Northern Solano Lodge # 2534

California has finally opened its doors. After months of staying at home, masking and social distancing, it was wonderful seeing all our lodge friends. Northern Solano Lodge #2534 is open for business once again.

Zoom meetings were required for January through April. Our first in person meeting was in May. It was great to see everyone again. Activities are picking up too. Our Out to Lunch coordinators, Kay Locatelli and Pam Boes, are busy planning new lunch locations for us to visit.

In May we visited Jelly Belly in Fairfield, June’s luncheon was at Pietros #2 in Vacaville and in July we enjoyed Your Town’s Café in Fairfield. We do love to eat.

A new offering in the food line was a virtual Italian dinner prepared by Laure and Rory Nichols. A list of ingredients as well as instructions were sent out to anyone interested in trying Chicken Picatta. What a fun way to visit and then enjoy a delicious meal!

Card nights are back. We met at Caroline Abughazaleh’s home and Shari Anaclario and Roy Pimentel’s home for food and games. Some of the Italian games we enjoy are Briscola, Buracco and Scopa. It’s nice to see some new faces joining in. Other activities are being planned as well. Our Columbus Day Dinner is in October as well as a Winner Every Day Raffle organized by Lauretta Graham and Lynn Gallagher. This month we are also collecting school supplies for a school in the Fairfield District. Kay Locatelli and Carol Urban are organizing this project for us. A new bocce ball team has formed with Frank Rossi as captain. He and his team members Don Cradduck, George Locatelli, Dominic Di Fabio, Mario Roberto and Roy Pimentel are having fun learning the fine points of the game.

At our June meeting Susan Cahan introduced this year’s scholarship recipient. Peter Rossi, grandson of Frank and Louise Rossi and nephew of Mark and Lori Rossi, will be attending California State University, Chico in the fall. Peter received the Albert Galli Memorial Scholarship. We wish him our best in his future schooling.

In July we welcomed 3 new members to our Lodge family. A big welcome goes to Mike and Cindy Ferry and Don Silva.

Our state convention has come and gone via zoom. Congratulations to all the new officers including our own Joy Bruno-Neubert, State Treasurer, our State Deputy Louie Lodi, the new Vice President from the North and Lori Rossi, State Recording Secretary.

Sadly, we had to say good-bye to Rodney Neubert. Rod was a new member of our lodge, but he made a lasting impression. We will always remember his smile and his many entertaining stories. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be missed.

We have indeed had a few busy months. It is so good to be back with our fellow Lodge members. Stay healthy and stay safe.