Greater Pine Island Elks Lodge #2781 5630 Pine Island Road

Bokeelia, FL 33922

The Elkhorne

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 10 LODGE 239-283-4388 DECEMBER 2017

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF FELLOWSHIP AND SMOKE FREE AIR

EXALTED RULER’S CORNER

The holidays are here and the lodge is in a constant flurry of activity. I hope you partici-pated in and have enjoyed recent events.

Veterans Day was a huge success, golf tournament was beyond my wildest dreams. More sponsors and players than ever thanks to the outstanding efforts of the golf outing committee. Too many names to publish....thanks to all. All proceeds go to the Greater Pine Island Charitable Trust.

We are in need of funds for our building and all other (general) funds concerning this Lodge. It is critical for us to raise these funds. In a review of last year’s financial results the Grand Lodge wrote us up for our low club gross margin of 51%. The house commit-

tee was tasked with getting our drink prices in line with the Elks policy of a 35% cost of sales (COS) pricing structure. The prices which were put into effect in September represent our attempt to comply with that policy. However, we still fall short. Only the well drinks and bottled domestic beer meet the policy. On a total basis we miss the 35% goal by 5%. We hopefully will end the current year, which will benefit from 7 months of the in-crease, with a result which will compare much more favorably than last years 51%.

Please plan on attending our Memorial Service to our absent members, who will come no more, on Sunday, December 3. Our annual Christmas Party will be Saturday, December 16, serving a.$20 prime rib. Dinner and our New Years' Eve party is on December 31.

We will continue to have two meetings a month, the2nd Tuesday of the month will be business only and the 4th Tuesday initiation only. Social hour will be 5:00 - 6:30 for both meetings.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Fraternally yours,

George H. Smith, PER, Exalted Ruler

MEMBERSHIP

The following candidates have been proposed for membership:

Candidate Proposer

Lee Cortese Leroy Lippmann Jane Senst Sandy Madey Dennis Owiesny Judy Hopkins Thomas Lee Robert Solomon Jim Karr Joe Wipperfurth Frank Sedlarik Joe Wipperfurth

A Gift To A Child In Need This Holiday Season

The GPI Elks Lodge is a drop-off location for toys for

Pine Island’s needy children

of all ages.

The toys must be new, gift

wrapped, and labeled (boy or

girl, appropriate age). Toys

can be dropped off until De-

cember 18. For questions

please see Dennis Igoe.

HOUSE COMMITTEE

Bob Gordon 712-578-8747 Marilyn Grossmueller 908-403-4272 Beverly Henderson 283-1983 Denise Hoogstra 517-819-0339 Judy Hopkins 425-346-7226 Deanna Martell 822-5634 Ron Oja, Chairman 978-660-2997 Lee Wilbur, PER 940-4341 Donna Yorkston 443-562-8501

LODGE OFFICERS 2017-2018 Board of Directors:

Exalted Ruler George Smith, PER 312-531-5149 Leading Knight Ed Wisniefski 443-8674 Loyal Knight Robert Solomon 470-2759 Lecturing Knight Doug Betterley 732-740-5287 1 Yr. Trustee Lee Wilbur, PER 940-4341 2 Yr. Trustee Lee Lemay 603-479-2717 3 Yr. Trustee Wes Bishop 919-709-9952 4 Yr. Trustee George Yorkston 443-504-2251 5 Yr. Trustee Charlie Stinson 352-455-2502

Other Officers:

Secretary Judy Hopkins, 425-346-7226 Treasurer Bob Hoogstra, PER 989-1084 Esquire Debbie Stinson 352-455-2502 Chaplain John Hoos 283-3477 Inner Guard Jay Lingwall 573-239-0560 Tiler Mark Sheldon 518-742-6445 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

Exalted Ruler George Smith, PER 312-531-5149 Membership Robert Solomon 470-2759 Editor Heike Wilbur 319-7758 Publicity Judy Hopkins 425-346-7226

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.

