American Legion Post 678 in Willowick has a new sign thanks to members Richard Negrelli and Hal Hildebrecht who designed it.
Negrelli, an American Legion Life member and member of the post for the past 63 years, explained that the post is difficult to find on the side street, and the sign was necessary to let people know it was there.
“The older people are dying off but there is always a certain amount of fraternity at the post,” Negrelli said of his longtime membership.
He was there and helped to pour the concrete foundation for the original post and helped to erect the flag pole that stands in front of the post.
The post was originally the size of two garages.
The current building, complete with a canteen and a banquet hall that is available for rent, was built in 1976 behind a retail strip center on Vine Street but facing East 328th Street.
Negrelli, Hildebrecht and fellow members Joe Strand and Bob Benish all pitched in to get the sign into place last week.

Junior Girls Unit dinner a hit
The Junior Girls Unit of VFW Post 2595 had a successful dinner event on Feb. 10 as the young ladies raised $310 for the VFW National Military Service Program.
To be a Junior Girl of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, you must be 5 to 16 years of age and be a daughter, foster-daughter, step-daughter, granddaughter, sister, foster-sister, step-sister or half-sister of someone who is eligible for the VFW. This would be someone who has served overseas in a U.S. military conflict that the VFW recognizes as a foreign war.
For details, talk to your nearest Ladies Auxiliary.
 
Megen’s Civil War Quilts Lecture
and trunk show
Ladies, join quilt shop owner and Civil War quilt enthusiast Megen Wierzbicki for a fascinating lecture and trunk show to learn the history and origins of Civil War quilts, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland.
Learn about their fabrics, patterns and quilting designs.
Time is included for questions and answers. Free evening admission from 5 to 7 p.m. is included to view show quilts prior to the program.
Program fee is $10. Register online at lakemetroparks.com or call 440-358-7275.
 
Men’s Auxiliary hosts steak dinner
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville will host a steak dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at the post home. All are welcome.
For details, call 440-354-9090.
 
Burton Legion serves pancakes
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton will host a pancake and sausage breakfast 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the post home. For details, call Ron at 440-343-1478.
 
CPAs volunteer for military personnel
The Ohio Society of CPAs is offering free tax preparation services to Ohio military families this tax season.
Now through April, Ohio Certified Public Accountants will prepare 2012 tax returns for military personnel who are permanent residents of Ohio and currently deployed outside of the state.
To find an Operation CPA volunteer in your area, call The Ohio Society of CPAs toll free at 888-959-1212 or email cpanswers@ohio-cpa.com.
 
Madison VFW Auxiliary craft show
The annual craft bazaar of the Ladies Auxiliary of Madison VFW Post 8548, will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9, at Stratton Place on Main Street in Madison Village.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Madison Food Bank.
The public is invited.
 
Annual Oink and Squeal
at Burton post
Oink and Squeal Party with raffle and Chinese auction will begin at 5 p.m. March 23 at the Burton American Legion Hall, 14052 Goodwin St.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. and raffle will begin at 7p.m. Raffle tickets are $2 each and Chinese auction ticket are 10 for $1.
Prizes for the evening include cash and 20 hams. Admission is non-perishable food items, bath items or cash donations for the local food bank.
Food will be available for purchase through the Legion kitchen.
For tickets, contact an American Legion Ladies Auxiliary member.
 
Abbey Rodeo to appear
at Willoughby post
Willoughby VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road, will host a fundraiser spaghetti dinner followed by a performance of Abbey Rodeo beginning at 6 p.m. March 23.
Tickets are $18 per person and due to advance sales, tickets may not be available the night of the event.
For tickets, call 440-951-9233 or in person at the post home.
All proceeds will benefit “The Littlest Heroes” as well as the VFW National Children’s Home, Cleveland Area VA Hospital treats and care packages for the troops.
 
Reverse Raffle scheduled
St. Vitus Post 1655 of the Catholic War Veterans will host a reverse raffle April 16, at the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland.
Only 175 main board tickets will be sold for the chance to win $2,500 in total cash prizes.
Tickets include dinner and an open bar. Cost for main board tickets is $60 with an additional dinner tickets for $20.
Consolation prizes and side boards will also be available. For details or to purchase tickets call Mike Blau at 440-954-1426.
 
Early warning
The 11th annual “Rally for the Troops” will be 11 a.m. April 28 at Cleveland Public Square.
There is no cost to attend the rally and free parking will be available at Tower City and Network Parking 12:30 to 3 p.m. For details, visit www.clevelandrallyforthetroops.com

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094, fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.