k

Mark These

Dates:

December 3rd

LODGE

MEMORIAL

December 2nd

HOOP SHOOT

NEW

PROVIDENCE

DECEMBER 6

DD LOIS’

HOMECOMING

December 14

Lyons Hosp

Christmas

Party

December 17th

SUMMIT’S

HOLIDAY

EXTRAVAGANZA

July, 2014 Summit Sampler

2017/2018 OFFICERS Trustee- 1 Yr: Louis DeSocio, PER Exalted Ruler – F. Mike Williams, PER Trustee– 2 Yr: Richard Callaghan, Jr.

Est. Leading Knight – Bonita Peacock Trustee-3 Yr: Anthony Plesh, Jr., PDD

Est. Loyal Knight: Scott Gleason Trustee–4 Yr: Jeff Leitz, PER

Est. Lecturing Knight: Barbara Leparulo Trustee–5 Yr: Jay Kennedy

Esquire: Rick Wolffe

Secretary: Lois Pagano, PER

Treasurer: Peter Quinn

Chaplain: Sharon Pikowski

Inner Guard: William Gore

Tiler: Michael Yanacone

Embrace charity and compassion this holiday season Embrace charity and compassion this holiday season Christmas is certainly a time to visit family, socialize with friends, cook delicious meals, and shop for the perfect gift, but we must also remember the true spirit of the holiday. As Dr. Seuss famously wrote in the story of the Grinch, “Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” For Elks, Christmas means a lot more. It’s the ideal time to put my theme of “Strengthening Elkdom Through Community Awareness” into practice and showcase the hope and charity that Elks have given throughout the past 150 years. There are many ways Lodges can give back to those who are alone or struggling this Christmas season, such as adopting a family in need of a warm meal or winter coat, donating gifts to children whose families can’t afford presents under the tree, or visiting with veterans who don’t have loved ones. Be sure to spread the word of your charitable efforts through your membership—I’m confident you’ll receive a positive response and many helping hands. In addition, as you attend social events at your Lodges this holiday, remember to be kind and compassionate to one another. While the holidays are a fun and easygoing time for some, they can be difficult for others. It is our duty as Elks to extend the same help to each other as we do to our friends outside the Order. From our house to yours, Pat and I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year. We hope you all find a way to grow your hearts three sizes this Christmas. See you in 2018!

Dec. 2017

Message from Grand Exalted

Ruler Malcolm J.

McPherson, Jr.

Americanism- Robert Peacock, Drug Awareness – Louis DeSocio, PER, Gov’t Relations- F. Michael Williams, PER, Hoop Shoot – F. Mike Williams, PER, Lodge Activities- Lucia Leonard, ENF-Lois Pagano, PER, Membership-Anthony Plesh, Jr.,PDD, National Veterans Service-Louis DeSocio, PER, Parades-Anthony Plesh, Jr., PDD, Army of Hope-Louis DeSocio, PER, Public Relations-Lois Pagano, PER, Newsletter-Lois Pagano, PER, Special Children-Valerie Smith, Youth Activities-Sharon Pikowski

Norman Rockwell’s:

Home for Christmas

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Hi Members!

As we prepare for the holidays please be mindful of all who is in need. Summit Lodge is holding a Coat Drive for the

Homeless Vets, if you have a coat hanging in your closet, we will gladly take it. Please bring it up to the Lodge drop

box.

SHE HAS BEEN BUSY VISITING ALL THE LODGES IN THE DISTRICT NOW IS TIME TO JOIN US AS WE

WELCOME HOME DISTRICT DEPUTY LOIS PAGANO ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH!!!!

Summit’s HOOP SHOOT, set for December 2ND, The Elks Annual Memorial to honor our Departed Members on

December 3rd, Annual Veterans Christmas Party at Lyons Hospital December 14th, Annual Christmas Extravaganza on

December 17th which will be fun for all ages! Please see the enclosed flyers for more details!

I wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fraternally yours, Michael Williams

Message from Exalted Ruler, Michael Williams

I hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving with your family and friends! November was a very busy month. I think this year’s Fall Conference was the greatest Fall Conference ever, just sayin’. Our National President Malcolm J. McPherson, Jr. ignited New Jersey at every event! Congratulations to Exalted Ruler Mike Gedman of Union Lodge 1583 for representing the East Central District and doing such a great job performing the Toast and Flag Charge. I had the pleasure of attending the District’s Veterans Committee’s Charity Ball on November 4th at Stirling Lodge #2392. Thanks to Vets District Chairman, PDD “Coach” Colwell and his committee for making the evening a huge success. It was a great turnout; a great way to thank all the Veterans who were present.

