The call of the Moose

View larger image Sandra Alderman, of Lewisburg, W.Va., throws a horseshoe during the women’s part of the competition at the Strasburg Moose Lodge on Friday. Dennis Grundman/Daily Recommend This Print This Get E-mail News Alerts Buy Photos/Page Reprints View larger image Gary Brown, from Simi Valley, California, traveled the furthest to compete at the 25th annual international Moose horseshoe tournament. Dennis Grundman/Daily View larger image Sidney Nute, of Franklin, Connecticut, throws during competition at the 25th annual Moose horseshoe tournament. Dennis Grundman/Daily View larger image Annette Wallace, of Luray, watches the flight of a horseshoe. Dennis Grundman/Daily View larger image Sheila Sutphin, of Luray, lets go of her horseshoe. Dennis Grundman/Daily

Strasburg lodge hosts international competition drawing 235 players from 11 states

By Preston Knight -- pknight@nvdaily.com

STRASBURG -- Gary Brown settles into a simple routine every summer -- find the Moose international horseshoe tournament and plan the family vacation around it.

This year, with his wife, two daughters and three puppies on board, he packed his motor home, towed his truck and made stops in Washington, Yorktown, Pa., Williamsburg, a few caverns and arrived at the Strasburg Moose Lodge to pitch some shoes on Friday. Brown and his crew -- minus his son, who had to work -- started in Simi Valley, Calif., northwest of Los Angeles.

"It's all about having fun," he said.

Strasburg is hosting the horseshoe tournament for the first time since 2005 this weekend, which is its fifth time overall in the event's 25-year history. Doubles play took place Friday and singles matches are scheduled today. They could spill into Sunday.

There are 235 players representing 11 states, event chairman Sonny Higginbotham said. A Lynchburg resident, he said more than 1,100 games would be played this weekend. The tournament is open only to Moose members.

"It's not about money or if you win or lose," Higginbotham said. "You see old friends and meet new people. If you come for the money, you just wasted your time."

Mark Colson and Rachel Taylor are exceptions. They were among the local youth delegation working as scorekeepers, earning $1 per game, plus tips. Colson, 17, a rising junior at Strasburg High School, was shooting to make at least $100 in his first time at the competition.

"It's easy money and not a lot of work," said Taylor, 16, who is in her second year of scorekeeping. "You just have to pay attention to what's going on. The people are really nice."

Brown, who is a frequent horseshoe player at his home lodge, would not have brought his family across the country if the company were anything else.

"You're not going to make any money playing horseshoes," he said. "[It's fun] meeting your brothers from other lodges."

There was actually a large female contingent among the players, something a few participants said is a growing trend.

"I like to pitch horseshoes, the competition," said Sharon Erdenbrack, one of about 25 people who traveled north from Waynesboro.

Phil Labbe and several others drove eight hours south from Bozrah, Conn., to participate. He said horseshoes, beer and women are the attraction.

"And we left our wives back in Connecticut," group member Sid Nute said.

For Labbe, coming to Strasburg was the farthest he has traveled to pitch in the international tournament. Many others cited recent tournaments in Michigan and Florida as the longest trips. Next year, the tournament heads to Lynchburg, where it last took place in 2006.

Brown has everyone beat in terms of mileage. But at this tournament, he is not out to win at anything. It's a vacation, after all.

"I'm here to have fun," Brown said, "and make new friends."