COMMANDER – Roy Lucero – Commander & Newsletter Editor
Can you believe it? Another year is just about behind us. And once again the Post has fared well. Many thanks to our wonderful staff, our great volunteers, and the membership that comes out to support all we do.
Don’t forget to come down to the beach for the Luminaria Walk on Dec 14. Post 44, ALA Unit 44 and the Legion Riders Chapter 5 will have a huge bonfire and serve up some tasty morsels and lots of good cheer. Bundle up and come on down. The employee Christmas Party is on the 18th – a perfect time to let everyone know how much they are appreciated and how glad we are to have them.
Just a reminder; there are no meetings scheduled this month. Our next general meeting will be Saturday, January 18, 2014.
Once again, thank you for all you do, and see you at the Post.
Vice Commander – Tom Cleveland
Have a Happy Thanksgiving ! Hope you have a safe and bountiful day.
Don’t forget to put in your bid for that special item in the silent auction that runs until the middle of December. The ladies have put a lot of effort in the auction setup.
Remember that the success of the Post depends on us all supporting the many events and special activities that are held each month.
Hope to see you at the Post.
Finance Officer – Dr. G. Vincent Barrett
The financial condition of the Post continues to remain sound. October was a good month financially for the Post in that we turned a profit of approximately $1,131. The bar grossed $11,025, dues contributed a gross of $1,050, the kitchen gross revenue was $2,442, pull tabs contributed a near record of $1,672 net to the Post while gaming contributed $10,711 to Post operations. Total operating expenses for October were $19,947. For the year to date we are ahead by $7,759 and have managed to maintain fiscally sound balances in our operating accounts of approximately $28,000-30,000 +-. Thus far this fiscal year charitable contributions from our gaming operations have amounted to $24,402. Additionally thus far this fiscal year the bar and kitchen are holding their own while pull tabs and gaming are having a very strong showing. Although we may only turn what seems like small profits for the capital and time invested the benefits to our Members is still large. All indicators are that we are looking at a financially reasonably 2013/2014 with no major financial problems. Total member assets are estimated at $529,625 and our equity position is $276,012. Our only long term debt is $217,757 mortgage on the facility owed to Bank of the Southwest. Our overall capital position is solid and we are meeting all financial obligations on time. See you at the Post!
Adjutant – Bob Nellis .
At the end of November there were over 200 members paid for 2014. That is approximately half of our total membership.
Remember, on January 1, 2014, your current (pink) door card will no longer work. Buzz the bartender on duty to let you in. Show them your membership card and they will issue you a new (yellow) door card. You must have a 2014 membership card to be issued a new door card.
Since July of this year we have lost 3 of our Legion members. Dick Coffey, Donald Nielson and John Vangundy. Hopefully, that number will drop to zero for 2014.
Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal
Welcome to the Holiday Season!! (Snow before Thanksgiving?? What’s up with that??) Well, time marches on with lots of Holiday Activities!!
You may have noticed lots of items on the back table by our glass case. That is a “Silent Auction” to raise funds for the new air conditioner we had to buy for the gaming room. Each item is numbered and has a corresponding “Bid Sheet.” Notice the “Minimum Bid” amount & the “$ Increments” for the bid. New items are being added, so check the items regularly & see who has out-bid you!! The auction closes at 3:00pm, Sunday December 15th. Winners will be announced @ the Post/Employee Christmas Party, Wed, Dec. 18th, or notified by phone.
Sunday, December 1st at Noon, join us to “Deck The Halls” for the Holidays. At 3pm, come play in the 9 Ball Tourney & enjoy a Chili Dog/Hot Dog Fundraiser by the Junior Auxiliary. Wed, Dec 4th, we would like to belatedly acknowledge Steph Ross, as November Volunteer of the Month.
Mark your calendars for Sat. Dec 14th after the All You Can Eat Breakfast & join us at the State Park for the Luminaria Walk, our Bon Fire, sloppy joes & pecan tarts. Dec 21st, the Elephant Trophy Tournament will be held at VFW 1389 at 2 pm.
Speaking earlier of the Post/Employee Christmas Party!! Wed, Dec 18th, 5:00 pm, come Celebrate the Season & share your appreciation of the Post Employees. Joyce Hudgins will also by acknowledged as Volunteer of the Quarter!! K.T. will be serving a ham dinner & Cactus Flats will entertain us.
Dig out your Ugly Christmas Sweaters & join us Christmas Eve for some Christmas Cheer!! Please being some finger foods. The Post will be closed Christmas Day.
New Years Eve, we are planning a “New York” New Years Eve, bringing in the New Year at 9:00 pm. (We can leave the midnight celebration for the amateurs!!) The following day, plan to attend a New Years Day Brunch from 2 to 6 pm. Watch for fliers for more info.
We wish you a safe and wonderful Holiday Season and look forward to seeing you at the Post!!
Happy Holidays!!
December Birthdays: 2nd, Vicki Smith & Kayla Richardson, 3rd Evan Ferm, 8th Liz Foster, 9th Earl Lowe, 22nd Linda Christopherson, 23rd Sandi Harrison, 26th Linda Nenno & Bill Molina, 27th Tom Novak & 30th, Sue Williams.
FROM THE KITCHEN (K.T. Holt)
PLEASE NOTE: Starting Wed, Dec 4th, and all Wednesday dinners through the Winter, I will be serving dinner at 5:00 pm rather than 5:30. I will also be offering “Weekly Specials” for Grill Nights, to provide a little different variety. (ie: Sliders, Fish & Chips, Stuffed Baked Potatoes, etc.) I would like to thank you for supporting the kitchen and look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions. Merry Christmas to All of You!!