Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25
DISPATCH
Royal Canadian Legion Br. 25
96 Great Northern Rd
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4Y5
Phone: 705-945-8721
Fax: 705-945-6372
Ladies Auxiliary: 705-256-2941
Lounge: 705-256-6921
E-mail: rclbranch25@shawbiz.ca
Website: www.branch25rcl.org
February 2015
Quote of the Day
Service to others is the rent you pay for your
room here on earth – Muhammad Ali
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President’s Address – Respectfully submitted by Wayne
Paulencu
Well here in February and January has left us in a mess.
Oil prices have fallen to 50’s levels, the dollar is heading
to the level it was at five to ten years ago, but that’s
enough of the bad stuff.
On the other side, Ontario Public Health is on a rampage
once again. I had two meetings with the tobacco
inspector in regards to the smoker’s shelter. The answer
was that Toronto says “it is what it is.” From Barrie
north the province stops.
I am asking that smokers please DO NOT smoke in
doorways so that people entering or exiting are not
subject to walk through the smoke.
The floor in front of the bar has been replaced and looks
very nice.
This is election year, so put on your thinking caps and
lets get some new blood on the board as there are a few
chairs that were not filled this term.
If you are interested in becoming part of the Legion
board of directors, or know of anyone who may be
interested, please come forward – we will weelcome your
interest. Nominations will be accepted at the end of
February.
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The City of Sault Ste. Marie contacted the Branch and
asked our approval to make the garden at the bottom of
Pim Street a tribute to the 70th Anniversary of the end of
WWII. The proposed garden picture is posted in the
Lounge for all to see. It will be wonderful.
A little funny from Wawa Branch as written in the Wawa
news
2 bats are hanging around upside down as they do in a
cave.
So one asked the other .."What was your worst day last
year?"
Says the other ....."I remember it well , it was the day I
had diarrhea!"
Ladies Auxiliary Report – Respectfully submitted by Clara
Mae Dewling
First and foremost let me convey our deepest sympathies
to our Chaplain Jean Snell on the loss of her daughter,
Deborah Onraet on January 31, 2015.
LA District Darts will be held in Sudbury during March.
We do not know at this time which teams will be going,
but we will be proudly represented.
Please do not forget to attend our joint Pasta Fundraiser
on February 18, 2015 here at the Branch. The cost is
$8/adult - $4/child (5-10 years) and children under 5 are
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free. The pasta is always great – get a group together
and either purchase your tickets in advance (at the bar
or office or from the LA) or pay at the door. Desserts
will be available for purchase.
Membership Report – Respectfully submitted by Wilma
Oliver
Membership Annual Report
Our membership numbers here at Branch 25, although
less than last year, remain fairly stable. The following
are some of the stats that I’ve assembled from our
membership list as compared with last year and checked
against the stat report that comes from Dominion
Command.
Life
Ordinary
Associate
Affiliate Voting
Affiliate Non-Voting
TOTALS
2014
2013
22
280
293
27
1
_____
623
21
290
322
29
2
_____
663
These figures vary only slightly from the numbers
Dominion Command have – as there are always
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memberships being processed that are not yet reported
back to me or are in the mail heading to Dominion
Command. It does give us a pretty good idea where we
stand membership wise.
Over the year, we have lost 31 of our members. During
the year we initiated 16 new members; re-instated 5
members; transferred in 7 members and transferred out
7 members.
I owe much thanks to the members of my committee for
compiling lists of past members in the computer for
archiving of their records, for keeping the membership
board up to date and to the calling committee for their
great job during the “Early Bird” campaign. These
workers are: Marilyn Patterson, Elane Turner, Betty
Irvine, Jodi Peters, and Ethel Kleiber - THANK-YOU
We are continually looking for new members for our
Branch. Please consider asking a friend or relative to
come out and join some of our activities and events with
you. Give them an opportunity to experience what our
Legion is all about. Perhaps they will become a member.
We must continue to grow in numbers so the Legion can
continue to care for our Veterans and please remember –
MEMBERSHIP IS EVERYONE’S JOB.
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Entertainment Report – Respectfully submitted by Joanne
Bremner
The Bon Soo/Sweetheart Dinner Dance will be held on
Saturday February 14, 2015. Dinner/Dance tickets are
$20/person. Dance only tickets are $10/person and
Dance only tickets with a Bon Soo button is $8/person.
Check with the office or bar for tickets.
Regular Entertainment
 Monday Afternoons at 1:30 PM – Carpet
Bowling upstairs - $2 entry
 Monday evening – upstairs – Band Practice – all
are welcome. Please contact the office if you are
interested. We can give you contact information.
