News

2015-2016 Americanism Essay Contest Winners

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The 2015-2016 Americanism Essay Contest winners were First Place, Gawain Smith from Charlestown, NH; First Runner Up was Ashley Putnam also of Charlestown, and 2nd Runner Up was Lizi Ryll from St. Albans, not pictured.   The winners received certificates and gift cards, the other participants all received flags, pens, pencils, wrist bands, and book marks.
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From left to right are: Vermont Elks Association Americanism Chairman Karen Putnam of Bellows Falls Lodge #1619, Ashley Putnam, VEA Past State President Raymond Buisson, First Place winner Gawain Smith and 6th Grade Teacher Kathy Olsen.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS RECOGNIZE OLDEST LIVING SPRINGFIELD ELK MEMBER

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    Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 recognized their oldest living member.   Charles “Bob” Brent attended this years 2016/2017 installation of their Lodge Officers.   Mr. Brent is 95 years old and an Elk for 71 years.   For time in service to the Elks, he is third in line behind Ray Latelle with 74 years and Paul Stone who is a 71 year member, initiated two weeks before Mr. Brent.
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Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski is shown with Charles “Bob” Brent, Springfield Lodges oldest living Elk member 

Windsor Elks bring Easter Bunny to 5 area nursing home facilities!

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On Easter Sunday morning the Windsor Elks escorted the Easter Bunny to five area nursing home facilities to bring a gift and some Easter Cheer to the residents of the homes.  It took three hours to complete the rounds but it was very rewarding and enjoyable to see how excited the residents received us.  Approximately 170 stuffed animals and other gifts were given out to the residents.  Below are two pictures of Easter Bunny with a couple of the people who reside at the Ascutney House Nursing Home.
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Peggy Naught ( Peggy turned 100 yrs old on the Saturday before Easter).
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Lila Mansur . Easter Bunny is Gary Hurlburt (Exalted Ruler of the Windsor Elks #1665, Windsor Vermont.
Below are two residents of the Davis Nursing Home.
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Tom Gauthier with Easter Bunny.
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Bobby Lapine ( A long time member of the Windsor Elks )
Below are Residents of the Homes Of Runnemeade Nursing Home
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Easter Bunny with the residents of Homes Of Runnemeade Nursing Home while they were eating their Easter dinner.
Standing is Jean Crosby PER assisting the Easter Bunny (Gary Hurlburt PER and present ER of the Windsor Elks ).
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Judy Schur and a very tired Easter Bunny sitting on her bed
Story and Pictures provided by
Norman Marshall PER
Public Relations Chairman
Windsor Elks Lodge #1665

New England Regional Hoop Shoot Competition, Held In Westbrook, Maine

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The New England Regional Basketball Hoop Shoot competition was held Saturday March 19th 2016 in Westbrook Maine at the Westbrook High School Gym. Each New England State sent 6 teams to compete ages 8-9, 10-11 & 12-13.  Congratulations to everyone who competed.

Jacob Kocis of Newport, VT won 1st place in the 10-11 age group and will be going to Chicago on April 16th to represent New England in the finals!

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front row:  Molly Gagne, 8-9 from St. Albans lodge, Alexander Gordon, 8-9 from Burlington,
Jacob Kocis, 10-11 from Newport lodge.   Back row: Rylee Jenness, 10-11 from Newport lodge,
Cecily McCormack 12-13 from Rutland lodge  and Gregory Fitzgerald, 12-13 from Bennington lodge.
With VT State Hoop Shoot Director Steve Edgerly getting their participation medals.
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Cecile McCormack with VT Elks President Fred Dusablon
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Alexander Gordon with VT Elks President Fred Dusablon
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First Place winner Jacob Kocis with VT Elks President Fred Dusablon
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Gregory Fitzgerald with VT Elks President Fred Dusablon

Windsor Elks Lodge #1665 receives an award

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The Windsor Elks Lodge #1665 Windsor Vermont was presented an award at their last lodge meeting, Monday March 7th. The award was presented by District Executive of The Green Mountain Boy Scouts ( Calvin Coolidge District ) Erik Tanny. The award was for all the support given by the Windsor Lodge in the past.
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Erik Tanny reading the inscription on the plaque
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Erik presenting the award to Exalted Ruler Gary Hurlburt.
Article provided by:
Norman J. Marshall PER
Public Relations Chairman
Windsor Lodge of Elks #1665
Windsor, Vermont.

Barre Elks Lodge – Member and Volunteer Recognition Night

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Barre Elks Lodge recently held it’s Member and Volunteer Recognition Night. Over 80 member and guests were in attendance.  Exalted Ruler Stacy Holden hosted the event with the assistance of Secretary Betty Cutler.
Each year, our Lodge recognizes and pins our members whom have reached certain years of membership in our Order.  This year, our Lodge honored forty five year members Maurice Fortier, Bruce Judd and Joseph Portalupi. Richard Bullard and George Gale were recognized for forty years of membership, while Merile Guillette and Romeo Pelletier were recognized for thirty five years of membership.  Kenneth Goulette, Clark Hastings, Reginald Jalbert, Steven Rubalcaba and Richard Parnigoni Jr and Robert Codling were recognized for thirty years of membership and Tim Ryan was recognized for twenty five years of membership.  Twenty year members honored were Leo Fortier and Susan Wilmott.  Fifteen year members recognized were Danny Fecteau, George Gerrish and Paul Wadkins.  Five year members honored were Lisa Avery, Cody Carlson, Diana Flood, Brent Gagne, Lisa Lamdin, Pauline McPeters, Jon Murchison, Lambert Saldi, Shannon Sweet and Keith Whittemore.  Many other members reached levels of membership and were honored in addition to those present at our Membership Recognition night.

