On April 30, 1971, District Deputy Vernon
Ray conducted
the procedures for the institution of a new Knights of Columbus Council at St. Anthony of
Padua Parish. It would be the 6,284th Council, and would be named
"Hightstown" Council. At the first meeting, chaired by District Deputy Jack
D’Agostino, members new to the Knights of Columbus received their First and Second
Degrees. Officers were nominated and duly elected, and the gavel was passed to Charter
Grand Knight Al Mazzoli. Three weeks later, 43 men received their Third Degree, rounding
out our charter membership at 75 Knights
1971-72 CY (Columbian Year) - GK Al
Mazzoli started a tradition at Hightstown Council by proposing a busy schedule of
programs. We hosted Columbus Day and St. Patrick’s Day dances, joined with other
Councils for a joint Communion Breakfast, ran a Christmas Card program, and ran a Kidney
Machine drive as a special project.
1972-73 CY - Walt Cieslin, our Grand
Knight for our second year, added to the first year’s programs. We fielded a softball
team, erected a "Keep Christ in Christmas" billboard, and purchased the first
figurines for the St. Anthony’s Christmas Manger. Hightstown Council members helped
clean up Wilkes-Barre after serious flooding. We also proposed our first program budget,
and had our first battle of the budget, starting another Hightstown Council tradition.
1973-74 CY - Frank Caropreso’s
year as Grand Knight saw a new District Deputy in Dennis Harris, and a new Financial
Secretary in Dick Murphy. The Greenwich, NY Council presented us with our Council Crucifix
to honor Brother Knight Mike Hayes, who had transferred to Hightstown Council shortly
before he died. We purchased our Council Banner and established our Council By-laws, which
consisted mostly of a formal procedure for making future changes to the By-laws.
1974-75 CY – Bill Bowling, our
fourth Grand Knight, concentrated on Youth programs by instituting the Friday Night
Basketball games and sending 12 kids to Camp Columbus. We added a New Year’s party to
our social calendar, and our new First Degree team conducted it’s first Knighthood
ceremonial.
1975-76 CY – GK Kevin Roche gave
us a chance to raise money for our programs and sport our new Council jackets around town,
selling tickets to our Super Bowl raffle. Father Haughney, our Pastor and Chaplain, was
transferred, but we welcomed Father Russell Loughman, who graced us with his strong
support. Our First Degree team was awarded "best team" in the District honors.
1976-77 CY – Gene O’Connor
was installed as our 6th Grand Knight, and Father Loughman became our Chaplain.
We expanded our Basketball program with a girl's team and made a deep commitment to the
emerging Pro-Life movement. We announced ourselves to folks entering Hightstown with our K
of C signposts, and informed ourselves with Knightline, our monthly newsletter.
1977-78 CY – GK Charlie Buchta
welcomed our new District Deputy Paul Crea. We began a Community/Church program, driving
Catholic senior citizens from Holly House to mass at St. Anthony’s, a program that
continues today. Another Church activity was the creation of 'Sing Out the Glory', the
songbook for the Folk Mass. Our First Degree team was honored again by the District.
1978-79 CY – During GK Tom
Kilgore’s tenure, our Chaplain and Pastor Father Loughman passed away. We continued
our work with the Skillman School for Boys, bringing them into our community for athletic
activities. Our growing Building Fund was used to purchase a $10,000 Treasury note. GK
Kilgore, sensing a loss of enthusiasm, delivered an inspiring address, "Think
Positive", in March 1979.
1979-80 CY – GK Nick Lambiase and
new District Deputy Dick McKeever carried the Think Positive attitude forward. We adopted
a foreign missionary, Father Felix, welcomed Father Frank Santitoro as Pastor, and father
Tom Triggs as Chaplain. In a year of changes, Dick Murphy yielded the Financial
Secretary’s post to Lou DeCrease after 6 years of service. Several Brother Knights
completed the Fourth Degree.
1980-81 CY – We started our 10th
year under GK Chuck Martinez and new District Deputy Bernie McGlone. We used the new Cable
TV service in Hightstown to reach out to the community, and Rep. Chris Smith spoke at our
Communion Breakfast. Our capable Past Grand Knights formed a committee to advise the
Council Officers, and we celebrated our first decade of service to God, our Community, and
each other at the Forsgate Country Club.
1981–82 CY – GK Larry
McBride placed a renewed emphasis on community activities, raising funds for our retarded
citizens. To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus, PGK
Gene O’Connor directed a performance of "The Foundling" , and a taped copy
was placed in a 50-year time capsule. Hightstown Council won Star Council honors.
1982–83 CY – GK Dick
Murphy, who had held so many other offices, continued our commitment to our community with
a "Food for the Needy" collection in conjunction with St. Anthony’s. Our
Skillman program was saved by donations from our Brother Knights and grants solicited from
large companies. Mickey Radigan, retiring as Director of HEW PAL, was honored with our
Community Service award.
1983–84 CY – Don
Arfsten, our 13th GK, welcomed District Deputy Marino Agostinelli and
inaugurated a Manpower Survey. We found that 179 Brothers had volunteered an amazing 1740
hours of service. We tubed on the Delaware, and John Coyne organized Halloween, New
Year’s, and St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dances. Our Bowling Team took 1st
Place in the National Tournament.
1984–85 CY – Joe Tricomi
was installed as our 14th GK, and we continued our work on the Skillman
program, Basketball League, and Retarded Citizen’s Drive, for earned the Council a
commendation, conferred by the Mayor of Hightstown. This year also marked the Centennial
Year for St. Anthony of Padua’s Parish, and the Council donated a four-foot high
statue of our Patron Saint to the Church.
1985–86 CY – GK Jack
Gominiak honored our Chaplain, Father Frank, as he left St. Anthony’s, and welcomed
our new Pastor, Father Patrick Castles. Pete Haas introduced the Entertainment Book as a
Right-to-Life fundraiser, and we used the proceeds to pay for a bus to Washington. We
hosted a State Officers meeting and sponsored a Healing Mass.
1986–87 CY – GK John
Coyne was installed by new District Deputy John Weiser. The "Welcome Neighbor"
breakfast brought us new Brothers, and the Knight and Family of the Month programs helped
increase attendance at our monthly meetings. Tom McGeachen ran a successful Art Auction,
we marched in the Trenton St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and were honored by the 4th
Degree Color Corps at the Hightstown Memorial Day Parade.
1987–88 CY - Joe Hepp, our 17th
GK, started strong on Family with a trip to the Vet for a Mets game, and on Youth with the
formation of the John Mazzoli Squires Circle. Our Pro-Life activities included a Rosary
and Prayer Service every month, and we met with Congressman Chris Smith on what was now an
annual bus trip to Washington in support of the unborn. The Council won Vocations and
Columbian awards from Supreme.
1988–89 CY – GK Pete
Haas welcomed Mike Fabian, our new District Deputy, and Art Mateos promoted a New Members
social. Our GK met Sen. Bradley during our March for Life, and was featured in "The
Cavalcade" when both his father and father-in-law received the First Degree. Our
Retarded Citizens Drive quadrupled previous totals, and we instituted a Blood Drive. Our
Council received the McGivney Award for it’s accomplishments.
1989–90 CY – GK Pat
Keenan showed his school spirit at the Princeton vs. Fordham Football game, and we all
showed our colors by marching in the Columbus, St. Patrick’s, and Memorial Day
Parades. Our St. Patrick’s Day Dance was a huge success, and we initiated an Altar
Server’s Appreciation program. We initiated a by-laws review, a process that would
take several Administrations to complete, and won the Father McGivney Award for
recruiting.
1990–91 CY – GK Rich
Morris led our recruiting efforts by example when his son Rob received his First Degree,
and started potluck dinners to acquaint us with our newer Brothers and their wives. Jim
Novak chaired the first Polish Night Dance, and we honored Father Pat on his fifth
anniversary as Pastor and Chaplain. Our Squires Circle won 3 scholarships, given by the
State Squires Circle. We celebrated our 20th Anniversary at the Battleground
Country Club.
1991–92 CY – GK Tom
Slane started our 3rd Decade of service to Family, Youth, Church and Community,
and welcomed Joe D’Agostino as District Deputy. Our social calendar that year
included an Installation Dinner at the VFW, Pasta Night, Christmas Party, Polish Night,
and St. Patrick’s Day Dance. John Coyne set a modern record in the Frozen Galumpky
Toss, and we found that the best way to raise money was to get someone to donate
something, like a bicycle, and raffle it off. Tom led many other successful fundraisers to
fuel our Community Service Awards, Free Throw Contest, Kid’s Christmas Party, Easter
Egg Hunt, and Seminarians Support programs.
1992–93 CY – When Matt
McBride became GK, he was proud to follow his father Larry, forming the first father-son
Grand Knight duo in the Council. The Council continued established programs such as the
Right to Life March and Billboard, the Retarded Citizens Drive, Communion Breakfast and
awards to community service organizations and local and regional schools. We sponsored the
Hightstown High School athletes and H/EW Youth Baseball League. We paid for these programs
with strongly supported fundraisers, including Coffee Hour, the St. Patrick’s Dance,
and Entertainment Books. We actually ended the year with almost $3,500 more in the bank
than when we started. The Council organized a surprise 50Th birthday party in
May to honor our Chaplain and Pastor, Father Pat Castles, and in June we joined with other
parish organizations a bid farewell to Father Rich Milewski. Wayne Isbitski and the Claud
Yarborough family were honored as the Knight and Family of the Year, respectively.
