Marysville Elks recognize the Graduation Seniors in the Antlers

The Marysville Elks recently recognized the graduating Seniors in the Antlers program.  Three of the students have been members of the group since the Antlers was founded 6 years ago.  Three of the students received $250 scholarships from the Elks in recognition of their accomplishments in the Antlers.

The Antlers are a service organization sponsored by the Elks.  This year the group held many drug free events (dances/movie nights) where admission was obtained by bringing items such as cereal, hamburger helper or peanut butter for the food pantry.  They also hosted a spaghetti dinner to raise money to purchase a “little red wagon” for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  Altogether, the students donated over 10,000 hours of service to the Marysville Community. 

The Antlers are a youth group open to all students in the 7th to 12th grades.  The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (September to May) at 7 pm at the Elks Lodge, 125 E. 5th Street.

Pictured from left, back row:  Advisor Melissa Shoemaker, Caleb Kirsch (6 yrs), Tate Virts (1 yrs), Brock Coffey (5 yrs), Sean Allison (4 yrs), Austin Mayberry (5 yrs), and advisor Tami Cox.  Front row:  Megan Shoemaker (6 yrs & scholarship), Sydney Willey (6 yrs and scholarship), Anna Marie Lawson (4 yrs and scholarship), and Paulina Cruz (4 yrs).  Not pictured:  Joshua Dickinson (5 yrs).

Salem Elks #305 Host Soccer Shoot

The Salem Elks Lodge #305 held their local Soccer Shoot at the Salem Community Center's indoor soccer field on Sunday, May 20th. There were 16 participants with the 1st place winners pictured here. Tim Stephens B-12 & 13; Isabel Martig G 10 & 11; Braden Price B-8 & 9; 

Addelee Wadlow - Girl's and Eric Hepner - Boy's both in the 7 & under division. Standing behind on the left is Wayne Gorby,  Exalted Ruler and on the right is Andrew Null,  Soccer Shoot Chairman.

Each will continue onto the NE District Soccer Shoot held on June 23rd in Mayfield Heights. Other photos are on our FB page: Salem Elks Lodge #305. 

Van Wert Donates to Council on Aging

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated $100 to the Van Wert County Council on Aging.   The monies will go towards supporting their upcoming 8th Annual Designer Purse Bingo Fundraiser scheduled for Friday, June 8, 2018.     The agency will use the donations to purchase designer handbags which will be displayed and used as bingo prizes throughout the fundraiser.

The Council on Aging transports seniors every day to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies or social service appointments free of charge.  The Van Wert County Council on Aging has be serving the Senior Citizens of our community for 40 years.  Without these vital services, many of the county’s seniors would be forced to enter long-term care facilities.    Through fundraisers such as this, the agency will be able to continue and expand their much-needed services for our senior citizens.

Pictured, left to right are: Mary Yackey, Lodge Loyal Knight presenting the check to Kevin Matthews, Executive Director Council on Aging.

Van Wert Elks Honors New Eagle Scout

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks participated in the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Cole Gorman on Sunday, May 13.     Cole is a member of Boy Scout Troop #32, sponsored by the Middle Point Methodist Church, Middlepoint, OH.

Cole was presented an American Flag and an Eagle Scout Certificate from the Elks.  He also received a letter of commendation and a special citation from Malcolm J. McPherson Jr., Grand Exalted Ruler/National President.

For Cole’s Eagle Scout Project he installed gates at the intersection of US Route 224 and the walk/bike path that crosses it to prevent riders from inadvertently walking or riding out onto the roadway.

Representing the Van Wert Lodge at the ceremony was Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Scouting Liaison.

Pictured, left to right are Michael C. Stanley, Lodge Secretary and Eagle Scout Cole Gorman.

Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 Helps Local Fire Department

Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 donated a fire extinguisher training device to the Ashland Fire Department. The device uses an LED screen and a realistic fire extinguisher to simulate an actual fire situation.

East Liverpool Lodge #258 Donates Nearly $1,000 to Local Charities

The East Liverpool Elks Lodge #258 donated $360 to the Veterans City Council for a new banner project designed to honor the men and women who have served our country.  The 2' x 3' double sided vinyl banner will depict a photograph of the veteran and include pertinent information.  Banners will be hung from light poles throughout the city from Memorial Day thru Veterans  Day.  Cost is $120 each.

