FEBRUARY 2021 - MARCH 2021VOLUME 33

ISSUE 6

The Whisper

Upcoming:Zoom Regular Tuesday Meetings, 7:30pm

Meeting ID: 862 0589 0810Passcode: 900071

January 30th 4-6pmLASAGNA DRIVE THRU DINNER

February 8th 2p-8pBLOOD DRIVEW

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Cheri Bromberger

Ralph Franklin

Tom Corte

Larry & Fiona Engler

Beth Duitsman

Randy, David, Colleen Hessler

Susan Foltz

Hugh Burns

Larry Diver

Karen Cohen HayesSherry Hunt

Kathy Grant Eric HansenCyndi Hench Sharon Heyman

Steven Johnson Lorraine Kasse Todd Kennedy

Rick Kent

Adrienne Madrid

Nancy BrennanTracy BagdonLes Arneson James Betz Shari Blubaugh

Chad & Lexa Cole Sherri Dunlap

Bradford Lee Deb Loss & Roger Lewis

Michael Maher Angie McCartney Ruth McCartney & Martin Nethercutt

Alan E. Brookes Maria Davis

Tom McHugh Richard Meeks Angela MosinkskisTom Mescher

Sherri Muro

Roy Phillippe

Mark OzzelloAlex Padilla

Scott Russell

David Nutter

Jack Ruebensaal

Tony Pacheco & Bob Leatham Deven & Veronica ParmarCraig Pause

Willie & Diane Phillips Sandra Richlin

David Sapp Lan Strattan

Leo Sanchez & Nancy Arnold

Sylvia Thoma

Joe & Martha Santana

Michael Shannon Joe StefanelliBarbara Taylor Deb ThrockmortonDale & Sandy Thompson

Richard Wilbanks

William "Uncle Bill" Waller

Richard Wilbanks

Bev Wolfe

Paul YocumThomas Zvanovec

Donations made by our generous Members to pay

property taxes to keep the Lodge operating.

If you'd like to contribute, we are still accepting donations through

Feb. 28th

Joe Namnam

Craig & Patty Bromberger

THANK YOU MEMBERS!

Thank you to my Leading Knight David Hessler for helping out in ways too numerous to mention and for serving as a bartender when needed; to Loyal Knight Dale Thompson for continuing to serve as Veterans Chair and for helping out when needed; and to Lecturing Knight Sylva Thoma for putting on a fun Halloween event and helping out on our drive though dinners in so many ways. There are so many other officers and Elk members to thank for all they have done this year, including PERs Patty & Craig Bromberger, Tracy Bagdon, PER Sean & Denise Williams, Tania Moran, Tasha Brunk, Sharon Heyman, Deb Loss, PVP and PER Lan Strattan, Taylor Barton, Sandy Thompson, Dixie Sanchez, PDDGER, PVP and PER Kathy Grant, PER Deven and Veronica Parmar. PER Rob Sitter, Taylor Whitely and of course, our Lodge cupcake maker, Tammy Rogers. Thank you to Barbara Taylor for all her efforts as Membership Chair and to PDDGER, PVP and PER Dan Baccelliere for being my advisor, and the Lodge Maintenance Chair (AKA Mr. Fixit). Thank you to Luann Casillas and the Ladies of the Elks for all they have done this year including our office manager, Mimi Muro, for everything she does day in and day out.

Most of all I want to thank my friend and PER Serina Tremayne for all of her efforts on drive through dinners. bartending andserving as our Zoom master so our Lodge meetings continue to take place. I am sure I have missed a lot of Elk members but I want everyone to know that I appreciate everyone who turned out to volunteer this year during Lodge cleanup efforts, drive through dinners, Dixie Dog Thursdays or to support our lodge when we were open for patio dining.

Finally, I want to thank and acknowledge all of the things my First Gentleman/husband, Willie, has done this year, including putting up with my crazy as an ER during this year and for always helping around the lodge with whatever needs to be done, beit manning the BBQ, fixing chairs or taking out the Lodge trash.

Love to all of our members and the Ladies of the Elks. Stay Safe and I hope to see you all at the Lodge sometime soon.

