In preparation to writing this article I reread the last column I wrote for IL LEONE, with our collected hopes that the Lodge would reopen in October 2020. Didn’t happen! Not close! Now finally, with the advent of vaccinations and precautions, I think we can breathe a little easier, and try to pick up where we left off. Our President Joe LaPorta and I recently had lunch, and he told me of the wonderful plans, and you’ll be happy to hear them! Getting to this point wasn’t easy Joe said, as he had to wade through a myriad of issues and regulations from the State of California, the city of Palm Springs and liquor board. All with their own directives and issues. Joe further regaled me with stories of keeping our Lodge maintenance up, and stories of encounters with those that wanted to make the grounds and Lodge their new home!

The doors are set to swing open this coming October 13th 2021, and there to herald your arrival will be Joe and Lori, at the front desk, checking your name of the list, Renee and her kitchen crew masterfully preparing dinner, and our ever charismatic Frank Di Salvo strumming a few chords on his guitar and greeting all! Saw Lori Harvey the other evening and she said she has her list of names out to start calling you for reservations and a cheerful word.

In other words we’re all enthusiastic to start a new season of our Lodge. We have a fantastic Lodge, amazing entertainers

Well, it finally happened.

After 16 months of picnics, and outside activities, Saddleback Valley Lodge # 2566 has moved back home, (the Norman Murray Center). We just had the most enjoyable meeting with over 50 Members and friends coming back to enjoy a great Greek meal and lots of fun and conversation. We also had a very active game of Bingo with tons of white elephant gifts. It was wonderful to see and talk with so many of our members. Quite a few did not participate in the picnics due to health concerns, (understandable). We are currently meeting on Wednesday nights

The Pugliese Lodge has lost a longtime member and true daughter of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Vita Zaccaria. Sister Zaccaria passed away on Wednesday, January 6th around 7 a.m. Vita has been a member of the Order since April, 1954. Through the years, she has held various offices in the Lodge even serving as President. She also served as president of the United Lodges of Southern California.

To this day, she holds the distinction as the only woman president

Saddleback Valley Lodge finished 2019 with a festive Christmas party and anticipation of a new year filled with activities with several new members. These are the ingredients for a successful year for the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. With 2020 ahead, we celebrated January with our favorite game—Bingo. And then there was preparation for our annual Carnivale in February. A new venue gave us a better place to hold our party and make it even more elaborate. It was our best celebration ever! Delicious food, music & dancing, and a costume contest made the event spectacular! At the regular meeting we celebrated St. Valentine’s Day where our President gave all the women a rose. How will we ever match this in 2021? St. Patrick’s Day is always a reason to have a party. We heard rumors of a Chinese virus coming to the USA