Back in April, we moved forward with reopening your Lodge. Maintenance had been deferred due to not being open. Bar stock was stored inappropriately. Smoking in the Lodge had been permitted. Staffing needed to be addressed. With your input and assistance, we moved forward. We hired staff, opened the bar and Lodge, restocked rotten items, we are holding meetings, and hosting events. Recently the duty officer noted that only three members were in the bar Saturday evening at nearly six PM, three members
who had worked the BBQ that day!

We sing in our opening ode may charity be ever in mind, but what about our business, whose income supports the Lodge. You vote annually, for those who will hold office. We are stewards, of your money. The business supporting our charity, is now and always will be the BBQ, bar, and food sales, that’s it. Your House Committee may very soon, address the low-income numbers from all sales. The BBQ pricing was raised, then halted, then reraised. That first Saturday’s BBQ with new pricing, very few questioned, the lunch price. That is one down, more to come.

The Yeti raffle sales generate money for our Charity Ball and more. Eleven Elks received Covid vaccinations, on September 2, 2021. We were able to recruit a new member, from the VCHD crew. A member was able to arrange for VCHDs to go to his home, to provide his wife her vaccination. If, but one member, avoided that dreaded illness, this was well worth the effort it took
to make this happen. Thank you to all who helped with this event.

What are we doing or not doing, to cause members, to be willing to proceed to their lodge? Your lodge officers need to hear from you, please let one of us know. I am the 49th ER, look for more to come about our FIFTY Year!!!

See you at the BBQ Saturday! Thank you, and if I can be of help, please call me at home or email me.

Respectfully Submitted,
Richard Platt