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A Message From the Exalted Ruler:
I want to share with you all my appreciation and delight at attending the National Convention in Portland,
Oregon in July. It was a real pleasure meeting and talking to so many Elks from across the country. The opening ceremony,
with the flags from all of the states and territories, was so beautiful. The speeches and National Annual reports given by
the many dignitaries showed admirable dedicationby our almost one million members, and just how wonderfully Elkdom is working
across our country.
Our new Grand Exalted Ruler, James L. Nichelson, was swept into his new position with such fanfare and pure
happiness that I know he will be a much loved and respected Leader for all Elks this year. The words from his Acceptance Speech
that struck me the most are these:
When you return home you may hear, "You can't do that," or "That won't work here." Practice saying, "Let's
try it and see." Do not be afraid to change old habits to try something new to keep your Lodge and this Order evolving into
something better.
Encouraging words that bear honoring. I learned that all lodges have a lot of the same challenges to work
through, and that successes are to be had when the work is put in. Our own successes are right around the corner!
On Sunday August 9th , our lodge had the honor of an Official Visit from State President David Carr and his
wife Penny, accompanied by SVP Frank Piskothy and his wife Joan, and SVP Mary De Silva and her husband Richard. A lovely breakfast
was prepared and served by John Sidote, Theresa DeMattei, and Joan Healey. Our thanks go out to them, and all other helpers
they had that day, to make our visit a success. Letters were received from all of our visitors thanking us for our hospitality.
Thank you to all Officers and members who were there that day to welcome our special guests.
Fraternally yours,
Dorothy
McArthur
Exaulted Ruler
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HISTORY:
The Elks had modest beginnings in 1868 as a social club (then called the "Jolly Corks") established as a private
club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. Early members were mostly from theatrical
performing troupes in New York City.
It has since evolved into a major American frateral, charitable, and service order with more than a million members, both
men and women, throughout the United States. Current members are required to be U.S. citizens over the age of 21 and
believe in God.
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The Hour of Recollection:
Deceased and otherwise absent lodge members are recalled each evening at 11 p.m. when the lodge esquire intones, "It
is the Hour of Recollection." The exalted ruler or a member designated by him gives the 11 o'clock toast, of which this version
is the most common:
"You have heard the tolling of eleven strokes. This is to remind you that with Elks, the hour of eleven has a tender
significance. Wherever Elks may roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when this hour falls upon the dial of night,
the great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs. It is the golden hour of recollection, the homecoming of those who wander, the
mystic roll call of those who will come no more. Living or dead, an Elk is never forgotten, never forsaken. Morning and noon
may pass them by, the light of day sink heedlessly into the west. But ere the shadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes
of memory shall be pealing forth the friendly message: To our absent members."
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Structure and Organization:
The national headquarters, known as the Grand Lodge, is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Local Elks
Lodges, known as subordinate lodges, are located in about 2,100 cities and towns across the United States and its territories
(as of 2006).
The local Elks lodges are known by their lodge number and the name of the city in which they are located. For example,
the first Lodge, located in New York City, is Lodge 1, while the Lodge in Beacon, NY is Lodge 1493. When
a Lodge is closed, its number is retired, but if re-instituted at a later time, the city name and lodge number can be reinstated
by the Grand Lodge.
A Grand Lodge Convention is held each year in a principal city in the United States. It is at this meeting that delegates
from the subordinate lodges vote on the next new Grand Exalted Ruler and conduct other items of business.
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**************************************************************************************************************** FRIENDS OF BEACON ELKS
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