The qualifications to become a member of the Elks are: Any person of good reputation, a believer in a Supreme Being, an adherent of lawful government and having attained the age of majority as established by the province or territory in which the Lodge is located

The institution of Ashern Lodge #525 took place in the Ashern Centennial Hall on Friday, December 6, 1968 with thirty-five being initiated into the realms of Elkdom.

The ceremony of initiation was conducted by District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Jim Williamson of Fort Garry with the assistance of officers from the five Winnipeg Metro lodges.

Past Grand Exalted Ruler Adam Deminick of The Pas read the dispensation and First Vice-President of the Manitoba Elks Association, Jim Dark of Portage la Prairie, gave the Obligation.

The ceremony of institution was conducted by Grand Organizer, Jack Gieson, who organized the lodge.

HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS

• First organizational meeting in Frank Self's office in the old Agriculture Building.
• Institution of the Ashern Elks Lodge #525
  •  December 6, 1968 - 35 members
• Second initiation - 24 more members Febraury 28, 1969
• First meetings were in the old curling rink.
  •  First meetings - Dec. 16
  •  formed committees
• 1970 First Bingo with Lundar
• 1971 Purchase of the Dolly Bay Hall
  • moving it to Ashern
  • Dec. 71 - First meeting in hall
• 1971 Initial plans for the Pioneer Manor
  • Purchase of property
• 1971 Elks Christmas party for children
  • Took over Santa Claus day
• 1974 First renovations
  • Downstairs offices for the doctors
• 1975 Hosted Elks District 7 Curling Playoffs
  • followed up several times
• 1975 First Grad awards
• April 12, 1977 - Burned Mortgage on the hall
• 1981 Furnished one room - Ashern Personal Care Home
  • Donation of colour TV to Moosehorn Seniors
• Sept. 1991 - Hosted the Elks Walk-a-thon
  • Raised $30,000
• First open meeting with the Order of the Royal Purple - Feb. 12, 1991
  • We hosted the Langruth Elks and Royal Purple - they delivered the Al Howie trophy
• Feb. 1993 - Worked with the Order of the Royal Purple on a Talent Night - Proceeds were donated to Lakeshore Hospital Guild and CNIB

OVER THE YEARS THE ELKS LODGE HAS MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Ashern Arena
• Ashern Curling Club
• Ashern Central School
  • Graduation Awards
• Ashern Personal Care Home
• Moosehorn Seniors
• Support for computers for Special Needs Children
• Lion's Telethon
• "Deaf Detection Centre"
• Hearing Aids for Hearing Impaired Children
• Society of Crippled Children
• Hockey Sweaters
• 4-H Curling
• Minor Hockey
• Ashern Museum Board
• Ashern Figure Skating Club
• Brownies and Cubs
• Families in Distress
• Purple Cross Fund
• School and Teen Dances
• Red Cross
• Drug and Alcohol Awareness
• Canadian Institute for the Blind
• Lakeshore Hospital Guild

 LODGE AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN WHICH ELKS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED

• Purchase, move, and renovation of the Elks Hall
• Ashern Pioneer Manor
• Elks Christmas Party for Children
• Pee Wee Hockey Tournaments
• Miss Ashern Pageant
• Minor League Baseball
• Trophies for the 4-H Beef Clubs - Senior Showmanship Lundar Fair
• Fun Fair Barbeque
• Sharptail Statue
• Sharptail Park
• Elks Golf Tournament
• Elks Walk-a-thon
• Talent Night (with OORP)
• July 1st Sports day