Top Chefs – at the Elks Lodge

It was on last night!! Adrian & I watched it!

Yes, our Miami 948 Elks Lodge was on national TV. How exciting!

First, I would like to throw in some negative feedback…Adrian & I did not like the show. We are not talking about this particular show; we are talking about the ENTIRE show. What nasty chefs! And I did not care for the drama & the rivalry. But I guess that is what makes the show so popular. And from what I’ve heard, other seasons have been much worse. I don’t think we will be watching the show again, unless the Elks are on again!

But since this particular show was partially filmed at our Elks Lodge, we loved it! The chefs seemed to be very gracious & respectful of the Elks, even though the chefs were not thrilled over their assignment. The assignment was to cook a low cholesterol version of old fashion American meals. These meals were served to the Elks and the Judges, and the Elks had a chance to vote for their favorite.

IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE SHOW AND WANT TO KEEP THE SUSPENSE DO NOT READ THE NEXT PARAGRAPH, SINCE I WILL TALK ABOUT THE WINNERS.

The top two were the Chicken & Dumplings (Janis was at this table, and she loved the sauce) and the Pork Chops & Applesauce (the Elks liked this dish very much).
But who gave Micah a “yuck” for her Meatloaf? I don’t blame you, and either did the judges. They asked her to pack her knives. So that was that.

But of course, the highlight of the night was the Elks Lodge. They showed the entrance and showed the chefs dragging their wares through our front doors, and they showed the chefs in the kitchen. It was great to see all the familiar faces. It was great to see the Elks reactions, and the close-ups! You Elks did a great job and deserve to be “Top Elks”. Thank you for putting our Lodge on the map (or at least on nationwide TV)!

See you at the Lodge!

Sylvia

State President David Lake Visit

On behalf of Bob Maxey, South District Vice President, below is information regarding the upcoming Florida Elks State President Visitation. What a great chance to meet the our State President and enjoy the beauty of the Keys!

The South District and host lodge Florida Keys Lodge #1872 welcome President David Lake and his wife Kathy, for their official visit on July 27th and 28th with Vice President at Large, Joseph A. Ortiz and his wife Rita accompanying them.

On Friday afternoon, July 27th upon the arrival of the President's party, we will open the Hospitality Room at Pelican Cove Resort, 84457 Old Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida 33036 approximately at 4:00p.m. until we depart for Marathon at 5:00.

For anyone wishing to attend, the Marathon Lodge # 2139 will host a dinner dance for the President and his party, with a cash bar at 6:00 pm. A stuffed pork chop dinner will be served at 7:00. Tickets are $10.00 per person. We plan to leave the Pelican Cove resort at 5:00 p.m. in order to get to Marathon on time. Dress will be business casual.

Saturday Morning a Continental Breakfast will be served from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the hospitality Room at Pelican Cove Resort. The Presidential party will take an Eco-Boat tour on the Islamorada Queen out of Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada at 10:00 a.m. and return at 12:00 noon. The cost of the trip is $39.00 per person. Lunch can be purchased at the Tarpon Grill at the Marina. After lunch we will return to Pelican Cove and everyone will be at their leisure until time to go to evening dinner.

Christmas in July will be celebrated Saturday evening at Florida Keys Lodge #1872 in Tavernier with a cash bar at 6:00 p.m. A Christmas dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. consisting of turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes/gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce, pies and ice cream, iced tea and coffee.

After dinner we will have a gift exchange. Anyone wishing to participate in the gift exchange should bring a gift of their gender or a generic gift. (Man / Man, Lady / Lady). Tickets will be given out to each person that brings a gift. Ticket numbers will be called at random out of a hat. More will be explained at time of drawing. Lots of fun will be had by all. Bring something that you would like for yourself. Dress will be business suits and/or business casual.

If you would like to spend the weekend at Pelican Cove Resort in Islamorada, it is located 84457 Old Overseas Hwy. The room rates are as follows:

Standard room with one queen bed and sofa sleeper or two queen beds Elks rate $150.00 plus 11.5% tax per night

Efficiency with full kitchen, one queen bed and sofa sleeper Elks Rate $175.00 plus 11.5% tax per night

Jacuzzi Suites Elks rate $225.00 plus 11.5% tax per night

Reservations may be made by calling 305-664-4435: or fax 305-664-5134. Tell them you are an Elk. If there are any questions about your reservations, our contact person is Ms. Cathy Salvatori .

We hope you can spend the weekend with us. Reservation Form is attached.

Fraternally,
Bob Maxey
Vice President, South District

South District Visitation: how many can you attend?

Yipee! The South District Visitation schedule is here! Here are places to be and when to be there:

Miami 948: District Deputy - Wednesday, November 21. Vice President - Wednesday, October 3.

South Miami 1676: District Deputy - Wednesday, July 25. Vice President - Wednesday, August 8.

North Miami 1835: District Deputy - Tuesday, August 21. Vice President - Tuesday, July 17.

Florida Keys 1872 (Tavernier): District Deputy - Thursday, September 27. Vice President - Thursday, October 25.

Marathon 2139: District Deputy and Vice President - Saturday, September 15.

Key West 551: District Deputy and Vice President - Saturday, October 13.

