Norwich Elks Lodge celebrates 100 years of service
NORWICH – The Norwich Elks Lodge will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this week in unison with the official opening of East Park in downtown Norwich.
The Elks’ anniversary celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday in East Park. The event will include food, games and door prizes and will be open to the entire community.
According to lodge leader Jeff Cola, the anniversary event is an opportunity for the Elks Lodge to show the community what they have contributed and how they participate in local events.
“When I was a kid I used to walk past this place and think it was just another building,” said Cola. “We want the community to see the great things we do as a non-profit, fraternal organization and not ‘just another building.’”
Cola said there will be many events for children to enjoy such as a face-painter, free balloons, bingo and door prizes. There will also be free live entertainment by the Beadle Brothers between 1-5 p.m. and free hot dogs from noon to 2. The Elks Lodge will also be hosting a chicken and pork barbecue and will be selling memorabilia to raise money for the event.
For a lodge that has gone through as many trials and tribulations as Lodge 1222, this event marks a significant moment for the Norwich elks. The Norwich Elks have been operating out of the same building since opening; however, in the mid-90s for a reason Cola could not explain, the building was sold to the city and then subsequently auctioned off to the landlord who holds the lease now. Cola said he was uncertain how this chain of events unfolded, but he is confidant that the building will once more return to the Elks, hopefully in the next few years.
Also, only a few years ago, the lodge’s charter was revoked due to incidents that occurred before his tenure, said Cola.
“They were making decisions based on things that had happened in the past; they threw the decision at us after we had already turned things around and made improvements,” said Cola.
The Elks were able to recover their charter following Cola’s avid campaign to have it reinstated.
“We have a great building here which offers many opportunities for the community,” said Cola, who cited some of the facility’s amenities such as meeting rooms, a dining hall, a full bar and a four-lane bowling alley. According to Cola, all of these rooms are available for rental.
Cola explained the goal of the Elks Lodge is to give back as often as possible. He cited the efforts of the lodge to provide dictionaries to 3rd graders in the county as one of the many projects meant to help those in need. According to Cola, more than 300 dictionaries were handed out in the Norwich City School District.
“I’m really proud of all of our members,” said Cola. “We’ve got a great group of people and we’re the most active lodge in the district. I’m sure this event will run smoothly.”
For more information about the Norwich Elks Lodge’s 100th anniversary, renting space or about joining the Elks Lodge, contact Jeff Cola at 316-5579.
The Elks’ anniversary celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday in East Park. The event will include food, games and door prizes and will be open to the entire community.
According to lodge leader Jeff Cola, the anniversary event is an opportunity for the Elks Lodge to show the community what they have contributed and how they participate in local events.
“When I was a kid I used to walk past this place and think it was just another building,” said Cola. “We want the community to see the great things we do as a non-profit, fraternal organization and not ‘just another building.’”
Cola said there will be many events for children to enjoy such as a face-painter, free balloons, bingo and door prizes. There will also be free live entertainment by the Beadle Brothers between 1-5 p.m. and free hot dogs from noon to 2. The Elks Lodge will also be hosting a chicken and pork barbecue and will be selling memorabilia to raise money for the event.
For a lodge that has gone through as many trials and tribulations as Lodge 1222, this event marks a significant moment for the Norwich elks. The Norwich Elks have been operating out of the same building since opening; however, in the mid-90s for a reason Cola could not explain, the building was sold to the city and then subsequently auctioned off to the landlord who holds the lease now. Cola said he was uncertain how this chain of events unfolded, but he is confidant that the building will once more return to the Elks, hopefully in the next few years.
Also, only a few years ago, the lodge’s charter was revoked due to incidents that occurred before his tenure, said Cola.
“They were making decisions based on things that had happened in the past; they threw the decision at us after we had already turned things around and made improvements,” said Cola.
The Elks were able to recover their charter following Cola’s avid campaign to have it reinstated.
“We have a great building here which offers many opportunities for the community,” said Cola, who cited some of the facility’s amenities such as meeting rooms, a dining hall, a full bar and a four-lane bowling alley. According to Cola, all of these rooms are available for rental.
Cola explained the goal of the Elks Lodge is to give back as often as possible. He cited the efforts of the lodge to provide dictionaries to 3rd graders in the county as one of the many projects meant to help those in need. According to Cola, more than 300 dictionaries were handed out in the Norwich City School District.
“I’m really proud of all of our members,” said Cola. “We’ve got a great group of people and we’re the most active lodge in the district. I’m sure this event will run smoothly.”
For more information about the Norwich Elks Lodge’s 100th anniversary, renting space or about joining the Elks Lodge, contact Jeff Cola at 316-5579.
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