Rodolfo Valentino Lodge #1449

The secret to walking on water is to know where the stones are.

Last month (June) we met at Luna’s, but illness took its’ toll on who could attend; the folks that did show up, however, had a pretty good time. Meri regaled us with stories of growing up in Sicily, in sight of Mt. Etna spewing away in the distance, as it is now. Her Dad’s experience in the Italian army was very interesting. …Reminder: Our meetings are now on the first Wednesday of the month.

With a sad heart, I report on the passing of Victor DeLuca; though he was not a recent active member, his dad, Ciriaco (Charles) DeLuca was one of the original applicants, along with Jim Sirimarco and Antonio Schiboni, to the National OIS to create the Clovis branch of the Sons of Italy in 1926 (we were accepted in February 1927). Victor’s sister, Verona, is a current long-time member. He served 11 years with the National guard and was 94 at his passing. United Lodges of the Central Valley held a meeting last month in Visalia to a great turnout; Clovis was represented by Isabel Ronzano, Mike Catallo, and Lou Catallo; Election of officers took place, notably, Pauline Richman remains as President, Lou Catallo as Trustee, and Isabel Ronzano as Sgt at Arms. Most of the discussion focused on the upcoming Grand Lodge Convention in Anaheim. The Hanford lodge has submitted three proposals regarding lodge convention participation and bi-annual conventions instead of annual conventions, and Hanford was requesting support for their positions. The Fresno lodge is now advertising their 100th year celebration, to be held at the Fresno County Fairgrounds in September.

Italian Slang: un coniglio ( rabbit ) is a coward; una civetta (owl) is a flirt; .un pesce (fish) is a person that doesn’t talk; un’oca (goose) is silly or flighty; and, un pollo da spennare is a chicken waiting to be plucked, or, a mark that can be taken advantage of.

National Scholarships are again being offered; check this issue of Il Leone for details.