Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -08/07/2008

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

Bangor Elks Dedicate Elk Statute



Since November 2006, members of the Bangor Elks Lodge #244 have been raising money for the purchase of a new Elk Statute. On Sunday, August 3, 2008, that statue became a reality, as their fundraising committee held a dedication ceremony at the Lodge. It took three ER’s, and ten members of the Elk Statute Committee nearly two years to raise the $9,500 to purchase the Elk, and to build the base, according to Past Exalted Ruler Shawn Stacey. He said that a total of 75 people donated at least $100.00 dollars toward the project, and have their names listed on a plaque at the base of the Statue. The project took 500 man hours to build, and that all of the labor was provided by volunteers.

During the Dedication Ceremony, Exalted Ruler Eric Robinson said that the Elk Statute was erected to represent the principles of the Order, and will be a “radiating monument of good will…to welcome every comer who, either in the spirit of fraternity or need, shall seek our portals. The ceremony was attended by approximately 25 members, and the State Association, which was represented by MEA 2^nd Vice-President Wayne Cotterly and State Tiler Susan Bernier. Following the ceremony, members were treated to a barbeque luncheon.

Pictured at left are: (L-R): Past Exalted Ruler Greg Hall, Exalted Ruler Eric Robinson, and Past Exalted Ruler Robert Modery, all of the Bangor Elks Lodge. The fundraising and building of the statue took place during their terms in office.

MEA State President Visits Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge



On Saturday, August 2, 2008, MEA State President Robert Drisko and First Lady Myra made their official visit to the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge #1597. The Lodge held its annual Lobster Bake in their honor. Attending the event were approximately 100 members of the Biddeford-Saco Lodge, as well as officers and members of the Maine Elks Association. Guests were treated to a twin Lobster dinner, which included a bag containing Corn on the Cob, Steamed Clams, Potatoes, a Hot Dog, and an Egg. (We’re still trying to discover the significance of the egg.) Steak was also served for those who did not wish to have Lobster. A DJ with Karaoke provided entertainment following the dinner.

Pictured above are Myra Drisko and State President Bob Drisko with their enormous Lobster dinners provided by the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge.

MEA State Meeting to be Held This Weekend

The Maine Elks Association will hold their summer meeting at the Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge on Sunday, August 10, 2008. On Saturday, MEA State President Bob Drisko and First Lady Myra will be making their official visitation to the Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge. Below is an itinerary of what is to take place during the weekend.

State President’s Visitation (August 9, 2008)

5:00 p.m.: Social Hour in the Clubroom

6:00 p.m.: Dinner in the Function Hall *
                  -Barbecue Chicken
                  -Assorted Salads
                  -Vegetables
                  -Rolls
                  -Various Desserts
                 - $10.00 per person

7:00 p.m.: Karaoke with John Clark in the Clubroom 

State Meetings (August 10, 2008)

 9:00 a.m. State Trustee Meeting

10:00 a.m. General Meeting

MEA to Kick Off Major Fundraiser This Weekend

This weekend, the Maine Elks Association will kick off its major fundraiser, which will once again be a calendar raffle. The raffle calendars, which will cost $20.00 each will be distributed to each Lodge’s State Trustee, who can begin selling them starting on Sunday. Prizes will be $25.00 dollars on a weekday, $50.00 dollars on the weekends, $100.00 dollars on holidays, and $500.00 dollars on December 21^st, which is our Grand Lodge Sponsor, Amos McCallum’s Birthday. Only 2000 Calendars will be sold, so you have a fairly good chance of winning, especially since you can win more than once.

The major fundraiser is being coordinated by MEA 2^nd Vice-President Wayne Cotterly, whose goal this year is to sell all 2000 calendars. He pointed out that at the annual budget meeting in March, the State Trustees developed a budget that has put much more emphasis on raising money through this fundraiser than in past years. “We need to sell 1850 of the 2000 calendars just to meet the budget of $37,000 dollars,” Cotterly said., “This year, it is even more important for us to raise the money through this fundraiser, as other sources of revenue that support the Grand Lodge Programs have been reduced. The last thing we want to do is to start cutting back on the Grand Lodge Programs because we don’t have the money,” he said.

To help get a head start on this year’s fundraiser, the calendars are to be distributed two months ahead of time, giving State Trustees additional time to sell their allotment of calendars. Thirty two calendars were even sold at the Grand Lodge Convention, which gives us a small jump in sales for the year. If you would like to purchase a calendar, contact your Lodge’s State Trustee or MEA 2^nd Vice-President Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net

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.