LEWISTON — Lewiston Elks Lodge 371 officers were installed at a ceremony at their facility on Lisbon Street on March 17.

Installed as exalted ruler (president) was Kathleen Cotterly, Poland Spring, by her husband, Maine Elks Association State President Wayne Cotterly. This was a historic event for the lodge and the Maine Elks Association (MEA), as it was the first time in the history of the association that the wife of the state president would also concurrently serve as the exalted ruler of a local lodge.

To commemorate the event, the installing suite was comprised of all past state presidents of the MEA, with the exception of the current state president.

Also installed were: leading knight (first vice president), Pieter Staples, Auburn; treasurer, Liana Pinard, Sabattus; chaplain, Karen Staples, Auburn; inner guard, Albert Tibbetts, Poland; tiler, Edward McClure, Poland; and trustees, Belinda Ashworth and Michael Aube, Auburn, and Robert Pinard, Sabattus. Installed on March 26 were secretary, Wayne Cotterly, Poland Spring, and John Wyman, Auburn.

Past state presidents  installing were Donald Dewar of the Massachusetts Elks Association, Robert Drisko of the Augusta Elks Lodge, Philip O’Brion and Claris Ranger of the Farmington Elks Lodge, Donald Richard and David Fitzpatrick of the Rumford Elks Lodge, Frank Ricker, Roger Normandeau and Bruce Brunelle of the Sanford Elks Lodge and Roger Sicard of the Biddeford-Saco Elks Lodge. Also serving as part of the suite was her father, and long time member of the Elks Daniel Cashman of Salem, Mass.

In her remarks, Cotterly thanked outgoing Exalted Ruler Karen Staples for her work and effort. In addition, she set several goals for the year, including revitalization of the lodge.

An Irish dinner was served, and outgoing Exalted Ruler Karen Staples presented awards to volunteers in recognition of their service. Receiving the Citizen of the Year Award was Maureen Aube and Officer of the Year Belinda Ashworth. Outstanding Member Commendations were presented to Walter Cyr and Liana Pinard.

For more information on the Elks, visit elks.org or maineelks.org.