The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #110 in Gladstone will mark two significant milestones on June 7: the 90th anniversary of the branch and the 50th anniversary of its club room.
The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. and is open to the public. Among the guests will be Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville, who is scheduled to arrive at 10:45 a.m. for a tour of the town and the surrounding rural area. Her visit will include a stop at the local food bank and lunch at a local bakery before she joins the main event at the Legion club room at 1 p.m.
“We’ve gone a little further than just town happenings,” says Nick Beavington, a long-time Legion member. “We’re excited to welcome the lieutenant-governor, as well as our MP, MLA and members of the provincial executive from Winnipeg.”
The day will feature speeches, refreshments, and opportunities for community members to connect. The club room will remain open into the evening, with Beavington suggesting festivities could wrap up around midnight.
Beavington notes that the Legion has become an even more vital part of the community since the local hotel burned down several years ago.
“It’s what I call the only show in town, which has helped us out tremendously. A year or so ago, we were able to make the $50,000 contribution to the new swimming pool for naming rights. We are supporting the school band, and there are several items that we're able to invest in and contribute to.”
The branch currently has about 280 paid members and a strong executive team. Beavington said the organization relies heavily on volunteers and fundraising to keep its doors open and continue supporting the community.
Beavington adds that the event will still be a meaningful celebration of the Legion’s legacy.
“You don’t have to be a Legion member to attend. Of course, we’d love to sign you up if you’re interested. But it’s open to everyone. We’ll have some cake, a few drinks, and hopefully some nice weather.”