Message From the 3rd Vice President

The Sleeping Lion is about to roar again! When communicating with the Lodges in the North, I have found that they are starting to do more activities. Many Lodges have already been meeting since the beginning of 2022. In the past two years we participated in Zoom calls and raised money with Drive-Thru Spaghetti dinners and other activities. All the Lodges in the North have done an excellent job of keeping in touch with their members and being positive during these times. The Lodges are anxious to get together and start socializing once again.

In February, the Shasta Lodge had an unbelievable Crab Feed. On Friday night they had four hundred people and then on Saturday night they had four hundred more. I attended on Saturday night and we were packed in like sardines. Great job to Jim Nobili and his crew! Jim said that the reason it was such a success was because people were just tired of not being able to be around other people and noted that this was the first time the community was able to get together.

The Weed Lodge had a Drive Thru Spaghetti Dinner the 18th of February. The Weed and Vallejo Lodges have been having Spaghetti Drive Thru Dinners that have been very successful.

Gold Country Lodge is planning a Cheese Making Demonstration planned for the month of March or April. I think this will be a big success. Another great idea is their Pizza Night at Viscuso’s Pizza on February 26th where anyone who orders a Pizza gets 20% off if they mention OSDIA. Super Idea!

The Northern Solano Lodge is planning their first Shrimp Feed on April 23rd in Fairfield. There may be some of my famous Cannoli there so contact Don Cradduck at 702-372-5151 for tickets. I am sure it will be “Shrimptastic”!

I am sorry I missed the Roseville Lodge’s Polenta Feed on February 17th. I talked to their President Marlene Cristanelli, after the event and she said it was a big success. There were eighty people in attendance, and everyone loved the Polenta!

Cristoforo Colombo Lodge is having their “Big Festa Primavera Celebration” on April 30th in Reno. They have not had the Festa in two years so plan on a big turnout. Call President Pam Ricci at 775-851-2169 for tickets. They have also done a wonderful job with their “Filling the Boot” fundraiser. Since the Lodge was not able to have their Festa Primavera Dinner the last two years they have buckled down and raised over $7,000. for their charities. That is what OSDIA is all about!

On April 24th we will be having our First Boccethon at East Portal Park in Sacramento. We have already sent out flyers to all Northern California Lodges so please contact the Presidents of your Lodge for information.

As I was saying at the beginning of this article, the Lions are starting to roar and when all the Lodges become active again this year, they will be roaring all over the State of California. One last thing, as I always end my articles with a little message encouraging all to call someone from your past, I called a High School friend from 50 years ago. And guess what? He will be attending my 70th Birthday Bocce Party at the end of March. How do you like that? So, remember to give a call to someone you have not talked to in awhile and just say “hello, I was thinking of you.” You just might be calling a potential future member. Anything is possible.

Please everyone stay safe and God Bless,
Ciao for now