Fraternally yours, Diane PhillipsExalted Ruler

Exalted Ruler: Diane Phillips

Greetings fellow Elks

This Fraternal year has gone by in the blink of an eye even though we are still in the midst of the global pandemic. Hopefully all will be vaccinated soon so our usual way of life may resume. Needless to say, this was not the Exalted Ruler or Lodge year I had envisioned when I was installed as your Exalted Ruler last April. Although we have been closed at various times during this 2020-2021 Lodge year, we have been able to conduct Lodge business on our weekly Zoom Lodge meetings and we are able to help the Food Panty at LAX, Veterans and SPY (Safe Place for Youth) with 3 grants from Grand Lodge. At this time, we do not know when we will be able to reopen in some capacity. As soon as this is determined, we will notify everyone.

It is hard to believe that this will be my last article as your Exalted Ruler. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Elks and our membership this Fraternal year. I would be remiss if I did not extend my heartfelt thanks to my corps of officers this year for all of their tireless efforts during this difficult year. Special thanks to PDDGER, and our own PER, Joe Namnam for his generous donations this year. As well as another special thanks to all of the members who have donated to help the Lodge out with our property taxes.

Officer of the Year: Diane Phillips

Elk of the Year: Willie Phillips

2019-2020 AWARDSCitizen of the Year:

Chad Cole

February7 Tammy Crider

11 Luann Casillas12 Sherry Hunt20 Mechie Nunez-Meents22 Courtney O'Donoghue28 Barbara Cardona

March2 Helena Bova3 Emmy Sachen

10 Margie Hansen11 Tara Foster12 Serena Tremayne17 Fiona Engler17 Michele Dufva24 Kathy Cooley31 Deborah Decker-Herman

LOE BIRTHDAY’S

Greetings Elks!

A week before Christmas, I was able to deliver all the items collected by our members to the Food Pantry LAX. They were overjoyed with our response and thoroughly grateful for the donations at the time.

Through your generous donations, they were able to continue their special holiday project which was made all the more difficult with the closure of schools, churches and traditional collection sites. This is why it's important to continue to support Food Pantry LAX's efforts. We can keep bringing goods to the Lodge and I will make sure they are delivered.

Use the new year to clean out your shelves and help the Food Pantry at the same time. It has been a pleasure serving as your Leading Knight this year and look forward to continuing to work towards the good of the Lodge.

David HesslerLeading Knight

Leading Knight: Dave Hessler

February2 Justin Simeon4 James Betz4 Don Weber4 Jeffrey Zychowski7 Lawrence Engler

10 Dean Jelmini11 Luann Casillas12 Sherry Hunt12 Todd Kennedy12 Camilla Waddilove13 Theodore Ferrouillet14 John Purcell15 Ruth Ann McCartney18 Jeanne Clarke18 Veronica Parmar22 Courtney O'Donoghue22 James Rodriguez27 Roy Phillippe

March1 Sherri Dunlap2 Helena Bova2 Franklin Rayor3 Emma Sachen7 Joe Santana9 Heidi Huebner9 Chase Muro

11 Jacob Richmond12 Roy Carlson12 Serina Tremayne17 Fiona Engler17 Jesse Muro19 Brent Anderson19 Shawn Sprick23 Patricia Crockett24 Kathy Cooley25 Taylor Whitley26 Les Arneson28 Dale Thompson4

Thank you to all who volunteered, participated in events, our Officers and ER Diane and everyone’s support of the Westchester Elks Lodge. We look forward to when we can reopen and come together again.

Sincerely, Sylvia ThomaLecturing Knight

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Lecturing Knight: Sylvia ThomaMy Fellow Elks,

It has been said many times this past year that 2020 was a year like no other, something none of us had ever experienced. Regardless of the uncertainty in these unprecedented times, the Lodge continued to function. Officers and members found creative ways to continue the good works of the Lodge and maintain a sense of community all while maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and following other guidelines.

Loyal Knight: Dale Thompson

Greeting Fellow Members!

