We’re bringing back our Worker Appreciation Gathering/Party/Dinner at the Post Home on February 10.  Commander Dave says it’s important for the workers to have a chance to socialize, and visit the Post Home without having to work on some project or function–it’s a way of saying thanks.  The plans are to have a social hour from 3-4, and then dinner (Jim Muska’s cooking–you KNOW the food will be good) afterward.   To make sure we don’t miss any of our valuable volunteers, Commander Dave says those volunteers who haven’t yet received a letter should call Jane & Don Sturdevant at 607-797-3072 to make arrangements if they will be able to attend.  By the way, the Super Bowl will be the week before. 

The Crew at 758:   From Left to Right:  Carol Mc Murray, Auxiliary Activities Chair, Don Sturdevant, Chaplain, Stan Smith, First Vice Commander, Jim Muska, SAL Commander and Chef for our Legendary Pancake Breakfast Buffet,  Donna Pandich,  leader and pixie in charge of the Fairy Godmother Brigade (who helped us box and seal all of those boxes, and spearheaded the collection of 6529 on Thursday, December 20), Past Commander Dick O’ Donnell (who helps keep the place pointed in the right direction), Past Commander Hal Chrisler,  (whose dedication to Post 758 I hope to match someday)  Commander Dave McDonald, and  Jeff Spring, Treasurer of the 204th Engineer Battalion Association, who’s helping Post 758 to send those batteries.

 We ended up with 9800 batteries when all of the donations were finally totalled.  We fed 170 people, and were mentioned a lot, by our kumotre Bill Flynn on Cool 100.

 You might want to check out our three local television stations for coverage on the air and on line:

http://www.wbng.com

http://www.newschannel34.com

http://www.wicz.com

As we find out about other video, we’ll link to it.

NewsChannel 34 (http://www.newschannel34.com)  and Action News (http://www.wbng.com)  visited the Post home on Thursday, December 20, to see a wonderful and visible manifestation of generosity.  Donna Pandich and the Fairy Godmother Brigade worked some big time magic, and brought in a donation of 6,529 batteries.   Here’s NewsChannel 34’s Peter Quinn behind the camera taking video of the close to 7400 batteries we have now in the house:

As of right now, we have almost as many batteries in the Post Home, as we sent overseas in the past two years (7,445).  If Sunday is any indication, we will really have a great collection and beat our past record, thanks to your generosity.  The men and women who will get these batteries will appreciate them in a way that most of you will never know.  We hope you will be convinced to donate “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries for the troops on Sunday, December 23rd, and at the same time, enjoy one of Johnson City’s traditions–the Post 758 All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast Buffet, of which it is said, “If you go away hungry from Post 758 it is not our fault”.  Bill Flynn sends his regrets that he cannot broadcast live from our Post Home because we had to reschedule to this weekend…which is one of his busiest on Cool 100.  Bill is always welcome at Post 758, whenever his schedule permits.

 You may ask “Why alkalines?  Aren’t super heavy duty batteries good enough?”  For what the troops need, the answer is a resounding NO!  We’re donating batteries to power off duty electronic equipment, of which the makers specify at minimum, alkaline batteries, for recommended power.

We at Post 758 can also accept donations of batteries on BINGO night, December 21.  We hope you’ll visit our Post Home on Sunday.

Power For The Troops III has been rescheduled to Sunday, December 23, 2007 at the Post Home, 429 Main Street, Johnson City, from 8am to Noon.  Our Post Leadership made the decision based on the weather forecast for Sunday, December, 16, and concern for the safety of those who would normally attend the pancake breakfast buffet.

This rescheduling will give people another chance to make a donation of “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries on that Sunday.  Your vice commander and blogmeister will also be accepting donations of “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries on Thursday, December 20 at the Post Home from 5-8 pm.   You may, as our friends from Post 1194 did (THANKS!), also donate while the Post Home is open for bingo on Fridays from 5 PM on.

We suspect you’ve seen/heard the weather forecast for our “Power For The Troops III” weekend (December 16, 2007).  So have we.  We’re monitoring the National Weather Service, AccuWeather, The Weather Channel and Weather Underground to keep up with the forecasts.  There is a possibility of heavy snow in the forecast for Sunday the 16th.

 As of now, we’ll continue to plan for the Sunday Pancake Breakfast and Power For The Troops III as scheduled on Sunday, December 16 (8-noon), with a backup date of 12/23/2007 in case the event must be postponed.  We at the Post, will make any decision to postpone not later than 10 am on Saturday, December 15.  We’ll get the information on our decision out to WNBF (1290 AM), since they have a 7 day a week news operation,  Cool 100 (for Bill Flynn),  WINR (680 AM)  (Don Giovanni Program if it is not a “best of” edition), and the three television stations plus News 10 Now.  And obviously, we’ll update you here.   Your “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries are still needed and appreciated by our men and women who stand between us and our enemies–we’ll get ‘em to those men and women with your help!

