The Lake County Fair begins Aug. 18; I’m looking forward to attending Veterans Day at the Fair on Aug. 19. Admission is free all day for veterans with identification. This is one time that the county Veterans ID card would come in handy.
My husband and I usually attend the veterans program at Belcher Pavilion and then make the rounds of the fair, taking in the sights and sounds and usually some of the fair food.
The veterans program is always interesting, and I usually hear another story about my husband’s time overseas.
The Lake County Veterans Services staff is on hand to answer questions for veterans about what benefits they may be eligible for or how to sign up for benefits they have earned.

Veterans Appreciation Day Event
Veterans Appreciation Day will be 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. This is a celebration for veterans, with food, prizes, benefit information and more.
For more information, contact the Painesville Veterans Affairs Clinic at 440-357-6740.

Newbury post hosts BBQ chicken dinner
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will host a barbecue chicken dinner in the Hunter Pavilion behind the post from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 15. Dinner is $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
An adult egg hunt scramble will be held at 7 p.m., with great prizes available for a $10 entry fee. For more information, call 440-635-6390 or 440-269-3184.

Fast Draw Championship 
at Gunny’s Hall
The 2015 Northcoast National Gunslinger Championships will be Aug. 29 and 30 at the Marine Corps League, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. Contests begin at 9:30 a.m. both days.
This is a sanctioned event of the Ohio Fast Draw Association-International and is hosted by Gunny’s Hall Marine Corps League and the Buckeye Rangers Fast Draw Club. No live ammunition is used. For details, call Gunny’s Hall at 440-974-9380.

Buckeye Boys Golf Outing
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host the Third Annual Boys State Golf Outing beginning at noon Aug. 28 at Lost Nation Golf Course in Willoughby. Tickets are $50 per person and include golf, cart and a steak raffle.
Please sign up at the post home by Aug. 26 or sponsor a hole for $20 each. For more information or to sign up, call the post after 3 p.m. at 440-942-7762.

Learn to ride at dealership
Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, is offering Operation Personal Freedom Ride Free through Sept. 13.
All current and former U.S. military personnel can learn to ride for free through the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy.
Learn more about this program by stopping at the store or by logging onto H-D.com/militarylearntoride.

Toys for Tots golf outing
Col. Justice M. Chambers Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, has rescheduled its annual Toys for Tots golf outing.
The event will be Sept. 12 at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison.
Tickets are $80 for 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 Legion 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. on Saturdays 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.

Auxiliary Swiss steak dinner pre-sale only
The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4358, 29421 White Road in Willoughby Hills, will host a Swiss steak dinner from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 13 at the post home. Dinners are $10 each, with tickets sold in advance only. Tickets may be purchased through Sept. 4. Call Rosina Drenski at 440-944-4903 for tickets and information.

Homecoming scheduled for Legion district commander
American Legion 9th District will host a homecoming for Commander Kevin Carroll at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
The evening will be “Margaritaville Style” with barbecue, drinks and music. Tickets are $20 per person and will be sold in advance. Call Commander Carrolll at 440-567-1847 or Kim Carroll at 440-567-9751 for tickets.

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

The division over the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America unfortunately is another blemish on America’s history. The American Civil War was the first, now the nation is dividing again over the battle flag.
Removing the flag will not remove the Civil War from America’s history or the hate that exists in some people’s hearts. This is a period that Americans should study and learn from, so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
The removal of a battle flag or the general deletion of all things Civil War will not make American history any different. It cannot be changed. The only thing that will change the racist attitudes in this country will be to teach our children that we are all one nation and respecting differences is a normal part of life. Americans need to be living under one flag, the Stars and Stripes.
Personally, I find several flags offensive, but the attempted deletion of history or the rewriting of it is an act used by several former world leaders — the ones that come to mind are Hitler, Stalin and Mao. Do you really want that sort of censorship to happen in America?