We are now in the early part of 2021 and this will be my last letter serving as your humble Loyal Knight. We can all admit that 2020 was a year where we not only witnessed but lived through some of the most challenging times of our nation. We watched as our country scrambled to deal with the unprecedented spread of COVID 19. As you know, so many of our members were directly or indirectly affected in multiple layers by this devious virus. I have faith that this world will begin to get the upper hand against the virus during 2021.

During these times we had to close our Lodge doors and cancel so many important membership activities. Yet, our Lodge stood strong and continued to support our community, the Veterans, and our vital charities. We held many Zoom meetings where we heard the voices of our attending members and read letters from many that could not attend. Our membership came forward and consistently demonstrated the values we hold precious in our Order.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for all you have done for our Lodge. I would be remiss if I did not give a solid shout out and thank you to our Exalted Ruler, Diane Phillips, as she handled and led us through this challenging year. I would also like to thank all of the Officers and PERs for there knowledge and support they provided me during my first time as an Officer of our Lodge. My wish for the near future is that we can safely reopen our Lodge and come together as Members of the Great “Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.”

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to raise incredible challenges for our community and nation, I hope each of you are continuing to take the necessary steps to protect yourselves. I look forward to seeing each of you when our Lodge is back open or at a special event.

Fraternally Yours,Dale ThompsonLoyal Knight

LANDON A. STRATTAN

WILLS, TRUSTS & CONTRACTS O: 562-259-7265 C: 562-409-4781

landonstrattan@yahoo.com

Taylor Whitley is a 5-year member and was born and raised with the sand between his toes in Santa Monica. He has lived in Playa del Rey for almost 20 years with his wife, and better half of 21 years, Jennifer, 15-year old daughter, Olivia and their dog, Brewster.

The Whisper had a chance to catch up with Taylor Whitley.

How did you become an Elk?Since my daughter was a kindergartner at WISH Charter Elementary, I did a lot of volunteer work for the school and became friends

with a bunch of the Dads. One of the Dads, Mick DiMaria, who was already an Elk, invited me to become a member and I applied. Itwas one of the best decisions I could have made. Thank you, Mick!

You had an interesting job prior to getting into real estate?For the past 18 years, I have been working in real estate with Coldwell Banker, helping my clients purchase and sell their homes as well as enhance their real estate portfolios to create financial security for their futures. Prior to real estate, I worked in sports journalism, as a Los Angeles Dodger and Laker beat writer for a magazine and website. My favorite memory was being in the lockerroom in 2000 when Shaq, Kobe and Phil Jackson won their first NBA championship in LA. I can still smell the cigars and champagne. Pretty cool for a kid that grew up a huge Laker fan!

What’s something most people wouldn’t know about you?I lost both my parents by the time I was 20 years old, so I was on my own and had to work very hard. While in college, I simultaneously worked as a bartender, managed a 10-unit apartment building and was also a teacher at a computer learning center in Beverly Hills called Futurekids. I taught children basic computer science, reading, English and math on the computer before computers were mainstream in the home. This is where I first met my wife 27 years ago. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Outside of the Elks, you support another charitable organization. Tell us about that.I volunteer with another wonderful non-profit organization located in Playa del Rey called Grass Roots Neighbors, which helps people in need. Since the pandemic began, I have been delivering groceries to families who have been adversely affected by Covid-19. GRN is currently delivering groceries bi-weekly to 60+ families. I am truly honored to be part of this fine organization which is making a difference in peoples' lives.

If someone wants to help out with Grassroots, how would they go about doing that?You can go to the Grass Roots Neighbors website at: www.grassrootsneighbors.org. They also have a Facebook and Instagram page, which will also give you pertinent info about what they do and how you can help. GRN is always looking for volunteers, donations of groceries, money and gift cards or you can even become a monthly donor as our family has chosen to do.

What do you hope the Elks might accomplish post Covid?We have discussed some of our Elks getting trained and certified in first aid, so our lodge could become an emergency disaster relief center if there were ever a major earthquake or other need. I would love to help make this happen. Lastly, I hope that our Elks lodge can continue to give back to our community and make a difference.

