Our Worthy Grand Knight regrets to announce the passing of brother Bill Pollock’s mother, Josephine Pollock. An Officers Wake Call is scheduled for Thursday July 2,2009 at 7:30. We will gather at Bartholomew & Son Funeral Home, 302 South Bedford Avenue at 7:15 pm.
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As we start a new Columbian year, I must first congratulate PGK Michael Fiore and his wife Cathe on a terrific year as our Grand Knight. Mike was a strong leader who led with pride, intuition and represented our council with dignity. Mike worked hard to ensure all of our charitable endeavors were successful, and always put his heart in every aspect of the council. Thank you Mike. I would next like to thank the following brothers who served on this years nominating committee: Artie McQuillan PGK, Ken Karchinski PGK, John Weber PGK, Jim Turzilli PGK, Austin Cannon PGK, Jack Falci PGK, Bill Wise, John Mahon and Frank Mazzara. This was not an easy task, and I thank you all for your many nights spent at the council conducting interviews and attempting to recruit able officers to serve, and I applaud your determination and dedication to the council. I would like to thank John Weber, PGK for running for the position of Deputy Grand Knight. John has served our council in this capacity previously, and I want to thank him for filling this most important void. This position is not only an important part of the future of our council, but The Deputy Grand Knight also serves as the programs director, and is responsible for the success of the programs we run today. I would like to ask my fellow brother Knights who may not have thought about interviewing for an officers position in the past to seriously consider it next year. I would like to introduce this years officers, a team that promises great enthusiasm and leadership moving forward. We are blessed to have Father Valentine as our chaplain again. Our Deputy Grand Knight is John Weber, PGK. New to the chairs are Ray Radziski, Jr assuming the position of Outside Guard, Tom Borst is our new treasurer, John O’Leary is our new Recorder and brother Anthony LaBarbera assumes the role of Chancellor. Thank you Brothers for accepting these positions. Finally, I would like to thank inside guards Frank Mazzara and Bob Saylor. Financial Secretary John Ruggiero, Warden Anthony Cristofano, Advocate Austin Cannon PGK, Lecturer Joe DeFino. Our Trustees Ken Karchinski PGK, and Mike Fiore PGK, their experience will be valuable to me and our officers as we start a new Columbian year. Please mark your calendars for this years Installation of Officers. This years installation will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2 p.m. If you are planning to attend, please contact PGK Ken Karchinski for reservations. By now you should have received your dues letter, please consider paying your dues promptly. With the increase in the price of postage, it puts a strain on the council’s budget to send out multiple reminders. Please also consider adding a penny a day for charity, only $3.65. In closing, I would like to say that It is truly my honor, and privilege to serve as your Grand Knight for the 2009-2010 Columbian year. Bellmore council is truly the best of the best, and I am proud and honored to lead it, and remember as Mother Teresa said, “Life is a promise; fulfill it.” Dues Caritas est Fraternally, Our Worthy Grand Knight is sad to report the passing of brother Edward Borst. A Wake Call has been issued for Monday June 29th at 7:30 pm. The wake will be held at Michael’s Funeral Home, 79-22 metropolitan Avenue, Middle village, Queens, NY 11379. 718-894-5500. We will gather at 7:15. Dear Brothers and families, It is with mixed emotions that I write this, my last article for the Log as your Grand Knight. During the past year, I’ve had the honor of using this space to discuss anything I wished dealing with Bellmore Council and the Knights of Columbus, hopefully you found it interesting and informative. The goal, for me, has always been to unite our great council and have some fun while doing it. In one way it was a very difficult year dealing with one of the worst economies our country has seen in a long time. I tried to be honest and I tried to tackle those situations that mattered most. And whether or not I got it right, the officers and brothers were more than accommodating; they were encouraging. Thanks to the dedication of our members, whether it is paying dues or attending our social events I am pleased to report that Bellmore Council remains strong. I cannot describe to you, how much teamwork goes into keeping Bellmore Council one of the best and most respected councils in New York State. This last article isn’t so much a goodbye as a thank you. It would be impossible in this article for me to individually thank all that made this year a success but there are two people that do need that need this special honor. First my daughter Cheyenne, thanks so much for having patience with me when sometimes I had very little for you. I tried to make as many soccer games and concerts that I could and I do apologize for missing some of them. You know I love you and soon I will be home to bug you even more. To my wife Cathe, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to serve as Grand Knight. This job would be impossible to succeed in if you do not have the support of your wife. You pushed me to carry on when I did not think I could go any further. You were wonderful….thanks…I love you. To the members of Bellmore Council, I started out this year with an open letter to all asking for you to come back to the council. There is an old saying “ you don’t know what you have until it is gone”. We need the membership to come back and become active in whatever way you can. Bellmore with its great reputation is a gem in our own backyard and we must continue to work at keeping it this way. We do however need help; we cannot continue to expect the same group of men to be doing all the work. I ask you to think about why you joined this great organization. The work we do for