THE TOAST B.P.O.E., POTTSTOWN LODGE #814

A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION 61 E. HIGH STREET, POTTSTOWN, PA 19464

Message from the Exalted Ruler

April 2014 Voted the Best Lodge Bulletin in PA 2011/2012

Among Lodges with 800-1200 members

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Individual Boosters 2

Secretary Pen In Memoriam

3

Veterans Committee

4

Birthday Drink Breakfast ENF Thank You

5

Doe Doings Easter Bunny

6

Thank You

7

Phone Numbers 8

My Fellow Elks,

Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank the Membership for your support during my first year as Exalted Ruler. As I begin my second term, I am looking forward to working with the many Committee Chairpersons and Members who have always strived to maintain our Lodge and continue our works of Charity.

It is my belief that as officers of this lodge, we have an obligation to our members and the com-munity to do our best to ensure our core values of Fidelity, Charity, Justice and Brotherly Love are followed. As Elks we should always look for new ideas; listen to our members; solicit their recommendations and most of all, ask for their involvement.

April is the beginning of a new Lodge year and it is also a time when we must take a hard look at the Lodge budgets and find ways to increase our membership. As everyone is aware, it takes a great deal of money to operate our remarkable building. This requires a lot of planning and a great deal of effort on the part of our members to keep the operations running smoothly. How-ever, 2013 was another year in which our numbers declined.

Membership should be on all of our minds. We must be diligent in improving our Lodge, ad-dressing loss of members and striving to recruit new members. I would like to ask everyone to promote the benefits of becoming a member to your friends and family. Let’s all strive to make the 2013-2014 year one of growth and prosperity. New committees are forming and they will need extra hands. Positions are available on the Home Association Board. This is your opportunity to influence the current and future operations of our building and Lodge.

Please take the time to get in touch with one or more of our Committee Chairpersons or myself and offer some of your time. Service on a committee is incredibly rewarding and truly needed.

Exalted Ruler

Jerry Rhoton

Tex-Mex Night Last Monday of each month

(March 31 & April 28)

A selection of Tex-Mex favorites

AYCE only $ 800

Proceeds to the Building Fund!