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Taylor Whitley

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Greetings Ladies and FellowElks,

Happy New Year to all. As I sit here at the end of my second term as President, I want to give a heartfelt thank you for allowing me this honor. We achieved many milestones over the past two years. The events that we as a group created, chaired, cooked for, cleaned and donated to has not gone unnoticed by anyone. Thank you for your hours and contribution in raising thousands of dollars to help our Elks and chosen Charitable Foundations.

I would like to give a special thank you to my Board, Trustees and Parliamentarian. Without each of you and your hours of volunteering this could not have happened. Even through a pandemic your consistency to The Ladies of the Westchester Elks and your love for this social group was apparent monthly.

From the LOE President: LuannCasillas

As I complete my last year I look forward to our next President & Board taking us to the next phase. Whatever that will look like.

Cheers to a Healthy & Happy New Year.

Membership Meetings: Still on hold

Its Time:We do need to do our best to continue with our nominations and yes, navigating this is going to be a bit more challenging because of our continued pandemic stay at home order. We will need to adjust how we do this as we have had to change everything else. The board and I will be looking at different ways to navigate this. Most likely this will be by USPS and telephone. I am asking in advance that we get full participation with the nominations as we are now in February and April will be our Virtual Installation.

We also need to take inventory on what our club is going to look like going forward. As a non-profit we are regulated and still must carry on as best we can. That includes participation from our members. We legally are a nonprofit that chose to have a membership structure. Please think about this and what ideas you may have to share with us.

Fashion Show 2021:As we originally had been forced to change the date (twice) due to the pandemic the odds are NOT in our favor to hold it in March. As of today, it is not scheduled for 2021. We of course hope that this will change later in the year when we can safely come together for a group event.

Community:Regarding Covid -19 Vaccines: It's all so confusing as I help my parents try to navigate how to get information that isn’t complicated so they can get a Covid Vaccine. What I do know is that it is FREE for everyone. Hopefully some of you may have received them by the time you read this.

The Doctors offices have no idea when they will have vaccines for their patients and are referring everyone to the VaccinateLACounty.com website. If you cannot access via computer, the number to call is (833) 540-0473. Be aware of SCAMMERS trying to say you have to pay and cheat people out of their money.

LWE Facebook Page:I can’t say it enough. We would love your posts on our group page! www.facebook.com/ladiesofthewestchesterelks

Please enjoy some of our photos from past events. It's been great.LuanneLWE President

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TBD: ER FADE OUT MORE INFO TO COME

FEBRUARY & MARCHHAPPENINGS

• Every Tuesday 730PMwww.zoomus.comMeeting ID: 862 0589 0810Passcode: 900071

• February 2nd Officer Nominations• February 8th

Blood Drive 2p-8p• February 9th Officer Nominations

If a position is contested than drive thru balloting will happen Feb 16 and 23

Dear Elkdom,Would You Be My Valentine?

Ever since I became part of this amazing American Borne OrderElkdom, you have enriched my life and open my heart beyond any others.

The first time I heard Brotherly Love spoken by our Lecturing KnightElkdom, you spread out your loving arms and your smiles were so bright.

When I first caught the exemplifying word of our Loyal KnightElkdom, I felt the Great Sword of Justice tempered by fairness and right.

As I stood and took in the sweetly expressed message from our Leading KnightElkdom, I witnessed your endless desire to carry Charity as a beacon of light.

Then to discover how important the Wheel of Fidelity was from our Exalted RulersElkdom, by combining the sweetness Charity, the comfort and companionship of

Brotherly & Sisterly Love, and the righteousness of Justice, you forged our Future.

Elkdom, Oh Elkdom, for these and so many other gifts you bring to my WorldI would like to Humbly ask for you please “To be my Valentine.”

Signed by,A Member of your Order

BRING YOUR VALENTINE TO OURELKS BLOOD DRIVE!

Sponsored by Cedars-Sinai Monday, February 8th, 2-8p

To reserve an appt go to: www.cedars-sinai.org/giveblood

Group Code: WELG

Westchester had 40 donorsin the month of December.THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT!

