June 27, 2015

Photos from 2015 Spring Convention Courtesy of Bill Tennis Virginia Elks Association Welcomed Grand Exalted Ruler John D. Amen Denver, Co., Lodge 17, as their

Special Guest for the 106th Annual Convention, Chesapeake Marriott Hotel and Conference Center,

Other Special Guests included

our dedicated State Sponsor, Past Grand Exalted Ruler, Lester C. “Ted” Hess, Jr, and

Endorsed Candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler, Our Own Ronald L Hicks, Fredericksburg 875

And we also have and respect our own Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Dr. Robert L. Hinkle,

Staunton 351

Upon arrival, GER Amen was whisked to the business meeting of the Past State Presidents, where he

greeted them and encouraged their leadership of the Association.

VEA President Beverly Hamby introduced the North Carolina State President Ron Dickson to the Past

State Presidents, Chaired by John Rosenberger.

Youth Camp Karen Swenor presided over a meeting of the Camp Delegates during which an exciting

program was presented for this Camping Season.

Ten teams of golfers prepared themselves for a day of extreme temperatures to raise funds for our Veterans and enjoy the Bide-A-Wee Golf Course in Suffolk, which was designed by Curtis Strange.

Monty Largin and Dick Eubank rested for a moment before this memorable occasion.

Golf Chairman Leah Powell reminded the golfers of their final instructions.

VP Bobby Fender congratulated the Third Place team from Virginia Beach 2268

And the Second Place team from Loudoun 2406

Leah planted one on the First Place trophy for the team from Staunton 351. Closest to the hole was

Monty Largin at 20’ 8”. Doug Bowman had the longest drive. Total funds raised for our Veterans was $2,100

Upon arrival, the 200+ Delegates and their Guests were warmly greeted by Elks Carol Hudgins, Jane

Jordan and Bobbie Deese of Hampton 366.

GER John D. Amen addressed and inspired the Exalted Rulers and Past Exalted Rulers at their special

breakfast meeting on Saturday.

During this meeting, the ERs/PERs voted to donate $2,500 to the Arlington-Fairfax 2188 Ritual Team

for their journey to the Grand Lodge Convention in Indianapolis.

ER/PER Assoc President Cliff Bocchiccio presided over the twice-yearly meeting

ER/PER Assoc. Sec/Treasurer Beverly McMurtry reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and

gave a financial report.

Chesapeake Mayor Alan P. Krasnoff gave a hilarious welcome to the Delegates and congratulated the

Elks on the excellent work they do for this community, citing Portsmouth-Chesapeake 82 for their particular efforts

Whilst the Delegates were striving to handle the business of the day, the ladies had a special breakfast during which a hat contest was held. From right, First Place: Elizabeth Dameron, Fredericksburg 875;

Second Place, Bobbi Mathieu, Galax 2212 and Third Place Carrie Hiveley, Staunton 351. Congratulations, ladies, on a fine event.

Teri Lynn (Ti-Lo) Linardich provided vital information on obtaining Grants from the Elks National

Foundation. This is “free” money and is available to Lodges who meet certain criteria.

Don Kidd, Jr, Chairman of the Ritual Committee, encouraged Lodges to participate in the L. Glenn

Morris 11 O’Clock Toast Contest during the Fall Convention in Virginia Beach and the upcoming Grand Lodge Ritual Contest in Indianapolis. The 11 O’Clock Toast Contest is one of the items required to win

the Herman C. Andy Anderson Achievement Award.

Lynn Rutherford Snow thanked the Lodges for their Hoop Shoot participation and reviewed the

accomplishments of the State-wide program.

Dr Robert Hinkle, SDGER, reviewed the upcoming Scholarship Award Program and Luncheon in which

some 60 Students and Family Members were participating during the Convention. More than $75,000 in state and Legacy scholarships have been awarded to these students, thanks to the Elks National

Foundation.

President of the Virginia Elks Youth Camp Karyn Swenor talks about one of our VEA Major Projects. This is a six-week program for kids 8 – 13 from around the Commonwealth that benefit a Lodge’s

community.

Timmy Means, Exalted Ruler of Newport News 315, accepted an award from PGER Ted Hess, GER John

Amen and Beverly Hamby, VEA President, for accomplishing a $52.36 per capita in donations for the Elks National Foundation. They were Third in Virginia and Fifteenth in all of Elkdom.

Karyn Swenor, Exalted Ruler of Virginia Beach 2268 accepted the VEA Second place award for $89.58

ENF Per Capita, also from PGER Ted Hess, GER John Amen and Beverly Hamby, VEA President.

