Denver 17 Elks Lodge Annual Community Awards Night

Heroes filled the lodge on January 12, 2008, as the Denver Elks Lodge commenced their Second Annual Community Awards Program.
Our lodge was well-protected that night, with Denver’s Engine 12 and Rescue 1 parked outside our building and all those firemen, along with many police officers from the Denver Police Department and the Denver County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Denver Paramedics walking around on the inside of the building. A lone teacher was ready to make sure that we were using the correct grammar. One person was even in dress kilts.

Award recipients front row, from left to right: Sgt John Romero, Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year; LCT (Retired) Randy Nielson, Teacher of the Year; Police Officer Michael Torsney, Police Officer of the Year; Fireman Chad Cranmer, Firefighter of the Year; Marc Scherschel, Paramedic of the Year; Carl Webster, Citizen of the Year. Back row, from left to right: 1st Vice President, Colorado Elks Association, Ray Ross; Police Officer John Mehrtens, Police Officer of the Year; Central Northwest District, DDGER, Tom Chambers, Denver 17 Exalted Ruler, Mark Thomas and Community Awards Committee Chairman, Darrell Myers.
The members of Denver Elks Lodge #17, presented awards to outstanding individuals nominated by department chiefs in the City and County of Denver, to show our support for those charged with the protection, education, health and welfare of our youth and citizens living in the City and County of Denver. Those people do their jobs, like we do, not for glory or honor, but because they know it is the right thing to do. The award recipients were recognized for what they did in regard to the same principles that we Elks believe in.
Denver #17 Elk’s Lodge Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year for 2007 was presented to Sergeant John Romero for his leadership, knowledge and ability to work in the rough environment of the Denver County Jail System.
Denver #17 Elk’s Lodge Police Officer of the Year for 2007 was a shared award, presented to Officer John Mehrtens and Officer Michael Torsney for their heroic actions in removing from the streets, without regard for their own safety, an armed criminal who posed a great danger to the police officers and the citizens of Denver.
Denver #17 Elk’s Teacher of the Year 2007 was presented to LTC (Retired) Randy Nielson, the Senior JROTC Instructor at George Washington High School, for his preparation of students for responsible leadership roles and for increasing their awareness of good citizenship.
Denver #17 Elk’s Lodge Paramedic of the Year 2007 was presented to EMS Lieutenant, Marc Scherschel, for his dedicated work to improving the lives of those around him, no matter what each situation entailed, and for being a model health care provider and leader to all Denver Health EMTs and paramedics.
Denver #17 Elk’s Lodge Firefighter of the Year for 2007 was presented to Chad Cranmer, for his heroic action, without regard for his own safety, to help a woman caught in Lakewood Gulch during a rainstorm.
Denver #17 Elk’s Lodge Citizen of the Year 2007 was presented to Carl Webster, for giving his time, knowledge and energy to protect the citizens of Denver as a member and leader of the Guardian Angels.
Heroes, one and all, and for a moment in time, they realized that someone felt that they were important and appreciated the service that they provided.

Catch a Calf breakfast

True to the West the Colorado Elks Association supports a unique program. The Catch a Calf program held annually in conjunction the National Western Stock Show. Contestants are 4-H members from Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado.
The involvement in the program is actually a yearlong process. It begins in January when contestants, at five rodeo performances, compete to catch one of the rodeo calves released in the arena. In May the successful contestants are awarded cleaves, all from the same herd, which they are to raise the train to show. During this eight-month process they keep records on rate of gain and grain fed and send monthly reports to their sponsors. The following January they are returned to the stock show where they are judged by pounds gained, improvement in quality, carcass quality and the member's record book.
At this year’s stock show thirty-five calves were entered of those entered eleven were sponsored through the Colorado Elks Association by members and lodges in the state and one by the Past Presidents of the Wyoming Elks Association. Each sponsorship represents approximately a thousand dollar investment.
The contestants, sponsored by the Elks, were guests at breakfast at the Arvada Elks Lodge # 2278. Pictured are the contestants sponsors back row from left Mark Stone representing his daughter Calli who was in a judging contest at the stock show their sponsor Sid McDonald from the Wyoming Elks Past-Presidents, Brett Redden, Tom McKibbon, Jimmy Stewart, Bob Byron, Mario Wilhorn, Kent Vance, Quentin Vance and Bruce Smart. Middle row contestants Madison Gurule, Randy Crisp, Johnathan Kinnison, Carly Gettings, Meghan Allen, James Miner, Jesse Kerchal, and Caitlynn Patton. Front row CEA vice-presidents Jerry Hilzer, Ray Ross and George Uhland.

Elks booth at the Stock Show

Colorado Elks Association members Tom Thumser, Paul Johnson, Ken Bellamy and his grandson Dante along with Barbara Davenport were working at the stock show booth on opening day January 12, 2008. The booth is open daily through the 27th. Several lodges have signed up to work the booth during the stock show. Bob Byron committee chairman says they can always use help especially on the weekdays. If you some time come on down and help out.

Thanks to Laradon and Debra Jaramillo for this submission. Click here

Rangely Lodge Christmas Baskets

Rangely Elks lodge # 1907 with the Help of Rangely 4-H and many volunteers delivered 65 Christmas baskets and toys to the Rangely and Dinosaur communities on December 22, 2007 starting at 7am in the morning at temperature dipping below -16f. The baskets totaled more than $5,200.

The joyous event took place in our Lodge Room on December 14th 2007, and joined into matrimony Loyal Knight - Byron Dunn and Lecturing Knight - Lynn Otto. The event was officiated at the Lodge altar by Lodge Chaplin - Jason Ferrell.

The attached photo shows Lynn & Byron Dunn in the foreground with Chaplin Jason Ferrell in the center / background.

Longmont Lodge Christmas Baskets

On Saturday, December 22, Longmont Elks Lodge #1055 conducted our annual Christmas Food Basket Program. This year baskets containing ham, bread, flour, sugar, canned goods, cereal, soup, noodles and various other items were distributed to 48 needy Longmont area families. The Elks have distributed food to families in the Longmont area via this program for over 100 years.

Golden Lodge Christmas Baskets

On Dec. 14, the Golden Elks met at their Lodge to put together Christmas baskets for families in the Golden area that needed a little help. We helped 40 families this year, a record for us. We always have a pot luck dinner to eat after the baskets are assembled.

This is a family affair and all the food and presents, we give at least one gender and age appropriate gift for each child in the family, is donated by our members. This year we also received a donation from Wal-Mart of $1,000 for our baskets.

We give a turkey or a ham with each basket and fresh fruit and vegetables, and canned goods, bread, sugar, flour, marshmallows for a meal and some goods to last for a few more days.

The baskets are picked up by the recipients or delivered the next day.
Our Drug Awareness chairman Ed Utsch made up a bag with drug awareness materials for each family also.