Elks NewsletterCalumet Lodge #404

109 years July - Aug 2008

JULY 4, 20084TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

JULY 16, 2008ELKS FAMILY PICNIC 5PM

(LAKE LINDEN PARK)

JULY 23, 2008MEMBERS MEETING 8PM

JULY 26, 2008ELKS BAY CLIFF VISITATION DAY

BAY CLIFF HEALTH CAMP

(BIG BAY)

AUGUST 15-16, 2008HERITAGE DAYS

AUGUST 20, 2008LIFE MEMBERS HONOR DINNER

AUGUST 21 - 24, 2008HOUGHTON CO. FAIR

AUGUST 27, 2008MEMBERS MEETING 8PM

A MESSAGE FROM THE ER

Wow, I can’t believe three months of the new Elkyear is already gone. We have been very activealready this year with many activities. Severalmembers participated in the Parade of Thanks onMay 17 while others of us were attending the StateConvention in Manistee, MI. We brought homewith us 3 Awards. We initiated 6 new members onMay 31 along with celebrating our Awards Night.What a great time. We had a float in the Bridgefestparade, held our Flag Day ceremony, Longest DayRaffle and are getting ready for Pasty Fest thisweekend in which we will be entering a float in theparade and having a food booth. July 4th we willagain enter our float with the next big raffle (Nov.1) prize in the Lake Linden parade and having abooth in the park. Heritage Days in August isanother great time in which we participate in theactivities. We are always in need of help with all of these.Only a few hours of your time goes a long way.Call the lodge for dates and times for you to lend ahand. Your support is always appreciated andneeded.

Please make your reservations by July 9 for theElks Family Picnic on July 16. The commaderieand fun are well worth attending, along with thegreat grilled food and fresh air. Hamburgers, brats, a variety of salads, dessert andbeverages along with a great time together withyour family and fellow Elk members. All for$15.00. How can you beat that?!

Yours in Elkdom,MaryEllen, ER

2 109 years July - Aug 2008

Congratulations to the June 21st MoneyRaffle Winners

$1,000.00 - Ludwig Gazvoda, Chassell, MI 500.00 - Claire Turnquist, Ahmeek, MI 250.00 - Paulette Tarvis, Calumet, MI 100.00 - Lois Winquist, Calumet, MI 50.00 - Michael Kolb, Eagle River, MI 20.00 - Jim Oliver, Ironwood, MI 20.00- Ralph Hella, Gaylord, MI 20.00 - Charles Heikkinen, Calumet, MI 20.00 - Sherrie Pelligrini, Calumet, MI 20.00 - Dave Chapman, Hubbell, MIThanks for your support everyone in making this aprofitable event!

CONGRATULATIONS to Jon-Eric Stensonand his new Bride as of Bridgefest weekend. Extendyour wishes when you see him next.

2007-08 CITIZEN OF THE YEARIf I make take this opportunity to thank theCalumet Lodge of Elks, of which I have been amember for 38years, for the Honor that they havebestowed on me as Citizen of the Year for 2008.It was very thoughtful and considerate of themfor that recognition. On behalf of myself, mywife Jana and family I thank you for theHONOR, Ed Jenich

August 20, 2008Life Members Honor Dinner

We will have tents, tables and chairs outsidealong with a beverage bar while Dave will becooking up some steaks, potatoes and veggies, allon the grill. $10.00 for Life Members, $15.00 forRegular Members and guests. Come join the funand Please get your reservations in by August 13,2008.

Pinching PenniesMonday, April 28, 2008 @ 11:25 A.M. EDT

Contributed by: doug

www.up.net

With the recent increase in prices at the grocerystore, gas pumps, and everywhere else we spendour hard earned cash, we wanted to share some ofour favorite Web sites that help us save a fewbucks.

* Print Free Coupons at www.coupons.com.Great coupons that you print right on yourcomputer's printer. * Get the Free stuff from Qualityhealth.com.Coupons, Discounts, samples and special offerproducts, including Free Samples * Buy.comOne of the early mega-stores on the Web. Pricesare often better than Amazon. Save on consumerelectronics, software, books, DVDs, CDs, toys,sporting goods, baby items, and a lot more. * www.walmart.comIt's Wal*Mart, not much more to say.

* MichiganGasPrices.comFind the best gas prices locally or when you'reheaded on a road trip. * Entertainment.comHeaded on a trip? Check to see if there is anEntertainment book for the city you're visiting.There are books for Green Bay/Appleton, the TwinCities, the Twin Ports, and many other areas. Eachbook is packed with lots of 2 for 1 dining anddiscounts on entertainment activities.

