On behalf of the newly installed officers of Lodge 248, I would like to thank everyone that helped make Installation of Officers such a big event. I think we set a record! There were some nice surprises too. I assure you we will work hard for your Lodge this year.

May really gets things going and is a great time to bring a friend along to show them what we are all about. The Wisconsin Elks State convention starts off the month in Marshfield on the 4th and 5th. You don’t need to be on a state committee to attend and see the great things Elks do all around Wisconsin. Stop in for a meeting or two and share some fun in the hospitality rooms. Then we move quickly on to our Lodge Youth Awards dinner on May 9th. Make plans to attend and show our scholarship, hoop shoot, and soccer shoot winners how much we appreciate the hard work they put into their events. Mid month is our Mothers Day Buffet. Treat mom on her special day with lunch at the Lodge. We’ll round out the month with our first initiation of the year and the Spring Golf outing on the 21st. Details on all these events can be found in this bulletin.

A big change for our Lodge is also occurring at this time. The Elkette auxiliary branch of our club is merging into the Growth Committee and has formally disbanded after many years of service. Expanded membership opportunities have made a formal auxiliary somewhat unnecessary so the two groups felt they can better cover the many functions the Elkettes managed as one unit rather than two. So while we will miss them in one sense, they are still a valued part of our Lodge in a newer form. Thanks for all the hard work this group has done in the past and best wishes for all the new events they will participate in.

Don’t forget the Cinco de Mayo event if you are not in Marshfield and make your plans now to be on the Brewer bus trip in June. Don’t forget you can check Facebook to keep up with everything going on too.

See you around the Lodge,

Chuck Berens
Exalted Ruler

Welcome to the new Lodge year! Thank you for the trust you are placing in me by allowing me to serve as Exalted Ruler of Wausau Lodge #248 this year. I will do my best to handle the business of the Lodge in a manner that will continue the proud traditions of the Wausau Elks.

Thank you to new P.E.R. Henry Lamovec for setting the stage for the incoming officer corps.

We have new officers in Lecturing Knight Mike Zarht who stepped up from Tiler and Karl Hanke who replaces Mike as Lodge Tiler, and a new 5 year Trustee Randy Buchkowski. I know they will be great additions to an already strong team! The Officers and Trustees have already begun working on programs and activities to keep our lodge rolling, but we all rely on your input to help keep us on track. Let us know what is on your mind and help us make the Lodge and programs stronger.

Your Lodge is one of the strongest in the state. We have grown in membership this past year and have a number of new members waiting for initiation. But any group relies on new ideas and new members, so we need to continue showing our friends and community the good things the Elks do. Bring a friend along when you come to the Lodge.

Whether you are stopping in to socialize or working on an event or project, it’s the best way to introduce them to the best fraternal organization in the country.

There are lots of things going on in April. I hope you’ll attend the Easter Brunch. Chef Paul and his staff always do a great job and you won’t need to cook at home! Tuesdays are Queen of Hearts nights and offer an easy going way to socialize and enjoy a great sandwich with friends. We all enjoy Saturdays in the member lounge, but now you can also keep up with the PGA, NCAA and NASCAR on Sundays too. There is still time to make plans for the Elks State convention in Marshfield the first weekend in May. The convention is a great place for all members to meet fellow Elks from around Wisconsin and see the things Elks do across our state.

A big THANK YOU needs to go out to Marilyn for her help and support on this journey. And thank you all once again for allowing me to represent you. I’ll see you around the Lodge.

Chuck Berens
Exalted Ruler

This March newsletter is my last chance to communicate to all of you of Wausau Lodge 248. It was a privilege to serve all of you as Exalted Ruler. As I write this letter, have a gain in membership of 17! We have initiated over 40 new members and have another initiation on March 15th so we should have a net gain of about 20 members! That should put us at about 760 members!

Elk’s belief in God and what we do for the children, community, veterans and each other should continue to be an inspiration to us all!

Your next Exalted Ruler, Chuck Berens, and his slate of officers will, I’m sure, continue with strong leadership and give all Elks the passion to continue all the great things we do! Please be as supportive of their efforts as you were with mine! Your trustees continue to make our club inviting to all and work very hard to keep our club doors open. Ballroom bookings are up and continue to be an important revenue source for us.

I urge all of you to renew your belief in Elkdom. We are at a critical point in our society. It seems that our belief in God, our political beliefs and some of our liberties are in jeopardy. When you become an Elk you stated your belief in God before your initiation. Do not be afraid to stand up for your belief in God and Elkdom!

If you don’t get to the Lodge often or attend functions, please continue your membership so that your brothers and sisters can continue our good deeds as Elks.

It was my privilege to present Exalted Ruler awards to the most deserving at State President’s Night. Grand Exalted Ruler recognition awards were presented to Wes Simonis for his fine work on the lodge bulletin and PER Marty Sullivan for his never ending belief in my abilities. Aaron & Annie Opper’s efforts in children’s programs earned them Couple of the Year. That smile and never ending involvement earned Shirley Van Slate Lady of the Year. Bruce Conard earned Officer of the Year through his efforts with improving club operations. Bob Lamovec is Elk of the Year because of his ongoing support to all aspects of Elkdom and expanding membership. Our Citizen of the Year was Father Steve Brice for his efforts for the disadvantaged and fighting for bus service in the Weston area.

Don’t forget to volunteer to help with Smelt Fry! This is one of our biggest fundraisers. Todd and Laurie Wunsch deserve your support. Finally, Jane and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and friendship this last year. What beautiful memories we will have!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Henry Lamovec
Exalted Ruler

As I am writing this February newsletter our January thaw has just ended and winter has dropped a couple inches of snow and the temperature is returning to normal. The Packers aregoing into their first playoff game and Coach Beilima wishes he would have kicked the field goal!

It was great to see the newer members come out to help Gene Musolf and Max Stella andthe older reliable members work the local Hoop Shoot! From here the 1st place winners ineach division go to Oconto to compete and then they will be back here February 11th for the State Competition.

February 11th will also be the State President’s visit. I encourage all members to attend our dinner and show State President Dave Assmannt and State First Lady Lois our support and thanks for all the hard work it takes!!

I will also be using this occasion to honor the Wausau Elks 248 members who have gone above and beyond the call to Elkdom by their efforts, attitudes, time and actions. Please attend the event and help us show our gratitude. Valentine’s Day is only a few days later, so come out for a nice dinner. We know chef Paul Smith will do it right!

Our meeting on January 19th was also an Initiation and another group became brothers and sisters. There are another4 or 5 that have been proposed for membership and awaiting investigation and balloting. We have 2 months to go yetthis year of Elkdom and we are seeing a very nice growth in membership. I’ll have the year’s totals for you next month.

During our Lodge meeting on Thursday February 2nd there will be the nomination of Officers for the 2012-2013 Elkyear and elections are at the February 16th meeting. If you haven’t made a meeting lately please come and participate! See you there!

Please read the entire bulletin and post the calendar. There are numerous things going on in February.Mark your calendar for the Smelt Fry , Saturday March 24th. Todd and Laurie Wunsch have again graciously volunteeredto chair this traditional event.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Henry Lamovec
Exalted Ruler