The Monterey-area public is invited to celebrate 150 years of Elks Lodge history, during a free Open House and tours at the Monterey Elks Lodge #1285 on Friday, Feb. 16 from 2-6 p.m.
“Come bring your friends to tour our Lodge – show them what we do and the facilities we have to offer,” said Richard Ringler, the Lodge Exalted Ruler. “Learn about our community charities, especially for children and veterans. Tour guides will show our pool, gym, dining and meeting rooms. You don’t want to miss this open house!”
The event celebrates the 150th anniversary of the B.P.O.E. — Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Exhibits will demonstrate the B.P.O.E. local and nation-wide activities. The Monterey Elks Lodge No.1285 was instituted at the Hotel Del Monte on Wednesday July 24, 1912 and celebrated the 100th birthday of the local lodge in 2012.
Miranda Sue Holtz, a student at California State University Monterey Bay and recipient of the Elks National Legacy Scholarship in 2017, will be one of the hosts during the open house. She received the national scholarship of $4,000, awarded at a rate of $1,000 annually. Miranda’s grandfather is an Elk in a Lodge in Texas, which qualified her to apply for the scholarship. She currently is enrolled as a Liberal Studies major at CSUMB.
A celebration dinner-dance at the Lodge Friday evening will offer Elks and their guests a choice of New York steak or Monterey Bay shrimp-stuffed Petrale sole “with all the trimmings,” including an Elks 150th anniversary cake. The Lodge is located at 140 Mar Vista.
