Oxford American Legion Auxiliary

Fort Hill American Legion Auxiliary Unit #376
17 S. Washington Avenue, Oxford, NY, 13830-0832

A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families

The American Legion Auxiliary is the world's largest women's, and now men's, patriotic service
organization chartered November 10, 1919, 100+ years ago!
Our ALA Unit 376 is almost as old; chartered Dec. 11, 1924. We'll be 100 on Dec. 11, 2024!

TOP NEWS: You are invited to our Unit 376 Centennial Celebration. We're having a party to commemorate the charter of our unit 100 years ago! Date: December 11th, 2024. Time: 3-5 pm. (Yes, there will be cake!;-) You can read about our 90th anniversary celebration from the Charter page. See the 90th celebration-2014 link at the bottom of the Charter page.

Terrill Sutton, 2024-25 ALA President.Congratulations: Terrill Sutton, of our Fort Hill ALA Unit 376 (8-year ALA member), who has been elected 2024-25 Unit 376 President! President Sutton is eligible for membership under her mother, Emily Brashaw, a US Navy firefighter. Terrill is well-respected as our Poppy Chairman and has spear-headed our Poppy Poster Contest in Oxford Academy schools. It is our duty and honor to support Terrill and she has the full support of her American Legion Family behind her!
Officers were installed in June. In addition to President Sutton, they are Christine Gregoire- First Vice President, Jan Pollard- Second Vice President, Trudy Huggins - Secretary, Jeanie Petersen - Treasurer/Membership, Louise Spicer - Chaplain, Roberta Knoll- Historian, and Louise Spicer- Sergeant-At-Arms.

We received the Department President's Award for Membership - a certificate of recognition at the ALA State Convention for our recruitment efforts to rejoin the most members. It was presented at the CCALA meeting by Marsha Cornelius, CCALA President,2023-24 Membership Award to Unit 376 presented by Marsha Cornelius, CCALA president. to Terrill Sutton, President and Jeanie Petersen, Membership Chair.
(Photo by Sophie Liberatore, Unit 876.)

November 11th: Veterans Day Ceremony, 11/11 at 11:00 am. Free food for veterans down in the bar at noon. Cookies and coffee/tea upstairs after the ceremony.

November 12th: Our third 2024-25 meeting for Unit 376 will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 6:30 pm. (No dinner served.) We will be discussing upcoming events -most especially our Centennial Celebration!

Our 2024 annual Harvest dinner was on October 11! Food was delicious! Thank you to all the ALA members who donated pies and to all the volunteers including the SAL and Legionnaires, our "Legion Family" who helped make it all possible!!! Mark your calendar, next year the Harvest dinner will be on Friday, October 10, 2025, 4-6 pm.

Auxiliary members handed out candy at Post 376 on Halloween 10/31/24.Thank you to all who donated candy for Oxford Village Trick or Treaters. Auxiliary members ("Mandarin" Trudy and "Leopardess" Anita) were on the front porch of the Post Halloween night, with goodies for the boys and ghouls! (photo credit: Terrill Sutton.)

January 11th, 2025: Blood Drive: 2nd Sat, 7:30 am - 12:30 pm. (Blood drives in '25 will all be on the 2nd Saturdays every other month. March 8, May 10, etc.) You can check-in online. Come to give blood and they may give you an e-gift card or other perks! Visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ Please donate—there’s a serious blood shortage right now!!!

December 2nd: The fourth 2024-25 Chenango County ALA meeting is set for Monday, December 2, 2024, 6:00 pm, and it's being hosted at Sherburne Post 876! It's the Holiday-Meeting Party! Instead of the usual dinner, at 6:00 pm, everyone coming brings finger foods to the party. This year they are also having a gift exchange (something $5-10 tops).Bring a covered/gift wrapped gift to trade (or just watch). All ALA members are welcome. Post #876, 15 S. Main Street, Sherburne, NY.

Future: Sunday Breakfast with Santa - Dec 15th, and an Ugly Sweater Contest Fri., Dec. 20th (in the bar; 21+ only).

