Happy Summer Brothers & Sisters,

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer and staying safe while surviving the heat. I would like to remind you about several upcoming events in August:

Monday, August 10 – At the Little Italy Lodge at 7 pm, we will be honoring our 2026 Grand Lodge Scholarship recipients. If you have a question regarding your local Lodge scholarship recipients being honored, contact Rosalie Ranieri, Scholarship Chair, 410.866.8494 or rosalieran@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, August 18 – Join us for Italian Heritage Night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. ⚾️⚾️⚾️ To purchase tickets, contact Ali Sliwka, 410.299.1526 or alicesliwka@gmail.com.

Sunday, August 30 – Don't miss our Annual Crab Feast! 🦀🦀🦀

View details on the flyer below in this issue.

Please support these upcoming events whenever possible. It is because of the dedication and loyalty of you, our members, that the Grand Lodge of Maryland has continued to thrive for 106 years!

Let's recognize Tina Wittstadt and Ray Gamble for stepping up to take the lead on our iMembers program - a new membership data format. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks Tina and Ray!

If your Lodge has an upcoming event, news, member accomplishment, or update, be sure to share it with Dan Longo and Anita Lombardi Riley to be included both in this newsletter and to post on the Grand Lodge website.

I would like to thank the Antonio Gatto Lodge for inviting Mike Castino, State Vice President, and me to conduct their Installation of Officers for the 2026–2028 term. It was truly an honor.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I look forward to seeing many of you at our August events!

Ciao,

Vincent Zaccaria

State President

email Vince



Kentucky Derby Party

raises over $1,000 for MS

Annapolis Lodge hosted a Kentucky Derby Event May 2. Attendees donned fascinator hats and pocket squares and sipped on mint juleps while watching the most exciting two minutes in sports - the Kentucky Derby. Raffles, Derby-theme buffet, and a stocked bar offering festive cocktails added to the merriment as proceeds supported the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maryland Chapter. The Activities Team raised over $1,000 to donate to MS, which they presented during the June membership meeting. [photo] Gina & Mort Baron, Lodge members, dressed in their Derby best.

Orioles outing joins two Lodges

On May 11, 93 members of the Annapolis and Little Italy Lodges joined together for a fun-filled evening at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, to watch the Baltimore Orioles defeat the New York Yankees 3-2, with an exciting final inning! While there was a bit more Yankees blue than Orioles orange in the section, Lodge members in orange enjoyed a special night of baseball, camaraderie, and fellowship. Both lodges thank those who made this gathering such a success.

Amerigo Vespucci ship tour

attracts 104 members

On June 26, 104 Annapolis Lodge members traveled to Locust Point, Baltimore, for a private tour of Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian tall ship which sailed to Baltimore from La Spezia, Italia, amongst two dozen other international ships, as part of Baltimore's AMERICA 250 celebration.

The group toured the vessel with its officers, who shared fascinating stories about its history, traditions, and service. This memorable and educational experience was coordinated by Christine Maceo, Lodge Recording Secretary, through the Italian Navy Attaché at the Naval Academy. The evening concluded with a wonderful dinner at Benny's Restaurant in Little Italy.

Decatur students awarded scholarships

Three Stephen Decatur High School graduates have been awarded scholarships of $3,000 each by the Ocean City Lodge of Order Sons & Daughters of Italy. All three students placed in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Scholarship funds were raised by another successful St. Joseph’s Day Festival held in March. Pictured is one of the students, Laila Pascucci (middle) with Donna Potenza (left), Scholarship Committee Chair, and Sue Ann Baetti, OC Lodge President, at a lodge meeting where Laila received her award. Meet the students ...

APRIL BONDURANT

Ocean Pines, Maryland

Accepted into University of Maryland's

Environment Technology and Economics Scholars program

April was active in Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society. She is a recipient of Decatur's Sportsmanship Award. To provide a student athlete's perspective on women’s sports, April testified on the fairness in girls’ sports before the Maryland State Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee. She was captain of the girls’ basketball team and manager of the school's football team.

SOPHIA FERRANTE

Ocean City, Maryland

Accepted into Honors Program at Clemson University

as a business major in marketing and accounting

During high school, Sophia volunteered with the Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation, Randy’s Camp, and Camp Horizon. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society and was a student representative to the Worcester County Board of Education. Sophia also won a Presidential Service Award and participated in Students Against Destructive Decisions.

LAILA PASCUCCI

Berlin, Maryland

Will pursue dentistry in the Honors program at

Clemson University School of Biological Sciences

A member of the National Honor Society and Key Club, Laila was a National Ambassador for Morgan’s Message, an organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community. She was captain of the girl’s lacrosse team, a soccer player, and a counselor at Ocean City Elevate, a Catholic soccer camp. She worked with Assateague Coastal Trust's Coasts Kids as a biomed counselor at Worcester Technical High School, and volunteered for the Ben Layton Memorial 5K on Sports Day at the Beach, hosted by Believe in Tomorrow.

