On The Road With State President Lynn Rohlf
We are kicking off a new element to the Minnesota Elks web site aptly titled "On the Road Again : A Year in the Life of the State President." We hope to bring you tales of some of the wonderful events, activities and goings on at the various Elks lodges throughout Minnesota as State President Lynn Rohlf wends her way through the state. We hope you sit back and enjoy Lynn's ongoing adventures this year!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks! Well, this is my first installment in our new feature: "A Year In The Life Of The State President" Upon returning home from the State Convention in Hibbing, I got busy packing to head out that next Friday for the Grand Lodge Convention in Austin, Texas. You've heard of Thelma & Louise, well my trip was: "Ms. Lynn and Ms. Beverly." Bev Smith and I drove out of Duluth, Minnesota at 6:30 a.m. on Friday June 29, 2012, with a GPS (AKA: Po Po) destination of Austin, Texas: 1,324 miles and 20 hours of travel. Our initial plan was to drive 14 hours to Oklahoma City and to finish up the trip on Saturday. Well, our plans changed right off the bat as we decided that we needed to arrive in Austin in time to see Hopkins Lodge #2221 perform the Initiatory Ritual in the Grand Lodge Contest. So, we set our GPS for Ardmore, Oklahoma - a mere 16 hours of travel. We pulled into Ardmore at 11:20 p.m. We were up and on the road by 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2012, and arrived in Austin, Texas at 10:30 a.m., plenty of time to check in, get registered, and arrive at ritual. Hopkins Lodge #2221 performed at 1:30 p.m. and did an outstanding rendition of the initiatory ritual. Even though they did not place, they did a great job. Way to go Hopkins! The Grand Lodge Convention kicked off on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. with the Opening Ceremony and Memorial Service. I was truly honored to represent the Elks of Minnesota by carrying in the Minnesota Flag during the opening ceremony. The Minnesota Hospitality room, hosted by Central District President George Lehn and Tammy Prior, got off to a rousing start on Sunday at 7 p.m. This was something new for Minnesota, as we are typically open during the day. The room closed just a bit before 11 p.m., when the delegations from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and Wyoming gathered on the main floor of the hotel to do the Eleven O'Clock Toast. The usual meetings were held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Monday, the State Presidents, State Secretaries, Exalted Rulers and District Deputy Designates all met for a seminar to help prepare us for the coming year. On Tuesday, I was able to meet with the incoming Grand Exalted Ruler, Thomas Brazier, and have my photo taken with him. On Wednesday, we had the legislative session and many decisions were made that will affect our Order. For additional information, please check out the information posted on the Grand Lodge Web Site at www.elk.org Wednesday evening found a group of up taking a trip to the Texas Hospitality Room. Our bus ride home was quite eventful, but if we had to be stuck somewhere on the Fourth of July - in an air conditioned bus on the middle of the bridge directly in front of the fire work display - that was the place to be! I thought people and traffic were bad in Duluth, Minnesota, after the fireworks end, but it is nothing compared to Austin, Texas. I guess the saying "that everything is bigger in Texas," is quite true. On Thursday, we heard from the National Hoop Shoot Getty Powell Award winners, as well as the top male and female scholarship recipients. Listening to these four outstanding youth really reminds me of what the Elks stand for and that our hard work and donations are truly appreciated by the youth and the communities that we serve. We then witnessed the Installation of the 2012-2013 Grand Lodge Officers. Along with our new Grand Exalted Ruler, Thomas Brazier, our very own Ray Engelland of Willmar Lodge #952 was installed as Grand Lecturing Knight. GER Brazier's first duty was to install his District Deputies for the coming year. Those installed from Minnesota were: Craig (Marcie) Lindahl, DDGER - North District (Thief River Falls Lodge #1308) Vinnie Henrich, DDGER - Central District (Wadena Lodge #2386) Greg (Diane) Hammes, DDGER - Metro District (Minneapolis Lodge #44) Wayne (Janell Salcedo) Hermanson, DDGER - South District (Owatonna Lodge #1395) To finish out the day, I had the great honor of presenting GER Brazier with his Grand Exalted Ruler ring. Upon presenting the ring, I informed him that we would be using his "Beacon Of Hope" to guide us in the coming year as the Minnesota Elks - ROCK THE BOAT! Thursday evening brought a little rest and relaxation and a trip to Sixth Street in downtown Austin, Texas. For those of you who have never been, the street is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants and best of all - live music! After finishing up my shopping, I headed to the Chuggin' Monkey. I believe their claim to fame is that one of the owners is Bachelor star Brad Womack. A gang (a group of Minnesota Elks) gathered and enjoyed some country music by a great duo and then a little blues music by Tish and her MizzBeHavin Band. It was hard to believe, but Friday morning had arrived and it was time to head back to Duluth. Wyoming State President Fran was quite impressed with our packing abilities as she exclaimed that "we would never fit all of that in my little car." It all fit and we left Austin, Texas at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 6, 2012. Our fist stop, the Oklahoma City National Memorial. What a truly amazing experience. I cannot put into words the feelings I had as we toured the memorial grounds. Even though the thermometer said 102 degrees, it was worth the stop! We pulled into Topeka, Kansas, at 9:30 p.m. and decided to call it a night. On Saturday, July 7, 2012, we headed out at 6:15 a.m. with a GPS destination of Duluth, Minnesota. We arrived back in Duluth at 6:15 p.m. So, overall, a very successful convention. We shared our hotel with fellow Elks from Wisconsin, Colorado and Wyoming, and had many Elks from the other States visit our very friendly and happening Hospitality Room! Thanks to George and Tammy for a fabulous job and to all of the Minnesota Elks and guest for their assistance in making this room such a success. We had some raffles, had a few adult beverages, had some fine food, had a lot of fun, and raised a little bit of cash for the Minnesota Elks Youth Camp. Stay tuned as I will be keeping you posted of my travels across the Great State Of Minnesota in the coming months . . . In the meantime don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT! Fraternally, Lynn Rohlf Minnesota Elks Association State President |
Winona
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks!
