It sure feels like winter and the Holidays are right around the corner.  The time of writing of the last newsletter we were on a good roll on signing new Moose Legion members.  The pace has slowed down a bit, sign up a new Moose Legion member now and they are enrolled by February 11, 2012 at the Winter Celebration and the application fee is waived.

     ODML has fallen from 1st in the Nation to 3rd, but still number 1 in the Region for Moose Legion applications.  In the jurisdiction in Moose Legion Production, we have fallen from 2nd to 3rd with West Virginia 1st Place and Florida being in 2nd.  Please look over your Moose Legion eligibility list and give someone a call or send them a letter.
 

     Just Ask!

     If I can of any help, please give me a call at 804-357-7135.
 

Fraternally,
Doug Daniel

Vice President

     On a more serious note this Fraternity lost a great Fraternalist, a good man, a leader among us.  Matt Grove pass away November 11, 2011.  True he is no longer physically with us, but his influence on this association will remain with us for years to come.  Agree or disagree with his direction, he always had the best interest of this Fraternity at heart.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

     There is much time put into planning, staging, and pulling off events that are held to offer benefit to you being a Moose Legionnaire.  Just this past October, we once again held our Annual Picnic after much insistence from some of our members to continue holding these events.  Richmond Lakeside did their part in the events they planned, all the food that was prepared, and the entertainment that was offered and it was basically free for our members, but what happened?  The attendance was dismal.  Most of our twenty one (21) Lodge MLC's were not even represented.  This was soon followed by the Fall Celebration hosted by Richmond East.  Again much planning, preparation, and entertainment was provided for your enjoyment, but what happened?  Again most of our twenty-one (21) Lodge MLC's was not represented.  I believe both Lodge MLC's loss a part of their posterior.  It won't happen next year because I believe the annual picnic is history.  The Fall Celebration hosted by the Lodge MLC's will be no more.  It will be replaced with the 1st Annual Statewide Moose Legions of Virginia Celebration to be held in Norfolk-Virginia Beach.  The hotel has been booked and will accommodate 300 couples (rooms).  The adorning Hampton Inn will handle another 200 rooms.  Look for more details later in this newsletter.

     Membership is down. We are below 1500 members, actually closer to 1400 members on rolls.  The large Moose Legion Committees for whatever reason are not signing members as they once did.  Are you asking the qualified members you already have on your rolls to join? Just ask!  You might be surprised to find no one has ever asked and they are willing to join.  There is a lot to offer them.  Please see the enclosed stat sheet by Lodge.
 

     Our official visitor for the Winter Celebration will be the International Moose Legion President Paul Curtis and his wife.  Paul is very energetic and upbeat about this Moose Legion.  Come out to hear Paul tell you about the Moose Legion and the things that lie ahead for all of us that are interested in the Moose Legion.  This will be the first year we will be at our new host hotel, the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina.  As of this letter, we are sold out at the host hotel but offer the Marriott Springfield Suites as a back-up hotel.  Both properties are great and I think you will be very pleasantly surprised at the property.  Directions to the hotel will also be enclosed.
 

     We are still waiting on the Northern Neck Lodge MLC's for their proposed combined fund raiser for the Moose Legion.  Any Lodge MLC that wants to host a fundraiser to help us with much needed revenue, please contact me or any Director on this Board.  The fundraising efforts are dismal this year and not receiving much support from the Lodge MLC's.  If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please mail them to me directly.

     There will be a MLEC School in Hampton this year.  Directors that have not attended one in the last two years must attend in order to have their name placed on the ballot for next year's Board of Directors.  Anyone interested in attending, please let me know as soon as possible.  The date will be out shortly.

     The Peace Program (formerly DARE) will be coming up shortly.  Any Lodge MLC that wants to participate and/or donate to this invaluable program for our youth, please contact anyone on the Board.

     The large Hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday and a very Prosperous New Year.
 

Fraternally,
Jim Cridlin
Old Dominion Moose Legion #148 Secretary
 

     The Fall Celebration fundraiser is still going on due to the fact tickets are not being sold fast enough and not turned in on time.  Hopefully, we will pull it at our next meeting.  For the Winter Celebration, we will be raffling off a computer more information about the computer to come later. Tickets will be $1.00 for one (1) or six (6) for $5.00.  Computer does not come with Monitor, mouse or keyboard.

     ODML#148 needs your help.  Due to the cost of the newsletter each quarter, out finances are getting low.  As Moose Legionnaires, we should be proud to be a Moose Legionnaire in the #1 Moose Legion in the state.  Please help with the fundraiser, we need your support.  The attendance award has still not been hit as of printing of this newsletter.  Come to the next meeting and sign up.
 

     It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia Regional Manager, Past Virginia Moose Association President Pilgrim Brother Mateer S. Grove, Jr. on November 11, 2011.  His tireless work and dedication will be greatly missed. Go the to the VMA website at www.vmaweb.com to view his biography as published by Moose International.

     Brother Lester "Pewee" Lewis from Lakeside #1714, passed from this life on November 1st.  He was a great friend to all who knew him.

     Let us keep the families of these and all our Brothers in our prayers during their time of distress.

EVENTS

     The Yearbook Ad sales deadline is December 15th. Please get out their and sell the Ads and signature pages.

• December 3, 2011-Hopewell Moose Legion Committee
  Sons of Beach Band will be playing from 8:00 PM till Midnight. Heavy Hors d'oeuvres will be served from 6:30-7:30 PM. Tickets are $10 per person in advance or $13 at the door.

COMMUNICATION

     We would like to publicize your Moose Legion Committee events so please send your fliers and other pertinent information to stevedelta@hotmail.com.  This address should also be used to communicate sickness and distress information.  You may also call me at 804-832-3861

Fraternally,
Steve Williams

Chaplain