Message From the State President

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I traveled to Newberg, Oregon and spent the holiday with daughter Linda. Lovely day eating and watching the Niners and a great 12 days traveling around! Colder than home though!

She kept me busy everyday shopping, going around the quaint town and checking out antique stores. We took a trip to the Tacoma-Seattle area and stayed at Thornewood Castle Inn. It is a lovely old castle turned inn. Felt like a Queen! Haha. Met up for lunch with cousins and was great seeing them.

A little renovation is being done on our new building. New computers and wiring were installed by Mark Vaona. By the time you read this, we should be moved in and conducting business as usual. Thank you Mark Vaona for all the work you did for the Grand Lodge.

Congratulations to the Cornelia Vita Nuova Lodge on a beautiful 100th Anniversary celebration. I was honored to present them with a beautifully framed certificate and to also award certificates to a few of their members who have been in the Order for years especially Stella Riccio who has been in their lodge for over 74 years. Congratulations Stella for all you have done and still do for the Order and the Cornelia Vita Lodge. Thank you to Past National President Vera Girolami for presenting a certificate from the National Lodge. This is a lodge very close to me as I have many happy memories of events spent with them.

We will start a new Christmas tradition this year – spending Christmas at Levi Stadium watching the SF 49ers! Don’t think we would be doing that if Mom and Dad were still here! Our traditional cold cuts, antipasto and stuffed shells will be eaten there. They better win for us!

There are many times that I cannot attend a lodge meeting or function and I send a State Officer or State Deputy to represent me. I expect my State Officers or State Deputies to receive the same respect and protocol you would extend to me if I was present. Thank you.

Congratulations to the Dolly Sinatra Lodge and President Frank DiSalvo for another successful Westen Foundation Golf Tournament. I had planned to attend but was unable to due to another commitment. Thanks to all the members who traveled from various lodges to participate.

I look forward to December with all the Christmas parties and traditions being done by the lodges. November was very special with all the Thanksgiving traditions. A lovely traditional Thanksgiving luncheon was hosted by the Columbia Lodge with the San Mateo Fireman also attending and picking up all the toys that we collect each year for the tots. This year they again had tables full of toys and really outdid themselves.

Have you made your reservations with Genny Arietta for our Council Meeting at sea? Sept 27-30, 2024. Contact Genny now and send her your deposit. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo.

Ciao!