Elks News

SPRINGFIELD ELKS ELECT VICKI SILISKI EXALTED RULER

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     Springfield Elks Lodge #1560’s Charter was awarded in 1929.  In 1996 the Springfield Elks elected to accept women into their Fraternity and in November of 2015 the Springfield Elks elected their first female Exalted Ruler ever, that being Vicki Siliski a member since 2011.
    This event probably would not have happened until March of 2016 but because of current Exalted Ruler Michael Luurtsema haing to step aside because of health reasons, Mrs. Siliski stepped to the plate and was elected to fill the position for the remainder of the 2015/2016 Elk year.
    Over the past five years, Mrs. Siliski has been very active for the Springfield Elks, whether it be serving as an officer, helping with fundraiser’s, going to required Elks clinics throughout the state, serving on lodge fundraiser dinners, helping on their lodge Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, Drug Awareness events, Dictionary project, Silver Towers projects and stepping to the plate when the lodge needed her help anywhere.   She is married to Eugene Siliski who has been a member of Springfield Elks Lodge for 58 years.
    On Saturday November 14th, she and some of her fellow officers hosted the visitation of Elks State President Fred Dusalbon of Burlington Lodge #916 and his suite of officers with a luncheon at the lodge.
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Vermont Elks State President Fred Dusalbon is shown congratulating newly elected Exalted Ruler Vicki Siliski of Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 of Springfield, Vt.

Windsor Elks honor area veterans with a dinner and gifts

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On Saturday November 7th the Windsor Elks Lodge #1665 honored the area veterans with a roast pork dinner and then presented them with gifts. Every veteran got at least 5 gifts. The most important gifts were blankets representing the four branches of service, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. One service member from each branch was drawn and presented with the blanket that was of the branch he was in. The blankets were donated by Elk members Carol Sylvia and Marge Gallant (Marge did the sewing). They came out beautiful and were well received by the veterans.
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Above are three of the veterans who received blankets representing their branch of service.   and Jean Crosby (One the Elks heading up the event).  Left to right Jean Crosby Elks member who headed up the event, Bernie Williams (Army), Robert Loyd (Navy), Stephen (Dyd) Titus (Air Force) and Elk J. R. Crosby. Not pictured is Marine Stanley Melinski who is hospitalized but is usually present. He is usually the only Marine present so the blanket was taken to him by Elks members Jean Crosby and her husband J.R.Crosby.
DSCN0770Jean Crosby and Stephen Titus giving a full view of the Air Force blanket. They are both Elk members.
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Elks preparing dinner for veterans.  Some of the people shown are also members of Windsor American Legion Post #25 and are also Elks members.  Pictured l-r: Jean Crosby, Dwayne Olmstead, Tracy Quigley, Jim Cantara, Donna Sayer and Ronald Vezina. The event was also sponsored in conjunction with the Legion.
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The next picture is of the veterans seated for dinner. There was 31 veterans singed up and so there was over 60 served.

“NOVEMBER IS ELKS VETERANS REMEMBRANCE MONTH”

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Chicago, IL. October 27,2015: Some twenty-two million veterans live in our communities.  The Elks National President, Ronald L. Hicks, has a proclaimed November as Veterans Remembrance Month as a way to encourage us to find local veterans and help them with their needs.
    As Elks, we can never do enough for our Veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much for us.   The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars alone have generated more than 2 million young veterans, many of whom have returned home with disabling injuries, while more than 18% of new Veterans suffer from PTSD (2008 Rand Corporation study).
    The Elks proudly declare: “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”  among our ongoing efforts to back up that statement, we make our presence known in every VA hospital; adopt veterans in need of support; assist military families with our Army of Hope; place POW/MIA tables in our Lodges; and participate in Stand Downs for homeless veterans.  To learn more, visit www.Elks.Org/vets/.”
    And just recently, the Elks have entered into a partnership with Veterans Health Administration to support efforts for homeless Veterans in their communities.  To this end the Elks have pledged $4 million to help end Veteran homelessness.
    Let us remember to thank our Veterans and to show our appreciation in some special way every day, not just in November.  And, should you see a member of our Armed Services in uniform, please march right up to him or her and say: “Thank you for your service, Have a great day!”  It is the least we can do.
To learn more visit www.elks.org

