Kinderhook Elks - Lodge 2530

ER's Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

First, let me apologize for the delay in the release of this newsletter. Given the activities at the end of August and fair parking, it was unavoidable.

Well, September is here; may the temperature and humidity be more in the normal range. It’s hard to believe that summer is almost gone. It was a crazy August. It started with a Cruise-in on Sunday, August 5th. From 8 to 11 that morning, over 30 vehicles attended: trucks, classic cars, low riders, muscle cars, and a motorcycle. The oldest I believe were a Model A and a 1936 Oldsmobile with all original parts. It was pretty awesome seeing all those vehicles.

On Saturday, August 18th, we hosted the 1st North Hudson District Deputy clinic for our own DDGER Christopher P. Akers. Anne Leiser, Robin Howes and their crew provided a wonderful buffet breakfast. As this clinic was open to all Elks, it was great to see so many from our Lodge attending the clinic. I encourage everyone to attend the remaining clinics to see what the district is all about.

The following day, we were supposed to have a lodge initiation for four new members. However, we had to postpone the event due to the cleanup activities resulting from the night of Friday, August 17th. For those of you unaware, the
basement flooded twice due to the heavy rains that evening. Gordie Engel first noticed it around 7:55pm just prior to
meeting with the four new members. Richard Fisher, Jerry Shook, Chris Akers, Rick and Sandi La Crosse, and I got the
waters out of the basement as the water receded. Then another pour flooded it again around 9:15. We finished removing the water, the best we could, around midnight. After the District Deputy clinic, the basement was inspected and it was decided to get a professional in with all the necessary equipment to get the moisture out of the wood and sheetrock, as well as the carpeting.

We had a party in the pavilion on Friday, August 24th and a wedding in the Pavilion on Saturday, August 25th. Then on the 26th, there was a Kids-ID breakfast in tandem with the State Police. Even Elroy, the Elks mascot, made the visit.

And then there was the Columbia County fair from Wednesday, August 29th thru Labor Day, Monday, September 3rd. I cannot say it strong enough how important this event is for our Lodge; not only from a financial perspective, but also from an image perspective as well.

Here are a couple of facts that members may not realize. The first is that in six days of fair parking
we earn more then what we do in 5 YEARS (250+) of Sunday breakfasts. This allows us to give back to youth, veterans, and
seniors of our community in so many ways that normally wouldn’t be possible.
The other fact is that there are 174 shift positions, each lasting only 5 hours, that need to be filled in order to
adequately cover the parking. With a membership of 370, those 174 shift positions should be covered without difficulty. Unfortunately, for the past couple of years participation has averaged around only 75 people, putting fellow brothers, sisters and their friends through unnecessary hardship, as well as keeping them away from family and friends during the
holiday; some individuals doing at least 2 shifts each day for all 6 days.

I would like to thank the 'Core Four' of Chris Akers (DDGER), Jerry Shook (PSP), Joe Laviano (PER), and Denny Williams for organizing this event. I cannot thank enough those members and volunteers that gave their time for this. Even if I
could list all those 75+ individuals without missing one or two, we probably would add a page to this newsletter. So instead I’d like to mention a couple of individuals that really touched me in their efforts. First, is Robert ‘Whiskers’ Hawver. Besides being there every morning, due to the shifts being short staffed, he spent the last two days parking cars, being out on the lot, essentially without any shade in the heat and humidity, walking through the field guiding cars to park. One other person, Francis McKearin, spent an entire day parking cars while having just moved his daughter to college for her freshman year. Finally, I’d like to thank Tom Miglio for putting together signs for the carts
and to Anne Leiser for having the 'clink' bags at the Fair. We collected over 3 full bags of bottle returns, in which all proceeds go to our Veterans committee.

As for our Lodge, this month has a few activities planned. First, is the Lodge’s Worker’s party will be on Saturday, September 8th from 4 to 8pm. We are having a Pig Roast provided by Tim Lyons at 6pm. Mike’s Music Box will be the DJ for the evening. Beverages included are draft beer and two (2) drink tickets. The committee is welcoming people to
bring something to pass around to enhance the offerings; like desserts, appetizers, a special dish, etc.

On Saturday, Sept 15th we are having a Soc-Hop. That means get your poodle skirts out or slick back your hair and jump into your classic car. Cars can show up starting at 4:30 and live ‘50’s band’ at 5pm. Food and beverages will be available. There are prizes for best car and best dressed.

Next, is that the Elks Scholarship program has begun once again. These scholarships are open to high school seniors who plan on going to college. Up to $50,000 per year for 4 years could be won. This year Kinderhook had 2 scholarship
winners of $1,000. Any questions on the application process contact John Deane or visit enf.elks.org/MVS.

Bobby Hymes is once again checking onto putting together a bus trip to neighboring Elk lodges for this fall. This will probably be on a Saturday afternoon (TBD), on a medium sized bus to other lodges, to socialize and have a good time. This time, the thought is possibly going to the south, like Poughkeepsie.

The State Fall Convention will be at the Red Lion Inn in Albany (Wolf Rd) September 20-23. This is a great time to attend workshops on activities that interest you and to socialize with other Elks from across the State; nothing more humbling then a couple hundred Elks doing the 11th hour toast (each night). On Thursday, September 27th (6:30pm) we are trying something new: the first of a series of Elks Education session for members. This will involve having a light, pot-luck dinner for members and a discussion on Elkdom. This is available for all members and would be especially valuable for new members to the Lodge over the past couple years.

Finally, on Saturday, September 29th we have the Beef, Beer and Band event. If you don’t have a ticket ($20), call the Lodge at 518 758-2530. This is going to be a good time with good music, great food by Gordie and Jeannie and
PRIZES. See you there.

As to the Fall visitation schedule, the visitations start on Sunday, September 9th in Saugerties. The full schedule is in this newsletter and is posted on the Lodge bulletin board and our website. For Kinderhook Lodge, the District is coming Sunday, Nov. 11th with ceremony beginning at 3pm. Also, the State President will be visiting our Lodge during the Oct 26-28 weekend.

May you and your families enjoy the falling of leaves and have a great September.

ER John Piddock

Date	Time	Lodge	ER
Sun 9/9	3pm	Saugerties #2574	Mary E. Playford
Sun 9/16	3pm	Catskill #1341	Michael Archambault
Sun 9/30	3pm	Brunswick #2556	Michael Pendergast, PER
Sun 10/7	3pm	Rensselaer #2073	Nicholas Vecchione
Sun 10/14	3pm	Troy #141	Timothy Dennin
Sun 10/21	3pm	Hudson #787	William Mellan, Jr., PER
Sun 11/4	3pm	Red Hook - Rhinebeck #2022	Valarie Scovel, PER
Sun 11/11	3pm	Kinderhook #2530	John Piddock, PER

Join us for our sock hop and cruise in spectacular! Open to all! The event starts at 4:30 and the band kicks off at 5. Admission is $5.00, Participants who bring a car or bike to show pay only $3.00. Enjoy a live band performing music of the 50s and there will be food and drinks available for purchase at the pavilion. Prizes for best car and best dressed!

Come join the Kinderhook Elks Lodge first ever paint and sip on Thursday October 25th at 6pm! The doors open at 6pm for those that wish to come early to grab a bite to eat and mingle and the painting party kicks off at 7pm. The painting will be instructor led by the very popular and capable Michelle at Berkshire Paint and Sip.

ER's Message

2018 Visitation Schedule

Sock Hop and Cruise In

Paint and Sip

Greenlight A Vet