Message From the 3rd Vice President

To My Sisters & Brothers of OSDIA
I am extremely happy to see many of our Lodges getting back to their monthly dinners. A big congratulations to The Roseville Lodge as they had their first dinner celebration on November 18th since the start of the Pandemic. I and my better half, Londi attended. There was a great crowd for their Ravioli Feed. Being Italian, everyone enjoyed the “Three F’s,” Family, Food, and Fraternity. I was able to sing some songs also. Thank you, Marlene Christinelli, and her Lodge, for a wonderful evening!

The Northern Solano Lodge in Fairfield is having their “Toys to the Salvation Army Dinner” on December 16th at the Senior Center in Fairfield at 6:30 P.M. I know Don Cradduck and the gang will have a great toy drive and dinner. Ernie Gionons Lodge Cesare Battisti is having their first post pandemic Christmas Dinner at the Rancho Granada Park Center. Eureka Lodge is having their Christmas event on December 5th at the Plaza Grill. I wish I could be there. I know John Salizzoni Eureka members will have a wonderful time. Incidentally, the Eureka Lodge celebrated their 97th Anniversary this year. Wow!

Cristoforo Colombo Lodge in Reno is having their Big Christmas Dinner on December 15th. Since they have not able to have all their fund raisers over the year, they have been gathering donations with “Fill the Boot.” Their poster has a graphic picture of Italy and next to that a thermometer showing how much they have raised. Currently it is at $6,000. I am sure they will fill the boot considering their charitable Italian spirit.

At the beginning of 2022 I would like to get have some input from everyone in the North on starting a Bocce Club where once a month Lodges can come together and play Bocce. I know all the Lodges love to play so let us see about coming together and enjoying our fellow Paesanos. Please email or call me as I would like to hear from you all.

I can not believe that another Christmas season is upon us. I think this Christmas everyone realized these past months have made us stop and appreciate our friends and families. Let us all give Thanks that we have been blessed and may we keep this the Greatest Country on God’s Green Earth. I ask all of you to make it a point to call someone you have not talked to in a while and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2022 find all OSDIA members and their families healthy and safe. Let us make OSDIA the greatest Italian organization in America. Buon Natale to you all.

Ciao For Now,
Louie