Catholic War Vets at Parish Festival
The Catholic War Veterans John Paul II Post 1959 will be at St. Justin Martyr Parish Festival in Eastlake from 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 Legion 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.

Car wash and bake sale hosted by youth
The Youth Unit of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2595, 570 Liberty Street 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 team work. Call Jill Householder for information at 440-352-9522.

Men’s Auxiliary hosts steak fry
The Men’s Auxiliary of VFW Post 2595, 570 Liberty St. in Painesville, will host a steak fry dinner with all the trimmings from 5 to 7 p.m. July 25 at the post home.
Dinners are $12 each. For details, call Jane at 440-354-9090.

GI get-together at Burton Post
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a GI get-together from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 8 at the post home. Coffee and doughnuts will be served to all veterans in attendance. For details, call 440-563-8715.

Chardon Ladies host annual Chinese Auction
The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 6519, 752 Water St. in Chardon, will host a Chinese auction from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at the post home.
For details, call 440-285-3699.

Breakfast helps support Veterans Appreciation Day
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will again host 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.

Learn to Ride at Mentor dealership
Western Reserve Harley Davidson, 8567 Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, is offering Operation Personal Freedom Ride Free through Sept. 13.
All current and former U.S. military personnel can learn to ride for free through the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy. Learn more about this program by stopping at the store or by logging onto H-D.com/militarylearntoride.

Toys for Tots golf outing Sept. 12
Col. Justice M. Chambers Marine Corps League Detachment 555, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, has rescheduled the annual Toys for Tots golf outing.
The event will be Sept. 12 at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison.
Tickets are $80 for 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 legion 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. on Saturdays 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.

Madison Legion schedules golf outing
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host its annual golf outing beginning at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 1.
Tickets are $65 per person and sign-up is required by July 26. Call the post at 440-428-7893 for reservations and 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.

Veterans in Lake and Geauga counties are busy with events this month.
The Willoughby American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit can be proud that Martha Setlock is now the American Legion Department of Ohio president. Setlock has been a very active Auxiliary Unit 214 member for a number of years and will be an added benefit at the department level. Congratulations, Martha.
Veterans Appreciation Day will make a return to American Legion Post 336 in Painesville on Sept. 18. This event is a free one for veterans and their spouses and offers a chance to get together while getting information about benefits the veteran may be entitled to. Don’t miss the chance to attend.

Legion Riders host Red Eye Run
American Legion Riders Chapter 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host the Fifth Annual 336 Red Eye Run beginning at 11 a.m. July 18. The run starts and ends at the post home and proceeds will benefit veterans charities. Tickets are $15 for riders and $10 for passengers. Motorcycle is not required and the run goes rain or shine.
For details, call Steve Anderson at 440-209-8724 or Mike Bodnar at 440-346-2141.

Toys for Tots Golf outing rescheduled
The Col. Justice M. Chambers Toys for Tots Golf Outing at Madison Country Club, 6130 Chapel Road in Madison, has been postponed until noon Sept. 12.
Registration is available for the new date. Cost to play is $80 per person.
The dinner and prizes will be at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor. Dinner-only tickets are $20 per person. For reservations, call Joe Brooks at 440-477-1810 or Gunny’s Hall at 440-974-9380.

Farmers Market at Newbury Post
Newbury American Legion Post 663, 11008 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will host a farmers market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 12.
Call 440-564-7441 or 440-567-9061 for details or reservations.

Legion Auxiliary serves bratwurst
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will serve a bratwurst sandwich dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. July 10 at the post home. Dinners include sandwich, macaroni salad, chips and dessert.
For details, call 440-357-7711.

Pig roast at Madison Post 112
American Legion Riders of Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a pig roast at 2 p.m. July 11 at the post home. Elm Street Blues band will be perform.
For details call 440-428-7893.

