Tales of Elks

Hutchinson Elks Lodge No. 2427 Volume 44, Issue 4

July, 2013

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Exalted Ruler’s Message /

New Members

1

Does Talk /

GER Brazier’s Message

2

Students of the Month /

Water Carnival Parade

3

Soccer Shoot /

Flag Day Ceremony

4

Lodge & Club Activities 5

July Calendar 6

August Calendar /

Duffers Tourney / Steak Fry

Orange Spectacular /

Veteran’s Bingo

7

8

2013-2014 Officers

Exalted Ruler ......... Jeremy Bakke Leading Knight ........... Tammy Lehn (George Lehn) Loyal Knight .................... Craig Gill (Jennifer) Lecturing Knight .................. Vacant Secretary .............. Dennis Schroeder (Louise)

Treasurer ...................... Michael Loe (Tonia Bymers) Esquire ...................... Sidney Grams (Gerry) Inner Guard................Lane Schlecht (Donna) Tiler ........................... Stan Scieszka (Karen)

Chaplain .............. Clifford DeBlock (Shirley)

2013-2014 Board of Trustees

Rick Phillips, Chair Jack Fitzwater Sarah Benson Paul Ackland

Elks Tales Editor & Coordinator

Dennis Schroeder

Distribution Manager Stan Scieszka

The Tales of Elks is published monthly under the auspices of the Grand Lodge and Hutchinson Lodge #2427 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U. S. A., 720 Highway 7 East, Box 272, Hutchinson, MN 55350, Permit No. 3.

EXALTED RULER’S MESSAGE Members all: Yet another month has come and gone. Now if these storms could also be gone. June was, yet again, another very busy month. It started with the local Soccer Shoot. There were many vol-

unteers who made the event run very smoothly. Thank you to all that could help. Our biggest event in June was held on the 10th. On this day we held our Flag Day Cere-mony in Library Square. This is one of the most important days for the Elks as the Elks founded Flag Day. I would like to give a big thank you to the Officers, the Boy Scouts, Mayor Cook, the representatives of the Army National Guard, VFW, American Legion, and the Hutchinson Jaycees. Music was performed by the Concord Singers of New Ulm. The Does provided pie and ice cream. Very deli-cious! On June 16 the Elks pulled the Drug Aware-ness trailer in the Hutchinson Water Carnival parade. We handed out pamphlets to raise awareness on various substances. We also handed out candy and beverages. Thank you

to ALL who helped and walked in the parade. Or shall I say ran? It went by quite quickly. On June 20 we held an Initiation for new members. We initiated six new members. If you have not yet, please give them a warm Elks welcome when you see them. On June 23 we held another pancake break-fast for the Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team. We served roughly 190 people. A wonderful ac-complishment as we were well understaffed with volunteers. Thank you to those volun-teers that did step up and help. Finally, to wrap up June, we attended the Minnesota Elks State Convention in Wor-thington, Minnesota, on the 28th-30th. I will be attending the National Elks Con-vention July 14-19. The Orange Spectacular will be on the July 26-28. If you can help, please sign up at the Lodge. Coming up on August 3 we have the Elks Duffers Golf Tourney. Remember we have car shows going on Monday nights with drink and food specials and bean bag tournaments on Saturdays start-ing at 4 p. m. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Fourth of July!

Fraternally yours,

Jeremy Bakke, Exalted Ruler

On June 20, Elks Lodge 2427 Officers initiated six new members pictured from left—Jeremy Ormond, Kathy Rathke, Vonnie Schramm, Curt Zieman and Andrew Stark. Jessie Moore was also initiated and left for work before the picture was taken. Extend a hand of friendship and wel-come when you see them at the Lodge.

