Lewiston Elks Lodge #371

Newsletter
February 2016
Dear Brother and Sister Elks,
It's with a heavy heart that I am writing my last newsletter. At the
same time it is an exiting time for the Lodge as we head into a new chapter in
the 119th year history of the Lewiston Elks Lodge 371. Over the last year the
members of this Lodge have been very generous with their time and financial
donations. With your help we have streamlined the the office operations. We
have cut operating expenditures in some cases as much as 50%. We downsized
the water meter from a 1 1/2 to a 3/4 saving the Lodge $300.00 quarterly. We
eliminated approximately 8000 square feet of excess parking lot to lower our
storm utility fee saving several hundred of dollars a year (we are still working
to finalize this item with the city). Repaired exterior lighting providing a
substantial savings on our electric bill. Our monthly gas bill has been reduced just by paying attention to
the thermostat when the Lodge is not in use. We were able to purchase 2 Point of Sale registers that have
greatly reduced time for the secretary because of the detailed itemized reports instead of the old register
tapes. Along with that came a savings on bank fees. All these savings along with others along the way
have allowed us to close the year with all bills paid up to date and ready to move forward with the new
year. Over the next month we will be working with the new officers to make the transition seamless.
Hopefully with the help of our members they will be able to take us to the next level. Over the last year
we have made numerous updates to the Lodge itself. We added a storage shed in the back to store seasonal
items and freed up space inside. That allowed us to remove a wall between 2 storage rooms and make one
large one to store our tables and chairs so we no longer have these against the walls in the function room.
We also installed a High Definition Camera system throughout the building to keep an eye for any situation
that may arise. Hopefully we will not need them. In October we gave the Grill room a makeover. Including
paint and new carpet. We added the Missing Member Table which has have numerous compliments. We
have replaced our faded sign with a new colorful sign with the American Flag in the background letting
the community know we are still relevant in the community. We have had many compliments from the
community about the sign. Since the sign has been put up the phone has been ringing with hall rental with
some people saying they thought we were closed. Since April we've been renting both sides of the Lodge.
The Grill room has proven to be very popular for small functions increasing our revenues greatly. Along
with the annual variety show our members have added a Mothers Day show several MCCP fund raising
events, and Honor Flight Maine Fundraisers, one in Lewiston and one in Augusta. We had a float in two
Christmas parades and won first place in the non profit division. We are sponsoring a baseball team at
South Lewiston Little League this upcoming summer
As the new Officers take over on April 1st please offer your services no matter how small to help
keep the Lodge operating and continue to grow. Keep in mind Officers cannot run a lodge without
help from the members. Be a proud and active member of your lodge. If this Lodge is good for
you, it should be good for your friends also. Invite them to join. I am proud to say I have sponsored
14 members with 11 already members and 3 waiting to be initiated. Over the last few months
people have been thanking me for all I've done for the Lodge. Although I appreciate the

compliments it's not the Exalted Ruler that makes the Lodge, it's the members who get involved that make the Lodge what
it is. I have been very fortunate to have many members get involved this year to help out in various aspects of running the
Lodge. I would like to thank all the Officers for all their hard work and dedication this year. Without you it would have been
impossible to run this Lodge. A very big THANK YOU to Bob Drisko, Jim Ferland and especially Phil O'Brion. They have
helped the office staff with guidance and their expertise was greatly appreciated. Phil drove many miles on several
occasions and many hours to help here at the Lodge. We would like Phil know he's a very special person and we Love
Him.
In closing I would like to personally thank four special people who always went above and beyond. Leading Knight
and next years Exalted Ruler Geoffrey Caron. Treasurer and next years Treasurer Lysanne Doucette, Secretary Winnifred
Gray who did a superior job and will be greatly missed in the office and lastly my beautiful wife and First Lady Cecile
Paradis. She spent many hours alone while I was attending to the duties of the Lodge. She was by my side with whatever
we needed. Setting up for Installation of Officers to baking beans every Saturday, helping out on Friday night suppers
50/50's, putting on MCCP Fundraisers, helping with the variety shows, ceremonies and filling in as events co-coordinator,
to whatever we needed.
I would like to THANK YOU all for a great year and the gratification it brings. Once again PLEASE SUPPORT the
new Exalted Ruler and the suite of Officers as you have supported me and the Lodge will continue to prosper.
Fraternally Yours
Roger Paradis, Exalted Ruler
From the Secretary
Lodge dues notices for the Elk Year April 1, 2016 March 31, 2017 have been sent to Lodge Members and as of the
Feb 22nd Lodge meeting night, seventy three members have earned an early bird sticker for their 2016-2017
membership card. Make sure your card is gussied up Pay Your Dues Now !
Keep in Touch: Please forward any address corrections by email to [email protected] if you have an
address change and have not received your dues statement. (Or you may call the Lodge 207- 784-4801.) Please
note, those Elk Members/Elks Friends who joined the Boosters by donating $10 per year will see their name, business, or in
memory/honor of, listed for a year beginning with our April 2016 Newsletter.

