Club Hours and Meetings:
We will continue to be open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night during the hours of 4:00 – 9:00 pm throughout the month of October. The Board of Trustees will meet at 5:30 p.m. on the 13th and 27th of October while the Lodge Officers will meet at 6:30 pm on the same days. We now have 4 trustees so we are still looking for someone to volunteer for the last vacant seat.

Meals on Membership Nights:
The meals, catered by Hy-Vee on a first come first serve basis every Thursday night from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, have been doing well. I want to thank all those people who repeatedly come down on Thursday to play cards and support the club. I also want to ask those that have never tried the meals to come to the club and try them. Bring some friends to play cards or to visit with while you have a meal and enjoy the Club. The price for a meal remains at $6.50 per person and the coffee is free.

Here are the meals for the month of September:

Future Events
1. The District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler-East, James L. Van Osdel and his wife Kathleen will be in Brookings to visit the Lodge on October 27th. This was originally scheduled for the 13th but James had to cancel because of a wedding in the family. Come down for dinner and attend the business meeting so that you can visit with Jim and Kathleen. Let’s show them why Brookings is someplace special.

2. Old Timers Night will be on November 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Reservations are required so call 692-1490 or 692-4640 and leave a message if you plan to attend. Reservations must be made by November 1st. The meal will be ham and chicken with potatoes, vegetables, and desert. The cost will be $12.00 per person. We will meet in the dining area of the club. The State President Richard Sage and his wife Pat will be here so let’s have a big crowd.

3. The Pancake Feed for Veterans and families will be November 11th from 6 – 9 am. This will be at the American Legion, which is located at 1229 Western Avenue. We will need 15 to 20 volunteers to cook and to serve. Call 692-1490 or 692-4640 and leave a message to volunteer or tell me at the club that you will work.

4. The Charity Turkey Raffle will be on November 18th from 6 to 9 pm. There will be Bingo and paddle raffles at the club in the lounge area. More about this in the next newsletter.

5. The Elks Memorial Service will be on December 4th at 4:00 pm in what used to be the Joe Garity Ball Room.

6. Tom and Jerry night will be at the Club on December 16th from 6-9 pm. There will be free snacks and chili to go along with the free Tom and Jerry’s.

7. The Elks Hoop Shoot will be on December 18th at the 5th Street Gym. We will open the gym at 12:30 to get things ready. Registration will be at 1:00 pm and competition will start at 1:30 pm.

Home Page and e-mail Addresses:
Remember that the Lodge home page is www.brookingselks1490.org. You need to check this out, as it will always contain the most recent newsletter as well as other pertinent information concerning the Lodge and the Club. Our e-mail address is Elks1490@mchsi.com and this can be used to contact the Lodge Secretary or the Exalted Ruler. The Snowbirds need to remember to notify the Lodge when they head south. You will help the Lodge save some money if you send a message saying that you want the newsletter by e-mail or you have a new address.

Parties in the club area
If you are interested in having a party at the Club just give us a call and we will do everything we can to make sure the party is successful. We can have parties on nights other than when we are scheduled to be open. For example, we have a birthday party scheduled for a Saturday night in October, the Bobcat Backers meet two Mondays every month and we have already had calls about graduation parties.

Status of Tailgate Parties
No calls have been received concerning the club being open after several football games in October and November. However, several members that frequently use the facilities have indicated that they would attend a party held at the club after the games on October 22nd. October 29th, November 5th and November 19th. Hence, the club will be open from when the game ends on October 22nd until the last person leaves. If this is successful we will be open on additional Saturdays.

By-Law Change
At the October 13th meeting there will be a Proposal to Amend Article IV, Section 1 of the local By-laws. Currently, this section reads as “The regular sessions of this Lodge shall be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings in each month throughout the year, except that in the months of July and August, sessions of the Lodge shall be held on the 4th Thursday evening thereof.” The Proposal is to change this to “The regular sessions of this Lodge shall be held on the 3rd Thursday evening of each month throughout the year.” A vote on this proposal will take place at the regular meeting on November10th. Attend the meeting and express your opinion on this proposal and then vote.

Jerry Bergum, ER