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Elks club

therev

Registered User
I was an elk before I became a mason. Most of the elks at my lodge are masons, so I get the same type of pride out of both.
 

Sammcd

Premium Member
I was an Elk back in the late 70's. I quit because it was becoming known for it's stag nights and Vegas nights. I did enjoy the dances and dinner club though.
 

twhaley67

Registered User
My brother in law is an elk. Sounds like a hoot. More like a college frat. Sounds to me like if you really like to drink, elks is the way to go.
 

pointwithinacircle2

Rapscallion
Premium Member
I joined because they had the best fish fry in town every Friday night and mom couldn't have a drink unless a member bought it for her. My initiation was the only meeting I ever attended. I let my membership lapse when we moved.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Sounds to me like if you really like to drink, elks is the way to go.

I have ended up at the Elks bar with brothers as a social after lodge. I have ended up at the Legion bar with brothers as a social after lodge.

When I was considering which fraternity to join the fact that Masonic lodges did not have a liquor license was on my list of advantages. I still think that not having a bar at lodge helps the quality of the members who attend but I long ago stopped thinking that dry policies are an advantage. There's a wide range in the middle between having a completely dry policy and having a licensed bar on the premises.
 

flipster

Registered User
Our local Elk lodge was part of the yearly town home tour. I was greeted at the downstairs door by a local Elk. We should hands, and said hello. I asked if they have a secret handshake and pass words. He told me he couldn't say. I responded, That's a yes.
 

drw72

Premium Member
Our local Elk lodge was part of the yearly town home tour. I was greeted at the downstairs door by a local Elk. We should hands, and said hello. I asked if they have a secret handshake and pass words. He told me he couldn't say. I responded, That's a yes.

According to (http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/elks.htm) this site:

"In 1895, the Elks ceased the use of lambskin aprons in their initiatory work, the password was eliminated in 1899, in 1902 the use of a badge was eliminated, with the secret grip falling by the wayside in 1904 and the "Test Oath" was removed in 1911. In 1952, candidates were no longer blindfolded prior to the Initiation. 1995, women were admitted into the Order."
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
According to (http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/elks.htm) this site:

"In 1895, the Elks ceased the use of lambskin aprons in their initiatory work, the password was eliminated in 1899, in 1902 the use of a badge was eliminated, with the secret grip falling by the wayside in 1904 and the "Test Oath" was removed in 1911. In 1952, candidates were no longer blindfolded prior to the Initiation. 1995, women were admitted into the Order."

Wow!
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I was an Elk at one time but left due to partying and excessive drinking. The lodge didn't do any work in the community, but always wanted to raise money for parties. Also I feel that I am apart of an actual brotherhood since I have become a Freemason. The Elks felt more like a hang out. To me it was almost like a spin off of freemasonry with the way they do their rituals.
 

chrmc

Registered User
"In 1895, the Elks ceased the use of lambskin aprons in their initiatory work, the password was eliminated in 1899, in 1902 the use of a badge was eliminated, with the secret grip falling by the wayside in 1904 and the "Test Oath" was removed in 1911. In 1952, candidates were no longer blindfolded prior to the Initiation. 1995, women were admitted into the Order."

Rarely have I read a better reason for making sure we keep all the traditions with learning the questions, keeping the oaths and taking time between initiations etc. Once you start tweaking and slacking it is an easy downhill slide. 10-15 years is all it takes.
 

flipster

Registered User
Very interesting information. As a youngster, the Elk Lodge in our town was packed every night of the week. They serve dinners and drinks, but the lodge is usually vacant by 9 p.m. except for lodge night.
 
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