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Lodge Committees and Contact Names

  Committee                    Contact Person
    Web Committee            Pasquelle Petti-- mrpasquelle@hughes.net

Lodge History

In 1979, plans began during a friendly visit with members of the Black Diamond Lodge (OSIA) who were here from Washington State. Pat Eaker, a Eugene resident expressed a sincere interest in his Italian Heritage. Discussions were held on a regular basis between him, the Grand Lodge of the Northwest (OSIA) President Harold Jackson, Black Diamond President Walter Olson and Black Diamond Orator Gordon Fisher.

After a series of meetings, a final meeting was held in Portland Oregon in mid-1980 to finalize the preparation for the Eugene Oregon Lodge. The same individuals met and Black Diamond offered to sponsor the new lodge and their offer was gratefully accepted.

The next year brought about an intensive recruiting measure to find people of Italian descent in the Eugene area who were interested in becoming members of this organization. When enough individuals were found, who were interested in forming this new lodge, a meeting was held at Pat Eaker's home in the summer of 1981 to elect officers. Pat Eaker was unanimously elected as the first president of the lodge. The name "Alta Monte" (High Mountain) was chosen. The remaining officer positions were filled at this time.

The first two meetings were held at Pat and Frieda Eaker's home while attempts at securing a permanent meeting place were pursued. The Lodge has met at the Knights of Columbus Hall and St. Marks Church.

In October of 1981 at the KC Hall, the Grand Lodge of the Northwest, (OSIA), installed the newly formed Alta Monte Lodge and all of the slate of officers. Following this ceremony, a dinner/dance was held at the Moose Lodge in Eugene. Grand Lodge Officers, members from other filial lodges, families and friends from Washington and Oregon were present. Our own state representative Larry Campbell, representing our Governor Vic Ateyh was also a part of the near 200 people in attendance.

In the next two years, the membership grew to over 100. During the early years, social functions were held on an average of every other month with excellent attendance. These gatherings were a great asset in the recruitment of new members. During this same time, we established a close relationship with the March of Dimes. We contributed to their program through donations and participating in their neighborhood marches.

The activities of the Lodge have varied over the years. It still includes the Festa di San Giuseppe in March, The annual picnic in August, a Columbus Day celebration in October and the Befana Christmas party in December. Other social functions and fund raising projects have included; St. Valentines Day Dinner/Dance, Eugene Festa Italiana, Prima Vera Dinner/Dance, Eugene Celebration food booth participants, hosting Grand Council Meetings and a Crab Feed.

Charities have included; The March of Dimes, Cooley's Anemia, Alzheimer's, Catholic Charities of Lane County, St. Alice's Soup Kitchen, Summer Lunch Program for the needy children, Newman Center Food Program, Eugene Mission and Grand Lodge Scholarship Fund.

Presently the Lodge enjoys a membership of 42 people. The club now meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Knights of Columbus Hall 1144 Charnelton in Eugene.