MAY 2015 - Comox Legion Branch 160

TW Volume V
April 25, 2015
Edition 5
MAY 2015
Central Vancouver Island Zone
Branch No. 160 Comox
1825 Comox Avenue
Comox, BC V9M 3M3
In the Heart of
Downtown Comox
BRANCH & LA OFFICERS
BRANCH OFFICERS
LA OFFICERS
President
1st Vice
2nd Vice
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Stu McKinnon
Ernie Mills
Rod Bell-Irving
Claude Bédard
Don Davis
Gerry Maillet
President
Eileen Paulin
st
1 Vice
De Fredrickson
2nd Vice
Edythe Erickson
Secretary
Reta Walls
Treasurer
Jasia Cocking
Past President
Lorraine Gillis
House
Barb Waugh
EXECUTIVE
Bingo
Laura Webber
Kirk Bailey
Bill Beaudin
Social Services
Pat Johnston
John Davis
Norma Hanson
Membership
Amy Heal
Gillian Iddiols
John Paulin
Ways & Means Jean Schreiner
Ernie Stefanik
Rod Verchere
Sgt-at-Arms
Lil Smith
Catering
Helen Steed
Dave Willington
BRANCH COMMITTEE CHAIRS & APPOINTMENTS
Finance
Don Davis
Membership &
Sick & Visiting
Gillian Iddiols
Youth
Kirk Bailey
Building
Ernie Stefanik
Publicity
Norma Hanson
Honors/Awards Gerry Maillet
Log
Claude Bédard
Sports
Dave Willington Sgt-at-Arms
Gerry Maillet
Poppy/Bursary
John Paulin
Service Officer Victoria Coffey
Meat Draw
Bill Beaudin
Photographer Al Cameron
Entertainment
Rod Verchere
Padre
Rev Matthew Lucas
Bar & Gaming
John Davis
Curator
Dave Kelly
BRANCH STAFF
Jasia Cocking
Secretary Manager
Joanne Penney Head Bartender
EDITOR’S NOTES:
All articles for The Log should be with the Editor
by the 20th of the preceding month. Photos must include a short description
of the event c/w the names of the persons in the photo. Send submissions in
doc, docx, xls, xlsx, eml, pdf, odt, gif or jpeg format to the Editor by email at
t.w.smith@shaw.ca.
SICK & VISITING:
We are seeking your assistance. If you know of
any member or veteran in need of assistance or a visit please call the Office.
SERVICE OFFICER:
Telephone: 250 339-7697
-2-
PRESIDENT’S RAMBLINGS by Stu McKinnon
It’s the 18th of April already and
I still have to get this log entry
done! I think I will be gone for
a few days but I am not telling
you where.
This last month was fairly busy
around the Branch. Our Easter
Brunch was very well attended,
not a packed house but was
steady throughout. We held
our Annual Honors & Awards
on Saturday the 11th. It was
pretty well a full house, I hadn’t
expected that many Comrades
and LA. We had figured about
50 to attend so it was nice to
see the 75 – 80 that attended
with their guests.
The
presentations included one 50
yr medal and bar, three 55 year
bars and one 65 year bar.
Congratulations to all the
recipients.
We are slowly getting our
window project finished. The
only thing left is waiting on the
new window coverings (vertical
blinds) for the inner and outer
office.
We will be installing air
conditioners as well.
The entranceway into the
Branch is now completed.
Joanne
finished
painting
yesterday and it looks very
good. Thanks Joanne. We
have also started to repaint the
upper hall, the marks on the
walls are not the result of a bad
paint job! We are also looking
to install a new countertop in
the pot room.
We didn’t meet our quorum for
the March General meeting and
April’s meeting just made it.
We need members to attend
these meetings. You elected
your Executive to look after the
Branch; however, we cannot do
anything without the general
membership’s help. It doesn’t
take much time to attend the
monthly meetings, maybe a
couple of hours. We also need
volunteers to help out, imagine
how much can get done if
everybody gave an afternoon.
Stu Mckinnon, President
-3-
LA MUSINGS by Judi Davis
Meeting of April 9th had 20
members present. President
Eileen Paulin chaired the
meeting. Branch President Stu
McKinnon was our guest. Pat
Johnston was installed into office
as Social Services.
The Honours and Awards
ceremony was on April 11th, with
the ladies presenting muchdeserved pins and awards.
