The COVID-19 Pandemic has forced Roma Lodge to cancel meetings in April, May and June, our 90th Anniversary celebration in April, our annual ravioli dinner in May, starting in 1934, scholarship night and attendance at the Grand Lodge Convention in June.

We do have some great news to share which is that our Roma Lodge Queen and Miss California, Gianna Benedetti has won the $5,000 Trinchero Perpetual Scholarship which is the highest scholastic award given by the Grand Lodge. She is ranked #1 in her graduating class with a 4.83 GPA and is headed to Cal Poly in the fall to major in Architectural Engineering.

As with a lot of things the pandemic has cancelled many graduation ceremonies across the country and Gianna will be deprived of walking across the stage with her classmates in celebration of an outstanding high school career. As Roma Lodge members we would like to share her accomplishments and dedicate this article in the IL Leone to her. To let others in the Grand Lodge, know a little more about Gianna we asked her to share some of her high school experiences.

Last Month: Not much to report, Lodge-wise … just keeping up with the COVID score and learning to sing “Happy Birthday” while I wash my hands. Have you figured out how to make a Quarantinni yet? The United Lodges of the Central San Joaquin Valley: Next Meeting will be June 14 of 2020 (Heaven allowing) in Clovis. Jennifer, at Andiamo’s, says they will take good care of us if they are allowed. If it happens, it will be at 11:30 to place your food order; call Carol Watson at 906-3721 to reserve your spot.

This Month, Monday, May 18, 2020, our meeting will most likely be cancelled, but stay tuned. It mostly depends

Greetings from Petaluma!

I woke up this morning to a sun filled room, looked out on my beautiful garden with all the red and yellow roses in bloom. The sun shining on the leaves looked like beautiful sparkling diamonds. What a great feeling to be alive and to enjoy God’s beautiful work in Mother Nature.

We are all living in such difficult times. We can not hug our family, our grandchildren, or friends. We are not

The Supreme Lodge is saddened to announce the passing of a valued and dedicated OSIA member, Frank J DeSantis, on April 25, 2020. Unable to attend meetings this past year due to COPD and declining heart function he leaves a generous legacy of student scholarships, many Italian cultural and heritage events and the permanent tribute to the Italian American community in Orange County, the Columbus Monument at Bowers Museum among other lasting and magnanimous achievements for the benefit of all interested. His passion for advancement and heritage legacy will be felt far into the future, as he wished! The Supreme Lodge Awarded him the prestigious Guglielmo Marconi Award, OSIA’s highest honor for his decades of commitment and service to OSIA and the Italian community. Bravo Frank!

Greetings Brothers and Sisters, I hope everyone is staying safe during these unprecedented times. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads. The summer is here and usually a time for summer weddings. I thought it would be a nice diversion to talk about Italian Wedding traditions. Did you know that Italian weddings are rarely held on Fridays, as this is viewed as the day evil spirits are created – and this will only bring you bad luck. The preferable day is Sunday – which is considered the luckiest day to marry and signifies fertility and prosperity. In many Italian weddings, both the bride and the groom will do all they can

By now we all have received the notice of the cancellation of our 2020 State Grand Convention in Concord, Ca. It was a difficult but necessary that, the majority of the lodges the decision was made.

Not being able to travel/visit lodges because of the COVID – 19 has given me time to say thank you to the various Lodges on their IL Leone articles and keep everyone informed on what is happening with OSDIA lodges thru the IL Leone issues. In memory of the passing of two “Icon” of the Grand Lodge of California, OSDIA. My sincere condolences to the Simile family on the passing