Sons and Daughters of Italy continues to put community, and its members, first
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LOCK HAVEN -- The Sons and Daughters of Italy Giosue Carducci Lodge #146 in Lock Haven has continued to put its ever expanding membership and the community it resides in, first with everything it does.
As it stands, the lodge -- located at 1 N. Henderson St., Lock Haven -- has 2,785 members. Lodge President Dan Vilello believes they'll be able to surpass 3,000 in 2025.
"When you join the Sons you help us better the community," Vilello said.
A social membership costs $10 a year and gives you access to the Sons bar -- open from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. all week -- along with the chance to enjoy live music and take advantage of its variety of amenities.
These amenities include:
-- A second floor event space with a capacity of 120 and features a bar and dance floor.
-- A campground along state Route 120 with a view of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, pavilions, a full kitchen, bocce court, fire pits and more.
-- The recently expanded heated outdoor patio.
The outdoor patio, which was expanded in 2023, can hold up to 300 people and features restroom facilities and a bar to allow a variety of drink options.
Vilello noted that, though the lodge typically charges a rental fee for any of these spaces, it will often donate space to local nonprofits for events.
He added the patio, since its expansion, has been booked pretty solid between community and private events.
"It's rented almost every weekend and throughout the week," he said.
The Sons also utilizes the space for its own live music events -- with a number of them slated through the spring. Members are able to enjoy the music free of charge.
Upcoming performances include:
-- Big Daddy Bangers on April 19 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
-- Velveeta on May 15 from 7 to 10 p.m.
-- Kids @ Heart on July 17 from 7 to 10 p.m.
-- Logan Route on Sept. 4 from 7 to 10 p.m.
New this year is a Pop Up Kitchen initiative that began in February.
The lodge partnered with Vinnie Kishbaugh, owner of Good Neighbor Craft House, for the special dining experience.
Members are able to enjoy a delicious meal from 4 to 9 p.m. at the lodge on March 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28.
Vilello said Kishbaugh came to the board about the idea while he works to shift his business to a new location.
"We discussed adding an Italian flair, for our members, to the dinner for a short period of time," he said "It's beneficial to our members to offer a quality meal from a proven source."
The menu features starters such as fresh bread and sauce, whipped ricotta and tomato bruschetta, orange and fennel salad; sandwiches such as porketta, Italian beef and pork cutlet in the garden; and dinner options such as pork milanese with lemon butter pasta, roasted chicken with potatoes and beef bolognese con pappardelle and more all at a reasonable price.
In other new developments, the lodge recently purchased the former Hand in Hand Fire Company attached to its facility with big plans for its future.
Currently, the lodge is looking to rent a first-floor office space to an interested business.
Vilello said the space is about 1,000 square feet and features a restroom and kitchen. The lodge is currently completing some minor renovations to the space.
"We get about 300 to 500 people in (the lodge) a day so there's great foot traffic," he said. "It would be a great place for someone starting a business."
Those interested in renting the space are encouraged to contact the lodge by calling 570-748-2013.
As for the rest of the building, Vilello said the board is currently reviewing its options.
"Plans are undetermined at this time but the lodge officers are expecting to make improvements to enhance both the lodge and the experience for our membership," he explained.
Enhancement of their membership and of the community is the ultimate goal for the lodge's officers.
Vilello noted, in 2024, the lodge donated $87,000 to local organizations. This included two large commitments of $25,000 each to the Mill Hall Pool improvement project and the continued work at the Chestnut Grove sports complex in Castanea Township.
The complex, which will house baseball fields for local Little League and other teams, is an extension of the lodge's continuous support of the sport.
Vilello noted the Sons is the longest running supporter of Little League baseball, even pointing out donated jerseys worn by players who benefited from the Sons generosity in the past.
Two of those jerseys are currently hanging in the third floor of the Sons.
This includes from 1949, when the Sons of Italy team contended for the World Series, and another from the 1950s.
Each year the Sons donates thousands of dollars to local sports teams, nonprofits, community improvement projects and more from a portion of gambling proceeds. The lodge is required to donate 60 percent of the funds to local organizations.
However, they donate past that. In 2023 it donated $134,000 to local organizations, with roughly $38,000 of that in gambling proceeds.
As it continues to make improvements, donate funding, time and space to local organizations, the Sons and Daughters of Italy continues to keep its focus on the community and how it can continue to provide assistance and help where needed.
Sons and Daughters of Italy
Giosue Carduuci Lodge #146
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1 N. Henderson St., Lock Haven, PA 17745
570-748-9292