Antonio Gatto Lodge #2459

08/21/2026

It is with great sadness that we have just learned of the passing of long-time member, Gerry Truman. Many remember Gerry always working in the kitchen during Lodge events. Gerry and his wife, Helen, retired to Delaware several years ago.

View Gerald A. Truman's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/17/2026

🇮🇹 Memory Lane Monday 🇮🇹

Sometimes a photograph captures what the Antonio Gatto Lodge is all about — good food, good friends, and plenty of laughter!

Here we have Tony, Mary, Jo and Josie proudly representing Italy — and judging by those smiles, having a pretty good time doing it. 🇮🇹🍝

We may not have a date for this one, but some things never go out of style: sharing a meal, celebrating our heritage, and enjoying the company of friends.

And we especially love those little 🇺🇸 🇮🇹 flags side by side on the table — a perfect picture of our Italian-American heritage.

Buon lunedì! 🇮🇹

08/03/2026

🇮🇹 In Loving Memory 🇮🇹

It is with sadness that we share the passing of our fellow Lodge member, Dante Antonioni.

Dante was a valued member of the Antonio Gatto Lodge and was even able to attend our July meeting. He will be greatly missed by his friends and fellow members.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, RoseMarie, and to the entire Antonioni family during this difficult time.

Funeral Arrangements

📍 Visitations
Tuesday, August 4
2:00–4:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Donaldson Funeral Home
Laurel, Maryland

⛪ Funeral Mass
Thursday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m.
St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church

Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with a repast in the Breen Room.

Additional information, including Dante's obituary when it becomes available, will be posted on the Donaldson Funeral Home website.

Please keep RoseMarie and the Antonioni family in your thoughts and prayers.

View Dante Antonioni's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/23/2026

🇮🇹 🇮🇹

Many of us know the name Antonio Gatto Lodge #2459, but not everyone has had the opportunity to see the man and woman behind that name.

These cherished photographs show Antonio Gatto and his wife, Melina.

The wedding portraits were taken on September 6, 1958, while the photograph overlooking the Bay of Naples was taken just a few months earlier during their engagement.

As we celebrate our Italian heritage and the friendships we've built through our lodge, it's fitting to remember the family whose name we proudly carry.

Alla comunità! 🇮🇹

07/22/2026

🇮🇹 Parola della Settimana 🇮🇹

🥕 orto (OR-toh)

Meaning: vegetable garden

Example:

🇮🇹 Ho un orto nel mio giardino.
🇺🇸 I have a vegetable garden in my yard.

For generations, Italian families have taken pride in growing fresh tomatoes, basil, peppers, zucchini, and other vegetables right at home.

Do you grow a vegetable garden? What's your favorite thing to grow?

Buona settimana! 🇮🇹

07/17/2026

🍕 Happy Pizza Friday! 🇮🇹🇺🇸

This week we're visiting New Haven, Connecticut... home of one of America's most distinctive pizza traditions.

Founded in 1925, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana helped create New Haven's famous "apizza" (pronounced ah-BEETS in the local Italian dialect).

Its coal-fired ovens produce a beautifully charred crust that's earned devoted fans from around the world.

Have you ever tried New Haven-style pizza? Would you order the classic tomato pie...or the famous white clam pizza?

Buon appetito! 🇮🇹🍕

07/16/2026

🇮🇹 🇮🇹

Who won? 🤔

These photos from an Antonio Gatto Lodge picnic in the early 1980s capture members enjoying one of Italy's oldest and most beloved traditions—a friendly game of bocce.

Around Italian families, "friendly" can sometimes be a matter of opinion! 😄 But that's all part of the fun.

In Italy, bocce isn't just a game. It's about spending time with family and friends, sharing stories, enjoying the outdoors, and creating memories that last for generations. Judging by these photos, our lodge has been doing exactly that for decades.

🇮🇹 Angolo Italiano 🇮🇹

🎯 bocce = bocce (the game)
⚪ boccia = a bocce ball

Do you recognize anyone in these photos? Were you there? We'd love to hear your memories of Antonio Gatto Lodge picnics through the years.

Alla comunità! 🇮🇹

07/14/2026

We had a great meeting last Wednesday!

39 people were in attendance and what a fun time was had be all.

Dante DiCamillo is always fantastic leading the 50/50 raffles, Gina Palladino provided an update on recent charity work and State Senator Jim Rosapepe provided a legislative update and took many questions.

We'd love to see you at the next meeting!

07/09/2026

🇮🇹 🇮🇹

Looks like someone called for the Gran Corsa nel Sacco! 🏃

These photos from an Antonio Gatto Lodge picnic in the 1980s capture one of the day's favorite events—the classic potato sack race!

Whether you were racing, cheering from the sidelines, or just enjoying the picnic, days like these remind us that our lodge has always been about bringing families together for friendship, laughter, and community.

Parole del giorno:

🥔 sacco = sack
🏃 corsa = race

Do you remember this picnic? Better yet...who won the race? 😄

Alla famiglia! 🇮🇹

07/04/2026

Today we are honored to share some words from Thomas A. Lupo, OSDIA National President:

"On this historic Independence Day, we proudly join our fellow Americans in honoring the ideals of freedom, democracy, and opportunity that have shaped our nation for 250 years.

Italian and Italian American contributions have been woven into the very fabric of the American story since its earliest days, from Amerigo Vespucci, whose name came to represent the New World, to influencers of our Declaration of Independence such as Filippo Mazzei, a close friend of Thomas Jefferson whose writings helped shape America’s founding ideals, and Caesar Rodney, a signer of our nation’s founding charter whose courageous ride ensured Delaware’s decisive vote for independence.

In the centuries that followed, Italian Americans continued to shape our country in profound ways—from Constantino Brumidi, whose masterful artwork adorns the United States Capitol, to trailblazing leaders such as Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominated for Vice President by a major political party, and Ella T. Grasso, the first woman elected governor in her own right.

Just as importantly, we recognize the countless Italian Americans—past and present—who have strengthened our communities as workers, entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, veterans, volunteers, and civic leaders. Nowhere is that legacy more evident than in the dedication of our OSDIA members, whose service at the local, state, and national levels continues to uphold the values of family, heritage, and community that define both our Order and our nation."

We are also pleased to share this article by Lodge member Edward Hudgins who shares his family's story and reflects on the enduring Italian-American legacy.

Commentary What Is an American? July 3, 1998 • Commentary By Edward L. Hudgins Share TOP We celebrate July Fourth as the day the Declaration of Independence created the United States. But in my heart I also honor July 15. On that day in 1930 Giustino DiCamillo, my grandfather, arrived here with my...