By Alice Bremer
A large crowd attended the Installation Dinner held by the American Legion Post 81 and Auxiliary Unit 81 of Bourbon on Tuesday evening, Aug. 25 at the community center. All enjoyed a delicious meal, complete with fried chicken and ham and all the trimmings.
Following the meal, the group was pleased to hear reports from the two girls that the Auxiliary had sent to Girls State this year. The girls and their parents were special guests for the evening.
Erica Hartwick and Sarah Kitchen each told of their experiences and how they had met many new friends and learned very much about the election process of our country. They sincerely thanked the Auxiliary for sending them.
Janae Rennaker, who had also attended, was unable to be at the dinner, but sent a very nice letter thanking the ladies for sending her and telling of her most enjoyable time being in the Girls State Band. She also sent pictures from the week’s programs.
The two groups then installed their officers for the coming year. The following elected Auxiliary officers were called forward by the sergeant-at-arms Edwina Brown to be installed by installing officer Emma Dunn:
President Eunice Ditterline; vice president Darlene Enloe; second vice president Barbara Courtouise; secretary Alice Bremer; treasurer Lisa Weaver; historian Roxanne Lafferty; sergeant-at- arms Dixie Dehn; and chaplain Bertha Gargus.
After the ceremonies were complete, the Legion and Auxiliary members held their regular monthly meetings.  At the Auxiliary meeting, president Ditterline opened and conducted the business meeting.
The secretary reminded everyone that it is time to pay dues for 2010, and all dues were due by September. The ladies welcomed their guests and have two new members, Judy Ward and Dian Duwa, this month.
Membership in the Auxiliary is open to mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, grandaughters, great-granddaughters, and grandmothers of  U. S. war veterans and to women who have served in the military themselves. Step-relatives are also eligible. The ladies of Unit 81 are always happy to have new members.
The next Red Cross Bloodmobile sponsored by the Auxiliary will be at the First United Methodist Church basement in September.  Donors are always needed.  Watch for further notice of date and time.
The Auxiliary is planning to have a float in the Bourbon Booster Fall Festival Parade and members are asked to meet at the Community Center parking lot around 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. on the day of the parade to complete the float.
The president will bring the beautiful handmade quilt that the Unit is awarding and chances will be offered at the festival. The ladies are also planning to have a “grab bag” table and appreciate items that can be used for the sale.  All profits from the quilt will go to the American Legion Post 81 for the building fund.
If you are interested in joining the Auxiliary, please talk to any of the officers or to 16th District President Carolyn Isgriggs of Bourbon.