There's Plenty Of Moose-ing Around In N.D. Town

Mascot Moose Joe Finally Finds A Mate In Ana Moose, In North Dakota Town Of The Same Name

(AP)  The male moose mascot of a tiny North Dakota town has a mate, and she's the city's namesake.

Joe the Moose has long been the mascot on the sign leading into Anamoose, in north-central North Dakota. But officials of the town of about 260 decided to give him a mate, Ana, and held a mock wedding Saturday in celebration.

Maury Becker, a resident who acted as minister of the ceremony, told the guests he was joining Joe and Ana "in an estate of continual turmoil," and officially declared them "miserable mates."

The moose couple _ Ron Cartwright as Ana and Barb Martin as Joe _ cut the wedding cake and handed out what they called moose droppings.

"Really, you've got to have a little fun and live a little," said Danelle Olson, the pastor of the United Community Baptist Church of Anamoose. "It's a silly event. But, you know, sometimes you've got to act a little silly to keep your sanity in life."