Honored Elks

Honored Elks

LEE KARJOLA

PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA HAWAII ELKS ASSOCIATION

The Honorable Leon A. Karjola was initiated into the’ Longview, Washington Elks Lodge No. 1514 in 1968, just three days after his 21st birthday. He later transferred his membership to the Eureka, California Lodge No. 652 in 1985, where he served on and chaired various Lodge Committees, including the Board of Trustees between 1986-1990, the last two as their chairman, and served as Exalted Ruler in 1991-1992. Lee has served on numerous District and CHEA Elks Committees, including Jamboree Chairman, Government Relations, Ritual Contest, Bequests and Living Trusts Committee and was a qualified Ritual Judge for 10 years. He served the Grand Lodge as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for the “Great Northwest District of California” in 1995-

1996, as a Member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Judiciary for six years between 1996-2002, the last two as its Chairman; Grand Lodge Parliamentarian in 2000, as a Member of the Pardon Commission in 2001- 2002, Chairman of the Grand Lodge Pardon Commission in 2008, as Justice of the Grand Forum from 2003-2006, and Chief Justice of the Grand Forum in 2007-2008. Lee served as the First Vice President of the California Hawaii Elks Association in 2008-2009. Lee married his high school sweetheart, Cindy, without whom he freely admits he could never have accomplished all that he has done in and out of Elkdom. They have been married for 40 years, and they have two sons, both Elks, and two grandchildren whom Lee is certain will become Elks. Lee graduated !Tom Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1969, the University of Montana with a Master of Arts in 1970, and Western State University with a Juris:Doctorate Degree in 1915. He is presently engaged in the practice of law in Eureka, California where he is a member of both the Local and State Bar Associations. Lee has been involved with and donated countless hours to community service, serving as a Member of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Law Enforcement, serving on various Local and State Election Campaigns, becoming a Life Member of the California Waterfowl Association and the National Rifle Association, serving our youth by donating his time as a Little League Baseball Coach, a Pop Warner Football Coach, and as a sports fan rarely missing his two sons’ baseball, basketball, football, and soccer games, by being active in the Untied States Jaycees, becoming a Regional Director in 1977, and by being an Exchange Club Member and its President in 1986. Lee is an avid hunter and fisherman. Most falls he can be found on the Columbia River in his jet boat, fishing for salmon or in the rice fields of California hunting for pheasant with his family and dog. Finally, to relax in his spare time he models wooden ships and an “N” gauge railroad

TOM LEMM

STATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE ORANGE COAST DISTRICT

Tom Lemm was born in Syracuse, New York in February 1944 during WWII, the third of five children, two older brothers and two younger sisters. The family moved to North El Monte, CA in 1959 and his high school years were spent in North El Monte. He attended Pasadena City College and Mt. San Antonio Junior College, later transferring to Cal State University Dominquez Hills where he obtained his MSA in 1980. He worked for So. California Edison for 34 years, retiring in 1997 and then working as a consultant in the Real Estate Acquisition profession for local governments and public agencies. He continues to work part-time in his 47-year career field because he enjoys the challenge of project work. Tom joined Huntington Beach Elks Lodge #1959 on November 16, 1995 and became the Americanism Chairman for Exalted Ruler Boomer Steeman in April of 1996. He served in that capacity for three years and became the Fifth Year Trustee in early 1998. He progressed through the Trustee chairs and became Chairman of the Board in 2001-2002. In 2002-2003 he was elected Esteemed Leading Knight, again serving ER Boomer Steeman in his second term. Tom was elected to be Exalted Ruler of Huntington Beach Lodge effective April 1, 2003. Tom has also served as the Lodge ENF Chairman for 4 years and as the Lodge Treasurer for three years. Tom and Valarie are pleased with the success of the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at their lodge each year, and the Puerto Rican Dinner presented each October during ENF Month to

promote the National Foundation. He was also successful in obtaining a booth for the lodge at the Orange International Street Fair and continues to support that community awareness activity. He was awarded the honor of being Elk of the Year at

Huntington Beach Lodge in 2005-2006 and is an Honorary Founder of the Elks National Foundation. During the years following his term as Exalted Ruler, Tom served the Orange Coast District as Scholarship Chairman for two years, Membership Chairman

for two years, Manpower Room co-chair for the 2008 Anaheim Convention, and District Activities Chairman for one year. Tom was Esquire to Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Dave Bakke in the year 2007-2008. Tom and Valarie reside in Huntington

Beach and have been married for 7 years. Tom has two grown children, Rick and Lori, and Valarie has a grown daughter, Ashley (who is an Elk), and together they have three grandchildren. On May 15, 2009 at the California-Hawaii Elks Association

Convention in Ontario, Tom was installed as State Vice President for the Orange Coast District.

