The "Jolly Corks" was a group of men formed by
an Englishman by the name of Charles Vivian in 1867-68 in
New York City. It started out with Vivian teaching several
local patrons of a steak and ale house a cork trick that was
played in London. To be included to play the game each participant
paid fifty cents. Each player placed his cork on the table
and, when the Imperial Cork, who was Vivian, counted to three
the last man to lift his cork had to buy a round of drinks.
The newcomers were delighted because they were the first to
lift their cork. However, the old members had no intention
of lifting their cork; therefore, the new player was the last
to lift his cork, owing his fellow players a drink.
This cork game caught on like wildfire, with many new members
joining until it was necessary to form a formal organization.
If a Jolly Cork member was ever caught without his
cork, he had to buy a round of drinks for his brother members.
The Imperial Cork presided over each meeting and activity.
Next came the selection of a name for the newly formed organization.
The name Elk was chosen for the club, because the elk was "distinguished
by its fleetness of foot and timorous of wrong doing." Elks are the largest fraternity in the United States, with
lodges located throughout America.
An Elk Lodge's door is always open to a brother Elk member,
from wherever he may be. Harry (Dutch) Venter was the first
to start the Elks with the first telephone call in the fall
of 1963 to get the ball rolling toward getting a lodge in
our community The Deer Trail Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. #2307 installed
100 charter members on Sunday, June 28, 1964. The old Foster
Lumber Yard on 2nd street & Elm became the site of the
Elks Hall.
The Exalted Ruler overseeing the functions of the Elks (much
of the
|
same as the Imperial Cork) is a very prestigious
position. The individuals who have held this office in order
of succession are as follows: Otto Venter, William Nordloh,
William Van Matre, James Jolly, John Woodis, Dick Bates, Joseph
Vansyoc, Clark Woodis, Arden Intermill, John Price, Raymond
Behrens, Robert Sturdevant, Silvan Bell, Larry Rector, Keith
Reed, Joseph Vansyoc, Ceicl Breeden, Paul Fritzler, Dave Rock,
Jim Kelley and Raymond Behrens. Otto Venter, was the first
Exalted Ruler #1 1964. The Elks serve the Deer Trail and surrounding
area communities through its charities, donations, youth programs,
scholarships, etc.
The Elks Hall is used for many local activities such as social
dances, wedding receptions, banquets, dance classes, Boy Scout
meetings, and many other events. The club is noted for their
annual Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas Party, Halloween Party,
and Hoop Shoot Contest. B.P.O.E. 2307 donates to the Elks
Scholarship Program, which is the largest private scholarship
donator, second only to the Federal Government. Laradon Hall
is also a major recipient of the Elks generous donation of
time and money. Although the Deer Trail Elks is a small rural
organization, they are well known by other city lodges for
their Steak Fries and Barbeques, which they host for visiting
Elk Lodges. Through such activities, many friendships have
been formed.
At the present time there are close to 160 members
involved in the Elks. There have been approximately 400 members belonging to the club since it was first formed. Elks
are a caring organization looking for new ways to serve its
country and its community and for new members to become active
in its many programs of outreach. “Elks Care."
|
