The Rochester Moose Lodge has closed.

At least, for the moment.

In what can only be described as a developing story, President Grant Downs posted the following letter to social media Tuesday evening explaining moves by Moose International that have had immediate impact on Rochester Moose Lodge 1107 and its leadership.

More details anticipated as this story unfolds.

Greetings Fellow Moose Members-

I never imagined I would be sending this one final email, but here we are. On Monday night, Moose International terminated me effective immediately. The Board of Officers resigned as a result. Despite what is going around, I was not made aware of any deficiencies in my performance by anyone involved in Moose International. There were no letters sent, no emails sent, no phone calls or verbal warnings. If anything was brought to my attention, it would have been addressed. Our territory manager always praised my performance, as well as the performance of our Board of Officers. Every meeting ended with "you guys are doing awesome, keep doing what you're doing". After last night, it is clear that things were not as we were led to believe.

I stand behind my, and the board's, performance over the last 4 years. We made multiple upgrades, both indoors and out. We had some fantastic events and, admittedly, some that may have fallen flat. Our finances are very strong. I promise we would not have had to close in two years, despite what some from International might claim. We gained and lost three kitchen's in the time I was there. Some paid their donations, others didn't, but we prospered both with and without them. We prospered during the Covid nightmare, when other lodges struggled. We prospered when we had One Eyed Jacks, we prospered when we had Knucklez, and we were still prospering when all we had were volunteers to cook. 1107 is the cream of the crop as far as Lodges go, and I hope it continues that way.

To all the volunteers who helped us, I want to say one final thank you. Thank you to the buck burger crews and the others who helped in the kitchen. Thank you to the outdoor clean up crews and the ones who helped with the marquee. Thank you to the ones who sprayed weeds and the ones who pulled them. Thank you to the ones who planted flowers and the ones who watered them. The success we have had is a direct testament to your efforts. Thank You.

To the Board, Thank you for mentoring me in the beginning, helping me lead through the middle, and standing by me in the end. We all poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the Lodge. I know a vast majority appreciate your efforts, and I feel confident speaking for a majority of the membership when I say "THANK YOU"

To the Employees, Thank you for being the best group of bartenders this town has. Thanks for showing me the ropes of being a bartender. Thanks for being a friend. I'll miss all of ya and wish you nothing but the best for the future.

To the future board and admin- I wish you the best and nothing but growth and good times.

To those who wanted me and the former board gone, and toasted and cheered our demise, you got your wish. Now is the time to step up, I hope you can continue the lodge down the path of success we have it on. It's all on you now. Mark Tyler left it in a better place then he found it. I firmly believe I left it in a better place than I found it. I hope the next person can do the same.

I've spent over 30 years of my life in the lodge, ran around as a toddler (and won a costume contest as a little devil), volunteered in the kitchen with my dad when I was a teen, became a member on my 21st birthday, and became a Fellow last year. I never would have imagined this would be the way I would be treated in the end, but that's ok, maybe it was time to move on anyways.

I was told when I took over the average term of an admin is two years. I made it four, chalk it up as a win I guess.

One final time-

Your friend in MOOOOOOSEDOM,

Grant Downs

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