Colombo-Stella Lodge #1149

Happy New Year! 2021, I feel like none of us really got to celebrate our holidays, milestones and birthdays, I think we can be allowed to keep our ages from 2020. Hopefully, you all had a Merry Christmas, wherever you were, and however you celebrated.

Since we are still under our State Covid 19 guidelines, we are still not meeting for the foreseeable future. Just because we have access to a vaccine, it does not mean we can be lax in our lives. Please keep wearing your masks and social distancing. Wash your hands often and limit contact with people outside your “bubble”. Our Lodge has had a few family members reporting positive for Covid 19 , with recovery. Even with recovery, there are after effects that are debilitating and long lasting. So please, follow the safety protocols. I will continue to send the occasional emails out, if there is anything I need to share with my members. Yolanda Canzio will be sending out membership dues statements. If you are not yet working, or you need assistance, please contact either me or Yolanda before the March due date. Please do not be the person who ignores the letters and calls. We are always here to help you in any way, please make sure you keep the communication open.

Congratulations to youth member Hannah Craig. Hannah received a Grant from our association with the Isnardi Foundation. Hannah is pursuing her Masters in Education and her Preliminary Teaching Credentials. The Isnardi Foundation is making it possible for Hannah to focus on her studies without the added stress of debt. We are so grateful for the IsnardiFoundation, and so very proud of Hannah.

I am still part of the committee of board members for the expansion of the Italian Heritage Museum at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Covid has slowed our progression, but we are still hard at work, and I will keep you all updated when it is ready to open. We had a zoom meeting and it looks spectacular so far. I know you will all be very proud to see it. We are still selling plaques to line the outer wall. Consider honoring your family name, it will be there for a lifetime. Contact me if you are interested. That’s about it. I probably won’t write another article unless we have some news to share, look for an occasional email. Stay safe, stay healthy. Let’s continue to pray for each other and for our country.

Until next time, Ciao!