President’s Message:
Joe Gowing – President@PrestonLegion.ca
As we move through March and April, I want to thank all of you for your continued support and involvement at our Branch. Since January and February, your Executive has been hard at work on several key initiatives, including continued planning and number-crunching for our new building project. This is an exciting year as we celebrate 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion, and our Branch remains committed to building a strong future while honouring our proud past. We have also been preparing for upcoming events, strengthening our programming, and ensuring our Branch continues to be a welcoming place for Veterans, members, and our community. Please be sure to check our calendar regularly for all upcoming activities and mark your calendar for our General Meetings, held on the third Thursday of each month. These meetings are your opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions, and vote on the direction of our Branch. Our branch will be hosting the district convention April 11-12 this year. We will see roughly 200 members in attendance.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members. We are glad to have you join us during this historic centennial year. Please know that you can reach out to me at any time with questions, ideas, or concerns. Your involvement matters. As our membership continues to grow, I would like to remind everyone that tables in the lounge first come, first served — there is no assigned seating. We also ask that members review the Clubhouse Rules; if you have not seen them or would like a copy, please reach out and we will be happy to provide one.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that there is no profanity allowed in the lounge, and any negative conversations should be taken outside. We take pride in maintaining a respectful, positive, and welcoming environment for all who enter our Branch. Together, we will continue to make this centennial year one to remember while laying the groundwork for the next 100 years.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the branch.
1st Vice President/ Bar Manager:
Al Clark – 1vp@prestonlegion.ca
January and February have been strong months for the bar and lounge operations. We’ve continued to see steady attendance at our regular events including breakfast, fish fry, seniors activities, and sports leagues, all contributing to a positive financial position for the Branch. Draft service improvements remain a focus, and we continue to look at ways to enhance the member experience while maintaining responsible cost control. With summer planning underway, we are reviewing lounge hours and staffing needs to ensure smooth operations during league play and special events. As always, I want to thank our bartenders and volunteers who consistently step up your effort keeps the lounge welcoming, efficient, and member-focused.
2nd Vice President/ Ways and Means:
Gary Staveley – 2VP@prestonlegion.ca
Hello, it's torch time again.
I will start by letting you all know that we are a step closer to our license to sell the new Fortunato 5 tickets. A webinar has been set up to assist all approved branches with our applications.
Currently, I am looking for volunteers to create a fundraising committee. To help with current campaigns and to put our heads together to create some new ideas.
Anyone interested, please contact me at:
2vp@prestonlegion.ca or talk to me if you see me at the legion or wherever, as well as a form to be put up on the information bulletin board. Given that 2026 is the 100th year for the RCL, I would like to respond with some new ideas in fundraising.
Also, I will be looking for volunteer drivers for our Spring District convention.
As of now, I will need one driver for Friday April 10th afternoon to evening.
Also, will be looking for four drivers for Saturday April 11th, will be two shifts as we need to shuttle executives to and from their hotels and Preston Legion from morning to night. The vehicles will be 10 seat, full size vans. Again, I can be reached at email noted above and will post a form on the bulletin board.
Hoping everyone has a great March and April.
Secretary:
Gwen Whittaker – secretary@PrestonLegion.ca
Welcome to all our new members. Thank you, Debbie Page-Bruce, for working tirelessly on processing all those applications. I am keeping busy with registration for the Zone Convention in April. Helping at the Branch with a variety of events and will be assisting with the Honours & Awards Banquet this year. Always looking for volunteers to help with events.
Treasurer:
Steve Howlett – treasurer@pretonlegion.ca
Happy March Comrades,
I think we are all wishing for a speedy end to this brutal winter. For those travelling south, please try to bring a little warmth & sunshine back with you to lift everyone’s spirits!
The cost of maintaining our parking lot to ensure everyone’s safety during these icy conditions has certainly taken a bite out of our January Profit & Loss statement — with the emphasis unfortunately on “Loss.” Keeping our members and guests safe remains a top priority, but the winter maintenance expenses have been significant.
On a more positive note, our application for a grant to the Ontario Trillium Foundation is nearly ready for submission. We are currently awaiting a couple of final quotes to complete the proposal. The submission deadline is Wednesday, March 4, and we are on track to meet it.
Thank you all for your continued support and commitment to our Branch.
Branch Service Officer:
Terry Smith – VSO@PrestonLegion.ca
Hello comrades
I continue working closely with the EVHI programme and agencies involved with that and more claims submitted to VAC on behalf of 3 veterans in the last month.
I have been approached by a group called 'Belonging in common’ this a local community initiative where selected local teenagers age 13 to 18 can meet with veterans a shared life experiences workshop. This will initially run as an 8-week trial and we will be hosting this at the branch on Sundays.
