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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS St. Genevieve Council 13969

www.kofc13969.com

January 2017

2014

GRAND KNIGHT’S MESSAGE

Council Officers 2016-2017

Grand Knight

Jaime Flores 993-8634 jm-flores@hotmail.com

Deputy Grand Knight Kerry Morley 801-870-6002

grandknightmorley@outlook.com Chancellor

Johnny Houghtaling 575-222-3191 Recorder

Bob Ponzini 719-291-5665 rponzini@comcast.net

Financial Secretary Jaime Rivera 644-6942

jriverside57@gmail.com Treasurer

Al Lopez 575-635-3808 zepolal1130@yahoo.com

Lecturer Raymond Narvaez 635-6885

raymondnarvaez@hotmail.com Advocate

Lucio Tellez 523-1237 Telluc.64@gmail.com

Warden Ruben Salcido 202-9133 deboyrps@yahoo.com

Inside Guard Joe Tapia

575-649-6525 Outside Guard

Alberto Grijalva 571-5211

Trustees Bill Klement 640-7881

Rich Archuleta 640-6659 Andres Garcia 993-9643

District Deputy

Rich Archuleta 640-6649 Service Program Directors 2016-17 Program Director Bob Ponzini 719-291-5665

rponzini@comcast.net Church Director DaveKenny 636-4455

davidtkenny@ centurylink.net

Council Director Jesus Frietze 649-5407

frietzej@msn.com Community Director

Joe Tapia 575-649-6525

Family Director Johnny Houghtaling

575-222-3191 Youth Director

Jaime Flores 993-8634 Membership

Al Lopez 635-380 Special Olympics

Jaime Flores/AlbertoGrijalva Pro Life Couple

Harold & Marge Beeson 575-635-0120

allbeesons@msn.com

Brothers, Ladies and Family Members, As the first half of the Fraternal Year is coming to an end, we should truly be thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed on our Council by our dear Lord. We started our Fraternal Year by participating in the 2016 Las Cruces Diocese Youth Rally. Our Council involvement was to provide transportation for the speakers to and from the El Paso International Airport, prepare sack lunches, and provide a monetary donation to support the rally. This was followed by helping the St. Genevieve Confirmation Group raise money in order to attend the 2016 Steubenville Youth Rally in San Diego. The Knights held two pancake breakfast fundraisers with proceeds going to the confirmation group. With the leadership of our District Deputy #13 Richard Archuleta, our council was able to help the youth group raise approximately $2000.00. Also, the council donated $1100.00 from our Mega Bingos. In September, our council members and their families were very involved with the 2016 St. Genevieve Annual Fiesta. Some members served on the fiesta planning committee, others were in charge of advertising, while others helped in setting up the fiesta grounds and running numerous booths. Also, Brothers and their families helped out during the annual St. Genevieve gordita fundraiser. The fundraiser was well supported by our Brothers and family members by working in the kitchen. October was our month for the Mega Bingo. (Continued on page 7)

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CHURCH/COUNCIL/FAMILY/COMMUNITY – Annual “Light Up for Christ” Celebration Tuesday December 6th The Knights of Columbus has publicly promoted the true meaning of Christmas for more than 30 years through its multi-faceted “Keep Christ in Christmas” program. The Order’s public service Christmas announcements have reached more than 20 million television viewers and about 27 million radio listeners since they began airing in the 1980s. Throughout America, many Councils honor the birth of Jesus by illuminating and blessing a Christmas tree or Nativity scene on the first Tuesday of December as part of the Order’s “Light Up for Christ” campaign, launched in 1991. On Tuesday, December 6, our Council #13969 sponsored a “Light up for Christ” ceremony at St. Genevieve’s. It was coordinated so that many councils nationwide started their parish Christmas seasons by lighting their statues and trees at the same time! Deacon Lou Roman was the minister, and led the prayer and readings. Brother Ruben Corona and his wife Sylvia led the singing, with a choir of lead singers and the congregation joining in. After the ceremony, the Ladies Auxiliary served hot drinks and snacks that they had prepared. “Light Up For Christ” was a big success, with over 50 parishioners participating. Our capable Church Director Dave Kenny deserves congratulations for organizing and leading the event!

