The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Sunland-Tujunga Lodge, held its annual installation dinner on April 13. This year, two women took on Elks’ top leadership roles. Rochelle Zenger accepted the role of Exalted Ruler (president) and Janet Dappen is Leading Knight. Rochelle is a fifth generation Elks member. Her father, Ralph Zenger, is a 32-year member and the Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.

Other members who were installed included Santos Chavez as Loyal Knight, Veronica Chavez, Lecturing Knight, Gerry Cody as secretary and James Saurer as treasurer. Beverly Freeman was installed as one-year trustee, Bob Goble as five-year trustee. Continuing officers are Esko Vaananen as two-year trustee, Earl Bouchard as three-year trustee and Don Bouchard as four-year trustee. Glen Wallace is the Elks’ tiler, Adrian Martinez is esquire and James Saurer is also chaplain. There are three vacancies on the board for inner.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Sunland-Tujunga Lodge, is a longtime service organization that helps different community groups maintain when funding is low. To raise money for their educational and charitable efforts, the Elks hold a monthly breakfast on the third Sunday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Elks Lodge at 10137 Commerce Ave. in Tujunga. The breakfast includes an omelet bar with a choice of 11 ingredients, hash browns or country fried potatoes, southern style sausage gravy and biscuits, bacon, ham, sausage and fresh fruit. The cost is $7.50 and the general public is welcome.

The Elks also serve dinner on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with menu choices ranging from fish and chicken to spaghetti, meatloaf with macaroni and cheese and roast beef. Elk Head Cook Earl Bouchard and his team prepares all the food. The fee to attend is $10 or less, depending on the dinner. There are no reservations required and the public is always welcome to support the Elks in their charitable fundraising efforts and to find out more about membership.

Submitted by Pat KRAMER

  Pat KRAMER