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Written by Rose Goodrich, PER

On June 17, Dunedin/Clearwater Elks Lodge #1525 had its first visit to Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home since before the pandemic. They purchased, transported and cooked hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken, beans, potato salad, cookies, water and soda for 120 residents and 30 staff members as well as a few visiting guests. Due to illnesses, they only served approximately 75 people, but they donated all that was left to the nursing home for future use. 

Pictured in the back row are Jackie, Baldomero Lopez kitchen manager; Richard Leskovsky, PER; Peter Glushko, Loyal Knight; Al Iosa, member; Bill Huyett, Chaplain; and Donald Wooldridge, lodge volunteer. Pictured in the front row are Rose Goodrich, PER; Larry Miller, House Committee Chair; Helene Lewis, member; and Janice Brautigam, PER.

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Written by David McCranie, PER

In honor of DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 celebrating its 100th anniversary, the city of DeLand proclaimed June 23, 2023, as DeLand Elks Lodge #1463 Day. Pictured with the proclamation are Dick Reynolds, PER, 1972 Exalted Ruler; Scott Sandersfield, PER, 2023 Exalted Ruler; and city of DeLand Commissioner Kevin Reid.

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Written by Teresa Bird

On May 17, Punta Gorda Lodge and the Elkettes sponsored their annual Drug Awareness program for 107 fourth grade students at Sallie Jones Elementary School. The event including a video about drug awareness, a poster contest, bounce houses, football toss, corn hole and decorating a button. They were treated to a picnic lunch provided by the lodge, which was served by approximately 30 Elkettes and volunteers. Rewards of $25 gift certificates, provided by the lodge, were presented to the top three students for the poster contest, and all the students were given a bag of goodies from the Elkettes, including Drug Awareness materials, such as booklets, bookmarks and pencils. 

Pictured are Dianna Lurkens, Elkettes President, and Nancy Schilling, lodge event chair. Also pictured are students enjoying the event.

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Written by Carmen Rivera

On April 5, Orlando Elks Lodge #1079 donated $1,000 to Arriba El Son LLC, which was founded by member Carmen Rivera’s husband, Eduardo Rivera, a mailman and musician. Together they created the A.E.S. Art & Music Scholarship program, where children ages 5 to 17 submit an essay or art creation to compete for this scholarship. This year, 10 students were awarded lessons in the category of their choice — art, music, singing or acting. In addition to the lessons, the students received appropriate supplies. Art students received an art kit and easel, music students received instruments, and acting students received a makeup bag with a mirror and eye shadow kit. Crealdé School of Art in Winter Park, Florida, offers many classes, including watercolor, sketching, oil and more. The music students receiving lessons from East Orlando Music School must attend the first class in person so the instructors can tune the instrument and give instructions how to hold it correctly or adjust the straps. For summer acting classes at Magic Curtain, the location also has a theater and after the summer program, they put on a show for the community. Students then have the option to come to the studio or take the class online.  Arriba El Son LLC and the lodge believe in supporting the arts. On May 21, an event was held at the lodge for the recipients with a guest speaker and refreshments. The students and their families were extremely happy and grateful to receive their awards. Winners in the art category were Liam Martinez, kindergarten; Tiana Taylor, fifth grade and Xena Anoulhosn, fifth grade. Winners in the acting category were Drussie Dones, fourth grade; Eilyn Quezada, fifth grade; Victoria Febles; fifth grade; and Isabela Anderson, fifth grade. Winners in the music category were Carina Johnson, fourth grade, violin; Sophia Sanchez Rapazo, fourth grade, piano; and Hunter Hong, fourth grade, singing/guitar.

Pictured are the winners with Eduardo and Carmen Rivera. Carina Johnson was unable to attend but is pictured with her violin.

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Written by Diane Sharp

On May 12, Largo Elks Lodge #2159 participated in the national letter carrier food drive at the post office in Largo, Florida. The food drive is held on the second Saturday of May every year. Prior to the drive, the carriers deliver plastic bags to every residence in the country and their customers fill the bags and leave them at their mailboxes. The food is collected by letter carriers and is given to local food banks. This food drive is responsible for millions of pounds of food collected in a single day. Largo Lodge went one step further by paying to have the lodge name and address printed on the bags.

Pictured are members Alice Wallace, Linda Hamby, Paul Gallina, Carolyn Gallina, Bernadine Vehrs, Tom Krieger, Sandy Behm, Wayne Roberts, Georgia Greene, and Shirley Krieger; letter carrier Eric Short and his wife, Michelle; and Diane Sharp, Exalted Ruler.

Helping unload a truck with food donations collected by carriers are Lee Acosta, Carolyn Gallina, Joe Acosta, Georgia Green, Shirley Krieger, carrier Eric Short and Clyve Ferguson.

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On May 13, Sebring Lodge held its third annual fishing tournament on Lake Jackson behind the lodge. The Sebring Fire Department assisted in the event, as they do with many lodge events in the community. Twenty-five boats, at an entry fee of $135 per boat, left at sunrise and returned for the 1 p.m. weigh-in. There was a five-bass limit and Allison Rapp, lodge member, and her husband, Brian, did a very professional job sending the boats out in an orderly fashion and overseeing the weigh-in. The team of Virgil Lindsey and Dave Kisner won first place with 9.87 lbs. and received $1,000; the team of Zack Marine and Zack Taylor won second place with 9.67 lbs. and received $750; and Nicholas Gribbin and Ronnie and Michael Westcott won third place with 8.13 lbs. and received $500. The second place team also won $500 for the largest bass, 5.65 lbs. While the teams were fishing, guests at the lodge participated in a bake sale, enjoyed lunch, and were entertained by local artists Shannon Reed and Earl Mandrell. The event had many sponsors, including platinum level sponsors, Bowman Steel and Florida Lake Spa. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds were deposited in the lodge’s charity account and 75% will be used toward needed repairs and upgrades for the lodge. While many of the volunteers who helped put on this tournament are not lodge members, it is a wonderful example of how Sebring Lodge partners with their community. The lodge also gained several new members from this event. 

Pictured from the Sebring Fire Department are Eric Thompson, Steven Dunn, Nicole Beard and Captain Chad Marley.

Also pictured are some of the boats in Lake Jackson.