D.D. Clinics

Miami 948: August 11

South Miami 1676: January 12

Florida Keys 1872 (Tavernier): April 12

State President's Visit: July 27-28 Florida Keys Lodge/Marathon

Gate Graduation recap

There are moments in one's life when you sit back and you think "wow this is good this is really good and I am happy to be a small part in it." That is how it was about the graduation last night. Jayme is going back home due to family reasons and it was clear how in the 6 years that he has been there he has touched and changed so many lives. We all hope that we can be good enough to influence someone in the right direction and many times we do not see it, well last night Jayme saw it. Previous graduates and peer counselors came to wish him well and yes folks men do cry, even teenage boys. Jayme will be certainly missed and his replacement (who ever it may be) will have big shoes to fill I do not envy them.
Now back to the graduates, 3 young men graduated and what a pleasure it was to see them there and their families. Their moms went on the podium and all were emotional because they could see the change in their child. They see a future and they see a man coming into the world as an adult with values. I was touched to see this and then the after good bye party to Jayme well lets just say the night was a feel good night. If you get a chance please come by and see the next Gate Program Graduation which is scheduled for August 2nd. I promise you will leave with a feeling that there is good out there and we are a part of it.

Peace everyone - you know what I am saying Chonga?

- Dolores

Shots from the Gate Graduation

The lighting in the SMCG lodge room was not so good but here are the pics we took at the Graduation/Jayme's Farewell Party.

Some of the Peer Counselors doing a trust exercise: the chairs are taken away and they support each other. Very cool. That's Mimi looking on.

Jayme, Mr. Glover and a group of Peer Counselors.

Most of the boys spoke about how much Jayme has meant to them over the years. Many described him as a father figure. Others mentioned what a great guy he is despite his ongoing insistence at being a Green Bay Packer fan.

Mimi looks on as Leonard pays tribute to Jayme. It was very moving to hear these boy express their emotions, as Dolores said in her post.

- Janis

Gate Program Graduation

The GATE Program at Jackson Memorial Hospital invites you to attend the Farewell Party of
Jayme Niemeier Thursday, June 21st, 2007

To be held at the South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge
6304 SW 78th Street, South Miami, Florida

The GATE Program party to recognize Jayme will be held following the graduation ceremony. You are invited to attend the graduation dinner that will start at 6:00 PM. The ceremony recognizing the participants’ completion of the program will commence at 7:00 PM and is usually completed by 8 PM.

All attendees will be given the opportunity to comment and wish Jayme good luck as he returns home to his family in Wisconsin.

Mimi Sutherland RN BSN MS CNRN Program Director

This event is sponsored by the South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676

Flag Day Celebration on June 14th

What a wonderful celebration we had! The organizers did a fabulous job putting this event together. It was a little longer than I expected, but I don’t think I fidgeted too much. I have a difficult time sitting still for a long time, but as long as I am entertained, then it’s not too bad. My favorite part was the “sing-along”. It allowed the spectators to participate in the event. Just because I CAN’T sing, doesn’t mean that I don’t LIKE to sing!

The day of the event, at the entrance to the Lodge room, we were given a program and a handout that contained the “History of the Flag”, “American Flag Etiquette”, and lyrics to Flag/Patriotic songs. It was in fact pleasant to follow along with the presentation. Oh, did I mention that I like to sing-along?

One special part of the celebration included a presentation by the Boy Scouts. As their leader read the history of the flag, each Boy Scout came out onto the floor with a replica of that flag. I was nice to see the evolution of the US Flag, as well as some of the other flags that were presented. Also the reading from the essay winners was very sweet, and the musical entertainment was lovely. Of course, I love to sing-along!

The only objection I had with the celebration was the gum smacking from some of the Boy Scouts, as they came out onto the floor. Don’t get me wrong; I am an avid gum chewer. But I went to a private school, when I was a kid, and gum chewing was a definite “no-no”, especially during a presentation. I guess I carry this “fuddy-duddy” convention along with me, in my “fuddy-duddy” old age. Gum chewing was viewed as a rebellion, and very improper etiquette. Come to think of it… we were not allowed to drink back then either, but that didn’t stop us from drinking… or gum chewing… or misbehaving! And all the kids were very well behaved, and did a great job!

Anyhow, it was a wonderful Flag Day Celebration, and I am looking forward to next year. Thank you to all the organizers!

See you at the Lodge!
Sylvia

Big Fat Mid-Summer Calypso Dance

It’s summer and it’s time to have a great big party! The Miami Elks Lodge is throwing a Calypso Dance on July 7th just for the fun of it! We’ve got an Honest to God Trinidadian band named Islanda with Carl Jacobs, who’s a Calypso legend in Trinidad, and the moco jumbies - you know, those guys who dress up in real colorful silk costumes and get on a pair of stilts and still dance better than we can! They were in a James Bond movie several years ago. Plus, it’s for charity – so how good is that? Now’s the chance to loosen up the ole’ backbone and do a limbo (OK, maybe not). But the music will make you want to.

Tickets for the event are only $15 each and we’re having $3 rum-runner specials all night and check out the dinner specials before the dance. You can call Ella Mae for tickets. Come on out to the lodge and have a big time on July 7th! - Jeff

We want YOU to be a contributor!

Welcome to the 948 Grapevine! A few of you have agreed to be testers and have received invitations to be guest contributors. Since more people can post now - and hopefully many more of you will sign up to be guest authors - I'm going to start signing my posts. That's a good idea for everyone as our list grows. It should also go without saying that we don't want to see any abusive language or other inappropriate remarks, but I know none of you would do that. If you'd like to be a blog contributor, just post a comment or send me an email. I'll send you an invitation and you can create an account and get busy sharing your thoughts with the world. (Or at the least the 948 members who read the blog.) I hope this will be a fun, interactive way for all of us to share info, opinions and pictures. - Janis

Join us at the Omelet Station on Sunday

So. The kitchen crew has a brand new ten pound tub of feta so look for it appearing soon on an omelet near you! It's great with tomatoes or maybe sprinkled on top of a ham and mushroom concoction. Danny can do whatever you like so if you like feta, be sure to order it on Sundays. Did I mention they have ten pounds of the stuff? - Janis