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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.