Waterford Legion is busy place
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We’ve made it through another decade and are ready to face 2020 and all that it brings.
The new year also brought with it the opportunity to meet the members of Waterford Legion Br. 123 and enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment, good food and catching up with friends.
The branch was filled to the rafters and then some when members hosted their annual president’s levee on January 1.
I was able to ‘borrow’ this year’s president, Ian Simpson, for a little chat to learn more about him and what brought him to Waterford Legion Br. 123.
As I spoke with him I could notice that there is still a hint of his English accent. ”I came to Canada in 1998 to work with a steel company in Cambridge. I was with them until I took a position at Stelco Lake Erie Works in 2011 as an area manager at the basic oxygen casting facility,” he said. “Being new to the area I became involved with the Legion partly because my grandfather served in World War 1 with the United Kingdom. It’s also a great place to get to know people and especially those with the same mind set as myself.”
Other members of the executive were also in attendance. Both Ruth Ann Massecar, past president, and Sharon Anderson, senior’s chairperson, spoke well of Simpson.
Massecar described him as “A man of few words who gets the job done.”
Anderson appreciates the support he gives to all of the events they sponsor, especially with local seniors.
Branch 123 has a membership of just under 400 with an executive of six.
“We have a great volunteer base. That’s one of the good things about the Legion,” adds Simpson.
He explained they have just finished their ‘busy period’ but was quick to add that there are still a lot of things to do at the Legion including suppers on the first and third Wednesday of the month. They also offer fish and chips on the second Friday of the month and wings on the last Friday. They also hold Sunday brunches on the second Sunday of the month.
Simpson said they are always accepting new members as well. Memberships are classed as associate – associated with a veteran (up to a grandfather); affiliate – no tie to the military; or ordinary – such as military, police or fire service. If you are interested in becoming a member of Branch 123 stop by their club room or contact a member or executive.
Simpson explained other events or activities they host include a kid’s Christmas party, Remembrance Day service, literacy and poster contests for schools, Catch the Ace and spring fling, just to name a few. They also provide a lot of sponsorship to support a number of local youth clubs, including minor hockey.
Just seven months into his two-year term Simpson has been quite busy and looks forward to many more upcoming events. He is mulling around some ideas such as a St. Patrick’s Day event, so keep an eye out for that. With a successful New Year’s Eve party – a sold crowd of 100 – under the Legion’s belt it seems he must have ‘a little time on his hands’.
Good luck to Simpson as he and Legion members continue their hard work and commitment to the community and town of Waterford. We are forever grateful for all that you do.
Brenda Dredge is a freelance writer who lives in Waterford. E-mail her at brenda.dredge@sympatico.ca.
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