Pincher Creek Legion celebrates 85 years

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Legion anniversary cake
by Amanda Kellington

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43, located in Pincher Creek, held celebrations last weekend to mark the 85th anniversary of its founding.

Event Coordinator Fred White worked with Ladies Auxilliary Vice President Lou Burnham and Legion President Dick Waywood, volunteers, and Legion staff to put on two days of events.

Dick Waywood and Wayne Donner
Gail Holm photo

The event began with a formal dinner on Friday night, September 28.  District Commander for the Northwest Men's Division Wayne Donner was in attendance, as was Ladies Auxiliary District Commander Marlene Galonski, Macleod MP and Minister of Finance Ted Menzies, MD Councillor Rod Cyr, and Town Councillor Lorne Jackson. Phil Lethbridge provided the entertainment for the evening, which also featured a mess style dining experience.  The dinner was attended by over 100 people.

Ted Menzies
Gail Holm photo

Saturday morning, September 29 came early for Mike and Marie Harder, who served up a pancake breakfast with sausages, sponsored by the Ramada Inn, who also provided staffing for the breakfast.  On Saturday afternoon there was a beer garden held in the parking lot, games for the kids (including a bouncy tent), a DJ,  beef on a bun, hourly prize draws, and a fun meat draw. Money raised by the pancake breakfast and the beef lunch will be donated to the Care Bears, the Pincher Creek Humane Society (SPCA), and Children’s World Daycare.

The Ramada breakfast crew
Lou Burnham photo

The event wrapped up with lively music from Peter, Charlotte, and Tracey Ogloff, who hosted an open stage event inside.

Going up...

Along the way the Legion was able to show off its shiny new elevator, a definite blessing for those wanting to ascend to the second floor.  Merle Baise donates a time capsule, in the form of a large cartridge, which will apparently be hidden somewhere inside the Legion building. Amanda Kellington put a lot of time and art into creating a beautiful cake displayed throughout the weekend.

Time Capsule

"There was great participation from all the people, and great help from the volunteers that are associated with the Legion," said Coordinator Fred White.

Related link: Royal Canadian Legion

Peter, Charlotte and Tracey Ogloff
C. Davis photo