Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -02/08/07

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

MEA State Hoop Shoot Winners Announced

The Maine Elks Association (MEA) State Hoop Shoot competition was held on February 4, 2007, at Brewer High School. The event was hosted by the Bangor Elks Lodge #244. Seventeen 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 Nashua, New Hampshire on March 23-25, 2007,

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 Bangor Elks Lodge, where they were treated to lunch, and were provided with Drug Awareness materials furnished by the Maine Elks Association. Following lunch, the awards were presented to each contestant by State Hoop Shoot Chairman, Andrew Constantine, who was assisted by MEA State President Gregory Daniels of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge, 1^st  Vice-President Bruce Brunelle of the Sanford Elks Lodge, and 2^nd Vice President Robert Drisko of the Augusta Elks Lodge. Also speaking at the event was Area 1 Hoop Shoot Committeeman, Richard Blinn, 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. He also announced that in 2008, the State of Maine will host the Regional Hoop Shoot competition in South Portland. This will be the first time that Maine has hosted this level of the contest.

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 Riley R., representing the Rumford Elks Lodge.

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/hoopshoot2007.html

MEA State Calendar Winners for January

Jan. 1, 2007- Bill Monti - $100.00                        Calendar # 1863
Jan. 2, 2007- David Askren - $ 25.00                    Calendar # 435
Jan 3, 2007- Michael Dart - $ 25.00                     Calendar # 610
Jan. 4, 2007- Ruthann Belanger - $ 25.00             Calendar # 269
Jan. 5, 2007- Kristin Wood - $ 25.00                    Calendar # 436
Jan. 6, 2007- Carol Putnam - $ 50.00                   Calendar # 1971
Jan. 7, 2007- Tina Moring - $ 50.00                      Calendar # 590
Jan. 8, 2007- Judy Brochu - $ 25.00                     Calendar # 1231
Jan. 9, 2007- Bob Lorom - $ 25.00                       Calendar # 355
Jan. 10, 2007- Robert Rich Jr. - $ 25.00               Calendar # 285
Jan. 11, 2007- Lynn Brown - $ 25.00                    Calendar # 340
Jan. 12, 2007- Al Wilson - $ 25.00                       Calendar # 1668
Jan. 13, 2007- Kelly Hoose- $ 50.00                    Calendar # 878
Jan. 14, 2007- Malcom Mersereau - $ 50.00         Calendar # 322
Jan. 15, 2007-  Marie White - $ 100.00                 Calendar # 1572
Jan. 16, 2007- Walter Woodward - $ 25.00           Calendar # 1795
Jan. 17, 2007- Justin Edgar - $ 25.00                   Calendar # 335
Jan. 18, 2007- Ed Hastings - $ 25.00                   Calendar # 1290
Jan. 19, 2007- Becky Coleman - $ 25.00              Calendar # 1192
Jan. 20, 2007- Martha Flegling - $ 50.00               Calendar # 977
Jan. 21, 2007- Eric Flewelling - $ 50.00                Calendar # 372
Jan. 22, 2007- Jerald Van Epps - $ 25.00             Calendar # 1323
Jan. 23, 2007- Donna R. Smith - $ 25.00              Calendar #  1516
Jan. 24, 2007- Bob Lorom - # 25.00                     Calendar # 360
Jan. 25, 2007- Gregg Boivin - $ 25.00                   Calendar # 1608
Jan. 26, 2007- Patricia Vernon - $ 25.00              Calendar # 227
Jan. 27, 2007- Nancy Bledsoe - $ 50.00               Calendar # 424
Jan. 28, 2007- Robert McCully - $ 50.00              Calendar # 1615
Jan. 29, 2007- Bob Lorom - $ 25.00                     Calendar # 359
Jan. 30, 2007- Bob Lorom - $ 25.00                     Calendar # 358
Jan. 31, 2007- Richard Chabot Sr. - $ 25.00         Calendar # 562

MEA State President Visits Sebasticook Valley
President Daniels 60^th Birthday Celebrated, Lodge Mails Goods to Troops in Afghanistan
New Fire Suppression System Dedicated in Honor of Lodge President Ken Hennessy
By Don Dow, PR Maine North District

The Maine Elks Association (MEA) State President Greg Daniels and his lovely wife Barbara recently visited the Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge.  The visitation was originally planned during an Officers and Committeemen Dinner on January 20^th but due to inclement weather the official State Presidents visitation occurred on February 2^nd.  Pictured to the left are the MEA First Lady Barbara Daniels and MEA President Greg Daniels.

