International Order of Friendly Sons of the Racoons
The Racoon Lodge - E Pluribus Racoon
Welcome to the International Brotherhood of Loyal Racoons. We are Fraternal Non Profit Organization dedicated to helping the community and its fellow members.
Our History:
The fraternity Is called the International Order of Friendly Sons of the Racoons, the International Order of Loyal Racoons, or at times, the Royal Order of Racoons. Founded by Toots Mondello and Herman Hildebrand in 1907, their motto was "E Pluribus Racoon".
Bensonhurst chapter: Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton belong to Bensonhurst chapter which has a membership of 300.
Uniforms: A double-breasted military jacket with oversized epaulets on each shoulder, white shirt, dark tie and a hat with a racoon tail. Morris Fink, a sewer worker with Ed Norton, was the first Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler. He wore three tails on his coonskin hat. George Williams was the first president of the Bensonhurst Racoons.
Official Racoon Lodge Greeting
The handshake involves touching elbows (first right then left), followed by a "Woooooo" sounding cry as they wiggle the racoon tail on their lodge hat. They end by chorusing: "Brothers under the pelt."
Racoon of the Year privileges
- Opening the first clam at the annual clambake
- Steering the boat on the annual ride up the Hudson River to Racoon point.
- Free burial with spouse at Racoon National Cemetery in Bismark, North Dakota.
- Opportunity to run for Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler.
Lodge events
- Annual national conventions in Chicago and Minneapolis.
- Annual ride up the Hudson River to Racoon point.
- Annual clambake.
- Annual fishing trip (wives not allowed)
- National Mambo dance championship.
- Annual Costume Party.
- Racoon Lodge bowling team, the Hurricanes.
Drinking Toast
Fingers to fingers, thumbs to thumbs, watch out below, here she comes.
Racoon Lodge Official Songs
Racoon Lodge Alma Mater
From the hallowed streets of Greenpernt,
To the shores of Sheepshead Bay,
From the Verrazano Narrows,
To Canarsie across the way...
We have come together, one and all,
In fellowship to commune,
And to glorify the Grand Exalted
Brotherhood of Racoons. [Howl]
Marching song
In the West and in the East
There’s a mighty little beast
For courage there is no other.
When the chips are all at stake
We are proud to call him brother.
So with our noble tails entwined
And a spirit strong of mind
We'll have hearts that cannot melt.
In the forest, in the trees
On the land or seven seas
We're brothers under the pelt.