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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1960-03-17, Page 12HOW THIS HAS BEEN POSSIBLE In addition to members' dues, the running of a weekly bingo, and various other fund-raising schemes, the Legion has oper- ated what is commonly called a "Wet Canteen". They have never denied the existence of this canteen. It is for the sole use of paid-up Legion members, who are also allowed to sign in, and be entirely responsible for one male guest at a time. Any infractions of the rules by any member of the Branch or his guest, result in disciplinary action by the Branch against the member. Penalties range from a withdrawal of a member's bar privileges for a minimum of four weeks to expulsion of the member from the Legion Branch. Needless to say, the' penalty system rarely needs to be enforced. 4ta. .4r eekeaeseeeeee • ,Pe.:-I•<,..,.....4„„•;• „.erkieleeeeele•e'''' +Clinton Legion Branch was the chief, financial supporter of the modern swimming pool and bath house built in Clinton Community Park during the past two years. Branch and Legion members donated over $9,500 towards this gigantic project. IR. J. "Bud" Schoenhals, a valued Legion executive member, was the hard-working overall chairman of this Swimming Pool Fund and also supervised the construction work. . A HERE ARE SOME OF THE FACTS FROM 1952 TO 1960 Memorial Hall, providing all facilities of a Community Centre, valued at $50,000 Turned back 'Grant from Town of Clinton in January, 1955 $ 500, Sponsors and successfully promotes Legion Public Speaking Sponiors Minor Sports—approximate expenditure in 8 years $ 4,500 Donations to Charitable Organizations in the past eight years, approximately ..,., $ 3,000 Branch and Members individual donations to Clinton Community Swimming Pool $ 9,500 Donation to Clinton Lions Arena in November, 1959 $ 500 Sponsors and equips the Legion Pipe Band (Bannockburn) $ 1,200 Donation to Boy Scouts $ 100 Owns Hospital Equipment, for free use of Huron County residents $ 2,500 Furnished room at Clinton Public Hospital 30 Members comprise Walking Blood Bank Service WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? If the Clinton Legion is permitted to carry on their community welfare work in a man- ner equal to the past, the following arel justa few of the molly projects that have been dis- cussed at length for our participation: (1) A proper cenotaph to commemorate Clinton's war dead. Estimated cost: $6,500.00. (2) A building to house all the activities of the Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scouts, and Cubs. Estimated cost: many thousands. (3) Apartment for elderly citizens to make the lives of these respected people more enjoyable. (4) The possibility of closing-in Clinton's Swimming Pool, heating the bath house and water to make it a year-round sports centre, (5) We have started to re-equip the Pipe Band, and shall endeavour to finish the job. (6) University Scholarships to be awarded to graduates of Clinton District Collegiate. (7) The expansion of our present Legion Memorial Hall to provide additional facilities for the 'public as well as the Legion arid Auxiliary. (8) Additional assistance to the Clinton Community Concert Band. Page 12 Clinton News-Record Thur$day, March 17, 1960 ADVERTISFWNT LEGION MEMBERS ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS 1960 -YEAR OF DECISION Because we live in this community, our children go to school here, we work here, we go to the same churches, and for many more obvious reasons, we are lust as interested in the welfare and future of this community as any one could be. There is possibly some doubt es to who can become a member of the Clinton Legion, To be a membereeyou must have served in Her Majesty's forces, or auxiliary forces clueing a period of armed conflict. That means that you must have volunteered your services for the defence of Canada and the British Com- monwealth during the First World War, the Second World War, or In certain cases, the Korean War. A member must have also been honourably discharged from the service. He must not be an atheist, an anarchist, a Fascist, or similar revolutionary- minded individual. His loyalty to his church,,Mis country, his sovereign, his Legion Branch and his community must at all times be unquestionable. oop theoi9t this is especially true, This is the year when you are being asked by your local Branch of the Canadian Legion to vote "Yes" on each of the three ballots on March 23rd, 160. This is the Yes, 1900 is a Year of Decision, For you the voting public u6cniiitnyto7Legion in Service Club Work in Clinton and sur, rounding fpr you to vigorously endorse the active participation Ids the 35th 5th anniversary of the Canadian Legion across Canada. The Clinton Branch of the Canadian Legion celebrated its 31st anniversary in January of this year. This makes the Clinton Branch one of the oldest in Canada, a fact that gives us justifiable pride. As the Canadian Legion has grown and develop- ed with Canada, so has the Clinton Legion progressed with Clinton. Progressed? Yesil To the point where there is no other single organization that can match the participation of the Legion in the welfare of the community. DONATIONS Never a month goes a by but what the Clinton Legion is asked to contribute to evorthwhile caus- es. Naturally all requests are not granted, but usually most of them are. Besides the usual requests from the Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy, T. B. Seals_ Cancer Society, cite., the Clinton Legion makes worthwhile annual contri- butions to such causes as the War Memorial Children's Hospital in London, the Red Cross in London to be used