Branch 29, 70 William St., Paris, ON N3L 1L6 519-442-3788
parislegion29@rogers.com
The Legion is a community service organization as well as an active social club. Our branch has a licensed lounge as well as dart, pool and cribbage leagues. We regularly have barbeques, yearly summer and winter golf tournaments, car rallies and poker runs. We also support local organizations such as the food bank.
Message from the President
Hello Everyone,
Well, we have come to the end of another year. We have a few events coming in December. November was a good month for the Branch. Some for good reasons and some for sad reasons.
The sad, was that we, lost 2 individuals that spend a good part of their lives supporting the Branch. Both helping at events and supporting events that the branch held. They will be sadly missed. Both celebrations of life were well attended and we thank those that organized the celebration for allowing us to host the event.
The happy, The 300 Club draw was sold out and the draw went off very well. All proceeds go to support Christmas Hampers which is a very worthwhile cause. We are thinking on doing another Draw in the spring so as we can do more outreach in the community. We will let everyone know when they will be up for sale.
Another happy, was the movie night. Again it was well attended and another great movie choice. Thanks to Irene for organizing these events.
Another happy, was the cancer benefit. Being the 10th anniversary of this event it was special. The event ran from noon till 930PM. The main lounge was pretty much packed during the whole event. There was 50/50 raffles and over 10 raffle prizes that were donated by local businesses. We that all that donated as it is going to a much needed service in the Brant community. All the raised money stays local. I would also like to thank all the musicians, the sound person Greg Gingerich, Jim Wreaks for going out and getting the donations for the raffles, Jim Young for his tireless efforts to organize this event and last but not least all the people that attended and donated to make this the best year to date. Over $3200 was collected. We are proud to be a part of this event.
Remembrance Day went really well. A little rain but went without a major issue. We did the Parade for the first time in a few years and it went great. We also started to lay the Veterans wreath again at our service. It did add some time to the service but I truly believe it is important to recognize the sacrifices they did for our country and us all. The service with the Parade back to the starting point was all done by 1135 AM. It was also the first year in a few that we hosted a gathering back at the branch after the service – both for adults and children. I would like to thank all the people that participated in the Parade and service. Your help made the day a great day.
I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will not be hosting a New Year’s Eve Party this year.
Finally, I would like to thank all who came out in 2022 and supported our Branch. Without your support we would not be able to do the things we do to support Veterans and youth in our community.
Donald MacLeod
President
Branch 29 Paris
Upcoming Events
Friday, December 2: Movie Night at 7:00 p.m. The movie is called Holiday Inn. Come out and see this classic movie released in 1942.
Saturday, December 3: MacKenzie Brothers Pool Tournament. There will be 16 persons that have signed up competing. Good luck to all that are participating. Thanks to Jay Mann for running the tournament.
Thursday, December 8: Trivia night. It starts at 7 p.m. Come out and have some fun testing you and your friends knowledge. A team can consist of up to 6 players. Prizes to the winning team. Thanks to Jeremy for running this event.
Saturday, December 10: We are hosting the Zone 8 Ball tournament. 7 teams will be vying to advance to District.
Sunday, every week: NFL Football on the big screen. 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Hours:
December 24: 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.December 25 to 29: closed
December 30: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
December 31: 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
January 1: 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
January 2: 12 noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Legion is available for rentals
Three rooms available:
Downstairs: 81 person capacity, includes pool table
Main Floor: 2 areas – lounge area (80 person capacity), dart area (21 person capacity)
Upstairs: banquet room (85 person capacity)
Call the branch at 519-442-3788 for a price for your event today!
From the kitchen…..
We are doing memorial luncheons again. It takes a little longer because everything must be made at the Branch, but we are able to deliver a very nice luncheon. So now instead of asking for a loaf of sandwiches I will ask for a loaf of bread and a tin of salmon, ham, or tuna. They can be left at the bar or on the shelf outside the 29er Diner. That is why it is so important to have volunteers to help.
We are also providing a catered dinner at the Branch on December 13 and January 9. We are hoping to have a dinner a month at the Branch moving forward.
29er Diner
The Diner is open for events so people can buy food if they want. Also, on Sunday’s there is the $20. platter that Missy cooks up and it is great. You can watch your sport and have something good to eat.
That’s all the news from the Kitchen and 29er Diner. Take Care, and have a great month.
Helen Banks
Secretary, RCL Branch 29 Paris
and
Luncheon Coordinator
Poppy Campaign thank you
The Royal Canadian Legion Br.# 29 Poppy Campaign was officially launched on Friday October 28th. Members met at the Branch and President Donald MacLeod raised the Poppy Flag which remained flying until Nov 11th.
