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.
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.
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.