Asheville Elks Lodge Support Coach’s Quest

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Asheville Elks Lodge #608 has supported “Coach’s Quest” for the past two years and will continue to do so in the future. We recently held a golf tournament fund raiser to help support this great cause.coaches_quest

Coach’s Quest is a non-profit (501 c 3) youth mentoring organization aiming to impact young lives with beneficial social guidance, positive relationship development and high-quality activities that channel student’s intellect and talent in a basketball, golf and fitness centered environment. Founder Coach Robert Hutchison started mentoring and personally training students more than 20 years ago.

Coach’s Quest strives to empower all participants to believe in themselves, to respect self and others as well as to enlighten them on opportunities life has to offer. Also, uplifting the students catagorized as at-risk with information and activities to change their mindset and environment. An informal basketball, golf and fitness environment is used to form meaningful relationships to foster guidance, motivation and self-esteem. Coach’s Quest will provide a high level basketball, golf and wellness training to help our youth fulfill their dreams.

We work closely with schools, churches and recreation centers to contribute to the services of aiding our youth.

Learn more about Coach’s Quest by visiting their website at www.coachsquest.org.

Hoop Shoot 2015

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HOOP SHOOT may not be the crown jewel in Elkdom, but it is certainly a jewel that hoopShootwe as Elks can be very proud of. The beauty of the program is that the participants need not be the best athletes in order to become a champion. With a lot of practice and a bit of good luck, a youngster possibly could have their name permanently inscribed on a plaque in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. That is the ultimate prize in the Hoop Shoot Program, which happens for the six national champions each year. For the many thousands of participants not making it to the national finals, they too are rewarded. Parents have said that the competition is a character building experience by learning the value of respect and good sportsmanship. The kids also learn about setting goals and working to achieve that goal. Parents and participants love the opportunity to meet new friends that is afforded through the program. To learn more about this wonderful opportunity for kids, and to read testimonials from the kids and parents alike, log on to www.elks.org/hoopshoot.

The Elks Hoop Shoot is open to all boys and girls, ages 8-13. Contestants will be assigned an age group based on the age that they will be on April 1, 2015. A contestant must be 8 years old by April 1, 2015 to be eligible. A contestant turning 14 on or before April 1, 2015 is too old and not eligible. There is a boys and girls division with three age categories in each division.  Those age categories are: 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

This year marks the 43rd annual Hoop Shoot contest and all lodges in North Carolina are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. It is very easy to do and much fun to conduct. You can put the Elks out in front of many prospective members by taking advantage of this program. Your lodge could be the sponsor of one of the national Hoop Shoot champions.

NC Division of Veterans Affairs Thanks Elks Associations

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North Carolina
Department of Administration

Pat McCrory, Governor           Bill Daughtridge, Jr., Secretary
Date May 6, 2014 Contact Chris Mears, Public Information Officer
Release Immediate Phone xxx-xxx-xxxx

North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs Thanks Elks Associations for Supporting NC Veterans

RALEIGH – May 6, 2014

Ilario Pantano, Director of the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA), was the keynote speaker for the NC State Elks Association Spring Convention on May 3 in Asheville, NC. There, he expressed thanks on behalf of the NCDVA to the national, state and local Elks Associations (the Elks) for their partnership and continued support of veteran residents at NC State Veterans Homes.

“The Elks have taken the initiative to ensure that our most vulnerable senior veterans are provided-for in a way that should make all North Carolinians proud,” said Pantano. “From adopting veterans during the Christmas season to providing televisions and travel buses, the generosity of the Elks is heartwarming.  Their continuous day-to-day support and interaction with our veterans is incredibly valuable and ensures that our heroes are not forgotten.”

In 1917, the Protective and Benevolent Order of the Elks dedicated themselves to serving veterans by building the first veteran hospital in support of the war efforts of WWI.  This support has continued both domestically and internationally with each US war and conflict. Their veteran outreach effort continues today in North Carolina as the Elks have donated countless volunteer hours and over half-a-million dollars in resources towards NCDVA’s NC State Veterans Homes.