Another $275 was donated to send a high school student to the Ohio Girls State program, which is designed to educate young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship.  

$300 was donated to the Middle Beaver Girls Softball Association to sponsor a team for the 2018 season.  Each player will wear a shirt representing the East Liverpool Elks #258.

$25 was donated to the City of East Liverpool's Animal Welfare Fund for the spay and neuter of feral cats in and around the City, for the purpose of controlling the cat population.    

And finally, $25 was donated to the Student Fishing League (SFL).  This organization pairs seasoned anglers with novice youth to mentor and instruct them on the joys of fishing.

Elks National Veterans Service Bags Distributed At Spring Convention

The Ohio Elks National Veterans Service Commission continued its annual tradition of passing out empty imprinted bags (with the Elks National Veterans Service Commission logo) at its Annual Spring Convention in April. The bags are to serve as a reminder of the plight of our hospitalized and Veterans, and to remind members to returned the bags “full” in August with new tee shirts, underwear, and socks. The clothing items will then be distributed among the seven Ohio Veterans hospitals/homes we serve. Over 100 bags were passed out.

Southeast District State Officer Visitation at East Liverpool

The Southeast District State Officer visitation was held May 3-5 at East Liverpool Elks Lodge No. 258. As part of the weekend activities, the Lodge held a “Couples” Game (based on the popular Newlywed Game). Participants included 1st Vice-President Mark Ratliff (& Amy), Trustee Secretary Tom Pavlik (& Tracy) and Tiler Keith Denny (& Lynn), along with our Lodge Exalted Ruler Steve Hall (& Judy) with the winner receiving a $100 donation in their name to the Ohio Elks National Veterans Service Commission, as well as a brand new gold BMW – 1:64 scale Matchbox. Mark and Amy Ratliff took the honors in a game that was full of laughs, amusement, and some embarrassing moments.

Van Wert Elks Hosts DARE Graduation Party

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 again assisted the Van Wert City/County D.A.R.E. program with their annual DARE graduation party held on Friday evening, May 11, 2018 at the YMCA.   Approximately 300 boys and girls from Van Wert County Schools converged on the local YMCA to enjoy a fun filled evening.   The students hand the opportunity to play basketball, swim, dance and visit and socialize with their classmates.

Members of Van Wert Elks Lodge were busy grilling hamburgers and hotdogs to feed the hungry boys and girls.  The kids also enjoyed ice cream at the end.  The local Elks Lodge provides the food and drinks for the local event each year and prepares the food for the hungry youngsters.   The monies are made available to the local lodge from the Elks National Foundation in the form of a Promise Grant.   These grants are available to the local lodges that wish to sponsor any type of drug and alcohol free event in the community.   The Elks are proud to be able to assist with this great event for the kids.

Van Wert Elks Soccer Shoot a Great Success

On Saturday May 5, the Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 held its annual Soccer Shoot.   It was a beautiful day and 25 young ones joined in the fun.    There was a Girls division and a Boys division and the participants competed in four age groups.    Trophies were awarded to the 1st and 2nd place finishers.    All the 1st Place Winners  will advance to the District Competition to be held on Saturday,  June 2 in Findlay, OH.  

The winners included:
Under 8 Girls: 1st Place ~ Evie Williman; 2nd Place ~ Paylin Gray
Under 8 Boys: 1st Place ~ Jaxton Hammons; 2nd Place ~ Bryce Miller
Under 10 Girls: 1st Place ~ Jazzlyn Florence: 2nd Place ~ Emma Ward
Under 10 Boys: 1st Place ~ Luke Sawmiller; 2nd Place ~ Jacob Sidle
Under 12 Girls: 1st Place ~ Addison Williman; 2nd Place ~ Ellie Ward
Under 12 Boys: 1st Place ~ Kale Vining; 2nd Place ~ Ethan Paseka
Under 14 Girls: 1st Place ~ Adessa Alvarez

Mary Yackey, Youth Activities Chair was in charge of the event.

