Volume 63 MAY, 2008 Issue 5

http://www.pointpleasantelks.org

Ron’s accomplishments include a “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” award, an Eagle Scout award, shared screen time with Anthony Quinn, a White House reception with President George Bush, sing-ing the National Anthem at the Philadelphia Phillies’ opening day game and singing with both Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder. This is all for a man who, for most of his life, was told to “dream small”. Both of Ron’s legs were amputated when he was 9 years old as a result of bring born three month’s premature. Ron’s birth parents immediately put him up for adoption and he spent most of his youth at the St. Edmond’s Home for Crippled Children in Rosemont, PA. It was in a music therapy class and through listening to the radio that Ron, who has a degree in

communication arts from Villanova University, fell in love with music. He loves an array of music from Broadway hits to rock ‘n roll but he found his inspi-ration from Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. While at St. Edmond’s Ron became inter-ested in scouting. At first the people at St. Ed-mond’s thought scouting was dangerous for children with disabilities to go camping & hiking but doing those things is where he learned to become self reli-ant. Ron’s goal in life is to perform as a paid pro-fessional singer. “When I am on stage I have no pain, and I’m not worried about standing on artifi-cial legs. It’s like an out-of body experience.” By the way, you can hear Ron sing at the June 14th Flag Day ceremony in our Veteran’s Park.

Point Pleasant Elks Lodge 1698 is proud of our own Ron Brooks

LODGE OFFICERS 2008-2009

Exalted Ruler Mitch Fiedler 295-2561 Leading Knight Carol McMenamy 892-0045 Loyal Knight Valerie Famous 202-7030 Lecturing Knight Scot Famous 202-7030 Secretary Helen McDermott 785-3323 Treasurer Colleen Castronova 295-0989 Tiler Gus Adamo 899-2722 Esquire Jan Picarell 892-4522 Chaplain Joe Chickene 840-0891 Inner Guard Charles Sherman 714-8771 Trustees: Dino Castronova 528-5582 Bob Kierstead 899-1334 Gary Laudisi 785-1962 Kim McLure 892-1793 Bob Haugh 295-1624

COMMITTEE CHAIRPEOPLE

House Bob Betz 899-2923 Special Events Coordinator John Gartz 295-2561 Americanism Scot Famous 202-7030 Special Needs Children Dan DiCorcia 899-1031 Tom Watters 295-4269 Community Relations Roger Pyrtko 899-3354 National Foundation Carol McMenamy 892-0045 Investigating Ron Panuska 714-9966 Indoctrination Cus Dalik 295-8370 Membership Ron Panuska 714-9966 Lapsation Ron Panuska 714-9966 Youth Activities Joe Rager 295-1636 Tearoff Raffles Cus Dalik 295-8370 Publicity Sue Gajewski 657-6318 Memorial Day Service Joe Chickene 840-0891 Audit Terry LaDu 899-4635 Lodge Scholarship Joe Rager 295-1636 Drug Awareness Terry Kenney 330-6323 Nat’l Veterans Service Mike Travisano 899-5115 Government Relations Sharon Haugh 295-1624 Lodge Photographer Marianne Chickene 840-0891 S.E. Dist. Chairman Hoop Shoot Greg Smith 920-7516 Soccer Shoot Dino Castronova 528-5582 The Antler Marianne Chickene 840-0891 Friday Night Dinner Joe Rager 295-1636 Convention Linda Muir 295-3285 Banquets Colette Betz 899-2923 Flag Day Joe Chickene 840-0891 Webmaster Terry LaDu 899-4635 Bar Steward Jay Ramirez 899-8620 Octoberfest Ron Panuska 714-9966 Justice James Holzapfel 349-1600

LADIES AUXILIARY OFFICERS

President Mary Bruce 892-5921 Hostess Mary Skidmore 899-2575 Vice President Dee Dalik 295-8370 Secretary Katy Berrios 840-0239 Treasurer Camille Cimino 899-6168 Chaplain Catherine Evans 899-5071 Inner Guard Ann Kaufman 295-1604

EXALTED RULER’S MESSAGE by Mitch Fiedler April was a “get adjusted month” for me. I heard some good things, and some not so good things, but my job is to listen and try to mend or applaud the things that go on in OUR Lodge. May is spring cleaning month. The House Committee is already planning an outside clean-up, and a little remodeling inside the Grill Room and the rest of our building. May 10th is the “Meet & Greet” Cocktail Party in the Grill Room It’s a chance to talk to new mem-bers and tell them about the things we do as Elks. May 11th is Mothers’ Day. We will have a ritual ceremony at 10:30 in the Lodge Room followed by a brunch in the Grill Room. All Mom’s, Grandma’s and Moms-to-be are welcome. There is a VP Clinic on May 12th at Brick Lodge. All committee chairpeople are expected to at-tend. On May 25th the Lodge will be marching in the Point Boro Memorial Day Parade. This year our own John Kaufman will be one of the Grand Marshals. Parade dress will be white shirt, blue pants and flag hat.

