The inadequacies of the America Legion Hall in downtown is no laughing matter.
Chris Teicheira hopes to change that.
The Manteca comic/farmer/native — not necessarily in that order — is on the hot seat for a March 30 roast at the Manteca Ripon Pentecost Society Hall where he is a former president.
While the roast is expected to provide laughs at Teicheira’s expense — as well as his retorts that he promised will have a slight R-rating edge, the bottom line is to help modernize the 104-year-old hall in the 200 block of East Yosemite Avenue that is home to American Legion Post 249.
Teicheira is in the process of preparing to open the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club in the 200 block of North Main Street.
Tickets to the Saturday, March 30, roast are $50 apiece.
Based on previously roasts, tickets typically sell quick.
The tickets can be purchased from Chuck Crutchfield at crutchone@comcast.net, of text Rich at 209-923-3354 or Jeff at 209-454-0268.
You can also purchase tickets at Tipton’s Stationery & Gifts, Yosemite and Maple avenues, or Give Every Child a Chance at 322b Sun West Place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the diner and program starting at 7 p.m.
The American Legion McFall-Grisham Post 249 Foundation of Manteca warns that the roast may include some adult content and therefore may not be suitable for all ages.
The event will include a social hour, dinner by Fagundes catering, raffle, auction, and of course, laughter.
Sponsors to date include Raymus Homs, Golden Valley Federal Credit Union, Rich and Linda Silverman, MRPS HALL, as well as Steve and Vernonia DeBrum.
To find out more on how you can help sponsor the event or help with the hall project that will serve veterans, contact Jeff Askland at 209-454-0268 or Jack White at 209-481-1008.
Nearly $800,000 secured from San Joaquin County’s share of federal COVID fund along with money the Legion’s foundation has raised so far will allow renovations to modernize the brick structure built in 1929 that will also allow it to comply with current American with Disabilities Act standards.
The project will:
*Relocate bathrooms to the front area of the hall. Currently they are accessed via stairs and narrow passages at the rear of the building.
*The front area will include a new office and storage space.
*The basement below the stage — where the current kitchen is located — will be converted to storage space.
*The stage will be removed and replaced with a modern kitchen and bar area.
*The entire inside will have new flooring, lighting, and fans.
*Wrought iron fencing will secure the plaza area in front of the hall as well as an area to the rear.
LDA Partners — the same firm that renovated the HOPE Family Shelter and designed the transit station — is doing the detailed remodel plans.
The plans have already been submitted to the city. Once approved and a contractor is secured, work is anticipated to take six months.
The post still needs to raise money to support completing the renovation project. That is likely to include commercial style kitchen appliances as well as furniture such as tables and chairs.
The American Legion McFall-Grisham Post 249 less than a decade ago made $17,000 of improvements to install an ADA complaint handicap ramp and door from the side parking lot.
The hall built in 1929 as a gathering spot for veterans who have served America has the capacity to seat 110 — one 20th of Manteca’s population at the time. The remodel is expected to retain roughly the same seating capacity.
The hall, however, over the years has been more than simply a place for veterans to gather to support each other and to seek assistance.
For decades, it was also “the” community gathering spot in Manteca.
Manteca residents would flock to the Legion Hall for various community gatherings.
Even with its limitations, the hall still serves as a community gathering space for Manteca. It is also routinely booked for wedding receptions and other events to help breathe life into the 100 and 200 blocks of East Yosemite Avenue on the weekends.
There is a huge demand to rent the hall due to it being smaller and less expensive than other venues such as the nearby MRPS and FESM halls that are often booked solid.
When the project is completed, a ribbon cutting will be held with the Chamber of Commerce, as well as an open house for the citizens for Manteca.
Post officials are appreciative of Supervisor Tom Patti for helping to secure the funding.
They also thank the community for their continued support especially via monthly dinners conducted at the hall.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
