The Lake Current - December 2019
Welcome to the December edition of our Council newsletter! Here's a couple of quick (but important!) meeting notices before we get into the news:

  • Our regular monthly business meeting is this Wednesday, December 11th, starting at 7:30 p.m. We'll be serving a home-cooked 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!

  • Our Ladies Auxiliary is holding a volunteers meeting for the "Pasta for a Purpose" fundraising dinner on Tuesday, December 10th at 6 p.m. The event itself is December 22nd (see news item below), but the planning meeting is this Tuesday. Please help out if you can!
Christmas Festivities at Our Council!

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.
Thanks to everyone who turned out on Saturday, November 30th, to set up the crèch e . 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!

We held our annual "Light Up for Christ" Council Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 3rd. Amazingly, it did not rain! A good time was had by the small but festive crowd.

And this past Saturday, we kicked off Carmel's Holiday on the Lake with our annual Children's Christmas Party . We had classic Christmas cartoons up on the big screen, Santa came and handed out presents to all of the good girls and boys, and then we fed the kids and enjoyed a scrumptious pot-luck dinner for the adults.
After dinner, we lined up behind our Council banner to march down Route 52 in the Carmel Parade of Lights . Our parade float looked fantastic again this year, and so did Santa, Mrs. Claus, and her helper, who rode in the sled.

Our float also sounded fantastic, with an even bigger sound system cranking out the best Christmas tunes along the parade route. As we marched, we handed out over five thousand glow necklaces to the adoring crowd!

Thanks to all who turned out for our kids' party, marched along with us, and spent the rest of the evening enjoying some holiday spirit in our warm and cozy lounge after the parade.
The "JO" Men's Beefsteak - Jan. 11th

UPDATE: Bring a bottle of wine or spirits to the Council meeting on Wednesday for our gift baskets to be raffled off!

Join us for our Fifth Annual James "J.O." O'Neill Memorial Men's Beefsteak Dinner on Saturday, January 11th !

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!

This year we're earmarking the funds we raise to benefit St. James School!

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, steak fries, draft beer or wine, dessert and coffee. Stay after dinner and watch the evening playoff game with us.

$50 if prepaid by January 4th - $60 after January 4th 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 REALLY 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. We count on these donations to raise enough funds to meet our fundraising goal for St. James. Please contact GK Steve about any donations you may be interested in making or soliciting for us.

Do it for St. James the Apostle School! ( GO THUNDER! )
Mingle & Jingle at the Council Christmas Party

Another great council tradition continues with our adult Christmas Party for members of our Council and Ladies Auxiliary on Friday, December 20th 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 . The pantry is stocked with canned goods and other non-perishables, but what they need is supermarket gift cards so families can buy perishable items like milk, meats, fresh vegetables and frozen foods, which the pantry cannot stock. So, please bring $10, $20 or $25 ShopRite or Tops gift cards 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 $1,555 in gift cards for the parish food pantry - a new record. Let's try to beat our own record again this year!
"Pasta for a Purpose" Fundraiser

Our Ladies Auxiliary is holding a fundraiser for one of their own. Danny Thut, a freshman at Carmel High School and son of member Dianne Thut, was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma (cancer of the bone).

On Sunday, December 22nd , the Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a pasta dinner fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. for Danny and his family. The donation for dinner is only $10 each or $25 per family. There will also be a 50/50 and raffle baskets.

Payment can be made at the door but please click here to say you're coming to help us plan. You can also use that page to donate food and supplies for the dinner. Donations can be delivered to the Council from 2:30-3:30 p.m. the day of the dinner, or other arrangements can be made prior to the event. 

If you are not able to attend but would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to Dianne and Walter Thut, and mail it to: Ladies Auxiliary, P.O. Box 361, Carmel, NY 10512. Cash donations may be given to President Maria Barry or to Guard Liz Smith .
Sunday-Funday Football in Our Lounge is BACK!

Don't forget that our Lounge is open every Sunday during football season! We're always open in time for the one o'clock game.

Stop in, watch the games on our big screens, and enjoy some snacks and appetizers in the company of your brother Knights. All Council members, Ladies Auxiliary, and their guests are welcome!
Fourth Degree News

MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting of the Fourth Degree Sir Knights of Mother Cabrini Assembly will be Thursday, December 20th, at 7:30 p.m. at our Council. All Sir Knights should attend!
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 20th.
Come "Get Stuck With Us" at the Annual Holiday Blood Drive - Friday 12/27

DID YOU KNOW:

  • 4.5 million Americans will need blood this year;

  • One donation can save up to three lives;

  • 38 percent of Americans can donate, but less than 10 percent do; and

  • Most blood donations go to cancer patients with the balance going to trauma and surgical procedures.

The need is unrelenting, but the donations wane during the holiday season.

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 27, 2-8 P.M. (Setup will begin at noon; volunteers needed throughout the day.)

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

For your donation, you'll receive a coupon for Applebee's, a Dunkin' gift card, and Blood Center giveaways.

As usual, there will be our Michelin Star-rated 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!
Penny Social Proceeds to Benefit Numerous Charities

Our Ladies Auxiliary hosted their fantastic and wildly popular annual Penny Social on Sunday, December 8th. 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. This one was the most successful yet , raising several thousand dollars for worthy charities! Kudos to event chair Debbie McDonald for her great leadership, and a special shout-out to Grace Rangel for the many donations she gathered from local businesses.

Ladies Auxiliary President Maria Barry reports that proceeds will go to benefit n umerous charities, including supermarket gift cards to help local seniors in need, Christmas presents for local children in need, and substantial donations to Rosary Hill Home, a shelter for domestic violence victims, and a local family that suffered a total loss in a house fire.

Great job, Ladies!!!







  • Bartenders (Still) Needed! Our Home Corporation is putting out the call to members who may be interested in tending bar in our lounge. Please speak with Anthony Falco for more information.

  • First and Second Degrees - Friday, Jan. 3: We will be hosting First and Second Degree Exemplifications starting at 7 p.m. Members wishing to sponsor a candidate, or any Catholic gentlemen wishing to participate in any of these ceremonies, should contact Membership Chairman Mike Bock or GK Steve Gheduzzi for more information and to ensure a place in the degrees. Degree Team members should confirm their availability with the Grand Knight or Team Captain PGK Rob Firriolo.

  • Crèche Take-Down - Monday, Jan. 6: The St. James Nativity Scene remains on display each year through Epiphany Sunday (Three Kings Day), which in 2020 falls on January 5th. We are tentatively planning to meet at 10 a.m. outside the Rectory on Monday, January 6th, to disassemble and store the crèche, weather permitting. Please watch for future announcements early in the New Year.

  • Council Free Throw Contest - Monday, Jan. 20: 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 2020 competition will be in the St. James School Gym on the afternoon of Monday, January 20th (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 at the event from 3-7:30 p.m. We'll be serving free hot dogs and ice cream to all participants.

  • West/Put St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Installation Dinner - Friday, Feb. 7: Save the date for what's always a fun evening to support the parade's new Grand Marshal. Details are to be announced, but we expect it will again be at Centennial Golf Club in Carmel, from 6-9 p.m. and the cost will be $40 per person. We always suggest you get there early to guarantee a seat, as there are no advance reservations.

  • Midnight Bowling - Saturday, Feb 8: We're planning another incredibly fun night of bowling to benefit our Scholarship Fund. More details will follow, but contact DGK Ralph Fleischman now to guarantee your spot. Last time we ran out of lanes, so be sure to sign up in advance! Bowling will be from 9 p.m to midnight. There will be pizza, raffles and prizes.
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.