Spring must truly be here! The Maine Adaptive Ski season is over (not that I got many days in because of the weather, not the interest); the Post sign is back in place by Ed Harmon’s VETS trailer facility; breakfasts are starting again on Sunday; Honor Flight is preparing for the first of six flights taking veterans to D.C. to visit their memorials with their fellow comrades; Post 36ers baseball team is recruiting players and preparing for our second season; plans for Memorial Day are well underway; and, yes, a few of the flowers (I can never remember their names) are starting to peak out. It also is the start of cleaning up the mess caused by the storms over the winter. At the Hall, that means fixing the broken canvas garage in the back and a general clean up around the place. Of course, that means a working party will be scheduled and a request for help will be forth coming.   

As happens this time of year, the Hall rentals start coming in. We already have a number of rentals on the books. So, if you have thoughts of having an event in the Hall, now is the time to ensure you reserve the space. You can check the availability by going to www.post36maine.org/events/. The price to rent the Hall is still $75/hour not to exceed $400. Still the best deal in town! 

Just as a reminder for most, but important to mention again. The Post Hall facility (building and land) is not part of the American Legion, it is a separate 501(C)2 whose legal name is Post 36 Corporation. Note that “American Legion” is not in the name. That means the “Corporation” must raise its own funding to support the overhead of operations which is primarily the rental fees. The American Legion Post 36 uses the Hall at no cost per the terms of the Corporation 501(C)2. But, it is a separate Corporation which means that I can rent the Hall at a price and not be a donation, although donations are always encouraged. The breakfasts, however, are part of the American Legion Post and is the primary fundraiser for the activities of the American Legion Post enabling the Post to serve veterans and the community. The breakfasts are a donation. The Post is not allowed to set a “price” and those coming to the breakfasts are guests of the Legion. As such, a suggested donation is provided but any donation is appreciated, no one can be turned away. All our guests are welcome. Back to the Corporation: It is important that the Hall continue to be a viable asset for the community. Our rental fee is kept low so it is available to all in our community. But, there is a need for continued maintenance. Rental fees don’t cover it all. So, over the course of the year, the Corporation will have our own fundraising campaign. So, stand by. 

The next Post meeting is Monday, April 8 with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and meeting at 6.