 |
| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Perkins-Plourde American Legion Post No. 136 Ladies Auxiliary Secretary Patti Porter shows the renovations that have been completed on the entryway to the post’s building on Main St. in Stockholm. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
The Perkins-Plourde American Legion Post No. 136 in Stockholm used to be the heart of activity in the small community, according to Post Commander Herman Fisher, but with the passage of time and as community demographics have changed, activity at the legendary building has dwindled. Concerned Legionnaires and Auxiliary members would like to see that change.
Thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from an anonymous post member, the building, which is estimated to have been built in the late 1940s or early ‘50s, has undergone some recent renovations. A new entryway, door and roof for the entryway were all installed.
According to Patti Porter, the Ladies Auxiliary secretary, the completion of these repairs stirred up the desire to overhaul the building more thoroughly. The Legionnaires and the Ladies Auxiliary have begun a campaign to gain the funds to renovate the building. The group would like to begin with an expansion and overhaul of the kitchen.
In order to do this, the Legionnaires and Auxiliary have decided to take turns hosting a fund-raising event every month from now until June. It is unknown how much money is needed for the desired renovations, but the group does know they want to start with the kitchen and possibly work on adding a second story to the building and also make the building more handicap accessible.
“We would like to see the building be available to its own members,” Porter stated, referring to the current layout of the building, which is not considered easily accessible for the post’s aging members.
Some fundraisers are already slated to be held.
On Nov. 17 and 18, the Legionnaires will sponsor a Craft Fair with food provided by the Auxiliary. The hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days and the menu will consist of a traditional northern Maine Saturday meal, including beans and red hot dogs, homemade bread and potato salad. A sweets table will also be available.
On Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. the post will hold a Children’s Holiday Party as they do every year.
On Dec. 14 the Auxiliary will sponsor a Christmas Program featuring a talent show. Anyone interested in performing is urged to contact Auxiliary President Kathy Robinson at 896-7909. The price of admission is a free-will donation. The Auxiliary will have Christmas sweets and hot beverages available.
On Jan. 19 a Benefit Supper will be held, featuring clam chowder, biscuits and sweets. Commander Fisher’s group — The Maine Event Barbershop Quartet — will perform followed by an auction. The post is looking for donations for auction items from the public and businesses. There will be a $5 charge for the meal with donations welcome.
On Feb. 9, the post will host a Mardi Gras themed event. The exact event has not been determined, but in the past the members have had a music group come in to perform and they have cooked a Cajun-style meal. Anyone with suggestions as to what type of Mardi Gras event the group could conduct is again invited to call Robinson.
On March 3 the post will hold its annual Flea Market. In the past, this event has proven to be very lucrative with one flea market raising $700 for the entryway roof, and a separate flea market raising $900 for a new sound system. The post will take any donations of household goods to offer for sale, but would like to focus on children’s winter clothes this year. The flea market will also feature a meal of burgers, beans, bread and sweets.
Other fund-raising ideas include a gong show, another benefit dance, a community dinner, and the post would like to perhaps try a karaoke event.
Porter and Fisher stress that they are not only looking for monetary donations, but would like to take suggestions from anyone with any ideas on what other events may be beneficial and are also looking for those willing to donate their time to volunteer at events or with renovation work. Porter stated that the post would also like to dedicate a spot in the building to honor anyone who helps in any way with the building’s renovations.
The Legionnaires and the Auxiliary have created a friendly competition with each other in a “Your Change for a Change” campaign where they have placed jars for loose coins in the post, one for the Legionnaires and one for the Auxiliary. Anyone can empty their pocket change into one of the jars, and once the competition is over, the group that has raised the least amount of money will have to buy pizza for the group that raised the most. The leftover change will go toward the renovation fund.
The post also raises money by renting out the hall to the community for events such as weddings or parties at what Porter and Fisher believe to be reasonable rates. The land surrounding the building is available for use at these events as well as the building.
The Legionnaires and Ladies Auxiliary are also looking to acquire new members. Anyone who has served in the armed forces may join the Legionnaires. The Ladies Auxiliary accepts members based on their relationship to a service member. You do not need to be a resident of Stockholm to join the post.
Fisher advises that the Legionnaires have members from all over the U.S., including California, Texas and Alaska. The Legionnaires have a membership count of 187, and the Ladies Auxiliary has a count of 118 members.
