COLBORNE — Despite the rain and a 2.5-hour power outage just before we served up the steaks and homemade hamburgers at our annual Labour Day Weekend Steak and Burger Barbecue, there was a great turn-out.

Many thanks to the folks who came our way, taking a break from the four-day Apple Country Country Jamboree. You were wonderful visitors and now friends!

It was our third-highest attendance record to date — 183 tickets sold. The baked beans held out to the end, as did the fresh corn. We nearly ran out of tomatoes (three varieties: sliced, diced and then cherry tomoatoes). Marilyn Babcock , aka “Cooky”, had lots of compliments on the homemade apple crisp. Many enjoyed the ice cream “extra”, too.

John Kripp won the 50-50 draw.

Thanks to Bob and Lesley Owen, too, for the photos. Be sure to visit their website — www.cramahe-now.com — to get the community news.

You shop for food, clothes, gifts, spa services and gas. Here’s a way of making it work for both you and the Colborne Legion. You can buy pre-paid “gift cards” for a whole host of name retailers. They never expire, you get the full value for the amount you buy. The retailer, in turn, pays a percentage (from 2 to 10%) of the value to the Legion. Among the many retailers included are Canadian Tire (including gas), No Frills, Your Independent Grocer, Metro, Ultramar, Staples, Winners, Giant Tiger and so on. For example, if you buy a $25 Mark’s Work Warehouse card, the Legion received $1.75 and you get the $25 gift card.

You can order by dropping by the Colborne Legion to pick up an order form and make a cheque out the RCL Branch 187. Or, go on-line at www.fundscrip.com.

Neat, huh?

Be labour-free this Labour Day weekend! The Annual Steak and Hamburger Barbecue is the works for 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, September 4: six-ounce steak dinner ($12) or homemade hamburger ($8) dinners include fresh corn on the cob, baked beans, baked potatoes, sour cream and butter, tossed salad with fixings and apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. Come join us for a fresh local seasonal meal.

The repatriation of Cpl. Brian Pinksen is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept.2 at CFB Trenton.

Cpl. Picksen sustained injuries in Afghanistan. He passed away at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany Monday, Aug. 30.

Corporal (Cpl) Brian Pinksen from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, based in Corner Brook Newfoundland, was serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group. Cpl Pinksen sustained his injuries when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated during a routine patrol in the Panjwa’i District, southwest of Kandahar City at approximately 1:40 p.m., Kandahar time on 22 Aug, 2010.

Cpl Pinksen was treated on scene and evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield then subsequently moved to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany.  He arrived in Ramstein, Germany on 25 August and succumbed to his injuries earlier Monday at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

Canada in partnership with the government of Afghanistan, the Afghan National Security Forces and ISAF remain committed to improving the security situation in order to set the conditions for reconstruction and development in the region. Joint Task Force Afghanistan, continues to be fully engaged in an initiative that serves to gradually enhance security, to strengthen governance and to expand the government’s authority in key areas of Kandahar Province.

Come one, come all to the progressive euchre tournament being held at Colborne Legion Saturday, September 18. Registration begins at 12 noon!

It was batter up at the Colborne Legion Friday, Aug. 20. The annual Fish Fry dinner saw a team of  men outside dipping fish fillets in batter then popping them into deep fryers for the fresh-to-the-plate flavour for which Colborne Legion meals are renowned.

It was a labour intensive meal prep. Marilyn Babcock and Patti May spent most of the previous weekdays readying the coleslaw, fish and veggies.  Brenda Graham came in to assist with the making of the Lemon ‘Licious desserts with Cooky Marilyn.

Then there’s the team of volunteers who serve the meal for visitors, handle the clean-up (including lots and lots of dishes) afterward.

It was another great meal with lots of friends (you are only a stranger once at the Colborne Legion!). Over 140 tickets were sold.

Come one, come all to the progressive euchre tournament being hosted at Branch 187, Colborne Legion, Saturday, September 18. Registration starts at 12 noon.

Here’s your chance to cross your tees and swing with great people.

The 19^th annual Branch 187 Golf Tournament will be held September 19 at the Salt Creek Golf Links. Your $35 entry fee gives you nine holes of golf, access to great prizes and a meal back at the Colborne Legion following play.

Non-golfers and/or family members are welcome to attend the meal after at a nominal fee to help offset costs.

The proceeds support the Legion’s community outreach programs — so everyone benefits. For more information, call the Colborne Legion at 905.355.5479. For prize donations, call John Fox at 905.355.5992.

The Labour Day Weekend is just a month away. That means our annual steak and hamburger barbecue is in the works for 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, September 4.

A six-ounce steak dinner ($12) or homemade hamburger ($8) dinners include fresh corn on the cob, homemade baked beans, baked potatoes, sour cream and butter, tossed salad with fixings and apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. Come join us for a fresh local seasonal meal.

In Colborne, there are two food banks: the Cramahe Food Bank, which is financially administered through the Colborne Legion’s Community Services account, the other at Prospect Missionary Church.

The Cramahe Food Bank accepts public food donations, while financial donations can be directed to the Community Services account at the Colborne Legion.  The Missionary Church oversees its own food-gathering efforts and we work in cooperation with them.Both are recognized by the County Food 4 All Warehouse as food banks.

Please note, no other agency is authorized as a food bank operation. It’s important we keep this community service effective and efficient. The need is great and we are dedicated to meeting that need.

The Cramahe Food Bank is in urgent need of financial donations at this time, which is earlier in the year than ever before. A sign of the times.