That was General Captain Boogy of the Flaming Knights partying with 400 kids at the Elks Club on Dixwell Avenue. A photographer caught him in the act, flanked by Elks Exalted Ruler Gary Hogan and WYBC’s Juan Castillo.
The Elks Club submitted the following write-up and photos of its Christmas party.
A Christmas party for approximately 400 children was held on Saturday, Dec. 17. The party was sponsored by East Rock Lodge #141, I.B.P.O.E. of the World, and held on the corner of Webster and Dixwell.
The first contingent of Santa’s helpers (in photo) began arriving at 7 a.m.. They transformed the Carter Marshall Hall into a Christmas Wonderland with decorations, balloons and a Christmas tree. The guests began to arrive at 9:30 a.m.
The festive atmosphere included line dancing, dance contests and a limbo contest. DJ Corey Bethea, a SCSU student, provided music. There were plenty of toys, noise, food and balloons. On hand to perform were Chips the Clown, the Nation Drill Team, and a local rap/dance group named Crunch n Munch.
The New Haven Fire Department was on hand to demonstrate the use of their equipment and give tips on fire safety. The City of New Haven’s Environmental Health Unit Staff distributed gifts like Frisbees, crayons, coloring books and lead free pencils. They also distributed to the parents and grandparents present literature regarding lead safety. Juan Castillo and Kareema Jabar from WYBC were on hand to distribute coats, toys and pizza to all guests.
Representing the New Haven’s Board of Aldermen were Alderwoman Alfreda Edwards and Alderwoman Shirley Ellis-West, who awarded the Elks an aldermanic citation for Santa’s Helpers. East Rock Lodge #141 Exalted Ruler Gary Hogan accepted the Citation and thanked all the Organizations/Individuals that participated in this year’s celebration making this event the largest Christmas Celebration with toy and clothing giveaways, entertainment and snacks in the African American Community in New Haven.
The guest of honor, Santa Claus, arrived discreetly on his Harley reportedly from Bronx, New York, at 11:30, as his contingent of “elves” from the New York Police Department began unloading their vehicles of Santa’s gifts. The toys were escorted by the Flaming Knights Motorcycle Club from New York to East Rock Lodge #141. The Flaming Knights who attended the party also included the local
New Haven chapter as well as other chapters from Bridgeport, southern Connecticut (female), Harlem, and New Jersey.
