Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I want to continue to give updates to you on important topics, rather than wait for meetings like plenaries and conventions.

Firstly, I would like to introduce to you our new employee, Michael Howard, who was recently hired as a member of the National Office staff as Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant.

Michael graduated from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and brings previous accounting, financial auditing, and not-for-profit board member experience to our team.

Michael is highly motivated, eager to learn and has already proven to be a positive addition to the culture in our National Office! He works closely with Shayla Kaestle, CPA, learning the details of OSDIA finances and implementing various process improvements. Michael will be responsible for accounting tasks, office mailings, and other administrative work. We look forward to his future with us. Please feel free to call the National Office to welcome Michael to the OSDIA team.

I want to also thank Shayla as the professional time she has put in working on our books, and with Michal and our new accountant we will literally save approximately $80,000/year in accounting services and render a more professional and competent work product. Miles Fisher, the long-time Editor-in-Chief of our Italian America magazine, recently accepted a job offer from his previous employer to return as a manager. We thank Miles for his many

First, let me apologize for submitting the same article two months in a row. I really did write one for February but attached the wrong file when I sent it to Andy and Debbie. That won’t happen again, I can promise you.

I have been meeting with our Financial Secretary, David Lavezzari, at the Grand Lodge. He has been instructing me on how we do many of the functions of the Finances.

I am sorry to announce that we have had to close two Lodges in the South; West End and Desert Valley. Those members that wished to remain have transferred to the Joanne Coccia Lodge.

I’m afraid our members are aging, and we are not addressing the search for new, active members. Our Vice-President of the North, Louie Lodi

Dear Members,

With the start of the new year, I am looking forward to scheduling my State Officer Official Lodge visits to the Central Lodges. Congratulations to the following lodges: The Watsonville Lodge #2016, received second place in the Santa Cruz County Fair Holiday Lights display.

The Cristoforo Colombo Lodge #1534 on Fill the Boot – Lodge Donation Campaign total amount as of 12/31/2021 $6,940.00. Almost there, to Fill the Boot! A wonderful way and great idea to generate funds for your lodge. Also, their Festa Primavera will be on April 30, 2022.

The Shasta Lodge #2453 raised $2,482.54 for the Salvation Army. Member John DiMatteo who has been recycling their cans

The Sleeping Lion is about to roar again! When communicating with the Lodges in the North, I have found that they are starting to do more activities. Many Lodges have already been meeting since the beginning of 2022. In the past two years we participated in Zoom calls and raised money with Drive-Thru Spaghetti dinners and other activities. All the Lodges in the North have done an excellent job of keeping in touch with their members and being positive during these times. The Lodges are anxious to get together and start socializing once again.

In February, the Shasta Lodge had an unbelievable Crab Feed. On Friday night they had four hundred people and then on Saturday

The pandemic has created a “new normal” if you will, as long held traditions or activities have been modified, done with a different approach, or simply canceled and may never return. For over 80 years Roma Lodge held its annual charity fundraiser an annual ravioli dinner. In the 1950’s it was the social event of the year for the small town of Tulare where over 1,250 people attended for a homemade dinner of ravioli, chicken and spaghetti. Attendees enjoyed an evening of great food, dancing to a live band and wine came with the meal for the low, low price of $3 per person. Now, some 70 years later,