It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of three of our lodge members this last March, within two weeks of each other.

*Doug Nelson 3/1/20 and *David Hillis, both charter members since our lodge began in July of 1996. Doug along with his wife Rachel have been very dedicated members. Doug helped with most of our functions especially the crab feeds and has been our Treasurer for these last 10 years. David (Dave) Hillis helped with our crab feeds in earlier years and was always ready to help with bartending and whatever else was needed.

Last Month: Canceled again because of stuff we could not control; Notre Dame Hall was, and will remain, closed for the duration of the COVID problem.

My wife has been so caring during this crisis: she keeps stuffing a pillow on my face at night to protect me from the covid virus.

I saw a sign in a home window that said: “Do not let the cat out no matter what he says”; in the window I could see the cat holding a sign that said “Let me out; I have toilet paper”.

Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil are still reminding us: wash, wash, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, and mouth, and prevent others from doing that to you, too. Use ordinary soap and water to wash up.

Let’s appreciate our American libraries. They have played a critical role in shaping our nation. They have served Americans in large cities and small towns. Libraries are an important part of schools, colleges, and public and private institutions. Libraries have provided venues for study and social activity. They are among the first public institutions to help immigrants learn a new language, acquire knowledge of the law, and appreciate national history in the course of obtaining United States citizenship.

Libraries are collections of books arranged for the purpose of study, review, and safekeeping. Libraries have progressed with the development of civilization and have promoted learning. Ancient Assyria had libraries consisting of baked clay tablets and cuneiform writing. A large library there had about 20,000 tablets. A famous

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roma Lodge has had to postpone their 90th Anniversary Celebration, April meeting and annual ravioli dinner scheduled for May 9th. However, they have been active conducting lodge business through emails and social media. Back in November Roma Lodge members were introduced to the Garden of Innocence program at the Visalia Cemetery. The program needed urns, blankets and small toys used in ceremonies for the burial of abandoned babies. Roma Lodge members Frank Marinelli and wife Renee took on the challenge. What started as a shop project for his students ended when the pandemic closed school.

STAY SAFE AND WASH YOU HANDS
Certainly something we hear often! Who would have thought? Being residents of this wonderful State of California we are adapting to this new norm. Tough for some...but with the advent of the apps...Zoom and Face time we can still be united with loved ones and friends with the means of virtual reality.

FELLOWSHIP...
After all this is over, we surely must meet together in one of our monthly dinners and truly celebrate our family and friends. ‘TILL THEN.....

A TIME TO REFLECT
Besides cleaning and re-arranging cupboards