Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

February 2011

Commander's Message

To My Fellow Legion Members;

Thanks for helping me complete my Commanders project of paying off the one note of $8,900 plus interest.  I received great support by our members.  Now can we as members increase our usage of the club by coming in and having lunch, dinner, or have a social drink now and then every week.

 
I hope all have had a great start on the New Year but I am ready for it to warm up any day.  My message for this month is that we have looked at our expenses and we have done some majors changes. However, our expenses our not are true problem. It is the lack of support from our members, who never come thru our doors nor spend any money here. So, my request is that you please stop up to the Legion enjoy an item off of our menu, bring some friends and have a good social time.

You may have noticed that the club seems to be very busy on certain nights.  Todd and others are working hard to keep the club busy in hopes it can produce some income to pay expenses.  You can help if you join by attending any of the fundraisers for an organization, a fish fry, or a breakfast.

 
Here are some of the events we have coming up:  Always, every 4th Sunday is Post 56 breakfast;  archery club breakfast; Post meeting on 3rd Monday of month at 7pm;  Vietnam display in March;  Post Everlasting in March; Memorial Day in May; Big Red Power show in June; and Korean War display in July, several local fundraisers for different organization, so there is always something going on.

 
You have heard that Post 56 is going to the 'Dogs' - you are right so be ready to stop in an participate.  Stop on up on Friday the 28th as we hope to have our first of many Dog Races, it is a new game that we are very excited about.

At Post 56 we are blessed to have many volunteers but I know some of you may be willing to help but they don't call me.  We have prepared a list of areas that we know we can use volunteers and ask that you look it over to see if there is any area you feel you could help.  If not sure call the Post and ask for the adjutant and/or leave a message and he can get back to you.  You will find the list in the flyer.

And, finally we started with our January breakfasts helping youth groups of churches that are willing to participate by giving them $1 for each of their members that eat breakfast at Post 56.   So help your youth groups out by eating breakfast.

Stay Warm and Please Support Post 56

Bill Goette
Commander

We Need You

Can you help as a volunteer in any of these areas or events:

-Post breakfast - every 4th Sunday 7:30am-12:30pm
-Sell meat raffle tickets - every Wed. 5:30-7:30pm
-Help Wednesday night bar bingo - 5:30pm-9:30pm
-Sell Mega bingo tickets Wed. nights - 6:30pm-9:30pm
-Sell dog/horse racing tickets
-Work on Tom & Jerry days (Thanksgiving & New Years)
-Do the Legion flyer (once a month by 3rd Friday of month)
-Help with doing special cleaning (such as air cleaner, lights, windows, floors, etc)
-Help serve 'Big Red Power show' at fairgrounds - June 20-25
-Clean the sidewalk (at least the first snow of the day)
-Make sure the flag is at proper staff each day
-Help during special fundraiser events

Auxiliary News

To All Auxiliary Members

Besides supporting our Auxiliary Programs, we do things with in our community. For example, recognizing our teachers in November, distributing poppies to Vets in the nursing homes and give all members who are confined to their homes and living in a nursing home a poinsettia at Christmas and other things.

One of our long time members, Billie Bergeson, has made quilted lap robes for the VA. Over time I’m sure she has made 100’s and donates all of them. So I want to acknowledge her and thank her for all has done.

If you have any paperback books, especially large print, and would like to  donate them to veterans, please bring them to the club sometime and they will be taken to the VA or to one of the veterans homes

Think,  spring, It is only two months away.

Your President
Janet Scherb

KOREAN WAR ARTIFACTS SOUGHT

Seabee veterans of the Korean War are asked to contact the Foundation if they have artifacts that they wish to donate to the Seabee Museum.  Although the Museum has a great many artifacts from that engagement, additional items would enhance the options to choose from, as the focus narrows on presenting the story of the Seabee effort in Korea.  Individuals wishing to donate items can call Foundation President Bill Hilderbrand at (228) 865-0480 or send a message to infoaseabeehf.org

Shrimp, Lobster, Walleye
Prime Rib, NY Strip
Sunday February 13th
5:00 - 8:00
Reservations Required

