News from Augusta Lodge 964
Exalted Ruler's Message
Greetings!
The month of December was a busy month for everyone with the hustle and bustle of Christmas. It was also a stressful time for some. One of the best ways I have found to relieve stress is to do something for others that makes you feel good. I had a few opportunities to test this theory.
On Monday the 5th of December, ENF Chairman John Levecque and I had the pleasure of delivering dictionaries to 3rd graders at 9 different schools in the area including Augusta, Windsor, Chelsea, Litchfield and Hallowell.
The reception from the schools was great. This was made possible by meeting the Grand Exalted Ruler's goal of $4.50 per capita in donations to Elks National Foundation.
This allows us to receive a grant to purchase the dictionaries, so don't forget to donate to ENF.
That afternoon, I was joined by First Lady Tamy, Steve Gilbert and Michele Frasier on the annual shopping trip for the Elks Children's Christmas Party. What a great way to spend the day. A special thanks goes out to Scott Gray and Al Laliberte for their fundraising effort to fund the kids party through the Commodities Raffles.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to distribute the gifts and visit with the kids. Thanks to Nanou & Diane Laliberte for their great job as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
We have several upcoming events that I look forward to seeing you at. Volunteers have stepped up and we will continue to have our monthly Birthday Bash. The NFL Playoffs are beginning so bring you friends to the Lodge to enjoy the games on the large screen TV in the sports lounge. Mike Breton of Sandy Point Catering is putting on a Friday Night Supper. What a meal he has planned! After the meal, stick around and have some fun at Casino Night. The month closes out with the Chili and Chowder Cook-Off. I'm already hearing some boasting going on. Check the calendar and ads for more information. These events are great opportunities to introduce friends to our Lodge. If you have friends who might be interested in what we do, invite them to be our guest at an event.
Remember, Elks Care ~ Elks Share.
Yours in Elkdom,
Ralph Colfer
Exalted Ruler
Augusta Elks Chili and Chowder/Soup/Stew Cook-off
With the weekend off from the NFL before Super Bowl Sunday, it is time to dust off your crock pot. Here is an opportunity to be creative and show off your cooking and marketing skills. Not a cook? Come in and sample the cooking of other self-proclaimed master chefs who dare to flaunt their recipes.
Join us Sunday, Jan. 29 from 1 - 4 p.m. $6 gets you samples from both categories.
Invite your friends to come and sample dishes in each category and cast one vote for the recipe that you think is the best in each category. The top vote getter in each category will be crowned the Champion for 2012 and receive a prize along with bragging rights for the year.
So sign up to enter a dish in one or both categories. Entries should be at least 2 quarts in size. Samplings cups and spoons will be provided.
There is a sign up sheet posted at the Lodge or you can e-mail Elk964newsletter@myfairpoint.net. What could be better than having some good hot food on a cold winter day. Invite your friends to come in and vote for the 2012 champions.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Elks National Foundation to help us to meet our goal for the year. We have a long way to go and need your support.
Basket raffle
We will be holding a basket raffle for the month of January. Tickets are $1 apiece and can be purchased at the Lodge. The basket is filled with Tastefully Simple products as well as many other items. The basket will be drawn for at the Chili & Chowder cook-off on the 29th.
(Spices, Beer Bread mix, Pound Cake, Drink mixes, Dips, Desserts, glasses, candles and much more - value of $175!)
Friday Night Supper, Jan. 27
Soup @ 5:30
Zuppa Tuscana or Chicken Noodle
Supper Buffet Served 6:00 - 7:00
Baked Fresh Haddock
Chicken Breast with our own Peach Salsa
Fresh Orange Glazed Black Forest Ham
Mashed Potato with Gravy
Fresh Herbed Buttered Corn
Tossed Garden Salad
Coleslaw
Assorted Breads and Desserts
$8.00 per plate
Catered by Sandy Point Catering
Casino Night will follow!
Cabin Fever Lottery
I write this letter to you today for a few reasons. First, to let you know that I will be holding another Cabin Fever Lottery to begin selling tickets late Dec - March and to hold the drawing at the Spring Fling. It works like this; there are 100 tickets to be sold @ $100 each. There can be up to 5 people on a ticket. This will raise $10,000 of which $5,000 will be given away in prizes (1- $2,500, 1 - $1,000, 1- $750, 1 -$500, & 1 -$250). This will net a $5,000 profit which will go to repay the Lodge for money spent installing a much needed sprinkler system on our new softball field.
Second, I'd like to clarify for those of you that don't know, or think you do, that when this sprinkler system situation developed, I asked the Lodge for help getting it done as our new field was struggling to grow grass and without the system the field was sure to be a disappointment. Too many people and too much money had been donated to turn back; it needed to be done. It was proposed and voted on at the Lodge meeting and the Lodge extended the funds necessary to get it done. This was done at half the price it would normally cost due to the generosity of Kadner Irrigation and his ties to our Lodge. In order for this to be approved, I myself had to assure the powers that be that I would continue my fundraising efforts until every dime had been repaid. I'm proud to say that in less than a year I'm approximately $4,500 from repaying the debt I promised I would do. I assure you when I've reached this goal my efforts will continue.
Sincerely,
Tim Rodrigue
Trustee & 26 year member
Augusta Elks Bulletin Board
Jan. 6: Birthday Bash
Jan. 8: MEA meeting
Jan. 10: Trustee and Lodge meetings
Jan. 11: Emblem Club meeting
Jan. 15: District Hoop Shoot, Cony HS
Jan. 17: House Committee
Jan. 22: PER Association
Jan. 24: Trustee and Lodge meetings
Jan. 27: Dinner and Casino Night
Jan. 29: Chili/Chowder Cookoff
Club Room Hours
Monday-Tuesday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday (with function) 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday (no function) 12-8 p.m.