Champlin American Legion

Post #600 Advisor

____________________________________________________________________________________

January/February 2009 http://www.champlinlegion.com 763-427-6870

Location: 12450 Business Park Boulevard North, Champlin, Minnesota

Mailing Address: P. O. Box # 57, Champlin, Minnesota, 55316

COMMANDER’S COLUMN

Fellow Members:

Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the past Holidays.

This past December, my wife, Irene and I had the pleasure of attending the Employees Holiday Party, Children and Your Breakfast with Santa, and the Members Holiday Party. I am sure everyone who attended any of these events had a great time. I know we did.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all the Post members, Auxiliary, SAL, our staff in the Kitchen, Bar and Gambling, and all of our guests for your dedication and support you gave to our Post in 2008.

We are definitely moving right along in the area of membership. As of our December 9^th general meeting, we were at 402 paid members to date, which puts us at 89.33% of our goal. So please – if you have not renewed, please do so and help us make our goal.

This past year was a difficult one. Like all of our neighboring businesses, our Post had its share of financial ups and downs. What is the key to success in times like these? I believe the answer lies within our own membership. We need to be strong, supportive, and remain dedicated to the American Legion Family and all that we represent.

This year we are looking into some new ideas, such as: RSVP forms for member events (Early Bird Dinner, Installation Dinner, Volunteer Dinner, Children & Youth events, etc.) to help budget food and expense. Also under discussion is the possibility of advertising on our dinner placemats, which are put out at all Omelet Breakfast, steak fries, etc. (Interested in advertising your business? Let us know what you think.) Another issue we are looking into, is finding a way to generate the funds to remodel – repair the restrooms in the bar area.

We are also updating our volunteer list. If you are a member or guest and have time and would like to do volunteer work at the Post (Bar Bingo, Steak fry, fun fest, omelet breakfast etc) please leave your name and phone number at the gambling booth, or with the bartender. If you have signed up in the past, but have never been contacted, please sign up again, as some of the names and number have been lost.

Upcoming Events:

January 10^th – Mid Winter Conference to be held at the Anoka Legion. If you plan on attending, please contact Jim Winegarden, Paul Gilbertson or myself.

March 10^th – Legion Birthday

Let’s all work together. Show your support, and let’s “SHINE IN 2009”.

Post Commander

Al Danko

PRESIDENTS COLUMN

As I write this, the holidays are past and I hope that everybody had an enjoyable time with friends and family. Our Post was involved in a number of activities these past few months and it was nice to see so many of our members actively involved.

In December, I received a very nice letter from Harriet Hanson. She is a member of our Auxiliary Unit and during the past three months, she has dedicated 270 hours of her time volunteering for the Community. Harriet has made quilts, mittens for needy families, walker bags for Veterans, as well as making and serving dinners at various VA hospitals. She is truly an amazing person and I want to thank her for her commitment to the Veterans and the community.

I had the privilege of serving as the 10^th District Chairman for the gift shop program. We held a Holiday party at the Anoka Regional Treatment Center for 17 veterans. We had volunteers from our Post as well as the Anoka and Coon Rapids Legions joining us for the evening. Patty, Delores and Bert, thank you so much for helping me out. We brought holiday treats, sang Christmas carols and each veteran received a gift bag. All the veterans attending thanked us and shared with us how much they appreciated us spending time with them for the Holidays. Our Auxiliary programs support these kinds of activities and that is why our membership is so critical to us. Our dues help fund these activities and that is what we are all about.

What is coming up in the future? January 10^th is our Mid-Winter conference for the 10^th District. It will be held at the Anoka American Legion starting at 9:00 A.M. We will have an opportunity to hear from our 10^th District leaders sharing information about Community service, Americanism, Children and Youth, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation as well as other projects the Legion and Auxiliary have been involved with. If you would like to attend, you can contact Patty Gilbertson or me. The Auxiliary will pay for your registration.

February is Americanism month. The mission of the Americanism program is to inspire patriotism and good citizenship. Instill a sense of pride and respect for our country and our American values, and to increase an appreciation of our freedoms and the American way of life. We encourage businesses and organizations to display an American flag on their property each day.

February is also Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget that special person in your life.

The Legion will be hosting the Omelet breakfast on February 15^th. The cost is only $5.00 and breakfast is served from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Come and join us for a wonderful meal.

MEMBERSHIP: As of our December meeting, we have 208 paid members which is 69% of our goal. We have a ways to go and as I mentioned before, your dues help us fund the various programs that we support for the American Legion Auxiliary. If you have not paid your 2009 dues by January 31^st, we will be removing your name from the newsletter. Please send in your dues if you have not already done that. Thank you.

