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Jan-February 2024 Newsletter

Check out the Highlights or Download the Full PDF below!



Commander’s News

Hello to all of our members at American Legion Post 112.

I probably shouldn’t talk about the weather because no one wants to hear me complaining. So, I will talk about the positive things happening at the Post. After much hard work and money, the plumbing issues have been taken care of. I would like to thank our Great Staff and the volunteers that stepped up to make sure we were able to serve our customers. We have a wonderful Team that works together for the good of Post 112. I think it really shows when I see the parking lot full. Thanks to everyone. Don’t forget to attend the membership meetings. That’s the best time to voice your concerns and ideas. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Very Grateful,

Vaughn Smith, Commander



1st Vice Commander

Greetings to the American Post 112 family! I hope everyone is doing well. The weather has been GREAT! I vote for this global warming! The only drawback is the lack of ice and snow for the fishers and skiers.


I attended the Legion Riders’ Santa Breakfast. It had, as always, good food and conversations.

I would like to give a “Well done!” shout out to Greg Crow for all his efforts as the Post adjutant and Honor Guard leader.


There has been much talk concerning a smelt fry in our future. This is being investigated and we’ll let everyone know what the outcome will be. The Lenten fish fry is coming up very soon. We are preparing to serve the best fish/shrimp dinners in the state.


As 2023 becomes history I want to thank all of you who help us by your attendance at all of our dinners and activities. An especial thanks to all of our great volunteers.

Happy New Year 2024 to all!


Tom Kulkay, 1st Vice Commander



Adjutant

As I write this I am saying goodbye to a visit from Covid. Always a fun time-not!

It’s been a very busy and challenging time since the last newsletter. In the kitchen our cook Paul is doing a good job and decided to stay a little longer and we have Rick who is a longtime kitchen veteran and is helping out when he can. We also are arranging to add Gilbert another great guy to the staff. I particularly love this since Keith, Mike and I won’t have to cook. We still need help in the catering department so if you know anyone looking for a part-time job, send them in to talk it over with Lisa. Lisa also came up with a plan that uses the High School baseball players as food runners and its working great.


The first riders Breakfast of the year (Bloody Marys, Bingo and Breakfast) went great with people waiting to get in. Kelly sold out of the fixings for her special Bloody Marys. I think we are in the midst of a Bingo craze. The Wednesday night $1000 coverall went out twice.


I want to thank all the people that helped with the Spaghetti dinner we had to support the Jodi Walz scholarship. It didn’t turn out quite like we planned but we all learned something from it and we did make a little money for the cause. Special thanks to Carol, our spaghetti sauce queen. She is always willing to pitch in and get things done in the kitchen. And usually talks husband Denny into it too.


Our Maintenance supervisor Keith continues to get a grip on our never-ending repairs and upgrades. He has a whole new set of plans for the basement. If you like projects, look him up. It’s usually good for a drink and pizza lunch to help.


I need to thank all the members of The Honor Guard for everything they have done, funerals, sporting events and all the Veterans Day events. The Honor Guard is always looking for a few good Men [and Women] to fill our ranks so if you might be interested let us know. It’s a very rewarding experience and doesn’t take as much time as you think.


Our Membership for 2024 is underway and we are almost to 260 renewals. If you haven’t renewed yet please do. We need about 50 more to reach our goal. It’s our members that keep us strong.


As always, a good place to learn how to get involved would be to come to our donuts with the commanders on Saturday mornings at 8:30. It’s a good way to meet people and see what’s going on.

Stop on by the post to say hello and sign the book.


Gregory Crow (G2), Post Adjutant

PS: Happy Holidays to everyone, I hope you weren’t on the naughty list!

Auxiliary

Greetings and Merry Christmas to you all.


Veterans Day went well. We had our local DECA students help us with serving and cleanup which is great to see young people help our community. These young adults are so wonderful.


The Auxiliary has been busy with preparing for the Holiday bake sale which was very successful. You can always count on wonderful baked goods from the Auxiliary whether it be at the October sale or in December. Thanks to all who baked, worked, and purchased at the sale. We also had an impromptu sundae sale at the spaghetti dinner which went well.


We are still in need of participants for Boys and Girls State. Students having completed their junior year of high school are eligible.


We have also helped an Iraq Army Veteran who is going through hard times. In conjunction with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon we were able to provide assistance. Several members have also reached out with assistance of food and blessed her with Christmas gifts.


Lastly, we have a soup and chili lunch coming up on February 3, 2024 from 11:30 to 2:00.

Let us know if you need anything or someone to talk with. We try to help with your needs.


Michele Smith, Auxiliary President



Legion Riders

Happy New Year from the Legion Riders of Post 112. Some of us were hoping to use our snowmobiles a little more but the weather has not cooperated. The Riders and SAL have had two successful breakfasts since the last Newsletter. The November Breakfast with Bingo had payouts on all of the games of over $80. We sold over 150 breakfasts and the bar sales were very good. One of the games was a four corner and was won after only five numbers.


There will be another Breakfast, Bingo and Bloody Marys event on February 18th, 2024.


The December Breakfast with Santa and Bake sale was also a hit with another 100 meals served. Goodie bags and stuffed animals that were donated were also given out to the younger believers. There were a lot of smiles and laughter while the kids, and some adults consulted with Santa about Christmas.


Our January 21, 2024 breakfast will be a fundraising collaboration with the Elk River Legion Baseball Team. The Team will be raising funds for a spring training event in warmer weather while it is still cold in Minnesota to prepare for the upcoming season. Some of the players have already been raising funds as our food runners on busy food nights. Rumor has it that the athletes are having fun while working at the Post. It has been a pleasure to work with the Athletes and meet with their parents.


These breakfasts have made it possible to send money to an area family that has lost their veteran Father in an accident and provide gift cards to the veterans in the area assisted living facilities. Some Post members might have heard another rumor about a possible Smelt Fry in Late Spring.


For some of us Post members this brings fond memories of catching and eating smelt in years past. Other Post members quickly go Ewweee and can't believe why we would attempt this event. The Riders will be dreaming about our past and future warmer weather rides while helping with the upcoming Lent Fish Fries and other upcoming events. See you at the next breakfasts.


Todd Jagodzinski, Riders Director

651-775-3311



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