 Wednesday is acoustic jam night – come out with
your guitar/banjo/dobro/sitar – whatever you
have and join the great bunch that are here. Or,
just come and enjoy some good acoustic music
between 8 & 11 pm.
 Thursday afternoon – L.A. Bingo from 1:00 PM 3:00 PM
 Thursday afternoon – in the Lounge – Meat
Draw beginning at 3:00 PM
 Thursday nights – we have Joe Mattalo here for
your listening and dancing pleasure between 8
pm & 11 pm.
 Friday nights of course is karaoke – come on out
and sing along or listen to some great local talent.
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 Friday nights there is pool downstairs in the
Lounge beginning at 7:00 PM
 Saturday there is free pool all day in the Lounge.
 Saturday Dancing – NO COVER CHARGE – see
the calendar for a list of band playing.
In the Future
 Irish Stew in Lounge Tuesday March 17 from 4:00
PM – 6:00 PM. $8/person – Stew, biscuit, dessert.
 We will be having the “Easter Bonnet” Craft/Bake
sale on Saturday March 28, 2015. Get your table
early - $25 each.
 Jimmy G the amazing hypnotist is coming back
April 18th., 2015. That was great fun last year and
we are sure it will be a sell out again this year.
Tickets are $25 per person and include 2 pieces of
pizza after the show.
 The Northland Barbershop will be here in May –
the exact date to be determined. Another great
entertaining show – don’t miss out when tickets do
come available.
 There is an opportunity to bring back Sgt.
Wilson’s Army show in November 2015 – would
you be interested? Your response will dictate
whether or not we book them.
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Cenotaph Report – Respectfully submitted by Wm. Bennett
The Veteran’s Commemorative Memorial Update:
If you wish to purchase brick(s) for the VCM Project
and would like a small paragraph of the Vet’s
service/accomplishments you may add their story to our
website. Please keep it to one paragraph in length.
Please contact Meagan Smith at 705-971-2227 or e-mail
to: meaghan.smith@algomau.ca who will gather
information through a series of questions and then draft
your story.
Senior Report – Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne
Martin
The next dinner dance will combine Valentines Day and
Bon soo on february 14, 2015. The music will be by
Flathead Ford and will consist of 50’s & 60’s rock
classics. The meal will be a roast beef dinner prepared
by the Ladies Auxiliary. The tickets will be available
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January 4, 2015. Ticket prices are $20 for the dinner
and dance, $10 for the dance or $8 with Bon Soo Button.
I am asking those attending to please refrain from
wearing heavy scented perfumes, as there are people
with allergies and asthma who have trouble breathing
with the heavy scents.
The Wednesday Dances will resumed January 7th and
will run to May 20th with a grand finale. There will be a
Mardi Gras on February 11, 2015 with finger foods and
prizes to be won and loads of fun. Costumes are optional
but please no nudity (it’s too cold)
Youth Ed– Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Patterson
Public Speaking will be held on Saturday February 21,
2015 beginning at 9:30 a.m. and going until
approximatly 4:00 pm.
Sports – Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Patterson
Sunday February 15, 2015 – Bon Soo Cribbage at the
Legion. Cost is $15/2 person team. Contact Marilyn
Patterson at 705-949-2299 and leave a message. There
will be a silent auction the week of Feb. 6-15 for anyone
interested in putting in a bid there will be ballots to put
in the box. If you have donations (clean/hardly, if ever
used and in good condition) for the silent auction, please
bring them to the office on (NOT BEFORE) Thursday
February 5 between 8:30 AM & 4:00 PM.
Zone H-4 Dart Winners on January 10, 2015
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Singles
Tim Schryer , Sault Ste. Marie
Tom VanHoof, Sault Ste. Marie
Greg Stewart, Sault Ste. Marie
Darcy Stewart, Sault Ste. Marie
John Mousseau, Sault Ste. Marie
Ron Schmidt, Bruce Mines
Tom Holkko, Sault Ste. Marie
Scott Barber, Bruce Mines
Doubles
Tim Schryer, Tom Van Hoof, Sault Ste. Marie
Darcy Stewart, Greg Stewart, Sault Ste. Marie
John Mousseau, Tom Holkko, Sault Ste. Marie
John Lewis, Debbie Magee, Bruce Mines
Ron Schmidt, Scott Barber, Bruce Mines
Andrew Arnott, Charlie Chiblow, Blind River
Helen Arnott, Wanda Boyer, Blind River
Teams
Tim Schryer, Tom Van Hoof, Darcy Stewart, Greg
Stewart – Sault Ste. Marie
John Lewis, Debbie Magee, Ron Schmidt, Scott Barber –
Bruce Mines
Andrew Arnott, Charlie Chiblow, Helen Arnott, Wanda
Boyer – Blind River
Congratulations and Good Luck to all who are
advancing.
