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.
Category: Events
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Eureka Elks Lodge No.652 & local Veteran’s held its second annual car show on Saturday, September 25th. Over 50 vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles were on display. Cost was $20.00 per vehicle. All proceeds go to assist local veterans with meals, groceries, transportation and personal needs. Also, they go to help those veterans that are shut-ins.
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 hosted a visit for Jay Larkins, President of the California-Hawaii Elks Association. He was accompanies by Exalted Rulers (ER) of Elks Lodges from the Greater Northwest District. His visit was to spread the excellent work that the Elks are doing in our communities for children. seniors and veterans. The theme was “The Future of Elkdom Begins with You!”. Pictured from left to right front row: ER, Bill Sollows, Napa; ER, Leigha From, San Rafael; Vice President, Northwest District,
Dennis Hunter; Association President, Jay Larkins; Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Randy Logan and ER, Scott Reinsmith, Eureka. Back row: ER, Randy Butcher, Crescent City; ER Jenna Shepherd, Ukiah and ER, Jeff Poteet, Petaluma.
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 honored Dr. Thomas Mays and Cameron Renner as Veterans of the Year. Dr. Mays is a professor of history at HSU. He served for 26 years in the armed forces. Cameron Renner served in the Marine Corp and served in the First wave of Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq President of the California- Hawaii Elks Association, Jay Larkin presented the awards and thanked both veterans for ” courageously protecting our liberty and independence. Your honorable service is greatly appreciated. As long as there are veterans, Elks will never forget them”. Pictured from left to right: Association Vice President of the Northwest District, Dennis Hunter; Honorary, Cameron Renner; Honorary, Dr. Thomas Mays; Association President, Jay Larkins and Exalted Ruler, Scott Reinsmith.
Eureka Elks Lodge No. 652 held its annual Mother’s Day breakfast and
Mother of the Year Award. This years recipient was Sang Ae Huffman. She was
born in Seoul, South Korea. She lived there through both the Japanese
occupation and Korean War. She met her husband James when working for I
Corps, U. S. 8th Army. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1969 and became a
citizen in 1971. She lives in Fortuna and worked for the Rohnerville School
District for 30 years. She been volunteering at the Elks for the past 8
years, cooking and serving meals, and enjoys the hobbies of fishing and
reading. . Mother to son’s James and David and Grandmother to Faith, Kathryn
and Rebecca. Pictured from left to right: Son, David; Granddaughter,
Rebecca; Husband for 52years, James; Recipient, Sang Ae and Lodge Exalted
Ruler, Scott Reinsmith.