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The Garland-Tompkins American Legion Post 399 closed out the 2022 season in grand style with a December 6th “Reservation Only” dinner, open to the public. The dinner was by reservation only so that Chef Raj Asava and his wife Dawn could ensure there was enough of his very special “Chicken Marsala” on hand to feed everyone. A total of 59 people from the Old Mission community attended.
Hors d’oeuvres of peeled shrimp, wrapped asparagus spears and other goodies started the evening. The main course was Chicken Marsala, accompanied by seasoned, broiled, fresh asparagus and creamy garlic potatoes with a spring green salad on the side. The meal was topped off with chocolate layer cake and vanilla ice cream.
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The Legion has worked very hard this year to keep the cost of our community meals reasonable, and I think all would agree this meal was a bargain at only $15 per plate. We are happy to report we are still able to break even at this low price, and we’ll continue to strive to do so as long as we are able.
The meal was followed by six rounds of Bingo, as well as ample opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors. These activities were planned and implemented by Mary Shultz, Cindy Dyer, Dianne Schaffer and Carol Holmes. What a team! They did a marvelous job, and it looked like everyone really enjoyed themselves, despite the corny jokes interjected by the Bingo Caller, Post Commander Rudy Rudolph.
2022 has been a recovery year for Post 399, as it has been for so many organizations and people coming out of the Covid Pandemic. The biggest accomplishment was getting a new roof installed on the community hall, which is now over 30 years old. We were able to do this with help from Rotary Charities, which came through with a welcome grant for part of the costs, but the majority of the cost was borne by the generosity of the community. The outpouring of goodwill and monetary donations was truly humbling. The excess donations will be used to continue to make needed repairs and improvements to the community hall as noted below.
We made needed repairs to the flagpole, and during that process, we installed automatic, solar powered lighting for the flags. We were also able to improve the hot water service to the kitchen, repair the commercial dishwasher and insulate the hot water pipes under the building. Jon Andrus donated his time to make some needed repairs to the cabinets in the kitchen which were sorely needed. Thank you, Jon.
Early in 2023, we intend to unveil a new website that is independent of the Facebook platform. We are also planning to address the exterior steps and ramp, which are showing serious signs of deterioration. We will be looking for proposals for this project early next year. The Legion sign is also in need of repair and updating, and that is already being addressed for action in the spring. That project is made possible with donations from members of the Old Mission Community specifically for that purpose.
Caring for the community hall is a big part of what Legion Post 399 is all about, but we were excited to be a part of the July “Walk around the Block” spontaneous celebration, hosting a free lemonade and cookie treat at the end of the walk. We have also raised donations for suicide prevention and the food bank administered by the Father Fred Foundation.
All of this is only possible through the wonderful support of our volunteers and the Old Mission Community at large. For this we are truly grateful. All of us at American Legion Post 399 wish everyone in the Old Mission Community a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!
-Rudy Rudolph, Post Commander
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