On The Road With State President Lynn Rohlf
September, 2012
Rochester #1091 Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks! Well, I seem to be on the road again.It is 6:15 a.m. as I drive down Mesaba Avenue headed for Rochester, Minnesota. You might be asking yourself: What could be the bonus in being up this early? Well, it was a beautiful sunrise over Lake Superior. A great start to my 230 mile trek down the road. I arrived in Rochester just in time to take in the South District Meeting. South District President Dick Ledebuhr and DDGER Wayne Hermanson put on an informational meeting. It was nice to get to see a "different" district meeting and it's always nice to be able to catch up with old friends from that area. The main reason for my trip, however, was my visit to Rochester Lodge #1091 and their Elk Member Appreciation Dinner. ER Ron Hanson picked us up in his 1968 Convertible. I told Dick it was so we could practice our waves for the King Turkey Day Parade the following weekend in Worthington. This event was held in honor of Elk Members who are also veterans. The veterans received a free dinner and door prizes donated by local businesses. In all, there were 48 veterans in attendance for the evening festivities. A hard working group, headed up by Flo Armstrong, did a fabulous job. The evening started off with a social hour and getting to visit with old friends and making some new ones. A great chicken dinner was then served with the famous Bunny Cake from the Canadian Honker Restaurant. DDGER Hermanson, SDP Ledebuhr and I were all able to address and thank the veterans. We also assisted in presenting each veteran with a Star keepsake. Following dinner, we were entertained by the band: FISHDO. This event was made possible by the many Elk volunteers and the very generous local businesses. It was truly an example of great teamwork. The one section on the program said it all: Volunteers Who Made This Evening Possible! Before leaving Rochester on Sunday, I stopped off at Marann's Creative Costumes & Clothing where she gave me a nice cowboy hat and bolo tie to add to my attire for the King Turkey Day Parade. The trip home seemed like a breeze as I floated home listening to my "Boat Songs" CD made just for me by ER Ron. Thanks a bunch! Next stop - Worthington Lodge #2287 . . . 362 miles one way from Duluth . . . my furthest trip as State President. On tap - no boats - just turkeys . . . Stay tuned for my next update and, in the meantime, don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT! Fraternally, Lynn M. Rohlf Minnesota Elks Association State President |
Worthington Lodge #2287
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks!
It seems like I just got home and I'm already "on the road."
Since it is so far to Worthington Lodge #2287, I'm going to take a couple of extra days and take a mini-vacation and visit with relatives. So, my trip started a bit early. It's 6:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2012, and I'm heading out of Duluth again. My first stop was to pick up my Aunt Inez, who will be accompanying me on this trip. We are on our way to Windom, Minnesota, which is about 31 miles from Worthington. I will be spending some time visiting my Aunt JoAnn and Uncle Harold before and after my trip to Worthington. At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2012, I hit the road for Worthington. 31 miles seems a lot better than 362 . . .
I arrive at the Worthington Elks Lodge at about 10:00 a.m. and ask: "What can I do?" My first job was to make room in the fridge for the pea salad and then I quickly donned my apron and was put to work doing some dishes. After that, I spent a few minutes supervising the group in the parking lot that were getting the beer tent ready. Then, it was time to go to the parade. ER Tom Steffl and I, along with South District President Dick Ledebuhr, headed out to pick up the convertible that was so generously donated by one of the Elk Members: a very nice new Ford Mustang convertible. We got to the parade route about 1:00 a.m. and found our spot - Number 100. I told Tom that we were given that number as he was Number One and he had a couple of zeroes in the back seat. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day - 84 degrees and a very welcomed breeze. Thanks to Worthington's Leading Knight, we were even able to have a cool beverage while we waited. The parade began at 2:00 p.m. and I think our car finally moved at about 3:20 p.m. What a parade - I was truly amazed at all of the entries and at all of the people lining the street.
After the parade, we headed back to the Lodge for a scrumptious turkey dinner. Over 500 dinners were served - what a job! Again, another fine example of great teamwork by the Elks and their spouses. After dinner, I went out to put in my shift at the beer tent - working, not drinking . . . I was happy to see that the beer wagon had a spout for Budweiser. The beer wagon was a new endeavor for the Elks, along with the VFW, and it appeared to be a success. There was also live music in the lot. Again, I was able to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones.
After my shift in the beer tent, I was able to visit with some of the members and learned a bit about their plans for the upcoming State Convention which will be hosted by their lodge in June of 2013. Please don't let the long drive deter you from making plans to attend this convention for I have seen firsthand that they know how to host a great party! So, if your Turkey Day plans include cooking for a group of 500 or more, make sure to give the Worthington Elks Lodge a call, as they can surely let you know how much you are going to need. Just be sure to make a bit more of the impressive stuffing, as it was the hot-ticket item on the buffet this year. I, however, really enjoyed the pea salad.
