Exalted Ruler Message – December 2011
By Elks Lodge #1199Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, fellow Elks!
As we have just completed digesting our Thanksgiving meals, I trust you survived the holiday shopping days that followed. The kid’s gift lists have been fun this year as my 6 year old son, Colby, has already gone
thru the sale ads and circled all of the many gifts he wants, just like I did many years ago.
It will be a busy month for all of us as we enter this Christmas season.
Before I get to the current month, let me remind you of some of the events we have just completed in November. We celebrated the dedicated service our Veterans did for us with Veterans Day. On Homecoming night, which was November 18th, we honored all Elks members with pins that have been members of our Lodge for 25 and 50 years.
Let me remind you of the regional Hoop Shoot which will be held at Wachter Middle school on December 3rd at 8:00 a.m. This is for all the winners who have already won their local school’s contest. I wish all the contestants, the best of luck. Thanks to all volunteers, and especially to our Leading Knight, Scott Volkert, who is the Chairman and always does a great job making this a successful event.
We will hold our annual Memorial Services on December 4th. This is a service in which the officers remember all our members who have passed away during this year; our Men’s Chorus will sing two wonderful selections. The speaker this year will be Pastor Paul Nather, whom is
Pastor to Youth Families at Century Baptist Church.
On December 10th Santa Claus is scheduled to make his annual visit to our lodge to get the kid’s wish lists that they are hoping he will bring to them this Christmas. He is scheduled to land his sleigh on the roof
of the Elks around 1:00 pm and leave around 3:00pm. There will be face painting, balloon critters, and treat bags for all the kids who sit on Santa’s lap. This will also give you the opportunity to have your picture made with Santa if you bring your camera. Please be sure to put
this on your calendar, as this is a fun time for all who attend.
I wish all who will be traveling this holiday season a safe and prosperous holiday and a Happy New Year.
Last, let’s all pause to remember the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior and may God Bless you.
Rick DeBolt
Exalted Ruler, Bismarck-Mandan Lodge #1199
It is my sad duty to announce the death of Conrad Kirmis, Milford Stephenson and Michael Robb. May their Virtues be written on the tablet of love and memory.
