It was a big birthday for our Brainerd Elks Lodge and it all began with a ceremonial ribbon cutting with our Brainerd Lakes Chamber and a great write up in the Brainerd Dispatch that is reprinted to the right of this entry. (Thank you to the Dispatch for this) After months of planning the party was set as the closing activity of the 2025 Mid Year Minnesota Elks Convention. Since so many of our friends from around the state were in the area for the convention it was the perfect opportunity to also celebrate our birthday. So many members worked to make this a success and a huge than you to all of them. Our party began with snacks and visiting at the club before the band took the stage at the Blue Room at YG on the other side of the wall.

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Mills Auto Group, our stage sponsor Silent Partner Sound and media sponsor Cool 103.5 radio for their contributions. Sound and light provided by Bill Satre and Nick Benskin. The sponsors made this event possible and with out them this simply would not have happened.

Thank you to the band, The Lonesome Losers who put on an incredible night of music for us to celebrate with. The staff / owners at “Yesterdays Gone” for the event space for us to hold our party right next door to our  Elks club so that we could utilize our space as well.  In the club our trustees, especially Amanda Allord for the extra special touches. Our all volunteer staff was amazing! And, thank you to each one of you members who joined us and brought friends and prospective members to have a great time. We hope you all had a fun and memorable time.

The money from the cover charge that evening went to the Veterans Grocery Program that provides relief for veterans experiencing food insecurity in the Brainerd region. Find out more about that from Herman Wisneski. Just one more way that we have fun and still help a great cause. Because THAT is what Elks DO!

Thank you to the Brainerd Dispatch for the following article: