POST 44

American Legion NEWSLETTER – August 2014

PO Box 1073 – 1005 Hwy. 195 – Elephant Butte, NM 87935

575-744-4144

WEBSITE – americanlegionelephantbutte.com

COMMANDER – Vince Barrett

The Executive Committee met on July 17 as scheduled and conducted a normal meeting and had recommendations including charity contributions to make to the General Membership meeting. However, the General Membership meeting scheduled for July 19, 2014 failed to gather a quorum and therefore no action or resolutions could be taken. The next Executive Committee will be held on August 14, 2014 and the General Membership meeting will be held on 16 August, 2014. Please attend if you are able.

The financial condition of the Post continues to remain relatively sound. However, we have had losses in both May and June ($2,500+-) and a loss for the end of the fiscal year June 30, 2014 of approximately -$15,500. There has been a significant decline across the board in revenues from last year at this time. Although the bar and kitchen are above breakeven, gaming remains below levels that we hope to see and that are required for the Post to generate a profit. Nevertheless, the Post’s overall capital position remains positive and we are meeting all financial obligations on time. Hopefully, the coming months will see a pickup in Post activity and gaming revenues. I expect to see at this time of year an overall pick up in revenues as we go forward. We are expecting five replacement gaming machines by August of this year. Hopefully they will spur an increased interest. I wish you all well.

See you at the Post!

Activities Committee – Linda Amdal

Hip Hip Hooray to all of the Chili Cook-Off participants!!  (In order of arrival:  Bob Nellis, Johnny & Kathy, Reuben, Barb Anderson, Melanie, Brad, Dave, Linda Knull, Lucy Newton, Johanna Roberts, Georgette & Gene Hill.)  YOU GUYS ROCK!!  Special thanks to Kathy Norton for rounding up the great prizes & Bob Acre for having music available.  It was a fabulous turn out, great chili’s & a good time was had by all.  Thanks to all!!  Congrats to Most Favorite Lucy Newton, Chili Cook-Off Champion Apron, First Runner Up, Gene Hill, Red Pepper Chili Hat, and Hottest Chili, Linda Knull – Red & Green Chili Ice Cubes.

Congratulations to Bette & Larry Fisher on celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary July 18th!!

Please be sure to congratulate Brittany & Karen as your new Bar Manager & Assistant Manager, thank Stan for stepping up to the plate in helping behind the bar, and welcome newcomers, Nichole, Luke & Adi (pronounce “Au-Dee”).  Thanks & good luck to you all!!

The Auxiliary will be preparing a wonderful Meat Loaf Dinner for the Post and our NMSVH Veteran guests on Wednesday, August 6th.  The remaining Wednesday’s and Friday’s the grill will be open with a variety of dining options.  Look for specials!!  Also, that night, we will be announcing the winner of the Crisp $50.00 bill raffle.  If you haven’t bought your raffle tickets, you better get after it!!  The bartenders have them behind the bar & the price to win $50.00 is just $1.00 thin dollar for one ticket, or $5.00 for 6 tickets.  Good Luck!!

Friday, August 8th, the Rider’s are starting their annual picnic.  Welcome to Rider’s from around the State.  We look forward to your participation Friday in Fun Pool, The Grill and Karaoke, plus at our All-You-Can Eat Breakfast and Bake Sale(8:30-10am) Saturday morning!

Sunday, August 17th we plan on celebrating Hot August Nights and August Birthdays with a Hawaiian/Beachy theme.  Break out your Hawaiian Shirts, Hula Skirts & coconuts for this one!!  Bob Acre will DJ & play Name That Tune for us & we will have hot dogs & ice cream sundaes!

Congrats to Post 44 Elephant Challenge Pool Players for bringing the trophy back home!!

On Wednesday, August 20th we would like to acknowledge Artie Johnston as our volunteer of the month.  Artie is a gifted wood worker & artist and has donated a considerable amount of time and items to our Post.  Thank you, Artie, for all you have done for us & we look forward to your continued involvement with us.  You are a true peach!!

Plans for the 3rd Annual American Legion Family Golf Tournament is in full swing!!  Linda Nenno is the Chairperson this year & is going to need help!  These tournaments don’t just happen.  If you or someone you know would like to sponsor a hole or provide a product or service for the golf raffle, please contact Linda N.  The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, 9 am shot gun start, 2:00 (approx.) brisket lunch, raffle and awards ceremony.  We need assistance from the Legion, Auxiliary, SAL and Rider members to gather prizes, hole sponsors and help with the tournament & lunch.  Your participation will ensure a share in the proceeds for your community projects & activities.

Happy Summer To All & we look forward to seeing you at the Post!!

COMMANDER – Vince Barrett

The financial condition of the Post continues to remain relatively sound. However, we have had losses in both April and May and a loss for the year to date (May 30, 2014) of approximately -$11,600. There has been a significant decline across the board in revenues from last year at this time. Although the bar and kitchen are above breakeven, gaming remains below levels that we hope to see and that are required for the Post to generate a profit. Nevertheless, the Post’s overall capital position remains positive and we are meeting all financial obligations on time. Hopefully, the coming months will see a pickup in Post activity and gaming revenues. I am projecting by the end of this fiscal year June 30, 2014 we will see our year to date losses increase such that we will end up the fiscal year with an uncomfortable loss. I do however expect to see at this time of year an overall pick up in revenues as we go forward. We are expecting five replacement gaming machines by August of this year. Hopefully they will spur an increased interest. (I will be writing this until our new financial officer gets his head around the financial issues.)

The newly elected offices were installed at the June 17th general meeting by the District Commander Paul Espinoza and Vice Commander Tony Navarette. The newly elected offices assumed their rolls on July 1, 2014.

The 2014/2015 elected officers are as follows:

Commander:        Dr. G. Vincent Barrett

First Vice:            Mr. Craig Pierson

Second Vice:       Mr. Al Norton

Finance Officer: Mr. Bill Conklin (Executive Committee Appointment)

Adjutant:              To be appointed by Commander

Historian:             Mr. Larry Brown

Sgt at Arms:         Mr. Bob Acres

Chaplin:                 Mr. Vince Hadley

Judge Advocate: Mr. Tom Cleveland

Trustee:               Mr. Bob Nellis

Flag retirement ceremonies were held June 14 at the Elephant Butte City Hall and were well received by all those in attendance.

Bar Update: The bar will be conducting a detailed inventory as at this time we have an excessive inventory. We will be running down our inventory in an effort to keep down current bar cost. We also have a new bartender trainee. Please stop by and say hello to Terry Carey. Her parents are Members of the Post and she hopes to join the Auxiliary.

Kitchen Update: As you know we have lost our kitchen cook/manager and are now operating in a volunteer mode. We do not plan to hire a new kitchen manager but rather continue with the volunteer program through July 2014. On the first Wednesday in August we will be starting our new Wednesday Grill and hope to have a permanent Grill Master in place. The kitchen will be offering up traditional hamburgers, green chili cheeseburgers, philly steak sandwiches as well as other items including chips and fries and the like. The full course meal service will be restricted to special occasions and staffed with volunteers at that time.

Activities Committee – Linda Amdal

Yikes!!  The year is almost half over already!  Welcome to July!!

The Post will be closing at 7:00 pm on Saturday, July 5th for the fireworks. Continue reading →