American Legion Post #202 - Hackensack

08/29/2026

💘 COUPLE OF THE WEEK — JOHN & KAREN! 💘

The basics.

They have been together for 39 YEARS! How!?! Neither one of you looks old enough for that, and I’m not only saying that because you’re great tippers. 😂 How old were you guys when you got married!? 11.5?! 😂

John is from Wheaton, IL. Karen is from Mahtomedi, MN. They met in college. So you were older than 11. Got it. 😂

First date? A concert. Well, thanks for being so specific. I’m going to say it was New Kids on the Block. Correct me in the comments. 😂

The fun stuff!

❤️ Who said “I love you” first? John.
🍳 Better cook? John.
😏 More stubborn? Karen. I actually got to witness that last night. Oooo, you know! 😂
🧭 Most likely to get lost? Karen. 100%.
🚗 Better driver? This is debatable. 😂

The sweet stuff.

John’s favorite thing about Karen is her kind heart. ❤️

Karen’s favorite thing about John is he’s funny.

Best relationship advice?
John says listening and patience.
Karen says communication.

What does your spouse still do that makes you smile?

John laughs at all of Karen’s jokes. 😂
And John makes Karen coffee every single morning. ☕️❤️

Okay, John. Setting the bar a little high for the rest of them, aren’t we?!

Hackensack style! 🇺🇸

Favorite Legion memory?
Walking in on a fall evening and feeling the fun vibe with the community.

That’s a solid answer. ❤️

What keeps them coming back to the Legion?

It’s chill. Nicest people ever! Popcorn! Good food! And TouchTunes! 😂😂

I LOVE that answer. And yeah… we do have some pretty awesome popcorn. 🍿

If they won the jackpot, they’d buy a family cabin, pay off debt, help out the kids, make a house payment… You know what? They’re just going ALL OUT! 😂 They’re awesome people who want to help everyone. ❤️

Favorite drinks?

🥃 John — Captain Diet
🥃 Karen — Old Fashioned

After all these years, what’s one thing you’d like everyone to know about your spouse?

John says Karen is the most kind-hearted and generous spirit. ❤️

Karen says there is no man better than John… well, besides my dad, who has passed. 🥹❤️

They are affiliated with White Bear Lake.

John and Karen, thank you so much for letting us get to know you better. We absolutely love having you as part of our Legion family. ❤️

And when an order comes up that says “short glass,” the bartender immediately looks up because they KNOW it’s you guys and want to make sure they say hi. 😂❤️

Cheers to 39 years, John & Karen! 🥂 Here’s to many more years of coffee, concerts, questionable driving debates, popcorn, and Karen getting lost. 😂❤️

08/29/2026

☀️ RISE AND SHINE, my little ticking gr***de of greatness! 💣✨

Did you wake up on tip two? NO! It’s SATURDAY! 👏

So slap on your best-smelling rude people repellent, wiggle yourself into your favorite vibe, and OWN today like you pay the damn mortgage on it. 😂

Energy is HIGH.
Moods are IMMACULATE.
And the weekend is straight-up FLIRTING WITH YOU. 😏

So flirt back, sugar britches. 💋
Go be loud. Go be happy. Go be ridiculously YOU.

✨ SPARKLE ON, you beautiful little weekend menace. ✨

08/28/2026

☀️ Rise and shine, you beautiful little comeback stories! ❤️

If you want to change your life, start by changing your priorities. A negative mind will never give you a positive life.

Live in your hopes, not your fears, because your future depends on what you do today.

And hear me on this one:
You don’t need a reason to keep going. YOU are the reason. ❤️

The comeback will always be stronger than the setback. Whatever you’re carrying, whatever kind of week you’ve had—keep going.

We need you here. We are here for you. And YOU matter. Never forget that.

Now get that beautiful butt moving because it’s FRIDAY! 😂👏

🍔 Burger Bar — $11
🍺 Member Day — Buy your first drink, get your second FREE!
❤️ WEAR RED and Remember Everyone Deployed.

Come hungry. Come thirsty. Come exactly as you are.