The set up crew:Alberto Grijalva, Sammy Gonzales, Bro. Ruben Corona practices his Deacon Lou Roman organized his Ruben Salcido, Dave Kenny & Lucio Tellez music before the ceremony helpers in preparation for the readings

Ruben & Sylvia Corona led the music.. Deacon Lou Roman conducted the service Grand Knight Jaime Flores our council “choir” was superb! He was joined by Fr. Juan Moreno welcomed the visitors

Bro. Bob Ponzini read from Isaiah 40:1-11 Refreshments were served in the Parish Deacon Lou chats with some of our Deacon Lou read Gospel of Matthew 18:12-14 Conference Room afterwards Brothers after the ceremony

Cecilia Flores, Delia Narvaez, Brandi Vasquez A good crowd started gathering There were over 50 people and and Lexi Vasquez set up the refreshments in front of the Church the singing was spirited

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Contribution to the Dominican Sisters in Chaparral: Our Ladies Auxiliary, our Council, and the Catholic Daughters have a close relationship with the local Dominican Nuns. The Sisters joined us at our Family Unity Night in March 2015, and gave us a talk on the missionary work that they do in Africa. The Catholic Daughters this year made a generous contribution to them from the proceeds of their summer raffle. The sisters recently had an automobile accident, resulting in the loss of their car. The Ladies Auxiliary 13969 and our Council 13969 each donated $250 to help defray their losses. Photos from the presentation of the checks appear below.

The Ladies Auxiliary present their check to the Sisters

Members of Assembly 3330 & Council 13969 Also made a donation to the Sisters

Decorations at Christmas: Lady Delia Narvaez is the widow of Sir Knight Robert Narvaez, and was named by the Knights of Columbus as the New Mexico Lady of the Year for 2016. She is also one of the most active members of our Ladies Auxiliary and is always willing to help with anything…whenever she is asked. At Christmas she “single handedly” decorates her home for all to see and enjoy. The Grand Knight wants all of us to see what Delia has done, and challenges all of us to decorate our own homes in a similar manner during future Christmas seasons!

Lady Delia Narvaez standing on her porch

Delia’s home stands out in the evening darkness

Pilgrimage Up A–Mountain to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe: On Sat Dec 10th, a group of devoted Catholics took the four-and-a-half mile walk up the steep terrain of Tortugas Mountain (also known as A-Mountain) to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. GK Jaime Flores and FS Jaime Rivera made that pilgrimage. “Little” Jaime and “Big” Jaime met Bro Dino Baldon (from Manresa Council 3522 in Azusa, CA) while hiking. They spent an enjoyable afternoon with Brother Dino and exchanged notes about our council and theirs. This is a classic example of our K of C Fundamental Principle of Fellowship in action!

Bro Dino and Bro Jaime Rivera chat before the hike

Brother Elmo Padilla helps distribute Christmas gifts to the homeless: The Las Cruces Public Schools identified 700 students (and their siblings) that were listed as homeless. The public donated gifts to brighten the Christmas of these homeless children. The LCPS McKinney – Vento Homeless Education Program provided personnel to load gifts bags. Our Council 13969 Brother Elmo Padilla helped in this effort. (Photo from Las Cruces Bulletin)

Nancy Sanders & Elmo Padilla of LCPS Helped to distribute gifts to homeless children

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CHURCH/YOUTH/FAMILY/LIFE/COMMUNITY/PWID – St. Vincent de Paul Ministry Angel Tree Program The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Genevieve’s held its annual Gifts for Needy Children drive over the Christmas Season. During the month of December, the Angel Tree was placed at the rear of the Church. Parishioners were asked to take a card from the tree, on which the child’s age and sex were written. A gift for that child was then donated by the parishioner, and dropped off at the parish office. On Wednesday, December 14th, the children came to the Parish Hall to receive their presents, all wrapped for Christmas by St. Vincent de Paul volunteers. This is a wonderful St. Genevieve legacy, which brings happiness at Christmas to many needy children in our community. Congratulations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, our generous parishioners, and especially to the Knights and Ladies who participated in the event!