“Every year, throughout the year, the Elks are one of the greatest supporters of our Veterans,” said James Woodard, Vietnam Veteran and Supervisor of the NC State Veterans Home Program. “For more than 12 years, the Elks have graciously included provisions for each State Veterans Home in their annual budgets. In addition, they have spent numerous hours visiting our veteran residents – listening to the heroic stories of service and survival, laughing, and crying.”

The NC State Veterans Homes are located in Black Mountain, Salisbury, Fayetteville and Kinston. Some homes have received a 5-star rating by US News & World Report.

Ritual and Protocol News

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The great State of North Carolina has not had a certified Ritual Judge for several years.  This means if any of our prospective Ritual Teams wish to compete at the State or Grand Lodge level we would have to bring in judges from another State or have the team travel to another State to be judged.  On January 17 2015 hopefully that will change!  Our Area 3 Ritual Chairman Mr. Doug Jones has agreed to travel to the Greensboro Lodge to put on a one day Ritual training clinic.  The clinic will be open to past judges or Past Exalted Rulers.  Current ER’s are invited to participate but they will not receive their credentials until they become a PER.  If you have team that would like to perform at this clinic please let me know as we will need a demonstration team for proper judging.  For more information please contact John Lawrence.

Also there will be an Eleven O’clock Toast contest at the Spring Convention in Wilmington.  There will again be two divisions, one for current ER’s and one open division for anyone else wishing to compete.

Fraternally,
John Lawrence
State Ritual Chairman
703 973-0069 cell
252 637-3009 home
jpadlawrence@yahoo.com

Veternan’s Picnic

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On June 28, 2014, the Wilmington Elks Lodge #532 donated the use of their lodge to the Vietnam Veterans of America to hold their Agent Orange Town Hall Meeting. A plaque was presented to the Elks Lodge from the Veterans to show their appreciation. Pictured on left, Mac McDonald, President of the Veterans of America, presenting a Plaque to David Greiner and Joe Pettet of the Wilmington lodge to show their appreciation for the use of the Elks Lodge.

Group Picture on the right shows (left to right) Exalted Ruler David Greiner, Mac McDonald President of Vietnam Veterans of America Committee, Beverly Cimino Service to Veterans in Wilmington, Ilario Pantano NC Director of Veterans Affairs, Seated Jamie Clontz Veteran. Joe Pettet Veterans Committee Chairman behind Camera!

 

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Biography of Teddy G. Action – NCSEA President

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Biography of
Teddy G. Acton
North Carolina Elks State President
2014-2015

Teddy Glenn Acton was born in Evansville, Indiana, the fourth of June 1942, the son of Blanch and Harlan (Bob) Acton. Teddy attended public school in a two room school house in the country which had two teachers for all eight grades. When in the fifth grade he transferred to a Catholic grade school (Saint Agnus) and after grade school attended Mater Dei Catholic High School in Evansville, Indiana.

Upon graduation in 1961 he joined the United States Air Force. Teddy served eight years in the USAF during the Vietnam era assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) serving as a Air Policeman and received two honorable discharges in 1969. After leaving the Air Force he joined the Washington, DC (District of Columbia) police Department where he worked for over 21 years serving mostly as a Detective. During those years he continued his education and received an Associates Degree in the Administration of Justice from American University in Washington, D.C. He received over fifty meritorious awards for outstanding police work during his career and  retired with honors from the department in January of 1990.

After retiring from the police department, Teddy was appointed a judgeship as a Magistrate for the 17th Judicial District of the great State of Virginia serving the counties of Arlington and Fairfax for two years after which he moved to Sunset Beach North Carolina.

He soon met, fell in love, and married his wife Vickie. They now have six children and are blessed to have eight grandchildren. He continued to work as Director of Security at a large mall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for five years and after that worked for the town of Sunset Beach in public works as the supervisor of Beach Code Enforcement Officers, a first medical responder, water rescue personnel, and volunteer fire fighter for another seven years.

He joined Calabash Elks Lodge #2679 in 1990 where he instantly became active working on many committees such as the Entertainment committee; the House Committee; Hoop Shoot; Christmas Party; the Halloween Party; and  also wrote, directed and acted in two dinner mystery theaters which were performed and sold out many times in the lodge. He became an Officer in 1992 being elected to Lecturing Knight. He continued serving the lodge through the years and was elected Exalted Ruler three times, first 2003-2004, then 2008-2009, and again 2011-2012. He lead his lodge to compete in the State Ritual contest two times while he was Exalted Ruler. He won the Exalted Ruler of the Year Award twice while he was Exalted Ruler. His lodge recognized his outstanding service and awarded him “Elk of the Year”.

