Dear Brothers and Co-workers,

At the time of this writing we have returned from the Moose International Convention in Nashville.  In less than a week we will be traveling to Richmond for the Virginia Moose Association Convention.  Of course by the time you read this we will have returned and I will be on some sort of weight loss program.

The membership department at Mooseheart has extended the latest member drive program.  The program is very simple.  f you sign two new members and they are enrolled you get your next year’s dues paid.  That’s it.  Just sign two and your next year is free.  The really neat thing is that you can continue this each year.    It is possible that you may never have to pay dues again.  Those of you with Life Memberships have not been forgotten as the Membership Department is offering a gift of equal value.  I encourage all of you to take advantage of this program.

While bringing new members into our order is important, it is equally important to retain the members we have.  Do you know anyone who has not renewed their dues this year?  Has anyone you signed up in the past dropped out?  Please take the time to call or contact them and encourage them to come back.  If there is a problem we may be able to help.

Did you notice the random numbers placed in last month’s newsletter?  Those are the MID numbers of members lucky enough to win a free lunch.  There are three numbers in this edition as well.  If your ID number matches one of the three numbers randomly inserted in this newsletter you are eligible for a free lunch at the lodge any day this month.   The numbers can be anywhere so look carefully; to claim your lunch just contact the Administrator.   Good Luck! While you have your card out, check the expiration date, it may be time to renew your membership.

As a final note this month I noticed that the picture next to my articles seems a bit stiff.  Hopefully the new one will be a bit less so.

Don’t sweat the wrinkles; they go where the smiles have been.

Dave Cramer
Governor 1655
ragboat@comcast.net

Boy was July a busy month!  Many of us traveled to Nashville, TN to attend the International convention and then just as we returned, we left for Richmond to attend the Mid- Year conference.  We had an awesome time and received much information on many changes that will affect all of us. In spite of the new members that were signed up last year, membership was down approximately 29,000+.  The new theme for this year is THE TIME IS NOW.   This theme represents the continual message that the time is now to make sure that we keep our current members happy with our lodges and chapters.   We need to listen to all of the members and act upon their requests.  We also need to greet everyone who enters our social quarters, meetings and family events with a smile.

While in Nashville, our recorder, Mary Emerick, received her College of Regents degree, the highest of degrees for the women and in Richmond, our Junior Grad Regent, Paulette Jones, received her Green Cap necklace from Pam Guest.  Paulette is now working towards her College of Regents degree.  Both of these co-workers worked very hard for our Chapter and Lodge and greatly deserve these honors.  Please take a moment to congratulate them the next time you see them.

I am still looking for chairmen to fill the following vacancies: Publicity Chairman and Mooseheart/Moosehaven.   Please contact me or one of the officers if you are interested.  Our committees raise funds for the children at Mooseheart and the seniors at Moosehaven and many local charities.

Please place these dates on your calendar of upcoming events: Flyers will also be out soon.

Academy of Friendship Tea - August 8th; 1-3 pm
Kids Back to School Party - August 14th;  2-4 pm
WOTM Yard Sale - September 25th; 8am-1pm - anyone wishing to donate items for the yard sale or help out, please let one of the officers know.  All proceeds will go to Moose Charities.  We have a GREAT time, come out and join the fun.

Bingo Food Concessions -

	Aug 03	Cold Plate (Tuna, Egg, Salad, Fruit)  $5.00
	Aug 10	Taco Salad   $6.00
	Aug 17	Cowboy Burger and Fries  $6.00
	Aug 24	Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Salad  $6.00
	Aug 31	Italian Sub with Fries  $6.00

WOTM Friday Nigh Dinners -

	Aug 13	Hamburger Steak with Gravy  $8.00
	Aug 20	Chicken Cordon Bleu  $10.00

With warmest regards!

Terry Denniston
Senior Regent
540-898-7000 x 118

Brothers and Co-workers,

I don’t have much room so I will get right to the point.  I would like to congratulate Jr. Graduate Regent Paulette Jones and last year’s Chapter’s BOO and all the Members for being the Number One Chapter in the State I believe this is the 5th year in a row you are “Awesome”.   I would also like congratulate Dennis Jones for placing 3rd in the State for signing members it was a privilege to sit at the 25 club party and here your name called I hope you enjoy your awards and thank you for the work you do for the Lodge and the Fraternity.  Last and not least I would like to congratulate each member of the Lodge who signed a new member, or brought a former member back into the Lodge as you kept us number one in the State and you show the pride that does reside in Fredericksburg for this I do say Thank You and when someone asks me where I am from I say proudly I am from the best in the State Lodge #1655.

Now we are starting a new year with the Theme being, “The Time is Now” , and we endeavor to be number one again both the Lodge and the Chapter and I know we can do it.

God Bless and Thank you,

Bob Morello, Jr. Governor

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
AUGUST LADIES & GENTS!!!

