Memorial Service
December 5, 2021
This year we are remembering: Steve Adamson: 1943-2019; Cecil Refsland: 1930-2019; Lee S Evans: 1935-2019; Daniel D Macken: 1927-2020; Gordon Trisko: 1935-2020; Donald Galuska: 1931-2020; Ray Johnson: 1936-2020; Gordon L Grosenick: 1929-2020; Hiram Luttmers, Jr: 1937-2020; Dick Nelson: 1941-2020; Forest D Higgins:1927-2020; David M VanKirk: 1939-2020; Glenn B Ingalls: 1953-2020; Carol Dennis: 1936-2020; Raymond A Brown: 1927-2021; Phillip Wellvang: 1925-2021; Steven C McDonald: 1944-2021; Darwin N Halverson: 1948-2021; James A Bowron: 1931-2021; Eugene A Marburger: 1938-2021; Robert M Haggerty: 1940-2021; Ron Pew: 1944-2021.
The Vacant Chair
We shall meet, but we shall miss them, there will be the Vacant Chair; But though we no more possess them, still our hearts their memory bear. But a while ago we gathered, friendship beaming in each eye; Now the Golden Chord is severed, they have passed to realms on high. But in Charity and Justice, with Fidelity and Love; We will meet our absent members, in the realms of joy above.
This year we are remembering: Steve Adamson: 1943-2019; Cecil Refsland: 1930-2019; Lee S Evans: 1935-2019; Daniel D Macken: 1927-2020; Gordon Trisko: 1935-2020; Donald Galuska: 1931-2020; Ray Johnson: 1936-2020; Gordon L Grosenick: 1929-2020; Hiram Luttmers, Jr: 1937-2020; Dick Nelson: 1941-2020; Forest D Higgins:1927-2020; David M VanKirk: 1939-2020; Glenn B Ingalls: 1953-2020; Carol Dennis: 1936-2020; Raymond A Brown: 1927-2021; Phillip Wellvang: 1925-2021; Steven C McDonald: 1944-2021; Darwin N Halverson: 1948-2021; James A Bowron: 1931-2021; Eugene A Marburger: 1938-2021; Robert M Haggerty: 1940-2021; Ron Pew: 1944-2021.
The Vacant Chair
We shall meet, but we shall miss them, there will be the Vacant Chair; But though we no more possess them, still our hearts their memory bear. But a while ago we gathered, friendship beaming in each eye; Now the Golden Chord is severed, they have passed to realms on high. But in Charity and Justice, with Fidelity and Love; We will meet our absent members, in the realms of joy above.
FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK
Members All,
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. As we approach the end of the calendar year, I wanted to give you an update on what the next Lodge year brings. As you may remember, I send out the dues for the next year in early February so I wanted to give you a “heads up” that Grand Lodge has increased each members assessment by $5 to cover the rising costs of insurance for all of our Lodges. The assessments each member is charged is a mandatory payment. The bottom line is you will see a $5 increase in your dues over last year. I hope this does not create a hardship for any of you.
Many of you have let me know of your travels south for the winter so I can change your address for Elks mailings. Thanks! If you have not, please drop me an email or call the Lodge and leave a message. Phone number and my address are on the front page of this Courier.
One other thing for you members with a business, you can advertise very reasonably in the monthly Courier. It is read by about 300 people. A business card-sized ad is only $150 a year. Contact me if this is something you would like to do. I can get you started.
Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022!
Judy
Members All,
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. As we approach the end of the calendar year, I wanted to give you an update on what the next Lodge year brings. As you may remember, I send out the dues for the next year in early February so I wanted to give you a “heads up” that Grand Lodge has increased each members assessment by $5 to cover the rising costs of insurance for all of our Lodges. The assessments each member is charged is a mandatory payment. The bottom line is you will see a $5 increase in your dues over last year. I hope this does not create a hardship for any of you.
Many of you have let me know of your travels south for the winter so I can change your address for Elks mailings. Thanks! If you have not, please drop me an email or call the Lodge and leave a message. Phone number and my address are on the front page of this Courier.
One other thing for you members with a business, you can advertise very reasonably in the monthly Courier. It is read by about 300 people. A business card-sized ad is only $150 a year. Contact me if this is something you would like to do. I can get you started.
Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022!
Judy
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
W-ELK-ome Mia Falconer-Smith!
