From Grand Lodge Convention

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Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at the Watertown Elks Lodge # 496, there was an Installation of Officers ceremony and ER's Volunteer Appreciation dinner.  Congratulations, Anthony DeMiceli, for becoming the Exalted Ruler for the fraternal year 2026-2027!  Grand Officers were: PER Dennis Brady as Grand Exalted Ruler; PDDGER Jill Bruce-Wiley as Grand Leading Knight; PER Cheryl Clark as Grand Loyal Knight; PER Joe Navarra as Grand Lecturing Knight; PDDGER Scott Hirst as Grand Secretary; PER Anne Fleming as Grand Treasurer; PER Tony Verne as Grand Trustee; PSVP Joan Carlo as Grand Chaplain; PER Ed Massa as Grand Inner Guard; PER Michael Cummings as Grand Tiler; and PER Kathy Converse as Grand Esquire.  Grand Exalted Ruler Dennis Brady declared the officers of Watertown Lodge # 496 for the 2026-2027 fraternal year duly installed!  Officers: ER - Anthony DeMiceli; Leading Knight Karen Miller; Loyal Knight Thomas Lynch; Lecturing Knight Derrick Kehoe; Treasurer Beth Bennett; Secretary PER Dennis Brady; Trustee (5-year) soon-to-be PER Phil Nuffer; Chaplain Margaret Bootie; Inner Guard David Clement; Tiler Sheri Doroha; Esquire Suzie Renzi-Falge. 

After the Installation of Officers ceremony, dinner was served followed by awards being given out.

Matthew Caulkins for volunteering to cook in our kitchen on countless nights.  Kasey Gardner for volunteering.  Mike Coniglio for being our pub menu cook for just about every event pertaining to activities of the Lodge.  PER Tony Verne for being our big help in the kitchen and in the maintenance of our home Lodge.  Peg Narrigan for being a big help in food prep and dish washing.  PER Dennis Brady received a certificate of appreciation for outstanding help and unwavering support of our Lodge.  David Clement and Janet Gardner received Outstanding Service Commendation for being dedicated volunteers, most notably for their big fundraising event for one of our members to help with medical expenses.  Sandi LaVere received Volunteer of the Year award.  Barbara Yerdon received Employee of the Year award.  Suzie Renzi-Falge received Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award for her work with our Lodge (as grant writer) and her work out in the community.  Jay Miller received Officer of the Year award.  Fran Alberry was our Elk of the Year recipient for her outstanding work and involvement in many committees behind the scenes.  Joseph Fiorentino also received a certificate of appreciation for recognition of his outstanding dedication, skill, and heartfelt service in preparing Friday Night dinners for our Lodge in the past year.

Thank you, Exalted Ruler Phil Nuffer, for an outstanding year at our Lodge!

The Watertown Elks Lodge # 496 and the New York State Elks Association suffered a great loss.  Past State President Timothy E Kelly has passed through the shadows into everlasting peace.

Brother Tim Kelly was a devout father first and foremost.  When he became a member, before taking the obligation, he took the promise of not allowing anything to interfere with his duty to himself or his family seriously.  Then came the obligation he took to become a member.  For those who understood the rituals when one becomes a member, every part of the obligations he took, he lived it.

Tim had such giving heart.  He was an amazing man who loves to sell raffles like a true salesman not just for Elks, but for organizations throughout the Northern New York Communities.  He has made many significant contributions to various causes through many organizations.  He even took it upon himself to give up a lot of his free time to chair many fundraising campaigns.  The influence of his good deeds, honestly and promptly performed, can be felt everywhere.  He did all that without the need of anything in exchange.

Tim was faithful to justice.  He understood the statutes of the Order and believed in it.  He has done everything possible to be sure everyone was rewarded as they shall deserve.

Brotherly Love is a torch that sheds light over the whole pathway of life.  Tim was strong of limb, fleet of foot, quick and keen of perception.  He was always there for anybody in a time of need, aided those in distress, timorous of doing wrong and fleet of foot to relieve the unfortunate.  He was with us in seasons of joy, sits with us in the shadow and weeps in the hour of bereavement.  He was always there for everyone.  He was a good example of Brotherly Love.

Fidelity inspires us to be true to one another and to treasure the memory of the departed... Tim fulfilled the many obligations, duties and commitments that he took upon himself.  He understood the obligations he took when he became a member of the great chain of brotherhood that constitutes the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks way back on December 6 of 1966.  He became Exalted Ruler in 1983, District Deputy of North Central District in 1988 before becoming the New York State Elks Association in 2005.  Tim couldn't just walk away from Elkdom.  He continued to be a great presence in our Lodge and with the New York Elks State Association.  He is the definition of Fidelity.

His deeds will forever be etched in stone.  His virtues are written upon the tablets of Love and Memory.

Rest in peace and fly high, PSP Timothy E Kelly!

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