Nominations of Officers:Will take place on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9

at the Tues Zoom meetings.ZOOM:

Meeting ID: 862 0589 0810Passcode: 900071

If a position is contested, "Drive Through" balloting will take place on

Feb 16 & 23 from 6:30-7:30pm

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ELKS MEMBERS THAT CAME IN TO SAFELY “WINTERIZE” OUR LODGE UNTIL WE CAN REOPEN.

Members recently volunteered to clean beer coolers, the ice machine, bar shelves, cap bottles and shut down unused appliances in the bar and kitchen areas in order to save energy and preserve items until we are cleared to safely reopen.

ER, Diane Phillips and First Gentleman, Willie Phillips pay

respects to our fallen soldiers at National Wreaths Across America Day.

Thanks for turning in yourPurple Pigs!

Shari BlublaughDeb and Dale Edwards

Martin Nethercutt

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Dear Members,

On behalf of the PER’s here at Westchester Lodge #2050, I would like to thank you all for your continued support of our lodge this past year. There is no doubt that 2020 was a year that presented many challenges for us all both in our professional and personal lives. I am certain we all feel a loss of the social networking the lodge provides, the camaraderie of working together to achieve success. I certainly miss being able to pop on down to the lodge for a break from the stress of daily life. I am hopeful the virus will be defeated and life as we remember it will resume.

As we all know the lodge being closed has severely impacted the financial position of our much loved “second home.” Recently, a letter was mailed out to all members asking for donations to pay our taxes. We have a generous member who is willing to match the donations we receive, so I passionately ask you all to please, please send in whatever amount you can so that we can maintain the stability of our lodge. The Board of directors has worked tirelessly to ensure our lodge can endure these unfortunate circumstances, and with no end in sight, we are in desperate need of your support. I ask you all to consider this request and match my $100 donation.

With the 2020-2021 fraternal year coming to an end, we now focus on the 2021-2022 fraternal year. There are numerous Board of Director positions in need of a candidate so if you have ever considered joining the ranks, please express your aspirations to any PER or Board Member, nominations will be coming in February. I have thoroughly enjoyed working to ensure the lodge will be here for many more decades and I am positive you will too.

In closing, I sincerely pray you and your loved ones are staying safe. With so much uncertainty going on around us, we must remain vigilant in making sure the Grand Lodge programs continue to work in full strength, that no Veteran is forgotten, that Handicapped children receive the medical attention and equipment they need, and that the elderly and youth in our community get assistance in whatever form needed. This is what us Elks do, this is who we are. God bless you all.

Fraternally Yours,Robert Sitter, PERPER Association President

A Message from the PER Association...

WESTCHESTER ELKS Lodge 2050 2020-2021 OFFICERSExalted Ruler: Diane Phillips

Leading Knight: Dave Hessler – Loyal Knight: Dale Thompson– Lecturing Knight: Sylvia ThomaSecretary………Patricia Crockett,PER Treasurer……...TracyBagdonTrustee 5 Year....Lan Strattan,PSVPTrustee 4 Year… Craig Bromberger, PER Trustee 3 Year… Deb LossTrustee 2 Year….SharonHeyman Trustee 1 Year….TashaBrunk

Esquire…….Sean Williams,PER Tiler……….Martin Trouillon Chaplain.......TaniaMorinInner Guard..BarbaraTaylor

Organist……TaylorBarton

PAST EXALTED RULERS

ELK OF THE YEAR ROSTER

1962-63 Henry Raves*1963-64 George Johnson*1967-68 H.Boege*/C.Haluck*1968-69 Don Howarth*1969-70 Steve Kardos*1972-73 Joe Sachen*1973-74 Stan Swiatlowski*1974-75 Harry McIlvain*1976-77 Herb Jones*1977-78 Stan Wasechka*

1978-79 Leon LaBrie*1980-81 Jim Storey1981-82 Samuel Roberts1982-83 Chuck Quesnel*1983-84 Norman Kail*1984-85 Jim Lynch*1985-86 Jack Madigan*1986-87 Joe Houlihan*1987-88 Ed Knudsen1988-89 Bill Frye*

