Details

Written by Jeff Sargent

Published: 04 May 2021

Vienna Moose Members

I'm very humbled, proud & excited to become your new lodge President (renamed from the Governor) for the 2021/22 lodge year. Myself & the board will do our very best to create activities & great fellowship opportunities. I will do my best to communicate with the membership via email, phone text & Vienna moose website.  Myself & Board can't do it alone and need your help. We have a number of committees & opportunities that need volunteers to step up & assist, Listed below are some of the needs. 

Committees needing volunteers:  Entertainment, Membership, Community, Moose Legion, Loss Prevention, Moose charities 

We have 3 hall rentals in May & could use volunteers to assist the staff.

Sunday Breakfast always needs volunteers 

Our Lodge meeting 1st & 3rd Thursday each month, **New Starting time 7 pm**. Come attend & assist the board with running our lodge.

Moose International bylaws have been updated reflecting moose one changes. Printed booklets will be available in the summer. I have a pdf version I'm happy to forward via email should you desire one.

Moose One started midnight May 1, women are now regular lodge members of the moose fraternity. Recruit your wives, girlfriends, family members, and friends. The application fee has been waived May 1-July 31 2021 $45 & application all required. This is a great opportunity for the Vienna Moose Lodge to grow.

Feel free always to reach out to me via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  (ph)703-209-0591

Fraternally Yours,

Jeff Sargent

President 2021/22

Vienna Moose Lodge

Details

Written by Dan Sullivan

Published: 30 January 2021

This vote will happen on Tuesday, February 5, 2021.  To find out how to contact your representatives and ask them to VOTE NO read on!

To All Moose Members,

We have a major problem in the Virginia General Assembly. Senate Bill 1127 would harm charities who do gaming as we do in our lodge and with bingo. The bill, introduced by Senator Bryce Reeves, would do the following:

1. It STOPS churches and certain other charities from being involved in charitable gaming.
2. It mandates all charitable gaming in SOCIAL QUARTERS be licensed and the charity MUST operate bingo in order to have gaming their social quarters.
3. ALL charitable gaming, INCLUDING what is done in the social quarters, could only be done THREE days a week and ONLY while bingo is being conducted.
4. The portion of the tax for charitable gaming kept by the state would TRIPLE.

Our Lodges, Chapters, and Legions must rally to fight this bill and we need our members to help fight this. You can use the link http://www.myvavote.com/ to find more information on this bill. Also, the attachments here explain things and give you ways you can get involved. The bill has been amended several times to get to its current form.

The bill is moving forward and we need it to die. This would hurt the Lodge in serious ways and we need your help. Please call your Virginia Senator (the ones who meet in Richmond) and ask them to vote NO on SB 1127. You can also email the letter attached to them after you add their contact information and your signature or just copy and paste the language into your email. If you do not know who your Senator is, you can go to  https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/ to find out.

When you call them, use their "Capitol Phone" number as they are in those offices now and this is listed on the site when you find your Senator.  Regardless of if you get a staffer or leave a message, make sure you say something. A message can be left and it still helps. Please use the following: 

“Hello, I am (insert your name here) and I live at (say your address here) and I am your constituent. I oppose SB 1127 because it hurts charities and I ask you to vote NO on SB 1127.”

Your support on this important issue is greatly appreciated.

We Must Unite and Oppose SB 1127! 

SB 1127, as introduced by Senator Bryce Reeves, would do massive damage to charitable gaming used by charitable organizations in Virginia. Some major highlights of the bill include: 

1. Ends the ability of some types of charities to use all approved forms of charitable gaming. This includes 501(c)3 charities like churches and education groups who are banned from using pull-tab games, both paper and electronic (Line number 78-79 of the bill). 
2. All charities would be required to conduct bingo in order to conduct any other forms of charitable gaming (Line number 271-278 of the bill). 
3. No charity can conduct any form of charitable gaming more than three days a week, down from the current seven days, and this includes both public pingo and private social quarters (Line number 277-278 of the bill). 
4. The tax collected by the Commonwealth, in addition to the audit fee, will TRIPLE (Line number 339-340 of the bill). 
5. Mandates a minimum Use of Proceeds rule at 10% of the gross revenue and ends the exemption of certain portions of this revenue from being used in the calculation meaning it will likely not be affordable for charities after prizes are paid (Line number 127-128 of the bill). 
6. Prevents charities from finding space away from major competition, like Rosie’s and Casinos by returning a rule mandating charitable gaming operations in the locality or adjacent locality of where a charity is located (Line number 267-269 of the bill).

