WILKIE — The Wilkie Elks have been a part of fabric of since 1927 when Wilkie Lodge No.65 was formed. It continued until it was closed at the outbreak of the Second World War.
The present day Wilkie Elks No. 568 was formed June 17, 1978 with 56 members and the lodge is still an active part of the community and district.
Wilkie Elks member Eugene Hartter became the president of the Elks of Saskatchewan in a ceremony June 9 in Kindersley. It was a proud and emotional moment for Hartter, his wife and strongest supporter Charlotte, family and friends of the Wilkie Elks.
Hartter was born and raised in the town of Wilkie. Hartter, after a suggestion from his father-in-law, became an Elk and has been a strong and committed supporter of the organization and what it has done and continues to do for the community, district and province.
Hartter became a member of the Elks Lodge 34 years ago. He joined the Grand Lodge as a district representative in 1986, before it changed to the Elks Provincial Association. He was the district representative for 22 years, holding many positions throughout the years.
Hartter also spent 18 years working on an addiction awareness program, which was delivered in conjunction with the Peace 100. He has been an active member and has sat as an executive on every level within the Elks organization.
When asked about his fondest memory of being with the Elks, Hartter said, “There are so many memories, like meeting the kids from the SPARC (Saskatchewan Pediatric Auditory Rehabilitation Centre) program, those we were able to help in cases of fire or hospital visits. The parents’ smile when we hand them a cheque with expenses, the list goes on and on.
“But the fondest memory for me personally was last year when myself and members of the Elks from all over Canada, along with the Elks mascot, Charlie, went to Langley, B.C. to a Salvation Army evacuee camp, which held over 500 people. We loaded a truck full of colouring books and soccer balls and handed them out the kids. Their smiles were the big thing.”
When Hartter found out that he was going to be president of the Elks of Saskatchewan, he was “very emotional, the Elks are family.”
During the installation, Ron Potter from Moosomin participated in the induction ceremony. Potter had made a commitment to Hartter eight years ago that when he did become president of the Elks, Potter would be there to help install Hartter as president.
During his term Hartter will make 21 visits to northern areas of Saskatchewan and travel to communities that haven’t had a presidential visit for more than three years. There is also a convention in Regina in July, a walk-a-thon in Estherhazy in October and in December he will be visiting the local lodges as district representative and president.
A provincial conference in Moose Jaw in 2019 will end Hartter’s reign, but that’s not where he will stop. Hartter is already looking into the future with a position with the Grand Lodge, which is going to start working with the Elks of Canada in 2019.
In a quote from the 1927 Wilkie Press, Al Vandrick is said: “Who and what are the Elks? The Elks are comprised of the best people on earth. The BPOE aims to promote the best interests of the town and district in which they are established. It is a community service club. It seeks to make life sweeter and the world happier.”
