A new council of the Knights of Columbus based in Covington has been formed with Father Michael Redden as chaplain and Don Kenney of St. Augustine parish as grand knight.

Titled the Virgin Mary Council 11340, it is formed of over 30 Catholic man from the Covington parish and St. James in Madison, and open to additional members. Recognition was given to the new council at the state council meeting in May because it was formed so quickly, Kenney said. James Hickok, now deputy grant night, and Frank Hill, now chancellor of the council, along with Kenney precipitated the formation. At least 30 men are needed to form a new council.

Loyalty and charity are bywords of the knights, Kenney said, and the new council expects to be active in charitable works, the annual Tootsie Roll drive to aid the Cancer Home, and support for archdiocesan seminarians. The council meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at St. Augustine Church in Covington. The first meeting is for knights business; the second is a family night with the activities speakers, Kenney said.

Officers were installed in June including Chris Booker as recorder, Victor Landino as treasurer, Charles Smith as lector, Roger Jordan as advocate, Herbert Griffith as warden, John Fuchs as inside guard, Tom Holmes as outside guard, Dick James, Tim Cooper and Vince Lentini as trustees and Ed Ricky as financial secretary.