Each year, the Royal Canadian Legion celebrates Legion Week on the third week of September. Legion Week provides us with an opportunity to inform the public exactly what goes on within a branch, and what the branch in turn does for the community.

The Legion is a non-profit organization assuming the responsibility of maintaining the tradition of Remembrance of those who paid the supreme sacrifice by defending our great nation in past and present conflicts, so that we as Canadians can live in the freedom that we enjoy today!

We continue to support and represent our veterans of past and present with many benefits as a result of the determination of our dedicated members at all levels of the organization.

Legion branches across the province work together with their affiliated organization to raise funds in support of the many programs within the Royal Canadian Legion. The monies raised supports numerous programs benefiting our veterans, seniors and youth within our own local community.

September 18-24, 2016, has been proclaimed Legion Week throughout the Province of Ontario. Sharbot Lake Branch 425 celebrates this event every year with a seniors' day of bingo and dinner held on the Tuesday of Legion Week, which is a very successful day of fun, food and camaraderie.

Sharbot Lake Hollowood Branch 425 takes this opportunity to invite the general public to visit the Legion, or talk with a member, to learn what we're all about and to consider joining in the activities put on for the enjoyment of the community, and perhaps even consider joining our organization.

Sharbot Lake, Hollowood Branch 425

Here it is the end of another school year for our young folks. Legion Branch 425 would like to congratulate all of them on another successful year. Every fall the students are invited to participate in the Remembrance Day Poster, Poem and Essay contest. We commend all the students who participated, as these posters, poems and essays are much appreciated by all our veterans and military who participate in the Remembrance Day Ceremony. Congratulations to the winners in the following categories:

Poems: 1st, Junior Grades 4-6: Amica Leveque of Granite Ridge; 1st, Intermediate Grades 7-9: Hailey Wistard of Granite Ridge.

Posters – Colour: 1st, Primary Grades 1-3: Hanna Hearns of Granite Ridge; 1st, Junior Grades 4-6, Poppy Limber of St. James Major. 1st, Intermediate Grades 7-9, Amber Minutillo of St. James Major.

Posters - Black & White: 1st, Junior Grades 4-6, Gavin McCullough of Granite Ridge; 1st, Intermediate Grades 7-9, Abigail Beattie of Granite Ridge.

On another note, as Branch 425 continues to celebrate its 70th anniversary, please watch for any announcements of activities that will take place during July and August. We wish everyone a very happy and safe summer!

Congratulations to Hollowood Branch 425 on your 70th Anniversary!

On May 1st, 1946, Douglas Thompson, District "F" Commander, attended a meeting of war veterans at Sharbot Lake Community Hall to form a branch of the Canadian Legion. This meeting was arranged by one of the local veterans who had joined the Perth branch in the fall of 1945.

District Commander Thompson gave a talk on the aims and objects of the Legion, then took applications from the veterans to form a branch of the Legion. Elections were then held and the branch’s first president was Wm Meldrum; 1st Vice Bill Hawley; 2nd Vice Roly Irwin; Secretary Ken Alexander; Treasurer Len Sly, and Sgt at Arms Don Jarvis. The branch got its name from Tom Hollowood Sr., who had five sons in the army in the First World War. Two sons were later killed overseas in the Second World War. Fifteen names were picked for the Charter: Comrades Wm. Meldrum, W. Hawley, R. Irwin, K. Alexander, L. Sly, G. Crain, E. Bonner, G. Beattie, D. Reynolds, T. St. Pierre, R. Greer, A. Brash, W. Parks, W. Blakely, H. Raymo and C. Gordon. The Charter came into effect on May 29, 1946.

In 1949 it was learned that the school house at St. Georges Lake was for sale. A motion was passed at the next meeting for the then president, Com. Lyndon Bonner and the secretary, Com. Don Jarvis to attend a meeting of the local school board and see if the branch could buy the building. The building was bought and the branch held its first meeting there on Dec. 7, 1949.

In 1954 the Ladies Auxiliary was formed, the first president was Phyllis Marten; 1st Vice Ivy Bonner; 2nd Vice Elvie Jarvis; the secretary Betty Commodore and the treasurer Bessie Jarvis.

In the spring of 1958 the branch decided they had to have a hall in the village of Sharbot Lake as the school house was too far out and had no room to expand. A motion was made to see if the branch could buy a lot in the village. Com. Lyndon Bonner and Com. Don Jarvis made an agreement to purchase the Abby Brotherhood estate of eight acres for the sum of $12,000 in the fall of 1958. The school house was then sold and the money used to build a basement for their new hall.

During the next two years the branch sold building lots and put the money into the new hall. As the money came in the building was built by the members of the branch. The Legion, for its site, saved one and a half acres with 160 feet of lake frontage and with room to expand when needed.

This brief history was written by Comrade Donald Jarvis.

