Elks News

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 SECURES GRANT FOR THE VETERANS PLACE

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 Recently, Springfield Elks Veterans chairperson, Vicki Siliski applied for a Spotlight Grant through Elks National for The Veterans Place in Northfield, Vt.  She received back a sum of $2000 for her efforts. 
 
     The criteria for the grant for homeless veterans at the The Veterans Place home in Northfield is to provide them with useful items to be used by the Veterans.  For this project, the $2000 is going to help the home to purchase new box spring and mattresses for 26 rooms that they have for the Veterans.  This amount won’t buy for all 26 rooms but it will go a long way to help them complete their project. 
 
     The home was formally the Northfield Hospital which was turned into a home for homeless Veterans trying to get back on their feet.  The Veterans may stay there for two years then the home will help them by donating things for their next home or apartment. They supply them with kitchen utensils, furniture and goods to set up their home.  This program is helped by the VA Hospital in White River Jct., Vt. who screens the applicants from their patients in White River.
 
Caption for pic: L to r; Elks member Eugene Siliski, Administrative manager Karen Boyce, Elks Vet’s chairperson PER Vicki Siliski, Elks member Gloria Gunn and Vet resident at the home Bill Carrier.
 
News item submitted by Michael Gunn
 
 

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 RECENT NEW MEMBERS

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Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 initiated their newest class of members.  This makes (21) new members during the 2019/2020 Elks year.  Shown L to r; Jessica Corliss, Chelsey Anderson (NM), Installing ER Vicki Siliski, Debra Birtelle (NM), Maureen Blais.  Back row; Jason Hurd, Davin Lucius (NM), Jim Morse ER, Dave Pappas (NM).  NM-New Member.

News item submitted by Michael Gunn

Fraternal News Barre Elks Student of the Month

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Eleanor Steinman, a Sophomore at Spaulding High School, was honored  by Barre Lodge of Elks as the January Student of the Month. In selecting “Ellie”, Youth Committee Chair Jeff Roy stated, “her community involvement and leadership are something we, as Elks, can surely appreciate!” Eleanor was nominated by Guidance Counselor Peggy Portelance. In the nomination, she stated “Eleanor is kind, sweet, thoughtful and generous. She works hard both as a student and as a Student Council member. She led the Red Cross Blood Drive, managing all levels of organizing this campus event. She does all with a smile on her face and a genuine willingness to help. Eleanor is a gift as a student and SHS community member”. We look for-ward to recognizing more SHS Students as well as continuing recognition for the JROTC of the Month. We have invited 8 Eagle Scouts to be our guests for an upcoming Thursday Night meal as well. Elks Care—Elks Share and support the outstanding your people in our community.  
 
Photo credit Barb Watters
 

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 ANNUAL SPECIAL AWARDS NIGHT HELD

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 Springfield Elks Lodge held their Annual Awards night during February’s Valentines dinner/dance held on Feb. 15th.
 
     Exalted Ruler Jim Morse started out by giving out (4) Most Valuable Elks Awards to, Kathi Williams, Ed Knoras, Ed “Jigger” Barton and Thomas Snide.  He remarked “that without these four members”, doing their thing for our Lodge he doesn’t know where 1560 would be.  Next was “Chairperson of the Year” awarded to Victor Baskevich who is chairman of the youth activities of Hoop and Soccer Shoots.  
 
     During the year each month there is an Elk of the Month award and on this night he awarded an accumulative monthly Elk of the Year award to PSP Andy Cook.  Next award went to Heidi LaCerte as the “Pot Stirrer Award” as she gets things done and sometimes stirs up ideas to make the Lodge a better place.  Next was two Grand Exalted Rulers Awards to two members deserving of this award.  Carolee Murchie and Karen Whitney.   Maureen Blais was awarded the Elks “Citizen of the Year:, which is a person that not only helped our Lodge but in some way touched the community.
     
     Selecting an “Officer of the Year” is the hardest award for an Exalted Ruler to choose as all of ER Morses officers helped him out continually.  This year Jim chose PER Vicki Siliski who filled in for the late Michael Luurtsema as Esquire and also did a fantastic job as the Lodges Veterans chairperson for this Elk year.  Mr. Morse also felt, she not only dedicated herself to helping our Veteran’s, she dedicated herself to helping our Lodge now but he believed she will continue to help Veteran’s in the future.
 
