The Lake Current - December 2018
Merry Christmas and welcome to the December 2018 edition of our council newsletter! Here's our usual quick (but important!) meeting reminder before we get into the news:

  • Our regular monthly business meeting is this Wednesday, December 12th, starting at 7:30 p.m. We'll be serving dinner for only $5 starting around 6:30 p.m. There are many activities to plan for and important business news to share with the membership, so all members should attend!
Adults' Christmas Party & Food Drive - Friday, 12/14

Another great annual holiday tradition continues with our adult Christmas Party for members of our Council and Ladies Auxiliary on Friday, December 14th at 7 p.m. , jointly hosted with Mother Cabrini Assembly. We'll have a complimentary, informal, but very tasty hot buffet dinner with a cash bar. (Our Worthy Grand Knight will be making his famous deep fried turkeys again!)

All we ask is that each person bring a gift for the less fortunate in our community, to brighten their Christmas season by helping them put good meals on the table for their families.

This year we are once again collecting donations for the St. James the Apostle Church Food Pantry. They need supermarket gift cards so the families they serve can buy perishable items like milk, meats, and frozen foods, which the pantry cannot stock. So, please bring $10, $20 or $25 gift cards from a local supermarket to our party, and we will present them to St. James on behalf of the Knights and our families.

At last year's Christmas party, we collected $1,430 in gift cards for the parish food pantry. Let's try to beat that record this year!
The "JO" Men's Beefsteak - Jan. 12th

Join us for our Fourth Annual James "J.O." O'Neill Memorial Men's Beefsteak Dinner on Saturday, January 12th!

We continue the tradition started by J.O. by gathering at our Council to enjoy lots of great food, watch the NFL Playoffs on our BIG screen TVs, and have lots of fun while we raise funds to benefit St. James the Apostle Parish!

Doors open at 3 p.m. for the afternoon playoff game and cash bar. Dinner at 5 p.m. includes our signature, charcoal grilled gourmet filet mignon, fries, draft beer or wine, dessert and coffee. Stay after dinner and watch the evening playoff game with us.

$50 if prepaid by Jan. 6 - $60 after Jan. 6 and at the door.

SEATING IS LIMITED – RESERVE & PREPAY TODAY!!!!!!!

Make reservations today with GK Steve Gheduzzi or mail your check and list of guests to KofC Council 6318, Attn: Beefsteak, 10 Fair Street, Carmel NY 10512.

NOTE: We need donations of items for our live auction and raffle table, including sporting event tickets, theater tickets, gift certificates to local restaurants and other businesses, items for gift baskets, and stays in vacation homes. Please contact GK Steve about any donations you may be interested in making or soliciting for us.
Something's Up at the Council Building!

Have you seen our building lately? Not only do we have a brand new roof, but the roof is sporting a spectacular cupola with a majestic copper American Eagle weather vane!

The roof repairs were necessitated by some minor leaks and the toll that time and the elements had taken on our old roof. Our Home Corporation Board made the decision to entirely replace the roof with top-quality materials that should last many years. And in the process, they decided to give the building a great new look by adding a cupola.

In shopping for one, they found a local business that shares our council's commitment to charity and service to others. In fact, Michael Lodato of Good Directions in Danbury is so supportive of our council's charitable efforts that he donated their most expensive weather vane to us, and also picked up the freight charges for the cupola!
Good Directions was founded in 1982 by Michael's father, John Lodato, the son of an immigrant coal miner. In collaboration with a small group of American artisans and craftsmen, the company began with a vision to create a unique collection of high quality, hand-finished weather vanes and cupolas to add visual interest and distinction to homes of all types.
At 91 years young, John continues his life-long commitment to helping others by volunteering in local soup kitchens and food pantries. The Good Directions family proudly continues his tradition of giving back, donating a portion of the proceeds from some of their sales to the New Covenant Center in Stamford, Connecticut.

Our council expresses our gratitude to Michael, John, and Good Directions, and we encourage our members to patronize this great business for not just cupolas and weather vanes, but fire pits, window boxes and planters, and other outdoor home goods. Tell 'em that the Carmel Knights sent you!
Christmas Festivities at Our Council!
We are so totally into Christmas!