1993–94 CY – GK John
Burns was almost out of office at his first meeting when he proposed a budget with a $150
deficit, thinking he could spend some of the previous year’s profits. Jim White took
over as District Deputy and started down the road to State Deputy. We met half of our
membership target with a First Degree in the Fall, but saw many active, promising young
Brothers moving out of Hightstown and our Council. Declining attendance at several
functions culminated with a St. Patrick’s Day Dance that actually lost money, and
that event was shelved for many years. Our remaining Brothers worked harder than ever to
make our Council programs a success. Tony Humphreys was appointed our first Financial
Chairman, and given custodianship of our Building and Operating funds.
1994–95 CY – Kevin
McMonagle became our Commuting GK when he relocated to Bedminister shortly before his
installation. His first in absentia challenge was to throw a going-away party for our
Charter Grand Knight, when Al and Helen Mazzoli flew South. Jim Walters started a long run
as our District Deputy. The Council took over management of the St. Francis Soup Kitchen
for the Chapter, and, at Father Pat’s request, we ran the Parish Appreciation Picnic.
Whether Kevin was on the spot, or delegating to his Administration, the Council enjoyed
the Installation Dinner, Pasta Night, and Christmas Party, and ran a full calendar of
Youth, Church and Community programs. The Grand Knight may personify Leadership, but it
lives in every Brother.
1995–96 CY – GK Ed M.
Conway was ready when the call came to "send up the Rookie. With all four chair
officers moving out of the area at the end of the prior year, Ed set the record for most
chairs skipped as he went straight from Treasurer to Grand Knight. It was a rebuilding
year, and while the Council may not have won any awards, Ed and his officers managed to
straighten out the books, get a control on council expenses, and administer a budget that
saw more money than ever devoted to Social and Community programs.
1996–97 CY – GK Tom
McGeachen made a commitment to all our fellow men. The main mission of this year would be
Community. We focused on our less fortunate neighbors, the defense of all human life, and
our senior citizens as our primary goals. We still, as usual, managed to enjoy what we
were doing and had a great time at our social events. Pasta Nite gave Tom an opportunity
to gleefully roast and toast his mentor, Ed M. Conway.
1997–98 CY – Bob
O’Brien was the first Grand Knight in many years who did not receive his First Degree
in our Council. Some may remember Bob's year as the one in which the St. Patrick's Dance
almost got resurrected (it took another year, though, to actually get it up and running
again.). Most will remember it as the year with the longest average meeting times on
record. Bob also has the distinction of being the last sitting GK to be an active member
of the 'Dirty Stay-Outs'. Through all this, Bob managed to convince State Council that he
knew what he was doing. At the end of his term he was appointed District Deputy; a
position not held by a Hightstown brother since Al Mazzoli's time.
1998–99 CY – Jimmy
McCabe served as GK during our "threshold to the Millennium" year, and his
strategy of Retention through Involvement helped energize our older members and attracted
newer Brothers to our many programs. Leaning heavily on PGKs for advice and support, the
St. Patrick’s Day Dance was resurrected, and attendance rivaled past productions. The
Council added a major Youth program when we became the Sponsoring Organization for Cub
Scout Pack 6284. And Bob O'Brien became the second
PGK in the Council's history to be asked to serve as District Deputy.
1999 – 2000 CY – GK
Jim Novak was responsible for seeing us through the Y2K transition. An Art Auction was
held for the first time in many years, and was tremendously successful. As a result, our
Squires Circle received a significant boost to their treasury, and the Council was able to
fund a record (for us) five seminarians in the Order-wide R.S.V.P. program in support of
Vocations. During this year, the Council expanded its Youth services yet again as Boy
Scout Troop 64 re-chartered as Troop 6284 under sponsorship of the Council.
2000–01 CY – Our 30th GK, Ed
P. Conway, has raised the standard of involvement (and dress) for his Officers, holding
Executive Board meetings each month, black tie optional but strongly encouraged. Meeting
attendance is up 50% (good), but meeting length is up 51% (not so good). We opened the
year by honoring our long-time Chaplain and Pastor, Father Pat Castles, at the annual
Parish Picnic. We also welcomed Father Pat McDonnell to our Parish, who blessed us by
allowing us to hold a First Degree in front of the altar, adding to the beauty of this
Exemplification. Father Javier Diaz agreed to be our Chaplain, and has been writing a
Chaplain’s Corner for our monthly newsletter. Our GK has made the Knight and Family
of the Month program shine, and a special State Family of the Month award was recently
presented to the Tom and Barbara McGeachen family. Brother Matt Palmere leads our efforts
to install a Right to Life monument in our Parish Prayer Garden. A gala reception marked our 30th Anniversary in May.Bishop John Mortimer Smith
attended and took the opportunity to formally announce the
installation of Father Pat McDonnell as Pastor of St. Anthoy of Padua.
