The summer has just flown by. It is August already and it has not felt like summer has even been here.
For many of the posts in the area, this means that it is time to begin thinking about fall and yes, even winter events.
The annual North Coast Gunslingers Championships will again be hosted at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Drive, Mentor. The quick draw championship is slated this year for Aug. 29 and 30. (See more details below.)
Veterans Appreciation Day will be Sept. 18 at American Legion Post 336 in Painesville. This is a free event for veterans and an opportunity to learn about possible benefits those veterans may have already earned.
Posts will be scheduling food drives for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. These fill baskets for those who would otherwise not have a holiday.
More events will be scheduled and continued attendance at the events helps to guarantee the posts can help those in need in the post home areas. So grab a jacket and pick an event.
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.

Willoughby VFW hosts Fish fry dinners
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, hosts a fish fry dinner the first and third Fridays of the month every month.
Dinners are served 5 to 8 p.m. and the all-you-can-eat beer batter fried pollock special is $10. As always, a full menu is offered and homemade desserts are also available. For details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.

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.

Annual 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.

Post cancels events 
American Legion Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, has canceled the GI Get Together and annual community garage sale because of renovations at the post. The events will be rescheduled later in the fall.
For questions or more information, call the post home at 440-834-8621.

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.

Catholic Veterans poppy drive
The Catholic War Veterans John Paul II Post 1959 will be at St. Mary Parish, 242 N. State St. in Painesville, on Aug. 15-16 after all Masses hosting a membership drive and poppy drive (donations are welcome).
Members also will be selling tickets for the reverse raffle that will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Chardon hosts Chinese auction
The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars 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.

Support veterans 
American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville, will host a breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 to help support the cost of Veterans Appreciation Day. Breakfast will be $5 and proceeds will benefit the Veterans Appreciation Day event.

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 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 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.

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.