New Member: Tiffin Elks Lodge 094

The Elks is a private club that has monthly new member ceremonies, family build a burger nights, entertainment events as well as their largest event, a gun raffle. They also have a beautiful cozy back patio that is open year-round and is especially popular in the summer months. The Elks is a small "family-like" club. It is common for everyone in the club to know many of the other members and members are often greeted by name as they walk into the door. The Elks also has a gambling license that allows them to have pull tabs, gaming machines, and they recently welcomed back Keno.

The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune. Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments. When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.

On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.

The Elks in Tiffin originated in 1885, in a house that is now where the Tiffin Library is located. In 1895, the new location, where it is today, was built. There are only a few remaining Elks lodges that were originally built to be an Elks and are still an Elks today. The Tiffin location is widely known for this legacy among the Ohio lodges.

The Elks believe in giving back to their community whenever they can. They donate a portion of  their gambling profits to support the local boys scout troop. The lodge also has access to apply for grants through the Grand Lodge. This year they had a huge success with getting an $8,000 grant that was donated to the local S.M.Y.L. foundation. They sponsor an annual essay contest that is shared with local schools to allow the students to have the opportunity to earn a scholarship. In the future, the Elks is looking to encourage the community to participate in the Hoops Shoot Contest and their golf event at Clinton Heights. The Elks Foundation also has an annual Regatta fundraiser that they host at the Bel-Mar each year as well. Individuals and Business make a boat following set guidelines and race the boats at the event. This years Regatta is set to be August 20th.

The Elks has an online application at elks.org as well as applications available at the club. One of the best parts of the Elks is that in order to be a member, your application has to be approved. If approved, there is a special initiation ceremony for new members unlike any other club in Seneca County. In tradition, it is asked that the initiation ceremony experience not be shared with non-members. Joining the Elks is more than just joining a club. The ceremony gives new members a wholesome feeling of what it means to be an Elk. Once an Elk, the membership is good for all Elks lodges in the country.

The club is lead by a group of trustees and the lodge is lead by the lodge officers. The entire club is overseen by The Exalted Ruler, Chuck Jones. The lodge officers are Aaron Thompson-Leading Knight, Aaron Johnson-Loyal Knight, Allison Sendelbach-Lecturing Knight, Nicole Miller-Lodge Secretary, Jim Eckelberry-Treasurer, Jim Schank-Esquire, Bob Kissell-Chaplain, Mike Frisch-Inner Guard. They also have a board of trustees who run the club which includes Anne Clouse, William Nordholt, Ron Brown and Sharon Gosche.

The Elks is located at 106 E Perry St and the phone number is 419-447-2818 for any questions.