BEREA, Ohio On the evening of August 13, 137 members of the national Protective Order of Elks, which has an estimated 800,000 members scattered throughout 1,700 lodges across the United States, celebrated the 75th anniversary of their Berea Lodge No. 1815 with pride.
“I am so happy to have everyone here,” said Debbie Greenhill, the Exalted Ruler of the Lodge. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of the lodge members who have contributed so much over the years to the establishment of our lodge.
Grand Exalted Ruler and National President of the Elks Bryan Klatt, who traveled from his home in DeKalb, Illinois, to attend the event, was the special guest. He gave the Berea Lodge a Special Citation, stating that since its charter on June 18, 1950, the lodge has provided 75 years of meritorious service to the community.
Klatt added that being here tonight demonstrates what a lodge can do by making a difference in its community.
Richard Threadgill, the former exalted monarch of the position, stated that we are a service organization. Our community, veterans, and young people are our top priorities.
He claimed that the Elks are well-known for having founded Flag Day. President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14th to be Flag Day in 1916, and Congress subsequently validated the declaration in 1949. We first observed it on June 14th, 1907.
According to Threadgill, the Elks provided funding and equipment for the first two field hospitals for the allied forces in France during World War I. They also constructed a 700-bed rehabilitation hospital in Boston to aid veterans returning from the conflict, as well as a 72-room community home at Camp Sherman in Ohio. The US War Department was thereafter given control of that facility.
To commemorate its 75th anniversary, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted’s office representative, Mary Kay Hastings, gave Lodge 1815 a certificate of appreciation.
She added, “I am genuinely amazed that this organization has been so embedded in American history, but I will not read it.” Your presence here today is a true testimonial to the community and to Ohio as a whole.
In addition to announcing August 13, 2025, as Berea Elks Lodge 1815 Day, Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem was there to present lodge 1815 with a Special 75th-Anniversary Citation that listed the Elks’ many contributions to the community, including the gifts they have given to schools and local groups.
At the neighborhood level, Berea Elks Lodge 1815 most recently provided 130 children with backpacks full of the supplies they would need to thrive as new middle school students.
Members’ gifts and a $6,000 grant from the Elks Foundation enabled the Lodge to accomplish this.
Dramatic reading: Assassins (free admission required), a staged adaptation of a darkly humorous musical about nine individuals who either killed or attempted to kill U.S. presidents, will be presented at the Mainstate Theatre, Kleist Center for Art & Drama, 95 East Bagley Road, from 7:30 p.m. on September 5–6 and at 2 p.m. on September 7.
You can get free tickets to this event at bw.edu/tickets. Go to bw.edu/events for a complete list of events.
Other worlds: On September 13th, at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Emily Safron of Case Western Reserve University will give a presentation titled “An (abridged) Census of Exoplanets” at the Kleist Center for Art & Drama’s Mainstage Theatre, located at 95 East Bagley Road.
Community members, gardeners, and conservation enthusiasts are invited to a free session on Managing Native Landscapes hosted by the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District and Forest City Ecological Services at St. Patrick’s Parish, 3602 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Online registration is available at www.cuyahogaswcd.org/events and is mandatory.
Many individuals are wondering what to do now that native plant gardens are becoming more and more popular.
During this educational program, attendees will learn about post-installation upkeep, troubleshooting, and long-term expectations.
The proper technique to begin a native garden will also be taught to attendees, including how to prepare the site, choose plants, deal with seasonal variations, and maintain healthy, flourishing landscapes.
A limited quantity of native plants, soil test kits (available on a first-come, first-served basis), beneficial materials, and light refreshments will also be provided to attendees.
The NWF Sacred Grounds Program and the Cleveland Foundation are funding this program.
Curbside garbage and recycling collection in Berea will be postponed by one day from Monday through Friday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
For instance, the garbage from Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, September 2.
For inquiries, please visit kimblecompanies.com or call 800-201-0005 to reach Kimble Recycling and Disposal.
(440) 260-7226; 398 W. Bagley Road, Williamsport Plaza; SCAN Hunger Center Pantry. The second Friday of the month is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the fourth Friday is open from 4 to 7 p.m.
440) 234-0609; People’s Community Church Pantry, 628 Wesley Drive. On the third Saturday of each month, it is open from 10 a.m. until noon. The following pantry will take place on Saturday and September 20th.
(440) 239-0549; Second Mile Outreach Pantry, 1480 Bagley Road. It is open Monday through Friday from noon until two o’clock.
Food Pantry at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8888 Prospect Road. It offers fresh food, basic necessities, and toiletries and is open on the second Saturday of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday is the next pantry, followed by September 13th.
Bread Ministry: Berea United Methodist Church, (440) 234-3525, 170 Seminary St. Just bread and cakes. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to two p.m. Visit the church addition located off Seminary on the north side of the building. There are two brown doors leading to the pantry.
The free community lunch is served twice a month on the second and last Wednesday from 5:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 276 E. Bagley Road. Only drive-up is available.
Every month on the second and fourth Sundays, from 10 a.m. to noon, Animal Rescue Friends Pet Food Pantry, 10015 E. River Road, Columbia Station… To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.bereaanimalrescue.com or give them a call at (440) 234-2034.
Twice a month, on the second and final Wednesdays, from 5 to 5:30 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 276 East Bagley Road, serves free community meals.
Tiny Free Pantriesare close to People’s Community Church and the Berea Branch Library. At the intersection of Prospect Street and Jacqueline Drive is the Prospect Pantry. A food donation box is located close to the side door of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Please only bring non-perishable goods.
