Once again it’s been a while since we published an article in the Il Leone. Our last meeting was in February. We so miss our meetings and miss seeing our members. It has been difficult to say the least wondering how everyone is and not being able to socialize with them. We are sure you all are having the same issues with your lodges. We have continued to publish our monthly newsletter so our members can keep in touch, feel somewhat connected, and know what is going on in the lodge. We also have wonderful people who are calling members to keep in touch and check on them.

January was our “Get Healthy” meeting where we learned about our brain and pain from Dr. Pam Netuschil. She also talked about and showed us the Egoscue Method for staying whole body healthy. It was an interesting and informative presentation. One of our youth, Ella Ricci, spoke about the history of “knuckles” aka gnocchi. The rest of the youth presented other Italian themed foods. We are lucky to have so many children at our meetings. They are learning about their heritage and some great recipes!!

In February, our member, Saline Pechetti, presented Savoys in Torino,

Roma Lodge has not met since its February meeting and has canceled future monthly meetings for the foreseeable future. The lodge is in the center of Tulare County which is on the governor’s watch list and may remained shut down for some time to come. During this time, we have had to cancel our 90th anniversary celebration, recognition of our scholarship winners, annual ravioli dinner fundraiser and junior member night just to name a few.

If the pandemic continues until a vaccine is developed, it may be well into next year before local lodges can meet and become active again. I understand what local lodge presidents are being faced with in deciding whether to try to meet or wait until society gets back to the “new” normal. As presidents we face the risk of losing members in January when the 2021 dues are being collected.

Roma Lodge dues are $75 for members of which only $.25 cents goes to the local lodge. In part, we encourage our members to look at their return on investment by being Roma Lodge members.

Roma Lodge has nearly 60 junior members 18 years of age or younger. Junior members are the lifeblood of any local lodge and represent the future of the organization. As a child I remember not being allowed into lodge meetings as ritual and protocol mandated no children be allowed in the meeting during the business session. Those days are long gone, and it is a good thing. How can we expect our younger members to become involved in lodge activities and take on leadership roles if they have never experienced what local lodges do?

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is having the same affect on our children and grandchildren. Roma Lodge annually has a special night in August just for junior members. A special meal of hamburgers, hotdogs, crinkle fries, chicken strips and popsicles make for a fun night. A special raffle is held just for juniors as they get their choice of many back-to-school items they can choose from. They assume the officer chairs and run the meeting.

Greetings from Petaluma!

I usually write about my beautiful garden but tonight I am in my nightgown ready for bed and I remembered that I needed to get my article in. It’s midnight so hopefully I will have been able to get this in to the paper.

This pandemic never seems to end, so until it is over we cannot have our meetings as the Lucchesi Center is still closed. The Lodge is on hold and it looks as though there will be no Christmas Dinner or Crab Feed in the future. Even if they are able to open and have them I’m sure that people will be cautious in getting together.

Since President Ernie said he is feeling better,

Normally I would be packing my car and heading to our State Convention on the day I am writing this. This will be the first time in 17 years I will not be attending Convention (except one year for my daughter’s wedding). Many of you also, would be checking in to our Hotel for the week to share some laughs, and fraternity. This will be a different year. I hope everyone continues to be safe, and hope for that day when we can break bread, share a conversation, and share an adult beverage will come soon!!

By now you have probably received the Western Foundation donation forms for 2020. Even though we are not meeting at convention you are still able to donate to our scholarship funds, Medical charities and our civic projects. If you have not received the forms please email the Grand Lodge office and we will get them to you.