✨ Sparkle on, you magnificent little troublemakers. ✨

08/27/2026

Rise and shine, sugar britches! 🍑✨

It’s Thursday, which means we’ve got three very important things to accomplish today: eat tacos, win meat, and make questionable financial decisions over raffle tickets. 😂

🥩 Meat Raffle — 6 PM
🌮 Tacos, Taco Salad, or Chimichanga — $8
🥃 Captain’s — $3.50

Come hungry, bring your lucky charm, and prepare to yell “SCOTT, THAT’S NOT MY NUMBER!” at least once. 😂

Now get those sugar britches moving. Sparkle on, weirdos. ✨

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

🚨 MEET ANOTHER MISFIT 🚨

Well, well, well… THE ONE. THE ONLY. LaRaye is in the house! 😂👏

But first, I need everyone to do me a solid: GET ON MY CO-WORKERS TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK. I can’t introduce more Misfits if the Misfits refuse to turn in their assignments. Apparently I’m running a daycare now. 😂

My name is LaRaye and I’m a waitress and the self-proclaimed Facebook Queen 👑😉. Nobody voted. There was no election. I simply appointed myself.

I’ve been at the Legion for about 4 years, and my favorite part of working here is hands down the customers. I’ve gotten to know so many of your stories, made some pretty amazing friendships, and probably learned a few things I was never supposed to know. 😂

🌯 Menu item I recommend? Bacon chicken wrap OR anything involving one of Berta’s soups. That woman knows soup.

🧀 One food for the rest of my life? CHEESE. I don’t need to explain myself.

🎶 Favorite artists? Stevie Nicks and Jessie Murph. Yes, my music taste has range.

🌞🌙 Morning or night person? Depends on the day. Some days I feel 26. Other days I feel 86. Just pick a bone and chances are it’s aching.

😳 Something people would be surprised to learn about me? I’M AN INTROVERT.
I can already hear some of you yelling, “BULLCRAP, LaRaye!” 😂 But it’s true!

✈️ Dream vacation? Australia.

📚 Hobbies? Reading and having my grandchildren around. Not their parents. Just the grandchildren.
I’ve actually told my kids that now that I have grandchildren, I finally know what real love is and apparently I never actually loved them. They’re just annoying. 😂

And if I don’t receive enough grandkid pictures, I have been known to send screenshots involving grandparents’ rights as a gentle reminder and the number to CPS. I’m reasonable like that. 😇

💰 If I won a million dollars? I’d want to help build up struggling communities and create resources that actually help people maintain long-term success. ❤️

🍽️ Dinner with anyone, dead or alive?
Hands down, without even thinking twice, my baby brother Cody “Bug.” 💙 There could never be another answer.

😤 Biggest pet peeve? Bullies. Cannot stand them.

📺 Guilty pleasure TV show? Judge Judy. Don’t come into her courtroom with nonsense because Judith is NOT having it. 😂

🦸‍♀️ If I could have one superpower? I DON’T KNOW. And the worst part is I CAME UP WITH THESE DUMB QUESTIONS. 🤦‍♀️😂

😂 Funniest thing that’s happened to me at work?
I once worked for about an HOUR with my pants ripped RIGHT ACROSS THE BUM before Mom (Anna) came in and told me.

Naturally I asked everyone, “WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME?!”

Chris: “I thought it was a new fashion.” 😂😂😂

Sure, Chris. I know he was too embarrassed to say anything.

I’ve also shown up to work with ONLY ONE EYE DONE WITH MAKEUP. Apparently mirrors are optional at my house.

🐕 One thing I can’t leave home without? Dog hair. I have a German Shepherd. Nuff said. It’s not dog hair anymore. It’s an accessory.

☀️ Favorite season? Summer. It’s warm. I hate being cold. End of discussion.

😂 Three words my coworkers would use to describe me?
Funny — I hope.
Bossy — I know.
Dependable — ❤️

And finally…

❤️ I know it’s going to be a good day when…
One or all of my grandchildren are coming over.

Because apparently those little turds can make my whole world better just by walking through the door.

