The New Year has arrived and we are faced with moving on into the future of American Legion Post 175 for 2004-2005. Before I do that first, let myself and the Executive Board thank all the numerous Legionnaires, Auxiliary, SAL and even non- members who helped us in so many ways I cannot begin to list them all. You all made a successful year for Post 175.AGAIN MY THANKS TO YOU. As in any year many events and projects are planned here at the Post and we have done well but not succeeded in all of them, we will continue to work and improve on these. Some projects I would like to see completed before I leave office are:

1.The SAL, Auxiliary office

2.Reworking of the monument

3.The Hall

4.The parking lot

5.Chamber of Commerce Road Signs

6.Outside hall entrance

7.Any others that may come up

8.As Always taking care of our members and their families and our Veterans to the best of our ability.

ONLY WITH YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT CAN WE ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS.

AS ALWAYS,

The Post didn’t make its membership goal of 100% by January 1,2004, we were at 92.9%. The good news is we are above the Department goal of 85.0% by 9 January. As I write this article we are at 95.6%. The Post needs 36 more members to reach "FOUR STAR".

Just a reminder, if you have not renewed your membership by 1February, you are suspended, but nevertheless a member with no privilege except that of reinstatement by vote of the post and payment of dues; and dues not being paid, such membership continues for a period of five months, to June 30, at which time the member is dropped from the roll by constitutional mandate and the membership forfeited. Don’t let this happen.

There is a list posted on the bulletin board of all members who paid for 2003 and have not renewed for 2004. Take a look and see if there is someone you know, if there is, ask him or her to renew. Membership is everyone’s job.

Please remember all service members serving all around the world and at home.

The Annual Charity Luncheon was held in December with 30 people attending.

This year’s goal was met with distribution of $2800.00 to fourteen [14] needy families.

We received cash donations from both individuals and organizations. Thanks to our Auxiliary, the SAL, the Legion, and the Kennel Club for their generosity.

I am proud to have served with those who donated their time, money and food to make this program continue. There are some very special people at our post who generously donate their efforts for the common good of all of us. They are reliable, and supportive to many post programs. Thanks to those who donated and prepared food….Pat Rabeau; Michele Jordan; Barbara Smith; Dave Dulin; Paula Fuller; George Edwards; Mark Schlossman; Roger Weaverling; John Ellis; Carl George; Laura Weikert; Keith Jordan; Dan Jordan; Dawn Weaverling; Liz Richard; Mike Clutz, Pat Kloes; Mike Smollen; Brenda and Rick Digby; and Dan McDonald. Also, thanks to those who attended the luncheon and made cash donations.

Although we are in the middle of winter, it’s time to consider supporting your post by serving on the Legion Post 175 Executive Committee in some capacity. You can help steer or navigate the ship into another excellent year. If this is not your ‘thing’, maybe you can support your post in a selective way by offering to do a task or work in a group to help make one of the major events happen smoothly. The more volunteers we have, the easier it is for each of us. There are some projects that need people with special talents. If you have a special talent or expertise to offer, then please let us know.

There are plenty of jobs around the post to do involving painting, carpentry, landscaping, etc. The lists of ‘things’ to do or to be done are many. So step up and be recognized. It’s your Legion Post Home and it’s only as good as what you make of it.

Thank you in advance for your Legion Post support in the New Year.

Richard L. Bonnett

Fellow Legionnaires, I’m sorry to report that Bernard W "Mike" Donovan, Lindsey Coleman Cunningham, and William W "Bill" Zeller, have been called to Post Everlasting since our last newsletter. We’ve also learned that Comrade Alan Byrne died in March of last year. Please remember these comrades and their families in your prayers.

There will be a blood drive at the Elks Lodge on Truckhouse Road on Monday, 1 March 2004. Please put that date on your calendar. The need for blood is urgent, as you have no doubt heard. The blood supply in hospitals is down to hours. If you can’t give, perhaps family members, friends, or business associates can. Every pint of blood given can benefit up to three people in need of life saving plasma, platelets, or serum. Please give the gift of life by signing up on the bulletin board near the front door. Give until it helps.

