Six lifetime memberships presented by Norwood Legion
The Norwood Legion honoured six long-time members with lifetime memberships at their annual awards night on November 4.
Jessie Brown joined the RCAF at eighteen. She has 51 years membership in the Norwood Legion; she is also the first woman to serve as the legion vice president and president (1976-1977). She faithfully takes part in the poppy campaign every year. She is a keen supporter of the legion and many other community organizations and events.
Bob Fallis has been a legion member for 25 years, holding numerous executive positions over the years. About 10 years ago he helped to start the Legion’s weekly bingo night to bring much needed funds into the branch. The Sunday evening bingo is still a popular event each week and Bob continues to volunteer his time at it. Bob can also be found helping to provide guided tours at the branches museum.
Rob Gordon may have only 17 years of service at the Norwood Legion; however his list of contributions is very long. The Norwood Legion’s Rob Gordon Military Museum is the result of Rob’s vision and diligent hard work and effort. It showcases local military history and Rob continues as its enthusiastic curator and guide. Rob also regularity volunteers his time and talents for many other events within the legion.
Phil Hinds enlisted and trained for the Korean War, peace was called before he was to be sent overseas. He has been a member in Branch 300 Norwood for 43 years serving on the executive for 18 years in various roles including president for two terms; he has been the Zone Poppy Chair for the past 11 years and continues to volunteer wherever needed.
Les Peoples has 20 years membership in the Legion between Toronto and Norwood. Among his many contributions Les is one of two members that began the program of placing a special metal maple leaf marker on the final resting places of veterans in our local cemeteries. He continues to volunteer regularity selling Nevada at the weekly bingo and can even be found dusting the shelves and artefacts for the museum.
Bud Wrightly has 23 years of service with Branch 300; he is the other half of the team that started marking veteran’s graves with a silver maple leaf. He always takes an active part in the poppy campaign as well as Decoration Day Services. He looks after the organization of the men’s Tuesday Pool League and maintains the room and equipment each week. He volunteers his time to ensure that ailing or grieving members receive a friendly visit and well wishes from the branch and continues to volunteer regularly at various legion functions.
The Norwood Legion now has a total of seven well deserving life members; the six new lifers join Ross Althouse who was made a life member in 1980. (Other life members have sadly passed away in recent years.)
Poppy Day Bazaar
The Norwood IODE’s annual Poppy Day Lunch and Bazaar is on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Norwood Town Hall (Colborne St.), Admission is $2 or $8 if you are having lunch, featuring tables of home baking (lots of pies), knitted items, crafts and new to you articles. There will also be selection of vendor showcasing home decor, Christmas accents, jewelry and more, plus the traditional draw table and door prizes.