So there you have it. LaRaye: waitress, Facebook Queen, cheese enthusiast, grandchild thief, professional dog-hair wearer, part-time Judge Judy critic, and full-time Misfit. 👑😂

Now seriously…

CO-WORKERS, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
The Facebook Queen needs material. 😂👑

08/26/2026

✨ Rise and shine, my little bingo-loving bundles of possibility! ✨

Do you know what today is?! A BRAND-NEW DAY. A day to get up, get out, and GET AFTER IT! 🙌

Today we find out.
We find out what happens when we stop doubting ourselves and start chasing the possibilities—because when it comes to us, they’re freaking ENDLESS. 💥

And speaking of possibilities… how about the possibility of walking out $1,000 richer?! 👀💰

🎱 BINGO — 6 PM
💰 52 numbers for the $1,000 coverall!
🍗 8 wings for $10

🍺Chris opens the circus. Jess shuts it down. Please behave accordingly. 🎪🍺
✨ Danielle and Jenny are on the floor serving wings, sass, and looks that say, “I swear I already brought you ranch.” 😂

Get in here. Eat some wings. Yell BINGO! Win some money. Make questionable beverage decisions. 😂

SPARKLE ON, YOU BEAUTIFUL LITTLE DAUBER-WIELDING WEIRDOS! ✨💋

08/25/2026

🌞 RISE AND SHINE, MY LITTLE BIRTHDAY CAKE TROUBLEMAKERS! 🎂😂

Today you will be kind.
You will be brilliant.
You will be the best version of yourself.

And that is going to absolutely RUIN at least three people’s day who were hoping you’d have a bad one.

😂👏 NOT. YOUR. PROBLEM.

ONWARD! 👑☕️✨

🎉🎂 IT’S BIRTHDAY TUESDAY! 🎂🎉

I need ALL my August birthday babies in here today from 4–6 PM! And that includes two of our very own birthday bartenders — Jesse & Mark! 🥳🍻

We’ve got FOOD. We’ve got CAKE. We’ve got birthday shenanigans. 🎂🍴🎉

August babies, make sure you:
🎈 Sign in on the book
🎈 Make sure your name is on the birthday calendar
🎈 Get entered to WIN THE PRIZE! 🎁

Now get in here so we can celebrate the fact that you survived another trip around the sun. 😂👏

✨ SPARKLE ON, BIRTHDAY WEIRDOS! ✨

Do you know what each August baby below is famous for?

08/24/2026

☀️ Rise and shine, you shimmering pot of barely-functioning fabulousness! ✨😂

Monday, August 24th. CLOSED

Tank empty? Running on fumes? Knees creaking like an old screen door? PERFECT. It must be Monday. 😂

All I ask is that you remember one thing: YOU GOT THIS. You’ve crushed days on empty before and somehow ended up running on pure force, caffeine, and questionable decisions. 👏😂

So wake up, smell the caffeination ☕️, straighten those creaky knees, and let’s get moving.

Monday ain’t got NOTHING on you.
Now go be aggressively delightful.

Coming straight of the month of Hackensack’s city inspector. 😂. We love you Doug

✨ SPARKLE ON, you caffeinated little hot mess. ✨

08/23/2026

❤️ COUPLE OF THE WEEK ❤️
Meet Jeff & Shelly — together for 34 YEARS! 👏❤️

Jeff is from Brooklyn Park and Shelly is from Carlton. These two met when Shelly was handing out popcorn at Knox Lumber. 🍿

Now, Jeff… I see you. Even with your severe popcorn allergy, you were willing to risk it all to get Shelly’s digits. 😂
DISCLAIMER: I completely made up the popcorn allergy. Jeff is fine. It just made the story better. 😂

THE FIRST DATE

We already have conflicting testimony. 😂

Jeff says: Work party.
Shelly says: Dinner at her place…and the chair collapsed under me.

WAIT. ✋😂
WHO BROKE THE CHAIR?! Jeff? Shelly? We need clarification because I cannot move on from this.