Mia is our newest member, and was inducted on July 14th. She works at Ability Building Community and came to Rochester by way of Mississippi!
The 2022 Legacy Award Scholarship competition for children, step-children and grandchildren of Elks kicks off September 1, 2021
Applications will be available September 1, 20201 at www.elks.org and are to be completed online. The ENF has designated $1 Million to the Legacy Award Fund. The fund provides up to 300 four year $4,000 scholarships for the children, step-children, and grandchildren of any Elk who has been a member in good standing for at least two years. All applications must be in by February 7, 2022 at 11:59 Central Time. More detailed information can be found at elks.org.
Seniors compete against other students from their state. Minnesota will have four scholarship winners in 2022. Applications will be judged on the exhibition of the core values of the ENF: Knowledge, Charity, Community, and integrity as well as SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts and an essay. Award winners will be notified in late April 2022.
This lodge year (2021-2022) the ENF will award, nationally in total, $4.1 Million through its scholarship programs. This is based on ENF contributions so the more we give, the more we get back not only for scholarships, but also our state project as well as our community grants. Four Minnesota Students will each receive a $4,000 Legacy Award in April 2022.
Be sure and check with the company you work for or retired from to see if they have a matching grants program. Many employers will match your gifts to the Elks National Foundation. All you as the donor need to do is complete your company’s form and submit it to the ENF along with your gift. The ENF will take care of processing the matching grants and credit individual donors accounts for all matching gifts.
Left to Right: Renae Sanders, Jim Holman ER, Sherry Irvin, Shannon Lindenfeld.
Renae and Shannon Had been initiated via Zoom back in December. Sherry was initiated in person February 24. Renae has already Stepped up to be a member of our Gambling group and Shannon is our new Lecturing Knight.
We are so happy to have you as members of our Lodge.
Left to Right: Renae Sanders, Jim Holman ER, Sherry Irvin, Shannon Lindenfeld.
Renae and Shannon Had been initiated via Zoom back in December. Sherry was initiated in person February 24. Renae has already Stepped up to be a member of our Gambling group and Shannon is our new Lecturing Knight.
We are so happy to have you as members of our Lodge.
HOW IS THE ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION HELPING MINNESOTA & ROCHESTER
During the 2019-2020 Lodge year, the Elks of Minnesota donated $85,093.58 to the ENF. Minnesota’s return on investment was $167,830 or $1.905. Our State Project received $60,000, Special grants received $49.890. Students in our state received scholarships totaling $36,000 and Veterans Programs $21,840. The ENF is alive and well in our state and will continue to do so as long as our Lodges continue to invest in this program. We are grateful to everyone in our Lodge for your generosity this past year.
Rochester Lodge received the following grants from the Elks National Foundation:
Spotlight Grant was open to all Lodges to assist communities with Covid-19 relief. Our Lodge gave $2000 to Channel One Food Shelf in July.
Beacon Grant of $3500 was split to give $2000 to the Salvation Army and $1500 to Hastings Veterans Home.
Gratitude Grant of $2500 was split with $1000 to Hometown Gratitude for sending Christmas boxes to our military over seas and $1500 to Salvation Army Bell Ringing Project.
Total grants received for our Lodge was $8000 from the Elks National Foundation.
Time is running short go get Legacy Scholarship Applications in. This is a competitive scholarship available to college-bound high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of dues paying Elks. 300 seniors can wind a $4000 scholarship, but applications are due online by February 5, 2021. Visit enf.elks.org/legacyscholarship for more information including access to the online Legacy Award Applications.
To learn more about the ENF or how to contribute, see Bob Brown, Jim Holman or Dale Pearson
Rochester Lodge received the following grants from the Elks National Foundation:
Spotlight Grant was open to all Lodges to assist communities with Covid-19 relief. Our Lodge gave $2000 to Channel One Food Shelf in July.
Beacon Grant of $3500 was split to give $2000 to the Salvation Army and $1500 to Hastings Veterans Home.
Gratitude Grant of $2500 was split with $1000 to Hometown Gratitude for sending Christmas boxes to our military over seas and $1500 to Salvation Army Bell Ringing Project.
Total grants received for our Lodge was $8000 from the Elks National Foundation.
Time is running short go get Legacy Scholarship Applications in. This is a competitive scholarship available to college-bound high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of dues paying Elks. 300 seniors can wind a $4000 scholarship, but applications are due online by February 5, 2021. Visit enf.elks.org/legacyscholarship for more information including access to the online Legacy Award Applications.
