The weather is cooling off, but events at area posts are heating up. The calendars are beginning fill with all sorts of dances, dinner specials and fund raisers.
These events are the perfect opportunity to reach out to a younger veteran and his or her family. Ask that veteran to an event, introduce him to other members and make him or her feel welcome.
The posts offer something for everyone, and making that new member feel an immediate part of the post home is important in building membership and maintaining active members.
If a member does not feel like a part of the event, then a return visit is unlikely. If your post is using some creative ways to introduce veterans to membership, please email me at lgaler@news-herald.com and let me know what you are doing to gain and keep members.
 
‘Connected Warriors’ in Chagrin Falls
Vietnam vet Bob Conway, U.S. Marine Corps, and his wife, Betsy, have started an Ohio Chapter of “Connected Warriors.” All vets and immediate family members are invited to attend free yoga classes taught by Betsy, a certified yoga instructor, starting at 2 p.m. today at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls. Mats and T-shirts will be provided. For more information, call 561-926-4886 or by email at indigo1950@gmail.com.
 
Pancake breakfast benefits Sub Zero
Sub Zero Mission will host a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kirtland Community of Christ church, 9017 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland. A “freewill” donation will help Sub Zero Mission prepare for the winter months by helping with the purchase of warming items for the area homeless. For details, call Liz Cimaglio at 440-452-4947.
 
Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall is back
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, is again serving an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon between Labor and Memorial Days. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders can be taken for an additional $1.50. The detachment also serves lunches daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu will include a daily special and regular menu items. Both meals are open to the public. For information, call 440-974-9380.
 
Flag retirement ceremony Sunday
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9295 of Mentor and Boy Scout Troop 75 will perform a flag retirement ceremony at noon, Sunday at Veterans Park, 5730 Hopkins Road in Mentor. The public is welcome to attend.
 
Veterans Memorial Park Day at Progressive Field
Ohio Veterans Memorial Park Day at Progressive Field will be Sunday. The Cleveland Indians will play the New York Mets beginning at 1:05 p.m. Use code OVMP to get the discount pricing. Lower reserve seating will be $29 and mezzanine seating will be $24, $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Veterans Memorial Park.
A special veteran will throw out the first pitch. A picnic lunch is also available at an additional cost. Visit www.ovmp.org to order tickets or call 330-773-2385 for more information.
 
Madison post hosts golf outing
American Legion Post Jay Wilson 112 of Madison will host a golf outing for members and guests at 1 p.m. Sept. 14. The golf outing will raise funds for the charities program, benefiting the Madison Food Bank and other community programs.
Donations of door prizes, and hole sponsorships for $25 each, are needed. Sponsors’ names will be posted on the post website at www.americanlegionjaywilsonpost112.org with links to sponsor websites.
Tickets are $65 per person and include a steak dinner, hot dog and pop at the turn. For details call the post at 440-428-7893 or Frank Magda Jr. at 440-796-3562.
 
Auxiliary hosts spaghetti dinner
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4358, 29412 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host spaghetti dinner 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at the post home. The dinner is $8 per person and reservations by Sept. 11 are requested. Please call Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903 or the post at 440-944-1642. Proceeds will benefit needy families through the Auxiliary Christmas Projects.
 
Poor man’s reverse raffle at Willowick Legion
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a poor mans reverse raffle at 7:45 p.m. Sept.. 20 at the post home. Tickets are $10 each and only 200 tickets will be sold.
The first ticket will be drawn at 7:45 p.m., and food, beverages and side boards will all be part of the fun. Proceeds will benefit American Legion charities. Tickets are available at the canteen or from any SALs member.
 
Golf outing benefits Sub Zero Mission
The Second Annual Sub Zero Mission charity golf outing will be 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at Madison Country Club, 6131 Chapel Road in Madison. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit Sub Zero Mission, a charity to prevent freezing and injury caused by extreme weather exposure to homeless and financially destitute Americans, with a special focus on military veterans.
For details, call Del Bethel at 440-286-1387 or 440-622-4157 or email to del@subzeromission.org.
 
Cornhole tournament at detachment
Col. J.M. Chambers, Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a cornhole tournament fund raiser beginning at 2 p.m. Sept. 21, at Gunny’s Hall.
The tournament is open to the public and is $10 per person to enter. ($5 fund raiser and $5 tournament) To register in advance or for more information, call 440-974-9380.
 
Ohio Women Veterans Conference Sept. 28
The Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus will be the site for the Ohio Women Veterans’ Conference. Registration will be 8 to 10 a.m., followed by the conference from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 28.
Advance registration is recommended by visiting www.ohiovet.gov click on the link “Women Veterans Advisory Committee”
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.