In addition to honoring our members, Exalted Ruler Stacy Holden presented three awards; Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award, Elk of the Year Award and Officer of the Year Award.

The Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award was presented to Karen Bingham.  This award is presented for “outstanding and meritorious service to humanity”. This award is given to someone who has shown leadership in the community; has contributed voluntary service and is recognized as being an all-around good citizen.

The Elk of the Year Award was presented to Todd Benoit.  This
award is given as an expression of the gratitude and appreciation of the members of the Lodge and of the Grand Lodge for the loyal and meritorious services. This award is given to a member who has performed outstanding service to Elkdom, particularly at the local Lodge level.

The Officer of the Year Award was presented to Maureen Lawson.  The
Officer of the Year Award is given for dedication and meritorious service to the Lodge, who by unselfish commitment and cheerful enthusiasm furthered Elkdom’s programs while fulfilling the responsibilities as an Officer of the Lodge in an exemplary manner.

Barre Lodge is extremely appreciative of it’s members and volunteers
whom continually demonstrate that “Elks Care, Elks Share”.

Photos taken by Kristin Calcagni:

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Citizen of year:  ER Stacy Holden with Karen Bingham
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Elk of year:  ER Stacy Holden with Todd Benoit
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Officer of year:  ER Stacy Holden Lecturing Knight Maureen Lawson

inaugural Hoop Shoot Alumni Advisory Board, a.k.a. the BackBoard

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News from Elks.org Hoop Shoot Page:

Meet the Board!

We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural Hoop Shoot Alumni Advisory Board, a.k.a. the BackBoard. These four past National Finalists will join us in Chicago for the 2016 Hoop Shoot National Finals. They will serve as volunteers, leaders, and role models to this year’s 72 National Finalists! Get to know these outstanding Hoop Shoot alumni below.

Check out the story at this link:   inaugural Hoop Shoot Alumni Advisory Board, a.k.a. the BackBoard

Vermont Elks State Hoop Shoot Results for 2016

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The Vermont State Elks hoop shoot was held Jan. 30 th at Spaulding high school.  Six winners will be going to South Portland Maine March 18 , 19, and 20 for the Regional contest.

 

Congratulations to all and good luck at the Regional Shoot.

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l to r: Steve Edgerley State Hoop Shoot Chair,  Molly Gagne. 8-9 from St. Albans lodge # 1566, Alexander Gordon 8-9 from Burlington Lodge # 916, Gregory Fitzgerald 12-13 from Brattleboro lodge #1499 and Joshua Kocis from Newport Lodge #2155  Fred Dusablon, Vermont State President. Missing from picture Rylie Jenness, 10-11 from Newport Lodge #2155 and Cecily McCormach 12-13 from Rutland Lodge #345.

SPRINGFIELD ELKS HOST SOUTHERN DISTRICT HOOP SHOOT

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  Springfield Elks Lodge hosted the Southern Vt. Elks hoop shoot on Saturday January 9th, at Springfield High School gym.
     The Southern Elks district is composed of competitors from Bennington, Brattleboro, Rutland and Springfield Elks Lodges.       In the 8 & 9 year group for girls, first place winner was Cynthia Velazquez of Brattleboro with Hannah Zierfus of Springfield in second place.  For 8 & 9 year old boys, Ethan Whalen of Rutland finished first making 25 of 25 free throws.  Carter Thompson finished 2nd with 20 of 25 shots.  In the 10 & 11 age group Natalie Norcia finished first and Rylie Niles of Bennington finished second.  For boys, Owen Traynor of Rutland finished first and Aaron Whitman finished 2nd.  In the 12 & 13 age group Cecily McCormack of Rutland finished first and Keely Greene of Bennington finished 2nd.  For boys, Gregory Fitzgerald making 22 of 25 shot was a first place winner and Noah Depoy of Rutland was in 2nd place.
      First and second place winners were presented with trophy’s.   First place winners will move on to Barre, Vt., for the state competition on January 30th.  The ultimate goal is to win in Barre, then onto the New England Districts in Portland, Maine and the Elks National competition in Chicago, Illinois.
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Shown are winners in the recent Southern Vt., Elks Hoop Shoot competition.  Frt l to r; Hannah Zierfus, Natalie Norcia, Cynthia Velaques, Carter Thompson and Ethan Whalen.  2nd row; Keely Greene, Rylie Niles, Cecily McCormack, Gregory Fitzgerald, Noah Depoy, Owen Traynor and Aaron Whitman.   Back; Springfield Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski, Andy Wisinewski Elks State Youth Chairman,  Vt. Elks Distict Deputy South Frank Lopez and Elks District hoop shoot chairman Victor Baskevich.