Greetings fellow Elks of Lodge 463!
As we prepare for the new lodge year beginning April, I’m reaching out for what is likely the last time as Exalted Ruler.
We have been busy at the Lodge, initiating new members almost every month since last September. The lodge membership officially stands at 111! I encourage all our new members not to be
strangers and frequent the lodge. I’m beginning regular monthly orientation sessions beginning this week. If you’ve been initiated in the last few months, or if you were initiated before that but
don’t recall an orientation I invite you to attend. These will be at the lodge from 5-6pm on March 6, April 3, and May 1.
Remember the lodge meets every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7pm. We backoff from that frequency July, August, and November.
At last week’s meeting, officers were elected for the 2025-2026 lodge year. Your slate of officers includes:
Exalted Ruler: Ed Luke
Leading Knight: Gary Larson
Loyal Knight: Scott Mechura
Lecturing Knight: Jon Dembo
Secretary: Susie Larson
Treasurer: Deborah Thompson (pending her initiation as an elk)
Trustees:
James Loeffelholz (chair)
Teema Loeffelholz
Dan Ball
Non-elected position appointed by the ER:
Esquire: vacant – Brad Nolan from Livingston lodge is serving at present
Chaplain: Rick Gale
Tiler: Deborah Ball
Inner Guard: vacant
Outer Guard: vacant
I particularly want to thank Jon Dembo and Scott Mechura, both new members that have jumped without reservation into vital positions in lodge management. Frankly, if our lodge is to continue well into the future, we need more of you to follow their example. I also want to recognize outgoing trustees Rick Gale and Bruce Johnson. Rick has been (and will continue to be) the public face of our Lodge to many other charitable, veteran, and law enforcement organizations in the valley. Bruce led the complicated process of completing a new commercial kitchen sublease to Austin Quin and his catering company Gather 406. With another half dozen members showing that same dedication and commitment we can thrive.
Although elections for the coming year are complete, there are numerous committees we need to fill and opportunities for your involvement abound! Examples include Activities, Auditing &
Accounting, Fraternal, and Government Relations. Reach to me for more information.
As always, look for our current calendar of events on the MyElks smartphone app or at our lodge’s page at elks.org. We also now have a large wall calendar posted just outside the office inside the lodge. Note particularly Debbie and Dan Ball will be cooking a corned beef and cabbage dinner March 18, and your RSVP is due to the lodge by March 14. Call 586-5824 to save your spot.
Dues notices have been mailed for the coming year. Please send yours in without delay. Why does it make a difference? Note that the Manhattan volunteer fire department has been awarded a grant
of $2000 and the Gallatin Gateway volunteer fire department a grant of $16,000 from the Montana State Elks Association. We do great things for our communities.
It’s been my honor and privilege to serve as your Exalted Ruler these last two years. I feel like we are gradually modernizing the lodge and its processes so that we can continue to manifest community,
friendship, and charity in our valley for another 126 years. That will take all of us!
My best,
James Loeffelholz