Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781 5630 Pine Island Road

Bokeelia, FL 33922

The Elkhorne

VOLUME 25 NUMBER 4 LODGE 239-283-4388 APRIL/MAY 2018

EXALTED RULER’S CORNER

This is my first communication with the Lodge as Exalted Ruler. So, first of all, I want you all to know how excited and honored I am to be your Exalted Ruler. I would like to start out by thanking everyone for this opportunity and all of the newly installed Officers who will help to guide this Lodge forward throughout the coming year. I would also like to thank all the committee chairmen and their assistants for stepping up to lead our Lodge forward. This year, we will continue to support the many programs and events that our Lodge is known for and hopefully try a few new ones too. Please support these people and assist them when you can.

This year, I would like to challenge every Lodge member to commit to helping with even just ONE event. With nearly 400 members, if everyone helped with ONE thing - think of all the good work we could do for our communities, kids, and veterans. Remember we are all volunteers and if we all help out in some way then we will all be able to enjoy the benefits of the Lodge that much better.

I would also like to encourage our members to share any new ideas they have for Lodge events. I would be happy to entertain all suggestions. Finally, I would like to thank all of our members and Lodge officers for their participation in the past years and hope I can count on everyone in the up-coming year. It is member participation that helps keep Greater Pine Island Lodge #2781 a great place to be.

We have some spring events coming up soon. Don’t forget to sign your children, grandchildren or yourself up for our 1st Annual Fishing Tournament on April 28, 2018.

Please also support our upcoming events in May, the Kentucky Derby and Cinco De Mayo Party on May 5 and especially the Mother’s Day Ritual and Brunch on May 13.

I ask that you all live by the Principles of our Order Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity. Remember the Faults of our Members we write upon the sand, their Virtues upon the tablets of love and memory.

Please keep our troops in your prayers. I wish you all well and hope to see you at the lodge often.

Fraternally,

Judy Hopkins, Exalted Ruler

MEMBERSHIP

The following candidates have been proposed for membership:

Candidate Proposer

Raymond Gehrig Robert Winter

Janet Bastiaanse Robert Solomon

Julia Molofson-Steck Leroy Lippmann, PDD

Danny Nesbitt for Transfer by RL Rudd Welcome our newest members Jackie Miller, Marin Briggs, Linda Brown and Jim Schivinski

HOUSE COMMITTEE

Stan Chmielewski 239-671-4681 Mike Chura, Co-Chairman 239-283-4257 Marilyn Grossmueller 908-403-4272 Beverly Henderson 283-1983 Judy Hopkins, Interim Co-Chair 425-346-7226 Denise Hoogstra 517-819-0339 Joyce Lake 616-283-7121 John Leavitt 603-781-7789 Deanna Martell 822-5634

LODGE OFFICERS 2017-2018 Board of Directors:

Exalted Ruler Judy Hopkins 425-346-7226 Leading Knight Ed Wisniefski 443-8674 Loyal Knight Doug Betterley 732-740-5287 Lecturing Knight Joseph Kosty 738-6060 1 Yr. Trustee Lee Lemay 603-479-2717 2 Yr. Trustee George Yorkston 443-504-2251 3 Yr. Trustee Charlie Stinson 352-455-2502 4 Yr. Trustee Bob Hoogstra, PER 989-1084 5 Yr. Trustee Fred Hopkins 425-864-5671

Other Officers:

Secretary Donna Yorkston 443-562-8501 Treasurer Lee Wilbur, PER 940-4341 Esquire Debbie Stinson 352-455-2502 Chaplain John Hoos 283-3477 Inner Guard Jay Lingwall 573-239-0560 Tiler Connie Smith 410-4277 Organist Vacant Mediator Leroy Lippmann, PDD 283-8848 Lodge Advisor Leroy Lippmann, PDD 283-8848 Presiding Justice Vacant

The Elkhorne is published monthly by

Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781 239-283-4388

ER/Publicity Judy Hopkins 425-346-7226 Membership Robert Solomon 470-2759 Editor Heike Wilbur 319-7758

All articles must be submitted as attachments to the Editor via e-mail prior to the 15th of each month:

heikewilbur1@gmail.com

All articles are subject to editing.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Accident Prevention Charlie Stinson Americanism Auditing Don Ware/Vincent Pri mavera Community Activities Drug Awareness Carol Jo Nelson Flag Day Jack Rovaldi, PER Government Relations Harry-Anna Donna Yorkston Hoop Shoot Liz Duchaine, PER Investigating Denise Hoogstra Lapsation/Membership Robert Solomon Lodge Activities Ann McDonald Major Projects (State) Jack Rovaldi Memorial Day National Foundation Lee Wilbur, PER Orientation Judy Hopkins PER Association Leroy Lippmann, PDD Public Relations Judy Hopkins Relief Chair Officers Scholarships Judy Hopkins Veterans Services Jack Rovaldi, PER Visiting Youth Activities

Get Involved!

