Killarney Guide

Original 1930 charter now hangs in local museum

BY KIM LANGEN

After 92 years of fundraising, and a final charitable cheque, a local service club has called it a day.

The Killarney Elks #238, who first gathered together back in 1930, will be closing their bank account, after distributing more than a million dollars to worthy community causes over the decades.

“It’s quite sad, really,” said the Elks’ Marilyn Lamb. “But there comes a time when you can’t continue. We are all mostly in our 70s now.”

The decision to end the Elks was proposed in September of 2022, said Lamb, and it was passed by the membership. On March 3, all their artifacts were transported to the J.A.V. David Museum, including the original documents for the creation of the Killarney Elks.

“Our charter was turned into the Grand Lodge in Regina, which is the Elks centre in Canada,” said Lamb. “It was done by photo. But the original charter itself is now in the museum.”

The last donation they recently made was to the Killarney Foundation, in the form of a $30,000 cheque. By the end of April, when all bills are paid, their bank account will be closed, she said.

“Before COVID-19, well over a million dollars had been donated to date, since 1930,” said Lamb. “And now there has been so much more donated, bringing that number to up to around $1.2 million. This has all gone to the community, in support of all demographics. We sold our hall in 2017, so that helped boost our funds for donations too.”

ELKS ON DISPLAY – Quite a colourful array of items have been donated by the recently disbanded Killarney Elks service club to the J.A.V. David Museum. These include: the altar, purple altar-cloth, and emblems for altar – constitution, elk, flag and flagpole, and bible. In addition are the Killarney #238 original charter, original ledgers with first members of the lodge, a fez and tie, minutes of meetings and financial records, memorial plaque with engraved names of members that have passed, a set of medallions indicating officer positions, an album containing pictures of every Exalted Ruler, and an Album of general pictures taken at Lodge functions. From left are: Elks members Marilyn Lamb, Ethel Zolinski, and Delores Mason, and museum members Janice King, Joyce Dietrich, and Joanne Pettypiece.

LAST EVENING FOR THE PURPLE-CLAD ELKS – It was a great get-together, and a stunning show of purple, as the Killarney Elks gathered for their final and emotional meeting on Tuesday, December 13, at the Legion Clubroom.  Back Row:  Bernie Turner, Wayne Gutscher, Dean Sherritt (President of Manitoba Elks), Glenn Lamb, and Bob Pineo. Second Row:  Tom Campbell, Tamara Boulet, Ethel Zolinski, Wayne Argue, Gwen Archibald, Marilyn Lamb, Walter Hilhorst, and Pat Gibson. Front: Adeline Gutscher, Elsie Thomson, Delores Mason (Killarney Exalted Ruler), Helen Jackson, Dawn Lamb, and Marilyn Dunlop. Read the full story from The Guide’s Christmas edition below.

Final gathering of the Elks

Killarney Elks #238 celebrate 92 years of community service

BY KIM LANGEN

It was a Christmas party to remember, as a group of local Elks met formally for the very last time in mid-December, after nearly a century of service.

“It was kind of a sad evening,” said Delores Mason, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Killarney Elks #238. “It was the end of an era. We started up back in 1930, and 2022 marks 92 years of the Killarney Elks.”

Eighteen local Elks attended the final meeting and holiday party, held on Tuesday night, December 13, at the Legion Clubroom, said Mason. The Provincial President of the Manitoba Elks even drove in for the major historical event, to both salute and celebrate with the outgoing members.

Like many other service clubs, their enrolment numbers have been dropping, and most members are getting on in years, said Mason.

“Age plays a big part in our reason for the closing,” she said. “The average age of our active members is 79. The average age overall of members is 75. We are getting older, and everyone gets tired. Young people are so busy now that they just don’t have time to commit. People will volunteer, but they won’t commit to going to meetings. Times have changed. I’m sorry to see it end, but there was no other alternative.”

Mason added, however, that people and businesses in the area have been incredible over the years in helping the Elks raise money for their many charitable endeavours.

“The community has been tremendous in supporting us over the years,” she said. “We can’t thank them enough. They have been wonderful.”

Mason, who served as the second female ruler in the Elks (Pat Gibson was the first Exalted Ruler), ran the ship for the last four-and-a-half years, she said. 

“It’s usually a two-year term, but because of COVID, it went longer,” said Mason. “What did I like best about being an Elk? It got you out with people. And I loved that you were helping people who needed assistance. Helping people in the community plays a big part, and it was a wonderful group of people to work with. We will still meet up, as friends, but it won’t be the same.”

President of the Manitoba Elks Dean Sherritt was on hand at the final Killarney meeting, to offer his perspective and brainstorm with the group.

“There are good people here in the community that could do it. How do we entice them? That’s the battle right now, and it’s not just us,” said Sherritt, who visits with other lodges regularly, and has an obvious interest in keeping the remainder going. “How do we connect with younger people? Our principles are founded fairly solidly, but I don’t think we advertise them enough.”

Sherritt admits that there’s a whole lot to think about in regards to getting younger people to join the Elks.

“It’s a hard battle that we do not have the answers for, but we’re trying,” said Sherritt, who added that he was very proud of what the Killarney Elks had accomplished. “There’s over 3,000 hours a year that this group has put into working for the community. They’ve done a lot. They’ve been very busy here. “We understand this core group’s issue, and it’s not an uncommon issue with all organizations, but it’s sad to see this Elks lodge go.” 

Elks wonderful legacy in the community

The Killarney Elks have been supporting a wide range and variety of community projects over the years, and especially during this past and final year, said member Marilyn Lamb. 

Here is a list of some of the areas to which Elks have donateD.

 – The Splash Park 

– The Shamrock Centre – the lounge, kids programs, and Fun in the Sun 

– The Killarney Turtle-Mountain Fire department – Jaws of Life 

– Killarney Airport

– Aerators in Killarney Lake 

– Tri-Lake Hospital: washrooms, and Bayside all-season room 

– Tamara Boulet – as a recipient for funds for help with hearing aids 

– Killarney School: money for the engine room, playground, science program, and assistance for a hearing-impaired child (computer)

– Lakeland Regional Library (resources for families)

– Minor sports, baseball, breakfast program, Kidsport, Lakers, golf course ($5,000 plus sponsorship for signs) 

– Scholarships 

The Elks have also donated $25,000 to date to the Killarney Foundation, with interest monies granted Year 1 to the Engine Room at the School, and Year 2 to Minor Sports (Minor Ball, Soccer, Hockey and Figure Skating), beginning in 2024.