From the Desk of Tom Lemm

State Vice President Orange Coast District

I am writing this article on September 3rd, and by the time you read this, it will be October. In that time, Valarie and I will have visited four more Districts around the State.

We will have been to South Coast District (San Diego County) and been hosted at Encinitas Lodge #2243 and visited San Diego #168, El Cajon #1812 and Vista #1968. We

will also have been to the Inland District at Kern River Valley Lodge #2358 and Ridgecrest Lodge #1913, among others. From there we will have traveled to Hawaii on the island of

Oahu and will been hosted at Kailua Lodge #2230, and visited Pearl City Lodge #2669 and Honolulu #616. The State Vice Presidents will assist the President and First Lady

Cindy in laying a wreath on the Elk’s monument at the Punch Bowl, and taking the Admiral’s Barge out to the Arizona Monument for a military ceremony. Hard work, but

it must be done! We then come closer to home and visit San Gabriel Valley District, hosted by Pasadena Lodge #672, with a visit to Arcadia Lodge #2025. This was H.B.

PER Bob Stephensen’s former lodge, and where he served as Exalted Ruler. We sure miss him. Our prayers go out to his wife Alice and his family. Following these visitations

there are still 10 visitations left, including President Lee Karjola’s Homecoming in the Great Northwest District hosted by Eureka Lodge #652. In the middle of that is the Mid-

Term Conference in Sacramento where I will be able to proudly announce the total National Foundation contributions of the Orange Coast District. Please, get your

checkbooks out and write a check to ENF today and send it to your lodge. All donations are appreciated, and used, and you can’t donate too much. And while you are at it, a

small donation to the Major Project (Purple Pig) would also be appreciated. The State Purple Pig Chairman, Debbie Hosted, advises that we CHEA members are behind last

year’s donations at this point in time, and it would be really nice to see us exceed last year’s contributions. The children thank you in advance. All told this year, Valarie and I

will have visited 18 of the 19 districts in CA and Hawaii. Why? Because it’s a lot of fun, we like the President and First Lady, and all of the SVP’s and spouses are wonderful

people. All very good reasons. It’s a lot of fun (and work) at the visitations, and it’s always great to be home. See you in the District soon.

Fraternally, Tom Lemm, State Vice President Orange Coast District

Robert Genelle - District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler

Orange Coast District Elks 2009-10

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Robert Genelle, DDGER, PSVPBob Genelle was born on November 21, 1939 in Queens, New York where he was raised and met his wife Janice in the fourth grade. They started dating on Janice's 16th birthday, got engaged on her 18th birthday, got married one month before her 19th birthday, and had their first son one month before her 20th birthday. Bob was 19 when he married Janice. They have five children who have blessed them with eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Their 50th wedding anniversary is July 18, 2009.

Bob started working for the family home improvements business at the age of 17 as a subcontractor for eight Sears Roebuck stores, specializing in prime window and door installations. After his father's death, Bob entered the air freight and trucking business and eventually opened his own trucking company. Bob and Jan moved to California in 1979.

Bob was a volunteer for the Police Athletic League at the 205 Precinct in Queens Village where he coached young boys in roller hockey.

Bob joined the Orange Elks Lodge BPOE #1475 on September 16, 1981 and immediately became involved in various committees, which included working in the kitchen and on the investigation/membership committee. He started through the chairs in January 1982, becoming Exalted Ruler of Orange Lodge in March 1986, serving again as Exalted Ruler in 1988. During those first years, Bob also served on the Bingo Committee, working for two and one-half years to get BINGO legalized in the City of Orange. He served on the BINGO committee for many years, enabling Orange Lodge to raise many thousands of dollars for charity, which included purchasing two police dogs for the City of Orange, a computer network for the Orange Police Fraud Department, and the initial donation of $8,000 to the City of Orange School District for the DARE program.

Bob was awarded the honor of being Elk of the Year at Orange Lodge in 1989/1990 and is an Honorary Founder of the Elks National Foundation.

During the ensuing years, Bob served Orange Lodge as Trustee for two years, as an officer of the Orange Elks Building Association for two years, on the Orange Lodge veterans and membership committees, on the Street Fair Committee for over twenty years, and again worked in the kitchen for many years. He served as District Cochairman with Lee Northcutt on the National Service Committee for one year and as District Membership Chairman for one year. Bob also served as District Public Relations Chairman for four years, receiving the CHEA Gold Mike Award for three years for his accomplishments in Public Relations.

