exalted ruler's MESSAGE
Paul Slater, PER
Howdy!
Finally looks like we are breaking out of the summer heat. I am still hoping for a few more monsoons, though.
October is going to be such an amazing month for our lodge! Obviously, the highlight will be the 25th Anniversary dinner event on Oct. 11th . We will be very fortunate to have several prominent guests, including Past Grand Exalted Ruler Louis Grillo, current AZ Elks state President Larry Carver, and several past state presidents and others, as well. However, the fun doesn’t end with dinner. The following week, the PERs will be offering daily specials on food and drinks to celebrate our anniversary for all of us.
September was another busy month, and my highlight was the POW/MIA ceremony. It always impresses me how thoughtful and impactful all of the Elks’s ceremonies are. Lisa Chavez and Cindy Weiss once again held a great fundraiser for AZ Elks Major Projects. Larry Wittenborn was a great Emcee for the Let’s Make a Deal game with the help of his wonderful assistant, Mandy. A huge thanks to them and everyone who came out to support AEMP. Be on the lookout for their next event, which I am sure will be a blast!
Speaking of AEMP, don’t forget there is still time to buy raffle tickets for the Side by Side that will be given away at the mid-year convention on Oct 17-19th .
Lastly, think about supporting our Lodge Golf tournament by purchasing a tee sign. This is one of our largest individual fundraisers for the lodge, and these funds help support many of our charitable efforts.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, you can always reach out to me via email (pslates1987@gmail.com) or phone (520.268.2375)
Take care, paul
LEADING Knight Message
Kim McIlonie, Leading Knight
Goodbye Hot Summer, Hello Beautiful Fall!!
It is starting to get busy around the Lodge and there is no slow-down in sight. There is so much to do and so little time. September was a fun month with football starting again. We are opening at 10:00 AM on Sundays and there is usually a light lunch available for only a $5.00 donation. The lunch is brought in by members who sign up in the lounge. Please check the bulletin board if you are interested in providing lunch for our rowdy football crowd.
A great big shoutout to Lisa Chavez and her team for the amazing Winner Chicken Dinner event for AEMP. Larry, Mandy, and Tera brought laughs with the Let’s Make a Deal game. I was so happy to see all the costumes people wore. This event was so much fun. Several members were able to take a tour of the Children’s Research Center on Sept 15th and had some wonderful things to say about what they saw and learned there. This is something I desperately want to see for myself.
October brings us to our 25th Anniversary! The PERA is hosting a dinner on October 11th , this is sure to be a very special evening. We will have our State President Larry Carver in house as well as SDGER Jerry Grimes and our sponsor, PGER Jim Grillo. Seating is limited so be sure to sign up. There is going to be “Throwback Pricing” for drinks and food the week for October 13 – 17.
We have the Mid-year convention October 17-19 in Tempe, I am sure to learn more valuable information, as always.
We are also having our Charity Golf Tournament on October 25th at 7:00am. I am hoping to have a Trunk or Treat later that same day in the parking lot, but that has not been confirmed as of typing this article. Hopefully, we can get that situated soon. I will be seeing you around the Lodge.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” – Helen Keller
Kim McIlonie Esteemed Leading Knight
SECRETARY’S CORNER
Mimi Wittenborn - Secretary
From the Secretary’s Desk:
First, I want to thank Jack Baillargeon for filling in for me while we were on vacation. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Kathy, our treasurer, and I are asking if there is anyone who would like to volunteer to be
an office “elf” / helper? It would be one day a week, Tuesday or Thursday, for about 3-4 hours. It would be a good way to learn the “behind the scenes” work of the Lodge. Please call or come in on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between 10 to 2, to find out more.
Now for my usual nag….if you have not paid your dues for this year, please do so ASAP. We have some exciting events coming up that you will miss if you are not current. Thanks
LODGE STATS YEAR-TO-DATE
Membership to Date ...............616
Candidates................................ 23
Delinquents ............................. 52
Life Members ......................... 48
Average Age ............................ 69.85
Something to think about:
“The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of one’s self to others.”
Peirre Telihard de Chardin
**As a reminder to all committee chairs, please get your activity reports into me ASAP after an event.
Past Exalted Ruler Association
Past Exalted Ruler Association - Douglas Harpold, PERA President
Happy 25th Anniversary to the Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815 .
Over the years we have had many wonderful people step up and lead our lodge as an ER, Officer, Trustee, Secretary , Treasurer, and committee chair people. We could never have become such a great lodge without the help of all of those people as well as all of the amazing members that we have in our ranks. I have been a member of this lodge for 17 years and have been proud to be a part of this amazing Elks family the entire time!! To me, the great work that we do is amazing, but the relationships that I have made and grown over the years with all of you special people is irreplaceable!
As you have already read, we will be having a party to celebrate our lodge in October. I am sure that during our week long celebration, much fun will be had and many fun days will be held together. We will be having some food, throw back prices and some raffles during the Anniversary week., but the dinner Celebration should be a great event. Please sign up for the dinner in the Lodge and let’s have a great showing for the many visiting dignitaries that will be in attendance. Seating is limited so don’t be hesitant iin getting on the list. Hope to see you there!
Beginning October 1st, 2025 All Queen of Hearts tickets will be required to have your name and Phone number on them, as is required in the rules. ANY TICKET THAT DOES NOT HAVE BOTH WILL BE DISCARDED AND A NEW TICKET WILL BE DRAWN—NO EXCEPTIONS.
Douglas Harpold, PER
Who We Are
We are a group of passionate volunteers committed to making a positive impact in our community. Our mission is to empower individuals and create a better future for generations to come.
ENF Report - Ron Starjnski, PER
Hello Everyone!
Hello Everyone!
October is ENF Month, a time to celebrate the ways the Elks National Foundation accomplishes its mission of helping Elks build stronger communities. But how does the ENF do this? By investing in the communities where Elks live and work. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the ENF is allocating $44.4 million to programs that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities, help the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and provide our youth with lifelong skills. The largest of these programs is the Community Investments Program. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, CIP has grown from a modest budget of $350,000 to nearly $18 million, allowing each Lodge the opportunity to receive up to $11,000 in small grants. The Elks National Veterans Service Commission provides aid and comfort to America’s veterans in need. To ensure that the sacrifices of these veterans are never forgotten, the ENF allocation to the ENVSC will increase by 12.7% this year to $6.4 million, the largest increase for any ENF appropriation this fiscal year. The allocation includes $3.8 million for the Welcome Home initiative to end veteran homelessness. Through these programs, the ENF continues its mission of helping Elks build stronger communities year-round. To see the full breakdown of grants and appropriations, visit secure.elks.org/appropriations. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Elks National Foundation helps Elks build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. For more information on the ENF, visit elks.org/enf.
Our Lodge, Catalina Mountain Lodge # 2815, is currently 10th in the state for both donations and per member, $4,709 and $8.077 respectively. Donate today and let’s try for top 5 by the end of the year.
Thank you all and if you have any questions, my email address is rstarjnski@gmail.com
I will see you at the lodge.
Ron