Details

Written by Senior Prelate Reporter

Published: 29 January 2021

Brothers and Sisters,

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that brother John Roughton has passed on January 29, 2021.  As John was our Lodge’s Governor from 2016 – 2017, many of us have fond memories of him at our lodge.  It hurts to know that John has left this world too soon.  We pray for his family in their time of need.

The Centreville Moose at 3529 Chain Bridge Road is holding a Celebration of Life on March 13, 2021, from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  They invite all members to celebrate the life of John (FootPeg) Roughton.  This will be a cash bar event, and the food is provided by the Centreville Moose Lodge.

Again, we ask that you pray for his family and friends.

Details

Written by Your Board of Officers

Published: 01 January 2021

Dear Moose Members,

With the passing of our beloved Governor C.M. Bunky Clark, Bruce Chappell has been appointed Governor for the remainder of his term. We look forward to Bruce carrying on the leadership left from Bunky.

As the pandemic has caused us to lose loved ones, businesses to close, and many good people to lose their sole source of income, we hope and pray your families are staying safe and healthy during this time. The lodge like many restaurants and businesses is suffering financially.  The lodge continues to operate with some expenses that cannot be cut back and with a very limited income.  If our lodge is going to survive, we need every member to help. We have created a safe environment with our social distancing of tables and gaming machines.  We have a mandatory mask-wearing policy with individual disinfectant stations spread throughout the lodge.  We are also wiping down tables, machines, and doors regularly. You might be asking how can I help our lodge? Here a suggested list of ideas. You can still assist if you are unable to attend the lodge.

• Have a meal or order a Grab & Go at least once per week
• Order Sunday Breakfast
• Play our gaming machines
• Make a cash donation to the lodge for operating expenses

Grover Gaming has continued to update the current machines with new and exciting games.  Have you tried College Rivals Football?  We are having some really high payouts on these and other games.  We also relocated the ATM to the new social quarters too.

If you decide to make a cash donation to lodge operating expenses, please ask for a receipt.  Many members give to their favorite charities, consider making one to your Moose lodge.

In closing, if our lodge is going to survive, we need your financial support. If you have ideas please let the Board of Officers know as soon as possible. 

Thank You for all your support and consideration. Have a very safe and joyful holiday season.

Your Board of Officers

Details

Written by Dan Sullivan

Published: 20 December 2020

To our Moose Family members,

The holiday season is a good time to look back on the past year and to reflect on all we’re thankful for. Here at our Lodge, we’re grateful for many things—among them, our dedicated co-workers and the loyalty of our members who stood by us through this very challenging year. 

We’re driven by our vision to create a better everyday life for many by offering a fraternal place to give back to our communities and a place with great friends, good food, cold drinks, and more.  Never has our vision resonated with us so strongly.  We feel that home is the most important place in the world, now more than ever, and we’re here to help you stay safe, and continue to give to our local communities where we can.

It has been especially difficult with the death of our Governor Bunky Clark.  His death has been a huge shock to everyone here.  He was a great mentor, a friend, and an incredible Moose member.  It hurts to know he will not be with us for the years to come.  And, with the current pandemic conditions getting even worse, we continue to struggle to move forward in the right.

So, I am here to ask for your help.  Our lodge is in need of your patronage.  We are trying to serve food that everyone likes at very reasonable prices six days a week.  Our Grab & Go during the spring pandemic was a lifesaver.  We again ask that if you can stop by and purchase anything.  Every dollar helps!  If you are wondering how bad things are, we ask you to come to our next general Moose Membership meeting on January 7, 2020, at 7:30 pm.  We have been discussing things we can do to help the lodge.  If you think you can help we need your volunteering and ideas now!

Please remember that not only do we continue to do Grab & Go each open day, but we are serving the best breakfast in town on Sundays to our members and qualified guests.  Speaking of qualified guests, because of the pandemic our new membership drive is not going well.  If you signed up a member and have not seen them in sometime please check in on them.  We call this a member buddy check!  If you know of a friend, family member, or coworker that would be a good Moose member, please invite them down to see the lodge and maybe have breakfast on Sunday.

