Elk Family

This story is about a new Elk family. Ron Beach joined the Golden Elks 5 years ago and started through the chairs almost immediately. He was installed as Exalted Ruler this year. His wife Paula is a 3 year member and has served as Inner Guard and this year was installed as Secretary. Their son John is a volunteer fireman with the Golden fire department and a 3 year member also and was installed as Lecturing Knight this year. All of them are members of the Elks National Foundation.

Stephen Day Park: (L-R) Chaplain - Susan Hohnemann, Leading Knight – Byron Dunn.

Mountain View Cemetery: (L-R) Exalted Ruler – Lynn Dunn, Member - Phyllis Pahlke.

Foothills Garden of Memory: (L-R) Loyal Knight – Nancy Bourgeois, Secretary – PDDGER Fred Pahlke.

The Longmont Elks; along with the VFW, American Legion and their Auxiliaries, traveled to Stephen Day Park, Foothills Gardens of Memory and Mountain View Cemetery, to memorialize and remember the sacrifices of our Veterans. Each stop included a presentation of wreaths’, 21 gun salute and the playing of Taps. The final stop at Mountain View Cemetery also included a guest speaker from the American Legion.

This was a great opportunity for the Longmont Lodge to show our support for Veterans, and to let the community know of the Elks commitment to those same Veterans.

On Saturday May 23rd some of the Elks from Colorado participated in the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Denver. PER Rodd Blatter from Golden rode his motorcycle in the parade in honor of our veterans. His passenger was PER John Corey from Westminster Lodge. John is a 37 year vet from Vietnam. It was a thrill to ride in the parade and John was thrilled also. Rodd and John were high fiving all the young kids who stood along the streets waving flags and saluting all the soldiers and Veterans there were there. It was a beautiful day for a parade and ride. As I rode the route I was sad to see such a small turnout, I guess more forgot about the parade then I could believe. What a shame, but I as and Elk will never forget them or that day. Rodd

Elks raise funds for Cripple Creek Rehab & Wellness Center

Kathy Figie

Michelle Koehn

Michelle Koehn and Kathy Figie have long wanted to do something for the residents of Cripple Creek Rehab and Wellness Center (formerly Hilltop Nursing Home). When they became Elks earlier this year they realized that is what the Elks do - raise money to donate or contribute to worthy causes. They decided to get a committee together and raise money to purchase a Wii machine for the residents of the Wellness Center and their first project took off.

The committee put together a basket to raffle off under the Elks license at $1 a ticket. They involved local merchants who contributed to the basket - night stays at JP Mc Gill and Midnight Rose suites, Swedish Massages, lunch at Ralph's Break Room, gift certificate at Cripple Creek Coffee, truffles from Cripple Creek Candy, tours at the Old Homestead and more - until the value of the basket exceeded $750! Then - the ticket selling.

"The fundraiser for the Cripple Creek Rehab & Wellness Center went very well. Kay Hazlett was our very happy winner. We raised enough money to purchase a Wii, extra remotes, charges, games and the "Wii fit" to help with physical therapy," explained Michelle Koehn. Kathy Figue went on to say "The Center is very excited that we are helping them to acquire this equipment. We should be getting all the parts together in June for a presentation."

The committee knows there would not have been a success without the support they received from the local community. Koehn was quick to point out "Thanks go to sponsors such as the Triple Crown Casinos, Massage by Donna Peterson, Ralph's Break Room, Cripple Creek Coffee, Cripple Creek Candy, the Old Homestead House and Wal-mart for their excellent contributions and also to those who bought tickets and supported our cause." It is the people though who really put it together, Figie made a point to mention "Last but not least, a special thanks to Rhiannon Carnahan for all her hard work making our basket fabulous." Koehn and Figie run the Casino Cuts II Salon in Cripple Creek.

Golden Elks Youth Recognition night

On May 6, 2009 the Golden Elks held a Youth Recognition Night at the Lodge. We had our $1,000.00 scholarship winner Linnea Jones who will be attending the Colorado School of Mines in the fall and her parents. We had our 8-9 year old boy category in our Hoop Shoot contest Pablo Simon, who won the Lodge contest, the District contest, the State contest and competed but did not win at the regional contest, but will be back next year to try again. Then we had our 3 Americanism Essay Contest winners, 1st place Jaimi Mueller who received $25.00, 2nd place Maliea Van who won $15.00, and Gretchen Knaut 3rd place who won $10.00. We also recognized an outstanding volunteer student Brandon Beach who was our Elroy the Elk for several hours downtown at Golden’s First Friday Celebration with a certificate of appreciation.

The President of the Golden Elks Ron Beach read a proclamation signed by Gov. Ritter proclaiming May 1-8 as Elks Colorado State Youth Week, and a proclamation from Golden Mayor Jacob Smith proclaiming the same week as Golden Elks Youth Week.

The Golden Elks sponsor Boy and Girl Scouts, 4H, provide dictionaries to 3rd graders in 7 local schools, provide Drug Education materials to our youth and their guardians. We provide a watch to a Golden High Valedictorian every year, as well as a $1,000.00 scholarship just to name a few of our youth programs. We hope our efforts will help to build good citizens for the future.

Pizza and soda’s were enjoyed by all before the awards began. It was a very nice evening and we wish to thank all the parents and grandparents who came out to support their children.

Golden PER ENF Fundrasier

Our little old wine maker Norm introducing our visitors

Chefs of Golden, PER's L-R back row: John Schwenke, Rodd Blatter, George Bukey, Earl Maxon, Lloyd Garrett; front row: Norm Hicks, Leonard McBroom, Wayne Rogers

On Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 the Golden Elk PER’s held their 18th annual Fun Nite. Our theme this year was “Chefs” and we cooked up a very nice recipe for raising money for ENF, over $520.00.
We had a short business meeting and then had a nice buffet dinner prepared by the Chefs and then an auction with items donated by the Chefs. We had visitors from Denver, Westminster, Idaho Springs and Englewood Lodges in attendance and by all reports they all had a great time.

