COMMANDER – Al Norton

Our progress report for this month is another big happy face.

The patio is moving along well. We have to manufacture some parts we couldn’t get, but no problem.

We have all new toilets in the restrooms. New tile project is under way. Starting with the ladies room.

We have a cook trailer donated by Richard Kouldelka. It is in the process of being rebuilt by Tommy Pearce. Thank you Richard and Tommy!

Our Kitchen help is all volunteers since our cook left us. Thank you to the many people who have stepped up to help.

All of our projects that are in process, the work is being done by volunteers. We have a great group of people here at Post 44. One small set back, the refrigerator in kitchen has retired without notice. A new replacement is required.

September is jam-packed with events so watch the calendar & join in on the fun. Please join us for the 9-11 Memorial Ceremony with the City of Elephant Butte at 12 noon at the City’s Event Center.

God Bless this great country and everybody that supports her!

Charity & Education
Total funds distributed from Charity and Education for August were $4,013.86. Recipients include: American Legion Department $750.73, Auxiliary Care Packages $349.70, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest (sports complex project) $500.00, Sierra County Cancer Assistance (cancer patient transport) $250.00, Post 44 (Operation: Help Rural Veterans expenses) $64.89, Post 44 (Arnold Jarvis Memorial Expenses) $264.82, Post 44 (World War II Veteran Memberships) $680.00, Auxiliary Girls State Delegate Tuition $400.00, Moose 2050 Golf Fundraiser $100.00, Post 44 (Johanna Roberts Memorial Expenses) $153.72, United Military Women of the Southwest (Monument to honor Women Veterans) $100.00, Post 44 (Elephant Days BBQ Fundraiser) $150.00, T/C Elementary (3rd Grade Rewards Program) $250.00.

Finance Officer- Bob Nellis
July was the start of our fiscal year. What a start it was . Revenue was up in every category. The biggest increase came from gaming where we saw an increase of over $3,000.
The material for the roof and sides of the patio are in and construction should start soon. We already have several table and chairs to furnish the patio when it is completed.
The surveillance system is up and has 5 cameras activated and can be expanded to 8 when required.The cost of these two projects has already been covered.

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal
Boy Howdy!! August was full of awesome volunteerism!! Many, many Thanks to: Bill Laswell for installing our new toilets!! And Bob Nellis for going to get them!! Rose Ann & Earl Smith for donations to the Post & kitchen!! Richard Koudelka for buying a cook trailer for the Post and Al Norton & Bob Marino for storing for a year & a half!! Tommy Pearce for refurbishing it, Mel Hedrick for delivering the steel flooring & Jeff & Sandy Fairchild for procuring the steel & donation for its completion! What a group effort!! We are anxious to have it ready to roll soon!!

We can’t forget our cooks in the kitchen for Wednesday dinners & Friday Grill!! When you get a meal, please be sure to thank those working in the kitchen! They are all currently volunteers and doing their best to provide you with good vittles! We are also so grateful for our guest chef from New Orleans, Aurora Manuel, who prepared an awesome Jambalaya for us on the 24th!

Busy month ahead…on Sat, Sept 10th, be sure to come in for breakfast (8-10, special hours) prior to the Elephant Days parade, then go vote for Gene Hill in the Elephant Days BBQ Cook off!! Go Gene!! Sun, Sept 11, there will be a ceremony at noon at the EB Event Ground in honor of 9/11.

Sat, Sept 17th is our 5th annual golf tournament & Brisket Lunch (about 2 pm). If you’d like to join in the lunch, you may purchase tickets from the bartenders for $8.00. Golfers’ lunches are included in their green fees.

Anyone interested in learning the current status of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board / vs/ our Pull Tab License, you are welcome to attend a VFNP (Veterans-Fraternal-Non Profit) Meeting, Tuesday Sept 20. Lunch at noon, meeting to follow. Brats, Beans & Potato Salad will be served.

