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*** Friday Night Socials ***
HOW FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS BEGAN
Prior to the summer of 2007 the Post had very few organized events similar to todays dinners
on Friday nights. Usually the only time members of the Post gathered to share a meal was
before our monthly membership meetings. The food was graciously prepared by the Auxiliary
and was served buffet style.
During the summer of 2007 the Executive Committee began discussing options to provide our
members something more tangible to encourage members to get more actively involved. Jack Knoblock
suggested we start opening the Post on Friday evenings and besides having the bar
open, offer some kind of food. He believed that adding more social activities would
generate more enthusiasm within the membership and lead to more active members.
After a lot of discussion we agreed, on a trial basis, to open the Post on Friday evenings.
Our initial meals were very simple: pizzas, hot dogs, cold sandwiches, chips and some finger
snacks. The membership responded and we quickly realized that meals with more substance were necessary.
The volunteers in the kitchen, led by Joe Posluszny, Jan West and Craig Baber started creating
different menus with full meals. Quickly, as the menus got more expansive, members and friends
within the community began attending our Friday night affairs in greater numbers.
The “trial” was soon over and The Legion was beginning to be "the place to be" on Friday nights.
Key members in the kitchen began attending food fairs where different kinds of meals
and distributors were showcased. And each of them took and passed the mandatory Health
Department food safety courses.
Along the way and as part of our desire to make the Hall a fun place to go and have a decent
meal, we realized the interior and exterior of the Hall needed attention. A lot of hard work
by a lot of people, and the walls got a new coat of paint, woodwork was repaired and
updated, new wall decorations went up, electrical upgrades were made and a general facelift undertaken.
"Happy Hour" prices were implemented at the bar. A popcorn popper was added and the Auxiliary
enlisted "Mrs. G" ( Dorothy Grimaud) to donate one of her famous home-cooked pies each Friday
where they are raffled off to finance their donations to the Veterans Home and to children in
need here in Cascade. So far, over $2,400 has been raised for these activities.
It soon became apparent that we had outgrown our kitchen space and most of the aging
appliances. We began saving funds to renovate the kitchen. Mark and Kristina Pickard, who
liked what the Post was doing for the community, generously made our new kitchen happen
long before it would have otherwise been possible.
"Going to the Legion this Friday ?". You hear it around town a lot now. Friday Night at The Legion
is now an institution in Cascade. The place to meet your friends, have a meal and relax at the end of the week.
Back in 2007, the Executive Committee had no idea that this would mushroom into such a successful
event and be the springboard for our successful catering activities, our ability to participate
in other community events, increased membership and active members, and the community respect we have earned.
And it could not have happened without a great deal of coordination, planning and the donation of untold hours
and efforts by our dedicated volunteers.
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