Dues Are Due Send in your ‘14/15 annual dues today

Or better still, stop by and pay them

with the Bartender

Alan DeCosta 5-14

Alan Ebersole II, PER 5-14

Amanda Pipenberg 5-14

Amy Holden 5-14

Anthony Detri 5-14

Aram Ecker 5-14

Art Fizz 5-14

Arthur Parker 5-14

Ben & Carol Eckroth 5-14

Bernadette McElroy 5-14

Bill & Jean Christy 5-14

Bill Gromalski 5-14

Brent Ebinger 5-14

Brian Durchin 5-14

Cathy McDevitt 5-14

Carol Cusamano 5-14

Charles Hertzog 5-14

Charles Saylor, Sr. 5-14

Charles Steinle 5-14

Charles A. Weller 5-14

Charles Whitacre 5-14

Charlie Regan 5-14

Chuck McCarthy 2-15

Chuck Nesley, III 5-14

Clarence Bartman Jr. 5-15

Connie Kramer 6-14

Dale L. Drake 5-14

Dale Leuthold 7-14

Dave & Kitty Detar 5-14

David Hoffert 7-14

David & Barbara Hollenbach 5-14

David Jackson 5-14

David Marsteller 5-14

David Mercer 5-14

David Schlicking 5-14

Dennis Arms 5-14

Dennis Slifer 5-14

Don Ronnie 5-14

Donald Ellis 5-14

Donald Faust 5-14

Donald Lebo 5-14

Douglas Breidenbach, Jr. 7-14

Earl & Ginny Mock 5-14

Earl, PER, PSP and Mary Anne Decker 3-15

Ed & Marlene Zerbey 5-14

Ed Lindenmuth 5-14

Ed Pedrick 5-14

Edgar Herbine 5-14

Eleanor S. LeVeille 2-15

Elmer Clawges 5-14

Elwood Embody 5-14

Eugene Cogdill 5-14

Floyd L. Edris 5-14

Francis Allison 7-14

Francis Guinan 10-14

Frank & Pat Madeja 5-14

Frank Smith 5-14

Franklin C. Markle 4-14

Gabe Fieni 6-16

Gary & Judy Frisoli 5-14

Gary Kimes 5-14

Gayle Kramer 5-14

Geoffrey Hoopes 5-14

George Emery 5-14

George & Doris Reed 5-14

George L. Stranick, Jr. 5-14

George Wentzel 5-14

Glenn Letcher 5-14

Gregg S. Catagnus 5-15

Gregory Krasnick 5-14

Harold R. Leh, Jr. 5-14

Harry Leister 5-14

Heather Thiret 5-14

Jack Bechtel 5-14

Jack Schondelmaier 5-14

Jacob Dailey 5-14

James Armstrong 5-14

James Hennessey 5-14

James Tarlecki 2-15

Jamie Wendel 5-14

Jancie Konowal 5-14

Jared Nace 5-14

Jerry & Patricia Rhoton 5-14

Jim Berrang 5-14

Jim Derr 5-14

Jim Flemming 5-14

Jim Oppermann 5-14

Joe & Wendy Shuick 5-14

Jonathan Zeleznick 5-14

John Bigham 5-14

John & June Fleisch 5-14

John Hipple 5-14

John & Jullyn Keilman 5-14

John M. Galloway 5-15

John H. Griesemer 5-14

John Hughes 5-14

John Kerstetter 5-14

John Nester 5-14

Joseph-Jack Bucciaglia 5-14

Joseph Phillips 5-14

Joyce & Richard Devaney 5-14

Kathleen Bortz 5-14

Kay Haas-Bechtel 5-14

Keith Reinhart 5-14

Keith Reitnauer 5-14

Kenneth Garner 2-15

Kevin Grimm PER 5-14

Larry & Becky Gallagher 5-14

Lee R. Weil 5-14

Len Gieseler 5-14

Len Smith 5-14

Leon Borneman 5-14

Levi Wolf 5-14

Lincoln Buchanan 5-14

Linda Grill 5-14

Lou Perez 5-14

Marc Leong 5-14

Marie Stahl 11-15

Mark Dunyak 4-15

Mary Kelly 9-15

Melanie Seeders 5-14

Michael Heim 5-14

Michael Medvetz 5-14

Michael Mauger 5-14

Michele Olinger 6-14

Michael Sloane 5-14

Milton Yohn 5-14

Nancy Von Hohen 5-14

Nicholas Lozorak 7-14

Neil& Barbara Gazzillo 5-14

Noble Woodall II 5-14

Patrick McDevitt 10-14

Paul Hughes 5-14

Paul Lederer 5-14

Paul D. Mizic, PER , PDDGER 5-14

Paul Reinford 5-14

Paul Strauss 5-14

Penny Searfoss 5-14

Pernin & Edith Shaninger 9-14

Pete Richards 5-14

Peter Dolan 5-14

Ralph Meitzler 5-14

Ralph Rhoads, Sr. 5-14

Randy Beidler 5-14

Raymond S. Drumheller 8-16

Richard Francis 5-14

Richard Lawrence 5-14

Richard Ludwick 5-14

Richard Martz 5-14

Richard Riegner 5-14

Richard Reazor 5-14

Richard Sackman 5-14

Richard G. Wells 5-14

Robert Artim 5-14

Robert Fillman 5-14

Robert McCormick 7-14

Robert Moyer 5-14

Robert Shaner 5-14

Roberta (Bert) Peterman 9-15

Robin Moyer 5-14

Robert Miller 5-14

Ron Nace PER 5-14

Ron & Nelda Reynier 2-15

Ron Sekellick 5-14

Rupert W. Venzke, PER 5-14

Russell Gresh 5-14

Russell Wade 5-14

Sam Armbruster 5-14

Scott Braunsberg 5-14

Scott Moyer 5-14

Scott & Wendy Schiavo 2-14

Shaun Rhoton 5-14

Stacie Rhoton 5-14

Stanley Giniewski Jr. 5-14

Stanley & Nancy Long 6-14

Stanley Terzopolos 5-14

Stephen Ditlow 5-14

Stephen Sabol 5-15

Steve & Jane Hamilton 5-14

Sue Bigham 5-14

Sue Nace 5-14

Terry Embody 6-17

Terry Sell 5-14

Theresa Flemming 5-14

Thomas Beveridge 5-14

Thomas Coyle 5-14

Tim Barrett PER & Kim Barrett 5-14

Tim Reed 5-14

Troy Hinkle 7-14

Valentine Delibertis 5-14

Warren Saylor 5-14

Willard Bickel 5-14

William Ebinger 5-14

William Johnson 5-14

William & Marlene Kinckiner 5-14

William LaPish 5-14

William Lindauer 5-14

Willaim & Tina Ludy 5-14

William Schmoyer 5-14

William Welsh 5-14

Woody Sellers 5-14

Zelda Swenk 5-14

P a t r o n b o o s t e r s Page 2

Banquet Room Rentals Discounts for Current Lodge Members!