If you plan to visit the lodge, please know that we have protocols in place to help keep our members and co-workers safe, such as face-covering requirements, physical distancing guidance, temperature checks for members, rigorous cleaning and sanitation, and strict capacity limits. 

This year has brought into sharp focus what is truly important, and that is caring for people. I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to also thank our members, co-workers who came together to support our mission and communities.  

From our Moose family to yours, we wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday. 

Be well

Details

Written by Dan Sullivan

Published: 11 December 2020

C.M. Bunky Clark Jr. our Governor sent in his last Loyal Order of Moose application on the morning of December 11th, 2020.  Anyone that knew Bunky knows that this could be the truth.  It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart to report a break in our Defending Circle that Brother Bunky Clark passed suddenly this morning at home.

Bunky was born on April 23, 1946. Bunky joined the Moose in March of 1990.  He has held the highest fraternal offices in our Vienna Lodge #1896, the Bull Run Moose Legion #185, and in the Virginia Moose Association’s District 4.  He also held the positions of Moose Legion Ambassador for Northern Virginia and Governor of the Moose Legion Ritual team.  Bunky attained his Fellowship degree in July of 2002 and his Pilgrim Degree in May of 2009.  He was a mainstay of so many different Virginia and Moose International conventions and Moose Legion team ritual events over the years.  To say he loved the Moose doesn’t quite adequately describe his devotion to the Moose.  Bunky was a member that when asked always gave of himself.

Bunky you will be so missed; Good Night Brother Governor.

Updated 12/12/2020:  To all of Bunky’s friends, family, and extended family members,

We want to let you all know that Maureen wants to wait for a Celebration of Life.  With the current pandemic conditions, she wants to wait until it is safe to gather so she can hug each and every one of you.  She thinks Bunky would want this.  She is planning a church celebration at the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church with a reception at the Vienna Moose for all to attend.  She asks that we all wait to send flowers until we can all get together again.  She will let us know a date in the future.  Thank you all for your understanding.

Details

Written by Carl Thomas

Published: 08 November 2020

Today is Sunday, November 8, 2020, we just got done serving breakfast to the members.  It was an amazing morning.  We served 25 breakfasts and 7 of them were for the littles.  It is so nice to have the little ones coming into the lodge again.  I want to thank all the members that have been coming out to help with our new every Sunday breakfasts.  Thanks to Jeff Sargent, Dave Kish, Gwen, and Darren for everything they do for the lodge.  As you all know we were shut down because of a COVID-19 exposure for a week.  Thanks to everyone that has made it into the lodge since this scare.

We are working on getting more safe events in the lodge.  Did you make it out to the Bonfire with Ron Thayer at the lodge on October 17, 2020?  It was another great safe event with a lot of kids in attendance.  We have the Koolerators scheduled for November 14, 2020, starting at 5:00 pm and running until 8:00 pm.  We are still looking for more events to bring you into the lodge.  Do you have any ideas for safe events?  Let us know!

I have noticed, on occasion, Lodge business being discussed in the social quarters.  Rarely, if at all, are these observations brought forward to the general meetings.  I urge all members to take advantage of sharing observations at the general meetings so that we can consider these ideas which have the potential of benefiting the Lodge operations overall.  That is why our general meetings always include an agenda item called "For the good of the order".

Speaking of meetings, all LOOM members are invited to attend our twice a month General Membership meeting on the first and third Thursdays at 7:30 pm.  This is where we discuss current matters for the lodge and future items.  We are still discussing what to do for our 61 st birthday on December 2, 2020.  If you would like some input into this please come out.  We would love to hear what you want to do!

If you have been to the lodge recently, you might have noticed that we removed a big evergreen tree in the front.  It was getting too large and was encroaching on the flag poles.  Many thanks to Gerry and Darren for this work (Father and Son Landscaping).  We are also having issues with the super big oak tree next to the lodge.  We are working with an arborist to treat the tree for the next year.  We are also going to be working on the playground soon to remove the fabric under the gravel because it is not allowing water to get to the roots of the big tree.  We really hope we can save the grand old tree.  We want to thank Stan and his crew (SR Tree) for trimming the big tree.  We are grateful to have them also as members.

