The Roma Lodge Newsletter Order Sons of Italy in America Roma Lodge #254 3097 Magic Hollow Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453 (757) 468-2029 September 2010 PRESIDENT'S CORNER Dear Brothers and Sisters, It really was the living end! I’m talking about the Big Band Era Dinner Dance which was held on Saturday, July 24 th . There went another ‘retro’ event that we are quite sure will be repeated next year. Just as in our previous event that cascaded us back to anther time -- the 50’s & 60’s Dinner Dance -- this trip to the 30’s & 40’s was also a smashing hit. The hosts for this 'Big Band' event were members (aka resident 'hep cats') Larry & Eileen Teator, and they did a magnificent job down to the every detail to send us once again back in time. They wish to thank all those who attended and especially those volunteers who worked together transforming the lodge back to this unforgettable period. Great food and great music also highlighted this event. With Roma Lodge and its time-travel theme now being a perfect ‘2-for-2’ in 2010, we can probably conclude that a 70's and 80's event is not out of the question for 2011. In other entertainment news, Roma Lodge held a Talent Show on Friday July 30th and many acts braved the stage: Angie Hughes and her fine piano playing; Pat Cotturone and his juggling wizardry; Karen Ireland and her classical piano interludes; Tim Elliott and his great vocal number; and “The Trio” aka Dan Senisi, Charlie Kelly and Pete Amante, who held the crowd breathless with wonderment. Other attractions included several children and youths who were guests of Roma Lodge members. They sang, dance, and put on several nice performances toward the end of the evening. Thanks to all who stepped up to make this night possible. In other news: The Open House ‘Mini-Festa’ originally scheduled for August 28th has been cancelled due to the low number of table rentals. Maybe we’ll try it again next year, eh? (see story inside newsletter) On Monday, August 23, there will be a Special Meeting for O.S.I.A of Tidewater, Inc. This meeting will immediately follow our 7:00pm Roma Lodge General Assembly Meeting. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. Every effort will be made to streamline the Roma Lodge meeting to accommodate ample time for this following meeting. (see story inside newsletter). === September Milestones === Frank Lombardozzi will be celebrating his 45th birthday on September 2nd. Terrence Topolnicki will be celebrating his 25th birthday on September 10th. John William Del Russo, Jr. will be celebrating his 30th birthday on September 17th. Keith Ireland will be celebrating his 40 th birthday on September 19th. John & Carla Diamante will be celebrating their 25th "Silver" Wedding Anniversary on September 21st. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Roma Lodge member Sarah Iascone who recently passed away. God bless the Iascone Family during this most trying of times. We at Roma Lodge will always remember Sarah, her good heart and her perpetual smile. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for your trust and may God bless. John William Del Russo, Sr. President, Roma Lodge 254 Website: www.roma254.org E-Mail: [email protected]LIBERTY EQUALITY FRATERITY
Transcript
The Roma Lodge Newsletter
Order Sons of Italy in America Roma Lodge #254
3097 Magic Hollow Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453
(757) 468-2029
September 2010 PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear Brothers and Sisters, It really was the living end! I’m talking about the Big Band Era Dinner Dance which was held on Saturday, July 24th. There went another ‘retro’ event that we are quite sure will be repeated next year. Just as in our previous event that cascaded us back to anther time -- the 50’s & 60’s Dinner Dance -- this trip to the 30’s & 40’s was also a smashing hit. The hosts for this 'Big Band' event were members (aka resident 'hep cats') Larry & Eileen Teator, and they did a magnificent job down to the every detail to send us once again back in time. They wish to thank all those who attended and especially those volunteers who worked together transforming the lodge back to this unforgettable period. Great food and great music also highlighted this event. With Roma Lodge and its time-travel theme now being a perfect ‘2-for-2’ in 2010, we can probably conclude that a 70's and 80's event is not out of the question for 2011. In other entertainment news, Roma Lodge held a Talent Show on Friday July 30th and many acts braved the stage: Angie Hughes and her fine piano playing; Pat Cotturone and his juggling wizardry; Karen Ireland and her classical piano interludes; Tim Elliott and his great vocal number; and “The Trio” aka Dan Senisi, Charlie Kelly and Pete Amante, who held the crowd breathless with wonderment. Other attractions included several children and youths who were guests of Roma Lodge members. They sang, dance, and put on several nice performances toward the end of the evening. Thanks to all who stepped up to make this night possible. In other news: The Open House ‘Mini-Festa’ originally scheduled for August 28th has been cancelled due to the low number of table rentals. Maybe we’ll try it again next year, eh? (see story inside newsletter) On Monday, August 23, there will be a Special Meeting for O.S.I.A of Tidewater, Inc. This meeting will immediately follow our 7:00pm Roma Lodge General Assembly Meeting. All members are invited and encouraged to attend. Every effort will be made to streamline the Roma Lodge meeting to accommodate ample time for this following meeting. (see story inside newsletter).
