CLEARFIELD – Each July the Clearfield Elks Lodge hosts the High Country Arts & Crafts Fair at S.B. Elliott State Park near Penfield. And, each October it turns around and gives back all of the proceeds.
Because the popular gathering is held on publically-owned land, it is mandated by the state and its Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that all profits be distributed to charitable pursuits, and the Elks are only too happy to comply.
Since 1989, the local fraternal lodge has been doing “High Country” with everyone pitching-in. An estimated 13,000 people attended this year’s event, enjoying arts and crafts displays and day-long musical entertainment.
The Clearfield Elks have offered their famous barbecued chicken dinners all that time, and another draw are the homemade cakes and pies served throughout the day.
Several weeks before the event, the word goes out through the lodge that it’s “pie-time” again and everybody starts firing up their ovens.
The enthusiasm was so great that this year one of the lodge’s ladies responded with an astounding 31 pies, all homemade and all donated. “I just like to bake” was her reply when thanked for her generosity.
But the Elks here like to think that it really is an embodiment of the lodge’s national motto “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
That motto and that attitude were on display again recently when the Elks hosted some 80 people at the lodge to divvy up the proceeds of “High Country” at the annual distribution dinner.
After everyone enjoyed a Thanksgiving-worthy turkey dinner, not surprisingly prepared and served by lodge volunteers, checks were presented to 25, different charitable organizations from the area.
Those organizations represented a full spectrum of groups that make living here a little better for all of us and to which the Clearfield Elks will remain committed, stated an Elks press release.
“High Country” will be held again July 9 and everyone is invited to attend and help the lodge continue its tradition of contributing to the community.
The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Tom Bell, far right, presents checks to the Clearfield Bison Quarterback Club’s Andrew Shimko and the Area Agency on Aging’s Joan Bracco. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Duane Berry, far right, presents checks to the Clearfield Ministerium Food Bank’s Robin Clark, Marion House’s Sr. Ruth Ann Madera and the TAGG Team’s Taylor Thomas. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Dennis Flanagan, far right, presents checks to the American Cancer Society’s James Carter, Living Bread Ministries’ John Crago and the Salvation Army’s Cpt. Kevin Johnson. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Beverly Lawhead, far right, presents checks to CAST’s Mason Strouse, Clearfield County Crime Stoppers’ Rose Zimmer and CHS Band Boosters’ Joan Williams. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Paul McDermott, far right, presents checks to Clearfield EMS’ Terry Wigfield and the CHS Swim team program’s Joan McMillan. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk T.M. Potts, center, presents checks to the Susquehanna Rural Free Clinic’s Sr. Kristen Willenbrink and Shaw Public Library’s Lisa Coval. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk David Semelsberger, far right, presents checks to the Goshen Fire Department’s Erin Kovalick, Sheryl and Gary Waroquier of the G.T. Waroquier Scholarship Fund and the N.D. Yingling Cancer Center’s Patricia McCullough. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Jim Smith, far right, presents checks to Judd Zimmer Scholarship Fund’s Rose Zimmer and Special Olympics program’s Rena Fisher. (Provided photo)The Clearfield Elks Lodge recently shared proceeds from this summer’s “High Country Arts’ Fair.” Here Elk Joe Waroquier, far right, presents checks to the Good Samaritan Mission’s Deacon Tony Indelicato, the Curwensville Civic Center’s Duane Test and the Sneaker Closet’s Shirley Magnuson. (Provided photo)
