| Veterans of Foreign Wars North Myrtle Beach Post #10804 Thomas M. Bowman, Commander |
| Ladies Aux President: Laura Bowman Men's Aux President: Dan Barone ******************************** 111 Highway 57 North, Little River, SC 29566 Phone: (843) 399-0877 Fax: (843) 399-6741 e-mail: vfw10804@yahoo.com |
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Post and Auxiliary Election Results Are In!
At the April Post and Auxiliary meetings, our annual elections
were held and the members have spoken. Thank you for
coming out to vote for the candidates of your choice!
Congratulations to all the incoming officers:
Post Officers:
Commander Denny Hutton
Sr. Vice Commander Bub Fedortion
Jr. Vice Commander Paul Slater
Quartermaster Dan Farley
Chaplain Don Cherney
Advocate George Wolff
Surgeon Leo Cyr
3-Year Trustee John O’Connor
Auxiliaries:
Ladies Aux President Catherine Steel
Ladies Aux Sr. Vice Rosemary Fedortion
Ladies Aux Jr. Vice Cathey Farley
Ladies Aux Treasurer Sharon Slater
Ladies Aux Chaplain Sandra Gray
Ladies Aux Conductress Barb Vellucci
Ladies Aux Guard Ria Funkhouser
Ladies Aux Trustee Jill Cloutier
Ladies Aux Trustee Mary Perrone
Men's Aux President Nelson Stansbury
Men's Aux Sr. Vice Dan Barone
Men's Aux Jr. Vice Mike Beck
Men's Aux Treasurer Larry Zub
Men's Aux Chaplain Joe Leotta
Men's Aux Trustee Tony Laudano
Veterans Resource Center to Open in May
Post Service Officer Kris Tourtellotte has been working for
months to establish our new “Veterans Welcome Home and
Resource Center” at 4254 Stella Drive, Little River. The purpose
of the new center, which will be manned by volunteers for the
first year, is to provide support to veterans of all ages in the
form of referrals for medical, financial, and job-placement/career
training assistance.
The ribbon-cutting for the new center will be Friday, May 15 at 12
Noon. If you are able to be there, please come tour this facility.
“Turtle” and his wife, Paula, have volunteered hundreds of
hours (and driven hundreds of miles) to make this happen!
Between the time spent doing physical labor and the time spent
fundraising, they have been consumed by this project, and they
deserve our full support! Great job, Turtle!
Recent Changes at Your Post Home
“Change” is the word of the day!
Here is a list of changes since our last newsletter:
Personnel Changes:
1. We bid farewell to bartender Joanne McCormack and wish
her well.
2. We welcome our new “Thursday & Saturday” bartender
(and Saturday lunch cook) Leo Cyr!
Friday Night Changes:
1. Effective May 1st, Friday dinner prices will be set for each
meal (instead of $10 every week). We had a wonderful $8 BBQ
chicken dinner on May 1st.
2. Effective immediately, Classic Country will only be
providing our Friday music the first Friday of each month. In the
other weeks, we will be trying out new entertainment options.
(On May 1st, we enjoyed the sounds of Harlequin.) Please let
the Post officers and house committee members know what you
like (and what you don’t). They want you to be happy!
Around the Canteen:
1. There is a new video bowling machine in the canteen.
Only $1 per game or $2.50 for a 3-game series – it’s lots of fun!
We are trying to start a Saturday afternoon bowling league – if
you are interested in joining, please let the bartender or canteen
manager know!
2. A new Chessmaster video game has also been placed in
the canteen. It’s fun, but has nothing whatsoever to do with the
game of Chess! Cash in your winning tickets for a VFW Post
10804 gift certificate or a Wal-Mart gift card.
The Post Commander’s Corner
Dear Comrades, Sisters, and Brothers,
This will be my last letter to you as Post Commander of VFW
Post 10804. The two years as your commander have gone by
quickly and I am looking forward (as is Laura) to “retirement”.
My years as your commander have been interesting and
fulfilling. I am thankful for having a great Post with great
members. It’s no wonder we were selected “Most Outstanding
VFW Post” in SC for 2007-2008. I hope we repeat this for 2008-
2009 – we’ll see on June 28, 2009 (at the state convention).
