New Egypt Elks
Lodge #2457
105 Lakewood Road
New Egypt New Jersey 08533
Phone # (609)

Welcome to the New Egypt Elks....

"The Friendliest Lodge In The Southwest District"

Serving the Community for Almost 30 years.

After more than a quarter of a century, the New Egypt Elks Lodge #2457 BPOE, is still going strong.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK......The New Egypt group began building in May, 1977, on nine acres which was purchased on Lakewood Road. After months of building, the Elks celebrated the opening of the Lodge with a New Year's Eve party in December of the same year.

The charter/founding members included the first 150 members of the New Egypt Lodge. A plaque in the Lodge names Donal Mallow as chairman and Joseph Layton, Frank Paschal, and John Yorke as committee members.

In 1971, with the help of Clarance Little from the Hightstown Lodge, plans began for the establishment of a lodge in New Egypt. These interested began meeting at Rova Farms, the Catholic Church and rented the firehouse to work out the details of forming as a Lodge.

After six years of planning, the group was finally granted a chart with Robert E. Tilghman serving as their very first Exalted Ruler. At the same time, the wives who helped out the founding members, formed the Elk Mates.

The birth of the Order of Elks goes back much further than 25 years. The organization first began as the "Jolly Corks: and was lead by London born comic, singer and dance, Charles Vivian . Although first congregating for their own amusement, the Jolly Corks, a group of artists and thespians, decided to dedicate the group to helping the needy. This idea first began when one of the Jolly Corks died leaving his wife and children alone.

On February 16, 1868, in New York City, the Jolly Corks formed the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, lead by Mr. Vivian. As social activities and benefit performances increased, the popularity of the group swept across the country. Soon, groups from other cities were requesting permission to form their own Lodges.

The Elks then asked the New York State Legislature for a Charter that would allow the Grand Lodge to establish Lodges anywhere in the United States. The Charter was granted and on March 10, 1871, the founding group received the first local charter as New York Lodge No.1.

Throughout history, the spirit of the Elks is evident. During World War I, the Elks funded the first two field hospitals in France and also built a 72-room community house in Camp Sherman, Ohio. They also built a 700-bed rehabilitation hospital in Boston and raised money for the Salvation Army's frontline Canteens.

The Elks continued in World War II and was one of the only civilian organizations who helped recruit construction workers and contributed books to the Merchant Marines.

During the Korean conflict, the Elks donated more than 500,000 pints of blood to help wounded soldiers and also donated money for a recreation pavilion at the Navy Hospital on Guam, for casualties of the Vietnam War.

Even more recently, the Elks showed their dedication during Operation Desert Storm by writing letters to help build the morale of the soldiers. And still today, the New Egypt Elks continue the tradition and uphold the four cardinal virtues of the Lodge....Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity

Times have changed since its installation all those years ago. Now is a time when technology rules and computers set the pace, the Elks spirit of dedication to the community remains constant. The Lodge is dedicated to service to the community; specifically handicapped children and veterans. It sponsors community activities such as food basket donations to the needy, scholarships for high school students and many other charitable functions.

Current Exalted Ruler, Mary Schoettmer states "We want to rekindle friendships old and new and continue to build from the foundation on which this Order was created".

The Elk, a peaceful animal, will rise in defense of its own in the face of a threat.

The Elk represents a distinctly American, intensely patriotic, and family oriented brotherhood.

From The Trustees

House Happenings

Investigation & Indoctrination

ELKS PRIDE

WHAT IS ELKS PRIDE? HOW DO YOU GET IT? IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN HOLD IN YOUR HAND. YOU SURELY CAN'T BUY IT AT WAL-MART. IT'S A FEELING YOU GET BY GIVING OF YOURSELF.

SEVEN YEARS AGO, I JOINED THE ELKS. MY FIRST YEAR WAS SPENT LEARNING ABOUT WHAT THE ELKS DID. I WAS SHOWN HOW TO COOK FOR LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE. OTHER MEMBERS GAVE ME INSIGHT AS TO HOW A LODGE WAS RUN. I GOT INVOLVED WITH A FEW COMMITTEES AND ATTENDED MEETINGS. SOON I FOUND OUT WHAT WAS MEANT BY "MAN COUNTS HIS STORES NOT IN WHAT IS SAVED, BUT BY WHAT IS GIVEN." THE MORE I GAVE, THE MORE I RECEIVED. WHAT WAS IT THAT I RECEIVED? PRIDE! PRIDE IS KNOWING THAT SPECIAL CHILDREN COULD SPEND A WEEK AT CAMP. THEIR FAMILIES COULD HAVE A WEEK TO THEMSELVES. SEEING THE TEARS OF JOY THEY HAD WHEN RE-UNITED. PRIDE IN COOKING FOR 200 PEOPLE I DON'T EVEN KNOW AND HEARING HOW MUCH EVERYONE ENJOYED THE NIGHT. KNOWING THAT A NEW COUPLE WILL HAVE A FOND MEMORY OF THEIR SPECIAL NIGHT. THIS IS A SMALL SAMPLE OF ELKS PRIDE.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO YOU GET IT? YOU ALREADY HAVE IT! NOW GIVE IT A CHANCE TO GROW. GET INVOLVED, COME TO MEETINGS, READ YOUR PUBLICATIONS AND TALK TO OTHER MEMBERS. THEN SHOW YOUR PRIDE. WEAR IT ON YOUR BODY, TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORT LODGE ACTIVITIES. IF YOU HAD IT, YOU NEVER LOST IT. IT NEEDS TO BE RENEWED!


Mike Cowell/Chairman
Indoctrination & Investigation Committee

Lounge Questionnaire

Dear Members: Our lounge is not only a source of enjoyment for our members and guests but it is also a source of income for our Lodge, For these reasons, we are hoping that our members will answer a short survey to help the Lodge serve your needs and wants better.

1. Which days would you like to see the lounge open?________________________

2. What would make you want to frequent the lounge more often?

3. Were you aware that you, as a member, can bring up to 9 guests with you?______

4. Did you know that you could hold small parties in the lounge without rental fees?______

5. Would you be willing to donate a few hours to serve in your lounge?____________

We cannot keep the lounge open without membership participation. Please take the time to give this some thought.

Thank you,

Ray Donohue

Lounge Chairman

You may also call the Lodge and leave a message. 758-8700

Most sincerely,

Keith A. Crawford/Drug Awareness Chairman

The Drug Awareness Committee

Public Relations

Social & Community Welfare

National Foundation News

National Service Committee

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. SEND IN YOUR BOOSTER CHECK TODAY AND HELP DEFRAY
THE COSTS OF THE PRINTING AND POSTAGE OF YOUR NEWSLETTER. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
JUST $10 PER NAME OR $25 PER BUSINESS CARD FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
SEND YOUR DONATION TO NADINE BRITT - 5 LOCUST LANE, NEW EGYPT NJ 08533 OR DIRECTLY
TO THE LODGE. MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO NEW EGYPT ELKS.