If you would like to fill any of the positions that are

marked vacant or are blank please contact any officer!

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

Due to the high cost of copying and mailing, we would like to distribute the newsletter via email. Please con-tact Heike Wilbur at heikewilbur1@gmail.com and provide your email address.

To receive the MOST up-to-date information on our activities, LIKE and SHARE Pine Island Elks on Face-book! We can not get the word out without your help! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428548690730984/

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

As the newly elected secretary for our Lodge I feel honored and privileged to serve you, the officers, and the Lodge for the coming year. As part of the introduction into my new role I attended the Florida State training program and discovered that we have many ex-citing opportunities to make our Lodge even better.

Thank you to those who have submitted their dues. For those who have not currently sub-mitted their dues please return your form and dues as soon as possible for processing.

It is my goal to maintain current and accurate records for our members and officers. We want to keep you informed and up-to-date on the events and status of the Lodge. Please submit changes in address, email, or phone numbers.

I also would like to share an opportunity to donate to the Harry Anna Trust Investment Fund, which supports Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services and Florida Elks Youth Camp programs, while you are shopping on Amazon. Sign into to Amazon Smile, select the Harry Anna Trust as your chari-ty of choice and each time you order Amazon automatically donates to the Trust. It doesn’t cost you a penny! If you need any assistance let me know!

Anything I can do to help us be successful is my goal for the coming year. Looking forward to meeting all of you.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Yorkston, Secretary

QUARTER TUBES UPDATE

Tubes completed 02/20/2018:

10$ ALSF: John Hoos 10$ ea Vets: Stan Chmielewski, John Leavitt, Valerie Fors, Joyce Lake 10$ ea Charitable Trust: Marcie Smith, Jack Rovaldi 10$ Harry-Anna-Trust: Ben Madey 10$ RV Fund: misc. Donors

Remember, you find the quarter

tubes on your way out of the

Lodge. Pick a charity and do-

nate your quarters. If you wish

to have your own tube dedicat-

ed to the charity of your choice

please contact Debbie Stinson.

EMPTY CHAIRS - GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Please consider taking on one of the committee chairs that are vacant. For instance what is the Government Relations Chair about?

This chair represents our Lodge’s interests and activities to governing bodies and elected officials in protecting and preserving the right to exist as a private, non-profit, tax exempt, charitable organization, a status our great Order has enjoyed since our formation in 1868.

The work being done by the Government Relations Chair, although not glamorous, is essential to maintaining our status and is vital to the very survival of our great Order.

Equally as important, the Government Relations Committee is the watchdog of the Order. The committee keeps a constant vigil for any proposed legislation or governmental action that might in any way affect our Or-der.

Interested? Please contact any Lodge Officer.

Any member, who has a child or grandchild, who is currently a High

School Senior and would like to be considered for a Lodge college scholar-

ship, pick up a Scholarship application at the Lodge. The student will need

copies of their school transcript and a list of community service/volunteer

hours with duties performed. Any community service listed, should only

include High School years. All paperwork should be submitted to the

Lodge by 5/01/18 and marked Lodge Scholarship, Attention: Judy Hopkins.

16 Collins, Lewis; Werly, Roger 17 Ritz, Robert J; Wiederhold, Dan 18 Damerow, Fred 19 Rodtang, Rolf 21 Gzym, Stan 22 Dolph, James R; Morrison, William 23 Willebrandt, Norman 24 Angel, Silver P; Martell, Deanna J 26 Pettit, Donald; Watson, Alfred J 28 Baylor Sr, Horace E; Brinson, Melville G; Elinski, Don 29 Virts, Frank

John Dooley had a total shoulder replacement on March 15. He

is home and doing well. Fred Damerow’s wife Bonnie passed away on February 28 and Debbie Stinson, our Esquire’s father died on March 23 in Ocala. We also have been notified of the passing of two members, James Lorah on February 11 of this year and Lynn Rudolph on December 19, 2017. Please keep all our sick and bereaved in your thoughts and prayers. If you are aware of any member that is sick or in distress, please notify the Secretary at 443-562-8501.

