Ouray Elks Lodge #492

I hope all your Holidays went well.

The next fraternal year is quickly approaching. During the second meeting in January we will be taking officer nominations for the 2026-2027 fraternal year. If you, or someone that you know, would like to be an officer in our Lodge, please let me know. It is a very rewarding activity for the officers and our Lodge.

I wish to personally thank Shelly Kuhlman for all that she has done for this Lodge during the last two plus months. So many things would not have been done without her leadership. Just to name a few; Halloween, Yule Night, Gingerbread Decorations, Santa Delivers and all the cooking and bartending that she has done for the Lodge. Thank you also to all the other Lodge members that helped in these activities.

Fraternally,

Steve Scheu, ER

Renewed energy and enthusiasm in the Lodge should be goals for the end of the fraternal year 2025-2026. There are many things that still need be be accomplished before March 31, 2026. Lodge officers, heads of committees and the budget need to be finalized before March 31, 2026. Come to a Lodge meeting to get information on these topics, there are six more meetings until the 2025-2026 year is over. Meetings are the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Lodge.

Members 363

Delinquents 17

Candidates 9

Regular Members dues are $93.50

Lifetime Members dues are $67.00

Lodge mailing address:

BPOE #492

PO Box 647

Ouray, CO. 81427-0647

Online: https://www.ourayelks.org ($3.00 fee)

Or with a credit card at the bar in the Social Quarters ($3.00 fee)

The Lodge is joining the Grand Lodge Billing Program, and they will be sending

out the 2026-2027 Dues Statement in early January. You will still be able to mail a

check to the Lodge to pay your dues or pay online with their Direct Biller

Credit/Debit card service. All the details will be on your 2026-2027 statement.

MEMBERS WE NEED HELP, WE HAVE WRITTEN TO, CALLED, AND TEXTED OUR DELINQUENT MEMBERS MULTIPLE TIMES, AND WE STILL HAVE 17 MEMBERS HAVE NOT PAID THEIR 2025-2026 DUES. THEIR DUES ARE 9 MONTHS OVERDUE. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE EMAIL OURAYELKS492@GMAIL.COM AND YOU WILL BE SENT A LIST. LAST YEAR THE NAMES OF THE DELINQUENT MEMBER’S NAMES WERE PRINTED IN THE NEWSLETTER AND THAT CAUSED A LOT OF HURT FEELINGS. THIS IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PRIVACY ISSUE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE US IN COLLECTING THESE DUES WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF THE MEMBER WANTS TO DISCONTINUE THEIR MEMBERSHIP THEY MUST EMAIL OURAYELKS492@GMAIL.COM STATING THEY NO LONGER WANT TO BE AN ELK MEMBER.

Thank you :)

The Ouray Elks Lodge provided breakfast to go along with the coffee at Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans. Goldie and I circled the 2 rooms and thanked 47 veterans for their service. The Veterans so enjoy Goldie’s visits that many get up from their chairs to come greet us as we walk in the front door. Those smiles, handshakes, and shared moments are a beautiful reminder of the connection and comfort these visits bring.

The Ouray Elks Lodge #492 was truly honored to host a luncheon for the wives of our Veterans. We estimate 45 were served and throughout the afternoon they shared how much they enjoyed the spaghetti luncheon and expressed their gratitude for the lodge’s tradition of offering these gatherings. Any leftovers were lovingly taken home to share with their spouses, extending the spirit of community. Thx again goes to Robert Burns who volunteers for all Veterans events when he is available. Thank you Robert

Election time is approaching, which means selecting members to manage Lodge

meetings and operations. Nominations typically occur in January or February, with

elections in February and installation in April for the new fraternal year.

The elected positions are Exalted Ruler, Leading Knight, Loyal Knight, Lecturing Knight,

Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustee. Unlike some Lodges that use committees, our Lodge

nominates candidates from the floor during a regular meeting; nominees must be

present and in good standing, though a representative may appear on their behalf.

Choosing to become a member of this Lodge is a meaningful decision, and there is no

better way to serve our community than by engaging directly in the Lodge’s inner

workings. It has been quite some time since we have experienced a true election

process; currently, positions are often filled by volunteers. Serving the Lodge should not

feel like a burden, it is an honor and a privilege. If you are interested in taking a more

active role, please consider stepping forward.

The Laradon Hall Dessert Silent Auction was a great event. We had

cookies, cakes, gift baskets, pies, and many more tasty treats. From

the actual sales and cash donations we raised almost $600.00. The

committee would like to thank, Lori and Eric Havelick, Susan Winton,

Suzy and Bob Brown, Shelly Kuhlman, Dee James, Denise Holm, Erica

Siegel, Lucy Reeder, Denise Boerner, Diann Correll, Bette Maurer,

Alison Hickok, Jo Lister, Liz Owens, and Steven Scheu.

