Post 758 Family Newsletter for 1^st Quarter 2008

http://jcnylegionpost758.wordpress.com

Dave McDonald, Post Commander-I want to start out 2008 by telling you about our Worker Appreciation Dinner, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 10, 2008. Social hour begins around 3; dinner begins around 4. I’m so impressed with the dedication of our Legionnaires, Auxiliary Members and Sons. The Worker Appreciation Dinner will give the workers a chance to socialize and visit the Post Home without being called upon to work. This is our way to thank all of you who give of your time and talent to make Post 758 what it is.

Jim Muska, SAL Squadron Commander-

POST MEETINGS: Second Tuesday of the month from September-June at 7:30 pm. Special meetings can be called from time to time. We can use your good ideas, so please consider attending this month.

BINGO:-Every Friday Night, 7 PM.

 

LEGION FACILITIES RENTALS: For weddings and gatherings for private and non-profit organizations, call Jim Muska at 607-797-3513 for more details and available dates. Members of our Legion Family in good standing get a discount on the hall rental. On the Facilities & Food Service page of the blog, you’ll see pictures of the main hall, where you could have your next party, reception or gathering.

ONGOING EVENTS:

Pancake Breakfast Buffets (8am-noon, 3^rd Sundays of the month):

February 16

March 16

April 21

May 18

June 15–last of 2007-2008 season

What would YOU like to see our Post do?

POST ELECTIONS: This is your chance to choose the Post Leadership. The election process begins with a nominating petition, which must be turned in and filled out correctly before the election, which is slated for the May meeting. We’ll have more details on our Post 758 Blog.

In the printed version, you’d see a picture from “Power for the Troops 3″ that has been already posted to our Post 758 Blog. The latest information is posted, sometimes within minutes to the blog, so our reminder about going to the blog is very important, since this is how Post 758 will be communicating with its family in the future–and we need to get used to this change right now.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Our Power For The Troops III Battery Collection Drive in December yielded 9,800 donations of “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries for troops in Southwest Asia. Since 2005, Post 758 has sent 17, 245 of them to bring a little off-duty enjoyment to the men and women who stand between us and those who want to destroy our way of life. Thanks to the Fairy Godmother Brigade, Hatfield Quality Meats, Crowley Foods/HP Hood, Behlog & Son Produce, the 204^th Engineer Battalion Association for sending the batteries overseas, and all who donated and helped Jim Muska in the kitchen and clean up. This is the kind of activity that builds good will for our post. An active post family plans and executes successful activities, which attracts new and retains renewing members.

BOYS STATE: The leadership experience that Boys State provides looks good on a college application, and it’s useful in the real world, too. If you know of a young man who wants to gain that experience (this is where our leaders of tomorrow get their start), please let one of our Post Officers know soon so they can talk to the principal of the young man’s school. Our deadline for nomination of candidates is also in April–it’s not too early to be thinking about Boys State, and the good it does for not just the young men, but society as well.

BLUE STAR MOMS, DADS AND GRANDPARENTS: Please let your sons, daughters and grandchildren who are serving our country know we would be honored to have them join our Post.

 

MEMBERSHIP: From a small start, the American Legion grew into the world’s largest veterans organization simply by other Legionnaires asking others to join our ranks. We can do so much more with more members. If you have renewed your membership, or asked an eligible veteran to join, thanks. As of January, 2008, our percentage of quota was: 79% (167/212). It is never too early to renew, nor is it too early to consider a Paid Up for Life Membership.

SICK CALL: Our first vice commander, Stan Smith, is currently at the Syracuse, NY Veterans Administration Medical Center undergoing tests and treatment. You can call the center at 315-425-4400, press “0″ and ask for Stan, or shoot Stan a card at the VA Center, 800 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210.

 

POST EVERLASTING: We honor those members who passed on to their final reward:

Robert Yeager

 

Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

Well done, good and faithful servants!

 

HAIL & FAREWELL: Lorraine Bailey, our former Auxiliary Unit President, has transferred from Unit 758 for personal reasons. All of us thank Lorraine for her contributions to our Post Family, and wish her well in her new endeavors.

ADVERTISING: We have space available in this newsletter for advertisers who wish to reach our Post 758 Family (Legionnaires, Auxiliary Members and Sons) with their advertising message or show of support. Please call the Post Home or e-mail the editor (2^nd Vice Paul Kaminski) for rates, deadlines and requirements. His e-mail address is motorsportsradio@msrpk.com .

OUR NEXT FAMILY NEWSLETTER WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MAY, 2008. The Publication Deadline for e-mailed articles will be May 10 (earlier is always better); print articles on paper will be due on April 25.