During the Feb 22nd meeting Exalted Ruler Roger Paradis was presented with the Grand Exalted Rulers Award Pin for excellence in
membership procurement for Lodge 371. GER Ronald Hicks wrote this is an outstanding achievement and I hope you will wear the
Award Pin with a great sense of pride. As membership is the Life Blood of our Order, you have performed an excellent service to
your Lodge You have no doubt earned the respect and admiration of your fellow members

Pot of Gold: The Pot of Gold was won by Esquire Vivian Matkivich at the close of the February 8th meeting. Vivian has graciously
donated her winnings back to the Elks National Foundation. Be a winner; be present at the meeting when your name is drawn. For
the next meeting on Mar 14th, the pot will be $20.00. When YOU donate to ENF you are contributing to an endowment fund to
help Elks build stronger communities. Consider making a tribute gift to the ENF and honor the friends and loved ones in your life,
and remember those who have passed.

The following candidates have been proposed for membership with voting scheduled Mar 14th:
Michele Mackenzie of Litchfield proposed by ER Roger Paradis
Deborah Williams of Lisbon proposed by ER Roger Paradis
Stephen Sirois of Lisbon proposed by ER Roger Paradis
Paulette Sirois of Lisbon proposed by ER Roger Paradis
The Volunteer Appreciation award ceremony was February 6th congratulations to the following award winners
Elk of The Year: Steve Hussey
Officer of the Year: Geoffery Caron
Citizen of the Year: Bill Crowley
Grand Exalted Rulers Outstanding Member Award: Winnifred Gray, Lysanne Doucette
Volunteer of The Year: Daniel Doucette
Employee of the Year: Linda Caouette
An award dedicated to the Anonymous Donor has been placed in the lodge. This is to recognize everyone who can't help out
physically, and donate money but wish to remain anonymous.

March 2016

Upcoming Events:

March 14MeetingBy-law vote

March 26Installation of Officers

If you have any of these items and would like to donate please contact Roger Paradis Thank you
Grill Room and Hall:
Carpet Cleaner
Office:
Copy Paper, Stamps, Envelopes
Other items:
Salad Dressing (all varieties)
Plastic Knives, Spoons, Forks
Paper Plates, Napkins, Paper Towels

Toilet Paper
Plastic tablecloths for round and oblong (any color) or a roll for
the long tables
12 inch plywood to make doors for the kitchen Paint
Plow Truck w/plow
Picnic Table
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!I

Mike Aube
Dorothy J Fernald Fernand R Labbe
F Irene Beaulieu
Robert O Gauvin Richard N Lessard
Richard L Breton Richard C Guerrette Nancy B Mahar
Larry L Campbell Norman L Hankins Maurice E Marquis
James A Carter

Lois A Hewson

Louis J Martel Jr

Robert L Dionne

Karen Benita Hood

Donald Marvin

Leslie T Dubois

Robert A Hood

David S Moore

In Memory of
Fred Lebel

Your name here

Your name here

Marcel E Moore
Paul S Robinson
Theresa S Moore
Paul Robitaille
Leo J Moreau
Stephen Roop
Laurie Ouellette
Carol J Spector
In Memory of
Lawrence Stewart
Raymond Pinette
Richard J Potvin Jr
Sidney Wilder
In Memory of
Richard Potvin, Jr Rodney L Woodrum
Your name here

Your name here