Local Legion bridges generation gap with Newfie New Year celebration/holiday meat draw
By Kyra Hoggan
A stroke of creative/comic genius on the part of Castlegar/Robson Royal Canadian Legion Branch 170 has led to a New Year’s event sure to please revellers of all ages.
The Newfie New Year 2023 will begin at 3 p.m. and will feature live entertainment with That Girl and Earl, a potluck dinner starting at around 5 p .m., and a New Year’s countdown based on the New Year in Newfoundland time (7:30 p.m. our time).
Streamers will be thrown, noise-makers sounded and Auld Lang Syne sung through to the end – all in plenty of time for folks this reporter’s age and up to be home in bed by 8:30 p.m. (which is my idea of an outstanding celebration!)
Recently-elected branch president Dean Burdeyny said the event is for members and their guests (guests must be signed in), but non-members may attend by getting signed in at the door.
“We also provide the first year’s membership free to anyone who is serving or has served (this includes the Armed Forces, RCMP, etc.),” he said, adding their motto is ‘The Youth Is Our Future’.
But wait … how does the early exit appeal to the younger set?
Simple, Burdeyny says.
“Well, they get two New Year’s celebrations – the first with us, their Legion community, which will wrap up in plenty of time for them to attend the later festivities and ring in the New Year in Castlegar time as well. Everyone wins!”
Meanwhile, the weekly Legion meat draw tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3 – 5 p.m.) will feature turkey and ham while boasting fully 15 separate draws – ample opportunity to win. Burdeyny emphasized that proceeds from the draws throughout the year are applied first to operating expenses, while every penny of the remainder goes to supporting our community, our veterans, our seniors and our youth through a variety of programs at work throughout the year.
The Legion is right in the heart of downtown at 248 Columbia Ave. and can be reached by telephone at 250-365-7017, or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RoyalCanadianLegionBranch170CastlegarRobson
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