Barre Lodge provides support for the Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont

Posted on July 21, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 was the recipient of a $2000 Beacon Grant from Elks National Foundation again this year. Beacon Grants offer Elks Lodges the opportunity to develop an ongoing, charitable, Elks-led community project.

Barre Lodge chose to continue it’s work with the Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont to help meet and fulfill the needs of the Veterans it serves. The Veterans’ Place is a transitional housing facility combined with assistive services for Homeless Veterans in Central Vermont. Their goal is to help Homeless Veterans transition from the homeless population. The purpose of the Veterans’ Place is to help Vermont’s Homeless Veterans by providing desperately needed resources in an all-in-one locale so these Veterans may regain their PRIDE, reach their full potential, and once again become contributing members of society.

Lodge members purchased essential items needed by Veterans transitioning from the Veterans’ Place into their own housing. This year, Barre Lodge focused on kitchen items such as pots and pans, can openers, cookie sheets, silverware, utensils, cutting boards, storage containers, glasses, pizza pans, mixing bowls, crock pots, measuring spoons and cups, glasses, and baking dishes. Items were presented in laundry baskets as “welcome home kits”. The kits also contained brooms, mops and garbage cans. Eight American flags and brackets were also donated as part of the Lodge’s Americanism program. Each Veteran transitioning from the Veterans’ Place will be able to use items from their kit to set up their new home.

This is the second year that Barre Elks Lodge has received a $2000 Beacon Grant from Elks National Foundation. Barre Lodge is looking forward to continuing it’s relationship with the Veterans’ Place by providing for Veterans in need.

Photos Attached: Photos taken by Kristin Calcagni

Stacks of Tupperware containers & crock pots for Veterans transitioning out of the Veterans’ Place

Residents of the Veterans’ Place assisting Barre Elks Lodge members

Residents of the Veterans’ Place

From L to R: Barre Elks Lodge member Tracie Watson, the Veterans’ Place Director Karen Boyce, Leading Knight Kristin Calcagni, Lecturing Knight Maureen Lawson, Esquire Cindy Wedding, Inner Guard Lori Major, Veterans’ Place resident Norman, Barre Elks Lodge Trustee Dave Bingham, Veterans’ Place resident Clint and Veterans’ Place case worker Clayton Wood

ELKS BARRE LODGE – DICTIONARY PROJECT

Posted on July 15, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge worked with The Dictionary Project, a non profit organization that provides dictionaries and thesauruses to third and fourth grade students. Barre Elks Lodge was able to participate and purchase the books with assistance from an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Members of Barre Elks Lodge visited six area elementary schools and donated over fifty dictionaries to third grade students and two hundred thesauruses to fourth grade students. The reference books are the a gift for each student to keep and use throughout their school careers.

In addition to the dictionaries and thesauruses, students were also given Drug awareness coloring books, bookmarks and comic books as part of the Elks National Drug Awareness program. The Elks National Drug Awareness Program is the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States. Elks are committed to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and believe that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment.

Central Vermont Catholic School fourth grade students.

Barre Town Elementary School fourth grade students.

Orange Center School third grade students.

Orange Center School fourth grade students.

Washington Village School third grade students.

Williamstown Elementary School third grade students.

Williamstown Elementary School third grade students.

Flag Day Ceremony

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 held it’s annual Flag Day Ceremony in conjunction with American Legion Barre Post #10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #790, Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #790 and American Legion Post #10 and Sons of the Union Veterans Civil War.

The Barre Tones, an all female a Capella singing group performed the “Star Spangled Banner”, “The Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America” under the direction of Carol Hollenbeck.

Guest speaker, Frank Hotaling, First Sergeant, US Army Retired provided the Flag day address.

The winners of Barre Elks Lodge Flag Day coloring contest were announced and honored at the conclusion of the ceremony.

From L to R: Barre Elks Lodge Trustee David Bingham, member Sue Tallman, Lecturing Knight Maureen Lawson, member Sandra Calcagni, Loyal Knight Donna Bartolucci, member and Guest Speak Frank Hotaling, Tiler Corie Dunn, Past Exalted Ruler Chip Paine, Leading Knight Kristin Calcagni, Exalted Ruler Stacy Holden, Esquire Cindy Wedding and Past Exalted Ruler Leonard Normandeau.

