exalted ruler's MESSAGE

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Happy September, Everybody!

I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for this summer heat to be behind us! I hope you’ve all managed to stay cool, enjoy the summer, and have a little fun along the way.

Membership remains one of our top priorities. We must continue reaching out to our delinquent members and reminding them of all the reasons it is important to remain an Elk. If you know someone who has not yet paid their dues, please take a moment to contact them. A personal call, text, or conversation can make all the difference. Together, we can keep our Lodge strong, active, and thriving.

I would also like to thank Gloria Cisneros, Kayleen Borah, Marie Starjinski, and Doug Harpold for making our PVA Celebration Event so special. Gloria does an amazing job organizing the event and making sure everything runs smoothly. Kayleen stepped in for Bob and did a wonderful job as the MC. Marie prepared the absolute best French dip sandwiches and pasta salad, and Doug put together a beautiful slideshow at the very last minute after we finally received photos just a few days before the event. Thank you all for your hard work and for helping make the celebration such a memorable one.

Something incredible has happened since the last Bugle came out—we have COMPLETELY PAID OFF OUR MORTGAGE! That’s right, our Lodge is officially mortgage-free! And you know what that means? We can now begin focusing on fundraising for our New Building Fund. We are going to need a whole lot of money to make our dream of a new building a reality, and this is an exciting first step.

To celebrate this tremendous accomplishment, we will be holding a Mortgage Burn-Down Celebration on November 14th. This is going to be a big event! Our Arizona State President, Frank Buso, and his wife, Angela, will be in attendance, along with perhaps a few more special dignitaries. More details will be coming soon, but be sure to save the date!

We have a couple of fantastic events coming up this month. First, on the 19th, from 1:00–3:00 p.m., we will be holding a PACC event. Please bring dog and/or cat food, as well as other pet items, to donate. All donations will go to PACC and help animals in need.

We will also be hosting the AEMP Spaghetti Western Dinner on the 26th at 5pm, which is always a great time. Be sure to sign up at the Lodge! I hope to see you at both events.

As always, thank you for everything you do to support our Lodge and help make it the special place it is.

Fraternally,
Kim McIlonie, Exalted Ruler

September is shaping up to be another busy and meaningful month at Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815!

We begin the month with Labor Day on Monday, September 7th. Labor Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of American workers who have helped build and strengthen our country. At our Lodge, we will honor the day by raising the flags at 7:00 a.m. and lowering them at 5:00 p.m. We will also be serving burgers and brats beginning at noon. Please come out, enjoy some great food and fellowship, and help us celebrate this important American holiday.

On Friday, September 11th, Patriot Day, the flags will once again be raised at 7:00 a.m. and lowered at 5:00 p.m. This solemn day gives us an opportunity to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the courage of the first responders, military members, and countless Americans who came together in the face of tragedy. May we never forget the lives lost, the sacrifices made, and the spirit of unity our nation showed during that difficult time.

On Friday, September 18th, POW/MIA Recognition Day, we will raise the flags at 7:00 a.m. and lower them at 5:00 p.m., with a ceremony at noon. This day is dedicated to honoring our nation’s prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action, as well as the families who continue to carry their memory. Their service and sacrifice must never be forgotten. Thank you to everyone who gives their time to help raise and lower our flags throughout the year.

We also have several other great events coming up this month. 

On Saturday, September 19th from 1:00–3:00 p.m., we will host our PACC Donation Event. Please bring dog food, cat food, or other pet items to donate. This event is open to the public, so please invite your friends and neighbors to join us as we help support animals in need in our community.

Football season is back! Join us at the Lodge on Sundays starting September 13th, for NFL Football beginning at 10:00 a.m. We also have Tacos and Trivia on September 9th, along with many of our regular Lodge activities throughout the month.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, September 26th for our AEMP Spaghetti Western Fundraiser. Cocktails starting at 5:00 p.m., dinner begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by Mick & Music at 7:00 p.m. It promises to be another fun evening while supporting a wonderful cause.

As always, thank you for everything you do to support our Lodge, our members, our veterans, and our community. Your participation, generosity, and willingness to volunteer are what make Catalina Mountain Elks such a special place.

Have a wonderful September, and I hope to see you at the Lodge!

Fraternally,

Lisa Hensley, Esteemed Leading Knight

From the Secretary’s Desk:

I hope everyone had a great summer and welcome back those of you who leave us for the summer for cooler climates.

In the past I have asked all committee chairs to please turn in an event reporting form, but I don’t think I explained why these are so important. To keep our non-profit status and show Grand Lodge that we are active Elks both in the Lodge and in the community, I turn in this report. That includes planning meetings, regular committee meetings, any volunteer time you donate as well as the money.

Here are some of the numbers from last year: Participants = 3,983, 3328 where Elks. Elk Hours = 8,875, non-cash contributions = $210,400 and cash contributions = $47,761. Thank you to those of you that do a great job of getting the form to me. If you have any questions about this, how to fill it out or whether you should or not, please contact me.

Something to think about: What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mimi Wittenborn, Secretary

Lodge Stats Year to Date

Membership to Date: 614
Candidates: 16
Delinquents: 57
Life Members: 47
Average Age: 70.5

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