The crèche is up!
At our council, we never forget that "Jesus is the reason for the season." That's why we proudly put up the Nativity Scene at St. James the Apostle Church each year. It is the only symbol of the birth of Jesus among all of the other secular holiday symbols along Lake Gleneida.

We entirely rebuilt the stable last year, including all new LED lighting inside and for the figures outside as well. This year we waterproofed the stable, and we're also looking into doing repairs and restorations to the figures.

Thanks to everyone who turned out on Saturday, November 24th, to set up the crèche . We had a great turnout that allowed us to get done quickly and head over to the council to decorate it for Christmas. (Thanks also to the Ladies Auxiliary for their outstanding decorations!) Special thanks to Pat Denota at St. James for providing the crèche workers with hot coffee, bagels and donuts!

A Visit from Old St. Nick at our Kids' Party
We kicked off Carmel's Holiday on the Lake with our annual Children's Christmas Party on Saturday, December 1st. We had classic Christmas cartoons up on the big screen, fed the kids, and enjoyed a scrumptious pot-luck dinner for the adults. Then Santa came and handed out presents to all of the good girls and boys.


Then it was on to the Parade of Lights!
After dinner, we lined up behind our council banner to march down Route 52 with our very own parade float in the Carmel Parade of Lights . This year we had an all-new, custom-built KofC sled on the float thanks to Lecturer Anthony Falco and his team of hardworking elves.

Our new parade float looked fantastic, and so did Mrs. Claus and her helper who rode in the sled. (We're not so sure about that elf who hitched a ride on it.) Our float also sounded fantastic, with our awesome sound system cranking out the best Christmas tunes along the parade route.  
Along the way, we handed out four thousand glow necklaces to the adoring crowd, and still just about ran out at the very end of the parade.

Thanks to all who turned out for our kids' party, to march along with us, and to spend the rest of the evening enjoying some holiday spirit in our warm and cozy lounge after the parade.
Midnight Bowling - Saturday, Jan. 26th

Last year's Midnight Bowling fundraiser was such a tremendous success that everybody has been asking, "When are we doing it again?" Here's your answer!

Join us on Saturday, January 26th at the all-new Spins Bowl in Carmel. We'll have our own lanes for some friendly competition from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight. Bowlers should arrive at 8:45 p.m. for check-in.

Your $30 entry fee gets you the use of a pair of fabulous bowling shoes, three hours of bowling, and pizza. There's also a cash bar, prizes for the best bowlers, and of course, the potential for bragging rights.

This is a fundraiser for our scholarship fund, and win or lose, it promises to be another absolute blast!

You must make reservations! We need to reserve enough lanes and do not expect to be able to accommodate walk-ins. Reserve your spot with Ralph Fleischman , our Worthy DGK and Scholarship Fund Chairman.

Space is limited, so strike now by signing-up today!
Penny Social Proceeds to Benefit Numerous Charities

Our Ladies Auxiliary hosted their fantastic and wildly popular annual Penny Social on Sunday, December 2nd. This year our council hall was once again packed with people looking for bargains and a fun afternoon, and they were not disappointed!

 The Penny Social is the Ladies' major annual charity fundraiser, and this year's event was another outstanding success. Ladies Auxiliary President Maria Barry reports that proceeds will go to benefit n umerous charities, including $500 in supermarket gift cards to help local seniors in need, Christmas presents for local children in need, and substantial donations to pancreatic cancer research, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital , The Antonio Rodolfo DiGennaro Memorial Fund at Montefiore Medical Center, and Warrior Survival Boxes for mothers at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

Great job, Ladies!!!
Come "Get Stuck With Us" at the Annual Holiday Blood Drive - Friday 12/28

During the Christmas and New Years holidays, the supply of blood is low, but the demand is high. So join us along with the Stephen P. Driscoll Lodge FOP, Putnam County Emergency Services, and local FDNY members in giving the gift of life at our annual Holiday Blood Drive!
 
WHEN: Friday, December 28, 2-8 P.M. (Setup will begin at noon; volunteers needed throughout)

WHERE: Daniel O'Brien VFW Hall, 32 Gleneida Ave. (Rt. 52), Carmel, NY.

For your donation, you'll receive some great freebies and Blood Center giveaways.