BIRTHDAYS IN APRIL

BIRTHDAYS IN MAY 18 Spyrnal, Cynthia 19 Hall, Jon; Lucas, Jordon M 22 Karr, Jim 23 Bartelt, Wayne R; Curry, G C 25 Latham, Kenneth W 26 Bowersox, David; Valdes, Hector A 27 Bock, Robert K; King, Randy; Lippmann, Norman 28 Bokros, Ronald 29 Lingwall, Jack; Nagy, Julius C

01 Hodgkin, Jeff; Metz-Iannucci, Deborah; Primavera, Vincent 03 Tidwell, Julius Ted 04 Pfister, Edward 04 Shallow, Marge 05 Hoos, John 06 Blitzko, Joseph 08 Blackmer, Cary Stanton 09 Henderson, Beverly; Keleman, John 11 Thibeault, Lorre 12 Moseler, Arthur 13 Potter, William

01 Payne, Ronald 02 Leach, Kenneth R 03 Player, Tonya; Sadler, Edward L; Winter, Robert A 04 Desmarais, Wilma R; Shutt, Thomas R 06 Maglin, Beverly A 10 Potts, William A 11 Ryan, John J 12 Goodwin, Margie; Madey, Sandra; Netys, Anna 13 Woodhead, Rubye P 15 Fairbanks, David

American Military Veterans Foundation will use our facilities for their meetings. The organization was founded in 2010 as Wounded Warrior Anglers of America. It

is a publicly registered charity that directs more than 90% of the dona-tions they receive to supporting veterans, helping them enjoy an active lifestyle with a variety of programs including comradery and fun en-joyed through fishing. Since its establishment the organization expanded its support to meet the growing needs of veterans including emergency relief, financial assistance, family retreats and other services. They are an all volun-teer organization and passionately design and provide diverse pro-grams and services, such as their PTSD Summit, weekly peer-to-peer meetings, with the help of like minds partners and supporters who be-lieve in “changing lives, one warrior at a time”. With a reported 23 daily suicides by veterans, AMMILVETS has focused more efforts and sup-port towards suicide prevention. AMMILVET is increasing its local presence in SW Flori-da and is now also able to extend its program and ser-vices to Pine Island. The GPI Elks Veterans Committee is supporting this group and its worthy cause by spon-soring the hall rental with $100 each month out of the VETs funds.

HOUSE COMMITTEE MESSAGES We are happy to announce, that Ann McDonald has agreed to take on the Lodge Activities Chair. This committee will be budgeting and overseeing all special events, which will no longer be managed by the House Committee. The House Committee is responsible for managing the bar and kitchen services, including Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night dinners. Additionally, the House Committee is responsible for the inventory management of bar and kitchen supplies and provides general oversight of facility usage by members.

Willing to cook one of your specialty meals at the Lodge?

Judy is looking for help - we are down to ONLY 2 cooking teams and they both are filled with “snowbirds”. If you LOVE to cook and are willing to help with one meal during summer or winter or even get a group of friends to-gether to cook once every other month - PLEASE contact Judy at 425-346-7226!!!!!

We also need volunteers to help with the many aspects of putting on an event. If you would like to volunteer your services please contact Ann McDonald at 239-283-1361.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ELKHORNE BOOSTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM

I wish to subscribe to the Elkhorne Boosters for 1 year for a $12 (or more) donation.

Name:__________________________________ Phone:_______________________ Amount enclosed:___________

Address:________________________________ City:__________________________ State:____ Zip:_____________

Please mail your subscription to:

GREATER PINE ISLAND ELKS LODGE # 2781, PO BOX 248, ST. JAMES CITY, FL 33956

Elkhorne Booster

CORNER OF THANKS We had so much going on over the last couple of months, it is hard to pick out individuals amongst all of those, who helped to make our busy season a huge success. Tremendous amounts of work and volunteer time go into the successful operation of our Lodge and the organization of our events. Just to recap, we started out the season with the Halloween Party and the Golf Tour-nament followed by the Christmas and the New Year’s Eve parties. In Janu-ary we started serving Sunday Breakfast. January, February, and March were filled with events like the Snowbird Marathon, the Del Prados, Super Bowl Party, Valentine’s Day, Murder Mystery, PIE Players, the Clam Boil, ENF Dinner, Rummage Sales, St. Pat-rick’s Day, and our monthly scheduled Casino Bus trips and Trivia Nights.

Thanks to our volunteers, all of this possible. There are the house committee, event organizers and coordinators, decorators, cooks, servers, the bar manager and his crew of bar tenders, cashiers, ticket takers, and Frank, who comes in to wrap the silverware, Jay and Leigh Lingwall, who organized the Marathon, Jim Flanders and wife Sandra, who produce the PIE Players lip synch show, Chuck and Lou, who put out a fabulous St. Paddy’s Day dinner, Deanne and Bob Martell, who run the Trivia and the Casino Bus; and this is only to mention just a few. Lastly, there are also our officers, who work in the background to keep the Lodge going. Again, a big Thank You to all, who volunteer!!!

