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07/31/2024 08:30 AMImagine this: If it wasn’t for Knights of Columbus (K of C) Council 3928, then the Saint George Church Carnival—a Guilford summer tradition since 1954—would not exist.
Thankfully, the K of C can count on members like Joe Nelly to ensure that the carnival’s food, fun, and entertainment return to the church grounds at 33 Whitfield Street each year. As carnival chairman, Joe invites all to come out to support the good works of the K of C and have a great time. Gates open on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m., and the carnival runs through Saturday, Aug. 10.
As always, carnival admission is free, and there is also free parking and shuttle service. Ticketed midway ride bracelets are available every night. The carnival also features live entertainment, amazing food, games, a 50/50 raffle, and a giant white elephant tag sale. More details can be found on Facebook by searching Saint George Church Carnival.
As the largest annual fundraiser for the K of C, the carnival’s proceeds benefit its charitable contributions and its support of Saint George Church. As carnival chairman, a past grand knight, and a past president of the Saint George Parish Council, Joe thanks everyone who helps to put on the carnival each year.
“We have a number of volunteers, both Knights of Columbus and parishioners, who help out. It’s a busy time before the carnival to set it up, during the carnival, and breaking it all down after it’s over,” says Joe.
Joe joined the Knights about nine years ago and has been chairing the carnival for three years. With its delicious variety of food offered at modest prices, the carnival makes for a great family night out, he says.
“One of the attractions, besides the rides for the kids, is really the food. We’re not raising food prices this year because we know budgets are tight, so you can go out for a nice meal with the family at the carnival. You can get a quarter-pound hamburger for five bucks. A hot dog’s only four dollars.”
The carnival taps into local purveyors of all varieties to create a dizzying menu of tasty offerings which do not skimp on size.
“The number-one attraction for food is the fried dough. It covers a 10-inch plate! For eight dollars, you can’t go wrong,” says Joe.
He also recommends the hot, fresh-cut French fries made with russet potatoes, which cost just $5.
Behind just about every fryer, grill, and pot at the carnival, you’ll find a K of C chef or cook proudly serving up their specialties, together with a number of volunteers providing helpful and happy service to customers. Joe organizes the rotation of volunteers who help out during the five-day event.
“The chefs we have are people that have done it in the past, so we make sure we have those veteran people,” Joe says. “Our guy who heads up the fried dough pizza has been doing it for about 25 years. He has a special ingredient he adds to the sauce to give it a good flavor.”
In addition, volunteers host the K of C tent, where anyone can learn more about the group. It’s also the best place to lend some additional financial support to the cause by purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets. This year, the 50/50 raffle offers three $1,000 prizes. Half of this year’s raffle profits are earmarked to go to East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA) in Branford to assist with a HVAC renovation project. ESCA serves students from across the shoreline.
Speaking of schools, Council 3928 also provides annual scholarships to Guilford students who are graduating high school seniors. This year, the council awarded three $1,000 scholarships to recognize three graduates for their outstanding academic service in the community, as well as Faith in Action achievements and dedication.
There are also many council actions which fly under the radar to provide local support. Four years ago, as then-grand knight for Council 3928, Joe introduced the concept, “Make Someone Smile.”
“The object is to do an act of charity and put a smile on someone’s face. The person who performs the charity feels better inside for assisting the person receiving the act of charity,” Joe says.
Make Someone Smile charitable acts can have a ripple effect. In response to a recent call for assistance, two members helped an elderly resident with a house maintenance request. Noticing her overgrown lawn, they asked if she needed someone who could maintain it. Through the parish, the council connected her with a teen to keep up her lawn.
“It doesn’t always have to be something big,” says Joe. “These kinds of little acts are things we do all the time. That’s our goal—to make people smile.”
On the bigger side of things, the K of C offers its regular bingo night each Monday at 7 p.m. at the Knight’s hall at 390 South Union Street. Open to the public, each bingo night involves an exciting variety of game cards with cash prizes, trivia at intermission, and a chance to win a jackpot which can build weekly by $125 to a maximum of $2,000 until it’s claimed. K of C members also offer snacks, popcorn, Hummel hot dogs, and soda for purchase. Coffee is free.
“It’s a fun night out for the players and time to socialize among the regulars,” says Joe.
Joe and his wife Ellen have been in Guilford for 45 years, raising their three children in town. Slightly over 20 years ago, through the state of Connecticut, the Nellys also welcomed two special needs individuals who remain an important part of their family.
Joe was involved in Guilford boys’ and girls’ youth sports as a coach and supporter when his children were young. Now a grandfather of nine, Joe feels blessed that his children still reside in Connecticut, keeping the family connected.
“They love to come back to Guilford to see some of their friends from high school and for the different activities that go on. Guilford is a great community,” Joe says.
At Saint George Church, in addition to his service with the Parish Council, Joe’s involvement through the years has included being a Eucharistic Minister and volunteering with groups such as the Welcoming Committee.
The overwhelming support of K of C charitable programs and fundraising efforts, such as the Saint George Carnival, give evidence of the strong ties between parish members and the dedicated members of K of C Council 3928. Joe says the support greatly assists the council with the success of its charitable efforts.
“The church has really phenomenal parishioners. Whenever the Knights ask for support, the parishioners are always behind us,” says Joe. “We couldn’t do it without them. They’re very much supportive of the activities we do, and we appreciate it.”