Lodge 1704 Exalted Ruler Steve McBride, center, greets outgoing Elk State President Lee Butts and his wife Ruth at the Nevada State Elks covention last weekend in Hawthorne.

Lodge 1704 Exalted Ruler Steve McBride, center, greets outgoing Elk State President Lee Butts and his wife Ruth at the Nevada State Elks covention last weekend in Hawthorne. Courtesy photo.

Hawthorne Elks Lodge 1704 hosted the Nevada State Elks convention over the weekend with over 225 registered attendees.

Welcoming brother and sister Elks to Hawthorne was Lodge 1704’s Exalted Ruler Steve McBride who set up activities for all to attend, with the help of many dedicated members of his lodge.

Thursday brought a private tour of the Hawthorne Army Depot for dignitaries with Lt. Col. Gregory Gibbons, who commands the base.

Two days of rituals were held with the Reno Elks placing first place and Hawthorne placing fifth. McBride would place second in the Exalted Ruler competition.

A spouse and companion show was held at Veterans Park with native dancers demonstrating the different types and meaning of their dances to the audience. The dancers also wore authentic costumes, made specifically for each dancer. The Agui-Dicutta dancers entertained the audience while drums beat in rhythm.

Following in a western theme, Friday night, outgoing State President Lee Butts, would host a banquet with saloon girls and outlaws in presence.

Saturday business would be conducted with four Hawthorne Lodge 1704 members being elected to state positions. McBride was elected as well as: Gene Presnell, Tammy Harrington and Greg Mohr.

Incoming State President Ken Catlin would welcome Elks to his first banquet while serving in the new position. It was announced that Barbara Owens, Hawthorne resident, would be named runner-up in the State Elk Citizen of the Year award, for her efforts in bringing a Boys and Girls Club to Mineral County.

McBride and Herrington, served as hosts for the state event, and expressed their gratitude in the communities coming together in order to host such as large event.

“Many of us Elks would be up until two or three in the morning and would return at five a.m. in order to begin cooking breakfast,” McBride said about his lodge and all the help that the members put in, in order for the state convention to come together.

The conclusion of the 2015 State Elk convention was with a farewell breakfast on Saturday morning.