On The Road With State President George Lehn
Making Memories Part Three! February - March, 2014
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks! Well we were on the road again in February and March. We were hoping winter would make an early exit but not to be. In mid-February we drove up to Willmar for the State Bowling Tournament. We did not score very well but had a great time and Willmar Lodge was a great host. The last weekend in February, Friday the 28th we took on of our long trips up to Hibbing for their annual International Bonspiel. I can’t believe they thought an old fat guy could actually bend over and to this. A big thanks to Kevin and Stephanie Riegelman and Pat Wright for allowing me to curl on their team. I’m sure they were glad when they found out I had to leave Saturday morning and someone else would be curling. It was a great experience and I also found out that I am not any good at that sport. Thank You to Charlie and Becky Radika for chauffeuring us around. The next day we travelled over to Duluth Lodge for their annual early bird membership signing and soup and chili cook-off. There was a nice crowd on hand and Tammy and I were allowed to judge all the varieties of hot soups and chili’s. Do you know how full you get trying to taste 7 different kinds of soup and 4 different kinds of chili as fast as you can eat? Everything was delicious put the chili made with ghost peppers was a big surprise. After eating that it took a lot of liquid to put out the fire. A big thanks to Lynn Rohlf for driving us back and forth to our hotel and for coming down on Sun. morning to jump start my truck when it wouldn’t start. As if we hadn’t had enough of the cold North district, we left for Virginia and Eveleth the next weekend. At least they turned up the thermostat a little for us. On Friday we were picked up by Exalted Ruler Cheryl Olivanti and joined her and many of her Officers and members for dinner at the Lodge. The food was great and I even got a chance to visit with Grand Lodge Committeeman on Judiciary and Chairman of the State Trustees, Todd Deal. Everything was great and we went back to our room early to get ready for our long journey of 5 miles the next day to Eveleth Lodge for their Fun Spiel. Fortunately they had heard about how great I was at that, so I was able to only be a spectator. After we met at the Lodge for dinner, awards and fellowship. Exalted Ruler Diane Blight keeps everyone in line and the kitchen crew of PSP George and Stancy Walters and District Deputy Esquire Rosemary Tedtrick and others prepared a great spaghetti feed. Thank you also to North District President Butch Blight for driving us to and from the hotel. The following weekend we ventured to Faribault Lodge to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. We were met by Exalted Ruler Deb McAlpine and escorted to our room which was actually in a suite that was in their old Lodge Building. If you ever get to Faribault, you need to check this place out. It has been completely redone and houses 5 suites, a ballroom and a restaurant in it. After getting situated there we ventured down to the Lodge and had a great meal of corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and various breads and desserts. The meal was prepared by various volunteers and the brisket by Bob Cochran was exceptional. After meeting all of the Officers and members I am quite sure that the Summer Convention held in Faribault this year will be a huge success. Following my visit to Faribault, Tammy and I headed south the next weekend to Iowa City, IA. for the Regional Hoop-Shoot Finals. Minnesota was well represented and Kyli Nelson representing Red Wing Lodge advanced to the finals in Springfield, MA. Please log in to the National Elks Website to send her your well wishes in Springfield. It was a pleasure to be there and represent Minnesota along with State Hoop Shoot Chairman Mark Johnson, PSP Lynn Rohlf, PSP Bob Brown, PSP Jerry Shoults and his wife Brenda. Finally on the last weekend of the month I had the pleasure of staying in Hutchinson and installing my wife Tammy as the new Exalted Ruler of Hutchinson Lodge. That was truly a memorable moment for me and a great way to end the month of March. As April starts and new officers take over in all of our lodges, let’s all make a commitment to get behind them and continue to be “Minnesota Elks – Making Memories”. George Lehn Minnesota Elks Association President |
George's Travel Logs
June Thru November, 2013 December/January, 2014 February/ March, 2014 Finale, 2014 |
