Bingo, Tuesday night food service, more drawing good crowds

GALION — What is the Galion American Legion?

Galion American Scarbrough Post 243, 118 S. Market St., is comprised of veterans and their family members. It is one of Galion’s longest operating service organizations. The American Legion was formed by Congress in 1919. The local post was started the same year and chartered as “Scarborough Post” in 1931 to honor Galionite Capt. William Scarbrough, who died of wounds in World War I. It has been at the South Market Street site since 1930ss. It is open to the public, except for the small private club area. This area must remain private due to the stipulations of the state liquor license. The entire building has been smoke free for many years. The banquet hall seats 172, has a full kitchen and is available for rent to private parties or public functions.

Legionnaires Ken Green and Mike Mateer have recently stepped forward to take the lead in an effort to revitalize the Post to better support the community.

Since January, the Post has become a member of the Galion-Crestline Chamber of Commerce, began a relationship with the Galion Community Foundation as a monthly contributor, increased contributions into the Legion Scholarship fund, started on a long list of needed building repairs, improved the fish frys that generally are twice per month, started looking for ways to better support Boy Scout Troop 7304 that the Post hosts, and is constantly looking for more ways to assist the community.

“We needed to start somewhere,” Green said. “We began by bringing back bingo in the banquet hall where it was traditionally held. In two months, we have hit stride with some impressive numbers. Every Thursday, we get 120 or so players. More than 15 towns from outside Galion are always represented. We have a validated business model showing a 12-month profile of more than $250,000 of outside monies being brought into Galion just because of this game.

“But perhaps the most important aspect is that the folks playing are laughing and having fun in uptown Galion thanks to our old time vaudevillian, or perhaps traditional burlesque, style of humor. They have fun!”

“We also showcase local businesses that want to come in and set up during Bingo. Phil’s Deli now prepares our sandwiches that we sell from the canteen. Cake & Icing set up a table to showcase their confections and now we sell a great number of their cookies weekly at bingo and our fish frys.”

And they’re doing more to help get people to come downtown.

“We kept looking at our commercial kitchen that set idle the majority of the time.” Mateer said. “So why couldn’t we help someone who had a dream of starting a restaurant learn the business? In concept, they would buy their own product, rent our kitchen and hall and run a restaurant. This is exactly what Russ Kent has done with “The Daily Grub” each Tuesday night from 5-7:30 p.m.”

“For a start-up Russ is doing well,” Green said. “He used the experience from his catering business and is averaging over 40 customers in about 2 hours and the client base is growing for him. The menu rotates from burgers to pasta to casseroles and so forth. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about the quality of the food. He offers eat in, take out, or call ahead and pick up.”

Green and Mateer both point to a sign on the north wall of the banquet hall. The sign lists more than 30 local businesses and is growing. Mateer points out.

“We always try to recognize those in the community that help us or partner with us whenever we can. We highlight the list during bingo but it is available for anyone walking through the hall to see. Free advertising is the least we can do for Team Galion members.”

For questions or to talk with Ken or Mike about ideas call the Legion at 419-468-1208.