Maine Elks
Association
Public Relations Committee
Newsbriefs -08/02/07
Maine
Elks Association Newsbriefs
Cabin for MCCP Families Dedicated
It had been three years
since the death of Daniel Kelly, and yet his memory and spirit live on in the
form of a cabin in the woods in Industry, Maine. Kelly, who had been a patient
in the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, died of cancer at the early age of 12
years of age.
Daniel Kelly (left) and his family
were told he had cancer on January 5, 2002, a form of cancer called Primitive
Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET), a mass on his ribs that was not only growing
rapidly, but filling his chest cavity with fluid. Over the next two years,
Daniel underwent surgeries to remove three of his ribs, endured nine months of
chemotherapy, and six weeks of radiation. Following this, he spent weeks in
isolation at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, and several more months at
home with restrictions. With all he had endured, the cancer did not yield, and
in the early morning hours of January 12, 2004, Daniel lost his battle with
cancer.
It was not long after his death that Daniel’s parents, Dana and
Leslie Kelly, received a life insurance check. At first, they didn’t know what
to do with it, as they found it impossible to think of enjoying anything they
might purchase with the money that stemmed their son’s death. But then the
thought occurred to them that it would have been nice to have had a cabin on
some property they owned, just outside of Farmington, where the family could
have traveled to while Daniel was ill. 
Though they
realized they could not “enjoy” the property for their own use, they thought
about the other families who had children battling cancer, or who may have lost
the fight. It was then they decided to build a cabin on the property, and donate
its use to families; such as those in the Maine Children’s Cancer
Program.
Construction of the cabin began, and was built primarily with
donations of time and materials from organizations such as the First Baptist
Church in Portland, friends of the family, and members of the Maine Elks
Association.
The Maine Elks had first heard about the project last year,
from Donald Richard, Director of one of the Association’s Major Projects; the
Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Richard told the members of the need for
electricians to wire the cabin. Shortly thereafter, two members of the Augusta
Elks Lodge #964 stepped forward to provide their skill and expertise. Greg Ruby
and Terry Baker put in close to 100 hours of their time, working on their
weekends off to help make this project a reality. In addition to the electrical
work, the Elks also donated two ceiling fans to help keep the cabin cool during
the summer. Sandee Welch, a member of the Rumford Elks Lodge also donated her
time and materials by making three quilts that were donated to the project.
On July 21, 2007, the
Kelly Family officially dedicated the cabin to Daniel Kelly, and call it the
“Daniel Kelly Stronghold.” The cabin has been made available to families of the
Maine Children’s Cancer Program, to get away while a child is ill, or perhaps to
get away to reflect after a child has died. According to Dana and Leslie Kelly,
the cabin is expected to be used by a family who lost their child the following
weekend.
Though the dream of building the cabin has become a reality,
much work still needs to be done to improve the surrounding grounds. A short
distance from the cabin is a garden spot, overlooking a nearby brook. Though
there is a path to the brook, the soil becomes muddy, and for safety purposes
needs some stairs to be built. Donald Richard (at Left) will once again be
requesting the members of the Maine Elks Association to assist with this
project. With his determination, and the Elks dedication to children with cancer
and their families, it will most definitely be accomplished.
MEA
Youth Activities Committee
To:
All Exalted Rulers, Lodges, Youth Activities
Chairmen
From: Alfred
“Chipper” Widdecombe, State Youth Activities
Director
There will be a Youth Activities
meeting right after the MEA State Meeting on August 12, 2007. I will be updating
everyone on new Grand Lodge programs for the coming year. Please make
arrangements to attend.
Fraternally Yours,
Alfred
“Chipper” Widdecombe
MEA Youth
Activities Director
Elks Care—Elks
Share
Brunswick
Elks Planning for 50th Anniversary
The
Brunswick Elks Lodge #2043 will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary
the weekend of September 21-23, 2007. The festivities will begin with a DJ,
along with appetizers on Friday, September 21st.
On Saturday,
Maine Elks Association State President Bruce Brunelle and First Lady Lisa will
be making their official visit to the Lodge. There will be a Happy Hour from 5
PM to 6 PM, followed by Dinner, consisting of a Shrimp Cocktail Centerpiece on
each table, an appetizer of Garnished Squash Soup, Fresh hot loaves of bread,
Center Cut Pork Loin with stuffing and gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable,
Homemade Applesauce, and Dessert, all prepared by chef David Daigle and his
crew.
