Elvis - before he left the building

Ok, so we're a little behind on events considering the Charity Ball was last night. Those pictures are in production but in the meantime, here are a few shots from the Elvis party. Kathy Beers did a great job coordinating this event and it was a BLAST for everyone who attended.

Luau highlights. It was a great party!

Nivia gets her groove on...

Here's Lourdes, the best hula dancing Inner Guard ever!

Wade serenading the dancers

The prettiest hula girl of all!

Mary and Pat looking very tropical.

Mike making an announcement.

Here they are... the whole Hula Gang.

Someone here may have had a little too much wine that evening (and it wasn't Ralph.)

Elsa and Nivia in perfect synchronization.

The crowd really enjoyed the show.

.

Harry and the other pretty hula girl.

Here they are - gorgeous from head to toe and with the best moves in town!

Don't miss the Luau this Saturday!!

It's just $15 for all you can eat and there will be LIVE entertainment.

See you there!

Halloween Costume Contest Video

The costume party at Miami Lodge 948 was a blast. Here is a video clip of the winners.

SMCG Charity Ball - attended by Royalty

The South Miami / Coral Gables Lodge 2007 Charity Ball was last night complete with masquerade costumes, a ROCKIN Gold Digger performance and DJ Tony spinning some awesome dance tunes. Click on over to their blog to see more pics: SMCG Blog.

We'll miss you, old friend

I've just received the sad news that Jim Murray passed away last night. He will be missed, greatly. Please feel free to share your thoughts or any happy memories via the comments.

- Janis

Searching for a Queen in 2007

Art Rauch sent a link to a story about the search for this year's Junior Orange Bowl Queen. Our very own Mark Pidal is the media contact for this event. (You all might remember him as the candidate from the ritual competition last year.) The Junior Orange Bowl Royal Court Search will be at our lodge on October 27. Click here to read the story: Searching for a Queen.

Get your tickets for Casino Night

Saturday, Oct. 13 from 7:30 - 11:30 PM
$35 per person - includes $15 in fun chips and sumptuous buffet.
No cash payout.
Redeem your chips for raffle tickets to win fabulous prizes.

The photographer is in - TODAY!

Stop by the lodge and let Glenn take your picture for the upcoming 2007 Charity Ball Journal. You can purchase a personal ad for the same price as last year but this year it's in full color. Full page ads: $100, half page: $50, quarter page: $30 and business card ads: $15. Glenn's services and our design team services are free! Bring your grandchildren, your pets or anything else you want in your picture and stop by between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. You can also call him to set up another time but don't delay! Time is running out to get your ad in!
- Janis

Friday Dinner Specials - you know you love 'em!

.
Friday, October 5

Filet Mignon - 18.00
Dolphin Almondine - 13.00
Churrasco - 15.00
Shrimp Scampi - 14.00
Half Chicken - 11.25
Grilled Salmon w/ hollandaise - 12.00
Liver & Onions - 9.95
Lamb Chops - 14.00

Sides: Baked or Mashed Potatoes or Rice & Beans

Soup: White Bean

Party with the KING!

He'll be in the Crystal Room on November 10. See Kathy Beers for tickets - and they're only $10!

It's Friday so let's go to the lodge for dinner

Friday Specials

Filet Mignon 19.00

Flatiron Steak 13.95

Churrasco 15.00

Sauteed Dolphin 13.95

Margarita Shrimp 13.95

Half Chicken 11.25

Grilled Salmon with Holhandaise 13.95

Lamb Shank 12.95

Liver, Bacon and Onions 9.95

Soup: Cream of Mushroom

Dinners come with soup or salad

Sides: Rice and beans, baked or mashed potatoes

See you at the lodge!

Make plans now for the Quarterly and Mid-Year

It is time to make your plans to attend the November Quarterly meetings and Mid-Year Convention of the Florida State Elks Association. This year the meetings will be held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort located at 8001 International Drive, Orlando, Fl 32819 at a cost of $104.63 (this includes tax). The dates of the meetings are November 8th through the 10th. The cut-off date for reservations is October 8th or when the block of rooms is sold out. You must pre-register with the State Association and book your own hotel room. For pre-registration, log on to http://www.flelks.org/. You can make your reservation with the hotel by calling them directly at (407) 351-2420. Please attend our Mid-Year meetings and participate in the various meetings of the Boards and Committees. With very few exceptions, all meetings are open to all Elks!

Thanks to Dolores Leach from SMCG for this info.

Your contribution counts!

Did you know that each year the Elks National Foundation strives to grant more money back to each state than it received from that state in donations?

From the ENF website:

When you give to the Elks National Foundation, you’re doing more than funding the Elks National Drug Awareness and "Hoop Shoot" programs. You’re doing more than supporting the Community Investments Program and providing Emergency Educational Grants to the children of deceased or totally disabled Elks. You’re doing more than maintaining the Elks Veterans Memorial.

You're doing all that and you're supporting Elkdom in your state. To read more about your contributions in the state of Florida, click here: ENF in Florida.

