Skowhegan-Madison Lodge News

Exalted Ruler's Message

Hi, everyone.

  I hope everyone has had a great summer, because - as you know - the Skowhegan fair is a sign that the season is  coming to an end. The lodge has been very active this month with the fair booth, Maine Elks Association health screening van and the blood drive all taking place in August.

  Our members, as usual, stepped up to the plate and we were able to staff all these functions very well. The fair booth, according to the Chairman Roger Jarvis had a total of 64 volunteers involved. That is something this lodge should be very proud of.

  During the fair, the members also found time to volunteer to staff the Elks health screening van.

  This month the lodge also co-sponsored and provided volunteers for a local blood drive that collected a record amount of pints for a single drive. For all this hard work and dedication, all I can say is thank you so much! I am very proud and pleased to be the ER of this lodge and to have the opportunity to represent such a great group of Elks.

  I want to remind everyone that on September 11, the lodge will hold its annual field day for paid-up members. The menu will consist of steak, twin lobsters or steak and lobster. There also will be seafood chowder, clams, corn and salads. The sign-up list is in the lodge, and I would like people to sign up no later than September 8. Please come if you can. The more people we have, the more fun it will be!

  Once again, I thank all the members for a great month!

Fraternally

Ricky A. Stewart

Exalted Ruler   

An Elk is never forgotten

Fletcher "Red" J. Daigle, a lodge member for more than 33 years, passed away on Aug. 6. An Elks memorial service was held at the Veterans' Cemetery in Augusta on Aug. 20 and a Vacant Chair observance will be held at the Sept. 8 lodge meeting.

Members Field Day Saturday, Sept. 11

The annual Members Field Day gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 11 as the club room opens at 10:30 a.m. In the early afternoon, we'll be serving twin lobsters for $15, steak for $12 or surf and turf for $24. All meals will include corn-on-the-cob, salads, chowder, clams and more! Draft beer will be served with meals while keg lasts. Please RSVP by Sept. 8. A sign-up sheet is in the club room.

Texas Hold 'Em Tournament Friday, Sept. 17

With autumn arriving, the Texas Hold 'Em tournaments are back. Enjoy our first one of the fall on Friday, Sept. 17 with a $35 buy-in. Sign-up at 6:30 p.m. There is a 75 percent payback, and net proceeds from the tournament will go toward Elks scholarships and other charities. Tournaments are open to paid-up members and invited guests.

Red Cross Blood Drive report

  The turnout at the August 11 Red Cross Blood Drive at the Skowhegan Community Center was tremendous with 174 pints collected. I'd like to thank Jenn Goff for recruiting a great group of volunteers from the Daughters of Isabella. Elks Lodge volunteers were Roger Leblond, Richard Corson, Bobbi Alley, Art Demmons, Dan Hylan, Roger Pooler and Scott Crosby.

  In addition, Fred Schaefer worked parts of both shifts, assisting the D of I and the Elks. Finally, I would also like to acknowledge and thank the members who donated. (Mike Lange, Blood Drive Committee Co-Chair).

Skowhegan Elks Fair Booth was a huge success

  This year's Skowhegan State Fair Elks Booth was a huge success, thanks to an unprecedented turnout of 64 volunteers who served on the Planning Committee and worked shifts during the fair schedule. The Planning Committee was chaired by Roger Jarvais and consisted of Judi Croteau, Paul Croteau, Patti Berry, Scott Crosby, Lisa Conant, Steve Laney, Barbara Burum, Earl Burum, Earl Sherburne, Darrell (Erkel) Gallant, Connie Abbott, Steve Jewell and Angela Voisine. Roger also wanted to recognize the Harold Hutchinson and Al Cain, who put in 36 hours apiece helping to set up the booth every morning. The net profits for the fair booth sales were around $5,000. A complete list of volunteers and people donated items for the booth is posted in the club room.

Maine Elks Health Detection Van visits fair

  Richard Willette Sr., the director and driver of the Maine Elks Health Detection Van, was at the Skowhegan State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 16 - Senior Citizen's Day. Volunteer nurses who staffed the van on Saturday were PER Sue Horsman and Muriel Carpenter, and Monday's volunteers were Mallory Provost, Angela Voisine and Muriel Carpenter. There were 206 blood pressure and glucose tests taken in the two afternoons. The people who visited the van were very grateful and thought this was a great service provided by the Elks. (Alfred Carpenter, PER, MEA Elks Van Committee Chair)

Lodge 2531 Happenings

Sept. 1: House Committee, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 8: Lodge meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 11: Members Field Day

Sept. 16: Membership Committee, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17: Texas Hold 'Em tournament, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22: Lodge meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Every Monday: Bingo, 6:3o p.m.

Every Thursday: Horseshoes and pool tournament

Club Room Hours

Monday - Wednesday 1-11 p.m.

Thursday 1 p.m. - midnight

Friday 1 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Saturday 12-11 p.m.

Sunday 12-8 p.m.

The club may stay open later based on the bartender's discretion and number of customers in the lounge at the scheduled closing times.