During this year’s campaign, for the first time in two years we were able to have our Members and Cadets from RCSCC ADMIRAL NELLES out tagging at Paris business locations. How nice was that.
The Campaign for this year was successful. We have received donations from as far away as BC and Alberta. The generosity of residents of Paris and local communities has been outstanding, as we have received over $19,000, in donations.
A huge thank you to all the schools, and to the Merchant’s who allowed us to drop off Poppy boxes, at their places of business and looked after them until our volunteers could do a pick-up. Thanks to the volunteers for distributing and retrieving the boxes during the campaign and to our volunteers for counting and rolling all the change.
A special thanks to Sobeys Management and Staff for the lovely Remembrance Day Tribute set up by the Florist department. The Uniforms and photos and memorabilia were on loan from the Paris Museum & Historical Society, Paris Legion, Sobeys and, RCSCC Admiral Nelles.
This campaign would not have been possible without the help and support of our members. Thank you for your hard work and generosity.
The Poppy Fund is the Legion’s way of remembering the DEBT WE OWE TO THOSE WHO SACRIFICED SO MUCH.
Earl MacDonald
Poppy Chair
Paris Branch #29
Upcoming events . . .
Watch for the December Smokehouse newsletter next week!
November 25 entry deadline – 8-BALL POOL TOURNAMENT, Saturday, December 10. Sign up sheet posted at the Legion.
Saturday, November 26, 2:00 p.m. – 300 CLUB ELIMINATION DRAW. This is a very worthwhile event as it raises money for Christmas hampers.
Sunday, November 27, 2 to 4 p.m. – KNITTING AT THE LEGION. The last Sunday of the month. Everyone welcome. No skill required.
Sunday, November 27, Noon to 5 p.m. – NFL FOOTBALL ON THE BIG SCREEN.
Friday, December 2, 7:00 p.m. – MOVIE NIGHT AT THE LEGION: Holiday Inn. Get in the Christmas spirit and hear the original version of White Christmas in this remastered version of the WWII (1942) holiday classic. FREE to Legion members and their guests. FREE popcorn. Poster below.
Saturday, December 3 – MacKENZIE BROTHERS (Branch) POOL TOURNAMENT. Branch-only tournament.
An update on the 300 Club Draw. All the tickets are now sold. The draw will be held on November 26th at 2 PM. Come out and watch the draw. Food will be available.
November message from the President
Hello everyone,
Another month has flown by. I hope everyone is doing well.
Remembrance Day will be run slightly differently from the last two years. We will be having the Parade again. The Parade will be forming up behind the Paris County offices. It will start about 1030AM. There is also a change in the laying of the wreaths. All service clubs and Churches will be laying their wreaths at 10AM on November 11th. We are going to try to lay all other wreaths at 11AM. We are asking if you are wanting to participate in laying your wreath, personally, that you let us know in advance of Nov 10th. If we do not hear from you we will be laying the wreath on your behalf. This will take time to accomplish the laying of 60 + wreaths. So we will be speeding up the laying. We used to lay two at a time but to make this work, we will be laying up to six at a time. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated. The Branch will be fully open, as it has been pre-COVID. A light lunch will be provided.
We have had a successful month in October. We had a few events, some new to the branch others were run for the first time in a few years due to COVID. We start a Trivia night that was well attended. It is run for us by Jeremy Collins. Thanks Jeremy. We had our Branch Euchre tournament on Oct 22. Thanks to Heidi and Irene for running it. We had another great movie night. Top Gun Maverick was well attended. Thanks to Irene for doing that. We had a band come in to play on Oct 28th. The place had lots of people. The music was great. Thanks to Jim Young and friends for putting on a wonderful Halloween Party.
The Cancer Benefit is in its 10th year. Music will start at noon and run till about 9PM. Bobby Banks will open the show and be followed by great bunch of musicians. All talent is mostly local and all volunteered. All the funds raised stay local. It is used to provide rides to local cancer patients that need to travel to their treatments. The event this year will not be streamed live as it has been the last two years. So we hope to see allot of people in attendance and giving donations to this worthwhile cause.
The 300 Club Draw will be held on November 26th at 2PM. There are still a few tickets left at the bar if you would like one. All funds after prizes go to The Christmas hampers.
