Agnes Pelous, who celebrated her 99th birthday in July, has been a member of the Roma Lodge in Tulare since 1964. As a member she has enjoyed celebrating the Italian culture with new friends and old friends whose family acquaintances go all the way back to the same village in Italy. Agnes has been active as the Roma Lodge vice president and mistress of ceremonies, as well as serving on the scholarship, ravioli dinner, and Farm Show committees. Roma Lodge members want to thank Agnes for her many years of membership and dedication to the lodge.

Roma Lodge members were saddened with the passing of member Florena (Dolly) Jean Kleinhans. Dolly, as she was affectionately known as, was a longtime member of the lodge and the Tulare community. For 23 years she participated at the California Antique Farm Equipment Show cooking on a woodstove and serving chicken and dumplings and homemade ice cream at Dolly’s Kitchen. Along with her husband, Cedric, they built a large barn on their property utilizing it for family gathering, holidays, weddings, and class reunions. Cedric and Dolly opened their farm to promote education to school children about the early 1900s. As a Licensed Vocational Nurse, she worked for Terrace Park Convalescent Hospital for 12 years and then Tulare District Hospital for 10 years. She will be missed

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

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,

Around and About Still Safe from Covid

Following Italian Tradition, Katy Castro was named after her grandmothe Caterina Bellini. Katy’s mother, Regina, was born in Uzine, a town in the Friuli region of Nothern Italy. After Regina’s marriage to G.I. David Castro, they made a home in Pittsburg California. Now retired, Katy, a Colombo Lodge Trustee, devotes