BPOElks

"While conventional wisdom holds that fraternal, veteran and social organizations are declining in membership, Springfield's Elks Lodge 138 is bucking the trend. Nationally, Elks membership is declining slightly. In Springfield, membership is up. Not only that, it has gotten younger. "

The Marion Elks Lodge 32 presented a check for $750 for the purchase of 150 smoke detectors, which are in turn given to every child who attends Safety City.

"The charter for Batavia Elks Lodge 950 will not be renewed and no challenge has been made to a national decision to shut the lodge down and put it up for sale, the Elks state sponsor said."

"Batavia Elks Lodge 950 has served Genesee County for 105 years and when its exalted ruler walked up the steps to the lodge Friday afternoon, he was shocked to see that the club's charter was revoked and the doors barred."

"The Grand Elks Lodge, the Chicago-based national organization, sent out letters in late January advising members of the Albert Lea chapter that they could join other chapters. The charter for the Albert Lea Elks Lodge No. 813 - which had been the largest in Minnesota - was revoked on Jan. 27."

"The State High Dance Marathon will run from 7 p.m. Feb. 12 to 7 a.m. Feb. 13 at the State High South Building gymnasium. About 300 State High students will dance during that time to raise money for the Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program"

For the last 3 years, the Wausau Elks Lodge has been building wheelchair accessible ramps for the elderly and people with diabetes. And with the help from the Elks National Foundation, the Wausau lodge can continue their charitable work.

"new civic club is forming in Mount Pleasant and the drive to garner members has begun. Several interested parties have formed a group to established an Elks Lodge east of the Cooper and they need 100 members to do it. Summerville Elks Club members started the process, but after being transferred out of state, Rodley Millet, Gordan Hanson and Michael Fenwrick took the reigns along with several others to keep the ball rolling."

"In an effort to increase public awareness of Elks Lodge community service and charitable programs, the Sierra Vista Elks Lodge will host an event called "Elks at the Mall" on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 1-4 p.m."

"A wonderful Elks Roast I think the recent Elks Roast that feted Jay Thomas was among the best I've ever attended. If you missed it, you missed a really fun evening. The roasters were actually funny, not so "blue" as in years past and the food was great. Jay Thomas is a class act and the event reflected his style. Good job all around!"

"The Krewe of Elks celebrated its 45th anniversary with the announcement of King and Queen Elk XLIV during its annual Carnival Ball at the Hattiesburg Elks Lodge. The identities of the new King and Queen were revealed as King Elk XLIV, Steve Oshrin and Queen Elk XLIV, Richie Malone."

"SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Members of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161 were shocked to learn Friday that police had arrested their past exalted ruler and longtime financial secretary on charges he stole more than $3,000 in goods and services."

"LANCASTER -- The local Elks lodge was closed and its charter revoked because of financial problems that included failing to pay bills. The club's finances were among the reasons cited in a letter, obtained by the Eagle-Gazette, sent to lodge members by Elks Grand Lodge. The letter was written and signed by Grand Exalted Ruler James Nichelson."

Beaver Dam Elks are among the Elks in the nation passing out dictionaries to third-grade students. Exalted ruler Rob Radig said the number of students who are getting the dictionaries has increased dramatically over last year. Washington Elementary School third-grader Marisa Boehler is shown enjoying her dictionary. Washington Elementary School third-grader Marisa Boehler remembers the day over a month ago that the men in the red coats visited her classroom and handed her a dictionary."

"Expanding on observances of the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks of eight years ago, the Katy Elks Lodge observed the week of Sept. 7-13 as National Patriotism Week. Sept. 11 was declared to be National Patriot Day."

"BERGEN -- An annual tradition of giving continues at Byron-Bergen Elementary School, thanks to the generosity of members of the Brockport Elks Lodge 2110. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has donated a number of dictionaries to the third-graders in Byron Bergen through The Dictionary Project."

"Local public safetymen and women were honored for their service at the Auburn Elks annual Elks Public Safety Awards banquet. The banquet, which was held last Friday night, honored nine officers, including many who fought the August 49 Fire. "

"The Belleville Elks Lodge 1123 recently distributed over 400 free Thesauruses to all the sixth graders in the Township of Belleville's grammar schools. The students who received the books were extremely appreciative of the donations."

not a good thing here. 

"In 1921, shortly after member Warren G. Harding was elected President of the United States, a class of candidates numbering 150 was initiated in his honor."