September 2013

Order Sons of Italy in America
Roma Lodge #254
3097 Magic Hollow Boulevard
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453
(757) 468-2029
September 2013
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It’s hard to believe, but summer is just about gone, and yes the holiday season will be upon us once again.
Our Labor Day Picnic is right around the corner. This is quickly followed by the Columbus Day, 20 Week Club,
and our Christmas parties. There is more information about these events in the remainder of the newsletter.
As you know our Vice-President, (Brother William DeCicco, has had to tender his resignation (as of 26 Aug.),
due to him moving out of the area), Brother Anthony Alfano has asked that his name be put in for consideration
for the position of Vice-President. The Financial Sec. position has been filled by Brother Peter Langlands.
Brother James Novelli has volunteered to assume the position of Treasurer. The positions of 1 Master/Mistress
of Ceremony, and 1 Trustee are still open.
These positions will be voted on at the Aug. meeting. So if you would like to serve your Club and you
feel that can handle responsibility, CONTACT me, either by phone (490-6448) or E-Mail ([email protected]).
Another item that was discussed. The combining of the two monthly meeting into one, for the summer
months. This was brought up; a motion was made, discussed, and voted on and passed. We will be holding
only one meeting in Aug. in the Cerino Room, starting at 6:00.
Fraternally,
John Luizzi, President, Roma Lodge #254
Website: www.roma254.org
LIBERTY
EQUALITY
E-Mail:
[email protected]
FRATERNITY
Roma Lodge Council 2012 - 2013
President
Vice President
Past President
Orator
Recording Sec.
Financial Sec.
Treasurer
Trustees
John Cutrone
961-6245
John Luizzi
William J Di Cicco
490-6448
617-828-9054
John William Del RussoSr.
479-0240
Joseph Bruney
537-1141
Albert Marra
301-8797
John Diamante
467-0696
Peter Langlands
428-0938
John Konlande
233-1980
Angie Hughes
499-8667
Janet Jones
434-9192
Master of Ceremony
Mistress of Ceremony
Dolores “Dee” Clark
340-8537
Guard
Donna Maniscalco.
479-0707
Lodge Chaplain
Gerald Hyatt
436-0477
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Friday Night Menus
September 6 – Salad, Rolls, Light Pasta e Fagiole,
Penne a la Vodka, Garlic Baked Chicken Filice,
Brussel Sprouts, Dump Peach Cobbler
September 13 – TBD- (Italian Festival at 17th
street and the Oceanfront)
September 20 – Salad, Rolls, Cheese & Broccoli
Soup, Pork Chops, Bow Tie Alfredo, Italian Green
Beans and Tomatoes, Strawberry Angel Food
Desert
September 27 – Birthday Meal, Salad, Rolls,
Minestrone Soup (Donna M), Roast Beef, Angel
Hair Pasta with Pesto, Zucchini Italiano, Birthday
Cake
All meals will include salad, rolls, pasta, a
vegetable, and desert.
Sick & Welfare
If any member hears of another Roma Lodge member
being sick or going into the hospital or any other
significant
that may befall any of our members or
Friday
Nightevent
Menus
a member of their family, please call our Sick &
Welfare
Chairwomen
Lola Musarra at 420-8155, and
Aug.
2 – Sausage
& Peppers
Assistant
Sick
&
Welfare
Aug. 9 – SpaghettiChairwoman
& MeatballsMaria D'Amico
at 427-9197. They will ensure that these members get
rendered the proper respect and/or visitation from other
Aug.
16 – Baked Ziti
lodge members who might otherwise be unaware of
Aug. 23 Thank
– Chicken
their situation.
you. Cacciatore
Salad - 6:00 Soup – 6:15 (when served) Main
Course - 6:30 – 7:00
NOTE: Be sure to check the e-news, Facebook, and
www.roma254.org for last minute menu
modifications.
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Birthdays
And
*********************************************
=== MEMBERSHIP ===
Member count as of 1 August should be:
190 Regular, 34 Social
Total 224
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Anniversaries
BIRTHDAYS
John William Del Russo, Jr.
