“A Trifecta”

Three Days Work

On the Friday afternoon and evening of March 14, 2025, thirty one (31) Knights helped prepare and serve about 265 people during the 2^nd Lenten fish fry of 2025.  They (in no particular order) were:  Larry Balagna, Jeff Traub, Dan Murphy, Jim Ouimet, Marc Evans, John Owen, Eduardo Florentes, Doug Karpan, Jesus Medina, Jim Kowalski, James Smith, Allen Reitmeier, Frank Salazar, David Ybarra, Efrain Ochoa, Lou Lemons, Antonio Rodriguez, Jorge Ruiz, Antonio Razo, Mike Fitzgerald, Jorge Echeveste, Mike Clark, Jorge Caraveo, Adan Luna, Tony Gonzalez, Peter Perta, Joel Lopez, Drew Carlson, and Chris Kubin.  Flor Echeveste, Norma Luna and Cappy Wood also contributed by helping with salad/coleslaw and fish tacos. 

There was just a steady line of customers from 5pm until 7pm.  There were lots of comments on the size of the catfish (all positive because the pieces were very large).  The fish taco station was a huge “hit” again with Efrain Ochoa, Antonio Razo, Tony Gonzalez, Norma Luna, Adan Luna, and Jorge Echeveste doing the heavy lifting.  The Knights who did the actual preparation of fish, hush puppies and French fries were delighted to see two new fryers.  The whole affair was orchestrated by Dan Murphy and his many assistants.  The overall atmosphere was jovial as laughter and friendly banter could be heard everywhere.  There is always room for improvement; but feeding 265 people in 2 hours is a pretty tall order and the Knights pulled it off with togetherness and cooperation by all.  Another job well done

On the Saturday morning and afternoon of March 15, 2025, five (5) Knights plus one Knightette served concession food and drinks at Valley Ridge Park during the first little league games of the spring season.  They were John Espree, Allen Reitmeier, Hector Rubio, Keith Archer, Robert Nieto.  Mary Archer assisted by handling the frying station plus helping at the counter.  There was a slow start to the day and then a giant surge as 75 kids formed a line to get their free hot dog – complements of the Cedar Hill Baseball Association.  Opening ceremonies for the years began about 10:15 with seven games played beginning at noon.  There were no glitches during this first session of the season.  We finished up the job about 5:45pm after a thorough cleaning of the concession stand; so we can be ready for the games next Saturday.  Thanks to all for your gift of time and effort to serve the baseball community. 

And on Sunday morning, March 17, 2025 from 6am until about 1pm, thirteen (13) Knights prepared and served a parish breakfast of pancakes, bacon, hash browns biscuits with gravy, fruit, and drinks.  Those thirteen Knights (again in no particular order) were:  Efrain Ochoa, David Ybarra, Robert Tovar, Barry Barksdale, John Owen, Jim Ouimet, Lou Lemons, Jack Ramsden, Jesus Medina, Frank Salazar, James Smith, Jesse Radillo, and Allen Reitmeier.  The kitchen was pretty crowded what with cooking bacon, frying hash browns, making biscuits, and preparing gravy all in the same small area.  Perhaps there was a bump here and there but never was a harsh word spoken.  David Ybarra did an excellent job of directing the Knights making sure all was ready when folks began arriving around 8:30am.  So you can readily see why the title “A Trifecta” was appropriate.  You will also notice that some of the Knights worked more than one event; but however many time you worked, the Council thanks you for time and spirit of charity, unity and fraternity.