February/March/April 2008


Moose Legion:
Shawn Baile,
Director
sbaile@mooseintl.org


Moose Legion Conference Fun is
Texas-Sized

Degree of Service Raises Big Money in the State Where Everything’s Large





Please click on any photograph below to view a larger image.
> It’s a well-worn phrase that everything in Texas is larger than it is anywhere else in the U.S.--and sometimes the world.

Whether that’s a myth or not, it certainly held true that the Moose Legion reached some very Texas-sized achievements during its 41st International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference.

Attended by more than 700 Moose Legionnaires and their ladies, and centered around a “Barn Dance” theme, the Moose Legion received plenty to dance about when it counted the money raised for its 2007-09 project, which was to refurbish two electrical generators at the Mooseheart campus powerhouse.

The cost for the project is $200,000--and Moose Legion Director Shawn Baile said the goal was to raise the money over two years.

However, when all donations were counted at the November conference, more than $160,000 had already been raised--just four months after the fundraising drive had been announced at the International Convention!

Baile said electrical generator refurbishment isn’t the glitziest project tackled by the Moose Legion, but that ensuring power would continue to flow through the Child City was an obvious need.

“There are times when we would sometimes like to have our organization’s name on the highly glamorous projects,” Baile said. “That’s not always the case. There are things that still need to be done that are vital and that have to be done. That’s why we took it on. Obviously our members understood, or we wouldn’t be as far along as we are.”

Baile noted that such an accomplishment is typical of the Moose Legion and was one of the reasons the Texas meeting was special.

“A Moose Legion meeting’s extra special because these are the guys who go the extra mile,” Baile said. “That’s what the Moose Legion has always been about, and that is a tradition we are proud to carry on.”

Baile said the Conference was used to “clarify” a number of things as the Moose Legion moves through the calendar year.

Not discussed at the Conference, but close to Baile’s heart is enhancement of the Youth Awareness Program, a Moose Community Service program in which high schoolers give interactive “KidsTalks” presentations to very young children in an effort to help the children make smart decisions on the choices they’ll soon have to make, on drugs, alcohol and gangs.

“Each Moose Legion has been asked for a commitment of $.50 per member,” Baile said. “That would take in $35,000. Right now, we hand out three scholarships that total $12,000. We could hand out more scholarships to more people and give larger scholarships too.”

Additional funding of the scholarhips was approved at the 2007 International Convention in Orlando.

“I think it’s going to be another feather in the cap,” Baile said. “For us to step forward and increase the visibility and participation in the program, I don’t see how we wouldn’t want to offer that opportunity. The Youth Awareness Program is one more chance for us to have a positive influence on society.”


Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference attendees took advantage of the event’s Barn Dance theme to do some mighty fine dancing to a country band.
Hampton Roads (VA) Moose Legion 199 topped all units in terms of donations to Moose Charities for 2006-07, totaling more than $6700, and the unit was honored at the International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference, held in November in Irving, TX. Above, from left are Moose Legion 199 Secretary Ike Burlingame, International Moose Legion President Bob Maxey and International Moose Legion Ambassador Steve Crawford.


Past International Moose Legion President Ralph West (center) received the Elite Legionnaire Ring for earning 100 Membership Units. Presenting the ring is Supreme Governor Gene Huggins, while Junior Past International Moose Legion President Artie Shaw congratulates West on his achievement.


Nick Grecco (fourth from right), Jerry Inserra (red shirt) and Seth Rothsten (second from right) delivered more than $6,000 on behalf of both New Jersey Moose Legion units during the March of Checks, which raised $83,468.


Supreme Governor Gene Huggins addresses the audience at this year’s International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference, held in November in Irving, TX.


Director General William B. Airey makes a point during a luncheon address to attendees at the International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference.


Moose Legion Junior Past International Moose Legion President Artie Shaw receives a portrait from Moose Legion Director Shawn Baile in honor of Shaw’s service as International Moose Legion President in 2006-07.


Moose Legion Director Shawn Baile and International Moose Legion President Bob Maxey hold certificates signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry that proclaim both to now be honorary Texans.


U.S. Army Capt. Mike Curtis (center) is flanked by parents Bonnie and Paul Curtis. Paul Curtis is a Moose Legion Councilman. Mike Curtis, who is stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX, was enrolled into the Moose Legion during the conference.

Moose Legion Ritual Title to Wenoca (NC) 78

International Champions


Pikes Peak (CO) Moose Legion 156 (Seated from left) Dale Funkhouser, Faith; David Meyers, Hope; (standing from left) Marshall Bickford, Chaplain; James Weimer, President; Arthur Patzer, Charity; Harry Johnston, Pilgrim.

President
T1st Reyes Rodriguez, Jr. Victory (IN) 48
T1st Roger Dale Rolick Wenoca (NC) 78
2nd Bunky Clark Bull Run (VA) 185
T3rd Scott Cushing South Florida (FL) 46
T3rd Wade Bennett Northwest Florida (FL) 182
T3rd George Hannum The Mighty (CA) 190
Chaplain
1st George Bunt Thunderbolt (FL) 201
T2nd William Powers Old Dominion (VA) 148
T2nd Marshall Bickford Pikes Peak (CO) 156
3rd David J. Smith Sailfish (FL) 197
Pilgrim
1st Harry Johnston Pikes Peak (CO) 156
2nd Lindsay Blair Wenoca (NC) 78
3rd Carl Murphy The Mighty (CA) 190
Faith
1st Dale Funkhouser Pikes Peak (CO) 156
T2nd David Lambert Kanawha Valley (WV) 123
T2nd George Moore Bull Run (VA) 185
3rd Robert E. Taylot East Michigan (MI) 107
Hope
1st Thomas Dunn Tar Heel (NC) 158
T2nd William Catlow South Florida (FL) 46
T2nd Grant L. Grown Kanawha Valley (WV) 123
T3rd Wayne L. Brethour Eastern Michigan (MI) 107
T3rd David K. Meyers Pikes Peak (CO) 156
Charity
1st Bruce Owen Tar Heel (NC) 158
2nd C.R. Urbick The Mighty (CA) 190
T3rd Arthur Patzer Pikes Peak (CO) 156













Second Place: South Florida (FL) Moose Legion 46 (Seated from left) William Catlow, Hope; Kristopher Hummer, Pilgrim; (standing from left) Scott Cushing, President; Bolton Bunting, Faith; Richard Botts, Charity; Jack Daly, Chaplain.


Third Place: Bull Run (VA) Moose Legion 185 (Seated from left) Gary Hill, Chaplain, Larry Stocks, Charity; (standing from left) Danny Doane, Hope; George Moore, Faith; Wayne Noel, Pilgrim; C.M. “Bunky” Clark, Jr. President.
Mark Your Calendars Now:
November 2008 in Hampton, VA!

The 2008 International Moose Legion Ritual Competition and Conference is set for Nov. 6-9 at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, VA. All Moose Legion Ritualists, Moose Legionnaires and their ladies are invited to attend the competition and activities. The six Moose Legions of Virginia are co-hosting the event. More iniformation is available through the Moose Legion portal at www.mooseintl.org!



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