11 O’Clock Toast Contest
Rochester Elks Lodge #1393 Exalted Ruler Bonnie Skidds and her brother Past Exalted Ruler Jerry Skidds were the winners of the Annual NH State Elks 11 O’Clock Toast Contest at the Concord-Epsom Elks #1210 on Sunday, February 21st, 2021. There were 2 categories – Exalted Rulers and Past Exalted Rulers. A total of 5 participants competed – 2 Exalted Rulers and 3 Past Exalted Rulers. Exalted Ruler Skidds topped her opponent Sherri Berry from the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge 2226 and Jerry Skidds bested Brian Dailey from the Dover Elks #184 and Kelly Dorgan Cote from the Nashua Elks #720. Results were as follows: ER Contestant Score Lodge Bonnie Skidds 92.3680 Rochester #1393 Sherri Berry 86.8316 Derry-Salem #2226 PER Contestant Score Lodge Jerry Skidds 95.3680 Rochester #1393 Kelly Dorgan Cote 94.8040 Nashua #720 Brian Dailey 90.7316 Dover #184
Jerry Skidds received the highest score of the day which qualifies him to represent the State of New Hampshire in the national competition to be conducted in Tampa, Florida during the week of July 4th, 2021. Contestants were judged on Word Accuracy, Impressiveness and Pronunciation. The Elks 11 O’Clock Toast dates back to the 1800’s and is a tribute to deceased Elks members. It is part of the Initiation ceremony and is often done at Elks gatherings and social events at the hour of 11. Judges and officials for the event were as follows: Don Chesnel, NH State Ritual Chair; George Labonte, NH Floor Judge; Bill Roy, NH Contest Tiler; Frank Ricker, Maine State Ritual Chair and Word Judge; Wayne and Kathleen Cotterly, Maine State Floor Judges; Bruce Brunelle, Maine State Floor Judge; Lisa Brunelle, Maine Computer Judge; Andy Bolz, Maine State Floor Judge and Robert Shaw, Maine State Word Judge. Jim Culpon, NH State Elks President from the Laconia Elks #876 was also in attendance at the event. I deeply appreciate the work done by all participants for this contest and thank them for taking part. I just wish that more Exalted Rulers and Past Exalted Rulers would take part in this event. I will continue to promote all programs involving the Ritual and urge our membership to support these programs as well.
Many thanks are extended to the Concord-Epsom Elks Lodge #1210 for hosting the contest.