THE FUN STUFF 😂

❤️ Who said “I love you” first?
Jeff—but apparently romance was running a little HOT that day because it came out as:
“I f’ing love you!” 😂😂
I’m not even mad at that answer. Passion is passion, people.

🍳 Who’s the better cook?
Shelly on the stove. Jeff on the Weber.

I had to Google what a Weber was. If you knew without Googling, please raise your hand so I know who the outdoorsy overachievers are. 🙋‍♀️😂

😈 Who’s more stubborn?
Shelly. BY A MILE.
Jeff seemed pretty confident about this answer, so I’m assuming he has 34 years of documentation.

💇‍♀️ Who takes longer to get ready?
Shelly when she does her hair.
Jeff when he shaves.
Apparently nobody is leaving this house in a hurry. 😂

🗺️ Who’s more likely to get lost?
Jeff says Shelly and specifically added:
“Make sure to ask her about our Vegas adventure.”

Ummmm…EXCUSE ME?! 👀🍿
Shelly, we need the tea. ALL OF IT.

🚗 Who’s the better driver?
Jeff: “Me, because I’m a professional.”
Shelly: “Of course I am.”

Sounds settled. They both win. Mostly because I’m not getting in the middle of that argument. 😂

❤️ THE SWEET STUFF

Jeff’s favorite thing about Shelly:
Her compassion for life itself. ❤️

Shelly’s favorite thing about Jeff:
“He’s a really good guy. Honest, respectful and caring.” ❤️

Their best relationship advice?
Be patient and make your spouse your best friend.

And after 34 years, they say that friendship is also the secret to their happy marriage. 🥹❤️

WHAT STILL MAKES YOU SMILE?

Jeff says Shelly will randomly say something completely out of left field just to make sure he’s still listening. 😂😂

I’m imagining Shelly talking about a movie for 20 minutes and suddenly saying, “…and then a catfish flew over the building and gave me a high five.” 🐟✋😂

Jeff better be listening.

Shelly says every time Jeff says goodbye, he always ends it with “I love you.” ❤️

Okay, Jeff. You got me with that one. 🥹

🍻 LEGION STUFF

Favorite memory?

Picture it: 1995. Vikings vs. Bears. 🏈

The Vikings crushed the Bears. Jeff and his dad had polished off SIX PITCHERS OF BEER before the fourth quarter. Mom and Shelly went shopping.

Then a bridal party came in…and when they left, the bride and maid of honor got into a fight in the parking lot. 😂😂😂

I have SO MANY questions. Apparently the Legion has always been entertaining.

What keeps them coming back?
Camaraderie, friendliness, the staff…and MARK AND LARAYE! 🥹😂

STOP IT. YOU’RE MAKING US BLUSH.

And before anyone asks—they actually wrote Mark and LaRaye. I did NOT make that part up. 😂👏

💰 If you won the jackpot?

Jeff: Pay off his debt and his friends’ and family’s debt.
Jeff, I’m just reminding you that we are VERY good friends. Besties, actually. 😂

Shelly: Family first. ❤️

🥃 Favorite drinks:
Jeff — Bourbon
Shelly — Jameson & Ginger

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS… ❤️

What does Jeff want everyone to know about Shelly?

She has a huge heart and cares about everyone. ❤️
He also included another little “perk” about Shelly that I’m going to file under NONE OF MY BUSINESS. ☺️😚😂
JEFF! This is a family establishment! 😂

Shelly wants everyone to know that Jeff is kind to everyone. ❤️

They are affiliated with Post 202 and VFW 2962. 🇺🇸

Jeff & Shelly, thank you for letting us share a little piece of your story. ❤️

We smile every time these two walk through the door. I have watched them come in not knowing a soul and leave with 10 new friends. That tells you exactly who they are.

They include everyone. They make people feel welcome. They genuinely love meeting new people—and it shows.

We are so happy you two found your way into our little crazy family. ❤️

34 years, a broken chair, a Vegas mystery, six pitchers of beer and one angry “I F’ING LOVE YOU.”

If that isn’t romance, I don’t know what is. 😂❤️👏