Officers Initiate Six New Members

Page 2

Does Talk - Louise Schroeder, Does Drove 233 President

To Officers and

Members:

Elks carry forth

our nation’s

patriotic tradi-

tion

G o d b l e s s America! How often we say this and what mean-ing is conveyed in those three

words. “God” – the Supreme Being in whom a belief is required to be a Member of our great Order; “Bless” – to bestow good of any kind upon, to protect or guard from evil; and “America” – our country, our homeland. And this July we celebrate the 237th birthday of our great nation. What did our forefathers think as they looked down on this young nation that they so carefully tended in its early days? There must have been many things that brought a smile to their hearts and let them know their sacrifices were not made in vain. As Elks, we carry forth that patriotic tradition of our founders to en-sure the safety of our nation and its people. We are passionate about our way of life and

our families, and we cannot envision living any place else on this earth. Next time you say those three words – "God Bless America" – stop to remember all of the people who have contributed to the formation of our coun-try and its image as a "Beacon of Hope" in the world. Be proud of this heritage. Happy birth-day, America! As we begin our Grand Lodge Session in Reno, I want to welcome each new Officer and thank you for your dedication to our Or-der. We have a lot of work to do to continue the excellent traditions of our organization, and I know all of you will be up to the task. Remember to think creatively, implement de-cisively and ask for help where needed. To-gether, we will continue to grow and prosper in this great Order. Venita and I thank all of you for your sup-port and hospitality through this past year as we traveled through this great nation. We can’t begin to tell you how much we appreci-ate all of the hard work that you do for your local Lodges, major projects and our wonder-ful Order in general. You are all truly “Beacons of Hope” in our lives and in the lives of those whom you touch. It was a privi-lege to serve as your Grand Exalted Ruler and First Lady. Thank you all and God bless.

Sponsor three members (new or reinstated) and

receive this Grand Exalted Ruler Award Pin.

Does Members Summer is here at last but still the rain is with us. In June, the Drove members served pie and ice cream at the first summer night of Music in the Park. The Elks also pre-sented their Flag Program. Great

German music by the Concord Singers from

New Ulm was an evening highlight. Thanks to the Elks, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Boy Scout Troop 246, Na-tional Guardsmen, and Mayor Steven Cook for the very patriotic program. Thanks to the members who baked and served all the pie. Thanks to Chuck Draeger for serving the ice cream. The night was a success for the Does. No Does meeting will be held in July or Au-gust. A summer picnic will be held at a later date to be announced. Have a great summer and visit the Elks Lodge and enjoy the patio for some outdoor fun.

2013 Does Officers President ......... Louise Schroeder First Counselor….. Karen Gehrke Senior Counselor .. Janice Benton Secretary ............. Karen Scieszka Treasurer ................. Jackie Smith Conductor ............. Alexia Person Trustee ..................... Jan Draeger

Grand Exalted Ruler’s Message Honorable Thomas S. Brazier

Save your aluminum cans and bring them down to the Elks Lodge placing them in the Elks Cans For Kids

trailer. A full trailer makes over $300 available for youth charities in Hutchin-son.

Tales of Elks Page 3

2013-2014 Committees

Accident Prevention ....... Paul Ackland Americanism ................. Sidney Grams Auditing ........................ Michael Piehl Drug Awareness ............. Tammy Lehn Flag Day ........................ Jeremy Bakke Government Relations .... Tammy Lehn Hoop Shoot .................. Jack Fitzwater Investigation ........................ Craig Gill Membership/Lapsation ... Paul Ackland Lodge Activities ............ Tammy Lehn/ Kelly Jo Phillips Ritual .............................. George Lehn Memorial Service .......... Jeremy Bakke National Foundation ...... John Jennings Veterans’ Service .......... Stan Scieszka Public Relations ...... Dennis Schroeder Welfare/Relief ............. Lodge Officers Youth Activities ............ Stan Scieszka Community Activities ... Jeremy Bakke Soccer Shoot . Deb Card/Tammy Lehn PER Association ............ Cliff DeBlock Club Board .................... Jeremy Bakke Board of Trustees ............ Rick Phillips Charitable Gambling .. Brad Bonniwell Orange Spectacular ........ Paul Ackland Cash Wise Food Stand ....... Sid Grams Taste of Hutch ................ Kevin Burich Boy Scouts Liaison ............ Sid Grams Elk of the Year .......... Kelly Jo Phillips Tales of Elks ............ Dennis Schroeder Scholarships .................. Charles Olson Kids Christmas ......... Kelly Jo Phillips/ Tammy Lehn Penny-A-Day .......... Dennis Schroeder Highway Clean-up ....... Tim Pulkrabek Duffers Tourney ........... Lane Schlecht/ Steve Queenan Family Picnic .................... Rick Wilke Gun Show ...................... Dale Harbarth State Bowling ............... Lane Schlecht/ Brad Burich Shrimp Boil ....................... Skip Quade Pancake Breakfasts ........ Jeremy Bakke Kids to Camp Raffle ........ Rick Phillips Outside Maintenance .............. Lee Cox Inside Maintenance ........ Kevin Burich