Continued on Page 3, see ER Message

LADIES AUXILIARY NEWS by Mary Bruce I want to thank Dino Castronova for cooking our delicious Auxiliary “Appreciation Dinner” on March 25th. He’s a great and generous guy! Also, many thanks to Jack Cimino, John Kaufman and Gus Adamo who served us. We plan to have another yard sale at my house in May, so Ladies, start saving some articles that you no longer use so we can make some money. We will have coffee and pastry for whomever stops by. On June 24th we are having a pizza party. Please come to the meeting and enjoy this treat. Thanks to Bob Betz for setting up our meeting tables & chairs. Flo Herbert graciously took over the dark horse for Lorraine Gabriel while she is at home re-cuperating from knee surgery. Thank you to Regina McCabe for staying on as Sunshine Lady; she does such a great job. Thank you also to Diane Cavalieri for the candy sales. Ladies, please come out to see the Memorial Day parade on May 25th, and all who can, please march with us in it. We’ll be meeting at 12:30 at STS on Bridge Avenue in Pt. Pleasant, situated di-agonally across from the Stop & Shop. Camille Cimino read the revised By-Laws at the April meeting. This will be voted on at the June Meeting. Please try to attend the Flag Day ceremony on June 14th at 11:00 AM in the Veteran’s Park. This will be a meaningful ritual especially in this time of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. A Mothers’ Day ceremony will be held on May 11th at 10:30 AM with brunch following. Please try to make it to honor all mothers. The “300 Club” number was drawn for April and the winning number was 97. There are some numbers available and

YOU GOTTA BE IN IT TO WIN IT!!!

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ANTLER IS: MAY 23, 2008

SUPPORT OUR LUNCHES BILL OF FARE SERVED FROM 11:30AM

Miller Lite Pints or Bottles Soup DuJour Club Sandwiches Hot Sandwiches Cold Sandwiches Philly Cheesesteaks Chicken in a Basket Hamburgers Chicken Tenders Hot Dogs Grilled Cheese Chili Dogs Pork Roll All hot sandwiches served with fries & pickle Cold sandwiches served with chips, slaw & pickle

Call for Daily Specials

The 2008-9 Ladies’ Auxiliary dues are payable between April 1st and June 1st. Dues for Regular Members are $15.00; for Life Members and Widows, $5.00. Dues may be paid at the next business meeting or mail to:

Camille Cimino PO Box 502

Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

ER Message, continued from Page 2 We will be assembling at noon at STS on Bridge Ave-nue. Let’s show our support to John and to the troops who watch over us, and the ones who gave up their lives so we can be free. Finally, if you are planning to go to the con-vention, please get in touch with Linda Muir. All rooms must be paid in full. Don’t forget, If you go to the convention, you MUST march in the parade.

IF YOUR COMMITTEE IS RUNNING ANY KIND OF AFFAIR AND YOU WANT COVERAGE IN THE

ANTLER PLEASE PUT AN ARTICLE AND/OR PICTURES IN THE ANTLER BOX IN

THE VETERANS’ COMMITTEE IS SELLING PIZZA KITS AS A FUND-

RAISER. THESE CAN BE FROZEN AND USED AS NEEDED. SEE ANY

COMMITTEE MEMBER TO ORDER.

If your birthday is this month, the Lodge would like to buy you a drink. Please sign this coupon and present it to the bartender for your free drink. This coupon is good on any day this month.

Happy Birthday Clip Out Coupon May, 2008

(Pt. Pleasant #1698 Members Only) Name _____________________________________ Member # ______________________________________ Date of Birth _______________________ Verification of DOB may be required by bartender. Limit (1) cou-pon per member per month.

