Roma Lodge # 1573 is celebrating a 75^th Anniversary this year. The lodge started when a group of Italo-Americans from Tulare, Lindsay and Porterville, California met together and decided to form a Lodge to help preserve their heritage and customs of Italy. They also wanted to encourage those who had not yet become naturalized citizens to do so. The first meeting was held at the Tulare’s Woman’s Clubhouse on April 13, 1930, to organize nominate and elect new officers. Grand Deputy Catherine Masselli of Fresno, California and Venerable Virginia Fillippi of Rosa de Italia Lodge, Hanford, California conducted the meeting. Mario Bruno, Frank Fornasero and Fernando Teglia were given credit for signing up the most members and therefore given the privilege of signing the charter.

Initiation and installation of officers was held on May 25, 1930. Venerable Virginia Filippi conducted the meeting assisted by Grand Deputy, Catherine Masselli and District Deputy, Joe Finni and the installation by Grand Venerable Domenico Jannarone. Eighty-six members of the 115 designated charter members were initiated at the first meeting with the remainder of the members initiated at a later meeting. Rosa Di Italia Lodge of Hanford, sponsor of Roma Lodge in Tulare, contributed $15.00 toward the support of the new lodge. Approximately 250 members of nearby Lodges of the Order Sons of Italy in America were present. At the conclusion of the event refreshments were served and dancing followed to the music of the Vagabond orchestra. When new lodges of the Order of Sons Of Italy are founded, the American and Italian Flags and a Lodge Standard were purchased to use at lodge functions and parades. The flags and standards are still maintained by the lodge today.

In May 1931, a committee chaired by Miro Curti, was formed to plan a dedication celebration. A dance preceding the day of celebration and a ticket drawing were held to raise money. Hanford Lodge united with Roma Lodge to have the celebration at Mooney Grove Park, Sunday August 29^th, 1931. During the celebration a barbeque was held at noon followed by a program of speeches and band music furnished by the Sons of Italy band from the lodges of Fresno. Grand Deputy of Roma Lodge, Joe Finni of Enrico Caruso Lodge of Visalia, was the featured speaker. Pierina Raviscioni-Girado was the American Flag Queen and is still a member of the Roma Lodge today.

In 1933 the Roma Lodge started an Italian language school for the teaching of the language and Italian Heritage to young members. Schooling was held during the regular lodge meetings and financed through "Box Socials" and dances. The Grand Lodge offered books and reading materials and two instructors were hired for $3.50 per evening twice a month to offer instruction. Many youth were honored for achievement by the lodge during the schooling, which lasted until 1937.

The Roma Lodge started a ravioli dinner dance in 1933 as a fundraiser. In the early years it was the social event of the year for members and guests throughout the community. Tickets were often tough to come by with over 1200 people being served at the height of its popularity in the 1960’s and 70’s. Lodge members would make homemade ravioli’s and feature tri-tip or chicken along with spaghetti for only $1 per person. This year the lodge held it’s 67^th consecutive dinner.

To this day the Roma Lodge continues to provide community service. Each year thousands of dollars are raised and given to local charities, youth activities and scholarships. In addition to the ravioli dinner the lodge sells Italian sausage sandwiches at the International Agri-Center Farm Show. The lodge has participated since the inception of the show for the past 33 years.

Roma Lodge recently celebrated it’s 70^th Anniversary. In attendance was the our remaining charter member Madeline Ferrero. With over 275 members, the lodge will continue to offer people of Italian descent opportunities to preserve their Italian Culture.

A group of Italo-Americans from Tulare, Lindsay and Porterville districts met together and decided to a form a Lodge to help preserve their heritage and customs of their land and also to encourage those who had not yet become naturalized citizens to do so.

The first meeting was held at the Tulare’s woman’s clubhouse on April 13, 1930, to organize nominate and elect new officers.

Grand Deputy Catherine Masselli of Fresno and Venerable Virginia Fillippi of Rosa de Italia Lodge, Hanford conducted the meeting.

Mario Bruno, Frank Fornasero and Fernando Teglia were given credit for signing up the most members who had privilege of signing the charter.

Officers Nominated and Elected as Follows:

Venerable: Mario Bruno Lindsay

Asst. Venerable: Joe Negro Lindsay

Ex-venerable: Lorenzo Raviscioni Waukena

Orator: Fernando Teglia Tulare

Corresponding Secretary: Clara Rosso Strathmore

Sec. Of Finance: Rosie Lerda Tulare

Treasurer: Margaret Falco Tipton

Trustees: Dale Bruno Lindsay

Rosie Fornasero Tulare

John Lerda Tulare

Amelia Mazza Porterville

Frank Fornasero Tulare

Arbitrary committee: Lee Bruno, Miro Curti, John Falco, Arturo Teglia, Carl Spinella

Alternates: Henery Ghigo, Eugene Ferrero , Tony Angelo,

Ben Rovella, Valentino Cadona

Mistress of Ceremonies: Domencia Curti

Master of Ceremonies: Miro Curti

Sentinel: Frank LaForti

Initiation and installation of officers was held May 25, 1930. Venerable Virginia Filippi conducted the meeting assisted by Grand Deputy, Catherine Masselli and District Deputy , Joe Finni and the installation by Grand Venerable Domenico Jannarone. Eighty-six members were initiated of the 115 who were signed up as charter members. Those un able to attend were initiated at the next meeting.

Rosa Di Italia Lodge 0of Hanford , sponsor of Roma Lodge in Tulare, contributed $15.00 toward the support of the new lodge.

Approximately 250 members of nearby Lodges of the Order Sons of Italy in America were present. At to the conclusion of the event refreshments were served and dancing followed to the music of the Vagabond orchestra.

Last Updated Monday, July 18, 2005
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