During the officers and committeeman dinner, the lodge dedicated a new fire suppression system in honor of Exalted Ruler Kenneth Hennessy and his efforts towards the successful completion of the project.   District Deputy Ned Hodgins and his wife Bonnie were present for the evening as Past Exalted Ruler and MEA Chaplain Don Dow, in place of Daniels, presented a plaque to the lodge and a dinner for two at the Harraseeket Inn to Hennessy and his wife Susan from the members of the lodge.  Past Exalted Ruler and Elks National Foundation Chairman Dennis Campbell presented Hennessy with an Honorary Founder Certificate for Hennessy reaching the $1,000 milestone in giving to the Foundation.

The lounge was closed late in the summer due to the lack of a Fire Suppression System.  The Fire Marshall thought it could take at least a year before the lounge would be open again.  Hennessy with the assistance of other dedicated members managed to have the system installed within three months.  In his acceptance speech, Hennessy specifically named Lodge Trustees Chris Ballard, Dick Peppard and member Scott Noble for their assistance on the project.

At the rescheduled visit, PER Campbell’s wife Shelly presented Daniels and Hodgins with a Cianbro Corporation 50^th anniversary hardcover history book.  Cianbro Corporation, based in Pittsfield, is one of the largest construction companies on the eastern seaboard of the United States.  Hennessy with the assistance of Past Exalted Ruler Randy Evarts and Leading Knight Adam Lowe presented the Daniels with two Elks embroidered throw blankets and two Adirondack chairs made by the local woodcrafter company Walpole Woodworkers.

Daniels emphasized his adoration of the Sebasticook Valley Elks and applauded their efforts to the betterment of Elkdom.  Daniels specifically noted the young age of the members at an average of 43 years.  Membership has been a drain on fraternal organizations nationwide, however, the Sebasticook Valley Lodge has nearly doubled its’ membership in the last six years. 

Lodge member Chaplain (LTC) Andrew Gibson is currently serving in Afghanistan.  Periodically during the year the lodge has been showing the support of Gibson and his troops by sending various packages.  In the late fall of this year over 3,000 pairs of shoes were sent to Gibson for villagers in Afghanistan and 700 shoes were sent to Spc. Eric Walker, the brother of member Emily Walker, for an orphanage in Iraq.  Recently, Gibson asked for assistance by sending paper towels and coffee filters for the troops.  Bud’s Shop N’ Save of Pittsfield, Newport, and Dexter donated the goods and the Lodge is mailing them.  Daniels, Hodgins, and members of the lodge signed the boxes during the visit before mailing.  Pictured at the right are Exalted Ruler Ken Hennessy, MEA State President Greg Daniels, and District Deputy Ned Hodgins with some of the boxes for shipment.

As it happened, the rescheduled visit was also Daniels 60^th Birthday.  The lodge presented Daniels with an Elks birthday Cake.  Jokingly, the six candle was turned upside down showing 90.  Daniels was given the actual six candle to replace the nine on the cake (pictured left).

The original visitation was to include tours of the Maine Central Institute, Cianbro Corporation, and the Pittsfield Public Library an Andrew Carnegie designed building that the lodge is assisting financially for an expansion project.  Sadly, the tours were canceled due to time constraints with the second visit.

The Daniels, Hodgins, Hennessey’s and Dows had breakfast the following morning in Newport while the Pine Tree Camp Snowmobile Ride in was occurring before Daniels traveled for the Hoop Shoot to be held in Brewer the following day.

Three Earn Elks’ “Citizen of the Year” Award

By Franklin Manzo, Jr. – Katahdin Press

ELKS HONOR CITIZEN CONTRIBUTIONS – The Millinocket Elks
Lodge acknowledged local citizens at the Citizens Leadership Recognition
Gala on Saturday, January 20, 2007.  Pictured here are U.S. Senator
Susan Collins, Kelly Willigar East Millinocket’s Citizen of the Year,
Darlene Kronholm Medway’s Citizen of the Year, Thomas Malcolm
Millinocket’s Citizen of the Year, and Millinocket Elks Lodge Exalted
 Ruler Jeff Neal.  Photo by Franklin Manzo, Jr.