Our Bake sale that was held in
the Comox Mall was a booming
success, Jean Schreiner thanks all
those who baked and helped out
at the table in the Mall.
Bingo is picking up, there are a few
catering jobs coming up, help always
needed, if you can work at these or
any catering jobs, please phone
Pat Chester @ 339-7456 and give
her your name, she will call you
when we need help.
Muffins are needed for our
Convention in May; anyone
wishing to make some up, you
can freeze them and bring to
Legion on May 1st. We need 300
for one day. Please and thank
you in advance.
President McKinnon addressed
the members, and commented
on the rapport between the
Branch and L.A. and how much
they appreciate the ladies.
He also mentioned the new
windows that have been installed
in the Branch, and that they were
going to paint the hall. He
thanked us for our invitation to
attend the meeting.
Next Executive Meeting: May 7th
@ 7:00 pm
Next General Meeting: May 14th
@ 7:00 pm
Back by popular demand the 2015 Club Crawl
July 25 th .
Bus only $25.00; + shirt $42.50
Itinerary to follow.
Sign up at bar by July 24 th for
the bus only, or July 17 th if you
want the shirt.
-4-
COMPUTER CORNER, by Jacques Belanger
This month we will briefly talk
about “Windows Genuine”. As
of today, most Window users
are running either Windows 7, 8
or 8.1. Users with Windows XP
are still working but no longer
supported by Microsoft.
A typical Windows PC
purchased in a computer store
will come with a pre-activated
copy of Windows that’s
properly licensed. However,
maybe a friend or relative
installed a pirated copy of the
operating system and this would
generate a constant warning
window telling you that “This
copy of Window is not a
genuine copy”
This window is annoying but
also, an unlicensed operating
system
would
not
load
appropriate updates. This can
bring you malware and other
issues.
Last January, Microsoft
announced their new operating
system called Windows 10. It
should be launched in late April
of this year. During the
announcement, Microsoft also
announced that Windows 7, 8
and 8.1 users would be able to
update to Windows 10 for free.
You have 12 months to do it
from the launching date.
I never was a big fan of
Microsoft. However, I must say
this is a huge improvement to
their image. In the past, users
had to pay anywhere from
$100.00 to $140.00 for an
Operating system upgrade.
You can read more about
Windows 10 announcement at
the following link;
http://www.cnet.com/news/m
icrosoft-to-deliver-freewindows-10-upgrades/
Please send your questions and
comments to Jacques at:
bccomox@gmail.com
-5-
CURATOR’S CORNER………Dave Kelly
This month we have donations for
hardcover
book
titled
our library.
“Soldaten”, a book about
WW2 German POWs.
• From Comrade Brian O’Cain a
A
reminder,
all our books and
number of magazines, most
magazines in the library are
concerning WW2.
available for your reading
• From an unknown donor, a
pleasure.
Memorabilia donated this month:
1.
From the family of the late
Comrade Cora Hansen, a wedge cap
with a badge of the British Empire
Services League Canada. This was
the forerunner of the Canadian
Legion. In November 1925, the
Canadian Legion was founded in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, as the
Canadian Legion of the British
Empire Services League. The
Canadian Legion of the BESL was
incorporated by a special act of
Parliament the following year. The
Legion grew steadily through the
1930s and then expanded rapidly
Following WW2. In 1960, Elizabeth
II granted the Legion royal
patronage and it became The Royal
Canadian Legion. This wedge cap
was placed in the display case in the
main entrance lobby, with the help
of our friendly bartender, Joanne.
-6-
2. Comrade Ken Bellefontaine
donated a painting/print by artist
Art Fortin of German U-774 and
HMCS Chilliwack. The events for
this painting follows:
• U-774 and K-131 (HMCS •
Chilliwack)
• U-744
Type
V11C
commissioned June 5th 1943
• On February 24th 1944, U-744
left
Brest
for
Atlantic
operations. She joined the
Preussen group whose boats
were operating singly west of
the British Isles. On March 6th
1944, she was located some
550 miles west of Dingle Bay
by warships of the 6th EG
escorting eastbound convoy
HX 280. She became the •
object of a hunt, which
eventually lasted 30 hours. U744 was depth charged by the
destroyers HMCS Chaudière •
and Gatineau and HMS Icarus,
the
frigate
HMCS
St.
