Utah Ladies of Elks

President, Jodie Smith

2008-2009

"One Particular Harbor"

I am honored and excited to serve as Utah Ladies of Elks President for 2008-2009.  It was something my mother, PSP Lola Sims, wanted very much and it makes me happy to be able to do it for her.

My theme for the year is “One Particular Harbor.”  For those of you who have not discovered your inner “parrothead,” it comes from a Jimmy Buffett song.  I knew I wanted to use something from Jimmy’s lyrics and asked my son, Colt to help me come up with something.  I kept asking him and he kept telling me that he just kept coming back to “One Particular Harbor.”  The song talks about the one place where you are safe and warm.  It took awhile for me to realize why he felt that way.

So much of my life has revolved around the Elks.  I have the locket the Dixie Ladies of Elks gave me when I was born.  The Elks Lodge was where you saw the “real Santa Claus.”  The Dixie Ladies of Elks were my sponsors for Girls State and I attended college on an ENF Scholarship.  My parents were involved in every aspect of Dixie Lodge where my mother was president in 1956-57 and was an active member for over 50 years.  My father loved everything about “the lodge.”  He carried the #1 card for many years and would be quite amazed that only one of his children was part of that world. 

In so many ways, the Elks have been my “One Particular Harbor.”  When I was widowed at 34, the lodge gave me a “safe” place to have a social life and it was a place I didn’t feel like the odd man out if I attended a function alone.  Just as my mother knew she could call on my dad’s “Brother Elks” to help her after my father died, I knew that I could call on Ray, Jim, Jon, Bernie or any number of the members of Dixie Lodge to help me or Colt.

We do a lot of good as Ladies of Elks and for that we are to be commended, but we also gain a lot from our membership.  The friends I have made through my 28 years membership in Dixie LOE are so important to me.  I have laughed (and cried) more with those women than with my own family.  I traveled the state as secretary to Mother Lola, Virginia Hansen, Genny B and for half the year with Judy Sullivan.  What wonderful experiences those were!  Each was very different, but I enjoyed it every time and learned a lot. 

So my point, if there is one, is that you should take every opportunity to get to know and become friends with the people you encounter through this organization.  Remember just because we have serious goals and want to accomplish great things, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun along the way.

Jodie Smith

STATE L.O.E. PRESIDENT'S VISITATION

SCHEDULE 2008-2009

Park City - September 5, 2008

Richfield - September 25, 2008

Cottonwood - October 11, 2008

Golden Spike Afternoon - October 21, 2008

Golden Spike Evening - October 21, 2008

Tintic - December 2, 2008

Bountiful - December 6, 2008

Cedar City - December 18, 2008

Dixie - January 17, 2009

Provo - TBA

Vernal - TBA

Tooele - April 5, 2009

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