The ANNOTICO Report

The Puccio's moved from New York to San Diego, 30 years ago.They tried to
maintain Italian traditions, but
with the mostly dispersed Italian communities on the West Coast , it was
difficult. They finally discovered a local chapter of the "Sons of Italy"
(OSIA), and acquired an immediate extended family that helped fill the
void.

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is the largest and
longest-established national organization for men and women of Italian
heritage in the United States.

Established in 1905 as a mutual aid society for the early Italian
immigrants, today OSIA has more than 600,000 members and supporters and a
network of more than 700 chapters coast to coast, making it the leading
service and advocacy organization for the nation's estimated 26 million
people of Italian descent.

Its missions include encouraging the study of Italian language and culture
in American schools and universities; preserving Italian American
traditions, culture, history and heritage; and promoting closer cultural
relations between the United States and Italy.

San Diego Union-Tribune
By Amanda Daniels
May 5, 2005

Photo: Jennie Puccio will be representing the local chapter of Order Sons
of Italy in America in the Grand Lodge of California Queen pageant. [RAA:
Jennie is a VERY lovely young lady,and be a tough candidate to beat)

ENCINITAS – Italian-Americans Janet and Mike Puccio have done their best to
maintain family traditions for their children and grandchildren since
moving to North County from New York 30 years ago.

They reserve Sunday nights for family. Janet prepares a home-cooked Italian
meal, and their six children and nine grandchildren, plus friends, are
invited.

But life just isn't the same as it was on the East Coast. There aren't as
many Italian communities here.

So when Mike realized there was a local chapter of the 100-year-old
national organization Order Sons of Italy in America, he was delighted.

The couple joined La Costa dei Fiori Lodge No. 2424, based in Encinitas, in
November. Their youngest daughter, Jennie Marie Puccio, 24, joined two
months later.

Jennie has been chosen to represent the Encinitas lodge in the Grand Lodge
of California Queen pageant. It is the first time in many years the lodge
has picked a representative for the pageant.

The queen will be chosen in June at a convention in Las Vegas. Jennie's
parents and other local lodge members are excitedly looking forward to that
event.

"It was special Jennie joined, and then she was chosen. We couldn't be more
proud," Mike said.

Jennie has received some of the items typically associated with pageants.
She has a crown, a sash and an evening gown. Next month, she will meet the
queens from other lodges around California.

The final selection for queen has nothing to do with speeches or talent
contests. The winner will be determined by how many raffle tickets their
chapter sells.

Raffle tickets cost $1 each or $10 for a dozen. The money raised goes
toward scholarships for Italian-American students.

Club members are creatively raising funds. They've hosted dinners, garage
sales and poker tournaments. They have more than $1,500 so far, but it will
take a lot to win.

Jennie said she heard of one member who raised $15,000 and still didn't
make first place.

Raising money, however, isn't why the Puccios became members of the lodge.

"It's a sense of identification," Jennie said. "Once I joined the lodge, it
was like a family instantly."

Her mother, Janet, said, "It's like going back to your old neighborhood."
The lodge meets the last Wednesday of each month for dinner and a program
at St. John's Catholic Church, 1001 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas. Dinner
begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7:30 p.m. A $5 donation is
requested.

For more information, call lodge president Sadie Parisi Koehler at (760)
942-8359 or go online to www.osia2424.org.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/
news/northcounty/20050505-9999
-m1m05tfencin.html