Jackson Elks #466 Awards Americanism Essay Winners

Pictured are the winners of the 2023 Jackson Elks# 466 Americanism Essay Contest. In the front row (from left to right) are Elks Exalted Ruler Lynn Denny, Cyle Cavell, Wayne Detty, Ashlyn Miller, Isaiah Armstrong, Ava Wolford, Callie Newkirk, Kori Musick and Project Chair Kim Harless. In the back row (from left to right) are Matthew Houser, Garrett Graham, Macie Peters and Addison Hickey. Not pictured is Owen Linnger

Berea Elks #1815 Help Fight Hunger in Northeast Ohio

Members of Berea Elks Lodge #1815 volunteered at the Cleveland Food Bank, sorting and packing 340 boxes of food to be distributed to families in need in the greater Cleveland area. Nearly 20 members packed over 5 tons of food in ready to go boxes that will be distributed in less than one week to those who need it most.

Newcomerstown Elks #1555 Awards Four $1,000 Scholarships

On May 19th 2023, Newcomerstown Elks Lodge #1555 was able to present four (4) $1,000 scholarships to two of our local school districts.  First we have ER George Poorman at Ridgewood High School presenting the Pop Warner Scholarship to Samual Layman, and the Ed Harstine Scholarship to Kaelynn Robinson.   After this we have PER & Lodge Secretary Steven Pritchard presenting the Woody Hayes Scholarships to Marlie Moner and Breanna Rehard, Both of Newcomerstown.  Congrats!

Van Wert Elks #1197 Supports Local Youth Baseball

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $100 to the Van Wert Youth Baseball Association for the 2023 season.

Pictured, left to right are Matt Krol, Exalted Ruler and Ben Price, Van Wert Youth Baseball President.

With the financial help from the sponsors, youth ages 8 to 12 are able to travel and play teams within a tri-county area.    On an average they have 6 teams and over 80 kids who are able to participate in the program.

The Elks are known for their support of youth activities not only within Van Wert County but across the nation as well.

Upper Sandusky Elks #83 Supports Local Scholarships

Upper Sandusky Elks Lodge #83 recently attended the Upper Sandusky High School awards night to present 14 scholarships, which included the Elks #83 Big Nut Scholarships. This is a collaborative joint venture between the lodge and OSU Super Fan Jon "Big Nut" Peters.

Each year 3 students that will be attending OSU in the Fall are awarded these scholarships from "Big Nut" himself. Through his scholarship fund and support of the OSU endowment he has raised over $250,000 to support those efforts! Pictured is "Big Nut" with one of this year's recipients Renee McCreary. Thanks to everyone who makes this program successful! 

Port Clinton Lodge #1718 Recognizes District Winners of Americanism Essay Contest

From LEft: Ed Rusch, Lecturing Knight, Drake Waldron, Colbie Dahlgren, and Bill Murphey, Exalted Ruler

Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 is proud to announce its district winners of the Elks Americanism Essay Contest. Students Drake Waldron and Colbie Dahlgren from Danbury Local Schools, Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. Drake (6th-grade division) won third place, and Colbie (7th-grade division) won first place. Congratulations!

Salem Lodge #305 Supports Youth Day At Salem Hunt Club

Salem Elks Lodge #305 presented a $500 check to Jay Klein, President of The Salem Hunt Club for their Youth Day on Saturday, May 20th with registration from 8:30-10:15am

Steve Smith, a Past Exalted Ruler presents check to Jay Klein.

Youth Day is free for ages 8-15!! There is Archery, Black Powder, Trap, 22 Rifles and Air Rifles. Food and drinks; plus T-shirts and trophies for the winners.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Announces Americanism Essay Contest Winners

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2022-2023 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest.    This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “What is your American Dream”.     The students competed in divisions, by age group.

The local winners, which were forwarded to the District for further judging, were:

Anita Carvajal was the lodge chairman in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee and is pictured with the winners.

