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ANDY’S CORNER

DOLLY SINATRA LODGE #2400

PALM SPRINGS, CA.

By Andy Casey

Our Lodge doors did indeed swing open October 12^th, not to be thwarted by the pandemic or other nefarious elements. And it was indeed a joyful event, greeting friends, some of whom you hadn’t seen since the pandemic closed our doors. Our Lodge was fortunate, as we only suffered a minimal loss of members during COVID. Understandably some members are still not ready yet to participate in larger events. We look forward to their returning when they feel secure enough! And Joe tells me we have fifteen new members! Welcome to them!

Usually Frank DiSalvo opens the season, and then is the lead entertainer on first Wednesdays of the month, and indeed he was there with his lovely wife Addy, but they had just found out that his brother had suddenly passed away, and thus they were off to see after his mother and the family. So he called Michael D’Angelo to fill in, and Michael called Larry Capeloto to join him, and thus we had amazing entertainment for our opening dinner, despite the tragedy.

I bring this all up to illustrate what an amazing Lodge we have, and how we as members are so lucky to have these entertainers as members, and indeed friends! Frank, Michael, and Larry fill the first three Wednesday. They are joined on their Wednesdays by other entertainers, as their guests, to make our dinners special events, non-stop, through our season. On the fourth Wednesday of January we will have Larry DelRose heading up the entertainment. He will be braving the shark infested waters that surrounds his house, and coming to entertain us! What we’re left to wonder is what bag of tricks he’ll bring! One time it was kazoos, another time he talked Larry Capeloto into performing a Blues Brother number with him, that nearly killed Larry, as it went on and on! Just all part of the fun.

George Ciampa, our amazing WWII veteran and “Honoree of the Year” in waiting, is as we all are, readying for our annual Honoree of the Year dinner dance, which has been postponed two years in a row. George says he is prepared to wait out these health crises come “hell or high water”, and as he is a most healthy 96, we believe him. And we indeed look forward to honoring this most deserving man! The wonderful event will be scheduled for March or April, and is a big fund raiser for our Lodge!

Speaking of fund raisers, our President Joe LaPorta, not wanting to have our 2^nd year golf tournament cancelled as it was last year, scheduled it early in the season, and it was an overwhelming success, considering all the obstacles facing him. We held the event November 15^th at Indian Ridge Golf Resort in Palm Springs. The day turned out to be glorious, sunny, warm and had fifty plus golfers participating, followed by a sumptuous buffet luncheon. It is most important to note that this event just wouldn’t be happening without the efforts of Joe, and his supporting volunteer helpers. They were Laura Tappero, Renee Troiano, Karen Beck, Lori Harvey and Patti Sanner! If you’ve seen these names before, in previous articles. it’s because these simply wonderful folks, are volunteering week in and week out and are key to why this Lodge is so amazing! The Lodge again, as last tournament, raised $5,000 dollars for the Western Foundation! Coming in first place was the team of Bobby Ardolino Mike Davis, Brad Green and Ed Smith. Second place team was Jeff Frisco, Justin Frisco, Michelle Church and Cheri Lovingfos. Closest to the pin was Carol Latham.

We also want to thank the following players from other Lodges: Ray and Pam Bini, Rich Silveria, Oliver Spires, David Lavezzari, Mark Varona and Michael Guthrie.

And thanking the following for attending buffet and or buying tee signage! Barbara Wisniewski, Lodges State President, who gave a great shout-out to Joe LaPorta, for in her words “an amazing event” in her monthly column in the Decembers Il Leone!! Additionally attending were: Manny Finazzo, Tony Finazzo, Maura Domagnnoli, Sadie Tamburine, Camelia-Colombo Lodge, Roy Vanoni, Beatrice Portinari, Vera Girolami, John Costa.

So until next year next years tournament, when we look forward to welcoming everyone back, and of course lots more players and diners, thanks to everyone for participating!!