I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season. We had a very eventful 2008 at High Point Elks Lodge #1155 and I look forward to another exciting year in 2009. This coming year we will celebrate our Lodge’s 100th anniversary. I’m sure we will have some very special events planned around this celebration so please make sure you check the newsletter and the website for details.

Last month we held our Memorial Service where we honor our departed members from the previous year. This was a very special event and I would like to thank all of those who attended. The officers did a wonderful job performing the ritual and Marshall Morgan was kind enough to sing a couple of very moving selections during the ceremony. Thank you, Marshall.

Our Lodge looked great last month due to all of the Christmas decorations put up by the members of our Ladies Auxiliary. Thanks to Valarie Yoemans, Angie Conner, Anne Marie Orcutt, Liz Day (and family!), Terri Dowdee, Theresa Franklin & Linda Camp for doing such a nice job. (I apologize if I missed someone) Thanks also to all of the volunteers who helped out with our visit from Santa Claus. We had a big crowd and I know all of the children were happy to visit with him. Thanks Santa!

Our Member’s Holiday Party/Open House was a complete success. Thanks to Clay Bolick for making the pork BBQ and Tommy Rice for preparing the chicken. The food was absolutely delicious and I had many of our members and guests compliment us on it. I would also like to thank all of the House Committee & Ladies Auxiliary members who helped out by bringing in desserts, setting up, serving food and cleaning up afterwards. I also need to thank David Richardson & Russ Pallaci for all of their help in organizing this fun night and making sure we had everything we needed. Thanks everyone!

After dinner we were all treated to the sounds of DJ Steve Carter in the upstairs ballroom and Tuck, Vern & Vern in the downstairs Member’s Lounge. Everybody was dancing late into the night and it was truly a terrific way to kick off the holiday season.

We once again made our annual holiday trip to the VA Medical Center in Salisbury last month. Thanks to all of those who donated items for us to bring to the veterans as Christmas gifts. The veterans are very important to us as Elks and as Americans and for many of them in the Medical Center this is their Christmas celebration. If you haven’t been able to make this trip with us please try to do so next year or when we make our monthly visit. The dates are on the calendar.  
  
We have decided to extend our membership drive for one more month, through the end of January. If you know anyone who may be interested in joining our Lodge now is the time to bring them around and show them our building and pool area. I’m convinced that there is not a nicer facility in the area and once they see what we have to offer they will want to become a member. If you have any questions about the membership drive or would like me or one of our officers to talk to your prospective member about the Elks and what we are all about please contact the Lodge.

Comedy Night is coming up on January 10th. We have sold out every Comedy Night since we started it several years ago. The comedians are always top notch and everyone really enjoys this evening at the Lodge. If you don’t have you tickets yet they are available in the lounge or you can pick them up from the office during the day. 

The Hoop Shoot is taking place this month at High Point Central High School on January 24th. This is always one of the more fun events for the youth of our Lodge and community. For our members with children I would encourage you to participate in the Hoop Shoot. Remember, you do not need to be a family member of an Elk to participate, so please bring any neighbors or guests you feel would enjoy this event. Please contact the Lodge office with any questions.
 
We will be hosting the annual Super Bowl party on Sunday, February 1st. The Lodge will provide the BBQ and chicken and ask that you bring a side dish or dessert to share.

I hope everyone has a great start to the New Year and I look forward to seeing you all at the Lodge soon.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Doug Orcutt, Exalted Ruler
High Point Elks Lodge #1155