The Hickory, NC Elks Lodge helped host a Military Spouses Appreciation Ball for the Black Mountain Veterans Home in Black Mountain, NC on May 12th. The Veterans Committee provided the entertainment.
Pictured below:
Samantha Bowman, Veterans Committee Chairperson; Linda Brinson, Activities Director NC State Veterans Home; Cary Bowman, Exalted Ruler (President); Gill Kanupp, Lodge Member; Mike Caldwell.
Cary and Samantha Bowman presented a check for $250 to Operation Battle Horse on behalf of The Hickory Elks Lodge #1654 Veterans Committee to be a sponsor of
Walk With Me Farms upcoming Poker Run/Vet Ride to raise money for Veterans Recovery therapy programs. The ride is June 24th.
“Ronan”, the horse is a rescue and was scheduled for slaughter and this organization saved him, trained him and now he’s one of their best therapy horses.
Pictured Jennifer Bandy, Program Director; Elks Veterans Committee Chair Samantha Bowman; ER, Cary Bowman; “Ronan” the horse; Mykela Lofendo and Elizabeth Wise with Walk With Me Farms.
The Hickory Elks Lodge Veterans Committee presented a “Welcome Home Kit” to Marine Veteran Johnny Damewoods.
Pictured on left is Marine Veteran, Johnny Damewoods with pup Monkey and Elks Lodge member Blake “ Bee” Watts.
Congratulations to Robert Brisben of the Hickory, North Carolina Elks Lodge, #1654.
Mr. Brisben was presented an award at the State Convention held in Asheville in May for “Exalted Ruler of the Year for North Carolina” and for “Exulted Ruler for Western North Carolina” 2022-2023.
Sanford Elks #1679 lodge meeting on April 12, 2023 was truly a historical moment. Chanda Coomer was installed as the 2023-2024 Exalted Ruler. Chanda is the first female Exalted Ruler to ever be elected at the Sanford Elks Lodge. Chanda was initiated into our lodge on August 27, 2014 and has always been a very active member. She has held the positions of Lodge Esquire, Lecturing Knight, Loyal Knight and Leading Knight. She has chaired several committees and is responsible for the weekly news blast that started this year.
Women of the Sanford Elks – A little history lesson – The Elks in the United States began as a men’s only lodge. That was actually well laid out in our statutes.
In the “olden days” women were only allowed inside the building for special occasions. The back room off of the kitchen is the room that was used for that purpose, and is still known today as the “Ladies Lounge.”
There was, in fact, a side organization called Elks Ladies Auxiliary that was made up of wives of members who would meet to help the lodge. The truth is, back in those days, the ladies helped by cooking meals.
It was in July of 1995 at the Grand Lodge convention in New Orleans that the national organization introduced a resolution that would change the statutes from “any male US citizen” to “any US citizen” could join the Elks. That paved the way for the future allowing women to join the Elks. At this convention though, the Sanford Elks lodge cast a “no” vote.
For the following 16 years, the Sanford Lodge remained a men’s only lodge and did not adopt the resolution. However, an application did follow. June Gunter applied to be a member of our lodge. Her application was voted down, however at her request, it would remain active and be revisited in the following years.
In 2011 people and times changed. It was decided the time had come to move forward and expand our local membership to include both men and women. At this same time, more lodges in North Carolina were doing the same thing. In December of that year, our ER – Kevin Cleary, announced we would be reading applications from women. June Gunter’s application was read out the following month and on January 25th, 2012 she was elected as a member of our Lodge. On February 22nd 2012 she became the first lady member of the Sanford Elks Lodge 1679. To date, more than 130 other ladies have followed.
Our first lady officer was Karen Rojas. Karen first served as Esquire, then followed the path to be our Lecturing Knight, the Loyal Knight. After Karen, it was Nash Atkins who served as our Esquire. Chanda Coomer, later became Lodge Esquire which started her path to become our first lady Exalted Ruler.
In addition to these successful prominent ladies, we have had countless women members who have served as chairpersons and committee members in what has become our present day lodge.