In closing up, we have some new Grover Games to play at the lodge.  We have a new College Rivals Football and 2020 High Rollers game.  They are both a lot of fun to play.  We look forward to seeing and serving you soon here at the lodge.

Details

Written by Senior Membership Reporter

Published: 01 November 2020

We wanted to keep the membership up to date with our current membership drive.  Yes, we know there is a pandemic going on.  We know these are trying times.  But we are an extended family that cares about each other.  So, I am asking all of you to call and make a buddy check with someone you know within the fraternity.  It doesn't even have to be a member of our lodge!  If you are a member of one you are a member of all lodges.  If you have not seen someone in some time or not seen them post on Facebook (if you are on Facebook) for some time check in on them.

This year's membership quota for this 2020-2021 year is 55 new members.  We are well behind our previous year's new member rate at this point in the year.  We would hate to see us not make the quota for this year.  So, do you know of a worthy friend, family member, or maybe someone you meet at a local restaurant or bar that might make a wonderful Moose member?  So far this year, we have signed up "7" new members since the last May.  We only have five months to sign up 48 more members.  We really need your help.

Virginia Moose Association Membership Info

• Application and Quota Report
• Last Year to Current Year Compare (AED) Report
• Top Sponsors Report

Remember they do not have to sign up the first time they come to the lodge.  Why not bring them in for breakfast some week in the future and show them around!  We are serving breakfast each Sunday now!

With that plug for our lodge breakfasts, we know many are staying away right now.  We get it!  We know your family's safety is paramount to you!  But, when you don't come in and frequent the lodge, the money we have to pay employees, pay the electric bills, and purchase food and drinks for the members dries up.  We need your help to stay vibrant and supporting of our communities.  I didn't want to sound so dire!  But our situation is not unique.  It is happening to all lodges all across the United States.  To everyone that reads this, thank you for all you do to support this lodge and our community.  You always make us proud to call you members/friends/family!

Details

Written by Dan O’Neal - Special Project/Fundraising

Published: 08 August 2020

To the Moose Legion Secretary, Directors and Members of Bull Run Moose Legion #185, 

On behalf of the Moose Legion Council, Our Director Bob Neff, and President John Prough, we want to thank each jurisdiction for their donation to the Endowment Fund.  Your contributions through the month of August 2020 total $1133.00, which is $1.92 per Moose Legionnaire. 

Please remember endowment funds should be sent monthly, but a minimum of once per quarter.  In addition, jurisdictions exceeding $3.00 per-capita by April 30th receive 30 bonus points toward the Moose Legion Award of Excellence. This is how most jurisdictions will achieve the upper levels of award.

Total dollars collected for the Endowment Fund by the "President Division" amounts to $2,896.61.  The Grand total from all six divisions amounts to $15,458.45.  The Endowment Fund Competition "Top 10" standings for the 2020-2021 Moose fiscal year in the category of "President" consisting of Moose Legions with 426 thru 600 Moose Legionnaires is as follows:

Next month’s contributions will provide your jurisdiction an opportunity to move up in the standings within your division for this Moose fiscal year.  Statistics and competition standings from all jurisdictions in every division can be found in the Moose Legion area of the Moose International website.

Thanks again for all you do and please convey our gratitude to your members for the outstanding service they provide to our fraternity.

Fraternally,

Dan O’Neal

Special Project/Fundraising

International Moose Legion Council

Details

Written by Dan Sullivan

Published: 20 July 2020

The Loyal Order of Moose held its election on Thursday, July 16, 2020. There was a good turnout to support the lodge even with everything that is going on in the world.

I would like to express my thanks to the current board for all their hard work over the last year. Our lodge has endured many difficulties in the last year. I want to thank all that have supported our board of officers. We have some of the hardest working and most generous members of any lodge. We are in a better place because of your hard work! We do have more to accomplish this next year. I want to thank all the members of the lodge that came out to vote with me for Lodge board candidates.

We will be looking for candidates that wish to join the board for the positions of the trustee.  Stay tuned for more information.

The lodge is hosting a Moose Legion Conferral and Celebration this Sunday, July 26, 2020, starting at 10 am.  We will finish the day around 6:00 pm with the installation of our officers for the lodge.  We invite all members to attend.

Fraternally,
Dan Sullivan
Governor
Vienna Moose Lodge #1896