Grand Exalted Ruler Visits Maine

On Sunday, November 8, 2009 the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, James L. Nichelson and his wife Mary Carolyn arrived in Bangor for their official four day visit to the State of Maine. Greeting them at the airport were Past Grand Exalted Ruler Amos McCallum of Saco, Maine Elks State President Michael Powers of the Houlton Elks Lodge.

A resident of Martins Ferry, Ohio, Nichelson had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the history and the beauty of the State of Maine. Their travels included visits to Acadia National Park, Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, the University of Maine's Engineering Department, the New Penobscot County Judicial Center, and Verso Paper in Bucksport. In addition, the Grand Exalted Ruler had the opportunity to visit with members at the Ellsworth Elks Lodge during a luncheon held at their Lodge on November 10, 2009.

On November 10, 2009, a banquet was held in honor of the Grand Exalted Ruler and his wife at the Bangor Elks Lodge.

First Lady Mary Carolyn spoke first about her pin, which was a polished gold apple with a heart on it. The apple represents her occupation, which is a school principal, and the heart represents the Elks National Foundation. The First Lady is not only an Elk, but a Past Exalted Ruler of Martins Ferry Lodge, and a Past District Deputy.

The GER followed with his address. GER Nichelson spoke about the challenges facing the Elks today, including the decline in membership. He also spoke about supporting our veterans, the great heart of Elkdom; the Elks National Foundation. In addition, he reminded the membership that we need to remember to become involved to Make a Difference.

Following his address, Representatives from each of Maine's twenty-two Lodges presented the GER and his wife with several donations on their behalf to the Elks National Foundation. A total of $4,000 dollars was presented in the form of donations during the event. GER Nichelson and First Lady Mary Carolyn capped off the evening by signing each member's card, and providing them with a pin.

Pictured above are L-R: Grand Exalted Ruler James L. Nichelson, First Lady Mary Carolyn, Justice Michaela Murphy, MEA First Lady Freddy Powers, MEA State President Michael Powers, Barbara McCallum, and Past Grand Exalted Ruler Amos McCallum. The photo was taken at the new Penobscot County Judicial Center in Bangor following a tour of that facility. This tour was of particular interest to GER Nichelson, as he serves is an attorney practicing in Martins Ferry, OH.

Maine Elk Finishes 1st & 2nd in Best Image of Elkdom Contest for Area 1 

Maine Elks Association 1st Vice-President and Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly has been selected as the 1st Place Winner for Area 1 in the first trimester of judging in the Best Image of Elkdom Contest. The winning photo above, shows members of the Lewiston Elks Lodge distributing drug awareness information at the City of Lewiston's National Nite Out program held  at Kennedy Park on August 4, 2009. He also was tied for second place with a photo submitted with Lewiston Elks Americanism Essay Contest winners.

This is the second time that Cotterly has been selected as the first place winner in the Best Image of Elkdom contest. In 2008, Cotterly received recognition as the national First Place winner of the contest, and received a plaque at the Grand Lodge Convention in Anaheim. The photo that won that year's contest depicted MEA State President Bruce Brunelle, Elroy the Elk, and two children at MEA's Youthfest program.

For his efforts this year, Cotterly will receive a digital camera, along with certificates for 1st and 2nd place. By placing first in Area 1, his photo has been entered in the national competition, where it will be judged against the best photos from other regional areas.

The second Trimester of judging has begun, and any member with a camera can enter the contest. To enter: Take a photo that best describes Elkdom without words. It should show signage, and Elks interacting with non-elks. It must have no more than 8-10 people in the photo.

Send your photo, along with the Elk photographers name, Lodge Name and Number, as well as the Date and Name of the function. Send to:

William J. Hopkins III, Committeeman
Grand Lodge Public Relations
9 Byron St
Hudson, MA 01749-1422

Need Organist Music? 

Grand Lodge Organist Robert Bjornass has graciously recorded organ melodies especially appropriate for Lodge meetings and functions. Certainly, having an organist perform LIVE at a meeting is the preferred approach, but many Lodges are not so fortunate.

All that is needed is a CD Player and your meetings can be "kicked-up-a-notch." THe CD is very easy to use and includes tips for usage.

Additionally, Bjornass has recorded several other music CD's which should be useful in the Lodge. One is Christmas Music and the other is Easy Listening background music.

