Attention Halloween partiers!

We need pictures from this event! So many of you came in creative, clever, innovative or just plain scary costumes (I'm talking to you, Ralph and Mike) - and we don't have pictures. If ANYONE has pics to share, please send them to me via email or bring a CD to the meeting this week - whatever is easier. I'd hate to miss this chance to record those outfits for posterity.

- Janis

JTCalypso@gmail.com

11/5 - Updated to add: thank you, Penelope for these pics!

We tried to talk her out of it, but she insists on leaving!

It was an evening of tears and fond farewells as we said good-bye to Maria Subires who is leaving the lodge after 10 years of employment. Maria, we will miss your smiling face at the bar and we all wish you the best of luck with your new endeavor. We did enjoy the lasagna and the 2-for-1 drink specials, so thanks for a fun farewell party! :-)

SMCG Lodge #1676 Charity Ball - Election, Selection, Celebration!

Highlights from the SMCG Charity Ball which was last Saturday. They put on a great show!

Veterans Honor Party - November 15

A message from Nivia Myers:

The Veterans Honor Celebration will be November 15 from 7:30 to midnight. It will be a great honor to have so many wonderful and patriotic men and women among us. Please come and help honor our 948 Veterans. Come to see what they looked like, what they did, where they served, how much they sacrificed for you and me. We will have a special speaker from the Miami Dade Country Mayor's Office, a slide presentation, the real uniforms worn by our members in war, not to mention the amazing music that will be played all night long by Earthshine.

We will be glad to provide food for you - SOS (made with hamburger) and sloppy joes, salads, rice, beans, bread and soda all done military style for your enjoyment. Food will be served ONLY from 5-7 pm. Make sure that you come early enough to eat and be ready to be seated in time for the ceremony in the crystal room. When you buy your tickets, ask for a program.

Non-veterans and guests will pay only $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door.

ALL OF OUR MIAMI ELKS VETERANS FROM #948 WILL EAT AND ENJOY THE NIGHT FOR FREE.

Make sure to call for reservations. Invite your friends, your family, your children. Let them come and experience a piece of history and let them see firsthand what our freedom really means.

Bobbie Wooster

I am saddened to report the passing of Bobbie Wooster on October 6th. Bobbie was an Elk and an avid Shuffleboard player. (Photo is from the 2008 Sweetheart Ball.)

Upcoming October Shows & Events

Who said nothing is happening at The Lodge ???

Here's what's happening at The Lodge during October:

Blood Drive: Tues the 14th, 4 - 9 PM, Free Spaghetti Diner for Donors

Elkettes Extravaganza Bazzar: Thurs the 16th thru Saturday the 18th

Kim Bankston & The Platters: Saturday the 18th, Crystal Room, Tickets $20. See or call Ella Mae 305-279-2868 to reserve your table.

Wine Tasting Party: Wednesday the 22nd, 7:00PM, Crystal Room, Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door

Antique Auto Show: Saturday the 25th, 5 - 10 PM, Free Admission, Food & Beverages available.

Halloween Costume Night: Friday the 31st in The Lounge

Happy Hour: In The Lounge, 4 - 7PM Every Tues thru Friday, 2-4-1 Well Drinks

George Camus

I am saddened to report that George V. Camus, our Five Year Trustee, passed away on October 4th, 2008. There will be no meeting on Wednesday, October 8th. All members are encouraged to attend the mass for him at St. Thomas the Apostle, 7377 S.W. 64th street on Wednesday at 7:30 P.M.

We're down to the wire for Charity Ball ads!

Just a quick reminder that the submission deadline for ads for this year's journal is September 29. This is so I have time to do any design work that will be needed. If you're planning to put in an ad, please turn your form and materials in before that date. We're doing a full color book again this year so I really appreciate all of you who are using photographs and colorful ads.

Please note that either our volunteer photographer, Glenn, or myself will be at the lodge on Saturday evening to take some last-minute pictures so if you'd like to have your picture taken, let me know.

Thanks for your support.

Janis

Plan to attend the VP and DD Visitation on October 4th

Our lodge is hosting District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Bob Maxey and South District Vice President Bob Rankin on Saturday, October 4th. There will be a short meeting at 2:45 with Opening, Closing and Initiation but no business will be transacted. Elks and non-Elks are welcome. A social hour will follow the meeting, then dinner will be served at 5:30. Dinner is free but you must sign up in advance or call the lodge at 305-270-8283 to make your reservation.

Note: if you would like to place an ad in the Charity Ball Journal this year and would like to have your picture taken, our resident volunteer photographer, Glenn Tekerman will be on hand for this event. It's the perfect opportunity to come and support the lodge and arrange for a photo op at the same time. You don't even have to notify Glenn in advance; just show up looking pretty and he'll do the rest. :-)

(This is the one exception to the deadline, which is September 29.)

Greetings from San Francisco Lodge #3

We visited the SF Elks Lodge #3 today, which turned out to be a short walk from our hotel. It occupies the third floor of the Kensington Park Hotel at 450 Post Street - just steps away from Union Square.

The elevator buttons. Notice the Elks Spa selection. They have a state-of-the-art fitness center.

The sign over the door when you get off the elevator.

The glass background behind the bar.

One view in the bar area.

Oil painting of the current Exalted Ruler.

The antique cash register they have displayed under glass.

Another view of the cash register.

A stained glass door in the bar area.

One of the many photo displays in the lodge - this one is for the ENF.

They have several mounted Elk heads.

Two of the antique ribbons in a huge collection on display there.

The Exalted Ruler's station.

The view in the main hallway between the bar and the lodge room.

More of the antique ribbons and pins they have on display.

This collection contains lodge memorabilia from all over the US and Puerto Rico.

One wall in the lodge room. The ceilings are very ornately carved wood.

There were just a few people there having lunch and unfortunately we didn't get a tour of the entire facility, but we did wander around the main area and take a few pictures. Check out their website to see better pictures and learn more about this beautiful historic lodge: San Francisco Elks Lodge #3.

- Janis and Jeff