LOWELL | American Legion Post 101 has fallen on hard times and its leaders are looking to its membership for direction.

That's why, Cmdr. George Wesselhoft said, the post's 7:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday will be "more or less a wake-up call for all the members." Wesselhoft said when the general meeting was held May 5, no one vied for the commander, adjutant and financial officer positions.

In a June 6 letter to the 190 members, the executive committee said "only a handful" of members are active.

As with other American Legion posts, the aging membership and general disinterest of younger veterans is cited.

Wesselhoft said area casinos have had their effect on the Lowell post's revenue generator, bingo.

"Bingo is not doing so well," he said, noting only 22 attended the recent games. In the 1990s, he said, 100 people regularly attended.

Another issue is the post's building itself, a west end anchor of the town's historic district at 108 W. Commercial Avenue.

Originally a creamery, the 1936 structure with later additions has become expensive to maintain, Wesselhoft said.

Last week, the building and its 4-plus acres were listed with an Illinois real estate firm.

The executive committee noted that a new meeting site could be found and the post's rich heritage continue.

"We would continue our charter and meet somewhere like the library or community center," Wesselhoft said. "A lot of posts to do that."