by Jim Letzel
The Mission Viejo Saddleback Elks Lodge #2444 hosted over 100 special friends, their families, and caregivers from over forty Orange County locations at the 40th Annual Christmas Party. Organized by Les Stipek and staffed by over twenty-five lodge members, it is an event months in the making. Mr. Charles T. Hart, PER, graciously welcomed everyone who was then checked in by Barbara Coppola and the lively vibe continued with the musical stylings of DJ B. Diamond, whose upbeat tempo kept the dance floor full all afternoon.
A marvelous lunch was prepared by the maestro Kevin Lindley and his kitchen gang of Ed Guthrie and Dinah Grosch whose expertise made certain the guests were well sated while Monica Lewis provided a special dessert of artistically decorated and delicious homemade Christmas cookies and Sandy and Jack Jacobs prepared their signature lemonade.
Servers included Sheryn Howlett, the Susan Zweck’s, Hal Mattson PER, Kathy Nicholson, and Barbara King, and were accompanied by Fullerton Elks Jim and Violet Prentice of Lodge 1993 who efficiently served the large and eager crowd.
This wonderful Lodge tradition would not be complete without a visit from Ed and Pam Mackay, AKA Mr. and Mrs. Claus who arrived for a picture-taking session that the guests could not miss. Santa’s line snaked out of the lodge with some eager visitors waiting an hour for their chance to meet the North Pole’s most famous couple. As Andy Costello said of the event, “we have to cap the number of participants given the party’s popularity. This is one of our Lodge’s proudest traditions and a joyful event for everyone involved.”
Back again for their fifteenth consecutive appearance were members of the Laguna Woods Senior Clown Alley. Our friends were given balloon animals and stickers and entertained with card tricks and a puppet show. Treated to this merry fun by clowns Pom Pom, Curly Q, Happy Heart, Poppi, Jo Jo, Poodles, and Tootsie who never fail to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Their generosity and spirit deserve our sincere thanks.
No guest was turned away empty-handed as each received a book bag filled with a coloring book, pencils, and a t-shirt made special to commemorate the day. Photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus were taken by Greg Morgan PER and Dave Safley. Gracie Rogoff made certain all received the full complement of gifts. But the best gift was that which was felt by all of the tremendous Lodge volunteers who perhaps enjoyed the day even more than our grateful guests.
The Mission Viejo-Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating over 50 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 8 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 152-year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share”. For information regarding Elks programs or Elks membership, call 949 830-3557
DJ B.Diamond rockin’ the house
Photo Credit: Dave Safley