Mike McGraw, PER
Sanford Elks #1679 Lodge Historian
Front row: Tom Liddy, Chris Setzer, Chanda Coomer, Randall Mattingly, Alex Voytik
Back row: Addison Johnson, Steve Johnson, Brandon Craig, Kym Smith, Jonathan Hackett, Mahayla Coomer, Joe Clancy, Scott Pace
The annual Hickory Elks Lodge Americanism Awards and Recognition Ceremony recognizing area students, city and state employees, and military veterans was held on Saturday, February 4th 2023. This event, sponsored by the Lodge’s Americanism Committee, honored a select few in our community who have demonstrated love of country and community through their actions, deeds, and selfless service. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) with over 2000 lodges promotes the concepts of Americanism and patriotism and is nationally recognized for its support of military veterans. Celebrating the 155th anniversary of BPOE, this year’s awards and recognition ceremony served to highlight the purpose and mission of Hickory Elks and Elks nationwide.
Honorees in Saturday’s ceremony included 5th, 7th, and 8th grade school students who participated in the Hickory Lodge’s annual Americanism Essay Contest, a national event sponsored by the BPOE national headquarters in Chicago. This year’s essay theme was, “What Is Your American Dream?”. Over 100 essays were submitted by students fromJenkins Elementary as well as Northview and Grandview Middle Schools. Each essay was judged by criteria established by the national headquarters of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Chicago. Winners in Division I which features students in the 5th grade were Genevieve Melon – First Place (Jenkins); Alexi Willis – Second Place (Jenkins); and Avery Hawley-Third Place (Jenkins). There were noessays submitted by 6th grade Division II students. The winners in Division III featuring students in the 7th grade were Jebediah Joyner-First Place (Northview); Elisa Perez Reynoso-Second Place (Northview); and Ignacio Juarez-Third Place (Northview). Finally, winners in Division IV, 8th grade students were Sam Bridges – First Place (Grandview); Demaris Estala-Saesee – Second Place (Grandview); and Aliyah Swinton – Third Place (Northview). Each of the winners received a commemorative plaque and cash award. Winning essays will be submitted to the North Carolina Elks West District essay judges for district and state wining essays in each of the divisions.
The February ceremony also recognized the 2023 exceptional services of Hickory Firefighter Russell Kruse, Hickory Master Police Officer
Chris Berry, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Master Trooper Zach Beam, of Troop F, District 5. Each were nominated by their respective departments based on their exemplary job performance and service to their community. Commemorative plaques and cash awards were presented to each honoree. Assisting in the presentations werespeeches and commentaries by Battalion Chief Matt Hutchinson, Hickory Fire Department; Chief Reed Baer, Hickory Police Department; and First Sergeant Bobby Lineberger, N.C. State Highway Patrol, Troop F, District 5.
Respecting our nation’s military, five military veterans, each representing one of the 4 military branches and the U.S. Coast Guard, were recognized as the Hickory Elks Exceptional Military ServicePersons of the Year. Each of the five awardees was selected by five of the area’s high school JROTC programs, Fred T. Foard (US Army JROTC), RS Central (US Marine Corps JROTC), St. Stephens (US Navy JROTC), Maiden (US Airforce), and Newton Conover (US Coast Guard). Selection was based on each veteran’s exemplary service consistent with the tenets of Duty – Honor – Country as described by General Douglas MacArthur in his 1962 speech at West Point to the Corps of Cadets. The U.S. Army recipient selected by Army cadets ofFred T. Foard High School was First Sergeant Dale Sloan. The U.S. Navy recipient selected by Navy cadets from St. Stephens High School was Senior Chief Shawn Shepard. The U.S. Marine Corps’ honoree selected by Marine Corps cadets of RS Central High School in Rutherfordton was Master Sergeant David Hernandez. Technical Sergeant Adam Anthony Hein, U.S. Air Force, was selected by the Air Force cadets of Maiden High School. And finally, the Navy cadets at Newton Conover High School selected Chief Petty Officer Andrew Rupp, an active duty member of the U.S. Coast Guard as this year’s exceptional Coast Guardsman. Each recipient received a commemorative plaque and cash award. Assisting in the presentationswere Army Cadet Captain Claudia Goodykoonz, Fred T. Foard; Navy Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class Yadria Cruz, St. Stephens High School; Marine Corps Cadet Staff 2nd Lieutenant Harlee Southerland, RS Central High School; Air Force Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Cathrine Hentschel, Maiden High School; and Navy Cadet Lieutenant Commander Harlan Sterling, Newton Conover High School.
