Wow, here we are in September al-ready. It seems like I just started this job, and five months are already behind me. We have a great Autumn coming up.

The Patriots’ Day Memorial Service is in the picnic pavilion at 10:30 AM on September 11, followed by the Dog Pa-rade/Chili Cook-Off at 11 AM, co-hosted by Inner Guard, Connie Wright and Publicity Chairwoman, Geri Lee and aided by a host of volunteers. Then, in the evening beginning at 6 PM, the Patriot Day Dinner -Dance hosted by our Youth Activities Chairman, Bill Dixon.

Then the Autumn Ball with dinner and dancing to the music of the Swing Kings on Friday, September 24, and the Elks’ Charity Ball, again with music by the Swing Kings, on Friday, October 22. (Break out those dancing shoes.) In between those two events is the Oktoberfest which Lecturing Knight, Matt Goddard will be hosting on October 9.

The Swing Kings will be performing in our ballroom on Sunday evening, September 19, at $10 per person, a public event, which of course includes Elk Members (We are also members of the public.) Our Lodge Manager, Evan Billman, has something in the works for Halloween for children and grown-ups that I am sure will be fun. We will also be hosting NFL Sundays in the Lounge.

I want to express my appreciation for all of the support I get from all of you. It is gratifying to receive such affection and I want you all to know that the feeling is mutual toward everyone of you. That, to me, is what Elks are all about. When you see what is going on in the world with all of the hatred and heinous acts being perpetrated on one another, it is a welcome “port in the storm” to come to the Elks’ Lodge. We have to teach the rest of the world how to get along. Only by recognizing that every one of us are entitled to our own beliefs and opinions will all of the problems be put to rest and the fundamental process be allowed to continue. The Best People On Earth have the ability and the dedication to conduct their lives in that manner. And, we have a heck of a lot of fun along the way, which is also very important. After all, being good shouldn’t be a drag.

So, when you come into the Lodge, seek out the person that you like the least and give them a hug, (or a handshake for you macho guys.) But then tell them they are not the first one you have hugged or whose hand you have shaken, so you won’t hurt their feelings.

Here is another way to enjoy the closeness of other members. Get involved! Volunteer! There is always some-thing coming up that could use more help, and it is a great way to get to know other members and not only be fraternal brothers and sisters, but also to become friends. It is the best way to get in on all the gossip, too. You may not know what you are missing. Really, we have Soccer Shoot and Hoop Shoot coming up soon and Bill Dixon can use a lot of help. (What a job he is doing!) Also, if we are successful in getting the Antlers going, we will need volunteers to help with some of their programs.

All of the committees and Lodge activities are always short of adequate help. It is not a requirement of your member-ship, and we don’t look down on you if you do not have the time (which we realize is the case with many of you), but it is a benefit, because it affords you the opportunity to give and by so doing, you get.

I hope all of this pontificating doesn’t get on your nerves and you stop reading my articles. I’ll tamper it down next month and hopefully have something ex-citing to write about, maybe an NFL recap, (like I’m a sports writer.) OH! Come listen to Larry on our newly donated Baby Grand Piano on Friday afternoons from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

I laid it on you all a bit heavy last month, so I want to clarify my position with you as your Exalted Ruler. My road to Exalted Ruler has not been an intentional venture, but one that I will always treasure. When I admonish you over anything pertaining to the good of the Lodge as I see it, I do not do so because I think that I am smarter, nor more concerned than any of the rest of you. I do so because I feel it is part of my responsibility to look after what I consider to be good for the Lodge. I may not always be correct in my assumption, and I am quick to admit it, nor do I mean to imply that I think I am the only one capable of doing so. If I can do at least one thing that will make a difference for the good of Chico Lodge #423 in all the years hereafter (and not screw anything up,) I feel that I will have left a worthwhile legacy. There are a lot of incidentals to attend to along the way. Since I do have the job, I intend to do my best to do it right. So please bear with me.

We must keep moving forward. If we do not, there is a natural tendency toward entropy, a state of disorder.  Nothing remains static. Large social systems and institutions often fail, because they lose the values that provide the foundation for stability and the continuance of the fundamental process (bet you can think of several  good examples.) Of course, we want to continue to enjoy all of the wonderful activities here at Chico Lodge #423, and to add to them where we can.

My major goal is to institute the “Antler Program” in our Lodge so we can try to influence the younger  generations in the principles that we embrace, and set the course for future Elk membership. For those of you  who are not familiar with the Antlers, it is Junior Elks, ages 12 through 20. They have their own officers, including  trustees, and their own bank account. They have their own Statutes and By-Laws. They meet once a month  under the supervision of a five member Advisory Board of Elk members. It will take a major effort to bring this  goal about and will take a great deal of volunteer help. I’m in the market now, so the line forms at the right.

I am hoping to have a Community Youth Talent Show in the Fall or early Spring next year, with proceeds  donated to the school music and art programs. Evan has a great Halloween event in the works for kids and adults.

I would also like to do the Charity Ball again this year with the “Swing Kings,” if we can find an open date on the calendar that will work. The State President will be in  Paradise in October and may visit our Lodge on Friday, October 15th. Evan is gearing up for NFL Sunday. With the capability of three or four games simultaneously, it  should be a great season at the Lodge.

Well, both conventions are behind me. The National Convention was impressive, particularly the Opening Ceremony and the Memorial Service. We voted on fourteen resolutions, none of which greatly effects the operation of our Lodge. I have put a copy of the resolutions and the results of the votes, along with the convention news  booklets for each day on display on a table in the Lodge room for anyone interested in what goes on at these conventions. On the back of each news booklet is a  schedule of that day’s events. It is interesting to see what is involved in maintaining the statutes, rules and regulations of the Order.

The “Most Valuable Student” recipients, one boy and one girl, were quite impressive. ENF awarded each of them with a $60,000 scholarship. The two “Hoop Shoot” winners, a boy and a girl, both nine years old, were very cute. The National Foundation awarded a brand new large Ford van and $25,000 for gas money to a young  group of musicians call “Recreation” that travels the country performing at Veterans’ Hospitals. They were really great. I am going to try to get a CD to show here at the  Lodge. The only downside to the whole experience was the price of a glass of wine at the hotel. You could go broke trying to get a “buzz.”

Joe Lusher, Exalted Ruler