The Lake Current
March 2020
Welcome to the March 2020 edition of our monthly newsletter! As usual, here's a quick reminder before we get into the news:

  • Our regular monthly business meeting is this Wednesday, March 11th, starting at 7:30 p.m. Chancellor Tim McDonald is once again cooking up something delicious, so 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!
St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration Recap

The weather could not have been better for marching in the 44th Annual Northern Westchester/Putnam St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 8th. It was a great day for the Irish and anyone who wanted to be Irish for a day!
Thanks to all who turned out to march, including our own outgoing Grand Marshal, Bill Dowling, and his family. Thanks also to our Parade Committee representative, PGK Mike McDonald, for all of his hard work with the committee on this event, which we proudly sponsor each year.
After the parade, our Council Hall was full as we served up a great corned beef and cabbage lunch, and enjoyed live performances by Irish singer/musician Ed Mullaney , the fabulous Clan na hÉireann School of Irish Dance , and the outstanding Stephen P. Driscoll Memorial Pipe Band .

Special thanks to our diligent event committee under Chairman Anthony O'Falc that worked all week to prepare for the event, including cooking up a delicious corned beef lunch enjoyed by one and all.

Please join us for the parade Awards Ceremony at our Council on Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m . All participating organizations should be sure to send representatives -- you may be a winner!

Enjoy these great pictures from the parade and our reception from brother Sir Knight Harry Gorman:
Lenten Fish Fry Fridays are Back and Busier than Ever!

Our 2020 Lenten Fish Fry is already off to a great start! We served over 250 entrees on our first night and over 290 entrees on our second night last Friday! New records every time!

Our weekly specials continue to be smash hits. So far this year our homemade New England Clam Chowder, Fish Tacos, and our famous Lobster Mac and Cheese sold out, even though we're making more than ever! We've also continued our gluten free option of rice with any dish instead of pasta, and now even our clam chowder is gluten free.
We had an unexpected technical glitch that slowed us down a bit on the first night, but that's all sorted out. Our take-a-number system and electronic point-of-sale ordering system are working very well to processes our guests' orders as quickly as possible.

But then why is there still a wait?

Because a heck of a lot of people want our food all at once!

We are currently filling about 30 orders with 100 entrees per hour . That means we're filling an order every 2 minutes and sending just under two meals per minute out of our kitchen!

Keep in mind that we're not a restaurant, but we're probably serving more meals from 5-8 p.m. on a Friday than any restaurant in Putnam County. We could serve more and faster if we served a buffet, but that would mean cooking everything in advance, which would compromise quality.

We fry our fish and chips continuously so they are crispy, hot, and fresh. Our shrimp scampi is made when it is ordered so it's never rubbery or mushy. Our pasta is also cooked continuously so it is fresh. Everything is the best it possibly can be, with no corners cut. We like to think it's well worth the wait, and our guests seem to agree since they keep coming back week after week!

So thank you for your patience as we cook your meal just the way you want it. Our Fish Fry is not a for-profit operation. Instead, our goal is to serve our Council and our fellow parishioners a great meal that fulfills our Lenten obligation of abstinence from meat. We keep prices as low as possible, and whatever small profit we do make, we donate to great charities.

Keep a look out for Fish Fry Trivia , which we expect to introduce this Friday. (No, it's not trivia about Fish Fry; its trivia during Fish Fry.) Play along with your friends and other guests as you wait for your order. The only prizes will be bragging rights, but we're hoping it will be a lot of fun.
So join us every Friday from 5-8 p.m. through April 3rd and get your fish-fix with us! Please note that on Friday, March 20th , our dining room will close at 7 p.m. to accommodate the St. Patrick's Day Parade Awards Ceremony in our main hall, which starts at 7:30 p.m. We will still fill take-out orders until 8 p.m., and you can also eat in our lounge after 7:00. Come for dinner, stay for the ceremony!

And here's our regular weekly menu:
PGK Anthony Pelliccio Honored with Toohey Award

Past Grand Knight Anthony Pelliccio was honored by the Westchester-Putnam Conference of the Knights of Columbus at this year's 33rd Annual Brendan Toohey Memorial Mass and Breakfast, held at our Council on February 23rd. The award is given annually to a brother Knight who has given exemplary service to the Order and the Conference.

After attending the 10 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle Church, our guests enjoyed a full pancake breakfast prepared by our Kitchen Crew. Then Anthony was presented with the Brendan Toohey Award in a ceremony that recognized his many accomplishments. Anthony is pictured above holding the award, presented by District Deputy Bob Cuthbert (also a member of our Council).
Each year, the host council gets to pick a charity or non-profit to receive the proceeds from the breakfast. This year we selected St. James the Apostle School as our very worthy recipient of the proceeds and a generous donation from the Conference.

Principal Maura Crawford gave an excellent keynote speech that focused on the importance of a Catholic education. She noted that our parish school is the last Catholic school left in Putnam County, and one of the few left in the entire area.

Congratulations to Anthony on this well-deserved honor!
Omigod, Get Stoked for the "80s Costume & Dance Party"!

Our totally rad Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a bitchin "80s Costume and Dance Party " on Saturday, March 28th at 8 p.m.!

Put on your tubular togs, break out the hair mousse, and dance to the gnarliest tunes from the Reagan Era! Most-excellent prizes will be awarded for Big Hair and Best Dressed.

