We are a part of the largest and longest-established national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States.
We conduct a series of local programs designed to celebrate and preserve our culture and heritage and to promote and enjoy the warm familial relationships so many of us grew up with.
Please review our calendar of events and the other parts of our website to learn more about us.
Message from President - Fran Giannuzzi
Wow - it is hard to believe that 2008 is almost over and that the Holiday Season is upon us. Lodge 2817 has had a very busy and successful past few months with so many Events and activities going on.
Author Night in October with Justin Catanoso was a huge success. He was a fabulous story teller and left people wanting more. The Hall was filled with so many non-members who saw our articles in the N&O due to the wonderful publicity work done by Lodge members. We asked one member what they would like to see in the future and they said more of Justin Catanoso. He will live in the hearts of all that were lucky enough to hear him talk about his book, My Cousin the Saint. This Event was truly an experience in Italian heritage and culture.
The bus trip to the Yadkin Valley Wineries was such also a successful day. Although the weather did not look too cooperative as we started our trip, it got better at each Winery. The bus was filled with non-members who, once again, saw our articles in the N&O. The Wineries were wonderful - Childress, Shelton and Raffaldini were just the right mix of Carolina wines to give us all a taste of the new Napa Valley of the East. Friends were made on the trip and many guests indicated a willingness to join our Lodge. Some of the members just want to go back to Raffaldini and spend a day there in the future. Those Italians just know how to make a good wine, don't they?
As we move forward to begin the Holiday Season, I hope to see all of you at our Annual Christmas Party that will be held on December 13th. This is for members and their dates only. More information is on the website and you can register for the Party on the website. I would also encourage you to try to attend the Christmas Concert at UNC Hill on December 19 and 20. Giuseppe Di Bianco, a world renowned composer from Maiori, Italy will be performing along with the Chapel Hill Community Chorus. We are honored and priviledged to be able to support this Program and have been given the opportunity to host a private reception with Mr. Di Bianco after the Saturday Concert. I think you will all be in for a real treat if you attend the Concert. Bringing a native Italian composer to the USA is definitely in the spirit of keeping our heritage and culture strong in the Triangle area.
Have a Blessed Holiday Season with all of your family and friends and I hope to see many of you during the Holiday Season.
Don't forget our huge Event scheduled for January 25, 2009 - 2nd Annual Film Night - bigger and better than last year (if that is possible).
2008 Scholarship Winners
Lodge 2817 is pleased to announce the following scholarship winners for 2008/09. They will each receive a $500.00 check to be awarded at the Annual Picnic, but unfortunately neither of them will be able to attend because of work and school commitments.
Stephanie Cordato - Is a junior at Duke University majoring in Chemistry. She is the daughter of Roy Cordato and Karen Palasek.
Alex DiLeonardo - Is a senior at Carnegie Mellon University double majoring in Business and Policy. He will start his masters in Public Policy Managment at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School of Management in September. He is the son of Pat and Charlotte DiLeonardo.
Please help us to congratulate Stephanie and Alex on their achievements. It should make all of us proud to share our Italian-American Heritage with such fine young citizens.
