Message from the Exalted Ruler

Members All:

We had a busy month in October!! On the first Friday Mike Perduto and team made their chicken rollatini and it was great. Our Lodge was represented in the District Golf Tournament held on October 2nd. Kasha Smith and Kathi Shotwell surprised us with Chicken Enchiladas on the 8th.  Burger Rob and his truck came by again on October 9th and we were entertained by Sammy Haddad for an enjoyable afternoon/evening of dancing. Kasha and Kathi were at it again on the 15th with personal charcuterie- boards that were out of this world. We visited Cocoa Lodge for the Visitation of DVP Paul Diaz on the 16th and enjoyed Elks’ hospitality there. On October 23rd we had the BEST-EVER Oktoberfest. Chef Paul Miller, Frank Johnson, Chaz Wendling, Eric Enrique and team did an outstanding job. The food, music, fellowship and refreshments were over the top.  We rounded out the month with our annual Halloween Party on the 30th and the food, and decorations were enjoyed by all. A special thanks goes out to the House Committee for arranging the aforementioned parties and making sure the Lodge was decorated and sparkling clean. We are blessed to have an ever-growing volunteer group at the Lodge. Quite a few of our newer members are becoming active and helping on various projects and events.

Referring back to the Burger Rob and Oktoberfest events, we were able to showcase our Lodge to over 100 combined guests at these gatherings. Of that number, we have garnered three applications for membership and have handed out others. Member Kathy Wade has been on a tear with new member applications. We initiated 7 new members in October alone. This gives us a total of 11 new members for the Grand Exalted Ruler’s class of this Elks year, and it also gives us a total of 39 new members in our Lodge year to date. Please keep up the good work everyone!! Membership is the lifeblood of our Order. Bring a friend or neighbor to the Lodge and show them what we have to offer. 

I am happy to report to you that our Lodge is running very smoothly at this point. The Officers, House Committee and Board of Directors have all embraced the motto and concept initiated by State President Suzi Simonelli “Teamwork Makes Elkdom Shine.” It is more than just a catch-phrase, it is an everyday fact.  We have a talented group of Elks working as a unit that have allowed us as a Lodge to engage in more and varied activities. Obviously, it is not a perfect world, but we are pretty dang close in terms of daily life at Viera Lodge #2817. My most sincere thanks to all of those who make it happen.

On the Lodge Management side of things for a minute, we have some Officers in new positions. Brother Rich Shotwell is the new Four-Year trustee, Brother Mark Harrell has been appointed Inner Guard replacing Rich, and Chaz Wendling is our new Tiler. Congratulations to all of you, and heartfelt thanks to each of you and all of the Officers for helping me administer the business of Viera Lodge. Our Lodge Officers are the best anywhere!! For Example, 12 out of 15 Officers were in attendance at Oktoberfest.

Continuing with Lodge business, I have recently observed three members who had current membership cards that they had inadvertently failed to sign. As you are reading this, please take a moment to check YOUR membership card and make sure you have signed it on the bottom of the front side. As a friendly reminder, please USE your membership card for access to the Lodge as opposed to ringing the buzzer for access.  This is especially important as we roll into “snowbird” season and welcome our visitors. 

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

H. Jerry Harrington, PER II

Exalted Ruler