It has been an honor to serve as the Grand Knight of Council 1185 for the past four years. As I look at the portraits of the Grand Knights who came before me—men who led this council for over a century—I'm humbled to be counted among them. This role has been interesting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding, with many responsibilities that I did not take lightly.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Past Grand Knights who shared their wisdom, advice, and support during my time in office: Tony Vallo, Marvin Williams, Todd Milner, Keith Missey, Bob Roth, and Larry Krodinger. A special thanks to our District Deputy, Mike Ward, whose partnership and guidance were instrumental throughout my term.

I also want to thank each and every one of you who work tirelessly to make our council the vibrant, active, and impactful organization it is. Through your efforts—whether you help behind the scenes, run events, or simply show up—we have made a lasting difference in our Church and community.

This year, we will be honored with the Star Council Award, the highest achievement given by our Order. That recognition belongs to all of you. Thank you to everyone who invited new members to join this year—your commitment to growing our brotherhood is what made this possible.

At our May meeting, we held officer nominations. Since there was only one nominee per position, a motion was made and passed to elect the officers by acclamation. Congratulations to our next Grand Knight, David Kennedy, and to the newly elected officers who will lead us in the upcoming fraternal year.

Also at the meeting, we voted to make a $500 donation to Birthright for their Mother’s Day card fundraiser. In addition, two $500 scholarships were awarded to David Lueck and Payton O'Shea, graduating seniors from De Soto High School. These scholarships were funded by proceeds from the Kay Schutte Memorial Cornhole Tournament.

Our meeting room air conditioning also received an upgrade. SMCI generously donated a condensing unit with compatible refrigerant, saving us the cost of replacing the entire indoor system. Their support is deeply appreciated.

A quick update from the State Convention: an additional $1 per dues-paying member will now be assessed by the State Council to help cover travel expenses for District Deputies. Our District Deputy, Mike Ward, spoke against this measure, but it ultimately passed. On a lighter note, the State has also added a Knights Day at the Ballpark. Join us for a Cardinals game on Sunday, July 27th at 1:15 PM—more details will be shared in this newsletter.

Serving as Grand Knight has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I hope you are all as proud as I am to be part of Council 1185. Thank you for your support, your friendship, and your dedication.

Fraternally,
John Ziegler,
Grand Knight

Spring is here, and with everything blooming around us, we’re feeling refreshed and ready for another year of fellowship and service.

We recently held elections for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, and we’re pleased to announce the following officers:

President: Vicky Moss
Vice President: Traci Hardin
Secretary: Terri Sprouse
Treasurer: Belinda Pelican
Trustees: Debbie Roth and Jenn Missey

We’ve been asked by the men to contribute half the cost of a new water softener, which is approximately $2,100. In addition, the dishwasher is in need of repairs, estimated at $1,000. We will also donate $300 toward this year’s fireworks display, as long as funds allow.

Currently, we only have two catering events scheduled for September. Our primary sources of income this year will be Bingo and the concession stand.
We’re always looking for volunteers to help with Bingo—even once a month or every other month would be a big help! We’d especially love to see a few more of our Knights volunteer to cook burgers at Bingo. Typical shift hours are from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

As the days get sunnier and the flowers and trees come to life, take time to enjoy the beauty around you.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Memorial Day weekend!

Yours truly,
Vicky Moss

First, a big thank you to everyone who helped make our Derby Day celebration a success! The energy was great, the food was delicious, and everyone had a blast. Your support and volunteer spirit never go unnoticed.

As we roll into summer, we know schedules get busy with vacations, sports, and kids being out of school. But don’t forget, the Clubroom is here and open for you! Whether you're looking for a quick drink with friends, a fun Friday night, or just a place to unwind—we’ve got you covered. Bring the kids and let them enjoy the playground, throw a round of disc golf, or stop by on Friday nights for concession stand food while you watch the horseshoe league in action.

We grow and thrive from seeing families spend time together here, making memories and enjoying all our facility has to offer.

Mark your calendars now for our big Independence Day Bash! Join us for an all-day celebration with water slides, bounce houses, games, live music, food, drinks, and a fantastic fireworks show. This event is open to members and the community, and it’s one of our favorite days of the year to celebrate freedom and fellowship together.

Happy Summer!

As always, we appreciate your continued support and look forward to spending the season with you.