Gradually the Walkerton Legion is returning to normal with all the proper health protocols in place. Thursday afternoon darts are back again, but not team darts yet.
This Saturday doors open at 2:30 p.m. for the next Meat Draw, with the first spin at 3 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your aluminum pop and beer can tabs for the container at the bar. Once we fill a feed bag, we turn it over to Elora Branch 229, which sells the tabs to provide wheelchairs, walkers and motorized scooters for people in need.
“Returning to normal” also means continuing to honour and remember our veterans. Veteran Banner co-ordinator Rick Clayfield reminds us that just over a week remains until the deadline to submit information for a banner in downtown Walkerton during the 2021 Remembrance period.
On Aug. 19, 1942, 5,000 Canadians raided the port of Dieppe, France but the Germans were prepared for the attack. A total of 1,946 Canadians were taken prisoner and another 907 killed. Mrs. Annis Eidt of Walkerton received the dreaded news: “Deeply regret to inform you that your brother, A21891, Private James Rennie, gave his life in the Service of his Country at Dieppe, France on the 19th day of August, 1942.”
His body washed ashore near Ostend Belgium and his remains were officially buried in Adegem Canadian Military Cemetery. His name is also on his parents’ stone in Walkerton Cemetery, and earlier this summer, a poppy rock was laid there in his honour. Lest we forget.
Last Sunday, Peggy Gaynor turned a $5 ticket into $525 by winning Walkerton’s Catch the Ace weekly draw. Her envelope, No. 4, had already been chosen and following the rules, the next lowest envelope (No. 3) was opened, revealing the 3 of Hearts. Posters at the Legion and our vendors will show you which envelopes are still available. Buy your $5 ticket for a chance at the jackpot, estimated at over $12,000 this week. Vendors include Cargill Variety, Holst’s Office Supplies (Walkerton), Kaufman’s Your Independent Grocer, Walkerton Foodland and Brown’s Guardian Drugs. Tickets are also sold through members of the Kinsmen Club of Walkerton or Walkerton and District Optimist Club.
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Jan Briggs-McGowan is a member of the Walkerton Legion. Her column appears here weekly.
