THE HISTORY OF SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

BY LODGE #37 MEMBERS FRANK GRAZIOSO & AL RAMADEI 2014

MILLIONS OF ITALIANS CAME TO AMERICA IN THE LATE 1880S AND MID 1900S. THEY CAME TO
WORK AND EARN WAGES MUCH HIGHER THAN THOSE IN THEIR NATIVE TOWNS AND REGIONS
OF ITALY. ACTIVE RECRUITMENT BY AMERICAN INDUSTRIALISTS RESULTED IN HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF ITALIANS ARRIVING AT OUR SHORES HERE IN THE NORTHEAST. IN OUR CITY
THERE WERE NUMEROUS FACTORIES THAT ENGAGED IN AGRESSIVE RECRUITMENT IN ITALY.
THE WORK WAS HARD AND THE PAY WAS LOW, BUT THOSE EARLY IMMIGRANTS PERSERVERED
EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE LOOKED UPON WITH SUSPICION, SOCIALLY ISOLATED AND SCORNED
FOR THEIR STRANGE WAYS AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE. IN HARD ECONOMIC TIMES THEY WERE
ESPECIALLY VIEWED AS DEPRIVING AMERICANS OF THEIR JOBS. ASSIMILATION INTO THE
FABRIC OF AMERICA WAS DIFFICULT EVEN FOR THE THOUSANDS WHO CHANGED THEIR NAMES
TO ANGLICIZED NAMES.VERDI BECAME GREEN, BOUNOMASTRO BECAME GOODMASTER, ETC.
IN MANY ITALIAN HOMES, SPEAKING ITALIAN WAS PROHIBITED BY PARENTS WHO BELIEVED
THEY WERE MAKING THE PATH TO AMERICANIZATION EASIER FOR THEIRCHILDREN.
SURROUNDED BY THE AMERICANIZATION EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL AGENCIES, IT
WAS FELT THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO PRESERVE THEIR ITALIAN HERITAGE BY THE LEADERS
OF THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY. CITIZENSHIP WAS A DESIRABLE GOAL, BUT THEY SHOULD NOT
LOSE PRIDE IN THEIR OWN CULTURE AND FAITH.

SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE. ITALIANS NEEDED TO UNITE ON A NATIONAL BASIS, NOT MERELY
IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY NEEDED TO EARN THE RESPECT OF THEIR AMERICAN
NEIGHBORS. A FRATERNITY OF ITALIAN MEN AND WOMEN NEEDED TO BE FORMED WITH A
COMMITMENT TO HELP AND CARE FOR EACH OTHER. ITALIANS HAD TO CONVINCE AMERICANS
OF THEIR ZEAL TO ADVOCATE FOR FREEDOM, THE FREEDOM THAT AMERICAS SHOULD EXTEND
TO ALL ITS PEOPLE. ITALIANS SHOULD NOT FORGET NOR BE SEPARATED FROM THEIR CULTURE,
THEIR QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE, THE BEAUTY OF THEIR LANGUAGE AND THE DIGNITY SHOWN
IN THEIR RESPECT FOR SOCIAL ORDER AND JUST LAWS. ESPOUSING THESE PRINCIPLES AND
ADOPTING FRATERNITY, EQUALITY AND LIBERTY AS THEIR PRINCIPLES, DR. VINCENT
SELLARO, A DENTIST PRACTICING IN NEW YORK CITY, AND A FEW OF HIS FRIENDS, FOUNDED
THE ORGANIZATION WE KNOW TODAY AS THE SONS OF ITALY ON JUNE 22,1905.

OF COURSE, THE LITERATURE, ORGANIZATIONAL RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE RITUALS OF
MEMBERSHIP INDUCTION, THE CONDUCT OF MEETINGS AS WELL AS THE NAME OF THE
ORGANIZATION WERE WRITTEN IN ITALIAN. THE FRATERNAL ORDER WAS CALLED LORDINE
FIGLI dITALIA IN AMERICA, THE ORDER OF CHILDREN OF ITALY IN AMERICA. AN INACCURATE
TRANSLATION OF THE WORD FIGLI CAUSED A CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE ORDER. FIGLI IS
THE ITALIAN WORD FOR CHILDREN BUT IT IS ALSO THE MASCULINE PLURAL OF THE WORD
SON. THIS ERROR RESULTED IN THE USE OF THE NAME SONS OF ITALY, INSTEAD OF
CHILDREN OR SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY. THE USE OF THE NAME SONS OF ITALY DID
NOT CONVEY THE MESSAGE THAT THE ORGANIZATION WISHED. IN FACT THE ORGANIZATION
HAS ALWAYS WELCOMED WOMEN. IN THE 108 YEAR HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION, WOMEN
HAVE BELONGED AS FULL AND EQUAL MEMBERS AND HAVE SERVED AS STATE AND NATIONAL
LEADERS.

