FLORIDA - Speedy to Serene, February 6-10, 2013
We arrived in Daytona Beach, Florida on Wednesday evening and were met at the airport by PGER and State Co-sponsor Val and Claudia Bates, State President Sean and Barbara Maguire, DDGER Pat and Ed Jackson as well as many of the Florida Elks. We were whisked away to our hotel, The Shores Resort and Spa located right on the beach. That evening, we had a wonderful dinner atop the hotel next door and were even treated to a fireworks show up the beach. After dinner, the ladies all went out to the fire pits at our hotel with our "smores" kits. We sat around the fire talking, laughing and roasting heart-shaped marshmallows to make our smores. It was a great evening.
Thursday morning, we had breakfast with the group and then headed for the Daytona Speedway. Upon arriving, we were greeted by Ron, our tour guide for the morning. We boarded a private bus and he took us to the Archives of the Speedway. This section, not open to the public, contains all of the history of the Speedway and racing in Daytona in general. The climate controlled vault itself contains over four million racing photos and negatives.
We left the Archives and returned to the Speedway where we had a riding tour around the apron of the track and were able to view the 30 degree banked turns at each end of the speedway. We had a chance to see the driver's meeting room, Gatorade Victory Lane, the garages and the Inspection Viewing area. We were also shown the premium boxes where we were able to see the entire track and infield. It was a very impressive site. Our final stop was back where we started where we were both presented with track jackets commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Daytona 500 race. This was definitely a tour we will not soon forget.
After leaving the Speedway, we went for a BBQ lunch at the Daytona Pig Stand. Part of a complex called Destination Daytona, we had an absolutely outstanding lunch of pulled pork, brisket, ribs, fried okra, collard greens and cornbread. What a meal! After lunch, we walked next door to the Daytona Harley-Davidson shop, reported to be the largest in the world. We had a personal tour by Shelly Rossmeyer, the daughter of late owner and visionary Bruce Rossmeyer, who showed us through the entire store, including their service department which is located on the second floor! The Florida Elks Association had given us two gift cards to shop with. As Claudia Bates said, "We can't take you into the candy store and then not let you buy anything!" We came away with some wonderful goodies, but no new motorcycles. Darn!
After leaving the Harley shop, we made the hour drive to the Florida Elks Youth Camp which would be our home away from home for the next three days. After settling into our tent, we joined the Past State Presidents for dinner. We were also joined at our table by several special guests, Betty Tewksbury, Lee Weigel and Ed and Pat Jackson. These folks have made significant donations to the ENF over the past year and we were pleased to share some time with them. After dinner, we headed for our beds, tired after such a busy and eventful day.
Friday morning, Tom joined Sean, Bob, Val and Mike for breakfast while Venita took time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast that was delivered to the room. While the men were all in their morning meetings, Venita went with Barbara, Claudia and Sandra to a "Meet and Greet" where she had a chance to visit with the Florida ladies over mimosas and hand out her pin. They then adjourned to a wonderful lunch enhanced by the wonderful companionship. The men also took Tom out to lunch. A picture is worth a thousand words. No more needs to be said about their lunch!
Friday evening, we joined all of the attendees in the Pavilion for a BBQ dinner including cornbread, corn-on-the-cob, chicken and ribs. We danced throughout the evening to the music of the "Knights to Remember", a 50's and 60's band that played all of our favorite tunes from our growing up years. Partway through the evening, we were brought up to the stage and presented with two beautiful leather motorcycle vests from the Southern Florida Chapter of the Elk Riders. We had a great time modeling them for everyone and wore them for the rest of the evening. Tom spent some time signing cards for the folks and we handed out our pins to those who did not have them.
Saturday morning we joined everyone for breakfast and then the morning meetings. The official luncheon was also held in the Pavilion and Tom gave his speech, talking about membership and community involvement. We also saw a presentation about their Therapy Project, including a slide show featuring many of the children they serve. Special presentations were made to the generous ENF donors, Ed and Pat Jackson, Lee Weigel and Betty Tewksbury. There were a lot of teary eyes in the audience. The Florida Elks presented Venita with a beautiful strand of pearls made by Claudia Bates, matching the earrings she received from Alabama. After the meetings, the ladies took Venita out to lunch and shopping in Mt. Dora, a small artsy town about half hour from the camp. They had a wonderful time, enjoying conch fritters and other seafood dishes. Saturday evening, we had a terrific surf and turf dinner at the camp with the State Sponsors, the Florida State President and the visiting State Presidents from Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
Sunday morning Sean and Barbara loaded us up and, after a stop for breakfast, drove us back to Daytona to catch our plane to New Orleans. We were sad to say goodbye and promised to see them again in the near future. All of the Florida Elks were so gracious and hospitable and they are doing great work in their state. Congratulations to all of you!
