Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-12-03
ELKS' OPENING TONIGHT.
Beautiful New Home of DEBORAH
Lodge Open for Public Inspec-
ton. Annual Memorial
Service Sunday.

The beautiful new home of Decor
All Lodge, No. 443, B. p. o. Elks, at
the corner of Main and River streets,
will be thrown open this Wednesday
evening for the inspection of the
public. From seven o'clock to mid
night every citizen of DEBORAH and
vicinity is invited to attend the pub
lie reception at the club house,
where an opportunity will be given
the people generally to see the COM
Portable and coy new home of this
popular organization. A committee
representing the lodge will receive
the guests, and ladies are especially
invited. There will be music and
dancing and light refreshments will
be served in the dining room. Later
a formal banquet will be given for
members of the lodge only, but this
occasion is for all who care to see
the fine new home of the lodge,
which is an ornament to the city and
public improvement that all may
be proud of.
On next Sunday afternoon, Dec.
7th, the Annual Memorial Service
of DEBORAH Lodge will be held at
the lodge auditorium in the new
home. This annual event has for
years attracted large audiences, and
each successive year the occasion
has been more impressive as the
number of departed brothers has in
next Sunday will be delivered by
Hon. Willard H. Torbert of Dubuque,
a distinguished citizen of Iowa for
many years, and a splendid orator.
The program, which begins at $3.50
p. M, and to which the public is in
vited, is as follows:
Ritual Service Lodge Officers
Invocation Chaplain
Selection ..... .Quartette
memorial Address ..........
Hon. Willard H. Torbert, Du-
seiectlon $500. .Quartette
Closing Ceremonies. Lodge Officers
DoXology -. -. Audience
The new home has few equals in
places of this character in comfort
and convenience, as we'll as complete
ness of equipment Some time ago
the lodge purchased the Unity church
property, and to the rear of this has
been erected a large and comfortable
clubhouse. The main auditorium of
the church has been fitted up for
lodge meeting purposes, public gath
erings, lodge dances, etc, and makes
an ideal room for this purpose. The
high basement below has a large and
fully equipped dining room and kit
chen, complete in every detail. From
both lodge room and dining room
doors lead into the club house, which
is a model of beauty and convenience.
The main floor contains a large YES
thule with double swinging doors,
which open into a reception hall, at
the rear of which is large and con-
venient coat room. From the re-
ception hall an archway supported
by columns opens into large So
cial hall or lounging room, which
contains beautiful fireplace, art
windows, etc. and back of this, be-
meath another archway one enters the
reading room, which contains large
massive table, writing desk, etc. A
wainscoating OF oak surrounds the
entire main floor, capped by neat
shelf. On the second floor is the
billiard room, two card rooms, toilet
and janitor's closet, of similar finish.
The whole is furnished with massive,
modern straight-line furniture, of
TUNED oak, while the floors are en-
bellished with rugs. Both electric
and gas lights will be used. and the
entire home Is heated with a mod
ern vacuum steam plant Across the
front Of the club house is a wide
porch, with veranda for the second
story. In every detail the new home
is complete, and everyone who sees
it expresses admiration for its beau
ty and surprise that such a cozy
home could be constructed here
During the past year upwards of one
hundred new members have joined
the lodge, and it is now in very
IT.
home will be never ending source
of enjoyment for the entire member
ship.