Cornelia-Vita Nuova Polenta and Sausage Dinner

Polenta is in the air…On Saturday, November 2, the Cornelia-Vita Nuova Lodge of San Francisco held its fundraising Polenta and Sausage Dinner at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club in North Beach.  Past Lodge and State President Maria Fassio Pignati welcomed the large group of 240 guests, and introduced Lodge President Jennifer De Palma Chandler who addressed the crowd.   Representing Italian Consul General Sergio Strozzi, who was unable to attend, was  Italian Vice-Consul Vitalba Gammicchia who spoke. Our State President Arlene Nunziati was with us, and presented a beautifully framed 75th Anniversary certificate from the National Lodge to Stella Riccio, our most tenured member with 75 years in the Order.  This special recognition is one of the first few awarded in our Grand Lodge, as this is a new program from National.  Also in attendance was our Immediate Past President Angela Silva, Stella’s granddaughter, who flew in from Washington D.C. to celebrate her Nonna as well as her own birthday which coincidentally was that day.  A beautiful cake was presented to Angela, with the crowd singing “Happy Birthday” to her. We were also pleased to have sister lodge President Angelo Fanucchi of the Columbia Lodge attend with a group of 14. Past First Gent Ugo Pignati was in charge of the raffle which featured many beautiful prizes. Everyone enjoyed a delicious polenta and sausage dinner followed by dessert, including delicious meringues lovingly made by Past Lodge President Linda De Palma and special homemade cookies made by our member Sandy Del Grosso.   A big shout-out to the committee and everyone who donated baskets and brought desserts which helped make the event very successful.