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Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge

Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Clubs, Entertainment, Events.

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188 was filled with the sights and sounds of Halloween during the annual kids’ Halloween party on Saturday.

This year’s party took on greater significance for lodge officers and volunteers because last year’s party had to be held at Bradenton Moose Lodge 1223 due to the extensive damage Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused at the beachfront lodge in Bradenton Beach.

For the youngsters, it was simply a fun-filled Saturday morning that in­cluded French toast sticks for breakfast, games, a costume parade, a dance party, story time, a jelly bean guessing contest and a bag of treats for each youngster to take home with them.

“This is home,” Moose volunteer and party organizer Sandra Zenzel said as the party began. “We’re thrilled to be back at our lodge for our parties again. We’re finally back home where we need to be for our parties. Enjoy, and happy early Halloween.”

She also thanked the other Women of the Moose who helped organize the party.

When speaking to The Sun, Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said, “Today’s our annual kids’ Halloween party the Women of the Moose put on for our members. We’ve got about a hundred kids here.”

When asked how it felt to have the kids’ Halloween party back at Lodge 2188 again, Dalton said, “Phenomenal.”

Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge
The costume selections reflected the youngsters’ interests and personalities. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge
The youngsters lined up to share their names and identify their costumes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

After he gathered the costumed children for a group photo, Dalton suggested an impromptu dance party and requested some music. Using her cell phone, Fox 13 reporter and party attendee Kimberly Kuizon acted quickly and provided the dance music.

At one point, some of the younger children gathered around Zenzel as she read “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.”

Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge
During story time, Sandra Zenzel read “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.” – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Two-year-old Bryson Price came closest to correctly guessing the number of jelly beans contained in a large, covered drinking glass. He guessed 195 and there were 187.

The adult Halloween party will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 and begin around 6 p.m., with karaoke being sung on the beachfront patio as part of the festivities.

 Queen of Hearts

The hurricane-damaged Moose Lodge has been operating at full speed for several months. The social quarters, bar area and second story deck reopened on May 1 and the storm surge-ravaged dining room opened ahead of schedule a couple months later.

The weekly Wednesday evening Queen of Hearts draw­ing that began before the 2024 hurricanes struck came to an end last week when one lucky local Moose member bought the winning ticket that opened the envelope containing the elusive Queen of Hearts.

“The winner walked away with about $270,000 after taxes,” Dalton said.

Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge
The Queen of Hearts drawing that began before the 2024 hurricanes was recently won. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The next Queen of Hearts drawing will begin in about 60 days.

“Everybody that worked the Queen drawings needs a rest,” Dalton said.

With just under 18,000 members, the AMI Moose Lodge has the largest membership of any Moose Lodge in the world.

Grand reopening

On Saturday, Nov. 1, the AMI Moose Lodge will host its post-hurri­cane grand reopening celebration.

“We have some special visitors coming down. Scott Hart is the chief executive officer of Moose International and that’s the highest position you can hold in the Moose fraternity. He’s coming to visit us for the first time,” Dalton said.

John Reiter, the Inverness-based chairman of the Moose Interna­tional Board of Directors will also attend the grand reopening, joined by additional board members.

“There’s going to be some heavy hitters here to visit us as part of the grand reopening,” Dalton said.

Kids’ Halloween party returns to AMI Moose Lodge
The AMI Moose Lodge will host a special grand reopening dinner on Saturday, Nov. 1. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The special grand reopening dinner menu will feature filet mignon served with two extra-large blue crab-stuffed shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes and fried green beans. Tuesday, Oct. 28 is the deadline to purchase a $34.95 dinner ticket.

After dinner, Ted Stevens and the Doo-Shots will provide the live music from 6:30-10 p.m., performing on the beachfront, ground-level patio. Moose mem­bers don’t need a dinner ticket to enjoy the live music and other after-dinner festivities.

Bennett, 2, came as Blippi, the children’s TV character. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Bennett, 2, came as Blippi, the children’s TV character. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Maverick, 3, came as Tamatoa, from the Disney movie, “Moana.” - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Maverick, 3, came as Tamatoa, from the Disney movie, “Moana.” - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Rowan Slicker said he came as “one of those wavy guys.” - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Rowan Slicker said he came as “one of those wavy guys.” - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Kai Rosbury and Joey Smith played a kids’ version of cornhole. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Kai Rosbury and Joey Smith played a kids’ version of cornhole. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Bryson Price, 2, won the jelly bean guessing contest. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Bryson Price, 2, won the jelly bean guessing contest. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Joey Smith threw inflatable rings at her dad, Adam Smith. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Joey Smith threw inflatable rings at her dad, Adam Smith. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The grown-ups enjoyed the party too. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

The grown-ups enjoyed the party too. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 welcomed Rudolph, Santa and other guests to its annual children’s Christmas party Saturday morning.

