MV Elks Celebrate 50 Years Of Service

Mission Viejo Elks Celebrate 50 Years Serving the Saddleback Valley Community

The Mission Viejo-Saddleback Valley Elks celebrated their 50th Anniversary recently. Attendees enjoyed an outdoor gathering of food and entertainment under decorated canopies. Under COVID guidelines, seating was limited and on a reservation-only basis. All guests and event staff wore masks, practiced appropriate social distancing and abandoned their dance moves.

Mission Viejo Exalted Ruler and Lodge President Greg Morgan welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for joining the celebration under the current COVID restrictions. President Morgan said “We thank you all for coming to our Lodge and are pleased you are able to join us for Mission Viejo’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Let us enjoy our time together in these difficult days. We look forward to seeing everyone again in the future when we are allowed to reopen all our Lodge social quarters and return to normal operating conditions”.

At the evening seating, the Elks were honored by the attendance of several Elks dignitaries, including the Past National President, Robert Duitsman PGER and his Administrative Asst Ted Talbot PDDGER, Orange Coast District Leader Art Echternacht PSP and wife Shirley, Orange Coast District Leader Tom Lemm PDDGER and wife Valarie, current Orange Coast District Deputy Jim Anderson and daughter Christine, Esquire to the District Deputy Allen Bisbee and wife Maria, Norm Jones PDDGER, Harvey Boelts PDDGER, RC “Stoney” Bourke PDDGER and his lady Alice Salinas,PGLPR&M Andy Costello and wife Mary Ann, Assn Vice President-Elect David McLeod PER and wife Basia Bills.

Kitchen manager Pat Mackey, Chef John Feitz and Chef Kevin Lindley created a scrumptious meal for the gathering of roast pork chops, honey glazed carrots and garlic mashed potatoes while volunteers Dave and Cheryl Roberts, Kelly Van Dyke and Dave Fraser flawlessly handled beverage service. Volunteer table-side service included Laura Lumley, Basia Bills, Linda Cimarusti, Cookie Akesson. Linda and Len Holts, Kathy Andrews and Julie Thomas.

Musical entertainment was provided by DJ Roy Sutherland, country band Wolf and Company, and rock music by Fat Maggie Band with Elks member John Woods on the drums. Many thanks to photographer Dave Safley and wife Charlene for capturing the lovely images of the many people at the event.

Many volunteers worked tirelessly to setup and sanitize the Lodge and outdoor patio areas and perform attendee health checks for this event. Thanks to the following for their time and efforts to make this a great event: First Lady Gwen Williams, Tenisha Campanile, Rick Moscoso, Kim Maestri, Stuart Urquhart and wife Marcie, Jenny Buford, Jerry Flores, Russell Sindt, Alan Harkness, Larry Colgan, Harvey Boelts PDDGER, Barbara King, Debbie Lamb and Nancy Novotny.

Volunteers also raised Lodge funds with sales of merchandise and raffle tickets, including Vicky and Mike Long PER who sold 50th Anniversary merchandise while Sheryn Howlett, Lynette and Dick Holmes sold raffle tickets. Raffled off were eight beautiful gift baskets created by Nancy Novotny with items donated by Debby Lamb, Lynette Holmes and Nancy Novotny.

Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 celebrates 50 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 8 Elks 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 membership, call 949 830-3557.