Revised: August 18, 2009
Pennsylvania Elks State
Founded, March 8, 1906
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PITTSBURGH LODGE NO. 11 MEMBER VISITS ALL LODGES IN PA
In April 2005, I said to Dick, my husband, “I would like to visit all the Lodges in PA”. We had already been to about 25 or 30. By the end of 2006, I had been to all but nine Lodges but did not travel to any in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, I visited these 9 Lodges plus 1 Lodge (Johnstown) who moved to a new location. On August 12, 2009, my goal was completed when I went to my last Lodge (Johnsonburg).
The 1st Lodge I had ever been in was Homestead Lodge since this is where Dick became a member in 1983 before demitting to Pittsburgh Lodge No. 11 in 1990. To count the total Lodges that I have visited is 99 plus 6 who are now closed (Brownsville, Gettysburg, Grove City, Jeannette, New Kensington and Mt. Pleasant) for a total of 105 Lodges. Three Lodges that I know of moved to another location (Etna, Johnstown, and Wilkins) so I went there again which adds up to 108 Lodge buildings I have visited. As of March 31, 2009, there were 101 Lodges in PA with 2 not having a building (Carnegie and Clarion). Carnegie is not in my count of 105, but I did attend a Lodge meeting at the site where they hold their meetings.
Which Lodge did I like best? This is impossible to say since each Lodge has something distinctive. Every Lodge in PA definitely does have the Best People on Earth. I would like to thank everyone who showed us such great hospitality. I must be honest and say the Lodge I like best is obviously Pittsburgh Lodge No. 11 where I have been a member since November 11, 1998.
Dick also went to all of these Lodges, since he was my driver, and without him I would never have been able to accomplish my goal. Even though at times he said “Where are we going now?”
Joan Baptie
Pittsburgh Elks Lodge No. 11