OREGON

OREGON - Cascades and the Coast, April 24-27

We arrived in Portland on Wednesday morning and were met at the airport by PGER and State Sponsor Jim Damon and D.J. as well as First Vice President Carl Lino.  Jim then took us to see the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.  The Clinic is supported by the Elks Visual Committee Elks Youth Eye Services (E.Y.E.S) Foundation to the tune of $2 million per year along with 7,500 volunteer hours.  Started in 1949, the clinic combines patient care, education and research and was the first of its kind in the nation.  We were treated to a video about the history of the clinic, a wonderful lunch and then a tour of the facility.  It was very inspiring to see all the wonderful research and breakthroughs being made as a result of the hard work of the Elks of Oregon.  After leaving the clinic, we made the two-hour drive across the coastal range to the site of the spring convention, Seaside.  That evening, Jim, D.J. and the two of us we were joined for dinner by Del and Donna Miley, Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler for Idaho.

Thursday morning, the men went off to breakfast followed by various meetings of the Association Committees and Boards.  D.J., Donna and Venita went to the Pig 'n' Pancake in downtown Seaside for a wonderful late breakfast.  After our pancakes, we wandered through the various shops up and down Broadway, thoroughly enjoying the ambiance of this oceanside town.  In the afternoon, we went over to a local outlet mall to see if there was anything we couldn't live without.  After joining up with the men again, Jim drove us up to see the beautiful beachfront home he has up for sale.  After touring all 6,500 square feet, we were trying to figure out if we could put together a consortium to buy it!

Thursday evening, Tom's sister Mary Beth and Ed Van Horn drove down from Washington to join us for the formal banquet at the Seaside Convention Center.  Tom spoke to the assembled Elks and reviewed his thoughts on growing membership and changing the perception of our Order.  After dinner, we spent some time signing cards and handing out pins, raising over $300 for the Elks Disaster Relief Fund through the generous donations of the Oregon Elks.

Friday morning, the Seaside Elks Lodge hosted breakfast for all, after which the men went to their various meetings.  The ladies stayed at the Lodge and the convention chairman spoke to them about the hotel arrangements for the upcoming Grand Lodge in Reno.  The Oregon Elks then presented Venita with three beautiful pieces made out of Oregon myrtlewood.  The first was a lovely lighthouse and she told Oregon that it was the first lighthouse they had received all year.  They also gave her a myrtlewood sea lion and a rolling pin.  She thanked everyone for all three, making special note that the rolling pin might come in handy.

After breakfast, the ladies made their way to the Convention Center for the Betty Hise Luncheon.  Betty Hise was a First Lady from Oregon who died of cancer.  In her memory, the Oregon ladies started the Betty Hise Foundation which helps support cancer research.  During the luncheon, we were treated to a presentation by two scientists from the University Hospital in Portland who were doing research into and clinical trials for ovarian cancer.  We also spent some time looking at and bidding on some of the items in the Silent Auction which is one of the fundraisers for the Foundation.

After the luncheon, D.J. headed for the legislative session to cast her vote in the elections for state officers.  Jayne and Venita did a little shopping and then drove the ten miles down to Cannon Beach for a glass of wine and some sightseeing.  Friday evening, we all attended the Past State Presidents'

Dinner at the Convention Center.  We were entertained by the Baker Drum and Bugle Corps and they presented Tom with a Corps Cap which had been autographed by all of the band members.

Saturday morning was the installation of officers followed by the memorial service and awards.  It was heartwarming to see the attendance in support of Carl Lino from the Idaho, Washington and Montana Present and Past State Presidents and Elks.  There was a great cheer when he stepped up to the podium to accept his gavel.

After the convention was completed, we drove up to our beach house in Seaview, Washington house to drop off our suitcases for our planned R&R for the next three days.  We then drove back to Gearhart, Oregon to Jim and D.J.'s condo for dinner where we were joined by Del, Donna, Lee, Jayne and Jim Kyle.  After a few drinks and conversation, Jim started cooking.  The result of his efforts were the best fresh salmon steaks that we've ever had, expertly prepared by Jim and happily consumed by all of us.  As always, the good company made the evening special.  As the evening wound down, we bid farewell to our wonderful Oregon friends and made our way up the coast for some quiet time before our next trip.  Thank you, Oregon Elks.  You made our time with all of you great fun.  It was a memorable trip and we enjoyed ourselves very much.