***Our History...
...The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune. Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.
~ When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
~ On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.
...The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune. Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.
~ When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
~ On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.
Explore History... Click here >>> Elks History Project |
*OUR GRAND EXALTED RULER*
( National President )
( National President )
RANDY P. SHOOK
( WANDA )
1st LADY
( WANDA )
1st LADY
~ 2023-2024 Grand Lodge Program Link ~
Mail:
Office of Grand Exalted Ruler
Randy P. Shook
BPO ELKS, USA
P. O. Box 149
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Phone: (931) 766-3557
Email: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FedEx, UPS and USPS Deliveries (packages):
201 S. Locust Ave, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Aide to GER:
Joe Evans
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee Lodge No. 2206
Office of Grand Exalted Ruler
Randy P. Shook
BPO ELKS, USA
P. O. Box 149
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Phone: (931) 766-3557
Email: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FedEx, UPS and USPS Deliveries (packages):
201 S. Locust Ave, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Aide to GER:
Joe Evans
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee Lodge No. 2206
*GRAND SECRETARY: BRYAN R. KLATT DEKALB, IL LODGE No. 765 Phone: ( 773 ) 755 - 4708 / Email: [email protected] GRAND SECRETARY OFFICE: 2750 N. Lakeview Ave, Chicago, IL 60614-1889 O: (773) 755-4708 / F: (773) 755-4709 Email: [email protected] |
*Our State Sponsor: PAUL D. HELSEL, PGER ( JANE ) NEWARK, DE Lodge No. 2281 Ofc.: ( 302 ) 737-4460 / Cell: ( 302 ) 521-4122 EMAIL: [email protected] |
*Grand Inner Guard: William H. Buttrill, Jr., PSP/PGLC/GLIG SE DISTRICT 3760 - SEAFORD, DE LODGE No. 2458 Cell: ( 410 ) 430-4435 Email: [email protected] *Grand Lodge Public Relations & Membership Marketing ( Area 2 ) Mary Cardinal-Vogt SW DISTRICT 3720 - CALVERT, MD LODGE No. 2620 Cell: ( 301 ) 706-7051 Email: [email protected] |
~ 2023-2024 Grand Lodge Program Link ~
**DISTRICT DEPUTY, GER**
Vertical Divider
NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT - 3680
DDGER MARY UNDERWOOD-FRICK ( KEVIN ) LAUREL, MD LODGE No. 2283 Cell: ( 301 ) 399-5857 Email: [email protected] SOUTH WEST DISTRICT – 3800
DDGER KEVIN FRICK ( MARY ) ST. MARY's CO., MD LODGE No. 2092 Cell: ( 301 ) 247-6215 Email: [email protected] |
NORTH EAST DISTRICT — 3720
DDGER COLLEEN FORD ( MIKE ) ABINGDON, MD LODGE No. 2354 Cell; ( 443 ) 307-7637 Email: [email protected] SOUTH EAST DISTRICT – 3760
DDGER RICHARD FRERE ( CONNIE ) KENT ISLAND, MD LODGE No. 2576 Cell: ( 301 ) 580-0739 Email: [email protected] |
WEST DISTRICT – 3840
DDGER MICHAEL COLLINS
( RENE' )
HAGERSTOWN, MD LODGE No. 378
Cell: ( 301 ) 667-3176
Email: [email protected]
DDGER MICHAEL COLLINS
( RENE' )
HAGERSTOWN, MD LODGE No. 378
Cell: ( 301 ) 667-3176
Email: [email protected]