Message from the Exalted Ruler

Members All:

Viera Lodge was busy in August despite the Summer doldrums. Specifically, we initiated five new 

members and added an additional two through affiliation. This brings our total new members this 

Lodge year to twenty-seven. We do have some work to do on those who have not yet renewed their 

memberships. There is a list of those members posted by the Secretary’s office door. Please take a 

moment to look it over, and if you see a familiar name, give them a call and a gentle reminder. 

Thank you for your help!

We are a few short weeks away from the Official visit to the Southeast Central District of State President Danny Tabor and his wife Rachel. They will be joined by VPAL Phil Gersbach and his wife Susan, 

and other dignitaries. Please plan to join members of the SEC District as we gather to greet their arrival on Friday afternoon at the Melbourne-Viera Holiday Inn and Convention Center at 4:00 p.m..

Viera Lodge is the host Lodge for this weekend. Dinners are planned at the Lodge on both Friday and 

Saturday evenings. There are events throughout the weekend. Details are posted on the bulletin 

board, and elsewhere in this bulletin. Please make plans to join us as we toast the Officers of the 

Florida State Elks Association and show them our famous Viera hospitality. There are also sign-up 

sheets for additional manpower for this weekend, if you have some time available, we would be 

most appreciative.

To update those of you who may not have been to the Lodge for a while, our capital improvements 

are nearly completed. Specifically, we have replaced the lights throughout the Lodge with dimmable 

LED lights that offer considerable energy savings, and in so doing, we were able to eliminate the old 

“hang- down” style fixtures that were installed when the building was built 20 years prior. We have 

also installed and are utilizing the new “Clover” point of sale system. Finally, we have received the 

new barstools that were ordered to replace some of the tired ones. We are constantly striving to improve the Lodge and I thank the Board of Directors under the watchful eye of Chairman Tom Carns, 

PDD for their efforts.

Special thanks also go out Club Manager Gail Miller, who seems to be everywhere. Gail devotes tremendous time and effort to making sure the Lodge runs smoothly. Please take a minute to say 

thanks when you her around the Lodge. Viera Lodge is blessed to have numerous members who help 

us with the management of the Lodge and Club. As I have occasion to visit other Lodges, it makes 

me grateful all over again for the support our Lodge receives from various members. Energizer bunny 

Wendy Carns, PER is another who spends untold hours as Treasurer, President of the PER Association, 

Board member, cook, fill-in bartender, and it is done with a smile. Thank you Wendy.

We are always interested in furthering the Elks career of members, so if a position in the Lodge is on 

your radar, please see either myself or Lodge Secretary Bill Orblych, PDD and we will get you pointed 

in the right direction. While I’m thanking, PDD Bill and PSP John Harris are two more examples of 

dedication. It really takes a team effort to run the Lodge. So, just THANK YOU to everyone from the 

very bottom of my heart!!

Until next month, stay safe, stay healthy, and MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Jerry Harrington, PER III

Exalted Ruler