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Volume 36 Number 11 December 2015

Punta Gorda, Florida Elks Lodge #2606 The Tale

Julie Avers, ER (941) 637-2606 X405

ERJAVERS@AOL.COM

I would like to start out with a big “Thank You” to Bill Akin and all his volunteers for putting

together a wonderful Veterans Parade. Organizing a parade is a huge undertaking and Bill

and his group did a fantastic job. Also, thanks to all of you who came out to watch and sup-

port the parade!

Please mark your calendar for the Elks Memorial Service on December 6 at 2 pm. This is a

service to commemorate the passing of our members during the past year. This is a beautiful

service and I hope many of our members will attend.

Now for a little serious business. Your Membership Card. It seems that many people don't

think they have to carry their card nor do they feel they should have to show it when asked. I

can guarantee you that it is your responsibility to make sure you have your CURRENT card in

your possession. When you show me an expired card and cannot be admitted for chicken

dinner - don't get mad at me.

Along the same line, if you bring guests to the Lodge, please do not give them your card so

they can buy their own drinks. That is a no-no. Never give anyone your card. Last but not

least. The Lodge spends approximately $2500 every year so that members have a key card

for quick entry into the Lodge. However, I repeatedly see people ringing the doorbell for entry

so that the bartenders have to stop what they're doing to let someone in. If you don't have a key card, you can buy

one at the bar for $3.00. Let's be a little more considerate of these hardworking people. Please use your keycard.

Now, let's talk about fun things – like the holidays. Since most of us were not born in Florida that means lots of

traveling to visit our kids and grandkids for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas is definitely for youngsters.

Their enthusiasm is so exciting to see. I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. And

come back here safe and sound.

Since it is the Christmas season that means Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army. Members of Elks 2606 will be

ringing the bell at Walmart on Taylor Road this year from December 14 through 19. That means we have 24 posi-

tions to fill which should not be a problem. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Lodge so please help us fill all the

slots.

We have just returned from the Elks Mid-Year Convention in Lake Mary. The key-note speaker was Rick Gathen.

Rick is a member of Grand Lodge and is a great motivational speaker. People like Rick make you believe you and

your Lodge can do anything and everything and I came home with lots to think about. Do you have ideas for things

you think should be changed or implemented in our Lodge? Please let me know your ideas.

As we near the end of the Elks year, I can't help but notice that we have 221 delinquent members. If you know a

delinquent member, please see what you can do to get them to pay their dues or let our Lodge Secretary know if

they are no longer able to keep up their membership due to sickness, etc. We also know that some of our mem-

bers have passed away but no one has let us know. There is a list of delinquent members we have not been able

to reach posted in the main hallway of the Lodge. Please notify us with any information you have.

I'd like to thank our Elkettes for all they do for our Lodge and congratulate them on the awards they received at

the FLOE Convention. They received plaques for: Most members present and most miles traveled to convention;

Most ads sold in the Program Book; Most money donated to Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services; Most money

donated to Florida Elks Youth Camp and last but not least, Most children sent to Florida Elks Youth Camp. Way to

go ladies! We are proud of all your accomplishments. For our new members if you are the spouse of an Elk,

please consider joining the Elkettes. It is a very worthwhile organization.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas with family and friends and good health and

happiness in the New Year. Looking forward to seeing you at the Lodge. Julie

CONGRATULATIONS ELKETTES

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N E W S L E T T E R

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Julie Avers, Ambrose Yelovich, Bob Townsend,

Margo Meyer, Bob Hahn, Ryan Messner

The Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606

newsletter, The Elks Tale, is published

monthly, except August.