Today Branch 425 is involved with supporting our local community in many ways, either through donations to different events, such as the swimming program, local fireworks, etc. Branch 425 is also involved with local and home schooled children with the Remembrance Day Poster, Poems and/or Essay Contest held during our fall Poppy Campaign. The posters, poems and/or essays are put on display at the Legion for the benefit of our Veterans, Military guests, and general public to view. The Legion also hosts a seniors’ bingo and dinner in September for the local seniors during Seniors Week. A Veterans Dinner is held at the Branch for local Veterans on the 1st Saturday of November. The Legion also puts on the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Oso Hall Cenotaph followed by a lunch at the Legion. Also, there are our Friday night suppers prepared by volunteers and open to the public.

We are proud of our Legion and welcome anyone who wishes to join and or participate in any of our activities. I wish to extend a big thank you to all who have supported us, and to all our volunteers who tirelessly give of their time.

June Crawford, President.

On February 26, students and staff at Land O'Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove were treated to a special presentation courtesy of Peter DesRoche, president of the Arden Legion Branch 334.

At a school-wide assembly that took place in the gym, DesRoche announced the winners of the Legion Zone G1 literary essay and poster contests. Close to 900 students from schools across Zone G1, which includes Legions in Kingston, Sharbot Lake, Napanee, Tamworth, Arden, Sydenham and Northbrook, took part in the contest. The students submitted their entries back in December last year. Primary, intermediate and junior-aged students at each school were invited to submit entries based on the theme of Remembrance. The students were to either write or draw what the term “remembrance” means personally to them and the feelings to which it gives rise.

Each Legion branch chose nine submissions: three essays, three black & white posters, and three colored posters from each school, which were then judged for the final zone level awards, and three students from LOLPS won second place.

Mariah Marie Mallette won in the intermediate essay category; Natsuki Ono won in the primary black and white poster category; and Sarah Morden won in the primary color poster category.

Five students also received honorable mentions: Parker Thompson, Elayna Jackson, Zachary Hatt, Chloe Saunders and Carly-Kate O'Brien (who was not present for the photo). DesRoche thanked all the students who submitted entries, which he described as “exceptional submissions that demonstrated your attentiveness and enthusiasm for the topic”. Finishing off the assembly, DesRoche read part of a poem that was written back in 1993 by a student, titled “Little Red Flower”. He wrapped up the presentation by wishing the students luck in the upcoming November 2016 contest and said, “Keep up the good work!”

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 328, in Northbrook, held the Public Speaking Contest on February 19 at the Lions Hall. A big thank you to all the participants, family members, friends, Legion members who turned out to support the contestants: President Mike Powley; scrutineer, Warren Anderson; judges, Charlene Bright, Jilene England and Cathy Meeks; registration, Verna Andrew, Val Arsenault and past president Cecil Hawley; time keepers Harold Genge and Laura Lee Meeks; and last but not least, Linda Oakey for helping us out at the school. It was a huge success. The winners are:

Primary, grades 1-3: 1st - Sophia Borger; 2nd - Carley Pollard; 3rd - Quin Sproule.

Junior, grades 4-6: 1st - Alyssa Borger; 2nd - Walker Fobert; 3rd - Mary Forbes.

Intermediate grade 7-9: 1st - Sierra Baldacchin.  

On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, Sharbot Lake Branch 425, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who gave so generously to this year's Poppy Campaign, which made it once again very, very successful. Through your generosity we raised well over $3000. The funds donated during the annual Poppy Campaign do not belong to the Legion; however, the Legion is responsible for these funds. The funds contributed by the Canadian public honour the memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice as a tangible means to assist with fostering the Tradition of Remembrance. All funds raised through the Poppy Campaign directly support veterans, serving military, and their dependents. It is only with your generous donations that the Legion is able to continue with the support of all our veterans. With the funds raised in 2014 the Legion was able to contribute over $1700 towards veterans' care, including the provision of new high-low beds for veterans at Providence Manor in Kingston; RCL District Charitable Foundation; Legion Villa trust Account; and for the Homeless Veterans.

We also would like to extend our appreciation to all those members and non-members of the Legion who gave their time to help with the 2015 Poppy Campaign tagging. It is only your volunteered help that makes this endeavour such a success.

Also, we wish to thank all who participated in the Remembrance Day service: the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics – Kingston; the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party; our Piper Comrade Jeff Donnelly; the local churches; the First Nations; Granite Ridge Education Centre; St. James Major for singing the national anthem and all who laid the wreaths. Thank you to St. Lawrence Employment Centre for providing the refreshments.

Over 120 members of the local community gathered for the first Remembrance Day ceremony in Plevna, which took place at the new war memorial on November 11. The memorial was erected in front of the Clar-Mill Community Centre earlier this year. Led by Northbrook Legion Branch #328 president, Mike Powley Jr., the ceremony included words by North Frontenac Mayor Ron Higgins, who focused on Canada's involvement in the First World War, specifically the high points of Canadian military achievement that became known as “Canada's Hundred Days”. The “Hundred Days” involved a series of attacks made along the Western Front by the Canadian Corps in a 96-day offensive that ended the war. Councilor Gerry Martin read the names of many of Plevna's veterans who fought and died for the country since World War 1, and Northbrook Legion Padre, Harry Adringa, read a series of prayers.