Barre Elks Lodge Americanism committee holds a coloring contest.

Posted on July 3, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge Americanism committee held a coloring contest for area children ages 5 through 10 in conjunction with Flag Day. Contest entries were available at local businesses and passed out to students at six area elementary schools.

Over 250 entries were submitted for judging. Entries were on display at Aubuchon’s Hardware, Nelson True Value Hardware, and Key Bank. Six winning entries were chosen based on correct coloring of the American Flag and creativeness of the soliders outfit. The following winners were: Jacob Bylow of Orange, Keating King Carpenter of Barre, Caroline Murray of East Montpelier, Natalie Wild of Barre, Emily Poulan of Washington and Avery Cochran of East Calais.

Each winner received crayons and gift certificates for pizza and ice cream.

Photo Attached: From L to R: Barre Elks Lodge Americanism Chair Maureen Lawson, Keating King Carpenter, Natalie Wild, Emily Poulan, Avery Cochran. Not pictured Jacob Bylow and Caroline Murray.

ALL THIRTEEN VERMONT ELKS LODGES DESCEND ON SILVER TOWERS CAMP

Posted on June 8, 2015

Members of all thirteen Vermont Elks Lodges descended on Silver Towers Camp in Ripton, Vermont for camp cleanup day. Silver Towers Camp is the major project for Vermont Elks Association. Silver Towers is an overnight camp for people with disabilities owned and operated by the Vermont Elk Charities, Inc. Silver Towers Camp provides an overnight camping experience to people with various disabilities from 6 – 75 years old. Our primary focus is to develop the talents of our campers in an atmosphere of caring, sharing and challenge while respecting each person’s worth. A variety of programs with the content of social interactions and cultural opportunities helps us attempt to form a well rounded person capable of facing future challenges.

Projects completed included painting, cleaning, rebuilding railings and ramps, planting new flower beds, mulching, trimming trees, weed wacking, installing white board, organizing the craft room and removing unused items. We even had some campers join us! Camp looks great and we can’t wait for the campers to arrive!

Photo taken by Kristin Calcagni, VT Elks Association PR Chair

Back row L to R: Peter Kelada, Silver Towers Camp counselor, Carolyn Ravenna, Silver Towers Camp Director, Robert Campo, Vermont Elks Association Vice President, Jackie Gauthier, PER Rutland Lodge, Tricia Dalglish, PER Rutland Lodge. Front row L to R: Halle Loomis, camper, Jenni Whitney, camper, Katie Gauthier, camper and Joanie O’Bryan, camper.

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 hosted the Annual Recognition Ceremony and Dinner of the Granite Center Chapter of the National Honor Society

Posted on May 14, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 hosted the Annual Recognition Ceremony and Dinner of the Granite Center Chapter of the National Honor Society. Thirty nine students from Spaulding High School Class of 2015 were inducted into the Granite Center Chapter.

The keynote address was given by Mr. John Pandolfo. The National Honor Society ideals of Scholarship, Leadership, Character and Service were read by Alicia Violette, Rose Meriam, Emily Benoit and Carly Redmond.

National Honor Society Members – SHS Class of 2015

Jesse Alger, Co-Secretary

Karen Avila

Ethan Bean

Matthew Bean

Brooke Benoit

Emily Benoit, Vice President

Alanis Boisvert

Austin Burke

Allison Canavan

George Colgrove

Cameron Davis

Meredith Dunavant

Ben Evans

Emma Fischer

Morgan Gosselin

John Hardy

Zachary Jaminet

Morgan Keene

Samuel Kuckuk

Megan LeCours

Duncan Lord

Caitlin Malone

John McHugh

Lindsey Menard, Co-Secretary

Rose Meriam, Co-President

Connor Moore

Libby Nyquist

Kayla Pelloni

Kassandra Perantoni

Carly Redmond, Treasurer

Collin Safford

Sydney Savoie

Alexandra Simpson

Matt Thompson

Brian Tucker

Eric Tucker

Alicia Violette, Co-President

Emily Violette

Yale Young

Photos Attached and provided by Kristin Calcagni

From L to R: NHS Co-Advisor Jesse Carpenter, Co-President Rose Meriam, Co-President Alicia Violette, Vice President Emily Benoit, Treasurer Carly Redmond, Co-Secretary Lindsey Menard and NHS Co-Advisor Chris Liff.

