Eagle's Club reinventing themselves

The COVID-19 Pandemic hit a lot of businesses hard, and the local Eagles Club was no exception. Faced with declining membership and the community’s lack of knowledge about the club and what it has to offer has caused the local group to reorganize and try to breathe life back into the once bustling club.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Scenic Aerie #3516, received its charter on May 27, 1973. The charter members opened the club on the corner of Quarry Road and West State Road 56, where it remains today.

The new officers include Gary Souder, president; James “Pnut” Kirby, past-worthy president; Jerame Hall, vice president; Anna Hall, secretary; Lisa Dinklocker, treasurer; Tawnya Waller, chaplain; Wade Pennington, conductor; Scott Tinsley and Jack Miller, inside and outside guards; and trustees, Jody Hobson, Darrell “Fish” Fultz and Roger Pennington. 

The club has been shut down since March 15 and has just recently reopened with very limited hours. They will be hosting a grand reopening, however, on Saturday, July 18. This event will be open to the public and will feature a popular Louisville band, “Two Pump Chump.” 

Saturdays have always been open to the public. Back in its heyday, families would go to the Eagles for dinner. They currently do not offer that, but they are hoping to return to the days of being able to provide food to its patrons soon. Roger Pennington said, “We would like to have those who go to the Salem Speedway and golfers who play at Western Hills Country Club to stop in here.” 

In addition to the bar, that stocks beer and liquor, soft drinks and snacks are available. The club is kid-friendly, with the only rule being that kids are not allowed to sit at the bar.

The club has a gaming license and has pull-tabs available to the public, as well as a weekly drawing on Thursdays for paid members. Friday nights are karaoke nights with Fun-Time Karaoke. The club also has a pool table and a juke box. They offer free coffee and rides for those who don’t feel comfortable driving. “We preach responsibility and we want all our patrons to get home safely,” Pennington said.

Their motto is, “People helping people.” The local club’s charter members include firefighters and first responders and that is where they would like to throw their community support to first responder groups and their causes, but they are not limiting themselves to those groups. “We are open to hosting fundraisers for any group,” Pennington said.

The facilities are condusive to hosting fundraisers, with a large party room and lots of parking. They also rent that room out for $50, plus a $50 cleanup fee that is returned if renters clean up after themselves.

The process to become a member is painless. Simply fill out an application, which is voted on by the membership, and pay a fee of $36. Hall encouraged current members to get their dues paid by July 8, They will be having a membership drive, seeking new members, starting at the grand reopening and running for 30 days, where the joining fee will be reduced to $31. You must be 18 years old to be a member.

As the governor loosens up on restrictions, they hope to be open on a more regular schedule. Currently they open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and base closing time on the crowd. Currently, the bartenders are volunteer club members and work just for the tips, so that limits their hours, also. Hall said patrons are not required to wear masks and social distancing is up to each individual.

If you have questions about becoming a member, Hall can be reached at 812-620-0469.