The Sylvester Grande Lodge has been in existence for 70 years. The original name for the lodge was Societa di M.S. Vidio, Giovane Italia.
It was formed and chartered March 20, 1938, and some of the original members’ names still prevail in the lodge today. Through their love and dedication to this fraternal order, the pride and leadership of our Italian heritage in the community as well as the lodge continues today.
Our function is to raise money for many different organizations such as: Alzheimer’s Assoc., American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, and Coaches vs. Cancer, Commission for Social Justice, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, local charities and scholarships for local high schools as well as local families in need, and children with special needs.
We sponsor the children’s local softball team, Light the Night for lymphoma cancer and the Love of Linda.
Through the year, our fundraisers consist of: a Sweetheart Concert in February, which is held at the Wildwoods Convention Center, a Valentine Day dinner and dance, Mussels and Spaghetti Dinner night, and monthly bus trips.
We raise money with our cookbook (which has a fine collection of recipes from past and present lodge members), annual raffles, the sale of granite pavers (at Columbus Park in front of Fox Park). Members and non-members can purchase these pavers.
Our Columbus Day Dinner and Christmas Dinner are also open to non- members. This year will be the first year we will host a golf tournament at Cape May national in October.
Our Italian Festival will be held Sept. 26 and 27. This is our biggest event of the year.
It starts with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. on Friday. Saturday the park will open at noon. ON Both days there will be a variety of craft and food vendors with lots of kiddie rides and great entertainment.
It’s truly a family event, and admission is free. Bring a chair so you can enjoy the entertainment as well as the great food, and the atmosphere around the park.
There will be a Mass on Sunday, and then Nona’s Spaghetti Dinner will be held at La Piazza Cucina restaurant.
Tickets can be purchased at the Sons of Italy booth during the festival.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