Veteran-owned businesses topic of event
Veteran-owned businesses are the focus of an event from 8 a.m. to noon July 22 at the Holden University Center at Lakeland Community College.
The program is free and includes breakfast while giving veterans an opportunity to learn about: special financial programs available just for veteran-owned businesses; contacting opportunities and government set-aside programs for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses; and no-cost counseling services to help grow a veteran’s business.
To register, visit Lakeland Community College’s website at lakelandcc.edu or call Karen Wivell at 440-525-7739.

Rolling Thunder hosts Annual picnic
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 Ohio will host the 18th annual picnic at Louis B. Stokes Veterans Affairs Hospital on July 25.
The annual event for house patients and residents at the hospital will include hot dogs and hamburgers. A disc jockey and bagpipers will entertain.
This event includes many volunteer organizations dedicated to making the fun afternoon a success for the veterans of the hospital.

Post 112 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.
For more information, call 440-428-7893.

Catholic veterans group at festival
Catholic War Veterans, John Paul II Post 1959 will be at the St. Justin Martyr Parish Festival in Eastlake from July 24 through 26 hosting a membership and poppy drive.
Donations are welcome. The post will be selling tickets for the reverse raffle on Oct. 24, at the Patrician Party Center.
Tickets are $65 for the main board and $35 for an extra dinner ticket. Only 175 tickets will be sold. For information or tickets, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Golf outing scheduled for Madison Post
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host a golf outing on Aug. 1. Golfers are asked to sign up by July 26.
Cost is $65 per person and tee time is 11:30 a.m. For details, call the post home at 440-428-7893.

Painesville post hosts Veterans Appreciation Day
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a Veterans Appreciation Day from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the post home.
This event will be free to all veterans and their spouses. Free food, music and veteran-oriented vendors will be participating.
To help keep the event free, the post will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 at the post home. The cost will be $5 and the morning also will include some raffle items. Donations for the raffles are now being accepted.

VFW booth 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 through 19.
The booth will be a place to obtain information on any of the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary programs, enter into a drawing for a flag set or obtain membership information. Membership for any active duty eligible service person is free. Call Jill or George Householder for information at 440-352-9522.

Euclid Vets annual car show July 19
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 at Tizzano’s Party Center, 1361 E. 260th St. in Euclid.
Dash plaques and goodie bags will be given to owners of the first 100 cars. No alcoholic beverages will be permitted. For details, call Al Nagy at 216-289-1632.

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 holidays are almost here.
Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and of course, the shopping hysteria right behind that. A wide variety of programs are available to help those in need.
While shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on the list, please remember to pick up an extra toy for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program, or perhaps while at the grocery store, buy an extra bag of beef jerky for a USO care package.
Donations to any number of reputable agencies will help see that our troops are remembered at the holidays. The toys that are distributed by Toys for Tots are a small guarantee that every child has a Christmas.
It wouldn’t be the holiday season at the mall without the Marines in their dress blue uniforms collecting for Toys for Tots. I look forward to seeing them every year.

Annual Pearl Harbor Day dinner at Hellriegel’s
The Annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Dinner will begin with an open bar at 1700 hours (5 p.m.), followed by a steak dinner at 1800 hours (6 p.m.), Dec. 7 at Hellriegel’s Inn, 1840 Mentor Ave. in Painesville Township.
The guest speaker will be retired Col. Timothy Gorrell, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
Spouses and attendants are welcome. Tickets are $35 per person. To reserve tickets call 440-354-9530.
Veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms or a part of the uniform.

Gunny’s Hall serving daily lunches
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor, is serving daily lunches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and fish fry dinners on Friday evenings. There are also weekly specials offered. For details, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

Veterans’ cards offered at Morley Library Saturday
Representatives of the Lake County Recorder’s Office will be at Morley Public Library, 184 Phelps St. in Painesville, from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 to register Lake County veterans for the County Veterans ID Card. Veterans need to bring the original or a certified copy of their DD-214 and a photo ID. For details about the card, call the Recorder’s Office at 440-350-2508.

