July ended with the passing of our long time member and friend Charles Thomas Swauger on July 30. An Elk Service was performed by several of our Past Exalted Rulers on August 8, followed by a Funeral Luncheon attended by almost 200 of his friends and family at the Lodge. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

July 24th we held our Cheeseburger in Paradise out on the back patio and a great time was had by all. Many thanks to Bobby Green, Bruce Mello, Dennis Shriver, Verna Paddy, Pete Ferreri, Carol Hagemeyer and Nick Fox. If I missed anyone please forgive me. August 7th we held our Bull Roast which was well attended and music was provided by the Autumn Rose Band. Thanks to Jesse Poole, Patrick Craig, Malcolm Wielert, Linda Smith, Kathy Buinickas, Larry Pratt, Chuck Albo, Doris Nowottnick and Verna Paddy for volunteering to make this a success.

We continue to want to provide activities within the Lodge and I hope if you have any suggestions please let me know. If members within our area would drop by once or twice a week we could improve our financial situation.

September 11th is our Donald Wilson Memorial Crab Feast, we voted on this last year to name it after our Lodge Secretary of over 35 years who passed away last year. This year we will be doing the function at 3pm to 9pm for those of you who have trouble driving at night, tickets are now available at the bar. The price will be $32.00 per person and they will be available starting July 31, 2010 with Crabs, Crab Soup, Hot Dogs, Sauerkraut, Baked Beans, Macaroni Salad, Applesauce, desert and Draft Beer and Sodas included.

September 22nd we will be having a Family Night Dinner starting at 6:00pm; this will include Spaghetti, Salad, French bread, desert for $6.00. We also plan to have games and contests for the kids that evening until 8:00pm. We want to have all members involved in our activities but especially our younger members with kids. Please sign up at the bar or call in by September 20th. If you can help that evening please let me know. We will need cooks, clean up and contest and game coordinators.

We continue to have Kids Night at the Movies but need more participation. Kids Night at the Movies will be the 3rd Friday of each month at 8pm. Please consider coming out for dinner at 6:00pm and staying for the movie. Our numbers have been better at Friday Night Dinners and Lodge Breakfasts but we continue to need more support in keeping these two Lodge events going. I still would like to hear from you what we can serve that would bring you back. See me anytime or e-mail me at my e-mail address below.

We continue to sell Youth Activities Raffle tickets to help pay for sending 24 kids to Elks Camp Barrett this summer and we really need your support in buying these. We still need to sell about 250 tickets by September 11th, remember tickets are $5.00 each and the drawings will be held during our Crab Feast on September 11th.

As I mentioned in my last message we had a discussion and vote at the Lodge Meeting on August 10th about changing the Lodge Hours. I want to report that this motion was voted down by the members at that meeting.

At our August 10th Lodge meeting Gary Steen was elected to complete the 5 year Trustee position. Congratulations Gary!! Also thanks to Mike Fine who stepped up to serve as Lodge Inner Guard.

We continue to need your support in our Lodge and we continue to need YOU to step up and VOLUNTEER at any or all of our functions coming up. We need volunteers as Bartenders, Grounds Crew, Hall Set Up for functions, Bingo Kitchen (2 hours a month), Repair help for around the Lodge. Please see me.

Bowie Elks #2309 is in need of a Shop Wet/Dry Vacuum and an additional picnic table for our back patio. If you are able to provide either of these items please contact me, our House Committee Chairman or our Club Manager and we will make arrangements to get them.

Finally, I‘ve had several request to do a Lodge Hopping bus trip. I would like to know how many others would be interested in a trip in November to lodges in Virginia. Let me know!!! Watch the Bulletin Board in the Bar for more details….



Wayne Becraft
Exalted Ruler

WayneBecraft@msn.com

301-335-7710