Springfield Elks Lodge Crowns 2014 Soccer Shoot Winners

Posted on October 13, 2014

Recently, Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 held their annual Elks Soccer Shoot in Springfield and Chester. Over 200 young people, under eight to fourteen years of age competed for the right to participate in the Vt. Elks State Soccer Shoot in St. Albans, Vt., on Oct. 19th.

In the U-8 category, Lindsey Miles of Chester was first for the girls and Hunter Ferland of Springfield for the boys. In the U-10 category, there was Hannah Farrar of Chester and Everett Mosher of Chester. For the U-12’s it was Natalie Nichols and Eben Mosher. The U-14 there was one winner for the boys, Dylan Nault.

The Springfield Elks Lodge members would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all participants in this years competition and hope that they all come back for next years competition. Good luck in St. Albans!

Standing l to r front., are Hunter Ferland and Linsey Miles. In back are Dylan Nault, Eben Mosher, Everett Mosher, Natalie Nichols and Springfield Elks Lodge soccer chairman Andrew Murdock. They will represent Springfield Elks Lodge #1560 at the Vt. Elks Soccer Shoot in St. Albans on Oct. 19th, in St. Albans.

St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 holds local Soccer Shoot at the Hard’ack Complex

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

Free Hamburgs and Hot Dogs for everyone!

On behalf of St. Albans Elks Lodge, I want to thank all of our volunteers for their help putting on our local soccer shoot on September 20^th. A special thank you to Roger Bennett who has been so helpful in making this transition a success, I know I have a big pair of shoes to fill and I promise to do my best. The weather was not the greatest but with everyone working together, it made for a great day.

Thanks to all the volunteers and I sincerely hope I have not missed anyone.

Larry Bouchard, Zach Martin, John Irish, Shawn Luneau, Carl Bessette, Dave Bachand, Shawn & Stacy Trudo, Mike Rocheleau, Dan Ploof, Chris Beaudry, Sandy Bracey, Deb Chevrier, Chris Lyons, Sue Allard, Nora Racine, Margaret & Joe Montcalm, Betsy Bennett, David & Tamara Gagne, Todd St.Francis, Naomi Holm, Aaron Whitmore, Dianne Benedicto, Jim Hubbard, Lizzy Hall, Alysha Hall, Nikki Hall, Jacob Hall, Patrick Burke-Willett, Jay Bouwens, Keith Palmer and Mark Hojaboom.

St.Albans Elks Lodge will again host the state soccer shoot at Collins Perley on October 19^th and I am hoping that you will all join in and help make this shoot as successful as they have been in the past, again my sincere thanks to all of you.

Chris Hall, Vermont Elks State Soccer Shoot Chairman

Elks Drug Awareness Red Ribbon Post Cards

Posted on October 3, 2014

RED RIBBON WEEK POSTCARDS

Elks to send 200,000 Post Cards to President Obama to uphold our Nation’s Drug Laws

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America has the largest all-volunteer drug awareness program in the country. For more than 31 years, the Elks have been providing educational materials to children, parents and schools at no cost.

Each year in October, the Elks honor the memory of slain DEA Special Agent Enrique S. Camerena with a Red Ribbon Campaign. Special Agent Camerena was kidnapped, tortured and killed because he was successfully investigating one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.

The Elks Drug Awareness Program has launched a national campaign to ask our leaders in Washington, D.C. to uphold our nation’s drug laws and to remind everyone, especially our youth, of the dangers of using any illicit drug.

The Elks are asking for President Obama’s help to send a message that drugs are dangerous; that drug use leads to drug addiction; and that a hopeful future is one free of addiction.

Our goal is to have 200,000 Red Ribbon Week posts cards in the mail by October 15, 2014.

Here is the link to view the Drug awareness post card.

To get some post cards, contact Steve Edgerley, Vt State Drug Awareness Chair. 8023346912 or kentuckyvt@comcast.net or your local elks lodge as they also have them. Thanks…

The Enrique Camarena Bust was presented to Brattleboro lodge.

