Lodge Bar and Lounge to Close for the 2021 Season for Further Renovations
By Andrew Savoy
“E Clampus Vitus”…. do not worry if you don’t know what it means; nobody else does either. It sure was fun though. The local chapter of the Ancient and Honorable E Clampus Vitus, ECV for short, was on hand for the unveiling of a plaque marking the historical nature of the Brookdale Lodge. El Viceroy Marques De Branciforte 1797 ECV is the delightful name for the local chapter for a group that is considered a drinking historical society; or a historical drinking society depending on who you might ask.
Dedicating the plaque was the Noble Grand Humbug Anthony “Riddick” Moore Bailey. Also on hand to speak words of sincere and genuine thanks was the current owner of the Brookdale Lodge, Previn Patel. The weather was as nice as could be for the afternoon unveiling, and all the folks gathered were just as lovely as the weather. The event concluded the inaugural season of the reopened Brookdale Lodge Bar. ECV followed the dedication with their yearly private party called the Widders Ball, the only event of the year strictly devoted to celebrating the female partners (Widders) of the Clampers. As the last of the revelers meandered out, the curtain fully came down on the Lodge’s 2021 season.
While the bar will be closed until possibly February of 2022, the rest of the lodge will remain open. The hotel rooms, convenience store, and the fabulous Brookdale Cafe will continue operating, but please call ahead to verify. Don’t forget to check out the new plaque on the brick column out front! The bar will undergo additional renovations aimed at making it even more enjoyable and efficient. Plans to open the area between the bar and the Brook Room as a game room are in place. Besides the two free pool tables and steel tip dartboards, rumor has it a table-top shuffleboard will also be brought in. Next season looks to be even better than this last year. Word has it that ECV Branciforte 1797 is opting to make it their permanent “homebase” bar once reopened.
More good news for the Brookdale Lodge is that the permits have finally come in for other major renovations. The Mermaid Room and the Brook Room dining hall will begin to have work done on them. There is no word yet as to how long this will take as repairs are extensive, but it’s currently spoken about in terms of two years for the famous dining hall. It will be a long process, but no doubt it will be stunning when finished and restored to its former glory.
No doubt, the community is thrilled to have part of our majestic historical Lodge back in working order and active with various festivities. No doubt, we will all be anxiously awaiting the return of its glory, with the Clampers as Historic guardians alongside.
