Greetings from Petaluma!

I usually write about my beautiful garden but tonight I am in my nightgown ready for bed and I remembered that I needed to get my article in. It’s midnight so hopefully I will have been able to get this in to the paper.

This pandemic never seems to end, so until it is over we cannot have our meetings as the Lucchesi Center is still closed. The Lodge is on hold and it looks as though there will be no Christmas Dinner or Crab Feed in the future. Even if they are able to open and have them I’m sure that people will be cautious in getting together.

Since President Ernie said he is feeling better,

Normally I would be packing my car and heading to our State Convention on the day I am writing this. This will be the first time in 17 years I will not be attending Convention (except one year for my daughter’s wedding). Many of you also, would be checking in to our Hotel for the week to share some laughs, and fraternity. This will be a different year. I hope everyone continues to be safe, and hope for that day when we can break bread, share a conversation, and share an adult beverage will come soon!!

By now you have probably received the Western Foundation donation forms for 2020. Even though we are not meeting at convention you are still able to donate to our scholarship funds, Medical charities and our civic projects. If you have not received the forms please email the Grand Lodge office and we will get them to you.

Sisters and Brothers:

I hope this edition of the “Il Leone” finds you all well and safe.

While Ken and I were in Italy, we met a wonderful, young tour guide. Francesca took us on an eating tour of Rome. It was a good thing we walked, or I could never have eaten all the foods she brought us to try.

When we left Rome to go to Catania, it was March 8th. As we know now, COVID 19 was rampant in Northern Italy. The South was not as bad, but the government closed the entire country shortly after that.

Soon after we got home, I got a message on my Facebook account from Francesca. She knew we were going South and was concerned that we might not have gotten out of Italy. We now follow each other on Facebook. The reason I am sharing this with you is because the other day she made my favorite dessert, Cannoli and posted pictures. I asked her to share with me her recipe and she did. I’d like to share it with you now:

I hope my article finds you healthy and staying indoors, in these uncertain times.

Instead of hosting sociating activities, events, and catered meals, we are working to provide from telephone contact to teleconferencing; from Skype to now Zoom to reach out to members.

I encourage members to check the National Supreme Lodge Website on scheduled presentation by National Membership Commission, such as using Zoom as your communications.

MEETING A DEADLINE, AT THE 11 TH HOUR
As you know we are not meeting...but our thoughts are with you all and the good times that were had at our Third Tuesday of the Month Dinners...

WORTH MENTIONING
A class mate of mine once said it was nice to have children for ‘spare parts’...he had a kidney transplant given by his daughter. WELL spare parts weren’t needed for Marie Davis, but children come in handy when you are recovering from a fall...and they take turns meeting your needs....