And pay only a super-cool $20 admission! So get psyched, take a chill pill, don't be lame, a spaz or a geek, and party on !!!
Fourth Degree News

Attention all Third Degree members: There will be a Fourth Degree Exemplification on Saturday, April 4th . Please speak with Grand Knight Steve if you are interested in receiving the honors of the Patriotic Degree and becoming the highest-level member of our honored Order!

MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting of the Fourth Degree Sir Knights will be Thursday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at our Council. Worthy FN Vincent advises there will be pizza for the membership before the meeting. All Sir Knights should attend!
Parish School's Free Throw Winners Advance to Downstate Level!

Winners from our Council's Free Throw Contest went on to compete at the Westchester-Putnam Conference contest held at St. Columbanus in Cortlandt Manor on March 7th.

Two of our contestants from St. James the Apostle School emerged victorious:

Caroline Ward won the Girl's Division for Age 11.

Murkian Bumbar won the Boy's Division for Age 12.

They will now advance to the Downstate Free Throw competition, which will be held on Saturday, March 21st, in the St. James the Apostle School Gym.

Congratulations to Caroline and Murkian! Come out to cheer them on to victory at on March 21st!
Army Football Bus Trip - October 17th

Our Ladies Auxiliary has organized a bus trip to West Point to see Army Black Knights Football at Michie Stadium on Saturday, October 17th.

Your $75 gets you bus transportation, two hours of pre-game tailgating with light breakfast and lunch BBQ, game ticket, and one hour of post-game tailgating.

Seating is very limited , and as of press time there are only 33 seats left. So use the information in the flyer below and get in your payment to Past President Gail Silke before April 1st .

GO ARMY - BEAT NAVY!
Third Midnight Bowling Night of Fun!

Our Council enjoyed another fantastic night of Midnight Bowling on Saturday, February 8th. We had 86 bowlers gather at Spins Bowl in Carmel for some friendly competition and lots of laughs. And we raised $2,100 for the Council Scholarship Fund! (See "Odds & Ends" below for application information.)

We had almost the entire alley to ourselves for over three hours of bowling, pizza, and a cash bar. The Spins Bowl staff treated us very well, and everybody had an awesome time and can't wait for the next one! We even had raffles and some cool prizes for our best bowlers, including Top-Guy Rob McGuire and repeat winner for Top-Gal, Ladies Auxiliary member Lisa Stofko .

Thanks to all of our bowlers who supported the event, as well as the members who couldn't make it but still sent in a donation for the Scholarship Fund. Thanks also to the Ladies Auxiliary for their support of the event.

Our Worthy DGK and Scholarship Fund Chairman Ralph Fleischman outdid himself again with the planning and organization. Thank you, Ralph!

Given the popularity of the event, we're already looking to plan another bowling nights in the summer. Watch for announcements and sign-up early. No doubt we'll sell out quickly! 

Enjoy more great pictures from brother Sir Knight Harry Gorman:







  • GK Steve says "Thanks!" to everyone who turned out to help cleanup the Council on Saturday, March 7th. As usual, the work was completed quickly due to the great support from our members. Keeping our Council building and grounds looking sharp requires regular attention, so we appreciate everybody's help in making sure our "home away from home" is always neat and clean.

  • Bartenders (Still) Needed! Our Home Corporation is still looking for members who may be interested in tending bar in our lounge. We are particularly looking to fill a shift on Fridays from 4-7 p.m. Please speak with Anthony Falco for more information.

  • "MARCH MADNESS" Comedy Dinner Theater - Saturday, March 21st: Join us for another great night of comedy dinner theater hosted by Fran Capo with Feature Emcee Mike Calcagno, and Headliners Chris Roach and Joseph Anthony. Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner served at 7 p.m.; showtime is 8:30 p.m. Your $75 ticket gets you open bar, appetizers, catered hot buffet dinner, dessert and the show. Advanced ticket purchase is required! For tickets, contact: PGK Bobby Palazzo 845-216-1997 or PGK Charlie Grimmer 845-222-7392.

  • Mohegan Sun Casino Trip - Saturday, April 25th: Hop aboard for another Mario Antoci Memorial Mohegan Sun Casino bus trip! For only $40 you get transportation, a $15 lunch voucher, and $10 casino match play. Start with coffee and donuts at the council at 7 a.m. The bus will leave 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. Feel free to bring your own beverages and snacks as well. Every one of these trips has proven to be a great time for all, win or lose. So don't miss out! You must prepay, and seating is limited. For information and reservations, call PGK Bobby Palazzo at (845) 216-1997.

  • Scholarship Applications: Click here to download the instructions and applications for our Council Scholarships. We award them to graduating high school seniors who are pursuing full-time higher education. The deadline for submission of applications is May 1st. Contact GK Steve Gheduzzi or DGK / Scholarship Chairman Ralph Fleischman with any questions.

  • Founders Day BBQ - Friday, May 22nd: Our annual summer-kickoff BBQ is back, and we will continue the tradition of honoring a deserving member with the Angelo Trongone Award for distinguished service. More details will be announced as we get closer to the date, but plan to be there and bring the whole family!

  • Council Golf Outing - Friday, June 5th: Our awesome annual Golf Outing will be here before you know it. Details will follow, but SAVE THE DATE and make your reservations for a foursome with Anthony Falco. Please also help us gather sponsorships, as this is our major annual fundraiser for the many charitable and community activities that the Council supports.

  • Mets Game / CitiField Excursion - Saturday, June 13th: Time for our annual Jimmy O'Neill memorial Mets game. We're working on securing bus parking at the stadium so we can tailgate before the game, which is a 4:15 p.m. start. More info to come, but SAVE THE DATE and be on the lookout for more information soon.
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.