Do you have a favorite place to save money on theWeb? E-mail me the link. I’ll share the best in mynext list of money saver sites.

3 109 years July - Aug 2008

PLEASE THANK the following supporters whohelp to keep our lodge going...Jim Plowe, Linda Hale, Jennie Grathoff (BetsyRoss), Nick Sladek (Uncle Sam) and Nickie for theArmed Forces Day parade float entry.Jim Plowe and the Hancock crew for anotherdelicious steak and spaghetti May membership dinnerwith homemade sauce.Tom Vichich, Dave & Nick Sladek w/family andfriends and Jeannie Grathoff, for the Bridgefestparade float and booth helpers.Paul and Shannon Kobe, Duave Sever and MarySever for the wonderful BBQ Rib June membershipdinner.Sandra Turnquist, Linda Hale, Jim Plowe andeveryone else that helped with the Longest DayMoney Raffle. Dave Sladek, Linda Hale, .... Pasty Fest Parade andfood booth. And a BIG THANKS to all the members who havesupported and/or attended our events the past 2months. Your support is appreciated.If I have forgotten someone, I apologize in advance.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO

PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS:

Ace Hardware of Calumet - Rodney Mishica,Vollwerth's - Robert Vollwerth, Pat's Foods,Certified Bookkeeper - Linda Hale, Edward Jones -Daniel Dalquist, Peterlin Distributing, The BluffsSenior Community - Jessica Moyle, McCabeDistributing Co., Dan's Auto & Polaris - JackPoynter

MEMBERSHIP/LAPSATION REPORTNumber of Members as of 4/1/08: 130

Increases: Initiated - 6; Reinstated - 1:

Subtotal - 7

Decreases: Death - 1

Subtotal - 1

Total Membership as of 6/23/08: 136

We still have 27 unpaid members for the current 2008-09

lodge year for a total of approximately $2,500.00. The

lodge has already paid the GL, State and District dues for

everyone. PLEASE get your dues in ASAP.

MaryEllen, Lapsation Chair

NEWS FROM MARQUETTE #405

Hi Everyone,

This is Lucy Dewitt from the Marquette Elks Lodge 405. Iam writing about our up coming Elks Bay Cliff Day; it ison Saturday, July 26, 2008. We will again be meeting atMarquette Lodge for coffee, juice and snacks beforeheading off the Bay Cliff. The reason I am writing is to letyou and your lodge know about the 2nd annual Christmasin July for Bay Cliff. The Marquette Elks Lodge will behosting a Christmas Dinner on Friday night and will havea Christmas Tree for all the gifts from the Bay Cliff WishList. If your lodge would like to participate just open thelink to Baycliff.org Scroll down to wish list and it can beprinted from there. I would like this Christmas in July tobe bigger and better than last year! How about 2 truckloads of items.

I had the privilege of being at Bay Cliff when the kidscame in this past weekend. There are so many wonderfulpeople who go above and beyond to make this campspecial for all who go there. We need to show them howmuch we appreciate what they do. Remember Elks CareElks Share, let’s show them how much!

If you have any question, please feel free to contact me atlucydewitt@att.net or call 906-869-8728 or 906228-4198

Thank YouLucy

Remember this day at Baycliff is in honor of theMichigan Elks Lodges and their members. There isa crew of us going down for the Christmas Dinner onFriday, staying overnight and then visiting Baycliff on Sat.Lucy is looking into getting a discount for a block ofrooms. Please contact the lodge at 337-3611 if you wouldlike to get in on the great time. Even if you can’t stay onFriday, please consider visiting on Sat. If you have neverbeen there, you can’t even imagine what we can dotogether to help others. It is an awesome experience!

4 109 years July - Aug 2008

2008-2009 OFFICER: EXALTED RULER............MARYELLEN HYTTINEN

LEADING KNIGHT............NICK SLADEK

LOYAL KNIGHT................DARRELL SMITH

LECTURING KNIGHT.........LINDA HALE

INNER GUARD..................SANDRA TURNQ UIST

TILER...............................JANET LAMUTH

SECRETARY......................MAGGIE MUNCH

TREASURER......................AMY BYKKONEN

CHAPLIN...........................JEANNIE GRATHOFF

ESQUIRE........................... ROBERT VOLLWERTH

TRUSTEES: g CHAIRMAN JIM PLOWE, PER g BOB KEZELE , PER g PAUL KEMPPAINEN g RODNEY MISHICA

COMMITTEE CHAIRS: AUDITING & ACCOUNTING - JAMES PLOWE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - DAVID SLADEK

ENF - AMY BYKKONEN LODGE ACTIVITIES - CRAIG NUOTTILA

AMERICANISM - BRUCE CARLSON FLAG DAY - PAUL KOBE

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - DARRELL SMITH MEMORIAL DAY - DAVE SLADEK

