COLUMBUS DAY 2024

More than 500 years after he “discovered” the New World—kicking off centuries of exploration and colonization of the Americas—Christopher Columbus is honored with a federal holiday on the second Monday of every October. However, as historians have continued to dig into the life of Christopher Columbus, controversy has arisen over continuing to honor the Italian explorer as a hero.

Today his historic legacy as a daring explorer who discovered the New World has been challenged. The rewriting of the historical record of his voyages, that launched centuries of European

Birth Defects check presentation at Stanford, representing the Columbia Lodge #1940 and the Cornelia-Vita Nuova Lodge #1198.  Unfortunately, our Medical Charities/Birth Defects Library Chairperson Mary Lucido was unable to attend due to a work commitment, so I represented on her behalf.  Mary, you were missed.  This was a special event for us, as it marked the 50th Anniversary of the founding of our Birth Defects Library at Stanford, which was created on February 12, 1974 as the first Birth Defects Library in our Grand Lodge chain of libraries.

We were warmly greeted by Susan Schelley, MPH, LCGC, Senior Genetic Counselor and Dr. Jon Bernstein, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Medical Genetics at Stanford Children’s Health.  Susan has been in the Genetics Department for over 40 years, and was hired by Dr. Luigi Luzzatti, who helped found the Pediatrics Birth Defect Center at Stanford.  I

GOLFERS!! GOLFERS!!! THE BIG TOURNSMENT IS 11/18/2024!!

OUR BIG TOURNAMENT IS A FEW WEEKS AWAY, AND WE’RE HOPING YOU’LL BE THERE! THE JOE LaPORTA OPEN CLASSIC, IN IT’S FIFTH EDITION HAS ARRIVED! AND IT IS BIGGER AND BETTER THEN EVER. AND IT IS AN OPEN TOURNAMENT, MEANING MEMBERS OF ANY LODGE AND THEIR FRIENDS, AND YES, EVEN THEIR FRIENDS

Hanford Lodge #1543 Celebrates 95 Years of Service with Joyful Anniversary Event

Hanford Lodge #1543 proudly celebrated its 95th Anniversary with a delightful event held at the Kings Country Club in Hanford, California, on September 14. The occasion was marked with a heartfelt ceremony honoring members who have reached significant milestones of 25, 35, and 50 years of service.

The day’s theme, “Salute,

Abe Lincoln once reminded us that you cannot escape the responsibilities of tomorrow by evading it today.

Our August regular meeting at Luna’s included our Grand Lodge State Vice President Mark Vaona, a long-time friend of Brian Watson. Mark reminded us that the worst part of Italian food is