Port Washington Senior Center Names 2013 Golden Gala Honorees

By Debbie Greco

The Port Washington Senior Center recently named Fred Falconer and the Knights of Columbus as honorees for their annual Golden Gala to be held Nov. 14 at The Swan Club. 

It is always hard to narrow down just two honorees with so many worthy organizations and individuals who go above an beyond for the benefit of the senior citizens of our community — yet this year’s decision was relatively easy.

Both of this year’s honorees have demonstrated extraordinary devotion to the senior citizen members and the Senior Center overall. 

Falconer has lived in Port Washington his entire life, with the exception of his service in the U.S. Army, where he spent most of his time in active duty in Germany. Fred’s father, Fred Falconer, Sr. started the florist in 1924 in the same location where it is today. Fred took over in 1980 when his father retired. The business has thrived well over the years by providing an outstanding product with superior, knowledgeable service. Although the business has always flourished with flora, Fred Jr. continues to expand the offerings in the store to include a wide variety of gift items.

Dedicated to his hometown, Fred is exceptionally generous to so many non-profit organizations, whether it’s supplying flowers for the event at cost or for free, donating items for raffles or otherwise. It is for this reason overall, and particularly because of his continued support of the Port Washington Senior Citizens Center that Fred Falconer, Jr. is one of this year’s Golden Gala honorees.

The Center’s other Golden Gala honoree is the Knights of Columbus Port Washington Council #1227. Due to renovations the Town of North Hempstead is conducting at the Senior Center facility at 80 Manorhaven Blvd., a committee of board members researched alternate temporary locations. Jim Avena, who is both a board member of the Senior Center and Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus led the arrangements to use the Knights’ facility at 155 Manorhaven Blvd., for the seniors’ activities.  

Without the generosity of this community-focused member organization, the senior members would have either been displaced or would have been relocated in a facility that would have been less than ideal for the programs and hot lunches they enjoy at the Center. 

The Knights of Columbus is a member organization that donates millions of hours each year to raise funds for charitable needs and projects.  Their exceptional generosity to the senior citizens and the community in general is truly admirable.

Special recognition Golden Legacy Leadership Awards will also be given to Arlene Kase for her years of dedicated service as a board member of the Senior Citizens Center and to Matt Arnold, who volunteers his time each week to teach his senior students basic computer skills.

If you’re interested in attending the Golden Gala, learning more about the Senior Citizens Center programs, making a donation or volunteering in one or more fun and rewarding ways, contact the Center at 883-6656 or pwseniorcitizenscenter@verizon.net.

Captions with photos:

(Falconer)

Golden Gala honoree Fred Falconer, owner of S.F. Falconer Florist is a community focused, lifelong resident of Port Washington.

(KOC)

Representatives of Golden Gala honoree Knights of Columbus (l to r) Columbian Club President Anthony Carpinelli, Deputy Grand Knight Jim Avena and Grand Knight Kevin Eustace.