Weddings, Funerals, Birthday Parties, Sweet 16 Parties, Anniversaries, Class Re-

unions, Holiday Parties & Fundraisers!

Customized Menus No Worries – no set-up, cooking or

clean-up to do. Let us do all the work.

Contact Jullyn Keilman at 610-331-1973.

Page 3

Beer • Ice • Soda Cigarettes • Snacks

375 N. Hanover Street

Pottstown, PA 19464-5345

610-323-6030

       Tina and Bill Ludy

Owners PA Lottery

Daily Instant Games

SECRETARY’S PEN!

Dues payments are due by April 1st. Cards have either been mailed (if a self-addressed stamped envelope was pro-vided) or are available for pick-up in the Lounge. Efffective April 30th, the 2013/2014 red access cards will no longer work.

62 members and guests attended the Annual Banquet where John Pfrommer was recognized for reaching 50 years of membership, Susan Nace was awarded Elk of the Year and Catherine McDevitt was awarded Officer of the Year. Ken Kaas was awarded Citizen of the Year for the hardwork and dedication he has made over the past 20+ years to make Pottstown the destination for volleyball – the Pottstown Rumble volleyball tournament which attracts players from across the country and abroad.

Because we met our ENF Goal in 2013/2014, our Lodge was qualified to apply for a $2,000 Gratitude Grant through Elks National Foundation. Our application was approved and we will be using the funds to donate $900 to the Pottstown Senior Center for needed repairs/renovations to their new building, $550 for a non-alcoholic Pub Night at the Southeast Veterans Center and $550 to sponsor a Soap Box Derby car at the Pottstown Soap Box Derby in June.

The following individuals will be Indoctrinated and Initiated on Saturday, April 5th at 3 p.m.: Patricia Poster, Michael Miller, Girard Giorgio and David Crock. Matt Brown proposed by Jim Derr, Christopher Benedict proposed by Jamie Wendel and Leroy Strock proposed by C. Edward Bauman have applied for membership and at the time of writing this article were awaiting investigation.

Fraternally, Jullyn Keilman

IN MEMORIAM We shall meet but we shall miss them. There will be vacant chairs. But though we no more possess them, still our hearts their memory bear.

Edgar F. Herbine

Born: 1-31-1943

Initiated: 10-20-1986

Died: 1-6-2014

Richard L. Firing

Born: 9-15-1933

Initiated: 8-18-1975

Died: 3-15-2014

Paul Yarmuch

Born: 6-15-1936

Initiated: 10-6-1969

Died: 3-21-2014

Page 4 VETERANS COMMITTEE

Bingo was held Tuesday, March 18th, at the Veterans Center. There were 26 residents in attendance. Unfortunately I was un-able to attend and I would like to thank Neil Gadzillo and my wife Sue for running the event in my absence. Also thanks to all the volunteers who helped. The next bingo will be held on Tuesday, April 15th, at the Center. On Wednesday, May 21st, our Lodge is sponsoring another “Pub Night” at the Center beginning at 7pm. Food, beverages (non-alcoholic), and entertainment will be provided. This is being made possible through a grant awarded to our Lodge by the Grand Lodge. Some more from historyplace.com’ April 9, 1865 - After over 500,000 American deaths, the Civil War effectively ended as General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen-eral Ulysses S. Grant in the village of Appomattox Court House. The surrender occurred in the home of Wilmer McLean. Terms of the surrender, written by General Grant, allowed Confederates to keep their horses and return home. Officers were allowed to keep their swords and side arms. April 10, 1942 - During World War II in the Pacific, the Bataan Death March began as American and Filipino prisoners were forced on a six-day march from an airfield on Bataan to a camp near Cabanatuan. Some 76,000 Allied POWs including 12,000 Americans were forced to walk 60 miles under a blazing sun without food or water to the POW camp, resulting in over 5,000 American deaths. April 12, 1861 - The American Civil War began as Confederate troops under the command of General Pierre Beauregard opened fire at 4:30 a.m. on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

April 12, 1945 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt died suddenly at Warm Springs, Georgia, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He had been President since March 4, 1933, elected to four consecutive terms and had guided America out of the Great Depression and through World War II.

April 19, 1989 - Forty-seven U.S. sailors were killed by an explosion in a gun turret on the USS Iowa during gunnery exercises in the waters off Puerto Rico. April 22, 1864 - "In God We Trust" was included on all newly minted U.S. coins by an Act of Congress. April 30, 1789 - George Washington became the first U.S. President as he was administered the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets in New York City.

