Lodge Hours:
Monday-Friday,
3:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday,
2:00-8:00 p.m.
Sunday
Noon-9:00 p.m.
•

1601 Trinity Drive
Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 662-5611

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January 2012 message from the Exalted Ruler

Fellow members,

Happy New Year! I hope your Holiday was full of good cheer and good will. We are all looking forward to a great new year.
Most of my message is chronologic; but, the Lodge and our members owe brilliant thanks to Natalie Dimitruck and her team for their extraordinary results. We had another wonderful year with the Christmas Giving Tree. Natalie Dimitruck and her crew delivered over 300 presents, on December 17, to the Catholic Church in Pojoaque. This was a big event — Thank You to everyone that participated in making this event another huge success.

New Years always bring thought of resolutions. There is an honors system weight loss challenge out there. Set your weight goal and achieve it by St. Patty’s Day. For those of you who are thinking about other resolutions, we as fellow members should encourage those who are trying.

I can’t believe it has been a year since the smoking survey was submitted to the membership. As mentioned in November’s Antes Trustees Message, “Lastly, after much thought and deliberation, we are utilizing member feedback and designating a new smoking area for the Lodge which will be in full effect beginning in the New Year. The new smoking area of our Lodge will allow for smoking to take place at the bar but will make it so there will be space at the bar where smoking will not be allowed. This way someone can sit at the bar without being surrounded by smoke. This new designation will improve the air quality of our Lodge and hopefully encourage new membership and greater participation from our current members.” There will be a membership vote on this at the January 26 Lodge Meeting.

The Christmas Light parade was held on December 3 and although it was bitterly cold, all had fun. Following the parade, the children had a visit from Santa and a special guest Elroy, our Anti-Drug Awareness Mascot. Goodies where handed out to excited children. Unfortunately we didn’t place this year, but Randy and Gina Smith’s crew pulled together one of our best looking floats. This year’s parade was one of the best seen in years and there was a lot of competition.

The annual Elks’ Memorial Services was held on Sunday, December 4. Several members attended this very touching ceremony to recognize our dearly departed members. Thank you, Michael Phillips, for standing in for me during my absence while I was on travel.

Tsay Corporation cleaned our Lodge Room on December 10, prior to their Christmas party on December 13. If you haven’t had a chance to see the Lodge Room, please do. I almost had a sock only Lodge meeting it was so shiny. Not only were the floors cleaned and waxed, they additionally cleaned the lights, fans, Lodge Room bathrooms and steam-cleaned the walls. Please see the “From the Kitchen” section for more on the floor cleaning. Let’s keep the Lodge Room looking great.

Our one and only meeting in December (the 12th) was hit with a major snow storm and was poorly attended. At Grand Lodge this year, it was passed that an abbreviated opening and closing could be used. Although we have not been given formal direction of what this abbreviated meeting entails, and due to the weather, we checked cards, pledged our allegiance, said a prayer and conducted our business. We were finished in a record 20 minutes. My hope is that if we are able focus more on the business and minimize the time spent on the formalities, we will get more membership participation.

Esquire Craig Taylor and his wife Linda held a Madrigal Dinner Theatre on December 17. Los Alamos Little Theatre held a wonderful Christmas performance around a multi-course meal. Although this dinner was set in the Middle Ages, the theatre built in a special act in the land of Elkdom. This was a very touching and quite humorous act written by Linda Taylor. Proceeds raised went to support the Los Alamos Little Theatre. There were about 90 people in attendance.

Once again Dan and Connie Gerth held their wonderful Holiday Eggnog Party on Christmas Eve. Along with the eggnog, many enjoyed such flavors of Cajun meatballs, red-wine braised Portuguese Chorizo, great dips and awesome sweats. Dan and Connie, you out did yourselves. Thank you.

December 25 Time line: Happy Holidays to ALL! Happy Birthday to me. Thank you for the cake and song at the Eggnog Party. It was unexpected, but well appreciated.

Los Alamos Fire Department Deputy Chief Mark Sandoval’s Retirement Party (Elk’s) was celebrated on December 27 at the Lodge. Much fun was had. Congratulations Mark in your retirement. Bored yet?

As I segue ...

If you are interested in becoming or remaining an officer, committee chair, trustee, or member of the ritual team please contact Lisa Harris.

Just a reminder, if you have any concerns or ideas, please speak with any of OUR officer/trustee to voice these thoughts. We are here to make a difference and always encourage our member’s feedback. Let us know and better yet, attend a meeting. Your vote on how our Lodge will continue to grow and succeed is vitally important! Please attend our meetings and let your voice be heard.

• PER Meeting: January 3 6 p.m.
• Lodge Meeting: January 9, 7 p.m.
• House and Trustees Meeting: January 17, 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively
• Lodge Meeting: January 23, 7 p.m.

Please continue to help our Lodge achieve our per capitas in ENF, CP and Veterans. We have an opportunity to receive up to $6,000 in community and veterans assistance once we have met our goal.

Please step up for anything you are interested in. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Yours in Elkdom,
Reine Williams
Exalted Ruler