Department of Minnesota, 6th District

BENTON-SHERBURNE County Council

 

District  Website :  http://www.mn6thdistrict.org

Meeting Schedule

Big Lake – 19 March 2023

Foley – 15 May 2023

Zimmerman – 17 July 2023

Becker – 18 Sept 2023

 

Benton Sherburne County Council Minutes, 16 Jan 2023

            Commander Stimmler called the regular 16 January 2023 meeting of the Benton-Sherburne County Council to order at 7:30 pm at Elk River Post 112 with 17 present.

            Minutes of the 21 November 2022 meeting were read and accepted. Finance report of 1519.08 balance was accepted.

            Roll call of Posts/SALs/Auxiliaries: Becker-1, Big Lake-1, Clear Lake-1, Elk River-12, Foley-0, Rice-0, Sauk Rapids-1, Zimmerman-6.

            Roll call of Officers: Cmdr Stimmler-p, 1^st Vice Riebel-a, Sgt-at-Arms Johnstone-p, Chap/Fin-Kulkay-p, Adj Takle-p.

            Guests:  6^th District Membership Director/Legionville President Carl Moon; 6^th District Chaplain Frank Grittner; 6th District Law and Order Chair Ken Wood, all from Zimmerman Post 560.

            Membership/District information: Dr Carl Moon (6^th District membership director) reported that the District is at 85.12%; Benton-Sherburne County Council at 83.5%.  The Sweetheart Rally is at Osseo on Feb 4, 2023.  The National Commander will be in Minnesota 16-21 April 2023 and in the 6^th District 19 April, at Pine River, at Camp Ripley during Legion College and for dinner at Ironton.  6^th District Mid-Winter is at Ironton, Saturday, 11 Feb 23, 8:00 am.

            Legionville: Dr. Carl Moon, President, reported. Adam Felton is the Director; Online registration begins 1 Feb 23; a new pamphlet is available; camp begins 11 June; $500/camper, the camp gives safety training.  Needs: scholarship funds, volunteers during May Work and Play month (19-21 May - Work Weekend); $3,000 for high toilets; $33,600 - mattresses; $36,000 - 6 water heaters; $20,000 - replace flooring.  Donations received: $1,000 from Cabella’s for fishing gear; $30,193 from Posts and a benefactor; $18,000 from 6^th District.

            Dept. Adjutant has information on suicide prevention programs.  The Department of MN has a suicide prevention coalition; training is available on S A V E.

            6^th District Chaplain Frank Grittner: He has completed the basic course online and plans to attend the MN Legion College in April.

            6^th District Law and Order Chair Ken Wood: Encouraged Post members to look for Policemen or Firemen Heroes to nominate for awards.

            Legion Family Activities:

Elk River Auxiliary: 32 fidget blankets were donated to Sparks for Hope which helps with day care for special children including a couple of are veteran’s families plus funds were donated by the auxiliary and the Legion riders. $1,249 was made on Christmas bake sale and about $600 on soup and pie sale.

Zimmerman Auxiliary: Toy Drive brought in 2,683 toys filling ½ fire truck; Hot Dish Cook Off is 18 Feb, 1:00-3:00 pm; 4 March bus run; 18 March Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner: dues were raised to $40 for 2024 (as were Elk River’s)

Elk River Post: Lenten Friday night fish fries begin 24 February; new show case constructed to highlight recent veterans; new security cameras and big screen TVs installed; new games in the bar.  Riders are having 3^rd Sunday breakfasts; Breakfast with Santa was hit; 19 March is BBB   (Bloody Mary’s, Breakfast and Bingo). SAL and Riders having a lunch in February to plan spring and summer activities.  Chaplain/Service Officer Paul Deneson reported what he has been doing to serve veterans in the Elk River area.

Big Lake Post: In December they collected 324 toys for Santa Day; they gave $3,500 for a canine dog; they have pull tabs at the Buff.

Zimmerman Post: 14 Feb Red Cross blood drive; Sponsorships for $2,500 needed for God Star memorial, looking for 5 area Legion Families to be sponsors; meat raffles and horse/pig races are ongoing.  Riders: veterans run coming up. SAL: selling gun raffle tickets.

Becker SAL: Provide 2 ½ truck loads of toys for Toys for Tots; Fisher House concert fundraiser is planned again for next summer; making fruit baskets for seniors on Memorial Day; will participate in Memorial Day activities at 6 cemeteries and the river; Freedom Days in June.

Sauk Rapids: 20 Jan they will post colors for the Nordsman Hockey Team and for two other games this season; Memorial Day Program will be at the VAMC or the Mac Center.

Winter Outing: 20 February 2023 at Jack and Jims, Duelm at 6:30 p.m.

Adj. Takle reminded members to check the 6^th District website for information including the newsletters and upcoming events; noted “Tips on Meeting Minutes” printed with agenda.

Sick Call: Elk River - Ron Walz, Bob Koehler, Sylvia Frolik, Karen Walz, Kristine Dahlen, Flo Bubalo. Becker - SAL charter member Nate Larson, Aux. member Karen Anderson.

Next meeting on 20 March 2023 at Big Lake.

Closing Prayer then Meeting Adjourned.

Jerome Takle                                                   Bud Stimmler