exalted ruler's MESSAGE

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Happy Fall, everyone! We made it through another Arizona summer, and the Monsoon certainly did not disappoint this year! As we head into fall, there is a lot happening at the lodge, and I hope everyone will take some time to stop by, get involved, and enjoy the fellowship that makes our lodge so special. 

I want to mention membership once again. We really need to try to bring our delinquent members back to the lodge. If you sponsored someone who has not renewed their membership, please reach out to them. Take a moment to talk with them and find out why they did not renew. Maybe something happened, or perhaps there is something we could be doing better. Most importantly, let them know that they are missed and that we would love to have them back. 

I am also super excited because FOOTBALL IS BACK! That was the longest seven months! It almost feels like torture. We have the NFL package at the lodge, so you can be sure to watch your favorite team and enjoy the games with your fellow members. Food is always available during halftime of the first games for a $5 donation. There is also a signup sheet at the lodge if you would like to bring food for one of the weeks. So put on your football gear, come on down, grab a seat, and root for your team! 

October is already shaping up to be another busy and exciting month. This first Saturday in October is our ’70s Party for Clothe-a-Child. This should be a fun time, so come out and support this wonderful cause. Leslie Huerta and Cindy LaFaive, as well as Sewing it Forward, work extremely hard on this event, and your support is appreciated. 

On October 24, we will have our Veterans Game Day, featuring four different games: air rifles, cornhole, darts, and laser pistols. This is a fun event that also serves an important purpose, helping us support our homeless and paralyzed veterans. Come out, have some fun, and help us give back to those who have given so much. 

Then, on October 31 from 2 - 4 p.m., we will be having Trunk or Treat in the front parking lot. Bring the kids, decorate your trunks, and join us for some Halloween fun! We work hard together to support our veterans, children, and community, and there is so much to be proud of. Thank you to everyone who continues to give their time, energy, and support. I hope to see all of you at the lodge soon! 

Fraternally, 

Kim McIlonie, Exalted Ruler 

September was another busy and rewarding month at Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815, and once again it showed just how much we can accomplish when everyone comes together. Our Labor Day celebration was a big success! 

Thank you to everyone who helped with the burgers and brats, and a very special thank-you to John Cirelli and Jimmy Wall for doing the cooking. We also appreciate everyone who helped put the flags up bright and early in the morning and take them down at the end of the day. It takes many helping hands to make these events successful, and we truly appreciate everyone who pitched in. 

Patriot Day was another very special and rewarding experience. A special thank-you to Jan Trudeau for organizing everything, and to everyone who cooked and helped provide food for our firefighters. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to show our appreciation for the men and women who serve and protect our community. Sometimes something as simple as preparing and sharing a meal can mean so much. 

Our Friends of PACC Donation Event was a huge success! Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the event so successful and to everyone who donated. We received lots and lots of wonderful donations for our furry friends! It was great to see such an outpouring of support from our members and community. Every donation made a difference, and we are so grateful to everyone who helped. 

The AEMP Spaghetti Western was a wonderful event that supports a wonderful cause. A very special thank-you to Lisa Chavez for always putting so much into this event and making it such a success. Thank you as well to everyone who helped and supported this worthwhile cause. Now we are heading into another busy month at the Lodge. 

October 3 brings our Clothe a Child 70’s Party at 5 PM, which should be a fun evening while supporting another wonderful cause. We also have plenty of our regular activities throughout the month, including Queen of Hearts, Darts on the Patio, NFL football, Texas Hold’Em, Bunco, Trivia and Bingo. Be sure to mark your calendars for the Veterans Games on Saturday, October 24 at 10 AM. 

Supporting our veterans is an important part of what we do as Elks, and I hope we have a great turnout. Later in the month we also have Game Night on October 26 and Dinner and Music Bingo on October 28, so there are plenty of opportunities to come down, have some fun and support the Lodge.

One of the things I enjoy most about being an Elk is seeing charity put into action. Charity doesn’t always have to be something big. Sometimes it is cooking a meal, carrying a flag, bringing in a donation for an animal in need, volunteering a few hours, or simply showing up when someone needs help. All of those little things add up, and they are what make our Lodge and our community so special. 

Thank you to all of our members and volunteers for your continued generosity, your time, and everything you do for Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815 and our community. I hope to see everyone around the Lodge in October! 

Together, we really do make a difference. 

Fraternally, 

Lisa Hensley, Leading Knight 

From the Secretary’s Desk:

 I don’t know about you but I’m ready for fall and cooler weather. September has been a busy month with new game nights, fun fundraisers and several new members. I want to welcome our new members. And October appears to be busy as well. A lot of fun events coming up, don’t miss out. 

So now comes my usual “nag”! We still have 56 delinquents, which is unacceptable. I hate that you will miss out on so many events. Please get those dues in or let me know why you decided not to continue as an Elk. If there is a problem, we need to know about it so we can work to correct it. 

Thank you to those of you who have gotten your event reporting forms in to me in a timely manner. I appreciate it. 

Mimi Wittenborn, Secretary

Lodge Stats Year to Date

Membership to Date: 620
Candidates: 13
Delinquents: 56
Life Members: 47
Average Age: 70.53

Hello everyone,

The Elks National Applications for Elks National Foundation Scholarships Now Open. Since 1931, the Elks National Foundation has helped students recognize their academic dreams. This year, they will award nearly $5.8 million in college scholarships to at least 900 outstanding, service-minded high school seniors.

With these scholarships, students receive more than financial aid; they receive an invitation to join the #ElksFamily. For Legacy scholars, the Elks have always been part of the family. Awarded to children or grandchildren of Elks, this scholarship requires recipients to serve with an Elks Lodge three times over the four years they receive the scholarship. In 2026-27, Legacy Awards increased in both quantity and amount awarded; 400 Legacy scholars received $6,000 scholarships.

Ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are open to high school seniors who will be pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis, in an accredited United States college or university. No relation to the Elks is necessary to apply. Five hundred four-year scholarships will be awarded to the highest-rated applicants in the 2027 competition.

As they enter the next stages of their life, the class of 2027 Elks scholars will feel a wide range of emotions; with their new #ElksFamily, they will never feel alone.

For more information about our scholarship programs and ways Lodges can get involved with Elk’s scholars, visit elks.org/scholars.

Thank you all and if you have any questions my email address is rstarjinski@gmail.com. I will see you at the lodge.

Ron Starjinski PER, ENF chair