What a wonderful time First Gent, Ken, and I had at the 40 Anniversary Dinner Dance for Vincenzo Bellini Lodge #2519. President Tony George was kind enough to put us up for the night. I can’t thank him enough for the wonderful accommodations.

The members of this Lodge have had me as a guest all through the pandemic. They are an amazing group of members that continued to meet via Zoom each month. Tony also created the “Bellini Dining Experience”. This was a Zoom meeting, twice a month, with a twist. They decided on an ingredient (fish, pasta, something green, and more) each time. Then everyone would make something that fit in the description. We would then eat together on Zoom and talk about our meals and whatever else. It was a wonderful dinner party.

Because of the continued contact with our members the Lodge has come out of this pandemic stronger than before. I hope

     This has been a busy time for all of us on your Council. We are preparing for Convention. Our first “in person” Convention since 2019 and I’m so excited to see you again! Our Convention Chairperson, Lynn Lawrence Murphy and our two sponsor Lodges, Renaissance, and Anaheim, are planning some interesting and fun things. I can’t wait for the Theme Night, “Take me out to the ballgame”. Of course, there is much business that will need to be addressed and, with your help, we will be able to cover all that and still have some time and energy for the fun. The important thing

During the last month I have been busy doing what I enjoy most, visiting Lodges. I began with my trip to Northern Solano Lodge in Fairfield, CA, where I had the honor of presenting some of our long-time members with certificates and pins. Two of those were for 25 years and given to my Recording Secretary, Lori Rossi and her husband and CAO of the Western Foundation Mark! Thank you both for your commitment to our Order.

I spent some time with my Sisters and Brothers in the Giuseppe Verdi Lodge in Sparks NV. There we initiated four new members. I am so happy to take part in such events. New members keep our Order going.

I’ve just come back from the Cesare Battisti Lodge in Rohnert Park, CA. I had the pleasure of initiating twenty, yes

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

How is it possible that it is 2022? I guess it is true what they say, “Time goes faster as you get older!”.

I want to wish my Sisters and Brothers in our Order a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. We can only pray that the pandemic will subside enough to allow us to continue to share our meals and meetings together. If you haven’t seen a member recently, give them a call. They may need to hear a friendly voice.

I was excited to attend the meeting of the Columbia Lodge #1940 in San Mateo. President Angelo Fanucchi was a gracious host. The Lodge collected so many toys for the “Toys for Tots” program. It warms my heart to see our members working together towards great causes. They did put me to work, which I loved. We initiated six new members, installed a