All proceeds will benefit the Elks National Foundation. Below are the CD's that are available:

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Elk Lodge Organ Music $15.00

Contains music for Lodge Meetings, Initiations, Funerals, Memorial Services, and Veterans Day

Easy Listening #1 (Christmas Melodies) $10.00

Easy Listening #2 $10.00

Music for Special Occasions, Lodge Functions, Interludes, and Background Music.

Package Price for all 3: $28.00

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To order:

Send your name, shipping address, telephone, and e-mail address to:

Richard J. Goldner
National Chairman/PR
2658 Riata Court
Santa Rosa Valley, CA 93012

Make Check payable to: R.J. Goldner/Elks PR

For questions, contact Richard Goldner at (805) 491-2790 or via e-mail at rgoldner@msn.com

The Lodge Bulletin-An Important Tool!
From James Ferland, GL Committeeman

Lack of communication between the Lodge and its members is a serious and never-ending problem. Even regular Lodge attendance does not keep that limited number of members informed. What about the majority of members who are not regular in attendance?       

Every Lodge needs a bulletin of some sort. Some Lodges feel that this effort is important enough to have a Bulletin Committee to gather the news, put it together and assist in the mailing. A good bulletin should contain adequate local Lodge coverage, with space also devoted to State Association and Grand Lodge programs.

All Lodges are encouraged to enter Contest "D"- the Lodge Bulletin Contest sponsored by the Grand
Lodge Activities/State Associations Committee. The Lodge Bulletin Contest is easy to enter. It requires that you:

· Choose and submit three (3) consecutive issues of your Lodge Bulletin published between April 1 and December 1, and bind them together in a folder (only the bulletins are judged, not the folder).

NOTE: This year only the top ten entries in each division will be brought to the National Convention for display at our Grand Lodge Booth.

· Have Lodge Secretary certify in writing the number of members in your Lodge as of March 31, 2009, and include the certification in your folder so that your entry will be judged in the proper division.

· Combine the above and mail your entry, postmarked no later than January 15 to either, James A. Ferland, 7 Littlefield Trl, Sidney, ME 04330-2618 for Divisions 1-2-3, or Harry Hartley, PO Box 287, Condon, OR 97823-0287 for Divisions 4-5-6.

Judging is based on design, timeliness, quality of articles, and overall message portrayed.

NOTE: This year points will be subtracted from final scores for lodges using "unauthorized" Elks logos in their publications.
Awards will be presented to the First place winners at the Grand Lodge Convention. Second - and - Third place awards will be mailed to the appropriate State Associations for presentations.

Good Luck to All !!!!!!!!!

Lewiston Elks Recognize Eagle Scouts 

On November 5, 2009, the Lewiston Elks Lodge #371 hosted an awards night for the Boy Scouts Abnaki District of Pine Tree Council. Eleven Eagle Scouts were recognized by the Lodge for achieving the highest rank in Scouting. Lodge Exalted Ruler (President) Michael Aube and Youth Activities Chairman Douglas Stone presented a certificate of recognition and an American Flag to the following Eagle Scouts:  Nicholas Kingsbury of Bethel, Robert Buotte of Mexico, Roland Chabot, Jared Lussier, Lee Morin, Michael Paradis, and Matthew Reed all of Lewiston, Jhustin Welch of Rumford, Zachary Moulton of Lisbon Falls, Matthew Navojosky and Matthew MacDonald of Turner.
 
Earning the Eagle Rank is not an easy task. According to statistics, only five percent of boys who enter scouting ever achieve this rank. To become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks-Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges.
 
A minimum of 21 merit badges must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout. Of this group, 12 badges are required, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life. In addition, a Scout has a choice between Emergency Preparedness and Lifesaving and a choice among Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming. In addition, an Eagle Scout must demonstrate leadership through the development of a community service project, serve in leadership positions in the Troop, and pass a board of review.
 
The Elks for many years have supported Scouting across the country, and is one of many programs that support our Youth. In addition to support of scouting, the Elks also have several scholarship programs, a national "Hoop Shoot" free throw contest, a Soccer Shoot competition, Essay Contests, a Junior Golf Program, Dictionary Project, Youth-Veteran Volunteer program, and a Drug Awareness Program. For more information on the Elk programs, visit: www.maineelks.org
 
The Boy Scouts of America were incorporated in 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916. Its purpose is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. For more information on Boy Scouting in Maine, visit the Pine Tree Council's website at www.pinetreebsa.org

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, the MEA Website, or future issues of this newsletter.

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