After leaving Florida, we headed for New Orleans, Louisiana and the
biggest party in the United States – Mardi Gras. If you don’t know what the title above means,
it is French for “Let the good times roll!”
And they certainly did while we were there. Hosted by the New Orleans Elks Lodge #30, we
were greeted at the airport by, State Sponsor PGER Chuck Williams and his lady
Gladys, SDGER Richard and Sue Conran, State President Charles and Glenda
Schmuck and Exalted Ruler James Hester and his lady, Sonia. Our Administrative Aide Les Yeffa and his
wife, Nancy had arrived the day before and were there with smiles and hugs.
Sunday evening, we all went to a great seafood restaurant, Jaeger’s,
and started in on some of our favorite foods – gumbo and grilled oysters. The food and the company were exceptional and
we all had a wonderful time. Monday
morning, our first stop was Café de Monde for beignets and coffee! After getting our blood sugar and caffeine to
an appropriate level, we stopped by the cemetary to view the Elks Memorial built by New Orleans Lodge #30. It is a beautiful and moving memorial and we appreciated having the opportunity to see it. We then headed for the WWII Museum where we presented the
Museum with several bags of the Mardi Gras commemorative Elmo dressed in this
year’s special outfit as a clown. We
then toured a small portion of the museum including a viewing of the new overview
historical World War II film narrated by Tom Hanks. After leaving the museum, we were taken to
lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, Katy’s.
We enjoyed the excellent local cuisine, making special note of the three-foot
long hoagie sandwich ordered by two guests to share. Pretty impressive, to say the least!
Monday evening, we had dinner at the lodge. The menu again featured our favorites –
gumbo, jambalaya and red beans and rice among others. The Louisiana Elks presented Tom with a caricature
portrait of him throwing beads from the float and Venita with a hand painted
egg decorated in the Mardi Gras theme colors – purple, gold and green. Tom spoke to the assembled group, recognizing
the achievements of the Louisiana Elks and their continued support of the
Order. After dinner, we headed for the
hotel knowing that we would have an early start on Mardi Gras morning.
Tuesday dawned a little overcast, with the weather forecasters calling
for “showers.” We headed for the lodge
at 6:00 a.m., Tom in his tuxedo and me with all of the rain gear. After getting the float loaded and on its way
to the starting point, we worked our way down the back streets to the corner of
Napoleon and St. Charles where a viewing area had been set up for all of us. While waiting for the Krewe of Rex to being
their parade, Venita ventured out to distribute an additional eight dozen Elmo
dolls to the children along the parade route.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m., the Rex parade began. Their theme was “All Creatures, Great and
Small” and the floats all depicted some type of creature. The beads and other throws were plentiful and
our bags began filling up quickly. Immediately
following Rex, the Elks Parade began.
Consisting of 110 truck floats, Tom and the officers were on the lead
float and as they arrived at our viewing area, they stopped for photos and a
toast. The then presented Venita with a
giant stuffed bear who immediately took up a place of honor in the viewing
area. The parade then rolled on and we
spent the balance of the afternoon admiring the hard work and creativity of the
groups who had put together these wonderful floats.
After the parade, we adjourned back to the New Orleans Lodge for what
else? Muffaletta sandwiches, red beans and
rice, etc., etc., etc. (We do love the
food of the area.) Shortly after we
arrived, the float returned as well, and we all went out to hail our conquering
heroes! We ate, drank and talked until James
and Sonia eventually took us back to our hotel.
After organizing ourselves for an early morning departure, we collapsed
into bed – and visions of beads and feathers danced in our heads. Thank you, Louisiana Elks Association and
especially New Orleans Elks Lodge #30.
We could not have had a more wonderful time!