I have just returned from my first lodge visit as State President. I hit the road at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 20, 2012, destination Winona Elks Lodge #327. I decided to take the more scenic route and traveled through Wisconsin. I arrived in Winona at 2:30 p.m. The trip didn't seem quite as long as the 1,300 miles to Texas . . . Winona Lodge #327 Exalted Ruler Linda Taylor picked me up at the hotel and it was off to the Lodge for the first night of their two night outdoor concert. The staff and members were busy getting ready for the event, moving the portable bars outside, getting the food wagon ready, and setting up the popcorn machine. I found that the name of the event "Rockin' The Lot" was appropriate with my motto "Rock The Boat."
The band on tap for Friday night was Rock Brigade - a 70's and 80's cover band from the Minneapolis area. The temperature was warm, however, the music was good and the beverages were cold. A fun night was had by all.
On Saturday, I was brought up to Gavin Heights and had a "birds-eye" view of the city. What a beautiful spot. If you have never made it to that spot when you visit Winona, make sure you put in on your agenda for your next visit. Then, it was off to have a late lunch at the Eagle View Bar & Grill in Minneiska. I didn't see any eagles, but had a nice view of the river.
Then, it was back to Winona Lodge #327 for the second evening. The band on tap for Saturday night was "The White Sidewalls." Again, the staff and members were busy getting ready for the event. I was able to put in a shift at the gate and helped sell and collect tickets for a couple of hours. This was a great way for me to visit with the members and guest coming into the event. Again, the temperature was warm, but the music was great and the beverages were cold. It was nice to visit with old friends from Winona and to meet some new ones. The purpose of this outdoor concert: To raise funds. Proceeds will be donated to the local food shelf and to the Winona DAC. The donation to the food shelf is pretty self-explanatory. The Winona Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) provides services which help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their full potential. In addition, staff from DAC helped man the food booth on Saturday night.
In all it was a very successful evening. A fun event for Elks and their guest and dollars raised to give back to the community. If any lodges are looking at having an outdoor concert, I'm sure that Winona Lodge #327 could help you out so that you don't have "to recreate the wheel."
My thanks to ER Linda Taylor and her husband Randy and Winona Elks #327 for a great time! They have "set the bar."
Next stop - Brainerd Lodge #615. Stay tuned for my next update and, in the meantime don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT!
Fraternally,
Lynn Rohlf
Minnesota Elks Association State President
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks!
I have just returned from my first lodge visit as State President. I hit the road at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 20, 2012, destination Winona Elks Lodge #327. I decided to take the more scenic route and traveled through Wisconsin. I arrived in Winona at 2:30 p.m. The trip didn't seem quite as long as the 1,300 miles to Texas . . . Winona Lodge #327 Exalted Ruler Linda Taylor picked me up at the hotel and it was off to the Lodge for the first night of their two night outdoor concert. The staff and members were busy getting ready for the event, moving the portable bars outside, getting the food wagon ready, and setting up the popcorn machine. I found that the name of the event "Rockin' The Lot" was appropriate with my motto "Rock The Boat."
The band on tap for Friday night was Rock Brigade - a 70's and 80's cover band from the Minneapolis area. The temperature was warm, however, the music was good and the beverages were cold. A fun night was had by all.
On Saturday, I was brought up to Gavin Heights and had a "birds-eye" view of the city. What a beautiful spot. If you have never made it to that spot when you visit Winona, make sure you put in on your agenda for your next visit. Then, it was off to have a late lunch at the Eagle View Bar & Grill in Minneiska. I didn't see any eagles, but had a nice view of the river.
Then, it was back to Winona Lodge #327 for the second evening. The band on tap for Saturday night was "The White Sidewalls." Again, the staff and members were busy getting ready for the event. I was able to put in a shift at the gate and helped sell and collect tickets for a couple of hours. This was a great way for me to visit with the members and guest coming into the event. Again, the temperature was warm, but the music was great and the beverages were cold. It was nice to visit with old friends from Winona and to meet some new ones. The purpose of this outdoor concert: To raise funds. Proceeds will be donated to the local food shelf and to the Winona DAC. The donation to the food shelf is pretty self-explanatory. The Winona Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) provides services which help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their full potential. In addition, staff from DAC helped man the food booth on Saturday night.
In all it was a very successful evening. A fun event for Elks and their guest and dollars raised to give back to the community. If any lodges are looking at having an outdoor concert, I'm sure that Winona Lodge #327 could help you out so that you don't have "to recreate the wheel."
My thanks to ER Linda Taylor and her husband Randy and Winona Elks #327 for a great time! They have "set the bar."
Next stop - Brainerd Lodge #615. Stay tuned for my next update and, in the meantime don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT!
Fraternally,
Lynn Rohlf
Minnesota Elks Association State President