As we go through our daily routines, how many times do we fall to take responsibility for our actions? Take for instance the responsibility of our own driving habits.

     Driving, whether we realize it or not, is an extreme responsibility that we take for granted. As drivers we seem to forget that there are other people on the same road.

     Are we “charitable” enough to share that road with others? Are we “charitable” enough to assume the responsibility of giving the right of way to others?

     Take for instance the tragic accident that occurred on the highway a month ago when two innocent lives were whisked away and several others suffered injuries, not only physical but emotional, because one driver chose not to take responsibility for his driving.

     This driver had several citations in the past for traffic infractions. This same driver has “pending” court action on traffic infractions that he has to answer to, as I write this article.

     He “chose” to drive impaired and therefore took on the “irresponsibility” of driving recklessly to take two lives away from a loving and “charitable” family.

     This driver” took” rather than gave because he was just that irresponsible and uncharitable.

    Let us be “charitable to all mankind” and responsible, not only to others but to ourselves, as well.

Remember:

ELKS CARE-ELKS SHARE
“be charitable to all mankind”

     It was an emotion filled room on May 9th, when a tribute to Mother on Mother’s Day was attended by 143 people; what a great turn out to the greatest person in our life, MOTHER.

     Should you ever have the chance to see “Re-Creation”, do it. What a great show they put on. Several of us went to their show on May 11th at the VA Medical Center.You won’t be disappointed at their performance.

     Just a reminder to get you’re tickets for the June 12th “50’s & 60’s at the Hop” dance. For those of you that missed the “Sweetheart” Dance and the great music of “Moon Dance”, now is your chance to sing, dance and listen to “Moon Dance” and some of the great music of the “50’s and 60’s” You will not be disappointed.

     So guys, grab your favorite gal and have a great evening with your friends, “I GUARANTEE IT”

     By the time you receive this “Elks Tales” Judy and I will have returned from our trek to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Our oldest grandson graduated from basic training and probably has reached his new assignment. He chose to join the combat engineering division of the U.S. Army. We are very proud of him, especially the undertaking of the career he has chosen. With this in mind let’s reflect for a moment and remember those brave young men and women, who have chosen to defend the freedom we all enjoy as Americans. We can not go a day without recognizing the people that have left their families, voluntarily, to protect that right.

     As you all know by now a new house committee chairman is in place. Yours truly decided to take on the task. I’m kind of excited about it, but want to remind you, the house committee is only as successful as you, the members, will allow us to be. The house committee looks forward to your help and support in making this lodge the best there is to offer. Already some members have come forward to lend a hand by volunteering their time to make this a success. Our new motto as house committee is, “the best is yet to come”. Watch for an exciting year.

     The Drug Awareness Day is off to a great start; again we will have It at Castle Golf in Prescott Valley. The date is May 20, 2004. Sari McQuality, the Esteemed Lecturing Knight, is the drug awareness chairman and will probably be looking for some help with all the kids. J.R. Johnson and Tom Hoyt again will be cooking up the hot dogs. When you volunteer your time we will give you one of those delicious hot dogs, drink and chips as a small token of our appreciation for taking the time to help.

     Just a reminder for you folks to mark your calendars for June 12th. We will have our “Hot Summer Nights” dance. We are going to feature a 5O’s/60’s theme and we have invited back ‘Moon Dance’ to bring back those “good ole days”. Ladies, get out your “bobbie socks and tennis shoes”, and guys get outyour “white sports coat and a pink carnation”, we’re going to have a ball. For those of you who didn’t make the “Sweetheart” dance back in February,“Moon Dance” was the featured band. They know how to keep the dance floor full ---     “Come See”

 
Remember,
Elks Care–Elks Share

        Well another year has come and gone and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the past year. I could not have made this ride without your help. I want to especially thank Judy, my wife,for her support. She hung in there for me. I guess that is one of the reasons I made the decision to accept the nomination to Leading Knight. I do believe that this year will be an even better year than last and I can only hope for you’re guidance and support again. They say if you do this often enough, you eventually get it right. Anyway, the newly elected officers and I, are looking forward to an exciting year. We want to make you, as members, feel a part of this year. Please come forward with suggestions to make this lodge a better place to come and enjoy. We are only as good as the members want us to be. Yes, we will listen to what you have to say, I can only remind you that it is your lodge.