Elks Lodge #978

The Elks Lodge #978 of Gulfport held their Mardi Gras ball on Feb. 14, 2009. The theme for this years ball was “Circus-Circus.”

The master of ceremonies was Mrs. Jacqui Gates, a two –time past exalted ruler.. The presenter, Geoff Dobbyin, and auxiliary president Velma Harrington.were recognized , and in turn recognized all attending pass kings and queens. And the Elk of the Year, Mr. Joseph Irby and Auxilary Lady of the Year Mrs. Ledoris Rich. Queen Fidelity the 45th is Velma Jean Staley Harrington. She wore a stunning dress of white lace and chiffon covered with beads and crystals and pearls. She wore the traditional gold crown and carried the gold scepter, and pulled an eighteen foot train of royal velvet with the auxiliary emblem and sprinkled with austrian crystals.

She was born in Middletowm, Ohio, and grew up on a farm, she was the eldest of 5 children.. She married Richard Stanhope Harrington in 1973 and they were married 31 years before his death.

Through hard work and diligence she has a masters degree in public administration. She worked with the Girl Scouts for 29 years; has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 25 years,[ president Marietta,Ga., Unit # 64;] affiliated with the Elks 25 years, {Mardi Gras ball captain, 2005, after Katrina; president of 2 auxiliaries, Lodges $477, Marietta, Ga, and Gulfport #978 for 2 years, she was cookbook chairman in 2005 and 2008.; Lady Elk of the Year , 2003-04.. She has been honorably asked to run for the office of state president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Mississippi this coming May in Vicksburg. She has lived in Gulfport for 20 years; received the “ Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award,” 2007; and has worked for the Harrison County Youth Court for 13 years.

Pages to the queen were Madison Moody, [ her parents are Michael and Kelly Moody;] and Kaia Taylor, [ her parents are Steven Taylor and Ashley Balias.] They wore beautiful white satin long dresses trimmed in sequins, beads and pearls, and wore matching silver tiaras with austrian crystals..

King Fidelity the 45th is Lewis J. Shank. He was dressed in a white tuxedo, wore a crown of gold and carried a gold scepter. He also pulled an eighteen foot train of royal velvet with the elks emblem and sprinkled with austrian crystals.

He was born in and raised in a Pennsylvania farm valley and town called Ringtown, Pa. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served in WWII in the Army Air Corps a radio operator in a troop carrier SSS squardron. He participated in D-Day, dropping airborne paratroopers and towing airborne in gliders.