Stay warm and safe and please keep our service members and families in your prayers.

Unit Auxiliary President

Sharon Rohrbach

S.A.L COMMANDER’S COLUMN

Happy New Year to all.

I hope everyone survived our December cold spell and had a wonderful Christmas.

Our membership as of December 3rde was 61 paid members, putting us at 49.9% of our goal. Trying to make a membership goal is always tough, especially with the economy being as it is. But, with your renewal, I know we can do it.

Over the past few months we sponsored several different trips. One was an overnight trip to Black Bear Casino. Needless to say, no one was able to call in “Rich” to work the following Monday, but we all had a great time. Another event was a Party Bus trip to visit some of the Legions in our District. Ladies and Gentlemen, we were greeted with open arms and plenty of hospitality from all of the legions we visited.

We are planning another overnight Black Bear Casino trip for February 7^th and 8th. Check at the Post for sign up. Also in the stages is an Ice Fishing contest to be held at the Mill Pond around the last week of February.

I am looking forward to a bigger and better year this year. What do you say, - we make 2009 our year through membership and financial growth, being involved and supporting our Post.

S.A.L. Commander

Jerry Henzel.

HOPES, PRAYERS, AND CONCERNS

Many of you may not know that we at Post 600 care about your needs. We want to know if you are ill or if there has been a death. But we won’t know how we can help if we don’t get a call from you or a family member. So please contact either Mel Lewandowski at the Post or Dolores Witt (763-712-8524). Whether it’s to notify us of an upcoming surgery, funeral luncheon, or Color Guard information. We’re here to help you out.

In Memory: Illness _____________

Barb Kline

Rosie Donnette

Chaplain’s Corner

Dear Lord,

We thank Thee for these days wherein we are given the freedom to make decisions for the betterment of our Legion and Auxiliary programs –to obtain knowledge and the wherewithal to better care for our veterans. How to combine these efforts for a better American, always being mindful that we are “one nation under God”.

We pray this will be our goal – knowing that when we place our trust in Thee we are assured of Thy blessing. We know, Lord all things are possible with Thee. Help us to be worthy as we claim this blessing.

Post Specials

Kitchen Hours

Monday – Thursday 11:00AM – 8:00PM

Friday -& Saturday 11:00AM – 9:30PM

Sunday – 11:00AM – 8:00PM

Daily Specials

Full Menu – Children’s Menu

Call ahead to place an order for the Office

Consider us for your Hall Rental and Catering needs for your next event

Members Hall Rental-Discount available

763-427-6870

Coupon Special

Post Past Events

Bus trip to various legions

Members having fun

At the Holiday Party on December 19^th, 2008

Members Holiday Party – December 19^th, 2008

January 2009
	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
					1 New Years day Chili Cook Off Contest Bar Bingo 6:30pm	2 Band – The Authorities 8:30pm-12:30am	3 Band – The Authorities 8:30pm-12:30am
	4 Meat Spin 3:30pm	5 Gambling Mtg 6:30pm Bingo 6:45pm	6 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	7 S.A.L. Mtg 7:pm Texas Hold-Em 7pm	8 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	9 Steak Fry 6-8pm Steak $10.00, Fish $7.50 Band – Headin Back 8:30pm-12:30am	10 Band – Headin back 8:30pm-12:30am
	11 Omelet Breakfast 8:30am to 12:30pm $5 Meat Spin 3:30pm	12 Housing Mtg 6:00pm Exec Brd Mtg 7:30pm Bingo 6:45pm	13 Legion/Auxiliary Meeting 7:30pm Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	14 Texas Hold-Em 7pm	15 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	16 Seafood Buffet 5:30-8pm $13.95 Band - Monarch 8:30pm-12:30am	17 Band - Monarch 8:30pm-12:30am
	18 Meat Spin 3:30pm	19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Bingo 6:45pm	20 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	21 Texas Hold-Em 7pm	22 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	23 Band - Tamarak 8:30pm-12:30am	24 Band - Tamarak 8:30pm-12:30am
	25 Meat Spin 3:30pm	26 Chinese New Year Begins Bingo 6:45pm	27 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	28 Texas Hold-Em 7pm	29 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	30 Band – Delcounts 8:30pm-12:30am	31 Band – Delcounts 8:30pm-12:30am
	Pull Tabs opens at 11:am Daily; Paddle Wheel opens Wed - Sun 6:pm Bar Hr 11am-10pm Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm	Every Monday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, Happy Hour 4 – 6pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm 12oz tap beer $1 all day Bingo 6:45pm	Every Tuesday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am Happy Hour 4 –6pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	Every Wednesday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am Happy Hour 4 – 6pm Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm Texas Hold-Em 7:00pm 20oz tap beer $2.50 all day	Every Thursday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am Happy Hour 4 – 6pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-9pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm Super Tacos $2, 7-till gone	Every Friday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, Kitchen Hr 11am-9:30pm	Every Saturday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, 2 for 1, 7-9pm Kitchen Hr 11am-9:30pm

