Category: Columns

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.

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.

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.

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.