Jim Dunn
Antonietta Hardee
Joan Orlowski
Denise Rapp
Dee Clark
Ray Grinnell
Jerry Hyatt
Victor Peroni
Werner Seibel
ANNIVERSARIES
Pete & Isabel Amante (31st)
John & Carla Diamante (28th)
Bob & Melanie Leketa (34th)
Lou & Joyce Mungin (51st)
Tom & Joan Orlowski (62nd)
Roma Lodge 2013 – 2014
Schedule of Events
Sagre, sagre everywhere
*******************
8/26/13 – Combined Meeting (6:00)
9/2/13 - Monday - Labor Day Picnic
(Centennial Committee)
10/06/13 - JT WALK & BEACH PARTY
Upcoming Roma Lodge Sponsored Walk for the
fight for ALS
10/12/13 - Saturday - Columbus Day Dinner Dance
(Centennial Committee)
10/28/13 – Meeting Night – Council (6:00) &
General assembly (7:00)
11/09/13 – 20 Week Club Dinner/Dance
From this point, we will be observing a three (3)
month window for our events
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Culture Corner
5 Reasons to Love the
Fall in Italy
Italy in the fall: simply beautiful!
Thinking of coming to Italy in autumn? You’re in
luck—it’s one of our favorite times to visit Italy.
Here are just five reasons why we love Italy in the
fall!
Truffles at a festival in Umbria in
autumn
In the autumn, sagre, or festivals celebrating a local
food or wine, pop up all over Italy. We adore these
sagre; they’re a fantastic way to experience the local
produce and culture, usually with hardly any other
tourists! And, in autumn, there’s a festival for every
taste: The schedule shows sagre celebrating wine,
chestnuts, chocolate, truffles, porcini mushrooms,
fish, polenta, even potatoes!
To figure out which sagre and fiere are taking place
across Italy, check out the sites Sagre e
Ditorni and Sagre in Italia (you can always run
them through Google Translator for the English
versions). And don’t miss our blog post on Italy’s
truffle festivals, which are also popular in late
autumn.
It’s harvest time!
Gorgeous fall colors
The fall colors of the Umbrian countryside
It’s not just New England that gets brightlycolored leaves in the fall! Italy, too, shows off a
range of beautiful colors come October. Of course,
the best place to see the fall colors is in Italy’s
wooded national parks. But even a drive through the
countryside of Lazio, Umbria or Le Marche is a
feast for the eyes. (Here are 7 gems not to miss in
Rome’s region of Lazio!).
A fall olive harvest in Italy
Benvenuto, beautiful weather and cooler
temperatures!
A big reason for all of the sagre in Italy this time
of year is the fact that it’s harvest time. Olives are
harvested in the autumn, and participating in a harvest—
or even just tasting the result!—is a fantastic experience.
Other foods being harvested now include almonds,
chestnuts, white truffles, and produce like arugula,
broccoli, potatoes, and zucchini. (For more on fall foods,
check out our post on four favorite autumn dishes in
Italy!).
Fewer crowds… and lower prices
For many, of course, this is the big reason to
consider autumn: The prices, and crowds, drop from
their yearly high in July and August.
Still, remember that high season runs into
September, even October, particularly for high-trafficked
destinations like Rome, Venice, Florence, the Cinque
Terre, and the Amalfi coast. Prices, too, typically remain
high into October. If you really want to experience the
sights in some tranquility, and to take advantage of
lower hotel rates and airfares, come as late in the season
as possible—November is really the start of low
season—and, as always, plan to #takewalks and go off
the beaten path!
Even the light gets prettier in the fall!
In the early autumn, it can still be fairly warm.
In fact, as far north as Venice, temperatures still tend to
be in the 70s and 80s through September. But that’s
already much more comfortable than the heat of July and
August, and by October, the weather typically turns
spectacular. Temperatures cool down to the 50s and 60s.
And although there are more rainy days mixed in, too
(especially in November), there’s usually also plenty of
sunshine.
http://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/travel-tips/italy-in-autumn
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Columbus Day Dinner /Dance
Here we go again; Roma Lodge is having
another great picnic for Labor Day sponsored by
The Centennial Committee on Monday, September
2 2013. Come and enjoy the last picnic for the year
at the Lodge. Bring the family, friends and
neighbors for an event not to miss. In case you did
not hear the last picnic was a huge success with
food, races and drawings. Comradely was at all time
high among the groups showing their pleasures in
the picnic. Centennial Committee will present food
and fixings for a fun afternoon with plenty of food,
soda and beer. Wine will be available at club prices.
