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Dear Editor: Once again this amazing community has made my life possible. Even with the tough economic times I still found gracious support from the Aspen Elks Club. I cannot thank them enough. They have been my guardian angels ever since I first asked for their help in eighth grade. I am still amazed by their continual help. They have been there for my entire life, providing me and my family with the financial aid needed to make our lives possible. Both my sister and I have been able to participate in prestigious dance intensives all over the state and country because of their aid. They have not only been there to fund my artistic dreams, but my academic ones as well. As a high school senior pursuing a college career in pre-med I was again in need of financial assistance, and they were willing and supportive again. It is because of their efforts that I am able to attend Loyola University in New Orleans. I feel truly blessed to have been consistently supported by this amazing organization. Their help has been unwavering and selfless. I would like to acknowledge their persistent and financial contributions to my life. Thank you! Katie Isaacson Aspen

"Toledo Elks Lodge replaces 8-year-old boy's stolen wheelchair Written by Jennifer S. White | | jwhite@toledofreepress.com Eight-year-old Dustin Craig has cerebral palsy and requires a wheelchair for mobility. In August, his wheelchair was stolen, but Toledo Elks Lodge No. 53 presented Craig with a new, custom-designed wheelchair in a ceremony Sept. 25. "That is my wheelchair," Craig said. "It has my name on the back.""

PITTSBURG - If there is a weakness in Andrew Ortolani's golf game, it's chipping. "I probably also need to work on my grip on my driver," he said. As a young man just a month away from being 11 years old, Ortolani takes the game of golf pretty seriously - at least during the six-week golf lessons at Four Oaks Golf Course, sponsored by the Pittsburg Elks Lodge. "I like competing for those slushies," he said, adding that blue raspberry is his favorite flavor.

Ranting and rambling on the Elks Rodeo By Brad Memberto / Sports Writer / bmemberto@santamariatimes.com "Are you Kidding Me?" "How come?" "Really?" "There's no way - How long have you lived here?" "Come on - why not?" Those were the comments of the first five people who I knew that I ran into Friday night at my first visit to the Elks Rodeo. Yes ladies and gentlemen, it was my first rodeo.

CHICAGO, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earlier this month, 18 high school seniors from across the country received phone calls that changed their lives. "I was thrilled to learn about my scholarship," said Mai Chi Tran of Troutdale, Ore., one of the 18 top winners in the Elks National Foundation's Most Valuable Student scholarship contest. "It will affect me not only for the next four years, but for the rest of my life."

"This week's "My Turn" column is by Oneonta Elks Lodge 1312 Acting Exalted Ruler Christine Gyure. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Oneonta Lodge 1312 has a belief in charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. As Elks, we believe laughter is better than tears, and a kind word more powerful than a frown."

DAY 2: Called out for breaking Elk rule Frank Mickadeit Columnist The Orange County Register fmickadeit@ocregister.com Comments 3 | Recommend 5 Day II: "Eleven Lodges, Eleven Nights" To get the full schedule, see other videos and read about other Elks tour stops, click here. From Newport Beach - When the day began, this venerable waterfront Elks Lodge had 990 members. By the end of the night Thursday, it had at least three new members (some of my buds) and one guy who, after evoking a public meltdown by an Elk in front of a packed house, will now never get in. (Me.) L

DAY 2: Called out for breaking Elk rule Frank Mickadeit Columnist The Orange County Register Day II: "Eleven Lodges, Eleven Nights" To get the full schedule, see other videos and read about other Elks tour stops, click here. From Newport Beach - When the day began, this venerable waterfront Elks Lodge had 990 members. By the end of the night Thursday, it had at least three new members (some of my buds) and one guy who, after evoking a public meltdown by an Elk in front of a packed house, will now never get in. (Me.) L

interesting fundraiser. I actually did that once many years ago before my beard turned gray!

Very nicely written article describing Elkdom in San Pedro and the wonderful family memories that have been created over the past several generations

"Myron Hawkins knew the Bellingham Elks lodge had become a second home when he looked into the eyes of a grateful mother who was leaving the annual Christmas party. "Years ago, a woman at our party expressed thanks when she told me, 'That's the only Christmas my kids will get,'' Hawkins recalled. "Now I know I'll never stop working with the Elks because of that one grateful comment.""

