Community Resource Guide Expansion
For the past two years the Stockbridge Community News has published a Community Resource Guide in January. The Guide includes basic information about what the particular group does and how they are a benefit to the community at large (Stockbridge Community School District). For the next few months we will be featuring a few of the organizations, their histories, origin and information they deem appropriate.
If you are one of the resources and would like to be featured or if you think your organization should be in the Guide please contact Diane at Stockbridge Community News, P.O. Box 83, Gregory, Michigan 48137 or email to: stockbridgecommunitynews@gmail.com with Attention Diane in the subject line. The updated Guide remains available throughout the year on StockbridgeCommunityNews.Com.
The Munith Lions Club
by Tina Cole-Mullins Friend of the Munith Lions
With over 65 years of service, the Munith Lions Club continues their endeavor of giving back to the community. One fine example was the grand reopening of the Munith Lions Park in Munith on August 29, 2019. “It was a glorious day and all the people who were involved in the funding and the hard work of putting the park in its new condition were there.” President Glenn Buckmaster shared in the Friends of the Munith Lions Facebook group that Buckmaster created for non-members who would like to volunteer in activities throughout the year like putting up American flags in the summer and Christmas decoration at Christmas.
Chartered in 1953, the Lions Club is keeping its roar and sponsors community activities including their upcoming preparations for the Munith Halloween Parade and party on Saturday; October, 26th in which yearly they offer vision testing. After the parade, people gather in the Munith Methodist Church for refreshments and social interaction. The Munith Lions Club is guided by the motto, “We serve,” and organizes philanthropic events like White Cane Day. The organization helps people receive glasses, cornea surgery, and reader machines for the blind, in addition to providing other community-oriented services.
The Munith Lions Club provides ongoing financial support to a wide range of organizations, events and foundations. The group supports Leader Dog for the Blind, Paws for a Cause, Lions of Michigan Foundation, Eversight, Organ Donations, Lions All State Band, Bear Lake Camp, Diabetes Awareness, Braille Transcribing, Radio Reading Services, Penrickton Center for Blind Children, Michigan Youth Academy, Project Kidsight, Winter Camp for the Blind and Youth Exchange as well as the Lion Ev Huttenlocher Scholarship for SHS.
Although a small club they are very active. We are getting older and need some new younger members to keep these things going. Please think about joining “WE SERVE.” Munith Lions meet the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Hankerd Inn, 10350 Hankerd Rd, Pleasant Lake. Contact: Glenn Buckmaster (517) 474-0294 or Bob and Char Chrisman (517) 596-2215, email chrism39@frontier.com.
Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Post 510
by Diane Rockall with approval of Post commander
Founded in 1947 the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Post 510 continues to be one of the pillars of the Stockbridge community. The post was named for two local residents who were killed in action during World War 1. These hometown heroes were Russell Mackinder and J.T. Glenn. Property for the Posts site was donated by William Domine which caused the local Legion to purchase the balance of the land where the Legion stands at 830 S. Clinton St., Stockbridge.
The post consists of Legion Members (Veterans), SAL (Sons of the American Legion) ALR (American Legion Riders, a motorcycle group) and The Auxiliary.
Over the years the post has sponsored a variety of activities ranging from baseball to oratory competitions as well as Poppy Day sales for disabled veterans and veterans having difficulty assistance from other sources or a hardship is placed upon them. They can be depended upon to provide memorial honor guards as needed for veterans’ funerals. They also host an annual Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags every June. The legion does not march in the light parade, but they do have a trailer leading the parade. On Memorial Day they have a program at the post and members then march to the cemetery where a roll call of deceased veterans is done.
For the past few years SAL has prepared a meal for veteran members and spouses on Veterans Day. Also the Legion, SAL, ALR and the Auxiliary provide scholarships for relatives of members.
Ongoing social activities include: bingo, euchre, an annual Chili Cookout, Fish Fries, several times during the fall, winter and spring and Thursday night specials that rotate between tacos, sliders, chicken wings and Coney dogs. Local members participate the Homecoming Parade in Stockbridge as well as in the Gregory Fourth of July parade.
As of this spring the eldest member was 92 and the youngest 36. There have been 50 post commanders since Post 510 began. The present commander is Jerry Kunzelman.
Since July 2019 any honorably discharged veteran who served after December 7, 1941 is now able to join the American Legion and all our welcomed to do so. War time service was previously required. The “Legion Act” as it is named was signed into law in July of 2019.
Everyone is welcome to attend the games and the meals and to participate in any of the other activities provided throughout the year.
