State President's Message  -  October 2011 

Dear Members,

October to me is one of the best times of the year. With crisp cool nights and warm days, the smell of wood fires burning, and the beautiful colors of the trees, there is nothing like fall in Maine. This month is also Elks National Foundation month. An opportunity to hold at least one event in support of the "Great Heart of Elkdom." With all of the things the ENF does for our programs and our communities. I encourage each Lodge to do what they can to support this worthy cause.

The month of September continues to be active for Kathleen and I, as we continue our trips around Maine to see the best that Elkdom has to offer. We certainly have not been disappointed! On September 9-10, 2011, we visited the Sanford Elks Lodge for their annual Chili & Chowder Cookoff and Auction as well as their MCCP Golf Tournament. Both events were a tremendous success, and I congratulate the Sanford Elks Lodge for their outstanding work in setting a new record for fundraising on behalf of our state's major project in the amount of $119,000 dollars. This clearly puts us over the $3 Million Dollars of giving to the Maine Children's Cancer Program, which we will celebrate at the State Convention at Sugarloaf in May. This also goes a long way toward reaching the goal of $250,000 dollars for the year. Our thanks to the Sanford Elks Lodge for their hospitality during the weekend.

On September 24, 2011, we stopped at the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge to help with their annual "Hugs from Haley" 5k Road Race. The Lodge did a outstanding job with this program, and they too set a new record by having 109 racers enter the event. The event was fun for everyone, as they had a race for the kids called "Elle's Dash" and a Walk for those of us who would want to take a slower pace. My congratulations to the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge for a successful event in support of the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

Also on September 24th, we traveled to the York Elks Lodge for our official visitation. We were greeted by Exalted Ruler Carol Putnam at the Sparhawk Resort, and we thoroughly enjoyed our accommodations on the ocean in Ogunquit. That evening, we traveled to the York Lodge for dinner. We were met by several officers and members of the Lodge, and we were impressed by their hospitality and friendliness. We were certainly made to feel welcome at their Lodge. Our thanks to Carol and the officers and members of the York Lodge for an enjoyable weekend. 

October will be a busy month for us, as we travel to Bangor, Old Town, Gardiner, Houlton, Sanford, and Wells. We will also be stopping in Waterville on October 7, 2011 for their Emergency Services Night, recognizing firefighters, police, and EMS providers in their area.  The State Meeting will be held in Old Town on October 9, 2011, and the State Soccer Shoot will take place at the Augusta Elks Lodge on October 16th.

At the State Meeting, the Diabetes-Hypertension Van Committee will be making their recommendation to the membership. We hope that you can all attend this important meeting to receive all the latest information on the program, as well as reports from all of our other committees.

We hope to see you in Old Town, and remember to stay... "Focused on serving our communities." 

Fraternally,

Wayne Cotterly
President  

GER banquet at Augusta Lodge Nov. 8  

Grand Exalted Ruler David R. Carr and First lady Penny will arrive in Maine on Sunday, Nov. 6 and a banquet in their honor will be held at the Augusta Lodge on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Times, reservation information and prices will be announced soon by the Augusta Lodge.

Dress for State Officers, Exalted Rulers, DDGERs and State Committee Members is business suits-sport jackets for men and appropriate semi-formal attire for the ladies.  The banquet is open to all Elks.

Patriot's Day observed at Rockland Lodge 1008

On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 the Rockland Lodge of Elks #1008 was filled with passion and energy as more than 400 people came to the Lodge for the 10th Anniversary Patriot's Day Ceremonies commemorating a memorial stone in memory of those who perished September 11, 2011.

First responders, public safety personnel, U.S. Coast Guard members, veterans, and ordinary citizens gathered for the Lodge's tribute. The road leading to the Lodge was lined with American flags and over 50 motorcycles from the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, the American Legion, and Combat Veterans Assoc.

The parking lot was filled with the tactical units of 24 different public safety, first responders, and U.S. Coast Guard.  At exactly 1 p.m. a horn blast began "a minute of silence" so the gathering could participate in the National Moment of Remembrance.

