News Around The State

News Around the State

April 21, 2021

October 19, 2020

August 14, 2020

January 23, 2020

December 9, 2019

September 17, 2019

September 16, 2019

August 20, 2019

May 8, 2019

April 13, 2019

December 26, 2018

October 17, 2018

October 10, 2018

August 31, 2018

August 30, 2018

August 26, 2018

June 29, 2018

May 31, 2018

Urgent Call To Action for Electronic Gaming
As you may already know, MLBA was the driving force behind getting electronic forms of pull tabs and BINGO into Minnesota bars with charitable gambling back in 2012. Earlier this week the Minnesota House Commerce Committee passed a bill that would substantially and negatively change e-pull-tabs and electronic linked BINGO - reducing player entertainment, AND stripping needed revenue for bars, restaurants, and local charities. Full notice here.

Kath Kourt Dedicated
At the 2020 Mid Year Conference a plaque was placed on the basketball court in honor of Jeff Kath. Through a memorial donation from his family, the camp was able to resurface and update the basketball court.

Passing of Dennis Schroeder, State Secretary
It is with sadness that we note the passing of State Secretary Dennis Schroeder of Hutchinson Lodge #2427. Full obituary here.

Additional Youth Camp Raffle Tickets Available
There are additional Youth Camp Raffle tickets available beyond what was distributed to each Lodge. If your Lodge would like additional tickets to sell and possibly earn a bigger bonus, please contact Charlie Radika. His contact info is in the state directory here.

Youth Camp Raffle Poster Published
The 2020 Youth Camp Raffle Poster has been posted to the site. You can find it under State Committees / Youth Camp. Tickets will be distributed at the Spring District Meetings.

New Elks Lodge Information Meeting
An organizational meeting has been arranged for a proposed new Elk Lodge in the Elk River/Otsego area. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 6:30 PM at the American Legion Post #112 in Elk River, MN. The meeting, which is open to the public, is designed to recruit prospective new members from the area who show enthusiasm towards the principles of our Order. If you know of anyone in that area who may be interested in joining or if you can advance the advertising of the meeting, please forward this information to the interested parties. For a copy of the flyer or for further information, please contact Metro District President Craig DeForge at (612) 968-4513

Winners of the 2019 State Golf Tournament
Congratulations to Bemidji Lodge #1052 for winning the scramble event. Congratulations as well to the following in the individual flight
Low Net (Senior)
1st Jerry Shoults
2nd Mike Noland
Low Gross
1st Brian Timmerman
2nd Jerry Shoults

Owatonna Elks Craft Sale
Join us at the craft sale on Saturday, November 2, 8:00am - 1:30pm. Jean Ann's wild rice sop and Maid Rite baskets 11am-1:30pm
Click here for more details

Bemidji Lodge Supports Youth Football
BEMIDJI ELK'S LODGE #1052, Proud to Support Bemidji Youth Football; pictured L to R Coach Mike Brower, Bemidji Youth Football VP/ League Commissioner Brian Solum, Bemidji Youth Football President Wes Hegna, Bemidji Elks Lodge #1052 National Foundation Grant Administrator Bill Batchelder,Coach Chase Schmidt, Coach Tad McFarren, Bemidji Elk's Lodge #1052 National Foundation Chairman Mr. Joe Dunn. Please email
info@bemidjiyouthfootball.com for information on Bemidji Youth Football and e-mail Joe Dunn at jdunn@paulbunyan.net for information on joining the Bemidji Elk's Lodge #1052

Owatonna Lodge #1395 Names Americanism Essay Winners
Owatonna Americanism winners (left to right): Hannah Cahill, Paradiez Peterson, Lauren Nelson & Iptisam Mohamad. Hannah & Paradiez are students at Owatonna Christian School, Lauren & Iptisam are students at Owatonna Middle School. Lauren Nelson, who placed First in the State in the 5th & 6th grade Division

Lottie Aslakson, Red Wing Lodge named 2019 Metro District Elk of the Year. Metro District President Craig DeForge names Lottie Aslakson of Red Wing Lodge #845 Metro District Elk of the Year for all her wonderful work with veterans and youth.

