The Knights of Columbus are well known for their efforts in raising funds for many local organizations, with each member understanding that their role, whatever it may be, is important to the overall success of the group, and the community they serve. Tinkess Photo

SOUTH MOUNTAIN – March winds and April showers were supposed to bring forth May flowers, or so the saying goes, but while there are flowers here and there, the weather that greeted those who attended the South Mountain Duck Race was a bit chilly and slightly wet.

Good weather for ducks, you might say.

The weather was in sharp contrast to the warm smiles that could be seen on the children, the parents and the organizers of the event, which is not at all surprising when you consider the annual event is organized by the Knights of Columbus St. Daniels Council 11725, which takes in St. Daniels in South Mountain and St. Mary’s in Chesterville.

One of the organizers, Bob Sisson took a moment to explain what the event involves.

“The idea is they sell a duck for $5 bucks, and there’s a thousand of them. They go off the Nation bridge. and they come floating down and just out by the other bridge here. There’s a rope across and we’ll pick out one, two, and three. First prize is $500, second is $300, and third is $200, something like that.”

The money raised goes to charities which had already been nominated.

“This is all from St. Daniel’s Knights of Columbus,” continued Sissons. “Everything’s volunteer, the time, the food. This has been a thing for St. Daniel’s, and the Knights of Columbus for years. We’re all just men from the church here in St. Daniel’s and the church in Chesterville (St. Mary’s). We combined it with one Knights Council, and we just do things to help with the community. We do a bottle drive in the fall, and that money goes to Special Olympics. We do a chicken barbeque in the summer, and that money goes out to different charities that we nominate. It’s a group of guys, like-minded guys who get together and just have some have some fun with their family.”

The event got underway at 11:30 a.m. with activities for the kids along with drinks, popcorn, cotton candy as well as barbecued hotdogs and burgers. Shortly before 1:00 p.m. some of the volunteers, along with their large yellow duck mascot headed over to the bridge on County Road One. After a short countdown, and precisely at 1:00 p.m. the plastic ducks were dropped over the side of the bridge into the river and began their journey east to the finish line near Bridge St. in South Mountain with the current and the wind determining which three ducks would make their owners happy.

Ultimately though, the real winners would be the charities who, through the good will and volunteer efforts of the Knights of Columbus would have some of their needs met, at least in the short term, although the good feeling from having done something to make their community a better place would surely spread that feeling around.