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Bursary – Respectfully submitted by Sean Macnamara
Bursary forms are available in the office for those
enrolled in University or College courses. Forms must
be submitted before the end of March 2015, so if you
have an eligible child/grandchild please come and get a
form.
“SIR” EDGAR IS ON THE MOVE (again)
On Friday Jan. 23, 2015 Edgar Bedard came to the office
with a letter from the Chairman (Mr. Jorrit Volkers)
and Program Coordinator (Mrs. Koos Pot) of the
Friesland Liberation Committee, wanting verification of
what he thought he read.
Yes, what he thought he read was actually what was said
in the letter.
“As a thank-you to those who helped liberate Friesland
in 1945, the Friesland Liberation Committee has invited
Edgar and a caregiver/relative to go to that Dutch
Province (Northwest of the Netherlands, North of
Holland
and
South
of
the
North
Sea)
FREE!! Yes FREE!”
Edgar and his caregiver Mary will embark on this
terrific journey May 1, 2015.
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How exciting for him and every Veteran who is thanked
so profously by a country that has never forgotten.
We all wish you a great trip Ed (and Mary of course).
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Laurie MacKenzie’s 90th Birthday
Saturday February 7th., 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Pavilion
Algoma’s Water Tower Inn
Your friendship is the only gift – thank-you
RSVP Betts or Gaelyn
705-575-6865
705-575-2049
February in History
 6th., 2004 – The CBC announces it will use a
broadcast delay during Don Cherry’s Coaches
Corner on Hockey Night in Canada, after he
makes anti-French and European comments, a
possible violation of the Official Languages Act
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 12th., 1915 – Lorne Greene was born – he passed
away in 1987
 24th., 1993 – Brian Mulroney announces his plan
to resign as Prime Minister.
 26th., 2004 – Canadian Forces send nine
members of elite counter-terrorism unit Join
Task Force 2 to Haiti to aid in evacuating
Canadians.
LAST POST – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
(to date of printing)
Eric Standen
Stan Gilliam
William (Bill) Klockars
Kenneth Billam
Geo. Walter Chandler
February Birthdays – Many Happy Returns
Wm. Benninghaus, C. Smith, Piere Breckenridge, R.
Bridge, S. Budge, A. Darlow, R. Forfar, L. Gorman, J.
Greely, Clarence Holmberg, Brian Holmberg, Bill
Huckson, L. MacKenzie, James McGrath, B. Miron,
Mel Mizzi, Ron Wilson, Rick Thorold, G. Ryder, M.
Smith
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DID YOU KNOW: (didyouknowblog.com)
1. Play Doh was originally used to clean wallpaper.
In the 1930’s people burned coal to heat their
homes, and rolled the dough across the walls to lift
up the soot. The product became obsolete when
vinyl wall paper and new heating methods evolved,
so they sold it as a toy.
2. We figured out how to travel to the moon (1969)
before we learned to put wheels on our suitcases
(1972)
3. Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first new
moon of the year. This year is the year of the
Sheep and New Year was celebrated January 20,
2015.
January 2015 Calendar Winners
Milica Tomas, Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Folz, Andy &
Sandra Anich, Patricia Forbes, Ken & Carole
Hewitt, Amy See, Anthony Dillon, Kathy Funk,
Donna Benoit, Dan & Karen Farrell, Howard Nixon,
Scott MacKenzie, Ralph & Jeanette Collins, Dorothy
Rose & Ron McQueen, Heather Dukes, Tony
Temporao, Marilyn Isaacson, Tap Hynna, Ray
Sweeney, Eunice McEwen, Marlo St. Pierre, Eva
Blue, Teresa & Rob Minardi, Harald Kjevik, Diana
Piche, Nancy Denning, Anthony Rosso, Jane
Paquette, Elgin Long, Mel Andreola
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January Monthly Draw Winners
Congratulations and Thank-you
$2000 – Mike Boston
$1000 – Rosemarie Colasacco
$500 – Candace Linklater
THE LEGION LOTTERY
$20 gets you a yearly lottery ticket (which includes a
calendar) and allows you to win no less than $50 daily
for an entire year!!!! MORE THAN ONCE!! No better
lottery odds in town. We pull your name today – it goes
back in the drum for tomorrow.
DON’T FORGET THE SMART PROGRAM
A functional fitness Program for adults 55+. These
classes are totally free and open to men and women. 45
minutes every Tuesday and Friday morning at 9:15 a.m.
in the Lounge. Exercises can be modified for different
ability levels.
The group is growing weekly. Started off with 2-3
people and now are up to 8.
Ask any of the people participating how great it is.
