SPECIAL FOR THE SONS OF ITALY
Installation of Officers of the United Lodges of Southern California
by Andy Pampuro Immediate Past President

On Sunday, January 27th, the United Lodges of Southern California hosted the mass installation of filial lodge officers. Along with this was a testimonial for the Grand Lodge officers from the south. It was the Sons of Italy Festa Romana.

The installation of officers took place at 3 p.m. Past State President Chris Lotito was in command of this portion of the program. He, along with State Third Vice President Vita Zaccaria, did the installation of officers with plenty of help from the Grand Lodge officers and chairs of committees who were in attendance.

It all ran very smoothly. The presidents of each participating lodge were seated on the stage so they may watch their officers being installed. Chris and Vita then had the pleasure of placing the regalia on each president.

They were Frank Iannuzzi from the America Lodge, Babe Peluso from the Anaheim Lodge, Rick Guerra from the Hacienda Lodge, Dorothy Rathfelder from the Joanne Coccia Lodge, Tom Rizzo from the Renaissance Lodge, Steve DeSantis from the Pugliese Lodge, Russ Rametta sitting in for Al Trentini from the Saddleback Valley Lodge, Dave Dominici from the Sgt. John Basilone Lodge, Richard Salvatore from the West Covina Lodge and Ted Seibel from the West End Lodge.

After the installation Chris presented the gavel to Ted Seibel who represented all of the presidents and spoke on their behalf. He wished each president much success during their administration.

Following the installation was a no host cocktail hour so people could relax and mingle with their fellow brothers and sisters. The event took place at the beautiful Casa Italiana in Los Angeles.

Before dinner was served Andy Pampuro, who was the M.C. for the rest of the program, introduced the dignitaries in attendance.

They were State Third Vice President Vita Zaccaria; State Orator Sid Tamburine and his wife Sadie, who is the president of the La Costa dei Fiori Lodge as well as the Ritual and Protocol Chair; State Treasurer Pauline Richmond; State Trustee South Angela Webster; State Trustee South Rosemarie Vanderhaar and her husband, George; the Grand Lodge Queen, Maci DePaoli and her mother, Giovanna; Miss Italy Angela Salcedo; Past State President Chris Lotito and his wife, Mary, who is the Athletic Committee Chair; Past State President Peter Tubiolo; Past State President David Prisco; the president of the United Lodges of Southern California Ted Seibel and his wife, Lucille; Chair of the CSJ Committee Russ Rametta and his wife, Ann; Chair of the Media Committee Andy Pampuro and his wife, Louise, and the Immediate Past President of the Hanford Lodge, HazelAnn Christin.

The invocation was beautifully delivered by Father Alessandrini from St. Peter's Church. He also had some very funny jokes to add some levity to the event.
We were served a most delicious meal enjoyed by all and after dinner we had the Testimonial for the Grand Lodge Officers from the South.

The participants also paid tribute to four women and one man who have served the Sons of Italy well during their term of office. Instead of giving each one a plaque or trophy a $500 scholarship will be presented at the next convention in their names.

Andy Pampuro gave a brief biography on each honoree and said some nice words about each one. Each of the honorees received a beautiful certificate presented to them by the president of the United Lodges, Ted Seibel.

Each had the opportunity to say a few words. The honorees were State Third Vice President Vita Zaccaria, State Orator Sid Tamburine, State Treasurer Pauline Richmond and State Trustees South Angela Webster and Rosemarie Vanderhaar. Our heartiest congratulations to each one of them.

The participants heard a few words from the lovely Grand Lodge Queen Maci DePaoli. Then a few words from the United Lodges President Ted Seibel. The State President Vera Girolami was unable to attend and asked State Third Vice President Vita Zaccaria to represent her. Vita gave a beautiful speech on her behalf.

Many thanks go to Past State President Chris Lotito for handling the installation so beautifully. Also to Rosemarie Vanderhaar for all her hard work in planning this event as recording secretary of the United Lodges. She even designed the certificates given to the honorees. Rosemarie went beyond the call of duty.

Thanks to the United Lodges President Ted Seibel for his leadership and to Vita Zaccaria who pays the bills. Also thanks to the people who ran the raffle. There were a lot of prizes to give out thanks to the generosity of each lodge.

There were some great dance and listening music provided by Doc Anello. It was a great affair enjoyed by all.

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