As usual, there will be a delicious hot and cold buffet.

ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL Denis Hanrahan at (845) 225-3048 or speak with GK Steve Gheduzzi.

Thank you for your past and future participation!
Honoring The 2019 St. Pat's Parade Grand Marshal: Our Own Bill Dowling!

Our Lady of the Lakes Council is proud to announce that brother Knight Bill Dowling is our choice for Grand Marshal for the 2019 Northern Westchester-Putnam St. Patrick's Day Parade!

As one of the major sponsors of the parade, it was our council's turn to choose the next Grand Marshal. We could think of nobody more deserving than Bill, a 43-year member of our council. Bill served for many years on the parade committee as our representative, and he also proudly supports the parade each and every year. The 2019 parade will be held in Mahopac on Sunday, March 10th.

Bill will be officially installed as Grand Marshal at a dinner to be held on Friday, February 1st, at Centennial Golf Club in Carmel. We are expecting a very strong turnout of members from our council to honor Bill, and we'll provide more details on the Installation Dinner in the future.

But in the meantime, please save the date and congratulate Bill and his wife Mary when you see them!
Rosary Hill Home Collection Drive Under Way

Our Ladies Auxiliary's annual collection drive for Rosary Hill Home is under way. The home, owned and operated by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne since 1901, is committed to providing loving, one-on-one palliative care to those suffering from terminal cancer. The Sisters and staff strive to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and recreational needs of the patients. The Home is free to all who meet the Admission requirements.

Please see the flyer below for details on the drive, and drop off your donation by Tuesday, December 22nd.
Fourth Degree News

MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting of the Fourth Degree Sir Knights will be Thursday, December 20th at 7:30 p.m. at our Council. All Sir Knights should attend!







  • First & Second Degree Exemplifications - Wednesday, Dec. 19 - Candidates should arrive properly attired at 6:30 p.m. Any brother Knight sponsoring a candidate should accompany him. The First Degree will begin promptly at 7 p.m., to be followed immediately by the Second Degree. All members are requested to attend in support of the candidates. First and Second Degree Team members should confirm their availability with PGK Rob Firriolo. A Third Degree Exemplification at our council is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, January 27, 2019.

  • Support Our Troops - Thursday, Dec. 20th: Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell has invited us to her 8th Annual Holiday Cocktail Party at Putnam County Golf Course from 6-8 p.m. She is asking us to keep our deployed military service members in mind during this holiday season by making a suggested donation of $15 to United for the Troops. RSVP by calling (845) 808-1001.

  • Crèche Take-Down - Monday, Jan. 7: The St. James Nativity Scene remains on display each year through Epiphany Sunday (Three Kings Day), which falls in 2019 on January 6th. We are tentatively planning to meet at 10 a.m. outside the Rectory on Monday, January 7th, to disassemble and store the crèche, weather permitting. Please watch for future announcements early in the New Year.

  • Council Free Throw Contest - Monday, Jan. 21 : Since 1972, KofC councils have sponsored the International Free Throw Championship, which is now open to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14. The basketball championship is set up to have the contestants compete within their own gender and age group. All competition starts at the local level, and our Council's 2019 competition will be in the St. James School Gym on the afternoon of Monday, January 21st (MLK Day). Winners move on to the district, regional, and state levels. From there, some make it to to the international level for championship competition in their group. Speak to the Grand Knight or Youth Activities Chairman Mike Rama to enter a boy or girl in the contest, or to sign-up to volunteer with the event. We'll be serving free hot dogs and ice cream to all participants.

  • We are a "Point of Light!" A retrospective of the life of President George H.W. Bush -- who passed away on November 30th at the age of 94 -- included an interview with Chris Wallace from November 2007. In that interview, the former President said something that resonated with us: "I really believe there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others." The phrase “In service to one, in service to all” has long been a motto of the Knights of Columbus. It simply means that Knights take seriously the two great commandments of Jesus Christ: to love God with our entire being, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. No wonder President Bush mentioned the KofC as one of the "thousand points of light" in his acceptance speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention!
Remember, a full calendar of events can always be found on our website: carmelknights.org under the Upcoming Events tab. And don't forget to "like" our Facebook page for up-to-the minute announcements, photos, event listings, and items of interest.