SOUTH FLORIDA ELKS TRAVEL LEAGUE
We would like to take just a moment to wish each and every one a wonderful New Year!
The Elks Travel League has just completed it's 7th week of the season with six to go. Our next session will be February 8th at Bird Bowl located at 9275 Bird Road. We would like to invite you to join us for fun and (sometimes frustration). We start practicing at 1:00 p.m. and begin scoring for real at around 1:20 p.m. Cost for the men is $13.00 per session. We are presently looking for members who would like to join us on a team for a trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to bowl in the Elks National tournament. Fort Wayne, Indiana Lodge will be the host sponsor. We are scheduled to leave Friday, April 23rd and returning Sunday, April 25th. The tournament format is a four person team with singles and doubles events as well. The Fort Wayne Lodge will pick us up at the airport when we arrive and return us Sunday after bowling for our departure.
Fun will be had by all, I can assure you. You must be an Elk member and an ABC or WIBC sanctioned bowler to participate.
We are currently looking for reasonable flights and Motel accommodations, for which we should have confirmed information soon.
Should you have any question regarding the travel league or tournament, please contact Skeet Robinson or John Chec.

IT'S THE HOUR OF RECOLLECTION!
It's hard for me to say, Elkdom and our Bowling Community is very sad. We have lost one of our special members and Good Friend, George Uffenorde.
Our Travel League was saddened with his passing and will never be the same. George was a Past President of the League and was always there for us. He would always offer his hand in friendship to do what he could to help in any way. (Thanks George!)
A little story: George and I worked on a project some 20 years ago in a building located in downtown Miami. I'll never forget the flooded basement and electrical conditions that existed. Not knowing George, I never thought it would ever pass any inspections. Little did I know! What a job he did managing the building and project. Shortly thereafter, I realized George had become an Elk. Knowing how he ran his business affairs, I knew we had someone special and a person dedicated to our charities and Elkdom. George, from all of us, you will be missed and never forgotten.
In closing, Elks care and Elks share. George's family has noted that his request was, rather than flowers, we make a donation to the lodge on behalf of Elks Charities in memory of him George B. Uffenorde.
Farewell, dear friend!
Warren Skeet Robinson, P.E.R. Miami Lodge #948

TRIBUTE TO A GENTLEMAN
FAREWELL TO A FRIEND
George B. Uffenorde
(1923-2004)
There are gentlemen and there are gentle men; George Uffenorde was both.
He loved God, loved his family, loved being an Elk and this Lodge, and loved all mankind as was evidenced the night of the viewing at the funeral home and the next morning burial mass at the church as we looked out over a multitude of family and friends.
Heaven became brighter on January 2nd when George arrived there.
Will he be missed? You're mighty right, he will be!
Edna J. Camacho

WANTED: KEY RINGS
(Those that you bought somewhere, do not use and they lay in the drawer untouched. They can serve a very important need and make one young man happy.)
Madison, Florida Elks Lodge No. 2205 is a remotely located lodge just North of Interstate 10 and a few miles south of the Georgia border. They have appealed to us to help in this endeavor; sponsored by Glendyle Littleton, Chairman of the Trustees of that Lodge.
We are told that Brent Dixon, confined to a wheelchair, diagnosed at birth with muscular dystrophy, collects key chains. It is said that his body is confined to a wheelchair; but his spirit soars. He's an extraordinary young man who has not let his disabilities stop or even hinder him from following his dreams. In his wheelchair, he leads his middle school football team out on the field before each football game. He will be attending Lowndes High School next year and they have asked Brent to be their Viking Mascot also.
Brent's ultimate goal is to get into the Guinness Book of World Records with a collection of more than 20,000 key rings.
It's not so much to ask and we can help. A deposit will be made available in the Lounge Area of our Lodge. If each of you who reads this bulletin will find and contribute just one or two key rings, what a nice response to a plea for assistance we can make. Please let your heart be your guide as we, as Elks know how to do.
Ginger DiCristafaro or Edna J. Camacho

Note:
Without pursuing this project, we already have in hand approximately seventy key rings, which we are preparing now to send to the Elks Lodge 2205 in Madison, Florida. Please let's pitch in and make a real showing. Thank you as always for your efforts.

NEWS FROM THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
First of all, we need to say that we are sorry for the mistake that we made last month. The Dining Room is closed on Thursdays only. We are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays on meeting nights, Fridays and Sundays for brunch. We are thankful for the members who are coming on the nights that we are open, but we could certainly accommodate more.
Please remember the Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 1st. We will start the party at about 5:00, but do come early to get a seat. All pool members are welcome and so are those who were not able to get in the pool.
On Tuesday, February 3rd, there will be an evening meeting of the House Committee. We will start at 7:00 pm. The meeting is in the Trustees' Room. If necessary we will move to a bigger space.
Ginger DiCristafaro
House Committee Chair

POT OF GOLD
On regular Wednesday meeting nights, we have a drawing at the end of each session. If you are present and your membership number is drawn, you win. During the month of January, we had three winners: Ronald Guiler on January 07th; John Bow on January 14th; and on January 21st Angel R. Huerta's number was drawn. Neither member whose name was drawn was present. The pot is presently in excess of $350.00. This is a gentle way of asking you to please come to meetings. You can still make a New Year's resolution to get involved in your Lodge. There's something of interest for everyone.
Tommy Palma, P.E.R. and PSVP

I'M GLAD YOU'RE IN MY DASH
(Sent to us by a very special P.E.R. from our Lodge 948 who took the time to share this with us. The dash, as you will find, is that time in between the moment we are born to the moment we die) It goes like this:

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
(1934- 2003)
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the carsthe housethe cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hardAre there things youd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogys being read with your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
I'm glad that you're in my life and part of my dash!
Warren Skeet Robinson, P.E.R.

ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE REPORT
The year 2004 has started with a bang. Our annual New Years Day Party was well attended with plenty of delicious bring a covered dish food for everyone.
Thanks to Chef Manny and his crew the Pig Roast was a huge success. A big thanks to the Elkettes for donating the delicious home baked desserts that everyone enjoyed. Paul Gast provided the Big Band sound music. I didn't hear one complaint; so we must have done something right. We are looking forward to Manny's Chicken Roast on January 31st.
Mike Myers is planning another casino cruise when the seas calm down. It's more enjoyable at that time. Our Committee has not planned special events for February since we have the Super Bowl Party on February 1st; the Elk's Quarterly is February 11-14th; and the Elkettes Sweetheart Ball is on February 14th. That's a lot for a short month.
March will be a busy month with a St. Patrick's Day Party on March 13th in the Ball Room with music by the Mystiques and the Elk's Inaugural Ball on March 27th with music by the Steve Charles Orchestra.
We're going to miss one of our loyal supporters, George Uffenorde. George was always the first to volunteer when able and the first to buy a ticket to an event.
If anyone is interested in joining our Activities Committee, please call me. This is a fun committee, but a lot of hard work too. The more involved we get, the easier the workload.
Thank you for your support and come and enjoy your Lodge.
Ella Mae Shroyer
Activities Committee Chariperson

NEW LODGE YEAR
(New Officers 2004-2005)
This is to remind you that we will have nomination of Officers for the new Lodge year on February 4th and 11th and the election will take place on Wednesday, February 18th.
Please come out and be a part of this process. Your vote is very important. Let the Officers know that you care about the activities of the Lodge and support them in the work that they are doing for you.
We are blessed to live in a Country where the will of the people is encouraged. You may not always agree with the choice of the majority, but can be a participant in it. Hope to see a great turnout for this event.
Fraternally,
Mary Rust, Leading Knight