=== September Milestones ===
Frank Lombardozzi will be celebrating his 45th birthday on September 2nd. Terrence Topolnicki will be celebrating his 25th birthday on September 10th. John William Del Russo, Jr. will be celebrating his 30th birthday on September 17th. Keith Ireland will be celebrating his 40th birthday on September 19th. John & Carla Diamante will be celebrating their 25th "Silver" Wedding Anniversary on September 21st. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
In memory of Roma Lodge member Sarah Iascone who recently passed away.
God bless the Iascone Family during this most trying of times.
We at Roma Lodge will always remember Sarah, her good heart and her perpetual smile.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for your trust and may God bless.
John William Del Russo, Sr. President, Roma Lodge 254
Trustees Russell Cerro Mary Del Russo Joseph Casto
624-9189 479-0240 481-3860
James 5ovelli Peter Langlands
426-1970 428-0938
Mistress of Ceremony
Diane Gossett Bonnie Ostrander
368-3632 435-8244
Guard Jose Rodriguez 340-8536
Lodge Chaplain Gerald Hyatt 436-0477
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STATE OFFICERS
State President - Marie F. Siebeking
Immediate Past State President - Paul Siebeking
Trustees: John Gossner
Mario Minervini
OSIA FOU5DATIO5
Recording Secretary - Lorraine Gossner
Ex-officio - Marie & Paul Siebeking
5ational Delegate - Paul Siebeking
Arbitration Commission: Bruno Cardo
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5EWSWORTHY 5OTE
If any member hears of another Roma Lodge member being sick or going into the hospital or any other significant event that may befall any of our members or a member of their family, please call our Sick & Welfare Chairwomen Florence Alfano (424-9546) or Adrienne Marra at 301-8797. They will ensure that these members get rendered the proper respect and/or visitation from other lodge members who might otherwise be unaware of their situation. Thank you.
Hello baby!
The publishing of baby announcements is long overdue – no pun intended. Any Roma Lodge member or relative who has welcomed a new addition to their family can email the editor of the Roma Lodge newsletter at [email protected] with the name and weight of the baby, how related to the member,
where baby was born, date of birth, and name of parents. We will print it on page 2 or page 3 of our newsletter.
Entrée - 6:30 - 7:30 5OTE: Menu is subject to last minute changes.
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Birthdays
and
Anniversaries
BIRTHDAYS Dorothy "Sue" Airth Barbara Black Dolores "Dee" Clark Pat Cotturone (August) John William Del Russo, Jr. Jim Dunn William Anthony Del Russo Frances Fay Hiroshi Fujimoto Ray Grinnell Roberto Hansen Antonietta Hardee Gerald Hyatt Gregory Hyatt Keith Ireland Terry Jackson Frank Lombardozzi Joan Orlowski Victor Peroni Denise Rapp Werner Seibel Terrence Topolnicki Nancy Yacavone
A55IVERSARIES
Peter & Isabel Amante (28th) John & Carla Dimante (25th) Louis & Joyce Mungin (48th) Tom & Joan Orlowski (59th)
5OTICE
If anyone learns of the passing of one of our Roma Lodge members, please promptly notify any Council Member shown above. The Lodge President will then decide when to activate the ‘Phone Tree’ with information that the surviving family member(s) want announced. It is very important that the wishes of the
surviving family member(s) are followed to the letter.