The gifts to be given to the children The Ladies matched the child with the gift 3 Brothers, each with a gift bag

Another happy family, all with gifts This group looks ready for Christmas And this is the group of Angels responsible

Veterans Help Raise City’s Flag: Wednesday December 7th was the 75th anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. A group of about 40, many of them veterans, raised the city’s garrison flag at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Two of our most prominent Brothers, Al Lopez and Jesus Frietze, participated in the ceremony. Brother Al served in the U.S. Navy, and Brother Jesus is a U.S. Army veteran. (Photos from Las Cruces Sun-News)

A large group of veterans surround the flag. Bro Al Lopez salutes the flag. Brothers Al Lopez & Jesus Frietze are at the far end. He is a veteran who served in the U.S. Navy.

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FAMILY/CHURCH/YOUTH/COMMUNITY/PWID – Family Unity Night at the Parish Posada Wednesday December 21st Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration with origins in Spain, and now celebrated chiefly in Mexico and in the Southwestern U.S. “Posada” is Spanish for “inn”, and celebrates the journey of St. Joseph and Mary to the stable where Christ was born. It is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. La Gran Posada was celebrated on Sunday afternoon December 18 at the downtown mall. Bishop Cantu led the entire Las Cruces community in prayer. St. Genevieve’s hosted eight additional Las Posadas, each evening of December 16 through 23, during the weeks just before Christmas. Our Knights of Columbus Council 13969 was responsible for the St. Genevieve Posada celebration on Wednesday evening, December 21. We had our Family Unity Night on that Wednesday evening, and celebrated FUN with La Posada. A good crowd of approximately 100 people attended our event. Homeless people joined us in the feast. The celebration closely patterned the traditional Hispanic Posada format by including each of the main parts: a procession re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s journey, singing and praying of classic pieces during the procession, praying of the rosary, a feast for the participants, and the breaking of the piñata and the gathering of candy by the children.

Lexi & Austin Vasquez bring statues outside Singing parisioners proceed outside Others remained inside the door to sing

Church Director Dave Kenny & Fina were there Ladies Cecilia & Mary Lou help serve Our most senior Bro, Greg Quinones, joined us

Bro Ruben & Sylvia Corona led the singing This little girl attacked the piñata Fr Abraham helped the children gather candy

Rebecca returns inside to pray the rosary GK Jaime & Lady Cecilia return inside New Bro John Frye & his wife Karen joined us

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COUNCIL/FAMILY/CHURCH – Awards for 2016: These are the Council Awards for Knight, Lady and Family of the month for the calendar year 2016. These Knights and Ladies have brightened our lives, and helped the community around them. Send your nominations (from these candidates) for the State Awards for the Fraternal Year to the GK by the end of January. We will prepare nominations, and submit them at the NM State Convention in May.

January Knight February Knight March Knight April Knight Alberto Grijalva Lucio Tellez Dave Kenny Jose Tapia

Council Awards Knight of the Month Lady of the Month Family of the Month January Alberto Grijalva Rebecca Archuleta Al and Kathie Lopez

February Lucio Tellez Lucy Glasscock Jaime and Cecilia Flores

March David Kenny Jane Madrid Harold and Marge Beeson

April Jose Tapia Martha Garcia Ruben and Susie Salcido

May Jaime Rivera Kathie Lopez Adam and Brandi Vasquez

June Danny Bustamante Marge Beeson Lucio and Mary Tellez

July Richard Archuleta Mary Lou Perez No Award

August Navor Chavez Lucy Glasscock No Award

September Sal Estrada Julia Holguin Adam and Brandi Vasquez

October Al Lopez Veronica Garcia Dave and Fina Kenny

November Robert Ponzini Toni Frietze Jose and Amelia Angel

December Ruben Salcido Cecilia Flores Ruben and Sylvia Corona

July Lady August Lady September Lady October Lady November Lady December Lady Mary Lou Perez Lucy Glasscock Julia Holguin Veronica Garcia Toni Frietze Cecilia Flores