We are still looking for Poppy campaign volunteers. There is a sign-up sheet at the Branch for distributing Poppies on Friday and Saturday. They are in 2 hour segments. You do not need to be dressed in legion attire. Just pin on a volunteer pin.
We are also still in need of someone to look after a few committees. Sports and public relations are two positions that are open and need to be filled.
I wish everyone a wonderful November.
Donald MacLeod
President
Branch 29 Paris
_____________Upcoming sports
MEN’S DARTS. Men’s Darts has started on Tuesday evening starting around 7:00 p.m. We have made a travel team and an in-house group. The travel team plays other Legions in our area. More players are always welcome.POOL LEAGUE. The Wednesday night pool league has started. It starts at 7:00 p.m. We are short two players so if you would like to join, you are more than welcome.
LADIES DARTS. Ladies darts on Thursday has started. You are welcome to come out and play.
8-BALL POOL TOURNAMENT, Saturday, December 10. Pool deadline for entry is November 25th. Sign up sheet posted at the Legion.
CRIBBAGE TOURNAMENT AT THE BURFORD LEGION, Saturday, November 26. Deadline for entry is Friday, November 11. Sign up sheet posted at the Legion.
MacKENZIE BROTHERS (Branch) POOL TOURNAMENT, Saturday, December 3. This is a Branch-only tournament.
Upcoming events
TRIVIA NIGHT. Thursday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Hosted by Jeremy Collins from Paris Beer Co. Jeremy hosts trivia at Paris Beer on Wednesday nights in the storeroom to a full house. Teams of up to 6 are allowed. Prize to the top team of the night.
10th Annual “NO ROADS BACK” CANCER BENEFIT. Saturday, November 19: This event will run from noon until 9:00 p.m. A total of 14 musical acts perform every 40 minutes all day long. All monies go directly to the Cancer Society in Brantford and stay in Brant.
300 CLUB ELIMINATION DRAW. Saturday, November 26 at 2:00 p.m.: Our 300 Club tickets are for sale at the bar. This is a very worthwhile event as it raises money for Christmas hampers.
KNITTING AT THE LEGION. Sunday, November 27, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The last Sunday of the month. Everyone welcome. No skill required.
MOVIE NIGHT. Friday, December 2, 7:00 p.m.: Holiday Inn. Get in the Christmas spirit and hear the original version of White Christmas in this remastered version of the WWII (1942) holiday classic. FREE to Legion members and their guests. FREE popcorn.
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Poppy Campaign
For those canvassing in any of our locations on Friday, or Saturday poppy boxes will be filled and ready for the first shift in the Legion Lounge the night before should you wish to do so. Please take the Poppy box with the location name on it.
Members who wish to pick up in the morning the Legion will be open at 9:30 a.m. on each of these days for your convenience. Members taking over the shift will take the Poppy box from the out-going canvasser.
If during your shift you need more Poppies or a new box please phone the number provided. For the member finishing the last shift of the day please return the Poppy box back to the Legion and give to Bar Steward Thank you!
Earl MacDonald
Poppy chair
Cell: 226-387-0729 Home 519-302-0226
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From the Kitchen
The Branch has started to do luncheons again. A little different, and a lot more work. Everything has to be made at the Branch, prepared food cannot be accepted. The response from the membership for donations of canned goods, bread etc. has been overwhelming. I’m so grateful to our members for being so kind and giving.
We’ve raised the cost to $10. Per person,(free for members with paid up dues) and we sure put on a great luncheon, whether you are a member or not. And I am always looking for volunteers to help prepare food trays.
Take care everyone,
Helen Banks
Kitchen Coordinator
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Check out the Legion website: parislegion29.ca
The site now features a new calendar with Rentals and Activities. For more information contact Barry Humphrey, 1st vice-president at humphreybdh@gmail.com.
Friday, October 28, 7:00 p.m.: Top Gun Maverick. Come and see it on the big screen with surround sound! FREE for Legion members and their guests. FREE popcorn.
Saturday, October 29, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Hallowe’en Party With Live Band. Dress up and enjoy some live music!
Sunday, October 30, Noon to 5:00 p.m.: NFL Football on the big screen.
Sunday, October 30, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.: Knitting Group. Enjoy a glass of wine, learn to knit, crochet — or just relax! All skill levels, or no skill levels welcome!
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 6 – 9 Men’s darts
Wednesday: 6 – 9 Pool
Thursday: 3 -7
Friday: Noon til 7
Saturday: Noon til 8
Sunday: 12 til 5
Holiday hours: Noon til 6
We will gladly adjust our hours to suit your function. Please see the bartender on duty with your request.