by Rachel Hunter
Frankie & The Moonlighters filled the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 with the golden glow of the ‘50s and ‘60s on Valentine’s Day, turning the hall at 1419 US‑11 into a time capsule of satin harmonies, doo‑wop charm, and pure, heart‑lifting fun. Couples swayed, friends laughed, and for a few sweet hours, the world outside seemed to pause.
Based in Bloomingdale, NY, Frankie & The Moonlighters is a nostalgia band in the truest sense—rooted in the music that shaped a generation and carried forward by musicians who pour their whole hearts into it after their day jobs are done. The name “moonlighters” fits them perfectly. At the center is their “chief crooner,” 63‑year‑old Frank Whitelaw, whose rich, velvety vocals anchor the group’s signature sound. Whitelaw currently serves as Town Justice for St. Armand, following a 24‑year career with the New York State Police and more than seven years as Essex County Coroner. Through every chapter of his life, music has been the constant. It continued to guide him after retirement, when he teamed up with a friend to form the heavy metal group Sonic Boom. After eight years, he felt drawn toward a new direction. The classic doo‑wop sound of the 1950s had always held a special place in his heart, inspiring him to seek out fresh collaborators and build an entirely new group rooted in that era’s timeless style. That group—now beloved across the North Country—formed in November 2022, finalized their lineup in January 2023, and have since become familiar favorites in Gouverneur.
Frankie & The Moonlighters pour their full passion into every performance, embracing the timeless sound and style of the ‘50s and ‘60s with period‑accurate outfits and a stage setup that feels like stepping back in time. Their shows blend upbeat energy with tender ballads, creating an atmosphere that invites the crowd to relax and join in. One number even includes percussion instruments passed through the audience, adding to the fun. Though the group is just a few years old, they continue to grow, encouraged by enthusiastic feedback and the joy of seeing audiences sing, dance, and leave their worries behind. And on Valentine’s Day in Gouverneur, that’s exactly what they delivered—an evening of nostalgia, connection, and music that wrapped the room in warmth.
The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 expressed its appreciation for the strong Valentine’s Day turnout, noting that the evening drew the enthusiastic crowd they had anticipated. Volunteers and kitchen staff served a hearty prime rib dinner to guests, adding to the warm, celebratory atmosphere inside the lodge. The successful event reflected both the community’s support and the Lodge’s ongoing commitment to offering memorable gatherings for local residents.
Did you know? The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune. Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. An organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments. When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.
Dissension soon erupted. Legitimate actors headed by George F. McDonald wanted to restrict membership to the theatrical profession. This view was opposed by Vivian and his friends. Taking advantage of Vivian's absence due to an out-of-town engagement, the McDonald group summarily expelled Vivian and several of his closest friends. Years later the Order rectified this illegal act, but it gave rise to a controversy whether Vivian was actually the founder of the Order. In 1897, a formal inquiry firmly established his right to this honored title.
Vivian continued, after his expulsion from the Order, to enchant audiences across the country. He starred with some of the largest road companies of the time. Together with his actress wife, the former Imogene Holbrook, Vivian set up a repertoire theater in Leadville, Colorado. Shortly thereafter he died of pneumonia on March 20, 1880. In 1889, the Elks moved his body from Leadville, Colorado, to Mt. Hope Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Vivian received a stipend from the Order her husband founded until her death in 1931. The legacy of Charles Vivian continues to this day. In addition to aiding members in distress, the Elks raise money for children with disabilities, college scholarships, youth projects and recreational programs for patients in veteran's hospitals, and so much more.
For more information about the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, call 315-287-1630.