Catherine,
-7-
Chilliwack
and
Fennel.Corvette
HMS
Kenilworth Castle that was
summoned to the scene to
give support.
U-744 was forced to the
surface and was boarded by a
party from Chilliwack, who
hoisted the white ensign and
captured books, documents
and important equipment.
This painting depicts crewmen
from Chilliwack hoisting the
white ensign with convoy HX
280 in the background. The
addition to the painting of an
aircraft-flying overhead at the
time is probably due to artist's
poetic license.
In the heavy seas, all attempts
to take the boat in tow failed
and a torpedo from Icarus
finally sank her.
U-744's Commander, OL
Heinz Bischke, and 12 men
were lost.
Fairwinds……Dave Kelly
U SED A ND W ASHED G OLF B ALLS
$3.00/dozen
Please pay at the bar.
All receipts to sports account.
WEDNESDAY DROP-IN DARTS
Register 7-­‐7.25 p.m. Toe line 7.30 p.m. Entry fee is $2.25 p.p. Blind draw mixed doubles. All welcome
-8-
9th Annual Memorial Darts Tournament
With play getting underway at 10
am, a long day was ahead of the
players, the Final being over by
approx 7.30 pm.
Players were in fine spirits (well
some were drinking beer), 53 players
[13 teams (12x4 and 1x3)] stepped
up to the toe line for a round robin
event of 2 games of 701.
As the shoot progressed so did the
sound decibels, when the last dart
was thrown in the preliminary event,
the mathematicians went to work,
with only one clear cut team (18 of a
possible) heading into the loved
knock-out round, 5 teams with 16
wins had to be placed in their
correct order, 7th and 8th with 15
and 12 wins made up the top 8.
Triumphant taking 2 straight in the
best of three were the Griffin team
of Tim and Scott Parsons, Bud
Englund and John Chequis.
Hayes, Joe McNeil, Bill Foottit and
Tim Sinclair.
3rd and 4th spots were undecided, (it
had been along day), and so the two
teams split the prize money for
those positions.
High out Men’s Ernie Linden with a
122, High score went to Ken Hayes
with 3 140’s.
Ladies High out was a tie between
Leslie Lamouroux and Janet
Litchfield both with a 32 out. Ladies
High score went to Angie Pagani
(Campbell River) with a 171
Many thanks to all that participated;
it makes the hard work involved
worthwhile.
Again another splendid job by the
food and bar staff, and of course the
set up and take down help.
Next up will be our Pineapple and
ham shoot in August, watch for ads.
Dave Willington, Sports
-9-
VISITORS
Branch # 160 would like to thank all the visitors to the Branch and
hope you had an enjoyable experience. These are the notable and far
away visitors who enjoyed our comradeship’ in April 2015:
Rodney Nichol
Norm McLean
David Hewon
Mike Lang
Byron Hewkjious
Drew Vale
Jeff Larden
Joan Voyce
Carola Lawrence
Mike Percell
Bud Ziegler
Kathlene Zolinsky
R. Bedard-Schilling
Barney Adams
Kim Mann
Don Nickerson
Rick Dowhan
Pam Blouin
Arie Grey
Kin Vandament
Paul Keeley
Br 91 Victoria, BC
Black Creek, BC
Kamloops, BC
Black Creek, BC
Victoria, BC
Deseronto, ON
Calgary, AB
Canmore, AB
Port Coquitlam, BC
Ottawa, ON
Duncan, BC
Wakau, SK
Pangman, SK
Grande Prairie, AB
Victoria, BC
N. Vancouver, BC
McCreary, MB
Edmonton, AB
Edmonton, AB
Kingston, ON
Calgary, AB
Brenda Nikkel
Audrey Batho
David Kruger
John Langevin
Bev Johnson
Sue Vale
Rae Proctor
Lila Wuellmer
J&L Welhen
M. Ramsay
John Zolinsky
John Genereux
Cory Schilling
Jon Wasiancz
Kelly Mann
Deb Talbot
Frank Greens
B. Urleson
Denla Grey
Karen Chrysler
Todd Marole
Nanaimo, BC
Black Creek, BC
Edmonton, AB
CFB Kingston, ON
Cloverdale, BC
Deseronto, ON
Canmore, AB
Merville, BC
Edson, AB
Merville, BC
Wakau, SK
Vernon, BC
Pangman, SK
Surrey, BC
Victoria, BC
Calgary, AB
Campbell River, BC
Brantford, ON
Edmonton, AB
Terrace, BC
Calgary, AB
** All visitors in the above list are taken from the “Sign In” book
located at the front door. If any names are misspelt, omitted, or the
Branch number is incorrect, please accept our apologies, as this is
what was interpreted when we transcribed the list. Thanks. TW
-10-
AD HOC – REDEVELOPMENT by Roderick Bell-Irving
MOVING FORWARD LOOKING BACK – MAYBE?