At this time, I want to thank all of you who have “stepped up to
the plate” on behalf of our Post and volunteered your time (and
often, your money) to make our post the best we can be. There
are too many Post, Ladies Auxiliary, and Men’s Auxiliary
members to mention in this article, but you know who you are –
and I know who you are. Thank you one and all!
Our incoming Post Commander, Denny Hutton, will need your
support in the coming year, so please show him the same
courtesy you have so generously showed me. I will continue to
be active at our post and if anybody ever needs anything, please
let me know.
Again, on behalf of Laura and myself, thank you for all you have
done and will continue to do for our post, our veterans & their
families, and our great country. God bless all of you!
Tom Bowman
Ladies Auxiliary President’s Comments
Dear Comrades and Sisters,
Since this will be my last letter as your Ladies Auxiliary
President, I would like to thank those who have done so much in
the past 2 years to advance the cause of service to our veterans
and their families, and service to our community. This is, after
all, the true purpose of our organization.
Ria Funkhouser and her “posse” (Darlene Arbusto, Theresa
Greene, Linda Stansbury, and Carolyn Walters), Rosemary
Fedortion and Doris Gunnell have done so much to help local
under-privileged children and families, along with the residents
of Summit Place Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care Facility.
You are all truly angels.
Thank you also to Doris & Bob Gunnell, who have done such a
wonderful job managing our “Buddy Poppy” campaigns for the
past 2 years. It is because of your diligence that we have been
able to heartily support such worthwhile programs as Fisher
House, “Snowball Express” and the North Myrtle Beach NJROTC.
Finally, I would like to thank those who supported our efforts by
coming to meetings, offering your time (and money,
sometimes), and volunteering your input and kind words in
furtherance of our programs. Your efforts are greatly
appreciated and will not be forgotten!
In closing, I would like to offer my best wishes for a great year to
incoming President Catherine Steel, and her slate of officers!
Laura Bowman
Men’s Auxiliary President’s Comments
Comrades, Brothers, and Sisters,
This is my last newsletter as President of our Men’s Auxiliary,
and it has been nothing but enjoyable to have such a great team
behind me. I would like to be able to take the credit for the
hurdles and triumphs we have endured, but that would not be
fair. The truth is that our men’s auxiliary at Post 10804 is the
best group of guys I ever had the pleasure of working with. I am
sure the next president will continue to do and exceed the
reputation of this group.
As for the events for the next month, we will be serving Mother’
s Day Brunch, and Moms eat free! This will be on Sunday, May
10, 9-11 AM. The men’s auxiliary will also be doing a wing night
once a month starting in May or June. Look for our annual “Take
Me Out to the Ball Game” event this summer, plus other events
currently being planned.
As always, we look for support from our members and the
members of our ladies auxiliary, as well as the comrades of
VFW Post 10804.
Dan Barone
House Committee Chairman’s Comments
Fellow Comrades,
We will be having a variety of music now on Friday nights, so
please come out and have dinner with us, and enjoy the music
and dance!
As always, we are in need of Friday night volunteers. Please
sign up in the canteen. Also, our May Buddy Poppy drive is
coming up the weekend of May 15-17, so please volunteer your
time to help distribute Buddy Poppies. There is a sign up sheet
for that in the canteen, too.
Jim Stuparitz
The Kitchen Renovation is Complete
In October 2008, our House Committee began a fundraising
initiative to update/upgrade the kitchen in our Post Home. As a
result of our fundraising campaign, nearly $8000 was raised for
this endeavor!
Here is a summary of the work that was done:
a. Kitchen painting and patching + replacing ceiling and floor
tiles. Three bids were received - contract awarded to Jim
Stuparitz.
b. Search for “new refrigerator and freezer”. This search
was conducted by Don Mollenhauer and Lionel Bishop, and
required extensive time and travel. After investing significant
time and effort on this project, they concluded there were
insufficient funds to buy new commercial-grade appliances.