Comrade Francis "Pat" Leisenring is home after having some additional corrective surgery on his hip. Pat is feeling better, but would welcome anyone who stops by to say hello. Call me if you need his telephone number. Legionnaire Ed Sadowski is still having lots of problems. He is in North Arundel Hospital. Keep him and Pat and their families in your prayers.

Have a loving Valentine’s Day.

Please let me know of anyone in the hospital or ill at home. Thanks.

__________________________________________

Happy New Year! Indeed it will be as our lineup of events shows for the next few months.

Southern Maryland district will hold its Day for God and Country Ceremony on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at Holy Trinity Church in Glen Burnie, Md. At 2PM. All are invited to this moving ceremony honoring the Four Chaplains who gave their lives so others might live and to show our appreciation to our service men and women of today.

Saturday, February 14, 2004, the AUX and SAL are hosting a Valentine’s Dinner of Steak or Lobster with music to follow in the lounge. The cut off date for ticket sales is February 8th so get yours now! The St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will be held Saturday, March 13, 2004 and will also have music to follow in the lounge. (See Rosemary Gurick’s article for details on both events.)

On Sunday, March 28, 2004, our Unit will be hosting the Southern Maryland District Meeting at our Post. Any Unit member in good standing is invited to attend this meeting and learn how the organization works on the district level. It’s also nice to meet people from other units and share ideas. A nice lunch will be provided.

Don’t forget to bring the kids to the Children’s Easter Party on April 4, 2004. See Michele Jordan’s article for the cut off date for sign ups.

.

There will be an Initiation Ceremony at the April 28^th meeting. A letter will be sent to all those new members who wish to take part and receive their auxiliary pins. You are a full member as long as your dues are current so participation in this event is strictly voluntary and does not affect the status of your membership in the organization.

The Texas Roundup is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, 2004 and Election of Officers will be held at the June meeting. Then it’s off to Convention in July and the start of another Administrative year.

Thank you to Mike Clutz and his crew of SAL volunteers who have been busy getting the new joint office ready for use. We appreciate their time and work.

There are some of you who would like to have your "patches" included in the case, which is hanging in the lounge area. Bring them in to me and we’ll get them attached to the banner or the immediate area inside the case. This banner was made by Regina Bachman and was originally hung in the Hall over the bar before the lounge and upstairs were added, as we know them today.

Our organization relies on volunteers for help and I’d like to acknowledge Sophia Nagel and Betty Gentile for their contributions to the breakfast "sweets". Thank you ladies! Another Thank You goes out to the entire breakfast crew and our loyal supporters who showed up for the January breakfast despite the inclement weather!

Thank you also to the faithful volunteers who serve at Bingo once a month for the residents at Future Care. The donations of prizes and refreshments are greatly appreciated.

The newsletter itself is quite a production due to the efforts of Jim Corkery, Alan Forsyth, the "proofreaders", the daytime "lounge crew" and many individuals. We also thank Office Depot in Severna Park for their excellent job in printing the newsletter.

Our December Fund Raiser was a success thanks to Co-Chairman Regina Bachman and all the sellers and buyers.

Thank you all again for your support of our fundraising efforts and " fun time" events. Remember our Veterans and Service men and women all over the world.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays and that 2004 finds you happy and healthy! With 2003 behind us it is time to start anew. Hold your fond memories close in your heart and create new in 2004.

The past few months have been filled with the celebration of birthdays. Happy Birthday to all of our Auxiliary members who were blessed to celebrate! We have also had members that were under the weather with the flu, including myself. We hope you are feeling well, and pray you continue to feel wonderful throughout the year.

May you be blessed throughout the year. My home phone number is (410) 315-8349, and my email address at home is almnsam@aol.com.

