Farmington Lodge News

Exalted Ruler's Message

Brothers and Sisters in Elkdom:

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since I was installed as the Exalted Ruler of your Lodge.  Together we have accomplished a lot and because of the work you have all done I think we are a better Lodge.

I want to thank those of you who worked to make the 40th anniversary party such a success.  Thanks also go to those of you who attended.  We had around 80 people at the party and it was wonderful seeing everyone having such a great time.  We were able to give recognition that was long overdue to our honored guests John and Ruby Allen.  Of course our guest speaker Sheridan Smith added so much to the evening.  It was fun listening to all the stories of how the Farmington Lodge got started.  Thank you Sheridan.

The following weekend we were honored to have our State President Mike Powers and his wife Freddy visit the Lodge.  Once again we had a great crowd attend the evening.  Thanks to Tim the food was great as always.  The entertainment provided by Bing and Nancy Crosby was perfect for the evening.  I want to thank Claris and Roberta Ranger for advising me and helping me with every detail.  I think everyone had a good time.

On March 26th at 7:15 p.m. we will have our installation of officers.  This is a Friday evening so the kitchen will be open as usual from 4 to 7.  After the installation in the Lodge room we will honor our Elk of the Year as well as other members for their hard work during this past year in the Lounge area.  Dreamin' Big will play this evening too so make sure to mark this date on your calendar.  I would love to have as many of you as possible to attend and help me honor those who have worked so hard to make the lodge what it is today.  

We accomplished much this year - let's keep the momentum going.

Yours in Elkdom       

Claudette Merchant, ER  

Incoming ER's Message

Congratulations to Claudette and her Officers for a great year.  The teamwork and success of this year gives real meaning to “Elks Care - Elks Share” motto of our G.E.R.  I am looking forward to serving the Lodge again as your Exalted Ruler.

Everyone working together can make 2010 and 2011 another great year for our Lodge.

Thank you to the nominated and appointed Officers.  Three new people have stepped up to take an office - Lloyd Leeman as Esteemed Leading Knight, Robert “Peachy” Oliver as Esteemed Loyal Knight and Duane “Kip” Clark as Inner Guard.  Other officers are Lynda Haskell as Treasurer, Tim Merchant as Secretary, Gerry Gilman as Esquire, Roberta Ranger as Chaplain and David Fronk as Tyler. Joining Les Gatchell, Earl Galouch and Harold Small as Trustees will be Claudette Merchant and Darrell Rogers.

Installation will be Friday night, March 26th.  The kitchen will be open from 4-7 with meal served in the lounge by C&T Catering consisting of ribeye steak, baked potato and vegetable.  Cheese and cracker platters will be available for those who like to munch.

At 7:15 the PER's will install the new slate of officers.  Following that pictures will be taken in the Lodge room.  PER Claudette will present her awards including Elk of the Year.  Everyone is invited to stay and enjoy “Dreamin' Big for Karaoke and dancing.

Yours in Elkdom

Les Brown, PER, ER-Elect

40th anniversary celebration enjoyed by all

January 30 was the day we celebrated the fact that the Farmington Elks Lodge has been around for 40 years.

The hall was decorated for the occasion with balloons and memorabilia from over the years.

A dinner was served, prepared by C&T Catering and there is no need to state that the food was wonderful - one roll was enough for a meal by itself!  After dinner many members stepped up to help clean the tables to prepare for the speakers - Jim, George, Barry, Fred and even Ron and Scott from Dreamin' Big helped out!!  I am sure there were others and forgive me if I left you out - those present know who you were.

Several Charter members were present and with the entire crowd, enjoyed listening to Sheridan Smith, PER, give some history on how our Lodge started.  He credited Pete Bouffard with getting the ball rolling and also gave much credit to many members for their roles in the formation of the Lodge and the physical building of the addition they built to the existing school.  The building was purchased from SAD 9 in 1974 and several members put their name on the line to procure a mortgage to build the addition while other members worked hard actually doing the labor on the addition.  