1989-90 Paul Freedman1990-91 Herb Eilertsen*1991-92 Curt Curtiss*1992-93 Norman Kail*1993-94 Tom Dragoun*1994-95 Bill Cedel*1995-96 Lee Ezzes1996-97 Bud Fournier*1997-98 James Beeler1998-99 Tim Walsh

2002-03 Albert Burke*2003-04 Fred Handley*2004-05 Al Torres*2005-06 Judith Ciancimino2006-07 Joe Apodaca2007-08 Al Torres*2008-09 Roger Lewis2009-10 Vernon Tinsley*

2000-01 Ken Barger* 2010-11 Dan Baccelliere2001-02 George Vernon Sr.* 2011-12 Tracy Bagdon

*1957-1958 Ray D.Conover*1958-1959 Charles W.Pearson*19591960 Cyril F. VanLoozen*1960-1961 Ed. D. Ryan*1961-1962 Jan Van Eyk*1962-1963 JohnMijal*1963-1964 JohnMijal*1964-1965 RogerHarmon*1965-1966 WayneConover*1966-1967 PaulCornmesser*1967-1968 JosephWalsh*1968-1969 DickBirch*1969-1970 JosephRollins*1970-1971 StanOczachowski*1971-1972 ErnestSweeney*1972-1973 BillMcKindley*1973-1974 BillRobertson*1974-1975 WayneGarrison*1974-1975 WayneGarrison*1975-1976 JosephHoover*1976-1977 JosephSachen*1977-1978 JohnMcGah

*1978-1979 FredLucas*1979-1980 BillGraham*1980-1981 James Lynch*1981-1982 Glenn Viles 1982-1983 ThomasMescher1983-1984 Steve Johnson

*1984-1985 Dean Culshaw*1985-1986 KurtJena*1986-1987 FrankRogers*1987-1988 WilliamCrowther*1988-1989 Vernon E. Tinsley 1989-1990 Thomas P. Russo 1990-1991 David G. Turnbull 1991-1992 James C. Betz

*1992-1993 Walter J.Diver*1993-1994 George C. Vernon, Sr. 1994-1995 Richard G.Page1995-1996 Oleg Krotenko 1996-1997 Landon A. Strattan 1997-1998 Ronald Lee Buress

*1998-1999 George C. Vernon, Sr., PER

1999-2000 RossMoen2000-2001 David G. Turnbull, PER2001-2002 Landon A. Strattan, PER2002-2003 MechieNunez-Meents2003-2004 JanaMarkum2004-2005 Stan Clark*2005-2006 Philip Parlett2006-2007 LeeEzzes2007-2008 DanBaccelliere2008-2009 Bobbette Williams2009-2010 DanBaccelliere2010-2011 PattyCrockett2011-2012 Sherri Dunlap2012-2013 Deven Parmar2013-2014 KathyGrant2014-2015 Craig Bromberger2015-2016 Craig Bromberger2016-2017 KathyGrant2017-2018 SeanWilliams2018-2019 RobSitter2019-2020 Serina Tremayne

** By Merger with Inglewood Lodge 1492April 4, 1983

*R. Leonard Bush Barney Pelant Joe Namnam

*Robert McCormick*John Campbell Clyde Miera

*B.S. Gallamore*Ralph Phillips*Frank Rocco Ron Alexander

By Afflilation:*Harold McClintock*Joseph Minnillo Roger Hoeman John NasbyRaedean Kiesz

Asst Esquire Asst. ChaplainAsst. Inner Guard….Ken DufvaOfficer at Large. …..Dan Baccelliere, PPDGER Alternate Delegate...Serina Tremayne, PER

2012-13 Sherri Muro2013-14 Mark Meyer2014-15 Kathy Grant2015-16 Kena Liggins2016-17 Tony Pacheco2017-18 Jeff JR Coulter2018-19 Betty Ford2019-20 WilliePhillips*Deceased

Westchester Lodge 2050 8025 W. ManchesterAve. Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 Phone: 310-821-3005

www.westchesterelks.com

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