A very proud moment for Petersburg 237 in winning the #1 in State-wide ENF Per Capita Donations at $94.29. With PGER Ted Hess, GER John Amen and Beverly Hamby, VEA President, were Ron Brooks,

Lodge Treasurer and Eric Hamilton, Lodge Secretary. “Oh, Thank Heaven for 237” is their motto.

PSP Jimmy Powell, Trustee Chairman, made a motion to donate $40,000 in funds set aside for the

occasion of a Grand Exalted Ruler being from Virginia. Motion was seconded and passed.

Endorsed Candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler Ron Hicks of Fredericksburg 875, expressed deep

appreciation for the donation of $40,000 from the VEA for his campaign from Treasurer Karen Bundy-DeLap and President Beverly Hamby. These funds were brought about from Convention attendance over the years for this proud occasion. Virginia has not had a Grand Exalted Ruler in over 60 years.

PSP John Rosenberger presented the Resolutions to the Delegates thanking the various dignitaries for

their support and looking forward to future Conventions.

GER John Amen proudly displayed the Elks Key to Virginia that was presented by President Beverly

Hamby and VP Paul Shoemaker.

Bill Schindler presented the VEA Scholarship Program to the Delegates and acknowledges their

presence with their families.

The fabulous VEA Scholarship Winners, with over $75,000 funding possible from the Elks National

Foundation, and their families.

Can someone please identify the Elks Watch on whose arm and by what feat did this Elk manage to

possess it?

GER John Amen definitely wanted all who attended the Membership and PR Symposium to Share the

Pride. His energy played a positive role in these presentations.

Membership Chairman Justin Reiter proudly presents the Membership Program for the Delegates.

Wayde Fowler, Exalted Ruler of Onancock 1766, is proud to be a Delegate. During the Public Relations

Seminar, his explanation of how the Lodge raised some $20,000 in promoting a Hog Bash was well-received. It takes a lot of planning and coordination to effectively host such an event.

North Carolina President Ron Dickson and his lovely wife Linda thoroughly enjoyed their visit to

Virginia. Thank you for coming to visit.

Esquire to the DDGER-designate Steve Moulton and his bride Debbie enjoyed the fellowship of the

weekend.

Our own Endorsed Candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler Ron Hicks is proud to be representing Virginia

Elks in Indianapolis as the election nears. His right-hand, wife Nancy, expresses her appreciation for our efforts.

Delegates and guests showed their appreciation for the message brought by GER John Amen to the

Convention.

VEA President Beverly Hamby presented then President-elect Geoff Cox with a plaque expressing her

appreciation for the support Geoff had given during her year.

President Hamby announced that Vice-President Paul Shoemaker was her choice as Officer-of-the-

Year. Paul is also the DDGER for Virginia Southeast.

Lynn Rutherford-Snow was the proud selectee for Virginia’s Elk-of-the-Year for her continued

dedicated work as General Chairman of the Hoop Shoot Committee and serving as Chaplain for the VEA.

NC State President Ron Dickson and his wife Linda acknowledged the gift from President Hamby.

Our State Sponsor, PGER Ted Hess, thanked President Hamby, delegates and families for their

thoughtfulness in participating in our 106th Annual Convention.

Grand Exalted Ruler John Amen and his right-hand Marsha also thanked the Delegation for their gifts

and for supporting Elkdom.

The 2015-2016 Officers for the Virginia Elks Association were installed by PGER Ted Hess, as follows: President Geoff Cox; 1st VP Bobby Fender; 2nd VP Donnie White; 3rd VP Paul Shoemaker; 4th VP Frank

Burns; Treasurer Tammy Symons; Tiler Vic Douglas; Sgt-At-Arms Clifford Bocchicchio; Presidential Aide Tim Knotts; Inner Guard John Owen; 5-year Trustee Beverly Hamby; Secretary Horace Jones and

Chaplain Lynn-Rutherford-Snow.

PGER Ted Hess congratulated President Geoff Cox on his installation, expressing that this will be a

great year for the Association.

Susan Cox gave warm support to her husband Geoff and the Delegates and families.

Bonnie Shoemaker, Presidential Aide, pinned the Past State President’s Pin on Beverly Hamby.

PSP Hamby presented President Cox with a license plate frame letting the world know that he is the

President of the Virginia Elks Association.

Wife Susan proudly adorned Geoff with his President’s pocket badge.

PSP Buddy Deese presented Teri Linardich with a MIA-POW Bronze Eagle as a result of a fundraiser

sponsored by Buddy and Bobbie for our Endorsed Candidate for GER Ron Hicks.

A moment of extreme pride for Officer of the Year Paul Shoemaker and Elk of the Year Lynn

Rutherford-Snow with PGER Ted Hess, GER John Amen, PSP Beverly Hamby and Endorsed Candidate for GER Ron Hicks.

Photos and Text by Bill Tennis Send comments to webmaster@virginiaelks.org