1st Place Winners  (pictured left to right, front row)
Div I – 5th  Grade – Lizzie Eding – Crestview Elementary School
Div II – 6th Grade – Cole Dewert – Crestview Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Annabel Horstman – Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Cole Miller – Crestview Middle School

2nd Place Winners  (pictured left to right, middle row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Kendall He3sseling– St Marys Catholic Elementary
Div II – 6th Grade – Brooke Stoller – Wayne Trace Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Ila Hughes– Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Harrison Sloan – Van Wert Middle School

3rd Place Winners  (pictured left to right, back row)
Div I – 5th Grade – Megan Parker – Payne Middle School
Div II – 6th Grade – Paylin Gray – Crestview Middle School
Div III – 7th Grade – Zavier Kemler – Lincolnview Middle School
Div IV – 8th Grade – Lilly Mason – Van Wert Middle School

Lily Mason placed first in the Northwest District Division IV competition.  Megan Parker placed second in the Northwest District Division I competition and Annabel Horstman placed second in the Northwest District Division III competition.  Kendall Hesseling placed third in the Northwest District Division I competition.

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 would like to congratulate all of our winners and we wish to thank all of the students, teachers and schools for their participation in this years essay contest.

"Zombie" Drug Raises Alarms - National Fentanyl Awareness Day is May 9

By WILLIAM J. BRYAN Acting Director Elks Drug Awareness Commission

While I would much rather talk about what the Elks are up to this month, I feel obligated to speak about what the drug traffickers are up to.

A veterinary sedative, xylazine, is being mixed with fentanyl and has found its way to America’s streets.

For several years, the Elks’ DAP has been teaching kids about the dangers of fentanyl, and now it has become even more dangerous. Fentanyl, as we all know, is already 50 times more powerful than heroin.

Xylazine has been found laced in illicit injectable drugs, especially fentanyl. It’s often referred to as “tranq” or “tranq dope” on the street. People who use it tend to slip into a state of unconsciousness for hours. The sedative effects of xylazine are so powerful that, for example, a person can suffocate if lying face down on a pillow!

The drug has also been linked to reports of skin abscesses, not unlike cases seen in other injectable drug users. In some instances, the wounds are so severe that amputations are necessary. Thus it is also known as a “zombie” drug.

Perhaps most alarming, this new cocktail of drugs is less resistant to Narcan, the nasal spray used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose emergency.

Just when we think it’s time to relax, we realize that those traffickers bent on destroying our youth keep us on guard. The Elks’ DAP will always counter the bad with the truth.

Becky Underhill, State DAP Chairman

Ohio Elks Association Honors Outstanding State DAP Chairpersons

The Ohio Elks Association wanted to share the outstanding DAP chairpersons for the 2022 Elk year.

First is Walt Brown, lodge Drug Awareness Chair from Gallipolis #107.  Walt must have given out DAP pamphlets to everyone in the town of Gallipolis and Gallia County. Over 13,000 pieces! From schools, to the police and sheriff departments, to the court systems, Walt made sure they all had what they needed to promote drug awareness. Great job Walt and thank you.

Next is Kim Chapman, lodge Drug Awareness Chair from Salem #305. Kim has established a great relationship with her area schools and teachers where she promotes the Drug Awareness Poster and Essay contests. This year she received 78 entries from kids in grades 3 thru 8. Her job then was to get the entries judged and sent onto her District Chairman. Great job and thank you Kim.

From left, Walt Brown of Gallipolis Lodge #107, Becky Underhill of Newark Lodge #391, Kim Chapman of Salem Lodge #305, and President Ed Connors of Salem Lodge #305

My last certificate for a job well done goes to Patrick Greenhill, the NE District Drug Awareness Chair from Berea #1815. Pat took on the responsibility of getting their old district trailer renovated, inside and out, including a new wrap. Even though it turned out to be way more time consuming than he originally thought, even finding the graphics proved difficult, Pat saw the project through to completion. The renovated trailer can be used to promote not only drug awareness but all Elk’s youth activities. Thank you Pat.

Each of these Elks has done an outstanding job this year to promote Drug Awareness in Ohio. Thanks again for your hard work!

Registration for 94th OEA Fall Reunion Now Open!

The 94th Ohio Elks Association Fall Reunion pre-registration is now open on the Ohio Elks website. Join your fellow Elks members in Columbus August 18-20 as we welcome the incoming Grand Exalted Ruler to the Buckeye State!

Members can now pre-register online and reserve their hotel room. Please register early as the hotel has limited rooms available.

