Horseheads Elks Lodge No. 2297!
6 Prospect Hill Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845
Phone: (607) 739-9931
Welcome to Horseheads Elks Lodge No. 2297. I am Judy Frisk, honored to serve as the Exalted Ruler of our esteemed Lodge. Since its founding in 1965, Horseheads Elks Lodge No. 2297 has been a vital part of the Horseheads community, providing a wide array of social, charitable, and community-oriented opportunities for our members and the public.
This website serves as your primary resource for all Lodge-related information. I encourage you to explore our Calendar for upcoming events and visit the News section for important announcements and press releases.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our online portal on Elks.org. I look forward to many years of collaboration and fellowship with you. Before you leave, please take a moment to sign our Guest Book.
About our Lodge:
The Horseheads Elks Lodge No. 2297 has proudly served our community for over 50 years. As a fully equipped facility, we are dedicated to meeting the needs of our community. We feature two spacious banquet rooms, each capable of accommodating up to 230 people, or, when combined, up to 450 people. Additionally, our Ralph Wilson Pavilion provides a large outdoor space with a kitchen, BBQ pits, and ample parking.
Every Monday evening, the Lodge hosts Bingo for the community, which coincides with Wing Night. Members and guests enjoy delicious wings, along with a variety of weekly specials including shrimp, Italian sausage, hamburgers, and hot dogs. The kitchen is open from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. During football season, the Lodge becomes a popular gathering spot for members to watch Monday Night Football.
On Tuesdays, the Horseheads Elks Golf League meets at the Soaring Eagles Golf Course in Horseheads for a fun-filled round of nine-hole golf. The league currently consists of 28 two-person teams, and it provides an excellent opportunity for members to connect while enjoying the game. A limited menu is now available on Tuesday evenings, following a successful trial period, and is open to all members from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Wednesday evenings are highlighted by the Queen of Hearts Drawing, with tickets available throughout the week and up until 7:30 PM on the day of the drawing. The drawing usually takes place around 8:30 PM after the last ticket is sold. Our most recent jackpot was over $42,000! In addition, the Lodge offers kitchen specials on drawing nights, which can be found in the Lodge newsletter and online calendar.
Fridays are a highlight at the Lodge, as we invite the public to enjoy "The Best Fish Fry in Town." Both members and guests can choose from a delicious fish fry, broiled fish, or broiled sea scallops, along with special menu items for the evening. The Friday Fish Fry menu is available in the Lodge newsletter and on our online calendar, so be sure to check it out and join us for a fantastic meal.
LODGE HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Saturday: 3:00pm - Close
Sundays: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Open later on Sundays during Football Season
History Of Our Lodge
In August of 1963, the concept of establishing an Elks Lodge in Horseheads was born. A petition was circulated, gathering signatures from individuals interested in supporting the creation of a Lodge and enabling an application to be submitted to the Grand Lodge for a Charter.
The Watkins Glen Lodge of Elks was approached and agreed to sponsor the new Horseheads Lodge.
A series of organizational meetings followed, where significant effort was devoted to gathering signatures. By February of 1964, a petition with 180 signatures was submitted to the Grand Lodge. On February 11, 1964, R.J. Dunn, the Grand Exalted Ruler at the time, granted a Disposition for the formation of the Lodge.
Further meetings were held to finalize the Lodge's formation, select Officers, and establish various committees. After much planning and coordination, it was decided that the formal Institution of Horseheads Lodge No. 2297 would take place on Sunday, April 4, 1964. Due to the large number of new members to be initiated, St. Mary's School Hall was secured as the venue for the ceremony.
On April 4, 1964, Horseheads Lodge No. 2297 was officially instituted. The Institution Ceremony was led by Past Officers from several lodges within our District, and the initiation of new members was conducted by officers from our Sponsoring Lodge, Watkins Glen Lodge. A total of 186 new members were initiated that day. To mark this special occasion, a delightful dinner was served by the women of St. Mary's Church, celebrating the successful establishment of the Lodge.
First Annual Picnic
We secured the use of St. Mary's Annex Hall for our bi-weekly meetings, which consistently saw strong attendance from our members.
On the last Sunday of June 1964, we hosted our first clam bake at the P.B.A. Grounds on Monkey Hill Road. The event was a resounding success, with a great turnout from our members as well as members from surrounding Lodges. Due to its success, this event was established as an annual tradition, to be held on the last Sunday of June each year.
Throughout the year, considerable effort was invested by various committees to identify a suitable location for a permanent clubhouse. Numerous properties were surveyed, but many were either unsuitable or faced challenges such as zoning restrictions. After extensive searching, we were fortunate to secure 3.6 acres of land at the corner of Hickory Grove and Prospect Hill Roads in the Town of Horseheads. The Lodge members voted to accept this property, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward establishing a permanent home.
New Building Under Construction
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Building Committee, plans were drawn up for a proposed new facility. After thorough discussions and revisions, the plans were finalized, and construction of the new building was set into motion. On July 5, 1965, formal Groundbreaking Ceremonies took place on the site, marking the beginning of this exciting new chapter. Work on the building commenced shortly thereafter, with impressive progress made over the next four months, all under the vigilant oversight of the Building Committee.
The first event held in the new building took place on Halloween night, October 30, 1965. The event was a great success, with a full house and an enjoyable time had by all in attendance. New Year's Eve proved to be an even greater success, with over 200 couples joining the celebration. This event has since become an annual tradition, and we look forward to many more successful gatherings in the future. Additionally, we have hosted several popular Sunday afternoon events, highlighted by our Bavarian Festival, which has been well-received by members. We are committed to continuing these events, as they have become an integral part of our Lodge’s social life.
Horseheads Lodge No. 2297 Completed
Since the founding of our Lodge, one of our core missions has been to support and uplift the youth of our nation. Our Youth Committee has consistently done outstanding work in this regard, and we extend our sincere gratitude to them for their dedication.
In our inaugural year, 1964, we sponsored a Small Fry Basketball team, a Girls' Cinderella Baseball team, and donated a $50 War Bond to the Youth Leadership Contest, awarding it to a student from both Horseheads High School and T.E. Edison High School. We also contributed $75 to the All Sports Banquet at Horseheads High School.
In 1965, our efforts expanded further. We again sponsored a Small Fry Basketball team and a Girls' Cinderella Baseball team. We supported both the Youth Leadership Contest and the Senior Awards Contest, sent a boy to Boys State, and sponsored a Connie Mack Baseball Team. Additionally, we hosted a special dinner at our new Elks Club for the varsity and junior varsity football teams of Horseheads and Edison High Schools, along with their fathers, coaches, and principals. The event was a resounding success and was warmly received by both schools.
We are deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of all the officers, Trustees, Building Committee members, House Committee, Entertainment Committee, Youth Committee, Bowling and Golf Committees, and everyone who has contributed to the formation and success of our Lodge. While we will not name individuals, as so many have played pivotal roles, we acknowledge and appreciate the collective effort that has brought us to where we are today. Each and every one of you deserves recognition.
Interior of New Lodge Bar & Lounge in 1965 and the Lodge Bar in 2018