American Legion [Frank E. Booma Post 6 - Portsmouth, New Hampshire]

My hat is off to everyone who attended the membership dinner. Several awards were handed out for continuous service within the Post family along with volunteer of the year recognitions. The Post will be having more events such as this for those of you who hold “early bird” cards, so keep an eye on future newsletters. The Portsmouth Christmas parade will be Saturday, December 5, 2009 stepping off at 6:00 pm. Come to the Post and join us in support of the Post or come watch as the Post Color Guard followed by the membership pass in front of the Post. A good time will be had by all, who knows you may even see Santa Claus. The Post will be hosting the Annual Children’s Christmas party, see the Junior Vice-Commander’s column for more information. As always volunteers will be needed to wrap gifts. The Ladies Auxiliary has a Santa & Mrs. Claus suit if you feel jolly and want to help everyone get into the spirit. The Post Grille will be hosting a New Years Eve Dinner with party favors if you plan on ringing in the New Year with us, see the Grille Steward’s column for more information. With the New Year comes renewing your membership, anyone who is a member that enters the Post January 1, 2010 and after, will be requested to show their 2010 membership card. If you do not have it, you can be signed in to the Grille once. After that, you will not be allowed back in until you have your 2010 card, please renew your membership soon. Jumping ahead for a moment, Saturday, January 30, 2010 is the mid-winter conference in Laconia at the Junior High School. Registration is from 8:00 – 9:00am and the meeting opens directly after. If you are a delegate this is a must show event, I hope to see you there. It is my sad duty to report that James Puma (9 year member) has been called by our Supreme Commander, may his soul go marching on.

The Children’s Christmas Party will be on Sunday, December 13, 2009 with visits from Santa between 10a-12p and 1p-3p. There are sign-up sheets for the children’s name, age and gender. The gifts will be for children 10 and under, the child must be present and accompanied by an adult. Cut off date for sign-up is Sunday, December 6, 2009. As always, volunteer help is always needed and appreciated, wrapping gifts, set-up, clean-up, etc.

I want to welcome our newest members to transfer to the Frank E. Booma Post 6 family; they are David Kierstead, Paul Kent and Vincent Frank.

I want to inform our members that there is a low cost/no cost dental service called "Donated Dental Services" out of Concord . This service utilizes dentists throughout the state that have offered to donate their time and skill. For more information, one can call 603-223-1531 or 1-800-292-1241 or visit www.nfdh.org.

On Monday, December 7, 2009 there will be a dedication of a new bridge designated as "The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge". This will take place at the Hall of Flags on the first floor of the New Hampshire State House at 10:00 am.

Sears is offering a special promotion through December 13. If you purchase a gift card through them you will receive a $10 gift card if you buy a $100 gift card, 5$ gift card if you buy a $50 card. You must mention the promotional code "Holiday Bonus" at the time of purchase to receive you free gift card.

I want to thank everyone that has been renewing their dues which has put us at 68.24% for 2010. I know your new cards do not become valid until January 1, 2010 but it would help the Post immensely if you have not yet renewed to do so at this time. We appreciate your membership and hope that you will assist us in making our membership quotas, our next one is Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 2009 if you renew upon receiving your newsletter that may help us to make our 75% by that date. Thank you in advance.

Commander Frank mentioned some dates in his article so I will not mention them. The midwinter conference is open to all members, not just delegates and officers. This is a very informative meeting and you may find it interesting.

If any member has any questions concerning the Post, the American Legion in general, I am always available to assist you in any way I can I am always available on my cell phone at 2072527532, at the Post at 4367575, Post email feboomapost6@comcast.net or my home email brooksie-sheila@comcast.net. Please notify me with any changes concerning your membership, be it address change or whatever. I would encourage all members to attend our Post meeting; the next one will be on Thursday, December 17. 2009 at 1800.

Please peruse the entire newsletter as there is good information from the officers of the Legion, Auxiliary and Squadron.

I apologize that we had a discrepancy concerning the membership dinner. The date on the calendar was incorrect but all the officers had the right time. If you should notice this again, please call myself or the Post to get the correct information.

I am enjoying serving you in the capacity of Adjutant and am always here to help you any way I may. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the above mentioned conveyances if you need assistance with the organization. Thank you,

If you have not paid your 2010 dues, this will be your last newsletter. To ensure you continue to receive your newsletter you need to renew you dues as soon as possible. Thank you,

I want to thank everyone from the Frank E. Booma Post family that participated in the Veteran's Day parade this year. It is always a pleasure to have you in our parade and look forward to your involvement in the future.

Beginning Sunday, January 3, 2010 and every Sunday following, we will be cooking breakfast upstairs from 7am-12 pm. The menu and prices are being worked on as you read this newsletter and will be posted as soon as possible. Al (Butch) LaFrenier has offered to cook and will be looking for a handful of volunteers to help him out. Plenty of time for us all to mark our calendars come down to eat or help out.

