West Central District

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Written by May Graci

On Nov. 24, St. Petersburg Lodge donated $3,645 to the non-profit Music Sweet Music Inc. (MSM). A $750 check was given to provide music therapy by a board certified music therapist to an 8-year-old boy who not only has a speech and language disability but also has other special needs. The donation will pay for two months of his music therapy. The boy started his customized music therapy program in July 2019 and his parents are very pleased with the progress he has made since he started going to MSM’s music therapy studio. MSM provides this service at zero cost to his parents. The lodge also donated 60 custom-made double-sided quilts made of fleece, 30 tote bags and over a dozen knitted slippers. This donation was valued at $2,895 and MSM will distribute the gifts to the clients they serve during the Christmas season. 

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Written by Jeanne Reinhart, PDD

Austin Hollis of Boy Scout Troop #417 sponsored by Largo Elks Lodge #2159 was awarded his Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony held at the lodge Nov. 2. His project was the construction of picnic tables for visitors to Taylor Park in Largo, Fla., who are in wheelchairs. He earned 30 merit badges even though only 21 are required for the Eagle Scout rank. He has served as senior patrol leader and just finished serving the troop as junior assistant scoutmaster. He attends St. Petersburg College and is the eighth Eagle Scout from Troop #417.

Pictured are Rob James, scoutmaster; Austin Hollis, Eagle Scout; Janet Rogers, PER, lodge liaison to the troop; and Joe Fritz, assistant scoutmaster.

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Written by May Graci

On Halloween, St. Petersburg Lodge tried trunk-or-treating, a twist on the classic trick-or-treating which brings the ritual to the safety of a private and known parking lot by turning the backs of minivans, trucks and sport utility vehicles into the new front porch. From 6-8 p.m., members were loaded up with a large assortment of candies and watched kids trick-or-treat from car to car. Kids came in waves in pairs or by the dozens. Many of the neighborhood kids fully dressed in Halloween costumes attended. Lodge members socialized, had the opportunity to meet the lodge’s neighbors and showed off their creative themed trunks while seeing all the cute and scary costumes. Congratulations go to Deseray Masi, the winner of the best decorated vehicle in the inaugural event.

Pictured are Deseray Masi with Paula Cope.

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Written by May Graci

St. Petersburg Lodge donated $1,000 to the St. Anthony’s Hospital 10th annual charity golf tournament held Oct. 25 at Copperhead Course at Innisbrook. The lodge was a hole-in-one sponsor. Funds raised will benefit the Susan Sheppard McGillicuddy Breast Center which offers exceptional care for women’s health needs. The tournament also supports the mammography voucher program which helps women who lack insurance or financial resources get access to what could be a lifesaving screening. Exalted Ruler, Dawn Elaine Lieber; Toni Goodrich, PDD; and Jan Durbin Giallourakis volunteered at the Elks tent handing out Elks informational materials, water, soda and crackers to the 128 tournament participants.

Pictured: Toni Goodrich, PDD; Dawn Elaine Lieber, Exalted Ruler; and Jan Durbin Giallourakis

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Written by May Graci

Members of the Dixie Hollins High School Civitan Club served dinner Oct. 12 for the Ladies of Elks’ Not So Beauty Pageant event. The Civitan Club along with other DHHS clubs are raising money for their school’s golf cart to be replaced. It is used by their security guard to patrol the high school’s 65 acres. In Pinellas County, all schools now have a single point of entry and an armed security officer or school resource officer who patrols the campus. Civitan sponsor, Kim Cauler, was appreciative to receive $293 donated by the lodge audience.

St. Petersburg Lodge Exalted Ruler, Dawn Lieber, welcomes Dixie Hollins High School Civitan Club sponsor, Kim Cauler; chaperone, Chris Cauer; and club members Phoenix Eads and Alex Cauler to the lodge Oct. 12.

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Written by May Graci

On Oct. 5, the younger millennials who have never heard of a Rambler or a Datsun 240-Z got to see them. A large crowd of Elks and the general public turned out for St. Petersburg Elks Lodge’s sixth annual classic car show and open house. Drivers and admirers roamed through the sea of classic and offbeat cars, quirky trucks, hot rods, customs, and classic muscle cars. Many reminisced and said they drove the roads as children or teenagers in these types of cars. Dash plaques were issued to the first 100 entries. Prizes were awarded to the car owners and trophies were awarded in various car categories including the coveted best of show. Exalted Ruler, Dawn Lieber, organized the event which was co-chaired by Sharon Literski, Lecturing Knight. Lodge volunteers set up tents, directed traffic and parking, and manned the beverage booths. Music from the 1950s was played by a DJ and the poolside grill and lodge menu tempted the attendees with American classics and more. Comunity members toured the lodge and received information about the Elks and their community projects. The event raised $855 for the Florida Elks Youth Camp and Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services.