UTAH

UTAH - Red Rock Country, March 7-10

Wednesday evening we flew from San Jose to Las Vegas and were met by Grand Lodge Committeeman Bob Jarvis and Adele for the two hour drive to St. George, Utah.  Upon arriving at the hotel late that evening, we joined SDGER Dick and Jerry Lyons and PGER Jim and Lucia Grillo for a little conversation prior to retiring.

Thursday morning we met up with our escorts Jack and Karen Ryan and the whole group left for a tour of Mill Creek Alternative High School.  This school serves over 800 high school students who might otherwise not be in school through various program options, including a daycare nursery for those who have children.  We had the privilege of meeting several of the students, two of whom were on their last day of school.  One was planning on going on to become a phlebotomist and the other will be starting college in the fall.  We then had a chance to tour the daycare area and play for a minute with two of the boys.  The Elks help fund some of these services through the Community Investment Program.  This is truly an amazing program, performing miracles every day. 

After leaving Mill Creek, we moved on to the dedication of the refurbished Veteran's memorial at the Dixie Lodge attended by the Marine Veterans.  It was a moving ceremony and we were proud to attend.  Tom congratulated each of the veterans and gave them his pin.  Thursday evening, we had a casual evening of hamburgers at the Dixie Lodge and enjoyed the company of the Utah Elks.

Friday morning we boarded the van for a tour of Zion National Park.  While the weather did not cooperate and we had rain for a good part of the day, the views were still magnificent. We toured out to the east side of the Park, going through the amazing tunnel that cuts through the massive sandstone mountains and cliffs.  Everywhere we turned, there was another breathtaking view.  When we stopped for lunch at the Zion Lodge, Venita bumped into one of her best friends, Susan and her husband, Marty from Helena, Montana and visiting friends, Steve and Jan from Indianapolis, Indiana.  The ladies had no idea they were going to be in the same city at the same time!  Another small world coincidence.

That evening we all went for dinner at the lodge, followed by a hysterical revue titled "Music thru the Decades" featuring the members, spouses and family of the Dixie Lodge.  They were all dressed in costumes of the various eras and had to lip sync songs that were not necessarily representative of their costumes.  During the "commercial breaks", everyone was required to get up and dance.  Needless to say, we all laughed until we had tears running down our cheeks!  It was a great evening and a successful fundraiser for Camp Wapiti.

Saturday, Tom attended the Utah Elks Association business meeting.  One of the highlights of the meeting was getting the meet the Fisk family and young Emma.  Four years ago, this young lady could not walk.  The Utah Elks were approached to see if they might help get a wheelchair for her.  But the Elks did more.  They found therapy services for her.  And today Emma can dance!  There were not very many dry eyes in the meeting as dad and mom thanked everyone for what they had done for their family.

While Tom was at the business meeting, Venita went to the meeting of the Utah Ladies of the Elks.  Much to her delight, the ladies presented Venita with a beautiful silver and turquoise pendant.  The meeting was followed by the ladies lunch and a short afternoon shopping trip.

Saturday evening was the formal dinner at the lodge where the Utah Elks presented us with a fundraiser “brick” which will be engraved and installed around the fire pit at Camp Wapiti outside of Tooele.  They also presented us with a framed photo of the camp and an empty frame which will be filled with a photo of the brick when it is completed.  Jay also gave Tom a commemorative golden spike and Venita received a “Camp Wapiti Shining Star” blanket from the Ladies of the Elk.  We were touched by the generosity of these wonderful people.

Sunday morning, we packed up and Jack and Karen took us to Las Vegas to catch our flight home.  We very much enjoyed seeing all of our friends in Utah and it was wonderful to be home in Area 7.  Thank you, Utah Elks - you’re doing great work in your state!