The 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Empire Girls State program representative or "Citizen" is: Addyson Franklin ! We look forward to hearing how EGS went for Addy. The session dates were (Sun. – Sat.) June 30 – July 6, 2024, at SUNY Brockport. Thanks to the EGS Committee and Congratulations students!!! Read more about the program at: EmpireGirlsState.org . There's a fun video about EGS here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIB-_HAWQrc&t=163s Soon there will be interviews for the 2025 season!

A special thank you to Oxford High School senior, Madison Leskowski (one of our 2023 Empire Girls Staters) and to ALA member Alicia Lobdell for their help putting up our Cinco de Mayo (May 4, 2024) dinner decorations! It was a stellar job!!! It was a great dinner too.

NY Department news: Cmdr Keith's special projects are the: Dept. Temporary Financial Assistance program and “Be The One” suicide prevention. Pres. Kim’s project is “Homeward Bound Adirondacks”. HBA’s vision is “Through our unwavering commitment, innovative programs, and a supportive community, we aspire to create a society where no Veteran is left behind in their battle for mental health”. Read more: https://www.deptny.org/?page_id=122 Det. Cmdr Gaither’s project this year is “The Child Welfare Foundation”. 07/13/24 Post receives certificate from Red Cross

Post 376 received an Award! On July 13, 2024, Mary Hardendorf, the Oxford Red Cross Drive Coordinator, presented Post 376 Commander Darlene Ardron with a special “Certificate of Recognition” and a special pin, for commitment and dedication for an outstanding 174 units collected in 2023! This was an annual growth of 53 units! Thanks to all the blood donors that made it happen!

The American Red Cross is at the Fort Hill Post 376 for blood drives on the 2nd Saturday every other month, six times a year. Correction, it's the 2nd Sat. IF it's 8 weeks from the last blood drive. The upcoming drive is Saturday, Sept. 7th, from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.(Months are Jan., March, May, July, Sept., & Nov.) And lastly Saturday, Nov. 2nd, 2024. Sometimes they offer little perks (gift cards or t-shirts). They ordinarily take walk-ins, but making an appointment is a much better idea. You can even go online for the pre-screening questions to save time. Visit the website: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ FMI/to find a location near you. "Urgent: Blood Donors Needed!"WBNG-News12 featured our Easter Breakfast 3-31-24!

In the NEWS - WBNG - News 12 covered our 2024 Easter Bunny Breakfast!

Attention Football Fans: the Legion bar is going to be open early on Sundays for football season –at 12:30!

The 2nd annual Halloween Costume Party was Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Independent recording artist The Ben Rounds Band played a blend of country, rockabilly, and blues. Bedecked in a white lab coat and goggles, our own “Mad Scientist” Trudy Huggins was behind the bar concocting “Witches Brew” cocktails and a costume contest was held with three winning categories.
The contest winners were: Christine Long and Matt Dowling for “Most Original”, as a cool 60’s couple; Andrea Jones “Funniest”, as a demanding “Karen” complainer; and Rhonda Conant “Scariest”, as a Day of the Dead-witch. Congratulations to all the winners!

Most original costume: Christine Long & Matt Dowling Funniest costume award: Andrea Jones “Scariest” costume award: Rhonda Conant “Mad Scientist” Trudy Huggins
Most Original:Christine Long & Matt Dowling Funniest award: Andrea Jones “Scariest” award: Rhonda Conant

“Mad Scientist” Trudy Huggins
(All photos by Christine Gregoire)

On Dec. 14, 2022, ALA Unit #376 held a meeting that honored five special women who have been Unit 376 members for 50 (or more) consecutive years. Shirley Sykora (54 yrs), Judy Estelow (51 yrs), MaryEllen Sherman (51 yrs), Gloria Case (50 yrs), and Terrie Miller (50 yrs). Pictured are Louise Spicer, ALA president (center), proudly presenting 50-50-year Member Awards, 12-14-22. MaryEllen Sherman (L) & Terrie Miller (R).year ALA certificates to MaryEllen Sherman (L) and Terrie Miller (R). Congratulations All!

