Wausau Elks Lodge #248

Brothers & Sisters,

Happy New Year!! Jane and I hope you had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends as we did. Grandchildren seem to grow up much faster than our kids did. There are reasons for that so cherish those moments – you will not regret it.

How about those Packers and Badgers! But most of all how about those Elks! Be proud, be charitable & be active.

The New Year gives us all the opportunity to begin anew the way we look at our lives and surroundings. I ask you to practice our Elk’s beliefs in Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity in your daily lives.

December was another busy month. We initiated another 7 new members on December 1st. Unfortunately, at our last meeting we also had to drop 18 from our membership because of nonpayment of dues. Please budget now for your Elks lodge dues for our 2012-2013 lodge year. December 4th was our annual Memorial Service. We had an outstanding attendance! Thank you Memorial Service Chairperson Dale Heitmann, members, officers, and our wonderful 248 choir!! Dale, thank you for your inspiring words.

Aaron and Annie Opper – thank you for stepping forward and chairing the Children’s Christmas Party. Thank you Santa’s helpers and Santa Scott. Bill & Peggy Forrest and Tharen & Beth Gorski along with our Santas, volunteers and charitable donators who spread the joy of Goodfellowship and Christmas – Thank You.

The Growth Committee worked feverishly to bring Elks and friends one of the best New Years Eve Parties ever. On December 13th, myself and leading knight Chuck Berens presented Elk’s State Grant Checks to NTC for the Erni Tervi Pay it Forward scholarship fund, Samoset Boy Scout Council and the NW Great Lakes Girl Scouts.

Dick Kolbeck and Marty Sullivan were busy caring for the deer hides for our veteran leather gloves program. As of this writing we were up to 130 hides – that’s a lot of gloves. Thanks volunteers as it is not the most pleasant assignment. Thank you also WAOW TV 9 for our publicity. These kinds of programs and community awareness helps to grow our causes.

The success of our club operations and lodge activities can be closely associated with member participation in community projects and frequenting our facilities. Have you been to the lodge for a meeting lately? How about a member function or Friday night fish fry? We are your brothers and sisters at Wausau Lodge 248. As you look at your New Year’s resolutions would you please commit to seeing more of and spending time with your fellow Elks. Bring in 2012!!

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Henry Lamovec
Exalted Ruler