Jan Family Feb Family Mar Family Apr Family May/Sept June Family Oct Family Nov Family Dec Family Al & Kathie Jaime & Cecilia Harold & Marge Ruben & Susie Adam & Brandi Lucio & Mary Kenny’s Jose & Amelia Ruben & Sylvia

January Lady February Lady March Lady April Lady May Lady June Lady Rebecca Archuleta Lucy Glasscock Jane Madrid Martha Garcia Kathie Lopez Marge Beeson

July Knight August Knight September Knight October Knight November Knight December Knight Richard Archuleta Navor Chavez Sal Estrada Al Lopez Bob Ponzini Ruben Salcido

May Knight June Knight Jaime Rivera Danny Bustamante

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INSURANCE AGENT’S MESSAGE

As We Begin 2017

Matthew Seltzer (575) 936-7181 matthew.seltzer@kofc.com

As we begin 2017, I want to thank each of you that

I’ve been able to meet this past year or personally visit with. One of the best parts of my role in the Knights of Columbus is seeing the variety of activities across Southwest New Mexico in the 16 councils I serve. It’s inspiring to see the good work going on in our area, and to be a small part of those efforts. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve you, helping to secure your futures in your respective families. I look forward to continuing to keep Fr. McGivney’s promise to all of our members in the coming year.

Knights of Columbus life insurance offers something precious few other financial products can – guarantees. As long as you pay your premiums, the policy proceeds will be there for your beneficiaries should something happen to you. We call that peace of mind, and that’s what we offer with our every product in our portfolio.

We guarantee the cash value in your whole life policies will be there.

We guarantee the rates on your term insurance. We guarantee our retirement products will provide

a stream of income when you need it. On top of those product guarantees, I guarantee that

I will offer professional, high-quality service that you would expect from our organization.

Our Order is among the highest rated life insurers in North America. AM Best has rated the Knights of Columbus “A++, Superior” for 41 consecutive years. This shows our track record for excellence and security. We stand alone as the only Catholic insurer with over 100 billion dollars of life insurance in force.

I would suggest that a principal reason that we were able to achieve those accolades is because we remain steadfastly committed to the vision of Father Michael J. McGivney by providing life insurance by brother Knights for brother Knights – with an uncompromising commitment to the principles of our faith.

That commitment is an essential core value of the Knights of Columbus, and our core values permeate all levels of our organization. These principles for marketing are summed up by our Golden Rule: “In all my professional relationships, I pledge myself to the following rule of conduct: I shall, in light of all conditions surrounding those I serve, render that service which, under the same circumstances, I would apply to myself.”

As we begin this New Year, please set-aside time to discuss how our products can bring that peace of mind to you and your family.

Matthew Seltzer

_____________________________

Grand Knight’s Message (from page 1) The planning and coordinating of this event made it a very successful fundraiser. Over $10,000.00 was raised and all the proceeds will benefit our community, church and youth charities. In December, we started the month by holding our “Light up for Christ”, followed by helping Bishop Cantu at the Gran Posada at the Plaza de Las Cruces. We ended the year by co-hosting the Las Posadas on Wednesday December 21st at St. Genevieve Parish. So here we are at January 2017 with six months to go in this fraternal year. I would like to thank all the Brothers, Ladies Auxiliary and family members for all their help and support these first six months. I truly appreciate your time, talent and treasures you have provided our council, community, church and youth activities. You are the best: let’s close out the next six months with a bang! Lady Cecilia and I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year with the hope that each one of you and your families will be blessed abundantly in the new year to come. May God bless you,

Jaime M. Flores, Grand Knight

_______________________ Important Reminder from the GK: Information on your volunteer hours, needed to complete Form 1728 – Survey of Fraternal Activity, should be submitted to me no later that January 15th. Hours can be easily submitted electronically by clicking on “Members Only” on the home page of our website www.kofc13969.com You can also manually fill out the form that is posted on the website and turn it in to me. A Reminder: Our council will sponsor a Valentine’s Day Celebration at the Parish Hall on Saturday evening, February 11th. Contact PGK Jesus Frietze if you want to help. There will be food and entertainment. Tickets will go on sale soon!

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MEMBERSHIP/ JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

We celebrate nine birthdays in January. They are: Albert Balizan - Jan 20, Danny Bustamante - Jan 2, Charlie Castillo - Jan 25, Roman Chip – Jan 15, Sal Estrada – Jan 24, Jesus Frietze – Jan 5, Eddie Hausermann – Jan 16, Raymond Lucero – Jan 19, and Kerry Morley – Jan 14. If we have overlooked your birthday, please let someone know (lots of contact information for your fellow Brothers is on the cover page and on our website). If you don’t like your photograph, please let us know…if you like your photograph, please let us know!

Albert Balizan Danny Bustamante Charlie Castillo

Sal Estrada Jesus Frietze Ray Lucero

Kerry Morley

MEMBERSHIP/ JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

There are nine Brother Knights in our council who took their Admission (1st) Degrees in December. They are: Martin Aldaz – 10 years of service, Joe Asbury – 33 yrs, Roman Chip - 23 yrs, Javier Flores - 10 yrs, Jesus Frietze - 31 yrs, Jim Glasscock - 53 yrs, Joel Molenda - 4 yrs, Fred Myers - 1 yr, and Leonardo Reyes - 5 yrs.

Javier Flores Jesus Frietze Jim Glasscock

Joel Molenda Fred Myers Leonardo Reyes

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Gilbert & Mary Lou Perez celebrate their 57th Wedding Anniversary this month. Eleven years ago, Gilbert was instrumental in forming our Knights of Columbus Council at St. Genevieve’s. Mary Lou has always been at his side, helping at all Council and Ladies Auxiliary activities. Happy Anniversary, Gilbert & Mary Lou!

Gilbert & Mary Lou Perez 57 years on January 16th Our other anniversary this month is Bob & Moureen Ponzini’s 58th . They are relative newcomers to St. Genevieve’s and Las Cruces, having moved here from Colorado Springs in January of 2014.

At Wedding in 1959 At Council FUN in Nov

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Please pray for our special intentions

Al Lopez Jr, son of Brother Al Lopez Brother Arturo Narvaez

Adriana Flores, daughter of GK Jaime Flores Richard Houghtaling, brother of Brother Johnny Houghtaling

The Mother-in-Law of Brother Ruben Salcido An ill friend in Michigan of Brother John Frye

Brother Donald Kressler, from Santa Rosa de Lima For the continued recovery of Lady Toni Frietze

Brother Bill Klement’s Father, a Knight in Council 4256 For the future of our Country

For all Brother Knights everywhere who are ill All neglected and abused children

Victims of Abortion

Lord, Please Hear Our Prayer

We always include the intentions from the last Council Meeting Please take a moment to post your own special intentions on

our Council website www.kofc13969.com

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Families Working Together: We are proud of our legacy of strong family ties. Our Bros and Ladies sacrifice for their children, take care of aging parents and grandparents, and help relatives in need. One of the signatures of a strong family is its ability to work together happily and effectively. We experienced many working families over the past year, & would like to highlight 2 specific examples from the Parish Fiesta. The Kenny Family ran the Snow Cone Booth & the Vasquez Family helped with the Dart Throw Booth. Photos appear below.

David Jr, Dave, Katherine, & Fina Kenny (Snow Cones)

Lexi, Brandi, Austin & Adam Vasquez (Dart Throw)

CULTURE OF LIFE – Report of Culture of Life Director Harold Beeson:

Abortion by the Numbers: According to a world clock, based on World Health Organization statistics, in the past year worldwide there were about 45 million babies killed by abortion (not counting those killed by birth control and other chemical abortions). This number is not counted in the total number of deaths per year of 65-70 million and therefore the number, like the baby in the womb, remains unseen and voiceless. Of these 45 million abortions, 1.1 million were performed in the United States under the protection of our government. Some other numbers that are important are: Nine is the number of months in pregnancy during which abortions can legally be performed in the US. 20 – 23 is the number of weeks at which a baby can feel pain as their tiny body is being torn apart in the womb. $528 million is the amount of taxpayer-provided government dollars sent to Planned Parenthood during the 2015 reporting year. 327,653 are the number of abortions performed by Planned Parenthood (PP) during the 2015 reporting year; in a year where cancer screenings and prevention services performed by PP went down by over 29%. 41 are the number of years since the US Supreme Court legalized abortion in this country. Six is the number of countries in the world where abortion is illegal. Clearly we have our work cut out for us, which is why Father Stephen Imbarrato states that we must be working 24 hours a day 7 days a week to end abortion. That is why we cannot stop giving our voice to the voiceless unborn – love and justice demand it. That is why it is so important that we support the upcoming events in January. On January 18, 2017 the Sanctity of Life Awareness & Unity Day is held in Santa Fe. There is a Mass at Noon at the Cathedral in Santa Fe, and a walk for life from the Cathedral to the State Capital immediately following Mass. There is a bus ride available for this event. To make reservations: registration forms are available at the Parish office or on the Diocesan webpage www.dioceseoflascruces.org – the cost for the bus ride is $40.00. And finally, Infinite is the power of our almighty God, who working through his people here on earth and with Mary and the Saints in heaven, can bring an end to abortion so that every child is a blessing.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Exemplifications: Our St. Michael the Archangel Assembly 3330 will host a Patriotic (4th) Degree Exemplification on Sat Jan 21st at 1 PM at St. Genevieve parish Hall. This is a unique opportunity for all Brothers in the Las Cruces Area. Please contact DGK Kerry Morley for more information. You can also click on the calendar at our website www.kofc13969.com Volunteer Hours: Form 1728 – Survey of Fraternal Activity is due to Supreme on Jan 31st. In it, we report all of our volunteer hours spent in community service. It is recommended that you record your hours by going to the Members Only section of our website. If you need help, contact GK Jaime Flores, Brother Dave Kenny or Brother Bob Ponzini. Contact information is on the first page of this newsletter.

Our Unsung Heroes: Our council members support a myriad of community and parish events. We have many loyal Brothers and Ladies who work quietly behind the scenes to make these events a success. The editor would like to highlight three of his favorite examples from the many that occurred last year: (1) Our Traffic Control Crew, who help at all of the processions; (2) Brother Ray Fajardo, who often showed up to help with messy cleanups in the kitchen; and (3) Our very busy Pancake Breakfast Cooking Crew.

The Traffic Control Crew: Lucio Tellez, Joe Tapia, Bro Ray Fajardo, swabbing the kitchen The Pancake Breakfast Cooking Crew: Sam Ruben Salcido and Sammy Gonzales after the parish enchilada fundraiser Gonzales, Rich Archuleta & Vic Montoya

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◄December2017 January2017 February2017►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat1 Solemnity of

Mary

2

3 Feast of St Genevieve

Mass & Potluck at Parish Hall at

6PM

4

5 No First

Thursday Bake Sale this Month

6

7

First Saturday Rosary 10AM

8 The Epiphany of

the Lord

9

10

11 Parish Hall

CouncilMtg 7PM

12

13

14

15 Corporate

Communion 9:30 AM Mass St. Genevieve

16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

17 1st Degree Team

7PM Hall

18 Family Unity Night (FUN) Hall 6:30 PM

19

20

21 Patriotic

Degree 1PM St Genevieve

Parish Hall

22

23 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of

Unborn Children

24

25 4th Degree Assembly 7 PM Hall

26 District 13

Grand Knights Meeting at 1226

Hall

27

28 St Thomas Aquinas

29 30

31

Notes: State Convention May 4-7 in Espanola

NewYear’sResolution:Getmembersinvolvedincouncilandcharitable

activities

Romeo’s – The Retired Old Men Eating Out are still at it. We meet every Wednesday morning 8:30 AM at Rosie’s Café on Main St. near the Post Office. Join us if you enjoy a hearty breakfast, and some very intellectual discussions. You need not be old, retired, or a man to join us…all are welcome!