American Red Cross blood donor with pin.Sunday Community Breakfast at the Legion, 7:30 – 11 a.m. (Yes, we have specials*.) We have been serving the All-You-Can-Eat Breakfasts for over 25 years. The pandemic is the only thing that shut it down - temporarily.
*Specials: 1st Sunday of each month: S.O.S. gravy.
2nd Sunday of each month: Western Omelets
3rd Sunday of each month: Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.

You can get: pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, home fries, French toast, OJ and tea/coffee/hot chocolate. Real maple syrup is available upon request. Breakfast cost is: Adults $9; Sr Citizens and Firemen $8; Children 6 to 12 years $7; Ages 2 to 5 years $2. Children under 2 yrs, volunteers, and reorders are FREE! ($10 for take-outs.)

Lowa Rowe, Sherburne, Dept of NY, 3rd VPCongratulations: Lora A. Rowe, of the Sherburne ALA Unit 876 (a 34-year ALA member), has been elected 2024-25 Dept. of NY 2nd Vice President! She's a Past President of the Sherburne American Legion Auxiliary, Chenango County, and the Sixth District. Because of her love for the American Legion, she is now pursuing her dream of becoming the President of the Department of New York. (This is a three year process and this is the first of 3.) It is our duty and honor to support Lora and she has the full support of her County family behind her! Let's all help Lora work her way to becoming Dept. President!!! Kathy Soule, 6th D. Vice President 2024-25 of Sherburne Unit 876, Chenango Cty.

Congratulations: Kathryn Soule, 6th District Vice President 2024-25, of Sherburne Unit 876. (Chenango County ALA endorsed her nomination!)

First Lora Rowe and now Kathy Soule – Chenango Cty is WELL REPRESENTED in the ALA! It’s something to be proud of!

tiny poppy illustrationThe Poppy Poster Contest is completed! Congratulations all!!! Special thanks to Terrill Sutton, Poppy Chairman, and art teachers Charity Gipp and Joni Eaton. The winning posters can be viewed for a month, in the Post 376 dining hall during the Sunday Community Breakfasts. Visit Poppy Poster 2022 page to see this past year's winners!

ALA Poppy Coloring books are available for children at the breakfast for free. It's a great way for them to learn about the history, meaning, and purpose of the poppy as it relates to veterans.

News: When at the Legion bar, be sure to ask what food they've got! They often have hot dogs, pizza, sometimes meatball heroes, chili, etc.

Saturdays - 3rd of the month, 7 - 11 p.m. - Legion Karaoke Nights in the bar.

2025 Memberships: You can renew by mail, or online (the easiest way), or at the Post 376 bar. Visit the Contact/Join page for online details. The NEW membership application is there. Dues are STILL $30. Junior dues are $6.25.

The Legion Post 376 Bar is open. Mondays-Sundays 2:30 - close.
Shuffleboard and pool playing available. Current paid up membership cards are required for admission. Call if you have questions: (607) 843-8166.

2024-25 - All ALA Program reports are due Nov. 1 & May 1. (Only 2 reports now!) For future, you can get them online here at the NY Dept website.

The Chenango County ALA meetings - All MONDAY monthly meetings will be at different posts in our County. Dinner will be served. Business meeting begins at 7 p.m. All CCALA meetings are at 6:30 p.m. [usually] on the first Monday of each month [except not held in Jan, July, Aug. It's on *Tues in March due to the joint "Birthday" party meeting].)
24-25 County ALA officers are: President - Marsha Cornelius, Ed.D.; 1st. Vice President - Sophie Liberatore, 2nd Vice President - Angela Jones; Secretary - Teresa Clapper; Treasurer - Resi Fuller, Membership - Rudy Hoke.
Sgt at Arms: Lora Rowe; Chaplain & Field Svce/VA&R: Susie Boise; Historian: Jane Utegg; and Jr Activity: Angela Jones.

The ALA 6th District Field Service Representative to the Oxford Veterans' Home, Tami Zebrowski-Darrow has annual events. Volunteers, usually wanted (but, due to Covid, they're being limited). 5 (screened) volunteers are allowed with prior arrangements. Donations are needed every year for the Christmas gift give-away. Contact info Home phone - (607) 722-5994 ; Cell phone - (607) 759-6891

Some older news:
Ernie Spicer, Cmdr Darlene Ardron, and Ron Blanford with Assembly proclamation.Our Oxford Post 376 celebrated its 100th anniversary on March 16, 2019. We received 2 beautiful proclamations from US House of Representatives Anthony Brindisi and NYS Assemblyman Clifford Crouch! At left are Post 376 Legionnaires Ernie Spicer, Commander Darlene Ardron and Ron Blanford with the Assembly proclamation..