Within the past two weeks, on behalf our members make informed
of your Ad Hoc Redevelopment decisions. Your committee’s job is to
Committee, I have written (540 letters gather and communicate the facts and
and 250 emails) to all of our paid up options to the membership and the
2015 members. Judging by the lack of membership’s responsibility is to
response thus far (<10% of the emails make the informed decisions.
sent) it would appear that the vast Irrespective of what the final decision
majority of our members have turns out to be, I am determined at
decided not to respond. In light of this stage in our efforts to reach out
both the cost ($1,000) and the effort and connect directly with each and
that went into sending out this every member of our Branch to learn
information I feel compelled to write first- hand how each one of you
this article in an attempt to encourage prefer to be kept informed and or
those of you that have decided not to involved. This is why the letter and
respond to please reconsider.
email were sent. For those of you that
I submit that likely there is no other have responded, your committee will
subject or issue that has the potential do our best to honour your
to affect both our current and our preferences and requests. For those of
future use and enjoyment of the you that don’t respond I will
building, as well as our financial well- personally use best efforts to directly
being and ultimate survivability than contact each one of you to learn firstthat of redevelopment. At this stage hand why you chose not to respond.
of our investigations it does not For in the end, regardless of the
particularly matter whether like me outcome, only two things really
you
see
the
possibility
of matter, one that a good decision is
redevelopment
providing
an made based on facts, information and
opportunity for the Branch to recruit an informed membership and two,
new members and create and leave a that in taking an active part in the
legacy for those that come after us or decision making process our members
whether you prefer to simply “leave will rightly feel a sense of ownership,
sleeping dogs lie” and not change a pride and responsibility thus better
thing. What does matter very much ensuring a successful outcome.
indeed is that when the time does Respectfully Submitted;
come for our membership to make Rod Bell-Irving, 2nd Vice-President
decisions around whether or not to and Chair Ad Hoc Re-dev. Comm.
actually commit to redevelopment,
-11-
THANK YOU
My quarterly Thank you to those
who’s help is so very much
appreciated and needed they are
my wife Pat, Lil Smith, Don
Davis, Ernie Stefanik, Hank
Fortin, Dennis Hutchings, Gillian
Iddiols, Ernie Mills, Joanne
Penny and those who
helped with the Easter Sunday
Brunch John and Eileen Paulin,
Stu McKinnon, Norma Hanson;
Don Sinema and Yetta Andres.
Thank you all very much.
Rod Verchere, Chair
Entertainment Committee
WANTED
The
compilation
of
a
photographic history of the
Branch is in process. An Urgent
appeal for photographs of the
Comox Legion Branch, original
photos of the construction of the
branch circa 1939 and/or the
completed building prior to the
1973 fire. Pictures of the fire and
reconstruction thereafter are also
required.
Your photos will be duplicated
and returned to you in as pristine
a condition as we received them.
If you have any photos please
contact:
Allan Cameron, Branch
Photographer @ 250 339-4088
or alwcam@telus.net
Jasia Cocking, Secretary Manager
@ 250 339-2022 or
rcl.comox.branch160@shaw.ca
Meat Draw
1st
8th
15th
22nd
29th
May (Fridays)
B Beaudin & A Forbes
2nd
TBA
9th
P Ellegood & T Ackerman 16th
Ernie Mills
23rd
Val Greenlaw
30th
-12-
May (Saturdays)
Norma Hanson
Gerry Maillet
Ernie Stefanik
F Maniak & L Davidson
JC Bedard
“Myrna Cooley”
“2nd Annual Memorial”
9 hole Golf Tournament.
May 24th
Longland’s Golf Course.
Blind draw doubles, shot gun start,
best ball format.
Tee time 10.00 am.
Entry fee $25.00 per player, includes lunch.
Lunch only $10.00.
Pre register at the bar by May 22 nd .
