Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson, left, receives a plaque from Springfield Mayor James Langfelder declaring Saturday, Jan. 27 Benevelent and Protective Order of Elks Day in Springfield. The presentation was made at the dinner highlighting the IEA Mid-Winter meeting.Vienna Police Officer Phillip Stewart receives the 2017-18 IEA Enrique Camarena Award from Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson upon the Grand’s annual visit to the IEA in January in Springfield.The IEA, at the IEA Mid-Winter meeting, awarded $15,000 to two charities, the Kemmerer Village Horses for Heroes program and Autism and Movement Project, both based in Assumption. Front from left are Amber Miller, equine therapist of the Kemmerer Village Horses and Heroes program, which received $10,000; Amanda Taylor, instructor of the Autism and Movement Project, which was awarded $5,000; and AAMP owner and instructor Erica Matthews. In back are: Bill Block, administrative manager of the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Program; Tawn Williams, IECCC chair; and Past State President Darrell Swisher.Vienna Police Officer Phillip Stewart receives the 2017-18 IEA Enrique Camarena Award from Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson upon the Grand’s annual visit to the IEA in January in Springfield.Patricia McPherson, wife of Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson, unwraps a gift she received from IEA First Lady Rae Marie Jurmu at the dinner highlighting the IEA Mid-Winter meeting in January.Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson unfolds the University of Illinois shirt he received as a gift from IEA President Dave Jurmu. McPherson also was given a reminder of his visit to the Land of Lincoln.McPherson was given a reminder of his visit to the Land of Lincoln.Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson displays the plaque he received from IEA President Dave Jurmu granting McPherson honorary membership in the Illinois Elks AssociationShelly Ray of Centralia Lodge 493 and the South District displays the plaque she was awarded for being named 2017-18 IEA Lady of the Year. She is flanked, from left, by West Central District Lady of the Year Teresa Copper of Granite City 1063, West District Lady of the Year Tena Fowler of Bloomington 281 and South District Lady of the Year Nicole Davis of Carbondale 1243. In back are: IEA First Lady Rae Marie Jurmu, Grand Lodge First Lady Patricia McPherson and Beth Sulsberger, wife of IEA sponsor and Past Grand Exalted Ruler Lou Sulsberger.Shelly Ray of Centralia Lodge 493 and the South District (center), with IEA First Lady Rae Marie Jurmu and Grand Lodge First Lady Patricia McPherson.Mt. Vernon Lodge 819 Exalted Ruler John Tucker displays the plaque he received on behalf of the lodge for winning the 2017-18 IEA team competition, earning Mt. Vernon Lodge the right to represent the IEA at the Grand Lodge Ritual Competition in San Antonio in July. Tucker is flanked from left by Mt. Vernon ritual coach Patrick Bevis and IEA Sponsor Lou Sulsberger.Mt. Vernon Lodge 819 Exalted Ruler John Tucker (center) won the 11 O’Clock Toast competition at the IEA Mid-Winter meeting. He is flanked by Grand Exalted Ruler Malcolm McPherson and IEA Sponsor Lou Sulsberger.Grand Exalted Ruler displays the plaque, titled “Tribute to Leadership,” he received at the dinner highlighting the IEA Mid-Winter meeting in January in Springfield. He is accompanied, from left, by Grand Lodge First Lady Patricia McPherson, IEA President and First Lady Dave and Rae Marie Jurmu.