Published by Frank A. Johnson American Legion Post 758, 429 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790

Telephone 607-770-1979

IN BETWEEN NEWSLETTERS, YOU CAN GO TO THE POST 758 BLOG TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION:

http://jcnylegionpost758.wordpress.com

ALSO, WE CAN SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOU BY E-MAIL AS A PDF FILE, WHICH CAN BE READ IN Adobe Acrobat, AND IS VIRUS FREE. IT WOULD ALSO SAVE YOUR POST THE COST OF MAILING, SO WE CAN USE THE FUNDS TO HELP OUR MEMBERS, OUR VETERANS, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CHILDREN. LET US KNOW YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN SIGN YOU UP!

Legion Family Newsletter 4th Qtr 2007

Post 758 Family Newsletter for 4th Quarter 2007
http://jcnylegionpost758.wordpress.com

Dave McDonald, Post Commander-
We went through a lot of drama getting ready for the National Commander’s visit.  Things came together with a lot of hard work from everyone who replaced tiles, shined brass, painted doors and spruced up our 80 something year old Post Home.  I thank all of the people who came over to put in extra time.  I thank everyone of you who have renewed your membership, and ask that the rest of you take action so we can become a 100%  post.  We are on our way to becoming a 100% Post.  It’s not just about making membership quotas–it’s about building a Post where the members always feel welcome and respected, and a place where our veterans know they will receive a welcome and  support. We do this with events like the third annual Power for the Troops Breakfast and battery drive  on December 16.  I ask that you stop by with a donation of “AA” or “AAA”  alkaline batteries that Sunday, and stay for breakfast.  Merry Christmas and happy  holidays to all of you in the Post 758 family.

Lorraine Bailey, Auxiliary President-
With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it starts a busy time for all.  The Children’s  Christmas Party will be held on Sunday Dec. 2nd at 11 am. It’s brunch with Santa. Children 8  yrs and  younger are free; there will be a small charge of $3.00 for parents and anyone else wishing to eat. The Ross Park Petting Zoo will also be there and we expect to have a  great time by all. Remember to send in your reservations for this event and don’t forget to give the name and ages of the child or children attending.  You can also call Carol McMurray at 607-797-3456 to register as well. I want to say I am sorry about the Holupki  Sale. I am still learning everything there is to know about the advertising end of things.  Have a very safe and the merriest of the Holidays.  For God and Country–Lorraine Bailey, President.

Jim Muska, SAL Squadron Commander-

POST MEETINGS: The 2nd Tuesday of each month from September through June.  Special meetings can be called at anytime.  We can use your good ideas, so please attend the meetings when you can!

BINGO:-Every Friday Night, 7 PM.

LEGION FACILITIES RENTALS:To rent Post 758 facilities for weddings and gatherings for private and non-profit organizations, call Jim Muska (607-797-3513)for more details and available dates. Members of our Legion Family in good standing get a discount on the hall rental.

ONGOING EVENTS:  Pancake Breakfasts are the 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am to Noon, from September through June, 2008.  Here’s the schedule for the next few months:
December 16, 2007–Power For The Troops III (BRING AA & AAA Alkaline Batteries for our troops!)
January 20, 2008
February 18, 2008
We can always use help with hall and kitchen cleanup.
What would YOU like to see our Post do?

NATIONAL COMMANDER’S VISIT: Martin F. (Marty) Conatser (Post 102, DeLand, IL), the 2007-2008 National Commander of the American Legion, visited Post 758 on October 28. There are pictures taken at the dinner in his honor on our Legion Blog and in the Commander’s Visitation section of the New York Legion website, http://www.ny.legion.org.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: Sunday Dec 2nd at 11 am . It’s brunch with Santa. Children 8 yrs and younger are free; there will be a small charge of $3.00 for parents and anyone else wishing to eat.

POWER FOR THE TROOPS III- Sunday, December 16.  Donate “AA” & “AAA” Alkaline Batteries, and get $1 off the price of breakfast (one discount per donation). Batteries go to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We’ve sent 7,445 of them overseas in the past 2 years, and hope to send our 10,000th battery this year.  We need your help!

SPECIAL EVENTS: The Broome County Legion Family/Post 758 “Give Blood, Get Pasta” blood drive for the American Red Cross netted 35 gifts of life from those who donated–those donations helped 77 patientswho needed blood and blood products.  We are thinking about making this an annual event.  It would not have been as successful were it not for the inspiration of  2007-08 County Legion Auxiliary President Dorolyn Perry.  Good job, Madam President, Don and  Jane Sturdevant and to all of the volunteers from Post 758 and the rest of the posts in the county! President Truman’s words about getting things done without regard to who gets credit are really true!

BLUE STAR MOMS, DADS AND GRANDPARENTS: Please let your sons,  daughters and grandchildren  who are serving our country know  we would be honored to have them join our Post.

