Lake Tahoe, Valley Elks join forces

The Lake Tahoe Elk's Lodge No. 2094 and the Minden-Douglas Elk's Lodge No. 2670 have merged into the Tahoe-Douglas Lodge No. 2670.

The Lake Tahoe Lodge has been serving that community for 53 years. The Minden-Douglas Lodge has been serving Carson Valley for 26 years.

Both lodges provide charitable support to their communities, primarily in the areas of youth activities, veteran's affairs, and senior services.

The new lodge will continue serving Lake Tahoe.

The Elks annual all you can eat crab feed is March 5 at the CVIC Hall, starting at 5:30 p.m. social time, and 6:30 p.m. dinner. The cost is $40 per person, pre-paid, for all you can eat crab, cole slaw, and garlic bread. There will be New York steaks, cooked to order, available by advanced notice for those who don't eat crab, for $30, this will also include a baked potato. Reservations and payment must be in by Feb. 26. Call Rodney or Shaaron Snead at 267-5066 or the Elks Lodge at 265-4523.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is one of the oldest and largest private organizations in the United States. The organization's philanthropic bent grew out of the founder's desire to assist its members in need. In 1871, the Elks staged a benefit for the Chicago fire, and the organization has responded to every major disaster since then, from the Seattle fire and Johnstown flood in 1899, to the Oklahoma bombing of 1995 and the Red River flooding of 1997.

This in addition to the community services that have become an Elks tradition.

Of the many additional prides in Elkdom, two stand tall. The first is the patriotism displayed by the order. In 1907, the Elks became the first fraternal organization to observe Flag Day on June 14. More than 40 years later, President Harry S. Truman, a member of the order, declared the date a national observance.

The second is the promise made in World War I that disabled American veterans would never be forgotten.

The Order of Elks supplied and equipped the first two field hospitals in France.

For returning wounded, the Elks constructed a hospital in Boston and then donated it to the war department. This was the only veterans hospital donated by a private entity after World War I.

The order's history of patriotism and service has set the tone for the modern lodge. As they have since 1868, the Elks continue to make a difference in their communities, their states and their country.

The Tahoe-Douglas Lodge is at 1276 Pit Road in Gardnerville Ranchos.

For more information call 265-4523 or e-mail Elk2670@clearwire.net.