ELKS OF THE MONTH by Mitch Fiedler

DENNIS & BETTY TORODE You might not see these two people in the Lodge every time you come down, but every Monday, rain or shine, these two Elks are shaping America’s future. They are the troop leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 3 of Point Pleasant. They start off our youngsters as ten-derfoots, and they can achieve the honor of being an Eagle Scout. This troop has 19 Eagle Scouts to their credit so far. My hat is off to them for the count-less hours and hard work they devote to training our youth. I thank them both!

CONGRATULATIONS

WINERY & BLUES FESTIVAL We will be sponsoring a bus trip on Saturday, May 24th to the 2008 Garden State Wineries Blues fest. It is being held in Natirar State Park in Peapack, NJ and I have been told it is the newest park in Somerset County and absolutely gorgeous. $45.00 will cover your bus and ad-mission price which includes a commemora-tive wine glass that can be used all day for UNLIMITED TASTINGS. There will be over 16 wineries represented with an oppor-tunity to sample at least 200 wines. There will be wine available for purchase by the case or bottle and 25 craft and food vendors for purchase. The food is supposed to be quite unique and inexpensive. Your are en-couraged to bring a folding chair or blanket, to share a bottle of wine, buy some food and enjoy the live blues band which will be ei-ther the SaRon Crenshaw Band or the Fins. The bus will depart the Elks at 10 AM SHARP and return around 7:30/8:00 PM. The festival runs from noon to 5 PM. This trip is open to all Elks and their guests until May 10th. All reservations must be paid in full by check at time of purchase. No exceptions. After May 10th, any available seats will be advertised and open to the public on a first come/first serve basis. Tickets are available at the bar or see Colleen. Contact Colleen at 732-295-0989 with any questions. Please be advised there is NO rain date. I will need the phone number of anyone attending in the event of rain cancellation. I will contact everyone one (1) week prior to the trip.

WILDWOOD CONVENTION IS JUNE 6 TO JUNE 8 AT THE GOLD CREST.

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING YOU

MUST PLAN ON MARCHING IN THE PARADE

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 Elks Crew: Chicken Cordon Bleu/Stuffed Filet of Flounder LUNCH SERVED

3

4 5 FLUKE TOURNA-MENT COM-MITTEE MTG. 7:30 PM Boy Scouts

6 Lodge Mtg. 8 PM LUNCH SERVED

7 Meetings: Vets 7 PM SNC 8 PM LUNCH SERVED

8 Shuffleboard Line Dancing LUNCH SERVED

9 House: Sea-soned Orange Roughy or Sliced Steak over Rice LUNCH SERVED

10 MEET ‘N GREET 7 PM COME ON DOWN TO THE GRILL ROOM LUNCH SERVED

11 Mothers’ Day Service 10:30 am Brunch to follow

12 Golf Tournament Woodlake Country Club Fluke Mtg. Boy Scouts

13 Ladies’ Auxiliary Meeting 8 PM LUNCH SERVED

14 LUNCH SERVED

15 Shuffleboard Line Dancing LUNCH SERVED

16 Nancy: Flounder Flor-entine/Beef Burgundy LUNCH SERVED

17 LUNCH SERVED

18 Dino’s Pasta Dinner 4-7

19 Fluke Mtg. 7:30 pm Boy Scouts

20 Lodge Mtg. 8 PM LUNCH SERVED

21 Meetings: Vets 7 PM SNC 8 PM LUNCH SERVED

22 Shuffleboard Line Dancing LUNCH SERVED

23 Jeremy’s Crew: Something special or Something special LUNCH SERVED

24 Wine/Blues Festival at Peapack 10am-8pm LUNCH SERVED

25 Parade: Meet at STS in P.P. noon Blue pants, white shirt Flag hat

26 Memorial Day service at Burnt Tav-ern/ Boy Scouts/ Fluke Mtg. 7:30

27 Ladies’ Auxiliary Social LUNCH SERVED

28 LUNCH SERVED

29 Shuffleboard Line Dancing LUNCH SERVED

30 Officers: Roast Beef AuJus or Shrimp Parmagiana LUNCH SERVED

31 BIG BAND DANCE 7:30 PM LUNCH SERVED

MAY, 2008

Don’t forget our Kids Friday Night menu for $4.00 and Adult Soup & Salad only for $5.00

