The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 221 In 1936, the Lafleche Branch of the B.E.S.L. was formed, with sixteen charter members. Toland Hall was purchased for their functions. After much needed repairs, the hall was destroyed by fire in 1939. In 1945, the Branch purchased the Parish Hall from the Ste. Radegonde Church for $5,000.00. Three thousand dollars was received in donations, leaving a debt of $2,000.00, which was finally paid off in 1950, after a very successful carnival. Throughout the years, the Hall had undergone many changes and improvements. In 1951, the stage was built; in 1952, the furnaces were installed; and in 1963, the hardwood floor was laid. After removing the bowling alleys in 1958, an extensive project was started to modernize the basement to house a meeting and banquet room. After completion, it was known as "Butternut Cove," and the official opening was in May 1961. The work was done mostly by volunteer labor. In 1976, the interior of the hall was completely finished. In 1980, the entrance to the hall was remodeled. In 1955, the Cenotaph was erected at the C.P.R. station. In 1960, the Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed, working alongside the Legion members raising money to support and encourage participants in the community projects. The main source of monies came from their catering to teas and banquets. A yearly Appreciation Supper was held in honor of the Auxiliary in recognition of all their support. People of the community donated articles for an auction sale when funds were needed to buy necessary equipment and furnishings for the hospital and the Health Centre. The Branch sponsored minor sports, athletes to track and field clinics, essay contests and scholarship programs, and offering assistance to various community endeavors. The November 11th interdenominational service was held at the hall, until three years ago, when the service was changed to the Central High School. The school's Home Economics Class served lunch after the service. The Legion handed out awards to the winners of the essay and poster contests. Due to declining membership and age of Veterans, it was decided to relinquish ownership of the hall to the community, the Woodriver Memorial Hall Association. Since 1996, the hall has been rented for a token dollar per year. The Auxiliary, also struggling because of the lack of funds to support their causes, followed the Provincial Auxiliary and also folded. Members were informed they could join the Legion, if they wished. There are now thirty members and two Auxiliary members, for a total of thirty-two members. The last remaining Charter member, Joe Charlesbois, passed away in 2002 at age 102. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO LAFLECHE BRANCH 204 Eleven prospective members attended the first meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Canadian Legion B.E.S.L., held on January 6, 1949 at the Lafleche Metropole Hotel. Mrs. B.M. Byers, of Assiniboia, conducted the meeting, initiated the members and instructed them on meeting procedures. According to 1949 membership forms, there were fifteen charter members. The members served meals at the rink for one day of the curling bonspiel. The paid the caretaker one dollar to light the fire in the coal and wood stoves in the morning. Dishes were washed in large rinse tubs and emptied in the alley. Several ladies lost cutlery when the dishwater was thrown out. Many times, they would dig around in the mud and weeds looking for the missing cutlery. Records show that there were no more meetings until December 15,1960, when a re--organizational meeting was held in the Legion Hall with Zone Commander Hazel Corbin of Kincaid conducting the meeting. Five charter members were re-instated and seven new members initiated. The Auxiliary was instrumental in raising funds to help with the renovations and furnishings for the hall. For the Jubilee year, the ladies planted flowers at the Cenotaph, and also helped decorate floats and participated in the parades. In 1965, the ladies were involved with the community in promoting and helping set up the Lafleche Music Festival. They supplied a scholarship until the year 2000. They sponsored or participated in the Bishop's sewing classes. They donated a plaque to the Horticultural Society, and served at the Seniors' Christmas dinner. Donations were given towards the renovations of the nurse's residence, furnishing a room at the hospital, and donations were made to the Lafleche & District Health Centre. Three members collected and mounted pictures of all enlisted men of Lafleche and district, which adorned the walls of Butternut Cove until 2001, when they were moved to the museum. The Lafleche Auxiliary had curling teams going to Districts in 1979, 1980, 1984,1987, and in 1990, they hit the jackpot as Provincial Champs! LAFLECHE BRANCH 204 Charter Members received Life Memberships: L.-R. Tony Morin; Frank Harron; Joe Charlesbois; Adrian Belcourt; Alex McDonald. Joe Charlesbois - the last chater member passed away at age 102 in 2002 Scouts Canada honoring the Lafleche Legion: 2005 Back L-R; Merle Sproule; Cliff Day; Russ Patterson; Herb Harron Raymond Belcourt; Keith Sproule; Kevin Passmore; Front: Did Clampitt; Gwen Ebel, Principal: Willis Emmons: Eileen Smith, Cliff Rusk.
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