Bob served as Esquire to Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler John Cirillo in 2005-2006, as State Vice President for the Orange Coast District in 2007-2008, and as District Americanism Chairman in 2008-2009. He also served as the Chairman of the Media Relations Committee for the 2008-2009 Grand Lodge Convention in Anaheim, California.

Bob was installed as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Orange Coast District at Grand Lodge Convention in Portland, Oregon on July 9, 2009.

By Affiliation:		William Currier
	D	Amold Larson
		Frank Malan
		Robert Rusie
		Eugene Thomson
		Robert Lionetti, P.D.D.G.E.R.

Honorary Life Membership

In accordance with Grand Lodge Statutes Section 14.270

the following members were elected

Honorary Life Membership.

Bob Rusie - April 1, 1976

Joe Urban - February 17, 1998

Oliver Seal - February 17, 1998

Gerard Schiphorst - September 18, 2005

Andrew Costello - September 18, 2005

Elk-of-the-Year

BILL BONGARTZ

The “Elk of the Year” award, one of the most prestigious honors within our organization, was presented to Bill Bongartz. ER Mike said, “Bill’s hard work and dedication as a member of the Lodge House Committee and his

contributions to our veteran’s programs made him a key participant in the success of the Lodge.” Bill, a five year Elk and wife Stephanie, have dedicated many hours to the benevolent work of the Lodge and have been generous

sponsors of numerous Elks charitable activities through their company Bongo Inc. Bill was obviously overwhelmed when receiving the award and thanked the ER and the Elks for allowing him the honor of serving.

Officer-of-the-Year

GLORIA LECOUVRE

Elks Lecturing Knight Gloria LeCouvre was presented with another of the major awards as she was named “Officer of the Year”. Gloria was honored for the many fund raising projects chaired by her throughout the year

and for her commitment to working with the senior community. Gloria can always be found at the Lodge helping at anything from the kitchen to the ballroom. She pledged to continue serving as she embarks on her new office of

Loyal Knight.

Citizen-of-the-Year

HOWARD SARGENT

The third major award went to Howard Sargent who has held one of the most demanding offices as Lodge Esquire. Howard was honored as “Citizen of the Year”. Among his many accomplishments, he was responsible

for an outstanding "Flag Day" program which was held for the Lodge and for the citizens of the Saddleback community. Howard was also thanked for his hard work and diligence in doing whatever needed to be done to

assist the ER, and for fixing whatever needed fixing around the Lodge.

Elks of The Month

Tony Dugan

January 2008

We have selected Tony Dugan to be the January Elk of the Month. He has been an Elk for 11 years and has worked over 300 hours a year at Bingo and Marathon Bingo. He also attends and supports most Elk functions. We appreciate your hel[ing hand Tony. Thenk you!

Vern Vedder

February 2008

An olde but a goodie! Vern has been an Elk for over 20 years and has been one of those behind the scenes gems who help make our lodge the best in the District. He is always there to help whether it's setting up for a lodge activity or managing a rental on a Saturday night. Plus, the last four years he has been the co-chair/chef for the Chili-Cook-Off grill team. Thanks Vern for your dedication.

Laura Lumley

March 2008

As one of our newer members she is an example to all of us. She regularly attends meetings. Is our unofficial Ballot Box inspector. Laura is a regular helper in the kitchen and special events as well as setting up and decorating the hall for those events. Thank you

Laura.

April 2008

No one appointed

Donald Sweetland

May 2008

Don has been a loyal member of Bauchiero's kitchen crew for many years. He has also worked the Monday steak night many times. If we need help, he is always the first in line to help. He always greets everyone with a smile and that ever familiar laugh of his. Everyone feels welcome around him because he makes you feel at ease. CONGRATULATIONS DON, you deserve this award.

June 2008

Louie Hernandez

Louie has been a member of one of the Monday steak night cooking crews for several years. If we need help any place, he is there to help, even plumbing problems. It goes without saying; he has set an example for all our members, new and old to follow.

Congratulations: Louie, you deserve this award.

July 2008

Joan Pressley

Joan joined the Elks in April 2007. Since that time, she has volunteered to work on the 1 st and 3rd Friday Night Dinner Crews. She has also volunteered to work on the Derby Days, Mothers Day, Easter Brunch and any event when called upon. Joan works hard, always with a smile, and is appreciated by all Elk members. Thank you and congratulations Joan.

