After having its name associated with negativity, members of the Jamestown Moose Lodge 1681 are looking to rebuild.
"We want to get to a positive point and we want to get to it with the people we have lost over the years," said Dennis Tyger, treasurer.
Recently, a Moose administrator was indicted after allegedly taking more than $3,000 but less than $50,000 from the lodge. A new board of Moose officials say that with recent improvements to its club, this will never again be a problem.
Article Photos
Members of the Jamestown Moose Lodge 1681 and Women of the Moose Chapter 87 are pictured at right.
P-J photo by
Liz Skoczylas
"Financially, we have a system in place of checks and balances. What's happened in the past, the loss of money, can't happen now," said Rich Geiger, lodge prelate.
Jamestown Moose Lodge 1681 is pulling together as a family to get to a place they once were.
In the past, they donated to many area organizations, including the Jamestown Jammers and Bergman Park.
Now, the men's chapter is working with the Women of the Moose Chapter 87 in order to rebuild and get back to performing community service and offering donations.
"For a while, over the years, there was a terrible friction between Women of the Moose Chapter 87 and our chapter, the men," Geiger said. "Now, there's a new spirit of cooperation. We are actually working together, which is brand new. It hasn't happened in many years."
"The most important thing is the men and women of the Moose are finally working together to make things happen," Tyger added. "We have meetings once a month. We discuss our problems and issues, and we work them out. We are really glad we are working hard to get everything back in order."
Bingo is offered Fridays and Sundays, as are games of chance. There is also a golf league and giveaways. The Jamestown Moose Lodge 1681 is working toward creating a fun, social atmosphere for its members.
"The mens club is finally working together as a family to make things happen, to make things controllable. It's a family fraternity. It takes all of us to make it happen. I think we're all on board now with the men and the women," Tyger said.
Additionally, the Moose's kitchen will be reopening Sept. 14, to offer prime rib and fish to its members. Once a month, family nights of spaghetti and meatballs will also be served.
"I've been a member 35 years. The reason I joined that many years ago, when I was a young man, is it is a nice place to come and socialize," Geiger said.
The Moose's annual family picnic will be held Sept. 8 at Allen Park Men's Club, which will give it a chance to recruit members and continue on its path of rebuilding. Members and qualified guests are invited to attend.
"It's easy to join if you're qualified, and easier to come back," Geiger said.
Members of the women's chapter include Arletta Cornell, recorder; Susan Colley, senior region; Joyce Lusk, secretary and treasurer; Ann DuBois, chaplain; and Carol Kimber, junior grad region.
Members of the men's chapter include Jenn Giaimo, administrative assistant; Rick Burak, junior past governor; Dan Bragg, acting administrator; Cliff Harmon, Jr, governor; Emory Heitman, bus driver and trustee; Rick Colley, trustee; Ray Lynch, trustee; Geiger and Tyger.
The main goal of the Moose is to get back to the point it once was. The members are looking to be able to give back to the community and continue to build.
"Our organization is more than willing to donate back to the community like we used to do. Right now, we don't have that. We can't afford to give to any charity with the position we are in. It's sad. But, if we had that support again, we'd be able to give back to the community like we used to do," Tyger said.
For more information about the Jamestown Moose Lodge 1681, located at 405 E. 5th St., call 720-5088.