A 50th anniversary is a big deal no matter who, or what is hitting the half-century mark.
Saturday June 16 marked 50 years in which the Castlegar Knights of Columbus has been active.From their home in Victoria, The Knights of Columbus State Deputy for BC and Yukon, Wil Wilmot and his wife Val were in attendance.
Along with a list of club-related procedures held over the weekend, the honouring of a group of charter members was a focal point of the occasion. Suitable respects were paid to Walter Fields who had celebrated his 91st birthday the day before. Also in line for charter kudos were Dick Paul, Herman Kemperman, and Herb Teindl who was unable to attend. Similar tributes were accepted by Lucy McBain and Ernesta Graziotto on behalf of their deceased spouses.
A lot happens in 50 years and for Walter Fields it wasn't easy to come up with a list of hightlights from the past five decades."I was always active," said the birthday boy on June 15. "Not so much now. I'm not bed-ridden but I've slowed down. The biggest history was... I got baptized and married in the Catholic faith. Our wedding day was the second of June, 1947."
Over the years the Knights have been very active. As explained in supplied literature, "Since the start of our parish, our church was moved from its location on Front Street to its present location on 7th Avenue. The Knights assisted with the building of the new church, both with labour and financial support."
Spokesperson and 4th Degree Knight Bill Jankola says the highlights have been many over the years, but there are some that stand out – such as the group taking on the responsibility of orchestrating the annual Citizen of the Year Award and pick-up hockey for families. Mr. Jankola says the group is also very supportive of youth, including its involvement by way of a scholarship at Stanley Humphries Secondary School.