mike Zellen appointed my as an election supervisor and this was both informative and an honor I’ll long remember. All week long our hospitality room was run by Cory and Joleen Dewitt, next years president and first lady. They did a wonderful job and the room was enjoyed by all who visited. Many of the lobster tickets were sold and the raffle should do quite well this year. Mike and Allison Desjardin worked our booth at the vendor center. The booth looked great and I am anxious to learn what the judges thought.
We also had a chance to see Austin TX and it was well worth the visit. There were numerous restaurants offering everything from beer gardens, barbecue, and even fine cuisine. The bat bridge was not at its peak, but still didn’t disappoint. In many ways the boat tour to see it was as much fun as the view of the bats leaving at night was. The duck-boat tour was also a good time, learning some of the history of Austin and seeing the mansions along the “lake”.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Portland.
Calendar Winners for June 24
Another Wonderful Lodge Visitation
What a great visit we had with the York Lodge just before going to Austin. We were treated to a beautiful room in Ogunquit very close to the beach and the room contained gifts from the lodge and ER Navish.
We were then cheufered by Beth Butler to the lodge for an authentic Hawaiian luau. The food was great, the company even better. We were visited by PSP John Desjardin and his wife Jessica who filled us in on the status of their new born grandchild. In fact the evening was filled with short stories and long laughs, like all journeys should be. The next day Denise and I got to explore the beach and a quaint Maine coastal town for the first time in years. The hospitality of our lodges has been tremendous and we anxiously await our next visitation.
Join us for Owie Box Run 2024!
The 22nd Maine Elks Association’s Owie Box Run is planned for July 20th, 2024.
The run will be departing the Bath Lodge at 10 am, and heads toward Skowhegan-Madison with lots beautiful Maine scenery along the way. Use the links below for more information, feel free to distribute both:
Maine Presents Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award
Shown from left to right: Maine Elks Association President Michael Hannigan, Chief Matthew Cummings, Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty, Maine Drug Awareness Program State Director Anthony Gause, and Presque Isle Drug Awareness Program Chairman Alan Harding.
On the evening of June 12 I had the distinct honor and pleasure of being present when the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena award was presented to Fort Fairfield Police chief Matthew Cummings during a session of the Fort Fairfield Town Council.
This award is offered by the BPOE to recognize and honor the efforts of a law enforcement officer in each state who has made a significant contribution in the field of drug abuse prevention. Such officers demonstrate Enrique’s belief that one person can make a difference.
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was an 11–year veteran Agent of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985. Prior to serving with the DEA, Agent Camarena was a firefighter, a criminal investigator, and a narcotics officer. He was a loving husband and a father of three children. His death has inspired millions of Americans to lead a drug-free life. The Elks celebrate his commitment to this effort with an annual award. Each year, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks presents the Enrique S. Camarena Award to a member of law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life.
This presentation is the result of a lot of hard work by Alan Harding, Presque Isle Lodge #1954 Drug Awareness chairman, and Anthony Gause, Augusta Lodge #964 and our state association Drug Awareness chairman. The Enrique Camarena award is offered annually based on the recommendation of local law enforcement departments. It is the duty of each Lodge to encourage and assist local law enforcement entities to participate and nominate an officer. If you need more information, Anthony and Alan are always available and ready to help out.
Also present were Presque Isle Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty, special assistant to the state drug awareness program Danielle Jones of Skowhegan-Madison Lodge #2531, and Mary Harding of Presque Isle Lodge #1954.
Mike Hanigan
MEA President 2024-25
MEA Attends State Veterans Program
Executive Director of the Sisters in Arms Center in Augusta and presented her with Irving gas cards and Walmart cards in celebration of this special day, and to honor their work in helping to bring hope and shelter to Maine women weterans and their children in need.
ENF Funds Heading to the Bangor Community
The Bangor Lodge has been approved for a $2,000 Spotlight Grant to partner with the Brewer Maine Dollar Tree to provide $2000 in non perishable food items to the Clifton Maine Baptist Church Food Pantry.
The lodge anticipates having the goods available for delivery in the next couple of weeks. Check back for the update.
President Mikes First Visit
Greetings, the first president/first lady visit took place last weekend. It began with a wonderful community event hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954. The fishing event was led by PDDGER and PER Alan Harding and Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty. The derby is also sponsored by numerous community businesses. All kids should have felt like winners at the end of the day. They each were able to take a prize of their choice home and each had a wonderful time with their families.
I spent a lot of time wondering among the fishermen and their families. The setting was perfect, a small Maine pond on a bright sunny day, just enough of a breeze to keep the flies at bay. There was plenty of suburban wildlife with ducks, cormorants, and a beaver making their presence know.
The Presque Isle Elks were incredibly lucky this year, they got 496 of the smartest trout in the state from the local hatchery, additionally they involved a local elementary school in the release of these brilliant fish. On the day of the derby only 4 of the released fish were tricked in biting a hook, but that is why its called fishing not catching. Despite this, everyone was having a wonderful time. No significant lines got tangled, wonderful family moments were observed, and only one bandaid was needed. I would thank all the wonderful volunteers, community partners, and everyone who contributed to this event.
After a wonderful dinner with officers and members of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge we were entertained at fundraiser for a wonderful charity. The charity was Lilly’s House which supports the children of fallen heroes. They had a Lip Sync Battle between “bands/groups/individuals” from across the state. They also 50/50 and several raffles.
The music and participants were wonderful and though it was different atmosphere than the morning a good time was had by all. Denise and I would both like to thank the Presque Isle Lodge for their hospitality.
Mike Hanigan, President Maine Elks Association
State President Enjoys First Visitation
| Greetings,
The first President and First Lady visitation took place this past weekend. It began with a wonderful community event, Hooked On Fishing not drugs hosted by the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954. This youth fishing derby was led by Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty and Alan Harding, PDDGER, and is sponsored by numerous community businesses in the Presque Isle area. The setting was perfect, a small Maine pond on a bright sunny day, just enough of a breeze to keep the flies at bay. There was plenty of suburban wildlife with ducks, cormorants, and a beaver making their presence know. Presque Isle Elks were incredibly lucky this year, they got 496 of the smartest trout in the state from the local hatchery, additionally they involved a local elementary school in the release of these brilliant fish. On the day of the derby only 4 of the released fish were tricked in biting a hook, but that is why its called fishing not catching. Despite this, everyone was having a wonderful time. No significant lines got tangled, wonderful family moments were observed, and only one Band-Aid was needed. As I spent my time wondering among the fishermen and their families, all youth participants should have felt like winners at the end of the day. They each were able to take a prize of their choice home, and each had a wonderful time with their families. I would thank all the wonderful volunteers, community partners, and everyone who contributed to this event. Next Denise and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with officers and members of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge where we were entertained at fundraiser for a wonderful charity. The charity was Lilly’s House which supports the children of fallen heroes. They had a Lip Sync Battle between “bands/groups/individuals” from across the state. They also held a 50/50 and several raffles to help raise funds for this worthy cause. The music and participants were wonderful and though it was a different atmosphere than the morning’s event, a good time was had by all. Denise and I would both like to thank the Presque Isle Lodge for their hospitality. |
