Friendly Knights of St. Patrick to hold annual scholarship fundraiser

LYNN ? The Friendly Knights of St. Patrick will hold its 69th annual scholarship fundraising dinner at Olde Tyme Italian Cuisine on Boston Street on March 12 from 6-10 p.m.The event will feature a traditional corn-beef-and-cabbage dinner along with live Irish music by the Brendan O’Higgins band.The Friendly Knights of St. Patrick were founded in 1947 by a group that included J. Leo McGuinness, Donald Randazzo, Jack Barry and Thomas “T” O’Connor. In 1952 the group chose its first Irishman of the Year, a tradition which continues today. The annual Randazzo-O’Solimine Community Service Award will be presented at the dinner.The dinner has been held at several spots in Lynn, including the old Hotel Edison and Nandees on Market Street. When Nandees burned down, the dinner was moved to Nahant Country Club, before finding its current home at Old Tyme. Before John F. Kennedy became president, he attended one of the dinners at the Edison. Governors, senators and other elected officials have attended over the years.It is hoped that Gov. Charlie Baker and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy will attend this year, according to Bill McDonald, chair of the committee planning the dinner.The dinner raises money for scholarships for students in the four Lynn high schools. According to McDonald, a 17-year committee member, last year the group raised $16,000.”Basically we are very proud of our Irish heritage and like to celebrate it and continue the long tradition of the Friendly Knights of St. Patrick,” McDonald said.Tickets are $30 and are available from any committee member or by calling David Solimine Sr. at 781-595-1492 or Bill McDonald at 617-268-9292.