Lac du Bonnet Legion | Branch #164 News




Home Honor Roll Legion Links Legion News Branch By-Laws Ladies Auxiliary Lac du Bonnet Events	Branch #164 News December, 2011 Branch Banter- by Comrade G. Conrad Davey As 2011 winds to a close – we pause to think of what was accomplished in the past year. This year our members and guests have supported renovation efforts financially and with gifts of time and skill – well done! The annual Remembrance Day Service was very well attended. In the week prior to November 11, members of the Executive and colour parties attended six services in five days at local schools and personal care homes. Thank you to everyone who bought poppies and supported the Legion’s ongoing mission to veterans, seniors and youth. Each year Poppy Trust funds are donated locally to assist these groups. Legion sports are in full swing – congratulations to the following Branch members moving on to compete in the Zone Cribbage Tournament in January, 2012: Singles – Rose Fifi, Barry Vokey, Ethel Cottrell and Audrey Scott; Doubles – Ethel Cottrell/Gary Blazieko, Isabella Larson/Lennart Larson, Kim Chevelday/Wilf McTavish and Hildegarde Obirek/Eugene Obirek; Teams – Beryl Savage/ Joe Gurniak/ Isabella Larson/ Lennart Larson; Betty Pidhirney/Sharron Wickstrom/ Shirley Kaminski/Carl Kaminski; Audrey Scott/ Clayton Scott/Hildegarde Obirek/ Eugene Obirek; Kim Chevelday/Wilf McTavish/Ethel Cottrell/Gary Blazeiko. Moving on to Zone Darts on December 17 are: Singles – Al Ostroman, Petar Devcic and Allen Savage; Doubles – Bob Hampshire/Dwayne Wickstrom, Ed Kraus/Petar Devcic and Allen Savage/Grant Denby; Teams – Bob Hampshire/Dwayne Wickstrom/Esther Toews/Tim Bretton; Allen Savage/Grant Denby/Nunzio Nardella/Darryl Popowich; Ed Kraus/Petar Devcic/Al Ostroman and Clayton Scott. Good luck to all. The Early Bird opportunity to renew memberships at a reduced rate ended on November 30 but all those who haven’t done so are reminded RENEWAL fees are due by December 31, 2011. Holiday activities at the Branch include Christmas Dinner at 5:00 p.m. on December 25, 2011 for anyone finding him/herself alone on Christmas Day. If you wish to attend and enjoy turkey with all the trimmings, leave your name and phone number with J. Hampshire at 345-8665 or 345-6522 by December 19. We are closed for renovations from December 26 to 30 and will re-open on December 31 with a Meat Draw – come by and see our “new look” lounge! Our annual New Year’s Day Levee will be held on January 1, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. All are invited to attend, meet the 2012 Executive and enjoy complimentary clam chowder and “moose milk”. Did you know? Legion supports programs for seniors, community, housing, Long Term Care, youth, education, sports, Cadets, Guides and Scouts. Your local Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 reports a current membership of 451! Regular Branch activities are reported in a separate ad in this paper and on our website http://legion.lacdubonnet.info - be sure to check them out. Members and guests are welcome at all Legion activities. New members welcome. September, 2011 Branch Banter- by Comrade G. Conrad Davey September has been a busy month at Branch #164 with the resumption of regular meetings, catering the Library Fall Supper, a visitation from the Army and Navy Air Force Club and our Annual Veterans’ Dinner. It was terrific to see many veterans, members and invited guests enjoying the Veterans’ Dinner of delicious roast beef dinner prepared and served by the capable Ladies Auxiliary. Attendees appreciated the display of several “Quilts of Valour” made by local Riverside Quilters. The Quilts of Valour are made to provide comfort to injured Canadian soldiers and each has a label with a Canadian flag, a yellow ribbon symbol and is inscribed “With respect for your Efforts for Peace – Riverside Quilters Lac du Bonnet MB.” Also on display were three “Fallen Heroes” memorial prints testifying to the sacrifice of local citizens. Watch for more about the “Fallen Heroes” prints! After dinner Madam President Jackie Hampshire presented Comrade President Beryl Savage with a $5000.00 cheque as a donation from the Ladies Auxiliary to the Branch towards renovations. Once again, the hard-working, dedicated Ladies Auxiliary shows tremendous support for the Branch! After dinner, Captain Richard Hough, Royal Canadian Air Force spoke on his recent deployment to Afghanistan. Captain Hough talked about the role of the coalition forces in Afghanistan as being “less combat oriented” and “dedicated to establishing positive relations with the Afghanis and minimizing the influence of the Taliban.” He appeared sincere and positive about helping the Afghans to learn to help themselves and that is why the men and women in the coalition forces continue to want to be deployed there. He feels the media is a hindrance and focuses on the negative aspects of the work such as Canadians dying never reporting the “good stories” of how the forces are making a genuine difference. Captain Hough spoke a lot about what he learned “in theatre” and would be happy to be assigned to Afghanistan again. After dinner, the Cash Draw was made and the winners were: 1st prize John Bergen, 2nd prize Al Caron and 3rd prize Alana Short. It is notable that the first two winners are members and the third is the daughter of a member! Congratulations and thank you to all members for a very successful draw with all proceeds going to renovation of the Legion premises. Members of ANAF in Winnipeg visited our Branch and were treated to lunch and an afternoon of entertainment. As overheard - “they always enjoy coming to Lac du Bonnet”. Once again, members of Branch #164 and Ladies Auxiliary worked VERY HARD preparing and cooking the annual Library Fall Supper – kudos to all. The Ladies Auxiliary District 6 Bowling Playoffs took place in