On Sunday morning I was back on the road to Windom. Again, a short enjoyable drive of a mere 31 miles. Monday afternoon brought a different story as I began my trek of 305 miles back to Duluth. Don't tell anyone, but I was looking forward to getting back to work. I have no lodge visit planned for the coming weekend as I'll be off to help close up the Minnesota Elks Youth Camp. I'm sure Mr. Miller has some job in store for me and, if not, I'm sure that I can find something to busy myself with.
Stay tuned for my next update and, in the meantime, don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT!
Fraternally,
Lynn M. Rohlf
Minnesota Elks Association State President
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks!
It seems like I just got home and I'm already "on the road."
Since it is so far to Worthington Lodge #2287, I'm going to take a couple of extra days and take a mini-vacation and visit with relatives. So, my trip started a bit early. It's 6:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2012, and I'm heading out of Duluth again. My first stop was to pick up my Aunt Inez, who will be accompanying me on this trip. We are on our way to Windom, Minnesota, which is about 31 miles from Worthington. I will be spending some time visiting my Aunt JoAnn and Uncle Harold before and after my trip to Worthington. At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2012, I hit the road for Worthington. 31 miles seems a lot better than 362 . . .
I arrive at the Worthington Elks Lodge at about 10:00 a.m. and ask: "What can I do?" My first job was to make room in the fridge for the pea salad and then I quickly donned my apron and was put to work doing some dishes. After that, I spent a few minutes supervising the group in the parking lot that were getting the beer tent ready. Then, it was time to go to the parade. ER Tom Steffl and I, along with South District President Dick Ledebuhr, headed out to pick up the convertible that was so generously donated by one of the Elk Members: a very nice new Ford Mustang convertible. We got to the parade route about 1:00 a.m. and found our spot - Number 100. I told Tom that we were given that number as he was Number One and he had a couple of zeroes in the back seat. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day - 84 degrees and a very welcomed breeze. Thanks to Worthington's Leading Knight, we were even able to have a cool beverage while we waited. The parade began at 2:00 p.m. and I think our car finally moved at about 3:20 p.m. What a parade - I was truly amazed at all of the entries and at all of the people lining the street.
After the parade, we headed back to the Lodge for a scrumptious turkey dinner. Over 500 dinners were served - what a job! Again, another fine example of great teamwork by the Elks and their spouses. After dinner, I went out to put in my shift at the beer tent - working, not drinking . . . I was happy to see that the beer wagon had a spout for Budweiser. The beer wagon was a new endeavor for the Elks, along with the VFW, and it appeared to be a success. There was also live music in the lot. Again, I was able to meet up with some old friends and make some new ones.
After my shift in the beer tent, I was able to visit with some of the members and learned a bit about their plans for the upcoming State Convention which will be hosted by their lodge in June of 2013. Please don't let the long drive deter you from making plans to attend this convention for I have seen firsthand that they know how to host a great party! So, if your Turkey Day plans include cooking for a group of 500 or more, make sure to give the Worthington Elks Lodge a call, as they can surely let you know how much you are going to need. Just be sure to make a bit more of the impressive stuffing, as it was the hot-ticket item on the buffet this year. I, however, really enjoyed the pea salad.
On Sunday morning I was back on the road to Windom. Again, a short enjoyable drive of a mere 31 miles. Monday afternoon brought a different story as I began my trek of 305 miles back to Duluth. Don't tell anyone, but I was looking forward to getting back to work. I have no lodge visit planned for the coming weekend as I'll be off to help close up the Minnesota Elks Youth Camp. I'm sure Mr. Miller has some job in store for me and, if not, I'm sure that I can find something to busy myself with.
Stay tuned for my next update and, in the meantime, don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT!
Fraternally,
Lynn M. Rohlf
Minnesota Elks Association State President
Bemidji Lodge #1052
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks!
Here I go again. It's Friday, September 28, 2012, and I'm heading out of town - destination: Bemidji, Minnesota, and my visit to Bemidji Lodge #1052. What a gorgeous day for a drive. I'm fortunate enough to have picked one of the "peak" leaf weekends to go in this direction. The forecast is calling for low 80's - a great Fall weekend. My chauffeur (AKA: George Smith; AKA: Bev's dad), arrives around 5 p.m. to pick up Ms. Beverly and I to head down to the lodge. Bev has bribed her dad and said she would buy him a burger if he gave us a ride. I'm greeted by ER Mic when I arrive at the lodge and some friendly Bemidji faces. On tap for the evening is burger baskets and some fun and fellowship as the members arrive for the evening.