Our next Fish Fry will be Friday, December 4, 2009 from 4-7 p.m. THERE WILL NOT BE A FISH FRY ON FRIDAY, January 1, 2010. We will resume on Friday, February 5, 2010. Thank you for your loyalty and please continue to support us.

I would like to thank all S.A.L. members who attended our last meeting. It was good to see a good turnout. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. It was approved that S.A.L. adopt two (2) families for Christmas. Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 6 p.m. I hope to see you there. Till next time, be safe

I hope every one had a Good Thanksgiving. I wish everyone a very safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I would like to remind all SAL members they must have there 2010 cards before Monday, December 28, 2009 because we are shutting down for the Holidays and you will not be able to get your card till after the Jan 1st.

BAND SCHEDULE

December 5th – Echo Tones

December 11th – Karaoke w/DJ Darlene

December 12th – Front Page

December 19th– Black Brook

December 31st – New Year’s Celebration - Win/Place/Show

SURF & TURF SCHEDULE

December 5th – Post

December 12th – S.A.L.

December 19th – Unit

December 26th – Color Guard

Hello again, it is last month of 2009. Can you believe it? We had a busy November with Veteran’s Day, our Membership Dinner and Thanksgiving which were all very successful. Thanks to our many dedicated volunteers. We can not do without you!!! I would like to remind everyone that if you have not purchased your bar tag, this would be the time to do so. The close out date is Friday, January 15, 2010 so the project can be completed. We will be closing at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. Last call will be at 5 p.m., so that everyone can enjoy their Christmas Eve. Tickets will be on sale for the New Year’s Eve Dinner only, to be served in the upstairs hall. They will be $20.00 per person and $35.00 per couple. The menu will be prime rib, baked potato, vegetable, rolls and butter with mixed fruit cup for dessert. You may purchase them from the bartender on duty starting Tuesday, December 1, 2009 with the cut off date Sunday, December 27, 2009. Serving time will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Grille will be having a New Year’s Celebration starting at 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 p.m. with champagne and party favors along with Win/Place/Show rocking in the New Year. Free to all members and their guest, so get there early for your seats. Just a reminder, if you have not paid your 2010 dues, you should do so before the 31^st. The bartenders will be checking your membership cards on the 1^st of January. If you are not paid, you can only be signed in one time. See your Adjutant for renewal. Until next year, have a safe and happy holiday!.

Unit 6 has 205 members in for 2010 at 55.40%. If you have not paid your 2010 dues, this will be your last newsletter. To ensure you continue to receive your newsletter and the many benefits/discounts available, you need to renew you dues as soon as possible. If you plan on attending the New Year’s Eve Party planned and want to stay after 12 midnight, please do not wait until December 31, 2009 to renew your 2010 dues. It is QUITE possible Sheila Brooks or I will NOT be available that night to process your 2010 dues.

We would like to thank all those members who brought in canned/dry goods for the basket, Sheila Brooks for donating the turkey and those Post 6 Family members who bought raffle tickets. The Unit realized $265.00 which will come in handy in the Spring when awarding scholarships. Congratulations to Steph and Bud, our lucky winners.

The Cherry Tree Raffle Fund Raiser will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Post Home starting at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Again on Sunday, December 6, 2009 if needed starting at 9:30 a.m. A nice selection of items and gift certificates have been donated. We will have over 100 items. Come and support the Unit’s Fund

A BIG Thank You to all who supplied the Thanksgiving Day event with desserts. We had plenty to go around. If you forgot to sign up your child(ren) for the Children's Christmas Party on Sunday, December 13, 2009, you have another chance. The Post decided to extend the deadline to sign up until December 6, 2009. Fill out the sign up sheet in this month’s Bulletin and get it to us ASAP. The kids always have a great time. REMINDER !! Your 2009 membership will no longer be valid after midnight December 31, 2009. If you have any of the Insurances through the Legion, you need to get your dues paid as soon as possible so that you do not have a lapse in your coverage. We hope to see you on the 5th of December at the Post purchasing "Cherries" from our tree. Shirley has been busting her hump getting some very nice prizes! The Post is also a very nice (and warm) place to hang out waiting for the Portsmouth Christmas Parade to come by. The VA Gift Shop will be on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Manchester VA Hospital. Please bring your donations before December 3rd. Help make a Veteran's Christmas a joyous day. The Auxiliary at the November meeting voted to raise the dues of the Senior Auxiliary to $20.00 per year and the junior members to $10.00 per year starting with the 2011 year. These membership cards will be available after the Department Convention in June 2010. CONGRATULATIONS TO Steph and Bud. They won the Auxiliary Turkey Basket Raffle! Enjoy that 24 lb. Turkey and the fixings. The next meeting of the Rockingham County Salon 264 8/40 will be on Monday, December 7 2009 at the Weathervane, Dover Point Rd. Dover, NH at 6:00 P.M.