By ALBERT J. COUNTRYMAN Jr.
Gloucester City News
On a beautiful summer day on Saturday, Aug. 19, Brooklawn American Legion Post 72 members hosted the first traditional Family Picnic since the pandemic to the delight of youngsters who had fun going down the water slide and riding on the horse called “Bear.”
“This is the first picnic since 2019. We couldn’t have picked out a better day,” said Ted Howarth, past commander of the post who enjoyed the event with his sister and brother-in-law, Debra and Ray Corda.
“This is the first Family Picnic in awhile and we hope to make it an annual event,” Commander Bob Snow said. “We’re here for our people and their families.”
Snow and chef Howard Beck came to the post at 8:30 a.m. to set up the picnic that began at 1 p.m. and featured great food, including hot dogs and cheeseburgers cooked on the grill.
“Families are important to the American Legion,” Snow said. “We had pony rides at previous picnics, but this is the first time we had the water slide.”
The first brave youngster to go down the water slide was Olivia Rinear, who was at the picnic with her parents, Jessica and Gary Rinear Jr., and her grandfather, Gary Rinear Sr.
Having a fun time riding Bear with help from trainer Felicia Pratt of the Willow Creek Ranch in Washington Township were Julian Riley and his cousin, Alana Purvis.
Overall it was a fun day in Brooklawn for post members and their families.
