Regular Members ~ Under 65 years and of Italian descent (can hold office). $66 per year plus a one-time $15 administrative fee plus $5 Mortuary Insurance fee for 2009. Included is the $1000.00 life insurance benefit. Associate Members ~ $51 per year plus $15 administrative fee for 2009. An Associate members is anyone of 65 years or older or anyone who declines the $1000.00 life insurance benefit. An associate member must be of Italian descent or married to someone of Italian descent. Social Members ~ Members not of Italian descent. $40 per year plus a one-time $15 administrative fee. Anyone may be a social member; a social member may not hold office or act as a delegate to the Grand Lodge convention. Included is $1000.00 life insurance benefit ($5 Mortuary Insurance fee applies). Social/Benefits ~ A social member under the age of 65 and opts for the $1000.00 life insurance benefit ($5 Mortuary Insurance fee applies). $55 per year plus a one-time $15 administrative fee. Anyone may be a social member; a social member may not hold office or act as a delegate to the Grand Lodge convention. Junior/Social ~ Anyone under the age of 18 years of age or until their 26th birthday provided they area full time student. No fees. Junior ~ A junior member who opts to include $1000.00 life insurance benefit. ($5 Mortuary Insurance fee applies). $15 per year.

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Application Form

80th Anniversary Cookbook

on Sale

The Cristoforo Colombo Lodge was installed on May 12, 1929. The founders were Nicolo Gardella, Rose Mongolo Marillion, Pete De Prati, Luigi Anelli and Edith Mongolo Lazzari.

According to records, the first meeting was held on May 22, 1929 in the social hall of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Cathedral, which was still the meeting place until two years ago. At the first meeting there were 59 persons in attendance. Signor Pietro De Prati became its first venerable. Other prominent names among the Charter members were Gardella and Zunino; these names are still represented in the current membership.

Aside from donating a scholarship every year to a student of Italian descent and giving to the Savitt Medical School Library at the University of Nevada, the Lodge has supported the new College of Education at the University. The Lodge is proud to participate in the Italian Festival at the El Dorado Hotel each year since 1987 and have an award-winning float in the Columbus Day Parade. For several years one of the favorite local charities was the Northern Nevada Children's Home in Carson City. During Christmas, we donate to needy families in the community. Additional projects and donations are discussed by the membership when presented to the Lodge.

The members of the Lodge have always enjoyed traveling near and far over the years: Napa, Sonoma and Central Valley Wine Country areas; Gilroy Garlic Festival; Crab Cioppino Feed in San Francisco; Caribbean and Mexico cruises; and numerous bus trips to places like the Pink House in Genoa, Joe Conforte's Cabin in the Sky, Mia's Restaurant and the Garlic Rose!

From the lodge, Judge John Gabrielli was elected in 1963 to serve as a District Judge in Washoe County; Louis Ferrari was also elected to the State Surveyor General Office in 1950 and served till 1957; Hugh Ricci was the State Engineer of the Nevada Division of Water Resources and is now retired. Joe Eidem, also know as Chef Joe, is a local icon as a chef and cooking instructor. Current President Barbara Wisniewski, is a retired Grandmother, has served the Order in many different positions.

Please mail completed application form to Reno Sons of Italy:

Madeleine Zunino, 1100 Porter Circle, Reno NV 89509. Call (775) 329-6964 for more information.

Reno Sons of Italy: Barbara Wisniewski, 20987 Gunnison Drive, Reno NV 89508

We are a Reno non-profit service organization dedicated to serving the

needs of our community through charity.