exalted ruler's MESSAGE

---

Every month our world is slowly returning to normal. Over the last month, the governor has waived more restrictions. It is so good to be planning things for the lodge, both socially and altruistically.

The Past Exalted Rulers Association started the Queen of Hearts game on April 9. So far, we have had three winners; one person won about $650. Thank you to those who feel comfortable coming on Friday nights and participating. As most know, 25% of the ticket sales are kept by the Past Exalted Rulers Association for Charitable works. I am excited about the prospects of getting back out in the community and doing good things this year.

We are currently planning our Youth Banquet, which is set for Saturday, May 8, at 11:30 am. We will be awarding several students with scholarships and recognizing the winners of last year’s Drug Awareness poster contest and Essay contest winners. Next year we expect to include Soccer Shoot and Hoop Shoot winners as well.

We will be performing the Mother’s Day Ceremony in the Lodge Room on Sunday, May 9, at 1:30 pm. We last performed this ceremony two years ago; all the officers are excited about our first official ceremony of the lodge year. Please come and remember your Mother; bring your Mother. The house committee will be hosting a specially themed Mother’s Day Bingo afterward with appetizers and desserts.

We are also in the early stages of planning our Flag Day Ceremony which will be held at Vistoso Memorial Chapel on Monday, June 14, at 11:00 am. We hope to also honor our Law Enforcement Officer, Fire Fighter, and Citizen of the Year during the Ceremony. Lunch will follow. Mark your calendar.

Thank you everyone who have paid your dues for the current lodge year, and to everyone who paid last year. With the lodge being closed, and with all the restrictions, it was incredible that the lodge experienced a gain in membership; the support from our membership is awesome. Currently, we have
several members who have not paid dues for the current year which began April 1, 2021. Please think seriously about renewing your membership. Dues help us with overhead costs and make it possible for us to do many of our Elk activities.

Paying your dues can be done easily as follows:

· By credit card via a phone call during office
hours with Lodge Secretary Mimi Wittenborn 

· Via the Pay Dues link on our Website at www.elks2815.org 

· By stopping by and dropping off a check 

· By mailing a check.

Questions may be directed to Mimi Wittenborn at:  (520) 825-0893.

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 best news from the PERA is that our Queen of Hearts game is back! Most of you know that due to COVID-19 restrictions, we had to curtail the game in mid-stream with a pot of over $11,000. We started back up with that same pot which has now grown larger. As of this writing, our most recent winner wasn’t there when her ticket was pulled out of the drum, but the Bingo ball selected an ace card for her. Normally an ace gets the winner ten percent of the pot, but if the winner isn’t present, it’s half of whatever the win is. Still, five percent of over $12,000 produced a nice check for her. After a long dry spell, it’s really good to see a decent size crowd of members enjoying the Lodge again. 

Steve Asp, PER