Lima Elks #54 Sponsors Lima Junior Golf Tournament

On Monday, July 25, 2022, Lima Elks Lodge #54 sponsored the Lima Junior Golf Association Tournament of Champions Invitational – held at Shawnee Country Club. 1st and 2nd place trophies were awarded at the banquet held that evening. We congratulate these winners:

 Girls 16-18
Bridget Mulcahy
Grace Romer

Girls 15 & Under
Morgan Maxwell
Kallie McKinley

Boys 16-18
Ross Dietz
Carson Harmon

Boys 14-15
Kyle Sutton
Keaton Foster

Boys 12-13
Paul Stechschulte
Evan Altenburger

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Welcomes Thirteen New Members!

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37 proudly initiated 13 new members recently.  

Way to Grow!

Pictured: L to R 1st row   Dianna Dardinger, Melinda Cochrun, Christine Hank, Sharon Cooper ER, Dawn Ventry, Lura Thomas, Marty( Martha) Adams, Lisa Sweet. 2nd row: Collin Ries, Troy Green, Bob (Robert) Greterman, Bob (Robert) Luehrman, Jeremy Gilbert, Jeff Blanton.

Gallipolis Elks #107 Deliver Cerebral Palsy Grants To Local Organizations

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 presented Cerebral Palsy grant checks to Kay Davis, Director of Education, Meigs County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities and Laura Johnson, Director Guiding Hand School, Gallia County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities.   The grants, which totaled $12,700, were provided by the Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Fund Board.  Pictured from left to right is Kay Davis, Nelson Dray and Laura Johnson.

Pictured from left to right is Kay Davis, Past Exalted Ruler Nelson Dray, Lodge Cerebral Palsy Chairman, and Laura Johnson.

Ohio Veterans Home Honors 100-Year Old Army Veteran

The Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky honored cherished resident Coleridge O. Jones on Wednesday, July 27, and celebrated his vast accomplishments on his 100th birthday.

Mr. Jones served in the United States Army during World War II and recently was elected Memorial Day Parade king by his fellow residents. Still in good health and high spirits, he is known for his infectious smile and voracious appetite for reading material.

Image and content from Ohio Department of Veterans Services

Gallipolis Elks #107 Support Veterans Honor Guard

PDAC Rick Borton presented a check for $1,000 to Commander Norm Mangis, VFW Post 4464, in support of the Gallia County Veterans Honor Guard.  The funds are to provide uniforms, equipment, transportation and meals for their members while performing military ceremonies.

The Gallia County Veterans Honor Guard attends all the deceased veterans’ funerals in Gallia Co. Ohio and Mason Co., West Virginia.  They are also very active in the community serving the business community, school and college communities and wherever they are needed so a military presence is highly visible and revered.

BUSTED!

On July 15, 2022 fugitive drug lord, Rafael Caro Quintero, was captured and is now facing extradition to the US for the notorious 1985 torture and murder of US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) undercover agent, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

Why do Elks care about this news?

First, it’s important to know that our Drug Enforcement Administration is working diligently day and night to protect us from the drug lords bringing drugs and counterfeit pills into our country daily.

With 295 deaths a day from drug overdose and counterfeit and fentanyl laced pills we are reminded that it is our duty as Elks, the largest drug awareness program in the US, to help bring awareness to our communities. And Ohio is a crossroads for this drug activity!!!

Secondly, the Elks DAP Red Ribbon campaign was started specifically for Agent Camarena and hundreds of red ribbons are given out each year to students by the Elks to help bring drug awareness.

If you would like more information on the Elks Red Ribbon program please email Drug Awareness State Chairman Becky Underhill, or your DAP District or Lodge Chairman. You can also find information on the Red Ribbon program or any of the DAP programs or items on Elks.org under Drug Awareness.

Please click on the link to read more about the capture of drug lord.

https://nypost.com/2022/07/15/mexico-captures-fugitive-drug-lord-wanted-in-1985-dea-agent-murder/

Kenton Lodge #157 Goes Back-to-Back-to-Back as National Ritual Champions!

This past Grand Lodge Convention, Kenton Lodge tied a record set back in 1935, 87 years ago, by winning the Ritual Team Competition three years in a row. In winning the competition, the Kenton Lodge had 4 Officers receive All-American status, as did their Coaches and the Candidate.

The All-American Officers were: Todd Daquino, Inner Guard; Derryck Menard, Lecturing Knight; Ryan Yoakum, Loyal Knight; John Hines, Chaplain. The Candidate was Sue Fox Buroker; D. Jack Buroker, David Beazley, and Jerry Haudenschield were the Coaches.