If you have any questions, donations or concerns regarding veterans’ issues please contact me at Vso@prestonlegion.ca
Entertainment:
I continue to book things for the lounge on Saturdays currently. Please check lounge TV screens and branch social media for upcoming events. March is fully booked and I'm now looking at April.
Monthly lounge Entertainment will continue to be booked.
FEB 7th. Show me the money.
FEB 14th . Karaoke
FEB 28th The Grapes Band
Seniors:
Myra Plantz
I want to thank Gwen Whittaker and others for filling in in my absence. I am looking forward to getting back out soon.
Next Dance: Mar 15 – Apr 19
Thursdays Euchre 12:30pm start $5.00 to play.
Youth Ed/ Bursary:
Brian Arn - brianarn@sympatico.ca
Bursary applications are being accepted through command and are available on the legion website on.legion.ca/remembrance/youth-programs/bursaries/ applications are due by last Friday in March.
If you need assistance, please contact me. brianarn@sympatico.ca
Membership:
Debbie Page-Bruce - membership@PrestonLegion.ca
WOW! What a start to the New Year 2026 – approximately 130 Centenary members added to our roster and applications galore still pouring in. My position as Membership Chair has ballooned into a full-time volunteer position (so much for a well-deserved retirement after 45 years of working full-time). I don’t know what our Executive Team at Command were thinking when they came up with this idea of free membership. It will certainly be interesting to see how many of these new members renew their memberships for 2027. That in mind if you renew your membership now for 2027 you will be entered into a draw to win a Ford F150!
I personally, would have liked to have seen something done for our current devoted members who have stuck by our Branch through all types of hardships (i.e. a decrease in memberships due to smoking restrictions & a clamp down on impaired driving, COVID, bereavements, etc.). With all this extra work being added to my volunteer position, I seriously thought of walking away from it all. But instead, I formed a membership committee and seconded three (3) other members/volunteers to help me with the added workload. It is my belief that this Membership Team will work well together and complete all steps required to get these new members on board as quickly as possible.
I would like to remind all veterans plus family members who received a FREE one- or two-year membership and the life-time members who receive free membership, to please drop into the Legion to pick up your 2026 stickers for your membership cards.
Poppy Chair:
Sherrill Hyde – poppy@prestonlegion.ca
We had an excellent campaign last fall raising approx. $46,000 for our Veterans. At our last monthly Poppy meetings, we've been discussing suggested disbursement of Poppy funds. At our February General meeting, I received approval for donations. I'm in the process of sending SUFs to Command for their approval. I would like to have our cheques ready to hand out at the District Spring Convention in April at our Branch.
Volunteers:
Debbie Page-Bruce- Membership@PrestonLegion.ca
If you would like to volunteer in any of our Branch activities such as Remembrance Day, Poppy Campaign, Sports Program, Committee Work, Kitchen on Saturday afternoons, Sunday breakfast, etc., please feel free to contact me via computer at membership@prestonlegion.ca or telephone at 519-653-8100.
Sports:
Jeff Whittaker – sports@prestonlegion.ca
Hello Comrades.
Winter sports groups are still going. Mondays 1:15 pm shuffleboard; Thursday 12pm progressive euchre; Thursday 6:45PM Cornhole; Friday 6:45pm Fun darts and progressive euchre 7:15pm (numbers are lowering for these two) be early to get your name in for partner assignment. Some of these winter sports activities will be coming to an end in April and May depending on the organizer.
Would like to pass on to all members we have 2-( 4.5x9) Boston tables; 2- (6x12) Snooker tables; 2- shuffleboards and 5-8 dart boards available to play on during regular lounge hours.
Our Social darts league representatives have moved their way to 4th place; Lead by Captain Sullivan. Great job you guys! Keep up the good playing.
I would like to thank you all that are coming out and supporting our sports groups. If there is anybody interested in summer sports groups; horseshoes; cribbage or any other sports already listed and new ideas Please contact Sports@prestonlegion.ca Hope to see you soon.
Cadet Liaison:
Nathan McDaniel - nthn_mcdaniel@hotmail.com
I will be connecting our cadets/ scouts with our Veterans as Terry, and I have been working hard to make this come to life. They will have the opportunity to chat, play some games and have our youth interact with our veterans.
I have also attended the Scouts Spaghetti dinner Feb 24, 2026, on behalf of our branch.
House and Ground/ Building Committee:
Dan Welsh - danwelsh@hotmail.ca
The site plan for our new facility has officially been submitted to the City, and we are currently awaiting approval before moving to the next phase. This is an important milestone and represents significant progress in the building process. While we wait for municipal review and feedback, the Committee continues to prepare for the next steps, so we are ready to move forward once approval is received. In the meantime, we remain attentive to the upkeep of our current building to ensure it remains safe and functional. Exciting progress is happening and we are getting closer to making this long-anticipated project a reality for our members and community.