Superbowl Party - Sunday February 6th

3:00 pm

Dog Races

Drink Specials

Food Specials

Welcome To Post 56

It has been a while since I have written a letter to let you know what all is going on. On, February 1st it will be the beginning of my 4th year as club manager. Where has the time gone? There has been many changes over this time. We have expanded our menu, we have updated lots of our equipment. We have retired over $70,000 in debt. With all of that being said. Our weekly income in the last year has steadily decreased. In order to try to offset this decline some major changes needed to be made. So, starting in February I will no longer be a paid club manager. I have taken a job with Three Eagles Communications, they own KATE Radio and FM100 radio to name a few. They have offered me a position in sales, with the understanding, that I stay on in a volunteer basis to run the club. My plan is to volunteer 15 hours a week and still handle all day to day operations. So, if you need to get a hold of me you can reach me by leaving a message at the club, if it is an emergency they will give you my cell number. Otherwise I should be in the club from 5:30 – 7:30 each evening.  We have a great club here in Albert Lea, but in order to continue to be here this decision had to be made. This was not the only change, as we have eliminated one custodial position, cut back kitchen staff and food service staff. The estimated saving to our club will be in excess of $3,000.00 per month.

 
So, now I am going to ask you to consider a few things. When, you see something that needs to be picked up or you can help in some area please Volunteer. If you see a new face, welcome them.   This club needs all of us to succeed. So, please join me in continuing to make this the greatest Club to belong to.

In closing, I want to thank everyone who has been with me and help me. I have the greatest group of employees, many of whom donate time to help with various causes related to the Legion.

Thanks Again
Todd Utpadel, Club Manager

TAPS

HAROLD BOYD
Born March 28, 1930.  Died Dec. 11, 2010.  Served during the Korean War.  A member of the Legion, VFW and an active member of the Eagles.

JAMES STEWART
Born Dec. 1, 1950.  Died Dec. 27, 2010.  Served in the US Navy.  Worked for Cedar Valley Services and was a member of the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club and the American Legion.

CAROLL AASEN
Born Feb. 27, 1923.  Died Jan. 6, 2011.  Served in the US Navy.  A member of the American Legion and Kiwanis II.  Was a self employed Barber.

HAROLD NEIST
Born May 18, 1922.  Died Jan. 11, 2011.  Served in the US Army.  A member of the American Legion and VFW.  Worked at Wilson’s and later purchased and operated Sorenson’s Meat and Lockers on the north side.

Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.)

D.A.M Donations

Edmund/Angie Nelson           Honor of Bev & Denny Haugen 25th Anniversary

Jim/Darla Godtland                Mem of Dave Godtland

Swede/Ann Oberg                 Mem of Arnold Biederman

Honor Guard Donations

Bill/Marilyn Danielsen           Mem of Gilbert Larson

Family of Gilbert Larson        Mem of Gilbert Larson

Bob Levisen                         Donation

Dennis Smith                       Donation

Consider supporting Leo Carey American Legion Post 56 with a contribution to the Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.) fund.  Whether it’s a dollar a month, or a larger donation, these funds are used to support the Post 56 club facilities, maintenance & continued growth of our organization.

If you would like to make a donation to the Post 56 D.A.M. fund, please complete the form in this newsletter and return it to Leo Carey American Legion Post 56.  You can recognize someone special by naming that person in their memory or honor.  Your contribution will be listed in the Post’s monthly flyer and on the website.

Judi Olson, D.A.M. Account Manager

To make a donation, click on the link to our D.A.M. Fund Account Page.

Please thank and support those businesses and organizations which sponsor ads in the monthly Post 56 bulletin flyer:

Craig Loehr-Dave Syverson Ford, Graceland Cemetery, Jim & Dudes Plumbing & Heating, Shoff Chiropractic, MPeters Enterprises, Church Offset Printing,

Security Bank Minnesota, American Legion Post 56 Auxiliary, Christian Floor Covering, Embroider-4 Seasons Advertising, Hillcrest Cemetery, Auto Serve-Rick Loberg, Doors & Floors, ING Financial Partners-Arnold Mulso, Motor Inn Co., Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home, Scott's Office Products, GreenLea Golf Course, Nelson County Market, Century 21 O'Byrne Realty

The deadline for the March issue will be the Wednesday following the post meeting.  This will be the deadline policy in the future!

Post 447 VFW and Auxiliary meetings are held on the 2^nd Monday of every month at the American Legion Post 56 Clubrooms @ 7:00pm. Come and join VFW Post 447. 

Veterans helping Veterans.