590 NEWSLETTER
IOWA CITY ELKS LODGE
637 Foster Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 351-3700
www.elks590.org
David Brunk
Exalted Ruler
ISSUE 2026-01 PUBLISHED MONTHLY
January 1st, 2026
From the Secretary’s Desk…
As we begin a new year, I want to thank all our members for their continued support of Elks Lodge 590. Your involvement, whether through attending meetings, supporting lodge dining, or participating in swimming, golfing, or lodge events helps keep our lodge strong and active.
Please remember to ensure your dues are paid and current. We are now in the last quarter of the Elks year and currently have 55 delinquent members and 15 new members who still need to attend initiation. Members who remain delinquent as of March 15 will be dropped from the rolls and sent to collections. New members who do not attend initiation will not receive a membership card. Timely dues payments and participation are critical to keeping our lodge operating smoothly.
I would also like to remind everyone about the Elks National Foundation (ENF). If you have not yet made your expected annual
$5.15 ENF donation, please consider doing so as soon as possible. Achieving 100% participation helps ensure Lodge 590 qualifies for maximum funding for next year’s ENF grants, which directly support our charitable efforts in the local community. So far this Elk year, Lodge 590 has provided over $42,000 in non-cash donations and over $26,000 in cash donations to the Johnson County community.
On another note, our lodge continues to grow, and with that growth comes a need for new ideas, leadership and greater participation from our nearly 900 members. Currently, less than 5% of our membership has attended a meeting in the past 12 months, and we have multiple openings on the board. These positions come with both responsibilities and perks and offer an opportunity to help shape the future of our lodge.
Got an idea? Want to see positive change in 2026? We encourage you to get involved. If you are interested, please reach out to me, Jason Tjarks, Brian Kirschling, or any of your favorite board members.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Elk values and to Lodge 590. We look forward to another great year of fellowship, service, and Elk pride.
A special thank you to all the Hoop Shoot volunteers and participants who helped make the December 6 event a success. Your time, effort, and enthusiasm are truly appreciated and helped create a great experience for everyone involved.
Lastly, I want to recognize Chef Cam. Cam helped guide us through the transition into our new facility while completing his culinary arts degree, a true testament to his dedication. During his time with us, he served countless outstanding meals for special events, golf league, weekly dinners, and many Sunday morning breakfasts. Cam will be missed for many reasons, but the good news is that he is a member and plans to remain in the Iowa City area and an active member of Iowa City Elks Lodge 590.
Thank you for everything, Cameran Spears!
Fraternally submitted,
Nathan Greazel
Lodge 590 Secretary
Exalted Ruler Update
Please continue to support the Elks by enjoying our dining options, attending special events, and cheering on Hawkeye sports at the lodge. Your participation makes a difference. Most importantly, please ensure all of your dues are paid and up to date.
Your support keeps our lodge strong—thank you!
Fraternally,
Jason Tjarks E.R.
Pro Shop Manager Update
Our new logo hats arrived the week before Christmas as anticipated. We sold out of the men’s black hat right away! We still have in stock a couple men’s white hats, along with a few women’s black or white hats. We will be getting more hats in as we get closer to golf season, along with new apparel. All current Puma apparel is marked at 50% off. Come take advantage of the savings and help us make room for the arrival of the 2026 inventory!
We offered breakfast service in the Pro Shop every Sunday in December. Thank you to everyone who came out! We hope to continue this into 2026. Our menu, along with photos of some popular dishes can be found on our facebook page. I invite you to join us if you haven’t tried it yet!
Also, please note that the Pro Shop and kitchen is open most days during the winter. Stop by for lunch, have a drink, or get an order to-go. Need a break from sledding? Come on in to warm up and grab a hot chocolate! We have to-go cups if you want to take drinks back out to the hill during your sledding fun. Are you and the kids working up an appetite while sledding? Give us a call (319-351-3700) to place a food order and we can text you when its ready!
Winter is the perfect time to get your golf clubs re-gripped. I am able to provide this service to you for $5 per club installation fee. I can order the grips for you (at no mark-up) or you can purchase them elsewhere and I will install for you. Just shoot me an email [email protected] with your request or any questions you may have. I have 12 years of re-gripping experience from Austad’s Golf in Cedar Rapids. I also have a connection to club repair if you have any need for those services.
As always, questions or ideas?… [email protected] I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Fairways and greens,
Brenda Lewis
General Manager’s Update
As we welcome 2026, I want to thank all of our members for closing out the past year with such strong participation, generosity, and fellowship. January is a great time to reconnect at the Lodge, reflect on our shared values, and enjoy some favorite events to kick off the new year.
Refer to the Lodge calendar for hours and events.
Saturday, January 10 | Beginning at 3:30 PM
One of our most popular events is back! Join us for Whiskey & Wings, featuring a great selection of wings. Members are invited to bring in their own whiskey to share. There is no cost to attend. You must be a member of the Elks to join.
Monday, January 19 | 7:00 PM
Please join us for our Lodge Memorial Service, a meaningful tradition honoring members who have passed away. This service reminds us of the bonds we share as Elks and the importance of remembering those whose contributions helped shape our Lodge. Members and families are encouraged to attend.
Warm Regards
Peter Kessler
General Manager Elks Lodge 590