Posted on September 29, 2014

The Enrique Camarena Bust was presented to Brattleboro lodge because the National winner was Trooper Eric Albright from Brattleboro, Vt. The bust is given to the lodge to keep and to pass around to different places in Brattleboro. National Directors Kent Gade, Bill Bryan and Joe Gunta were present to present the award to Brattleboro lodge.

BACKGROUND: The Elks’ Enrique Camarena Award was established to recognize law enforcement officers
who have made a significant contribution in drug prevention and who personify Drug
Enforcement Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.
Camarena was slain in 1985 by a Mexican drug cartel while investigating drug trafficking into
the United States. His death precipitated the Red Ribbon Campaign that we celebrate each
October. The Camarena family and friends started the campaign. However it also serves as a
reminder about the dangers of substance abuse.

left to right: Kent Gade, National Drug Awareness director, Eric Albright, Vt recipient of Camarena award, Henry Farnam Brattleboro drug awareness chair, Tim Johnson, Brattleboro ER, Bill Bryan, National Drug Awareness Director, Joe Gunta, National Drug Awareness Director and Steve Edgerley, VT Drug Awareness Chairman

left to right: Kent Gade, National Drug Awareness Director, Jim Baker, retired Vermont State Police Col., Col Lesperance from VT. State Police, Joe Gunta, National Drug Awareness Director, Eric Albright, Vt reciepient of Camarena award, Joanne Albright, Tim Johnson, ER Brattleboro, Grand Exalted Ruler John Amen, David Carr, PGER, State Sponser, Back row Henry FArnam, Bill Bryan and Steve Edgerley, VT Drug Awareness Chairman

Newport VT Elks Lodge #2155 holds local Soccer Shoot

Posted on September 15, 2014September 15, 2014

Newport, Vt Elks Lodge #2155 Soccer Shoot 2014 held at NCUJHS on Saturday September 6, 2014. We had a great turnout.

Here are the winners:Bottom row left to right-U 10 Girls 1st Cora Nadeau, U 8 Girls 1st Lily Willis, U 8 Girls 2nd Greta Nolan, U 8 Boys 2nd Caleb Grenier, U 8 Boys 1st Garrett Bianchi, U 10 Boys 1st Griffin Marquis. Middle row-U 12 Boys 1st Owen Fournier, U 10 Boys 2nd Brady Blake, U 10 Girls 2nd Shania Laplant, U 12 Girls 1st Olive Beauchsne, U 12 Girls 2nd Mckenna Marquis. Bach row-Exalted Ruler Thomas Maloney, U 14 Boys 1st Cohen Bryant, U 14 Boys 2nd Parker Jones, U 14 Girls 1st Maddie Jones and soccer shoot chairperson Marcel Poulin, Jr. (missing from photo Emily Willis U 14 2nd)

2014 VERMONT ELKS STATE SOCCER TO BE HELD IN ST. ALBANS

Posted on September 5, 2014September 5, 2014

Elks lodges throughout the State of Vermont are currently having their annual Soccer shoots. The Boys and Girls winners from the various age groups at these local shoots will then proceed to the State level competition in October which will be held at the Collins-Perley complex located in St. Albans.

When: October 19, 2014

Time: 11 am

Following the competition there will be an awards ceremony held at the St. Albans Elks Lodge.

Family and friends are invited to watch the great competition.

Barre Elks Lodge recently visited Project Independence

Posted on September 3, 2014

Members and friends of Barre Elks Lodge recently visited Project Independence and presented them with a check for $450 to purchase a seated chair scale for their participants.

Project Independence is Vermont’s oldest Adult Day service for frail elders and young adults with disabilities. Their mission is to provide adults an opportunity to get out of the house, receive both mental and social stimulation and give caregivers a much needed break in which to attend to personal needs or simply rest and relax.

Each participant is given a health assessment at the time of admission. The Center’s nurses work with the individuals, their families and physicians to develop a nursing care plan tailored to each person’s diet, exercise, activity, medication and therapy needs.

