March is the last month in the Elk year and is the last month that I will have the pleasure of serving as Exalted Ruler for our Lodge. I’ve really enjoyed the last two years and I think that we have accomplished a great deal. Our membership is up, the Lodge renovations came out great and we have continued to support all of our charitable, community and youth activities. We have certainly had some challenges but with the membership pulling together we have been able to meet those challenges and ensure that the Lodge will be in good shape moving forward.

I would like to thank everyone who has donated their time and energy over the past year to High Point Lodge #1155. Thanks to all of the Lodge Officers, Past Exalted Rulers, Trustees, Tonya Conner & the Ladies Auxiliary, Russ Pallaci & the House Committee, The Pool Committee, and all of the other committee members and volunteers – you are the reason that the High Point Elks Lodge is such a wonderful place.

Thanks to Mark Anthony for putting the newsletter together every month and making certain that all of the members are informed about the upcoming events at the Lodge with email updates. This requires a lot of work and Mark always does it without complaint. By the way if you would like to be added to the update list send your email address to the Lodge and Mark will make sure you are included.

I would also like to mention a few individuals who were always available throughout the year to offer advice & assistance whenever it was needed. David Richardson, Tom Day, and Russ Pallaci have not only been good friends but have also been great Elks and were always available to help me out in any way needed during my term. Thanks guys.

Lastly, I need to thank my family for putting up with me over the past couple of years. It would be impossible to serve as Exalted Ruler without the support of family due to the time requirements but I am fortunate enough to have a very understanding wife and two great kids. (Is this starting to sound like an Academy Awards speech?)

Scott Webster will be the Exalted Ruler for the 2009-2010 year and I know that he will do an excellent job. I look forward to helping him and his group of officers in any way I can and I hope our membership is as supporting of him as you have been of me. 

The Hoop Shoot, held in January, was an overwhelming success due to the efforts of Tom Adams and all of the other volunteers who helped out. One of our members, Mike Cook, who is the Athletic Director at High Point Central High School, was kind enough to arrange for the school to host the event. Thanks Mike! The Central basketball team and coaching staff were also on hand to help and entertain the participants. Everyone had a good time and the kids did a great job of competing!

The Valentines Day Steak/Salmon Dinner held last month was terrific. The food was great and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. Thanks to all of the volunteers who took orders, cooked the steaks and served the food. Thanks also to those who decorated the Lodge – it looked great! 

We are holding our Annual Fundraiser on Tuesday, March 31st. This fundraiser is very important to our Lodge as it helps us to fund many of our charitable activities throughout the year. Thanks to David Horne for once again organizing and running this event. If you have questions about the fundraiser or would like to purchase tickets please contact the Lodge office or you may ask one of the bartenders in the Member’s Lounge.

If you know anyone who is interested in joining our Lodge now is the time to get them an application. They will have plenty of time to get initiated and join the pool when it opens. Applications are always available in the Lodge office or the Lounge.

As always, please remember to check the calendar in the newsletter or the Lodge website for the schedule of events. We have college basketball heating up this time of year and all of the action will be shown on the televisions in the member’s lounge. We also have all of the NASCAR races available every weekend.

I hope everyone has a great month and, as always, I look forward to seeing you all at the Lodge soon.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Doug Orcutt, Exalted Ruler
High Point Elks Lodge #1155