Legion: Come remember in the Bay Saturday

CONSTANCE BAY – Branch 616 is enjoying this great fall weather and a full house nearly every day.

The pool table is always busy, the kitchen likewise, and the dart leagues have resumed.

If you have been in the branch lately you may have noticed that renovations on our main hall are ongoing and will continue through the fall/winter. Windows will be replaced, walls repaired and painted, there will be new dart board cabinets and lighting, plus other improvements. The patio door was at the end of life, so it was decided to remove it and fill in the wall. This will minimize disruption to the daily usage of the room including darts and scheduled events. This is part of our intent to improve the building and its function. We look forward to a much upgraded and modernized venue.

The Early Bird Membership Campaign has had an excellent start with more than 50 per cent of members taking advantage of the refund and discount. Those who have renewed got their names in the draw for the refund, but everyone gets the discount. The winner for October is Sandy Baldelli. Congrats, Comrade!

The Poppy Campaign is underway. There are poppies and remembrance supplies available at Metro, Sobeys, and the LCBO on March Road. The signup sheet to sit at these stations is at the branch at 277 Allbirch Rd. in Constance Bay. Drop in or call to reserve a time when you are able to volunteer at a table. The campaign is on until Nov. 10.

The Branch 616 Remembrance Day Parade and Cenotaph service is on Saturday, Nov. 9. The parade will march off to the Legion from McConnell and Constance Bay roads at 1:30 p.m.

The sports programs are in full swing. The schedule and signup sheets are on the bulletin board. Please sign up for Zone Darts by Nov. 23. Please note that depending on the numbers interested, there could be playdowns. Also note some of the dates are subject to change. The Ladies Auxiliary placed first in both categories at Zone Darts Doubles and Singles, therefore Branch 616 will be hosting District on Nov. 16. A record number of 616 players qualified. Let’s do it again, ladies!

Season schedules are in place for the ladies and men’s league darts but there is always room for spares. Mixed darts on Friday nights and ladies singles on Monday nights are blind draws: everyone 19 years old and over is welcome to come out and join in the fun. We have also started up a Youth League on Wednesday night. All children between the ages of eight and 13 are eligible. Call the branch for details. The Legion is pleased to announce Berkley Lawrence was elected Dominion President at the 49th Dominion Convention held at St. Johns, NB, Congratulations, comrade.

Past events

• Saturday, Oct. 5, Tournament for Hoss: This was a special fundraiser to help Hoss Polegato on his trip to the world dart tournament in Budapest. Thank you to everyone who helped organize and played in this event.
• Saturday, Oct. 5, Search and Rescue Seminar: The community centre sponsored this event for which the Legion provided lunch and volunteers. It was a very successful and informative day for everyone involved.
• Friday, Oct. 11, Meals to Wheels TGIF Thanksgiving Dinner: Harriet did it again with her delicious trademark Turkey Dinner! Over 100 orders were out the door to a lineup of customers in record time. Thank you to Harriet and the Friday night crew. You’d never know they’d been on a three-month break.
• Friday October 25, Meals to Wheels TGIF Dinner: Ribs on the smoker, roast potatoes, veggies and slaw plus apple crisp was the order of the day. Thank you to Peter and the Smokers for heading this one up. Another over the top success!

Coming up

• Friday, Nov. 8, Meals to Wheels TGIF Dinner: Anita will prepare her signature Schnitzel and Spaetzle feast with the Ladies Auxiliary volunteering assistance. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., order online or call the Branch. Cut off date end of Tuesday, Nov. 5, $20 per order.
• Saturday, Nov. 9, Branch Remembrance Day: Branch opens at noon. At 1 p.m. take the bus to the parade form-up area at McConnell and Constance Bay roads; at 1:30 p.m. march off to the Legion for the Ceremony at the Cenotaph. All are welcome inside after the ceremony for complimentary late lunch.
• Monday, Nov. 11, National Remembrance Day: Branch will open at 10 a.m. for viewing the service at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Branch 616 Colour Parties will join forces with Branch 638 Kanata and 248 Almonte for their services at 11 a.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 16, Ladies Auxiliary District Darts Singles and Doubles.
• Friday, Dec. 6, Meals to Wheels TGIF Dinner: Menu TBA.
• Sunday, Dec. 8, Children’s Christmas Party: 12:30 p.m. Lunch, crafts, cookies to decorate, visit from Santa!! Gifts and treats! Please sneak in a wrapped and labelled gift ($10 or less) for Santa to give your children.
• Saturday, Dec. 14, Seniors Christmas Dinner
• Sunday, Dec. 15, Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 21, Branch Christmas Party! 8 p.m. Entertainment by Nt Nrml!!
• Sunday, Dec. 22, Turkey Shoot!