By LINDA KELLETT

C-S-E News Staff

ST. JOHNSVILLE — Chuck-a-luck, blackjack, Texas hold ‘em and roulette: Those were just a few of the games of chance hosted by members of Morris J. Edwards American Legion Post 168 during their Casino Night fundraiser here late last week.

Lady Luck wasn’t among their guests, however.

With the die cast for the worst winter weather of the season to bluster into town before the doors officially opened Friday night, both attendance and receipts were down.

Spirits were high, though, and those present were determined to have a good time.

Post Commander Anthony Susi credited committee Chairman Jeff Darrach and members Bobby Loccia, Rich Pedro, Tim Rice and Charlie Weaver with organizing and helping to set up for the event, which required a lot of preparation.

Because the fundraiser required a special license, they couldn’t easily reschedule; so they decided to go ahead with it.

Susi said a number of games were donated for the occasion by the Holy Trinity Parish in Johnstown. He said, “They do a festival every year and have the gambling games. I go to that church, and they let us borrow them.”

Among the games was something called chuck-a-luck or “birdcage.” Aptly named, the game consisted of three dice in what looked like a cage. As explained by Susi, players bet that single numbers or combinations of numbers would appear when the dice stopped rolling.

Legion member John Mastromoro said another game, known as “The Big Pay-Off,” was “just like playing the lottery.”

Treasurer Roy Thomson said the reason for the fundraiser was to support “our veterans, our community and the youth of the community. We’re also a chamber member. We support them.”

He noted that members of the local chamber of commerce hold their meetings at the Legion Post free of charge.

Additional photos in the Seen section.