See you in Columbus!

Van Wert Elks #1197 Award Student of the Year to Local High School Senior

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 has selected Kyra Welch, senior at Van Wert High School as the recipient of the Student of the Year for Van Wert Lodge.   Kyra was selected as the Student of the Month for January.   She will graduate this spring from Van Wert High School.

From LEFT: Kyra Welch with Matthew J. Krol, Exalted Ruler

Students are nominated by their high schools to receive the Student of the Month award.  Each Student of the Month receives a monetary donation along with a certificate from the Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 with the possibility to be named the Student of the Year.   Students are judged on the basis of multiple achievements – Volunteerism, Character, Leadership, Service, Citizenship and Scholastic.   

All of the Student of the Month winners are then judged for their performance and achievements for selection as the Student of the Year.   Kyra received a monetary donation as well as a certificate.   She will now be competing for District Student of the Year against students from 12 other lodges within the district.

This program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for their achievements in school and community.   The Elks wish to recognize and praise those students for their accomplishments, their activities, and their contributions to society through this program.

City of Van Wert Proclaims "Elks Youth Week" in May

Van Wert Mayor Kenneth J. Markward has proclaimed the week of May 1 thru May 7 as Elks Youth Week to honor America’s junior citizens for their accomplishments and to give fitting recognition of their services to the community, state and nation.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks each year sets aside this week in May to recognize the young people of our communities.

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 will sponsor their annual Youth Recognition Breakfast during this week to honor the scholarship winners, the Student of the Month winners and the Americanism Essay Contest winners.

Van Wert Lodge 1197 is proud to be able to assist the youth of our community whenever they can with their contributions and programs.

Pictured left to right are Mayor Markward with Exalted Ruler Matthew J. Krol

Berea Elks #1815 Dedicated New StoryWalk Trail at Berea Library

Berea Elks Lodge #1815, in partnership with the City of Berea dedicated a new StoryWalk outside the Berea branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library this month.

The lodge donated $5,000 to the project using funds from the lodge membership and from an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to purchase outdoor, commercial grade peestals to mount storybook pages for kids engage in reading activities while engaged in outdoor settings.

The City of Berea approved the public space for use and installed all of the pedestals along a lighted walking path that leads from the library entrance to Coe Lake.

Images above show installed StoryWalk along with dedication event with Richard Threadgill, PER (Berea Elks Grant Coordinator), Danielle Mahany (Berea Elks Exalted Ruler), Kalyn Kappelman (Berea Library Branch Manager, and Cyril Kleem (Mayor of Berea) dedicate new StoryWalk Trail at the Berea Branch of the Cuyahoga Public Library

Willoughby - Cleveland Elks #18 Helps Homeless Veterans

Tonight we had the opportunity to meet Randy Harrod, Randy is an Ambassador appointed by the U. S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. His specialty is helping homeless veterans find permanent housing as well as the resources to maintain that housing.

We arranged to give Randy one of our "Welcome Home Kits" these kits are made possible thru The Spotlight Grant which is made available to us from the Elks National Foundation. These kits contain the basic items needed for someone to set up house in a new home. In addition to the kit we also gave him a Giant Eagle gift card for $100.00 to give to another Veteran who could use a helping hand.

We seized the opportunity to get a photo with the Emblem Club #508, who also contributes to these kits, the afghan being held by some members on the left was handmade by members of Emblem #508.

Pictured from left to right--- Joan Russell, Lee Higgins, Jean Spangler, Randy Harrod, Chris Burkholder, Dianna passwaiter, Emblem #508 president, Jeff Romito, Exalted Ruler (dual member) Mary Kay Neff, Michelle Zayakosky, Leading Knight (dual member)

Northeast District Announces District Golf Outing - Registration Now Open!

2023 Northeast District Golf Outing

Join Elks from around the Northeast District and Ohio on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Coppertop Golf Club in Valley City, OH just 25-minutes from Berea Elks Lodge #1815, hosts of this year’s NE District golf outing.

COPPERTOP GOLF CLUB
5740 Center Road
Valley City, OH 44280

The event is a 4-person scramble with a shotgun start at 2:00 PM.