August 2008

Dale Howard

Dale is one of those unsung heroes who unselfishly works for the betterment of the Lodge. He has been a member for 6 years serving on the membership committee for two years and is currently the chairman. Dale has been active in Hoop Shoot, supported our Friday Night Suppers, Sunday Breakfasts, Easter, Mother's and Father's Day Brunches and has helped set up many Elk functions. He worked on 2 Major Lodge projects.. the sliding doors and the Elk awning. Thank you Dale for all your contributions to the lodge...we appreciate you.

September 2008

Ray Mallen

Ray has been an Elk since March and in that short period of time has already demonstrated that he is a dedicated Elk. He volunteered to work at Bingo, has worked in the kitchen for special events, and Friday night dinners, and as greeter. his enthusiasm shows when he talks about Elkdom to visitors and members. Ray played taps at the flag retirement ceremony and proudly represented our Lodge playing taps at the Grand Lodge Memorial service in Anaheim. Congratulations Ray, you have set a great example for other Elks to follow.

October 2008

Leo F. Hazell

NOVEMBER 2008

Fred Gabel

Fred has been an Elks for only a short period of time. As soon as he became an Elk, he immediately volunteered to be the chef on the first kitchen crew to cook the santa Maria Tri Tip. He has already proven that he joined the great Order for the right reasons. He has set an example for other members, new and old to follow. We are sure that, due to his dedication, he will be an inspiration to others in the Lodge. Congratulations Fred, you deserve this honor.

DECEMBER 2008

Karen Casey

Karen has been an Elk since 2003. For 5 years she has jumped right in and volunteered to work the kitchen on 3rd Friday Night Dinners every month. Over the years when asked to help on an event she was there setting the tables, serving and maintaining the salad bar, always with that special smile. Thank you Karen, you are appreciated by all Elk members.

January 2009

Bob Schmidt

Bob has been a dedicated Elk for 17 years. During that time, he has always been there with his mate Phyllis Booze to help decorate the Lodge for functions; which involved climbing on ladders

for decorations, plus putting up and taking down decorations for all events for the Lodge. He has driven to different locations to solicit door prizes. All this time he has never expected praise for

anything he did for the Lodge. By "Giving of his time unselfishly and not expecting accolades", he has demonstrated the true spirit of Elkdom. Congratulations Bob, you really deserve this honor

February 2009

MARIA PARSON

Maria has been an Elk since 04/27/2007. The minute Maria was asked on initiation night if she would like to be a volunteer, she immediately answered, "That's why I joined the Elks". Maria volunteered for the kitchen and other special events, and has been working diligently ever since. She doesn't ask for accolades. She just performs the work with a smile on her face as she delivers the food to tables. She attends meeting when Joan Pressley does because she cannot drive at night. Congratulations Maria, you are a model Elk and deserve this award. Keep up the good work

Humphrey, Leading Knight Williams, Loyal Knight LeCouvre, Lecturing Knight

March 2009

IRENE ROMERO

Irene has been an Elk since 1998. Served as Exalted Ruler, is Chairperson of the Americanism Essay Contests annually; coordinates Lodge Memorial services, works on PER BBQ Anniversary, is Lodge greeter almost every Friday, also helps prepare for the Friday night cooking crew during the day and on evenings when needed. Also helps with Christmas parties for Special Kids & Elks kids, Tom & Jerry, and Rose Bowl. Works most bingo marathons and helps with Bingo pull tabs and other Charity Fundraisers. Irene Chairs our Lodge Purple Piggy Bank and is Vice Chairperson of the OC District Piggy Bank Committee. She also serves on the House Committee in our Lodge. She deserves this honor. Congratulations Irene

April 2009

KEN ZITTRER

Ken has been a Elk for one year and in that short time has already demonstrated that he is a dedicated Elk. He volunteers every Wednesday at Bingo and loves working and conversing with the players. He is working on the 3rd Monday steak night and the 1st Friday Tri-Tip crew. When it was time for distributing the third grade dictionaries he was there to help. Ken belongs to the Run-A-Ways camping group. After the camp out in January he was off to assist for 3 weeks with Habitat for Humanity building homes. Congratulations Ken, you have set a great example for other Elks to follow

Martino, Leading Knight LeCouvre Loyal Knight Reavis, Lecturing Knight

May 2009

MIKE CLINE

Mike Cline is a long time member and a good Elk. Mike workes in the Kitchen on key events and is always helping setting up for special occasions and doing Lodge maintenance when needed. He is well deserving of this award and has the Lodge's best interest in all that he does. You might find Mike singing on a Friday night. If you do, give him a "Thank You" for all of us

Martino, Leading Knight LeCouvre Loyal Knight Reavis, Lecturing Knight

June 2009

Dennis Lumley

Dennis is a good Elk, always ready to volunteer, he helps in the kitchen when needed, and worked to make the Rose Bowl party a success

July 2009

Steve Russie

ELK OF THE MONTH Steve Russie is member number 500, and has helped around the Lodge on numerous occasions over the years. He has been a regular on several of the Friday night kitchen crews and has even stepped up to work a Monday crew. Keep up the good work Steve.

