Third Elks Family Christmas Dinner planned in PI

For the third consecutive year, the Presque Isle Lodge of Elks will be hosting an Elks Family Christmas Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.     “Christmas is best celebrated in the company of good friends and family and should never be celebrated alone. Anyone who would otherwise be alone is invited to join the Elks and their friends for a celebration of Christmas on Christmas Day at the Lodge,” said organizer Linda Allen, Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 1954, in Presque Isle.
Elks Lodge members will be serving a traditional Christmas meal of roast turkey, country-cooked ham and all the usual accompanying fare to everyone wishing to attend. A wide variety of live entertainment will be presented, including local bluegrass artists, barber shop quartets, and surprise guests.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. the Elks will provide transportation, including limousine service donated by Luxury Limos of Caribou, for those without their own transportation to the Lodge at 508 Main Street in Presque Isle.
“Meals, entertainment, parting gifts, and transportation are all Christmas presents from the Presque Isle Elks to those who wish to join us on Christmas Day at the Lodge,” Allen stated.
The Presque Isle Elks Lodge began its family Christmas event in 2005, in order to provide some holiday relief for the increasing number of area residents who are alone. Organizers suggest the number of Presque Isle residents who, for various reasons, find themselves socially isolated seems to be steadily increasing.
“Isolation is not a circumstance that is consistent with the joy that Christmas should bring. It is the company of family and friends which is the source of greatest joy for us all at Christmas. No one should be deprived of sharing in that joy,” Allen said.
“If anyone in the Presque Isle area does not have family or friends with whom to celebrate Christmas, the Presque Isle Elks truly want them to join with the Elks on Christmas Day. Consequently, no one in this area needs to spend Christmas Day alone.” Allen added.
Reservations can be made by calling the Lodge at 764-0985, not only for an entertaining Christmas dinner, but also for transportation to the lodge by limousine. For those persons confined to wheelchair, special equipment is available not only for their transportation, but for their use of the lodge facilities.
“The motto of all Elks is ‘Elks Care … Elks Share’,” Allen stated. In keeping with that motto, for the past two years, Lodge members under the leadership of project co-chairs, Dana and Mary Dickinson, and non-members, have volunteered in record numbers to donate their time on Christmas Day to make Christmas a joyous time for everyone. The efforts and generosity of the Elks have been matched by community businesses, which have financially supported this project. The local police and fire departments and Crown Ambulance service have also provided valuable support every year.
On Tuesday, Dece. 25, at 10:30 a.m., Elks Lodge members will begin transporting guests to the Lodge for musical entertainment followed by a traditional, sit-down, Christmas meal. Rumors of a surprise, special guest continue to circulate.
“To anyone who does not want to be alone on Christmas Day and anyone who knows of such a person who would be alone, please call the Presque Isle Elks Lodge at 764-0985, in order to make reservations to be a part of the Elks’ wonderful Christmas celebration,” Allen said.