At this time of year, everyone’s thoughts are turning to the holiday season.
Being good citizens of course, the first special November day is Election Day. As American citizens, one of the greatest rights we enjoy is the right to cast a ballot.
Once the elections are over the holidays begin. The Marine Corps’ birthday is Nov. 10, and local detachments are selling tickets for the 238th Birthday Ball. The following day is Veterans Day, Nov. 11 and many government offices will be closed.
Once past Veterans Day, the Thanksgiving season will begin. Most of the posts will be collecting items to fill baskets for families that may not be able to have a holiday without some help.
Toys for Tots will be accepting new unwrapped toys and cash donations at various locations throughout the county. These are easy to spot — just look for Marines. Toys-for-Tots always means Christmas is near.

Baskets of Appreciation 
needs help
The Third Annual Baskets of Appreciation for families of service men and women in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties is looking for volunteers to help assemble the baskets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 at the Lake County Fairgrounds 4-H Building.
The group also will be accepting new items such as toiletries, toys and games, DVD and CDs, stocking stuffers, healthy snacks and miscellaneous goodies, kitchen and bathroom items, sweatshirts and T-shirts in all sizes for the baskets.
Baskets 12 inches and larger also will be accepted. Items are being accepted now through November and will be stored at Uncle Bob’s storage. For details and times, call 440-975-8880.

Veterans get free haircuts
Great Clips is offering a free haircut for a veteran when a service is purchased now through Nov. 11. Get a Great Clips cut and receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran. The free haircut cards are redeemable by veterans at any Great Clips between Nov. 11 and Dec. 31 with proof of service.
Veterans will be eligible to receive a free haircut on Veterans Day or a free haircut card to redeem by Dec. 31.

Fish fry in Willoughby
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, is hosting fish fry dinners the first and third Fridays of the month at the post home. For details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

Funeral detail available 
in Geauga County
American Legion Post 459, 14059 Goodwin St. in Burton, has a full military funeral detail available to any honorably discharged veteran eligible for full military honors. The honor guard, led by Newell Beaumier, sergeant at arms, is available 24/7, with a few days’ notice. For details call “Bo” at 440-834-8764. Please leave a message if no one answers.

Catholic War Veterans 
host membership drive
Catholic War Veterans will be hosting a membership and poppy drive at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road in Concord Township on Nov. 9 and 10 at all Masses. The group will observe a Blue Mass at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the church. All are welcome.
Post veterans also will host a membership drive following all masses at St. Mary Magdalene, 32114 Vine St. in Willowick Nov. 9 and 10. For details, call Ken Kirchner, second vice commander, at 440-257-2156 or cpd2195@yahoo.com.

Legion oratorical 
contest deadline nears
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students.
The Lake/Geauga Counties contest will be Nov. 17 at Wickliffe Senior Center, 900 Worden Road in Wickliffe. Interested students must register with Gary A. Minadeo, Lake County Oratorical chairman, before Nov. 13.
Visit the website at www.legion.org/oratorical for further information or call Gary Minadeo at 440-840-6164 or via e-mail at happy2help@att.net.

Marine Corps birthday ball
The 238th USMC Birthday Celebration sponsored by Marine Corps League Detachment 782 will be 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 9 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 133 South Spruce St. in Jefferson.
The event is open to the public and is business casual.
The evening will include an open bar and Chinese auction. Celebrate the birthday of American’s Marines with your local Marine Corps veterans and members of the Pvt. Henry Kalinowski Marine Corps League Detachment 782.
Tickets are $45 per couple or $25 single and available until
Nov. 1.
For ticket information, call Tom Lucas Jr., at 440-992-5861; 440-813-3914 or e-mail to lukejr68@gmail.com.Send check or money order made out to the Marine Corps League, c/o Tom Lucas Jr., 3105 Jefferson Road Ashtabula, OH 44004.

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.