A chicken barbecue and a ribbon-cutting will formally open the Veteran Center in Cobleskill Saturday afternoon.
The Center is in the former Happy Trails bar on Division Street, and it will not only serve veterans’ needs but serve food, too.
Open to the public, Saturday’s celebration will feature barbecued chicken and homemade salads, along with a cash bar.
Local dignitaries will be on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3pm.
The Center is the new home for Schoharie County AMVETS #175 and the Fred L. Stilson Post #57 of the American Legion.
Its primary function is to give veterans a hand.
“We’re available to help veterans find lost records, figure out VA benefits, anything they need,” said member Larry Bush.
But the Center will also serve as a fundraising site for veterans and their programs. Now with a liquor license, the bar is open weekend evenings, and the Center will soon be serving lunches, Mr. Bush said.
“And we plan to extend our evening hours, too,” he added.
Veterans have also rented the Center for birthdays, parties and other events.
Proceeds go to “pay the rent, but they also go for veterans’ programs, too,” Mr. Bush said.
Members are renting the Center now but hope to buy it. In the meantime, they’re cleaning and renovating.
“We have a lot to do to pull it all together,” Mr. Bush said. “It’s getting a major overhaul.”