There will be alligator races and the bocce court
will be open. For great entertainment we leave that
to you to chat, hoot and holler with the people
surrounding you. The Centennial Committee will
have a drawing for three (3) baskets. The first is a
basket of Italian Dinner night; the second basket is a
movie night with a blue Ray DVD player and the
third basket is a basket of Cheer. Buckets will be
placed in front of each basket for those who want to
have more chances to win that prize. Tickets will be
3 for $2, 9 for $5.
The Centennial Committee would like to
celebrate the entry of Roma Lodge into its 100th
year of existing on Columbus Day October 12,
2013. We would like every member to come to a
dinner and dance at Roma Lodge. The menu has not
been finalized but I can assure you it will be a
magnificent dinner with dancing to a DJ. BYOB or
purchase wine, soda and beer at club prices. The
cost of the tickets has been established at $25. For
individuals who sell 10 tickets they will receive the
eleventh ticket free. We are encouraging groups to
get together and order your tickets. If we do not
meet the minimum amount of 100 tickets sold we
will need to cancel the event. Lets get together and
celebrate the navigator Christopher Columbus
birthday and the entry of Roma Lodge’s 100th year.
******************************************
LABOR DAY PICNIC
Sponsored by the
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Doors open at 12:30 PM to 4PM
Food Lines open at 1:00 PM
MENU
Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers
Italian rope sausage, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw,
Tomatoes, Onions,
Baked Beans, Watermelon (If available)
Beer and Soda included.
Wine at bar prices
Donation: $11.00 members, $12.00 Guests,
Children 6 to 12 $5.00
Volunteers are needed
Please call Pete Amante 757 430 8473
(Please see Full page AD for more Information)
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Awards, rewards, and kudos
are and always should be
an unexpected surprise
by John William Del Russo, Sr.
Immediate Past President
Roma Lodge #254
If there is anyone who decides to volunteer at
our lodge for reasons other than ‘helping our lodge
without expectation of reward in return’, then in
light of recent misconceptions, the definition of
volunteering at Roma Lodge needs re-emphasis
right here and now. Plain and simple: Any Roma
Lodge volunteer ought never to expect anything in
return for their volunteer efforts.
The volunteering and giving of oneself without
expecting any reward in return is one of the noblest
of gestures at our lodge, or anywhere for that
matter, and ought to be our standard for
volunteering.
If you give, then don’t expect a return.
If you expect a return, then don’t give.
**********************************
**************************
ROMA LODGE COMMITTEES
2012-2013
AUDIT – Standing Vice-President
AWARDS – Peter Langlands
CENTENNIAL – Pete Amante
CSJ - Albert Marra
CHAPLAIN - Jerry Hyatt
CHARITY - *.*
CULTURE - Mario Minervini
ENTERTAINMENT - *.*
HISTORIAN - John William Del Russo, Sr.
MEMBERSHIP - *.*
MEMORIAL MASS - Charles & Genevieve Kelly
NEWSLETTER - John Luizzi
PHONE TREE - *.*
PUBLIC AFFAIRS & ADVERTISING - *.*
SCHOLARSHIP - Albert Marra
SICK & WELFARE – Lola Musarra and Maria D‟Amico
WEBMASTER & FACEBOOK - John Diamante
WEEKLY E-NEWS – Standing President
** Events marked thusly need a chairperson
******************************************
Lodge stars shone brightly
at Talent Show #9
by Talent Show Host
John “Johnny Dee” Del Russo
From the intro by professional radio personality
JP “Gus” Godsey to the ‘after party’ with vocals by
Ione Langlands and Rita Orsino accompanied by
Angie Hughes at the piano, the Roma Lodge
Talent Show #9 held on Friday July 26, 2013 was
one of the best ones we’ve had since we started this
Talent Show series almost three years to the day,
when Talent Show #1 debuted at the Friday night
meal on July 30, 2010. This ninth installment had it
all: jokes, songs, piano playing, quizzes, dancing a
mandolin player and even a re-enactment of the
radio broadcast of Bobby Thompson’s ‘shot heard
round the world’ by some crazed baseball fanatic.
Prizes were also given out for all Talent Show
participants as well as to anyone who answered a
few baseball-specific quiz questions.
