Followup--
and a Correction--
on our Cover Story on
Moose Riders

> Response to our Nov/Dec/Jan issue cover story on the Moose Riders phenomenon has been enthusiastic and largely positive. One point of contention, though, seems to revolve around the claim as to where the fraternity’s first recognized/chartered MooseRiders unit was formed. The story stated that a “comprehensive history of Moose Riders units within the Order is not readily available, but evidence indicates that one of the earliest Moose motorcyclists appears to have originated at Waverly, OH Lodge 2263 some 12 years ago (1995).”

But according to Stan McClelland of Pembroke Pines, FL Lodge 1844, he rode with a motorcycle unit in 1982-83 based out of the now-closed Phoenix, AZ Lodge 708, which called itself “F-Troop.”

We also received a call from Mike Christoffersen of Berwyn, IL Lodge 424 that a group calling itself Moose Riders was actually chartered out of the former Brookfield, IL Lodge 1599 (since merged with Berwyn)--using Rod & Gun Club bylaws and simply inserting motorcycling as the activity.

Even older: George Conrad of Huntingdon, PA Lodge 223 sent us the photo above from his collection of Moose memorabilia. This large patch, 10”x12”, dates from the 1950s and is obviously from Greater Chicago Lodge 3, which closed in 1992 but at the time boasted more than 20,000 members.

Finally, a correction: We incorrectly made reference to an annual motorcycle rally in Laconia, MA. There is a Laconia in Massachusetts, but the annual rally is 80 miles north in Laconia, NH, note Brian and Judy Bagby of Arizona City, AZ Lodge 1038.

--Chris Ecker