P U N T A G O R D A E L K S # 2 6 0 6

25538 Shore Drive P.O. Box 511598

Punta Gorda, FL 33951—1598

www.puntagordaelks.org

Lodge Secretary: Bob Townsend PER

941 637-2606 x 404

Membership 941 637-2606 x 403

Hours M-Th 9:00 to 2:00, Fr 9:00 to Noon

Fax 941 637-4769

E-mail: pgelks2606@gmail.com

P A S T E X A L T E D R U L E R S

1980-81 Don Roll PDDGER (D)

1981-82 Wayne Arnold (D)

1982-83 Gordon Keller (D)

1983-84 Tony Maresca (D)

1984-85 Sam Cavaliar (D)

1985-86 Jim Christman (D)

1986-87 Jay Stewart

1987-88 Barry Carmichael

1988-89 George Lamb (D)

1989-90 Art Doran (D)

1990-91 Charlie Hauka (D)

1991-92 Ron Sorrentino PDDGER

1992-93 Darrell Hughes

1993-94 Phillip Sansosti

1994-95 Gordon Schmidt (D)

1995-96 David Koch (D)

1996-97 Gerald Philbrick

1997-98 Fred Campau (D)

1998-99 Vic Bellows

1999-00 Martin Jordan

2000-01 Tom Gorman

2001-02 Robert Townsend

2002-03 George McCloughan (D)

2003-04 Carl Rehling

2004-05 Tyrone MacKenzie PDDGER

2005-06 Tom Gorman

2006-07 Bob Hahn

2007-08 Charles Warren

2008-09 William Jameson

2009-10 Patricia Schmidt

2010-11 George Kretschman

2011-12 John Lennon

2012-13 Ann Jameson

2013-14 Greg Czarnecki

2014-15 Joe Campbell

IN VAIN WE CALL,

TO OUR ABSENT MEMBERs

EVELYN G. COTYK

Her faults are written in the sand, Her virtues upon the

tablets of love and memory.

ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE: DARYL GUTTRIDGE Camp Gary Stone

Drug Awareness Daryl Guttridge

Hoop-Shoot Gary Stone

Kids Fishing Tournament Brenda Hughes

Sallie Jones Picnic Julie Avers ER

Scholarships Joe Campbell, PER

Soccer Shoot Quinn T Jerriey, PER

Blood Drive Ambrose Yelovich PER

FRATERNAL COMMITTEE: JULIE AVERS, ER Accident Prevention Joe Campbell PER

Americanism Ty MacKenzie PDDGER

Elks Nat’l Foundation Bob Hahn PER

Flag Day Julie Avers ER

Law and Order Bob Dolar

ELKS Memorial Day Vickie Hahn

Nat’l Veterans Service Ann Jameson PER

Veterans Parade Bill Akins

PUBLIC RELATIONS:

State Helen Marcinkowski

National Ambrose Yelovich PER

LODGE OFFICERS & DIRECTORS * Exalted Ruler Julie M Avers

* Leading Knight Bill Dryburgh

* Loyal Knight Judy Nuetzel

* Lecturing Knight Daryl Guttridge

Secretary Bob Townsend, PER

Treasurer Bob Hahn, PER

Tiler William Gurnick

Esquire Eric Rolston PER

Chaplain Ambrose Yelovich PER

Inner Guard Paul Avers

Organist Open

Presiding Justice Hon. Kenton H Haymans

Sub Forum Mediator Carl Rehling PER

TRUSTEES *1 Year Ralph E Myra Jr

*2 Year John Owen Secretary

*3 Year Chuck Warren PER Chmn

*4 Year Carl Rehling PER

*5 Year Joe Campbell PER

*LODGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AUDITING & ACCOUNTING COMMITTEE Auditor Carl Rehling PER

Auditor Robert J Clendenin

STATE MAJOR PROJECTS: BILL JAMESON

PER * Harry Anna-Trust Fund

* Florida Elks Youth Camp

* Florida Elks Children’s Therapy

PUNTA GORDA ELKS, INC.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President John Zientarski 2 Year

Vice President John Owen 1 Year

Secretary Chuck Warren PER 1 Year

Treasurer John Owen 1 Year

Director Marilyn Smith-Mooney 2 Year

Director Joe Campbell PER 1 Year

Director Anne Lennon 1 Year

MEETINGS

Lodge: 1st & 3rd Tuesday Monthly 7:00pm, Lodge Board of Directors: 1st & 3rd Tuesday Monthly 6:00pm

(Except 1st Tuesday in July and 3rd Tuesday in August)

Corporation Board of Directors: 3rd Saturday 9am; PER Association: 1st Thursday Monthly 7:00pm

Elkettes: 4th Tuesday Monthly 7:30pm

The Tale

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

REQUESTS

Robert KRANOCK

ROBERT MURPHY

Club Telephone

639

Elkette’s Thrift Shop 941 639

ext. 451

P U N T A G O R D A E L K S , I N C .