This is a good place to briefly, but effectively, describe your product or services.

Business card size, $100 for one year

LEE’S ENF CORNER

As you know, the Elks National Foundation (ENF) is the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The mission is to help Elks Lodges build stronger communities by providing grant funds for scholarships, veterans programs, drug awareness programs, hoop shoot free throw program. The ENF also allows lodges to apply for grants to address needs in Elks communities.

This great community program cannot continue without your help. You can get involved by volunteering to help with one or more of these worthwhile projects. You can also help by making a donation to the ENF. All donations are tax deductible.

The 2017-2018 ENF year has been closed. As a Lodge we have had a less than brilliant showing with only 13 mem-bers contributing this year from a Lodge membership of 365 or a 3.6 % participation rate. Noteworthy is that of the 13 donors 6 were new donors to ENF. Our total contribution of $4730 is due to the generosity of those individuals listed below. We have placed 3rd

th in our district of 12 Lodges and only 18th out of 99 Lodges statewide. This is an im-

provement over last year, but we should be doing much better. I sincerely hope that the 2018-2019 year will see us move up dramatically in both the district and the State.

Hopefully, we will see your name on this list in 2018-2019 and with any luck we will need two pages to list all our do-nors.

Honorary Founder $1000+ Dennis Igoe, Carol Neilson, Sandra Madey

Distinguished Member $500+

Participating Member $100+ Judy Hopkins, John Hoos, Leroy Lippmann, PDD, Keith McGovern, Del Merden, Robert Solomon, Charlie Stinson, Larry Walworth, Lee Wilbur, PER

Friend $1+ Ann McDonald

In March we held a fundraiser dinner for ENF and I wish to thank everyone that attended, and especially those who took this opportunity to make their contribution to ENF. I also thank my wife, Heike and her helpers for organizing the event.

Thank you for your continued support of the Elks National Foundation and your Lodge.

Lee Wilbur, PER, ENF Chair

Join us for some fun and games!

Will continue on the 4th Thurs-day of every month!

BRING A TEAM OR JOIN A TABLE

* MOVIES * MUSIC * CELEBRATIES * GEOGRAPHY

…and many more!

DINNER 5-7 PM

TRIVIA AT 7 PM

SHRIMP OR CHICKEN FINGER BASKETS

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION 239-283-4388 GPI ELKS Lodge Members enjoying the Picnic at Rotonda Lodge # 2710 on February 18.

Proud Winner of the Army of Hope Fundraiser Gift Basket

Lodge Events

Installation of Officers 2018 - 2019

Left to right: ER Judy Hopkins, Leading Knight Ed Wisniefski, Loyal Knight Doug Betterley, Lecturing Knight Joseph Kosty, Secretary Donna Yorkston, Treasurer Lee Wilbur, 4 Year Trustee Bob Hoogstra, 5 Year Trustee Fred Hopkins ; Tiler Connie Smith, Inner Guard Jay Lingwall, Chaplain John Hoos. Not in picture: Esquire Debbie Stinson, Trustees Lee Lemay, George Yorkston, Charlie Stinson.

$100 BILL

PLUS

50 $1.00 FLORIDA SCRATCHERS

WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS

BOB HOOGSTRA

Don’t miss your chance to be the

winner of the next drawing!

Tickets are $5 each.

2017 - 2018 Awards

An awards ceremony was held by the outgoing ER George Smith, PER during the volunteer ap-preciation dinner on March 29 to recognize outstanding service by individual members to Elkdom and the Greater Pine Island Lodge. Congratulations to the Winners!

Jay Lingwall, Officer of the Year Denise Hoogstra, Elk of the Year

Bob Gordon, Citizen of the Year

Leeroy Lippmann PDD, expressing his appreciation

for the work of the GPI Elks Lodge

volunteers.

Remember we are still

collecting

MANUFACTURER’S

COUPONS

Any questions?

Please see or call,

Beverley Henderson,

239-283-1983.

THANK YOU PIE PlAYERS AND PRODUCERS, JIM AND SANDRA FLANDERS

2018 - 2019 CHARITABLE TRUST FUND DRIVE

Through our donors, past and present, Lodge 2781 is able to meet the Lodge's community charitable activities commit-ment. As we all know, giving a helping hand is what the Elks are all about!

