Eagles celebrate renovation with open house

The Eagles Aerie 3775 held an open house Saturday afternoon at its newly renovated 321 N. Spring St. address.

The public open house continues today from noon to 3 p.m.

"Our motto is people helping people," said secretary Bill Stoffel, who has filled various offices, including president, for more than one term. "We're a friendly nonprofit organization. We like people and having a good time."

Stoffel, a member since 1979, was around when the club met at the Colonial Tavern in 1977, then Bill's Lounge and at Plaza Way.

In 1988, the Eagles bought the Spring Street building, which began with 5,000 square feet. The Eagles rented it out and acquired enough money for renovations. But Stoffel said the recent renovations have been put off for almost two decades while they acquired funds.

Dubbed "The Order of Good Things" by its founders more than a hundred years ago in Seattle, the objective to do good things continues on.

A charity golf tournament held at Bent Creek Saturday was expected to generate more than $2,500 for the state president's and auxiliary funds to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

The Eagles' annual Christmas baskets are provided with help from the Salvation Army and VFW, making the holiday a little brighter for almost 150 area families. Stoffel said they've helped the police and sheriff's department with equipment and donated a food trailer for use at law enforcement fund-raisers.

This weekend's festivities started Friday night with a dance. Saturday's events included the open house with live broadcast by Cousin Karl, a ribbon cutting, an awards ceremony and dinner.

In attendance were state officers John Boyd, junior past president; Mike Scott, state president; David Maddox, president-elect; Phillip Lance, vice president; Rich Randall, state chaplain; Dick Stowe, secretary; Joe Lambing, treasurer and grand officers Rick Franklin, grand tribunal justice; Dennis DeLapp, conductor; Gary Stevenson, inside guard; Walter Peetz, outside guard and seven trustees.

Membership of the Cape Girardeau Eagles Aerie is 1,073 men and women, a number that has grown by 75 in the last three months, Stoffel said.

With the 15,000-square-foot addition, there's ample room for more members. The banquet room can be divided with folding doors, accomodating 250 guests on each side. Another 8,000-square-foot members-only area is newly renovated with game and meeting rooms, dance floor and bar.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133