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Scottsdale Elks Lodge leader is a history-maker

BY KRISTINE CANNON

Progress Staff Writer

History has been made at Scottsdale Elks Lodge #2148 with the election of its youngest woman as Exalted Leader for the �irst time in its 60year history. Anna Mineer elected as the 2021-2022 Exalted Ruler, becoming also the youngest woman to be elected to that position in the history of the entire West District, which consists of 12 lodges.

“It’s really exciting,” said Mineer, who has been a member of the Lodge for four years. “Our lodge is very progressive.”

Until 1995, the Elks had traditionally been an all-male fraternal order. But now, Scottsdale Elks Lodge #2148 welcomes an increasing number of female members.

“People don’t think of the Elks Lodge and think of me, a young female, being the ER,” she continued.

As ER, which is similar to the president of an organization, Mineer leads the lodge’s of�icers, committee chairs and members in supporting people and organizations in need.

Mineer’s goals include continuing to raise funds to support various local charities, particularly veterans’ and children’s charities.

“I am honored to serve this amazing organization and continue to raise funds to support our local charities,” Mineer said.

Anna Mineer recently made history as the youngest female Exalted Ruler of the Scottsdale Elks Lodge #2148.

(Scottsdale Elks Lodge #2148)

“Our members are unbelievably generous and after the trials of 2020, I know we are all ready to get back out into the community. Our charitable efforts focus on veterans and children in need; however, Elks are here to assist the entire community.”

For Mother’s Day, the Lodge hosted an event where moms ate for free while others paid $10 for the meal. The money raised bene�ited Scottsdale nonpro�it Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, which helps homeless families return to independence.

For Memorial Day, they’re working with the local chapter of PTSD Foundation of

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America, a residential program that provides whole-person treatment for combat veterans suffering from combat-related PTSD. “Last year was obviously really dif�icult for everyone. We weren’t able to get out there. So, this year, we are doing a heavy focus on our charity work because now we’re able to get back to regular business. We can help these charities that have been shut down by COVID or have not received the donations they would normally get,” Mineer said. The lodge also has a handful of events already scheduled for the rest of the year, including their annual Christmas shopping event for underprivileged Scottsdale school children, and their annual charity ball.

“We’re trying to keep it super-local to bene�it our community and let people know who the Elks are,” Mineer said. Established in 1868 in New York City, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a nonpro�it organization that provides charitable services to help build stronger communities. The Elks organization invests in local communities through programs that “help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today’s veterans, and improve the quality of life.” In fact, the order spends more than $80 million every year on “educational and patriotic community-minded programs” that bene�it children, veterans, and others in need.

Scottsdale Elks Lodge #2148 is one of nearly 2,000 lodges in the country. It was established in 1960 and is dubbed “the original and still friendliest lodge in Arizona.” Located off 64th and Oak streets, #2148 has volleyball courts, a kitchen, an outdoor patio with horseshoes, and a lounge with shuf�leboard, a bar, pool tables, pinball machines, a dart board, large screen TVs, a jukebox and more. Plus, it’s bursting with history: This particular Elks Lodge is the only one that was part of a former WWII POW Camp. It housed German prisoners of war, and it was reportedly responsible for the largest escape of German POWs during WWII.

“It’s very different than what people think of an Elks Lodge,” Mineer said.

For example, a common misconception about the Elks is members have to be a veteran.

“And you don’t,” Mineer said. “It’s a great community to be a part of. Our lodge also has the youngest average age in our district.”

One of Mineer’s responsibilities as ER is to ensure the Lodge welcomes new members, and so far, she’s done just that – and then some: In April, it added 32 new members.

“It is way more than is normal for us,” Mineer stressed. “We’ve actually done really well with recruitment.” “We’re de�initely seeing more younger females, and that’s why I wanted to get this story out,” Mineer said. “I wanted people to understand that it’s not what you would expect when you think of an Elks Lodge.”

Mineer credits the lodge’s growth to its many features and amenities, as well as their charitable efforts.

