GRAND LODGE CONVENTION - Austin, TX
We arrived in Austin on June 26th
to fulfill our final obligations for the Grand Forum and to attend the 148th
session of the Grand Lodge. During the first week, Tom had meetings with the
Advisory Committee and his Grand Lodge Committeemen for the fraternal year
2012-2013. Venita attended Penny Carr's luncheon for the wives
of the Advisory Committee and managed to squeeze in a little sightseeing
as well.
On Friday and Saturday, our family and friends arrived and
the fun started. Opening Session took place on Sunday
afternoon with all in attendance. It was the first time our family and friends
had attended an opening of the Grand Lodge and they were all impressed with the
ceremony.
Monday morning was the nomination,
election and rally. Long time friend, Grand Trustee Anthony Mauro did a
wonderful nomination followed by a very personal seconding speech from our motorcycle buddy from Arizona, Mike Weishan. Our
rally chairman, PER Michele Wilson and her assistant, PER Bill Cassidy, both from San Jose Lodge #522 did an
absolutely amazing job of organizing and implementing our rally.
Michele's attention to detail was evident. The balloon drop, the throws, the participation by all of Area 7
(and some from beyond) was impressive, to say the least. Tom delivered his acceptance speech and
many Elks throughout the balance of the week commented on how much his
thoughts struck a chord with them.
Monday evening was the Area 7 Pacific
Southwest Buffet. We were privileged to shake hands and visit with a great
number of our area Elks as well as others from the Order who were in
attendance. Our two hour event actually ran closer to three hours before we finished.
We then made a visit to the New England
dinner.
On Tuesday, Tom was involved in
meetings throughout the day followed by visitations to the Wisconsin,
Michigan, Florida, West Virginia/Pennsylvania and New Jersey dinners. Wednesday
evening we attended the Exalted Ruler's Ball, where we visited with the ERs
from throughout the United States, signed cards, had
pictures taken and raised $2,260 for the Elks Disaster Relief fund.
Thursday was the installation
ceremony for the incoming Grand Lodge officers. It was beautiful, as always. We will say, however, that it takes on a whole new perspective
when you are the one being installed versus viewing it from the audience. That
evening we had the pleasure of visiting with and saying thank you to the volunteers
who made the entire convention run smoothly. It was a privilege to have been associated with all of them.
All that being said, we had a wonderful convention, one
for the memory books. And now we are on our way.
Re: Beau Finklang - Exalted Ruler. The facts are -he is a professional conman in Carmel, Ca. He illegally embezzled from me , his x- $40k in 2004 as a professional realtor, and refused to pay his commercial business rent- Homescapes Carmel - for owed back rent- since 2009 @$45k from Pacific Grove land co. LLC- John Mandurrango, owner of 7th and Delores store front. He has not paid me back a penny for eight years, nor John Mandurrango a developer..Article about John Mandurrago LLC -lawsuit-in the Carmel Pinecone about- Homescapes Carmel now has two huge stores- using honest others funds illegally. They conned the government for an additional $120k grants, crying poverty in 2009, whilst making $2.5 million a year. John and I are outraged and are going to expose them publically. Be honest and denote this violent greedy conman- Beau Finklang..
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