123rd Annual Installation of Officers

Eureka Elks lodge No.652 held its 123rd annual installation of officers on Saturday March 23rd. The lodge was established in 1901. The first lodge was on Second Street, the present location of the Green Lilly Restaurant. They then moved to the corner on H and 5th Streets, the Umpqua Bank location. In the mid 1970’s they moved to their current location, 445 Herrick Avenue. They are one of the most active lodges in California, with over fourteen hundred members.

Pictured from left to right, front row; Secretary, Ernie Nunes: Lecturing Knight, Brian Smith: Loyal Knight, Larry Vance; Exalted Ruler, Barry Smith; Leading Knight, Nina Strang; Organist, Gina Black and Treasurer, William Lambo. Back row: Esquire, Robert Gillmore; Tiler, Marissa Vaudo; Inner Guard, Dana Harris; Chaplain, Jerry Stewart; Lodge Trustees; Alan Bobillot, Sherie Bialous, Danny Rickman, Scotty Thomason and Brett Engel.

Veterans Car & Motorcycle Show

Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its Veterans Car & Motorcycle Show on Saturday, September 23rd. Over 200 attended the events with 69 cars, motorcycles and trucks on display. The event brought in over $4,500.00 for funds to help local veterans with dinners, warm clothes , boots and rain gear for winter. Also, to help supplement food needs & veterans pantry & clinic.

Pictured from left to right are the Elk volunteers that put on the program: Jack Harris, Louise Harris, Anne Poole, Joe Massie, Dan Rickman, Ernie Nunes, Pierre Carbonneau and Sheri Schaal. Front Barry Smith and Kevin Christie.

Flag Day 2023


Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual “Flag Day Ceremony” on June 10th. This patriotic program honors the early American flags from the Pine Tree flag to our current Stars and Strips. All the Elks Lodges take a day close to June 14th to honor our American flag. The Elks were proud to invite Eureka Emblem Club No. 298, Boy Scott Troops No. 27 and 54, International Order of Jobs Daughters Bethel No. 86, Eureka Commandry No. 35, Knights Templar and Mad River Community Veterans Honor Guard to participate in this ceremony.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual Mother Day breakfast and Mother of the Year Award. This year’s mother of the year is Karen Hunter. She was born in Humboldt County and Attended Fortuna Union High School. She was Administrative Assistant for Cox Communications/ Suddenlink for 25 years. She has been active in the community serving Easter Seals Society, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a member of the County Board of Education and a member of Soroptimist. She has been a volunteer at the Elks Lodge and served as a Trustee. She has four children, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and one on the way. Her hobbies are card making, baking, reading and raising her two dogs, Buster and Posey. She and her husband Dennis have been married for 39 years and reside in Eureka. Picture from left to right, seated; Her brother Ken Hughes, husband Dennis Hunter, honoree Karen Hunter, Elks Exalted Ruler Shawn Doebel and Karen’s mother Janice Hughes. Back row, Daughter in law, Meadow Bell, son Alex Johnson, grandsons Tyle and Dylan Evenson and daughter Yvonne Evenson.

American Legion Donation

Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 donated $1,500.00 to American Legion Post No. 205, Fortuna and $1,000.00 to VFW Post No. 9561, Willow Creek. The donation is helping these veteran groups in support of the assistance services they provide to local veterans for meals, clothing and lodging. Pictured from left to right; Lodge veterans Committee Chairman Jack Harris; from Post No. 205 Rhett Imperial; Lodge Exalted Ruler Shawn Doebel; from Post No. 9561 Dusty Napier and Lodge Trustee Pierre Carbonneau.

One Pill Can Kill Wins First Place

Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 Drug Awareness Program high school video entry wins state competition Casterlin High School video “One Pill Can Kill” was awarded first place in the 2023 Elks California/ Hawaii State Association National Drug Awareness Program high school video contest. The school received Certificate of Achievement with $100.00 each from Eureka Elks Lodge and California/Hawaii North Coast District and $400.00 from the State Association for first place selection. The video can be access at vimeo.com/780922799. Pictured from left to right; teacher Ms. Niki Charneski, Lela Augusto, Laney Crenshaw, Tenzin Wood, Brayan Hurado, Ella Razooly McPeters, Bridgette Drummond and teacher Mrs. Susan O’Hara.

Donation to Mad River Community Veterans Honor Guard

Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 donated $1,000.00 to the Mad River Community Veterans Honor Guard. The honor guard performs funeral service for veterans, flag posting ceremonies and other patriotic events. The funeral service is about 10 minutes with taps played at the end. The donation assists the members with travel expenses and cost of uniforms. If you are a veteran and would like information on joining, email Warred1926@suddenlink.net. Pictured from left to right; Lou Agliolo, Greg Vincent, Frank Pratt, Lodge Trustee Pierre Carbonneau, Al Dunnegan, Lodge Veteran Chairman Jack Harris, Patsy Matthews, John Maples, Adam Keele, Mark Nelson and Ron Kautz.