Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On June 26, 2021, we had our State Grand Lodge hybrid convention held at the Grand Lodge Hall in San Francisco, CA with all State Officers in attendance with some state delegates in person while others joined by zoom. State President John Costa opened the meeting and dedicated it to Past State and National President Frank J. De Santis, a very heartwarming gesture. We accomplished quite a bit of business in a short period of time. Two By-laws were presented, with a motion to approve. With some discussion the delegates moved to table the motion. The motion was passed. The delegates voted to table until next convention 2022. Our 2022 Convention will be held in Anaheim, CA on June 23 – 26, 2022. The budget and finances were reviewed and with the exception for a minor issue it was passed.

Installation of State Officers was held. Congratulations to the newly elected State Officers and a Heartfelt Thank you to the outgoing officers for their work and dedication the past two years.

There are three positions for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Vice President. Ballots will

Can you believe it is June and our Convention will be at the end of the month? I’m looking forward to seeing many of you on Zoom. Although the Convention will be different this year, we plan to get work completed. If you have any questions on the Convention, don’t be afraid to ask. We will get the answer to you.

I know it has been a hard year for everyone, but we know that the need for donations has increased as the fundraising has decreased. Please, if you can see your way clear, donate to one of the charities or scholarships through the Grand Lodge at Convention.

I hope many of you sent emails to the New York City Mayor DeBlasio. It is a shame that an Italian American led the removal of the Columbus Day holiday in the New York City Schools. Chancellor Ross Porter, who is not of Italian descent could possibly be excused but there is no excuse for the Mayor.

We in the California Grand Lodge have a Columbus

Communication! I can’t think of anything more important to our Grand Lodge and Filial Lodges. Without communication of real facts no one knows what is happening. We need to go to the Grand Lodge if there are questions about the Grand Lodge activities. We need to go to our Local Lodge Presidents if we want real information about the Local Lodges.

I am asking all our members to reach out to their Grand Lodge Officers if they have questions. We don’t have all the answers, but we can get them to you. You don’t have to be a Lodge Officer to contact the Grand Lodge or Officers. As members, we at the Grand Lodge are elected by you, and are happy to share information. All our contact information is here in the Il Leone.

Is your Lodge meeting in person yet? I hope all our Lodges are working on this. It can be outside, weather permitting, or inside i

I am happy to announce that Ken and I have received our second vaccination and are enjoying our newfound freedom. The very first thing we did was go to our young granddaughter and hug her forever. I certainly didn’t want to let her go and she let me hold on as long as I wanted. That was the hardest thing to endure while following the COVID guidelines, not seeing my grandchildren. I hope that you have all received your vaccines and have been able to get your hugs in also!

Now that Spring is finally here and we can spend more time outside, Please consider spending time together as a Lodge. If our numbers aren’t low enough to meet inside perhaps a Saturday or Sunday afternoon at a park or in a member’s backyard could be arranged. Our members are counting on Lodge Presidents to keep us together. Lodge Presidents,

I want to let you know that I have submitted my “Letter of Intent” to run for the position of your President of the Grand Lodge of California. I know that this term will not be easy coming back from the Pandemic, but I know that I am up to the challenge. I know that our Officers and Members are with us because of their Love of the Order. I am calling upon you all to share with family, friends, and neighbors, why you love the Order and bring them into our Fraternal Family. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me and I will be happy to discuss them.

I receive a periodical each week, the “Italian Tribune”. I know there are many of you who also subscribe to it. As I was reading my January 21st issue, I came across a short article about the Colosseum in Rome. Ken and I got to visit the Colosseum last March before the pandemic closed Italy. While I was standing on the sides looking down at the area that held the animals, gladiators, and later, the Christians to be sacrificed, I