On Dec. 21, Deep Creek Lodge hosted the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office K-9 division for a demonstration of what they do to protect the community. Peggie Sue McClellan, Exalted Ruler, had met Sgt. David Musgrove after a criminal tried to hide in her yard. Sgt. Musgrove's K-9, Rico, apprehended the criminal. McClellan called Sgt. Musgrove the next day and asked what they needed. He said that during severe tropical weather, most officers go to shelters but K-9 handlers stay with their dogs at home. He said they could use impact crates to protect the dogs if homes are severely damaged. The lodge donated $9,300 to provide nine crates and also provided airtight waterproof food containers for the dogs. Sgt. Musgrove knew about the Elks because in 2019 he was awarded the Enrique Camarena award. He was very proud of it, but it had fallen from a shelf and shattered. McClellan contacted another Elk to help her have his award replaced. When the check was presented to Sgt. Musgrove and his lieutenant for the crates, she then surprised him with a duplicate award. The lodge also gave all the deputies a boxed lunch to go and trustee Ed Wood gave Kongs for the dogs, which he was able to get Petco to donate.
Pictured are the K-9 trainer and handlers; Sgt. David Musgrove with his K-9, Rico; and Sgt. Musgrove and Peggie Sue McClellan, Exalted Ruler.