KATAHDIN REGION – In an effort to recognize the outstanding contributions of the citizens in the tri-town communities, the Millinocket Elks Lodge held the first annual “Citizens Leadership Recognition Gala” on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007.  The event is designed to recognize citizens’ contributions to the communities and to help build and strengthen community cooperation within the Katahdin area.

According to Wayne Scarano, coordinator for the event, the Elks Exalted Ruler Jeff Neal called for each town to form an independent committee to determine their “Citizen of the Year” recipient.  The Elks organization did not pick these individuals; each community did, the Elks organization simply provided the direction for the community committees and recognized the citizens for their accomplishments.

The direction was simple; each community committee was to select the individual who had contributed the most to the betterment of their community for the 2006 year.  Scarano noted that the committees from each town were unanimous in their selection of recipients.

“Jeff (Neal) thought it was important that each community decide for themselves,” Scarano said.  “The Elks just set the direction for selection and the community committees had complete control over their selection process.”

The gala started with a social hour, followed by a meal and recognition ceremony.  Kelly Willigar was honored as East Millinocket’s Citizen of the Year, Darlene Kronholm as Medway’s Citizen of the Year, and Thomas Malcolm as Millinocket’s Citizen of the Year.  Plaques were awarded to the recipients and Sen. Susan Collins addressed the crowd.  Sen. Collins spoke about her recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, she spoke of her pride in Maine’s soldiers who are deployed and the excellent job they are doing defending freedom.  She also spoke about the issues in Maine and concluded her presentation by recognizing the accomplishments of Millinocket’s recent Eagle Scouts.

“My father was an Eagle Scout,” said Collins.  “When he served during WWII, Eagle Scouts were promoted more quickly than other soldiers simply because they had demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities already.  You are the elite among scouts, among your peers, and among your community.”

Sen. Collins concluded her address by stating the grand tradition of citizen leadership and Maine’s traditions for recognizing them.

“The willingness of citizens to roll up their sleeves and get things done is an honored trait, not only as Americans, but specifically as Mainers.  It was my pleasure to take part in the great tradition of celebrating community leadership,” concluded Collins.

Neal Concluded the festivities by stating, “These recipients have proven that individuals can make a difference in our communities.  It is time to put aside our differences and begin to work together in the Katahdin area.  It will take all of us to get these communities working together again.  Hopefully, this event tonight, was a start in the right direction and will help to foster better inter-community cooperation.”

*Reproduced with permission of Franklin Manzo, Jr. & the Katahdin Press

Ritual Excellence Committee Update - Practice Written Ritual Tests

Matthew Intrieri, New York State Elks Association Ritual Committee Chairman has come up with this practice Ritual test to help any member interested in becoming a Ritual Judge.

Have you ever sweated through the written test for Impressiveness or Word Accuracy?  If so, this is for you!  This is a web-based implementation of the 2005 written test. The answers you enter do NOT get sent to anyone. This is strictly for your practice. 

You will be presented with the questions one at a time. To go forward to the next question click the 'Next' button. To go back to a previous question, click 'Previous'.
When you have answered all parts of a question, click 'Check' to check your answers.  If you need assistance, click 'Help'. If you need more assistance, click 'Help' again.
 
Word Accuracy Test: http://pages.prodigy.net/mattintrieri/wac.htm

Impressiveness Test: http://pages.prodigy.net/mattintrieri/imp.htm

(Excerpted from the Massachusetts State Elks Online Newsletter) Thanks to Jim Strojny, Editor and 2ndVP, MA State Elks Association.

Thousands of Shoes from Sebasticook Valley Delivered in Iraq and Afghanistan

By Don Dow, Public Relations Maine North District

Earlier this year, the Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge began collecting shoes to be delivered to an Afghani Village and Iraqi Orphanage through two local soldiers serving their country in two different parts of the world.  When asked by his mother Liana Walker of Troy, Maine what he needed while in Iraq, Spc. Eric Walker of the Maine Army National Guard selflessly replied, “I need shoes for these kids in an orphanage”.  His mother would be sure to oblige and support her son.  Walker is the brother of Emily Anderson an active committee person of the local Elks Lodge.