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old college professor. Conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and retuned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal—some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee. After everyone had a cup of cof-fee in hand, the professor said, “If you no-ticed, all the nice-looking, expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain, cheap ones. While it is only normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your p ro b lems and stress. Be assured that the cup adds

Students of the Month at New Century Academy Stan Scieszka, Youth Activities Chair

Life is like Coffee! Author is unknown

no quality to the coffee. In most cases it’s just more expensive; and in some cases, even hides what you drink. What all you really wanted was the coffee, not the cup. But you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cup. Now consider this…Life is the Coffee; the jobs, money and positions in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life. And the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes…by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savor the coffee, not the cup. The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Speak kindly. Care Deeply. Love generously. The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

Believe in the Potential of Young

People to Accomplish Great Things!

Mark Muhich, Minnesota Elks

Youth Committee Chair

Andrea Stabler David Wendorff Teran Sorensen

The following dis-tributed packets contain-ing Drug Awareness literature and candy: George, Tammy, Jeremy, Ashley, Tony, Isaac, Brianna, Mason, Tayla and Chase.

Water Carnival Parade Tammy Lehn, Drug Awareness Chair

Volume 44, Issue 4 Page 4

Hutchinson Elks Soccer Shoot Champs Deb Card & Tammy Prior, Co-Chairs

The Hutchinson Elks Soccer Shoot was held on June 3 at the High School Soccer Field. The Champion Hutch Shooters age groups are:

6 -7 Girls 1st Place - Lexi Fitzwater

6 -7 Boys 1st Place - Nash Fitzwater 8 - 9 Girls 1st place - Hannah

Fitzwater 8 - 9 Boys 1st place--Sam Starke

10 - 11 Boys 1st place--Reynold Lopez/

Dannien Silus

12 - 13 Girls 1st place--Emma Benson

12 - 13 Boys 1st place--Brockton

Jordahl These Champion Shooters will par-ticipate in the District Soccer Shoot in Hutchinson Elks Park on July 20.

The Annual Elks Flag Day Program was held in Library Square in downtown Hutchinson on Mon-day, June 10. The Elks were joined by representa-tives from the American Legion Post 96 , Veterans of Foreign War Post 906 and Auxiliaries, National Guard, Memorial Rifle Squad, Boy Scout Troop 246, and Mayor Steven Cook. As PER John Jennings read the History of the Flag, members of Boy Scout 246 presented each flag to the audience. Mayor Cook presented the flag, which was flown over the nation’s capitol, to a member of the National Guard for flag raising with the audience singing of the Stars Spangled Banner. The program concluded with the Memo-rial Rifle Squad’s 21-gun salute and “Taps” played by Wally Pikal.

Flag Day Ceremony Conducted On June 11

Lodge is Available

for Rentals! Whatever the occasion--the Club can ac-commodate groups from 2-130. Catering is available. Call the Lodge for prices and to

reserve your date! Call 587-3116.

In vain we call...

Michael “Mike” C. O’BrienMichael “Mike” C. O’BrienMichael “Mike” C. O’BrienMichael “Mike” C. O’Brien

Membership No. 918 Born January 28, 1943

Died May 12, 2013

The faults of our members we write upon the sands; their virtues, upon the tablets of love and memory.

Page 5

Support The Following Advertisers

Tales of Elks

Dale’s Auto Sales 20641 Hwy. 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350

www.DalesAutoSalesMN.com Dale Harbarth Open 9 am - 8 pm Mark Harbarth We Trade, Finance & Warranty (320) 587-2663

Elks Shine Beacon of Hope! Elks Shine Beacon of Hope!

