Lodge Meetings: #2479 February 9, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m.

#2480 February 23, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m.

House Committee, followed by Trustees Meeting: Thursday, February 2, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m.

Dear Members:

Here it is Saturday morning doing the usual chores of laundry in the "Dungeon," as I call my basement, and now looking at the snowflakes covering the ground. How insignificant one flake seems to be but when joined by many others it certainly impacts our life, if even for a moment. It is pushed aside, out of the way and come spring, forgotten.

In the grand scheme of things we are so much like that one flake but we have that fantastic ability not to just lie there to be joined by others and pushed aside. What we do can impact other lives forever. Those inner city youngsters who represented us at the District Hoop Shoot were awed by the number of their peers that were there and so were the parents. The dinners that were served them at Thanksgiving, the baskets of food that were given to the needy and the many things that have been done by members will surface some day on those who were IMPACTED by these activities. If you ever wanted to have that GOOD feeling, don’t be that snowflake. To help us on just one activity doesn’t mean that you will be embarrassed into doing other things. It doesn’t work that way. You will find that we can have fun, do good things and make lifelong friends here and around the State. We need members who will at least try to work with us and if it is not their thing, we are grateful that you did.

My time is winding down and I have just one more opportunity to speak to you. I just hope that our newsletters were interesting, well read and most importantly, understood. I have found my time not only as Exalted Ruler but as a member to be most fulfilling, a learning experience that few enjoy but one that is open to all who would try.

Fraternally yours,

Mitch Hilow, PDD, Exalted Ruler

ANNUAL DUES: Dues statements for 2012-2013 were recently mailed to all members. Dues remain at $75 for regular members and $31 for life members. Please mail or drop off your dues payment to the Lodge Secretary. Your prompt payment of your dues is greatly appreciated!

LIFE MEMBERSHIP: The following have submitted requests for Life Membership, and have met the requirements of age 65 and a member for 30 years. These requests will be voted on at the February 9^th, 2012 Lodge meeting:

If more than one person is nominated for any office, election will be held one hour prior to the Lodge meeting of Thursday, February 23^rd. Polls will open at 6:30 and close at 7:30 p.m.

REGIONAL MEETING: The next Regional Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 12^th at the Lowell Lodge #87 at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. All officers and members are welcome to attend.

MEAT RAFFLE: Thank you to all who supported our Meat Raffle on January 21^st. A big thank you to Dan Lettic for chairing this raffle, and for those who helped out selling tickets, counting money and ripping tickets. Watch the bulletin for our next Meat Raffle this spring.

50 / 50 ACE OF DIAMONDS RAFFLE: Our jackpot was hit on Saturday, January 28^th. We have one very happy winner. New gamehas started. You can’t win, if you don’t play. Stop by on a Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. for the weekly drawing. See the bartender for tickets anytime during the week.

ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION: Our year 2011-2012 has only a few months to go. I’d like to thank all who have given with the knowledge that your gift isn’t just sent to ENF, but is returned to our Lodge to be used for our community programs and youth scholarships. Remember this is your Lodge and all the thanks your Lodge receives, you also get. The more help we get from you, the more thanks we get from them. Thank you for your support! God Bless America!Carol Leach, ENF Chairperson

BULLETIN ADS: Please support our loyal advertisers in our monthly Lodge bulletin. We will be sending renewal invoices out to our advertisers this month. Cost for a full year is $100. If you also wish to advertise on our website, there is an additional $25 fee. If you know of a business who would like to advertise in our bulletin, please contact Paul Turner.

FLEA MARKETS: The Auburn-Worcester Emblem Club will be holding two Flea Markets at the Lodge on Saturday, February 11^thand Saturday, March 3^rdfrom 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like to rent a table, please contact Marguerite Doiron @ 508-753-4079.

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