The posts are all doing a fine job of making sure to provide activities for everyone. The weather has not been cooperative this year, yet the calendars are full of golf outings, bike runs, picnics and more.
One coming event that I always look forward to is the Veterans Appreciation Day that takes place in September at American Legion Post 336 in Painesville.
The joint effort between the post home and the Veterans Affairs Painesville Outpatient Clinic is a fun afternoon.
This afternoon event is a place to meet old friends and make some new ones. Information about veterans’ benefits and businesses that offer specials for veterans is available for the asking.
These are benefits that are earned and must be applied for. Take advantage of that, sign up and use what you have earned.

VFW at Party in the Park
Painesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595 will host a booth at Painesville Party in the Park from July 17-19.
Information about the VFW programs and Ladies Auxiliary programs will be available. Sign up for a free drawing for a flag set.
Membership for any active duty eligible service person will be free. This year, the second year’s membership will be free for any eligible veterans or Ladies Auxiliary member joining at the Party in the Park. For details, call Jill or George Householder at 440-352-9522.

Painesville Legion serves lasagna
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will serve a lasagna dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. July 17 at the post home. Dinners are $8 and include salad, roll and dessert. For details, call 440-357-7711.

Fifth annual Red Eye Run
American Legion Riders Chapter 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host its fifth annual poker run, titled the “336 Red Eye Run.”
The event, slated for July 18, begins and ends at the post, with the first bike out at 11 a.m. and the last bike in by 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for riders and $10 for passengers. Buyers of the first 100 tickets receive a free run patch.
The run will be rain or shine and motorcycles are not required. For details, call Steve Anderson at 440-209-8724 or Mike Bodnar at 440-346-2141.

Euclid Vets Classic Car Cruise
Euclid Vets Association will host its Third Annual Classic Car Cruise In and Motorcycle Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19. The event will be at Tizzano’s Party Center, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid.
Music of the ’50s and ’60s will be playing and the event will be held rain or shine. There is no admission to the show, but donations to the Gary Sinese Foundation for Wounded Vets will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques and goodie bags will be given to owners of the first 100 cars.

Catholic War Vets welcome new members
The Catholic War Veterans John Paul II Post 1959 will be at St. Justin Martyr Parish Festival, 35781 Stevens Blvd. in Eastlake, on July 24-26 having a membership and poppy drive. Donations are welcome.
Tickets for the reverse raffle also will be on sale. The raffle will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake. For information and tickets, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Madison post hosts reverse raffle
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a reverse raffle with a $1,000 main board beginning at 4 p.m. July 25 at the post home. Tickets are $40 per person.
For more information, call the post at 440-428-7893.

Painesville Youth host car wash and bake sale
The Youth Unit of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a car wash and bake sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 25 at the post home.
Funds raised will be used in support of veterans, active duty military, their families and the community.
The unit is open to young people ages 5 through 16 who desire to learn volunteerism, leadership, patriotism and teamwork. Call Jill Householder for more information at 440-352-9522.

Veterans Appreciation Day in September
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will again host the Veterans Appreciation Day from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the post home.
This is a free event for all veterans and their spouses. There will be food, music and veteran-oriented vendors.
To keep this event free, the post will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9. The cost is $5.

Golf Outing rescheduled
Col. Justice M. Chambers Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, has rescheduled the annual Toys for Tots golf outing.
The golf outing will be Sept. 12 at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison. Tickets are $80 for the players and $20 for the dinner only.
Hole sponsorships and tickets for the golf outing are available. Call Gunny’s Hall at 440-974-9380 or Joe Brooks at 440-477-1810.

Newbury post hosts Farmers Market
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, hosts the Community Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 12.
Vendors are supplied with a table under the pavilion and easy access for $5 per day. For information, email bob810@windstream.net, or call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061 to reserve a space.

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.

I grew up enjoying the airport, Dad would buy us ice cream and then head to the nearest airfield to watch the planes take off and land. He would call the take off and landings like a sportscaster calls a game.
This is air show weekend and I will be there Saturday afternoon to enjoy the aircraft. The Gathering of Eagles at Willoughby Lost Nation Airport always is a fun way to spend the afternoon.
The event is different from the Cleveland National Air show at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland. The local show enables you to talk to the pilots, ask questions about the aircraft and learn something new about history.
The show is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $13 per person or $25 for couples, and children 4 to 12 years of age will be admitted for $7. All proceeds from the show benefit the restoration of “Doc” a B-29 being restored to flying condition.

Painesville VFW 
at Party-in-the-Park
Painesville VFW Post 2595 will host a booth at the Painesville Party in the Park July 18-20. Information will be available about all of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary programs. A drawing for a free flag set will be part of the fun. Membership for any active duty eligible service person is free. This year, a second year membership will be free for any eligible veteran or Ladies Auxiliary member joining at Party in the Park. Contact Jill or George Householder at 440-352-9522 for information.

Willoughby Legion to host rummage sale
American Legion Post 214 4304 Center Street, Willoughby will host a rummage sale at the post home, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 19. Tables are available for $10 per table. The post will serve hot dogs, chips and pop for $5. For details call the post home at 440-942-7762.

Painesville Ladies Auxiliary 
to offer breakfast July 20
Painesville VFW Post 2595 Ladies Auxiliary will host a breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. July 20. The breakfast will be served at the post 570 Liberty Street, Painesville. All are welcome. For details call the post home at 440-352-9090.

