Elks purchase Sam Jones Property, elect new leaders
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Harrisburg Elks Lodge No. 1058 is moving to a new home with new leadership this year.
The lodge has finalized purchase of the former "Sam Jones Lake" property, also known as "Lakeside," and relocation will be taking place in a matter of weeks, according to a release from the Elks.
On Tuesday a crew was at the property cleaning it in preparation for the move. The Elks is moving from its current location at 202 N. Vine St., home of the Elks since the building's construction in 1936.
Newly elected Elks Exalted Ruler Kerry Camp said the decision to move from its present location was a near unanimous decision of the members, but bittersweet.
"It is a grand old building with so many fond memories kindled therein, but we found it time to move on," Camp said, in a prepared release.
"The building was getting costlier and costlier to maintain, and with three floors, the layout is very unfriendly to older members and those with disabilities. And that's just flat wrong."
The new lodge is planned to involve construction of a lodge room which also will function as a large banquet hall capable of hosting the largest receptions in town, Camp said. The new structure will feature plenty of parking and be fully accessible to everyone.
The Elks will form a committee focusing on financing the new property improvements.
The property consists of about 12 acres, including a 4-acre lake. It will have a beach area, accommodations for camping trailers, fishing, outdoor game areas, and is an ideal location to host various Elks activities such as the annual chili cook off, barbecue cook off, and Elks family picnics, Camp said.
"To say that this is an exciting time for our Elk members and their families is an understatement," Camp said.
"Everyone is energized and focused on making good decisions. We anticipate our membership rolls continuing to swell, too. But we will never lose focus on our core duty as a charitable organization, bent on assisting others however and whenever we can."
For now, Camp said, the lodge is centered on moving into the building structures presently on the property. While the existing structures at the Sam Jones Lake property are suitable to house a restaurant and lounge facilities, they are deficient for formal lodge functions, large indoor gatherings and catered events.
"Truly, our Elks lodge is an important fiber of the community. Harrisburg and the surrounding communities have always embraced us, and we are so grateful for that. In return, I'll pledge on behalf of the lodge that we will be there for them for another 104 years," Camp said.
Chartered on 1907, the local lodge has 464 members presently on its rolls.
Kerry Camp was recently elected exalted ruler or president of the lodge. Camp previously served as exalted ruler in 1994, and was also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks district deputy grand exalted ruler for the south district of Illinois in 2000.
David Blazier was elected as esteemed leading knight; Ray Lindsey as esteemed loyal knight; and Grady Gaskins as esteemed lecturing knight.
Board of Trustee members are chairman Robert Schmink, Paul Cummins, John Gardner, Emil Peterson and Nathan Gaskins.
Other lodge officers are Secretary Bobby Deppen, Treasurer Jennifer Osman, Esquire Jessica Mitchell, Inner Guard Terry Sisky, Tiler Wendell McClusky and Chaplain Mike Jones.
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