Cost is only $95/golfer and includes 18-holes of golf at a great course with a cart, lunch at the turn, with dinner and beer served at the course upon conclusion of golf. Beer is free during dinner service.

There will be skill shots on each of the course’s four Par 3 holes, each benefitting Elks National Foundation (ENF), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Veterans, and the Ohio Elks Endowment.

Team skins will be available for $20/team and there will be a $20 “powerball” contest along with mulligans available per golfer ($5/mulligan/golfer - maximum of 2). Please pay for side games in cash at the course during registration.

After golf, the Berea Elks Lodge will be hosting a special bourbon and cigar event at the lodge at a cost of $18.15. This will get you a premium cigar and top-rate, rare bourbon to enjoy on our patio. This can be purchased online in addition to the golf and must be purchased by Thursday June 1st.

Any interested golfers/teams can register online at the Berea Elks website:

https://www.bereaelks.com/lodge-store/2023-northeast-district-golf-outing

For anyone needing a hotel room, there are several hotels close to the lodge. Any hotel close to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will be close to the lodge and to golf. The Berea Elks have secured a special rate at the nearby Crown Plaza hotel in Middleburg Heights for $109/night, not including taxes, fees, and incidentals.

CROWN PLAZA
7230 Engle Road
Middleburg Heights, OH. 44130

To book a room at the Crown Plaza, click this link. Be sure to input the correct dates to get the special rates using this link. You can also call the hotel directly at 440-243-4040 and use the group code “OHE” when booking. Hotel rooms should be booked quickly as the block will sell out fast.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Supports Local After Prom

Van Wert Lodge Elks Lodge #1197 recently made a donation of $200 to the Van Wert Optimist Club.   The monies will be go towards the After Prom parties for Crestview, Lincolnview and Van Wert High Schools.

The Optimist Club of Van Wert puts on an After Prom for the county schools each year.  This year they are planning a Game Night themed After Prom at the Olympic Lanes with bowling, Scrabble, Bingo, Trivia, Corn hole and other exciting activities.   In addition to the games prizes will be given out.

Pictured left to right are John Ream, Lodge Youth Activities Chairman, Deb Kelble, Optimist Club After Prom Chairman and Dennis Shaffer, After Prom Committee Member.

Van Wert Elks #1197 Donates to Local Festival Scholarship Program

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $100 to the Van Wert Peony Festival Committee.

The monies are to go towards the Peony Festival Scholarship Program.   The Elks, nationally, are only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships that are given out each year.   Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be a contributor each year to this important scholarship program.

Pictured, left to right are Matt Krol, Lodge Exalted Ruler and Kim Ousley, Pageant Director.

Newark Elks #391 Starting the Year off Right with a CP Breakfast

The members at Newark Lodge #391 have come to look forward to the Cerebral Palsy (CP) breakfasts served once a month.

Ginger Rife, newly elected Loyal Knight and CP Chairman, prepared her farmhouse breakfast as Jon Kreger, the new Lecturing Knight and Mark Gilligan, the new Leading Knight helped to serve and clean up. Also helping were Marie Kreger, Debbie Gilligan, Sue Lange, and Marion Baron.

And it was no April Fool’s joke, the food was delicious!!

Pictured from left to right; Jon Kreger, Lecturing Knight; Ginger Rife, Loyal Knight; and Mark Gilligan, Leading Knight.

Elyria Elks #465 Awards Scholarships and Support Cerebral Palsy Organization

Elyria Elks Lodge #465 held their annual Awards Banquet at their club at their club on 246 Second Street. Sue Powell was awarded “Officer of the Year”, Joe Rodgers was named “Citizen of the Year” and Cary Squires Jr. was named “Elk of the Year”.

In addition, eight local students were awarded scholarships totaling $8,000 

Another donation of $4,500 was given to the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland , who help children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  This brought the total amount of donations for the Elyria Elk’s fiscal year to over $71,000.00; of which 90% remained local. 

from left to right: Scholarship Committee Chairman John Radolec, Exalted Ruler Mike Walker, scholarship winners  Hannah Rishel, Samantha Besel and Kalyssa Joviak.

from left to right: Cindy Marks and Carrie Brown from UCP of Greater Cleveland, Exalted Ruler Mike Walker, Charity Chairman Jim Mosher and Dean Robinson.