Ten Italian university students working this summer in Ocean City on J-1 Visas were welcomed to the United States by the Ocean City Lodge with a typical American picnic dinner: fried chicken, hot dogs, mac & cheese, and baked beans. Students received filled tote bags and a leather-bound copy of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, to mark America's 250th anniversary - donated by Jean Delcher, lodge member. Weeks ahead of the students' arrival into the USA, lodge members Janet Ackerson, Rose Madden, Neysa Sylvestri, and Donna Potenza stuffed the tote bags (donated by another member) with suntan lotion, toiletries, candy, snacks, and booklets from Ocean City Chamber of Commerce to help familiarize students with the resort town.

A J-1 Visa (also known as an Exchange Visitor Visa) is a non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals to participate in approved work- and study-based exchange programs in the United States. It is designed to promote the sharing of skills, knowledge, and culture.

The picnic dinner is an annual June event held for Italian students hosted by the OC Lodge. Later, 20 additional students arrived to work in various Ocean City hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks. Two of the students, Giulia Bruschi and Roberta Pia Marconi won bicycles in a raffle, donated to help students transport to work.

PHOTOS

• "No, grazie," indicates a student from Italy (of course known for its excellent cuisine) as she declines the baked beans during the American picnic at the OC Lodge.

• (L-R) Giulia Bruschi and Roberta Pia Marconi won bikes, pictured with Sue Ann Baietti, Lodge president and Giarda Limardi, Program Director of Business & Strategy with ASSE Aspire, an international organization which helps facilitate J-1 Visa work programs.



Maria Gallardo, daughter of Concetta Gallardo, Bel Air Road Lodge member, has been awarded a scholarship from OSDIA's National Scholarship Foundation. As excited as her mother, is the lodge itself, plus Maria's “adopted” grandmother, Loretta Joyner, Grand Lodge Executive Secretary, who befriended Maria and her family when they immigrated to the United States over 20 years ago.

The National Scholarship Foundation offers annual scholarships; winners are presented at the National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) dinner, the largest National event of the year. Maria was one of 18 students to receive a scholarship out of 800 applications. She has completed two years of college in Spain and will study during the next three years at the Swiss School of Management in Rome, Italy.

Sincere congratulations to Maria and

wishes for a bright future ahead!

We congratulate Jami Barney, granddaughter of Loretta Butta Joyner, Bel Air Road Lodge member, who won:

• Daily Record's Women of the Year award
• Was named a recipient of Daily Record's 2026 Leading Women Under 40
• Named an honoree of Baltimore Business Journal's 40 Under 40
• Received the WTWH Healthcare Future Leaders Award

Jami is Research Manager at Ashley Addiction Treatment, where she is dedicated to improving addiction care. Her work has helped drive treatment improvements across the organization and the broader industry through publication in peer-reviewed journals. She collaborates with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to conduct research that advances precision medicine in addiction care; and regularly contributes to public policy efforts through testimony and consultation with the Office of Drug Control Policy.

As a consultant to toxicology laboratories and clinical stakeholders, Jami helps translate published research into real-world applications. Her expertise has extended into broader scientific and public discourse, with her work featured in major media outlets, including Reuters and The New York Times.

She holds an advisory board role at the National Association for Addiction Treatment Providers where expertise advances patient-centered and evidence-based addiction treatment at national levels. Jami is recognized for her ability to translate complex clinical data into practical, actionable insights that improve patient care and inform treatment systems.

Taste of Italy fundraiser

supports Foundation's scholarships

Little Italy Lodge #2286 Foundation - honoring education in the Italian American community - is proud to report on the repeated success of its signature annual fundraiser, Taste of Italy, held April 26. Guests were welcomed with a Prosecco toast, followed by four delicious courses accompanied with a selection of Italian wines. 

Chef Mark Orendorff, 25 volunteers, generous donations from sponsors and neighborhood restaurants, door prizes, basket raffles, 50/50 cash raffle, and dancing to the music of Ray Massa’s EuroRhythyms (nationally acclaimed Italian show band) created an unforgettable afternoon which benefitted students of Italian American heritage. For the 2025-2026 academic year, nine students received $60,000 in scholarships. The Foundation is financed through proceeds raised from Taste of Italy and supplemental donations.

Photos below: Maureen Chandler (Foundation Secretary and event co-chair); Vince Piscopo (Foundation Chairman); Nancy Barbieri Wolfe (Foundation Board of Directors and event co-chair)

Vince Piscopo (right) and Nino Mangione (holding plaque), Maryland Delegate, presented the 2026 Foundation Award to Tony & Bonnie Montcalmo for their years of dedicated support and service to the scholarship program, as well as to Little Italy Lodge, St. Leo the Great, and the Italian American community. 

Historic Columbus flag on display at LI Lodge

The Little Italy Lodge has recently hung a flag in their hall which most people might not recognize. A gift from lodge member Richard Panella, the flag embodies 500 years of history, bridging the gap between the Old and New Worlds.

In the middle of the flag is a cross, with two gold crowns above the letters F and Y, signifying the names of the Reyes Catolicos, the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. (In the Spanish language, Y and I are often used interchangeably.)