Fraternally, Ron Nace, PER/Chairman

Page 5 Happy Birthday!

April 2014

Are you celebrating your birthday this month?

Cut out this coupon and bring it in during the

month of April. Present it to the bartender for a

“FREE DRINK” of your choice on the Home Association.

Name & Number

HOME SERVICE BREAKFAST

SUNDAY, April 27, 2014

Open to the Public

Only $8.00

8:00—11:30am

Thank You! Thank you to the following members for their contributions to the Lodge: Tim Papp for donation of a large screen TV. Dave Hollenbach for a $500 reduction on a large heater repair bill. Tim & Kim Barrett for new door hinges to re-place the broken hinges on the kitchen en-trance door. Your contributions to the on-going building maintenance and enjoyment for our mem-bers is greatly appreciated.

You will soon be receiving your 2014 bill for Lodge Dues. Please remember to check the block and make a donation to Elks National Foundation so we can con-tinue to have funds available to use for our Veterans, the Hoop Shoot, possibly a Soccer Team this year and our local community donations as needed. The grants we are eligible for from Elks Na-tional Foundation, if our Lodge goal is met, will be a big factor with our Commu-nity Contributions. We need to be visible in our Community and this is how it can happen. Thank you for supporting ENF Sharon L. Johnson

Save the date!

May 11th Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

10 -2

Page 6 DOE DOINGS

The Easter Bunny wi l l be hopping into the town

for the annual Easter Bunny Breakfast and Egg hunt on Saturday Apr i l 12th!

Cost $5 per person (Chi ldren 2 and under f ree)

Pancakes, sausage, ju ice & mi lk inc luded Sign-up and pay in the lounge required by Apr i l 4 t .

Our February meeting was held in the Burgundy Room on 2/20/14. Hostesses were Cheryl Baro, Wendy Eppehimer, Sharon Johnson & Edie Shanninger. Birthdays were celebrated by Jane Hamilton, Wendy Eppehimer & Sharon Johnson. Jackie Hertzog won Come & Get It and Sue Nace Pollyanna. We thank Wendy Eppehimer for organizing the Trivia game for our program. A great time was had by all.

The membership voted on purchasing furniture for the lobby; 4 chairs & a table from Ken Cusamano. The furniture was on display for the Char-ity Ball. By majority vote the furniture was purchased and Ken & Carol donated the coffee table to complete the beautiful arrangement in the lobby. Thank you Ken & Carol for all your efforts. The furniture makes a statement in the lobby.

The March meeting was held on the 13th in the Regency Room with Past President Joanne Reynolds presiding. Hostesses for the evening were Wendy Schiavo, Olga Reese and Bonnie Lechtner. Wendy Schiavo was installed as Second Vice President by Sharon Johnson. Wendy was on a great vacation in January when the officers were installed.

Kork Moyer from Ministries on Main Street was our speaker for the evening explaining the Homeless situation in Pottstown. It was very moving and informative. Our Back Pack collection of food for Pottstown Elementary Schools began in March with much success. We would like to thank all the members and the bowlers who have donated to the cause. We will continue collections until May 20th.

Please remember to send your dues to Penny Searfoss, 627 Buchert Rd., Gilbertsville, Pa. 19525. You will also be receiving a letter for our Bakeless Cake Sale. Please consider a donation to participate in our first fundraiser for the year. This is a great way for members who do not get to meetings to help us with our efforts. But of course we want all members to participate.

Joanne Reynolds celebrated her 80th birthday in March and our drawings were won by Roberta Peterman, Come & Get It and Suzie Edwards, Pollyanna. Our April program will be Yoga for Seniors and we hope the weather will be fine and we have a great turn out. Zelda "Sis" Swenk sends a thank you to all the Does who sent her cards, visits & telephone calls during her recent surgery.

We hope to see you in April.

Sharon Johnson- Past President - February

Joanne Reynolds - Past President - March

VOLUNTEER’S NEEDED

TO HELP WITH THE EASTER BUNNY BREAKFAST.

GERNERAL HELP WITH SET UP AND CLEAN UP AND 2 PEOPLE TO SUPER-

VISE THE CRAFT TABLE.

ALSO WILL BE FILLING EGGS ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 9TH, AT 7:00PM IN

THE LOUNGE.

Page 7

THANK YOU

I would like to thank “Everyone” who helped with the 62nd Annual Charity Ball, “A NIGHT a the OSCARS”. There are so many people who gave their time, made donations, purchased raffle tickets, and placed advertisements and remembrances, in our patron booklet. With all the many contribution’s the committee was able to have “A RED CARPET GALA.”

