Commander – Al Norton
A special thank you to Jack Hodges for purchasing our new lights for the big sign on the front of our building. Jack you are super!

Thanks to all who donated to the light sign. These funds are used to help pay for good LED bulbs and the new light sign to announce our happenings at the Post.

2017 was a very busy time making improvements to our Post. The list of members that donated valuable time to do all of the labor is too long to list however, the top few are: Bob Acre, Bob Nellis, Tom Cleveland, Bill Miller, Deon Hardy, Donnie Polstin and David Thibeau. Pat and Dave also donated 2 spiral hams to the Post. Thank you all!!

Our National Commander, Denise Rohan is visiting Post 44 on January 7th 2018 from 12:00 to 1:00.
The locks will be changed on the front door on January 1st 2018. You must have your 2018 membership card before you can get the new door card.

December was a fun holiday season; I hope everyone had a great time.
God bless our Troops, Veterans, the USA and all members of Post 44!

Finance Officer- Bob Nellis
As the end of 2017 nears it is also the end of our first six months for the fiscal year. December is trending to be the best month of the previous five for gaming. The bar continues to do exceptionally well and the kitchen is holding it’s own. Over all it has been a good six months.

The repairs to the exterior and interior of the building have been completed. All of the associated bills have been paid through our insurance. A new electronic activities sign and lighting for the sign over the west entrance are being installed. This is being done with volunteer labor and a portion of the money from member donated dollars.

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal
WE NEED YOU!! We are in dire need of participants for the Activities committee, if you have some time and ideas to keep Post 44 the most fun post to come to, please attend the next meeting on January 16th @ 2:00 pm! Everyone is welcome!

Don’t forget to pick up your January 2018 calendar so you don’t miss all the fun we have planned!
Let’s welcome back Bill Martin on Thursdays, we sure enjoy his music! Sue’s jam session will be on each Tuesday with the exception of January 2nd, Thank you again Sue, we love the jam session!
Happy New Year to all!

Commander – Al Norton
The Executive Committee addresses every comment put in the box. However, if they are not signed they are read and discarded. The reason for this is people put nasty comments with no name. Therefore no consideration and no response will be given.

We are discussing making some changes to Wednesday dinners and band scheduling. We are thinking changing the times to Wednesday lunch 12-2pm with music from 4-8pm. Our thinking for dinner is people like to visit with friends without having to yell over the music. Currently the bands play from 6-10pm, and by 8pm the band is playing to nobody. The entertainers would prefer to have people to play for and dance. I really need all members possible to give me their ideas in this matter. Please do so by using the suggestion box and please put your name on it. Keep in mind this is our Post, without input from you we are forced to make decisions based on what a few of us think is important to the Post. Also remember the reason we are elected is to do the best job we can do for the Post. Everyone’s input is important.

I would like to give a special thanks to the paint crew for the job they have done to make our building down right good looking. This is a large job done by no expense from Post funds. All material and labor was donated!

Anyone interested in submitting a person for member of the year must have a written recommendation to the executive committee, submitted by January 1 2018.

Remember our Troops, Veterans and all of their families that support them and the American Legion Family.

God Bless everyone and especially this great nation called America!!

Charity & Education:
November 2017, the Post had $2113.70 in the budget for charities which enabled us to continue to keep our commitments various local charities. The disbursements this month were as follows:
American Legion Dept. $356.47
Veterans wall Memorial $250.00
Auxiliary $237.75 – care packages and Veterans Dinners
SCCA $250.00
Elephant Butte Fire Dept. $250.00
VFW 1389 $300.00 – Thanksgiving dinner for the community

This will leave us $475.25 going into December 2017. The next meeting won’t be until January 2018

Finance Officer- Bob Nellis
The revenue for Nov. and year to date is in the black. The insurance check for building repairs due to hail damage has been deposited in the bank but as repairs are made the expense will be taken from that money. Until all repairs are complete the final total is not known. Repairs are being made to the roof and interior repairs will start soon.

The exterior painting is almost completed. The entrance floor has been painted and a new building sign installed. All of this work was done at no expense to the post.

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton
December always is loaded with activities, celebrating the holidays!

This year we are doing the Christmas Angels a bit differently, we are sponsoring 24 families. Please buddy up and share the expenses to make our families have a wonderful Christmas. The gifts need to be back to the Post by the 11th for the wrapping and pizza party. If you don’t want to shop and are willing to donate towards these families, I’m sure we can find a shopper you can buddy up with! Santa will be here delivering the gifts to the kids on Dec. 16th from 11:00-1:00. We are providing Hotdog lunch for them as well. Come join the fun!

The Post White Elephant Christmas will take place on the Dec. 16th including a pot luck and music by Sue’s Lost and Found Band beginning at 5:00.

The Lucero Challenge has been cancelled on 12/24 and our Post is closed on Christmas day.
The activities meeting will be held on December 11th at 1:00, please, if you have ideas or just want to participate come join us!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!