Aniar Dancers with Ann and Ray Mallen; Bridget Sagert, Kennon Compton, Kaitlin Ryan, McKenna Walsh, Regan Wood, Kendal Wood, Emma Stokes, Samantha Stokes, Christian Egense, Sheyenne Egense
From its sold-out St. Patrick’s Day Dinner/Dance, Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) netted over $3,000 for the Elks National Foundation, which provides funds for youth scholarships and community projects in the Saddleback Valley and throughout the United States. The event was co-chaired by Ray and Ann Mallen, both Elk members, assisted by over thirty (30) other Elks Lodge volunteers.
Pat and Barb Martino
As the crowd entered the Elks Lodge, they were welcomed by an Irish sign which proclaimed, “Céad Míle Fáilte”, which means “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes”. In typical Irish Pub fashion, glasses were raised with the Gaelic toast of, “Sláinte”, which means “Good Health”.
The sold out audience enjoyed a buffet style authentic Irish dinner. Past Exalted Ruler Pat Martino prepared corn beef and cabbage. Ann Mallen, originally from County Cork Ireland, prepared authentic Irish homemade shepherd’s pie, potato soup, carrots and parsnips and Irish soda bread. As a young girl, Ann was a champion Irish dancer.
The Whooligans are a well know Irish pub band. Guests applauded and danced to the Whooligans music frequently singing along with the Irish songs.
During the first band break, there was a spectacular exhibition of world-class Irish dancing by members of the Aniar Academy of Irish Dance, Laguna Niguel, to whom the Elks Lodge donated $150. The guests enthusiastically cheered and applauded the Irish dance performances.
Event printed material and decorations in Irish motif were generously supplied and spectacularly arranged by Stephanie Bongartz of Bongo, Inc. Steve Rusie and brother Ben were in charge of the buffet lines. Elks Lodge event co-chair Ray Mallen said, “The authentic Irish menu, music, dancing and refreshments brought the Irish spirit to the Elks Lodge.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-three (43) 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.”
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444
Photos by Dennis Lumley
