CASSADAGA — The Cassadaga Legion Auxiliary recently held its 2018-2019 officer installation banquet at the Stockton Hotel with 15 members and one guest attending. Chaplain Paula Pattison gave the opening prayer, and the ladies enjoyed a great dinner and conversation.

After dinner, President Pat Hayward opened the meeting in regular fashion with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Auxiliary Preamble, and a moment of silence for our fallen soldiers. Secretary Carol Baker read the minutes of the previous meeting, accepted as read. Correspondence was read by the secretary.

Committee reports were as follows:

Chaplain Pattison reported she had no notices of illnesses for the past month, but reminded the ladies that we have two memorial services coming up and they would be receiving phone calls for food donations.

Junior member Maddie Hilliker has earned three more patches. It was also noted that Maddie marched in the Memorial Day parade and read “Flanders’ Fields” at the cemetery services.

Membership is at about 90 percent for the year. Sally Lawson is still accepting 2018 dues; 2019 dues will start soon and to keep your continuous years of membership, you need to pay your 2018 dues soon!

Our 2018 Poppies chairperson Baker gave her report on our “Poppy Days” in May, including how many hours the workers volunteered and that nearly $2100 was raised to benefit our Veterans! Thank you to all that participated and donated to this worthy cause!

For VA & R it was noted that Unit 1280 has collected many purses and personal items for lady Veterans, and they will soon be delivered to the local VA hospitals.

On old business, the annual Rummage/Bake Sale held in May was a great success. Thank you to all that donated items and those that bought items; we couldn’t do this without you!

Plans were finalized for President Pat Hayward’s installation for County Auxiliary President on Thursday June 14; Unit 1280 will host the event.

A reminder was given that Wednesday, June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. is the Squadron 1280’s Cruise Night and Unit 1280 will hold their usual pie and goodie bake sale that evening.

For new business: Sally Lawson announced a community “National Night Out” Tuesday, Aug. 7 to honor the Police and Fire Departments. There will be demonstrations for children including the Canine Unit, fire trucks, and more! Unit 1280 will help with food donations. Depending on the weather, it will be held at the Cassadaga beach or the Community building. More information is to follow soon.

It was also noted that Pat Hayward will be attending the NY State Legion Auxiliary Convention in Rochester, July 19 to 21.

The evening’s meeting ended with the installation of Unit 1280’s 2018-2019 officers. President Hayward introduced guest County President June Whipple, who conducted the officers’ installation. The slate of Unit 1280’s 2018-2019 officers are:

President: Bev Speelberg; 1st Vice President: Bonnie Vari; 2nd Vice President: Lauren Sharp; Secretary: Carol Baker; Treasurer: Sue DeGolier; Chaplain: Paula Pattison; Sgt.-at-Arms: Lynn Moeller; and Historian: Ranee Kaus. After installation, incoming County President Hayward presented outgoing County President Whipple with a gift from Unit 1280.

Unit 1280 will not have a July meeting. Tuesday, Aug. 14 will be the summer get-together, at the hall with a picnic theme, and dish-to-pass, at 6 p.m. All Unit members are encouraged to attend; the Unit can always use new, great ideas to further our commitment to our Veterans!

Unit 1280 has nice corn brooms for sale at $10 each and they continue to collect Pennies for Hospice, can tabs for Troop support; and Box Tops for Education.”