-13-
Branch 160 9 Hole Golf,
At Longlands;
2015 Schedule
Sunday’s
May 24th*, June 28th, July 26th, August 23rd
and Wind Up on September 20th*
10 am tee off.
Blind Draw Doubles,
“Best Ball” format
Cost is $20.00 (except those tagged *) per
player, which covers 9 holes, and Lunch.
Lunch only $7.00.
For more info Dave 339-9592
dcwillington@gmail.com
Please note, there will be a restructuring
of the prizes.
-14-
FIXED EVENTS WITHIN THE BRANCH
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESD
AY
THURSDA
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FRIDAY
SATURDA
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Last Sunday Dine/Dance - Upper Hall/Lounge 2:00 to
6:00 PM
3rd Sunday Euchre - Lounge 1:00 PM
Ladies Euchre - Upper Hall 1:30 PM
Pull Tab Draw – 4:00 PM
L.A. Drop-in Bingo - Upper Hall 7:00 PM
Line Dancing - Lounge 7:00 PM
Men’s Darts League - Lounge 7:30 PM
Mixed Dart League - Upper Hall 7:30 PM
Ladies Crib League - Lounge 7:30 PM
Mixed Pub League Darts – Lounge 7:30 PM
Beer & Burger – Lounge 5:00 PM
2nd Wednesday Branch Executive Meeting – Upper Hall
7:30 PM
Ladies Dart League - Lounge at 7:30 PM
Drop-in Darts – Lounge (May to Aug) 7:00 PM
NVI Cribbage League - Lounge 7:30 PM
1st Thursday L.A. Executive Meeting - Upper Hall 7:00 PM
2nd Thursday L.A. General Meeting - Upper Hall 7:00 PM
3rd Thursday L.A. Soup/Sandwich Lunch - Upper Hall
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
3rd Thursday Branch General Meeting - Upper Hall 7:00
PM
Men’s Pub League Darts - Lounge 7:30 PM
Meat Draw - Lounge 3:00 PM
Drop-in Darts – Lounge (Sep to Apr) 7:00 PM
Meat Draw - Lounge 3:00 PM
Ace of Spades Draw - Lounge 6:00 PM
Gucci Cards - Lounge 7:00 PM
EMAIL:
rcl.comox.branch160@shaw.ca
WEBPAGE:
http://comoxlegion.ca/
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RCL-ComoxBranch-160/262453583876450
-15-
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
SATURDAY May 2nd - DANCE NIGHT
Shared Dance with Tuesday Night Darts
Dance to “JILLI MARTINI BAND” in the Lounge
SUNDAY May 10th - MOTHERS’ DAY HIGH TEA
Come out for Tea and Crumpets 1:30 to 3:00 PM Upper Hall
Legion Branch & LA Ladies – N/C; All others $5.00/person
FRIDAY May 15th - WESTERN NIGHT
Dance to “KENNY SHAW, BRIAN TEMPLE & A MEMBER OF THE
CANADIAN HALL OF FAME, JUDE STROBBE”
Doors Upper Hall 5:30 PM; 6:00 PM Dine – Steak Dinner
Tickets $20.00/person available @ the bar until May 13th.
FRIDAY May 22nd - ANNUAL LOBSTER DINNER
Dance to “TOM WALTON BAND” authentic Down Home Music
Doors Upper Hall open 5:30 PM; 6:00 PM Lobster Dinner
Tickets - Lobster $25.00; Cordon Bleu $15.00 @ the bar until May 19th
SUNDAY May 31st - FAMILY DINNER & DANCE
Dance to “TBA” 2:00 to 6:00 PM in the Lounge
Dine Upper Hall 6:00 PM – Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
Tickets Adults - $12.50; Juveniles - $10.00; Under 3 - N/C.
WEDNESDAY - BEER & BURGER NITES
May 6th; 13th; 20th & 27th; 5:00 to 6:30 PM Lounge; $10.00/person
**** Please check @ the Bar for cancellations/time changes, etc ****
Contact Jasia Cocking for Hall Rentals, Catering & Special Events
Office Hours: Monday – Friday - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Telephone/Fax: 250 339-2022
LOUNGE HOURS OF OPERATION
MONDAY TO SATURDAY
11:00 AM TO MIDNIGHT
SUNDAY
11:00 AM TO 5:00 PM
LOUNGE TELEPHONE: 250 339-2112
Note:
Standard Bar hours applies unless non-usage requires
that the bartender close early.