Message from the 1st Vice President

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 had to imagine what it would be like to stand on the floor of the Colosseum and look up at the crowds. The article told of a new project by the Italian authorities to put a retractable floor so visitors can experience what it was like for the Gladiators to stand in the middle of the iconic arena almost 2,000 years ago. I am looking forward to returning and getting the opportunity to try that floor.

Your Grand Council will be meeting in March via Zoom. I hope you Lodge Presidents will reach out for the information and join us. We are your elected representatives and with Zoom you can watch the workings of your Order from the comfort of your homes. Consider sitting in on the meeting of the Grand Council and the Western Foundation.

Michael Coletti Smith, Chairperson of the Golf Outing in the North for the Western Foundation, has announced the date for 2021 is October 11. Mark your calendars!

I have been speaking with Andy Pampuro, Editor of our “Il Leone”. With no activities happening within the Lodges, the number of articles has decreased significantly. If you, or your Lodge,can make a donation, put in an article or create an ongoing ad, it will certainly help. If you can go to our website and read the “Il Leone” online just drop a note to the Grand Lodge and they will take you off the mailing list. Any one, or all of those things will help.

Till next month
Fraternally
Barbara