Sedona Lodge No. 2291 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 2, with a gala event that included cocktails, dinner and dancing.

The event started at 4 p.m. with guests catching up over drinks, with more people slowly arriving as the evening progressed.

Around 5:30 p.m., the dinner hall opened up and guests were encouraged to take their seats, where they munched on salads as Exalted Ruler Marsha Helton welcomed everyone.

“Welcome to the Elks Lodge,” she said. “Thank you for attending this most important date in the history of the lodge. I look at the pictures … of when they put the stake in the ground somewhere around here and dug a foundation for this building. I have to compliment the vision of the people who built this building for the lovely lounge and the lovely views we have.”

For the full story, see the Wednesday, Nov. 6, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.