THE ORDER GREW RAPIDLY, WITH THOUSANDS OF LODGES FORMED THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY. LOCAL LODGES WERE ORGANIZED UNDER THE AUIHORITY OF THE STATE LODGE
DESIGNATED GRAND LODGE. IN TURN GRAND LODGES ORGANIZED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF
A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION CALLED THE SUPREME LODGE, WHICH HAS ITS HEADQUARTERS
IN WASHINGTON, D.C.. MEETINGS BEGIN WITH THE RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
BEFORE THE FLAG OF THE USA. ALL OFFICERS ARE ELECTED AND ALL MEETINGS ARE
CONDUCTED ACCORDING TO ROBERTS RULE OF ORDER. MEETINGS ARE OPENED AND CLOSED
WITH RECITATION OF A MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR PAST MEMBERS AND FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE TO
JUSTLY PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE ORDER.

DOUBTLESS, DR. SELLARO AND HIS FOUNDING FRIENDS BEGAN SOMETHING THAT WAS
WELCOMED AND NEEDED BY THE IMMIGRANTS FROM ITALY. WITHIN 15 YEARS OF ITS
FOUNDING THERE WERE 77 LODGES IN CONNECTICUT WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN
12,000. THE LARGEST GRAND LODGES WERE IN NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA AND CALIFORNIA
WHERE THERE WERE LARGE CONCENTRATIONS OF RECENT ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS..



















































THE HISTORY OF THE GREATER NEW HAVEN SONS OF ITALY LODGE #37
BY #37 LODGE MEMBERS FRANK GRAZIOSO AND AL RAMADEI

THE GREATER NEW HAVEN SONS OF ITALY LODGE#37 WAS FOUNDED IN 1907. IT WAS NOT THE
FIRST LODGE IN CONNECTICUT, BUT IT WAS NOT FAR BEHIND THE CONCORDIA LODGE # 29 IN
TORRINGTON WHICH WAS THE FIRST. TODAY LODGE #37 SURVIVES WITH LODGE # 20 AS THE
TWO OLDEST LOCAL LODGES IN EXISTANCE IN THE NATION. IN ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL YEARS,
THE 1930 TO 1940 PERIOD, MORE THAN 4,000 MEMBERS BELONGED TO LODGE #37. NUMBERS
WERE ASSIGNED TO LOCAL LODGES AS THEY APPLIED FOR RECOGNITION. THE NUMBERS BEING
ASSIGNED TODAY ARE IN THE 2800 TO 2900 RANGE.

DURING THE EARLY YEARS, LODGE # 37 WAS AT THE CENTER OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY, AS WELL AS
AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY. MOST MEMBERS
WERE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE LODGE AND VISITED EVERY EVENING. THEY
SHARED A CUP OF COFFEE (DEMI TASSE, OF COURSE), A GLASS OF WINE OR A DESSERT WITH
FRIENDS. THEIR CONVERSATIONS WERE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY, OFTEN SPIRITED
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GOINGS ON IN THE FACTORIES WHERE THEY WORKED, POLITICS OR
NEIGHBORHHOOD NEWS. ENJOYABLE CARD GAMES OR A GAME OF BOCCE CONCLUDED EACH
DAY OF WORK.. EVEN IF ONE DID NOT PLAY, THE PLEASURE OF WITNESSING THE GAMES WAS
FUN. NOTE THAT THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SPIRIT OF ITALIANS ASSURED THE CONSTANT
FRIENDLY TAUNTING OR BOASTING THAT PREVAILED. A WINNING HAND AT CARDS WAS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM SUPERIOR SKILL OR ABILITY OVER ONES OPPONENT TO LEARN
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME. THIS TABLE TALK FEATURE OF THOSE GAMES OFSCOPA OR
BRISCOLA WAS SOMETHING UNIQUE TO ITALIANS AND SOMETHING THAT IN OTHER
SURROUNDINGS WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. THE STAKES WERE MODEST, WITH WINNERS
ENJOYING A BEVERAGE OR SWEET AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LOSERS OF THE GAME. SOME
DESCENDANTS OF THOSE CARD GAMES STILL ENJOY THE CHALLENGE, BUT TODAY THERE
SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL LACK OF INTEREST..

