ON THE WATER -- Lighting the hall

June Casagrande

One week every year is Russ Hunt’s time to shine. As chairman of the

boat parade festivities at American Legion Post 291, he coordinates one

of the hottest parade-viewing events in town that he says is also the

best deal around.

“It’s like a big cocktail party, just instead of everyone walking

around with cocktails, they’re walking around with cups of hot soup,”

Hunt said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Hunt is chaplain for the Sons of the American Legion, an auxiliary

group composed of mainly of family members of veterans. A veteran

himself, Hunt said he prefers membership in the Sons organization, whose

younger membership keeps him more active. And nowhere in his long list of

community service credentials is he more active than in his boat parade

duties.

For the seven nights of the boat parade, up to 200 people come to the

Legion’s waterfront hall to watch the shining spectacle on the water. The

wrist band they get at the door entitles them to all they can eat of the

warm comfort foods available -- soup, chili, stew, hot cider and other

warming treats.

“It’s a fun time and the parade’s just gorgeous,” he said.

The cost, Hunt notes proudly: just $10.

“We don’t make money on the admission or the food,” he said. “The

money we make -- which all goes to the veterans and to youth

organizations -- we make from the raffle.”

That’s where wife Karen steps in. She shops year-round for the

gorgeous holiday gifts that cover a big buffet table -- prizes for the

holders of winning raffle tickets.

“I start shopping in January or February,” Karen said. “You can get

some great deals.”

Another family member dedicated to Legion activities, son Les is the

cook for the whole event.

“It’s a fun thing to be involved with,” said Hunt, who this year won

an award for his role in making the Legion’s boat parade event a success.

“Everyone should come out.”