I’d like to thank the participants of Talent Show
#9 who braved the footlights with bravado and guts.
They are as follows: Pete Amante (vocals);
Raymond De Cecco (mandolin and jokes); Lou Di
Cioccio (vocals) and Lou’s guests, Gina (his
daughter), and her friends Bryce, Carly, and
Caroline, also known as The Roma Lodge Dancers;
JP “Gus” Godsey (vocals); Angie Hughes (piano);
Ione Langlands (vocals); and Rita Orsino (vocals).
And thanks also to all the audience members who
stayed and cheered on these talented acts and who
participated in our random prize quizzes. Watch for
your weekly news and your newsletter for the date
and time of our next Talent Show #10 that we will
probably be scheduling for late 2013 or early 2014.
In the meantime: Think of a few jokes, a routine, an
anecdote, a duet, your favorite song that you always
wanted to sing in public, or an instrument that you
may have at home collecting dust … and practice,
practice, practice!
******************************************
Lodge Notes
We are getting into the busiest part of our
calendar year. Our Centennial Committee has
stepped up to sponsor the Columbus Day Event.
There are plans to try and have a Halloween event
at our Friday night dinner. Contact Doreen Cutrone
if you would like to help out, or if you have some
ideas. We now have a Chairperson for the
Children’s Christmas party, (still looking for a
Chairperson for the Adult Party). Looking into next
year, I received an E-Mail the other day. JP “Gus”
Godsey has once again volunteered to Chair the San
Giuseppe Event.
Another item to consider. Elections for both
the Roma Lodge Council and the OSIA TW Board
of Directors are fast approaching.
ROMA LODGE WEEKLY NEWS
If you would like to receive this, please use the
following Email address:
[email protected]
******************************************
Roma Lodge is not responsible for any
typographical errors or omissions in the newsletter
NOTE: The deadline for newsletter articles
Is the 2nd Monday of every month.
EDITOR-IN-CHARGE : John V. Luizzi
My E-Mail - [email protected]
******************************************
TRADING POST AND WANT ADS
NEED CUSTOM LETTERING OR CUSTOM
SIGNAGE?
I WILL TRADE SIGNS AND LETTERING FOR
LANDSCAPING WORK, OR YOU CAN SUGGEST
ANOTHER TRADEOFF.
CALL JOHN AT 479-0240
******************************************
=== WANTED ===
SIGN REPAIR HELP WANTED
If you are a lodge member and are familiar
with repairing and filling dents, we can use your
expertise. We have three small and shallow dents
on our lodge's outdoor lodge sign near the street and
would like to have them filled in and sanded flat so
that the painter could repaint the newly-filled and
smoothed/sanded area. (The sign face is painted
sheet metal so the paint where these dents are may
have to be wire-wheeled off first). Call John at
479-0240 if interested in helping out with this sign.
Thanks.
******************************************
******************************************
In Memory of
Janet Sousa
Steffen
November 1, 1948 - July 19,
2013
Janet Sousa Steffen, 64, passed away on July 19,
2013. She was born on November 1, 1948 in Rhode
Island to George A. and Jeannette J. Sousa. Janet is
preceded in death by her father.
She is survived by her mother Jeannette Sousa;
daughters Deanna Crowthers and Tina-Marie
Vandevender; sisters, Jayne Poston and Gail Butler;
and 5 grandchildren. She is also survived by her
extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday,
August 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Gregory the
Great Catholic Church.
You may pay your condolences at
www.kellumfuneralhome.com.
******************************************
******************************************
ORDER SONS OF ITALY
ROMA LODGE #254
CENTENNIAL TREE CAMPAIGN
ORDER FORM
All Proceeds benefit 2014 Roma Lodge #254 Centennial Celebration
Date: __________________________________________
Name: __________________________________________
Phone:__________________________________________
E-Mail:_________________________________________
Donation of $20.00 per brass plate
Cash or Check (Payable to Roma Lodge #254)
(Sample)
23 Characters/Spaces per Line – Up to 3 Lines
Text will be in CAPITAL LETTERS
All text will be centered. You can use special characters.
What you write below is what you get. Please review carefully.
Point of contact is John Diamante (757) 435-2208 or [email protected]
Mail checks and completed forms to: John Diamante 4968 Fountain Hall Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23464
The first 100 brass plates sold will go on the tree.
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