The Barre Area Veterans Council presents 93 American flags to the City of Barre

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The Barre Area Veterans Council compromised of members of Barre Elks Lodge #1535, American Legion Post #10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 790 and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 302 presented 93 American flags to the City of Barre.  The flags will be flown on Main Street on Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th and Veterans Day.
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Photo taken by Teresa Paine – From L to R:  Paul Poirer, Barre Elks and City council member, Charles Dindo, City council member, Michael Smith, City council member, Paul Perreault, VFW Post 790 Commander, Michael Boutin, City council member, Thomas Lauzon, Barre City Mayor, Dan Witcher, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 302, Lucas Herring, City council member, Chip Paine, Barre Elks Lodge PER, Ron Tallman, Chair of Barre Area Veterans Council, Connie Weston, American Legion Auxiliary Post 10.

Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 Supporting It’s Community

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On October 23rd a ghoulish & fun time was had by all at the Springfield Elk’s Lodge and the All-4-One afterschool program held a “Light the Lawn” Halloween themed event as part of Vermont’s stated wide lights-on afterschool alliance program.  Pumpkin displays, candy corn toss, donut dunking, bone-bowling, rotten egg races, arts & crafts, a costume parade, refreshments and goodie bags were just a few of the offerings the children and guests were able to enjoy throughout the afternoon.
“Lights ON’ after school is a day set aside across the nation to celebrate the important work being done in afterschool programs.  Vermont Afterschool, supports organizations in providing quality afterschool, summer and expanded learning experiences so that Vermont’s children and youth have the opportunities, skills and resources they need to become healthy, productive members of society.
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Shown are the children of “All-4-One afterschool program Halloween party held at the Springfield Elks Lodge on October 23rd.

Windsor Elks lodge #1665 hands out 108 dictionaries

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During the month of October the Windsor Elks lodge #1665 handed out 108 dictionaries to third grade students in five different schools in Vermont, and one in New Hampshire. The schools were Windsor elementary school Windsor Vt., Albert Bridge School in Brownsville Vt., Hartland elementary school Hartland Vt., Reading elementary school Reading Vt. and Cornish elementary school Cornish NH.. Dictionaries were given to the third grade students and their teachers.
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Third grade students at Albert Bridge school in Brownsville Vt. with their teacher . The names of students are Emily Clough, Ryan Sauco, Jordan Davis Raymond, Jacob Adams, Gerry Garrow, Latisha Gibson, Chase Gravelle, Lillian Quimette, Angelo Plausteiner, Helen Ennis, Joey Gaudette and Julia Keating. The name of teacher is  Martin Butler.
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Third grade students at Hartland elementary school in Hartland Vt. and their teachers and two elks standing in back. The names of students are Reid Allegretti, Conner Beland, Tylor Bethel, Jared Boynton, Stella Capurso, Tate Doolan, Kayleigh Dyke, Summer Eastman, Lucia Gomez, Kylie Hinkson, Nicola Husmann, Ryan King, Ben Lang, Maeve Leslie Gawalt, Gavin Martin, Sebastian Lorenze, Zane Peach, Rylea Rediker Waterman, Paige Vielleux and Issac Westcot Tobin. The teachers are Emily Morrison and Michelle Springer The Elks are Carol Sylvia and Norman Marshall.

Windsor Lodge of Elks #1665 hosted a youth Halloween

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On Friday Oct, 23rd the Windsor Lodge of Elks #1665 hosted a youth Halloween party for children up to 12 yrs. of age.  18 children attended accompanied by their parents. They decorated pumpkins, played games and had food to eat and punch to drink.

 

 

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This is the whole group. Their names are Kayla VanAlstyne, Nolan VanAlstyne, Aden Cowdrey, Carter Small, Daniel Beaulieu, Jake Smith, Ben Morse, Clay Besaw, Alyssa Scalese, Wilham Scalese, Makayla Costillo, Madison Costillo, Bryce Moody, Tanner Moody, Cole Stevens Adi Prior, Rian Stevens and Maxon Gokey.

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The prize winners from left to right:  Carter Small (Best Overall), Daniel Beaulieu (Most Scary) and Rian Stevens (Most Original)

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The elks who worked so hard putting the event on left to right:   Sherry Boudro, Bruce Boudro and Christina Dillingham.