“When someone comes in, they’re shocked by what they see,” Mineer said. “It’s just a very young, fun crowd. We have a lot to offer when it comes to a place that is comfortable and you’re giving back to charity at the same time. “

Members widely range in age, from 21 to over 90. “That’s what makes it such a great community is there’s every age, every interest,” Mineer said. “It’s a full mixing pot.” The lodge is so well-received, they currently have more than 100 people who have applied that have yet to be initiated.

Information: elks.org; Facebook: Elks Lodge 2148

Business

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Airpark �irm scores big with aviation real estate

BY KRISTINE CANNON

Progress Staff Writer

When the pandemic hit last spring, certain industries took a nosedive, from the restaurant and hotel industries to airlines and more.

But the one industry that soared was real estate and not solely residential.

For Scottsdale-based Leading Edge Real Estate, the pandemic also led to an increase in commercial, aviation and ranch real estate business.

“Other than just a couple months early in the pandemic and lower of�ice space demand, we actually saw our business pick up for commercial, aviation, and ranch real estate,” said Aron Brow, Leading Edge Real Estate co-founder and associate broker.

Leading Edge Real Estate is a fullservice real estate �irm with decades of specialized experience in several areas, including aviation real estate, which saw the biggest boost in business amid the pandemic.

“The extra demand for private aviation helped the aviation real estate industry from sales to leasing,” said Brow, who brings more than 20 years of aviation and real estate experience to the team.

According to Brow, people who may have traveled �irst class now travel on private aircraft.

This led to an acceleration of the aviation real estate industry.

“Along with the real estate, we also manage aviation fuel farms and due to the additional �lying, we’ve seen an increase in fuel usage,” Brow added.

Leading Edge Real Estate has specialized experience in aviation and airport real estate.

“From gross weights to wingspans and taxiways to fuel farms, we speak the language of aviation,” Brow said.

Its aviation team has a combined proother people and ongoing government restrictions,” Brow said. As for residential real estate, Leading Edge Real Estate experienced an increase in sales – and across the spectrum, too, from affordable condos to multimillion-dollar homes. “Although residential real estate is a small part of our business, we added a new residential agent to our company,” Brow said. And while the pandemic led to an overall drop in demand for commercial real estate, Leading Edge Real Estate actually saw a pick-up in business. Leading Edge Real Estate said its biggest gains this year in the aviation real estate space. It leased more than 500,000 square-feet of Larry Brow, designated broker and co-founder; Stephanie Lanman, senior associate; and Aron Brow, aviation hangar and of�ice associate broker and co-founder of Leading Edge Real Estate team in Scottsdale. (Leading Edge Real Estate) space – even bigger than last year’s largest leasing, fessional aviation experience of more “Just like the rest of the U.S., we got re- which consisted of nearly than 70 years and more than 50,000 ally good at online meeting platforms, 350,000 square feet of aviation hangar �light hours. and in the event someone wanted to and of�ice space. “From the �irst client meeting to the meet in person, we respected their per- “We always seem to have a continu�inal closing or lease signing, each team sonal space. Where others might have ous stream of other sales and leasing member is involved so there is never a given up from lack of contact, we kept opportunities as well,” Brow said. lapse in service or loss of momentum to- following up on deals to make sure they With business steady, so far, this year ward the ultimate goal of getting a deal were on track and completed,” Brow ex- for Leading Edge Real Estate, Brow said done in the most expeditious manner plained. the team’s goal is to continue to serve that bene�its the client,” he said. Leading Edge Real Estate also saw in- their clients with the same consistent

According to Brow, “one of the hard- creased demand in other categories. and knowledgeable service they’ve est aspects of continuing business dur- “From what we’ve seen, COVID-19 has come to expect from the company. ing the pandemic was how to interact only accelerated demand for ranch “We’ve always strived to maintain a with customers and clients to keep deals real estate, mainly because people are high level of service and to always opmoving.” looking to escape more populated ar- erate with our clients’ best interests in

But technology helped — and even eas and have a place they can retreat mind,” he said. gave the company an edge. with their friends and family away from Information: edgeaz.com

Sports & Recreation Scottsdale.org l @ScottsdaleProgress /ScottsdaleProgress

Moeller, Kath lead Desert Mountain to 5A baseball title

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Progress Sports Editor

Desert Mountain junior catcher Luke Moeller was looking for a bit of an escape from a heartbreaking reality when he entered the 5A state baseball championship with his team.

