President - Geff McDaniel
Elks Love a Parade!
Parades are held to mark a celebration. They're a form of public festival that draws in the community, and work to reestablish social ties: The idea is that we are all gathered to celebrate the same accomplishment—we are united in our celebration. Our Elks Lodges can participate to promote our programs and enhance our community image.
Parade-goers are linked by their sense of pride and camaraderie. In a larger sense, parades are also a spectacle. It's a chance for a community to put on a show for their neighbors, to demonstrate their accomplishment. The event being celebrated connects the people present, but it also distinguishes them from others as well. The CEA will again participate in the single largest gathering of Colorado residents every year in one place, where everyone sets aside their own heritage to become Irish for a day.
Denver 17 will be the “launch point” for the parade on Saturday March 16. The CEA will build a float at the Englewood Lodge on March 9-10.
The President will be hitting the road. I am blessed by having 20 or so Lodges within an hour and enjoy attending events as a Member. The official visitation list for the President is as follows:
Aspen #224
Cortez #1789
Creede #506
Cripple Creek #316
Evergreen #2363
Gunnison #1623
Glenwood Springs #2286
La Junta #701
Lamar #1319
Leadville #236
Monte Vista #2456
Pueblo #90
Rangely #1907
Rifle #2195
Trinidad #181
Victor #367
If your Lodge is on my list (even if it isn’t) and there is an event you would like me to attend, please email me with the information, and I will do my best to schedule it. Bulletin and newsletter editors, please add me to your electronic distribution list at GeffMcDaniel.CEA@gmail.com.
1st Vice President - Elevinio "JR" Cruz
Hola Members,
Another year for the Colorado Elks Association has gone by. Thanks to everyone who helped make this past year a success.
A big KUDOS to our State President Cynthia Wyszynski and her husband Michael for an outstanding job in leading us and helping me along the way. I look forward to another successful year with upcoming President Geff McDaniel and wife Ellen.
The fall is approaching soon, and the state will be showing off the colors of the season. Hope you get a chance to visit throughout our wonderful state and look at what Colorful Colorado will showcase.
While you’re looking at the beauty of our state, don’t forget to stop by any or all our 55 Elk Lodges. Talk to the members, find out what that lodge is doing and doing well. Take it back to your lodge and if you haven’t already tried an idea that is working at someone else lodge, give it a shot. You just don’t know how it will improve your lodge and in turn, improve your community.
Thanks to all the lodges that I have visited, your hospitality of welcoming Janet and myself is something we cannot forget. We look forward to continuing our visits throughout the state.
See you at this year’s State Convention, looking forward to seeing you all there.
God bless and keep safe.
God bless and keep safe.
Fraternally,
Elevinio “JR” Cruz
