NEWS

News from the Maine Elks Association

PRESQUE ISLE ELKS JUNIOR GOLF COMPLETES TENTH SUCCESSFUL SEASON

by | 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

by | 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.

Final Totals from the Forks

by | 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

by | 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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