To learn more about the ENF or how to contribute, see Bob Brown, Jim Holman or Dale Pearson
Coat Drive a Success
2020 Annual Awards
ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION—91 YEARS OF HOPE
May 2020.
First, Thank you all for your continued support of the Elks National Foundation. Our Lodge was 2nd in the state with $8,985 given which was $33.03 per member. Because of you we are making a difference with our youth, veterans and within our community. During the 2019-2020 Lodge year the Elks of Minnesota donated $88,093.58 to the ENF. This means that this year the Foundation will give back to Minnesota in the following ways:
First, Thank you all for your continued support of the Elks National Foundation. Our Lodge was 2nd in the state with $8,985 given which was $33.03 per member. Because of you we are making a difference with our youth, veterans and within our community. During the 2019-2020 Lodge year the Elks of Minnesota donated $88,093.58 to the ENF. This means that this year the Foundation will give back to Minnesota in the following ways:
Grand Total: $167,830.00 That's a ratio of 1.905 for every dollar the Foundation received from your state last year. And that doesn't even include the money Lodges in your state will get back through our Community Investments Program.
Again this year we have an opportunity to apply for grants for our Lodge to support our community. If you want to know more about how you can contribute to this great cause see Bob Brown, Dale Pearson, or Jim Holman. We would be glad to get you started as a participating member.
THOUGH YOU CAN’T GIVE A MILLION, BE ONE OF A MILLION TO GIVE
Again this year we have an opportunity to apply for grants for our Lodge to support our community. If you want to know more about how you can contribute to this great cause see Bob Brown, Dale Pearson, or Jim Holman. We would be glad to get you started as a participating member.
THOUGH YOU CAN’T GIVE A MILLION, BE ONE OF A MILLION TO GIVE
New Exalted Ruler
April 2020
Congratulations to Jim Holman. Rochester's newest Exalted Ruler. Jim is from Rochester and is General Manager of Tamarack Materials. New Members - March
L TO R: TIM MAYER, ERIN NOGOSEK, KAREN BELL & TIMOTHY
ERNSTE
FLAG DAYOctober 2019
In May we delivered gently used men’s clothing and comfort items to the Hastings Veteran’s Hospital. These items were valued at $2687.75. Thanks for your generous donations.With fall fast approaching we are again seeking items to take to the Hastings Vets. We will again be accepting gently used men’s clothing and comfort items as well as things like books, jigsaw puzzles, word search and crossword magazines, DVDs & CDs. If you have items to donate, call Curt Schumacher (507) 272 5363 for pickup before November 18. The home has an ongoing need for inexpensive men’s watches, insulated coffee mugs, water bottles, colored t-shirts with pockets in sizes XL and larger. $10 gift cards are appreciated too. 
Updated December 29, 2019
ELKS SCHOLARSHIPS Applications now available at www.elks.org and are to be completed online. Legecy Awards The Legecy Awards Is for children or grandchildren of a Elk Member that is a high school senior? Make your family part of the Elks family! Spread the word about ENF Legacy Awards--competitive scholarships available to college-bound high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of dues-paying Elks. Applications are due online by 11:50 a.m. Central time on February 3, 2017. Visit enf.elks.org/legacyscholarship for more information including access to the online Legacy Awards Application. Open Scholarships The ENF has designated $1 Million to the Legacy Award Fund. The fund provides up to 250 four year $4,000 scholarships for the children, step-children and grandchildren of any Elk who has been a member in good standing for at least two years. All applications must be in by January 31, 2018. Students compete against other students from their state. Minnesota will have four scholarship winners in 2018. Applications will be judged on the exhibition of the core values of the ENF; knowledge, charity, community and integrity as well as SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts and an essay. Award winners will be notified in late April 2018. This lodge year (2017-2018) the ENF will award, nationally in total, $4.05 Million through its scholarship programs. This is based on how much the ENF received in contributions so the more we give, the more we get back not only for scholarships, but also our state project as well as our community grants. Four Minnesota Students will each receive a $4,000 Legacy award in April 2018. Be sure and check with the company you work for or retired from to see if they have a matching grants program. Many employers will match your gifts to the Elks National Foundation. All you as the donor need to do is complete your company’s form and submit it to the ENF along with your gift. The ENF will take care of processing the matching grants and credit individual donors accounts for all matching gifts |
Elks Memorial
May 2020.
