The World Ag Expo was started in Tulare, California in 1968 at the Tulare County Fair. The show was started with an idea of a few local farmers sitting around in a garage one day having a few adult beverages according to Charlie Pitigliano, past Roma Lodge President and WAE show chairman in 2016. The original show was called the Tulare Field and Row Crop Equipment Show. Each year the show grew in attendance and facilitated the move to the current site in 1982. The name was changed to the World Ag Expo, now with over 2 million square feet of show space, 1,200 volunteers and numerous permanent buildings with plenty of exhibitor space for indoor and outdoor displays. Attended by over 100,000 people and 1,200 exhibitors the show is the biggest in the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the WAE

This article from Cesare Batisti Lodge #1518 is dedicated to Louise Vicino. In the January issue of of the Il Leone, Louise “retired” due to her health issues. She must have had a premonition of the future as Louise has now been reunited with her beloved Louis. The members of our Lodge found her articles chock full of very useful information which we will be eternally grateful. Rest In Peace Louise. Diane Gizzi Contributing member.

With the passing of our beloved Louise Vicino, we are trying to fill in the large gap she left us with. She passed December 28th, four days

RENEWED MY MEMBERSHIP....
Thinking that was the best way to go in this COVID time....stay with something I know that has given me great joy! Sons of Italy membership... if you haven’t renewed... do it now...!

SCHOLARSHIPS …
Keep in mind that you are able to donate to scholarships..... a worthy cause...and tax deductible.

EMAILS...
It was a couple of articles ago that I asked for emails from you folks out in COVID land....AND YES, to my surprise I did get one

Since we could not meet and honor our 2020 Pinochi and Stagnoli scholarship awardees last May, this month’s Il Leone article will introduce them to our members.

Alyssa Camilli graduated from Arcata High School in 2020 with honors and is now attending UC Davis studying Psychology and Sociology. Her accomplishments while in high school include: peer tutor, Sources of Strength mentor, Soroptomist Girl of the Month, Wellesley College Book Club award, AHS German language honor society. She is an artist and was accepted into the Arcata High Arts Institute

Elizabeth Laval, a former producer at PBS TV, Fresno, and now in charge of the Kearny Museum, has now been assigned by the Fresno County Historical Museum to help plan an Italian Heritage section to the Fresno Museum at the fairgrounds. For anyone of Italian heritage, this is an especially important event. This museum display will be one of the few ways that we can demonstrate that we, as a contributor to the success of Fresno County, were here. If you have photos or stories that you would like to submit,