ADDITIONAL LODGES WERE OFTEN FORMED WITHIN THE EXISTING LODGES. LA LOGGIA
STELLA dITALIA WAS AN INDEPENDENT LODGE FOR YOUNG WOMEN, LOGGIA MARCONI
FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS TARGETTING YOUTH, MERCHANTS, ARTISANS, ETC.
ALL THESE LODGES WERE UNDER THE CHARTER OF LODGE #37 AND UTILIZED THE FACILITIES
OF LODGE #37. LODGE #37 BECAME SO SUCCESSFUL THAT IT BUILT AN IMPOSING CLUBHOUSE
ON WOOSTER SQUARE AROUND 1920. THE BUILDING HAD MEETING ROOMS, RECREATIONAL
ROOMS FOR PLAYING CARDS OR BILLIARDS, AS WELL AS A DINING ROOM WITH KITCHEN
FACILITIES FOR BANQUETS AND LARGE GATHERINGS. THE YARD HAD A GARDEN AREA AND, OF
COURSE, A BOCCE COURT. THE UPPER FLOORS WERE RENTED TO PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS.
SADLY, IN THE 1960S THE BUILDING WAS TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN BY THE CITY OF NEW
HAVEN TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE AUDITORIUM AND COMMUNITY ROOM ATTACHED TO THE NEW
DR. HARRY CONTE SCHOOL IT HAD BEEN A COMMUNITY CENTER.

A STATE AND NATIONAL FOUNDATION SUPPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE BOUND
STUDENTS, NATIONAL CHARITIES SUCH AS THE COOLEYS ANEMIA FOUNDATION, MARCH OF
DIMES, AND ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH FOUNDATION.

THE GREATER NEW HAVEN LODGE #37 HAD AMONG ITS MEMBERS SOME OF THE EARLY
PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS PIONEERS OF THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY IN NEW HAVEN.
THE ARCHIVES OF THE NEW HAVEN REGISTER, NEW HAVEN JOURNAL COURIER, THE CITY
DIRECTORIES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN AND THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES OF THE
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY PROVIDE THE MOST ACCURATE RECORDS OF
THE PROGRESS OF THESE STALWARTS OF THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDERS OF LODGE
#37 WERE LABORERS,ARTISANS, PROFESSIONALS AND SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMEN AND WERE
WELL EDUCATED AND MULTILINGUAL. AN ILLUSTRATION OF ONE OF THESE PIONEERS WAS AN
EXTRAORDINARY MAN, PAOLO RUSSO.

