Lodge News 2009
Guiseppe Verdi Lodge #1441 started the new year off with a fundraiser for Immaculate Conception Church where our meetings and dinners are held. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of our members, the spaghetti dinner raised more than $7,000.00.
Our lodge opened the New Year with our Annual Polenta dinner on January 24th. As always the food and raffle are a popular event with members, friends, and community people enjoying a wonderful dinner and evening.
On February 24th, sixteen new members joined our lodge. President Basso and Hugh Ricci conducted the installation of Rick Squires, Maryliz Squires, John Kehmeier, Jody Kehmeier, Ron Crawford, John Amantea, Dan Dodge, Christine Basso, Mike Imus, Melody Imus, Bryan Imus, Dominoe Imus, Christopher Imus, Mary Muehoff, Mardella Free, and Trudy Bowers.
Members during the meeting voted to have the Annual Picnic at a Park instead of holding it at the church. The annual Christmas Party will be held on a Saturday in December rather than at the regular Tuesday meeting.
Joanne Stralla, Historian, reminded members that graduating high school seniors whose parents or grandparents have been members of the lodge for at least one year should begin sending in a brief resume and certified transcript of grades to her for the lodge scholarships. The resume and transcript should be sent to Joanne Stralla, 1645 Hamilton Drive, Sparks, Nevada 89434 by June 1, 2009. Joanne may be reached at 775-626-4117. Joanne has done a wonderful job for many years handling the lodge's scholarship program. Many thanks, Joanne!
With great sadness the names of four of our lodge's finest members were read. Our thoughts and prayers to the families of Lois Parigini, Frank Menante, Bruno Buonanoma, and Louise Pagni. Louise was a loyal helper at our monthly dinner meetings as well as our special dinners. We especially will remember Louise as we set the tables, and we will miss her sharing her pride in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
It's easy to see the New Year has started off with much excitement and many possibilities for a productive year for our lodge!
The 73rd Grand Convention of the Sons of Italy was held at the Peppermill Hotel in Reno, Nevada, from June 23rd to June 28th. Convention days were filled with meetings, a bocce tournament, a slot tournament, Queen Pageant, special speeches from lodge officials, reports from various committees, a convention pool, a theme night called "A Taste of Tuscany" entertainment by The Gaylords, the Black and White Ball, good food, gambling, and friendship.
Our Lodge tied for second place in member recruitment and received a special certificate, as well as receiving third place recognition for the membership honor roll. The Guiseppe Verdi Lodge received a special recognition for contributing a $1000.00 to the Il Leone. Please read the Il Leone from July/August 2009 for a complete accounting of the convention.
