Berea Lodge Receives “Spirit of the Community” Award from Mayor
City of Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem presented the Berea Elks with the Spirit of Community Award during a public banquet on January 20th. The Lodge was recognized for our 75th anniversary, partnering with Berea Police on Drug Takeback Day, Drug Awareness Programs, Hoop Shoot, and funding the Library’s Story Walk Project amongst other community events.
Numerous members from the lodge were in attendance to receive the award.
Berea #1815 Throw Darts for a Cause
On January 10, 2026, Berea Lodge #1815 hosted a Doubles Dart Tournament to benefit the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society (GCPOMS) a non-profit charity, whose mission is to honor peace officers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of service to their communities and the nation, especially those from the Greater Cleveland area. Eighteen teams from law enforcement, and members from Berea Lodge #1815, Willoughby-Cleveland Lodge #18, and Lakewood Lodge #1350 competed for top awards, raising a total of $1,983.90 for the fund. Event winners were: 1st Place: Fuzzy Foland and Duane Gibson (Lakewood/Berea Mixed Team); 2nd Place: Mathew Cavanaugh and Dave Wagner (Cleveland PD Team 1); and 3rd Place: Frankie Cruz and Drian Lozada (Cleveland PD Team 3). This is the event’s fifth year, which has raised a total of $9,503.90 to honor those in law enforcement who have made the supreme sacrifice. Based upon the collective positive responses this will continue to be an annual event at the Berea Lodge #1815 in connection with Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which occurs each year on January 9th. Next year’s dart tournament will likely be an invitational format.
Lima #54 Recognizes Three Eagle Scouts
On February 1, 2026, the Lima Elks Lodge #54 recognized Kaige Beining, Landon Calvelage and Brody Warnecke during their Eagle Scout Court of Honor.
The awards consisted of The American flag and the Eagle Scout Certificate framed for hanging. For his Eagle Scout project, Kraig resided the lawn mower shed at the American Legion. For his Eagle Scout project, Landon installed new landscaping at the church. Brody built shelves at the Freedom Square for his Eagle Scout project.
Congratulations to Kraig, Landon and Brody on their many achievements.
Ashland #1360 Awards Fly the Flag Certificates
Ashland lodge 1360 Americanism Chairman Kelly Purvis and ER Chad Dickinson presented certificates to member Keith Boales of Boales Insurance and the Ashland Public Library for properly “Flying the Flag”
Norwalk Elks #730 PER Denise Reilly Marches in 2026 Rose Parade
The motto of the America's Band Director's group speaks volumes. "We teach music. We teach life." PER Denise Reilly, retired Edison High School band director, participated in the 137th Rose Parade on New Year's Day. The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation's float titled, "Banding Together" honors music educators throughout the county. In addition to marching in the parade, Reilly performed a halftime show at the Bandfest and the Floatfest while staying in Pasadena. Several Elks members nationwide joined Reilly in this lifetime experience. The Sewell Foundation mission fits in perfect harmony with the pillars of the Elks fraternal organization. Giving of one's time and service to support charity, brotherly love, justice, and fidelity lives in Denise Reilly's heart forever. Enjoy the pictures of Elks USA 2026 award winning float, "Celebrate Elkdom".
Lima #54 Recognizes Local Eagle Scouts
On January 19, 2026, the Lima Elks Lodge #54 recognized Derrick DeMuth, Andrew Ormsby, Gavyn Pester, Izaak Pester, William Schroeder, Tucker Sunderhaus, Colt Warnimont, Gage Wilhelm and Brayden Wolke of BSA Troop #224 during their Eagle Scout Court of Honor.
The awards consisted of the American flag and the Eagle Scout Certificate framed for hanging along with the Grand Exalted Ruler’s Congratulatory Letter, Certificate of Merit and Elks/Scouting pin.
Congratulations to these young men on their many achievements.
Ashtabula Elks #208 Helping our community
Elbert and Shirley Hanna, Denise RIchards, Bill Dingledine
Due to the hard work of our volunteers and the great group of our members we have here at the club. We were able to help 3 less fortunate families enjoy a very Merry Christmas and donate many household goods and clothing to Lighthouse Harvest and the local Women’s shelter. In addition to what everyone donated, we secured a grant and split it between two of the organizations.
