The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 289 The Royal Canadian Legion Mistatim Branch 346 Memorial Hall lot was purchased in 1946. The hall was built the same year with volunteer labour. On February 21, 1947, the first President was Charles Duchscherer, the 1st Vice-President was Max McCracken, 2nd Vice-President was John Kovach, the Secretary was R.S. Claypool, and Sergeant-at-Arms was A.G. Vankoughnett. On July 3, 1947, ten members of the Ladies’ Auxiliary were initiated. Over the years, there were forty-one lady members. The Legion Hall held such functions as church, political, calf club meetings, funerals, church services, educational films and movies. The Legion sponsored field days, sports days and other sports events. They sponsored a pageant for Saskatchewan’s 50th Anniversary in 1955. In 1964, the hall was turned over to the village and the Legion leased it. Membership for the Branch from 1946-1982 was thirty-five. Membership numbers have dwindled down to eleven now, due to deaths and members moving away. Present officers are: Bill McHugh, President and C. Duchscherer, Secretary. The Branch sponsors an Alzheimer’s Coffee Break and Poppy Campaign each year. They also enjoy a few social evenings, as well. MISTATIM BRANCH 346 Front Row: Ken Holman, Paul Duchscherer; Middle Row: Lily McHugh, Lyla Holman; Back Row: Bill McHugh (President), Lily Duchscherer, Charlie Duchscherer (Secretary) Cabri Branch #347 Royal Canadian Legion had their organizational meeting on April 7, 1948. Before this, some were members of Abbey Branch. The first officers of Cabri Branch were: President Sigurd Sorenson; Vice-President, Sigurd Bue; Secretary/Treasurer, Lloyd Larson; Executive Officers Bruce Colter and L.E. (Bud) Larson. The Provincial Secretary in 1948 was Len W. Chase, who presented the Provincial Charter to the Cabri Branch in The "Orange Hall" on July 5, 1948. Charter members were: C.W. Haydon, S. Cushing, W. Lopeter, Ben Hankins, W.R. Goddard, G. Millard, Elmer Fahselt, K. Gummeson, A. Tengurn, J.R. Young, T. Holloway, A.. Stephenson, Bruce Coulter, H. Rimmer, J. Weedon, J. (Goldie) Jamieson; A Legion Branch existed in Cabri before 1933, but in the grim 1930s, no one could afford to pay their dues so the Charter was called into the Provincial office. The old charter number, names of charter members and all correspondence relative to this first Branch were lost at the Command Office. When L. Chase took office as Secretary of Provincial Command, a letter sent to the Cabri Branch was unearthed (much later). It was the letter requesting the return of the Cabri Charter. Cabri Veterans have assumed their share of all the responsibilities of the Legion, and also have taken their share of numerous community projects. Various activities of Cabri Branch include: the placing of a Memorial Bronze Plaque on the cenotaph honoring the fallen in World Wars I & II; Remembrance Day Services; annual sale of poppies and wreaths for Welfare Fund; sponsored a chosen member of the CGIT to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth; endorsed a motion in May 1955 to establish a Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Branch; the Branch sponsors Boys Hockey and Ball teams; an annual Fall Carnival was held, with profits used to pay down the mortgage, which of course is now paid off in full.. The Legion meetings moved from the Orange Hall to the annex of the Rex Theatre and by 1955, the Branch felt that a home for the Branch was needed. Immediately, a funding campaign began. In 1957, the decision was made to erect a new Legion Community Hall. The Branch extended grateful thanks to the citizens of Cabri, who donated time and money and supported projects to advance the building fund. A special "Thank you" went to the Cabri and District Lions Club, and of course, Legion members who worked hard for the Legion Community Hall. Later, due to rising expenses and smaller numbers of Legion members, a Hall Board was established with members of the Legion, the Lions Club, The Ladies’ Auxiliary, the Cabri School and community members acting on this board to operate the hall. In recent years, the Prairie Players Drama Club and the Lions Club have assisted the Legion by organizing fundraising campaigns to install a sound system, stage lights, wheel chair accessible bathrooms, and The Drama Club also paid for painting of the hall. The Ladies’ Auxiliary paid for having the kitchen repainted. The Hall Board has put in new furnaces and re-insulated and re-roofed the hall. The Ladies’ Auxiliary looks after the kitchen and keeps it stocked with dishes and all supplies. Cabri Branch #347 has had the distinction of having Zone Commanders from its ranks, including C.W. Haydon, Jonas Johnson, Harry Kruse, Charlie Duthie and Raymond Hankins. CABRI BRANCH 347 (Cont’d...)
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