Fun Facts and HB Lodge Traditions June 2022
On Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, Huntington Beach PERs spoke at the Lodge meeting to share “Fun facts and Lodge traditions”. After the presentation, they were asked if they could publish the presentation so that it could be seen by people who had not attended the meeting. Below, is information that was shared that night. The text is not exact as the PERs who spoke personalized their portion. However, most of the information that was shared is below.
- Dave Miller, PER Association President 2022-2023
Chaplain in Red Socks. PER Jerry Dryden, Exalted Ruler 1971-1972
In the 70’s and 80’s, our Lodge was located in Fountain Valley. During that time, there was a Lodge Chaplain who began wearing red socks, and would show off his socks, lifting his pant legs so people could see. When he missed a meeting, his substitute would have to wear red socks, or they would get fined. From that time on, the Lodge chaplain has been expected to wear red socks at initiations and risk being fined if they forget.
Elk of the Decade. PER Dave Seeley, Exalted Ruler 2011-2012
This award is a unique tradition of our Lodge and is given to the Elk who has provided outstanding service for a decade. It was begun by Exalted Ruler Robert Cooley, who proposed giving the award posthumously to Allen Gisler for the 1970’s decade. Allen had provided major support to the Lodge, both personally and financially, and was a beloved member. It was voted on and passed on the Lodge floor in 1982. By the way, our current building was dedicated to Allen Gisler as can be seen on a plaque outside the front door.
There was no Elk of the Decade award given for the 1980’s, and Exalted Ruler Dan York brought it back for the 90’s, awarding it to Ron Courreges. Subsequently, Jerry Dryden was awarded the title for the 2000’s and Bob Scopel most recently won the award for the 2010’s.
Huntington Beach Elks 4th of July Float. PER Tammy Butler, Exalted Ruler 2013-2014 (Topic #1)
I would like to share with you our Elk tradition of participating in the Huntington Beach 4th of July parade. It started over 60 years ago when our lodge was located in downtown Huntington Beach. Over those years we’ve had floats of various designs, some we have pushed and others we have pulled. Currently we have a trailer which we decorate according to the theme of the parade each year. For many years our trailer was pulled by an antique tractor owned by the Ron and Roch Courreges. The Exalted Ruler is always reserved a seat on the float but rarely gets to ride because he or she is required to attend National Convention which usually occurs at the same time. Normally, the Leading Knight, veterans and other members will ride in the float and pass out American Flags to the people who are lining the parade route. After a two-year hiatus caused by COVID, we will return to the parade once again this year. THANK YOU!
Luanna, Coconut ‘Gal’ and Hula Dancer. PER Tammy Butler, Exalted Ruler 2013-2014 (Topic #2)
The scene of a large man dancing in a coconut bra and hula skirt was shocking but fun to see, and hard to forget — no matter how hard you tried! PER Ron Shotwell performed as “Luanna” on multiple occasions with a silliness that was characteristic of Ron’s great sense of humor. Luanna eventually retired, and unfortunately, we lost Ron last year, but his silliness and antics are remembered by all those who knew him.
Two Traditions: Candidate voting with left hand, Walking out of 1st Lodge Meeting. PER Rich Tanguy, Exalted Ruler 2018-2019 and 2019-2020
In our Lodge, we are regularly reminded that we use our left hand for ballot box voting. Also, at the first meeting in April, the entire Lodge room empties when the new ER strikes the gavel for the first time. We don’t really know when either of these traditions began. They were already in place at our Lodge 60 Years ago when Jerry Dryden joined it. Also, Louie Derigo, our last remaining inaugural member — having 69 years with the Lodge — could not remember when these traditions began either. I guess that when we talk about these two traditions, we just have to say, “We’ve always done things that way!’
The Cinderellas. PER Walter Boskovich, Exalted Ruler 2008-2009
The Cinderellas is the auxiliary organization of our Lodge and began in the 1990’s. Their major annual fund-raising events are the Tea Party – which they held just last month – and the Fashion Show. They provide hors d’oeuvres for visitations and the Inaugural Ball, and help with many other Lodge events. They also provide major donations to the Lodge each year, as requested by the outgoing Exalted Ruler. Over the years, these donations have included the Elk statue that is in front of the Lodge, lighting, a new oven in the kitchen and a special bench outside the east door. They were also the biggest financial donor to the recent remodel of the dining room bar.
Fining the Person in the Tom Brown Chair. PER John Nielsen, Exalted Ruler 2000-2001
Past member Tom Brown used to sit in a chair in the back east corner of the Lodge room during meetings. A few years ago, PER and second time Leading Knight Tammy Butler told Tom, “You’re older than dirt, I love you and so I’m fining you.” Tom was always a good sport about it, and actually enjoyed getting the fine. The tradition continued until he passed away. Victor Long began sitting in the chair and said “I want to pay that fine, too!” Vic’s grandfather was an Elk and a Veteran, and Vic feels that his grandfather would be happy that Vic is contributing in this fun way to the cause of Elkdom. Let’s hope the tradition stays with us a long time after people forget its origins.
Huntington Beach Elks Emblem Club. PER Dave Miller, Exalted Ruler 2017-2018
On the west wall of the Lodge dining room is a display box for the Huntington Beach Elks Emblem Club. The Emblem Club is the official Elks auxiliary organization and was part of our Lodge until the 1990s. Emblem Club is ritualistic like the Elks, and its officers wore purple sashes and their esquire carried a baton like the Elks Lodge Esquire does. They wore formal white gowns to initiations of their members and formal, colored gowns at other meetings. The Emblem Club supported the Lodge and donated to causes such as women’s’ shelters and the Purple Pig. The organization shrank however, as potential new members wanted to help the Lodge but weren’t interested in all the pomp and circumstance that was part of the club. Jenette Greer of our Lodge was one of their last presidents. For a short period, the Lodge had both the Emblem Club and the Cinderellas, but the Cinderellas finally became our sole auxiliary group.
