By Kellen Olshefski
Correspondent
Elkhorn American Legion Post 45 is in the final stages of preparation to host a 1950s-style sock hop dance fundraiser next week.
The dance will be 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 and take place at Elkhorn Area Middle School.
The Flatheads, a local band that’s known for playing popular music of the ‘50s and ‘60s and ‘70s, will provide music for the dance.
According to Jim Boardman of Elkhorn American Legion Post 45, the dance will also include some fun contests – such as finding out who can hula hoop – while maintaining a focus on the dances and theme of the 1950s-style sock hops.
In addition to dancing and contest, food and drinks will be available. Local food vendor Lefty’s Chicago Style Hotdogs will be on site at the sock hop selling a variety of food for the evening.
The doors for the sock hop are set to open at 5:30 p.m., Aug. 1 at the middle school, 627 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Tickets are available in advance for $10 each at the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce or by emailing ElkhornAmLegion45@gmail.com.
Serving the community
Fundraisers like the upcoming sock hop help the American Legion Post in providing and sponsoring various programs and opportunities within the Elkhorn community.
According to Boardman, the American Legion sponsors high school students to attend the Badger Boys and Badger Girls State events, which are programs that focus on educating young leaders on how to become more impactful members of their communities.
He said the post also sponsors students for the American Legion Oratorical contest and scholarship, with this past year’s district and state champion coming from Williams Bay.
Additionally, young athletes participating in The American Legion’s Junior Shooting Sports are sponsored through the legion, with the athlete they sponsored last year going on to win the state air rifle championship, according to Boardman.
In addition to sponsorships, Boardman said the American Legion is active in the community as much as possible including offering general help to others. He said one recent example is that members of the post cleaned out the gutters of a local woman’s house after she had called them to assist with an American flag that had fallen during a storm.
“Five, six guys went out there that next Monday and we trimmed all her bushes, cleaned out her gutters,” Boardman said. “It made her happy and saved her some money.”
He said with the COVID-19 crisis, the American Legion also sent pizza to the night staff working at Aurora Lakeland and Mercy Health hospitals in March.
“Those are the kinds of things we do that people don’t see,” Boardman said.
Proceeds from the dance will help support the local American Legion’s good works. To find out how to help further, contact them by sending an email to ElkhornAmLegion45@gmail.com.
