When Barbara Gourley was appointed the new Junior Grad Regent at the Moose Lodge on Fisher Ferry Road, she was overtaken with emotion.

“This is a wonderful opportunity,” said Gourley. “I’m looking forward to helping out this lodge because it holds a special place in my heart.”

For newly installed Guide Betty Simmons, she was “tickled” at the chance to be an asset to the lodge.

“I really like what this lodge stands for. This place offers me a chance to take care of seniors as well as kids. I’ve enjoyed my experience,” said Simmons.

Gourley and Simmons were two of 15 women who were inducted into the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1581 on Thursday. The fraternal and service organization was founded in 1888. The lodge accounts for nearly one million men in roughly 2,400 lodges in all 50 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces.

Its female auxiliary, The Women of the Moose has more than 400,000 members in about 1,600 Chapters in the same areas as the men. The lodge is headquartered in Mooseheart, Illinois.

The lodge also contributes to Mooseheart Child City & School, a community for children and teens in need located in Chicago and Moosehaven, a retirement community for its senior members in Jacksonville, Florida.

Six men, including the new Governor of the club Mike Ervin, were also installed into the lodge. Ervin was excited about his upcoming duties with the organization.

“I can’t wait to start my tenure as Governor. I’ve been involved with the lodge for three years now. It took hard work to get here, so being installed as Governor is a great opportunity,” said Ervin.

Outgoing Governor David Cotton has faith that Ervin is the right man for job.

“He’s a pretty good guy. He works well with everyone here. He believes that if everyone works together, then we could have success here. So I think that he will do a great job as Governor,” said Cottton.

New Junior Governor Dale McDuffy was proud to be a part of such an esteemed group of men and women.

“This is a great organization. We try to do a lot of community service and I’m happy to be on the board,” said McDuffy.

Newly appointed Treasurer and 17-year member of the lodge Bob McAdam is happy to be among people whom he has chemistry with.

“This is a great honor. Everyone here gets along with each other. We have a great time together and we try to do good things for each other and the community,” said McAdam