Entertainment for the evening
will include the music of “Dave and the Angels,” a 50’s style band, which will
fit in with the theme for the evening. Prizes will be awarded for the best 50’s
costumes, so dress up for the event. Tickets will be $20.00 per person. Each
person will receive a goodie bag with a Lodge yearbook, anniversary pin
(designed by Jackie Manton), and other miscellaneous donated items. Each person
will also receive their choice of a shot glass with the Lodge’s pin design on
it, or a wine glass with a flag, which reads Brunswick Elks 50th
Anniversary. A special commemorative coin will also be on sale that
weekend.
On Sunday, from 11 AM-1 PM, the
Lodge will be having a brunch for $8.00 per person. The brunch will be put on by
chef’s Angela and Dave Brackett and their crew. Tickets for both the Saturday
meal/entertainment and the Sunday Brunch are on sale at the Brunswick Elks Lodge
(lounge), or can be obtained by mailing a check to the Lodge: Attn: Angela
Brackett, Brunswick Elks Lodge #2043, 179 Park Row, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Advanced ticket purchases will be available for pickup at the Lodge on the
evening of the event.
For $65 per
night, rooms have been blocked off at the Super 8 Motel, located at 224 Bath
Road & Cooks Corner in Brunswick. Telephone number for the hotel is
207-725-8883. Twenty rooms have been held, and will be available until August
22nd. After that time, rooms will be on an as available basis. Make
sure you mention “Elks” when making your
reservations.
It should be a great time, and I
hope to see everyone there!
Ginny
Gramaglia
Exalted
Ruler
Brunswick Elks Lodge #2043
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name:_______________________________
Tickets: Saturday meal/entertainment
$20 per person #_____ attending
Sunday Brunch
$8 per person #_____ attending
$ Total _______
Grand Lodge
Public Relations Committee Announces Three New
Contests
Shortly after the Grand Lodge
Session in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee
announced that it will have three new contests to encourage better Public
Relations. According to Louis Connolly, Grand Lodge Public Relations
Committeeman for Area 1, there will be a “Best Single Event” Contest, a “Best
Image of Elkdom” Contest, and a “Focus on the Community” Contest.
The
“Best Single
Event” Contest will recognize the most outstanding Lodge Activity
that takes place between April 1, 2007 and March 1, 2008. “This is different
from our Best Public Relations Program,” said Wayne Cotterly, Maine Elks
Association Public Relations Committee Director. “This new contest is designed
to recognize public relations efforts for a single event, rather than for the
overall program for the year,” he said.
Lodge’s are asked to combine
pictures, newspaper articles, letters of appreciation, commendations, programs,
proclamations, memorabilia, etc into a 3-ring binder, folder, or notebook up to
one (1)”thick (8.5”x 11” pages). A letter from the Lodge Secretary must
accompany submissions stating the official membership numbers effective April 1,
2007. Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2008, and are to be submitted to
the State Public Relations Chairman for 1st round judging with the
top 3 being forwarded by Mar 31, 2008 to the Grand Lodge Public Relations
Committeeman for Area 1 for national consideration.
The “Best Image of
Elkdom” Contest is to encourage all Elks, not just the Public
Relations Committee to submit photos that tells the story of an Elk Program
without words. This includes Close-ups (8-10 people Max), Elk Logo, Event
Signage, Elks, Non-Elk Subjects. Prize for this contest will be either a Digital
or Film Camera valued at over $200.00 dollars. The contest is open to all Elks,
and there is no limit on the number of submissions. Send photos, along with the
Photographers name, Lodge Name and Number, and the Date/Title of the function to
Louis Connolly, Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee-Area 1, 16 Floyd Street,
Tewksbury, MA 01876-1604. Winners will be selected in November, January, and
July.
The “Focus on the
Community” Contest is also open to all Elks, and the winner will
receive a videocam clock award on a solid maple base. To enter this contest,
simply send two copies of an Elk activity newspaper or magazine article which
contains photos of the sponsored event to Louis Connolly, Grand Lodge Public
Relations Committee-Area 1, 16 Floyd Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876-1604. Winners
will be selected from each of the eight Grand Lodge Areas in November, March,
and July.
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