When we worry now about how we are going to pay for things, our concerns are nothing compared to the early days when members actually put up their pay checks to purchase supplies for dances and waited until the dance proceeds were in to get reimbursed!  What heart and dedication they had!

Sheridan also spoke of many great times working and playing together for the good of the Lodge or maybe just for a good time.  Others offered comments on our history and it was great getting this information.  

Another important part of the evening was a presentation to John and Ruby Allen for their awesome gift to the Lodge of our ball field years ago.  They are not Elks but they care deeply for the youth in the area and wanted them to have the use of the ballfield.  They are truly amazing people and we owe them our respect and gratitude.

At every table was a sheet of paper for people to list all the Exalted Rulers and all Elks of the Year.  Several attempted to do this and Roberta Ranger did the best by listing 23 Elk of the Year and 34 Exalted Rulers!!  Great job!

A dance followed and many took to the dance floor with music provided by Dreamin' Big - the floor was busy until closing at 11 pm.  It was a great evening of memories and fun and a huge thank you to all who helped make this happen!

State President's visit

On Saturday, February 6 the Maine State Elk President Mike Powers and his wife “Freddy” paid a visit to the Farmington Lodge.  Mike and Freddy joined us for rib-eye steak sandwiches in the Lounge after which they were presented with gifts - a State President jacket for Mike and a donation to the Houlton Humane Shelter for Freddy.  

The Lodge did a great job of raising money for this event by raffling off a basket of goodies prepared by Roberta Ranger and receiving donations from members to help defray the cost of the gifts, meal for our guests and the evening's entertainment.  Thank you to all who donated.  It was great to keep up the tradition of presenting the jacket to the State President while not hurting our budget.  

The entertainment for the evening was music by our own Bing and Nancy Crosby and it was wonderful having them in the Lodge and hearing their music - terrific job and we want to get them back so more of you can hear them!  You have to hear their version of “Are You Lonesome Tonight”; even Elvis would get a kick out of it!

Mike and Freddy are public school teachers in Houlton and real down to earth people.  They couldn't have been nicer and there was an immediate connection with them.  We hope to see them again in the future.

Report of the House Committee

We have a new manager!  Stop by and welcome Terri Mayo as our new manager.  We are planning another busy month for March.  Plan to join us for at least one of these upcoming events:

March 13: Karaoke/Dance Night w/ Dreamin' Big 8p.m. to midnight

March 20: Dance to the Southern Rock of Crossin' Mason Dixon. Proceeds to benefit Youth Activities 8 p.m. to midnight

March 26: Installation of 2010 Officers - Kitchen by C&T Catering and music w/ Dreamin' Big

March 28: Maine Maple Sunday Pancake Breakfast 7 - 10 am $5.00 All You Can Eat - Pancakes & Bacon w/ Coffee & Juice.  Put on by House Committee.

We are also starting a new raffle in the Lounge.  Stop by and check out “Find the Queen of Hearts”!!

We would like to thank the members/family members who supported our efforts in February.  We are trying to have activities available to appeal to all our members.  If there is something you can think of that you would like to see us try, let us know.

Congratulations to Dave Erickson, winner of the NASCAR Collectible Raffle and all the raffle winners at the Super Bowl and NASCAR parties.

The Farmington Elks Lodge is now on Facebook!!  Become a fan and keep up with what's going on at the Lodge.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicky LaBree, HC Sec.

Bulletin Board

Beano every Monday

Pool tournaments Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Kitchen open Fridays

Mar. 9: Lodge meeting, 6 p.m.

March 13: Karaoke/Dance Night w/Dreamin' Big

Mar. 23: Lodge meeting, 6 p.m.

March 26: Installation of 2010 officers

March 28: Maine Maple Sunday pancake breakfast

Club Room Hours

Mon-Thursday 2 - 8 p.m.

Friday 2 - 9 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday 12 - 8 p.m.