Announcements & News

Elections for Branch Executive will be held at May 14/2024 general meeting at 7pm for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Nominations for the positions of President, 1 st Vice, 2 nd Vice, 3 rd Vice, Treasurer, Secretary, and 4
Executive members will start at the April 9th general meeting.

May 4th  is Garage Sale day throughout the Village and the Legion will be selling Raffle tickets.

May 11th is the 8th Annual Ride for Disabled Vets Charity Ride to support Veterans PTSD Recovery, and they will be stopping at the Legion. We are expecting around 300 motorcycles to come to the Village. The Main Street will NOT be closed to traffic so please use caution and hopefully some common sense when coming down Main St. The motorcycles will be parking in front of the Legion at around 10am and should all be gone shortly after 11am.

There will be an Encore Social Saturday on May 11 from 1 to 4pm by Jamie, Doug, and fellow musicians. A huge thank-you to everyone that have made these Social Saturdays such a huge success. There is a small cover charge at the door. Sandwiches and munchies will be available to help yourself to. Come out for a great afternoon of music, dancing, and lots of fun everyone is welcome. There could also be a card game downstairs if you enjoy playing cards.

May 25th is the 85th Anniversary of the unveiling of the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The National War Memorial was first unveiled in 1939 to commemorate the response of Canadians in the First World War 1914-1918. Over the years the memorial has come to symbolize the sacrifice of all Canadians who have served Canada in time of war and was rededicated to their honour.

Canada Day July 1st the Legion will be open from 12 noon to 4pm. The Legion will be hosting a Potluck lunch at 1pm. Evening music will be provided from 7 to 11pm on the backyard patio and bar will be open inside. Raffle draw to take place (details below).

Public speaking was held at the Branch on Feb.24 with 11 Grade 6 students from Merrickville Public
School participating. We also had one student from St. Mike’s. Great speeches from all students with a
large turn-out from family and friends. A huge thank-you to Mr. Bennett at MPS for encouraging the
students and getting them to participate. A huge Thank-you to the students that came to the Legion and
did their speeches you were all great and job well done.
The results from Legion Provincial 2023/2024 Remembrance Day Literary/Poster Competition have
been announced. Emma McIntosh-Belanger from Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Merrickville has
placed 3 rd in the Junior Poem Competition representing Branch 245 Merrickville at Provincial level and
has competed against over 1000 entrants in this Competition. The Legion will be making a Presentation
to Emma at School. Congratulations to Emma on such an accomplishment.
April 1 st is the 100 th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force and we Thank every member for their
service to this country past, present and in the future. April 9 th is Vimy Ridge Day, commemorating the
Canadian soldiers who stormed the ridge on this day in 1917. Over 3500 members of the Canadian corps
gave their lives and close to 7000 were wounded in this offensive. All Legion branches will fly their
Canadian flags at half-mast on April 9 th from sunrise to sunset to commemorate Vimy Ridge Day.

We had a not so good start to the New Year on Jan 1 st as the blower on the downstairs furnace went but luckily someone was there. Huge thank-you to Larry from Heat Busters coming to the rescue for us. Fixed the blower but informed us that the furnace needs to be replaced. We are doing a Raffle Fundraiser to help pay for this as it is a costly item to replace. Tickets are $5.00 each and available at the Legion or from members just ask we would appreciate your help.
1st prize is 42000 BTU BBQ that was donated by Rideau Home Hardware, 2nd prize Camper Chair & Portable Cooler on wheels, 3rd prize Utility Wagon and 4th prize $100.00 Gift Card. Draw will take place on Canada Day July 1st at the Legion.

Our TGIF supper and dances are every other Friday night. Supper is served at 6pm and the Dance
starts at 7pm with a live band. You are welcome to come to both or just supper or just the dance but
please contact Mary Horning at 613-269-3234 if coming for the supper. Check out our Facebook page or
our website for more details and info.

The bands for Apr/May 2024 are:                  April 19th Lorne Daley and the Ricochet Riders/    May 3rd Rick King/    May 17th Neil Carter/    May 31st  Doug&Pam Champagne