If you want to receive only the

electronic copy of the

Elkhorne please send an

email to

pineislandelks@gmail.com, stating “Go Green” in

the subject line.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Accident Prevention Charlie Stinson Americanism Auditing Don Ware/Mike Wilson Community Activities Drug Awareness Carol 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 Major Projects (State) Jack Rovaldi Memorial Day National Foundation Lee Wilbur, PER Orientation Mike Chura 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!

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

Hi everyone! I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome back our part time residents! I look forward to seeing you again. Our Veterans Day affair on November 11 was a great success. We served dinner to approximately 85 people, of which 40 were Veterans. I feel compelled to thank all the volunteers for their various contributions to this affair. Jim Flanders for the wonderful tribute to our Veterans.

Cooks: Stan and Karen Chmielewski , Beverly Henderson, Deb Gordon Servers: Bob Gordon, George Yorkston 50/50 team: Ann Mcdonald and Sandy Madey

It is important to remember “Why we are Members”.

BECAUSE – We Elks are a nationwide community service organization of nearly a million American citi-zens. We love our Country and desire to preserve its cherished institutions, traditions and values. We respect our neighbors and constantly seek to promote their well-being. We love and enjoy life and be-lieve this enjoyment is increased by sharing it with family, friends and all with whom we come in contact.

As Elks, we may want to exercise “Brotherly Love” in this great and beautiful season.

If you need me, I can be reached at (239) 283-4388 or gpielks@outlook.com. Fred and I wish all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!!

Fraternally yours, Judy Hopkins, Secretary

QUARTER TUBES UPDATE

Tubes completed 11/12/2017:

10$ Veterans: Joe Kosty

10$ Harry-Anna Trust Fund: Ben Maddy

10$ ASLF: John Hoos

Remember, you find the quarter tubes on your way out of the Lodge. Pick a charity and donate your quarters. If you wish to have your own tube dedicated to the charity of your choice please contact Debbie Stinson.

GPI Elks participated in the Kiwanis sponsored Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat Halloween party for over 250 Pine Island children up to age 11, held at the PI Elementary school on October 27. The community event is about providing a safe place to receive candy and prizes as well as play games inside and outside with great supervision.

Lee Wilbur’s mother passed on October 25. Our thoughts and prayers are with Art and his family at this time.

Delmar Crane is going in to have a kidney removed on December 12, two months after this surgery he will have a heart valve replacement. Tiler Mark Shelton is having a total hip replacement.

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 425-346-7226.

BIRTHDAYS IN DECEMBER 01 Kathleen Foley, Anna Stober

02 Thomas Crum

06 Robert James, Robin Ramsey

08 James Kirk

09 David Tice

10 Harley Carter, Edward Hoover

11 Lawrence Johnson

12 Linda Brown, Jerry Fettig

15 William Rulien, Robert Solomon

18 Peter Arkenau, Wilson Harris, Michael Miceli, Edna Way, William Wise

19 James Lorah

20 Richard Morrison

21 Carl Jervis

22 Don Berg

23 Holly Welker

25 Patrick Cammisa, Ron Oja

26 Robert Luther, Vicki Stanford

28 Genevieve Turner

30 Lois Renko

31 Elaine Foss Doherty, Bob Hoogstra, PER

The Pine Island Elks

Lodge is a great place

to celebrate your

Birthday!

Contact the House Committee to arrange for your Birthday Celebration.

LEE’S ENF CORNER

The Elks National Foundation recently introduced a film series titled “The Future Looks Like…” featuring short profiles of all of the 20 top Most Valuable Students from 2017. From expressing their gratitude, to the Elks to sharing their college and career goals. these short films will make you feel good about your support, their passion and our future.

For Samantha Johnson, the future looks like a lifetime a service. “You don’t have to leave the country to find people who need help,” says Samantha, who comes from of small rural community in Illinois. “You can serve literally anywhere.”

Leul Dadi’s life began on an Ethiopian estate. His family relocated to a modest home in suburban Dallas and then to an inner-city apartment. He’s experienced the extremes of economic inequality. For Leul, the future looks like studying, understanding and ultimately addressing the issue.

To hear from the rest of the top 20 and to watch the series, visit enf.elks.org/TheFutureLooksLike.