Did you know: there are 3 American Legion Posts in ChenangoCentennial challenge coin for Chenango County. County that are "Centennial Posts" and they are Norwich Post 189, Oxford Post 376, and New Berlin Post 348. A beautiful commemorative coin featured a list of all 11 Posts with the Centennial ones listed at the top.

What's happening soon-- (please visit our calendar page too)

NEW: Our Unit 376 2020 Constitution and Bylaws as well as our Standing Rules have been updated and officially approved by Dept. Read them to learn the rules we follow. Both docs are PDF links at the top of the "Q and A" list on the FAQ page. This will have to be redone in 2023, for 2024, when the price increase goes into effect.

CCALA Centennial with pres.Joy Lawrence with PJ Cobb & Commander Bill Olsen 3-12-19.The fifth Chenango County ALA meeting was a special day: Tuesday, March 12, 2019., held at Post #876, 15 S. Main Street, Sherburne, NY- it was the American Legion's 100th Birthday meeting! There were historic pictures, a WW1 - Vietnam era uniform display from the Oxford Historical Society, and 20's era music to reflect on these first 100 years.
[At left is CC ALA President Joy Lawrence, CC Legion Treasurer: Patricia J. Cobb, and the late CC Legion Past Commander, Bill Olsen.]

Have you seen the Veterans' Memorial Walkway in Oxford, NY. The Walkway, with engraved memorial pavers, was officially dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in LaFayette Park. It's quite beautiful! For more on this and order forms, visit http://www.villageofoxfordny.com/paver-stones.php

 

Celebrating Marguerite Stile's 101st birthday on May 9, 2018.May 9, 2018: officers honored special member - Marguerite Stiles - with a 66-year ALA member certificate and lunch out at Applebee's in Vestal to celebrate her 101st birthday! The news coverage was aplenty! The photo at right was a full screen image at the CNY News website! Even Sen. Akshar sent a birthday wish to Marguerite. We were also in the (National) Auxiliary magazine, Aug. 2018 issue. We had a lovely afternoon together. Sadly Marguerite passed away 12-22-2019.

Some of What We Have Done--
TELEVISION COVERAGE '14: Tuesday, November 11, 2014, was the Legion's Veterans Day ceremony. Ch. 12, WBNG's Kerry Longobucco came to film it, complete with interviews, too. http://www.wbng.com/…/Honoring-military-members-and-their-f…

TELEVISION COVERAGE '13: Monday, May 27th, 2013, was the Legion's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. (Read more on the fundraising page under Events.) It was filmed by Channel 12 Action news. It's modest, but be sure to see it here! They have a few photos too.

Auxiliary Unit 376 marching in the Memorial Day parade 2013.The ALA focuses on three major areas: Veterans, Young People, Americanism and the community. On the local level, the Oxford ALA has over 200 members, giving many volunteer hours to help the initiatives and programs of the Oxford Legion and the Oxford community.

Oxford Auxiliary members have achieved their own unique identity while working side-by-side with the Legionnaires and the Sons of the American Legion (SAL's), of Fort Hill Post #376. They have the honor of marching in the Memorial Day parade but they do a lot more!

The ALA is involved in youth activities such as the Oratorical Contest and Girls' State. Some members volunteer at the NYS Veterans' Home, nursing homes, food and clothing banks, and they organize fundraisers like Bake Sales and Soup Sales, Memorial Poppy sales, and the Cinco de Mayo fiesta dinner. They have even established an American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship. They're involved in other community projects such as promoting child literacy*; education; charities; and more. It is all accomplished with volunteers!

*Each fall Unit 376 sponsors a Harvest Dinner to raise money for the Finch Memorial Book and Education Fund which donates books to the Oxford Academy Primary School.

 

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