Ocean City, MD 2645

Ocean City, MD Lodge News

July News from ER Vernon Betkey

Happy Summer! I hope you're enjoying the warm weather. We used the first day of summer to activate the new outdoor digital message board. We are still awaiting the installation of the lighted top portion of the sign that will include an Elks USA Logo and the Lodge name. We are very excited to share information about the Lodge's positive impact on the community.

The Lodge successfully hosted several events in July including the Father's Day Buffet, our Flag Day Service, and the launch of Taco Tuesday and Mingo. Each is highlighted in this newsletter along with highlights of the coming July attractions.

The Elk of the Month for July is The Carroll Wagner Scholarship Golf Committee. Bill Thompson, Nick Costa, Jeff Heyne, Randy Banbury, and Peggy Ball combined their efforts to raise $20,000 for the Ocean City Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund. Congratulations to the committee on a truly successful event.

At the MD-DE-DC Association Spring Conference, the Lodge received an Elks National Foundation Certificate of Appreciation for donations exceeding the GER's $5 per-member goal in 2024-25. Our target this year is $10 per member, which we can achieve with your support. The Lodge also earned a Certificate of Recognition for completing three community projects, and was the Association’s membership champion for the seventh consecutive year.

During the July Monthly Lodge meeting, the membership elected Joe Del Grosso to the position of Esteemed Lecturing Knight, and we are excited to have Joe on the leadership team. Esteemed Leading Knight Charlie Herbert presented a concise overview of the significant changes to the Revised Bylaws, and the proposal passed with a unanimous vote. The document is now being submitted to the Grand Lodge Committee on Judiciary for final approval. A special thanks to Charlie Herbert, Bylaws Committee Chair, and members Beverly Butler, Bob Jordan, and Susan Caldwell. The Committee dedicated many hours of review, revisions, and writing to bring this revised document to fruition.

I am also very pleased to announce that Nelson Pyle is the new House Committee Chairman effective July 1, 2025. Nelson is a very conscientious, dedicated, and skilled member, and I am, and you too, can be confident that Nelson will be quite an asset to the Lodge. Please, reach out to him to offer your assistance.

As we enter our first full Summer month, I look forward to seeing you at the Lodge, and I wish you and your family a wonderful, safe, and healthy July.

- Thank you,
  Vernon Betkey, Exalted Ruler

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