PAOLO RUSSO WAS AN EARLY GRADUATE OF THE YALE LAW SCHOOL. HE WAS KNOWN AS IL
BABBO AFFEZIONATO, THE AFFECTIONATE FATHER. HE WAS AN ACCOMPLSHED HARPIST AND
VIOLINIST WHO CAME TO AMERICA IN THE 1860S WITH HIS FATHER AT AGE 10. HE OPENED A
GENERAL STORE ON WOOSTER STREET IN 1880. IN 1882 HE FOUNDED THE FIRST ITALIAN BANK
IN CONNECTICUT. IN 1884 HE ORGANIZED LA FRATELLANZA, THE BROTHERHOOD, THE FIRST
ITALIAN SOCIETY IN THE STATE, 20 YEARS BEFORE THE FOUNDING OF THE SONS OF ITALY. IN
1892 HE STARTED PUBLISHING A WEEKLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER, LA STELLA dITALIA, THE
FIRST ITALIAN JOURNAL IN NEW ENGLAND. HE ENTERED THE YALE LAW SCHOOL AND GOT HIS
DEGREE IN 1893, THE FIRST ITALIAN GRADUATE OF THE YALE LAW SCHOOL. HE HAD MAJOR
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS IN THE WOOSTER STREET AREA AROUND CHAPEL STREET. HE
ACQUIRED A VAST TRACT OF LAND IN EAST HAVEN IN THE FOXON AREA . HE HAD A VISION FOR
THAT LAND, TO ENABLE ITALIANS OF MODEST MEANS TO OWN THEIR OWN PARCEL OF LAND.
AFTER DONATING A LARGE PLOT OF LAND TO OUR LADY OF POMPEII CHURCH, HE SUBDIVIDED
THE REMAINING LAND INTO SMALL AFFORDABLE LOTS OF 25 BY 100. HUNDREDS OF ITALIANS
BOUGHT THESE LOTS USING THEM AS GARDENS, PICNIC AREAS AND LATER HOME SITES. IN THE
1920AND 30S , ESPECIALLY ON PASQUETTA, THE DAY AFTER EASTER, HUNDREDS OF ITALIAN
FAMILIES WOULD TRAVEL TO FOXON TO HAVE A MEAL AL FRESCO, IN THE COUNTRY ON
THEIR PROPERTY. THIS IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM CELEBRATED IJN ITALY, MARKING THE
BEGINNING OF THE SPRING SEASON. HE SOLD THESE PARCELS AND ALLOWED OWNERS TO PAY
AFFORDABLE SMALL MONTHLY PAYMENTS. HE ASSISTED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH
LEGAL MATTERS AND AN INTERPRETER WHEN NEEDED. IN THE 1930S HE FOUNDED AN
INSURANCE AGENCY ON THE CORNER OF CHAPEL AND ACADEMY STREEETS. HIS FAMILY
OPERATED THE BUSINESS UNTIL IT CLOSED IN THE 1980S. HE WAS A MAJOR INFLUENCE IN THE
FOUNDING OF LODGE # 37.

THE EARLY MEMBERS OF LODGE #37 WERE ORIGINAL IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND CRAFTSMEN.
THEIR CHILDREN, BORN AND EDUCATED IN AMERICA, SUCCEEDED THEM AS MEMBERS AND
LEADERS. IN A BOOK WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY PROFESSOR G.CHIODI BARBERIO IN 1933
TITLED IL PROGRESSO DEGLITALIANI NEL CONNECTICUT, THE PROGRESS OF ITALIANS IN
CONNECTICUT, HE RECORDS THE BIOGRAPHIES OF THOSE PIONEERS AND THEIR CHILDREN. IT
IS WRITTEN IN ITALIAN AND IS PERHAPS THE RICHEST RESOURCE EXISTING IN THE EXPERIENCE
OF ITALIANS IN NEW HAVEN. A LISTING OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IS TOO LONG TO INCLUDE HERE.
IT IS AVAILABLE AT THE NEW HAVEN LIBRARY AND THE ITALIAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL
SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT, LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT UNIVERSITY CAMPUS,
IN THE ETHNIC HERITAGE CENTER, ON FITCH STREET.

WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE LIFE OF LODGE #37. IN A COMMUNITY THAT
OBLIGATED WOMEN TO BE HOMEMAKERS AMD BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RAISING OF
CHILDREN, THERE WAS LITTLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FIRST GENERATION WOMEN TO VENTURE
INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SONS OF ITALY. THE SECOND GENERATION, HOWEVER, TOOK UP
THE CHALLENGE OF MEMBERSHIP AND BECAME STATE AND NATIONAL OFFICERS.

THE YEARS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION WERE DIFFICULT FOR THE STATE AND NATIONAL
LODGES AND EXPECIALLY LODGE # 37. MEMBERSHIP DECLINED DUE TO MASSIVE
UNEMPLOYMENT. THE LODGE STRUGGLED TO MEET ITS OPERATING COSTS. MOREOVER, ITS
PRINCIPLE ASSETS, THE BENEVOLENT MORTUARY FUND AND INSURANCE BALANCES HAD BEEN
INVESTED IN LOCAL ITALIAN BANKS WHICH FAILED, LEAVING THE LODGE WITHOUT THE
SECURITY IT HAD BUILT UPON FOR 30 YEARS. LODGE #37 HAD TO SEEK THE AID OF THE
CONNECTICUT GRAND LODGE WHICH BECAME THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY ON WOOSTER
PLACE. FROM 1936 LODGE #37 WAS A TENANT OF THE STATE ORGANIZATION AND REMAINED AS
SUCH UNTIL THE EMINENT DOMAIN CONDEMNATION IN THE 1960S.

ADDED PRESSURE ON LODGE #37 WAS OCCASIONED BY THE UNFORTUNATE CHANGE IN
ATTITUDE TOWARD ITALY AS A RESULT OF THE OUTBREAK OF WWII. MEMBERSHIP DECLINED
PRECIPITOUSLY. ITALY WAS AT WAR WITH AMERICA FROM 1942 TO 1943 AS A MEMBER OF THE
AXIS POWERS WITH GERMANY AND JAPAN. THE MEMBERS OF THE SONS OF ITALY WERE LOYAL
AMERICANS AND HAD TO PROVE THEIR ALLIGENCE. IN AUGUST OF 1941 THE SUPREME LODGE
PUBLISHED A DOCUMENT DENOUNCING FASCISM, NAZISM AND SHINTOISM. A NATIONWIDE
DEMONSTRATION BY MILLIONS OF THE SONS OF ITALY AND OTHER ITALIAN ORGANIZATIONS
WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 23, 1942 CONDEMING MUSSOLINI, HITLER AND ALL OTHER DICTATORS.
FURTHER, DURING THE WAR THE SONS OF ITALY MEMBERS WERE ASKED TO DONATE ONE
DAYS WAGES TO SUPPORT THE DEFENSE EFFORT OF THE UNITED STATES. THOUSANDS OF
ITALIAN AMERICANS SERVED FAITHFULLY TO DEFEAT THE AXIS POWERS. PEACE WITH ITALY
CAME IN 1943 WHEN MUSSOLINI WAS DEPOSED AND THE ITALIAN KING SIGNED A SEPARATE
PEACE AGREEMENT WITH THE ALLIES. HOWEVER, IT TOOK MORE THAN A DECADE FOR THE ILL
EFFECTS OF THE WAR TO WEAR OFF AND FOR YOUNG ITALIANS TO JOIN THE SONS OF ITALY
AGAIN.

AFTER LODGE #37 VACATED ITS HOME ON WOOSTER PLACE IN THE 1960S, IT MOVED TO A
SECOND FLOOR LOFT SPACE IN THE AITRO BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF GRAND AVENUE AND
OLIVE STREET AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL THE 1980S. THE PASTOR OF ST. MICHAELS
CHURCH, FR. TARCISIO BAGATIN, INVITED LODGE #37 TO RELOCATE TO A BUILDING AT THE
CORNER OF GREEN AND CHESTNUT STREETS. THE BUILDING HAD FORMERLY HOUSED THE
NURSERY SCHOOL OF THE PARISH. IT WAS WELL SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF LODGE #37 WITH A
KITCHEN, LARGE DINING AREA, A CARD AND BILLIARD ROOM AND ADEQUATE PARKING. THE
LODGE REMAINED THERE UNTIL 1988.

ST.ANTHONYS CHURCH ON WASHINGTON AVENUE IN NEW HAVEN HAD COMPLETED
CONSTRUCTION OF A MODERN ONE STORY PARISH CENTER AT THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY.
THE PASTOR, FR. MARIO BORDIGNON, EXTENDED AN INVITATION TO THE LODGE TO MOVE TO
THE NEW AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING. IT HAD A LARGE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN AND DINING
ROOM AND WAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR. THE LODGE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL SEVENTEEN
YEAR STAY. MANY DINNERS AND SOCIAL EVENTS WERE HELD THERE AND THE LODGE WAS
ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE FINANCIAL SUCCESS THAT HAD LONG BEEN SOUGHT.

IN 2006, A MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE LODGE BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE
STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION. NEW HAVEN HAD A DECLINING
ITALIAN POPULATION AND ATTRACTING MEMBERS LIVING IN THE SURROUNDING TOWNS
BECAME A PROBLEM. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THE LODGE MET WAS CONSIDERED TO BE
UNSAFE BY MANY OF ITS MEMBERS. ALSO, ST.ANTHONY HAD A VERY ACTIVE PARISH
COMMUNITY. A CONFLICT AROSE WITH THE CHURCH SOCIETIES OVER USE OF THE FACILITIES.
IT WAS TIME TO MOVE AGAIN., ALTHOUGH A STRONG CORE OF MEMBERS WERE RESISTANT TO
THE MOVE. THE COMMITTEE HAD TO CAREFULLY SEARCH FOR A MORE DESIRABLE SITE.

IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE LODGE WOULD NOT SEEK TO PURCHASE A BUILDING. THERE WERE
ADEQUATE FUNDS TO UNDERTAKE AN INITIAL PURCHASE BUT A MORTGAGE WOULD HAVE TO
BE CARRIED AND NO ONE WANTED TO INCUR SUCH A DEBT. A COMMERCIAL RENTAL TO
ACCOMMODATE 150 MEMBERS WITH A KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM WAS OUT OF REACH DUE TO
THE HIGH COST OF EQUPPING AND MAINTAINING SUCH AN OPERATION. THE BEST ALTERNATIVE
SEEMED TO BE A FACILITY ALREADY SERVING A FRATERNAL OR SOCIAL CLUB. ATTEMPTS TO
WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT TO SHARE SPACE WITH PIETRO MICCA CLUB, THE ELKS CLUB,
SEVERAL COUNCILS OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND OTHER CLUBS IN THE AREA PROVED
TO BE DISHEARTENING. THE SEARCH COMMITTEE PERSERVERED UNTIL IT ANNOUNCED THAT IT
HAD INITIATED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRANFORD ITALO-AMERICAN SOCIAL CLUB. WITHIN
WEEKS, TERMS.OF A RENTAL AGREEMENT, WITH MUTUAL COOPERATION, WERE STRUCK.
SINCE 2006 LODGE #37 HAS BEEN A TENANT IN ITS CURRENT HOME OJN 40 HAMRE LANE IN
BRANFORD. LODGE #37 HAS CONFRONTED THE CHANGES OF TIMES, THE ECONOMY AND
DEMOGRAPHICS AND HAS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

LODGE #37, FOR ALL OF ITS 100 PLUS YEARS, HAS TAKEN ITS PLACE AMONG THE MANY
SUCCESSFUL FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR CITY AND REGION. ITS ACTIVITIES ARE
SIMILAR TO THE SERVICE CLUBS SUCH AS THE ROTARY, THE LIONS CLUB, THE AMITY CLUB,
ETC.


THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS THAT LODGE #37 SPONSORS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS WHICH INCLUDE DONATED REFRESHMENTS.

ANNUAL MONETARY AWARDS TO QUALIFIED HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS RELATED TO THE
MEMBERS OF LODGE #37.

AN ANNUAL AWARD TO A PROMINENT MEMBER, OF ITALIAN DESCENT, IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUS TRIPS FOR MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS.

AN ANNUAL MASS AND COMMUNION BREAKFAST, WITH DONATED FOOD , WHICH IS PREPARED
AND SERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE LODGE.

AN ANNUAL LADIES LUNCHEON FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS. ALL PROCEEDS ARE
DONATED TO THE BREAST CANCER WELLNESS CENTER OF THE ST.RAPHAELS CAMPUS OF YALE
NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL. THE PREPARATION AND SERVING OF THE FOOD IS PROVIDED BY THE
MALE MEMBERS OF THE LODGE.

PARTICIPATION IN COLUMBUS DAY ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDES MARCHING IN THE
COLUMBUS DAY PARADE HELD IN VARIOUS CITIES IN THE AREA.

ALL THESE EVENTS ARE PROVIDED TO FOSTER THE FELLOWSHIP MANDATED BY OUR MISSION
STATEMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE OF ITALIAN DESCENT TO CONSIDER JOINING THIS
BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATION. AN INFLUX OF NEW MEMBERS BRINGS NEW GROWTH AND IDEAS
TO AN ALREADY SUCCESSFULLY PROVEN ORGANIZATION

ALL THIS GOOD WORK AND THE DEDICATION AND FELLOWSHIP OF OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES HAVE ENRICHED OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND US. THE LODGE WILL
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE HOME AND MEETING PLACE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ITALIAN
AMERICANS. WE HAVE KEPT THE FAITH WITH THE INTENTIONS OF OUR FOUNDER, DR.SELLARO.
WE LOOK FORWARD WITH OPTIMISM. HE WOULD SAY BRAVI AVETO FATTO BENE, SEMPRE
AVANTI, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE DONE WELL, EVER FORWARD.

.