Rochester Elks fare well in annual state ritual competition

From left, Dawn Croteau, Past Exalted Ruler, Lodge Trustee, Portsmouth, Elks #97; Peter Ducharme, Exalted Ruler, Rochester Elks #1393 and Matthew Sanborn, Past Exalted Ruler, Lodge Trustee, Rochester Elks #1393. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The annual New Hampshire State Elks Association Ritual Competition was held at the Rochester Elks Lodge #1393 on Sunday with New Hampshire State Ritual Chairman Don Chesnel from the Rochester Elks in charge of the contest.

Results were as follows:

PER Competition - 11 O'Clock Toast Contest Score

1^st Place - Matthew Sanborn, PER - Rochester, NH Elks Lodge #1393 98.2942 (High Score of the Contest)

2^nd Place - Dawn Croteau, PER - Portsmouth, NH Elks #97 97.9324

ER Competition - 11 O'Clock Toast Contest Score

Peter Ducharme, Exalted Ruler, Rochester, NH Elks #1393 98.1133

ER Competition - Flag Presentation Contest Score

Peter Ducharme, Exalted Ruler, Rochester, NH Elks #1393 97.1143

Assisting with contest details, hall setup and refreshments were the following members from the Rochester Elks - Norman Gervais, PER, Lodge Secretary and Lodge Ritual Coach; Jerry Skidds, PER, PDD, Lodge Trustee; Jeanne Bernard, PER, Lodge Tiler and Peter Ducharme, Exalted Ruler.

Judges for the contest were as follows - from New Hampshire: George Labonte, PER, PDD, PSP from the Franklin Elks #1280. From the State of Maine and Sanford, Maine Elks #1470: Frank Ricker, PER, PDD, PSP, State Ritual Chairman; Bruce Brunelle, PER, PDD, PSP and Area 1 Member of the Grand Lodge Ritual Committee; Andy Bolz, PER, PDD, PSP; Roger Normandeau, PER, PDD, PSP; Robert Shaw, PER; and Lisa and Kaitlin Brunelle.

By virtue of their 1^st place finishes in the State Contest, Past Exalted Ruler Matthew Sanborn and Exalted Ruler Peter Ducharme will be representing the State of New Hampshire at the Grand Lodge Ritual Contests to be held in Austin, Texas on June 30.

The fraternal organization took the opportunity to thank those who attended and supported the event.