Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -02/07/08

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

MEA State Hoop Shoot Results



The Maine Elks Association (MEA) State Hoop Shoot competition was held on February 3, 2005, at Sanford High School. The event was hosted by the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470. Eighteen boys and girls competed in the contest to determine the six state champions, who have earned the right to advance to the regional contest to be held in South Portland, Maine on March 27-30, 2008,

Here are the final standings:

Girls 8-9

Boys 8-9

Girls 10-11

Boys 10-11

Girls 12-13

Boys 12-13

Following the contest, the contestants traveled to the Sanford Elks Lodge, where they were treated to pizza, and were provided with Drug Awareness materials furnished by Drug Awareness Director Frank Ricker of the Maine Elks Association. Also assisting with the Drug Awareness program was “Elroy the Elk.” Following lunch, the awards were presented to each contestant by State Hoop Shoot Director, Andrew Constantine, who was assisted by MEA State President Bruce Brunelle of the Sanford Elks Lodge, President-Elect Robert Drisko of the Augusta Elks Lodge, and 2^nd Vice President Roger Normandeau of the Sanford Elks Lodge. Also speaking at the event was Area 1 Hoop Shoot Committeeman, Richard Blinn of Massachusettts, who spoke about the importance of the Hoop Shoot program. Blinn also expressed his sincere thanks to the Elks National Foundation and its contributors for funding the Elks National Hoop Shoot program.

Two special awards were also presented to the highest scoring boy and girl. The first award was the Allan W. Richard Outstanding Shooter Award in memory of the late Allan Richard who had served as the MEA's Hoop Shoot Chairman for 19 years. The award was presented to Alexandra P. representing the Portland Elks Lodge #188. The Amos A. McCallum Outstanding Shooter Award, was presented by Past National President, Amos McCallum of Saco, to Ryan P., representing the Farmington Elks Lodge #2430.

Since its inception in 1946, the Elks National Hoop Shoot competition has grown to include more than 3 million participants annually, making it the largest non-profit co-educational sports program in the country. Much of the funding for the program comes from the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.

Additional photos available here: http://www.maineelks.org/hoopshoot2008.html

Pictured above are Front: (L-R): Taylor S., Ryan P., Abby P.
Back: (L-R): MEA State President Bruce Brunelle, Alexandra P-L, Samuel G, and MEA State Hoop Shoot Director Andrew Constantine.

State Ritual Contest Weekend Information

Hi Everyone,

I am sending out this letter to inform all of you as to the agenda for the Ritual weekend to be held in Houlton on the weekend of Feb. 16, 17, 2008.

There will be a reception held for all Ritual teams and their spouses/significant others and State Association officers and their spouses/ significant others and the Ritual Judges and their spouses/ significant others on Saturday, Feb 16th from 4:00PM until 5:00PM in the Ladies Parlor (same floor as dining room). We will be having finger foods and want you to take advantage of this time to socialize with each other before the festivities of the evening take place.

At 5:00PM we will have live entertainment in the lounge until Dinnertime at 7:00PM. Dress for the afternoon/evening will be casual as most will be dressed up on Sunday for the contest. We will be having a tropical theme for the evening to chase away those winter blahs!

Dinner will be served at 7:00PM. The menu is as follows: Steamship Round(Beef) or  Chicken Cordon Bleu, Baked Potato, Veggies, Full Salad Bar, Coffee, Tea. The cost is $ 25.00 per couple and we would like you to please call the Lodge between 3:00PM and 8:00Pm Monday-Saturday to sign up for the Dinner.

Sunday morning we will have the Ritual Contest that starts at 9:00AM and continues through the awards ceremony in the afternoon. There will be a lunch served at noon for your convenience. We hope all have a safe trip and wish all participants the very best of luck in the contest.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Christopher Putnam, Exalted Ruler
Houlton Lodge # 835

Government Relations Update

From Bob Drisko, MEA Government Relations Director

CRIBBAGE: SKILL OR CHANCE?

Lawmakers and cribbage players, while debating a bill to change licensing fees on crib­bage, spent considerable time talking about whether the game is mostly skill or mostly chance.

From her perspective, Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden, said it depends who wins. "I play cribbage," she said. "In our house, it's a game of skill un­til I beat my husband. Then, it's a game of chance just for one game."

SMOKING BAN WINS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

Smokers might want to take notice …A bill to ban smoking in cars when children under 16 are present is heading out of com­mittee with a near unanimous vote.

Next stop: the House of Repre­sentatives. The bill approved by the Health and Human Services Committee puts in a one-year grace period in which police may issue only a warning. After that, a $50 fine goes into effect.

If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, Newsbriefs, and/or Website. Also, if you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net. In addition, if you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, please have them forward their e-mail address to the same address. All information provided has been read and approved by the MEA State President