We quietly made it through the 4th of July celebrating America’s birthday at home. Things just didn’t feel the same because it wasn’t, but we felt pride in our country as we watched different states sending up to the heavens an amazing display of fireworks.

Every year we put on different events to help raise money for our scholarship fund. This year we did a “Winner Every Day” drawing, which was to take place in May but had to be moved to July. Our lodge president Mark Rossi along with Juanita Stopponi, Don and Jeanne Cradduck and Jerry and Shirley Firpo

First, there was an error on last month’s article, unfortunately my December 2019 article was printed, and that is why you see references to 2020. So I will now post my December 2020 article followed by my January 2021 article. Sorry for the confusion.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your immediate family. This has been a difficult year to say the least, with all the counties in California going in the wrong direction we need to now more than ever, take care of ourselves and listen to our elected officials to beat this pandemic. We may not agree with some of their policies or politics but we have to work together to beat this!!

It was nice to see some lodges able to meet socially distancing themselves. I was excited to see some lodges with their drive thru dinners, even though we are not meeting or gathering it is nice to see some faces even though

With the beginning of a new year, I am raring to get back to my Sons and Daughters of Italy family.

Your Vice-Presidents are still sending emails to your Lodge Presidents telling them what other Lodges are doing during this time. I think the best way to keep you all engaged is through communication. Without communication we are all disconnected from our Order. I love the way some of our Lodge Presidents are posting on social media interesting facts from Italy or information on our Order. I know of several Lodges that have increased members during this time by reaching out to friends that may be interested. Remember the words of our Membership Chair of the North, Louie Lodi, “JUST ASK”. That holds true even during a pandemic. If you are speaking with someone who is not a member, remember why you joined and share. We will be back together soon to share the fraternity

Praying all your families were blessed with the Love and the Peace that is Christmas and Wishing you all the wonders and joy of the season throughout the New Year! Peace and happiness to all people of good will.

I hope you find this article informative and helpful in building a strong lodge through membership in the New Year!

Get started in 2021 – you have been given the brain, heart, and courage, to continue to build membership in your lodge. Let us use our brains

TO: STATE OFFICERS, PAST STATE PRESIDENTS, LODGE PRESIDENTS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
FROM: LORI ROSSI
STATE RECORDING SECRETARY

I am deeply saddened to inform you of the death of Past State President Arturo Ibleto. Brother Arturo passed away at the age of 94, on Tuesday, November 24, at his home in Cotati and was surrounded by his family and friends. He had recently been hospitalized.

Arturo was born on October 2, 1926 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and grew up in the Liguria region in the northwestern part of Italy. He was 22 years