Celebration For Beacon Elks Lodge Turning 100

BEACON – Beacon Elks Lodge #1493, which is celebrating a centennial of camaraderie and community service, needs your assistance to help commemorate its founding on July 17, 1924. Help is needed in three areas:

– Join the Lodge! “Our centennial year is a great time to join! In fact, the Lodge will sponsor a special commemorative installation ceremony on July 17, 2024 – one hundred years to the day after the first members of the Beacon Lodge were welcomed into membership,” said Beacon Lodge #1493 Exalted Ruler Michael Zanzarella. Those interested in joining should email elks1493@yahoo.com for more information. Descendants of past members are especially encouraged to join during the 100th anniversary year.

– Loan/donate Elks-related memorabilia to the Lodge for display during the commemoration. Did a family member have photos, medals, plaques or any other type of Elks item? The Lodge would like to borrow them as part of the celebration. “Oftentimes, family members inherit items related to the history of our Lodge,” said Zanzarella. “In recognition of this milestone anniversary, we would like to welcome them back for display and even potential permanent donation.” Contact Carl Oken at coken@optonline.net if you have such items.

– March in/cheer along the Elks Centennial parade to be held on Main Street in Beacon on July 13; those wishing to participate should email Bob Meeker at bomeek1960@gmail.com. All groups are welcome! “A century ago, hundreds of people marched in the Lodge’s founding parade, which was watched by thousands of people,” said Zanzarella. “We hope that thousands more will come out to celebrate our Lodge’s dedication to the community on July 13.”

More than 2,700 men and women have joined the Beacon-based fraternal organization that works across southern Dutchess County and nearby Putnam County to complete various programs of service. Lodge #1493 has provided an estimated $6.2 million in donations and volunteer hours to the local community since its founding 100 years ago. Today, approximately 575 members remain devoted to its mission of supporting academic scholarships, veterans, drug-abuse awareness, patriotic endeavors and more.