Office Manager Jenny Austin

941 639-8180 x 402

Cabin Rental 941 639-8180 x 401

Fax 941 639-1625

E-mail: pgelkscabins@comcast.net

P U N T A G O R D A E L K E T T E S # 2 6 0 6

Thrift Shop 941 639-2602 x 451

E-mail: elkettes2606@comcast.net

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HALLOWEEN PARTY

Congrats to the top recruiters (so far!) of the 2015/2016 lodge year.

The members listed below have proposed 2 or more new members. Peter E Vaphiades Jocelyne Zanussi Dennis Westby Robert B Townsend Marilyn P Smith-Mooney

Cathleen Wieder Lauren A Schmidt Robert R Johnson Carleton E Parsons Catherine Dryburgh

Dennis Bruyere Gregory Czarnecki James W Raftery Lynn H Wilkinson Mona M Dudash

Adolph C Migliano Barbara Porter Brian McGraw Eric Rolston Jeff Adams

Julia M Avers Matthew Nemec Michael Bainton Richard Goetz Robert L Stantz

Albert B Romanowski Jr Bruce H Buzzell Bryan Fulton Carl Meyers Gregory C Taylor

Kenneth H Lampkin Charles S Padgett Sr. Lawrence LaBonte Lawrence W Zinter Kimberley Anne Bright

Len Krauss Philip J Norton Robert Dolar Roger Remer Ronald E Wood

Warren T Mezger William E Aye

Thank you all, New Members are essential to the ongoing success of every

Lodge bring new ideas and excitement to help sustain our Charitable efforts.

2015 RESULTS

6 Blood Drives,

163 Donors,

Saved 489 Live,

Traveled 2353 Miles

Donated 225 Hours

Thank you to our Blood

Drive Chairman

Ambrose Yelovich PER

And his faithful helper

Charlie Parsons

PUNTA GORDA ELKS LODGE #2606

CHRISTMAS PARTY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

COCKTAILS 5 PM, DINNER 6 PM

MUSIC BY AL HOLLAND & VERCEAL

TICKETS $30 RESERVATION ER/SEC OFFICE

PROCEEDS PROVIDE CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO

AREA SENIORS IN NEED.

ELKS

NEW YEARS EVE

PARTY

12/31/2015 DOORS OPEN 7 PM

MUSIC BY THE HONEYMOONERS

TICKETS $60 RESERVATIONS CORP OFFICE

CHOICE OF DINNER

BUFFET BREAKFAST

HAPPY NEW YEAR

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December 2015 S S S S S 7 7 F F F F T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 11AM-2PM: Lunch

6PM: L B O D Mtg

6:45PM: Bar

Closes Reopens

at 8PM

7PM: Lodge Mtg

2 11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-10:30:

Karaoke w/ Wam

3 11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

5-9PM: PER XMAS

PARTY No Mtg

6:30-8:30PM:

Bar Bingo

4 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

5-8PM: Dinner

7:00-10:00PM:

Music: As Is Band

5 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

5-8PM: Dinner

6PM: Queen of

Hearts

7:00-10:00PM:

Music:: Sensations

6 8AM-12PM:

Breakfast

12-7PM: Bar

1-7PM Tiki Bar

2-5PM: Wings &

Rings

2-5pm: Music:

Island Vibe

7 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

4:30-8PM:

Chicken Night

4-7pm Music:

Micheal Hearst

7-10:30PM:

Karaoke w/Billy G

8 11AM-2PM: Lunch

6PM: Investiga-

tion

7PM: Orientation

9 11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-10:30:

Karaoke w/ Wam

10 11AM-2PM: Lunch

8AM-12:30

Blood Bank

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-8:30PM:

Bar Bingo

11 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

5-8PM: Dinner

7:00-10:00PM:

Music: TAT 2

12 11AM-2PM: Lunch

Elkettes Silent

Auction 4-9PM: Tiki

5-8PM: Dinner

6PM: Queen of

Hearts

7:00-10:00PM:

Music: Paul from

Honeymooners

13 12-7PM: Bar

1-7PM Tiki Bar

1-5PM: Wings &

Rings

2-6pm: Music:

Lee James

14 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

4:30-8PM:

Chicken Night

4-7pm Music:

Micheal Hearst

7-10:30PM:

Karaoke w/Billy G

15 11AM-2PM: Lunch

6PM: L B O D Mtg

6:45PM: Bar

Closes Reopens

at 8PM

7PM: Lodge Mtg

16 11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-10:30:

Karaoke w/ Wam

17 11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-8:30PM:

Bar Bingo

18 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

5-8PM: Dinner

7:00-10:00PM:

Music: Tim &

Roseanne

19 9AM:Corp. BOD Mtg

11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki

5-8PM: Dinner

6PM: Queen of

Hearts

7:00-10:00PM:

Music: Two Can

Jam

20 8AM-12PM:

12-7PM: Bar

1-7PM Tiki Bar

5 PM: LODGE

CHRISTMAS

PARTY

Music: Al Holland

& Verceal

21 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

4:30-8PM:

Chicken Night

4-7pm Music:

Micheal Hearst

7-10:30PM:

Karaoke w/Billy G

22 11AM-2PM: Lunch

11AM-2PM: Lunch

6PM: Elkettes

Board Meeting

7PM: Elkettes

General Meeting

23 11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-10:30:

Karaoke w/ Wam

24 11AM-2PM: Lunch

1-4PM: XMAS

POTLUCK Party

CLOSE: 5PM

CHRISTMAS EVE

25 CHRISTMAS DAY

CLOSED ALL DAY

26 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki

5-8PM: Dinner

6PM: Queen of

Hearts

7:00-10:00PM:

Music: Mixed up

Duo

27 12-7PM: Bar

1-7PM Tiki Bar

1-5PM

2-5pm: Music:

JR Southern

28 11AM-2PM: Lunch

4-9PM: Tiki Bar

4:30-8PM:

Chicken Night

4-7pm Music:

Micheal Hearst

7-10:30PM:

Karaoke w/Billy G

29 11AM-2PM: Lunch

30

11AM-2PM: Lunch

5-8PM: Dinner

6:30-10:30:

Karaoke w/ Wam

31

11AM-2PM: Lunch

Bar Closes at 3PM

NEW YEARS EVE

PARTY

Doors Open 7PM

1 JAN

NO LUNCH

3 PM: Bar

3 PM Tiki Bar

5-8PM: Dinner

SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT

5

ELKS 2606

BREAKFAST Eggs to order

Custom omelets

Sausage gravy

Biscuits

Pancakes

2nd and 4th

SUNDAY

Bloody Mary

or

Mimosa $1

(cash)

With

Breakfast

The Tale

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2 0 1 5 — 2 0 1 6 B O O S T E R S Join your Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 BOOSTERS. Your support is needed to aid in publishing our newsletter.

Your donation of $10.00 or more insures your name will be included each month for one year. This is categorized by the month of the EXPIRATION of your subscription. If you wish to subscribe, please fill out the

coupon below and mail or bring to the lodge, attention of the secretary. Thank you for your support.

