Last Thursday evening alongside the Moose Lodge in the picnic area, Rich Earlywine on behalf of the lodge hosted a pizza party. By 7:00 pm over two dozen guests and students had gathered to be part of the evening celebration. What were they about to celebrate, the awarding of four $1,000 scholarships. On this evening there were fourteen students’ names in the box waiting to be drawn out.

The first name drawn was Alyssa Tamborello. Tamborello is a student at Magnolia High School and the daughter of Pete Tamborello. The second name drawn, Hayden Ebert, she is the granddaughter of Ray Brimmer. Hayden attends school at St. Mary’s High School.

The third name pulled from the box was Aiden Smith, grandson of Kathy Loub. Aiden attends Tyler High School. Jayden Jones, was the fourth to be selected from the blind drawing of candidates. Jayden’s legal guardian is Windi Seals. Jayden attends River High School.

In addition to Lodge members and Women of the Moose officials, there were several dignitaries in attendance. Mr. Bill Bell, State Delegate, Magnolia High School Principal, Melanie Miller. Board of Education members, Jimmy Glasscock, Brian Castilow, Linda Fonner, Devon Tennant and President Christine Mitchell. Also in attendance was Wetzel County School Superintendent, Cassie Porter.

The evening speakers gave praise, and thanked the New Martinsville Moose Lodge for their efforts to support the community. They recognized the lodge has in many ways contributed to the betterment when there is a need, plus their awarding of yearly scholarships.

On August 26, at the West Virginia Moose Association convention held in Huntington, four more students’ scholarships were won by students from Lodge 931. Kristen Windland, daughter of Matt Windland. Miss Windland won the Heart of the Community Scholarships from Moose International. Kristen attends Walhalla High School, in Walhalla South Carolina. Also receiving a Heart of the Community Scholarship, Miss Isabella Place, Granddaughter of Leroy Travis. Isabella Attends Martinsburg High School. Makenna Martin, daughter of Adam Martin won a West Virginia Moose Scholarship. Makenna attends Tyler High School. Also winning a West Virginia Moose Association Scholarship was Ashlyn Walters, daughter of Thomas Walters. Ashlyn attends Magnolia High School.

All of the scholarships awarded were for $1,000. With this year’s winners, that brings the total money that has been awarded from the New Martinsville Moose since 1988, to a grand total of $251,000.

Also, at the state Convention in Huntington, New Martinsville Moose Lodge 931 was selected Moose of the Year in West Virginia.

In addition to being #1 out of thirty lodges in the state, the lodge was first in membership retention and recognized as winner of the Heart of the Community Award for donations made for the year.

August was a great month for the New Martinsville Moose Lodge. They also were the recipients of the Good Neighbor of the Year Award for their dedication, loyalty and support of Town and Country Days for many years.

New Martinsville Moose is just one of 1500 nationwide and part of the greatest family of Fraternities in the world. If you would like to be part of this organization, applications are available from any Moose member. Join today and be part of a Great Community Organization, that since its beginnings in 1881, it has proudly supported its members and the world around it.