We are waiting to fill this list with the names of generous donors in our fiscal year 2018/2019. We appreciate your sup-port.

Patron Loyal Elks Patron

Elks Patron Exhalted Ruler Circle

Please find more information on how to give to the Charitable Trust Fund on the coupon below. Your donation is 100% tax deductible.

____Patron Less than $100 ____Loyal Elks Patron $500 - $999 ____Elks Patron $100 - $499 ____Exalted Rulers Circle $1,000 or more Make check payable to: GREATER PINE ISLAND ELKS CHARITABLE TRUST, INC. Please print your name (s) as you would like it to appear in all correspondence. NAME____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________ CITY______________________________STATE_________________ZIP_____________ PHONE________________________E-MAIL_____________________________________ ________I would like my gift to remain anonymous. Send your donation to GREATER PINE ISLAND ELKS CHARITABLE TRUST, INC., PO BOX 248, ST. JAMES CITY, FL 33956 or call us at 239-283-4388.

ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION

Donate to ENF There are several ways to make donations. Contact our Chairman, Lee Wilbur, PER for more details at 239-940-4341 or lcwilbur@t-online.de. Pick-up a brochure, which explains more about this program, at the lodge or use this form to donate. You can also donate online: https://enf.elks.org/donate

April 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Easter Sunday

2 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

3

Civic Associa-tion

4

Pizza & Wings

5 6

Home cooked Dinner

7

8 9 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

10 Lodge Meeting/

Initiation 7:00PM

Lounge opens at 5:30p

11

Pizza & Wings

12 13

Home cooked Dinner

14

15 16 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

17

Orientation 6PM

18

Pizza & Wings

19 Matlacha Yacht

Club 5PM

20

Home cooked Dinner

21

22 23 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

24 Lodge Meeting

7:00PM Lounge opens at

5:30p

25

Pizza & Wings

26

Trivia Night

27

Captain’s Meet-ing 5PM

28 Fishing Tourna-

ment 7AM Fish Fry 5PM

29 30 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

Lounge open: Mon, Wed, Fri 5PM till close, dinner served 5PM-7PM

Check emails for updates, changes and Friday night menues!

May 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Civic Associa-tion

2

Pizza & Wings

3 4

Home cooked Dinner

5 Kentucky Der-by/Cinco de

Mayo

6 7 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

8 Lodge Meeting

7:00P Lounge opens at

5:30p

9

Pizza & Wings

10 11

Home cooked Dinner

12

13 Mother’s Day Ritual & Brunch

11AM

14 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

15

Orientation 6PM

16

Pizza & Wings

17 Matlacha Yacht

Club 5PM

18

Home cooked Dinner

19

Armed Forces Day

20 21 Spaghetti Din-ner or Shrimp

Salad

22 Lodge Meeting

7:00P Lounge opens at

5:30p

23

Pizza & Wings

24

Trivia Night

25

Home cooked Dinner

26

27 28

Memorial Day

Lodge closed!

29 30

Pizza & Wings

31

PO BOX 248 ST JAMES CITY FL 33956 PHONE: 239-283-4388

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #22 PINELAND FL

33945

OR CURRENT RESIDENT

Events planned at the Elks. Put them on your calendar so you don’t miss!

Apr 26 Trivia Night Apr 28 Fishing Tournament May 5 Kentucky Derby/Cinco de Mayo May 13 Mother’s Day Ritual & Brunch May 24 Trivia Night June 14 Flag Day

As more events are scheduled, listings will be up-dated.

ELKHORNE BOOSTERS

The Boosters support the Elkhorne publication at $12 per person per year. If there is an asterix next to your name, it is time to renew. If you wish to mail your donation please use the form provided in this publication. Your support is genuinely appreciated.

*Last Month on List

Follow the Florida State Elks Associ-ation on Facebook to see what is going on in other lodges across the state:

https://www.facebook.com/floridaelks

Dick & Marcia Foley 4/18* Dick & Marianne Thomas 10/18

Marjorie & Larry Johnson 4/18* Fred & Judy Hopkins 11/18

Delmar & Margaret Crane 4/18* Thomas White 11/18

Elaine Doherty 4/18* Kathryn Thompson 11/18

Ben & Sandra Madey 5/18* Fred & Bonnie Damerow 12/18

Paul & Mary Higgins 5/18* George & Marcie Smith 12/18

Leroy & Lene Lippmann 5/18* Mayme Dembecki 01/19

George & Cindy Spyrnal 5/18* Gerard & Patricia Barnhart 03/19

Terry & Bonnie Kozanecki 7/18 Lloyd & Duree Evans 03/19

Ed Snyder 8/18