     Each month, we have great tournament set up for you. Doubles 8 ball !!!!  Team up with another member and have some fun and a chance to win a few bucks as well.  The teams will be blind drawn from the entrants so you have a good chance to play with a more skillful partner or you might be the one to help a new player.

      These Doubles Tournaments are open to both men and women, and will be played on the second and fourth Wednesdays starting at 7:30pm.  Prizes to be awarded are 1st place $50.00, 2nd place $30.00, and 3rd place pays $20.00. A $5.00 entry fee per person is required at registration. All pool play is free. Hope to see you soon.

P. S. Peet has a great food special each night.

Brothers and Co-workers,

It's August, only one more month till the Mystery Bus trip.  This year's trip is Sept 25th, be at the Lodge by 8am.  I am doing two things different this year, instead of lunch at the 2nd stop, we will have a buffet breakfast at the 1st stop.  This is $6.00 per person, collected the day of the trip.  We will also be conducting a "poker run", everyone will draw a card as they get on the bus at each stop, the one person with the winning hand, will win the price of the bus trip ($30.00).

The trip cost is $30.00 per person; you can give the money to Janet, Marie, or me, or leave it behind the bar for me; advance sales only, and no refunds (transfers to someone else works as long as I know who will be going.  The no refund policy is due to the fact that the price is base on a full bus, and it's already been booked.

Hope to see you there,

Tim Bliss, chairman

Here we are into August already, were has the summer gone?  If you haven't got some already, there is still time to get some (or more) tickets on the GPS we are raffling off at the steak dinner on the 6th.  They are $1.00 each, see a MOB member or a bartender.

As always I want to thank the MOB members that help with steak night, Big Mike for cooking the steaks, Sharon for serving, and of course YOU, the Lodge members for coming out and supporting us.

For the MOB,

Ride Safe,
Pappy

Dear Brothers and Co-workers.

Once again it is time to give back to our Community.   I will be putting a box in the in the hall for the homeless and for the MICA.

Their needs are many.  Some of them include the following:

Cereal	Kool-Aid	Sugar
Juices	Paper Products	Powdered Soap
Hand Soap	Shampoo	Toothbrushes
New socks	New Underwear	Diapers
Sleeping Bags	Sheets	Pillow Cases
Blankets	Shoes	Clothes
Coffee

Let’s fill the bucket up many times and the less fortunate.

Thank you in advance,

Marge Morello
COR Chairman

The Teen Club is being revived! I am looking for some energetic volunteers, chaperones, and of course all teenagers interested in having some fun and learning some more about the Moose and its history.

Please respond with you e-mail address so that I can start getting things organized and please keep an eye on the newsletter and bulletin board for further updates and happenings.

For further information you can contact me at ragboat-annie@comcast.net

Anxiously waiting to hear from you,

Anne Cramer
Youth Awareness Chairman

From the ever moving desk of the MLC Chairman:

Ahh , Newsletter time again, So many things to inform you about, and so little time and space to do it in.

First on my mind is I miss seeing everyone at the monthly meetings.  We have our usual faithful Moose Legion Members and their spouses who attend the meetings, but I would love to see more of you members there because we need your thoughts and support on goals and activities that we are planning for this Moose year.

With that said, our September meeting has moved in both time and place because of a scheduling conflict with a function the Endowment Committee had planned.   They are sponsoring a Mystery Bus trip on what turned out to be our meeting date September 25th so our Moose Legion Meeting for the month of September will be held on the 11th at the Bull Run Bull Roast in Manassas so bring your hungry self to the bull roast and party with us as we feast, and have the Ritual Team Drawdown where some lucky person could win $5000.  And yes, you could do it!!!!! See me, I have Tickets.

But before this happens I would invite you to join us on August 28th for our regularly scheduled meeting night (for our meeting of course) and then stay around for the dance that follows.  Remember about 40 years ago (those of us that can) there was a little get together somewhere up in NY, that was all about getting away from all of our troubles in life at the time. Remember the war (Vietnam) politics (Nixon and Johnson) and being put down by the man…. Yes that’s the one.  I’m referring to Woodstock; with a few exceptions, of course.  I can’t promise that it will last 3 days (the band Cruzer will only be playing from 8-12), nudity will be severely frowned upon (you will be asked to leave), and all drugs must have a Dr.’s prescription to be allowed in the building.  Other than that Join us and let’s gets back in tune with nature, music, ourselves and our friends.  Break out the Tie Dyed clothing, hip hugger blue jeans, sandals, and peace signs and grow your hair with us.  Adult beverages, finger foods and last but not least we will be raffling off a 42” LCD HDTV.  Tickets are on sale Now!!!!!  They are 10 for $5. So get ‘em while they’re around We do hope to sell out.

Peace and Love Brothers and Sisters

As Always Fraternally Yours,

Oscar Emerick
Moose Legion Chairman

Moose Brothers and Co-workers,

Here's our long range calendar for the next couple of months.   Come out and support Moose Entertainment.

Dennis Jones
Entertainment Chairman