Students from Clarendon Central Public School in Plevna under the guidance of teacher Katie McDonald also participated at the service. Grade six student, Madison Gunsinger, read the poem “In Flanders Fields”, after which the students joined together to sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. Ron Lemke also played and sang “Amazing Grace”. Numerous wreaths were laid by local dignitaries and other members of the community and to close the service, The Act of Remembrance was read out. The new war memorial has created a place where residents of Plevna and the surrounding community can now gather for their very own Remembrance Day service.

As always, a large gathering of all ages from the local and surrounding communities attended the Remembrance Day service at the Flinton cenotaph on Sunday, Nov. 8. Led by Mike Powley, president of the Northbrook Legion Branch 328, the service was attended by numerous members of the Northbrook Legion, many local dignitaries, and a number of young members of the 640 Cadets from Cloyne. The service took place under sunny skies and included prayers by Legion Padre Harry Andringa, remarks by Addington Highlands Reeve Henry Hogg, and the laying of 35 wreaths whose dedications were read aloud by Pastor Rob of the Kaladar Pentecostal Church.

Powley opened the service with the words, “Let us pause to think reverently of those of our comrades who by sea, by land and in the air laid down their lives for their sovereign and country. Their sacrifice will ever inspire us to labour on, to the end that those who survive and need our aid may be assured of assistance, and that the country in which we live, and for which they died may ever be worthy of the sacrifice they made.”

Following the laying of 35 wreaths, members of the community who attended the service were invited to place their poppies at the cenotaph. The service concluded with a lunch that was served at Through the Roof Ministries located just down the road. Legion President Powley, who led this and other Remembrance Day services for his first time as the new president of the Northbrook Legion, said he was honored to be asked to fulfill that role. “My father, Corp. Reg Powley Sr., who was from Odessa and was a veteran who served in the Canadian army in Europe in WW2 from 1942-1945, helped to liberate Holland. He met my mother Dixie following the liberation there. Leading these services has allowed me to pay my respects not only to my own parents but to all of the veterans who served as well.”

Members of the Northbrook Legion headed up the Remembrance Day service in Denbigh with a service and wreath laying ceremony honouring those who fought and died for the country. The service, which took place on November 1 at the Denbigh cenotaph located at St. Luke's United Church, was the first of many Remembrance Day services that are bring held in North, Central and South Frontenac. The service was led by Northbrook Legion Padre, Harry Andringa, who will also be heading up the upcoming Remembrance Day services in Flinton and Plevna.

One of the area's oldest veterans, Gordon Wood was present at the Denbigh service. Wood who is a WW2 veteran, landed in Normandy on D-Day on June 6, 1944 and fought until liberation took place in Holland on May 5, 1945. Andringa, who is originally from Holland and retired to Flinton, said he met Wood after moving to Flinton. Andringa said both he and Wood experienced the war first hand in Holland, Wood as a Canadian soldier and Andringa as a teenage civilian. The service included prayers and the laying of 13 wreaths by numerous dignitaries, Legion members and members of the community at large.

The second installment of the Arden Legion's Open Mic event on October 10 attracted more than double the musicians compared to the inaugural event two weeks earlier. Organizers are hoping to see the event continue to gain in popularity and with that in mind have decided to make it a regular event, which will take place on the second Saturday of every month from 1 - 6pm. To date the open mic is not only attracting local talent but also musicians from afar willing to travel a considerable distance to have the opportunity to play. That was the case for Linda Faith of Kingston who made the trip from Kingston on October 10 to sing her three-song country set that included Willie Nelson's “Remember Me”, and Flatt and Scruggs' “Gimme My Flowers While I'm Living”. She said she made the trip since she loves “to get out and play and socialize with other musicians.” Marg and Dwayne Taylor, both musicians and singers who recently retired and returned to live full time in Arden, are thrilled to have a local regular venue where they can play and meet other local players. Local musician Larry Birney of Arden, who plays and sings and “loves to jam”, initiated the event. He approached members of the Legion with the idea of a regular open mic in the hopes of giving local players a chance to get together regularly.

Theresa Hooiveld, whose partner Peter has participated at both events, is the official name taker and at the second installment, participants were invited to play up to three songs. However, she states that number can change, based on the number of players who show up. The Legion's fund-raising chair, Malcolm Sampson, said that a similar event was started three or four years ago but eventually fizzled out. He said that the second Saturday was decided upon since it does not conflict with other similar musical events in the area.

Legion volunteers open up the kitchen and bar for the open mic, which so far has been free of charge for listeners and players alike. Sampson hopes to see the event catch on, especially in the winter months, since it will make for a warm and cozy way to spend a musical afternoon.