From L to R: Lodge member Raegan Pembroke, PI Executive Director Dee Rollins, Teresa Paine, PI LNA Tammy Mattote, Participant Ralph Dell, Lecturing Knight Donna Bartolucci, Lodge member Mary Whalen, Loyal Knight Kristin Calcagni

Lecturing Knight Donna Bartolucci, PI Executive Director Dee Rollins, Loyal Knight Kristin Calcagni, Lodge member Raegan Pembroke, Teresa Paine and Lodge member Mary Whalen

SILVER TOWERS CAMP – Ripton, Vermont

Posted on August 17, 2014

Members and friends of Barre Elks Lodge traveled to Silver Towers Camp in Ripton, Vermont to participate in the annual Silver Towers Walk-a-thon. The walk-a-thon is held yearly on the first Sunday in August and is a major fundraiser for Silver Towers Camp.

All thirteen Vermont Elks Lodges participated in the three mile walk. After the walk, campers performed songs, thanked Elks members and everyone enjoyed a barbecue lunch.

Silver Towers Camp is supported by Vermont Elks Charities, Inc, Vermont Elks Charities Endowment Trust Fund, Inc as well as the 13 Elks Lodges across the state of Vermont. Silver Towers Camp provides an overnight camping experience to people with various disabilities from 6 – 75 years old. It’s primary focus is to develop the talents of campers in an atmosphere of caring, sharing and challenge while respecting each person’s worth.

Barre Lodge sponsored Barre resident, Renee Houle, to attend Silver Towers Camp. With the sponsorship, Renee was able to attend for two weeks and was “very excited to see my friends from last year.”

If you or someone you know is interested in attending Silver Towers Camp please get in touch with Barre Elks Lodge via our Camp Committee representative Stacy Holden at stacey.holden@hphood.com or by calling the Lodge at 479-9522.

Back row L to R: Tiler Rhonda Boyce, John Cutler PER, PDD, Betty Cutler, PER, PDD, Chip Paine DDGER North, Teresa Paine, Stacy Holden, PER, Camp Committee representative, Tammi Holden, Lecturing Knight Donna Bartolucci, Second Vice President Vermont Elks Association Robert Campo, Loyal Knight Kristin Calcagni

Front row L to R: Campers Renee Houle and Kristina LaRose

Barre Lodge makes use of a $2000 Beacon Grant from Elks National Foundation

Posted on July 23, 2014July 23, 2014

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

Barre Lodge chose to work with the Veterans’ Place in Northfield 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 apartment. Sheets, pillows, pillowcases, hangers, bath mats, toiletries, towels, extension cords, glasses, cleaning supplies and many other items were packaged into “welcome home” kits. Each Veteran transitioning from the Veterans’ Place will be able to use items from their kit to set up their new home.

Back row: Residents/Veterans Bob Shaw, Alan Peterson, Tony Dragon. Front Row: Resident/Veteran Rich Burbank, Barre Elks Lodge PR Chair Kristin Calcagni, DDGER North Granville “Chip” Paine and Resident/Veteran Thomas Quintin.

Barre Elks Lodge members Cindy Wedding and Mary Whalen organize the “Welcome Home” kits.

Barre Elks Lodge member Cindy Wedding adds an American Flag to a “Welcome Home” kit.

Barre Elks Lodge members with “Welcome Home” kits for Veterans of the Veteran’s Place in Northfield, VT. From L to R: PR Chair Kristin Calcagni, Alyson Codling, Lecturing Knight Donna Bartolucci, Ike Chase, Mary Whalen and Paul Gagne.

News from the 2014 Elks National Convention in New Orleans

Posted on July 23, 2014July 23, 2014

The following pictures were taken at the recent Elks National Convention held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bill Bryan, who is retiring from the Drug Awareness chair, is giving the Drug Awareness report at the convention. Bill is from the Bennington Lodge #567.

Eric Albright, a State Trooper from Brattleboro, receives the Enrique Camarena award. The Brattleboro Lodge # 1499 will receive the Bust of Camarena at the Grands visit to Windsor in September.

Left to right: Steve Edgerley Vermont Elks Association Drug Awareness Chair, Carl Colburn Vermont Elks Association President, Eric Albright a State Trouper from Brattleboro receiving the Enrique Camarena award, and Bill Bryan, Director Elks National Drug Awareness.