Santa Gets A Break from the North Pole; Brings Gifts and Smiles to Post 758

The first snow event of December 2007  didn’t keep Santa from his appointed round at our Post Home on December 2, for our Children’s Christmas Party.   Kids and parents were treated to brunch (a Power For The Troops tuneup for Jim Muska) ; the docents from the Ross Park Zoo brought furry and scaled friends for the kids of all ages to get up close and personal with.

The crowd was down, thanks to the weather, but we’re sure next year’s edition will be just as memorable for the children of Legion family members.   Our Auxiliary took the lead in planning this activity; we’re sure they will appreciate your constructive suggestions for next year’s event–the earlier, the better.

Just so you didn’t think we forgot about the blog during our time off to recharge, your Vice Commander/blogmeister has been following up on details for “Power For The Troops III”.

Our friend Don Giovanni from WINR Radio (680 kHz AM) invited us to appear on his popular Italian Carousel program on December 1 around 10:30 am. 

We’ll also call our good “kumotre” Bill Flynn at Cool 100 on Sundays so we can remind those listeners about the drive.

On December 7, we’ll be making an appearance on WIVT-TV/DT (NewsChannel 34) at the Oakdale Mall around 5:30 pm to talk about our third annual battery collection drive to collect “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On December 14, we’ll make an appearance on WBNG-TV/DT (Action News) on the 5 PM segment of Action News to talk again about the same subject.

We are working on an appearance on WNBF Radio’s (1290 kHz AM) “First News” program with Roger Neel,  Art Penird and Kathy Whyte.    Here’s the link, so you can listen live on Friday, December 14, around 8:20 am:

http://www.wnbf.com

All of this is to remind people to pick up another pack of “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries so they can donate them to be sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Alkaline batteries last longer than do batteries marked “heavy duty”.  In my real job I can attest to this.  When you think about the conditions under which they will be used, and by whom they will be used, it makes sense to get what will hold up and work in those conditions.

The Fairy Godmother Brigade has a bunch of the alkaline batteries that they will donate on December 16.  There’s plenty of time for you to get a pack of alkalines for those who stand between you and our enemies.  Couple that up with our legendary pancake breakfast buffet…and you have the makings of a great Sunday.

We had 120 paying patrons at Post 758 for breakfast, and among these were many members of VFW Post 2332 (named for Alfred and Henry Michalovic–two brothers from Johnson City whose names you will see on the monument out in front of the Post Home).  Their Commander, Doug Garner, mentioned the pancake breakfast in their newsletter, and we think that helped a bunch.  We also think  our semi regular appearance on our good “kumotre” Bill Flynn’s popular radio program (WCDW-FM, “Cool 100″) helped a bunch, too.  Our Assemblywoman, Donna Lupardo, was gracious enough to come and speak at the ceremony in front of the Post, along with Johnson City’s Mayor Harry Lewis.  Mrs. Lupardo stayed long after the ceremonies were over and chatted with members and guests.   Our Commander, Dave McDonald,  was interviewed by WBNG-TV (Action News); WIVT (NewsChannel 34), WICZ-TV (Fox 40) and News 10 Now (Time Warner Cable News Channel) and they also taped the ceremonial rifle salute. Newly re-elected District Attorney Gerald Mollen was kind enough to attend and enjoy breakfast.   State Legislative Chair John DePersis (Corporation Secretary) also spoke at the ceremonies. 

Usually your blogmeister will stay in the kitchen to help out.  But with this crew running the kitchen, the breakfast was in excellent hands:

Jim Muska, left, and Mike Arcangeli, right, in our busy kitchen, with the Hatfield Sausage and Bacon ready for the patrons at our Breakfast Buffet on November 11.  Jim is also the contact for rentals of our Legion facilities.  Mike also helps out in the member’s lounge where his talents as a mixologist are well appreciated.

 Also helping in the kitchen were Past Commander Dick O’ Donnell (bright and early), Past Commander Jim Bailey flipped the pancakes (he’s still fighting that cancer; keep him and Lorraine in your prayers), Past Commanders Stan Smith (back as our armorer) and Hal Chrisler  helped where needed, along with Jean Cannon.  Don and Jane Sturdevant kept the wheels of commerce running at the door…and everyone I spoke to enjoyed the breakfast.  

 We’ll link to WBNG, WICZ , WIVT and News 10 Now if they have video of the ceremonies on their respective websites. 

Post 758 will have a very busy few days beginning on Saturday, November 10 as we get ready for the Veterans Day Ceremony and Pancake Breakfast Buffet.  So we wanted to give you an in progress report on the Handicapped ramp, which replaced the steps on the West side of the Post:

National Commander Martin F. (Marty) Conatser, Department of New York Commander William Burnett Arrive at Frank A Johnson Post 758 for their official visit on October 28, 2007.