The St. Andrews Pipes and Drums led the procession of uniformed personnel through the avenue of motorcycles and underneath the arching "twin towers" of the Rockland and Camden Fire Department tower trucks hoisting a huge U.S. Flag.

The procession proceeded to the Lodge's flagpole for the posting of Colors, the National Anthem, the invocation by lodge chaplain Scott Hall PER, and the playing of "Amazing Grace" by St Andrews Pipes and Drum. Exalted Ruler Arthur Anderson made opening remarks to the gathering about the solemnity of 9/11 and the importance of "remembering." He then unveiled and dedicated the stunning memorial stone with its simple elegance and inscription:
"In Memory of Those Who Perished
September 11, 2001
Rockland Lodge of Elks 1008
Dedicated September 11, 2011"

At the conclusion of the dedication and retiring of Colors the personnel of all tactical units on site switched-on their sirens and horns for several minutes to convey the chaos that ensued on September 11, 2001.  It was an astounding and emotional period of time.

The Patriot's Day Ceremonies moved inside the Lodge where Master of Ceremonies Alfred "Chipper" Widdecombe PER introduced the several speakers - Charles Jordan, Chief, Rockland F.D.; Timothy Carroll, Chief Deputy, Knox County Sheriffs Dept,; Patrick Hood, Maine State Trooper; District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler and Maine Elks Assoc. 1st Vice-President Dwayne Guy PER; Chris Rector, Maine State Senator; Edward Mazurek, Maine Representative, District 47;  Wesley Richardson, Maine Representative, District 49; Kenneth Bouchard, 1st Vice Commander, Dept of Maine American Legion.  Sophia Robbins led the gathering in singing "God Bless America" and sang solo "Let There Be Peace."

The Rockland Emblem Club #200 performed a flag folding ceremony with President Kim Matthews reading the steps in the folds and their meaning. ER Arthur Andersen read letters from U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Michael Michaud. Chaplain Scott Hall PER gave a benediction.

The Rockland Emblem Club 200 and American Legion Post No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary hosted a reception for all concluding the ceremonies.  Todd Johnston a member of Rockland Lodge of Elks donated the memorial stone to the Lodge for which the Lodge will be ever grateful.

Portland (Ore.) Elk riding for wounded vets

Scot King, a member of the Gateway Elks Lodge in Portland, Ore., is riding across the continential United States to raise awareness and funds for our military personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. As part of his nationwide bicycle ride, he visited the District Deputy Clinic at the Augusta Lodge on Oct. 2 as the guest of MEA 2nd Vice President Tom Callahan.

King, a former Marine, said that he has been on the road for five months and has visited more than 60 Elks Lodges. He pointed out the duct tape on his worn-out right sneaker with the words "Elkdom Rocks" written on it. "You'd be surprised how many people ask me about it," said King.

His ultimate goal, in addition to bicycling through 48 states, is to raise $1 million to assist families affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But he also said that promoting Elkdom is also important. "I figure that my ride has gotten about $300,000 worth of publicity, and I always make sure the Elks are mentioned prominently," said King. "People have said we're the world's best-kept secret. And we shouldn't be."

King also received a Maine state flag during his visit to the capital and headed for the other Portland - Maine - after his stop in Augusta. 

More information about Scot King is at www.rememberthewoundedride.com. His progress can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

Waterville Lodge "recaptures" Roaming Elk

The Waterville Elks Lodge recaptured the Roaming Elk trophy from the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 2. A large group from the Waterville Lodge attended the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge's Calendar Dinner-Dance hosted by the Lodge Activities Committee. (Photo by Michelle Stewart).

Houlton Elks Lodge Soccer Shoot

The Houlton Elks Lodge held their annual Soccer Shoot on Sunday, Sept. 18. They had a great turnout with a total of 44 kids competing. About 75 adults were in attendance to cheer on their children and grandkids.

Elks member/Soccer Coach Tim Tweedie, five members of the Houlton varsity girls soccer team and several lodge members helped with the competition. The lodge also served refreshments to all attendees. (Houlton Elks Lodge photo) 

September Calendar winners 

If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Mike Lange at maineelks@roadrunner.com for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, the MEA Website, or future issues of this newsletter.

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