at Westminster Hospi- tal, The Toronto Telegram Tuber- cular veterans summer Camp and Many others. Individually, not Much. But add them together, and the yearly total is several hundreds of dollars. , ADDITIONAL LEGION, PARTICIPATION The Clinton Legion has in the past also done the following things: ' (1) Furnished a room in the new wing of 'the Clinton Hospital, P) Maintained a plot in the Clin- ton Cemetery. (3) Participated in the annual Santa Claus parade and child- reers treat. e4e Declined to accept $500.00 grant from the Town Council in January, 1955. • (5) Spent over $1,200.00 to kart to re-equip the Bannockburn Pipe Band. (6) Contributed te Legion Univer- sity Scholarships. J. EDWARD DALE 196q President of Clinton Branch 140, Canadian Legion, which is 100 percent behind the three,. ballot Liquor License Act vote on March 23. Mr. Dale strongly urges citizens to vote yes on all three ballots in order that the Legion may apply for a ,pri- vate club license to carry on their many service club projects in Clinton. PUBLIC SPEAKING The fame of the Clinton Legion efforts in promoting public speak- ing have reached a long way from Clinton. This is just another fac- et of the many-sided interests the Legion has in the Youth of To- day, the Leaders of To-morrow. Participants from Clinton have won several awards at other centres. Notable among these is Miss Barbara Inder who won the Ontario Championship in Aug- ust, 1959. Whenever theta con- testants must appear in some dis- tant municipality, 'their expenses are paid by the Legion. At the present time, two contestants from Clinton are to compete in Ontario finals in April. They are Miss Kathy Cameron, RCAF Sta- tion, and William McKim, Clin- ton. CLINTON LEGION'S MEMORIAL HALL Starting with very little in 1952, the Legion raised the rhoney to build the Legion Memorial Hall and equip, it to the point where it is now valued in excess of $50,000.00. It is completely free of debt. It serves a much needed purpose in the community and is available for rent to interested parties. It boasts a fine kitchen for the preparation of banquets, it has a large well-lit stage, and a sound system both upstairs and down. Besides being the meeting place of the Clinton Girl Guides and Brownies, it has also been made available free of charge to the newly-formed Clinton Com- munity Concert Band for prac- tice or concerts. CLINTON LIONS ARENA Faced with what seemed 'like an' insurmountable amount of ex- pense before the arena could be opened for ;business this winter, the Clinton Lions Club approach- ed the Legion to ask for financial assistance. Because •the winter re- creation of many hundreds of Clinton people, both old and young, depended on the Lions Arena, there was no hesitation in forwarding a cheque for $500.00. RELIEF What happens to the individual who arrives in Clinton around supper time or later and who is heading for London looking for work? He asks the local police, who an turn direct him to the Legion relief 'representatives. One of these men listen to his story, and after a short talk he is given a free meal from the Leg- ion, a clean bed for the night, breakfast the next morning,. and sent on his way with good wishes. This is not a rare occasion, but a common occurrence. And what happens to the peo- ple who just simply cannot buy the fuel for' nekt week? They are helped by the same men, the same Legion. Sometimes it means bringing in the Town Relief Of- ficer, sometimes even the Child- ren's Aid, sometimes a minister helps out. But more often it is a ton of coal, or a drum of fuel oil, or credit at a grocery store. And what happens to the vet- eran or his family when sudden death strikes and there is no mon- ey to pay necessary funeral ex- penses? The same answer applies. With the help of the Clinton Leg- ion, help is always found in one way or another. If you can sit in a warm house with a full stomach, you may care little about the unfortunate few who cannot. But they can usual- ly find advice and assiseence through the Clinton Legion. WALKING BLOOD BANK During 1958 one of our own members asked the Clinton Legion for volunteers to assist in the for- mation of a walking blood bank connected with the Clinton Public Hospital. As a result, many mem- bers now stand, ready, day or night, 'to answer the emergency call for blood at the Clinton Hos- pital. There is no charge made for this service. ' THE THREE BALLOTS: No. 1—Are you in favour of the establishment of Govern- ment stores for the sale of liquor? No. 2—Are you in favour of the sale of liquor under a din- ing lounge license for con- sumption with meals on licensed premises? No, 3—Are in you favour of the sale of liquor under a lounge license for consump- tion on the premises? IF you are undecided regarding Questions 2 and 3, please un- derstand that they are a choice of requirements necessary by the Liquor Licence Control Board to be passed by ecielier- cent to enable this club to ap- ply for a private club license. Rememsept —By voting yes On all three ballots on Wedties- day, Kurth 23, you will enable Clinton Branch 140 of the Canadian Legion, to Apply for a private club license to carry on present and future projects. Hall LOCAL COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL "Why cannot Clinton have a swimming pool like Seaforth and Goderich?" This' was the ques- tion asked by no doubt hundreds of children before a brave start was made in the summer of 1956". Three man committees from each of the following, the Legion, Lions, Kinsmen and Fish and. Game Clubs met weekly from July 1956 on in an effort to plan and raise the minimum of $35,- 000.00 believed necessary to build and equip a pool and bathhouse.. The