ELKS #104 BUGLE JANUARY 30, 2023

Greetings Fellow Elks!

It’s that time of year again! What time you ask? The time we all have to start deciding who we would like to lead the Newport Elks Lodge #104 for the 2023-2024 year.

Thursday, February 9, is Nomination Night.

Thursday, February 23, is Election Night.

This is also the month that YOU decide if you want to come forward and get involved at the leadership level of our lodge.

The positions to be filled are:

LODGE OFFICERS for the 2023-24 Year:

Exalted Ruler

Esteemed Leading Knight

Esteemed Loyal Knight

Esteemed Lecturing Knight

5-year Trustee - Serves on the Board of Directors

Secretary

Treasurer

Chaplain

Organist / Vocalist

Positions appointed the Exalted Ruler right after the Election are:

Inner Guard, Esquire, Tiler

Committee Chairs: Auditing and Accounting, Activities, Veterans, Community Activities, Drug Awareness, Building and Grounds, Fundraising, Fraternal, and Membership.

How can you learn more about these positions? You can read about them in Section 12 of your Statutes Manual OR (click this link to learn more,) go online to Elks.org, log in and read about any and all committees,

OR

Come out to my LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6th at 6:00 pm where many of our current Newport Elks Lodge #104 leaders will join me in informing you on the how you can help our lodge move forward!

I hope to see you there!!!

Yours in Elkdom,

JoAnne Ritchie

Exalted Ruler

P.S. Check out the lodge and foyer floors! (see pictures below)

RI STATE CONVENTION 2023 …. Did you know that as a Member of the RI Elks, you and your guests are welcome to attend the annual convention down on the Cape? It is a fun-filled weekend held at the FOUR POINTS SHERATON in EASTHAM, MA, with lots of camaraderie, good will, and great memories. A time to celebrate all that we, as Elks, have done throughout the year! Once you attend, you’ll know why so many of us from the different lodges attend every year!

 Special discount offers for additional nights are available, too!

IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND, PLEASE ACT QUICKLY!

THE DEADLINE IS FEB. 1ST (We have a little grace on this date.)

FULL PAYMENT DUE BY MARCH 31ST.

IMPORTANT ELKS LEADERSHIP MEETING: MONDAY, February 6th at 6:00 pm. This informational meeting will be conducted by our Exalted Ruler, Joanne Ritchie. Open to all interested members!

Info/Contact Chris Stevenson newportelks104@gmail.com .

MEETINGS ~ FEBRUARY

Meetings are OPEN to ALL Members in Good Standing

HOUSE COMMITTEE

Monday 2/6

5:00pm

NEW MEMBER

INTERVIEWS

Tuesday 2/7

6:00pm

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Tuesday 2/7

6:30pm

LODGE MEETING

OFFICER NOMINATIONS

for 2023-24

&

NEW MEMBER BALLOTING

Thursday 2/9

7:00pm (Blue & Gray)

HOUSE COMMITTEE

Monday 2/20

5:00pm

NEW MEMBER

ORIENTATION

Tuesday 2/21

5:30pm

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Tuesday 2/21

6:30pm

LODGE MEETING

OFFICER ELECTIONS

for 2023-24

&

NEW MEMBER INITIATIONS

Thursday 2/23

7:00pm (Tuxedo)

RISE SENIOR OFFICERS ATTEND LODGE MEETING

Members Urged to Participate at the Annual Convention and

Caroline Caswell Installed as new Lodge Chaplain

Lodge 104 was honored to have three visiting senior officers of the Rhode Island State Elks Association attending our Lodge Meeting on January 26th. Patty Baccus, President of RISE, along with Donna Warner, 2nd Vice President, delivered compelling and humorous messages about the fine educational and fun fellowship experiences open to all Rhode Island Elk members who attend the RISE Annual Convention this April on Cape Cod. The event is held at the Sheraton 4 Points in Easham, MA and the goal is to have the entire property filled with Elks to fully enjoy the pool, restaurant, open bars, and yes, several meetings planned as part of the festivites. There is a special Memorial Service held on Friday evening, in honor of all absent members who have left us in the last year which is very moving.

RISE Esquire, Cathy Keighley, also gracioulsy attended our meeting.

Patty Baccus also presided over the formal installation of our new Lodge Chaplain, Caroline Caswell, who will serve at our meetings until the new set of officers are installed. Deepest thanks go out from all of us to Ron Foberg, who kindly stepped in to juggle both the work of Chaplain and Lodge Trustee for the last several months. THANKS, RON!

Just in case you haven't been over to the Lodge recently... Lots of wonderful improvements have been going on, especially the magnificent job done on the Lodge Room and Hallway floors by our Building & Grounds Committee, headed up by Brian Henry. The team refinished the Lodge Room, which now looks great...ready for a dance, let alone a meeting! It was decided not to continue removing the hall tiles since they turned out to contain asbestos. Removal would have been very cost prohibitive. The food service workstation has been replaced, too. The laminate looks fine, and will be durable for many, many years to come. THANKS AGAIN to JoAnne our ER, Brian and his crew for another major improvement to our beloved old building! Come over and see for yourselves. (Shall we have a dance? What kind? Send a suggestion to the Editor!)

Lodge Room "before." Note patch of old dark floor, lower right corner.

Our "new" Lodge Room floor. WOW! What an impressive difference.

Hallway outside Lounge - WIP.

 Old workstation removed.

Back door entry way - WIP.

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FRIDAYS in the Lounge 6:30 - 10:00 pm

February 3: CLIFF MEYERS

February 10: STEVE RODRIGUES

FEBRUARY 17: DIESEL

FEBRUARY 24: STU KROUS

50/50 RAFFLE TICKETS

Purchasing tickets helps bring you

the great music we enjoy on Friday Nights.

THANK YOU for

Generously Supporting our Musicians

..... Added bonus! YOU WIN $$

Lodge Members and Visiting Elks and their Guests are VERY Welcome! Please remember to sign in at the podium near the entrance and have your membership card with you as well.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: ELKS, PLEASE BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR GUESTS SIGN IN WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

He's got a shadow, but, will he see it? (Nice suit, btw, Phil!)

ANSWER: NO. Because "Montana Mike" the Marmot, Punxatauney Phil's western cousin, only predicts snow for skiers!

Motivated ELKS VOLUNTEERS WANTED for COMMITTEES

FUNDRAISING, MEMBERSHIP, VETERANS, HOOP SHOOT,

ENF, BUILDING & PROPERTY

- and MORE!!

Contacts

JoAnne Ritchie, ER, at 401-855-8765

Bill Farrell, Veterans Committee Chair at 401-741-1653

Gene Rayno, PER, at 401-683-7436

Dave Dittmann, Membership Committee Chair at 401-255-1049

Chris Stevenson, Fundraising & Activities at newportelks104@gmail.com

Stay Tuned! The Leprechauns are coming...soon!