Winnipeg on September 10, 2011. LA teams from Lac du Bonnet, Pine Falls, Norwood, St. Boniface and Transcona competed. The Lac du Bonnet LA team won its third consecutive playoff by 8 points. Congratulations. Members – planning for the Remembrance Day Service Friday, November 11 is underway. Please get your Grey Cup tickets from Cde N. Bessem. Members get your 2012 membership before November 30 and pay only $37.50 with an entry in the Early Bird draw for a FREE membership. The fee as of December 1, 2011 is $42.50. Did you know? Membership was originally restricted to those who had served in Canada's Armed Forces and Merchant Navy. The Royal Canadian Legion is proud of its military heritage and still maintains close ties with the Armed Forces today; however, over the years, categories of membership have evolved to include other members of the community. Find out how you can join! Your local Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 reports a current membership of 444! Regular Branch activities are reported in a separate ad in this paper and on our website http://legion.lacdubonnet.info - be sure to check them out. Members and guests are welcome at all Legion activities. New members welcome. August, 2011 Branch Banter- by Comrade G. Conrad Davey In thanking the volunteers who worked on the exterior renovation of our Branch, Comrade Al Simcoe’s name was omitted in error. Thank you to Comrade Simcoe for his many contributions to the organization. Volunteers play a big part in our Legion activities and an appreciation night was hosted for them on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Branch and Ladies Auxiliary volunteers were recognized. Royal Canadian Legion Week is September 17 to 24, 2011. Branch #164 is holding their Annual Veteran’s Dinner on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Tickets for the roast beef dinner are free to all veterans. Dinner tickets are available for $10.00/person in the lounge. The guest speaker will be a veteran of the Afghan conflict. Get your ticket now! Members are reminded to return their cash draw tickets as soon as possible – draw will be held at the Veteran’s Dinner, September 24. All proceeds from this raffle will be used for further Branch renovations. Your local Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 reports a current membership of 444! Regular Branch activities are reported in a separate ad in this paper and on our website http://legion.lacdubonnet.info - be sure to check them out. Members and guests are welcome at all Legion activities. New members welcome. Did you know? Legion was founded at Winnipeg in November, 1925 as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League (BESL) and incorporated in 1926 June, 2011 Branch Banter- by Comrade G. Conrad Davey Branch #164 has been a hive of activity lately. We are proud to publish the Before and After pictures of our recent facelift!! Lead by Comrade Petar Devcic, Comrades Steve Kovac (Gimli), Wilf McTavish, Curtis Wold, Allen Savage, Rollie Hodge, Jerry Fifi, Grant Denby and Jim Law volunteered their talents and time to achieve this result. We congratulate and heartily thank them for a job well done!! The renovation materials were funded by a donation from our hard-working Ladies Auxiliary. Under the leadership of Sergeant-at-Arms Robert Hampshire, twelve colour parties, the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band and #249 Squadron Cadets marched to the cenotaph to honour our fallen comrades and veterans on Memorial Day June 12, 2011. After the service, the Ladies Auxiliary served a hot lunch to those in attendance. After lunch, long service awards were made to Legion members – notably, Comrades A. Dancyt, J. Nespor and R. Wood received recognition for 65 years as Ordinary Members. Branch #164 and the Ladies Auxiliary cost shared registrations for three Lac du Bonnet students to participate in the Legion Athletic Camp at the International Peace Gardens this summer. Your local Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 reports a current membership of 443! Regular Branch activities are reported in a separate ad in this paper and on our website http://legion.lacdubonnet.info - be sure to check them out. Activities are NOT restricted to Legion members – guests are welcome at ALL events. Did you know? Legion supports programs for seniors, community, housing, Long Term Care, youth, education, sports, Cadets, Guides and Scouts. April, 2011 Branch Banter- by Comrade G. Conrad Davey Branch #164 is pleased to report the lucky winner of our TV draw held April 23 was C. Darahoj. The winner of the Easter Draw was P. Zeemel. Golfers – register now at the Branch for senior and regular golf. District 6 Golf will be July 9 at the Selkirk Golf Club. Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 12, 2011 Branch #164 Memorial Day Parade and Service – parade to the cenotaph will begin at the legion at 1:00 p.m. followed by service and wreath-laying. The Royal Canadian Legion Sports Foundation 2011 Athletic Camps – International Peace Gardens Information and Applications are available at your local school. For further information on eligibility, sponsorships and applications please CONTACT Cde. J. Hampshire, 345-8665. The Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 of the Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary support local applicants. Your local Lac du Bonnet Branch #164 reports a current membership of 443! Regular Branch activities are reported in a separate ad in this paper and on our website http://legion.lacdubonnet.info - be sure to check them out. Activities are NOT restricted to Legion members – guests are welcome at ALL events. Did you know? Legion is one of the largest community service organizations with grass-roots origins responding to communities needs since 1926, particularly veterans, seniors and youth.