More feathers in the nest

COEUR d’ALENE — It's a sunny summer Thursday.

Burgers sizzle on the grill outside the Coeur d'Alene Eagles. The barbecue smell drifts throughout downtown, reminding those nearby that they can grab a cheap bite and at the same time contribute to a good cause.

The Eagles pops with activity. Just about every seat is filled as patrons enjoy beverages, social time and unwinding from their day.

"It’s the friendly place to be," said Rosemary Phillips of Coeur d'Alene. "Everybody knows your name here. It’s small town when you’re at the Eagles."

Phillips is one of the many who have recently discovered the Coeur d'Alene Eagles and decided to become members.

"It’s where everybody goes," she said. "They have the best waitresses ever. They’re young and cute and nice and smart and friendly. They’re adorable. They’re family."

The Coeur d'Alene Eagles Aerie No. 486 experienced a wave of new membership in the past year. From June 2017 to May 2018, the local lodge signed up 531 new members. Just last month, 64 new members joined.

These numbers have placed Coeur d'Alene's Eagles at the top of the national list for new members, far ahead of the more than 1,500 others. A lodge in Pennsylvania came in second with 469 new members in that time.

"It's because we're all so fun," said Phillips, who joined five months ago. "It's no surprise to me."

Phillips' friend, Rachel Riggs of Coeur d'Alene, joined just more than a year ago. She said the location and the clientele really boost the appeal.

"Everyone loves being by the lake. It’s great peeople watching," she said. "And there’s people my age here. It’s nice to go out with white-haired people sometimes."

People of all ages and lifestyles — and hair color — have found their place at the Coeur d'Alene Fraternal Order of the Eagles, which was established at its location at 209 E. Sherman Ave. in 1903.

"It's pretty cool that a tiny little place in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho can have that much of a draw," said membership chair Laura Sutherland. "It tells me that we're doing something right."

Sutherland said completely new people are applying for membership, many times at the recommendation of friends who are "telling them what a great place it is."

"It’s people in their 20s, in their 80s," she said. "It's men and women of every background, from the poor to the rich, from the politicians to the truck drivers."

The charitable F.O.E. boasts nearly 800,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. The Coeur d'Alene location has around 2,600 members who contribute to a number of causes. For the fiscal year of 2018 (June 2017 to May 2018), the Coeur d'Alene Eagles donated close to $17,000 to entities such as Kootenai County Search and Rescue, the Idaho School for Deaf and Blind and Disabled American Veterans.

The Eagles offers numerous activities and meals throughout the week, including Sunday breakfast, Taco Tuesday, burgers on Thursdays, karaoke, trivia and more.

The building received an overhaul in 2005-06 but still has a classic look and its old-school ballroom on the second level, used for dance lessons, wedding receptions, fundraisers and other events.

"It’s a place to get out," said Dave Smith of Coeur d'Alene, who has been an Eagle for about five years. "You can meet other people who have the same interests and everybody’s friendly."

Sutherland said the success of this Eagles is a combination of location, North Idaho's population increase and the work done by volunteers, trustees and employees.

"It’s everybody coming together to make it a great place," she said.

Membership fees range from $25 to $45 with a one-time $15 initiation fee.

Info: www.foe.com