Moose Lodge serves up its last Friday fish fry

By Alan Madlane
And another city landmark bites the dust.
Moose Lodge #1670, on Conant, has been a Hamtramck icon for the better part of three quarters of a century. Known for their open-to-all Paczki Day “Power Up’ breakfasts, their Friday night fish frys and their warm and fuzzy Christmas parties, the lodge will be missed by many, both members and non-members alike.
We’ll let member Thom Russell’s heart-tugging letter tell it:
“It is a sad day for the Moose Lodge, and the history of the City of Hamtramck. Due to the declining membership and declining support, the members of the Hamtramck Moose Lodge, serving the Hamtramck and surrounding communities for 73 years, have voted to shut the doors and relinquish their charter.
“I joined this lodge 23 years ago, knowing very little about the organization and their ideals. To be honest, I joined for a relaxing, friendly atmosphere to drink in, rather than going to the more crowded, noisier clubs in the city.
“Sponsored by my father-in-law, Dave DeCarlo (R.I.P), I soon embraced what the Loyal Order of the Moose is about, and understood why this was such a great family to belong to.
“I quickly became more involved in my Lodge, and, 6 months later, was asked to fill a vacant position on the lodge board of officers. I accepted, and a special dispensation was obtained for me to serve (at that time, permission was required for a member with less than 1 year of membership to serve on the board).
“I was quickly taken under the wing of my very dear friend and Moose mentor Bob Cornwell (R.I.P.), and learned so many things from people I’ve come to love, respect and whom I miss dearly, not only from my lodge, but from members of the fraternity all over. Wonderful people who, you soon realize, have huge hearts and incredible caring natures.
“Quickly rising in the ranks, I was elected Junior Governor (Vice President) within 3 years. Under the tutelage of Bob Cornwell, and the fact that he became involved at the state level of helping lodges, I learned the position of Administrator (in the Hamtramck Lodge, this was the leader and organizer of everything BUT the fraternal business).
“I performed many Administrator duties while serving two years as Junior Governor, and then while serving two more years as Governor. When my term as Governor was over, Bob resigned as Lodge Administrator, and I was officially appointed to that post. I served in the position for 10 years.
“The Hamtramck Moose has been such a huge part of my adult life. My three girls grew up in this lodge, even acting as servers, doing clean up after dinners, etc., for community service for school.
They are just as much a part of the history of the lodge as my wife and I. To this day, they can still recite the 9 O’clock prayer (a prayer recited at 9 p.m. to remember the children at the Mooseheart charity). My kids were considered family at the lodge.
“Over the years, the Hamtramck Moose has done so many things for the community, not only raising money for the care of the children at Mooseheart and the seniors at Moosehaven, but supporting organizations such as the Hamtramck Goodfellows, the Hamtramck Police and Fire Departments, Hamtramck Harvest, the AL Hambra, the Detroit Agency for the Blind, St. Judes, Michigan Anti Cruelty, the Hamtramck Public Schools, just to name a few.
“The lodge was often winning the #1 spot for lodge donations to Moose Charities in the State of Michigan in its class (under 500 members), and was a three-time winner of the Eddie Delsaso cup as top lodge in the state.
“The Hamtramck Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1670 is a hidden Hamtramck icon that will forever hold a place in many hearts, and the family there will forever be in my own heart. No matter what the future holds, The Hamtramck Lodge will always be my HOME.
“R.I.P. my beloved lodge.”
Posted July 12, 2024