The rest of the team is Nate Davis, Exalted Ruler, Derek Kaufman, Esquire, and Chad Spencer, Leading Knight. John Hines, as Chaplain, won the William King Award for the highest scoring Officer in the Eastern Division.

Besides the Team Ritual honors, Kenton Lodge represented the Ohio Elks State Association in the Flag and Eleven O'Clock Toast Contests. Todd Daquino finished in the Final Four of the first ever National Flag Contest. Chad Spencer won Eleven o'Clock Toast Contest and honored the Ohio Elks by giving the Toast at the Grand Lodge Memorial Service.  

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Conduct Flag Retirement Ceremony

Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37 hosted a Flag Retirement Service where 60 unserviceable Flags with a service of tribute, memory and love to our faded and worn American Flags were retired with dignity and respect. Following the service the Flags were taken to Jackson Township Fire Station for proper disposal.

There is nothing that shows patriotism more than the symbol of our crowning virtue, the flag of the United States of America. There is no flag on earth that is more recognizable than Old Glory. The Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee is charged with promoting Americanism within the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks by honoring local businesses who fly the flag properly with a Certificate of Honor for Properly Flying the United States flag.

On this day also, Schoedinger Funeral Home and Spence-Miller Funeral Home were presented with Certificate for Flying the Flag Properly. Air Quality Solutions, Flyers Pizza and Aladdin Shrine were additional establishments submitted for recognition and will be presented in person their Certificates.

Ohio Elks Remember Our Veterans

Volunteering at The Ohio Veterans has resumed. Thank you Lord.

On Saturday June 18th under the guidance of Activities Staff Amy we were allowed to do some sprucing up of our 1 North Adopted unit outside patio. This Spring Activity Department asked for seeds, soil in order for our Veterans to start seedlings.

With a generous donation fro Toledo-Sylvania Lodge #53 we purchased flowers, plants, soil, gardening tools, battery operated leave blower, outside decorations, new set of clothes for a resident Veteran, 4th of July party hats, treats, snacks, favorite soda pop, good Dunkin Donut coffee, kettle corn, list goes on.

Pictured are some of the raised beds that our Veterans have been busy planting and maintaining. This is helping them remembering times growing up, hands in the dirt, smelling the fresh air. having gardens at home.Memories!!!!!!! Lots of Tomatoes!!!

The Veterans are still being treated monthly to Tofts Ice Cream and now having homemade donuts delivered every Wednesday for them enjoy with their coffee in the Peacock Lounge, walkway between Secrist and Veterans Hall. Picture:On Monday June 27th ALL of 4th of July Goodies were delivered We a were met by Volunteer Coordinator Kim outside on a beautiful day. HAPPY 4th to all our OVH VETERANS THANK YOU FOR SERVICE. GOD BLESS YOU. FROM BPOE

Athens Lodge #973 Helps Local Veterans

Athens Elks Lodge #973 donated $1,800 of Athens Area Gift Cards to the Athens County Veterans Court. These gift cards will go directly to help Veterans in need in Athens County.  The money for this donation was received from a Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. 

Pictured from left to right is Athens Elks Rich Russell, Ernie Perry, Tim Lairson, Jim Balding, and from the Veteran's Court, Judge McCarthy.

Newark Elks #391 Celebrates Flag Day

70 people were in attendance to listen to the Elks Flag Day Ritual as well as enjoying a chorus singing patriotic songs and a violinist playing moving tunes.

The Lodge had the help of Boy Scout Troop 2, who shared the Meaning of the Colors and the Folds of the Flag; the American Heritage Girls Troop 148, who read patriotic flag poems; and the Licking County Veterans Alliance carrying the flags.

The Boy Scouts and American Heritage Girls also posted and retired the colors.

The Newark Lodge is so proud to be able to present this ceremony to the public and we are hoping that by including the young people that we will foster a love and appreciation for our Grand Ole Flag!

Pictured left to right back row are ER Marvin Oneson, the Licking County Veterans Alliance, front row left, Boy Scout Troop 2, American Heritage Girls Troop 148, and far right, Mayor and Lodge Treasurer Jeff Hall.

Columbus-Grove City Elks #37 Welcomes New Members & Honors Top Proposers

Columbus/Grove City Elks #37 recently welcomed 18 individuals into their membership.  

As stated by our Grand Exalted Ruler, T Keith MIlls, "membership growth is the lifeblood of any Lodge and should be our highest priority."  Columbus/Grove City #37 honored their top proposers on Monday June 27, 2022 during their regular Lodge Meeting with a Top Proposer Pin and letter from T. Keith Mills GER. 

