OUR HISTORY

"Early in 1985, a group of six to eight men got together and began to talk about starting a Lodge of Elks in Palm Coast.

A very fine gentlemen named Paul Branchard got things rolling along with Bill Ericson, Ernest Kutter, Martin Mertz a few others and myself. They got in touch with the St. Augustine Lodge, who in turn became the "Mother Lodge of Sponsor" for our charter. They gave us name and telephone numbers of fellow brothers who were known as "Orphan Brothers". These are men that are Elks, but don't have or partake in any one Lodge in the area.

We all took a list of a names and started calling. Between the list and talk around town, we came up with 250 or so members to achieve our charter.

With Doug Cook and other dignitaries of the Grand Lodge and a lot of man hours, Palm Coast Lodge 2709 of the B.P.O.E. began.

Here we are six years old and we now have our own building that we can call home.

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that has worked so hard and diligently in order to achieve our goal."

A BRIEF TIMELINE

HISTORY of PALM COAST ELKS LODGE #2709

By Ralph Dodge, Charter Officer & PER

1992 Lodge Completion "Early in 1985, a group of six to eight men got together and began to talk about starting a Lodge of Elks in Palm Coast. A very fine gentlemen named Paul Branchard got things rolling along with Bill Ericson, Ernest Kutter, Martin Mertz a few others and myself. They got in touch with the St. Augustine Lodge, who in turn became the "Mother Lodge of Sponsor" for our charter. They gave us name and telephone numbers of fellow brothers who were known as "Orphan Brothers". These are men that are Elks, but don't have or partake in any one Lodge in the area. We all took a list of a names and started calling. Between the list and talk around town, we came up with 250 or so members to achieve our charter. With Doug Cook and other dignitaries of the Grand Lodge and a lot of man hours, Palm Coast Lodge 2709 of the B.P.O.E. began. Here we are six years old and we now have our own building that we can call home. CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that has worked so hard and diligently in order to achieve our goal."

Chapter I (April 2022) "March 16, 1986, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge was installed as a new lodge, and we became members of the Northeast district. The St. Augustine Lodge #879 was the sponsor of our lodge. Bill Erickson, Harold Jordan and then others including myself be a journey of gathering members so we could become a lodge in Palm Coast, Florida. The Grand Lodge gave us a list of members that they called 'Wandering Elks'. They were members in good standing at lodges of another state or another city or town here in Florids. The twelve of us contacted as many of these members in person as we could and the others by phone. The Grand Lodge set 250 members as the target for us to become a lodge and get our charter. Well, try as we might, we could only gather 199 members. The Grand Lodge approved and on March 16th, 1986, Palm Coast Elks Lodge 2709 was installed outside of the Sheraton Hotel and Yacht Club at the end of Club House Drive."

Chapter II (May 2022) "Palm Coast Elks reached out to the community of Palm Coast and Flagler County. We had to find a place where we could hold our meetings. Palm Coast stepped up and let hold our meetings at the community center on Club House Drive. We started looking for property to build our own home on. In the meantime, we started to get involved with the community, and with Flagler Beach. 4th of July weekend our Officers marched in the Flagler Beach parade, and we sponsored two booths. One was a dart Booth which gave out stuffed animals and other prizes for kids to break balloons, and the Ladies Auxiliary stepped up and ran a cotton candy booth. We also worked with the other clubs on Old Kings Road. With the blessings of our members, we were able to build our lodge. This being guided with the knowledge and support of Lynn Walburton. The lodge was built in 1991 and we were able to open our doors on New Year's Eve. In 1992 thru 1996 our lodge was able to sponsor and run a basketball league for the two middle schools. There was a total of 8 teams. Also the lodge was able to place our logo signs at the entrances of Palm Coast, Florida."

1992 Lodge Completion

"Early in 1985, a group of six to eight men got together and began to talk about starting a Lodge of Elks in Palm Coast.

A very fine gentlemen named Paul Branchard got things rolling along with Bill Ericson, Ernest Kutter, Martin Mertz a few others and myself. They got in touch with the St. Augustine Lodge, who in turn became the "Mother Lodge of Sponsor" for our charter. They gave us name and telephone numbers of fellow brothers who were known as "Orphan Brothers". These are men that are Elks, but don't have or partake in any one Lodge in the area.

We all took a list of a names and started calling. Between the list and talk around town, we came up with 250 or so members to achieve our charter.

With Doug Cook and other dignitaries of the Grand Lodge and a lot of man hours, Palm Coast Lodge 2709 of the B.P.O.E. began.

Here we are six years old and we now have our own building that we can call home.

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that has worked so hard and diligently in order to achieve our goal."

Chapter I (April 2022)

"Palm Coast Elks reached out to the community of Palm Coast and Flagler County. We had to find a place where we could hold our meetings.

Palm Coast stepped up and let hold our meetings at the community center on Club House Drive. We started looking for property to build our own home on. In the meantime, we started to get involved with the community, and with Flagler Beach.

4th of July weekend our Officers marched in the Flagler Beach parade, and we sponsored two booths. One was a dart Booth which gave out stuffed animals and other prizes for kids to break balloons, and the Ladies Auxiliary stepped up and ran a cotton candy booth. We also worked with the other clubs on Old Kings Road.

With the blessings of our members, we were able to build our lodge. This being guided with the knowledge and support of Lynn Walburton.

The lodge was built in 1991 and we were able to open our doors on New Year's Eve.

In 1992 thru 1996 our lodge was able to sponsor and run a basketball league for the two middle schools. There was a total of 8 teams.

Also the lodge was able to place our logo signs at the entrances of Palm Coast, Florida."