Community and Clubs: Legion is legend in Newport Beach

“The Legion,” as it is known, is not the oldest service club in Newport Beach, but it is by far the most visible.

Members protect their values and their beloved building like a mother bear protects her cubs. With the ever-increasing support for our military, past and present, there is a soft spot in the hearts of residents for American Legion Hall Post 291. Add to this numerous high school reunions, weddings, fundraisers and other celebrations, and Post 291 is a very important venue to our wonderful city.

When you enter The Legion, there is a friendly ambiance, good food, fine drinks and an affordability not available anywhere else on the bay. Post 291 is home to hundreds of members and their guests who flock to the hall each week to socialize, cook burgers and share cocktails. In a city where wealth and status seem to be promoted throughout, Post 291 brings together people in an environment of good feelings and nostalgia where old-time values of patriotism and love of country can be shared.

Founded in 1924 by a group of 30 World War I veterans, The Legion first met in the Balboa Chamber of Commerce building. Raymond Hitchcock Brunswick was elected the first commander. In those initial meetings, the group secured a building site on 10th Street, then raised money and built a two-story structure with labor donated by legionnaires.

By April 1926, the club had 80 members at its first main dinner at the new site. Post 291 was off and running. The fledging club and Legionnaire A.J. Twist, a Boy Scout master, sponsored Boy Scout Troop 291 and started an additional group for boys under 12 known as the Cubs.

This concept soon went national with the establishment of the Cub Scouts, and Newport Beach Post 291 was its birthplace. This was the beginning of a long and successful history for American Legion Hall Post 291 in its dedication to the youth in our area.

The current building on 15th Street was built in 1949, again with much of the work donated by volunteers. The public marina was constructed in 1958, giving a home to the yacht club. A long-term lease with Newport Beach has given Post 291 security over the years, even after a fire, caused by a floor furnace malfunction, destroyed the Hall in 1979. The hall was rebuilt within a year, and 291 has remained a significant partner with the city.

This year’s commander, Jess Lawson, explains the feeling of the hall this way: “We honored Army, Marines and Navy on their birthdays. World War II, Korea, Vietnam and more recent war-era veterans had memorials and events as well. At other times, whether special days or holiday celebrations, post members and their families came together with friends for dining, music, dancing and social enjoyment.”

The highly organized membership runs an American Legion that is the largest in California and the third largest in the U.S. The members recently donated about $100,000 to causes and programs that directly benefit the many veterans in need. From offering financial assistance in education to serving the injured and providing support to those currently serving overseas, one can find large groups of Legion volunteers raising money, packaging boxes for the troops and helping families affected by military service.

So if you come from a military family and are looking for a way to honor our soldiers and sailors, look into Post 291, where you can do just that, all while enjoying deep friendships and celebrating the day on the beautiful Newport Bay.

Post 291 is hosting the Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser and Fashion Show at 11 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25. For information or reservations, call Helen Riker at (949) 548-3561.

Also slated for February is the American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16. For appointments to give blood, contact Susan Difonzo at susandifonzo@att.net. Call Legion Post 291 at (949) 673-5070 for additional information.

*

February Fundraisers

OCSPCA Amazing Race for the Animals/Scavenger Hunt: The Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is organizing an exciting scavenger hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Fashion Island. Participants can compete with or without their dogs.

Contestants and their canine companions will follow clues that lead to scavenger hunt locations throughout the dog-friendly shopping center. They will be racing to finish the hunt in the shortest amount of time, and amazing prizes will be awarded.

The event starts outside the Kendra Scott store near the koi pond and benefits the Orange County SPCA. Registration is $25. For more information, go to orangecountyspca.org/event/ocspca-amazing-race-for-the-animals-scavenger-hunt or call Stacy Sweeting at (714) 964-4445.

Hal Rosoff Classic: The Newport Aquatic Center will host a paddling race Saturday in Newport Harbor consisting of a short and a long course for outriggers, kayaks and paddleboards. Proceeds from a silent auction will benefit the center’s Junior Outrigger Program, which attracts between 300 and 400 paddlers. Registration begins at 7 a.m. For information or registration, go to paddleguru.com/races/HalRosoffClassic2015 or call (949) 646-7725 and ask for Kelly Thompson.

Love Grows By Giving: Support the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, a nonprofit shelter for abused, runaway and in-crisis youths, at a wine tasting at Mariner’s Hall, 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Join the effort and celebrate the cause with an evening of unique wine selections, wine education and food and wine pairings from local restaurants. Live music and live and silent auctions will raise money for this important service to our youth. For more information, call (949) 250-0488 and ask for Kate McKay.

Girl Scout cookies: If you haven’t been approached by a beloved Girl Scout, or a parent thereof, or if you have been sleeping for the past two weeks, you may not know that it is that time again. From Do-si-dos and Savannah Smiles to Tagalongs and gluten-free peanut butter cookies, sweets are being sold by thousands of girls armed with those familiar boxes. They are looking for you.

Each box is $5. So contact your neighborhood Girl Scouts, look for them at your community shopping center or go to https://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/find_cookies.asp. Enter your zip code, and your local cookie connection will come up.

The Daily Pilot wants to hear about your club’s or organization’s events so we can inform our readers. Contact DIANE DARUTY at dianedaruty@sbcglobal.net or (949) 322-7949 or DUNCAN FORGEY at Forgey5000@yahoo.com or (949) 548-4800.