After the fire, Moose Lodge vows to rebuild
Members to hold fundraisers to rebuild lodge lost in fire
BY TOM CAIAZZA
Staff Writer

ERIC SUCAR staff Clockwise - With the shell of their former lodge in the background, Tom Eosso of Edison helps clean up at the backyard picnic the Edison Moose Lodge 1978 held to raise money to rebuild their lodge. The kitchen of the Edison Moose Lodge one week after the fire that destroyed the lodge. The roof of the lodge collapsed in most parts of the structure, leaving behind only some inside walls and the concrete outer walls. The Moose Lodge family and friends take part in a picnic on the grounds of the lodge just a week after the lodge was destroyed by a fire.

When Edison Moose Lodge No. 1978 burned down in the early morning of July 22, it seemed all was lost.

But less than one week later, the members of Edison Moose Lodge were having a party and vowing to rebuild.

"Our building burned down, we're not down and out," said John Giordano, the lodge's governor.

Members of the Moose Lodge held a fundraiser in their backyard, in the looming shadow of their newly renovated lodge, now gutted by an accidental fire only a week before.

According to Edison interim Fire Chief Norman Jensen, the fire began between 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Sunday, July 22. He said that since the building was sealed and has few windows, the fire was not easily spotted until it was too late to save it.

While the cause of the accident was undetermined as of press time, Jensen said it did not appear to be malicious but simply an accident.

"It's going to be a loss, that's for sure," Jensen said.

Jensen expressed hope that the Moose Lodge, which often serves as a hall for many area groups to hold functions, would come back bigger and better. He said he at least hopes they will rebuild.

And rebuild they will.

Donald Mason, the lodge's administrator, said the group is waiting for the insurance money and whatever fundraising they can do to rebuild the group's home.

"We're definitely going to try to," Mason said. "We're not going to give up on the place."

The members of the Edison Moose Lodge are part of the larger North Jersey Moose Legion No. 2.

Bruce Masopust, an officer in the North Jersey Moose Legion No. 2, said that all the proceeds of Saturday's picnic, which had been scheduled before the fire, would go directly to the rebuilding efforts and he expects the members of the lodge will see to it that the lodge is rebuilt.

"You know this place will be rebuilt because Mason's involved," Masopust said of the lodge's administrator.

Greg Burkhardt, a former lodge governor, said that the entire lodge will participate in the rebuilding effort. He said they planned to have lodge members draw up plans for what the new building should look like and then they will vote as a whole on the best plan. Then off to the professionals the plan will go, hopefully culminating in a new lodge.

"Like the phoenix rising from the ashes," Burkhardt said, "we will rebuild."

ERIC SUCAR staff

Lodge members are already making plans to hold fundraisers, including charity softball games and parties, to help raise the money needed to rebuild the lodge. Mason said they want to make sure it will be done right, and will not hastily rebuild just for the sake of rebuilding.

He also said that just because they are without a lodge, that does not mean they will not fulfill their role in the community.

"We're here to support the township," Mason said. "Even though we don't have a building, we can still support the township."

Giordano said that the lodge has already begun receiving support from other Moose organizations as well as some Elks who have offered the use of their facilities for rebuilding efforts.

Walking through the carcass of their former lodge, Burkhardt could not help but feel a little angry about the whole thing.

"That was where the juke box was," he said, pointing at a spot near the door that has been completely destroyed. "We were turning a profit, finally, and then we got slapped in the face."