Certificate of Honor
The Erie Elks Lodge 67 recently recognized the owners of Family Affair Campground with a Certificate of Honor for properly flying the United States flag.
The campground, located in North East, has been the site for the Elks Summer Jamboree for many years. Recently they have acquired new owners.
Co-Owners Glen and Michele Cessna with Greg Kindle (center), Elks Lodge #67 Exalted Ruler
Teaming up with the Marine Corps League
On May 15th and 16th, the Erie Elks Lodge partnered with the Erie Marine Corps League to place over 6,000 U.S. flags on the grave sites of local veterans at Memorial Gardens and Laurel Hill cemeteries in preparation for Memorial Day.
A team of 44 Elks volunteers spent approximately two hours each day adjusting markers and placing flags. We also had help from the McDowell High School R.O.T.C. students on Friday. The completed sight was both beautiful and humbling, serving as a meaningful tribute to our veterans.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!
The Lodge had a special visitor on March 28th! Despite the sudden dip in temperature, families came to visit the Easter Bunny. In addition to breakfast, the children received gifts and enjoyed activities. The highlight for many?
Dancing and hopping!
Lodge #67 Hoop Shoot NW District
On Saturday February 7, the Erie Lodge 67 Girls dominated the NW District Hoop Shoot!
Winning the 8-9 year old Girls was Aliyah Cuzzola, shooting 20/25
Winning the 10-11 year old Girls was Vivian Weber, shooting 16/25
Winning the 12-13 year old Girls was Molly Siniki, shooting 22/25
All three girls will move on to the Elks PA Hoop Shoot in State College on February 28th, 2026. We wish them the very best!
from L to R: Molly Siniki, Aliyha Cuzzola, Vivian Weber
Elks National Annual Hoop Shoot!
Once again, Erie's youth impressed us with their basketball free throw skills! Erie Lodge wishes to extend a job well done for all the kids who participated in this annual event.
We have 6 athletes moving on to the District Shoot this year! This will be held on February 7th, 2026 in Warren, PA. We wish every participant the best of luck, and for those going to Warren, the Erie Elks Lodge 67 is very proud of you, and will be cheering for you!
Holiday Meal Boxes
Elks Care, Elks Share!
On December 19th, 7 Erie Elks Lodge 67 members worked with local our local Tops Market to pack 105 holiday food boxes for those in need in our Erie Community. Families were nominated by Elks members. Each box contained a ham, potatoes, canned veggies, soup, dried onions, rolls and a frozen pie.
The next day, over 28 Lodge members delivered the meal boxes to 105 to those community neighbors. The turnout of those who braved the cold embodies what the B.P.O.E. represents!
Funding for this project was collected year-round from the Lodge's Tuesday's Trivia Night gang, and from the Lodge's Auxiliary.
Additionally, on December 18th, Lodge 67 helped to organize another Christmas Meal box project, with the Elks Northwest Pennsylvania District 7760. 254 Veterans received a complete Christmas meal box for the holiday.
This project was planned in coordination with the Erie Veterans Administration Medical Center. Elks volunteers from Lodges within our District; including Corry, Erie, Franklin, Kane, Meadville, Oil City, Ridgway, Titusville, and Warren, all made this District 7760 project a success.
Every receiving Veteran was greeted with "Merry Christmas" and "Thank you for your service".
We couldn't have done either of these without our volunteers!
Bucky's Bell Ringers
Once again, Erie Lodge 67 members answered the Salvation Army’s call for Red Kettle volunteers.
26 Lodge Members braved the cold on December 6th from 9am-6pm gathering donations at the West Side Walmart. They brought holiday joy to the community by playing holiday music and handing out hundreds of large candy canes to all of the children, and children at heart. Additionally, the Lodge donated $750 to the Salvation Army.
Pheasants Forever Vets Program
The Erie Lodge 67 donated to the Pheasants Forever Vets Program, and on November 25th several local Vets had the opportunity to participate in a pheasant hunt. This opportunity brings disabled Vets together for a day of camaraderie, outdoors and the actual pheasant hunt.
Tracy Elementary School Dictionary Day
Erie Lodge 67 presented 96 dictionaries to third grade students at Tracy Elementary School on November 6th, 2025. Six Lodge volunteers, along with the School faculty passed out the dictionaries and played several "learning games." The students were openly engaged, very excited and all had a learning "twinkle" in their eyes! Lodge volunteers all expressed afterward the warm feeling of the afternoon's experience.
Lodge 67 members, this program is available to any school in our area, for third graders. The school must be involved and approve the event for all third grade students. Interested schools should contact the Lodge Office leaving detailed contact information and call back number.