We started back in May of 2013, with two fundraisers, which gave us the boost we needed, to start to fund our charity Ball. A cooler of cheer, and a $150.00 gas card from EMBODY’S SUNOCO were chanced off. The revenue from the two raffles, gave us the means to begin our project.

This was the first time, ever, that a Deluxe Dinner Buffet was offered, followed by a Vienesse Dessert Station, with a cocktail hour complete with a complimentary wine bar, in our lobby.

Following that evening, I received many compliments in E-mails, on Facebook, and notes in the mail, Thanking me for a won-derful evening and for those acts of kindness, I am humbled and extremely grateful.

An event of this stature, is never a one man operations, and I would like to thank all of the following for helping to make my dream a reality! I could Not have done it with out my amazing committee, The always helpful Elks staff, our Doorman, Michael Priest, and Stephan Baity, coat check lady, Barbara Mentzer, The Elks Lodge Officers, and the Elks Charitable Trust Committee.

To my personal friends, Bon-Amico’s Catering, The Ken Battista Band, Strogus Florist, Otto Miller who helped to make the Oscar Statues, and Terry Embody, for clearing the snow that day from the parking area’s and the “snow shovelers” too.

And most importantly to my wife Carol and all who attended and showed their Loyal support to Elks Lodge #814 B.P.O.E. I owe you my sincere appreciation.

Please remember that the greatest gift of Charity is what is in your heart.

I THANK YOU very much,

Kenneth S Cusamano, Chairperson

Congratulations to the Sycamores

2013/14 Bowling Champions

Deadline for May Toast Articles is April 14th.

The Toast Committee will meet April 22nd at 4PM in the lounge

to assemble & prepare the Toast for mailing

(Lodge Secretary) Phone: 610-326-0884

Fax: 610-326-3392

Lounge Hours

(Closing times may be extended by the bartender)

Mon– Thu 3pm—9pm

Friday 3pm—11pm

Saturday 12pm—10pm

Sunday 12pm—7pm

The lounge may open early upon request for special occasions like class luncheons, funerals, etc. Call for special arrangement for your group

Lounge Phone/Reservations

610-326-3258

Kitchen Open

Mon Closed Tues—Thu Closed Friday 5pm —9pm Saturday 12pm—8pm Sunday Closed -(Unless noted on the Calendar for Sports and/or other events.)

OFFICERS: Exalted Ruler—Jerry Rhoton Esteemed Leading Knight—Kim Barrett Esteemed Loyal Knight—Rich Sackman Esteemed Lecturing Knight ‐ Dave Wendel Tiler—Jim Hennessey  Secretary—Jullyn Keilman Treasurer—Cathy McDevitt Esquire—Robin Moyer  Chaplain—Gene Hogan Inner Guard—John Keilman Organist—Open  

Trustees: Robert Kelly 2015 Tim Barrett PER  ‐ ‐2018 Bill Johnson ‐2016 Ron Nace PER—2019 Jamie Wendel—2017 

To become a Business Booster,

please contact Kim Barrett at 610-404-2088 or kim74@ptd.net

OUR KITCHEN WILL HAVE A NEW LIMITED MENU

MONDAY , TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY

B.P.O.E.lks Pottstown Lodge # 814

61 High Street Pottstown Pa, 19464

Our Members are

helping Children,

Veterans and

the Community

“WHERE’S JERRY”

Apr i l 20 14

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu F r i Sat

1 2 Doe Club board

7 pm

3 AMBUCS

4 Trivia 7 pm

5 Indoctrination/

Initiation 3pm/4pm

6 7 Lodge Mtg.

7 pm

8 High 12

9 10 Doe Club 7pm

11 12 Easter Bunny

Breakfast 9-11

13 14 Home Assn.

Mtg. 7 pm

15 16 17 AMBUCS

18 Trivia 7 pm

19 Pvt. party 7:30-

12 (CR)

20 Happy Easter!

Club Closed

21 Lodge Mtg.

7 pm

22 High 12

23 24 25 DJ Music Envy

26 Pvt. Party

12-12 (RR) Pvt. Party 3-8 (CR)

27 Home Service

Breakfast 8-11:30

28 Tex-Mex night

6-8

29 30

Lodge Meeting Monday 7th & 21st

Home Assn. Mtg.

Monday 14th

Doe Club Board Mtg. Wednesday 3nd

Doe Club Mtg. Thursday 10th

Trivia Fridays 4th and 18th

Music Friday

25th

Home Service Breakfast

Sunday 27th

Tex-Mex Night Monday 28th

B.P.O.E., POTTSTOWN LODGE NO. 814