MEMBERSHIP: From a small start, the American Legion grew into the world’s largest veterans organization simply by other Legionnaires asking others to join our ranks.  We can do so much more with more members. If you have renewed your membership, asked an eligible veteran to join, or a member who left to return, thanks.  It’s never too early to renew your membership, or sign up for the Paid Up for Life Plan.   As for our Post quota, we have, as of November 12, 159 of 216 renewed. Just a few more and we can be a 100% post!!!

BOYS STATE:Do you know an outstanding young man who would benefit from the proven leadership experience at our Department’s Boys State program?  Let one of our officers know.  This is the time to search for applicants–not 2 days from the deadline in April.

POST EVERLASTING: We honor and remember those members who passed on to their final reward:
Henry Heiss, Jerry Krizka, Joseph Kaminsky, Robert Pierpont.

Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
Well done, good and faithful servants!

ADVERTISING: We have space available in this newsletter and on the Post 758 Blog  for advertisers who wish to reach our Post 758 Family (Legionnaires, Auxiliary Members and Sons) with their advertising message or show of support.  Please call the Post Home or e-mail the editor (2nd Vice Paul Kaminski) for rates, deadlines and requirements.  His e-mail address is motorsportsradio@msrpk.com.

MEMBERS FIRST: Last time we mentioned DISH Network’s discounts for Legion Family members.  The information was for the 2006 year.  In 2007 the discount is bigger, the offer is  better, and there’s a link on line for more information:
http://www.LegionDish.com
You can also call a toll free number, 1-877-307-6677. (Again, we provide this information as a service, and make no endorsement). As a post, we have to be useful to you, our members, or we won’t be able to keep you as members.

OUR NEXT FAMILY NEWSLETTER WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY, 2008, with a deadline of FEBRUARY 10 for articles, etc.  The earlier, the better!
Published by Frank A. Johnson American Legion Post 758, 429 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790  Telephone 607-770-1979
  
IN BETWEEN NEWSLETTERS, YOU CAN GO TO THE POST 758 BLOG TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION:
 
http://jcnylegionpost758.wordpress.com

ALSO, WE CAN SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOU  BY E-MAIL AS A PDF FILE, WHICH CAN BE READ IN Adobe Acrobat, AND IS VIRUS FREE.  IT WOULD ALSO SAVE YOUR POST THE COST OF PRINTING AND MAILING, SO WE CAN USE THE FUNDS TO HELP OUR MEMBERS, OUR VETERANS,  OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CHILDREN. LET US KNOW YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN SIGN YOU UP!

Post 758 Newsletter for 2nd and 3rd Quarters of 2007

Post 758 Family Newsletter for 2^nd & 3rd Qtr 2007

Dave McDonald, Post Commander- One person doing a little can get a lot done. Thanks to everyone who’s helping to get things done.

Lorraine Bailey, Auxiliary President-

Well, it’s a new year , and a couple of events will be going on Oct 6, 2007. We’ll have an indoor garage sale and Holupki sale. We will be taking orders ($9.00 a dozen) for them; contact Lorraine at 797_5882. For the garage sale, contact June Kinney at 797_8297. Ashley is our new Juniors Activity chair; juniors who are interested will meet in Sept. on the 2nd Wednesday at 6pm at our post. Unit meetings are the 2nd tuesdays of each month starting in Sept.

Jim Muska, SAL Squadron Commander-(regular columns will return in November)

POST 758–Broome County American Legion Baseball Champions for the THIRD Consecutive Season!!!

POST MEETINGS: Second Tuesday of each month from September to June, 7:30 pm. Special Meetings may be called from time to time. We can use your good ideas, so please attend the meetings when you can.

BINGO: Every Friday Night, 7 PM.

LEGION FACILITIES RENTALS: For weddings and gatherings for private and non-profit organizations, consider renting our Post facilities. Paid up members of our Legion family in good standing get a discount on the hall rental.

ONGOING EVENTS: Pancake Breakfasts (usually the 3^rd Sunday of the month) return in September.

September 16

October 21 November 11 (date may change because of Ski Club sale)December 16Breakfast is served from 8am to noon. We can use workers to help clean the hall and the kitchen.

What would YOU like to see our Post do?

SPECIAL EVENTS: The Broome County Legion Family Blood Drive for the American Red Cross will return to Post 758 on September 13, 2007 from 2-7 pm. To reserve a space and give the gift of life, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. If you attempt to donate, Post 758 will treat you to a spaghetti dinner. Our post used to do this years ago; we thought it was time to bring back that tradition! By the way, donors can enter a drawing for 8 (count ‘em) hours of limousine service.