Veterans Luncheon & Bingo
On November 6, 2025, the Erie Elks Lodge 67 hosted its Annual Veterans Luncheon and Bingo Day in honor of Veterans Day (12/11). We had 29 lively Veterans from local assisted living facilities and retirement communities. Erie Lodge 67 used funds from the ENF Gratitude Grant, and Members volunteere
This annual event provides an opportunity for Veterans to meet other veterans from the community, and share their military experiences. The Veterans attending represented service during every war or major conflict from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many of the Veterans expressed their gratitude to the Elks for hosting this event, and recognizing their service to our Nation.
Scholarship Winners!
Grace Garrity
pictured left to right, R. Scott Seib, PDDGER, ER; Grace Garrity, PER Scholarship winner; Hank Barbour, President Friends of Erie County Library; Peg Shenefelt, Board Member Friends of Erie County Library; Fran Milkowski, DDGER, PER
On August 13th, Erie Elks Lodge PERs, presented two $1,000 scholarships to the winners of the annual PER higher education scholarship contest.
To apply, prospective students entering their freshman and sophomore year of an accredited college or university, had to complete an a standard application plus an essay. The applicants had to research and advocate for a local non-profit. As a surprise, each non-profit was also present at the ceremony, as well as family of the winning students and Lodge 67 members.
On behalf of the Lodge, the PERs asked the students to each present a $500 donation check to their respected non-profits.
We wish the winning students so much success in their studies, and thank all applicants for participating. Completing the application is an accomplishment in itself!
Kelly Hart
Kelly Hart
pictured left to right, R.Scott Seib, PDDGER, ER; Sarah Mooroh, Presque Isle Lifeguard Association Board Member; Kelly Hart, PER Scholarship winner; Bob North, Presque Isle Lifeguard Association Board Member; Fran Milkowski, DDGER, PER
Play Ball; Erie SeaWolves Annual Vets Game Outing
On August 6th the Erie Elks Lodge 67 Veterans Committee hosted its Annual Veterans Outing with the Erie SeaWolves Baseball Team. 60 Veterans and their staff from three local residential facilities attended the event. The outing provided an opportunity for Veterans to spend time with fellow Veterans from the local area. The highlight of the day involved 98-year old WWII Navy Veteran, Don Grumblatt, throwing out the first pitch for the game.
Fran Milkowski, PER, DDGER
Erie Lodge 67 had a unique honor of a special initiation at the July 28th Lodge meeting. Lodge members in attendance witnessed Frances Milkowski being initiated as the PA NW District, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.
This ritual is normally conducted at the National Grand Lodge Convention. Past State President and Grand Lodge Officer, Peg O'Polka, had the honor of performing the ritual. Congratulations to Fran Milkowski! Erie Lodge Officers and members are very proud of you!
(top: Peg O'Polka- Past State President and Grand Lodge Officer, Fran Milkowski- PER, DDGER // bottom left: Pete O'Polka- PA State President, Fran Milkowski- PER, DDGER, Peg O'Polka- Past State President and Grand Lodge Officer // bottom right: Fran Milkowski- PER, DDGER, Don Langer- PER, Jim Law- PER, PDDGER)
Congratulations "Green Thumbs" of Erie Elks Lodge 67!
This July, Marge Tracy and the "Green Thumbs" of the Erie Elks were awarded the Garden of the Month by the Presque Isle Garden Club! This is a huge compliment, and it shows the hard work Marge and her team put into keeping our grounds beautiful!
Flag Day Ceremony 2025
Nationwide, Elks Lodges hold annual ceremonies on June 14th, Flag Day. This day is the anniversary of the birth of the American Flag. We set aside this day to honor what our Old Glory represents, and to share proper knowledge and respect of the American Flag.
At the Erie Elks Lodge 67, this year’s ceremony was honored to have special flag bearers from Tracy Elementary School’s Millcreek Township Police Athletic League. The Lodge is involved in the P.A.L. program that mentors local youth. The celebration culminated with a patriotic cake supplied by the Lodge Auxiliary.
Veterans Picnic at P.I. State Park
Erie Elks Lodge 67 Veterans Committee hosted its annual highlight event; the Veterans Picnic at Presque Isle State Park. On June 12th, volunteers hosted 78 U.S. Veterans and staff from four Erie area residential facilities for a luncheon at the park. Veterans had the opportunity to connect and socialize with fellow vets outside of their residential communities. They also had the opportunity to fish with volunteers from the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie. Thank you, volunteers!
Kitchen Closed until Tuesday, June 16th
Due to maintenance, our kitchen will be closed until Tuesday, June 16th. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to complete repairs promptly.
Breakfast options will still be available on Sunday, June 14th for Flag Day, as well as our Bloody Mary Bar.