My Dear Brothers and Sisters in OSDIA,

We survived 2020 – perhaps not without illness, suffering and loss, and perhaps not as we had planned. But survive it we did and with a willingness to continue being on this earth with the hope that we will serve one another humbly with Fraternalism.

This month, June 2021 will be the end of my two-year term as your State 2nd Vice President. It has been a challenging two years keeping in touch and communicating with the Lodges. I want to thank the Lodges for their support and keeping me informed of their lodge activities. I am honored and so humbled to be able to share this portion of my life and the influence it has had on my personal involvement in OSDIA. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve as a State Officer of OSDIA.

June is also the month for State Convention. The convention may not be exactly as we had in the past. Pandemic regulations have required a virtual meeting. Members gathering to listen to good speakers and sharing the joy of Fun Night, this year will not happen. But the business necessary for a state convention can and will be done. Dedicated members willing to take the challenge

Sisters and Brothers:

Here we are in June of 2021 already. But, If you look ahead, we are slowly winning this fight against the pandemic.. More and more people are getting the vaccine and one day this virus will go the way of Small Pox, TB, Measles, Shingles and Polio etc. Let’s push for that.

The governor says he wants to do away with the color tier system by mid June which just might advance us a little bit faster to being able to meet and greet by August, I hope. I know all of you are so tired of not being able to see your fellow sisters and brothers.

I will miss the ‘in person’ convention this year as I do enjoy seeing all the members from all over our area. The convention will be virtual but that is not the same. I would much rather see and hug every one in person but not this year.

I have no idea where the 2022 convention will be

Hanford Lodge Scholarship Recipients 2021: Each member will receive a $1000.00 award from the Hanford Sons of Italy Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Chloe Scialo is a graduate of Hanford High School in Hanford and will be attending Cal State Fullerton in the Fall majoring in Business. Her parents are Vincent and Kristi Scialo. Chloe has been a member of the Hanford Lodge since June, 2011. Her scholarship award is in memory of Frankie Scialo, her grandfather.

Gianna Fernandez is a graduate of Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, CA and will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Fall majoring in Business. Her parents are Mark and Cara Fernandez of Saratoga, CA. Gianna has been a member of the Hanford Lodge since April, 2003. Her scholarship award is in memory of Fred Donald Giacomazzi, her grandfather, and Lilia Giacomazzi, her great-grandmother.

To err is human; luckily, that is what we do best.

Sadly, we report on the passing of old friends: Frances Ricchiuti, a member since 1974, and Clara DeLuca, twelfth child of Ciriaco and Maria (Fasano) DeLuca. Ciriaco was an initiator for our lodge here in Clovis, and a charter member since 1927. Verona DeLuca, a longtime member, is a surviving sister. Clara was a graduate of Clovis High School (class of 1955) and Fresno

ALMOST FOLKS!

June 15 our California Governor says we can remove our masks....is that a time for celebration? Are we to be cautious? Can we hug again? We will be able to resume our dinners? Hopefully soon!

MISSING EACH ONE OF YOU! For sure WHEN we can be together again it will be a joyous occasion!

JUST IN CASE... Are you wondering..? I am no longer attached to Duolingo... It was over 2 years... The words are in my head... just not sure I can put them in order...go ahead and laugh!

TIES TO THE HOME LAND S. Stino Di Livenza 1961 This time of isolation has caused me to think about the times I visited Italy...The first time was in 1961...everything was as it was when my grandmother lived there...