Ruby Blackwell Exalted Ruler 2023-2024
Exalted Rulers Message: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you all are going to have a fun filled holiday time here at Elks Lodge 122 and in your homes. November was filled with good events and I am sure December will be the same. Veterans Day was celebrated at the lodge with a special Friday night honoring our veterans. We participated in the Veteran’s Day parade at the state fair and provided goodies for the veterans at the Northwest La. Veterans home. We gave back to our community in other ways as well. On Nov. 11, we hosted the fundraiser for the Food Bank. It was a fun event with great music, raffles and a food drive. Our lodge started it off with a $500.00 donation as well as all the food collected by our members. We hope that they will have the fundraiser here every year. The lodge also ordered supplies for Creswell Elementary school as they were chosen for our $1,000.00 Adopt a School grant. We ordered and delivered books needed for their Battle of the Books program and LED light up drumsticks for their music program. They were very excited and appreciative. Thanksgiving for our Elks without a Herd was a great success thanks to PER Tracey Belanger and all her volunteers. The food was great and the fellowship delightful. Thank you Tracey and team! December promises to have many events starting with Elks Memorial Service on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1:30. The ritual is open to all members, families, and guests. This is to honor those Elks who have passed on in the previous year as well as all deceased Elk members. There will be light refreshments after the ritual. The homeless veterans dinner will be on Dec. 7 at 6:00. This is hosted by the Auxiliary and served by the Lodge Officers. Anyone who wants to help should contact Gloria Howard. The PERs will have their special Christmas dinner on Dec. 12 and the free Member Appreciation Christmas party is Dec. 15 starting at 6:00. Cocktail hour at 5:00. The children’s party is on Dec. 16 at 2:00. This should be a lot of fun for the little ones with crafts, activities, balloon artists and a visitor from the North Pole! Don’t forget to stop by the lodge on Christmas Day for our special Christmas Eggnog from 11:00 – 2:00. Finally, get your tickets now for the New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31. We will have Chasing Benjamins as our band, party favors, fireworks and breakfast – member price $25.00. Nonmembers - $50.00 I wish you all a very merry and joyful holiday season. Let’s keep in mind the best gift we can give is the gift of kindness.
Fraternally yours, Ruby Blackwell, Exalted Ruler