"I grew up going to the Elks Home in Bedford during Christmas, but I think yesterday was the first time in my 31 years that I've gone with snow on the ground. It's a great sight -- if you're in the area go check it out while the snow is still around"

"This has been painful to watch. In my billfold rests a membership card, granting me access to the Ironton Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #177."

I guess if we have to take people in as members who will not affirm their faith in God then what's the point?

Re: "Belt tightening hits Tacoma Elks Club" (TNT, 6-10). My husband and I had dinner at the Elks Club during an open invitation to the public last year. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and the food and service were very good. We were considering joining the club and asked for an application. One of the questions on the application was, "Do you believe in God?" We consider our personal beliefs to be a private matter. Truly, personal faith is no one else's business.

Great interview Debbie. Thanks!

Question: How long have you been an Elk and how did you begin to rise through the ranks of Elkdom? Answer: This is my 11th year. As an Elk, if you are married, your spouse can go in (the club) all the time with you. But I did not have a male who was a member, so I had to join as a female as a member of the lodge. I had a friend of mine propose me, and that's how I became an Elk. I joined Dec. 21 of '98 ... and there was a change of officers (that year). We had no chaplain that year. And I had a dream in the shower that I'm going to be the next chaplain. Dave Myers was the exalted ruler at that time. It was a couple of weeks later, I was sitting at the club, and he (tapped me on the shoulder), and I turned around and said, ``Yeah, I'll do it.'' He said, ``What?'' I said, ``I'll be chaplain.'' He said, ``How did you know.'' I said, ``I dreamed I was going to be your next chaplain.'' I was chaplain for six years. I was appointed by six different exalted rulers.

Intriguing observation about the Loveland elks

I had never set foot into the Elks lodge in Loveland before covering this assignment. I was struck at how untouched the building seemed to be. Untouched since the early 70s that is. I have noticed over the course of my career how I seem to gravitate to things that are dated.

MATILLA, Florida - Saw it with my own eyes. The Elks, that would be the Benevolent Order of Elks, are recruiting members and advertising themselves with Yahoo banner ads. Good job. In our Bowling Alone era, most hereditary and benevolent societies are struggling, and none more struggling than what were traditionally male benevolent groups. All of these groups still play a strong part in our culture, millions of members, though they are mostly forgotten by the media. If you read The New York Times, you wouldn't even know they exist. But the Jaycees, Rotary, Kiwanis, Sertoma and Knights of Columbus all still soldier on, though members are getting older and these groups must attract new members to stay viable.

Bobbie Galbraith has been an active member of the Petaluma Elks Lodge No. 901 for eight years, but never imagined that she'd be nominated as the club's first woman to serve as exalted ruler (president). Terry Hankins Bobbie Galbraith is the Petaluma Elks Club's first woman to serve as exalted ruler (president). "They kept asking me over the years when I was going to be exalted ruler and I'd say I was just busy circling the chairs right now," said Galbraith, who has served in a number of different offices within the club. "I've gone through the chairs now and have paid my dues. It's such an honor to be named exalted ruler. Everyone has been so supportive of me."

PASADENA - For the past century, men have been running things at Pasadena's Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. That all changed Tuesday night with the installation of Exalted Ruler Virginia Quintero, the first woman in Lodge #672 to reach the top job. "I finally made it there," Quintero said before the ceremony and presentation of her jewels of office - "and the gavel, of course." "I'm very excited, very happy ... and my family's all excited," the 63-year-old nurse said of her elevation to Exalted Ruler. "I don't think they'll treat me differently - but I hope they might," she joked.

MANASQUAN - As 16-year-old Jiovanni stood on the beach Tuesday afternoon, he grabbed his camp counselor Jacob Gatley by the head and delivered a playful noogie. Advertisement "It's good to be here because I have my friend Jacob here," he said, as Jacob tried to break free from his grip.

All fifth graders!! I wonder though do these kids actually use them? My grandkids have laptops now.