     Last award of the of the night was Exalted Ruler Jim Morse’ selection of Gloria Gunn as “Elk of the Year”.  Mrs.  Gunn according to Mr. Morse  helped with all of the day to day operations of the Lodge from helping with weekly cash up, helping with the weekly drawings, helping with purchasing items, helping with event after event, to taking linens home each week to be laundered, and was Elks National Foundation chairperson. 
 
At the recent awards night Springfield Elks Lodge 1560 Exalted Ruler Jim Morse is shown presenting Gloria Gunn with the Lodges’ “Elk of the Year” plaque.   
 
Springfield Elks Lodge 1560’s Exalted Ruler Jim Morse is shown presenting PER Vicki Siliski with her “Officer of the Year”. award.
 
News items submitted by Michael Gunn

Fraternal News Barre Elks Lodge

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Sunday’s North Barre Rink Open House was a huge success!  Over 200 community members enjoyed learning to skate, playing hockey and figure skating at the newly updated outdoor rink.  Barre Elks members were on hand with Elroy the Elk, skating, offering coffee, hot cocoa, popcorn, snacks and door prizes.  Updates to the outdoor rink were made possible with a $2500 Elks National Foundation Promise Grant.  Updates included replacing boards around the perimeter, painting the entire perimeter, replacing hockey nets, removing a stove from the warming hut and installing electric heaters.  Barre Elks members would like to thank the core group of volunteers that work tirelessly to make sure the rink is in tip top shape.  North Barre Rink is located on Treatment Plant drive in Barre’s North end.  Hours are 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.   Check out their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/northbarrerink/ to see the status of the ice.  To become a member of Barre Elks Lodge and assist us in supporting numerous charities and community programs, complete an application at https://www.elks.org/membership/default.cfm?source=Membership or call the Lodge at 479-9522. 

A young skater gets some help from Elroy the Elk.

 

Longtime rink volunteers with Elroy the Elk.  L to R: Gilles Boutin, PD Kelty, Miche Poirier and Alex Cameron.

 

Elroy the Elk was a huge hit with the kids! 

SPRINGFIELD ELKS LODGE 1560 ANNUAL HOOP SHOOT

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 Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge held their Annual Hoop Shoot at Riverside Middle School for participants aging from 8 to 14.
 
     The following participants were awarded 1st place trophies in 8/9 years of age for girls was Keeli Stewart, 10/11 years of age Savannah Dezaine and the 12/13 age group Meadow Murchie.  For boys age 8/9 Jacob Blair, 10/11 age group, Oliver Kelley and 12/13 age group Sebastian Salls.  Trophies for 2nd place for girls 8/9 age group Payton Austin, 10/11 age group Hailey Magill 12/13 age group Amelia Murchie.  For boys 8/9 Carl Johnson, 10/11 age group Christian Arie and 12/13 age group Jeremy Wilson, Jr.
 
     All the first place winners will compete in the Vt. Elks Southern District Hoop Shoot event at Springfield High School on January 11th, 2020 at 10 AM.  The Elks Lodges in the South are comprised of Springfield, Brattleboro, Bennington and Rutland.  First place winners in each age group will participate at the Vt. Elks State Hoop Shoot in Barre, Vt., on January 25th at 10 AM.
 
 
Shown are the recent winner at the Springfield Elks Hoop Shoot,  Frt with 2nd place trophies are Payton Austin, Christian Arie, Hailey Magill, Carl Johnson,  and Amelia Murchie.  2nd row with 1st Place trophies are Jacob Blair, Sabastian Salls, Past Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski, Oliver Kelley, Keeli Stewart, Meadow Murchie and Savanah Dezaine.
 
News item submitted by Michael Gunn.

Barre Elks Lodge Fraternal news

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Members of Barre Elks Lodge received word that twenty residents of Barre Gardens were in need of lap blankets.  Within 24 hours,  twenty blankets had been purchased , wrapped and delivered in time for their annual Christmas party Wednesday December 18. 2019.  Special thank you to Maureen Lawson for organizing and delivering the blankets. 

 
L to R: Elks officers and donors James Gordon, Patty Ristau, Robert Campo, Cindy Wedding, Frank Hotaling,  Karen Bingham and Maureen Lawson.
 
Photo taken by Kristin  Calcagni