This is July and August combined news letter.
July 4th will soon be upon us, our Day Of Independence from the crown, and it will be celebrated in the highest manner anybody can do, with friends, family and the little ones running about with sparklers and some small fireworks, marking the Day of Celebration, and capping it off with a family dinner. Gathering with friends or some new friends you have made at the Elks Lodge.
The 4th of July is a very special Day for the United States of America, one that has lived on in song and memory. People bring out old photos and reminisce about past holidays, what fun it is to watch a large fireworks display at your township, and your own little display at home. It is a time of celebration, free to celebrate as you wish. Just as our founding fathers, was thinking of a time to be free, it is almost 250 years later if they even thought their idea they had would last this long. Just as the first Elks Lodge lasting 157 years if they thought it would last. But it has lasted due to our belief in a better union that it is possible to take hold and live on. Not just by chance but by real Americans who believe in what can and is possible.
I would like to personally thank several of our fellow Elks for doing and not trying to be noticed but they where noticed by there fellow Elks at the State of Nebraska Spring convention in Kearney Nebraska. Milt Schmidt State Officer of the year, Vicki Jurgens State Elk of the year, Larry Schwindt PER, PDDGER, PSP became State Ritual Judge and Larry Bratt PER, PDDGER, PSP for being Nebraska's last year's State President. All are well deserved of their new and past titles. We have some good Elks to inspire us to be the best we can be as Elks.
In August will be State Fall convention, we be able to meet the new Grand Exalted Ruler and do some golfing at the Kearney Elks Lodge on their 9 hole course. Fun will be had by all. August - 15299
There are some volunteering opportunities if any body is looking at F Street Rec Center, (contact Tiler Mary Ryan) and Veterans at the Victory apartments and Coffeehaus... contact Trustee Milt Schmidt. Keep in mind Karaoke and Burger Night. Have a Fun and enjoyable Summer!!
As always Keep your EOG handy Look at the calendar and just have Fun.
Troy Pedersen ER Lincoln Lodge #80
Grand Exalted Ruler
A Message from the Grand Exalted Ruler
Hon. Douglas A. Schiefer
Community projects show Elkdom's Heart for America
What an unbelievable opportunity to serve our great Order! I need to first thank my wonderful wife, Julia. Without her love, support, and commitment this experience would not be possible. We both are so grateful to have been chosen to take this amazing journey. We have been so blessed by the support of our family, friends, and our Elks family. We are so thankful for everything you do.
My theme this year is "Elkdom's Heart for America." It means recognizing all the honorable and charitable things Elks strive for and want to accomplish in their quest to make their communities and America a better place. I chose this theme because it exemplifies what our founding Members learned when they came to the aid of a fellow Elk's widow 156 years ago. It was that spirit that changed the local social club into the amazing organization it is today by demonstrating charity and brotherly love.
As we travel the country, Julia and I will be promoting our Elks programs administered by our Grand Lodge Committees to make our Lodges stronger and improve our image throughout our great Order. We will be promoting local community service projects. Here's an opportunity to engage with your schools, help children who need it by providing critical school supplies, and lay the groundwork for other Elks youth programs. These programs can build stronger communities while stimulating a response that motivates worthy members of the public to seek Elks membership. In this way, our community service builds the foundation for our future.
Successful Lodges create and develop local projects that can become signature accomplishments in the eyes of their community. In turn, members of the community will see these projects mature over time and want to become involved.
If we work together toward our charitable pursuits and remain faithful to our programs, I'm confident we will see an increase in membership. It will not be just temporary gains, but a new time of growth where participation becomes commonplace.
A great source of funding community projects is the Elks National Foundation, known as the "Great Heart of Elkdom." For 2024-25, the ENF allotted $16.3 million to the CIP to help build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet the needs in areas where we live and work. The support we provide makes the Foundation's work possible.
The goal established for 2024-25 is $5.00 per Member. Here's an idea for this week: Visit elks.org, go to the Fraternal Committee page, and print off a copy of the "Patriotism Week Proclamation." Have your mayor sign it to proclaim September 9-15, 2024, as National Patriotism Week in your town. Then, use this opportunity to encourage new Members to join our great Order.
Remember "Elks Care – Elks Share" by showing "Elkdom's Heart for America." God bless you all, God bless our troops, and God bless America!