August 2009

Laura Lumley

You can always find Laura Lumley at Lodge meetings. She works in many capacities around the lodge, Senior Dances, Bingo, Kitchen, Initiation food, Special Kids party, Bingo Marathon and many, many other Lodge events. Laura played the candidate being initiated during the Ritual practices and the Ritual Competition, long hours of tiresome work. We appreciate all you do Laura. Keep up the good work.

September 2009

Debbie Little

Debbie Little is our Elk of the month for September. Debbie has provided our lodge with many great events from Route 66’s, Mystery Nights, Snow Flake Balls, Fabulous’ 50’s & 60’s,

Ladies Installation, St Patty’s Day and Comedy Night, just to name a few. Debbie is also an accomplished Culinary Chef and has been known to prepare salad dressing for other chefs

in our kitchen. Debbie can always be seen at the lodge, she is a good Elk always ready to help.

October 2009

LINDA ROCHE

Linda Roche is a good Elk. Linda started her Elk membership by volunteering before becoming an Elk. After becoming an Elk Linda became even more active.Linda is involved in many

of the Elk dinners and is always willing to help. You can find Linda leading a crew on Bingo night and helping on the Friday night dinner crews.

November 2009

ROGER DIETTERLE

Roger Dietterle is a good Elk. Roger heads up a Monday Night cooking crew with a big smile and many times a counter full of caricaturing animation. Roger has stepped

in to help on several functions and even provided our District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler with a decorated Hat. Thanks Roger, keep up the good work

December 2009

DAVE HOLBERT

Dave worked for a long time as an assistant on a Bingo Wednesday cooking crew. Then, he inherited the lead job and has stepped right up to the plate. He even showed

up at the Lodge on an off-Bingo night and cooked anyway. Dave is a long time Elk and we really appreciate his volunteering. Keep up the good work Dave

January 2010

February 2010

CAROL BEERS

Congratulations Carol Beers. Carol is one of our great volunteers who works to make it happen where ever needed. Carol also attends most Lodge meetings. She can be seen running between her Bingo cards and helping in the Kitchen on Wednesday nights. Keep up the good work Carol. The Lodge appreciates all that you do.

March 2010

JEFF MAYS

Jeff has been a regular on a Friday Night cooking crew and has worked on special events. He is often seen at the Lodge enjoying dinner with his young family and has introduced the Lodge to many of his friends, who have since become members. He is also involved in the community and is the kind of member we admire in our Order. Keep up the good work Jeff!

Past-Elks-of-the-Year

1974-75 -BILL AMMON

1975-76 -CAP HARRISON

1976-77 -DUANE CARLSON

1977-78 -JOHN PETERSON

1978-79 -BOB RUSIE

1979-80 -JERRY LOGAN

1980-81 -JERRY LOGAN

1981-82 -MARK PARADA

1982-83 -ALAN KOMPERDA

1983-84 -MARK PARADA

1984-85 -TED KOMPERDA

1985-86 -MATT ZIDRO

1986-87 -HAROLD BRICE

1987-88 -JOE URBAN

1988-89 -GORDON PALMER

1989-90 -BOB MINICKS

1990-91 -WALT MATRAS

1991-92 -RALPH FREEMAN

1992-93 -SWEDE LINDEN

1993-94 -NEWT SEAL

1994-95 -JOHN STANLEY

1995-96 -JOHN MORROW

1996-97 -HARMON AZBELL

1997-98 -DORMAN DANE

1998-99 -JOHN HEATHCOCK

1999-00 -RON BAUCHIERO

2000-01 -GERRY SCHIPHORST

2001-02 -SANDY BERGAN

2002-03 -DAVE MOODIE

2003-04 -BOB LORENZ

2004-05 -PAT MARTINO

2005-06 -JACK CRANE

2006-07 -ED MACKEY

2007-08 -JIM WESSLING

2008-09 -Bill Bongartz

Past Award Winners

An Elk Is Never Forgotten, Never Forsaken

Their faults, we write upon the sand, their virtues upon the indelible pages of our hearts.