LUNCHES ARE SERVED TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 11:30 TO 3:30 PM GREAT MENU; GREAT PRICES

Kelly Hughes & Lindsey Havens

ON TO THE NATIONAL FINALS by Greg Smith Both of Pt. Pleasant’s Hoop Shoot State champs, Kelly & Lindsey, are now the Northeast Cen-tral Regional Champions! Next step is Springfield, MA for the National finals. Each girl outscored the NY & PA state champs in their age division on March 29th in Wilkesbarre, PA. Lindsey Havens, age 10 sank 19 or 25 shots and Kelly Hughes (past National Champ at age 8), now age 12, hit 23 of 25. They will be the only NJ representatives at Nationals, joining two from NY and two from PA. The competition was very close this year in all the age groups. Lindsey was ahead by one shot, 7 to 6, after the first 2 shots. She then sank 12 of 15 to win by 3 shots. In Kelly’s division, after 10 shots the score was Morgan 9, Layla 10 and Kelly 10! When they took their next 15 shots Kelly stayed hot and sank 13 of 15 totaling 23 for the victory. So, it’s on to the Nationals the weekend of April 24-27 in Springfield, MA. The girls will com-pete against 11 other regional winners. They will visit the NBA Hall of Fame, go to banquets and have fun meeting people from all over the country. I will also be there as the new Southeast District Hoop Shoot Di-rector cheering them on. LET’S ALL WISH THEM THE BEST OF LUCK!

CALLING ALL ELKS WE WANT YOUR PARTICIPATION

We are holding our first annual New Members “MEET & GREET” Cocktail party on Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 PM in our Grill Room and invite eve-ryone to attend. Invitations have been mailed to all our new members inviting them to this cocktail party with the general purpose of introducing them to everyone in the Lodge. We’ll have our various chairpeople ex-plaining the purpose of their committees, along with a brief synopsis on ENF. After that the fun begins….we’ll have light cocktail fare and a cash bar. Did I forget to mention the dancing to DJ Joe Oz till 11:00 PM? Attire will be business casual and there is a sign up sheet in the Grill Room marked “Meet & Greet”. Please sign if attending for food preparation purposes. We’d love to see everyone come out to support our new members. Let’s give them a nice hello and welcome!!!

SPRING FLEA MARKET COMING IN JUNE

For the small price of $15.00 you can rent a space in our parking lot on JUNE 28, 2008 with a rain date of June 29, 2008 for our Spring Flea Market. Bring your own table or rent one for $5.00. Non Alcoholic refreshments will be available. There are limited spaces available so request yours early. For reservations or more in-formation, call 732-892-9843

BIG BAND DANCE FEATURING THE IMPERIAL DANCE BAND PRESENTING MUSIC FROM

THE 30s, 40s AND 50s Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008

Time: Doors open at 7 PM Music from 7:30 to 11 PM

Cost: $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door.

Light refreshments will be served and a cash bar is available. The National Veteran’s Service Committee will run a 50-50. For tickets or more info, contact Terry LaDu at 732-899-4635 or e-mail tladu@pointpleasantelks.org.

LODGE CLEAN UP DAY SATURDAY MAY 17, 2008

9:00 AM TILL ????? VOLUNTEERS

WANTED/NEEDED NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

YOUR LODGE NEEDS YOUR

HELP!!! WORK COMPENSATED WITH

FOOD & DRINK BRING YOUR EXPERTISE

AND TOOLS SPRUCE UP...CLEAN UP

VETERAN’S COMMITTEE NEWS by Mike Travisano VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK: Thank you, the sales of the pavers are really selling faster and better now. The status is: the construction contract has been awarded to Richie Brown Landscaping with work to begin in approximately two weeks. The filled out forms for the paver engraving has been given to Bob Tho-mas to begin this work. For those who have talked about purchasing a paver and haven’t yet, we are requesting that you do it soon to get your paver installed for the first installation. We continue to ask your support of this project; each engraved paver is $100.00 to raise money for our American Veterans. Please fill out the form is this issue of the Antler. PIZZA KITS: Our committee is embarking on another fund raiser….selling pizza kits. The flyers are around the Grill Room. These kits include all types of pizza, calzones and other great stuff. See any commit-tee member to give your order. BIG BAND DANCE: As another fund raiser, our Committee was asked, and proudly accepted, to sell the 50-50 raffle. We will be at the ticket table and around the floor. DONATIONS FOR IRAQ: We have shipped a total of 72 care packages to military addresses in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nancy DeVito and her team stand ready to ship more boxes so please get involved, collection boxes remain in the Grill Room for donations. Thank you! WWII VETERAN HISTORY: Veterans who are willing to be interviewed to discuss their war experience can fill out forms so that we can arrange for an interview at the Museum at Sea Girt. BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY: We are still attempting to arrange a tour of the battleship as soon as arrange-ment can be made. FLUKE TOURNAMENT: We will again be running the 50-50 raffle for the tournament in July. Because of last year’s success, we will again be mailing a book of raffle tickets to each member. PLAYING CARDS: Dozens of playing cards have been donated from Atlantic City Casinos and are being distributed to Care Centers. PUBLIC RELATIONS: Look in the Asbury Park Press, the Ocean Star and the Elks Magazine and you will see articles placed by Sue Gajewski appearing regularly. Next NVSC #1698 meetings will be held May 7th and 21st, 2008 at 7:00 P.M