Joined by parents and grandparents, more than 60 children gathered inside the Moose Lodge to celebrate the Christmas holiday. At about 10:30 a.m., Officer Eric Hill, of the Bradenton Beach Police Department, delivered Santa Claus to the lodge’s beachfront door. Santa then received a warm holiday welcome as he entered the lodge and greeted the awaiting youngsters.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
Officer Eric Hill transported Santa to the AMI Moose Lodge. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

One by one, each child was called by name to visit with Santa and receive from him and his Moose Lodge helpers a wrapped gift selected especially for that child’s age group.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
Aliana, Kesha and Amani Garcia attended the party with Kali Kunkle. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton and Senior Regent Joy Shames shared their thoughts on the day’s festivities.

“This is one of the things we do every year for our kids and members. The Women of the Moose are doing a great job and everybody’s having fun. The kids have paper and crayons and are making Christmas cards to send to our seniors at Moosehaven,” Dalton said.

Moosehaven is a retirement community in Orange Park, Florida that has served Moose members since 1922.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton recognized the efforts of these Moose volunteers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“We are having a lot of fun with the children’s Christmas party here at the Moose Lodge. We’ve got Santa, Rudolph, the elves and Tommy the Moose here. The Women of the Moose put this together, along with the lodge. We’re happy to see so many kids. We have 62 kids signed up and we’re having a great day,” Shames said.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
Young Rob Herig attended the party with his grandma, Terri Rowden, and his grandpa, Terry Rowden (not pictured). – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer entered the room, the children and adults broke into an impromptu rendition of the famous Christmas song that tells Rudolph’s story.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer chatted with Savannah, Hudson and Brittany Lineberger. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

New York residents Bridget and Michael Roorda spend a few months each year on Anna Maria Island and they brought their children, Amelia, William and MJ, to the Moose party.

“We’ve been coming for years. We’re almost snowbirds,” Michael said.

“We love it,” Bridget added.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
The Roorda family from New York enjoyed a moment with Santa. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Josh and Meredith Pridokas brought their daughter, Ellie, to the party.

“This is wonderful,” Meredith said.

“This is the first year Ellie is old enough to appreciate Santa and the decorating. She’s soaking it up,” Josh added.

Adult activities

Regarding some of the adult activities taking place at the lodge, Shames said, “Tonight, we have our ugly sweater contest for the adults.”

The proceeds from the ugly sweater contest went to the Women of the Moose charity.

AMI Moose Lodge celebrates Christmas
Sam Waters, Jerry Lunde and Joy Shames participated in the adult festivities Saturday evening. – Jerry Lunde | Submitted

Dalton said the Queen of Hearts jackpot is currently at about $30,000 and the next weekly drawing takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 22.

“We’re about a third of the way through the deck,” Dalton said of the drawing that utilizes a deck of playing cards and eventually awards a cash jackpot to the lucky Moose member who draws the Queen of Hearts. Each week, one playing card is revealed and the longer it takes the find the Queen of Hearts, the larger the jackpot is. Some of the Queen of Hearts proceeds help fund the lodge’s numerous charitable efforts and activities.

Moose Lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party

Moose Lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Santa, Rudolph the female reindeer and Tommy the Moose were on hand for the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s drive-thru Christmas party.

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Moose Lodge #2188 volunteers handed out gift bags to youngsters in the drive-thru line. Many left their vehicles long enough to have a quick photo taken with Santa, Rudolph and Tommy.

As they did for Halloween, the Women of the Moose organized the drive-thru Christmas party using safety precautions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Women of the Moose put together some little to-go packages for the kids for Christmas. We are doing a drive-thru Christmas exchange. All the kids get an oversized (stuffed) Tommy the Moose and a candy cane full of candy. We’d be having a party, but unfortunately, we just can’t,” Women of the Moose member Bonnie Dubin said.

“We’re trying to make everyone safe and happy. We want the community to know we’re here to support children, elders and people of all ages,” Women of the Moose member Sherry Fragapane added.

Moose lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party
From left, Women of the Moose members Sandra Zenzel, Kathy Blair, Bonnie Dubin and Sherry Fragapane helped organize the drive-thru Christmas party. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“The Women of the Moose and Tommy, Santa Claus and Rudolph got together to greet the children of our community and show our Christmas spirit. Santa is a member of the Moose. So is Rudolph,” Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said.

Dalton said the gift bags were not limited to relatives of Moose members and were given to all in the drive-thru line.

“This is for anyone in our community. Merry Christmas to all,” Dalton said.

Kaz Funtal arrived with his grandfather, Joe Funtal.