DECEMBER 2015

Joanne Sullivan

John & Sharon Dumont

Chuck & Jan Dabrowski

Jim & Dawne Madison

Woody & Louise McDaniel

Gail Green

In Memory of

Jean Martin

Gerri Hauka

In Memory of

Charlie Hauka PER

JANUARY 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Joan O. Clarke

J.R. Allen

Ron & Shurla Lunsford

Joe & Carol Milroy

Jack Courtney &

Ladoris Fako

Scott Schermerhorn

FEBRUARY 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Fred & Nancy Cwynar

Jennie Diegoli

In Memory of

Edward Diegoli

John Collis

Paula & David Schutz

MARCH 2016 Joanne Sullivan Bob & Donna Dolar Greg Czarnecki PER Sheila Lordi Jerry & Marsha Kapusta James & Benji Roberts Richard Phillips Gary & Terry Ryan Richard Phillips Murray & Marilyn Thorndycraft In Memory of Charles Turri

Fred & Faye Jones

APRIL 2016 Joanne Sullivan Louise Pauch Dale & Blanch Bensch

Alan Holt Barbara Powell In Memory of Jean Martin Jay & Pat Buckley Ed & Vickie Knutson Jean Katinsky Roger & Willa

Olszanowski Walter & Veralou Scott Ruth Nederveld Nancy Overman Barbara Durst In Memory of Donald Durst Thomas A. Hnat Helen L. Hughes Jim & Benjie Roberts Bette-Jean Locke

Leroy & Marion Phillips

Jean Forrest

MAY 2016 Joanne Sullivan Rose Kearns In Memory of Ronald Kearns Audrey Jewell Marianne Schenkel Kandy Buzinski Donna Calderon Margo Meyer Charlotte Read Joan Sjogren Dick & Linda Fry June Walter Maynard & Maryjo Benson Rich & Joy Scott Alma M O’Connor Ronnie Althouse In Memory of Ken Althouse Rose Collica Joyce Clancy Lois Todd Ann Benmayor Carol Townsend

Joan Hoffman In Memory of George Hoffman Al & Nelda Iacono

JUNE 2016 Joanne Sullivan Joyce Posada David & Donna Rademacher

Grace Smith Larry & Pat Graber Frank & Fran Kinslow Dr. Ronald L. Foreman

JULY/AUGUST 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Jim & Mary Walsh

Wanda L. Royer

Judy Felton

In Memory of

George Lamb PER &

Mildred Lamb PSP

Eleanora Nagy

In Memory of

Louis E. Nagy

Sandra Wharton

In Memory of

Ernest Wharton

Hugh Havlik

SEPTEMBER 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Harry & Mary Alice

Pierson

Catherine Prezzama

Eleanor “Mike” Gold

Bill & Paula Croy

OCTOBER 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Jack & Jane Moore

Janet Gengler (2Yr)

In Memory of

Walter Gengler

Barbara Turri

In Memory of

Charles Turri

Bill & Pauli Purcell

Wanda Royer

Murray & Marilyn

Thorndycraft

John & Anne Lennon

Gary Krill, in Memory of

Joe McGrath

NOVEMBER 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Scott K. Murray

Bob & Donna Dolar

Robert Wood

Thomas & Linda Mount

DECEMBER 2016

Joanne Sullivan

Norman & Rachel Gould

David & Roberta Lott

Ralph Myra Jr

Helen Marcinkowski

Esther & Bob Townsend

Julie & Paul Avers

Yes, I/we would like to join the PUNTA GORDA ELKS BOOSTERS

Enclosed is $10.00 or $________

Name___________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

S A T U 6PM R D A Y

W E D N E S D AY N I G H T

K A R A O K E B A R M E N U A V A I L A B L E

Every Thursday

on the Porch

at 6:30PM.

Come and

Enjoy the Fun.

WINGS & RINGS SUNDAYS

Served 2:00 to 5:00PM

Last order taken at

4:30PM

WANTED

P/T 50/50 Sellers Call Julie @ (941) 637-2606, X 405

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PUNTA GORDA ELKETTES 2606

Hours: Monday 4PM - 7PM,

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11:30AM to 2:30PM

Breakfast Sundays 8:30AM—Noon

Thrift Shop donations of men’s & women’s clothing,

accessories, books, misc. items, and crafts will be received during open hours.

