AUBURN - A cupful of Christmas spirit was raised at the Auburn Elks Lodge on Christmas Eve in remembrance of a man who epitomized “charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity,” the motto of the Elks.
“Eggnog with Francis,” a yearly tradition at Auburn Elks Lodge No. 474, on the corner of State and York streets, took place again on Wednesday afternoon.
Francis Muldoon, who owned Owasco Beverage Co., began the practice back in 1942 in order to give working men an opportunity to share a drink with friends on Christmas Eve after work, said Phyllis Allen, current organizer of the event and Esteemed Loyal Knight in the Elks Club.
The event traditionally takes place between noon and 6 p.m., with members and friends coming and going informally to share Christmas cheer.
A 2006 picture of Francis E. Muldoon, wearing a red sweater and standing behind a similar punchbowl of eggnog, reminded those celebrating of his character.
“Francis was a gentleman's gentleman,” said Dick Noga, retired Cayuga County Sheriff's Office investigator and Elks Lodge member for 31 years. “Just walking into the room, he got respect.”
Muldoon, an Elks member for 75 years, died on Dec. 18, 2006, at the age of 94, the oldest member of the Elks.
He concocted his “secret eggnog recipe” over a number of years until he had the perfect combination, Allen said.
“He never gave anyone the recipe,” she said, “until 2005, when he wanted me to have it. I had to come down and watch him make it to get it just right.”
He prepared it with certain brands, Allen said, but she would only say there were three different bottles.
“I don't even like eggnog,” said Allen, lactose intolerant.
She recalled when she and her husband, Fritz, went to the club and he convinced her to taste it.
“It was delicious,” Allen said, “not like any eggnog I'd ever had.”
One sip of the frothy stuff betrayed a little of the secret recipe - ice cream.
Elaine Post, an Elks trustee, and her friend, Gloria Hockeborn, who was tasting the eggnog for the first time, also nursed their own drinks, a Maneschewitz and a Bud, respectively. Elaine agreed there was ice cream in the eggnog, but no one knew what kind.
As in the past, every member tried to stop at the club on State Street between noon and 6 p.m., Christmas Eve. Muldoon felt it was his duty to be there. “He was always working behind the bar,” Allen said, adding that he would prepare different drinks for those who didn't like eggnog. ,
Afterward, he would head out to Syracuse to be with his daughter, Allen said.
“He was a wonderful, generous man,” she said. “He made a big contribution to the lodge, the city, and the county,”
Muldoon was an Exhalted Ruler and past Elk of the Year, not only for the local lodge but also for the district, which includes Auburn, Fulton, Liverpool, Camillus and Syracuse.
Allen said this lodge has 254 members and she expected 50 to 100 members and their guests by evening.
Asked if the club plans to continue the tradition, Fritz Allen, Phyllis' husband, had no doubt.
“It's going to be here forever,” he said.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Francis Muldoon, who owned Owasco Beverage Co., began the practice back in 1942 in order to give working men an opportunity to share a drink with friends on Christmas Eve after work, said Phyllis Allen, current organizer of the event and Esteemed Loyal Knight in the Elks Club.
The event traditionally takes place between noon and 6 p.m., with members and friends coming and going informally to share Christmas cheer.
A 2006 picture of Francis E. Muldoon, wearing a red sweater and standing behind a similar punchbowl of eggnog, reminded those celebrating of his character.
“Francis was a gentleman's gentleman,” said Dick Noga, retired Cayuga County Sheriff's Office investigator and Elks Lodge member for 31 years. “Just walking into the room, he got respect.”
Muldoon, an Elks member for 75 years, died on Dec. 18, 2006, at the age of 94, the oldest member of the Elks.
He concocted his “secret eggnog recipe” over a number of years until he had the perfect combination, Allen said.
“He never gave anyone the recipe,” she said, “until 2005, when he wanted me to have it. I had to come down and watch him make it to get it just right.”
He prepared it with certain brands, Allen said, but she would only say there were three different bottles.
“I don't even like eggnog,” said Allen, lactose intolerant.
She recalled when she and her husband, Fritz, went to the club and he convinced her to taste it.
“It was delicious,” Allen said, “not like any eggnog I'd ever had.”
One sip of the frothy stuff betrayed a little of the secret recipe - ice cream.
Elaine Post, an Elks trustee, and her friend, Gloria Hockeborn, who was tasting the eggnog for the first time, also nursed their own drinks, a Maneschewitz and a Bud, respectively. Elaine agreed there was ice cream in the eggnog, but no one knew what kind.
As in the past, every member tried to stop at the club on State Street between noon and 6 p.m., Christmas Eve. Muldoon felt it was his duty to be there. “He was always working behind the bar,” Allen said, adding that he would prepare different drinks for those who didn't like eggnog. ,
Afterward, he would head out to Syracuse to be with his daughter, Allen said.
“He was a wonderful, generous man,” she said. “He made a big contribution to the lodge, the city, and the county,”
Muldoon was an Exhalted Ruler and past Elk of the Year, not only for the local lodge but also for the district, which includes Auburn, Fulton, Liverpool, Camillus and Syracuse.
Allen said this lodge has 254 members and she expected 50 to 100 members and their guests by evening.
Asked if the club plans to continue the tradition, Fritz Allen, Phyllis' husband, had no doubt.
“It's going to be here forever,” he said.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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