The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 163 Food was cooked in the kitchen in the basement and then carried upstairs. Everything was sorted afterward and returned to its proper owner. The first meetings were held in homes and then in the local school. In 1952, they started serving dinners to the public on November 11th. The activities of the Legion and Auxiliary have been shared, and were many and varied over the years: sponsoring a Queen in a Legion carnival, helping the Legion hockey team, helping the Legion with a booth at Sports Days, hosting Pancake Breakfasts, assisting with TB surveys, making visitations to the Mental institution at North Battleford, sponsoring blood donor clinics, sponsoring swimming lessons, and sponsoring local Legion curling teams. They have sponsored pages in school yearbooks, formed a Branch of P.A.V. Reserves and sponsored a cadet unit, supported the construction of the Canwood Community Clinic, the curling rink and the skating arena, sponsored Literary and Poster contests, participated in Legion curling and golf, hosted curling and golf at the district level, established a Veteran's plot in the North Cemetery, and held annual St. Patrick's Day suppers and dances, New Year's Eve Dances, supplied welfare baskets to sick Veterans, and donated funds to Veterans who were in need because of fires, sickness or funeral costs. They have organized the annual poppy drive and support the Peterson Trust Fund. At present, the Legion and Ladies’ Auxiliary cater to many events: donate to Telemiracle, work bingos in Prince Albert, continue to sponsor athletes to Legion Track and Field Camps, host teas and bake sales, make donations to local groups and charitable organizations, make donations to the Bursary and Welfare Fund, make regular visitations and give gifts to the elderly Veterans, sponsor the Legion Literary and Poster contest, and conduct the annual Poppy drive. They have each furnished a room in Whispering Pine Place Nursing Home in Canwood. The Auxiliary donated an additional $2,500 to Woodland Home Care. The Legion has also donated funds for the upgrading of equipment in the nursing home. They still host a St. Patrick's Day supper. They are also part of the three services prior to November 11th: one in Canwood Community School, Debden School and Whispering Pine Place. A public service on November 11th is held in the Legion Hall where a lunch is provided for the public In 1990, the original Cenotaph was redone in stone, and flowers and trees were planted on the Legion grounds. They are now in the process of upgrading the hall, with new roofing and a wheelchair ramp. They still contribute to the school yearbook. Legion members are still active in curling and golf. The Legion conducts the annual poppy drive and a Club 200 raffle has been held in the last few years to raise money. The upkeep of the hall and grounds, fundraisers, catering events and services are done on a volunteer basis. A few of our Veterans go to the schools and speak with various classes each year just before Remembrance Day. At present, the Legion has twenty-two active members and the Auxiliary has twelve members. CANWOOD BRANCH 132 (...Cont’d) After the cease of hostilities of the 1914-1918 war, the servicemen formed a local group, which was eventually turned into The Royal Canadian Legion. They received their charter on April 22, 1930. Within the shuffle of moving from one building to the other, the list of charter members was lost, and the Veterans that are left cannot remember how many charter members they had. The meeting place for years was the second floor of the Town Hall. During the 1950s, a building was purchased at Corning and moved to Stoughton. An addition was built on it to accommodate the local cadet troop. This building served as the Legion home until the present building, which was built in 1968. This building has served and is serving the community and is a great asset to the town. The main focus of the Branch is serving the Veterans of the community, never forgetting the great sacrifices they have made. The lounge is licensed, and can seat approximately 100 people, plus a huge hall and two meeting rooms. The Branch members raise funds from such projects as the annual Border International Field Trials, weekly Monday night bingos, and many meal functions. They donate to Pioneer Lodge Minor Sports, school bursaries, Provincial Track and Field and curling rinks within the community. They are also very active with Remembrance Day Service and the Essay, Poem and Poster contest for students. Membership currently stands at 78 members. As you enter Stoughton on Highway 33, you will see the fine facility. Please drop in and pay a visit. You will always be made welcome by the great bar staff. STOUGHTON – TECUMSEH BRANCH 133 (Cont’d...)
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