NATIONAL VET. SERVICE - LINDA HALE P.E.R. ASSOC. - JAMES PLOWE

PUBLIC RELATIONS - LINDA HALE VISITING - MARYELLEN HYTTINEN,

MEMBERSHIP - ROBERT KEZELE INDOCTRINATION - ROBERT VOLLWERTH

INVESTIGATION - CRAIG NUOTTILA LAPSATION - MARYELLEN HYTTINEN

YOUTH ACTIVITIES - JANET LAMUTH DRUG AWARE NESS - JAMES PLOWE

HOOP SHOOT - NICK SLADEK ACCIDENT PREVENTION - NICK SLADEK

2008-2009 LADY ELKS OFFICERS: PRESIDENT...............JOANN KEZELE VICE PRESIDENT......DORIS JULIO

SECRETARY.............TONI COPPO & LORRAINE JULIO

TREASURER.............DOLORE S CAPELLO

TRUSTEES: g LORRAINE JULIO g JUDI NUOTTILA

HONORARY TRUSTEE: g HATTIE STENSON

ED LABONTE, PER, IS HOME AND DOING WELL AFTER HIS SURGERY.

DON JULIO IS HOME AND DOING WELL.

2008 MISS HOUGHTON COUNTY QUEEN

The Houghton County Queen Pageant Committee is seeking candidates to participate and are asking forour help. Do you know a special teen from 15 - 18 years old that would be interested? It is a goodadvertising opportunity; a great morale booster for her and is also tax deductible! She would wear a sashwith our name. It is a $50.00 registration fee of which a portion goes toward the Award Fund. She must bea Houghton County resident and 15 - 18 years of age by July 11, 2008. The awards are $500 to MissHoughton County, $250 to 1st runner up and $100 to the 2nd runner up. Elements of competition are *talent*evening gown *personal interviews. We have the application with more details at the lodge. Applicationdeadline is July 11, 2008.

5 109 years July - Aug 2008

CRUISE WITH FELLOW ELK MEMBERS

The Calumet Elk’s Lodge 404 is planning a group cruise to Cozumel & Progreso, Mexico. This is a 5-daycruise, leaving from New Orleans, LA.

The sail date is Monday, December 8, 2008, returning on Saturday, Dec 13th. The price for inside cabinswould be $402.56 per person/dbl. occupancy and the price for an ocean view would be $452.56. Adeposit of $200 per person is required to secure the cabin & price as soon as possible. The balance mustbe paid in full by 10/09/08. A full refund is available up until 10/09/08.

We must have a minimum of 8 couples or cabins sold/dbl. occupancy by October 9th in order to qualify fora group and receive additional amenities. We reserved 16 cabins and 4 are sold at this time.

Please call Linda Hale at 337-2340 or e-mail her at lhale@chartermi.net if you are interested and she canprovide you with more details.

Please give this some serious thought and JOIN US for a great cruise this winter! The more, the merrier! Family & friends are most welcome!

Remembering Calumet Elks Lodge #404 In Your Will

A Will allows you to provide for your loved ones after death; it also serves to let family know whatcharities you want to remember.

The easiest way to make a planned gift is to include a bequest in your Will. Your bequest to Calumet ElksLodge #404 may be expressed in these words: "I give and bequeath the sum of $____ (or ____% of myestate) to Calumet Elks Lodge #404 for its general purposes."

If you would like to talk to an Officer about including Calumet Elks Lodge #404 in your Will or EstatePlanning, or if you would like to visit our lodge, please contact us at: 25701 Wedge St., Calumet, MI49913; 906-337-3611; or email: calumet404@yahoo.com

SUMMER IS HERE AND SO IS THE ELKS FAMILY PICNIC -

JULY 16, 2008LAKE LINDEN PARK

We are looking for some hamburger and brat grill cooks and clean up crews for theJuly 16 Elks Family Picnic. Also, if anyone would be willing be bring a dish. If you have already been to one, you know it is always a fun time; but if you haven’t,you don’t know what you are missing by getting to know more of your fellow Elksand their families and by helping out on an Elks family event. Please contactMaryEllen at 482-0452, the Lodge at 337-3611 or email: calumet404@yahoo.com Thank you as always for your support.

