It's finally that time of year where we've started the new school year, fun fall activities are in full swing, and we're welcoming a cooler season. We are all very blessed to be here to experience it, so take a moment and enjoy it. Take the time to reach out to a loved one or make a stranger's day and thank them for being here to share the day with you. We all know that time can have a limited quantity; as we age we tend to reflect more and more about our lives and try and do as much as we can with the time we have left. As an lk, one of the things we should try to do is talk to our friends and perspective members and raise awareness about our organization and all the things that we do for our com-munities, Veterans, and youth.
We are proud to be Elks and should show it; share what we do and are going to do in the near future in Lincoln and surrounding communities. Our Lodge needs to grow so we can invest more money back into our local landscape, bring awareness to our veterans struggling to make ends meet, and educate our young people so they can prepare to take the reins from us and lead us into the future. We, as a Lodge, give out a large number of scholarships and it would be nice to grant even more. Remember, we have some "Elk only' Legacy scholarships available for any 12696 Elk kids or grandkids of members in good standing for at least three years in our Lodge. Take advantage of it; any amount of money helps, especially when seeking a higher education.
There are always volunteer opportunities with the veterans and youth activities, contact one of our chair people; information is in the OG. I would like to personally thank our editors of the Elk "O" Gram for their support and time commitment month after month. It truly is a very special newsletter, and has been since 1901.
As always keep the EOG handy, visit the Lodge and just have FUN.
Troy Pedersen ER Lincoln Lodge #80
Grand Exalted Ruler
A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler
Hon. Douglas A. Schiefer
ENF grants, programs strengthen our communities
The most important program in our Order is the Elks National Foundation. The support we provide makes the Foundation's work possible. The goal we established for the 2024–2025 fraternal year is $5.00 per Member.
This year the Foundation has allocated $16.3 million for Lodge Community Service Grants. This grant program allows our Lodges to do more for your communities. I encourage all Lodges to seriously consider forming an ENF committee to educate themselves on the various grants to assist their communities.
Also, make use of the fundraising program through the ENF Fidelity Club. Any Member can sign up at elks.org to make the automatic recurring donations for as little as $5 per month or $15 per quarter. I encourage you to consider joining. I felt good when I joined and knew that it was an easy and efficient way to donate. This is once again a way for you to show your communities that "Elks Care — Elks Share.'
My theme "Elkdom’s Heart for America" focuses our attention on what we can do outside of the Lodge to help others. Another important program we must focus our attention on is Red Ribbon Week. This is our nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, held annually from October 23-31.
There are many ways to celebrate. Have your local elected officials issue a proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week. Pass out red ribbons to your local school administrators, government officials, and members of law enforcement. When we wear a red ribbon, it means we are looking to take a stand against the horrible ramifications that drugs can have on our communities. Standing together will have a positive impact on the citizens where you live. The Elks will always lead the charge against the devastation that drugs have on families.
Again, another way to impact your community is by supporting the ENF. This foundation is the backbone of "Elks Care — Elks Share." This year the Elks will show their generosity by donating a total of $41.6 million to make a difference in America. You make an impact, and when united with our fellow Elks across the nation, we are making a huge positive change.
By now, school is in full swing. It's a good time to introduce the Americanism Essay Contest to your local schools. The deadline for submission is mid-December. There is complete essay information on the Elks website in the GL Fraternal Committee section under Forms and Contests.
It's time to let our youth be able to express themselves about respecting patriotism and our country's heritage. These essay-winning students should be recognized by your Local Lodge. Hold an event for them and give these students recognition certificates to administer to the schools. I am always amazed at the wisdom and knowledge that students can express. All Americans would benefit from reading these essays.
God bless you and God bless America.
Secretary Laurie Montag
How about those Huskers! As of this writing, the football team is off to a spectacular 3-0 start. It has been a long dry spell! We start conference play on September 20 with Illinois visiting the Sea of Red at Memorial Stadium, on the first Friday evening game in recent memory. By the time you receive this, we’ll also know the out-come of the Purdue game. GO BIG RED!
We are entering the last quarter of the year as October starts – a time when we start gearing up for annual family celebrations. I hope you will find time to join us for Octoberfest on Saturday, October 19, and our Thanksgiving celebration dinner on Saturday, November 16. Be sure to add those dates to your calendar and make it a point to join us!
Lodge dinners are fun, the food is great, and it gives us an opportunity to become acquainted or to see old friends. They are also a fundraiser for the Lodge, so as you can see, your participation is important. We hope to see you soon!
It is nearing that time of year – 2025-2026 dues notices will mail in mid-January! Please remember, lodge dues are always due by March 31. As of April 1, a member is counted as delinquent, and lodge privileges may be curtailed. We don't want that to happen, so please plan to pay your dues on time. We are currently down to 12 delinquent members, so we are still making progress this year; those names will be published beginning in the November issue. Please think of why you became an Elk to begin with. We do so much in the community that you will read about in these newsletters, but that cannot continue to happen without the support of our members. To those who have paid their dues – a BIG THANK YOU!
As always, please do'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.
Saturday, October 19th Oktoberfest Germanwurst, Pork & Kraut, Homemade German Potato Salad, German style Green Beans, Rye Bread & German Chocolate Cake $14.00 per person Social hour: 5:30pm Dinner: 6:30pm Sponsored by the PER Association
Karaoke, October 18th 6:00-9:00pm Bring a goodie to share.
Saturday, November 16th Thanksgiving Dinner $14.00 per person Social hour: 5:30pm Dinner: 6:30pm Please place your reservation by Nov 14th.
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
Protect childhood with tenderness, old age with respect, cherish with reverence
the memory of those who have passed.
