The following is a brief summary of the 87th Convention of the Grand Lodge. We were honored to have National President Michael G. Polo in attendance at our Convention.

Michael arrived late Tuesday night to meet with our Grand Council early Wednesday morning. In the afternoon, he teamed up with our State President Arlene to play in the Bocce Tournament. Winners will be announced later in the report! As usual, there was much enthusiasm and energy displayed at this event, along with the traditional competitive spirit of

I retired from the City of New York after 26 1⁄2 years. I retired as a Police Sergeant for the NYC Police Department.  I moved to Southern California in September 2000, settling in Hesperia in the High Desert. The first organization I joined was the Knights of Columbus Desert Valley Council 4228. I am also a member of Msgr. William E. Van Garsse Assy 2664. I have served as the Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and District Deputy. I am still actively involved with the Knights of Columbus.

I also joined the OSDIA Desert

Saluti Tutti,

Greetings from Virgilio Lodge #1586 in Vallejo.  We thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of you at our Grand Convention in Concord. By the time you read this we will have had our summer barbecue. Pamela and I are looking forward to the Grand Council meeting on the Carnival

Attendance at the 87th Grand Convention was very stimulating. It was nice to be among so many people who are passionate about their Italian heritage. It is true, Italians are the friendliest people in the world. State President Arlene Nunziati went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome and heard. We were fortunate to have our National President, Michael Polo, attend this year’s convention. He shared with us his vision of what the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America should strive to be.

Past State President John Costa

Pictures from the convention.