This is the last week to buy tickets on our Wine Crate Draw.
Draw will be on July 2nd.
Thank you to all who have supported this raffle.
June President Report
Wow!! Where did the month go? We have been busy preparing for the time when everything is back to some kind of normal. Because of the restrictions still in place at the beginning of June we were only allowed 10 people at our annual Decoration Day held at the Monument in the Field of Honour. The weather was beautiful for the Service of Remembrance as we paid tribute to all our Veterans who lie in Hillside Cemetery. The colour party, the bugler and the piper made the ceremony very special even as it was reduced in size of attendees.
I would like to extend a big thank you to Wes Krause for bringing his power washer on June 5th to clean the headstones. It sure made the work a whole lot easier. As well, thank you to Mark Ward, our bugler, Eric Keane our piper and to our Padre Ron MacDonald for leading us in prayers. And thanks to CAVS who attended the Service.
During the service, rather than place poppies on the headstones, which we have to gather back up within the next 3 days, we placed rocks painted with poppies by River Heights School students. These rocks were placed all around the cemetery on the headstones of at least 150 veterans. If you have a particular veteran you would like to honour, we do have some of the painted rocks left and you can pick one up at the Legion Office.
Although the Legion Office has been open, neither Schooners Pub nor the Legion Canteen have been open since March. On June 10th we entered step 2 and Schooners Pub opened on a reduced capacity- 30%. Pool and darts are now permitted. Pool can be played in either Schooners or at the tables in the Legion Canteen. Members pay $5 for pool and non-members must pay $8. Food and non-alcoholic drinks can be consumed in the canteen. As there is no bar tender alcoholic drinks must be bought and consumed only in Schooners Pub.
Drinks will remain at $3.50 domestic beer, wine and liquor highballs and $4 for premium bottled beer and specialty drinks until we need to restock. Food prices have been reduced until July 1st. There will continue to be a daily special from our kitchen every week day. On the weekend sausages and pickled eggs can be purchased from the bar unless there is a pool tournament then we will have a cook on that Saturday. Stay-tuned for updates for the pool tournaments.
Wage subsidies and grants have helped us pay the bills but I would like to share the following information just to put in perspective how difficult the situation was to stay in the black and pay all the bills.
Net Sales Canteen for May 2021- $1,143.60
Actual difference from May 2020 and May 2021 -($50,050.57)
Net Bar Sales Schooners Pub May 2021 $2,217.86
Actual difference from May 2020 and May 2021 – ($40,435.71
Total Revenue Schooners Pub May 2021 $20,085.13
Actual difference from May 2020 and May 2021 – ($89,919.23)
Much of the $20,085 Revenue for Schooners included almost $18,000 in wage subsidy.
As you can see, revenues were way, way down. So your executive voted to take a very cautious approach to reopening the Legion Canteen. In the summer your Legion Canteen rarely shows a profit. Schooners carries us through until the Fall. Therefore, we have made a unanimous decision to reopen the Legion Canteen Friday August 28th. Meat Draws will begin again as will Chase the President. We are planning a welcome back barbecue and some special activities before the Meat Raffle starts. If you are interested in being on the Committee, please let us know. As well, if you would like to work the Meat Raffle or Chase the President, please let us know.
If you have been down to the Legion lately you may have noticed the following improvements thanks to some great workers. The painting in the Legion canteen was thanks to Holly and Kim Bohnet. As supervisor Roy Gale and his work crew of Rod Simmons, Don Hamilton painted the benches at the front of the Legion and cleaned up the Legion garage as well as weeded the parking lot. It all looks super good and this work not only was much needed but is also much appreciated, especially when the coffers are almost empty and we cannot afford to hire anyone. We have had unexpected expenses with regards to our coolers and air conditioning to deal with.
Last month we asked for volunteers to cut the lawn and help with the sprinklers. The following stepped up and the lawn looks great. Rod Simmons, Don Hamilton and Eldon Wells. A big thank as well to Eldon, Don and Rod for the work they did at the front of the Legion. They removed the plants and replaced them with gravel donated by Landscape Depot. A big thank you to this local company and a well done and kudos to the volunteers.
Local service clubs have been approaching us for meeting space and we are happy to report that we are busy trying to accommodate them all. Our Legion should be a hub for our community as well an organization that assists veterans and their families. Dave Burgess is trying to get Vet-Build going so if you are interested in building models with other vets on a
Saturday for a few hours, contact the Legion of Dave. The Poppy Fund continues to support the Salvation Army Hot Meal Program and the downtown churches’ hot meal on the weekend. We know there are veterans who access both of these very worthwhile programs.
Next year on January 11th, Robertson Memorial will be celebrating its 95th Anniversary. About 5 years ago we started having birthday parties for our veterans 90 and older. Because of covid we have been unable to have them. If you or a family member is turning 90, please remember the membership renewal is now paid by the Branch in recognition of the Veterans contribution.
Robertson Memorial has 3 members that I know of, who this year who have either turned 101 or are turning 100 years young. Let us all congratulate Roy Gale for turning 101 and Ethel May Sherwin for turning 100 on March 12 and to Martin Schlinker who will turn 100 later this year. Thank you for your service and commitment to your country and your Legion.
This year from August 13-15 the Royal Canadian Dominion Convention will be digital. Members of the Executive have made a commitment to attend but will do it virtually in the Legion. We will provide a full report in September at the General Meeting.
As we are about to enter Step 3 on July 1st we are not certain about the mask rules. So please stay tuned when you enter the Schooners Pub or the Legion to read the signs. I have included what I hope and I am sure you hope will be my last instalment of the Covid-19 Saga.
Keep cool and keep safe.
Sheila Donner,
President