MEMBERSHIP
August 2010: 291
August 2009: 248
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ROMA LODGE I5ITIATIO5
TO BE HELD I5 SEPTEMBER
This month, there will be an Initiation Ceremony for any Roma Lodge member who has not yet been initiated into our fraternal organization. This initiation will be held at Roma Lodge on Monday September 27th at 7:00pm. No appointment necessary. If you are not yet initiated and are a member in good standing, then come out and be recognized and initiated on this night as we officially welcome you into our lodge. The dress code is casual or better for this ceremony.
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Cultural Corner
Italy in September
by Jessica | June 19th, 2008
September in Italy is, at least so far, my favorite time of year to be in the country. You still get the after-effects of a hot August, but without the heatstroke-inducing temperatures; and while there will be crowds of people in even the second tier tourist attractions, there’s something about the color of the light when Summer is
changing to Autumn… It’s hard to explain, but I know I’m not alone, because vacationing in Italy in September is really popular.
While the weather in Italy won’t be an issue for most of Sep-tember, you can run into brief moments of less-than-perfect weather. During one mid-September visit to San Gimignano in Tuscany, after spending a glorious day driving from one uni-dentified tiny hilltown to another, I got caught in a sudden and fairly violent rainstorm back in San Gimignano – complete with thunder and lightning. It lasted throughout the evening and into the night (and I don’t mind admitting that I was a little nervous with all that lightning and all those city towers), but by the next day it was back to glorious weather. What I’m saying is that in September, you either have to be prepared for a downpour by having an umbrella with you, or you’ll end up like I did – running through the rain from restaurant to hotel, getting thoroughly soaked and laughing the whole way.
In addition to the largely fantastic weather in September in Italy, it’s also a great time to be in the country if you like the idea of taking in some local Italian festivals and special events. This is the start of harvest time, and you don’t have to be a bona fide foodie to enjoy a food-related local festival – we’ve all gotta eat, and Italian food is some of the best on earth, so why not? Check with the local tourism information office wherever you’re visiting to find out what events and celebrations are going on nearby – many of them are not tourist attractions, they’re put on for the locals and by the locals, but everyone’s welcome. You just might not see many other non-Italians around. (And that’s probably just fine.)
In poking around, it appears that some of the September events in Italy include a fig festival, peach festival, and polenta festival (in Tuscany); a grape festival (in Umbria); a cheese festival (in the Veneto); and a wine festival, walnut festival, and porcini mushroom festival (in Lazio). And that’s just at first glance, and that doesn’t include the non-food festivals! If you’re not hungry, you can still get in on the party – September is when you can check out the Regatta on the Grand Canal in Venice (pictured above), the Palio di Asti, a live chess match in Marostica, and the city of Verona even throws homegirl Juliet a birthday party. To find just a few of the festivals and events taking place in the areas you’ll be visiting, you can use this handy Italian festival finder.
Do keep in mind that although September might feel like it’s trending more toward Autumn than Summer, it’s still very much part of the high season throughout most of Italy. Expect to pay top prices for everything from your hotel to your car rental, and don’t expect a dip in airfare to Italy, either. For the cheapest flights, you’ll usually have to visit in the winter – and bring a coat.
On Friday Nights, there is now a portable "Suggestion Box" positioned on the ballroom bar (the bar nearest Magic Hollow Blvd). Anyone who has a suggestion for our lodge is most welcome to put their ideas to work by dropping them off into our "Suggestion Box". All suggestions, ideas, or any solutions along with your name attached will be responded to by President Del Russo.