Santa Visits Hibbing Lodge
Santa's in the House! Visiting State President Pat Wright donned the air cooled Santa outfit and helped spread Christmas Joy at the Hibbing Lodge

2018 Youth Camp Raffle bonuses have been announced:
Alexandria 1685, $750.00,
Brainerd 615, $1000.00,
Duluth 133, $1000.00,
Faribault 1166, $750.00,
Hibbing 1022, $1250.00,
Hopkins 2221, $1000.00,
Hutchinson 2427, $750.00,
I Falls 1599, $1000.00
Mankato 225, $750.00,
Minneapolis 44, $750.00,
Owatonna 1395, $1250.00,
Red Wing 845, $1250.00,
Rochester 1091, $1000.00,
Stillwater 179, $750.00,
Willmar 952, $1000.00,
Winona 327, $750.00,
Worthington 2287, $750.00.

This is a total of $15,750.00 paid out in bonuses.

Annual Craft Sale: Owatonna Elks 20th Annual Craft Sale. See details on the poster here

State Soccer Shoot: The results are in from the State Soccer Shoot and a group picture of the kids that were at camp – a great time was had by all Thank you to ALL of the volunteers who helped make this event happen including: Steph Riegelman (our fearless leader), Kevin Riegelman & Tom Hoelscher, Royce & Karlyne Bottin, Laurie DeForge & Sheila Wruck, Dick Lyscio, Herman Wisneski & the Brainerd group, Pat Wright, Tony Jeffries, Ron & Jeanie Probst

Rochester Lodge donates $7,000 to First Tee. At the lodge meeting on August 8th the Rochester Lodge had the honor to present a check to the First Tee for $7,340. This was the result of a lot of work at our first Million Dollar Hole In One Shootout event in June. Many, many members, spouses and friends worked together with the first tee program to make this a success in spite of some rainy weather. Pictured above from left to right are Skip Hambright and Watty Watson of the First Tee Program. Next is our ER, Jim Holman, Treasurer Steve Larson and Event chairman, Jay Stoyles.

Invitation from Willmar Lodge #952 to celebrate Burt Lundberg's 100th birthday. Click here for flyer.

Notice Regarding Check Presentations

Youth Camp Opener
Photos from Youth Camp Opener

May 24, 2018

Americanism Essay Winner
Mankato Lodge recognized Huda N. as the winner of the 2017-2018 Americanism Essay Contest for Category II (7th/8th graders). Pictured are: Dave Norris, Mankato Lodge ER, Huda Nuh, essay contest winner and Brad Borresen, Mankato Lodge treasurer

March 7, 2018

February 21, 2018

August 17, 2017

July 15, 2017

July 15, 2017

October 6, 2016

September 19, 2016

June 23, 2016

February 2, 2016

November 30, 2015

June 27, 2015

May 29, 2015

April 18, 2015

April 18, 2015

March 31, 2015

June 26, 2014

State Scholarship Winners for 2018
Congratulations to the following winners of our state scholarship contest. The following winners are moving onto the national contest and will be guaranteed at least $4,000:

Sarah Betts, Hopkins #2221
Maria Keller, Hopkins #2221
Allison Prestby, Alexandria #1685
Jacob Weinstein, Minneapolis #44
Kyle Fossum, Winona #327

Congratulations as well to the following are winners of a $2,000 scholarship:

Alexander Robertsen, Duluth #133
Tanner Wenzel, Dakota County #2832
Kegan Zimmerman, Worthington, #2287
Jace Newell, Minneapolis #44
Emma Harlan, Winona #327
Dani Follett-Dion, Dakota County #2823
Guari Madhok, Hopkins #2221
Maria Bell, Brainerd #615

State Hoop Shoot 2018
The 2017-2018 Hoop Shoot is in the books! Check out the news release by Jim Van Duyn here and the official results from Lynn Rohlf here.

