This is July and August combined news letter.
July 4th will soon be upon us, our Day Of Independence from the crown, and it will be celebrated in the highest manner anybody can do, with friends, family and the little ones running about with sparklers and some small fireworks, marking the Day of Celebration, and capping it off with a family dinner. Gathering with friends or some new friends you have made at the Elks Lodge.
The 4th of July is a very special Day for the United States of America, one that has lived on in song and memory. People bring out old photos and reminisce about past holidays, what fun it is to watch a large fireworks display at your township, and your own little display at home. It is a time of celebration, free to celebrate as you wish. Just as our founding fathers, was thinking of a time to be free, it is almost 250 years later if they even thought their idea they had would last this long. Just as the first Elks Lodge lasting 157 years if they thought it would last. But it has lasted due to our belief in a better union that it is possible to take hold and live on. Not just by chance but by real Americans who believe in what can and is possible.
I would like to personally thank several of our fellow Elks for doing and not trying to be noticed but they where noticed by there fellow Elks at the State of Nebraska Spring convention in Kearney Nebraska. Milt Schmidt State Officer of the year, Vicki Jurgens State Elk of the year, Larry Schwindt PER, PDDGER, PSP became State Ritual Judge and Larry Bratt PER, PDDGER, PSP for being Nebraska's last year's State President. All are well deserved of their new and past titles. We have some good Elks to inspire us to be the best we can be as Elks.
In August will be State Fall convention, we be able to meet the new Grand Exalted Ruler and do some golfing at the Kearney Elks Lodge on their 9 hole course. Fun will be had by all. August - 15299
There are some volunteering opportunities if any body is looking at F Street Rec Center, (contact Tiler Mary Ryan) and Veterans at the Victory apartments and Coffeehaus... contact Trustee Milt Schmidt. Keep in mind Karaoke and Burger Night. Have a Fun and enjoyable Summer!!
As always Keep your EOG handy Look at the calendar and just have Fun.
Troy Pedersen ER Lincoln Lodge #80
Grand Exalted Ruler
A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler
Hon. Randy Shook
Dedicated, passionate Elks made this year a success
We celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on earth on the fourth day of this month. It is a time to reflect on all the freedoms we have enjoyed because of the vision of a small group of men and women committed to a cause.
People in this country still enjoy those same freedoms 248 years later. The enthusiasm for the cause of liberty has never been stronger. As Elks our commitment to our nation has never been stronger. Happy birthday, America—the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Time flies when you are having fun. A year ago, Wanda and I began this incredible journey. This was an adventure we never envisioned but we are so glad to have experienced.
The accomplishments we witnessed throughout our travels were truly remarkable. It was great to see your communities recognize that "Elks Care—Elks Share" and "We Are THE Elks." We are very proud of your dedication to our Order.
It was great to meet new friends as well as spend time with old friends. The Elks really are one big happy family. Please continue to ask that relative or friend to join our family.
Wanda and I will continue to serve you as we move forward into this next Elks year, and for many more, God willing. The past year has been an adventure we will treasure forever. I would like to close by saying thank you for everything. We look forward to seeing you at the Grand Lodge Convention in Austin, Texas. It will be an exciting time.
God bless our great Order, our troops, and the United States of America.
Secretary Laurie Montag
Ahhhhh, summer in Nebraska! 90+ degree highs with all that cornfield sweat contributing to the humidity. Some days it feels like you could swim through the air! But those of us who chose to live here (and have air conditioning) wouldn’t trade it for anything. Nebraska – The Good Life (but it’s not for everyone)!
In two more years, our great nation will celebrate its Semiquincentennial/Sestercentennial/Quarter Millennial/ or the Big Two-Five-Oh – that's pretty amazing, regardless of what you call it! So, as we celebrate this 248th year since the birth of the United States of America, remember that the great blessings we enjoy have come with great sacrifice – thank a Vet!
I had the best time chatting with some of our 50+ members who were honored at the June 15th dinner! In attendance were Dick Baker, Wes Durst PER, Terry Edwards PER, Wade Graft, Dewey Harouff, John Herrod, Art Jones, Russ Langley, Marlen Luff, Bill Palmer, Jim Ray, Rod Rozanek PER, and Duane Vanderbeek. We also honored Wauneta Peterson for her membership and her contributions to the lodge. We had a great meatloaf dinner and enjoyed getting reacquainted – and for me, it was great to put a face with more of the names with which I've become familiar as secretary for the past several years. Some expressed a desire to come to the lodge more often – and we'd certainly be pleased to see you any time you can make it! For those 50+ members who could not attend for whatever reason – we love and appreciate you!
Enjoy your summer!
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance with all things Elk. There is voicemail on the lodge phone, or you may contact me as below. See you at the Lodge!
Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone.
Leading Knight Randy King
The Leading Knight message is not available at this time.
Loyal Knight Dr William Jackson
The Loyal Knight message is not available at this time.
Lecturing Knight Bryan Leavitt
The Lecturing Knight message is not available at this time.
Sunday, June 9th Flag Day 2pm @ the lodge. Bring friends and family.
Saturday, June 15th Meat Loaf Dinner Honoring our 50+ year Members Menu: Meatloaf, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, and dessert. $12.00 per person . Karaoke, June 21st 6:00-9:00pm Bring a goodie to share.
Saturday, July 20th Summer Time Picnic Dinner Hamburgers, Brats, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, and Peach Cobbler for dessert. $12.00 per person
The lodge was informed that the Elk-O-Gram newsletter is available to current Elk members only.
With that in mind, it was decided to have members log on to the website to view the EOG.
In order to log on to the website, you will need to register a user id and password to obtain access.
To register, click on the words "Logon - Members only" in the upper right hand corner of a elks80.org web page. You will be taken to the logon page.
On logon page click on the "No password, please Register" words in the bottom right of the logon page. You wil be taken to the Registration form.
On the registration page, You will need to enter data in each field to create your password. This data must match the data that is on the CLMS (The Grand Elks Lodge database.) If you have problems with obtaining a password, please contact the webmaster (link at the bottom of every elks80 web page).
After you obtain your user credentials, return to the logon page and log on. You will then see a link to the newsletters on the menu on the left side of the screen.
Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.
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To All Lodge #80 Membership
The Covid-19 pandemic has truly disrupted and changed our lives in unprecedented ways. Places we used to visit or frequent have changed as we have. We all need to adjust to the new norm.
If you look around Lincoln, you can see the economic impact that we are currently experiencing. For the first time in my life I was left with a very unsettling feeling going to the grocery store and discovering shelf's that had no product on them or please limit yourself to 1, signs.
Even our lodge is struggling to make ends meet. We were given an increase in our property valuation, we were closed for several months, we did not have meals or events scheduled. Revenue that used to flow was nonexistent.
We had to do something. Since we had very limited resources coming in, we had to find ways to reduce costs. One way was to ask the County Tax commissioners to grant us a tax exemption, I am very sure that you have heard the term Quid Pro Quo. (This for that) So in exchange for a considerable savings (to all of us) we had to give up some hours of operation. We did not have to lay off any current employees we simply did not replace, again saving us a large chunk of money. We changed supply companies, soon cable companies, pest control companies and other things just to name a few.
We are making these changes to stay within our financial constraints and to be good Stewards of your money.
I appreciate your understanding. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon