The second annual Superbowl Party was held at Immaculate Conception. GK Sholly rented a big-screen TV for the event (and the rabbit ears worked wonderfully). The Sholly family made a delicious crab-gumbo. It was great to see such a big turn-out for the event, including the Sholly family, Cortese family, Paul & Gen Vadeboncoeur, the Tate family, Fr. Mankel, Jeff Emitt, Willie Charles, the Wade family, Greg & Diane McGinnis, John & Elena Swindeman, Calvin Lane, Bert Benedict, the Neighbor family, Sharon and Sean Metz, and many others. It really was a family event, as the horde of screaming children demonstrated. Thanks in particular to John and Leslie Sholly for the logistics and hard work, to Bert Benedict for the Superbowl decorations, and to all those who stayed to help clean up.

	A view of the Big-screen TV before the event. Note the nifty Superbowl banner provided by PGK Bert Benedict
GK John Sholly works in the kitchen as Leslie & newborn Lorelei look on, and Bert surveys the beautiful Knoxville evening.
	Just before halftime
A view from the back of the Parish hall (where the kids spent most of the their time).

The Sholly Family graciously hosted the Christmas Social at their home on December 28. Those who missed it also missed out on the opportunity to donate toys to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital, as well as missing out on the antics of the Kids of the Council, GK Sholly's massive Christmas Tree, the ongoing computer games in which entire civilizations were built and destroyed, and an enormous quantity of delicious food.

	PGK Bert Benedict (sporting a nice K of C Hat!)
The collection of toys for East Tennessee Children's Hospital
	The Cortese Family
Bob Hunt, Jim Cortese, Pat O'Brien, Fr. Mankel, and DD Jim Bruun
	Bob & Margaret Hunt speaking with new brother Kevin Wyatt. The immensity of the tree is understated in this photo.
Fr. Mankel, Bob Hunt, and Leslie Sholly
	PGK Jim Cortese & Son with GK John Sholly.
A rare quiet moment for the kids (looking at a TV, of course!)
	The Sholly family
Paul and Gen Vadeboncoeur
	Pat O'Brien and Fr. Mankel

Jim Cortese, PGK, and his wife Carol graciously offered to host the 2004 summer social at their new home on the Holston. The social is sure to go down in the record books for number of hamburgers consumed, number of times the front window of a motor boat can be slammed without breaking, number of portable lawn-chairs, brevity of award presentations (kudos, GK Sholly!), and beauty of the day. Following are a few pictures of the event.

Cortese, Swindeman, and Sholly kids playing by the water.
	Jim Bruun, Doc Davidson, Bil Wicke, Paul Rodarte, Rachelle Burkett, Paul and Gen Vadeboncoeur, Kathy Moneymaker
Paul Dunn III explains boat mechanics to Malcolm Wells & Jim Cortese
	Carol Cortese, Leslie Sholly, Bill Wicke, Jim Bruun, Wes Sheedy, et al.
	The number of brownie crumbs in Jim's boat was truly amazing!
John Brown gets a helping hand from Fr. Mankel.
	Fr. Mankel tries the spicy mustard while the Moneymaker family looks on.
	GK John Sholly presents a plaque of recognition to Past Grand Knight Paul Rodarte
	Sharon and Shaun Metz having a laugh with hostess Carol Cortese and Leslie Sholly. For a mind-bender, follow this link for a picture of Shaun from 1998.
On the verdant banks of the Holston River, Grand Knight John Sholly and his wife Leslie survey the Council in the amber sunlight of an East Tennesee August afternoon, as a lazy labrador lounges on the lawn.

The Superbowl party was a rousing success, featuring two big-screen TV's, a whole lot of chili & beer, and a great deal of comraderie. The Financial Secretary hearby extends his deep thanks to DGK Troy Brenny for spearheading the obtaining and tapping of the keg.. Following are pictures of the event.

DGK Brenny & FS Swindeman celebrating the presence of the keg.
	Margaret Hunt, GK Paul Rodarte, and Bob Hunt working the kitchen

The Christmas Social was a ball. Turkey, Ham, and many wonderful side-dishes were consumed in abundance. Malcolm's famous dessert was a big hit (again!). Grand Knight Paul Rodarte presented awards, including the Family of the Month award to Paul Jones and his wife Connie, the Knight of the Month award to Treasurer Jeff Emitt, and the Shining Armor award to Malcolm Wells. Paul Vadeboncoeur was not present to receive a plaque recognizing his hard work on the Tennessee State Convention, but he received resounding applause nonetheless. He also had to wait until the January meeting to receive one of the three Secret Surprise Mystery Gifts presented by Financial Secretary John Swindeman. The other two winners were Alex McMillan and John Brown. Finally, GK Rodarte presented a number of door prizes, which will never be surpassed in their...er... qualities. Following are pictures of the event.

	The full spread of main courses. Very little was left over!
The salad & fixin's section. FS John Swindeman studiously avoided this table, as it appeared to be healthy
GK Paul Rodarte testifying
	District Deputy John Sholly (PGK) receives a coveted E.T. Poster from GK Rodarte, as Doc Davidson (PGK), Two Bears Hebert (PGK) and Leslie Hebert look on.
New brother David Cavalari & his friend Tammy with Deputy Grand Knight Troy Brenny
	Malcolm Wells, Audrey & Wes Sheedy (PGK), with Treasurer Jeff Emitt
GK Rodarte yucking it up with Shining Armor winner Malcolm Wells
	GK Paul Rodarte with Family of the Month Paul and Connie Jones
Jack McCusker & wife with GK Paul Rodarte
	PGK Two Bears Hebert tries to put the mojo on FS John Swindeman, as Chaplain Fr. Mankel looks on.

Christmas Social, December 16, 2003

Our annual Christmas Social will take place instead of our regular Business Meeting, on December 16th at Holy Ghost at 7:30pm. Awards will be presented, including the SECRET SUPRISE MYSTERY GIFT to one of the 31 Brothers who responded to the Survey & Questionnaire. Watch this space for details!

Saturday (August 30) was our 1st annual Ice Cream Social, which was held at IC Church. It was a big success due in part to the fact that Brother Wells recruited a new prospect for our council, who has filled out a Form 100 and is excited about joining. Oh, and by the way, the social more than paid for itself. Our Worthy District Deputy, Council 645 member, and Sir Knight, John Sholly (PGK) was also in attendance with his family as "Honorary Ice Cream Taster". Kudos to our Worthy Grand Knight, Sir Knight Paul Rodarte (PDGK) for being the Master of Ceremonies at this high profile event!

We had a great Christmas Social at the Metz's home last month. Had plenty of food, great company, Christmas caroling with many beautiful voices, and Santa surprised the children with many gifts for them and the needy children. If you missed this one, you missed a great time. We want to thank Sharon Metz and family for opening up their home for this special occasion.

Saturday, December 14, 7:00-10:00 PM. Christmas Social combined with a House Warming at Sharon Metz, 1983 Maplewood Drive, 37920. Please bring a salad, veggie, casserole, or dessert, and soda pop of your choice. We will furnish the turkey or ham. Also, bring a gift for each child attending and one for the needy children. Any questions, call Sharon at 577-9723. Please RSVP so we'll know how much food to prepare.

New pictures of the Christmas Social at the Metz home:

Jim Cortese greets the guests

Calvin Lane, Kathy Moneymaker, Greg McGinnis, Fr. Mankel, Jeff Emitt & Stan Metz

Kathy Moneymaker, FS Dan Moneymaker, Fr. Mankel & GK John Sholly

Knights & their families at the Dinner Table

Family socials are scheduled periodically so that the members of the council and their families can have an opportunity to kick back and relax. The last two socials (hosted by John & Jessica Swindeman and Greg & Diane McGinnis) were a blast. The Halloween/Thanksgiving social was a high-water mark in turkey consumption, while the Christmas social was a great opportunity to exchange gifts and prepare for the Christmas season.

Greg, Dan, Thomas, Jennifer & Elena at the Halloween/Thanksgiving Social

At some point in the festivities (early in the festivities, as there is still food on the table!)

Lesson #1: Two turkeys are not enough for this crowd

(Lesson #2: John needs to learn how to make turkey gravy)

Tom, Andy, Dan & Greg, amused by John's incessant photography

Emily & Brian show off their Halloween costumes

Brian's race-car spins out. Either that or he's checking the trunk.

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