Elks make plans and donations
By Ed James
In mid-November the Elkhorn Elks Branch 381 had a grand evening planned with a supper, a visit from the Provincial Leader Rheina Schellenberg and other Manitoba/Sask. club members and the awarding of club service pins.
However, Mother Nature stepped in and gave the Westman area an early winter storm that closed some highways.
In fact, the special guest of the evening, Manitoba Provincial Elks Club president Rheina Schellenberg and even the Elkhorn club president, Wanda Rhodes, was unable to make it because of staff shortages at our local senior care home when staff from a distance could not make it to work because of the storm.
So, what to do? Since a number of local people were on hand, one member from away had made it and a wonderful meal had been prepared by Kliever Katering, acting president Kevin Tutthill went on with the meeting.
Following a great meal and a fun 15 minutes of odds and ends door prizes, a meeting was held to update the members on what had been going on during these Covid pandemic / rule changing times.
The virtual meat draws the club continued to hold were successful and since the last meeting, the Elks had donated $4000 to local community groups. Overall, the club was still in the black.
Tutthill went on to explain how the club received a financial bridge grant of $20,000 from the government that will be used to help the club with funds during the pandemic since normal club programs could not be carried out.
The Club was informed that the building insurance had been paid by the municipality.
In order to improve the club as a venue for events, WIFI has been installed.
The Elks planned their Christmas Santa movie, parade float and Chase the Ace to coincide with the Chamber’s light-up on Dec. 4.
In other business, the club will send Poinsettia plants to the two local seniors’ residents, make a donation to the local poppy fund and donate a number of coupons to the residents of the Elkview Lodge for a free congregate meal of their choice.
A final point of business was a plan to hold the Elks’ annual Christmas party and related events on Dec. 9, at the clubhouse. With that, the evening ended as snow and difficult driving conditions continued in Westman and eastern Saskatchewan.
