Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I’m sorry to start this article on a sad note but our dear friend Manny Finazzo passed away suddenly on October 15th. Manny held several positions over the last 20 years, currently as Orator of the Grand Council. I am sad to say that I did not know him well but to say hi in passing at conventions, until last year. I began to know him better when collaborating with him on the Grand Council. He was always there to help if I had a question about a rule

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

First off, some people have asked me where my IL Leone article was last month. I must apologize as I spent a little too much time in that 100-degree weather and it knocked me for a loop, but I am recovered now.

Our Grand Council Meeting in Fresno was very busy. We covered a lot of issues in the day and half but the most important was the selling of The Grand Lodge. I am happy to report that the company interested in the purchasing of The Grand Lodge is extremely anxious and optimistic to work with us.

After a long meeting on Saturday, we all traveled to the Fresno Fair Grounds where we attended the Columbo-Stella Lodge’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. Olivia Deliddo and company wooed everyone with their hospitality and raffle. What was so impressive was all the past scholarship recipients

The OSDIA Convention in June was a success, and everyone had a wonderful time! Congratulations to Barbara Wisniewski, Lynn Lawrence Murphy, Lori Rossi, and Ervin Siax for all their hard work and dedication in making this event a success! On July 16th, the Gold Country Lodge #2705 celebrated their 26th Anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, they honored one of the founding members, Angelo Battaglia. He unfortunately passed away just a few weeks prior to his 100th Birthday.

Angelo was born on July 21st, 1922, in Yonkers, New York to

To All OSDIA Members,
Half the year has passed, and Convention time is upon us. I know Ervin Siax has been working very diligently along with Lynn Lawrence Murphy, Lori Rossi and of course our State President Barb Wisniewski. Our office manager, Ervin is the silent hero within all this preparation of our Annual Convention. He spends all week at the Grand Lodge attending to concerns and handling phone calls. I would like to give a big shout out to Ervin along with a Hug. Thank You for all that you do at the Grand Lodge.

April and May have been Bocce Months. Gold Country Lodge #2705 had their Pasta Bowl Bocce Tournament, and everyone enjoyed the three F’s: Fun, Food and Fraternity. Sacramento Lodge #1352 also had their Big Bocce Tournament. It was a great success with a grand total of about $1,700 towards their charities. Speaking about Bocce, I would love the Lodges in the North to come to me at Convention and let me know if there is any interest

     My dear Sisters and Brothers I hope you are taking advantage of our Sons and Daughters of Italy News Channel on YouTube. Just go on YouTube anytime and search Sons and Daughters of Italy to see the latest topics and happenings going on across the Country. There is so much valuable information such as numerous programs with well-known people of Italian American heritage. The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation features impressive work they are doing and some of the breakthroughs they have developed. A must see is “I’m an Italian American” by Angelo Bianchi. If this doesn’t make