MESSAGE FROM THE STATE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Since the State of California won’t do it, I will. I declare the month of October Italian Heritage Month! On October 5th, I started my month out going to Pittsburg, CA to celebrate the 3rd Annual Festa Italia with members at the C. Colombo Lodge and the people of the Bay Area.  Mary Lucido and all the members of the C Colombo Lodge added to the success of The Festa, along with the music of Pasquale Esposito, and the Anthony Nino Lane Band. Even the heat couldn’t stop the party.

The following weekend, Londi and I went to Reno for the 42nd Annual Great Italian Festival. OMG, what do you get when 20,000 Italians come together? A lot of pasta, lasagna, risotto, vino, parmesan and of course cannoli. Then, you get to sit back and enjoy fantastic entertainment like the Ray Massa Band and Moreno Fruzzetti. Also, don’t overlook the International Grape Stomping Contest and the spaghetti sauce or should I say “Sugo” Cook off. This is where about twenty-five teams represent their sauces which originates from different regions of Italy. They prepare these secret sauces and then they are tasted by the public to determine the best sauce of the Festa. OSDIA was represented quite well with two booths, one headed by Barbara Wisniewski and the second, Hugh & Pam Ricci. The sauces were simply marvelous! Also, CONGRATS to Dawn Romero and Cristoforo Colombo Lodge for receiving their Achievement Award from The City of Reno. Way to go everyone!

I hope next year that California will come back to its senses and remember that “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue” and he may not have landed in America, but he discovered one of the greatest findings in the history of the world. He found that the earth was not flat, which opened trade all over the world. Remember, up until then, people believed that if you went too far, you would just drop off the edge of the earth. So, Governor Newsom, bring back Christopher Columbus Day before you fall off the edge.

Ciao 4 Now,
Louie Lodi