While Kaz posed for a photo, Joe Funtal said, “What the Moose is doing is great. They did this for Halloween and they’re doing it for the kids for Christmas. With all this stuff going on right now, it’s great that the kids get some resemblance of normality. We really appreciate what the Moose is doing for them. It’s a great organization and this is a great spot here on the Island.”

Moose lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party
After receiving his gift bag, Kaz Funtal spent a couple of minutes with Rudolph, Santa and Tommy the Moose. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When asked how they planned to spend the rest of the day, Funtal said, “Kaz wants to come over to our house and hang out with grandma and Pap-Pap, which means all the cookies and candy he can eat.”

Longboat Key residents and Moose members Eugene and Jessica Nock brought their youngsters to the drive-thru party.

“I think the Moose Lodge here on Anna Maria Island is one of the best in the United States. We have a beautiful view here on the Gulf of Mexico. The members are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and we’re always welcoming new people from around the United States who come to visit us. The members are very civic-minded here and the Lodge gives back during Christmas, Halloween and Easter,” Eugene Nock said.

“We’re so appreciative to our Moose Lodge for having this wonderful event for our children to enjoy,” Jessica Nock added.

Moose lodge hosts drive-thru Christmas party
Moose members greeted those who arrived at the drive-thru Christmas party. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Holiday.

BRADENTON BEACH – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s annual children’s Halloween party was a drive-thru affair this year.

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 members and Moose mascot ‘Tommy the Moose’ greeted children as they remained in their vehicles and received Halloween goody bags that contained a stuffed ‘Tommy the Moose’ toy, snacks, candy, Halloween stickers, Kool-Aid Ghoul-Aid Scary Berry juice, miniature games and Mardi Gras beads.

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party
The Halloween goody bags included a wide variety of items. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Moose Lodge Senior Regent Bonnie Dubin helped organize the drive-thru event for the children and grandchildren of Moose Lodge members.

“We couldn’t do our usual Halloween party, so we’re doing a drive-thru. They pull up, get their goody bag and a picture with Tommy the Moose. We’ve had a fairly steady crowd, so we’re happy,” Dubin said Saturday morning.

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party
Senior Regent Bonnie Dubin, right, organized the drive-thru event. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“Our Women of the Moose are doing a phenomenal job. Bonnie is the senior regent in charge and this is another great job by the women,” lodge administrator Byron Dalton said.

As of 10 a.m., Dalton estimated approximately 75 children had passed through the drive-thru trick or treat line.

“We’ve even given some bags to some adults who looked like they needed some sugar,” he joked.

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party
‘Tommy the Moose’ and lodge administrator Byron Dalton were on hand to greet the arriving youngsters. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Regarding the annual Moose kids’ annual Christmas party, Dalton said, “If we still have this problem with COVID, we’ll do a drive-thru at Christmas too. We have a member who has a sleigh.”

As he and his mom passed through the line, young Des Moines, Iowa resident Drew Dickson said, “We’re on vacation.”

“We missed Beggar’s Night in Des Moines last night,” Drew’s mom, Dana Dickson, said of the annual pre-Halloween celebration that takes place in their hometown community.

“We’re leaving tomorrow. We’ve been here a week and it’s been great. I think we want to move here,” she said.

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party
Seattle residents Benjamin and Addison Rounds enjoyed their Halloween goody bags. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Moose members Mark and Debbie Johnson drove their grandson Benjamin Rounds –dressed as Benjamin Franklin – and granddaughter Addison Rounds through the trick or treat line. The youngsters were visiting from Seattle.

“We love it. Compared to doing nothing this is great,” Mark said of the Moose Lodge’s Halloween event.

General operations

Dalton said the Moose Lodge is still operating at limited capacity, in part due to the pending kitchen renovations.

“By choice, we’re still at 50% capacity and we’re doing well. We feel it’s best to protect our members and their guests at this time,” Dalton said, noting members and guests are required to wear masks when moving around inside the lodge.

“Overall we’re doing well. We could certainly do better if our kitchen was open. We’re waiting for the city to respond with our permits. We submitted a new appraisal last week and hopefully they’ll give us some good news this week,” Dalton said.

“Business is picking up and we’re beginning to see a lot of people come in from out of town and opening their homes up down here. It’s great to see our old friends coming back,” Dalton said.

Dalton anticipates the kitchen renovations taking approximately eight weeks once the permits are issued. In the meantime, the kitchen crew continues to offer a limited menu prepared outdoors on grills and other portable cooking equipment.

The lodge also had new awnings installed over the ground level beachfront patio area.

Pandemic alters Moose kids’ Halloween party
The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge’s beachfront patio now features new awnings. – Joe Hendricks | Sun