Season hits fun-filled peak in Elk Pioneer Days
There are many ways to get involved and at the same time have some fun in our great little community of Elk-Chattaroy.
If you are a senior, there is a wonderful group you may be interested in. The Elk-Chattaroy-Deer Park Social Seniors meet every second Wednesday of the month in the downstairs meeting room of the Chattaroy Community Church. The meetings start at 1 p.m. with lots of visiting, board and card games and a potluck meal.
Bring a main dish, salad or dessert, but you don’t have to bring anything. Jean Martin is involved with local senior legislation and happenings. The Social Seniors often have speakers and informational programs. Call Martin at (509) 238-4496 for information or assistance with transportation.
The Elk Ladies Homemakers also meet on the second Wednesday of each month, downstairs at the Elk VFW Post at noon, and they always have lunch. They sometimes have speakers or guests and they work on special projects and fundraisers for the community.
Last month, they welcomed the new pastor from Elk Community Church, Gary Ogden, who was joined by his wife, April. The group will be doing its famous cake walk at the upcoming Elk Pioneer Days.
Elk is lucky to have two active Granges, the Inland Grange and the Camden Grange. The Inland Grange, on the corner of Nelson and Blanchard roads, has a free clothes bank every Monday from 9 a.m. to noon. The Inland Grange is the base for the local SCOPE office. SCOPE meetings are the second Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. and the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. SCOPE will have an information booth at Elk Pioneer Days. The Inland Grange consists of an auditorium, a dining area and a newly decorated kitchen. For rental information, call Gerry McElfish at (509) 292-9661.
The Camden Grange has regular meetings at its hall on Camden Road, 3 miles north of downtown Elk (in that little corridor of Elk that is in Pend Oreille County), on the first and third Thursdays at 7 p.m. Several area groups hold their monthly meetings at the Camden Grange; the Master Gardeners meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The Camden Grange recently held an old-fashioned Sock Hop Grange Dance that was a big hit. Many in the community hope they do it again. The Camden Grange has a large auditorium and a nice, big kitchen. For rental information call Art Hatch at (509) 292-8375, or for general information call Juanita Taylor at (509) 292-2569.
If you live around Eloika Lake, you may want to get involved with the Eloika Lake Association. It provides informational programs, works closely with environmental and ecological organizations, investigates innovative ideas for care of lake areas and also has a lot of fun activities and fundraisers. For information, see the Web site at: www.eloikalake.com or visit the booth at Elk Pioneer Days.
The Elk VFW Post in downtown Elk, where Elk-to-Highway Road meets Elk-Chattaroy Road, is a center for many activities. The downstairs Veterans Activity Room and kitchen are available to rent and the veterans serve breakfast there every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. It’s open to the public.
The veterans, the ladies auxiliary and the men’s auxiliary meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The Elk VFW serves family-friendly dinners every Friday night. The menu includes steaks, shrimp, chicken strips and burgers, and dinners include salad, rolls, beans and baked potatoes. The Elk VFW has a lot of activities during Elk Pioneer Days. If you would like information on VFW membership eligibility or to rent the activity room, call (509) 292-8252.
Elk Pioneer Days is sponsored by the Elk Community Park Association and the Elk Music Association, which brings entertainment, music and arts to the community. The festival is always held on Father’s Day weekend, this year it’s June 19-21. There will be a full schedule in the next Elk-Chattaroy column on June 18.
It is a wonderful three-day event. If you would like to be part of it as a volunteer or vendor or be in the parade, here are a few contact numbers: vendors – Cheryl Joy at (509) 292-0577; parade – Becky Shannon at (509) 292-0706; children’s games – Sue Joy at (509) 292-0829; music and entertainment – Ricki Belden at (509) 292-2996; festival merchandise – Judith Herrell at (509) 292-2334; logger sports – Robert Groce at (509) 292-2386; lawnmower races – Gary Dechene at (509) 276-8828; Miss Elk royalty – Renee Casselman at (509) 292-5184; or visit the Web site at www.elk communitypark.com.
They can always use more volunteers for Elk Pioneer Days. It’s fun to be part of the community’s biggest event of the year. The park’s regular meeting days during the summer are the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the park.