The New Jersey State Elks Association is conducting its 1st Annual Fund Drive to benefit the Homeless and Hospitalized Veterans of the State of New Jersey. I am proud to join National Veterans Services Region II Chairman Brian Hopkins in this effort. There are so many men and women who have put their lives on the line for us only to come back hospitalized or without a home, it’s shameful. I am confident that our District a/k/a “the Magnificent 7” will live up to the Elks’ mission: “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”. With the busy holiday season approaching, please remember to set aside Sunday, December 3 at your lodges for your Memorial to honor our absent members and to remember December 7th, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, “a day that will live in infamy”. Congratulations to Barbara Brennan on her Homecoming that was held on November 21st at Springfield/Hillside Lodge #2004. Exalted Ruler Kathy Regan and her Officers performed a beautiful rendition of the Ritual by memory which made the evening very special. Also join me in congratulating them as they will be heading to Long Branch to perform in the Ritual Competition in February! As I prepare for my own homecoming, I would like to extend a special “Thank You” to all the lodges for their hospitality during my pre-visits and all their efforts in performing the long version of the Ritual for me during my visits. It is so great to see the long version back again! I also want to thank my Team, PDD Jenn Hopkins, PDD Mark Dunnder and last but never least my 1st Man PDD Anthony Plesh, Jr. for all your help!

On behalf of PDD Tony Plesh, Jr. and myself, I would like to wish everyone a Joyous Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and a very Healthy, Happy New Year. See you around the District.

, God Bless our Elks’ Families, Friends and all who Serve!

“The Greatest Generation” 102 years-young WWII Veteran Phil Sapienza who served in the Army from 1942-1945 who still drives!

Message from DDGER Lois Pagano

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I attended the Fall Conference last month and was truly proud to be a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks as by the end of Saturday morning’s donation lines, for both the Special Children as well as Elks National Foundation, the State of New Jersey donated close to $450k. Where else does this happen? Truly amazing fundraising efforts by all! The conference was upbeat and fun in a totally special way this year as our very own Malcolm J. McPherson, Grand Exalted Ruler was present. He shared with us his travels around the country as the Grand but also how happy he was to be in his home state, the Great State of New Jersey. Our very own Mark Dunnder, State Ritual Chairperson ran the Eleventh-Hour Toast and Flag Charge Competition and was a wonderful MC for the competition. In addition, Richie Zacek, East Central District

Message from ECD VP BARBARA BRENNAN

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the American Army and Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The attack came as a surprise to the American Army and Navy and lead to great losses of life and equipment. More than 2000 American citizens were killed and more than 1000 were injured. The Americans also lost a large proportion of their battle ships and nearly 200 aircraft that were stationed in the Pacific region. More than 60 Japanese servicemen were killed, injured or captured. The Japanese Navy also lost five midget submarines and 29 aircraft.

The Japanese military had hoped that the attack on Pearl Harbor would prevent the United States of America from increasing her influence in the Pacific. However, the events in Pearl Harbor actually lead to the escalation of World War II. The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and so entered World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt in a speech to Congress stated that the bombing of Pearl Harbor was “a date which will live in infamy”.

Ritual Chairperson, assisted at the competition as a judge and did a great job. Congratulations to Mike Gedman, Exalted Ruler from Union, for competing and representing the East Central District in the Competition. Springfield Hillside will be representing the East Central District in the State Ritual Competition in February down in Long Branch. Congratulations to Kathy “Irish” Regan and her team of Officers for doing a phenomenal job of Ritual at my Homecoming. I would encourage all in our District to make plans to go down and support Springfield as they compete More details to follow. On Wednesday, December 6th at Summit Lodge, we welcome home our East Central District District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Lois Pagano. Lois’ Homecoming will start at 8pm

sharp. Please come out and join in the celebration to welcome her home. On behalf of Eugene and myself, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a Blessed New Year. See you around the East Central District in 2018! Barbara Brennan Vice President East Central District Springfield-Hillside Lodge #2004 862-220-0450

Veterans Committee: On Thursday, December 14th please join us at Lyons Hospital for the District’s Annual Veterans Christmas Party. Please come out and join us…… Volunteers are more than appreciated! We will be handing out gifts and Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings! We will be meeting at Building 143 at 6:30. For more information, please contact me at ldesocio1431@comcast.net Merry Christmas to All! God Bless Our Men and Women who Serve! Louis Desocio,Vets Chairman

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From the Secretaries Desk:

Hi All:

As we prepare for the upcoming holidays, please keep mindful of all the people who are less

fortunate: the homeless, the unemployed and especially all our veterans who are struggling while

they are transitioning to civilian life. We pride ourselves as a “Premier Charitable Organization”,

so if you can please give, whether it’s a coat, a welcome home kit or a donation.

Dues money: Thanks to all of you who have sent in your dues. Sponsors, if you know anyone who

is struggling, please let me know. We do not want to lose a good member because he or she is

experiencing difficulties. Please contact me directly at lpagano07901@gmail.com. I want to thank

Tony Plesh and Louie DeSocio for stepping up and calling over 100 lapsed members. At this time I

am not publishing the lapsed members as they are actively sending in their money.

Wishing you and your families a very healthy, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa & New

Year!

Fraternally yours,

Lois Pagano, Lodge Secretary

The Special Children’s Committee

To all our Members and Special Children: I would like to wish you all a very healthy holiday season! This year has been a great year for our Committee and our Special Kids. We have sent over 14 kids to the camp and are in the process of purchasing a much -needed shed for the Camp through all the funds raised at our last Spring Fling and all your support! We are working on the next big event…stay tuned! Fraternally yours, Rick Wolffe, Chairman

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BATTERS UP

Members: The Summit Elks Hoop Shoot will be held on this Saturday, December 2nd at the New Providence Rec Center. I am asking for volunteers to help out so that we can have a successful event. Please come to the Rec Center at 3:00 pm so that we can set up and register the contestants. This fun free throw contest is open to all boys and girls who will be between the ages of 8 and 13 on april 1, 2018. If you know anyone in this group who would like to participate come up! We will sign you up then! Also if you have a high school child over the age of 14 that needs to fill in their Community Service obligation they can get credit if they come and help us! I look forward to seeing you on Saturday! Applications are available by clicking on the following link: HooP ShooT Application If you need any further information please contact me at fmikewilliams@aol.com Mike Williams Hoop Shoot Coordinator

HOOP SHOOT

Mike Williams, Hoop Shoot Chairman

AMERICANISM The Americanism Essay Contest “Why Our Veterans are America’s Heroes” is ending soon! Please have your kids get the essays in by December 16th. For more information on the contest please see the enclosed flyer. This is a fabulous contest for students in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades. The winners will receive One Ounce Silver Eagle Coins and everyone will be recognized for entering! Robert Peacock, Americanism Chairman

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On Sunday, 3rd of December, we will honor

all our Departed Members, starting at

noon, please join us in this solemn

ceremony.

Should time ever halt or a moment drop, In his speedy onward flight, Let us hope that the hour he chooses to stop, Be the hour of eleven at night. For that sacred hour, the last of

the day, Is the hour when our thoughts fly to others, With our hearts full of love at that hour let’s pray, God protect our dear absent brother! To Our Absent Members

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Veterans Committee:

There are over 6,000 homeless

and hospitalized veterans in

the State of New Jersey alone.

It’s a shame that these men and

women who have given so

much, came back to so little.

The Elks are determined to

help in every way we can to

ensure these men and women

are given the help and

recognition what they deserve.

Hand in Hand: Henry Bassman, member of Summit Lodge and also Commander of The American Legion Post presented Louis DeSocio, Veterans Committee Chairman, with a $1,000 donation

Thanksgiving Dinner at Paramus Served with Love: (Left to Right) State President- John Szczomak, Heather Lasher- Vets Chairman, Hoboken Lodge, ER Meghan McPherson- Lyndhurst Lodge and National President Malcolm J. McPherson, Jr.

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Time to Celebrate! The Summit Elks achieved a big milestone, closing on a $1.3 million loan for the construction of it's Rooftop Terrace Project, provided by Investors Bank.

CELEBRATE

PDD Anthony Plesh’s 70th at the Lodge

DD Lois Pagano and VP Barb Brennan a/k/a Karaoke Queens singing at Mountainside’s Karaoke Night

East Central District aka Magnificent 7 at Fall Conference

Our National Barber PDD Tony Plesh and National President Malcolm J.

McPhersonat the Fall Conference

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Summit Lodge #1246 40 Maple Street Summit, NJ 07901 908 522-9640

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.summitelks1246.org

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SUMMIT LODGE #1246 40 MAPLE ST SUMMIT, NJ 07901

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