Pictured L-R: Todd Mosley Esquire, Sharon Cooper ER, Kathy Nocera Secretary, Angelo Nocera Trustee.  Not pictured: Steve Roper and Tana Tanner. 

Online Registration For the 92nd OEA Fall Reunion Now Open!

Registration for the 92nd Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion is now open! The reunion will once again be held at the Marriott Columbus Northwest in Dublin, OH August 19-21.

For more details, visit the OEA website

Columbus - Grove City Elks #37 Celebrates Flag Day

Columbus - Grove City Elks Lodge #37 was proud to present the Flag Day Ceremony with 50 in attendance.  All officers were in attendance along with several Elks members/Spouses to present the Flag History as our local Jr ROTC presented the flags.  Following the Ceremony the Cadets folded flags dropped off in preparation of Flag Retirement Ceremony in July.

Gallipolis Elks #107 Supports Gallipolis in Bloom

Gallipolis Elks 107 donated $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Gallipolis in Bloom, GIB, in support of the beautification of the city of Gallipolis.  The money is to help purchase plants, flowers and provide flower containers throughout the community and the downtown area. 

Displaying sample of the flowers that were purchased are Diana Parks, GIB Treasurer, Fred Bryant, Gallipolis Elks Secretary; Betty Beggrow, GIB Vice President; Karen Smith, GIB President and Kim Canaday, GIB registrar. 

Newark Elks Lodge #391 Helps High School Seniors with College Costs

Members at Newark Elks Lodge #391 were able to help four area high school seniors with their college education. Each senior received $500 presented at the Lodge meeting on June7th. 

The scholarship money was raised through donations and a golf outing.

Pictured left to right are: Lodge Chairman, Bill Leedale; Brooklyn Shonebarger; Gabrielle Wolf; Madelaine Underhill; Exalted Ruler, Marvin Oneson;  Newark Mayor and Lodge Treasurer, Jeff Hall. Not pictured: Senior Gabrielle Pastorius.

Gallipolis Elks #107 Help Battle Hunger in Local Community

Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107 used $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation (ENF) Beacon Grant to support Poppy’s Tea Shop and Food Pantry   Poppy’s serves the homeless and needy by providing them with clothing, hot meals, hot drinks and every two weeks a box of groceries.  No one in need is turned away.  All of this is made possible because of donations of clothing, food and monies to the pantry 

Pictured from left to right are Fred Bryant, Secretary Gallipolis Elks and Greg Hall, owner and operator of Poppy’s Tea Shop and food pantry.

Lorain Elks #1301 Supports Local Mother's Panrty

Lorain Elks lodge #1301 utilized $1,000 from the Elks National oundation (ENF) Beacon & Gratitude grants to do shopping for the month of June to restock the Resource Mothers Pantry with needed PPE (personal protective equipment...sanitizing agents,wipes, detergent etc...) and items that the Pantry needed .(i.e umbrella strollers, booster seats,baby clothes,teething tools, baby bottles, sippie cups and more.) These items were delivered also to the Pantry by Lodge members from left Karen Belcher & Nora Schrenkel., 3 Resource mom volunteers were also there to help.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Celebrate Flag Day

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 held their Annual Flag Day Ceremony on Wednesday, June 15 at the Lodge Home.

The annual event is sponsored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.   Assisting this year were Shelley Dunham and Denise Nicholai who gave the History of the Flag and the Response.    Lodge member Linda Stanley provided the music. 

Boy Scouts from Troop 31 assisted in the program, carrying the flags.

The Elks is the first and only fraternal organization to mandate that every year, each Elks Lodge must conduct a solemn and beautiful Flag Day ceremony.

Pictured are the scouts with the various flags of this country.

Elks "On The Run" For Charity

Newark Elks Lodge #391 annual Bill Mitchell Bike Run for Charity was held Sunday, June 12th in Newark. Participating were 80+ lodge members their families and friends all riding their bicycles, 4 x 4’s and in cars.

The Bike Run consists of everyone riding to 4 planned stops; 3 local hangouts and the American Legion. All 4 establishments joined in our fun and provided food, music, special drinks, prizes, and donations. We were led safely through the streets by our Licking County Sheriff Deputy.

We then met back at the Lodge where money was raised by donations from sponsors, a silent auction, and t-shirt sales. 

The event raised $9,500 to be divided between three charities; Kingdom Pillars, for kids aging out of foster care; The Boys and Girls Club of Newark; and the Central Ohio Drug Task Force to help with the purchase a new K9.

Pictured is the group photo of the participants on our Courthouse steps.

Pictured is the group photo of the participants on our Courthouse steps.