Pictured L to R, Row 1: Bryce Miller, Jaxton Hammons, Evie Williman, Paylin Gray, Jacob Sidle, Luke Sawmiller, Jazzlyn Florence.  Pictured L to R, Row 2:  Addison Williman, Adessa Alvarez, Ethan Paseka, Kale Vining

New 2018/19 CP Per Capita's Announced

This year the CP per capita for each Lodge is $4.00 per member.  Lodges need to make their per capita in order to be considered for grants.  These grants can be used to help support facilities in your community that treat children and adults with Cerebral Palsy.  Please send your donations by check to the following address for the 2018-2019 year:

Chuck Hilyard
CP Treasurer
6026 White Oak Drive
Toledo OH 43615

If your donation is going to be used for grants then you want to put the following information on your check:  Payable to the order of:  Ohio Elks CP Fund Board

If your donation is going to be used for the Endowment then you want to put the following information on your check:  Payable to the order of:  The Columbus Foundation

The CP Fund Committee is here to answer any questions you may have about the State Charity - Cerebral Palsy.  Please reach out to your District Chairman anytime during the year to make sure you have reached your per capita and qualify for grants to help out your community.

Thank You for all that you do to help raise money for CP!!!

Go to the State CP Website Here

2018 Ritual Competition Results are In!

Ohio Elks Past Exalted Ruler’s Association
Jill Hawse, 2017 – 2018 President

What a wonderful (and busy) weekend in Dublin this past weekend! 

Thank you and congratulations to all of the contestants in the Ritual, Eleven O’clock Toast, and Flag Charge contests.  I admire your courage and dedication to Ritual.  As you know, Ritual is a proud part of our Elks heritage.

A very special congratulations goes out to the winners in each of the contests!  Competing this year in the Ritual contest were Kenton Lodge # 157 and Elyria Lodge # 465.  There were seven individuals who competed in the “Toast” and four in the Flag Charge contests. 

The winning team for the Ritual contest was Kenton Lodge # 157.  They will be going to the 150th Grand Lodge Convention in to San Antonio, Texas representing the Great State of Ohio.  If you’re attending Grand Lodge, please take the time to wish them well and show your support by attending the contest when they compete.  I know they’d appreciate the encouragement! 

The 2018 contest winners were as follows:

RITUAL:
Exalted Ruler                                Elisa McKinley, Kenton #157
Esquire                                          Michael Sturgeon, Kenton #157
Esteemed Leading Knight           Todd Daquino, Kenton #157
Esteemed Loyal Knight               Dustin McCullough, Kenton #157
Esteemed Lecturing Knight        Derek Kaufman, Kenton #157
Chaplain                                        Dave Heuser, Elyria #465
Inner Guard                                  Gina Hoelsher, Kenton #157

 Eleven O’clock Toast:
Todd Daquino, Kenton #157 

FLAG CHARGE:
Todd Daquino, Kenton #157 

I encourage every Lodge in Ohio to compete in the Eleven O’clock Toast, Flag Charge, and / or Ritual contests next year.  Should you have questions or need assistance, reach out to your district chairperson for assistance.  They are there to help you in any way that they can.

I want to say thank you to everyone who supported and assisted me during my six years as an officer of the Ohio Elks PER Assoc.  It was a wonderful and rewarding experience! 

Lastly, good luck to 2018 – 2019 President Sue Fox Buroker and her team of officers.  I wish you all the very best!!!!

Marysville Elks #1130 Host 16th Annual CP Silent Auction

Marysville 1130 had their 16th Annual CP silent auction, dinner & mini NASCAR races on April 14th.  You can see members "officiating" at the track.  Team Taylor came in 1st and 2nd place and donated the prize money back to CP.  Third place was won by Ruth Ann Ropp and Honorable Mention was Everett Humble.  Pictured below are the winners (including your State President), along with some junior track spotters.  When the dust settled and all was said and done, the lodge raised $2,292 for their local CP fund.  A good time was had by all!

Changes to ENF CIP Programs Announced!

CIP Changes Are Here!

1. Impact Grants will now have a two-step process:

           A. Step One – Lodges will submit a short project proposal to ENF.  Based on that                                    proposal, ENF will select lodges to compete at the second step.

           B. Step Two – Those Lodges invited will submit full applications.

Note: CIP will assist Lodges with improving their initial proposals.

2. Freedom Grants – Freedom Grants will be increased to 300 (from 200) as Elks continue to serve veterans and their families.

3. Anniversary Grants - $1,500 Anniversary Grants will be available again for the 2018-2019 Lodge year.

4. Gratitude Grants – Will now be available to Lodges that meet the GER’s goal by March 31 of the PREVIOUS year.  This means that every qualifying, compliant Lodge can apply for a Gratitude Grant starting the first day grant applications are open.