For 2017-18, the Elks National Foundation allocated $2.89 million to fund the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, which includes 500 four-year ranging from $4,000 to $50,000. For more information about the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, including eligibility and deadlines, visit enf.elks.org/MVS.

Lee Wilbur, PER, ENF Chair

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE MESSAGES

Volunteers, treat them right!

Please remember, anyone you find working in the Lodge is a volunteer. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. It is impolite to be rude or disrespectful to them or to be impatient with those who donate their time to serve you. If you have any complaints, comments, or suggestions for improvement please direct them to the House Committee Chairman: Ron Oja at ronoja@verizon.net. Please also contact the House Committee if you want to volunteer your time.

In December we are planning our Christmas Party and New Year’s Eve for your enjoyment. Also, look forward to Heike’s fabulous Hungarian Goulash Dinner, made from scratch, simmered for 3 hours with all the right spic-es.

Elkhorne Booster

THANK YOU, SPONSORS OF OUR 22ND ANNUAL GPI ELKS GOLF TOURNAMENT!

ER George & Marcie Smith PDD Leroy and Lene Lippmann Fred and Judy Hopkins George and Donna Yorkston Charlie and Debbie Stinson Bob and Mary Jane Ritz Ben and Sandy Madey Ed Snyder Shevlin Team Stonegate Bank Low Key Tiki Bert’s Bar & Grill The Miraculous Medal Catholic Church Pine Island Pizza Bonnie and John Leavitt Dennis Igoe and Carol Neilsen Bob and Annie’s Boat Yard The Kessler Family

Don Ware Christine Karow Hair Design Ray and Wilma Desmarais Sun Country Homes Sun Country Realty Sprynal Wealth Management Experience Real Estate Don and Char Manusos John Hoos AC Joe Heating and Cooling Island Exchange Realty Knoll Court Matlacha Jay and Mary Johnson El Pollo Rico AJ Watson Surveying St James Automotive PER John and Janet Rovaldi All State Aluminum Matlacha Mariners

Matlacha Hookers Matlacha Yacht Club PER Joe Eisenberg Little Lilly’s Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Melville Brinson Dream Home Associates Miceli’s Restaurant Ultimate Home and Cooling LLC Sutton Insurance Jim Schivinski Engineering and Design PER Bob and Denise Hoogstra American Legion Ladies of the Elks Pine Island Plumbing

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

Business card size, $100 for one year

JOIN US FOR SUNDAY FOOTBALL GAMES

LODGE WILL OPEN 1PM - 5PM

EAT, DRINK AND WATCH FOOTBALL

Lodge Events

Join the players!

Texas Hold ‘em Mondays at 6PM

Sunday

Coming back January 14, 2018

On Sunday, December 3, 11AM the officers of our Lodge will conduct a half hour memorial service in honor of all our dearly de-parted members. Please plan to attend this beautiful cere-mony to honor our ABSENT MEMBERS. Light refresh-ments will be served to members and their families after the service.

Pictures from around the Lodge

Halloween Party

Veterans Day

SSW Florida District VP, Len Wenzel’s Visit

Serving a free Baked Ziti Dinner to our Veterans

Honoring our WWII Veterans Line-up of all our Veterans

2017 - 2018 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 2017/2018. We appreciate your sup-port.

Patron Loyal Elks Patron

Richard Thomas, Elsa DeWilde, Lois Renko

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

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

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

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PERMIT #22 PINELAND FL

33945

OR CURRENT RESIDENT

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

Dec. 3 Absent Members Memorial Dec. 16 Christmas Party Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Party

As more events are scheduled, listings will be updated.

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 publica-tion. Your support is genuinely appreciated.

*Last Month on List

Bobbi Reichle 2/18 Paul & Mary Higgins 5/18

Ben & Sandra Madey 5/18 Leroy & Lene Lippmann 5/18

Terry & Bonnie Kozanecki 7/18 George & Cindy Spyrnal 5/18

Thomas White 11/18 Ed Snyder 8/18

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 Kathryn Thompson 11/18

Elaine Doherty 4/18

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

https://www.facebook.com/floridaelks