Next Meeting – The next monthly meeting will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 7 p.m. in the FOP Hall, 1336 Spring Garden Street.  Food and refreshments will be served. Please note, District 3 will also be holding their meeting on that night.

 President’s Message

 By now, some of you may have heard of ongoing problems with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.  At issue are accusations against current Grand Lodge President Vincent Turco and counter-accusations against First-Vice President Ron Romeo as well as members of current and prior Grand Lodge administrations.  Numerous letters and documents have been mailed out to me and to members of the executive board, delegates and members sitting on Grand Council.

 The tit-for-tat has gotten so bad and unruly that the Nation Office has stepped in and requested a ‘cease and desist’ against all parties in the dispute until the matter can be reviewed by the national office.

 As your president, I want you to know that after having read these communications numerous times, I am not in a position to take sides in this matter.  The accusations, should they hold true, have the potential to effect the position of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania within the Order of the Sons of Italy.

 This matter has been discussed at the September, October and November Meetings as well as with the Executive Board. The concern of some members is that our per capita tax should not be squandered to pay for copying and postage of the aforementioned letters and attorney’s fees when it should be used to promote the causes of the order; such as scholarships and Italian cultural education programs. Some members have proposed that we suspend paying our per capita tax until this matter is resolved. On November 3, 2008 in response, the Executive Board has passed a motion to escrow all per capita tax until such time that the matter is mediated by the National Office of OSIA.  Attached you will find a letter which has been mailed notifying the Grand Lodge of our actions.  

 As an organization we should be spending our time planning fun events and supporting good causes.  We have our Adult and Children’s Christmas parties coming up this month and a 50th anniversary banquet planned for March 26, 2009. I would also like to see another bowling benefit as requested by many members and perhaps additional outings to the Phillies and other sporting events.

 2009 also brings Lodge Elections and I encourage all members who are interested, to run for one of the offices. Although I have only been in office for one term, I will not be seeking reelection in March.  I have enjoyed the task of serving as your president; however at this time I must attend to personal and family matters.

 I wish everyone a safe and fun filled holiday season and I hope the New Year is full of health and prosperity for all.

Upcoming Events – (If you are interested in attending any of these lodge events, please contact President Maurizio DeLisi, unless otherwise noted.)

American Legion Post 937
Annual Banquet, Saturday, November 29, 2008 – Kings Caterers, 4010 New Falls Road, Bristol, PA. 6pm.
Tickets are $55.00 – $27.50 for members. Legionnaire of the Year is Nick Forgione

Adult Christmas Party, Sunday, December 7, 2008 –in conjunction with District 3. 5:30-Swan Caterers Waterfall Room. Tickets are $45 per person, $22.50 for members.

Children’s Christmas Party – Sunday, December 21^th, 2008. 11am to 2pm in the FOP Hall.  As always, children nine years and under will receive gifts from Santa.  Santa will distribute gifts provided by members to children ten years and older.  Please use the form below to submit your children’s (or grandchildren’s) information.   We need to receive it no later than December 8, 2008. Please mail it, call it in, or send it via our web site.  Chairperson Joe Spera is looking for members to volunteer and work for the party.  If you want to be a part of this committee, contact Joe via the online contact form and select 2008 Childrens’ Christmas Party as the topic.  Even if you do not want to be on the committee, we can always use an extra pair of hands – a cook, a truck and driver, etc.  This is one of our most successful events – let’s keep it that way.  Cakes and cookies are appreciated on the day of the party. 

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CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY –DECEMBER 21, 2008 – WE MUST RECEIVE FORM NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 8, 2008.   YOU CAN ALSO REGISTER ONLINE @ www.custodespacis.org

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Meeting Schedule:

All Meetings start at 7pm and are located at the FOP Lodge 5 Hall, 1336 Spring Garden Street

Monday, January 5, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

Monday, May 5, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009

Per Capita Tax Letter

I would like to thank everyone who attended and the following individuals and their families for their help in making this event a success: Gary and Theresa Cardamone, Ron Peluzzo, Marco and Nancy Giannetta, Rita Rastelli, Joseph DiSpaldo, Ray Saggese, Gerri Spera, Joseph V. Spera and Jim Moore. Special thanks to Natalie Cianfrani providing the music for our event, Immediate Past President Joseph Spera for coordinating the party and much appreciation is extended to Joseph Merenda for taking on the ‘suit’ and entertaining the kids!

I hope to see you there next year!