Many people have asked about our Lodges Elks Memorial at Oakwood Cemetery. This is what it looks like after we have taken our Memorial Wreath following our annual Memorial Service. To visit the memorial enter the cemetery from the Center Street entrance. Once through the gate make an immediate left turn. Proceed to the first road to the right. Stay right and the memorial is on the right. Or go straight to the bell tower, turn right and it is halfway down on the left (between trees). TO OUR ABSENT MEMBERS Elks donate to Ironwood Springs Christian RanchMay 1, 2017
After serving dinner to military families at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, a check was present to Bob Bardwell for $3300. $1650 was from an ENF grant and our Charitable gambling matched the amount. Pictured below standing at left is Bob Brown, Judy Wasser, Curt Schumacher and ER Jim Holman with Bob Bardwell seated in front. 
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June 2019. -- It's Father Day on Sunday, but there's another holiday this weekend that's often overlooked and forgotten.
Every June 14th is Flag Day in the United States and it's remembered as the day when the Continental Congress first issued the U.S. flag in 1777.
The symbolism of the American flag is ever-changing. The past experiences of American citizens each form its own foundation of the kind of meaning that lives to be true within the star-spangled banner.
“We all bring our own experiences to what the meaning of the flag has for each and every one of us,” said Tommy Carey, a Vietnam War veteran.
Often times the meaning remains traditional across time, maintaining a strong patriotic sense, while sometimes it’s an echo of history and a symbol of identity.
But in the diverse melting pot of the United States, including here in Rochester, the nation’s flag can hold a different meaning, a meaning that’s always evolving.
“You have a multi-culture, there are people from all over the world,” said Carey.
“I think we kind of forget the evolution of the flag from the very beginning to what we have today,” said Judy Wasser, a guest speaker and member of Elks Lodge, which led the event.
On Flag Day, people reflect upon different stories, but they all do one thing, even if it’s just a thought that lasts for a few seconds. It’s a day when people assign their own symbolism to our nation’s flag, whether it’s elaborate or simple.
“It’s our flag and I have always respected our flag,” said Sharone Fiedler, an attendee at Rochester’s Flag Day event at Soldier’s Field Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“The flag has always been a special part of my life,” said Robert Brown, an event organizer and member of the Elks Lodge.
Years, decades, and centuries of struggles and triumphs makes the U.S. flag an embodiment of an endless narrative.
Members of the Elks Lodge put together the Flag Day event.
Every June 14th is Flag Day in the United States and it's remembered as the day when the Continental Congress first issued the U.S. flag in 1777.
The symbolism of the American flag is ever-changing. The past experiences of American citizens each form its own foundation of the kind of meaning that lives to be true within the star-spangled banner.
“We all bring our own experiences to what the meaning of the flag has for each and every one of us,” said Tommy Carey, a Vietnam War veteran.
Often times the meaning remains traditional across time, maintaining a strong patriotic sense, while sometimes it’s an echo of history and a symbol of identity.
But in the diverse melting pot of the United States, including here in Rochester, the nation’s flag can hold a different meaning, a meaning that’s always evolving.
“You have a multi-culture, there are people from all over the world,” said Carey.
“I think we kind of forget the evolution of the flag from the very beginning to what we have today,” said Judy Wasser, a guest speaker and member of Elks Lodge, which led the event.
On Flag Day, people reflect upon different stories, but they all do one thing, even if it’s just a thought that lasts for a few seconds. It’s a day when people assign their own symbolism to our nation’s flag, whether it’s elaborate or simple.
“It’s our flag and I have always respected our flag,” said Sharone Fiedler, an attendee at Rochester’s Flag Day event at Soldier’s Field Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“The flag has always been a special part of my life,” said Robert Brown, an event organizer and member of the Elks Lodge.
Years, decades, and centuries of struggles and triumphs makes the U.S. flag an embodiment of an endless narrative.
Members of the Elks Lodge put together the Flag Day event.
Americanism
Twice each year our members visit the Veterans Hospital in Hastings and take donated items to distribute to the Vets. We have pledged to support our troops and especially National Guard Company B from Rochester.
We presented a Medal of Valor to 3 recipients.
We placed an Americanism Diorama at the Rochester library. Click link for pictures.