Alzheimers Walk Dates
Minnesota Elks! There are 9 Walks for Alzheimer's In MN Elks Lodge towns. Still time to get a team together, register yourself or go on line and donate. Any questions, you can contact me at jillane.lawrence@gmail.com. You may also contact the Alzheimer's at alz.org/walk or 800.272.3900

MN Elks Youth Camp Debuts New Booth!
A new booth highlighting our MN Elks Youth Camp and the wonderful rings and memorabilia we offer made it's debut at the Grand Lodge Convention in Reno. It earned a 5 star rating! Click here for a larger photo

CIP Volunteer of the Year
Hopkins Lodge #2221 member Gretchen Peterson was awarded the national Community Investments Program (CIP) Volunteer of the Year award by the Elks National Foundation. Check out the video highlighting how her Lodge has used grants to build a stronger community.

Owatonna Lodge #1395 Craft Sale
Owatonna is hosting their annual craft sale. Click here for the details.

Hopkins Lodge #2221 Welcome Home Program: Hopkins Welcome Home program was featured in the National Veterans Service Commission monthly newsletter and online blog. Read the "How To" article as well as the interview with the Petersons.

Americanism 2nd Place: Americanism State Runner Up Mya Henry pictured with Hibbing Lodge 1022 Exalted Ruler Raymond Jensen, Americanism Chair Patty Theisen, Mya Henry, and her parents Amber and Kyle Bonestell.

Traveling Wall Video Launch: Check out You Tube for a promotional video regarding the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Wall. View the video here

Hutchinson Elks Park: The Hutchinson Elks Lodge is partnering with the city and local community to build a new park that is fun but also friendly to those with handicaps. Find more details on it at http://elkspark.weebly.com

Traveling Wall Faribault 2016: Virginia van Sluis of Faribault Lodge #1166 announced at the State Convention that Faribault Lodge in partnership with the local VFW, American Legion and other local organizations will be bringing the traveling Vietnam Wall memorial to Faribault for a six day event in 2016. Get more details on the event and how you can help make it a reality by finding them on Facebook at “Traveling Wall Faribault 2016”) or by going to their web site at http://www.travelingwallfaribault2016.org/

Taking Her Shot: Local Girl competes in National Hoop Shoot
The Brainerd Dispatch published a nice article about Kelsi Martini of Pequot Lakes and her trip to our Elks National Hoop Shoot. Here is a link to the article. Brainerd Dispatch Article : Kelsi Martini

Minnesota Rocks the National Hoop Shoot finals held in Massachussetts this weekend. Congratulations to Brylee Lingen of Thief River Falls Lodge for her 1st place finish in the 10-11 age girls category (pictured far right) sinking 24 of 25 free throws. Congratulations to all the competitors from Minnesota who placed very well:

Kelsi Martini, Brainerd Lodge, tied for 2nd girls ages 8-9
Isaac Maddock, Alexandria Lodge, tied for 3rd boys ages 10-11
Brylee Lingen, Thief River Falls Lodge, first place girls 10-11

Photos from the event can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/123356758%40N03/sets/72157652110486002/

Congratulations Virginia van Sluis of Faribault #1166 won the Metro District Elk of the Year award for all of her work with veterans and other projects within the lodge.

Thank you Veterans Service Commission for your donation. The Elks donated $300 to provide nutritional and home supplies to veterans in needs. Read more...

Thank you Minnesota Elks! Hi, Lynn! I just wanted to send along this photo of the wonderful welcome sign that Minnesota gave us last year. We bought a home in Ocean Park, Washington and thought our front porch would be the perfect place to display it. Please let the Minnesota Elks know how much we appreciate their generosity. See you in New Orleans! See the welcome sign...
Tom & Venita Brazier
2012-2013 Grand Exalted Ruler