His grandfather, Jim, had just passed away two days prior. While the Wolves’ ultimate goal has always been to capture the state championship a year after the pandemic forced the cancellation of the season, the ability to win it for Moeller’s grandfather was added motivation.

“We really wanted to have this game, have it for Jim,” Desert Mountain senior shortstop Wes Kath said. “Also, for our seniors last year, it’s a big win for them, too.”

With his grandfather looking over him, Moeller drove in three total runs and helped break the game open for the Wolves in the fourth inning. An exclamation point of sorts by Kath in the sixth sealed it.

Desert Mountain, the No. 3 seed in the 5A Conference tournament, went on to beat �ifth-ranked Sunrise Mountain 6-1 Tuesday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium to win its �irst baseball championship since 2013.

“I just wanted to go out and do the best I could and do it for him because he wanted to be here with my grandma,” said Moeller, who wrote his grandfather’s initials on the back of his hat ahead of Tuesday’s championship game. “He followed the whole season. I couldn’t be more happy to play that well for him and I know he’s watching down on us right now.” Moeller �inished 2-for-3 at the plate and helped Desert Mountain junior pitcher Toby Haarer tame a Sunrise Mountain team that averaged nearly eight runs per game this season. In a way, it was redemption for the junior right-handed pitcher. The last meeting between the two teams on May 5 was won in nine innings by Sunrise Mountain. The Mustangs, facing Wolves’ Haarer, recorded eight hits and six total runs in two innings against him.

Haarer realized he had an opportunity to redeem himself on the grandest of stages in Arizona high school baseball and told the Desert Mountain coaching staff he wanted the ball on the mound to start the championship game.

He delivered.

Despite hitting four total batters on the day, Haarer maintained control of the game. He allowed four hits in 6 1/3 innings and one run which came after he was called for a balk in the third inning. He also recorded three total strikeouts.

“(Haarer) said on Saturday, ‘coach, that’s my ball I’m going to get this done,' Desert Mountain head coach Ryan Dyer said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Toby tonight. He did everything you’d ask of a guy who wants the ball.”

Desert Mountain’s bats started to come alive early on in the �irst. After Kath was walked, a single to short soon after resulted in an errant throw to �irst. It was the only error of the game for either team, but it proved to be costly for Sunrise Mountain.

Desert Mountain captured the 5A baseball state championship Tuesday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium, beating Sunrise

Mountain 6-1. (Zac BonDurant/Progress Contributor)

One batter later, Moeller drove in the Wolves’ �irst run of the game.

Desert Mountain’s next run came two innings later as Cooper McKee doubled to left �ield. In the fourth, the Wolves blew the game open with a three-run inning -- two of which off the bat of Moeller. “I think I always knew I de�initely could, it was just if I was going to let the pressure not impact me,” Moeller said of his impact at the plate. “I think I did a really good job before the game and even throughout just staying calm and reminding myself it’s a team game and if I do something wrong, I know I’ve got another guy that’s going to back me up. “They did that today and it’s an awesome experience.”

Desert Mountain has been led all season by Kath. The senior standout and probable �irst-round pick in July’s MLB Draft batted .456 with 20 RBI and 10 home runs heading into Tuesday’s championship game. He �inished his high school career with 21 RBI after he was walked with the bases loaded in the fourth and 11 homers after his sixthinning blast.

Kath was also called upon in the top of the seventh with Desert Mountain just two outs away from the title to take over for Haarer on the mound. He struck out the �irst batter he faced before giving up a double to left �ield. Then, however, he forced a line out to left to seal the game. “There was no other person in America that could go on the mound at that point,” Dyer said. “That’s a storybook ending for a storybook career in high school, and this is just the start of a lot of great things for Wes Kath.”

Kath embraced his coaches and teammates, often with trophy in hand. He rushed over to the Desert Mountain faithful that made the short trip from Scottsdale to watch the Wolves capture the title. To him, it was a culmination of two years of hard work since the pandemic took away his junior season.

“Coming back from the COVID year last year, this meant everything,” Kath said. “This is my family. I’m just super excited for my team, for the fans and for this school.”