Hello Elk family!

wELKcome to spring and a brand new Elk Year!
I am so incredibly honored to be your next Exalted Ruler. Thank you to all of you
who have shown me support; the gratitude I have for all of you is immeasurable.
Thank you to ER Frank and Chaplain Darlene (Ferrari) for all they’ve done for our
lodge this past year. As a true power couple, we were all so lucky to get a
two-for-one deal! Their positive outlook and tenacity truly has positioned the Lodge
for another great year.

A big shout-out to everyone for a wonderful 2023/2024 Elk Year. We have an
extraordinary Elk family and I would like to acknowledge all of our volunteers who
have continued to donate their time and resources that keep our lodge operational
and all of you who have come out and supported our lodge events. We have been
so fortunate to have had such a strong set of officers, trustees, House Committee
members, and volunteers for our various committees and activities. I would like to
recognize our outgoing Inner Guard Jennifer Rago and House Committee Chair
Randy Annino PER for all of their dedication to our lodge. Their time and
contributions are greatly appreciated and you’ll be seeing them around the lodge in
new roles. Thank you to our Bulletin Editor Paul and Weekly Blast Editor Dani for
keeping us up-to-date on all our lodge happenings and informational messages.
A great way to keep in-the-know is to join our private Facebook group
(@WallingfordElksLodge1365) and to receive our emailed digital Early Bird Bulletin
and Weekly Blast, which include a digital copy of our bulletin, flyers of upcoming
events, meals, and more! Email Dani at elks1365weekly@yahoo.com and ask to be
added to the list.

Reminder that our Chalkboard Menu, hosted by Elk of the Year, Mary Ellen and
John, is serving dinner from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

Upcoming ELKtivities:

We look forward to seeing you during Installation Weekend (04/11-04/14), which will
also include steak sandwiches and trivia on Thursday evening and Steamed
Cheeseburgers Sunday at noon! Tickets for Installation of Lodge Officers (04/13) are
available with the steward on duty.

Elk & Officer Breakfasts will continue and we hope to see your smiling faces on
Sunday, April 21 from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

May the Fourth Be With You!! Don’t forget to come celebrate the Kentucky Derby
(May 4) with your fellow Elks! Drink specials, snacks, and prizes for best traditional
Kentucky Derby and Star Wars themed hats.

I am eager to begin this new endeavor and will work vigorously to ensure we
continue to be a strong and enthusiastic Elk community!

I welcome anyone who is interested in becoming more involved in lodge to reach out
to me. We will also be hosting an Elk Night, Enrollment of Lodge Kommittees, (if the
Kardashians can do it, so can we - Don’t you love a good pun?), on Thursday, April
25, 2024 between 6 - 8 p.m. Come learn about the different committees and
activities we have to offer in a casual setting with open sign-ups and sweet treats!
Don’t forget to grab dinner with the Chalkboard Menu beforehand!

I am always available to anyone who has a question or concern. Please don’t
hesitate to send an email (annemarie.elks1365@gmail.com) or approach me, or
any of the Officers or House Committee members, in the lodge. We are a family and
we are here to continue to support you all.

I am very excited to start this new Elk Year with you all and look forward to all the
wonderful memories to come!

Fraternally,
Anne Marie Ortolan
Exalted Ruler
Email