charity is second to none. The more help we get the more we will be able to do. I ask you one final time as your Grand Knight…come to a meeting and slowly work your way back. Plan to come to our second meeting in June, it will be Thursday the 25th. At this meeting you will be able to meet our new slate of officers for next year. They will need your help. Soon you all will be receiving your dues notice and C&B books. One way you can immediately help the council is by paying your dues as soon as you receive the notice. Once you put it aside, chances are it will be forgotten. Having to send out second and third dues notices costs the council money so please pay your dues as soon as you get the notice. This year our council finished third in New York State in C&B chance book sales. It was quite an honor for me to receive this award at the NYS Convention. This year we sold 1392 books with two brothers, Joe Sostack selling 700 and PGK Hank Holzwarth selling over 200.We would have had no problem finishing in first place if every other brother sold or bought just one book. Please try this year to send back at least one book, this is another way you can help the council even if you cannot do anything else. Finally I would like to express my appreciation to my officers, committeemen and past grand knights ….thank you for all you do. It has truly been an experience of a lifetime and I look forward to offering my help to our council for many more years. …..and now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Fraternally, Michael Fiore GK Dear Brothers and families. Some time ago, Fr. Valentine asked me if the Knights could cook pancakes for “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” on Sunday April 26th. As always it is our pleasure to support our Church. Brothers Jim Turzilli, PGK, Jerry Guilfoyle, Joe Cunningham, Joe Defino, Joe Camillery, PGK, Steve Amante, Micky Lynch and I cooked over 500 pancakes and sausages. I would like to thank our brothers for volunteering their time on a beautiful Sunday morning. On Monday evening, April 13th I attended the Nassau County Conference meeting at Rev. Michael Hartigan Council in Bethpage. While I would not normally report on this meeting in my message, this night was different. This meeting is usually attended by the council delegates (Grand Knight and Past Grand Knight delegate) to the Conference. This month Bellmore Council showed up with about 20 brothers. The reason, our very own PGK and Former Chairman of the Board Kevin Colman, was in an election for Warden to the Nassau County Conference. The result – Kevin won the election and is now Nassau County Conference Warden. PGK Ken Karchinski was articulate and confidante when he gave Kevin’s nominating speech. When the results were announced it was evident who the winner was by the reaction of the group from Bellmore. The reason for my lengthy report on this election is two fold. First I would like to congratulate Kevin on his victory and running a very solid and honest campaign. Secondly, I would like to thank all the brothers that attended the meeting from Bellmore. There could not have been a better example of Unity (the second principle of our order) that night. You all made me feel very proud to be the Grand Knight of Bellmore Council. Thank you. On Sunday, April 26th, Bellmore Council led by PGK Jim Turzilli cooked pancakes for St. Barnabas. “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” is a special event for the children of the parish and their families. Thanks to the brothers that showed up to help. It is always our pleasure to help and support our church. This past month Vegas night ended with a trip to Chinatown. That’s right Chinatown NYC. A few of the brothers were a little hungry so a road trip to NYC was in order. I was sorry I could not make it but I will next time. I hear this might turn into a new tradition. On Sunday April 11th our annual children’s Easter party was another success. I would like to thank my wife Cathe and Stephanie Gillett (wife of Bro. Jim Gillette) for their dedication to the council. This year they planned a few surprises for the children including Pin the Tail on the Bunny and a guess the amount of jelly beans in the jar. We were also surprised with a visit from the Easter bunny. Thanks Easter Bunny for visiting our Council. On Saturday April 18th the sounds of German music were heard throughout our council. Chairman John Weber, PGK, Jack Falci, PGK and Anthony LaBarbera did a terrific job putting this dance together. A special thank you to Elizabeth LaBarbera for assisting her husband with the cooking duties. Tuesday May 12th is the Albany Prayer Rally. We have a bus leaving from Our Lady of the Island Council. If anyone is interested in attending please give me a call. On May 17th will be the annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Island Shrine. The rosary walk will be at 10:00 AM and Mass at 11:30 AM. Please consider joining us for this beautiful day. The Memorial Day Parade and repast will be on May 25th. The parade will step off from Newbridge Road School and the North Bellmore Library promptly at 10:00 AM. The repast at the council will start immediately following the parade. Please join us in marching and the repast. Bellmore Council will be hosting a first degree on May 14th at 8:00 PM. We all know that new members are the bloodline of our council and order. This will be the last first degree at Bellmore this Columbian year so if you know anyone that is interested in becoming a Knight please have them contact Kevin Coleman PGK to set up an interview. Kevin can be reached at 761-7324. Finally the month of May is when we celebrate our Mothers and our wives as mothers. I would like to take time to recognize the wives of our members who allow us to dedicate so much time to our council. Without your backing we would not be able to keep Bellmore the great council that it is. Fraternally, Michael Fiore GK |
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Dear Brothers and families,
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