Four Lakes Bears

Four Lakes Bears was a not-for-profit social organization for gay men, their friends and family, in the Four Lakes region surrounding Madison, Wisconsin. Their purpose was to organize social activities that fostered camaraderie and enjoyment.

The original board included Lon Becher (president,) John Kusch (secretary/webmaster,) Bill Lubing (treasurer,) Kirk Zentner, Jim Larson and Michael Seele. Business meetings and bylaws were archived on the organizational website from 2002-2003.

From 2002 to 2015, the group maintained a message board, newsletter, and events calendar via their website.  The message board, with nearly 100 registered members, was moderated by John Kusch.

Events included coffee meet-ups at Michelangelo's on State Street, holiday parties at private homes, chorus performances, organized field trips, dinner parties and brunches at local restaurants, sports outings, Bear Nights at the FIVE Nightclub Barracks, movie nights, and regional "bear runs" and bear festivals.

Despite this heavy event schedule, Four Lakes Bears seems to have disbanded in late 2003.  We welcome any available information about this organization.