EXALTED RULER’S MESSAGE

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I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving and was able to spend it with loved ones. We as Elks have many things to be thankful for. 

Our annual Lodge’s Golf Tournament on November 2nd turned out great as always! Thank you to everyone that participated and volunteered!  

Our Lodge was also represented by a young man at the State Soccer Shoot held on November 17th in Tempe. Samuel Duarte did an amazing job and came home with 1st Place! 

Our Drug Awareness Chairman has passed on our 3 Lodge level winners for the Poster Contest for District judging and so hopefully we will have a young representative going to State Competition. I was able to see the winning posters and they were all made by amazing artists at Coronado Elementary School. 

The Veteran’s Day Ceremony held on November 11th turned out to be a standing room only event. What a great turnout for our inaugural one. The ceremony was amazing from start to finish and if you missed it, get there early next year to get a seat. Thank you to all of our Officers, Flag Bearers, Volunteers, Food Donators and Attendees for making the day so special. 

I would like to give a big shout out to Kayla Hudson who at 11 years old, donated all of her chicken eggs (50 of them) for our breakfast that we held after the ceremony. This young lady wanted to do her part in support of Veterans and we are so proud of her and have enjoyed watching her grow up around us all and is already exhibiting great Elk traits! Kayla is the granddaughter of members Roger and Cheri Hudson and his wife Cheri. 

The District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for Arizona’s South District, David Dean and his Lady Vickie, held the official Lodge visit on November 14th. I was very proud of all you that showed up for the early meeting as well as of everyone that attended the Lodge meeting later that evening. Thank you to all of that turned in your reports so that DD Dave could read about all the wonderful things you do at a later time. We made a great impression and it is all because of your hard work and dedication in the many areas of Elkdom that our Lodge participates in. We were able to welcome in 3 new members that were initiated that evening in a most impressive Ritual. Thank you to everyone involved! 

The Holiday season brings many opportunities to lend a hand for those in need so please read through the entire newsletter to find one that you would love to be involved in. There won’t be a second lodge meeting in December due to Christmas. 

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Hey all! Well, I hope Thanksgiving was a great time for all, and you didn't eat too much as I did, and tend to do every year!?!? 

I do need to thank all of our Wonderful Elks who have contributed so much, not only to our Lodge and fellow members, but to all of those in need in our community, the State, and the Nation! I also have to say  HUGE thanks to those who are working behind the scenes to make all of this happen. We recently had our "official" visit from our District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler David Dean and his lovely Lady Vickie. At the end of our official meeting, David said: "I will be proud to report that Elkdom is alive and well in Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge!" What does this mean? It means that our Lodge, our Members are doing the right thing!!! We are doing what we signed up for; to help those in need, to care about those less fortunate, and to support our Veterans. NONE of this happens without YOU!!!!! Be Proud! 

All that said, the Christmas season is upon us. Families, Friends, Traveling, Parties and good times. Please don't forget to keep up our good works during this season, there are still those in need out there. Always, always, ELKS CARE, ELKS SHARE! Have wonderful holidays, be safe, and may all of your families and friends be SAFE!!!  

A big thank you to all our members who have helped our lodge by playing the Queen of Hearts. Please join us for our Friday night get together and cheering for our weekly winners. Our total pot is pushing $6,000 right now! 

Your PER association donated $200 for Walmart cards to help a Vietnam veteran who was burned out of his apartment. The interesting part of this event is a non Elk knew the Elks helped veterans and found my name and number through the Internet and called me. 

Your veterans committee also donated $200 for Walmart gift cards to help this vet and his wife buy clothing and food for themselves and their 3 dogs. 

The PERS also sent a check for $700 to the Roadrunner Elementary School to help defray outstanding lunch charges for the school.  

I can not believe it is almost December. As I sit and write this it is a month till Christmas. Yikes that shopping fairy has not done my shopping yet. 

Is everyone ready for the guy in the red suit to pay you a visit? 

Our membership is growing by leaps and bounds. We started this Lodge Year with 517 members, as you can see below the gain has been significant. Many hands make the load lighter for us all, so keep those applications coming in. Our newest members to Initiated are Christine Curtis, Michael Bellon and Soraya Bellon. If you see these new members at the Lodge, introduce your self and make them feel welcome. 

Reminder to the snowbirds. If you are back for the winter, if you have not done so contact me or leave me a note in the Lounge, with the new address. The postal service will not forward your newsletters. So, if you enjoy reading the monthly newsletter and don’t want a break in them, let me know. 

Stats 

Current Membership 555 

Initiated 34 

Affiliated: 12 

Reinstated: 3 

Transferred out: 7 

Deaths: 4 

Delinquents: 31 

In Progress: 11 

Average age: 70.76 

Merry Christmas to ALL!!! from the office staff, Robin, Larry, (fill in sometimes) Alane, Jack, Sig, Mimi, Harry and Linda. May Santa be good to each and every one of you good Elks!