first two donations recorded in the official book of receipts held by the Town Clerk, show the Fish and Game Club and the Leg- ion donated $1,000.00 each. The story of the valiant struggle wag- ed by this small group of dedicat- ed men is well known to most Clinton residents. But what is possibly not known is that the Clinton Legion and Legion Ladies Auxiliary continued to donate and are officially credited with giv- ing $5,626.80 to the pool fund from their treasuries. And be- cause the Legion was so actively engaged in this pi-eject their members dug down into their pockets and donated an addition- al $4,000,00 or approximately en average of $20.00 per member. This does not count in any way the many hundreds of hours of volunteer labour that were con- tributed. It is quite possible that the Legion will again be called upon to contribute to the pool fund to assist in the finishing touches this spring. . As you know, many hundreds of children ,have already been taught the basic rules of swim- ming. We believe that this is one of the most important jabs we can do, With the advent of so many more boats each year, and our close proximity to Lake Huron, it is most necessary that as many as !possible learn to swim safely. The Clinton. Police repeat- edly laud the efforts that went in- to the pool. When the pool is op- en their work is greatly reduced. Youngsters just -do not get into as much mischief if they receive proper guidance. HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT As a result of an idea born about five years ago, the' Clinton Legion now has approximately $2,500 worth of hospital beds, mat- tresses, wheel chairs, invalid walk- ers, and crutches for the use of any individual in Huron -County 3. W. "BILL" COUNTER President of the Legion Branch in 1955, and now chairman of the Clinton Local Option Revis- ion Committee. Bill served in World War 11 in the Royal Can- adian Navy; for some time he was a lieutenant in a Motor Torpedo Boat squadron operat- ing in the English Channel. EYES FOR THE BLIND The Legion motto of "They served until death, why not we" has unofficially been changed to include "We serve even after death." The Clinton Legion, as a distinguished member of the Can- adian Legion supports wholeheart- edly the "Eyes for the Blind" cam- paign whereby thousands of Legion members across Canada have wil- led their eyes upon death to a sightless person, be it man, woman or child. This campaign officially got under way in August of 1957, when the Canadian National Insti- tute for the Blind asked the Can- adian Legion to adopt this project. Certain types of blindness can now be cured by the transplanting of healthy eye corneas from a just- deceased person to a blind in- dividual. As a result of the over- whelming support shown by Leg- ion members, many hitherto blind persons can now see. You can imagine what this would mean to them. And so the Legion can just- ly say "We serve even after death." entirely without cost. The equip- ment in use is practically in every corner of the county, and the branch is continually receiving let- ters of appreciation for the service rendered. Indeed, many people for- ward sums of money in gratitude. This money,- although unsolicited, is usually accepted and in turn donated to some worthwhile cause such as the Cander Society, Red Cross, etc. GIRL GUIDES, BROWNIES, SCOUTS, CUBS _ We realize that all children can- not be 'hockey or ball players. Many girls, for instance, belong to the Girl Guides and Brownies, Many boys belong to the Scouts and Cubs. One of the principal objects of these organizations is the teaching of proper citizenship to the youth. For several years now, the Clinton Legion has been the sponsoring group for the Clin- ton Girl Guides and Brownies. A proper hall to house all four or- ganizations is still on the drawing board, and so in the meantime, Guides and Brownies and their auxiliary organizations have free use of the Legion Hall for their weekly meetings. The Legion re- cognizes •the achievements of the girls in a suitable way, and have even bought uniforms for children who otherwise would possibly not have had them. The Bay Scouts, and Cubs have requested and re- ceived a donation of $100 from the Legion to help in the construction of their summer camp on the Mait- land River. SPORTS Because Legion members and Branches owe their very reason for existence to war, the Legion has always believed that the prop- er training of today's youth will lessen the chances of tomorrow's war. Since youth is always en- dowed with an abundance of en- ergy and ideas, the use of this energy is important to •all. Sports, properly organized, can channel much of this energy into useful and indeed, enjoyable results. FOr many years now, the Clin- ton Legion has participated in the sponsoring of organized sports in Clinton. In 1959, $833 was spent by the Clinton Legion in support of minor baseball and hockey, In the last eight years approximately $4,500 was spent. These figures alone do not give a true picture, because at least •90 percent of the cost of transportation was donated by members. Yes, indeed, sports have played a major part in the proper train- ing of Clinton's youth from child- hood through the-difficult years of the teenager, 'Clinton Legion- sponsored •baseball and hockey teams have won many cups to attest to their ability. However, the thing that makes each Legion member justly proud is knowing that "our boys" are not the ones who are continually flouting the law. By proper management, we believe we have played a most worthwhile part in the develop- ment of many fine, future adults. Clinton Legion's $50,000 Memorial VOTE "YES" ON -THREE* BALLOTS