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Veterans treated to dinner by Winter Haven Knights

The Polk County Democrat - 12/28/2016

“Thanks for Serving Our U.S.A.” was the theme of a Veterans’ Day dinner Nov. 11 under the direction of the Frank J. Durbin Fourth Degree Assembly 2608 to honor U.S. military veterans who attend St. Matthew Catholic Church.

About 50 men and women who served the United States in wartime and peacetime as members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard were feted at the function which marked the assembly’s observance of Veterans’ Day. The assembly is the patriotic arm of Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens.

Faithful Navigator Sal Porta welcomed the veterans and thanked them for their service to the United States. Before dinner was served, a trio of Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 565 marched into the hall with an American flag for a Presentation of the Colors ceremony, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Porta and Knight Robert Nelson, also an Army veteran. Led by knights Ken Nelson and John Gilson, all of the veterans and other guests joined together to sing a spirited rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Following the blessing of the food by Deacon Phil Pierpont, the vets and other guests shared a spaghetti dinner prepared by a K of C/Fourth Degree kitchen crew and served by a contingent from the Columbiettes Auxiliary. Knights who spent most of the day preparing the meal were head chef Chris Eirich, and cooks Jerry Melnitzke, John Hoffer, Jim Sharak, Billy Bob Morris and Ruben Sanabria, as well as prospective knight David Faber and his son, Jacob Faber. Ladies who served the food were Shirley Gayford, Maria Harris, Vicki Sandin and Karen Brownell.

All proceeds were donated to Wounded Warriors for a fund that underwrites the cost of bringing active duty military home for the Christmas holidays. Knight Robert Nelson and his wife, Barbara, coordinated this part of the function.

Grand Knight George Marhefka of K of C Council 7091 thanked the veterans for attending and invited them to join the Knights of Columbus. He also acquainted them with the assembly’s namesake, Frank J. Durbin, who served the United States with distinction as a member of the U.S. Army in France during World War I. Prior to his death in May of 1999 at the age of 103, Durbin was presented with the French Legion of Honor, the highest military honor bestowed by the French government. He also provided 77 years of dedicated service to the Knights of Columbus during his lifetime.

Commonly known as the patriotic degree of the Knights of Columbus, the Fourth Degree’s primary mission is to be of service to church and country. The Fourth Degree was established in New York City on Feb. 22, 1900.

Hey, look who were winners in the Lake Wales Christmas parade

Oh, it is so exciting ... drum roll please for this year’s Lake Wales Kiwanis Club sponsored Christmas parade winners earning the closest points in years.

“Some second-place winners were a mere 1 percent from the winner by the panel of three impartial judges,” said Cynthia Rignanese, attorney and past president of Kiwanis. “I think that means that everyone did a fantastic and special job decorating for this year’s parade.”

Winners are: Presidents Award went to the toy-train themed float by Florida’s Natural Growers; Best Holiday Theme to Our Children’s Academy; Best Use of Lights (Large Company Category) to Myers Towing; Best Use of Lights (Small Entity) to New Beginning Worship Center; Best Drill Team to Studio 6 Lake Wales; and Best Marching Unit to McLaughlin Middle School.

“I was so pleased by the effort that the participants made to decorate to our theme for 2016, ‘Christmas in Toyland,’ said Theme Chairman Barney Moore. “Everyone was so creative from the dancing ballerina toy in a music box to the train to the toy car.”

The Kiwanians want to thank all those many volunteers in their club who participated in organization, applications, publicity, line-up and running the evening parade.

Special thanks was given to dignitary specialty cars include Kelly Kennedy of Winter Haven in the lead car (red Porsche); Colin Maynard of Davenport in the 1959 MGA decorated as a ‘toy car’ for the 2016 theme of “Christmas in Toyland;” Lora Watts Donley and Jason Watts for the Model T; Cindy Tonjes for the black mustang; and Barney plus Terry Moore for the red Kiwanis van.

Holidays bring annual Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce breakfast

David Fisher, chairman of the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce with Greg Littleton, president and CEO, of Citizens Bank and Trust in Lake Wales, played host to the holiday breakfast held Dec. 7 at the bank. Youth Leadership Lake Wales class members and Leadership Lake Wales adult class were both in attendance, starting their Business and Industry Day at the event.