Norwalk #730 Funds Eagle Scout Project
Exalted Ruler John Moslener, Weston Gfell, PER Denise Reilly
The Norwalk Elks Lodge #730 recently donated money to a local student who is trying to earn his Eagle Scout Merit Award. For his major community service project, Weston Gfell, a junior at Edison High School, plans to rebuild a dilapidated walking trail bridge and replace the floor boards on another walking trail bridge at Veteran's Memorial Lake Park in Norwalk. This project will begin this spring and, if all goes well, conclude in early summer. Last month, Weston visited the Norwalk Elks to give a PowerPoint presentation on his Eagle Scout project. His paperwork, plans for design, and amount of material needed to complete this project were discussed with the officers of the Elks at a lodge meeting. Becky Parcher, the lodge's youth activities chairperson, said the Elks were impressed and presented Weston with a $900 check to buy supplies. Weston is the son of Brooke and Jamie Gfell of Norwalk, and a member of Troop 208 Norwalk in the Lake Erie Council. His older brother, Everett, oversaw a trail rehab project at Veteran's Memorial Lake Park for his community service project in 2024. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout that summer. Rob Whitman is the leader of Troop 208, and Paul Hiszem is the leader of the Lake Erie Council. The troop's next meeting is Monday, Jan. 26 in the Fellowship Hall at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Norwalk. The Elks are a community service organization that also supports youth activities. Those looking for funding for a Gold Star or Eagle Scout Award can contact the Elks.
Kollege of Knowledge Registration
Reminder: ELKS Leadership Kollege is meeting on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Registration begins @ 9:00am with breakfast available at the Lodge. Session begins @ 10:00 with lunch @ noon prior to breakout sessions.
Please pre-register at the ELKS Leadership Kollege tab so we can make sure we accommodate everyone who is attending.
Jackson Elks Lodge held the South Central District Hoop Shoot on Sunday Jan. 11th
Boys:
12-13 Maverick Vogt, Nelsonville
10-11 Ean Huffer, Chillicothe
8-9 Griffin Goodyear, Circleville
Girls:
8-9 Gigi Totter, Chillicothe
10-11 Ainsley Weaver, Chillicothe
12-13 Skye Martin, Chillicothe
Pictured with the Winners are District Officers Bobby Marchi, Mike Null, State President Keith Denny and Chairman Craig Byler.
They will be advancing to the State Hoop Shoot which will be in Newark Ohio on Feb. 21st Good luck to them all!
Spring Convention Registration and Hotel Reservation Now Live!
Check out https://ohioelks.com/spring-convention for information.
Please note the registration for the weekend and optional fun night are now one item in the store. Reach out to BPOEFallon@gmail.com with any questions about registration.
Cuyahoga Falls #1923 Spreads Holiday Cheer with 145 Meals
All Volunteers for Christmas Dinners
Cheri Cradlebaugh, Greg Arndt, Joe Hayden and Mary Arnd
Christmas is a time for giving, and the members of Cuyahoga Falls-Akron-Barberton Lodge #1923 were out in full force this year! With the help of a Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation, our team of approximately 25 volunteers worked together to prepare and deliver 145 Christmas dinners to our neighbors in need. A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who volunteered; your hard work made this project a resounding success and highlighted the true meaning of Elkdom in our community.
Northwest Ohio Elks District Hoop Shoot
The Northwest Ohio Elks District Hoop Shoot competition was held on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at The Ohio State University-Lima/Rhodes State College campus, Cook Hall.
The Elks Hoop Shoot is the national free throw shooting contest for boys and girls age 8 through 13. Each contestant has 25 shots at the hoop. The boy and girl in each age group (8-9; 10-11; and 12-13) with the best score advance through four tiers of competition to qualify for the national finals.
The District winners are:
8-9 Girls
Meredith Mizla – Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 9/25
10-11 Girls
Lucy Kuhn – Findlay Elks Lodge #75 16/25
12-13 Girls
Stella Sheeley – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 17/25 & 5/5
8-9 Boys
Calvin Homan – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 21/25
10-11 Boys
Brody Howe – Lima Elks Lodge #54 23/25
12-13 Boys
Blake Garrison – Mercer Co Elks Lodge #2170 20/25
The District winners will compete in the State Hoop Shoot competition which will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Newark, OH.
