DEER TRAIL ELKS HISTORY
B.P.O.E. 2307
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 alehouse 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 wherever he may be from. Harry (Dutch). Venter was the first to start the Elks with a letter, to the Littleton, Colorado Lodge. The Deer Trail Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. 2307 was started in 1964 with close to 100 charter members. 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 B-B-Ques 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."
By: Susan Rector Copy date: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 Ron Schaffer
Deer Trail History Update: Each year our Lodge honors our Charter Members. Due to a mix up in communications within the Lodge only a few charter members were notified, so we had only two charter members and their quests, Harold Hanks, Clara Hanks George and Julie Robinson, Dutch Venter and Bobbie Bell. Our Lodge installed 100 charter members on Sunday, June 28, 1964. Venter made the first telephone call in the fall of 1963 to get the ball rolling toward getting a lodge in our community. He served as our first treasurer and several terms as secretary throughout the early years of our lodge. Many of the charter members were very active and helpful during our first few years. HV #6 Copy by: Ron Schaffer #125 Deer Trail, Colorado. Ron gets drafted into Army in the fall of 1963 Ron’s History Ronschaffer@Deertrailco.net
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