Have you taken time to just “look around?”  Do you jump into your car or pick-em-up truck and just go from here-to-there?  Can we even admit to driving blindly in Orange County and missing all of the things that are here for us?

Helping hands

Ouch.  Felt that one.  But, seriously, there is so much to do and see in our town and within Orange County.  I often find out about events after they happen or that happen on a day that I chose to write just one more note or story.

Our Council is huge by local standards, but it should be twice as large and four times as effective.  Yes, it is possible.  The secret is to “stop, look, and listen.”  Be a fly or butterfly for an afternoon.  Find a nice destination, get there, park the car and slowly, repeat, slowly walk about and just browse around.. Don’t be in a hurry.  Slow down.

If you can find a nice spot to sit down and watch people, listen to the ruffling tree branches, and the yelping of little tykes and frantic parents.  All is good as you absorb the sounds of our town.

So, how does this help you as a Knight of Columbus?  It’s the exposure to others and what is important to them.  It will help your reshuffle your priorities and come up with ideas on how to improve self and your surroundings.

If you look about the parish parking lot and school area you can see the results of others coming up with ideas and projects to improve the appearance of our church.  The Garden, the walkways, the pond overlook, the play fields, and more.  One such project of the Knights is “Parish Pride Day.”  It was inspired by one Knight working with another Knight to solve a problem.  The church was ready to open, but there was no money for landscaping!

The solution was individual contributions of funds, plants, talent, and a fun meal.  Yep! We created a mini-work project with hot off the grill food at the end of the morning.  And, it was an idea from a Knight with no cash, but a lot of inspiration. He even served as the cook for the next five years.  (Read the background story.)

How about you?  Do you have an idea that will help make things better,  Improve our Council or Assembly, or have a project to help others?  Now is the time to share.

Lastly, if you need an energy boost and a day out with a buddy, your kids, your spouse or a brother knight, explore Orange County.  Visit the Orange County Visitor’s Center on-line and learn about the hundreds of things ready and waiting for you stop by and explore.  Learn more

Related stories in pictures:

Parish Fish Fry

The New Year is almost here and brother knight Jerry Pilarski is again hosting his annual New Year’s Day barbecue in the country.  The Pilarski’s have been doing this with family and friends for over FIFTY years as their way to thank friends and join together for the new year.

If you know Jerry, you are invited.  If you don’t know Jerry, then it is time to learn about a wonderful person in our Knights of Columbus that has made it his personal mission to do something for others ALL THE TIME without expectation of something in return.

The Pig Picking Event is on January 1st. We gather at about 1:30 to 3 p.m. to be ready to serve and eat at 3:30 pm.  Dress county-casual and bring the family.  The event site sits high on a hill and the view is great and for miles in any direction.

Everyone is asked to bring a favorite covered dish or dessert to share. Beverages and pulled pig are provided with hush puppies.  Traditional southern New Year’s Day items are black-eyed peas and greens “to bring luck and prosperity” are sure to be there. We will gather for the blessing and eat at 3:30 p.m.

The barbecue will be at the Orange Grove 4H Cattle Barn on Orange Grove Road at Dairyland Rd, just above the firehouse. Take NC 54 or Dairyland Rd from Carrboro to Orange Grove Road, then turn right.

It is next to the Orange Grove Volunteer Fire Station.  View map

If you every wondered about the activities of the men of the Knights of Columbus or asked yourself, “What would I do as a member of the Chapel Hill Council?”, consider this.  Each member of the council adds their own talents and time to the Order.  Some are great, some are small, but all are critical to the Order as a whole.  We are “the sum of the pieces.”

Each council like ours joins with all of the other councils of North Carolina and together we serve the many churches in our parishes.  When you consider that our efforts are part of a national, no international, Order, then you start to realize that the Knights of Columbus are a huge gathering of men with a common goal–to serve others.

Take a look at the Knights of Columbus’ video, “Knights of Columbus Year in Review – 2017.” Then remember, it all starts right here in our community.  It starts with men of our parish standing up and saying, “Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me.”

Click on image to view

The New Year is approaching and brother knight Jerry Pilarski is again hosting his annual New Year’s Day barbecue in the country.  The Pilarski’s have been doing this with family and friends for over FIFTY years as their way to thank friends and join together for the new year.

If you know Jerry, you are invited.  If you don’t know Jerry, then it is time to learn about a wonderful person in our Knights of Columbus that has made it his personal mission to do something for others ALL THE TIME without expectation of something in return.

The Pig Picking Event is on January 1st. We gather at about 1:30 to 3 p.m. to be ready to serve and eat at 3:30 pm. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish or dessert to share. Beverages and pulled pig are provided with hush puppies.  We will gather for the blessing and eat at 3:30 p.m.

The barbecue is at the Orange Grove 4H Cattle Barn on Orange Grove Road at Dairyland Rd, just above the firehouse. Take NC 54 or Dairyland Rd from Carrboro to Orange Grove Road, then turn right.

It is next to the Orange Grove Volunteer Fire Station.  View map

Thousands of stories are fed to the Supreme Council for publication in Columbia.  Not all of them get published in the magazine, but a few are selected for on-line publication.  One of our stories made it.

A special “Thank You” goes out to John Aluise for submitting a story on our own Knights’ work with our youth.  He submitted a candid photo of Bishop Burbidge getting a bocce lesson and pointers.

Have you taken a look at the activities of other councils across the country?  Visit Knights in Action.  Click here.

The Knights of Columbus have been serving Catholic Families and their communities for over 100 years.  You see us on committees, in service groups, helping others, raising funds, providing for children with special needs, and working with our parish youth.

If you are not part of our Council and are interested in learning more, take a look at our brochure.  Then take a look at some of the stories about our Council and our activities.  Share it with you spouse and family.  Why?  Because the Knights are about family.  Download brochure

The Knights of Columbus started as a group of men interested in the welfare of Catholic wives and children left without support following the loss of their husbands and fathers.  They made sure that they were not left alone and without help.  We still do this and more  today.

The next step is to contact us.  Let us know that you are interested in learning more and we will contact you.  Just click on this link and it will open an email addressed to our Council and Past Grand Knight.  He will share your contact information with our membership team and you will be contacted.  No pressure, just honest answers to your questions.