Peace and May God Bless Us All,

As of this writing, our Unit needs 35 members to pay up for 2004. We are so close to matching last year’s total of 290 paid up members.

I hope each of our members will check over their female relatives and sign up at least one. Any member who does not have a 2004 card by February 1 is suspended.

We are proud to welcome our new members. They are Elaine Sears, Marlise Mason and Nancy Burns.

Stay warm and say a prayer for our service people and veterans.

__________________________________________

The March Southern Maryland district meeting will be held at our Post Home on March 28 at 2PM. Lunch will be served at 1PM. It would be great to have a good show of members at this meeting.

An Initiation Ceremony will be held at the April 28 regular monthly meeting. All members who have not been initiated and do not have their auxiliary pin are invited to attend this meeting. A reminder letter will be sent to all new members.

Please put these two dates on your calendar now. We look forward to seeing you.

1^st Vice President ______________________________________

Happy New Year to all! Hope everyone’s holidays were good. We have some really good events scheduled for February and March, and we hope you can join us.

February 14^th is Valentines Day and the Auxiliary and SAL will be having a Steak or Lobster Dinner in the hall that night from 6:00PM to 8:30PM with music by Country Breeze playing in the lounge from 8:30PM to 12:30AM. The cost of the dinner will be $35 per couple or $18 per person. We will be serving steak or lobster with baked potato, salad, rolls, coffee, and dessert. We also have a Valentine’s Raffle with a great "boom box", dinner for two at Tony Roma’s and a night at the Sheraton Barcelo Hotel along with Champagne and other goodies to be drawn on Valentines Day after the dinner. Be sure to stop by and purchase your tickets for a chance to win.

We will also be having our famous St. Patrick’s Day Dinner again this year on March 13. Dinner will be in the hall from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and of course it will be corned beef and cabbage with carrots and potatoes. Everybody’s favorite, Oracle, will be playing music in the lounge after dinner from 8:30PM to 12:30Pm.

If anyone would like to donate a dessert to either of these functions, please be sure to let Pat Rabeau know what you are bringing. As always, we appreciate any and all donations.

The Kid’s Christmas Party was a success with a big visit from Santa Claus and toys for all 38 children that attended. They also enjoyed lunch, snacks, crafts, and stockings.

Thank you to Earleigh Heights Firehall and Jim Corkery for bringing Santa to the party. A Special Thanks to Barbara and Eric Smith, Rick and Brenda Digby, Liz Richard, Roni Goughenour, Post #175, and Giant for their contributions to the Raffle. Thanks to Nancy Smerdon for " pictures with Santa" and also to those who donated wrapping paper and supplies for the gifts and who helped with the party.

Hope to see you all at the Easter Party on Sunday, April 4^th, 1 to 3PM. PLEASE SIGN UP YOUR CHILDREN NO LATER THAN MARCH 29, 2004.

I would like to see more SAL members at the Post. We have a lot going on and we need your participation. To start, every Friday night the SAL is responsible to serve up the best shrimp in town. Come on out and try some, you’ll be glad you did. This is an area where I desperately need YOUR help. I have enlisted the services of Roger Scarborough, who is a Legionnaire to do the cooking. Roger has agreed with one stipulation. That stipulation is "the SAL must supply someone to handle the ‘Customer’" part of the venture. This takes about three hours and involves taking the orders, serving the shrimp and collecting the money. If you can support this effort ANY Friday night contact me through the Post number (410-544-2066 or at home (410-647-7503) and let me know in advance when you will be available so I can schedule the you for the night you are available. Thank you for any support (one Friday night or every Friday night) you can give to this effort.

Also on February 14^th we will be repeating our "take your Valentine out to dinner" Steak or Lobster dinner of last year. This was highly successful sellout last year. So buy your ticket early and then grab your sweetheart and show her a great time.

The new office is about finished and the new computer is ordered and should be up and running in about two weeks. Thanks to all who helped with building, painting, electrical and anything else that you did upstairs, it was greatly appreciated.

