On December 15. 2007 Lodge Hoop ShootCompetitors ages 8 through 13 competed at the New Vista Middle School, in Lancaster Elks Lodge #1625 hosted its annual Elks "Free Throw" Hoop Shoot. Both boys and girls ages 8-9,10-11, and 12-13 years old competed in this great local annual Elks event. The first place winners will go on to compete in the Elks Inland District level "Hoop Shoot" to be held at Val Vista Middle School in January also hosted by Lancaster Elks Lodge. Below are group pictures of winners and many of the wonderful hardworking volunteers who help make this event possible.The following local winners were as follows:

57th ANNUAL YOUTH OLYMPICS
May , 2007

  In 1948, an Elk Lodge Brother, Robert Kennepohl, PER 49-50, PDDGER, 60-61, thought of various projects that the lodge could be involved in. One such idea was the start of the May 1948 "Elks Junior Youth Olympics". At that time there were 300 participants. This was for the youths within the Antelope Valley and was held under his direction.

  Since then the event has steadily grown in popularity. This event alone (except for the "Elks National Hoop Shoot") is one of the biggest youth events, we believe, in all Elkdom. It is expected to grow even larger in the years to come. We the members of Lancaster Elks Lodge 1625 are proud of our local children and gladly volunteer our services for their benefit.

   Saturday, May 12, 2007 approximately 45 Elk volunteers hosted the Lodge's 57th Annual Junior Youth Olympics. The Emblem Club #76 Ladies Honor Guard opened the event with the raising of the American Flag. ER "Hamp" Hampton PER lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Our own Lancaster Mayor Hearns read a Proclamation proclaiming the week as "Elks Youth Week". There were 40 events consisting of both Boys and Girls in grades 7 and 8 from 12 Antelope Valley Middle Schools.

   The track events included the 4X100 Meter Relay, 1600 Meter Run, 200 Meter Dash, 400 Meter Dash, 800 Meter Dash, 100 Meter Dash, 4X400 Meter Relay. The infield events included both 7th and 8th grade boys and girl consisting of the Long Jump, Shot Put and High Jump.    Many records were broken from previous years.

   Hillview Middle School took 41 Medals ranking them 1st overall in the Antelope Valley.
A total of 39 Gold, 38 Silver and 39 Bronze Medals were awarded by the Lodge to the various Middle Schools. 831 boys and girls participated in these events.

   The Lodge opened its doors at 6pm Halloween Night, not only for the members children, ages 12 and under, but to all Lancaster's kids of the same age. At the door of the Lodge, a Greeter was present. Candy goody bags along with Elk Anti-Drug pamphlets and coloring books were given to each child. Those children and adults (not scared) were then allowed to enter the "Haunted House" (normally the Lodge Room).

   The childrens and adults numbered approximately 254, and were provided their choice of free hot dogs, or hamburgers and punch. The Ladies of Emblem Club #76 entertained the kids with various games in the Lodge Banquet Room. Thanks to all the VOLUNTEERS who did the cooking, serving, and to those that helped our Loyal Knight and his Volunteers that helped set up and take down the Haunted House, as well as the live "SPOOKS" who did a great job. Without you all, the kids would not have had a safe night and this event could not have happened. A good time was had by all, including the parents and grandparents.

   Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 29 out of 92 eligble Service Pin annuitants were recognized for their continued membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The names are as follows. An * denotes member attended:

Two 60 year pins were presented by Charles C. Ellison PER, to:
*Jack Blanchard-Life Member, Al Coltzau-Life Member, Joseph Pollard-Honorary Life Member,*Kurt Ullman-Life Member.

One 55 year Service Pin was presented by Leonard A. Cosgrove,PDDGER to:
R. F. Butler-Life Member, *Paul F. Herre-Life Member, Frank Russell-Life Member.

Three 50 year Service Pins were presented by Leonard Cosgrove, PDDGER to:
*Robert A. Brewer, LTCol J. Charles Cardosi, *James A. Carter, *Harvey D. Hurt, *Willard L. Ritchie Jr.-Life Member.

One 45 year Service Pin was presented by David W. Smith, PER to:
*Kenneth R. Creese-Life Member, and Hugh C. Hemperly Jr.-Life Member.

Nine 40 year Service Pins were presented by Wilford Bowers, PSVP to:
Douglas T. Anderson, Kenneth L. Baird-Life Member, *David R. Barrett-Life Member, Attilio A. Bassoni, *James H. Brockway-Life Member, Lynwood K. Denison, James M. Felden, *Adolf M. Fix-Life Member, SydneyE. Fromberg, Murray Golub, Robert A. Humphrey-Life Member, *John H. Isles III, Harvey E. Kissell-Life Member, *Henry B. Marvin, Fred Polizo, *John Z. Rabiej, James J. Stegman-Life Member Joseph Stello, *Robert J. Stewart-Life member, William C. tibbitts, *Dale W. Todd, and *Frank C. Turkal.

One 35 year Service Pin was presented by Jack Gardner, PER to:
*William Babajian, John W. French, Gary J. Grover, John Hiskett, DeWayne Juenemann, Edgar J. Richardson, Ruben L. Ruiz PER-Hon Life Member, Benjamin S. Sanchez, Jack D, Seefus, Lewis L. Shoemaker. and Henry Zimmerman Jr.

Five 30 year Service Pins were presented by Wilford Bowers, PSVP to:
*D. "Pete" Franzen PDDGER-Hon Life Member, LeeRoy Halley, *Hank Isenberg, Girard E. Kipp, James M. Lloyd, *Bob R. Nipper Jr., Gil M. Rojas, *Jon L. Safranek, Giovanni R. Simi, Donald W. Tyrrell, and *Albert G. Weissenbach.

Two 25 year Service Pins were presented by D. "Pete" Franzen, PDDGER to:
David Bianchi PER-Hon Life Member, Willaim A. Clark, Rodrigo A. Gracia, John Hemme, Patrick E. Hood, Daniel G. Kessler, James Modlin, Jerry L. Noblet, Keith Pilgren, *David W. Smith PER-Hon Life Member and *Donald E. Thompson.

Two 20 year Service Pins were presented by Kenneth W. Beecroft, PER to:
Bert Adkins jr., *George A. Barritt, Robert M. Brewer, John De Wolf, Mark D. Ellison, Michael B. Ellison, Kenneth W. Risher, Theodore E. George, Terry Lewis, James B. McVicker, *Wayne Earl Messer, Darryl E. Pursley and Dante R. Simi, PDDGER-Hon Life Member.

Raymond J. Pompey PER presented two 15 year Service Pins to:
Ken Anderson, William R. Hendry, Richard Lloyd, Roy D. McDaniel,*Richard Rutherford, Michael Schafer, Shannon R. Sharpe,*Dennis A. Simoni, Edward Sloman and Edward Holder.