Fall Conference promises to be good time, with Silent Auction, Grand March

ST. CLOUD — The Fall Conference will be Oct. 26-28 in St. Cloud. The event has a lot of information packed into three short days for members to enjoy.

Annual Silent Auction

It should be bigger and better than ever. Can we can count on you? The auction is Thursday, Oct. 26 through Saturday, Oct. 28.

We will be open for set up by 3 p.m. Funds raised will benefit our Auxiliary Emergency Fund coffers. Please bring items to donate such as theme baskets, patriotic items, quilts, pictures, jewelry items, jams, jellies, munchies, pies, bake goods, etc.

The list is endless. Just use your imagination. We will again have $2 grab bags.

I will have available paper bags so bring along those small items as well. So far, we have one generous donor of some large pictures — of watercolor, wildlife, etc. Also, remember to bring donations of monies from individual members, units, and districts.

A special thank-you gift will be given to individuals donating $50 or more. Also, we will be doing a district challenge. Challenge will be posted at the auction. Results of auction will be shared on Saturday morning.

2 Poppy Contests

We will have cash prizes again and a People’s Choice category. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will be by cash donations to Department President’s Special Project of purchasing two player pianos for the Minnesota Veterans Homes.

Get your Junior members involved, also. Poppy entries must be brought to Department Fall Conference at the River’s Edge Convention Center by 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27.

CONTEST 1: Poppy Holiday Display

Using the ALA poppy, create a holiday display of your choosing using our Department President Sharon’s theme: “Be The One to Dance into the Hearts of Our Veterans.” The white tags should be removed from the entry. Be creative!

CONTEST 2: Poppy Craft Project

Using a poppy theme but not using any of our ALA poppies, create a craft project depicting the poppy/poppies using our Department President Sharon’s theme: “Be The One to Dance into the Hearts of our Veterans.”

This project can be sewn, knitted, crocheted, embroidered, painted, drawn, diamond dotz, etc. The sky is the limit. Let’s show that we can promote the poppy without actually using our precious poppies since we are in such short supply.

Grand March

Friday evening, we will have the Grand March, which will have a country-western theme and dress code. The Grand March highlights officers of the American Legion Family.

It will be followed by entertainment. Please bring as many memberships as you can to Fall Conference.

Craft Class

Thursday, Oct. 26

This is right after the workshop, about 7:45  p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, to 9 p.m.

Paint your own 12×12-inch wooden quilt block in a flag pattern of red, white and blue, to hang on the wall.  This class will be led by Sandy Wersal.

Class level is easy and will be held in the hotel. Class size is limited to first 40. Preregistration only. Cost $25.

Send a registration and check payable to:

Sandy Wersal

16667 Co Rd 9NE

New London, MN 56273

Cruise Director and Membership Chairman Jenny Nelson and the 10 district membership chairmen have some membership fun planned for Saturday morning. All membership turned in by 1 p.m. Friday will be counted in Saturday morning’s report. You won’t want to miss it!

The Fall Conference registration form or how to register online on Page 3.