It’s time to move ahead with the SAL and I need help. The few members who do help are doing a great job, but we cannot do it all. There are many things that need to be done around the post, volunteer once in awhile so it’s not always the same people who do it all.

Please come out and give your organization a hand.

Remember, if you have not paid your dues, please do so ASAP. We are headed for another four star year.

__________________________________________

February 15^th. If you missed treating your "Sweetie" on Valentine’s Day—treat them to the buffet on Sunday and get out of the "Dog House"--- it’s cheaper than Hearts and Flowers!

Don’t forget the Breakfast Crew shows up the 3^rd Sunday of each month—Why don’t you?

Any questions call Pat Kloes at 410-647-3756. __________________________________________

We hold bingo the 3^rd Monday of every month at Future Care Nursing Center at 7:00PM. Prizes and refreshments are truly appreciated. Thanks Ladies. We can always use small items such as lotions, powder, costume jewelry, etc. Items for men are also needed. If you would like to join us, please call Barbara Mallonee at 410-757-1540. Help is always needed and appreciated.

Perry Point VA Hospital

Will hold it’s annual clothing bazaar. Clothes are needed for men and women. (Large sizes) Please call Barbara Mallonee at 410-757-1540

__________________________________________

Ravens Roost #33, which meets at the Post, invites

Post members who are football fans to join the Roost. It is one of 50 Roosts that work together to promote football and local charities in addition to cheering for the Ravens. Roost members have fun watching the games, but we enjoy other activities throughout the year. We hold our annual convention in Ocean City. In February, members participate in a bull roast that is attended by Brian Billick and Ravens players. Membership dues are $15.00 per year plus a $15.00 Initiation fee. For more information, please call Dave Schultz at 410-757-5505 or Lil Ellis at 410-757-7924.

__________________________________________

Happy Hours

Very Happy Hours...Mon-Friday 4- 6 PM, Saturday 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.

New!! New!! - Happy hour Club - New!! New!!

Donate a dollar a week and have a Happy Hour surprise on Wednesdays. See Kathy for details.

__________________________________________

Daily lunch items, usually a secret until that day, but always a pleasant treat to the taste buds. Often it’s a guarded /secret recipe. The lunch crowd is now nearly as big as the Friday night howlers.

__________________________________________

Executive Board meets last Monday of each month. [Feb.23rd – Mar. 29th] at 7:00 PM.

SAL Unit meets 2nd Tuesday of each month.

[Feb. 10th – Mar. 9th ] at 7:30 PM.

General membership meets 2^nd Wednesday of each month. [Feb. 11th – Mar. 10th] at 7:30 PM.

Auxiliary Unit meets the 4th Wednesday of each month. [Feb. 25th – Mar. 24th] at 7:30 PM

The Severn River Lions Club, a service organization, sells select Florida citrus each month from November through April. All proceeds of the sales go to charities and school scholarships. The club offers premium fruit shipped directly from the orchards to Severna Park. Ruby Red grapefruit is offered each month. In December navel oranges and tangerines are also available. In January, Temple oranges are offered. Frequently navel oranges are also available in January. Grapefruit costs $10 for a 2/5 bushel box and $18 for a 4/5 bushel box. Navel oranges run $11 for 2/5 bushel and $20 for 4/5 bushel. Cost of tangerines and Temple oranges is not yet available. If you are interested in enjoying some Florida sunshine right here in Severna Park this winter while contributing to charity, call Dale Strait at 410-987-4879. Thanks.

Phone #: __________________________________

We have changed our Internet Service Provider effective December 1st. Below is the complete set of e-mail addresses for your use and the address of our website. The new e-mail addresses will allow you to send your e-mails directly to the mailbox of the individual you believe to be responsible for response to your e-mail. The list will contain the e-mail address and the name of the person who will be monitoring that mailbox. This list will grow with time.

Please use these e-mail addresses to communicate with the Post Officers.