I spent some time visiting with ER Mic and the members about the positive changes that have been taking place at Bemidji Lodge #1052. They are fortunate to have all of the rental property rented, which brings in much needed income to help with the costs of owning such a large building. They are looking to the future and would like to purchase and install some type of an elevator or a lift. This is a huge expense and would be quite a task to accomplish. They have made some changes at the bar and have hired new Staff. I always enjoy hearing when lodges decide to run their business like a business and use paid staff to run the bar. They have seen an increase in membership and I was able to meet with some of the newest members that evening. They are gearing up for dart season, which is another positive thing they have going for them. If this is something your lodge might be interested in, I know that the Bemidji Elks could help you out with what they are doing and what they have done in the past.
The Bemidji Lodge recently hosted the MN Elks State Golf Tournament and they were still talking about what a fun time they had.
Oh, did I mention, it's Homecoming? Being a Bemidji State University grad, this is always a fun time to be back in town. I'm lucky that I can match this weekend up with my visit weekend. In addition, ER Mic was able to score me a couple of VIP tickets for the football game. GO BEAVERS! It's hard to beat an 85 degree day in Chet Anderson Stadium on the shores of Lake Bemidji. The Beavers were victorious and beat Minnesota Crookston. Final Score: Crookston 2; Beavers 35. I was able to stop back up at the Lodge on Saturday evening as the street dance was just outside with the Front Fenders playing. Again, another fabulous evening in Bemidji. Sunday arrives and it's already time to return to Duluth and to work. However, my final stop on my way out of town will be at the Corner Bar to have a burger. The leaves on the trip home were just as beautiful as on the ride up.
Tomorrow is already October - where has the time gone? Stay tuned for my next update as I make two stops next weekend - Virginia and Stillwater.
In the meantime, don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT!
Fraternally,
Lynn M. Rohlf
Minnesota Elks Association State President
Greetings Fellow Minnesota Elks!
Here I go again. It's Friday, September 28, 2012, and I'm heading out of town - destination: Bemidji, Minnesota, and my visit to Bemidji Lodge #1052. What a gorgeous day for a drive. I'm fortunate enough to have picked one of the "peak" leaf weekends to go in this direction. The forecast is calling for low 80's - a great Fall weekend. My chauffeur (AKA: George Smith; AKA: Bev's dad), arrives around 5 p.m. to pick up Ms. Beverly and I to head down to the lodge. Bev has bribed her dad and said she would buy him a burger if he gave us a ride. I'm greeted by ER Mic when I arrive at the lodge and some friendly Bemidji faces. On tap for the evening is burger baskets and some fun and fellowship as the members arrive for the evening.
I spent some time visiting with ER Mic and the members about the positive changes that have been taking place at Bemidji Lodge #1052. They are fortunate to have all of the rental property rented, which brings in much needed income to help with the costs of owning such a large building. They are looking to the future and would like to purchase and install some type of an elevator or a lift. This is a huge expense and would be quite a task to accomplish. They have made some changes at the bar and have hired new Staff. I always enjoy hearing when lodges decide to run their business like a business and use paid staff to run the bar. They have seen an increase in membership and I was able to meet with some of the newest members that evening. They are gearing up for dart season, which is another positive thing they have going for them. If this is something your lodge might be interested in, I know that the Bemidji Elks could help you out with what they are doing and what they have done in the past.
The Bemidji Lodge recently hosted the MN Elks State Golf Tournament and they were still talking about what a fun time they had.
Oh, did I mention, it's Homecoming? Being a Bemidji State University grad, this is always a fun time to be back in town. I'm lucky that I can match this weekend up with my visit weekend. In addition, ER Mic was able to score me a couple of VIP tickets for the football game. GO BEAVERS! It's hard to beat an 85 degree day in Chet Anderson Stadium on the shores of Lake Bemidji. The Beavers were victorious and beat Minnesota Crookston. Final Score: Crookston 2; Beavers 35. I was able to stop back up at the Lodge on Saturday evening as the street dance was just outside with the Front Fenders playing. Again, another fabulous evening in Bemidji. Sunday arrives and it's already time to return to Duluth and to work. However, my final stop on my way out of town will be at the Corner Bar to have a burger. The leaves on the trip home were just as beautiful as on the ride up.
Tomorrow is already October - where has the time gone? Stay tuned for my next update as I make two stops next weekend - Virginia and Stillwater.
In the meantime, don't forget to ROCK THE BOAT!
Fraternally,
Lynn M. Rohlf
Minnesota Elks Association State President