Eston Legion sponsors Rambler home opener
By Joan Janzen
Members of the Eston Legion are excited about their upcoming Remembrance Day service, which will be held indoors this year. Legion President, Jason Beckstrand, was happy to have the service held indoors, especially since the recent snowfall and reduced temperatures.
“We held the service outdoors at the cenotaph for the last two years. But this year’s service will be held on Remembrance Day beginning at 10:45 at the Eston Legion Hall,” Beckstrand reported.
Lorie Houston and Wilma Thome selling 50/50. The pot of $515 went to Chris Vansickle.
Dave and Doreen Hewitson were busy selling quilt raffle tickets at the game.
The Eston Legion has been keeping busy. On Friday, November 4th, the local Legion sponsored the Eston Rambler Jr. Hockey home opener vs the Outlook Ice Hawks. “We had the colour party there with the flag,” Beckstrand said. “And we had free coffee for the adults, free candy bags for the kids, and a couple of door prizes.”
Beckstrand noted the local branch shows a Legion presence whenever anything is happening in the community. This includes helping out the rodeo committee, the recreation board, and wherever they can lend a helping hand.
Fundraising efforts are underway as well, with tickets being sold on a quilt, generously donated by Doreen Hewitson. Accumulated funds will be put towards making the Legion’s facility wheelchair accessible.
The Legion had previously undergone renovations, placing the kitchen and bathrooms on the main level, and the next step is making the building wheelchair accessible. “It’s a long overdue project,” Beckstrand said. “We’re starting the work within the month and getting contractors in to build the ramp for us, which will make our Legion Hall and our Legion club room wheelchair accessible.”
The Eston Legion has fifty members, however only about half of the members are able to attend the meetings and actively participate. Clubs are typically struggling to get their numbers up.
“We are always looking for new members,” Beckstrand advised.
The Eston Legion branch was the game sponsor at Friday night’s Rambler’s game.