Independent Order of Odd Fellows of West Virginia

Randolph #116 Humanitarian Dinner

 

Guests of Honor George Glover Sovereign Grand Warden and Marilyn Wilson, International President.

Here we see Breakfast prior to the Officers visiting the IOOF Home, Presentations of certificates to our Residents of the Home, and pictures of the Banquet.

Elkins hold Humanitarian Dinner

 

For Release:    Immediately

Contact:          Emil Suder, Secretary

                        (304) 621-4257 / esuder@wvioof.org

 

ELKINS IOOF HONORS TOWNSPEOPLE

 

            Elkins, WV – Randolph Lodge No. 116 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) recently honored local townspeople and new members at the IOOF Humanitarian Dinner held at the lodge hall in Elkins.

            Master of ceremonies and co-chair of the event, W. Larry Ferguson, welcomed the audience in attendance and recognized the state officers of the organization. 

            Guests of honor of the evening included The Honorable George Glover, sovereign grand warden from Rhode Island, Marilyn Wilson, president of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies from Ontario, Canada, former Elkins mayor Judy Guye-Swanson, and Dottie Underwood, regional representative to Governor Joe Manchin. 

            Ferguson presented the 2009 Humanitarian of the Year recipient, T. Richard “Dick” Harvey.  Harvey started his banking career at Citizens National Bank in Elkins.  While there, he served as administrative assistant, assistant cashier, data processing manager, comptroller, and vice president.  In 1991, he became president and ceo of Mountain Valley Bank, N.A.

            Harvey is involved in the Elkins community.  He participates in “Project Interview” which is coordinated by Dr. Gloria Payne of Davis & Elkins College; he serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission of Randolph County for more than 25 years; judges social studies projects for Randolph County schools; and has coached Jerry West basketball and Texaco and Guttman Oil Babe Ruth baseball teams in Elkins. 

            The recipients of the Odd Fellow of the Year and the Good Samaritan awards were recognized by Emil Suder, lodge secretary and co-chair of the event.

            The 2008 Odd Fellow of the Year was awarded to lodge member Philmore Kelley.  Kelley, an Elkins resident, played music in the area in a band formerly known as “Corn Cobber Band” for many years.  He also played for the Seneca Trail Band which appeared on public access television.  Although Kelley has since retired from the two bands, he still plays on occasion in the Elkins City Park and other places around the area.  Kelley has been a member of the lodge for over 60 years. 

            The 2009 Good Samaritan recipient was Stanley Teets.  Teets, a resident of Elkins, owned and operated T-Mart for over 25 years, driven a school bus for Randolph County for 17 years, and has been a willing and caring person all of his life.  He is noted for his continuous help to family, friends, community members, and strangers.  He has designed many charitable drives for local families in the area who needed assistance.  One person depicted Teets as “caring and willing at all times to help anyone in need.” 

            Previous recipients of the various awards were recognized by Ferguson.  Recipients of the humanitarian award in attendance included Dr. Farukh Khan (2003), The Honorable Judge Robert Maxwell (2005), Margaret Gutshall (2006), Jack Basil (2007), and Steve Shepler (2008).  The Honorable Senator Mike Ross (2007) was the first recipient of the Good Samaritan award which recognizes outstanding community involvement in promoting good will and caring for others.

            Each leader of the branches of the Order in West Virginia as well as the international officers received handcrafted cutting boards from Raymond Teter, a 63-year lodge member from Elkins. 

            IOOF, a fraternal organization founded on the principles that promote the goodwill and character of mankind started in the United States in 1819.  Beneficial to society, the Order organizes many charitable drives that center on children,

            For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.wvioof.org for a lodge near you or e-mail info@wvioof.org.