Did you know that you can donate online? Just click here: Online Donations to make your tax deductible donation to the Elks National Foundation.

Join us for Labor Day!

A message from Nivia Myers, our Chaplain:

Please come and join us in celebrating Labor Day weekend.

We are going to be happy to serve you either a choice of hamburger or hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw and sweet beans. The cost will be only $6. We will also have music for your enjoyment/dancing and the bar will be open all evening..

The time for serving will be from 3-6pm.

Please come and support your lodge activities. Spread the word, bring your friends/family.

It is hot, so if you want to use the pool , feel free to do so.

Hope to see you there. Any questions, feel free to email me.

Woo hoo! The Friday night specials!

Tonight in the dining room, take your choice of these delectable entrees:

Fillet Mignon - 19.00
Dolphin Almondine - 14.75
Churrasco - 15.00
Shrimp with marinara - 13.95
Half Chicken - 11.25
Liver and onions - 9.95
Hawaiian Ham - 8.95
Picadillo - 7.95

Pictures

Here are some more pictures of the South District vist by State President David Lake and his wife Kathy. How many friends can you spot?

PER Appreciation Dance

Everyone had a great time Saturday night at the PER Appreciation dance. Bob Estelle's five piece band kept the crowd jumping and they even took requests for the last set. If anyone has other pictures to share, please post them.

Thanks to 948 Miami Lodge

Many thanks go out to Miami Lodge 948 for their outstanding effort in putting together the D.D. Clinic on Saturday August 11. The breakfast was fabulous - thank you Ed. As always you did a great job and you have a top notch crew! The groups were informative and I was proud to be there. Our Officers were equally impressed and we thank you all for your hospitality. We all agreed that togetherness and supporting each other's Lodges and their events is the best way to go and of course without a doubt, come on guys recuit new members! Joe Ortiz, our Florida State Vice President (VPAL) will be our State President next year (2008) and folks, we are the South District and it is up to us to represent well one of our own! Joe needs helps in hosting committees and campaigning. If you can lend a hand go see your Exalted Ruler because the Ruler will lead you to the right person. If you need Joe's email please email me at echo1676@yahoo.com and I will pass it on. We are Elks we take care of our own and Joe is one of our own. Lets rock and roll my friends!

- Dolores

Weekend Update

Friday

TGIF! There's something NEW happening with the dinner specials tonight so stop by and check them out. Don't forget to sample a selection from our newly expanded wine list while you're at it. Gonzo will be live in the lounge.

Saturday

The DD Clinic kicks off with breakfast at 10:00 AM. Besides the officers and committee chairs who must attend, any member who wants to learn more about the lodge is welcome.

At 8:00 PM, have a laugh with the improv group "They Improv". Proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Sunday

It's MAGIC in the Crystal Room at 5:00 PM, featuring a family friendly buffet and table-top magic during dinner followed by a big show with three illusionists. $20 for adults, $15 for children under 11.

The horses have been put out to pasture

Better late than never... here are the results from the last Horse Race brought to us by the fabulous Harry Deveaux. The LCD TVs are paid off and the mortgage burning ceremony was held after the last drawing. (Did anyone get pictures?) We all owe Harry a huge debt of gratitude for all the work he did on this project.
.

Buongiorno! It's going to be an Italian evening!

Nick Lamis hosted the second committee meeting for the 53rd Annual Charity Ball last night. We decided the theme will be (insert fanfare here: ta da!) - A Night in Venice. I'm chairing the Journal committee, Oscar Erice is in charge of Advertising and Mickey Rauch will head up the Decorating committee. Glenn Tekerman is getting quotes on the printing to find us the best deal possible and he's also going to take photographs of anyone who would like a picture to use in their personal ad.

Nick welcomes anyone who wants to help out with the Ball. This is a huge event and it will take a lot of effort to make it successful. If you couldn't attend the meeting and want to assist, email him at majornl@aol.com. The Decorating committee will meet on August 28 at 7:00 in the North Ballroom and other subcommittee meetings will be announced as they are scheduled. New members - this is a great chance for you to get involved with the lodge. It's fun to work on the party plans and you'll meet lots of friendly Elks in the process.

- Janis

A look at some artifacts from the Elks National Memorial

Wow... look at all the people on hand for the dedication of the Memorial back in '26

Military uniforms from a bygone era.

Another military jacket.

This Wings comic (Fighting Aces of War Skies) was only 10 cents.

Some of the many elaborate Elks pins on display. They have ribbons, photos, timepieces and moving parts.

Elks magazines from a looong time ago.

Invitation for dinner. The year is not specified but dinner was only $1 and that included live entertainment by the Old Adeline Quartette.

Two of the old cards in the display case. These were part of a personal collection.

Invitation from the Centennial Celebration in 1968.

Let's have a closer look here. In the not-too-distant past all Elks were men who were welcome to bring "their lady" to social events.

A very cool Elk logo. This is from a collection of sheet music.