6 109 years July - Aug 2008

More States Being Squeezed By Weakness in Economy(From June 2008 Elks Government Relations Report)

The budget year starting July 1 will be one of the bleakest for state governments in the last three decades,according to a new fiscal survey of states.

A report by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officersconfirms that state finances are weakening. General fund spending, that part of the budget that financesday-to-day costs of operating government, is projected to rise 1 percent in fiscal 2009, compared with 6.7percent in an average year.

Eighteen states are predicting negative budget growth. Connecticut’s governor has ordered a spendingfreeze, and other states are cutting spending. States often dip into reserves to cover shortfalls, but thereport says that those year-end balances are declining along with revenue.

At the same time states are trimming budgets, they are under pressure to increase spending, especially onsuch programs as Medicaid. Other states are trying to catch up on long neglected needs such as employeepension funds and infrastructure. Expenses are increasing in such area as fuel costs for state vehicles. Thereport also notes that revenues from sales, personal income, corporate income and other taxes and fees arebelow expectation in 20 states, compared with eight states last year.

With states looking for additional sources of revenue, the report clearly sends a message to Elks and othernonprofit groups to be alert for any changes in their tax status. It also reinforces the idea of lettingpolicymakers know about Elks’ services to the community that would otherwise fall on taxpayers.

Not all states are having trouble; some oil and gas producing states, for example, are benefitting from highenergy prices. Still, the report said, most states are monitoring the national economy.

Half-Million Combat Veterans Getting Information on Benefits

(From May 2008 Elks Government Relations Report)

Nearly 540,000 veterans who have served in combat in recent years are getting calls from the Department ofVeterans Affairs with information about benefits they have earned.

Starting this month, the VA is calling roughly 17,000 veterans who were wounded or became sick while serving inIraq or Afghanistan and offering to assign case managers for everyone who does not already have one. Later, acontractor hired by the VA will call other veterans who have yet to contact the agency, with follow-up calls fromVA employees if necessary.

VA Secretary James Peake said in a statement: “We will reach out and touch every veteran…. to let them know weare here for them.”

7 109 years July - Aug 2008ENF NEWS

For several years now the Elks National Foundation has allowed Elks lodges to give back to their localcommunities via a gratitude grant. Lodges are eligible to receive this grant if they meet the GER’s percapita goal. Our goal last year was $4.25 per member and we exceeded that amount. We then becameeligible to apply for a gratitude grant.

At our awards dinner in May we presented Kathy McEvers from Kermit’s Keweenaw Kids a check for$400 as a result of receiving this grant. Kermit’s Kids is a great organization that provides activities forkids during the summer and also awards scholarships to kids during the year to attend hockey camps,basketball camps, and to obtain ski passes.

For the current Elk year our per capita goal is set at $4.50 per member and ENF has increased the amountof the gratitude grant to $500. I am proud to say that every year I have been the chairperson of ENF wehave received the gratitude grant. I am hoping that this year will be no different.

It is so important as Elks to have a presence in the local community and this gratitude grant is a great startto that. Please help us meet our goal this year and donate to ENF. Your donations can be sent to the lodgeor you can donate online at www.elks.org/enf. All donations are tax deductible and when you donateonline you can print a receipt immediately for your tax records.

Thank you for your continued support of ENF,

Amy L. BykkonenENF Chairperson

ELKS CHARITY GOLF SCRAMBLE

There are several members working on reviving the Elks golf outing with several changes. The golf outingis going to be a 30-man scramble event open to the public with all proceeds going to fund a LOCAL MostValuable Student Scholarship.The Elks National Foundation awards the Most Valuable Student (MVS) scholarships annually toapplicants nationwide. This golf scramble will start a fund for a scholarship to be given locally to adeserving student who completes the national application. Our lodge covers schools in Houghton, Baraga,and Ontonagon counties but we have been receiving very few applications. Hopefully the promise of alocal scholarship will get more applicants and allow Elks to make a difference in our local community.The event is going to be held in late August or early September at Sandy Pebbles golf course. We are stillworking out the details and will be looking to members for help in gathering prizes and donations frombusinesses for hole sponsorships. We will follow the outing with dinner and prizes awarded at the lodge. Iam hoping for a fun event with the Elks charitable mission in mind. Stay tuned for more details posted atthe lodge and via email.

Amy L. BykkonenScholarship Chairperson

8 109 years July - Aug 2008

9 109 years July - Aug 2008

10 109 years July - Aug 2008

CALUMET ELKS LODGE #404

25701 WEDGE ST.

CALUMET, MI 49913

Please say a prayerand thank you

for those serving now,And for those who have already served;

living or deceased.

Please Have a Safe 4th of July