5. Grant Deadline Shifts – Very Important Information

           A. ALL grant applications will open July 1, 2018 and CLOSE December 31, 2018.

           B. Lodges will have until the end of the Lodge year, March 31, 2019 to use their grant funds.

           C. In 2019-20, grant applications will open April 1, 2019.        

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Contributes to Local Scholarship Program

Van Wert Lodge No. 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recently donated $100.00 to the Van Wert Peony Festival Committee.

The monies are to go towards the Peony Festival Scholarship Program.   The Elks, nationally, are only second to the United States Government in the number of scholarships that are given out each year.   Van Wert Elks Lodge is proud to be a contributor each year to this important scholarship program.

Pictured, left to right are:  Kylie Mills, Van Wert Peony Festival Pageant Director and Staci Bell, Lodge Loyal Knight.

Michael Stanley of Van Wert Lodge #1197 Inducted to the Elks Hall of Fame

Van Wert Lodge No 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is proud to announce that their member, Michael C. Stanley was inducted into the Ohio Elks Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, April 28 during their 120th Annual Convention of the Ohio Elks Association.

Mike was nominated for this award by Van Wert Elks Lodge for the countless hours he puts in working at the lodge doing various tasks, chairing numerous committees,  promoting the lodge programs and for the Elk programs he promotes for the youth of the community. 

Other recipients of this award from Van Wert Lodge were William S. Derry in 2000 and W. Eric McCracken in 2015.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Hosts Youth Recognition Breakfast

Van Wert Lodge held their annual Youth Recognition Breakfast at the lodge on Tuesday, May 1.   All the monthly student/volunteer of the month winners were present along with the lodge scholarship winners and the Americanism contest winners.    The student/volunteer of the year is announced at this event.    Named as the Student/Volunteer of the Year was Brett Schumm from Crestview High School.

Pictured standing in the back row, left to right are: Sydni Thatcher, Alexandria Crow, Frankie Carey, Whitney Bowen, Haley Michaud and Emma Verville.   Seated, left to right are: Camryn Nouza, Briana Kesler, Brett Schumm, Brayden Cox, Erin Richardson and Chloe Foltz.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Honors Student/Volunteer of the Year

Congratulations to Brett Schumm, Senior at Crestview High School who was selected as the Student/Volunteer of the Year at the annual Youth Recognition Breakfast.   Pictured are Linda Stanley, Student of the Month Chair and Brett Schumm.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 - Americanism Essay Winners

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to announce the winners of the 2017-2018 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Essay Contest.    This fraternal year, the theme for the contest was, “Why Our Veterans Are America’s Heroes”.     The students competed in divisions, by age group.

The local winners, which were forwarded to the District for further judging, were:

Division I, 5th & 6th grades
1st place, Hayden Buuck – Crestview School
2nd place – Luke Stouffer – Wayne Trace/Payne School
3rd place – Kyle Stoller – Wayne Trace/Grover Hill School

Division II, 7th & 8th grades
1st Place – Chloe Beining– Wayne Trace School
2nd Place – Sophia Saylor – Crestview School
3rd Place – Ellie Vining – Crestview School

Ellie Vining placed third in the Northwest District competition.    Luke Stouffer placed first in the Northwest District competition and also placed first in the state competition.

Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 would like to congratulate all of our winners and we wish to thank all of the students, teachers and schools for their participation in this years essay contest.

Jill Evans was the lodge chairman in charge of the Lodge Americanism Committee.

Pictured, front row, left to right in Division One are: Hayden Buuck, Luke Stouffer and Kyle Stoller.

Pictured, back row, left to right in Division Two are Chloe Beining, Sophis Saylor and Ellie Vining.

Van Wert Lodge #1197 Student Finishes 1st in State Americanism Contest

Congratulations to Luke Stouffer, who placed 2nd in the local Americanism Essay Contest, but also placed 1st both at the district level and at the state competition.    Luke received money from Van Wert Lodge but also won monies at the district and state level.    His essay will forwarded to the national level for judging.    Pictured is Luke with Linda Stanley, District Americanism Committee Chair and PER Al Lautzenheiser, speaker for the Youth Recognition Breakfast.