It feels like yesterday I was walking across the stage at Napa High School during the scholarship ceremony. I heard my name “John Cardinale” called over the microphone as I had received the Sons of Italy, Western Foundation Scholarship. I was proud the Italian-American community had selected me. That was in 2015. Soon I would be heading to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State a long way from Napa, and a much bigger city. My goal was to become a broadcast journalist. Growing up watching news in the Bay Area

On Saturday, November 4, the Cornelia-Vita Nuova Lodge #1198 of San Francisco celebrated its milestone 100th Anniversary, only the second lodge to do so in our Grand Lodge. 150 persons attended this special event, which was held at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, in the heart of North Beach. Guests were treated to a loop of humorous and memorable lodge pictures shown on a screen as well as historical documents and artifacts on display. The Vita Nuova Lodge gave the Grand Lodge its first and eleventh Grand Venerables, the Cornelia dei Gracchi a State Queen, and the Cornelia-Vita Nuova a State President.

The evening opened with Lodge President Jennifer De Palma Chandler welcoming our guests and setting the celebratory tone for the evening with her well-chosen words. We enjoyed a delicious meal of salad, two types of pasta and chicken piccata. Next to speak was Josephine Longhitano, who

Thank you to all who worked so hard to sell tickets, gather the ingredients, prepare the meal, wait on the tables, and serve at the drive thru during our October 15th polenta and chicken Pinochi and Stagnoli scholarship dinner. Two hundred and twenty-five dinners were served.

Special honor to our chefs and food preparers: Dave Olivieri, Bill Chino, John Senestraro, Nick Giannini, Rich Barsanti, Erling Dellabalma, Pam Newby, Donna Olivieri, Paul Ivancich, and Ralph

Columbia Lodge held their very enjoyable and successful bocce tournament on October 22, 2023 at the Peninsula Italian American Social Club in San Mateo.

There were 40 players in attendance. The First Place winners were Captain: John Nardi, Players: Nella Conti, Angie

Roma Lodge celebrated Columbus Day with a picnic and bocce tournament at Mooney’s Grove Park in Visalia. Over 50 members and guests participated with some great food and fellowship. Roma Lodge has