A joint military service color guard consisting of JROTC cadets from each of the participating high schools opened the ceremony with the presentation of colors.
Hoops Shoot Journey
Meet Callie Stich
Our local finalist at the Elks 2023 Hoop Shoot National Finals will take place at Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky and DePaul’s Blue Demons., Chicago.
Congratulations to Callie!
The Elks sponsored Hoop Shoot is a 50-year-old free throw program for youth ages 8-13. This program is free to all participants and provides an opportunity to compete, connect and succeed through hard work and competition. Participants are divided by age and compete with their peers shooting basketball hoops. A wonderful program, shaping our youth today! Win or lose, a great time had by all!
Winners move on from local competition at Pinecrest High School to Regional competition in Roxboro, NC, then to NC Finals in Greensboro, NC. From there they compete at the National regionals which were held in Charlottesville, VA. Those winners are moving on to the National Championship competition in Chicago, Ill. Callie has competed successfully in each competition and is now on her way, representing Southern Pines Elks Lodge 1692! Quite a journey for Callie who came through and delivered, now on her way to Chicago, IL!
Best sWishes: Friends, family, community members, classmates and Lodge members can send good luck wishes to your Finalist! Visit the Best Swishes page
(https://www.elks.org/hoopshoot/greetings.cfm) to send a message! Please Complete by Monday, April 10, 2023
Callie’s Elk’s Hoop Shoot Journey!
-Pinecrest High School contest, local Elks Lodge 1692 hoop shoot Southern Pines, NC
-Roxboro, NC (Regional)
– Greensboro, NC (NC Finals)
– Charlottsville, VA (National Regionals)
GRAND LODGE CONVENTION INFORMATION SHEET – 2023
NOTE: Reservation Packet can be found in the members only section under Forms and Guidlines.
The 2023 Grand Lodge Convention will be held in Minneapolis, MN July 2-5, 2023
The North Carolina delegation will be staying at the Hilton Minneapolis Hotel, 1001 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403. The Hilton Minneapolis Hotel is the Headquarters hotel for this convention. The Grand Lodge personnel and the South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Oregon Elks are also scheduled to stay in the same hotel. The hotel is connected to the Minneapolis Convention Center by a skyway, so we can walk to the Convention.
Room rate for Single, Double, Triple and Quad occupancy will be $121.00 per night plus tax, currently 14.025%. The rates will also apply to those who wish to stay three (3) days before and/or after the convention if requested on the reservation form and if rooms are available. Late check outs will be determined by the hotel’s room availability for the following day and cannot be guaranteed at this time. If you would like a “late checkout” on Wednesday, July 5th, please request it on the reservation form. Room reservations must be canceled 48 hours prior to arrival to avoid a cancelation fee. THE HOTEL HAS ADVISED THAT NO KING SIZE BEDS WILL BE AVAILABLE!!! Handicapped rooms are available and must be requested on the reservation form. This is a smoke free hotel. Valet parking ($49 per day) and self-parking ($25 per day) are available. Parking is owned & operated by the City of Minneapolis, and no discounts apply. The hotel does not provide shuttle service between Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport and the hotel. Uber/Lyft is the best option. Amenities include Wi-Fi; a fitness center and an indoor pool; the Ten 01 Market for grab and go and the Ten 01 Social restaurant for breakfast for dinner and drinks.
District Deputy designates must submit a reservation form to me even though their room will be paid for by Grand Lodge. ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE STATE HOUSING CHAIRMAN (Michael Curran) AND ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MAY 24, 2023.
The Sunday Opening Ceremony and the Daily Business sessions will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55403. The Opening Ceremony will be from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 2nd. The Business Sessions will begin at 8:00 AM and will end around noon on Monday & Tuesday and around 11:00 AM on Wednesday. Registration, Ritual Competition and Exhibits will also be at the Minneapolis Convention Center. You must be registered to attend the Opening Ceremony, the daily Business Sessions and the Ritual Competition.
In order to improve assistance to handicapped members/guests at the convention and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will those that need transportation and/or wheelchair assistance while attending the convention let me know ASAP so that I can pass that information on to Grand Lodge. Please include that information on your reservation form.
The State President will make available the location and operating hours of the North Carolina State Elks Association Hospitality Suite and where to send your donations.
