VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Well, it is quite unbelievable that summer is almost over. Was this summer better than last? absolutely, we had a bit more normalcy in our everyday life as well as Elks. I must say that Central District hit the ground running. There have been many lodge activities to help charitable causes and bring back business to our lodges. The District Chairs are able to have in person meetings which I have been able to attend. There is nothing like meeting face to face in order to brainstorm new ideas and plan the traditional yearly events as well. What is really great is that we have been able to start planning for the upcoming months, cautiously because of the new variant of covid, but we are still looking forward and trying to keep up the good works of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks. One of the many milestones that will be reached this year is the 50th anniversary of Camp Moore. There is much work being done at the Camp and a Mural is being created to commemorate this event. Contributions will be made in order to facilitate the completion of this mural. An anniversary event will also be held in April of 2022. At my second VP Clinic on January 10, 2022, Christine Henderson Rose PDDGER from the Somerville Elks Lodge will be a guest speaker. She will give us more details and ways to contribute to help support Camp Moore’s 50th Anniversary celebration as well as an informative talk about Miracle on the Mountain and Camp Moore. Just as a reminder, my first VP Clinic will be September 13, 2021 at the Woodbridge Lodge. An email with invitations and particulars will be going out during the first week of September. Please make all efforts to attend if invited. Please remember that if you have candidates awaiting initiation, try to bring them in as soon as you can. We do not want to show a lack of interest to our new incoming members nor do we want them to lose interest in joining. Remember the sooner we initiate the sooner those new members can be active in our lodges, join committees and frequent our Social Quarters. Our annual Walk out on Drugs is Sunday, October 3, 2021. This is one of the major events that raise money for Drug Awareness. Try to come out and support your District. It’s a fun day, you get some exercise walking around Lake Papaianni, and then there will be hospitality at the Metuchen lodge. As we all know Central District is one of the hardest working Districts in New Jersey. Get out there; support your Charitable Committees and fellow lodges. Stay healthy and stay safe, we have many terrific things to look forward to this year. Fraternally, VP Chris District Deputy Message , Barbara Muller DDGER September starts the District Deputy visits to the lodges. Each lodge has been given the visitation schedule and you should be prepared well in advance of your scheduled visit. I ask the Exalted Rulers to ensure that all the information needed is available and that all paperwork is filled out prior to the team’s arrival. To ensure the officers are aware of the health of your lodge, all officers should be in attendance. The team is there to help you so please look to us for any assistance.

I am also looking forward to witnessing the initiation of new members by all the lodges. New members revitalize our Order. And don’t forget about our present members who are lapsed. Reach out to them to see how they are doing and remind them of the good work the Elks do and why they joined. Invite them down to the lodge to rekindle friendships.

All lodges should be inputting their monthly numbers into FRS. While Grand Lodge was lenient in 2020, this year they will be enforcing it. If you are having issues with the system and/or have any questions, please reach out to me and we will get you assistance. Do not suffer in silence.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11. We cannot allow ourselves to forget the events of that tragic day. If you have not thought about having a remembrance ceremony, there is still time. If you know of a ceremony being held, take the time out of your day to stop and pause to remember the fallen and the innocent lives taken. We must never forget.

In 2019, the Elks National Veterans Services started a campaign to support Pearl Harbor and as of June 4, 2021, the Elks have raised $514,971.78 with NJ alone donating $35,185. If you have not donated, consider it. It is a 501(c)(3) organization so see if your company matches funds and they will get double the money. I was honored to be able to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona in July. It was a very moving experience and one not to be missed if in Honolulu. Thank you to the Elks for having such a huge impact to remember our fallen service people. The digital billboard in the park has the Elks logo and states, “This billboard was made possible by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks”. It was a great day to be an Elk!

While we would like to think we are out of the woods with the pandemic, sadly we are not. There are variants out there that can put us back to where we were last year. I urge you to be careful and mask up where necessary, especially the grocery store. If we are all careful, we will beat this!

Labor Day signifies the end of the summer. Enjoy what is left and wish everyone a happy Labor Day holiday.

Thought of the month: “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.” – Mark Twain

Fraternally, Barbara Muller, DDGER Central District District Chairpersons

Americanism– Carol Bonura PVP, New Brunswick, 732-991-8979 Army of Hope– Alexandra Helly PER. Carteret, 732-762-6872 Auditing and Business Practice– Dan Pencak PER, Piscataway,732-690-3009 CLMS-Rita Massimi PDD, Piscataway, 908-966-3242 Convention-Debbie Czech PVP, South Plainfield, 732-491-5310 Drug Awareness– Gail Firkser PER, Metuchen, 732-742-9423 Government Relations– Jeff Van Woeart PVP, Carteret, 908-380-1592 Hoop Shoot– Harold Hart PER, Woodbridge,609-401-6512 Lodge Activities– George Michael PER, East Brunswick, 609-802-2182 Membership and Membership Retention-Kevin Krasnansky PER, 908-625-2718 National Foundation– Joe Massimi PDD Piscataway, 732-885-1592 National Services Veterans- Salvatore(Sal)Malinconico PER,New Brunswick,732-287-3242 Parades-Doug Pearson, PER, Edison, 732-985-9829 Public Relations– Dan DeZalio PVP,Metuchen, 732-887-7752 Ritual James A.Kopcho PDD, Woodbridge,732-501-2279 Scholarship– Betty A.Volker PDD, Watchung Hills, 732-371-9670 Soccer Jack Harkins PER, Piscataway, 908-487-3544 Special Children-Dave Lindsay, Piscataway, 732-690-4438 Training - Betty Bellance PDD, Carteret, 908-917-3166 Youth Activities – Jennifer Hammill PER, East Brunswick,732-718-0167 Youth Tournament-Pat McDonnell, PVP, Carteret,732-985-2647 District Author on Internet and Newsletter-Scott Dunham, PER, Edison, 732-816-2140

District Newsletter & Calendar, Scott Dunham PER

Hi All To the District chair, we did a great job on your messages and also had 75% submissions messages to the newsletter.

As always thanks for your help Scott District Lodge Activities Committee , George Michaels PER

Summer is almost over, but the contest year is shifting into high gear. Though most lodge contests are over six months away, it is never too early to start planning our entries.

We can start now by making sure we fulfill the requirements for the All American Lodge award. Scan your newsletters, going forward and back to the beginning of this Elk year. Pick out the two in a row best. These can be your entries in the newsletter contest Finally, start working on your Community Image and Service Brochure. You can do all of this now.

If you have any questions or concerns about these contests, or any Lodge Activities item, be sure to email me at [email protected], or text/call me at (609) 802-2182.

George Michaels PER District Chairman

District Youth Activities Committee, Jennifer Hammill PER

August 14th, we had the State Batter’s Up and what a turn out! Thank you to all who helped run the event. The participants did an amazing job and so many people came out to cheer them on. It was really a wonderful day. August 29th was the Elks Night at the Somerset Patriots game. This event honored the winners from the Batters Up Contest. A great time was. had by all Plans are already underway for Soccer shoot events so be sure to attend the meeting September 7th which is being held at Piscataway Lodge. Hospitality will be at 7 and the meeting will start 7:30pm. Thank you for all you are doing. Jennifer Hammill PER Central District Youth Activities Chairperson

District Hoop Shoot Committee, Hank Hart PER

TThere will be a District Hoop Shoot Meeting on September 23rd, Woodbridge Lodge #2116. Hospitality at 7:00 in the Colonial Room downstairs, meeting at 7:30 upstairs in the "Blue Room".

Hank Hart PER District Chair District ENF Committee , Joe Massimi PDD As of August 20, 2021 Lodges of the Central District have received 10 Community Investment Program grants totaling $25,500. As of August 15, 2021, our Lodges have donated $9,433.54 for a combined per capita of $3.63. The Following Lodges with a donation increase of $100 or more since last month deserve special mention: South Amboy Lodge #784 plus $490 Edison Lodge #2487 plus $355 Great job Lodge ENF Chairs Val Tarr and Ron Hayes. The Grand Exalted Ruler’s per capita remained at $4.80 and the State President maintained a goal of $5.75.

Lodge Members Donations Per Capita South Plainfield #2298 276 $2,370.00 $8.59 Watchung Hills #885 247 $1,561.29 $6.32 Woodbridge #2116 345 $2,052.50 $5.95 Piscataway #2414 149 $823.00 $5.52 South Amboy #784 209 $1,005.00 $4.81 East Brunswick #2370 186 $511.00 $2.75 Metuchen #1914 189 $423.00 $2.24 Edison #2487 291 $355.00 $1.22 Carteret #2235 355 $332.75 $0.94 New Brunswick #324 286 $0.00 $0.00 Colonia #2282 68 $0.00 $0.00

Fraternally, Joe Massimi Central District ENF Chair

District Membership Committee, Kevin Krasnansky PER As of August 9,2021 we started out the year with2601 members and to this date we have 2653 members. We also have 282 unpaid members and 42 people waiting to join our order. As of this date we still have four lodges which need to bring their first class of people in but by the time you are reading this newsletter at least one lodge would have brought their first class in. Let's keep up the good work and bring the rest of the people in as soon as possible. You could bring classes in on an off meeting night in hopes more people would go to the ceremony. We need to bring these people in. Thank you for all the hard work. Kevin Krasnansky PER membership chair District Parade Committee, Doug Pearson PER

Greetings from Paradeville Central District parade awards picnic is scheduled for September 19th. Edison Lodge at noon , See you there. Our next state meeting is scheduled Sept 28th . We will be reviewing the rules and regulations .

Happy marching Doug Pearson Per Central District Parade Committee

District Audit Committee , Dan Pencak PER September 17, 2021 is the due date for the August FRS monthly data submission Fraternally, Dan Pencak, PER Central District Audit Chair

District Americanism Committee, Carol Bonura, PVP

Unfortunately, the Flag Retirement Ceremony scheduled for September 25, 2021 at the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home, has been postponed. Due to Covid-19 and variant concerns the committee voted to postpone the ceremony. A new date will be forthcoming. Our next meeting is on Monday, September 20, 2021 at the New Brunswick Lodge #324 with hospitality at 7 pm, meeting at 7:30 pm. Fraternally, Carol Bonura, PVP District Americanism Chair District Lodge information

Carteret #2235 Piscataway #2414 233 Roosevelt Ave, phone 732-541-2880 450 River Road, phone 732-356-9827 Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7:30pm Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays 8pm ER Mike Kelly, Sec Patricia Golino ER Maureen Chapman, Sec Rita Massimi

Colonia #2282 South Amboy #784 855 Middlesex Tpke, phone 732-382-2282 601Washington Ave, phone 732-727-7170 Meetings 3rd Thursdays 8pm Meetings 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30pm ER Mike Finney, Sec Eileen Parks ER Ginger Olszewski, Sec Mary Partricia Kall

East Brunswick #2370 South Plainfield #2298 21-B Oakmont Ave, phone 732-821-9527 1254 New Market Rd, phone 908-668-9750 Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7:30pm Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays 8pm ER Jennifer Hammill, Sec Anne Marie Brucato ER Bill Seesselberg, Sec Sandi Smith

Edison #2487 Watchung Hills #885 375 Old Post Rd, phone 732-985-2487 1 Elks Trail, phone 908-668-9727 Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7:30pm Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays 8pm ER Richard J Philips, Sec Ron Hayes ER David Lewis, Sec Paul D Lowell

Metuchen #1914 Woodbridge #2116 87 Middlesex Ave. Rt. 27, phone 732-494-3557 665 Rahway Avenue, phone 732-634-2116 Meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 7:30pm Meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 7:30pm ER John Gaven, Sec Maryann Slater ER Karen Imperatrice, Sec Paula Kopcho

New Brunswick #324 40 Livingston Ave, phone 732-249-3420 Antler Lodge#20 Meetings 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7:30pm Sponsoring Lodge ER Allen Hartland, Sec Sherri Novak Carteret #2235 233 Roosevelt Ave, phone 732-541-2880 Advisor Terri Kelly, phone 732-904-8275

Antlers Lodge#28 Sponsoring Lodge New Brunswick #324 40 Livingston Ave, phone 732-545-0658 Advisor Elsie Lsaacson, phone 908-917-2778

Antlers Lodge#30 Sponsoring Lodge South Plainfield #2298 1254 New Market Ave, phone 908-668-9750 Advisor Irene Polance, phone 908-337-4360 District Scholarship Committee, Betty Volker PDD

Vocational scholarship:

There were 5 winners this year and the checks should be processed by end of this week.

NJ Family scholarship:

There were 94 applications and with the additional money transfer from the vocational fund, there should be 61 applicants receiving a $900 scholarship. That process of notification will be completed between Sept 1st – 5th, with checks being sent starting Oct 1st 2021.

Most Valuable Student:

All Lodge chairs should have already been in touch with their Lodge Secretary to make sure they have access to the MVS Portal on the Grand Lodge site. Also, make sure you have login credentials on the GL site elks.org.

Calendar:

MVS Application Open - August 2, 2021 MVS Portal Open - August 2, 2021 MVS Application Close - November 15, 2021 Counselor Report Close - November 22, 2021 Lodge Judging - December 3 - 20, 2021 Notification for Districts - December 22, 2021 District Judging - Dec. 27, 2021 - Jan. 10, 2022 Quarter Finalist Application Open - Jan. 12, 2022 Quarter Finalist Application Close - Jan. 26, 2022 State Judging - Jan. 28 - Feb. 14, 2022 Elks Legacy:

This $4,000 scholarship opportunity is offered exclusively to children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elks. Go to enf.elks.org/Leg for full contest details and the application link, which will be posted on September 1.

Emergency Educational Grants are available and must be received by the ENF office by November 1st 2021.

Betty A. Volker, PDD Scholarship District Drug Awareness Committee, Gail Firkser PER

Hi all, September 20 at south amboy will be our next meeting . Gave out posters and sign up sheets for donations for the walk out . Please if you need more, copy them. Thank you . Below is something to think about, children learn by seeing others.

God bless the USA �  Gail Firkser PER District Drug awareness chairperson.

District Army of Hope Committee, Sandy Helly PER

Greetings members I hope all is well with you and yours!

The AOH Golf Outing was a great success with over $11,000.00 in profits.

We are back on board with the 16th Army of Hope picnic at Lacey Lodge #2518. It will be September the 12th from 12-5:pm. All lodges now have tickets available at $25.00 per adult. Please do your best to make this year our most attended.

The next State Army of Hope meeting will be October 20th at Carteret Lodge #2235 at 7:30pm.

Our next Central District Army of Hope meeting will be October 26th at New Brunswick Lodge #324 at 7:pm.

God Bless Our Troops and their Families

God Bless America

Sandy Helly, PER CDAOH Chair District Special Children's Committee, Dave Lindsay

Virtual Camp Moore ended on August 8th. While not being able to attend Camp Moore in person again this year, I am sure all of the campers had a great time. Thanks to all of the lodge chairs for distributing their virtual bags.

Our State President, Joyce Powell is running a "Coins for Camp" initiative through March 2022. You should see these banks placed within your lodge. In order to support Camp Moore, please feel free to place a donation in the bank.

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Camp Moore which will occur next year, the State is selling commemorative pins. The cost is $5.00 per pin. Please see your lodge SCC chair if interested in purchasing.

As a reminder, the State SCC golf outing will be on Monday, September 27th at Bunker Hill Golf Course. The cost is $100 per person. If interested, please contact your lodge SCC chair. I would like to thank Edison lodge for hosting the luncheon and South Amboy lodge for donating the golf balls. Also, thanks to all of the lodges who made tee sponsor donations.

Regarding the District's Texas Roadhouse fundraiser in July, the total profit was $100.00. Again, thanks to everyone who attended. Also, regarding Texas Roadhouse, the next fundraiser will be held on Monday, October 25th. A flyer with details will be sent out soon.

The following SCC activities are occurring in September:-Carteret will be hosting a Meet and Greet The next State meeting is Friday, September 10th at Woodbridge lodge starting at 8:00. The next District meeting is Monday, October 4th at East Brunswick lodge starting at 7:30. As always, thank you to all the lodges for their donations at various events and to everyone for supporting our kids!!!

Fraternally, Dave Lindsay SCC District Chair Around the Lodges

The following lodge are open for outside and inside serving

Carteret:

Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday open at 6 pm, Sunday open at 1 pm for Football

Colonia:

Open everyday from 4pm-? Depending on the amount members present

East Brunswick:

Wednesday 5 till 10pm,Saturday 5 till 10pm,Sunday 1 till 6pm

Edison: open weekdays from 4 to 8 & and on weekends from 12 to 8.

Metuchen:

Monday – Thursday: 5pm to 10pm,Friday & Saturday – 4pm to 10pm, Sunday – 3pm-8pm

New Brunswick:

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 4pm-8/9pm Saturday, Sunday 1pm-8pm

Piscataway:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - open 3:30 - 8:00 Saturday - open 3:00 - 8:00 Sunday - open 2:00 - 8:00

All closing times at discretion of bartender

South Amboy: Updated open Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 6pm

South Plainfield:

Monday & Tuesday,Wednesday- 5pm - 9pm Thursday, Saturday - 1pm - 9pm, Sunday -12pm - 9pm

Watchung Hills:

Monday-Saturday 12pm - closing (at least 8pm) Sunday 10am - closing (at least 8pm)

Woodbridge: Wed - Sat, 3-11 pm. Sunday noon-11pm.