Deone Harty, please stand up and take a bow!! You have been selected as our volunteer of the month!! You have been instrumental in providing your expertise and humor in a number of projects & activities that include participation in installing the patio door, patio design and being Chef Boy-Are Deone in the kitchen, just to name a few. Thank you!! And enjoy your new parking spot!!

Because of the golf tournament, the general meetings will be Thurs, Sept 22 at 10:30. Please see the calendar for meals and other events. Thanks to all for your support of our Post!! Look forward to seeing you here!!

COMMANDER – Al Norton

The department of New Mexico Annual convention was held June 23rd -26th in Alamogordo. Election of officers was held; the results are:

Department Commander- Dave Stevens
Dept. vice Commanders- John Sterle, BJ Johnson, Yvonne Harrison & Dan Onork
Sargent at Arms- Mike Mendez.

John Sterle a new area Vice Commander was our District Commander, congratulation John! John’s replacement as District Commander is Post 44s Sargent at Arms, Bill Conklin. Bill will continue as our Sgt. at Arms. Great job Bill!

I made a promise awhile back that we would not run out of food for the Wednesday meals. This past month for two weeks in a row we had to dispose of over 40 meals. This cannot continue. We need participation from our members. The meals were Chicken Fried Steak and Pork chops, our two best meals.

We are also hurting in Legionaries help in the kitchen and working the door for membership, IDs and 50/50 tickets. The Auxiliary and SALs shouldn’t have to carry all the responsibilities by themselves. The patio project is moving along. The materials for the building are on order. The building labor will be done by legionnaire and SAL members, free of charge.

Wish us luck.

Please remember participation in activities, gaming and canteen is what keeps us going.

God bless the USA, its veterans and their families.

Charity & Education
Charity and Education donations for July came to $2,886.14.  Recipients include:  American Legion Department $486.44, T/C Memorial Trust $450.00, Care Packages $349.70, Post 44 Golf Fundraiser $100.00, Hot Springs High School Football Software $250, Operation Wounded Warrior (Petersen Memorial Ranch Rodeo) $500.00, and $500.00 allocated for scholarships.

Finance Officer- Bob Nellis
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Our fiscal year for 2015-2016 ended on June 30 th . The fiscal year 2016-2017 started on July 1st. Over the last year we grossed over $750,000 dollars. When all expenses were deducted we had a net profit of over $8,000 dollars.

Ending the year in the black was quite a feat. During the year we incurred some expected and unexpected expenses. An AC unit was installed in the game room, new stools were purchased, a patio and door were installed, and a new compressor for the walk in cooler was installed. Those are just a few of the major expenses we incurred.

Looking at the New Year, we are in the process of ordering the material to complete the installation of the top and sides for the patio. We are also looking into expanding our video surveillance system. As the year progresses there will be other issues come up. I’ll try to keep everyone on board as to what is going on.

None of this would have been possible without our numerous volunteers, pull tab players, gaming participants, pool players, and all the other activities that you support. A big thank you and job well done goes to you all.

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal
Many thanks to Johnathan Mendoza, Bob Nellis, Bob Acre, Donnie Polstin, Deone Harty and Tom Cleveland for their valiant efforts in installing our new door to the future patio!!  Their combined efforts saved the Post approximately $500.00 in installation costs.  What great volunteers!!

On Tuesday, August 9th from 9 am to noon, we are having Post Cleaning Party!!  Let’s make it a PARTY!!  There is much to be done and many hands make quicker work, so please, please plan to donate some time in this endeavor.  The Post won’t clean itself….

Stand up, Bob Nellis, and take a bow!!  You have been voted “Volunteer of the Month” for all you continue to do at the Post!  You paint, clean, fix, cook, count, install….Is there anything you can’t do??  We are all very grateful!!  Thank you!!

Sunday, August 21, we will celebrate “Hot August Nights” (should have done it in July!!!) with hot dogs, & fixins, and ice cream sundaes.  Break out your aloha shirts and grass skirts for this shindig!!

Thanks to all who support our post and we look forward to seeing you soon!!