Burton post will host Pearl Harbor Day Memorial service
Atwood-Mauck Post 459, of Burton-Middlefield, will host a Pearl Harbor Day Memorial at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at the village gazebo in Burton.
The public is encouraged to attend. For details, call Bo at 440-834-8764.

Euclid Legion Auxiliary Unit hosts craft show
The Ladies Auxiliary Unit of Euclid American Legion Post 343 will host a craft show at the post home, 20750 Arbor Ave. in Euclid, from 4 to 9 p.m., Nov. 21 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22.
The public is welcome. For more details, call Mary at 216-289-7388.

Willoughby Legion post hosts vendor fair
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a vendor fair from noon to 5 p.m. at the post home Nov. 23. The sale is open to the public and the auxiliary will host a bake sale.
Vendors will include Mary Kay, Tupperware, Beauty Control, Jamberry Nails, Avon, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Silpada, Party Lite and Tastefully Simple. Funds raised from the event will be used for American Legion Auxiliary sanctioned programs.

Creations for veterans
Join Geauga Park District and Operation S.T.A.T. at the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road in Russell Township, for a make-and-give event from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7.
Help create patriotic evergreen door swags for veterans at Veterans Affairs hospitals to show that they are not forgotten during the holiday season. Supplies will be provided.
For details, call MaryRuth Shumway at 216-905-8081.

Toys for Tots collection points
Red Roof Inns are one of the many drop-off locations for Toys for Tots. During the holiday season, Red Roof Inn sponsors the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Foundation so that the tradition of giving hope and smiles to children will continue.
Red Roof locations in the Cleveland area will collect new unwrapped toys in the lobbies through Dec. 15.

USAM to host pasta dinner
The United States Aviation Museum, sponsor of the annual Gathering of Eagles air show, will host a pasta dinner at La-Vera Party Center, 32200 Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills, from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7.
Tickets are $30 each. All proceeds will benefit the Gathering of Eagles air show.
For more information, call Don Manno at 440-442-4151.

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.

Veterans Day has come and gone for another year. I have to say I was surprised by the many events and free offers for veterans throughout the area.
It is heartwarming to see so many schools, clubs and private businesses step up to recognize the service and sacrifice of all those that served.
The holiday season is now only a few weeks away. Most of the posts will be putting together food baskets and care items for families in the post home area. The baskets are put together from donations and distributed in the post home area in most cases. That means that the baskets are being delivered to neighbors.
If donating items is not to your liking, then volunteer to help pack or distribute the baskets. It’s been almost 25 years and I can still remember the first time I volunteered to pack baskets for a holiday as one of the best days spent at a post. Everyone was happy and doing something constructive and helpful at the same time.

AMVETS Rock-A-Thon a success
AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St. in Perry, raised $1,770 during the 18th annual Rock-A-Thon for Hospice of the Western Reserve. Rockers and sponsors rocked the day away in front of the post home in Perry. Each year, the post sponsors the event to help raise funds for the hospice. The annual event is open to anyone who would like to volunteer or sponsor a rocker. For details about the next Rock-A-Thon, call the post at 440-259-5131.

Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall
Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive in Mentor, will host a Sunday Breakfast Buffet that is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The cost is $7.50 per person and special orders are available. For details, call the hall at 440-974-9380.

AMVETS serving breakfast
Sons of AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will serve breakfast on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breakfast will be $5 per person and is open to the public. For details, call the post at 440-257-9217.

VFW hosts fish fry
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7754, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor, will host a fish fry Nov. 14 at the post home. Lunch will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner will be served 4 to 7 p.m.
Because of the holiday, this will be the only fish fry served this month. For more information, call 440-352-1123.

WWII and Korean Veterans eat free
Sons of the American Legion of American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will serve a free dinner to veterans of World War II and Korea from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15. The veterans and their spouses will be served free, guests will be served for $10.
For details, call the post home at 440-357-7711.

