A community can be defined and expanded beyond a small geographic area, and here in the Northland, the International Organization of the Moose Fraternity supports and impacts communities from Thunder Bay to Two Harbors. Established in 1888, its mission is simple yet powerful: The organization of men and women is dedicated to caring for young and old, bringing communities closer together, and celebrating life.
The Two Harbors Moose Lodge 1463, Chapter 109, embraces this mission tenfold. Located in the seat of Lake County, this lodge is an active cornerstone of the North Shore, engaging in all aspects of the community. They provide special events for all ages, offers a kitchen open throughout the week, holds a gaming license, hosts meetings for local organizations, and supports fundraisers—all to raise money to give back to the community.
Board of Directors President Sue Bott highlights some of her favorite events: “We host fun events for our members and registered guests that include an adult prom, New Year’s Eve dinners, kids’ Halloween parties, and our annual summer picnic.” Bott also explains that there is always a need for volunteers to help plan new events and assist in making them a success. Contact the lodge for more information and to sign up to volunteer.
The lodge is run by a dedicated, elected board of directors who are all volunteers, along with a small staff. As part of the international organization, each lodge must follow guidelines and is overseen by a territorial manager. Bott describes the Two Harbors Lodge as more than a bar: “We are a family that embraces new members and cherishes our current ones.”
The Moose organization is membership-based and is open to anyone interested in applying. Once an application is approved, membership can mean different things to different people, allowing individuals to determine what they want to get out of the organization—and what they want to give back.
The belief that “A burden heavy to one is borne lightly by many” is at the core of the Moose organization. Living by this value is what makes the Moose unique in the more than 1,500 communities it serves across all 50 states and several Canadian provinces. Membership benefits at the Two Harbors Lodge include the ability to rent the community space, participate in gaming activities, attend special events, and sign up for dart leagues, bingo, and cribbage.
Bott describes membership as “being bigger than your personal membership. You are supporting what the Moose stands for. Once you are a Moose member, you are welcome at all lodges in any city. This organization is truly a community.”
The Two Harbors Moose Lodge spreads its mission throughout Lake County, partnering with several lodges on a variety of projects and events. They support schools through grants and scholarships—donating to Two Harbors and Silver Bay athletic programs, trap teams, DECA, International Travel Club, Robotics, and hosting annual banquets for coaches and athletes. Recently, 12 high school students were awarded $1,000 individual scholarships. Two Harbors seniors are celebrated each year with banners purchased by the lodge and displayed throughout downtown.
Nonprofits also benefit from the lodge’s generosity, receiving funding for Special Olympics, food shelves, shelters, and fire victims. Their mascot, Tommy Moose, assists local law enforcement and first responders by providing moose stuffed animals to children going through tough times.
In addition to supporting local initiatives, the Two Harbors Lodge supports the national organization’s two premier programs, Mooseheart and Moosehaven, benefiting both young and old. Mooseheart, founded in 1913 by the Moose Fraternity Organization, is a residential childcare community located about 38 miles west of Chicago. It is committed to providing exceptional care for youth whose families, due to various circumstances, apply for admission. Its mission is to offer young individuals a safe, loving, and stable environment where they can grow, learn, and succeed.
Moosehaven is a private, membership-based retirement community located in Florida. With a full range of programs and services, it has provided seniors 65 and older a comfortable and secure retirement option since 1922.
The Two Harbors Lodge will celebrate its 110th anniversary in early October and is currently raising funds for improvements to the bar and lodge, including a walk-in freezer, kitchen equipment, and bathroom updates. A weeklong celebration is planned, with special events for all ages, and a large party is scheduled for Oct. 11. A full schedule of events can be found on their Facebook page.
The lodge is open Monday through Saturday at noon, with the kitchen available Tuesday through Friday from 5-8 p.m., and Sunday breakfast served from 9 a.m. to noon. It is located at 709 First Ave. in Two Harbors. To contact the lodge, call: 218-834-3234.