E-mail: Elkettes2606@comcast.net Phone #: (941) 637-2606, ext 451

DECEMBER MESSAGE

Here we are in December

already. Are you ready for

Christmas? A great gift idea is

tickets for our Neil Diamond

Tribute to be held on January

31, 2016, 5 pm at our lodge.

These tickets are expected to

go fast so get them while

they're hot. A bargain at

$20.00.

The Elkettes had a great No-

vember this year, we marched

in the Veterans Day parade. I

would like to thank Bill Jameson

for driving the float, Bill Akin for

running the show, and Arnie, who supplied one of the 2 cars need-

ed. Also a heads up to Judy Schall for car number2. It was a great

day.

We also attended two fashion shows, we went to the Cape Coral

lodge on November 14th to attend their fashion show and auction.

On November 14th was our silent auction, fashion show and lunch-

eon. Thanks to Lu and her crew for a great afternoon.

On December 30th, we will celebrate the life of our dear friend

Mildred Lamb. It will be held at the Charlotte Memorial Park in Punta

Gorda at 9:30am. Please wear your dress uniform.

Christmas is quickly approaching, and our thrift shop just might be

the place to get that special gift. We are open Wednesday thru Fri-

day 11:30 to 2:30, Monday evening 5:00 to 7:00 and Breakfast

Sundays. Be sure to stop in.

This year I decided to put an invisible Elk on the Shelf in the lodge.

He is invisible so you can't see him, so be good! You never know

where he is!

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and an interesting

Kwanza. Happy Holidays to all and to all a Happy and safe New Year.

Thank you for your continued support, Margo

Margo Meyer President

ELKETTE OFFICERS 2015-2016 PRESIDENT MARGO MEYER 1ST VICE PRES. LOIS TODD 2nd VICE PRES. RITA POPKO SECRETARY CHARLENE LACOMBE ASS'T SEC. PAT EVANS TREASURER CAROL MILROY ASS'T TREAS. CAROL NAKEN SGT-AT-ARMS JOAN CROMEENES CHAPLAIN MARY KAY NEWMAN CHAPLAIN JOAN RALEIGH

CHAIRPERSONS 2015-2016 ADVISORY/BY-LAWS SANDY BLACKHURST BOCCE CHARLENE LACOMBE DECORATIONS MARY MULLENNEX CONFERENCE/FLO CAROL MILROY FLOE MONTHLY MTGS BARBARA LAHRMAN HISTORIAN JEAN COYNE HOSPITALITY JOAN CROMEENES & CAROL NAKEN MONDAY PIES RITA POPKO MEMBERSHIP/PHONE/EMAIL CAROL BEMISTER & JUDY SCHALL PULLTABS CAROL NAKEN RAFFLES PAT RUSSELL & ETHEL KRETSCHMAN SCHOLARSHIPS MARY KAY NEWMAN THRIFT SHOP CAROL MILROY VETERANS DAY PARADE JEAN COYNE & MARGO MEYER WAYS AND MEANS ASSORTED VOLUNTEERS YOUTH CAMP JOAN CROMEENES

NEXT BLOOD DRIVE

JANUARY 7

8

NON PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PUNTA GORDA FL

Permit No. 245

Th

e

Tale

DECEMBER

December 1: Lodge Meeting

December 6: Elks Memorial Service

December 15: Lodge Meeting

December 20: Christmas Party -

Al Holland & Verceal

December 31: New Years Eve Party -

The Honeymooners

JANUARY

January 5: Lodge Meeting

January 19: Lodge Meeting

January 23: Bocce Tournament

January 31: Elkettes Neil Diamond Music

FEBRUARY

February 2: Lodge Meeting

February 4,5,6 Variety Show

February 9: PER Spaghetti Night

February 19: Lodge MeetingJ

February 20: PG Police Picnic

February 21: Lobsterfest

February 31: Elkettes Neil Diamond Music