John Haynes

John Milton Haynes
March 25, 1958 – February 13, 2025

It is with great sadness we share the sudden passing of John Haynes on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in his 67th year. Beloved husband to Deborah (nee Malcolm) of 47 years. Much loved father of Valerie (Jason) Haynes-Hilts, Michelle Doherty and Jessica (Michael) Mercer. Cherished Papa of Alexis, Liam, Rhylee, Ethan, Owen and Amber.

He is survived by his brother Rodger (Susan) Haynes, sisters Maureen (James) Little and Karen {K.C.} (Steve) Pongracz. Predeceased by his parents John & Hazel Haynes, sister Jacalyn Haynes and son John Haynes. He will be greatly missed by all his extended family.

Affectionately known as Bobo to family and friends. He always had a joke and loved to make people laugh. He was a proud employee of Thompson Printing & Lithographing Ltd, 50 years this year. John was an active member of his local Legion. Participating in many of the activities hosted there over the years. Oftentimes, you could find him in the garage working on his latest woodworking or DIY project.

John lived a life full of laughter, kindness and unwavering devotion to those he held most dear. His absence has left an unfillable space, but his love and laughter will continue to echo in the hearts of those who loved and knew him.

As per John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Respecting his wishes of no funeral we will hold a Celebration of Life at the Branch 29 Royal Canadian Legion (70 William St., Paris) on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 1pm – 4pm.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Diabetes Canada would be greatly appreciated.

New Chair Fundraiser

Branch 29 has long been a beloved gathering spot for our community, hosting numerous events, meetings, and activities. To continue providing a comfortable and welcoming environment, we are launching a fundraising campaign to purchase new chairs for our facility. We invite all members and patrons to join us in this endeavor to enhance the comfort and functionality of our space.

The Need for New Chairs

Over the years, the chairs at Branch 29 have seen significant wear and tear. Our current seating options are not only outdated but also uncomfortable, and some have become unsafe for use. By purchasing new chairs, we aim to:

·        Improve Comfort: Modern, ergonomic chairs will provide better support and comfort for all users,

·        Enhance Safety: New chairs will ensure the safety of our members and patrons, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries

·        Boost Aesthetics: Updated chairs will contribute to a more attractive and professional appearance for our facility, making it a more inviting place for community gatherings.

Our Fundraising Goal

To achieve our goal of outfitting Branch 29 with new chairs, we aim to raise $12,000. This amount will cover the cost of purchasing high-quality, durable chairs that will serve our community for years to come. We have carefully selected chairs that offer the best value in terms of comfort, durability, and cost.

How You Can Help

We are calling on all members and patrons of Branch 29 to support this campaign through donations. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference. Here are some ways you can help:

·        Monetary Donations: Financial contributions can be made in person at the branch.

·        Sponsorship: Consider sponsoring a chair or multiple chairs.

·        Fundraising Events: Participate in or help organize fundraising events, community dinners or 50/50 draw to raise additional funds.

·        Spread the Word: Share our campaign with friends, family, and social networks to increase awareness and support.

Recognition and Appreciation

We deeply value the generosity of our community, and we want to acknowledge and appreciate all contributions. Donors will be recognized in various ways, including:

·        Thank You Event: We will host a special event to thank all donors and celebrate the successful completion of our campaign.

Conclusion

The success of this fundraising campaign depends on the collective effort of our members and patrons. By coming together, we can provide Branch 29 with the new chairs it needs to continue being a comfortable and welcoming space for our community. We thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Let’s make this campaign a success and enhance the experience for everyone at Branch 29!

Roy Haggart

President

Royal Canadian Legion  Branch 29

Paris Ontario

519 442 6198  cell 519 771 1963

Email: royhaggart@rogers.com

February Smokehouse

President’s message . . .

It’s been an interest few weeks at the Branch:

First our Fire Panel at the Branch failed. It needed to be replaced at a cost of $2,600, that is now in the works. 

The Beer Cooler has been giving us a difficult time over the past few months. Repairs last year cost $1,300.00 and this year $600.00. We keep trying to make the existing system work, it’s an old system and some of the components are not compatible. We decided to replace the whole system which will be more reliable and keep the system at the appropriate temperature.

The Chili Cook Off will return to the Branch March 8 (noon to 3:30 p.m.) The cookoff is a 10-team format with two team members per team There is a $10.00 Team registration to compete and a $5.00 tasting/voting fee throughout the afternoon There are three medals 1st 2nd and 3rd. Last year was a fun afternoon tasting and discussion on the varied chili receipts. To enter a team email royhaggart@rogers.com

Cornhole Tuesdays and Wednesdays are going strong with a total of 24 Teams. Lots of participation and a fun night out.

