The Lake Current - Council News & Info - June 13
Here's the latest on what's happening at our council!
A few important reminders right up front before we get to some news stories!

  • Our next council meeting is tomorrow! Our monthly business meeting will be Wednesday, June 14th, at which we're holding elections for council officers and home corporation directors. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. We'll serve dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Please make a special point to attend this important meeting and participate in our elections!

  • The next Fourth Degree meeting of Mother Cabrini Assembly is this Thursday, June 15th, at our council, starting at 7:30 p.m. Elections will be held that evening, and there are several officer positions that need to be filled. All Fourth Degree Sir Knights are asked to attend to support the assembly and ensure its capable leadership in the coming fraternal year.
  • Wednesday, June 14th, is Flag Day, when we commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States on June 14th, 1777. Please remember to fly the flag proudly from sunrise to sunset!

  • Our Citi-Field bus trip to see the Mets take on those hated Beltway insiders, the Washington Nationals, is this Saturday, June 17th. If you have not already paid for your tickets, you must get your payment to Bobby Palazzo today! Meet at the council at 11 a.m. for a BBQ lunch, and then board the bus for departure promptly at 1:30 p.m. (Show up on time - bus will not wait for late-comers!)
Summer Kickoff BBQ Honored Russ Lavan with Founder's Award

We had a great time kicking-off summer at our annual Founder's Day barbecue on Friday, May 26th! We were proud to honor our brother Russ Lavan with our Founder's Award, named in honor of founding Grand Knight Angelo Trongone, for his many years of outstanding service and contributions to our council. Russ also received proclamations honoring his service from State Senator Terrence Murphy and Assemblyman Kevin Byrne.

On hand for the honors were six Past Grand Knights from our council, pictured below with Russ and our current GK! (l. to r.: Charlie Grimmer, PGK; John Adams, PGK; Russ Lavan; Bobby Palazzo, PGK; Bill Forbes, PGK; GK Rob Firriolo; Mike McDonald, PGK; and Jonathan Garcia, PGK.
Thanks to all who turned out to honor Russ, and special thanks to our hard-working BBQ Team who made all of that great food!
Another Excellent Council Golf Outing!

An awesome time was had by one and all at our George Dean Memorial Annual Golf Outing on Friday, June 9th. Eighty-six golfers had a beautiful day on the links with friends, family and brother Knights at Putnam County Golf Course, including golfer SWAG, a full lunch, and beverage cart. 
Then it was back to our lounge and council hall for a cocktail hour with appetizers followed by an all-you-can-eat filet mignon dinner with rosemary roasted red potatoes, creamed spinach, corn on the cob, Caesar salad, dessert and coffee. Here's a sneak peak at our hard-working in-house catering crew grilling up the beef tenderloins over hardwood charcoal.
After the sumptuous dinner, we gave out prizes and awards for the top golfers (and worst dressers), and raffled off a host of great items donated by our generous sponsors.
Our Golf Outing is our major annual fundraiser that enables our council to do the many charitable, community and parish activities that we do on a regular basis. Thanks to everyone who supported this event by golfing, buying a dinner ticket, taking a sponsorship, or donating prizes, and to our volunteers who planned and executed the event seamlessly. Special thanks to event chairman Anthony Falco for once again pulling it all together so that everybody has such a great time and the council raises the funds it needs to fulfill our mission.
Newest 3rd Degree Knights!

Our council proudly hosted Second Degree (Formation) and Third Degree (Knighthood) Exemplifications on Sunday, June 10th. We had thirteen brothers make their Second Degree, and thirty four (34!) brothers from several different councils make their Third Degree.

Our council's newest Third Degree brothers are: Kevin Barry, Richard Bennett, Matt Burke, Michael Clement, Stephen Crecco, Kevin Cullen, Montgomery Delaney, Joseph Fleischman, George Kane, Eugene Livulpi, Brian McCoy, Sean O'Connell, Edward Obojkovits, Joseph Schech, Steven Smith, James Sullivan, Brian Sweeny, and Richard Venona. Please congratulate them when you see them and encourage them to take an active part in our council!

Thanks to all who observed the degree in support of the candidates, and special thanks to our Degree Team members who did such an outstanding job: PGK Jonathan Garcia, PGK Mike McDonald, DD Bob Cuthbert, Warden Mike O'Brien, Chancellor Ralph Fleischman, Guard Richie Ferris, Rich Dambra, and GK Rob Firriolo.
Annual Summer Blood Drive - Friday June 30th

Come give the gift of life by donating blood! Join us, the Driscoll Lodge FOP, Putnam's Bureau of Emergency Services and Putnam's FDNY members, on Friday, June 30th, from 2-8 p.m., at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 32 Gleneida Ave., in Carmel.

Donate a pint of your blood so others might live. Because of the summer holidays, the blood supply is low and, unfortunately, the demand is high. For your pint you'll receive a coupon for appetizers at Applebee's restaurant, and the much-cherished NY Blood Center T-Shirt. There will be food and refreshments on hand for your replenishment.

Contact Denis Harahan at (845) 225-3048 or GK Rob Firriolo for more info.

Please consider helping us with set-up starting at noon.







  • Our next Mario & Gloria Antoci Memorial Mohegan Sun Casino Excursion is Saturday, July 15th. For only $40.00 you get transportation, a $15 lunch voucher, and $10 casino match play. 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. YOU MUST BE PREPAID BY July 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.

  • 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. The volunteer sign-up book is now available in the parish office. Please sign up!

  • Reconstruction of the St. James crèche is currently scheduled for the weekend of July 29-30, weather permitting. Details will be forthcoming, but please save the date. Volunteers will be needed for carpentry and electrical work on the structure. We are also looking for volunteers with artistic talent to refresh and repair the statues. Please contact GK Rob if you can help.