This flag flew in battles and over army tents, becoming the standard for the Spanish siege of Moorish Granada and its Almambra palace, where one of the original banners still flies. After Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas, the La Capitana flag - or Captain’s Ensign - was nicknamed the Columbus Flag.

Columbus used the banner landing in the New World on October 12, 1492, on Guanahani - or San Salvador, Bahamas. Writing in his captain’s log, the explorer confirmed this. While Columbus also carried the coats of arms of Aragon and Castille (red lions and gold castles), the captains of his two other ship - the Pinzon brothers - each carried a Capitana.

Several things make the flag very special: it’s the first European flag flown in the New World; it established the Catholic Monarchs’ dominion over their “discovered” lands; and the cross shows this was a religious expedition.

~ Albert Marra

Little Italy Lodge member

NOTES: This information is from Flags of the World, based on the 1983 work by Calvo and Gravalos, corroborated by the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico. If there were contrary evidence, it may be too late since Columbus’ landing, with three flags (two Capitanas and a Royal Standard), appeared in a painting by John Vanderlyn, which has been hanging in the U.S. Capitol since 1847. We acknowledge the research of Frank “Paco” Vielba, a Madrid native living in London.

Celebrates Founder's Day

and scholarship winners

At the June 22 General Membership Meeting of Harford County Lodge #2464, the focus was on recognizing the Lodge’s scholarship winners. However, the day was also special for all members of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America / OSDIA because it was Founder’s Day.

Dan Longo, Past National President and Lodge member, shared the importance of Founder's Day, when in 1905, Vincenzo Sellaro, M.D. and five other Italian immigrants established Order Sons of Italy in America / OSIA in New York City’s Little Italy. In 2017, the organization officially was renamed to OSDIA to include the word 'daughters' - Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. This update was made to recognize and honor the vital role women have played in the organization's history and growth.

Lydia Geigan, Scholarship Committee Chair, explained the process of reviewing applications and selecting winners. This year, three students pursuing continued education submitted applications; the committee determined that all three would be awarded scholarships. For the first time, the Committee also decided to give each student a complimentary one-year membership to the Lodge.

BROOKE CONGER (left)

• Will attend University of Connecticut as a marketing major
• Scheduled to graduate spring 2030
• Daughter of Joe Conger, Lodge member

LIA PATHARKAR (middle)

• Will attend University of Maryland, majoring in Hearing & Speech Science (speech therapy)
• Scheduled to graduate spring 2029
• Daughter of Maria & Richard Remeta, Lodge members

AIDAN MYERS

• Will attend University of Maryland as a nursing major
• Scheduled to graduate spring 2029
• Son of Lisa Myers, Lodge member

Replacement on the way

for Little Italy’s Columbus statue

Organizers hope to put a neutral, anonymous Italian immigrant family memorial on the empty pedestal

[top photo] The new statue announcement took place as a press conference July 1 at Columbus Piazza in Little Italy.

[middle photo] The Christopher Columbus statue as it stood in Little Italy, Baltimore, prior to July 4, 2020; dedicated in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan [bottom photo]. The sketch depicts the sculptor's rendition of the replacement statue of anonymous Italian immigrants.

As reported in our last issue of Il Giornale, Little Italy's restored Columbus statue was placed this year on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., on loan to the Trump Administration by Italian American Organizations United.

How does our

Super Raffle work?

We pull a raffle ticket winner every day of the year. Winning tickets are placed back into the bin for the possibility to be pulled again. Winners are mailed a check.

How much can you win?

• Daily winner $25
• Last day of the month $50
• Christmas $200
• New Year's Day $100
• Mother's Day $100
• Father's Day $100



As voted on at our January 2026 Council meeting, the Il Giornale newsletter is now created on Constant Contact (an email marketing platform) and EMAILED. The previously printed version (which was mailed) has stopped. This is a cost-effective and efficiency decision for our organization. It is now the responsibility of each lodge president to create hard copies should any of your members prefer / require a printed newsletter.

If you know someone who does not yet receive Il Giornale by email (or maybe this issue was forwarded to you by another member), please ask them to join our GRAND LODGE EMAIL LIST to be included in future e-news distribution.

Amici e Fratelli Lodge #2673

John DiBattista

jdargentibizgroup@aol.com

Annapolis Lodge #2225

Ray Gamble

hrgamble@gmail.com

Antonio Gatto Lodge #2459

Frank Ragone frank@paisantime.com

Belair Road Lodge #2265

Martin Fuhr

the_one08@hotmail.com

Dominic Fornaro Lodge #2475

Anita Lombardi Riley

dolcevitaap@verizon.net

Forty West Lodge #2266

Ken Harness

(Acting President)

vze1r7rb@verizon.net

Harford County Lodge #2464

Mike Castino paisan@comcast.net

Little Italy Lodge #2286

Chris Pisano littleitalylodge@gmail.com

Montgomery County

Lodge #2288

Mike Bertocchi

mike1970@aol.com

Ocean City Lodge #2474

Sue Ann Baietti sueann1257@aol.com

Towson Dulaney

Lodge #2292

Filippo Caccamisi

cameophoto@aol.com



Il Giornale is edited and designed by

Suzanna Molino, Director

Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore