Presque Isle Elks Lodge cleans up the air
PRESQUE ISLE — The members of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 have taken an important step in making their establishment a more enjoyable place for people to come together. Healthy Aroostook, a program of Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP), has been working with them to provide guidance and tobacco-free signage to be placed in the areas that were formerly considered “free to smoke.”
Contributed photo
HEALTHY AROOSTOOK, a program of Aroostook County Action Program, Inc., has been working with the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 to provide guidance and tobacco-free signage to be placed in the areas that were formerly considered “free to smoke.” In addition, a designated smoking area was made possible by a donation from Huber Engineered Woods. This will keep second-hand smoke away from people who choose not to smoke while still providing an option for people who do. Pictured with the tobacco-free signage are, from left: Dawn Roberts, community education specialist for Healthy Aroostook; Carol Bell, project director for Healthy Aroostook; Moe Collins, chairman of the Elks Lodge board of directors; Alan Harding, exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge; Brad Wolverton, CPA, plant controller at Huber Engineered Woods; and Jo-Ellen Kelley, Healthy Aroostook community education specialist.
A designated smoking area was made possible by a donation from Huber Engineered Woods. This will keep second-hand smoke away from people who choose not to smoke while still providing an option for people who do.
“Huber Engineered Woods, LLC of Easton is happy to partner with Healthy Aroostook in assisting the members of the Elks Lodge with their ‘No Smoking’ project,” explained Brad Wolverton, CPA, plant controller at Huber. “The project is in line with our principles of committing to health, safety and environmental excellence.”
Alan Harding, exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge, requested Healthy Aroostook’s help with this project.
“It was time to make this move for the people who enjoy our facility,” said Harding. “Some members may be unhappy with the decision, but many more members are pleased with the new no-smoking policy. Members who had chosen not to participate in Lodge activities due to the smoking have now returned.”
Maurice “Moe” Collins, chairman of the Lodge board of directors, believes that this is a very good move for the Elks and its members.
“My wife, Ruth, is very happy about this new policy,” said Collins. “She is more willing to attend Lodge activities with me.”
The Presque Isle Elks Lodge is a place where people can come together; the lodge offers a place for people to socialize, play cards, shoot pool or watch a game on the big screen. The lodge provides a space for members to meet to review the lodge business, as well as to plan public service activities.
Elks also invest in the surrounding communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, like the annual “Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs” Youth Fishing Derby at Mantle Lake Park and the Elks July Fourth Community Celebration at Riverside Park.
In addition, the Elks also obtain the closure of Main Street in Presque Isle for the Balloon Fest Street Fair on the fourth Thursday of every August. They undertake projects like their Christmas Day dinner, which is offered to anyone who would otherwise be alone at Christmas. Neither age nor economic condition is a criterion, simply whether someone has anyone with whom to celebrate Christmas. This dinner has been taking place for 10 consecutive years and has grown in attendance every year.
Additional events that the Elks host include the Veterans Day Stew Night, children’s holiday parties, public Mother’s Day ceremony and benefits for seriously ill individuals, mostly children. The Elks’ major charity is the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP), affiliated with the Logan Graves Foundation locally. Fund-raising activities for MCCP include events with the Wednesday Evening Fiddlers and talented young people.
The public Flag Day ceremony, where the history of our nation’s flag, including significant military and political events to which it relates, is a very important annual event hosted by the Presque Isle Elks, as well.
Making the space a more family-friendly environment — free of second-hand smoke — goes along with the Elks’ mission of bringing families and people together and proves the commitment of the Lodge to be a public service organization with immense value to the community.
“We are delighted to have the Presque Isle Elks embrace tobacco-free areas for their lodge,” said Carol Bell, Healthy Aroostook project director. “It has been a pleasure supporting them with this project.”
For more information on receiving help with tobacco-free policies and signage, call 554-4129.
