OUR MOOSE HALL
By Sherry Aalto
Though the Moose fraternal organization was founded in the late 1800s with the modest goal of offering men an opportunity to gather socially, it was reinvented during the first decade of the 20th century into an organizational dynamo of men and women who set out to build a city that would brighten the futures of thousands of children in need all across North America. When Dr. John Henry Wilson, a Louisville, Ky., physician, organized a handful of men into the Loyal Order of Moose in the parlor of his home in the spring of 1888, he and his compatriots did so apparently for no other reason than to form a string of men's social clubs. Lodges were instituted in Cincinnati, St. Louis, and the smaller Indiana towns of Crawfordsville and Frankfort by the early 1890s, but Dr. Wilson himself became dissatisfied and left the infant order well before the turn of the century. It was just the two remaining Indiana Lodges that kept the Moose from disappearing altogether, until the fall of 1906, when an outgoing young government clerk from Elwood, Ind., was invited to enroll into the Crawfordsville Lodge. It was on James J. Davis' 33rd birthday, October 27 that he became just the 247th member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Davis, a native of Wales who had worked from boyhood as an "iron puddler" in the steel mills of Pennsylvania, had also been a labor organizer and immediately saw potential to build the tiny Moose fraternity into a force to provide protection and security for a largely working-class membership. At the time little or no government "safety net" existed to provide benefits to the wife and children of a breadwinner who died or became disabled. Davis proposed to "pitch" Moose membership as a way to provide such protection at a bargain price; annual dues of $5 to $10. Given a green light and the title of "Supreme Organizer," Davis and a few other colleagues set out to solicit members and organize Moose Lodges across the U.S. and southern Canada. (In 1926, the Moose fraternity's presence extended across the Atlantic, with the founding of the Grand Lodge of Great Britain.) Davis' marketing instincts were on-target: By 1912, the order had grown from 247 members in two Lodges, to a colossus of nearly 500,000 in more than 1,000 Lodges. Davis, appointed the organization's first chief executive with the new title of Director General, realized it was time to make good on the promise. The Moose began a program of paying "sick benefits" to members too ill to work--and, more ambitiously, Davis and the organization's other officers made plans for a "Moose Institute," to be centrally located somewhere in the Midwest that would provide a home, schooling and vocational training to children of deceased Moose members. (Researched from www.mooseintl.org/public/Area/History.asp) When you think of the 100 plus years of dedication, organization and determination to survive every possible downturn in economic and social history, this organization must be doing something right! As far as anyone could say, there is a certain sense of modest pride when one is recognized as a respected member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
The Thunder Bay lodge has been a part of this great heritage since the early 1950’s and for many of you who do not know it, our lodge, #947, has been serving charities and those in need for many years, in many places. Now that you have this little bit of history, let’s move onto the actual Hall!
The actual Moose Hall…Every special occasion needs a physical place of meeting for a ‘larger than your house’ event and event halls have been in great need since the expansion of town and business for both Port Arthur and Fort William, (now commonly known as Thunder Bay). For years, a meeting place for celebrations, corporate and business meetings, social and public events, has been a growing concern. The Moose Hall had, through years of dedication to their clients and guests, become that place for hosting these special events, earmarking trusted service and fair pricing. This not-for profit-organization boasts history in event hosting in both public and political capacities. Could you imagine the number of wedding receptions that this hall has been host to? I bet if you checked in your family’s photo album, maybe dating back to your grandparents, you might find a few pictures and stories of events that were held at the Moose Hall here in Thunder Bay! Many family, public and private parties are held in this particular hall because of the great client service and guests satisfaction. Every working and volunteer member of this order is dedicated to their single focus of ‘You’! First class service is what you will receive when you choose to host your event at the Moose Hall. From corporate meetings, large or small, to educational seminars. From baby showers to wedding showers. From shags to wedding receptions. From birthday parties to anniversary parties. From small guest events to large group gatherings, Moose Hall will be there for you, checking and working with you on every detail. Pricing is very competitive and service and catering is exceptional! Parties requesting specific and special cultural cuisine for their special events, are part of what the Moose Hall Catering has to offer and pride themselves in. All cuisines are prepared by Chef and Catering Manager, Ken Milenko and his staff. At this time, Governor Frank Lidemark and Administrator Patrick Cross, both volunteers of the Loyal Order of Moose, would like to extend a cheerful welcome to anyone wishing to enjoy an evening of celebration for bringing in the New Year on December 31, 2012. New Year’s Eve Celebration will be held at the Loyal Order of Moose Hall, #947 Port Arthur, located at 434 Fort William Road. Symposium will begin at 7 P.M., Serving Dinner at 8 P.M. and Dance the night away starting at 9:30 P.M. with music by the Sensational Hot Rods. For more details and to purchase your tickets, contact the Moose Hall at (807)345-5129 or eMail: lodge947@mooseunits.org Tickets are available at the lodge and Valente’s Music, located at 78 South Algoma Street. And remember…Before you book, have a look…at the Moose Hall!
