I was recently given a copy of the magazine Volunteer by a friend who is a member of the Painesville Civil Air Patrol.
Knowing I liked aviation, he thought I would enjoy the magazine full of stories about flying and the Civil Air Patrol. I was surprised to find a story about “Smilin’ Jack’” a cartoon character who flew airplanes. I had no idea there was a comic strip by this name, it’s the same name I’ve been calling this friend for several years. The nickname fits, because he is always smiling.
The comic began in 1933 and ran on the comic pages until 1973, when “Smilin’ Jack” retired. The creator, Zack Mosley, was a member of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron that flew from Coastal Patrol Base 3 in Lantana, Florida, eventually becoming a colonel in the Civil Air Patrol.
The nationally syndicated cartoon was seen all over the country.
The patrol helped with submarine spotting and chasing during the war along the coast. At the time, civilian single-engine planes were outfitted with small bombs in case they had the opportunity to hit an enemy ship. Today, the Civil Air Patrol teaches young people about aviation and search and rescue.
The Painesville squadron will host a spaghetti dinner at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, on April 11. The dinner will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. and is $6 per person.
Proceeds will benefit cadets attending the annual encampment this summer.

Fish fry at Fairport Harbor VFW Post 7754
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host a fish fry lunch and dinner on April 3 at the post home. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner 4 to 7 p.m. Carryout will be available. For details or to order a meal, call 440-352-1123.

Gunny’s Hall closed 
for Easter
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will not serve breakfast on April 5 because it will be closed for Easter Sunday. For details or questions, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

Pancake and sausage breakfast in Burton
Burton-Middlefield American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at the post home. Adult breakfast is $9 and the child’s portion for ages 12 and younger is $5. For more information, call 440-635-0223.

Blessing of the Bikes at Willowick Post
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host the Second Annual Blessing of the Bikes April 12. The parking lot will open at 10 a.m., with the blessing at noon.

Fundraiser benefits
6-year-old
American Legion Family of Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a fundraiser beginning at 3 p.m. April 18 at the post home.
Proceeds will benefit 6-year-old Kallie Kramp, who has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Dinner tickets are $10.
A basket of cheer and an iPad mini with a keyboard case will be raffled off. Tickets are $5 each for the raffle. DJ Trenda will entertain from 7 to 11 p.m. Donations are being gratefully accepted.
Call 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. for more information.

Wickliffe post host 
polka party
American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe, will host a polka dance beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 18.
Tickets are $25 per person and include beer, wine and ethnic foods. Patty C and the Guys will entertain. For more information or tickets, call the post home at 440-585-4191.

Catholic War Veterans host membership poppy drive
The Catholic War Veterans of Lake, John Paul II Post 1959, will host a membership poppy drive at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wickliffe on April 18 and 19 at all Masses.
The members also will be selling tickets for the Super Raffle that will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake during the Annual Reverse Raffle. Grand prize will be $5,000
Tickets can be purchased from any CWV member. For more information, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Deepwood Run begins 
at Gunny’s Hall
The Deepwood Run will be 9 a.m. April 19 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor.
The run is $15 per person and will feature a breakfast buffet with bloody marys, a Chinese auction and raffles. Event proceeds will help enhance the quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities. Tickets may be purchased online at thedeepwoodrun.org or by calling 440-350-5209.

Fundraiser helps 
Boulevard of Flags
Boulevard of Flags will host its annual fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. April 24 at the Patrician Party Center, 33150 Lakeland Blvd. in Eastlake.
Tickets are $35 and include a sit-down dinner with open bar. Proceeds will benefit the Boulevard of Flags at 35150 Lake Shore Blvd. in Eastlake.
To purchase tickets, call Joe Strand at 440-942-9344 or Lois Sbrocco at 440-946-3439.

Open house 
for Operation STAT
The First Operation STAT Open House will be May 16 at VFW Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake.
Standing Tall for American Troops will offer free hamburgers and hot dogs at the event. The open house will educate the public and veterans of the services offered by the organization.
Other military organizations will be invited and be on hand to answer questions, provide information, and promote their groups.
The event is open to the public.

PLAVA hosts golf outing
The Polish Legion of American Veterans and Auxiliary Ladies Auxiliary Chapter 31 of Cleveland will host an Armed Forces Day Golf Outing to Benefit Greater Cleveland Fisher House, beginning at 7 a.m. May 16.
Tickets are $70 per person. Call 216-337-8997 or 216-337-8996 for tickets or information.

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.

It is the end of June already, where does the time go?
The coming week will bring the Fourth of July with all of the trimmings. This is the holiday when every American celebrates independence from England gained through revolution. Good, bad or otherwise, the country has survived and will continue to survive for years to come.
In my opinion, the country has survived because we all have a voice in what happens to us.
We voice that opinion by voting for our leaders. If we do not like the way things are going, we can vote them out of office. Voting may seem like a small thing to many, but in the grand plan it is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
This may seem just a little premature since elections are in November, but a gentle reminder to register to vote and exercise the American right to be heard can never come too early.
The politicians will be asking for that vote, so why not give them what they ask for? Independence always comes with responsibility.

Poppy sale a success
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Auxiliary Unit 214 of Willoughby hosted Poppy Days on four Saturdays in May at the Willoughby Farmers Market.
The Auxiliary Unit table was set with poppies, membership applications and other American Legion Auxiliary brochures and patriotic wrapped candy. On the first Saturday, Willoughby Mayor David Anderson stopped by, donated to the fund and got poppies for his staff to wear in the Memorial Day parade.
The unit had a very profitable month at the market, and the money raised will help veterans. Poppy funds can only be used to assist veterans, with much of the money helping to support the Veterans Affairs hospitals, as well as hospitalized and homeless veterans.

Geauga Honor Guard always available
Geauga County residents have an honor guard available to perform full military funeral services for any service man or woman.
The Honor Guard, led by Sgt. at Arms Newell Beaumier, is available with a few days notice, and most local funeral directors are aware of the group’s existence. For information or details, call Bo at 440-834-8764. Please leave a message if there’s no answer.

Texas Hold’em to benefit Young Marines Trip
A Texas Hold’em Benefit begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson Eagles, 133 S. Spruce St. in Jefferson.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the tournament begins at 6. There will be a $55 buy-in and a 75 percent payout. Hot dogs and chips will be provided pre-games and post-games. The Eagles Club bar will be open to tournament players.
All proceeds will benefit the Ashtabula County Young Marines’ trip to Washington, D.C. For details, call Doc Lee at 440-275-1079.

Auxiliary hosts Chinese Auction
A Chinese auction sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 7 at the post home. Doors will open at 11 a.m. For details, call 440-285-3699.

Airplanes gather again at Lost Nation
The United States Aviation Museum will sponsor Gathering of Eagles XVI July 14 and 15 at Willoughby Lost Nation Airport. Get close to the machines that protected our freedom and talk with some of the pilots and crew who flew them.
The event is $12 for adults; $6 for children ages 4 through 12 and children younger than 4 will be admitted free. For details, call 440-759-4148 or visit www.usam.us.

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.