KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY - The Bluegrass State

Kentucky was one of the states that Tom and I had not been to before, so we were very much looking forward to seeing this part of our country.  We were greeted at the airport by State Sponsor, PGER Ted Hess along with the State President Ray Highley and his companion, Nancy Estes and Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for Kentucky, Greg Willis.

Kentucky’s fall convention was hosted by Ashland Lodge #350.  As we drove into the parking lot, we were greeted with a sign on their marquis and a wonderful banner on the side of their building welcoming us to their convention and that evening enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner at the lodge.

Friday morning many of the Kentucky Elks treated us to what we believe to be a first in the history of GER travels – a motorcycle ride for the Grand Exalted Ruler and First Lady.  The ER from Ashland Lodge, Jack Brown had arranged for two Harley Davidson motorcycles to be available for our use that day.  (Thanks so much, Jack!)  After a wonderful breakfast at Bob Evans Restaurant, we headed out into the beautiful back roads of eastern Kentucky in typical summer weather – warm and muggy.  Our first stop was at the Jesse Stewart Lodge in Greenbo Lake State Park. 

While we were there, PGER Ted Hess thought he might try out the back seat of Tom’s motorcycle, but decided to continue on in the comfort of an air-conditioned, 4-wheel vehicle. 

Our second stop was the Oldtown Covered Bridge built around 1880.  Since the road was narrow here, the leaders decided they would just ride out through a field to make the turnaround.  So we dutifully followed, all the time thinking “This is not my bike!  Please don’t drop it, please don’t drop it!”

Our last stop for the day was the Rock Springs Winery outside Grayson, Kentucky.  This beautiful winery is one of the first in the area since it is located in what used to be a dry county.  We were greeted by Dr. John and Sue Bond, the proprietors who provided us with a wonderful lunch and an educational wine tasting experience.  We all enjoyed sitting out on the patio, relaxing and enjoying the panoramic view of the countryside.  Was that thunder?

Our run back to Ashland was done in "less than ideal" weather, but not anything that we have not previously experienced in our days of riding. After a quick sprint down the hill from the winery, we pulled over under the relative protection of a gas station to wait out some of the more torrential downpours.  At that point, I learned a new weather term.  One of the ladies told me this was a “frog strangling rain!”  We will be sure to use that technical description during our rainy season in California.

Once things let up a little, we continued on with various groups breaking off to go to their hotels and we arrived back at the Ashland Lodge safe and sound.  By the evening, we had emptied out our boots, wrung out our clothes and were back at the Lodge for the Past State Presidents’ reception and dinner with a grin from ear to ear on our faces.  What a great day!

Saturday morning, started with the Business meeting of the Kentucky State Elks Association.  Tom was presented with a “Key to the City” from Ashland Mayor, Thomas E. Kelley and a certificate proclaiming August 4^th as “Thomas S. Brazier, Grand Exalted Ruler” day in the city of Ashland.  We were also privileged to hear from the young man who represented Kentucky at the Elks National Hoop Shoot in the age 12-13 bracket, Nick Woolridge.  One of the other highlights of the morning was the Kentucky State Major Project, Kids with Cancer.  The Association presented checks to the directors of the two children’s camps, Camp Quality and Camp Indian Summer to assist with their ongoing programs in the state.  One of their goals this year is to institute a “siblings” camp where they can begin to address the needs of the entire family of a child with cancer.  After the meeting, Venita attended a lunch and ENF/Major Project auction sponsored by the Kentucky State Ladies Auxiliary while Tom held a session with his Kentucky District Deputies.

Saturday evening was the President’s Reception and Dinner at the lodge.  It was a wonderful celebratory evening enjoyed by all.  In a very generous gesture, the Kentucky Elks provided us with framed certificates from the Governor of Kentucky appointing us as official “Kentucky Colonels.”  We hear that entitles us to attend a special party during the Kentucky Derby!  

Congratulations are in order to the officers and members of the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 for all of the hard work and dedication they put in to making the weekend a success.   It is not an easy task to host a state convention, but they made everyone feel welcome and made the weekend a memorable event.

Finally, our sincere appreciation goes to Kentucky State Sponsor, PGER Ted Hess, State President, Ray Highley and Nancy Estes and Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Greg Willis and his lady, Geri for their gracious hospitality and for putting on such a great convention.  It is a trip that will be a wonderful memory for years to come.