Our scholarship recipients from 2020 were not in the Il Leone last year, thus, we would like to acknowledge them in this issue. Our scholarship recipients for the 2021 school year will be featured next month as a few of the high school awards ceremonies have not taken place yet.

We are hoping to be able to meet in person once again after June.  It is of course wait and see.

The Gold Country Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge #2705 is proud to announce the winners of our 2021 Scholarship Awards. In addition to recognizing them at their high school Scholarship Nights, we recognized them at our lodge awards dinner on May 18th. At that time each student presented their future plans. The two $500 awards were presented to Chelsea Mullens & Jessica Weisser. These awards are given to students of Italian descent who have demonstrated recognized participation in school and community activities. Sofia Acosta was awarded $250 for outstanding achievement and participation in the four year Italian Language Program at Oakridge High School in El Dorado Hills, CA. This award does not require being of Italian decent. This is always the highlight of our May dinner meeting. Thank You Arietta Family for doing a fantastic job making & serving our dinner of Ravioli’s, salad and celebratory cake.

Roma Lodge’s 85 Year Member!

Joe Signorelli Sr. joined the Order of Sons of Italy in America on April 25, 1936. Yes, 1936! Joe just celebrated his 85th year as a member of the Order and was recognized at the Roma Lodge gathering on May 3rd. Just three days later, on May 6th Joe passed away, with his family by his side, at the age of 96 in Lompoc, California. Joe’s parents, Adam Peter and Giovanna Signorelli came to America from northern Italy in the early 1900’s and farmed and ranched in the Lompoc area.

The Signorelli Family were longtime members of the “G. Marconi” Lompoc Lodge #1575 established on August 31, 1930. When the Lompoc lodge closed, members transferred their membership to the Santa Barbara Lodge #1552 which was established in 1929. In 2009 the Santa Barbara Lodge closed,

Hello from Redding,

Shasta Lodge has now had two in-person general meetings and had a good turn out for the meeting in May. We also enjoyed having State Deputy John Jefsen and Lorna in attendance. We will have our annual hamburger and hotdog barbecue at the June meeting, prepared by the council.

BOCCE IS BACK! On Monday mornings, Sharon Roberts and Gerry Carroll have bocce practice at 8:30am for all who want to come and practice and play. You don’t need a team, just play with whoever is there. They usually have enough players for three full courts. And after a couple of games, those that want breakfast go across the street to one of our favorite restaurants… Lulu’s.

The City of Redding and Shasta Lodge are halfway through our Spring Bocce League play. The first night of league was very joyful, so nice seeing all our friends after a year of no bocce play. Lots of laughter and fun. John Tasello and Jim Giacomelli are the co-chairs with the City, we have

Eureka Lodge #1274 held our second drive-up chicken and polenta fundraising dinner on May 8th at the Elks Club parking lot. One hundred and seventy tickets were sold.

Thank you to the kitchen crew members: John Salizzoni, Donna & Dave Olivieri, John Senestraro.Nick Giannini, Ralph & Nancy Giannini, Betty & Gene Senestraro, Erling Dellabalma, Pam Newby, and Eddie Morgan.

And the driveway crew of Alisa Luzzi, Julie Stagnoli, Bonnie DuMond, and Adena Bohn.

Special thanks to the Elks Lodge for their