Join the Elks National Memorial Building Anniversary Ceremony Ticket Lottery!
At the 2026 Elks National Convention, a special ceremony will be held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elks National Memorial building. Join us on the morning of Saturday, July 4 to celebrate this landmark and everything it means to the Order.
Elks wishing to attend the anniversary ceremony must enter the online-only ticket lottery, available through March 15, 2026.
Important ceremony details to know before you enter the lottery:
One entry per Elk.
Phone entries cannot be accepted.
Selected Elks will be notified via email on March 31, 2026. Notification will be sent to the same email address used to enter the lottery.
Lottery winners will receive two ceremony tickets and bus transportation from Convention hotels to the event.
To purchase, each member must complete the Elks National Convention online pre-registration ($70/member).
This one-hour ceremony will take place outdoors, rain or shine, attendees should expect to be seated in the sun for the duration of the event.
Seating areas will be accessed by stairs, ramps or uneven grass.
Attendees will need their Elks National Convention credentials for entry. Credentials and tickets must be picked up at the McCormick Place - West Building on Friday, July 3.
This once-in-a-lifetime celebration is expected to draw interest from across the country—don't delay your entry. Full details and the lottery link are available at: elks.org/memorial/Anniversary.cfm.
Don't miss your chance to witness history!
Gallipolis Lodge DAP Leaves Nothing on the Table, Literally!
Pictured left to right: DAP State Chairman Becky, Gallipolis Lodge Exalted Ruler Ron Pitchford, lodge member Beth Stewart, Lodge DAP Chairman Walt Brown, and lodge member Tammy Sommer.
Gallipolis Lodge is one of the most active lodges in the state with the DAP committee thanks to Chairman Walt. He has DAP information at all the fairs and festivals and special events in his community and county as well as giving the information to local police and other community/county agencies.
Ashland #1360 Provides Christmas Morning Breakfast to the Community
On Christmas morning, The Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 held its annual Community Christmas Breakfast. 96 full breakfasts with all the fixings we given out thanks to the generosity of the members of the lodge.
Grand Lodge Hotel Reservations Now Live!
Ohio Elks Association Grand Lodge Hotel
Ohio will be housed in the Hyatt Regency McCormich Place.
Room rates $169.00/night plus tax
Self-parking $40.00 per day/Valet $60
Below are links to download the hotel registration form.
DEADLINE TO RESERVE A ROOM IS MAY 22, 2026
Any reservation requests after May 22, 2026 are subject to the full (non-discounted) room rate.
Form must be mailed in
Conneaut #256 Crowns Hoop Shoot Champs
On Sunday 12-14-25, The Conneaut Elks # 256 held the annual Hoop shoot which is open to all boys and girls ages 8-13
The winners are:
Girls ages 8-9
1st place - Abrielle DeGeorge
Boys 8-9 none
Girls 10-11
1st place - Ruby Petarcik
2nd place - Layla Verzella
Boys 10-11
1st place - Carson Lytle
2nd place - Grayson Ratajcuk
Girls 12-13
1st place - Avahley Hicks
2nd place - Tinsley Warber
Boys 12-13
1st place Andrew Eaton
Gallipolis Elks are Foundation of Stadium Project
Gallipolis, Ohio: Athletic Director of Gallipolis City Schools Adam Clark and Superintendent of Gallipolis City Schools Craig Wright accept a Gallipolis Elks donation of $4500 from PER Dan Bowman and Leading Knight Beth Stewart for the Gallia Academy H.S. Stadium Project. A concrete plaque will be dedicated to the Gallipolis Elks for all their donations to the project.
Wooster #1346 Give Close to $100,000 During Their Annual 501c3 Giving Night
On December 4th the Wooster Elks held their annual 501c3 Giving Night. The Wooster Elks 501c3 was able to provide donations to over 30 organizations in Wayne County on this evening. This year the Wooster Elks 501c3 was able to give almost $100K to organizations in Wayne County to help make a difference in our community. Elks Care. Elks Share.