Submitted by Linda Kay Payton

Six members of the Allen Schiffern American Legion Unit 199 met on August 11, 2025. Judy gave an opening prayer. Michaelle led members in the pledge to our flag and the preamble to the constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary. Barb read last month’s minutes, which were accepted. Sheridan gave the treasurer’s report, which was also accepted.

Sheridan gave an update on the progress of searching for a commercial stove for the kitchen with plans to have it operational at the November turkey dinner. Teresa is checking out other possible places to purchase a stove.

Sheridan will move forward with purchasing a shipping container to be placed outside the Tarkio Legion building to be used as storage.

The Legion Auxiliary fall rummage sale will be October 11-12. Take-in begins on September 29 and will continue through October 8. Watch for flyers and a newspaper ad.

Sheridan reported on the fall convention that was held in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Linda shared with the group the junior girls’ latest project. They made authentic Native American celebratory drums. Their instructor was John Funk, Linda’s son-in-law, who has a native heritage and represents the Culture Department of the Puyallup Tribe in Washington state. They listened to native songs, learned about saging and the medicine. They even got to drum out a beat on the drums brought to the class. John made each girl a prayer feather to help fly their prayers to the spirits.

The district meeting will be on Saturday, September 6, in Tarkio. Linda will notify the other units to help with providing snacks and drinks for the meeting. Members will set up for the meeting on Friday, September 5. There have been changes made for these meetings. Registration will be at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at 10:00 a.m. There will be a brunch type snack, but no meal will be served. The meeting will end by noon or before. This will be a trial run to see how this works. Those members present listed what they would bring to eat. Any other member who would like to help, please get in contact with Linda.

At next month’s meeting, new officers will be installed and members will hold the draping of the charter. Members are asked to please attend.

No further business was brought forward. Judy gave a closing prayer. The meeting was adjourned by Linda. The next meeting will be September 8, 2025.