Join us for our Valentine’s Dinner and Movie Feb 14th Dinner5:00 p.m. Movie at 6:45 everyone welcome

Canadian Tire 9 Ball Tournament 11:30 Jan 25th $15.00 Prizes thank you Canadian Tire.

 Thanks to the generous donation of a senior member, the carpet in the Lounge and Hallway will be replaced Jan 26, Jan 27 and Jan 28.

 We are also working to replace Chairs in the Lounge. You can participate by buying one or two chairs as a donation to the Branch the cost is $179.99 contact Barry Humphrey 1 705 872 2348

 We continue to attract new members to the Branch If you have some time and would like to help at the Legion Level, Please contact me 519 442 6198  royhaggart@rogers.com

 An election will be held at the Branch April 16, 2025, for all positions including President, 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and 6 Executive Members. Meeting time is 7:30 p.m. at the Branch. This will be a two-year term of the Executive starting June 2025. We will need a full component on the executive. If you would like more information in regards to the duties please give me a call or send me an email, I would be happy to meet with you.

 Back on Sept 23, 2024, we held a neighbourhood meeting to sit down with our neighbours. We had approximately 16 neighbours. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss our Saturday afternoon BBQ and music on the Patio.

We have submitted an exemption application to the County to operate our BBQ’s with music on the Pario starting in May through October. We estimate we had a loss in revenue for this summer at our BBQ’s of approximately $6,000.00 We cannot continue to have this loss in revenue.

Ladies Darts on Thursday nights is still (7:00 p.m.) going strong, this is a fun league and you are encouraged to drop in on Thursday nights a fun time for all.

Men’s 8 Ball pool League Thursday nights 7:00 p.m. We have some openings if you would like to play, come on out.

 We have a new 50/50 Ticket on sale at the Bar The maximum number of tickets is 300  and the cost is $20.00, If we sell them all the payout will be $3,000.00 Tickets available at the Bar don’t miss this one.

Thanks to all for your support of the Branch

Roy Haggart
President
519 442 6198
royhaggart@rogers.com

——————-

From the Kitchen . . .

We are now offering Fish and Chips every 2nd Friday of the month and Wings and Fries every 4th Friday of the month. Our 2 new fryers have been busy cooking up a storm for these Fridays.  There are 2 weeks in between for anyone who wants to come and show off their cooking abilities. Come make your favourite dish.  We do Celebrations of Life and Luncheons for $12.50 per person.  If you have a celebration coming up and would like to have it at the Branch, please give us a call to discuss dinner, celebration etc.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Helen Banks
RCL Branch 29 Paris
Secretary, Kitchen Coordinator

——————-

Announcement . . .

The Legion is proud to announce that our wonderful seniors have donated a new carpet for our local. Chairs and tables also needed to get ready for our 100th anniversary coming in October 2026.

Barry Humphrey
2nd Vice-President

——————-

Coming Events. . .

Saturday, February 1st – Euchre. 12.30 p.m. Registration, 1:00 p.m. start, $5 person

Friday, February 14th  – Valentine’s Day Dinner & Movie. $20. Dinner at beginning at 5, Movie at 6:45 p.m. Poster below

Friday, February 28 – Trivia, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 – Chili Cook-Off. Registration form attached.

Saturday, March 15 – St. Patrick’s Day Pub Night. Live entertainment.

Public Notice

The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 29 Poppy Committee would like to thank all of our volunteers for all of their help and support in the past Poppy campaign. We also recognize and appreciate the help and support of the community. A huge thanks to all. The figures reported below reflect the financial position of the Branch Poppy Fund.

Poppy Trust Fund Branch Status Report
January 1st , 2024 to December 31st , 2024
Balance in Branch Poppy Trust Funds as of January 1st 2024 = $37,180.14
Income from Campaign & all other sources = $25,522.60
Sub Total = $62,702.74
Campaign Expenses & Youth Education Program = $4,927.54
Donations from Fund = $21,894.95
Total Expenses & Donations = $26,822.49
Closing Balance as of December 31st , 2024 = $35,880.25

Volunteer Bartenders Needed

Volunteer Bartenders Needed at the Royal Canadian Legion Br 29 Paris!

The Branch is seeking 1-2 volunteer bartenders to assist for three to four hours, twice a week in the evenings, with opportunities for additional shifts. Retirees are especially encouraged to apply, as occasional availability for daytime events would be greatly appreciated.

Without volunteer support, some events may have to go dry, meaning no alcohol service. As a non-profit, we cannot afford to hire paid bartenders due to limited sales, which make it difficult to break even or generate a profit. By volunteering, you can help ensure our events remain enjoyable and accessible to the community.

Randy Munday

Paris Legion Br 29

Bar Chairman

randylegion29@gmail.com