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| By Dan Cooper Staff Intern SPRINGFIELD - The Polish Committee of the Springfield Lodge of Elks has named Carl W. Robitaille the 2007 Polish Elk of the Year, and he is thrilled to have the distinction. "It's an honor because it comes from my fellow workers on the Polish Committee," Robitaille said to Reminder Publications. "I knew about this award a month ago at our meeting. I've served on the committee for 15 years." Robitaille said the Polish Committee has only about 15 to 17 members, which makes his monination more rewarding. "The way the committee decides on Polish Elk of the Year is that the past winner of the award gets together with past Elk members and voice opinions on whom to nominate," he said. "So I was essentially nominated by my friends and fellow committee members." Robitaille said he has worked in the kitchen for the Polish Committee. "I'd help prepare food and set up the hall for events," he continued. "We [Polish Committee] meet every two weeks." Robitaille is also a member of the German, French and Irish Committees at the Elks Lodge. He said many Elk members serve on several committees, so each one knows what is going on. "Each committee meets separately, but we all stay in the loop on what's happening." Robitaille has also served on the Irish Float Committee for the Elks Lodge. "That committee is responsible for building a float for the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade," Robitaille said. "It is also used in other local parades throughout the year, such as the East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade and the Parade of the Big Balloons in Springfield." The German and French Committees have also previously named Robitaille Elk of the Year, so he "figured in time the Polish Committee would nominate me." Robitaille was born in Springfield and graduated from Springfield Technical High School. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western New England College. Robitaille entered the retail industry as a department, and later store, manager for 26 years. He has also volunteered his time to the Boy Scouts of America for 14 years and has been a 22-year member of the Lodge of Elks. Robitaille is also a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He will be honored on May 16 at the Springfield Lodge of Elks #61 and tickets are $12. The event is only open to Elk members and Robitaille's family and friends. |