Spaulding High School Class of 2015 National Honor Society Members

TWO HOOP SHOOT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE PROCLAMATIONS FROM VT. STATE HOUSE

Posted on May 11, 2015May 11, 2015

At the recent New England Regional Hoop Shoot, Jamison Evans representing the Rutland Lodge in the Boys 12-13 year old division and Jacobi Lafferty representing the Burlington Lodge in the Boys 8-9 year old division each took first place in their age groups and went on to compete in the Elks National Hoop Shoot Finals that were held in Springfield, Ma. on April 18.

On May 6^th at the Vermont State House, the two New England champs received a proclamation for their achievements in the Hoop Shoot competition. Jacobi Lafferty from Burlington 8-9 year old shot 23 for 25 and came in 4th and Jamison Evans from Rutland 12-13 shot 20 for 25 and came in 5th.

Pictured l-r: Carl Colburn Vermont Elks Association President, Pat Brennen State Rep from Cholchester, Jacobi Lafferty, Jamison Evans, Steve Edgerley Vermont Hoop Shoot Chairperson, Larry Cupoli State Rep from Rutland City and Brian Norris Hoop Shoot chair from Burlington.

Congratulations to Rachel M. Drown of the St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566

Posted on May 3, 2015

Congratulations to Rachel M. Drown of the St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 for her award for donating $1,000 or more to the Elks National Foundation. The attached picture was taken at the Awards Banquet held at the St. Albans Lodge on April 23, 2015. Exalted Ruler, Mark Hojaboom presented Rachel with an Honorary Founder certificate from the Elks National Foundation for her generous giving. Thank you Rachel for your continued support and generosity.

Another record year for the Elks National Foundation

Posted on April 27, 2015April 27, 2015

The Elks National Foundation had another record year. They received more than $6.2 million in donations, resulting in a nationwide per capita of $7.726.

During the 2014-2015 Lodge year, the Elks of Vermont donated $46,210.91 to the Elks National Foundation.

This year the Foundation will give back the following:

State Charities Grant: $31,870.00

Special Projects Grant: $26,000.00

Bonus Grant: $7,220.00

Most Valuable Student: $16,000.00

Legacy Award: $12,000.00

National Veterans Service Commission: $1,680.00

GRAND TOTAL: $94,770.00

That’s a ratio of $2.051 for every dollar the Foundation received from our state last year!!

Job well done.

If you use any of the following to Shop or Sell:

AmazonSmile, eBay Giving Works, iGive, GiveBackAmerica, and American Express. Each of these organizations will donate a portion of your purchases or sales to the ENF. Another great way to give.

Kimberly Bourbeau

VEA ENF Chair

SPRINGFIELD ELKS DRUG AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST AWARDS

Posted on April 18, 2015

For the past sum 20 years Springfield Elks Lodge has been holding “Drug Awareness” poster contests through the Union St. School, 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students. Recently the winners for the students efforts were awarded.

This years winners were as follows: Miracle Lapre, Sam Presch, Emily Chamberlain, Payton Kingsbury, Piper Sylvestor and Carter Nault. Carter was a first place winner in the Vt. Elks State poster contest and he received a new bike and helmut for his efforts. In the back is Springfield Elks Lodge Drug Awareness Chairman Jim Kirkwood. Mr. Kirkwood has been chairman for 29 years.

Photo caption: L to r, Micracle Lapre, Sam Presch, Emily Chamberlain, Payton Kingsbury, Piper Sylestor and Carter Nault sitting on his new bike he won for first overall in the Vt. Elks state poster contest. In back is Jim Kirkwood, Springfield Elks Lodge “Drug Awareness” chairman.