The changing of the guard can be something as simple as a voice vote but for members of the Elks Club, it a much more formalized ceremony.
Arriving in tuxedos and cocktail attire, members of the Palm Coast Elks Lodge hosted the installation dinner on Saturday evening with great fanfare.
On hand to take part in the evening’s ceremony as Bob Williams was elevated to Exalted Ruler, Erika Barger was one of the youngest Exalted Rulers at her own lodge in Ormond Beach before becoming District Deputy Grand Exalter Ruler, East Central District of Florida.
“I’ve been an Elk for 14 years and I’m actually a fourth generation Elk, so it’s been in my family for over 100 years,” said Barger. “I would say the most important thing in Elkdom is the people that you meet and the charitable work that we do.”
A member of the club for the past six years, Williams was connected to the Elks through business associates and was also attracted to the philanthropic component of the organization. Joining with his wife Theresa Williams, the pair gradually became more involved.
“It’s very exciting. I really didn’t plan on this. We’ve been very involved with the community in the past. When this opportunity came up we realized there’s more opportunity than just going to the bar or eating at the restaurant, so we started getting more involved. She’s very involved and she’s the one who took care of all this tonight,” he said looking around at the room’s décor proudly.
Williams has already set goals for his term including boosting membership and helping the youth programs.
“We’re very interested in the youth organizations that the Elks support,” he said. “That’s really what it is – the scholarships and the camps getting the youth involved, being mentors for them. Theresa during COVID, was very active helping the elderly make sure they got their shots. When it was very difficult for them to do it, so she had youths come and help. This was just another opportunity to get more involved.”
Supported by Danielle Pierro, Brad Lake and Ken Pento, in leadership roles, they anticipate an active year ahead.
“I am honored to be the Leading Knight at the Palm Coast Elks Lodge. I look forward to the year ahead and know it will be filled with lots of great activities and charitable events. It’s very fulfilling to do for others as Elks do,” said Pierro.
Stepping up to lead the Elks’ Ladies’ Auxiliary Roe Barletta follows Georgia Hall.
“I am honored to be Elks Lodge 2709 Ladies Auxiliary President,” she said. “We are following an amazing Board led by Past President Georgia Hall, who was met with many obstacles and still came out ahead. We have some big shoes to fill. Myself and the 2022-2023 Ladies Auxiliary Board are so excited about our upcoming events and can’t wait to see what awaits us.
The evening honored Jamie Bourdeau as the 2021 Citizen of the Year, Brad Lake as Officer of the Year 2021 and Elk of the Year 2021 James Boyd.
Palm Coast Elks Lodge Officers
Exalted Ruler – Bob Williams
Leading Knight – Danielle Pierro
Loyal Knight – Brad Lake
Lecturing Knight – Ken Pento
Secretary – Gail Williams
Treasurer – Wendy Hazen
Esquire – Ralph Dodge
Chaplain – Mike Ferenz
Inner Guard – Charlie Kolaitis
Tiler – Bob Thoubborron
Organist – Peter Trubek
Trustee – John Clouser
Trustee – Jack Lyons
Trustee – Bill Hall
Trustee – Pete Lehnertz
Trustee – Rob Kronen
