Happy November!
There is a large amount of information to get to you this month.
We recently had our District Deputy Audit and Visitation. The DD auditing suite found us to be in good condition and gave favorable reviews for all the areas that were evaluated. Thank you to the Trustees, House Committee, and the Officers for their continued good work and representation of our Lodge. During the visitation we had an excellent representation of dignitaries including our District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the Connecticut Northwest Wanda Reiff, the Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for Connecticut, our State President, several other District Deputies, State Vice Presidents,and Past State Presidents. We initiated 3 new members into our Lodge and 4 new members for the Wallingford Lodge. Thank you to the Officers who provided the initiation and the House Committee for an excellent meal.
Our District Deputy sent an email stating:
“Thank you again for a wonderful visit. The Officers performed an impressive and memorable ritual. Please make sure they know how much their hard work and effort was appreciated.”
Next an enormous thank you to the Trustees for moving forward with the upgrade to the lounge. The contract has been signed and the plans sound very exciting. They visited other jobs of the contractor and have received positive feedback. The project is starting November 8thand hopefully will move along for a Holiday opening at the end of December. The House and Officers are planning a Re-opening and Open House to welcome back members and get prospective new members to join. Look forward to updates.
We have two holidays to recognize this month. First is November 11th for Veteran’s Day. We should be recognizing and thanking our veterans for the service they have given and continue to give for our freedom. The Veteran’s Committee will have more information.
This month also has Thanksgiving. While many of us spend it thinking of football or the meal we have that day, we really should be thinking of the original meaning that started in 1621. That of gratitude honoring the harvest and other blessings that have occurred during the previous year. While many of us may have had difficult times recently, take time to review the positive things in your life and be thankful for those.
To continue in the charity we as Elks provide, there is a box in the lodge for the next couple of weeks supporting the Meriden Soup Kitchen. The need primarily is for cans of soup. Please make some time to stop down and drop off some cans to support our neighbors at the soup kitchen. It will be delivered to the kitchen before Thanksgiving.
In closing, as you can see from the above, one of the things I am thankful for, is being associated with the great group known as Lodge 35. The members of this Lodge make me proud to be the Exalted Ruler representing such a fine group of dedicated Elks.
Thank you and may you and your family have a great Thanksgiving holiday.
Respectfully,
Bill McGovern PER
Exalted Ruler