Leroy VFW hosts pork chop dinner
Leroy-Thompson VFW Post 7939, 12827 Painesville-Warren Road, Leroy Township will host a pork chop dinner 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 15, at the post home. Dinner will be $12 per person. For details call the post home at 440-254-0609.

Work party to lower flags in Eastlake
The Eastlake Boulevard of 500 Flags volunteer Committee will host a work party at 9 a.m. Nov. 15 to lower the flags.
The parties are open to anyone who would like to volunteer. Volunteer should bring work gloves.
The Boulevard of 500 Flags is maintained by volunteers and donations. For information about volunteering, call 440-951-1416.

Veterans Hospitality Dinner in Kirtland
A Veterans Hospitality Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Nov. 19, at the Old South Church, 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland.
The family event is designed to bring area veterans together in appreciation of their service. This will be the last dinner sponsored by the Ghost Rider Foundation.

Toys for Tots collection point
Red Roof Inns are one of the many drop-off locations for Toys for Tots.
During the holiday season, Red Roof Inn sponsors the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation so that the tradition of giving hope and smiles to children will continue.
Red Roof locations in the Cleveland area will collect new unwrapped toys in the lobbies through Dec. 15.

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 cannot help but wonder what my life would have been like without the Vietnam veterans who have been a part of it.
The groundbreaking for the Education Center at the Wall in Washington, D.C., was Wednesday. The center will put faces to all of those names inscribed on that highly polished black granite wall, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
This generation of warriors had a vision and made it come true. “The Wall” is a memorial to the 58,000 men and women who gave their lives in Vietnam. It’s a memorial that will stand as a testament to those who served in a very tumultuous time.
Draftees or volunteers, those who served came back changed. Just ask any mother with a son who went to Vietnam. One of those mothers once told me she couldn’t watch war movies because of the way her boy had changed since his service time in Vietnam.
The Vietnam veterans seem to be the most vocal about recognizing the service of the newest generation of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Vietnam veterans are putting their money where their mouths are, and the Education Center also will serve as an interim memorial for the young men and women who have not or will not return from the ongoing conflicts.
The Education Center also will house the collection of more than 400,000 pieces of memorabilia that have been left in tribute at the Wall since it opened 30 years ago.
Not having the Marines and soldiers in my life who served during this awful war is unimaginable, the pride I feel in saying that my husband, two brothers and two cousins served cannot be described. They all have taught me how to enjoy the moment, how to communicate without saying a word and how to give unconditionally even when the appreciation for that giving is not there.

Pearl Harbor Day at Hellriegel’s Inn
The annual Pearl Harbor Day remembrance dinner will be 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Hellriegel’s Inn, 1840 Mentor Ave. in Painesville. The guest speaker will be Army Lt. Col. David Barlett. Cocktails at 6 p.m. will be followed with a T-bone steak dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person and spouses and attendants are welcome. For details and tickets, call 440-354-9530.
The committee will be setting up the hall on Thursday and volunteers would be welcomed to help.

‘Fill the Cruiser’
“Fill the Cruiser” will be noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Fairport Harbor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post , 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor. The post and Fairport Harbor police will host the community Christmas party to benefit Toys for Tots. There also will be a remote broadcast by country station WKKY-FM 104.7 during the party.
Donate a new unwrapped toy and then join in the activities inside. The afternoon will include games, crafts, music, prizes and visits from some special guests. Photos with Santa will be available 2 to 4 p.m. followed by a visit from Jungle Terry. For details, call the post home at 440-352-1123.

Toys for Tots collection in Chester Township
The Luczkowski Agency, 8045 Mayfield Road in Chester Township, is teaming up with local U.S. Marines to be an official drop-off location for the holiday Toys for Tots campaign. Please bring new, unwrapped toys as donation for this worthy cause during regular office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays. For more information, call Karen Martinkowski at 440-729-4042.

