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THIS SITE CONTINUES TO BE A WORK IN PROGRESS: PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR NEW POSTINGS, INFORMATION, AND
UPDATES.
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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