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Gloria & Gus Adamo Darren & Lisa Arms Jim & Rochelle Baine Thomas F. & Marylyn Blake Martin J. Blumquist, Jr. Noemi & Paul Brundage, PER Jim Byron Stephen & Trish Caccavale Richard & Lois Campbell Jack & Nancy Carley Don & Shadow Cashour Jack & Camille Cimino Terry & Bill Cobb Bill Connolly Joseph & Barbara Chesnicka Joe & Marianne Chickene Cus & Dee Dalik, PDD Lee Dawson Roxane & Arnie D’Ambrosa Melita Curry DeBellis Harold J.& Suzanne M. Demarest, Jr John & Joyce Diercks Helen & Ed Dobremsyl Jack & Rita English Charles Eriksen Rosemary & Joe Esposito

Antler Boosters 2008-2009 Your contributions help maintain this publication’s standard of excellence . Thank you.

Frank Pannucci, PER Paul & Lisa Pantaleone Bob Pursel Alvin Mason Reffitt, Jr. MaryBeth Reffitt Anthony & Eileen Scardaville John & Nancy Seifert Bill & Pat Shay Charles Sherman Leah Shwahla Barbara Smith Town Square Treasure Chest Mike & Judy Travisano Thomas F. Spedding Arnie & Linda VanDuyn Rowland Voorhees

BOOSTERS

Carol A. Brennan William Harrison Brown, II Jeanne Dawson Hy A. Dooley Captain Clinton R. Edson Joan Flipse Herbert Francis Daniel J. Hennessy, Sr. Marie & James Herbst William J. Kegreiss Edward O. Klein, Sr.

Isabel, Roger, Ralph Krone Ellen C. LaStella Charles L. Manning Mary Louise Meissner Louis L. Meyer Jean & Billy T. Morrow Dr. Sharon Mullaney-Erbeck Lenora Neral Rick Nielsen Jeanmarie Nixon

Memorials Nancy O’Brien Kyle Joseph Rager Barbara Ann Rizzo L. Schipani Brian Skillender Bernie Smith, PER Jerry Starace William Van Druten, Sr. PER

Scot & Valerie Famous Dennis Fugedy Gary Guoin Kenneth C. Hagemann Harvey K. Hatch John & Ann Kaufman Robert & Joyce Kieffer, Sr.PER Michael F. Karatz & Mom Robert Kraus Rudolph W. Krone Michael & Evelyn Lipkin Patrick McGoohan, PER Bobby & Hannah Helbig Ingrid & Mickey Dru E. Kegreiss, PER Bill & Donna Leinweber Ken & Kathy Mathis Regina & Bob McCabe Edward McGrath James McLees Lois & Dave McWilliam Thomas Nixon Joan & Ron Panuska

The Antler Published monthly by

The Point Pleasant BPO Elks Lodge #1698

P. O. Box 1069 820 Arnold Avenue

Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 Editor:

Marianne Chickene Coordinators: Terry LaDu

Mitch Fiedler Publisher:

Exalted Ruler Mitch Fiedler

Lodge telephone (732) 892-9843 Sec./Voice Mail (732) 899-7638

Fax: (732) 899-7412

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

Paid

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP NAME OCCUPATION SPONSOR Michael Ollendorf Financial Consultant WAMU Richard Tempsick Denise Pisano Wickner Registered Nurse Dru Kegreiss PER

Organizations that encourage everyone’s participation have an inside track to success.

SAUSAGE***SAUSAGE***SAUSAGE Once again Dino is taking orders for his homemade Italian Sausage at $5.00/pound.

_____# Sweet _____# Mild _____# Hot _____# Thermonuclear

Make checks payable to Pt. Pleasant Lodge and place in the Trustees mailbox with your order.

Pick up date will be announced in the May Antler