They then concentrated their search on “used” commercial-
grade appliances. After finding 4 companies with such items,
they were able to make the best possible selections for
purchase and installation of the appliances.
c. Search for a New Ice Machine: Search was conducted at
local stores and on line by Jim Stuparitz, Tom & Laura Bowman,
Betty Teller, and Bob Fedortion. In the end, a new ice machine
was purchased for $3051, and Bob Fedortion installed the ice
machine at no charge to the post.
d. Re-painting of the Pantry: This extensive painting and
cleaning project was completed by Jim Stuparitz and Canteen
Manager Betty Teller.
With those projects completed, this phase of the Kitchen
Renovation is done. Virtually all funds raised have been
expended. There are additional projects to be done; however,
the work that has been accomplished has already made a
tremendous improvement in the look and efficiency of our
kitchen.
Everyone involved in this project – from House Committee
members Don Mollenhauer, Lionel Bishop, George Drew, Jim
Stuparitz, and Loren Ruck, to the volunteers who provided
mailing labels and folded fund-raising letters, to the many Post
and Auxiliary members who made financial contributions –
contributed to its success. Great Job!
Membership, Membership, Membership!
Attn all post and auxiliary members: If you are an “annual”
member and you haven’t paid your 2009 dues yet, your
membership expired 12/31/08 – and so did your canteen
privileges. Please pay your dues NOW to restore your
membership!
If you are financially unable to pay, please contact the
Commander/President or Quartermaster/Treasurer of your
organization – we can help!
Hot Happenings at Your Post
Post Meeting Dates:
Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, June 13 at 11 AM
Ladies Aux. Meetings:
Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, June 13 at 10:30 AM
Men’s Aux. Meetings:
Tuesday, May 26 and Tuesday, June 23 at 7 PM
Weekday Lunch: Lunch is served in the
canteen Mon-Fri starting at Noon. There is a new lunch menu,
and there will also be daily specials. Take-outs are available,
too. Stop in and say hello to Ritchi the lunch cook!
Saturday Light Lunches: Every Saturday, 12-3 –
light lunch items prepared by Leo Cyr. The food is delicious,
and reasonably priced. Come in and check it out!
Pasta Nights: Monday, May 11 join us for Penne
Pasta, served with homemade sauce (made by Lionel and Nancy
Bishop), Sausage, Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Rolls and Butter and
a “secret side dish” that varies each night. $7 per person –
please sign up in advance!
Loyalty Day: Join us before dinner at 6 PM on
Friday, May 1 for a program in celebration of Loyalty Day and
Vietnam Veterans Survivors & Remembrance Day. Wear your
red, white, and blue and celebrate your patriotism!
Mother’s Day Breakfast Buffet: Join the Men’s
Auxiliary on May 10 (Mother’s Day) 9AM – 11AM, as they host our
monthly breakfast buffet. Enjoy eggs cooked to order, home
fries, sausage gravy & biscuits, pancakes, bacon, sausage &
more – only $6 - ALL YOU CAN EAT – and Moms eat FREE! Sign
up in the canteen.
Father’s Day Breakfast Buffet: On Sunday, June 21,
it’s the same deal as “Mother’s Day, except the Ladies Auxiliary
is cooking, and Dads eat FREE! Only $6 – All You Can Eat!
VFW District 7 Convention: On Saturday, May 16,
at 12 Noon, the VFW Dept of SC District 7 Convention will be
held at our post. The purpose of this convention is to elect
district officers for the coming year. All Post and Ladies
Auxiliary members are invited to attend. (At this time, Men’s
Auxiliaries do not elect district representatives.)
***NOTE: CANTEEN WILL OPEN AT 1 PM ON
SATURDAY, MAY 16 DUE TO DISTRICT MTG***
Memorial Day: On Monday, May 25, join us at 11AM at
North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens Cemetery for our annual
Memorial Day service. It lasts about 45 minutes. You are
encouraged to come early and bring a lawn chair, as seating is
very limited. After the service, lunch for the attendees will be
served at American Legion Post 186 and VFW Post 10804.
Flag Day Ceremony: On Sunday, June 14 at 1
PM, join us for a flag retirement ceremony in honor of Flag Day.
After the ceremony, stay for refreshments!
Friday Night Dinner/Dancing: Every Friday night,
we serve dinner at 6 PM, followed by entertainment in our
banquet hall from 6 to 10 pm. The dinner, which costs $8 to $12
per person depending on the meal being served, includes your
entrée, plus a starch, vegetable, tossed salad, rolls & butter,
dessert and coffee.
