Over 150 attended Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner, on Thursday November 17th. It is an evening to thank local officers and their families for their service to our community. Each honoree is selected by each department for their outstanding service. Pictured from left to right seated: CHP Officer, Jason Esselman; CHP Officer, Juan Lopez; County DA Office Analyst, Blong Vue; County Probation Officer, Nicole Johnson; EPD Training Officer, Ryan Swanson. Back row: Past Exalted Ruler, Sherie Bialous; Steve Looney accepted the award for Probation Officer, Andres Hopkinson; Chris Wilson accepted the award for Arcata PD Officer, Joseph Rodes; Ferndale PD Officer, Cesar Cervantes; Travis Mendes accepted the award for Deputy Sheriff, Kellen Brown and Lodge Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez. Not pictured or named: Probation Officer, Rina Kondo; Calfire Chief, Rhett Imperiale; ABC Agent, Stanley Adam Harkness; Fortuna Detective, Ryan Richardson and County Drug Task Force Officer.
Dennis Hunter Installed as DDGER
Dennis Hunter was installed as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the “Greater Northwest District”. He assists eight lodges from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border in their managing, fund rising, community charities and other programs. Officers from other lodges attended this very special evening. Pictured from left to right: Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, from Petaluma, Randal Logan; Association Vice President from Lakeport, Patti Powell; Past District Deputy and installing Officer, Brad Smith; Exalted Ruler of Eureka Elks Lodge, Marta Martinez; incoming District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Dennis Hunter; Lodge Trustee and Dennis’ wife, Karen Hunter and Auditor to the District Deputy from Petaluma, Wayne Wilson.
Association Vice President Visits
Patti Powell, Association Vice President, representing as a liaison of Bradford Smith, President of California and Hawaii Elks Association and Elk Lodges from San Francisco to the Oregon border and East to I-5, visited Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652. Pictured left: Eureka Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez and V.P. Patti Powell.
Saturday, June 11th Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held it annual “Flag Day Ceremony”. In July of 1908, the Elk’s Grand Lodge provided for the annual nationwide observance of “Flag Day “mandatory for each Lodge to observer this day. Flag Day official is June 14th nationwide but permission from the Elk’s Grand Lodge, lodge may hold it on a date that best can serve the members and community. The Elks Lodge invited the following organizations to participate in the celebration: Eureka Emblem Club No. 298: Boy Scout Troop No. 54: Eureka Commandry No.35: Knights Templar: International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Mad River Military Honor Guard.
Annual Installation of Officers
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual installation of officers on Saturday, March 27th. The lodge was chartered in 1901 and first met in old town, the current location of Oberon Restaurant. It later moved to the corner of 5th and H Street. In the mid 1970’s moved to its current location, 445 Herrick Avenue. The lodge is one of the most active lodges in California, with over 1400 members. With the help of its members in volunteering their time to the lodge and the community, they have given many charitable donations to many local charities. Pictured from left to right, seated: Secretary, Joseph Di Loreto; Lecturing Knight, Nina Strang; Loyal Knight, Allen Caldwell; Exalted Ruler, Marta Martinez; Leading Knight, Shawn Lee Doebel; Treasurer, Ernie Nunes and Chaplain, Ward Mengel. Back row: Tiler, James Jones; Inner Guard, Ann Schuler; Trutees, Sherie Bialous, Alan Bobillot, Karen Hunter and Pierre Carbonneau. Not pictured, Esquire, James Kloss and Trustee, Terry Long.
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 donates $3,500.00 to Food for People
The programs offered by Food for People are intended to serve as a safety net 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. For information on their programs visit www.foodforpeople.org. Pictured from left to right; Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Scott Reinsmith: Food for People Fund Development Director, Carly Robbins and Elks Trustee, Pierre Carbonneau.
Drug Awareness Program Poster and Essay Contest
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual Drug Awareness Program Poster and Essay Contest. The program provides young adults the opportunity to express their feelings on rejecting peer pressure and what it means to be drug free through their participation in the annual program. Each winner receives a cash award of $100.00 from the Eureka Elks Lodge and an additional $100.00 from the North Coast District, along with a Certificate of Achievement. Pictured from left to right: Poster winner 5th grader, Ilya Kelly; Lodge Exalted Ruler, Scott Reinsmith; Essay winner 6th grader, Simon Zagone and Lodge Drug Awareness Chairman, Jack Harris.
Annual Awards Night
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual awards night. This is the night they recognize members that give of their of time to the lodge as volunteers. The lodge volunteers are very important to the lodge and work in many ways. They bartend, wait on tables, cook, landscaping, improve the RV park, lodge improvements and more. On this night they also recognize a member as citizen of the year that works in our community. Pictured left to right: Citizen of the Year, Pierre Carbonneau: Volunteer of the Year, Rachelle Aubrey: Officer of the Year, Ward Mengel. Back row: Lodge Exalted Ruler Scott Reinsmith, accepting the Elk of the Year Award for Kathy Payne.
Exalted Ruler Presents 50 Year Award
The Exalted Ruler of Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652, Scott Reinsmith presented Gary Payne his 50 year Golden Veterans Award. For the 50 years that Gary has been a member, he has served on several boards and headed many activities in the lodge. He served as Exalted Ruler 1980-81, chairman of the Flag Day ceremony, Past District Deputy Northwest District, Association Vice President Northwest District, Ritual Coach of winning ritual team and served for 25 years on the Board of Trustees. He is life member of the lodge and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Pictured left to right, Gary Payne and Scott Reinsmith.
Marta Martinez to be 2022-2023 Exalted Ruler
Marta Martinez will be installed as the new Exalter Rules of Eureka Elks Lodge No. 625. Marta was born and raised in Eureka, the daughter of Ignacio and Claudia Martinez. She graduated from St Bernard’s High and then attended College of the Redwoods and Western Institute of Science and Health in Rohnert Park, CA. She worked at Pacific Convalescent before going to Physical Therapy Assisting school, then worked at General Hospital for 19 years. She is currently working at Cal Poly Humboldt in the Student Health Center.
Martinez joined the Elks eleven years ago and has served as a Trustee for three years and was asked to become Leading Knight. She volunteers many hours, helping in the kitchen, bar area, RV Park and children’s activities. Marta is engaged to Shawn Doebel, the Elks Leading Knight. The installation will be Saturday, March 26th at 5:00 pm. Social at 4:00 pm. Dinner after the ceremony, cost $20.00 per person. This is open to family and friends.