The Ellsworth American Legion Auxiliary kicked off its 100th anniversary celebration in August with a picnic at Fishman’s Rest in El Paso. In the 1930’s and early 1940’s, the auxiliary often held their August picnic at Fishman’s Rest. In those years, the picnic was a tribute and thank you to all the children and others who helped sell poppies to raise funds to assist veterans. Their picnic included grilled hot dogs and games for the children.

At our 2021 August picnic, Merlin Blaisdell shared some history of El Paso focusing on stories of Herman Jones and Fisherman’s Rest. The 10th District American Legion Auxiliary President Margaret Larson presented a Certificates of Recognition to the auxiliary for actively supporting Veterans and the Mission of the Auxiliary and a second Certificate of Recognition for 60 years of sponsoring County Youth Government Day.

On Sept. 14, we’ll continue our anniversary celebration at the American Legion Hall in Ellsworth with a history display, banquet, and brief program.

On April 19, 1921, 17 ladies held an organizational meeting at the Moody Baker Building to establish the American Legion Auxiliary in Ellsworth. A check for $2 was sent for a permanent charter for the Eldon C. Kinne Post 204 American Legion Auxiliary. In 1944 the auxiliary was re-chartered under Kinne-Englehart Post 204 with 40 members.

These dedicated, creative, hardworking, passionate American Legion Auxiliary women were always busy helping, not only veterans and their families, but anyone in the community who needed assistance; they collected clothing for the poor, sponsored medical and vaccination clinics for students entering school, provided needy families with food and clothes at Christmas and always provided the children of those families with a Christmas bag which included a few pieces of candy, an apple or orange, and a popcorn ball. They loved and respected this community and laid a firm foundation for our organization.

Today the auxiliary has 95 members, of which 12 have been members for over 50 years, 11 have been members for over 60 years, and Marian Walsingham has been a member for 74 years. We also have one Gold Star Mother, Peggy Hoyer.

Through the years the auxiliary has been instrumental in supporting local charities, Badger Girl’s State, Girl Scouts, County Government Days, VA hospitals, sending supplies to soldiers, supporting local veterans and their families and many other veteran programs.

Submitted by Phyllis Beastrom

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Beastrom

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Beastrom

The Ellsworth American Legion Auxiliary gathered in August at Fisherman’s Rest in El Paso to kick-off its 100th anniversary celebration. Pictured are (back row, from left): Vicki Bowen, Larry Larson (District 10 American Legion Commander); (middle row) Emily Bowen, Margaret Larson (District 10 ALA President); Darla Fischer, Myrna Melby, Jo Proch, Margaret Beaver, Ruth Carlson, Carol Gilbertson, Cheryl Demuth, Phyllis Beastrom, Mary Ann Blodgett, Denise Blaisdell; (kneeling) Mary Allyn, Kathy Priest, Vicki Nelson, Cheryl Regenscheid, Linda Christiansen. Not pictured: Lois Molitor.