At the June 28th General Assembly meeting, a new committee was established. We are seeking volunteers! The committee is called the Roma Lodge
Bereavement/ Fellowship Committee. This committee serves to assist a family who has lost a loved one with the planning and the implementation of a reception at our Lodge following a memorial service. The committee will have teams of (10) volunteers to prepare a menu, set up a reception, and assist with the cleanup. We would like to begin with a minimum of two teams (20 volunteers) so that we may rotate the teams. Please consider volunteering. Call Adrienne Marra, Chairman, with questions or to volunteer - 301-8797 or e-mail
something special The 20-Week Club Banquet will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 and host Bonnie Ostrander promises a boatload of surprises for this annual gala event. But don't just think that all of the fun will be at the event. Otherwise, you’ll be missing out on the fun leading up to that banquet. Once a ticket is purchased, all ticket holders have a chance to win a prize of $35 at the weekly drawing held every Friday! (see below for recent winners). For tickets and more details contact Bonnie at 435-8244
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Our winners so far:
20–Week Club WEEKLY WINNERS
Week 1 (July 4): Nancy Lee Gooch Week 2 (July 9): Jerry Hyatt Week 3 (July 16): Marianne Seibel Week 4 (July 24) Marianne Seibel Week 5 (July 30) Mary Del Russo Week 6 (August 6) James Overbey
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Open House 'Mini-Festa' cancelled
by President Del Russo
Well, events like the Big Band Dinner Dance and the 50's & 60's Rock n Roll Dinner Dance and our occasional Pizza Nights and our Karaoke Nights have shown us that some ideas really work! But then again, there's bound to be a casualty or two along the way. We may give the Open House "Mini Festa" idea another try in 2011, but for now the Open House idea originally
scheduled for Saturday August 28th will be shelved, as the number of rented tables was far lower than expected. You throw a bunch of ideas against the wall and you hope that some stick like the 'Big Band Era' dance and the other ideas mentioned above. If anyone has any ideas that they'd like to try out, (whether it be food, theater, improv, comedy, anything that would cause us to have fun and enjoy our lodge and each other), please let me know. And if anyone would like to be a part of the Roma Lodge Entertainment Committee, please call me at 479-0240. Also, as was well advertised, we now have a new karaoke setup that needs a volunteer or two who can hook it up and take turns being a karaoke "emcee" from time to time. (And remember "The Honeymooners Italian Style" will be here live on stage in November!).
Significant and numerous questions have come to my attention the past several weeks regarding OSIA of Tidewater, Inc. (the "landlords" of our building), and although I have forwarded each and every one of these queries (those verbal and in writing) on to the OSIA of Tidewater Inc.'s president (Bruno Cardo) for action, they kept coming to me. Having become the liaison to follow up and relay these many questions, I told both parties concerned that a special meeting was needed to answer some of the plethora of questions that were not under my purview regarding OSIA of Tidewater, Inc. As a result, it has been arranged that OSIA of Tidewater Inc. will be conducting a special meeting, which will immediately follow the Roma Lodge General Assembly meeting on Monday August 23, 2010. I promise that the Roma Lodge General Assembly Meeting which starts at 7:00pm sharp will be a very brief one, so as to appropriately accommodate the following OSIA of Tidewater Inc. meeting. If you are a member of Roma Lodge 254, then by default you are also a member of OSIA of Tidewater, Inc. Come on out and see what makes all aspects of your lodge tick and find out what rules govern all facets of our corporation. Be curious. Be involved. This lodge belongs to each and every one of its members.
Traditionally, the last picnic of the year is chocked with surprises. This year, brother Luizzi has wasted no time in preparing this Labor Day Picnic to be quite possibly one of the best ones yet. We anticipate that the menu alone should have folks lined up longer than usual at the doors. There will also be karaoke entertainment and a gift basket of cheer to be raffled off in addition to the usual events (alligator races etc). We hope you all come out and enjoy with us this last hurrah of the summer. (for details, see full page ad inside this
Do you like flowers / gardening? If so, Cater-Roma could use your help. We want to get a group together that would be willing to "spruce up" the outside of the lodge with plants, flowers and/or landscaping. If you are interested, please call
Diane Gossett @ 757-368-3632.