Also thank to everyone bid and bought the desserts.

Elks Care ~ Elks Share

Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans

Ridgway Coffee and Pastries

2nd Tuesday of every month 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sherbino Theater 604 Clinton St., Ridgway, CO 81432

Only Veterans. If you haven’t registered for your veteran ID tag, please bring your DD214 or a military ID. No family, no friends, no soliciting, no agendas, this is for veterans only.

We always need volunteers to help with our amazing events, Friday Night Dinners, cleaning, decorating, photographer, and bartending. Please contact Elizabeth Bates 707-688-6839 if you would like to volunteer for our great Lodge.

If so, please send your email address to our Lodge Secretary Jill Scheu, jscheu.ourayelks492@gmail.com. Get your Lodge news and event information sooner!

We encourage all of our members to visit the www.elks.org website and register for the Members Only section, to help you stay in touch with what is happening in this wonderful organization of which you are a valued member!

If you know of anyone who needs our prayers and healing thoughts, please send them to Leading Knight, Bette Maurer, PER to: bettemaurer@yahoo.com

Exalted Ruler ~ Steve Scheu, PER

Leading Knight ~ Bette Maurer, PER

Loyal Knight ~ Bob Brown

Lecturing Knight ~ Suzy Brown

Treasurer ~ Susan Winton

Secretary ~ Jill Scheu

Tiler ~

Inner Guard ~

Chaplain ~ Robert Burns

Esquire ~ Eric Havelick

Trustees:

1st Year Trustee Bill Trainor

2nd Year Trustee Bobby Rummel

3rd Year Trustee Tom Tyler, PER

Other Contributers:

Bar Manager ~ Trisha Newman~Johnson

Kitchen Manager ~ Phil "Bombi" Martinez

Newsletter & Social Media Editor ~ Elizabeth Bates

Website Editor ~ Liz Owens

1-Jan Julie Chowdry

1-Jan Bobby Levay II

1-Jan Tom Rollans

4-Jan Scott Pavey

4-Jan Cathy Warren

7-Jan John Harper Jr

8-Jan Susanne Winton

9-Jan Thomas Cox

9-Jan Donald Henline

9-Jan Doreen Pulbratek

10-Jan Jenna Flaig

10-Jan Greg Saint Clair

11-Jan Michael Boland

11-Jan Robert Caldwell

12-Jan Neal Teeples

14-Jan Gustav Franz III

15-Jan Mary Emily McCullough

15-Jan Steven Scheu

16-Jan Chayton Moffitt

18-Jan Richard Colpitts

18-Jan Brian Owens

19-Jan Julie Wesseling

21-Jan Ryan Hein

21-Jan Basil Isaac

22-Jan Haley Niven

25-Jan Danielle Rodriguez

26-Jan Willem Geyer

27-Jan Adam Browne

27-Jan Karin Fellin

27-Jan Nicholas Peck

29-Jan Kaci Fleming

29-Jan Bruce Gulde

29-Jan Tamara Gulde

29-Jan Robert McCulloch

29-Jan Jan Petersen

30-Jan Elizabeth Martinez

~RICHARD C MORTON ~

~BENJAMIN KUEHLING ~

~RICHARD (DICK) SPIREK ~

~MARY ELLEN (ME) SPIREK~

~JAMES NOBLE LAURENCE (BUTCH) GUNN ~

~PETER DECKER~

~ROBERT ABBOTT ~

~AL ROSSI ~

~RAYMOND MARKEY ~

~JACK E CLARK ~

~PETER KLEIN ~

~RONNIE DEAN DICKSON ~

~JOHN LESNEFSKY, PER, PDDGER ~

~MICHAEL S BAZIN ~

~DANNY WESSELING,PER~

~LOUIS KARMES~

~THOMAS SLUGA~

~NORM SMITH~

~GERALD GEORGE~

~BRUCE WINFREY~

~RONALD F WILLIAMS, SR~

~CASS STANISLAWSKI~

~RANDY LEE CAHOON~

~NICK DIAMOND~

~LARRY HEEREN~

~KENNETH SODOWSKY~

~WILLIAM "BILL" LISTER~

~VIRGINIA AST~

~KARIN JONES~

~ROCKY GRIGGERS~

~JACK FELLIN~

~JOHN PIATT~

~DAVID "SCOTTY" SCOTT~

~PHIL BLACKFORD~

Email: ourayelks492@gmail.com

Website: www.ourayelks.org
Location: 421 Main Street PO Box 647 Ouray, CO 81427
Phone: (970) 325-4510