The Lake Current - Sept. 4, 2017
Here's the latest on what's happening at our council!
Happy Labor Day to all! After a much needed summer slowdown, we're back up to full speed, and our fall calendar is packed with great events! A few important notices right up front before we get to some news stories:

  • Oktoberfest Committee Meeting this Wednesday: We will be holding a brief meeting this Wednesday (9/6) at 7 p.m. to plan for our Oktoberfest celebration (details below). All members of the council and Ladies Auxiliary are welcome to attend. Our officers' meeting will follow immediately thereafter.

  • This Saturday (9/9), we will be participating in Kent Community Day, which is an opportunity for us to get out the word about the KofC and our council, especially all that we do for our community and for important causes. Council and Ladies Auxiliary members wishing to help out can come to Edward Ryan Memorial park any time from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Wear your KofC shirt!
9/11 Memorial Services

On Monday, September 11th, the annual Putnam County Candlelight Vigil will be held at Spain Cornerstone Park (Route 52 & Fair Street) at 8 p.m. Immediately preceding the ceremony, there will be a Mass of Remembrance at St. James the Apostle Church starting at 7:00 p.m. Our council will host a coffee reception immediately following the ceremony.

In addition to the annual commemoration of the eight Putnam residents who perished in the 9/11 attacks, a new memorial will be dedicated to Putnam residents who have died as a result of their action in the aftermath of the attacks. The 375 pound granite monument recalls six local men who have since passed away: former FDNY members Edward Tietjen and John Vaughan, both of Mahopac; Brewster residents Thomas Van Doran of the FDNY and Glenn Bisogono of the Brewster Fire Department; and Thomas Kelly of the FDNY and Charles Flickinger of the Lake Carmel FD, both former residents of the Town of Kent.

Brother Knight Denis Hanrahan, who conceived the Putnam Heroes Memorial along with our late Brother Knight Jimmy O'Neill, noted that the new monument was the result of the "dedicated work of the Putnam Heroes Memorial Committee in addition to several community organizations." Our council was proud to make a donation to support the construction of this new memorial. Denis expressed special thanks to County Executive MaryEllen Odell and her staff for their assistance, as well as to the Putnam County Memorials of Carmel.

Pictured above is Kent Highway Superintendent Richard Othmer guiding the new memorial into place. Richie is a retired FDNY member, former Putnam County Legislator, and professional mason.
Donate Now to Hurricane Harvey Relief Collections

Charity is the first principle of our Order, and the people of Texas need our help! There are many ways you can help with the relief effort, but here are three ways that are close to home.

1) Donate goods for delivery by SUNY Maritime College. We have close ties to this school. Brother Knight Kevin Barry is a cadet there, and he is the son of Ladies Auxiliary Vice President Maria Barry and Brother Knight Pat Barry. Soon-to-be Knight Billy Silke is also a cadet, and he is the son of Ladies Auxiliary President Gail Silke and Brother Knight Bill Silke. The school's ship, the Empire State VI, has been activated to aid in the recovery efforts, and an "Everything Drive" is underway (since people in Texas have lost everything). Gail has placed a bin at the council for donations of new clothing, new bedding, canned foods, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, diapers, batteries, dog and cat food, and gift cards. Please get your donations in by this Thursday , as the ship is preparing to leave within the week and Gail will deliver the donations to the ship on Friday.

2) Donate to the Carmel Fire Department Drive. The CFD is conducting a drive this Friday 9/8, and Saturday 9/9, at the firehouse (94 Gleneida Ave.), and then bringing the donations by truck to Texas. They are currently asking for donations of baby wipes and diapers; baby food, formula and bottles; personal & feminine hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, etc.); socks & underwear (child & adult); inflatable beds, pillows & bedding; non-perishable food; and bottled water. You can also donate cash or gas cards to help with the expenses in transporting the supplies. For more information, contact Maria Caraballo at (914) 469-7410 or by email .

3) Donate to the KofC Disaster Relief Fund. The Knights of Columbus has already raised more than $500,000 toward Hurricane Harvey disaster relief in the Texas area. Our own New York State Council held a drive throughout the state to collect money for the effort. You can give in confidence to the KofC fund, knowing that one hundred percent of the proceeds goes directly to relief efforts. This includes providing immediate needs such as food, clean water, shelter and other necessities. Click here to see how local Knights of Columbus councils are helping, and for ways you can donate online and by check to the KofC relief effort.
Second Sundays Cash Bingo Starts Saturday 9/10!

