Posted on 01/01/2019 7:36:53 AM PST by Rummyfan
It’s just before 7 p.m. on a frigid December night, and already the Allegheny Elks Lodge No. 339 on the city’s North Side is filling up quickly — both the long bar and the tables in the adjacent hall.
There’s a woman collecting for a 50-50 raffle. (You may as well give in, she won’t take no for an answer.) Elk volunteers young and old are manning the bar and the kitchen, where the special that night was a “gourmet” grilled cheese (black forest honey ham, Gouda cheese, and bacon).
Upstairs a sparkling white and red art deco six-lane bowling alley straight out of the 1920s is filled with young people from a local league. The floor above that is where lodge meetings are held, and it is a beautiful ballroom also straight out of the Roaring '20s.
The beer is cheap and cold. The food is cheap and tasty. Soon the entire building is packed to the rafters, with people lining the walls in the hall and the bar. It’s as if a Frank Capra made a movie in this century.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
good post thanks
Too often people think that to make significant change in the world they have to get involved in global issues or lobbying the central government. What they miss is that most things that improve the world begin in a small community civic organization like this Elks — even something like helping homeless veterans get a free haircut, interview clothing, and housing until they get on their feet. [...]
Joining has been something Americans have been doing for centuries. We’ve sadly replaced our participation in churches and civic organizations in the past decade with a heavy participation in politics and social media, neither of which really does much for ourselves or our communities.
Nice!
Not so easy to join Elks Club. Must be sponsored by existing member. Then have 3 references. Then submit to interview of Elks Cmte. Then be voted on by entire Club.
Member, but not an officer. For about 6 or 7 years.
The article was a window on an important facet of civic life, but ended abruptly. Some next steps for similar organizations would have been helpful...
[Not so easy to join Elks Club. Must be sponsored by existing member. Then have 3 references. Then submit to interview of Elks Cmte. Then be voted on by entire Club.]
Sounds like my Fish and Game Club. Pretty SOP.
Freeper Salena Zito BUMP.
I don't know much about the Elks, but this is pretty much the same routine for becoming a Mason. My guess is that if someone of good character actually demonstrates his interest in becoming an Elk that he will be congenially guided through the process.
I joined the Elks 3 years ago. Should have done it sooner. Great organization.
Not so easy to join Elks Club. Must be sponsored by existing member. Then have 3 references. Then submit to interview of Elks Cmte. Then be voted on by entire Club.
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add:
1. must be an American citizen
2. must all stand and recite the pledge of alliegance together to open every lodge meeting
3. no veteran will ever be forgotten
What a nice, heart-warming story. Thanks!
But they took me, how hard can it be?
KC, Elk in good standing Palo Alto Lodge
But they took me, how hard can it be?
KC, Elk in good standing Palo Alto Lodge
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could be your monthly bar tab got you in?
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