The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Legion ‘standing on firm ground’
Commander Don Logan hoping to expand Legion activities
MUNNSVILLE, N.Y. » Patrons of the Munnsville American Legion are feeling more confident about the future of the Legion.
In January, the Munnsville Legion was tackling financial worries and an uncertain future that could mean closing its doors Lt. Scott Jones of the Oneida Fire Department explained to members that with an $8,000 monthly bill, the Legion only had one month that saw a profit from August to November.
Now in February, the Legion and Post Commander Don Logan are feeling more confident. According to Logan, membership to the Legion is picking up and more people are coming around.
Logan said that at the moment, the Legion is open between Wednesdays and Saturdays, with wing nights on Wednesdays and fish frys on Fridays. Logan said there have been talks about open-
ing up more days of the week and a grand reopening on Saint Patrick’s Day.
“I think we’re standing on firm ground to move on and function as a Legion again,” Logan said.
Cody Logan, Don’s son, started volunteering at the Munnsville Legion when he was six. Now24, Cody is doing whatever he can to help.
When the Legion had its meeting to discuss financial concerns, Cody didn’t understand how it could be suffering the way it was. To Cody, the Legion was doing good; but it wasn’t doing great either.
Now a month later, Cody said that things are going very well.
“We’re getting a lot of new volunteers in, the fish fry has been doing very well and you’re seeing people that haven’t been in for five, six years that are starting to come back,” Cody said. “You can see it in the numbers. Last week, we sold out of fish and that’s the first time that’s happened in a long time and we’re keeping steady on wing nights, when before it was hit or miss. It’s a totally different environment. The word is out, we’re back.”
Cody said that when spring comes around, there’s plans in the making to use the outside pavilion to its full extent with things like chicken barbecues, clam bakes, talks of a volleyball pit and horseshoes.
To Sylvia Rood, a long time patron of the Legion and known to everyone as Toby, this is good news. Rood has been going to the Munnsville Legion for 60 years easily, she said.
To her, the Legion a friendly place where she knows everybody and the first place her family thinks of when they want to hold any kind of special event or gathering. It was a major shock to learn of the Legion’s financial troubles and the possibility of it shutting down, but she was already thinking of how to save it.
“I was just thinking ‘Oh my god, we’re going to have to do bake sales, donations, this and that.’ We all had to get together and not let this happen,” Rood said. “For about 60 years, we’ve had family parties at the Legion, we’ve had baby showers, we go here after funerals and host birthday parties here.”
Rood’s daughter, Charlene Lawless of Oneida, said the Munnsville Legion is the first place she thinks of when she needs to host an event. The Legion is always warm, accommodating and friendly.
“I live in Oneida and have other venues available, but when I want to host an event, this is the first place I think of,” Lawless said. “I’d love to see the community support and keep this place open. We need it.”
Logan said those interested in volunteering, donating or hosting events can call the Munnsville American Legion at (315) 495-6593. The American Legion will be hosting a blind draw Pitch Tournament on Feb. 22 from 7-11 p.m. Sign ups are at the Munnsville Legion. There will be a $10 entry fee.