It’s starting to feel a little bit like summer; ok, maybe the groundhog saw his shadow but I’m ready for some sun! We, as an Order and a Lodge, do amazing things for each other and our communities. I would like to take a few moments to recognize some of the great things that our members have recently done.

I would like to thank Donna Ramey, Claudia Jenkins, Shirley Hanning, Gus Borchus and Joe Lusher for their hard work on the Stein Cabinet. I’m sure many have seen the amazing job they did! The new lights really accent our amazing steins that have been collected over the years. I’ve heard the stories of the Stein Club that used to travel the state. Lodge members would travel to different lodges and bring steins to drink from. When the evening would end they would leave steins for that lodge. Our collection used to be significantly larger but over the years and having outside parties, it has diminished. I’m proud to say that we still have an amazing collection and thanks to Donna and her crew, it is displayed appropriately.

I would also like to recognize all the hard work put into our 10th Annual Dispatchers of the Year! This is an Elk event that is  unique and amazing, if you haven’t attended, please do so in the future. The dispatchers from each division of public safety select a dispatcher of the year from their department. Remember these are the people you speak to when you call 911 for assistance, not the fireman, police or ambulance drivers. This is the first line of the rescue process. Without their presence of mind and ability to see through every situation, the rescue personnel you see at your house may not arrive in time or ready to handle your specific need. This is the time to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of our emergency response units. The committee also gets fire, police, rescue and specialized equipment vehicles to the Lodge for an exhibition that is enjoyed by the public and by the children from our schools.

It is also time again for NASCAR! Come enjoy the races with our large flat screens! As always there is NASCAR bingo and other raffles that benefit our charities. Pay attention to the Elkhorn Press for bring your own meat BBQ for NASCAR! Members and officers will cook your selected meats to your choosing and there is always sides available from our kitchen.

Remember the dinners we have Tuesday through Thursday; our kitchen puts together some amazing dishes! The cost of our dinners is not comparable to any other restaurant in town! Tuesday,$7, Wednesday, $9 (except birthday dinner, which is $12,) and Queen of Hearts, $9. Our dinners come with a salad and dessert! Please find time to come enjoy dinner with us.

We have one of the nicer Lodges around, and we also have the hardest working volunteers around! From the grounds to renovations and maintenance in the building, to events that are put on at our lodge, they help out. We have close to 200 American Flags that are put up and taken down throughout the year at our Lodge by volunteers. With that being said, if you have a special talent or just want to help out please do so! Feel free to drop a note at the office expressing your want to help out in a certain area. If you are uncertain, review the committees printed in this newsletter. I hope to see you at our lodge very soon!

Michael Staples, ER