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COURAGEOUS COMPANIONS
Shari Dewar brought this into the Branch on Thursday
Jan. 29th. We are unable to attend the dinner, but please
consider donating to this worthy cause.
Hello
As a spouse of a recently medically released Canadian
Soldier, I am planning a retirement dinner party of MCpl
(ret.) Kelly CD on February 7, 2015.
MCpl (ret.) Kelly CD (a Sault Ste. Marie original) 19+
years serving this beautiful country we are so privileged
to call home. He spent the first 7 years of his career as an
Artillery Soldier and the last 12+ years as an EO Tech.
(Electronic/Optronic technician). Joe, as those of us who
know him personally call him, has done many things in
his career ranging from homeland tasking such as flood
assistance, ice storms and a big one, he was a major part
of the clean up crew for the Swissair Flight 111 crash at
Peggy’s Cove in 1998. He also has done tours in Bosnia
and Afghanistan.
As a result of MCpl (ret.) Kelly CD time served in the
Army he incurred an Operational Stress Injury (OSI).
He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) after suffering for many, many years in silence.
This injury took a toll on many aspects of his life and
career. It affected not only himself, but his family
drastically. Thankfully after years of suffering, Joe
finally came forward and sought out the help he so
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desperately needed. With a combination of Treatment
and “Freddie” Joe has made it, he is a survivor. Although
he no longer meets the “Universality of Service” he is a
true Soldier and Hero!
Let me introduce you to Freddie. Freddie is a beautiful
4-1/2 year old Golden Lab who is a life changer, life
saver. Freddie is Joe’s Service Dog. He received
Freddie 2-1/2 years ago through an amazing
organization called “Courageous Companions”. This
organization is one of a kind. They are committed to
training dogs to the highest of standards and providing
them for FREE to Soldiers and Veterans who suffer
from physical and mental injuries incurred in active
duties. AMAZING as the training is, it can cost
thousands and thousands of dollars! These lifesaving
dogs are trained for the individuals’ specific needs
therefore accommodating that Soldier or Veteran to be
able to come out and live life.
So today I am asking if you would kindly b so generous
to donate whatever is feasible for you and your business.
All donations will be raffled off and ALL
proceeds…..every PENNY will be donated back to
“Courageous Companions”. Joe and I both firmly
believe in giving back and what Joe has been given in the
gift of Freddie is something we can never repay. Joe’s
life has been saved, simply put!
If you would like more information about “Courageous
Companions”
you
can
find
it
at:
www.courageouscompanions.ca
Also, if you would
prefer to make a cash donation directly to the non-profit
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organizations, cheques can be made out to “Courageous
Companions”
I thank you very much for your time and generosity.
We as a family are so very blessed to be back in Sault
Ste. Marie, there truly is no place like home.
Warmest Regards and thanks
Shari Dewar, Proud Military Wife
Sharid7@hotmail.com 204-720-7613 (still a Manitoba
number – we have just recently moved back)
“Some of you may remember Freddie at the 2014
Remembrance Day Ceremony. He barked out one
command as we formed up. Joe is a recently inducted
member of our Branch”.
Freddie and MCpl.(ret.)Kelly CD
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Office Hours:
November through April
Monday & Wednesday – 9 am – 1 pm
Tues/ Thurs/Friday – 8:30 am – 4 pm
Lounge Hours November through April
Monday –Thursday – 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday – 1:00 pm – 1:00 am
Saturday – Noon – 11:00 pm
If there is anything you would like to see in the
Dispatch, please contact the Office, leave your
suggestion and we can see if it will fit.
If any Branch of the Military (cadets and family
support group included) would like us to place
something in our Dispatch – please do not hesitate to
ask. We are here to serve our Veterans, Members and
our Community – please help us to do that.
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2013-15 Officers/Executive & Committee Chairs
President – Wayne Paulencu
Past President – Marilyn Isaacson
st
1 . Vice – Ernie Bremner – Sgt @Arms/
Bar/Canteen
nd
2 . Vice – Ed Rowe –Honours & Awards/
By-Laws/Cadet Liaison
rd
3 . Vice – Marilyn Patterson & Sports/Youth
Ed/T&F
Poppy Chair & Secretary – Rob
Service Officer - Don Oliver
Treasurer – Carol Piper
Membership – Wilma Oliver
Seniors – Mary Anne Martin
Entertainment – Joanne Bremner
Sick & Visiting – Lois Crawford
Branch Padre(s) – Rev. Phil Miller
Capt. Pat Vardy
Mrs. Helen Smith
Burial – Elane Turner
Bursary – Sean MacNamara
Cenotaph – Bill Bennett
PRO – Lonnie Ostroski
If there is anything any one of them can do, please
do not hesitate to contact the office (705-945-8721).
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