Country Western Night At Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge
Event chair, Exalted Ruler Camacho Alvarez of the Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge said, “This was our 33th year for the Western Night Dinner-Dance and it just keeps getting better and better each year!” All of the cowgirls and cowboys that attended enjoyed a hoot’n good time, knowing that the biggest benefactors of the evening are the handicapped kids and the Elks charities supported by this annual event. Over $4,000 was raised; all destined for the Elks community charities.
The Elks Lodge room on Marguerite Parkway was once again transformed into a delightful old western town & country scene with hand painted wall murals and included a jail house that practically everyone frequented by night’s end. Deputies, Dottie White and Mike Klinger arrested everyone within sight and jailbirds happily paid the jailer Elk Don Berreth a small fine (all for the handicapped kids) to buy their freedom. Exalted Ruler Camacho Alvarez and chief judge Mary Ann Costello presented awards for best costumes to John (Fish) Fischle and companion Nancy Ingham with runner-ups Chuck & Jean Chapman.
The full house of cowboys and cowgirls in western attire feasted on BBQ tri-tip, BBQ chicken, country beans, corn & salad, topped off with applepie, all prepared by Elks volunteers Russ Sindt, Kevin Lindley, Bob Hauxhurst and a crew of kitchen helpers made-up of Elks Vicky Long, Dave & Sheryl Tucker, and Julie Thomas. Girl Scouts of Troop 261 served the meal, and were given a donation by the Lodge. Music was provided by a rocking country & western group “Borderline”. This was the band’s first appearance at the event and they kept the dance floor filled the entire evening. Exalted Ruler Camacho Alvarez acted as MC. He welcomed the guests and thanked the many workers who helped to decorate and make the night a success. They included: Judy and Mike Klinger, Bob & Linda Hauxhurst, Kory Klinger, Mike Zaic, Vickey & Mike Long, Jerry Gross, Jennifer James, Jinnae & Jim Wessling, Mike & Vicky Long, Frank Scarpine, Jack and Sandy Jacobs, Rick Wilson, Andy Costello, and PERs Charlie Hart, and Gloria LeCouvre.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-five (45) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 145 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.” For information on Elks charities call (949) 830-3557.
Andy Costello
