When members of Johnstown’s Elks lodge leave their longtime Johnstown headquarters at month’s end, they likely will migrate to another popular social spot: Geistown Country Club.
If Geistown Borough Council approves the Elks’ request for a liquor-license transfer next week, the lodge will finalize a purchase of the club at 330 Teaberry Lane.
“Once we get (council approval), then we can close on the building,” said Dave Edwards, Elks secretary.
It is not clear whether Geistown Country Club is moving to another location or closing altogether.
Owner William Frombach could not be reached for comment. He and another man still are listed as managers/stewards for the club, and they retain an active liquor license, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board records show.
The Elks move has sparked wide interest because the organization, officially dubbed the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Johnstown Lodge No. 175, has sold its 104-year-old home in downtown Johnstown to Franklin Street United Methodist Church.
Though a final decision apparently has not been made, a church trustee has said the Locust Street landmark likely will be torn down to allow for more parking for the congregation.
The church also bought an adjoining parking lot from the Elks.
Elks leaders have said they simply could not afford to maintain the three-story structure any longer.
Geistown Country Club “better suits our needs,” Edwards said. “It’s all on one floor, and there aren’t any stairs, which benefits our older members.”
The church allowed the lodge to stay downtown while members found a new home. Edwards said the Elks will vacate the building by the end of July.
The borough’s council has scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday to consider allowing the Elks to shift their liquor license from Johnstown to Geistown. The session will be held in council chambers at 721 E. Oakmont Blvd.
Councilman Ed Porada said he could not predict how his colleagues would vote. But he said a previous discussion with Elks members was positive.
Local News
Elks Lodge plans move to Geistown
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