Painesville Color guard host garage sale
American Legion Post 336 Color Guard, 60 Chester Street, Painesville will host a garage sale 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24-26 at the post home. Space is available in the pavilion and out of doors. A table in the pavilion will be $7 per day and outside will be $5 per day. For details call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Willoughby VFW hosts steak roast and membership drive
VFW Post 1500 38295 Pelton Road, Willoughby will host a Steak Roast and Membership drive, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25 at the post home. Dinners are $15 per person and include potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, salad and dessert. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the post. Take advantage of a special offer, bring your DD214 to join for $35, get a free dinner and a second year at half price. Proceeds of the steak roast will benefit the Littlest Hero’s Fund. For details call 440-951-9233.

Legion County Council 
to auction meat and cheese
The American Legion, Geauga County Council will host a Meat and cheese raffle beginning at 4:30 p.m. July 26, at Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road, Newbury. There will be a raffle every ten minutes. Hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages will be available. For details call 440-635-6390 or 440-313-2095. All proceeds will go toward helping Geauga County Veterans in need.

Euclid Vets annual 
car show July 27
Euclid Vets Association will host the Second Annual Classic Car show 11 a.m. to 4p.m. July 27, at Tizzano’s Party Center Parking lot, 1361 East 260th Street, just south of Route 2. All classic cars older than 1989 are welcome. Admission is free but a donation to the Gary Sinese Foundation for Disabled Vets will be appreciated. The event will include a DJ and concessions. For details call  Mike Tucci at 216-375-7223 or email mtooch@ameritech.net.

Garage sale at Eastlake VFW
Eastlake VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine Street, Eastlake will host a garage sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 9 at the post home. Inside tables are available for $15 and outside spaces will be $5 (you supply the table). Call Kellie at the post home to reserve a table at 440-942-3980.

Coffee and Donuts GI style
A GI get together with coffee and donuts will be 8 a.m. to noon, August 9, at American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin Street, Burton.
For details call Frank at 440-834-8038.

Chardon Ladies host 
Chinese Auction
The Chardon VFW Post 6519, 752 Water Street, Chardon Ladies Auxiliary will host a Chinese Auction noon to 3 p.m., August 9, at the post home. All are welcome. For details call the post home at 440-285-3699.

Burton Legion cancels 
steak roast
The August 16 steak roast at American Legion post 459 in Burton has been cancelled. For details call the post home at 440-563-8715.

Patty Melt Fridays at AMVETS
AMVETS Post 109, Sons of AMVETS, 7847 Lakeshore Boulevard, Mentor-on-the-Lake will serve Patty melts, 5 and 8 p.m. July 18 and 25th and August 1, at the post home. Prices start at $7. The meal is open to the public. For details call 440-257-9217.

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.

The temperatures began the climb toward 90 degrees in the past week and summer has finally arrived.
Summer came officially for me on Sunday with a visit to the Gathering of Eagles air show. I saw a lot of familiar faces from the aviation community and got to take a look at the beautiful airplanes on the ground. The show never fails to please, even with soaring temperatures.
Members of various veteran groups were there in an effort to reach out to the public and offer membership in their organizations.
Beginning today, Painesville Party in the Park will offer music all weekend for those who choose to visit and listen. Once again members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be there to offer information and membership opportunities for those veterans who meet eligibility requirements.
Veterans Day at the Lake County Fair will be Aug. 14. On that day, the fair is free for all honorably discharged veterans. In addition, the Lake County Veteran Service Commission will host a booth and a ceremony marking the end of both the Korean War in 1953 and the Vietnam War in 1973. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. (1800 hours).
No matter what the venue, there always seems to be a veteran involved.

Painesville post at Party in the Park
Painesville VFW Post 2595 will host a booth Friday through Sunday at Painesville Party in the Park. Post members will have information on all of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary programs.
The programs include youth scholarship and volunteer opportunities as well as community recognition. Membership information for the VFW, Ladies Auxiliary, Men’s Auxiliary and Junior Girls Unit will be available. This year, a second year’s membership will be free for any eligible veterans or Ladies Auxiliary member joining at Party in the Park.
The post will offer a free drawing for a flag set.
Please call Jill or George Householder at 440-352-9522 for information.

Willoughby Legion offers steaks on the grill
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214, 3404 Center St. in Willoughby, will again be offering steak dinners on Friday evenings 5 to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 6. The dinners are open to the public. For details, call 440-942-7762.

VFW offers fish fry dinners
VFW 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.

Sons of the AMVETS serve up burgers
AMVETS Post 109, Sons of the AMVETS, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will be serving sirloin steak burgers every Friday during July. The burgers, with several toppings available, will served from 5 to 8 p.m. All burgers will include fresh cut fries and are $6.50. For details, call the post at 440-257-9217.

24th annual golf classic July 27
The annual Col. J.M. Chambers Detachment 555 of the Marine Corps League will host its 24th annual Golf Classic beginning at noon July 27 at Madison Country Club.
Entrance fee is $120 per player and includes 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, lunch, cart and a steak dinner at Gunny’s Hall immediately following the golf. Trophies will be awarded to the first-place team and numerous skills prizes, such as long drives, closest to the pin, etc., also will be awarded.
To play or be a sponsor, call Gene Deka at 440-668-8777.

Euclid Vets host Classic Car Cruise-In
The Euclid Veterans Association will host a Classic Car Cruise-In from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 at Tizzano’s Party Center parking lot, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid, just south of Route 2.
Any and all classics up to 1979 are welcome. There is no charge for the show, but donations for the wounded will be gratefully accepted. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 cars.
Donations will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and Veteran’s Best Friend. For details call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

Ladies Auxiliary hosts Chinese Auction and Bake Sale
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction and bake sale from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 3. There will be more than 100 items to bid on. Tickets are priced six for $4; 12 for $7 or 20 for $10. Winner need not be present. Just put your name and phone number on the ticket.
For details, call Paula Geiss at 440-625-0192.

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.