CANADIAN ELK CANADIAN ELK ´ELAN CANADIEN - Elks of Canada

A N N I V E R S A R I E SVEGREVILLE ELKS LODGE NO. 143CELEBRATES 85th ANNIVERSARYOn November 19, 2011 the members of the VegrevilleElks Lodge and guests gathered to celebrate the 85thanniversary of the Elks Lodge in Vegreville. On hand forthe celebration was the Grand Exalted Ruler for the Elksof Canada, Jerry Wernicke; Sharen McLean, SupremeHonoured Royal Lady for the Royal Purple of Canada;Alberta Elks 2 nd Vice President Leonard Shain andAlberta Elks District No. 6 Deputy Bernadette Godlien.It was a very exciting evening for the Elks members andguests as there were many presentations, a historicaloverview of the Lodge, a large collection of the Lodge’smemorabilia and a very good dinner that was followedwith entertainment by two local music bands.The Vegreville Elks Lodge was founded in 1926 and hasbeen an active fundraiser since their inception for communityprojects as well as supporting the Provincial andNational Elks Charitable Programs.The Vegreville Elks are best known locally for the ElksPark and Fish Pond located on the east side of town,right alongside the main road through Vegreville. It isusually the first stop for tourists as they come into townfrom the east along the Yellowhead Trail where they canstop to view the world famous Pysanka (Easter Egg);the Elk statue; the flower gardens and the fishpondfountains.The local Elks Hall is another visible reminder of theElks presence in Vegreville. The Hall is usually providedto local youth groups and non-profit organizations for aminimal cost, but can also be rented by individuals andother community organizations for hosting events.service groups in the community. The Elks are extremelyproud of their contribution to the community and willcontinue to volunteer their time to raise funds for theVegreville community and the Elks Provincial andNational Programs.Exalted Ruler Marshall Stewart(right) was presented with an85 th Anniversary commemorativeplaque from VegrevilleMayor Richard Coleman onbehalf of the Town of Vegreville.Vegreville Elks ExaltedRuler Marshall Stewart(centre) presented acheque for $2000.00 toJerry Wernicke, GrandExalted Ruler andSharen McLean,Supreme HonouredRoyal Lady. The chequeis a donation to the Elksand Royal Purple Fund for Children.Over the past five years the Vegreville Elks have raisedand contributed over $265,000.00 for National,Provincial and Local Community Programs. To raisethese funds the Elk members have worked bingos, casinosand other fundraising events putting in about17,750 hours of volunteer time. Locally, most communityprojects, sports teams, schools and youth organizationshave received financial assistance from the Elks.A few of the major recipients of the funds have been theVegreville Composite High School Foundation; St.Martin’s and St. Mary’s Catholic Schools; the St JosephHospital Foundation, as well as the Scouts, Cubs,Pathfinders, Girl Guides and many other youth andBrother Jim Daviesplaying the fiddle.Brother Orest Kuly (right)and his band Soul Spice.25