The Washington Court House Elks Lodge No. 129 will be hosting several events during the month of December, including a “Hoop Shoot” and memorial service.
The Elks will host its annual Hoop Shoot on Saturday, Dec. 5, an event it has held for over 20 years. The Hoop Shoot is a free-throw shooting contest for boys and girls ages 8 to 13-years old. The shoot will have six age categories: boys 8 to 9-years old, boys 10 to 11, boys 12 to 13, girls 8 to 9, girls 10 to 11, and girls 12 to 13-years old. The free event will be held at Belle Aire Intermediate School with sign-ups and practice beginning at 9 a.m. and the contest beginning at 10 a.m.
“The thing with basketball is that someone who has more stamina or is faster will always win. With this competition it is all about shot accuracy from the free-throw line,” Washington C.H. Elks Lodge 129 officer, Dave Garringer, said. “Trophies will be awarded to the top three contestants in each division and age category. The winner of each category will advance to compete at the district level with a chance to advance to state, regional and national competitions. Last year we had one of the winners make it to the state level. It is a good competition and is free and open to all kids age 8 to 13.”
Another event to be held by the Elks is the annual Memorial Ceremony to honor departed Elks club members from the past year. The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in the main lodge room at 277 S. Main St. in Washington C.H. During the service, the names of those who have passed away over the past year will be read and Ed Helt, past district deputy grand exalted ruler, will be the guest speaker on behalf of the Elks. Eleven members will be honored at this event this year and it is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
“What the event does is honor the departed members of the Elks Lodge. Yearly, there are two services that are mandated by the Grand Lodge, one of them is the Flag Day ceremony, and the other is the Memorial Ceremony,” Garringer said. “Normally we have widows and family of members who passed away that visit the lodge to help honor those we share in common. We hold this to help show that Elks Lodge members are never forgotten and never forsaken. We have the name of every member since 1889 and these 11 members will join that list with the other honorable members of the Elks Lodge.”
Anyone with questions about these events can call Helt or Garringer at (740) 335-2490 or visit the Elks Lodge in Washington C.H.
