Jul 30, 2013 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – Everyone in Greene County is welcome to attend a community picnic and open house scheduled for Saturday at Carmichaels American Legion Post 400.

“The post never really had an open house to show off the new building when it opened,” said Frank Ricco Jr., director of the post band. “Besides the membership opportunities, there is a lot of catering and stuff that goes on here that people don’t know about.”

The post’s current, handicapped accessible building, which sports a full-service kitchen, bar and banquet hall accommodating 250 people, was dedicated in late 2009. The 7,200-square-foot building was 10 years in the making. It replaced the former post home that faced George Street, which was determined to be structurally deficient and did not provide handicapped accessibility.

Ricco and ladies auxiliary Joy Morgan said the picnic idea came about as a way to let the public know what the legion has to offer and also to promote membership in the legion, ladies’ auxiliary and the post band.

“This is an invitation for anyone in the county to come and see what’s at the legion and to hear the band. We will open the picnic at noon playing patriotic and military numbers,” Ricco said. “Come out enjoy some great food, meet the veterans and the auxiliary and listen to the post band.”

The picnic’s menu will include beef in a barrel, hamburgers, hot dogs and assorted covered dishes, Morgan said, noting she will be marinating the beef for about three days before it is cooked over charcoal and wood Saturday. Ricco said there is nothing like it.

Beverages at the picnic will be available for purchase.

In addition to the music and food, there will be a cornhole tournament at the event.

Small wedding receptions, banquets, baby showers and steak dinners on the first Thursday of the month are some of the other events that take place at the post, Ricco said.

“Steak night is open to the public. It is from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday. You get a steak, salad, baked potato and a piece of cake,” Ricco said. “It is a really good steak.”

As band leader, Ricco hopes to drum up interest among local musicians who come to the picnic.

“Being a former high school band director in Greene County, I know there are a lot of great musicians out there. We need them to dig those instruments out of the closet and dust them off,” Ricco said. “It is like riding a bike, it will come back to you.”

The band averages between 17 and 22 members for events with an age range of early 20s to late 60s, but anyone is welcome to join.

“We practice at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the legion,” Ricco said. “It is a good time. Right now, we are looking forward to the Coal Show Parade, the Covered Bridge Festival, Veterans’ Day and Wreaths Across America. Those are our upcoming target performances.”

The Carmichaels American Legion Post 400 social hall is at 205 E. George St.

For more information about the band, call Ricco at 412-582-9527.