Upcoming Events:

January 1^st – Chili Cook Off

January 7^th – S.A.L. Meeting

January 9^th – Steak Fry

January 11^th – Omelet Breakfast

January 13^th – Legion/Auxiliary Meeting

January 16^th – Seafood Buffet

January 29^th - Past President and Commanders meeting@7:00pm

Super Bowl/Texas Hold-Em Party on Super Bowl Sunday.

February 2009
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1 Meat Spin 3:30pm	2 Gambling Mtg 6:30pm Bingo 6:45pm	3 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	4 S.A.L Mtg 7pm Texas Hold-Em 7pm	5 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	6 Band – City Lights 8:30pm-12:30am	7 Band - City Lights 8:30pm-12:30am
8 Meat Spin 3:30pm	9 Housing Mtg 6:00pm Exec Brd Mtg 7:30pm Bingo 6:45 pm	10 Legion/Auxiliary Meeting 7:30pm Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	11 Texas Hold-Em 7pm	12 Lincolns Birthday Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	13 Steak Fry 6-8pm Steak $10.00, Fish $7.50 Band –Funk Wire 8:30pm-12:30am	14 Valentine’s Day Band – Funk Wire 8:30pm-12:30am
15 Omelet Breakfast 8:30am to 12:30pm $5 Meat Spin 3:30pm	16 Presidents Day Bingo 6:45pm	17 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	18 Texas Hold-Em 7pm	19 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	20 Seafood Buffet 5:30-8pm $13.95 Band –DB Cooper 8:30pm-12:30am	21 Band –DB Cooper 8:30pm-12:30am
22 Meat Spin 3:30pm	23 Bingo 6:45pm	24 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	25 Ash Wednesday Texas Hold-Em 7pm	26 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	27 Band -Fugitives 8:30pm-12:30am	28 Band -Fugitives 8:30pm-12:30am
March 1 Meat Spin 3:30pm	March 2 Orthodox Lent Begins Bingo 6:45pm	March 3 Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	March 4 Texas Hold-Em 7pm	March 5 Metro Marines Mtg 7pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm	March 6 Band – The Authorities 8:30pm-12:30am	March 7 Band – The Authorities 8:30pm-12:30am
Pull Tabs opens at 11:am Daily; Paddle Wheel opens Wed - Sun 6:pm Bar Hr 11am-10pm Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm	Every Monday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, Happy Hour 4 – 6 & 9 – 10pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm 12oz tap beer $1 all day Bingo 6:45pm	Every Tuesday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am Happy Hour 4 – 6 & 9 – 10pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm Members Day Hamburgers $1, Small Fries $1 5–8pm	Every Wednesday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am Happy Hour 4 – 6 & 9 – 10pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-8pm Texas Hold-Em 7:00pm 20oz tap beer $2.50 all day	Every Thursday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, Happy Hour 4 – 7pm, Kitchen Hr 11am-9pm Bar Bingo 6:30pm Super Tacos $2 , 7-till gone	Every Friday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, Kitchen Hr 11am-9:30pm	Every Saturday Bar Hr 11am-12:30am, Kitchen Hr 11am-9:30pm

Upcoming events:

February 4^{th -} S.A.L. Meeting

February 10^th – Legion/Auxiliary Meeting

February 13^th - Steak Fry

February 14^th – Valentine’s Day

February 15^th – Omelet Breakfast

February 20^{th -} Sea Food Buffet

March 10^th – Legion Birthday

AMERICAN LEGION ELIGIBILITY DATES :

Persian Gulf………………………. 08/02/90 to Open

Panama…………………………….12/20/89 to 01/31/90

Grenada/Lebanon…………………..08/24/82 to 07/31/84

Vietnam…………………………… 02/28/61 to 05/07/75

Korea…………………………….. 06/25/50 to 01/31/55

World War II…………………….. 12/07/41 to 12/31/46

World War I……………………… 04/06/17 to 11/11/18

POST #600 NEWSLETTER STAFF

Editors:

(Al Danko (Legion); (Deadline for Copy & Pictures – 17^th of the Month)

(Sharon Rohrbach) (Auxiliary)

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Champlin, MN

Permit no. 3

Champlin Post #600

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Post Office Box #57

Champlin, MN, 55316

Phone: 763-427-6870

Dated Material Enclosed