Golden Shooter places at Colorado State Hoop Shoot

Pablo Simon who won the Elks CNW District 8-9 year old boys division of the Elks National Hoop Shoot Contest and qualified for the Colorado State Hoop Shoot, competed and won the division again. He tied for first with 21 of 25 shots with Nick Oster, a shooter from Littleton, so they had a 5 shot shoot off where Nick made 2 of 5 and Pablo made 4 of 5 making him the 1st place winner and now on his way to the Regional Contest where he will compete with the State Champs from Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Pablo is a student at Mitchell Elementary School and is representing the Golden Elks in the Hoop Shoot Contest because he won our Lodge contest. The expenses of any travel to the various contest are covered for the contestant, his parents and siblings as well as lodging and food.
The Regional Contest will be March 7, 2009 at Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch Littleton Colorado
As the District champion Pablo received a tee shirt from the Golden Elks and a District Hoop Shoot Champion jacket. At the State contest the Golden Elks gave him a hat and he got an Elks basketball, medal, trophy, and some hoop shoot rockers for his jacket or the sweat suit he will receive.
Chris Simon, Pablo’s father, was at the contest and had to make calls to many family members to tell them the news and was very proud of his son at the banquet held for all the contestants and their families at the Salida Elks Lodge after the contest. Nick’s family sat with Chris and Pablo at the banquet and we all had a very good time conversing with each other about the Elks, the contest and the kids in general, showing that our aim in this contest is to instill sportsmanship in competition and life and to promote fellowship, thus conforming to our motto Elks Care-Elks Share.

Veterans Hide Program

Jeannette Rogers and Ed Utsch of Golden Lodge after delivering last of hides to Brighton for pickup to the tannery.

Ed Utsch and Wayne Rogers State Chairman of Colorado Elks Veterans Hide Program

Collection site in Brighton where we store the hides till they are shipped to tannery.

We have completed gathering the hides for this year and have about 11 pallets to ship to the tannery. We have collected about 600 hides this year for the Veterans, and these will be combined with the other 21 states that collect hides and the leather will be made into craft kits and fingerless wheelchair gloves and leather for art projects by the Veterans of out country free of charge, thanks to all involved in donating the hides, promoting the program and all the Elk volunteers that salted the hides to preserve them till we could get them to the tannery.
I want to thank Idaho Springs, Greeley, Brighton, Colorado Springs, Montrose, Grand Junction, Salida, Golden, Arvada, Ft. Morgan, Westminster, Ft. Collins, and any other Lodges I may have missed, for participating.
I want to thank all the media that helped us promote this program, especially 9News, Yourhub.com, the Denver Post and Rocky Mtn.News, Greeley Tribune, the paper in Brighton, all the Lodge newsletters, the State Bulletin, the Colorado Elks Web Site and all the others I didn’t mention.

The Don Van Lew Memorial Dance to Benefit Laradon

The Scuffed Shoes Square Dance Club held its annual dance and silent auction to benefit Laradon on Sunday, January 25th at the Westminster Elks Lodge.

This year’s benefit proved to be a great success by raising $2,000! The majority of the funds, $1,840, were raised through ticket sales and through the members of the Scuffed Shoes Square Dance Club. The silent auction brought in $160 and the callers and cuer donate their time and talents to helping Laradon and people with special needs.

The Scuffed Shoes Square Dance Club has honored the memory of their late friend, Don Van Lew, by naming the dance The Don Van Lew Memorial Dance to Benefit Laradon Hall. Don was instrumental in organizing and coordinating the dance for many years. His passion and kindness gave him the ability to get people excited about helping Laradon Hall and children and adults with developmental disabilities.

We are thankful for the Scuffed Shoes Square Dance Club and for Don Van Lew who inspired so many people to help Laradon. Thank you to the dancers and to all who donate their time and silent auction items. Special thanks to the Westminster Elks Lodge who donate the use of the hall for this great benefit. With everyone’s help, we are giving Laradon and the children and adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs hope for a brighter future and happier tomorrow.

Golden Shooter advances to State Hoop Shoot

Pablo Simon, sponsered by the Golden Elks Lodge, took 1st place at the District Hoop Shoot contest held in Evergreen Jan,31, 2009.
Pablo made 18 of 25 free throws in the 8-9 year old boys division. The win qualifies him to compete in the upcoming State contest where he will compete againist the winners of the other 5 districts of the Elks National Hoop Shoot Contest, which will be held in Salida, Colorado Feb. 21, 2009.
picture L-R 8-9 year old girls & boys second place girls Madison Walker, winner Kate Demarsh, boys winner Pablo Simon and second place Brandon Gilley. In back on left is Willie Williams, CNW District Hoop Shoot Director.

Potential Parker Area Lodge

A meeting will be held to discuss a potential new Lodge in the Parker area. The meeting will be held at the Mainstreet Center Auditorium, 19650 E Mainstreet in Parker on January 13 at 7:30 p.m. It is open to all Elks and non-Elks who are interested in learning more about the Elks and the potential for a new Lodge in the Parker area. All Elks in the area are encouraged to invite their families, neighbors and friends to attend this meeting.

Golden Elks send Santa Claus to Laradon Hall

Dec. 19, 2008 Rodd Blatter, aka Santa, attended the Laradon Hall Christmas Party to hand out presents to the clients of Laradon living off campus. The presents were donated by many Colorado Elk Lodges under the direction of Bob & Kathy Wingert. Golden Lodge donated to this great cause and the members can be proud of their support of our State Major Project.