Welcome to Lodi Elks Lodge No. 1900

As we start the new Elk year, I am looking back on our accomplishments. And wow! There were a lot.

We started off the year closed due to the fire. After some haggling with the County, we were given the go ahead to start construction on the upstairs Lodge Room and Social Quarters. Somehow, we managed to squeeze in a St. Pat- rick’s Day Dinner in March 2022 before we fully opened the bar in July. The new flooring and walls are light and bright and look fantastic. Veronica Agnew stepped up (again!) to become our Bar Manager and hired three amazing bartenders. The bar is humming along now thanks to her efforts.

Members stepped up to do a few Friday Night Dinners before our new Chef stepped into her role in September. I think we are all relieved to have lunch service 5 days a week and FNDs weekly. Chef Nessa’s FND and Taco Tues- days have become a member favorite and have given our bar sales a much-needed boost. This year’s Crab Feed and St. Patrick’s Day both raised over $5,000. In addition to the larger events, our New Years Eve Party and Fizz Brunch were well attended and helped out the Lodge not only financially, but keeping our members engaged. All these events have a chartable component and helped us increase our donations.

Speaking of charities, we’ve had a great year raising funds for ENF, Major Projects (including Purple Pig), Lodge Charities (Scholarship & Veterans) and the Lodge Rebuilding Fund. I am also very pleased to an- nounce that this Lodge has achieved it’s ENF per member giving goal of $4.80. This is important because it allows us to apply for additional grants which fund our community and Veterans programs!

Lodge Rentals resumed in the Fall which helped boost our income, as
well. When the downstairs banquet hall and kitchen are complete, we
will be ready to publicize our rental spaces.. These rentals bring in much
needed income for the Lodge. We continue to look for an Event Coordinator for these rentals. If you are interested in filling that role or just helping out with Event Rentals, let me know.

Outside Spring Clean Up April 16 and May 13. It’s been a very long time since we’ve had a spring clean up day. Please consider joining us for one or both of these days. More info on page 6 of this bulletin.

Lodge Construction: The county has (finally) reviewed our plans and asked that certain items be brought up to code. Revised plans will be submitted as soon as we get clarification on a few items.

Your 2023-24 ER Dave DiPiero and his corps of officers will be installed on April 15th. Please support Dave and his officer corps in the next year. I know he will do great things. My last Lodge meeting as ER will be on April 12th.

Thank you to everyone who is actively engaged in volunteering. A Good Elk is an Active Elk. 

Fraternally, Michelle Hatata