THOMASTON — After a long break, due to high Covid-19 and Omicrom daily case increases, the Williams-Brazier Post 37, Thomaston, will re-open its doors once again for new activities during 2022. After the last Baked
Bean Supper in September, 2021, Post 37 officers made the decision to cease all activities until issues from the current pandemic improved and not take the chance of spreading the disease to Post members, loyal guests, and other local community members.

Facing the first pandemic issues in 2020-2021, Post 37 closed for activities and events for the winter. The Post reopened its doors in March, 2021 for a To-Go Auxiliary St. Patrick’s Day Supper. The Monthly Baked Bean Supper began to be served on April. There was a twist to the service in the early months, serve the supper as a To-Go meal. When conditions became better in the summer, Post 37 began to have dine-in baked bean suppers while continuing to provide to-go meals. When the Omicrom variant began raging through the state of Maine, Post 37 felt obligated to close its doors once again for the winter. During the spring and summer of 2021 Post 37 was still able to hold a few events. The first event was the March Installation of Officers, after February elections were held. Department of Maine Adjutant, Paul L’Heureux, and District 6 Vice-Commander, Jeffrey Sukeforth, took the Oath of Installation from each officer.

Jeremey Miller, William Demmons and Kent Woodward, New Officer Installation, March 7, 2021, Post 37 Legionnaires were able to host its second annual Flag Retirement Ceremony in June. The planned 4th of July hot dog sale at the Post 37 Hall was not so lucky. It was cancelled when the Town of Thomaston made the decision to not have its annual 4th of July celebration. A planned Oktoberfest celebration for September was cancelled. Another casualty of the Omicrom increase was the annual Veterans Day celebration, something that has been observed for the past several years.

On April 2, Post 37 began hosting a Red Friday Coffee and Doughnut Open House for local community members to gather and talk with friends, and others, about family members that may be deployed anywhere in the world while serving with the military. Held on the first and third Friday of each month, seveal guests attended the Open House. The Open House was put on hold in August, when the Omicrom Variant began to increase the numbers of daily new cases of infection. It is hoped to renew the Open House in 2022.

Internally in 2021, Post 37 received several awards for excellence at the annual Department of Maine Conference, in June. Additionally, Post 37 was recognized for reaching membership goals in 2020 and 2021. The Post, and Post Historian, was also recognized for winning the Department of Maine Post Yearbook Contest, Small Post Category and Post Newsletter, Small Post Category for 2020 and 2021.

Post 37 has also undergone an extensive beautification program over the past year, mostly through the efforts of the Post “Jack of all Trades,” Jeffrey Wright, with assistance of various helpers. The main hall and bathrooms have been repainted and the hall floor has been cleaned, buffed, and polished to a lustrous shine. New bathroom fixtures have been installed, LED lighting throughout the hall and bathroom, and the Post name on the outside of the hall has been repainted. This is not the end of the restoration project, as more work will be done in 2022 to continue the beautification project.

Post 37 can be rented for a reasonable price and for any occasion. It has a spacious hall that can seat up to 135. There are plenty of tables and chairs. There are two bathrooms, male and female. In addition, there is a nice kitchen available that can be rented for a small additional fee. Real plates, cookware, and silverware are available if you desire. A deposit will be required that will be returned after a post-use inspection. Post 37 can be rented for Celebrations of Life. The cost is free, but a small donation is requested.

It is hoped that 2022 will be the year that the Covid situation turns around and normal operations can return. To-Go meals will begin in March, with the Annual Auxiliary St. Patrick’s Day Supper. This will be followed by the return of the Monthly Baked Bean Supper in April. Remember, these suppers are always the third Saturday of the month. If the situation improves Post 37 will return to sit-down meals.

Several outdoor activities are being considered again this year. The first will be the 3rd Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony, to be held on June 14. There may be hamburger/hot dog sales this year. July 4 may see the return of hot dog sales to celebrate the 4th. In September or October the First Annual Oktoberfest is planned. German food galore but no alcohol sold. There may be an event for Halloween or Fall Fest. November should see the return of the annual Veterans Day Commemoration and the Santa’s Workshop is hoped to return of the first Saturday of December.

Please keep a lookout for new activity announcements in the coming weeks. Post 37 is looking forward to serving our veterans and local community once again.