Place your “Business Card’ ad on this page. Your ad will run in each month’s issue for one year. The Tales of

Elks is mailed to over 325 members and others, is available at the Lodge, and can be read on hutchelks.org website. Cost is only $6.25 per month. Payment must be made in advance and be for the full year. Send ad information/business card and $75 to Elks, Box 272, Hutchinson, MN.

Town & Country Tire

Tires and More since 1984 Bob Elliott Owner DOWNTOWN 100 Washington Ave. E. Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone 320-587-5250 Fax 320-234-7637 tctire@hutchtel.net www.townandcountrytire.net

Be a Proposer

FREE!!!

Elks Family Picnic Sunday, August 4 12 – 4 p.m. At the Elks Park -

At the Lodge in case of rain

Serving: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs,

and Refreshments

Bring A Dish To Pass

Every Friday Night

at the Elks - 6:30 p.m. 2 Cover-all Games

Chance to Win up to $1,000 Check HCVN Channel 7 for Coverall Numbers

Food Special

Bar Monday: Classic Car/Bike Night (through September) $4.99 Burger Basket and $2.50 Summer Shandy bottles Kitchen hours: 5 to 8 Tuesday: Poker Night Receive 1000 chips for buying a menu item over $5.99 Receive 500 chips for buying 2 drinks before 7 p.m. $20 Gift Certificate for evening winner Three drink tickets for second place One drink ticket for third place Kitchen hours: 5 to 8:30 Wednesday: Burger Night $1.50 ¼ lb. burger - $1.75 ¼ lb. cheeseburger - $1 French fries - $1.50 onion rings. Kitchen hours: 5 to 8:30 Thirsty Thursday All drinks (including top shelf) and bottled beers $3.00 and $1.00 off any new menu items except pizzas Kitchen hours: 5 to 8 Friday: Bar Bingo Various food and drink specials Kitchen hours: 5 to 8 Saturday: Bean Bag Tournament begins at 4 p.m. $1 off all new menu items except pizzas Various drink special Specials are subject to availability and change Kitchen hours 5 to 7

Club News Jayson Newcomb, Club Coordinator

Every Wednesday

Burger Night Serving 5 - 8 p. m.

$1.50 Burgers $1.75 Cheeseburger $1.00 French Fries $1.50 Onion Rings

Volume 44, Issue 4 Page 6

Tales of Elks Page 7

August, 2013

Elks Duffers Golf Outing

Saturday, August 3 Crow River Country Club Sign up at the Lodge !! Open to Elk Members

and their guests. (Must have at least one Elk member per group.)

Awards to follow at the Lodge! Grill your own steak.

Cost of meal is separate! Any Questions Call: Lane Schlecht 320-583-0587 or Steve Queenan 612-723-7531

or the Lodge 587-3116.

Grill Your Own Steak Fry Saturday, August 3

5:30 p. m. - 7:30 p. m.

10 oz. Rib Eye $10.95 10 oz. Sirloin $ 9.95

10 oz. Chicken Breast $8.95 With Salad Bar, Bake Potato

Garlic Bread

Reserve your

meal by 9:00 p. m. Thursday, August 1

Call Lodge or sign up at the bar.

Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE 55350

PAID Hutchinson, MN

Permit No. 3

Hutchinson Elks Lodge 2427 P. O. Box 272 Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320-587-3660 E-mail: elklodge@mediacombb.net Web: hutchelks.org

July, 2013

Current Resident or

Can't always be a saint, I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep.

Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place,

The Soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass. 'Step forward now, Soldier, How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I have not.

Because those of us who carry guns,

The Final Inspection Author Unknown

Among the people here. They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand.”

There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the Soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you Soldier, You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell.'

On June 2 Stan Scieszka, Na-tional Service Committee Chair, called Bingo with the help of Dennis Schroeder at the St. Cloud Veteran’s Administrative Medical Center. Karen Scieszka and Louise Schroeder served snacks and sodas to the 30-40 participants. It was a pleasant day of sunshine and fun for the veterans.

Veterans’ Bingo

Orange Spectacular will be held on July 25 – 27, McLeod County Fair-grounds. Volunteers are needed for the Elks Soft Serve Ice Cream Stand. Sign up at the Elks Lodge or call 587-3116.

Orange Spectacular Lodge Fundraiser Paul Ackland, Chair