Secretary Laurie Montag
Ahhhhh, summer in Nebraska! 90+ degree highs with all that cornfield sweat contributing to the humidity. Some days it feels like you could swim through the air! But those of us who chose to live here (and have air conditioning) wouldn’t trade it for anything. Nebraska – The Good Life (but it’s not for everyone)!
In two more years, our great nation will celebrate its Semiquincentennial/Sestercentennial/Quarter Millennial/ or the Big Two-Five-Oh – that's pretty amazing, regardless of what you call it! So, as we celebrate this 248th year since the birth of the United States of America, remember that the great blessings we enjoy have come with great sacrifice – thank a Vet!
I had the best time chatting with some of our 50+ members who were honored at the June 15th dinner! In attendance were Dick Baker, Wes Durst PER, Terry Edwards PER, Wade Graft, Dewey Harouff, John Herrod, Art Jones, Russ Langley, Marlen Luff, Bill Palmer, Jim Ray, Rod Rozanek PER, and Duane Vanderbeek. We also honored Wauneta Peterson for her membership and her contributions to the lodge. We had a great meatloaf dinner and enjoyed getting reacquainted – and for me, it was great to put a face with more of the names with which I've become familiar as secretary for the past several years. Some expressed a desire to come to the lodge more often – and we'd certainly be pleased to see you any time you can make it! For those 50+ members who could not attend for whatever reason – we love and appreciate you!
Enjoy your summer!
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance with all things Elk. There is voicemail on the lodge phone, or you may contact me as below. See you at the Lodge!
Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone Laurie Montag / secretary@elks80.org / 402.202.6673 by text or phone.
Leading Knight Randy King
The Leading Knight message is not available at this time.
Loyal Knight Dr William Jackson
The Loyal Knight message is not available at this time.
Lecturing Knight Bryan Leavitt
The Lecturing Knight message is not available at this time.
Karaoke, July 19th 6:00-9:00pm Bring a goodie to share.
Saturday, July 20th Summer Time Picnic Dinner Hamburgers, Brats, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, and Peach Cobbler for dessert. $12.00 per person Social hour: 5:30pm - Dinner: 6:30pm
Saturday, August 10th Lasagna Time Lasagna Dinner. Traditional Lasagna (meatless also available), garlic bread, salad, dessert. Sponsored by members with August Birthdays. Is that you? See Trustee Milt Schmidt on how to help... $12.00 per person Social hour: 5:30pm - Dinner: 6:30pm
Karaoke, August 16th 6:00-9:00pm Bring a goodie to share.
The lodge was informed that the Elk-O-Gram newsletter is available to current Elk members only.
With that in mind, it was decided to have members log on to the website to view the EOG.
In order to log on to the website, you will need to register a user id and password to obtain access.
To register, click on the words "Logon - Members only" in the upper right hand corner of a elks80.org web page. You will be taken to the logon page.
On logon page click on the "No password, please Register" words in the bottom right of the logon page. You wil be taken to the Registration form.
On the registration page, You will need to enter data in each field to create your password. This data must match the data that is on the CLMS (The Grand Elks Lodge database.) If you have problems with obtaining a password, please contact the webmaster (link at the bottom of every elks80 web page).
After you obtain your user credentials, return to the logon page and log on. You will then see a link to the newsletters on the menu on the left side of the screen.
Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.
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To All Lodge #80 Membership
The Covid-19 pandemic has truly disrupted and changed our lives in unprecedented ways. Places we used to visit or frequent have changed as we have. We all need to adjust to the new norm.
If you look around Lincoln, you can see the economic impact that we are currently experiencing. For the first time in my life I was left with a very unsettling feeling going to the grocery store and discovering shelf's that had no product on them or please limit yourself to 1, signs.
Even our lodge is struggling to make ends meet. We were given an increase in our property valuation, we were closed for several months, we did not have meals or events scheduled. Revenue that used to flow was nonexistent.
We had to do something. Since we had very limited resources coming in, we had to find ways to reduce costs. One way was to ask the County Tax commissioners to grant us a tax exemption, I am very sure that you have heard the term Quid Pro Quo. (This for that) So in exchange for a considerable savings (to all of us) we had to give up some hours of operation. We did not have to lay off any current employees we simply did not replace, again saving us a large chunk of money. We changed supply companies, soon cable companies, pest control companies and other things just to name a few.
We are making these changes to stay within our financial constraints and to be good Stewards of your money.
I appreciate your understanding. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon
Protect childhood with tenderness, old age with respect, cherish with reverence
the memory of those who have passed.