He served as State Tiler 2006-2007. He served as Vice President for the East District 2010-2011; Esquire to the District Deputy 2011-2012; and then as District Deputy 2012-2013. He was elected to the position of President-elect for the NC State Elks Association 2012-2013 and was installed as President of the NCSEA in May for 2014-2015.

He has been a dedicated public servant most of his adult life and Teddy believes in a positive attitude, team work, and closing the gap between where we are and where we want to be. He believes we need to stress what we can do—not what we can’t do and just “be the Elk we know we should be.”

North Carolina Elks State Presidents Message #3

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The Fall Convention of the North Carolina State Elks Association took place at the High Point Plaza Hotel-Conference Center October 24-26, 2014 in High Point, NC. We were very honored to have in attendance at this convention our Grand Exalted Ruler John D. Amen and wife Marcia from Denver, Colorado. Also in attendance were our State Sponsor Arthur “Jack” Frost and wife Sharon along with the Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler John Boyd and wife Ann, and Grand Lodge Committeeman Ashley Buckwell and Linda Whisnant.

Our team of State Representatives met the GER and wife Marcia at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, NC on Thursday October 23, 2014 at 2 pm and they were driven by limousine to the hotel in High Point. At 6 pm we entertained approximately 40 invited Elks in our suite at the State Presidents social where the GER and wife were the honored guest. This was followed by a VIP dinner at 7 pm in the hotel.

On Friday, October 24, 2014 the day started with a VIP breakfast at the hotel at 7:15 am.  Meetings of the state Charitable Trust started at 8:30 am, followed by the Past State Presidents Advisory Board meeting, and the NCSEA Trustee meeting. Much state business was handled ending at noon. My afternoon consisted of other private meetings and preparing for the evening events. While these business meetings were being conducted our State First Lady, Vickie Acton, escorted the VIP Ladies to Childress Winery for a tour and lunch. Later, at 6 pm, we entertained approximately 60 invited Elks in our suite for the Advisory Board Social followed by the Advisory Board Dinner at 7 pm

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 the day began with a VIP breakfast at 7:15 am and was followed by the NCSEA Fall Business session which I called to order at 9 am. The agenda contained two guest speakers, one a High Point City Councilman, and current Elk member, who welcomed our organization to the city, and the other a young lady camper from Camp Carefree, one of our State major projects. Both speakers were very motivational. They were followed by reports from our State officers and 27 State committee chairmen. I conducted unfinished business, new business, and good of the order. Dignitaries were allowed time for remarks and a very motivating talk was given by our Grand Exalted Ruler John Amen. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:15 pm  followed by a inspirational memorial service conducted by Salisbury Lodge #699. This was all followed by a business luncheon and several other private meetings. At 6 pm we entertained the dignitaries in our suite and they were treated to dinner that evening at 7 pm. After dinner all district hospitality rooms and dance were attended by all.

On Sunday, October 26, 2014, everyone was invited to attend the Past Exalted Ruler member guest breakfast at 8:30. The PER’s held their meeting and I reconvened the NCSEA meeting. The Grand Exalted Ruler and wife Marcia were presented gifts and gave farewell speeches. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10 am.

I am sure you can see that your state President and First Lady are kept very busy preparing, escorting, and entertaining the dignitaries and taking care of business, but we had an outstanding time and are proud you have given us this opportunity. Please make plans to join us at the Spring Convention to be held next May 1-3, 2015 in Wilmington, NC

Fraternally,
Teddy G. Acton
NCSEA-President

 

2014-2015 Local Lodge Website Contest

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The NCSEA Public Relations Committee held its first Local Lodge Website Contest this year.Seven Lodges submitted applications for the contest and after the judging Greensboro #602 and Calabash #2679 were tied for first place. Both Lodges will have their websites entered in the Grand Lodge Local Lodge Website Contest. Lodges judged at the Grand Lodge level will receive from one to five stars. Winners will be announced next spring.

Ashley Buckwell
PR Committee Chairman

calabashWeb         greensboroWeb