Knights take part in national volunteer day
Members of R.A. Driesbach, Sr. Lodge #77 Knights of Pythias provided free bicycle safety checks and maintenance for children and adults on Saturday, Oct, 26 as a part of National Pythian/Calanthe Volunteer Day.
Chancellor Commander Kenneth Monette said the Knights performed maintenance on bicycles to improve their performance and longevity and reduce the risk of breakdowns.
“This included repairing flat tires, inspecting seats, checking tire air pressure, inspecting tires for glass, gravel shards, and cuts on tread and sidewall, examining brakes and cables, checking for tight loose links in chains, examining pedals and reflectors, looking for loosened bolts and inspecting helmets, tires, tubes, handlebars and other parts of the bike,” he said.
By the end of the afternoon the members of the Knights of Pythias had serviced over a dozen bicycles. “This has been some of the best participation that we have had for National Pythian/Calanthe Volunteer Day,” said Vice Chancellor Commander Frankie Fennell, Sr. “We are looking forward to a bigger and better Volunteer Day with our sister Calanthes next year.
The Pythians also sponsor the Bikes for Boys and Girls program each year during the Christmas Season. “Last year we distributed over 125 bikes to boys and girls throughout Gulf County,” said Clarence Monette, Bikes For Boys & Girls Chairman for the organization. “This year we expect to do as many or more.
“But to continue providing these essential services, we need help from the community,” he said. “Funds are needed urgently to make sure our boys and girls in Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, and surrounding areas receive a bright shiny bike for Christmas.”
The Pythians will be accepting donations at Duren’s Piggly Wiggly in Port St. Joe on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for the Bikes for boys and Girls program. You can also mail your donation to P.O. Box 731, Port St. Joe, FL 32457. Make checks payable to R.A. Driesbach, Sr. Lodge #77 with memo Bikes for Boys & Girls. All donations are tax deductible.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.