Knights honor citizenry

Five members of the local community were honored by the Knights of Columbus Marquette Council 588 Friday night at a ceremony held in the cafeteria of the Reverend Brown School in Sparta. The honorees were Barbara Nemeth, First Aider of the Year; Daniel Tassy, Fireman of the Year; Dee Jones, Senior Citizen of the Year; Eleanor Carducci, Teacher of the year; and Kenneth Brenzel, Police Officer of the Year. Community Director of the Council, Stephen Marino, gave a short speech giving the background and accomplishments of each recipient. A person with a special relationship to the recipient read the inscription on the award and presented it to the honoree. Jim Burrough, captain of the Sparta First Aid presented the award to Nemeth, who responded to 335 first aid calls last year. Michael Hennessey of the Forest Fire Service presented to Tassy. With 37 years with the NJ Forest Fire Service “there is Forestry folklore that he knew Smokey the Bear personally when Smokey was just a cub,” said Marino in his introductory speech. Diane Washer presented to her grandmother, Senior Citizen of the Year Dee Jones. Both are from Ogdensburg. Frank Ancona presented to fellow Sussex County Community College professor Eleanor Carducci of Stanhope. The award for Police Officer of the Year will be presented to Brenzel at the regularly scheduled Hardyston Township business meeting in June. A coffee and cake reception followed the ceremony.