Honor Flight fund raiser successful
AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, hosted a successful Honor Flight fundraiser. The event raised $2,693 for the Honor Flight program. Tony’s Subway Inn of Painesville donated the spaghetti sauce for the spaghetti dinner and Modern Woodman matched money raised up to $1,000.

Military families honored with free admission
The Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners will honor Lake County military families with free admission (immediate families only) to Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Advanced registration is required and tickets are limited. Tickets include the Toy Workshop. Please call Farmpark admissions at 440-256-2158 to reserve tickets by Dec. 5. A Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System card is required at time of admission.

Willoughby Legion delivers food baskets
Palmer-Roberts American Legion Post 214 delivered food baskets to six families with 16 children for Thanksgiving. The collection has begun for food, gifts and monetary donations for Christmas food baskets and Santa items for the children. Donations should be made by Dec. 13.
The auxiliary members also are collecting new or slightly used blankets to be taken to homeless shelters. The deadline for blanket collection is Jan. 17. All donations may be made at the post home, 4304 Center St.. in Willoughby.

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 Thanksgiving weekend and most of you will be starting the holiday shopping and making preparations for the Christmas season.
I realize this will sound corny, but I truly wish for peace worldwide and especially for our country. Please remember we are still at war and there are men and women far from home who need to know we support them. Please donate to the USO, to the care packages or remember the family of an active duty soldier with kindness.
For some families that may have only enough to exist day to day, the holiday season will bring more pain. Put a new unwrapped toy in a Marine Corps Toys for Tots donation box, or donate cash to buy toys for those children who may not have a Christmas.
Many of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legions and Marine Corps detachments conduct food drives to benefit military families in the post home area. It is a very simple thing to donate a few canned goods or nonperishable items to these small local drives.
After a nasty and what seemed like an eternal election season, I am looking forward to the Christmas season. I also look forward to seeing my favorite Christmas commercials such as Santa riding the floating Norelco razor heads over the snow. (Gave my age away on that one.) On this Black Friday when shopping becomes the national sport, I wish you a very Merry Christmas with hope that spreading cheer will include your support of our military 
 
Burton Legion plays host to Santa and crafters
Burton American Legion Post 459 Auxiliary will host Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the post home, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for children ages 6 to 12; and free for children ages 5 and younger.
The Ladies Auxiliary will present the 12th Annual Santa’s Collection Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the post. Unique gifts, crafts and toys from area crafters will be for sale. For table information, call Carol at 440-834-4532. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
 
Country Lights military family night
Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners will honor Lake County military families with free admission (immediate families only) to Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Advanced registration is required and tickets are limited. Tickets include the Toy Workshop. Please call Farmpark admissions at 440-256-2158 to reserve tickets by Dec. 5. A Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System card is required at time of admission.
 
Toys for Tots donation point
Dr. Stephen Carosello DDS Inc., 9500 Mentor Ave., suite 280 in  Mentor, will accept donations of new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Toys drop-offs may be made 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
 
Christmas stockings for the troops
Operation Christmas Stocking will continue through Wednesday. Visit any of the DeJohn Funeral Homes and pick up a Christmas stocking. Take the stocking home, decorate it and then fill it with items that can be shipped to our troops abroad in time for Christmas. For details, call 440-516-5555.
 
‘Fill the Cruiser’ returns to Fairport VFW
Fairport Harbor VFW Post 7754 and the Fairport Harbor Police Department will host the Community Christmas Party and the annual “Fill the Cruiser” event at the post, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
Help fill the police cruiser with donations of new unwrapped toys, then join the activities inside. There will be games, crafts, music, prizes and visits from special guests.
Photos with Santa will be 2 to 4 p.m. and a visit from Jungle Terry will begin at 4. The event also will feature a remote broadcast by country station WKKY-FM 104.7.
 
Pearl Harbor Day service in Burton
A Pearl Harbor Day memorial service will be 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Burton Village Gazebo on Burton Square. For details, call 440-834-8764.

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.