The Lake Current - Council News & Info - Apr. 25
Here's the latest on what's happening at our council!
Last Call for New Fourth Degree Members!

The Fourth Degree Exemplification for our area will be held on Saturday, May 20th, at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern.

The Fourth Degree is the Patriotic Degree and the highest degree of Knighthood in our Order. Members of the Fourth Degree may also join the Color Corps, who serve as honor guard and color guard at numerous events in our area.

Any Third Degree member wishing to join the ranks of the Fourth Degree needs to contact Faithful Navigator Steve Gheduzzi immediately, as the candidate paperwork must be submitted by May 1st.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - Friday, May 5th

Just a reminder that we're hosting our first Cinco de Mayo Fiesta next Friday, May 5th, featuring Mexican cuisine -- including a taco bar -- starting at 6 p.m. Our chefs have been busy working on a variety of traditional recipes that promise not to disappoint! Cost is only $15.

Our lounge will be open with a cash bar serving up drink specials, including margaritas and home-made red sangria loaded with fresh fruit. This event is open to all of our members and their guests. So come on down for what promises to be a night of good food and good fun, and the start of a new council tradition!
Men's Beefsteak Raises $5,000 for St. James!

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the hard work of our members, we were able to donate five thousand dollars to St. James the Apostle Church for use in capital improvements!

As you probably know by now, on January 14th we held our second annual Men’s Beefsteak Parish Fundraiser, now named in memory our dearly departed brother, James J. O’Neill. It was J.O. who conceived of the idea to raise funds for the parish through a traditional “men's beefsteak” banquet, and he made the first one a great success. This year we catered the event ourselves, which allowed us to lower our overhead and raise even more money. We also added live auctions of theater and professional sports tickets, and stays in luxury vacation homes, all of which were generously donated to us. The result was a smash hit, selling-out with over 110 men in attendance, and garnering rave reviews on the food and service.
The $5,000 donation will kick-start the church’s upcoming campaign to raise funds for renovation of its Chapel of Life. The Reverend Monsignor Joseph Martin gratefully accepted the donation at our council’s monthly membership meeting on April 12th.

The council will also use funds from the Beefsteak and other fundraisers to reconstruct the church’s life-size nativity scene and refresh its statues. The council first built the crèche and donated the figures about 20 years ago. We set it up in front of the parish rectory every Christmas season for the enjoyment of the parishioners and the community at large. Watch for a future announcement calling for volunteers to help with the reconstruction this summer.
Summer Kickoff BBQ & Founder's Award - Friday, May 26th

Join us as we once again kickoff summer with our fantastic family barbecue on Friday, May 26th!
 
Burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, sausage and peppers, sliced steak, corn on the cob, baked beans, salads, desserts, and more! All for only $20 for adults, $10 for kids, and kids 6 and under eat free.
 
As we have done for the past few years, we will be presenting our Founder's Award (named after founding Grand Knight Angelo R. Trongone) to honor a very worthy member, whose name we will announce soon.
 
We'll need a headcount for food purchase and planning, so please let GK Rob or PGK Mike McDonald know if you're coming NO LATER THAN  May 21! We will have sign-up sheets for volunteers and for guests at our monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, May 10th.
Golf With Us on Friday, June 9th

Join us for our annual George Dean Memorial Golf Outing on Friday, June 9th! In addition to a great round of golf at Putnam County Golf Course, you'll get a delicious lunch, beverage cart, golfer SWAG, prizes, and our own fantastic filet mignon dinner, all for only $150.

Sponsorships are available: Hole Sponsor ($150, or $100 with a foursome), Lunch Sponsor ($500); Dinner Sponsor ($750) and Platinum Sponsor ($1000).

Registration 8 a.m.; shotgun start 9 a.m. Cocktails and Dinner for golfers at our council immediately following the outing.

Prizes will be awarded for best foursome, longest drive, and closest to the pin.

This is our annual major fundraiser that enables our council to do the many charitable, community and parish activities that we do on a regular basis. Please support this event by golfing, taking a sponsorship, donating prizes, or helping us get others to do the same.
 
For reservations, sponsorships, or more information, please contact Anthony Falco.
Mohegan Sun Casino Trip - Saturday, May 13

FINAL REMINDER! Hop aboard for another Mario Antoci Memorial Mohegan Sun Casino bus trip on Saturday, May 13th!

For only $40.00 you get transportation, a $15 lunch voucher, and $10 casino match play. 

Start with coffee and donuts at the council at 7 a.m. Then 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.

We've done these in the past, and they have been nothing but great fun. So don't miss out!

YOU MUST BE PREPAID BY May 1st. Seating is limited and the bus fills up quickly. To guarantee a seat, you must make a reservation! For information and reservations, call PGK Bobby Palazzo at (845) 216-1997. 







  • The Stephen P. Driscoll Memorial FOP Lodge Pipe Band invites council members to stop by our council hall on Wednesday, April 26, for a free hot buffet, starting around 6 p.m. The band was honored to perform at the West Point Military Tattoo this past Sunday, and wound up with a surplus of great food that they'd like to share with us. We are pleased to provide rehearsal space to the pipers, who provide an excellent musical education program to our local youth, and are always on hand to perform for our enjoyment. They are without a doubt among the best pipe and drum bands you'll ever hear!
  • Our council awards scholarships to college-bound high school seniors who are members of St. James the Apostle parish or who are nominated by a council member in good standing. Download the application here and submit to the Grand Knight or Chancellor Ralph Fleischman by May 1st. Full instructions and rules are on the forms.

  • We are hosting Second and Third Degree Exemplifications on Sunday, June 11. Candidates should report by 2:30 p.m. properly attired. The Second Degree will begin promptly at 3 p.m. followed immediately thereafter by the Third Degree. First and Second Degree members wishing to participate should contact Chancellor Ralph Fleischman immediately to ensure a place in the degrees. It is an honor for our council to be selected to host a Third Degree. All Third Degree members should make a special point to attend as spectators and support our brothers on their journey to full Knighthood in our Order.

  • On Saturday, May 6th, from 1-5 p.m., we will be participating in the first ever Street Fair sponsored by the Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of commerce. Gleneida Avenue (Route 52) will be closed from Fair Street to the corner of Vink Drive / Fowler Ave. There will be rides, music, a Tuscany-themed bistro and much more. We are working on plans to have a booth to promote the KofC, and provide hot dogs and hamburgers to all. Speak to GK Rob if you want to help, as we'll need plenty of member support that day.

  • On Wednesday through Saturday July 19-22, we will once again turn out in force to volunteer at The Feast of St. James, our parish's annual fundraiser and family festival. Council members will help in many ways, including as casino workers, in beverage sales, working security, staffing vendor booths, and more. Please save the dates and watch for an announcement from the church that the volunteer sign-up book is available in the parish office.