In a completely unrelated event, Chaplain LTC Andrew Gibson of the Maine Army National Guard was asked what he needed from his local Elks lodge in support of his tour in Afghanistan.  Gibson, who along with his wife Nancy are active members of the Lodge, replied similarly to Spc. Walker that he needed shoes for an Afghani village.

While at work, Don Dow, an officer at the Lodge, had mentioned to his co-worker Dale Walker, Spc. Walker’s father, about the shoe drive for Chaplain LTC. Gibson when they both realized that they had similar projects and that they would be better served if they combined their efforts.  Thus the project was born through family, friends, co-workers, and the Elks Lodge.  Press opportunities were granted by WLBZ , Bangor Daily News, Rolling Thunder Express, the Maine Elks Association, and the Maine Army National Guards Family Support Program.  The press had catapulted the success of the project and thousands of shoes began arriving from Kittery to Fort Kent and even as far away as Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Liana traveled throughout the state during the week with her truck collecting shoes from people, schools, businesses and organizations that called with their support.  Others were delivered via the mail to the Elks Lodge.  Within three or four short months the group had collected over 5,000 pairs of shoes.  Now the daunting task of culling through the shoes for useable pairs, sorting the shoes by size and gender, boxing the shoes, and mailing the shoes to Iraq and Afghanistan began.  The best and newest shoes were selected for shipment to Iraq for the orphanage, however, fewer shoes were sent.  In all, over 700 pairs of shoes were mailed through the Troy Post Office to Iraq.  For shipment to the village in Afghanistan, it was expected that many more shoes would be needed and shoes of a range of sizes from children to adults.  Over 2,500 pairs of shoes were sent through the Pittsfield Post Office to Afghanistan with three boxes a day going over 10 days.  The boxes were donated by Dow’s employer Kleinschmidt of Pittsfield.  Hundreds of pairs of new shoes were donated by Wal-Mart of Palmyra.  The Elks lodge provided the drop off spot and paid for the postage.  The two post offices made sure the boxes weren’t over the postage size and weight limits to ensure delivery at the most economical price.

Once the shoes arrived at their destinations (which took about a month), it was up to the soldiers to organize their deliveries.  Organizing the delivery from the base to the drop-offs took a couple of months as well as the destinations, priorities, and manpower had to be worked out.

Lodge President Ken Hennessy commented “The lodge likes to take on a large and diverse project every year and this was our big project of the year.  I offer my special thanks to the Walkers and the Gibsons and to their soldiers for defending our way of life and making the world a better place to live in”.

In an e-mail to the lodge Spc. Walker said, ‘I want to thank you and the Elks for your efforts and helping with the postage.” - “It’s a difficult situation.  We are defending ourselves but at the same time trying to show that we care.  Thank you and the Elks for showing just that!”

In another e-mail to the lodge, Chaplain LTC Gibson said, “Thanks for doing so much for the people over here.  The more we do for them, the less likely they are to try and hurt us and the more likely they will move on to become a 21st century country.  It struck me when you talked about the costs: the average yearly income for a family over here is about $600.  Can you imagine?”

It is very difficult to list all those that donated shoes but there were some of special note that came to mind; Warsaw Middle School – Pittsfield, UNUM Provident – Portland, Nokomis Regional High School JROTC, Mount Merici School-Waterville, Ann Bradford, Shapleigh Middle School – Kittery, Dolly Girls – Dexter, Rev. and Mrs. Ed Dennis, Palmyra Walmart, Candace Ryan, Judy Racon, Florence Jewett, Joanne Morgan of UNH, Carol and Dale Oberm, First Baptist Church – Pittsfield, Congregational Church – Pittsfield, Newport Elementary School, Brenda and Stephen Cole, Pennywise – Pittsfield, Anne and Emily Bradeen, Christine Christensen, Lillian and Sophie Dow, and Kleinschmidt.

For Photos of the event follow this link: 

Photos Pages

http://www.maineelks.org/SVShoesPhotos.html

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