exalted ruler's MESSAGE

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May has been busy so far! Every week things are more like normal. After the latest advice from the CDC, our freedom to move about is returning. I am happy most of us have been vaccinated and have been relieved of many of the mask restrictions.

On May 14th, Steve and I went to Tempe for the Annual Arizona Elks Association Annual Meeting. It was great seeing old friends, meeting my fellow Exalted Rulers, and learning about activities for this lodge year. Catalina Mountain Lodge was well represented within the Arizona Elks Association: Al Skorupski, PSP (Trustee), Jack Baillargeon, PDDGER (Vice President South), Gloria Cisneros, PER (State Tiler), and I who serves as State Treasurer. Our lodge had a total of ten members in attendance.

Throughout the two-day meeting, awards for lodge year ending March 31, 2021, were made. With the challenging year, awards were not presented in several categories, but our lodge did win first place in two.

Per Capita giving to the Elks National Foundation was off the charts this year. Although we finished the year with donations of $15.97 per member, we did not make the top five in the state but did finish first in Division 3 (membership of 501 to 750). Thank you, ENF Chair Lee Cook for spear- heading the effort. Also, thank you to all Catalina Mountain Lodge members for your generous donations. This generosity will be paid back in Charitable grants to the Lodge this year. While we did not receive an award for membership, we were recognized as one of few lodges with a gain in membership.

We also received a First Place in Division 3 for our Bugle. October, November, and December 2020 Bugles were submitted for judging. Thank you to publisher, Sig Danielson, and everyone who   

submitted articles, pictures, flyers, and the calendars. It truly takes team to create a great product.

On May 8th, we held our annual Youth Banquet with nearly 60 members and guests present. While we were not able to host hoop shoot, soccer shoot, or do the poster contest last year, we were able to recognize our Scholars. Lisa Chavez organized and hosted the event. Member Mica Bane made a very inspiring motivational speech. Leading Knight Monty Derting read the Youth Week Proclamation. Larry and Mimi Wittenborn along with Marie Starjnski helped with the food. Also helping were Cindy Weiss and her grandson Joseph.

Our Americanism Essay Contest was conducted at Coronado School in Catalina by Al Peterson. Al and Lucy Suddath selected our winners: Kai Crone, Ryan Luke, Diego Robles, Ymiliana Tarrango, Jonathan Daniel Green, and Mikayla Peck. Loyal Knight Ron Starjnski presented awards to those present.

Roger Mastro, Lodge Scholarship Chair, presented our Most Valuable Students with their $2,000 Scholarship Award Certificates. Students Riley Johnson, Sydney Enos, Cory Tomkins, Nathan Hernandez, and Trent Oland are a great group of students with very promising futures. They all have big dreams—pilot, aerospace engineering, engineering, Optical Science & Engineering, and Environmental and Sustainable Studies!

Thank you to everyone who made the event a success. Our Elks of the Month were the key players who made our Youth Banquet a success.

Alane.

Hi all,  I hope all are well and enjoying our “spring” weather.  

This will be a short message on my part this month as most of our upcoming Charity events will be covered by the respective Committees.

There is one thing that I have thought long and hard about,  which kind of goes along with Charity.

As we speak to each other, maybe a kind word to them may just lift their spirits and make their day a little better.   Whereas, a harsh word or snide remark may put them back to “down side.”  

To me, a huge part of Charity is trying to help lift each other’s spirits.  

A kind word spoken will last forever.  
A harsh word spoken will last forever.

Monty

The PERA had a little bit of activity this month. We learned that member Joyce Garcia had discovered one of her dictionary schools, Copper Creek Elementary, was displaying an Arizona State flag which was in bad shape. She bought a new flag for the school, and I suggested the PERA reimburse her for the personal expense. An email vote of the PERs approved the $35 reimbursement . That’s Joyce and ER Alane Asp in the picture at the school office with Administrative Secretary Holly Schadt and Principle Matt Abney.

We also stepped up to the Arizona Elks Association’s First Lady’s request for gift cards to be given to the older children who are patients at the Steele Children’s Research Center. Again, after an email vote, the PERA approved the expense and purchased $300 in Target gift cards, in $5 and $10 denominations, which were delivered at the AEA conference last month.

The shotgun raffle drawing is going to be held on July 4th, and the PERA will sponsor a luncheon at the Lodge prior to the drawing. Burgers, brats, and dogs will be served at noon, with the drawing for the shotgun at 1:00. You will need to sign up for the lunch at the Lodge so we will know how much food to buy. You will see a flyer announcement in the lounge soon.

I got to participate in the Youth Banquet on May 8th by presenting a PERA Scholarship. We approved a $1,000 scholarship which was awarded to Clare Salazar, daughter of our member Jay Salazar. Clare is attending North Central College in Naperville, IL.

Friday nights at the Lodge are continuing to be fun with the revival of our Queen of Hearts game. We have been getting a decent size group of members who all seem to be having a good time. The serving of burgers, brats, and dogs have been increasing every week. Plus, with only one decent size win, the pot has grown to more than $14,000! Come on out enjoy the fun!

Steve Asp, PER