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.
2023 Installation of Officers
On March 25th, Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its 122nd annual installation of officers. The lodge was founded in 1901 and first met in old town on 2nd street, between F & G. In the early 1920s it moved to the corner on 5th & H Street and later moved to its current location at 445 Herrick Avenue. It is one of the most active lodges in California with over 1400 members. They give their time and financial support to help with many charitable actives in our community. Pictured from left to right, front row: Lecturing Knight, Larry Vance; Loyal Knight, Nina Strang; Exalted Ruler, Shawn Doebel; Leading Knight, Barry Smith; Treasurer, William Lambo; Inner Guard, Shawna Bobillot. Back row: Esquire, Brett Engle; Tiler, Dan Rickman; Organist, Gina Black; Secretary, Ernie Nunes; Trustees, Karen Hunter, Sherie Bialous, Scott Thomason, Pierre Carbonneau and Alan Bobillot.
Food for People Donation
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 donated $4,000.00 to “Food for People”. The program offered by Food for People are intended to serve as a safety for those whose circumstances have left them at risk of hunger and food insecurity. Their goal is to provide individuals and households with the emergency and supplemental food they need, while working to address the root causes of hunger in our county. Food for People is designated as the Food Bank for Humboldt County and coordinates distribution of food countywide through a variety of hunger relief programs. Pictured from left to right: Elks Broad of Trustee President, Alan Bobillot; Elks Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez and Food for People Board Member, Tom Kingshill.
2023 Citizen of the Year
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 awarded Ryan Derby, Humboldt County Office Emergency Service Program Manager, (OES) Citizen of the Year. OES role is to stabilize an emergency so the on-going response efforts can be incorporated into routine government operation. County Sheriff, Billy Honsal and County Supervisor Rex Bohn praised Ryan for his outstanding work in the county. They complimented him for his quick response to any emergencies. Pictured from left to right: Under Sheriff, Justin Braud; County Supervisor, Rex Bohn; Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez; honoree Ryan Derby and Sheriff, Billy Honsal.
2023 National Drug Awareness Poster and Essay Winners
On Sunday, March 12th, Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 presented the 2023 Elks National Drug Awareness Program Poster and Essay winners for Eureka Elks and California/Hawaii State Association. The program provides kids and young adults the opportunity to express their feelings on rejecting peer pressure and what it means to be drug free. Entries progress through Lodge, State and National competition. The winners in our area were Kaya Goff, 5th grader from Whitethorn Elementary School and Benjamin Rossi, 6th grader from Sunny Brea Middle School. Each received $100.00 from Eureka Elks and $100.00 from North Coast District. Benjamin received an additional $300.00 from the state. Pictured left is Benjamin Rossi and his parents, Marc Rossi and
Amanda Dinscore; center, Elks Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez. On the right is Kaya Goff and her parents Scott and Laura Goff.
Annual Volunteer and Award Night
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual volunteer and award night dinner. The evening is to thank those members who help with the many activities and helps maintain the lodge. They help in the lounge, kitchen, waiting on tables and maintenance of the grounds and RV park. This year’s honors, pictured from left to right: Officer of the year, Shawn Doebel; Volunteer of the year, Silvia Vader; for her year as Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez ; for over 25 years of service to the lodge, Donna Jordan and Elk of the year, David Eberhardt.