Get in on the fun with Sunday Night Cash Bingo featuring a $500 jackpot, presented by our Ladies Auxiliary, on the second Sunday every month this fall: September 10, October 8, November 12 and December 10. All monies raised go to local charities!

Admission is $40 and attendance is limited to the first 100 players (age 18 or older). RSVP and payment are due 5 days before each game night. For RSVP & payment details, email: ladieskofc@gmail.com .

Doors open at 5 p.m. House rules read at 5:45 p.m. First game starts promptly at 6 p.m.

Your payment includes your admission and all-nighters. Extra Specials and Bell Jar tickets will also be sold! Coffee, tea and cake will be served.
Our Next Mohegan Sun Casino Trip is Sept. 30th!

Our next great Mario Antoci Memorial Mohegan Sun Casino Excursion is Saturday, September 30th ! As always, you must reserve your seat in advance, so please call PGK Bobby Palazzo by September 15th at (845) 216-1997 to make a reservation!

For only $40 you get transportation, a $15 lunch voucher (which gets you a fantastic buffet!), and $10 casino match play.

Start with coffee and donuts at the council at 7 a.m. Bus leaves our council at 8:00 a.m. sharp . Enjoy a six-hour stay at the casino. Beer, soda and water will be provided on the bus. Bring whatever you like to snack and drink.
Columbus Day Parade in Mahopac - Sun. Oct. 1st

Join us as we honor the patron of our Order, Christopher Columbus, along with the contributions of Italian-Americans to our nation, as we march in the annual Putnam County Columbus Day Parade in Mahopac on Sunday, October 1st.

With the important legacy and contributions of Columbus under attack from the forces of political correctness, it is more important than ever that we have a strong turnout to march proudly behind our council banner, just as we do for St. Patrick's Day! As always, this is a family event, so bring along your family to march, and wear a KofC shirt or jacket. This is also a Color Corps callout!

Lineup for the parade will be at 1:30 p.m., with the parade stepping-off at 2:30 p.m. Please arrive at our council by no later than 1:00 p.m. if you wish to carpool over to the lineup area from our council.

We will be serving a free pasta and meatball luncheon at our council immediately after the parade. Members, families, and guests are all welcome! If you can donate a tray or two of prepared meatballs, baked ziti, lasagna or even just meat sauce (gravy?), please deliver them to the council by Sunday morning. We also need a few volunteers to work in the kitchen during the parade so that everything will be ready to serve upon the marchers' return.

Please let GK Rob or DGK Steve if you can donate food or work in the kitchen on Sunday.
Oktoberfest Will Be Here On 10/7!

Oktoberfest is back at our council and this year it will be better than ever ! Join us on Saturday, October 7th for authentic German food, German beer and live German music from the famous Austrian Boys Band!

Our doors and our lounge will open at 2 p.m. , and we'll be serving complimentary German appetizers (Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, and more!) and featuring imported German beers on tap.

Going to Homecoming at C.H.S.? No worries -- you can go to the game and still have dinner with us! At 5:30 we'll start serving a home-made full schnitzel dinner with all the sides (red cabbage, mashed potatoes, green beans amandine, hunter gravy), including apple strudel a la mode for dessert.

For only $20 you get admission, appetizers, dinner, dessert, and one draft beer. Plus we'll have contests and raffles and loads of fun inside our hall and in our outdoor beer garden. Don't miss it!









  • Our next regular business meeting is Wednesday, September 13th. We'll serve dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start promptly at 7:30. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend our brief but informative monthly meetings. As you can see, our fall schedule is very busy, and we need your help to make our events a success. Our monthly meetings are the best way to get involved and get in on the fun!

  • Annual Dinner Dance & Awards - Saturday, Nov. 4th! Hard to believe that our 46th Anniversary Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony is only two months away! We had such a positive response to last year's Annual that we're doing it again at the St. James school gym, and we're once again featuring live entertainment, an open bar, and great food. Volunteers are needed ASAP for the dinner committee and to sell journal ads--please contact GK Rob if you can help! Watch for an upcoming announcement with more details, but SAVE THE DATE!
Remember, a full calendar of events can always be found on our website: carmelknights.org under the Upcoming Events tab, and check out our Breaking News page. And don't forget to "like" our Facebook page for up-to-the minute announcements, photos, event listings, and items of interest.