ROMA LODGE EVE5TS
2010-2011
09/06/2010 - Labor Day Picnic - John Luizzi
10/09/2010 - Columbus Day Dinner - Bruno Cardo
11/20/2010 - 20-Week Club Dinner - Bonnie Ostrander
12/12/2010 - Children's Christmas Party (***)
12/18/2010 - Christmas Party - Bonnie Ostrander
12/31/2010 - 5ew Years Eve Party - Bruno Cardo
01/16/2011 - Memorial Mass - Angie Hughes
02/12/2011 - St. Valentine's Dinner Dance (***)
03/19/2011 - Festa di San Giuseppe - John & Mary Del Russo
*** A CHAIRPERSO5 IS 5EEDED FOR THESE EVE5TS
)OTE - A%YO%E DESIRI%G TO CHAIR EITHER THE
CHILDRE%'S CHRISTMAS PARTY OR THE ST. VALE%TI%E'S DAY
To better keep you informed of emergent Lodge news, we continue to assemble an e-mail list of participating Roma Lodge members. Since April 2009, we have amassed over 160 email recipients! Join in and send your e-mail along with your name to:
Your email address will be added to the Roma Lodge ‘e-mail roster’ and will be kept strictly confidential via ‘bcc’ mailings. We will not give your email address out to anyone else and we promise not to send you any unnecessary emails. What we will send you is an informative “e-weekly” we call the ROMA LODGE WEEKLY NEWS which contains among other things the detailed menu (right down to the side dishes) for the upcoming Friday Night Meal. It is emailed every Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
(Lodge )otes - continued on next page)
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(Lodge )otes - continued from previous page) Halloween is drawing near and the Friday before Halloween at Roma Lodge (October 29th) may become something special if new lodge member Erica Filpi has anything to say about it. Erica is looking for any members interested in helping to make that Friday become a 'children of members costume display event'. Please call Erica for details at 270-1530. Remember, our children will someday be the future of our Lodge. Let's give them fond memories of Roma Lodge to remember ... If you are a Roma Lodge member and have served or are serving in the armed forces, call President Del Russo at 479-0240 and he will make sure that your name and info is listed among the other veterans in the November (Veterans' Day) Roma Lodge Newsletter ... Thinking of a good Christmas gift idea? How about the thick 'Sons of Italy' cookbook chocked with loads of delicious Italian recipes from lodge members across Virginia. See President Del Russo at any Friday night supper and he will have them for $10 each while quantities last ... Our Pasta e Parlare Sunday events will resume in the Fall. Call Vice President Al Marra (301-8797) for details … Conservative talk show host and Roma Lodge member J.P. “Gus” Godsey recently devoted 90 minutes to Roma Lodge as Roma Lodge member Commander Pat Grillo was his guest on August 12th. Thanks again for all you do for your lodge 'J.P.'! And thank you Cdr. Pat for your measured responses regarding politics, wine, and our distinct and proud Italian heritage. What an enjoyable 90 minutes! (wish I had a copy of that one)... If there are any checks, cash, or receipts to be turned over to our Financial Secretary and our Treasurer at any of our meetings, please do so PRIOR TO THE START of any meeting ... Don’t forget to attend our General Assembly Meetings. All members are invited. Unless otherwise noted, they are regularly scheduled at 7:00pm on the fourth Monday in each month. Come see your lodge at work and learn to be a part of what makes it tick by voicing your opinions and ideas in this monthly forum … Another way to voice your opinion is to use the “Suggestion Box” on Friday nights located on the bar nearest to Magic Hollow Blvd (thanks to Mary Guernic for making the suggestion box - very creative)! ... If anyone has any ideas or suggestions regarding our building or our food service, call Bruno Cardo, the OSIA of Tidewater, Inc. president at 288-9544. He will listen to all ideas and suggestions that you may have … If anyone has a copy of the little blue pamphlet-type booklet that lists all of the Roma Lodge venerables and presidents, please call President Del Russo at 479-0240 … You can visit Roma Lodge via our website from the comfort of your home by going to www.Roma254.org to view many features including past newsletters …
Anyone interested in exploring the possibility of getting Roma Lodge involved in ‘Facebook’, ‘MySpace’, or “Twitter”, contact our webmaster Sonja Konlande at 233-1980.
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Just a reminder, Even though the Council Meeting (starting
in this month) will be held on the same night as the
General Assembly Meeting, the deadline for any newsletter articles will still be on the 2nd Monday of the month. This will be strictly enforced. If you submit anything to the Editor, please submit it with time to spare.
THA5K YOU!
Roma Lodge is not responsible for any typographical errors
