Roma Lodge #1573

Agnes Pelous, who celebrated her 99th birthday in July, has been a member of the Roma Lodge in Tulare since 1964. As a member she has enjoyed celebrating the Italian culture with new friends and old friends whose family acquaintances go all the way back to the same village in Italy. Agnes has been active as the Roma Lodge vice president and mistress of ceremonies, as well as serving on the scholarship, ravioli dinner, and Farm Show committees. Roma Lodge members want to thank Agnes for her many years of membership and dedication to the lodge.

Roma Lodge members were saddened with the passing of member Florena (Dolly) Jean Kleinhans. Dolly, as she was affectionately known as, was a longtime member of the lodge and the Tulare community. For 23 years she participated at the California Antique Farm Equipment Show cooking on a woodstove and serving chicken and dumplings and homemade ice cream at Dolly’s Kitchen. Along with her husband, Cedric, they built a large barn on their property utilizing it for family gathering, holidays, weddings, and class reunions. Cedric and Dolly opened their farm to promote education to school children about the early 1900s. As a Licensed Vocational Nurse, she worked for Terrace Park Convalescent Hospital for 12 years and then Tulare District Hospital for 10 years. She will be missed by Roma Lodge members and those who would like to donate to the Roma Lodge Scholarship in her memory can do so by sending a check to the Roma Lodge Scholarship Fund, care of Frances Della at 17383 Avenue 184, Strathmore, CA 93267.

State Deputy, Jackie Giacomazzi, was on hand at our June gathering to present a membership certificate and pin to 25-year member Randy Parreira. Members gathered in June for a wonderful ravioli dinner cooked by Charlie Pitigliano and Ken Curti. The lodge will begin officially meeting again in August with our Junior Member Night.