NATIONAL COMMANDER’S DINNER AT THE POST OCTOBER 28th: Yet another tradition returns to Post 758, when the Sixth District sponsors the National Commander’s Dinner. Details will be posted at the post and on our Post 758 Blog.

POWER FOR THE TROOPS 3: Our third annual battery collection drive will be held at the Post Home on Sunday, December 16, 2007 in conjunction with our monthly Pancake Breakfast Buffet. Bill Flynn from Cool 100 will broadcast live from the Post Home that morning. We’ll have a lot of other activities as we did in 2005 and 2006. The concept here is to send “AA” or “AAA” alkaline batteries to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Alkalines last longer and we want the best for our troops–that’s why those who donate alkaline batteries get a discount off the price for our breakfast buffet. When you compare the few cents extra that the alkaline batteries cost to the sacrifices these men and women make on our behalf every day, it is only right for us back here to make that small sacrifice. Just so you know, our post has sent more than 7,445 batteries to those who deserve them–our troops–in the past two years.

JIM BAILEY BENEFIT A SUCCESS THANKS TO HARD WORK: Our immediate past commander Jim Bailey has been treated for a recurring cancer since November, 2006. He’s had a rough time, but still hung in there to finish his term. On June 24, 2007, our Legion Family got together for a benefit for Jim to raise some cash to help him and Lorraine as they go through this ordeal. Thanks to all who donated time, talent and cash to make this a success. We also thank Legionnaires and Auxiliary Members from around Broome County who helped, as well as our local media for getting the word out. Gary DeVaul (who tends bar for the various functions at our Post Home and is a Son of the Legion) got the ball rolling on this.

SPRUCING UP: Our Post leaders (Commander, 1^st and sometimes the 2^nd Vice) did a lot of work getting the back room neat and clean, and along with handyman Tom Harvey, getting the back steps repaired with new concrete. The bulletin boards look nice as well. We also thank the Tuesday and Saturday morning trash crews for what they do each week in keeping our Post Home squared away, and everyone who puts in a little time each week to help keep things neat and clean. Thanks to Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, our Post will be able to install a state of the art ramp for our friends who use wheelchairs. The Legion Corporation is planning for the construction even as this goes to press. And there’s more to come! This is an on-going Legion Family effort. Your help–even for just an hour a week–can help tremendously.

 

POST 758 ON LINE: Our Post now has a presence on the world wide web–a WordPress blog, which is simply our interactive web site, which will have the latest news and information on our Legion family activities. Here’s the address:

http://www.jcnylegionpost758.wordpress.com

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

BLUE STAR MOMS, DADS AND GRANDPARENTS: Please let your sons, daughters and grandchildren who are serving our country know we would be honored to have them join our Post.

MEMBERSHIP: From a small start, the American Legion grew into the world’s largest veterans organization simply by other Legionnaires asking others to join our ranks. We can do so much more with more members. If you have renewed your membership, or asked an eligible veteran or family member to join or rejoin our Post 758 Family, thanks. It’s never too early to renew!

POST EVERLASTING: We honor those members who passed on to their final reward. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. Well done, good and faithful servants!

ADVERTISING: We have space available in this newsletter for advertisers who wish to reach our Post 758 Family (Legionnaires, Auxiliary Members and Sons) with their advertising message or show of support. Please call the Post Home or e-mail the editor (2^nd Vice CDR Paul Kaminski) for rates, deadlines and requirements. His e-mail address is motorsportsradio@msrpk.com .

MEMBERS FIRST: There are more than a few benefits that Legion Family members are eligible for. If you belong to Post 758, you qualify in the field of membership of Empower Federal Credit Union. You can have DISH Network satellite TV installed for a 10% discount. (We provide this information on discounts as a service and make no official endorsements thereof)

OUR FAMILY NEWSLETTERS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 2007, FEBRUARY, 2008 AND MAY 2008. IN BETWEEN NEWSLETTERS, YOU CAN GO TO THE POST 758 BLOG TO GET THE LATEST INFORMATION:

http://jcnylegionpost758.wordpress.com

ALSO, WE CAN SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOU BY E-MAIL AS A PDF FILE, WHICH CAN BE READ IN Adobe Acrobat, AND IS VIRUS FREE. IT WOULD ALSO SAVE YOUR POST THE COST OF MAILING, SO WE CAN USE THE FUNDS TO BETTER HELP OUR MEMBERS, OUR VETERANS, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CHILDREN. LET US KNOW YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN SIGN YOU UP!

Published by Frank A. Johnson American Legion Post 758, 429 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790

Telephone 607-770-1979 Paul Kaminski, Editor

This is our first attempt to translate what’s in the newsletter into what looks good here…so please bear with us as we tune this up so it looks better next quarter.  What counts is that you get the information!