If you have dinner with us, the entertainment is included in the
dinner charge. If you wish to skip dinner and just come for the
music, there is a $3 cover charge at the door.
The May/June Food Entertainment schedule is as follows:
May 1: BBQ Chicken ($8) Music by Harlequin
May 8: Meatloaf ($8) Music by Hot-N-Heavy
May 15: Stuffed Pork Chops ($10) Music by Big Bopper
May 22: Stuffed Shells ($10) Music by Free Spirit
May 29: Roast Beef ($10) Music by Dusty
June 5: Chicken w/Wine Sauce ($9) Music by Classic Country
June 12: Baked Ham ($8) Music by Steve & Alyce
June 19: Stuffed Peppers ($9) Music by Dusty
June 26: Shrimp Scampi ($10) Music by Big Bopper
Wild Wednesday Wing & Shrimp Nights:
Every Wednesday, 6-8 PM. Join us for cheap wings and
specially priced chicken tenders, popcorn shrimp, fries,
poppers, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and cole slaw. Join the
“Funky Chicken Crew”!
Taco Thursdays: Every Thursday, 6-8 PM, enjoy
some Mexican munchies in our canteen (cantina?). Whether
you stop in to shoot pool, line dance, or just hang out with your
amigos, this is the perfect snack for you. 2 tacos for only $1 –
you can’t beat it, so come on in and SUPPORT THE POST!
Snackin’ Sundays: Every Sunday, 1-4 PM, free
(donated) food is put out in the canteen, along with the donation
bucket for the Ladies Auxiliary Cancer Aid and Research Fund.
Watch the big game on the 52” TV, enjoy a cold one and munch
all afternoon while you help support cancer research! It might
be Kraut Dogs, or Sloppy Joes, or Beef-a-Roni. No matter what it
is, it’s plentiful and tasty!
Time Travelers (entertainment): On Saturday, May 16
and Saturday, June 13, 6:30-9:30 PM, stop in at the canteen for
live music provided by Time Travelers. There is no cover
charge for this entertainment!
Karaoke Parties: Stop in on Saturday, May 30 and
Saturday, June 27, 6-10 PM for our monthly karaoke parties with
Frankie Z! There is no cover charge!
VFW State Convention: The VFW Department of SC
Convention will be held in Columbia, SC June 26-28, 2009. Our
own Frank Fogner will be concluding his year as state
commander on June 28, when new officers are installed. If you
are interested in attending, please contact the Post
Quartermaster, or an auxiliary treasurer.
A note from the Editor ~ This will be my last issue of the VFW Post
10804 Newsletter. I hope it has been as much fun to read as it has
been to create!
Incoming Post Commander Denny Hutton has notified me that,
effective July 1, 2009, he has decided to hand off both of these duties
to a new administrator.
I look forward to reading a “new” version of our Post and Auxiliary
news!
Laura B. Bowman
VFW Programs:
Americanism: Chairman: Sandra Gray
Cancer Aid & Research: Chairman: Eloise Goodnight
Community Service: Chairman: Laura Bowman
Hospital: Chairman: Ria Funkhouser
VFW PAC/Legislation: Chairman: Sandy Heenan
Veterans and Family Services: Chairman: Ria Funkhouser
Youth Activities: Chairman: Darlene Arbusto
If you know of a member who is ill or in need of assistance, if
you would like to volunteer to assist at any of our functions
(Friday Dinner, etc), or if you would like to be added to or
removed from our email list, please send an email to
vfw10804@yahoo.com or call:
Post Cimmander Tom Bowman: (843) 272-6339
Post Sr Vice Commander Dennis Hutton: (910) 579-5324
Ladies Aux President Laura Bowman: (843) 272-6339
Ladies Aux Sr. Vice Cheryl Zupan: (910) 579-1091
Men’s Aux President Dan Barone: (843) 399-4459
Men’s Aux Sr. Vice Nelson Stansbury: (843) 399-1082
Check out our post website at www.vfw10804.org
| VFW Post 10804 May/June 2009 Newsletter |