Charles and Louise Hamilton and Walter Borla are members of Stella de America, an Italian-American fraternal lodge in Helper that began in 1898. They are also members of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish.

Stella de America is an affiliate of the Columbian Federation of Italian-American Societies throughout the United States. It was established in 1893 when a convention of 128 delegates, representing 45,000 members, gathered at Gazzola Hall in Chicago. The Helper lodge is the oldest affiliate of the confederation and the oldest fraternal organization in Utah. Each lodge is composed of men, women, or both, and offers all its members disability and mortuary benefits.

There are about 5,000 members nationally.

At the first convention, the delegates adopted a platform for the societies to foster and advocate the spirit of loyalty and patriotism to the Constitution and laws of the United States and all American institutions.

Hamilton is the vice-president of the western region of the Columbian Federation and the president of Stella de America Lodge 77 in Helper, a position he has held for 15 years. He was born and raised in Helper, and graduated from Carbon College in Price. He was in the National Guard for eight years and is semi-retired from his auto and restoration business in Helper.

Borla grew up in Castle Gate, and went to school in Carbon County. He worked for the postal service for 45 years, retiring as the Helper post master in 1992. He is the immediate past president of the Columbian Federation; he served 16 years in the position, from 1994 to 2010. He also has been the secretary of Lodge 77 since 1950. He inherited this position from his father, who died in a coal mining accident.

"My father joined the Columbian Federation in the 1920s, and was the secretary until his death in 1950," said Borla. "I inherited the secretary job from him.

The lodge's oldest member is Richard Ariotti, said Borla. "He joined when he was 20 and he is now 95. The oldest female member is Mary Vigor, and she is 93."

When Stella de America was founded in 1898, it began in Castle Gate, Utah and was strictly a men's organization, said Hamilton.

"Stella de America was organized by 57 Italian immigrants who were in Castle Gate working in the coal mine," added Borla. "They organized the lodge primarily as a mutual aid society and also as a social outlet. Most of the men were single and had come to Utah from Italy to work in the coal mines."

During the coal strike in the Castle Gate mines in 1902, the strikers were evicted from their homes and forced to leave the area to find work. The lodge was moved to Helper in 1905 and affiliated with the national federation for better death and disability benefits.

In 1934, Sorella de America, the woman's organization, was formed. "Sorella means sister," said Borla. "They continued to function into the 1990s. When the members began to dwindle, they merged with the men."

Lodge 77 continued to grow through the years and at one time had as many as 200 members. "We now have 135 members, said Borla. "A tradition in belonging to the Columbian Federation is observing Columbus Day in one manner or another with parades, luncheons or dinners. Since the 1920s, Lodge 77 has always held a Columbus Day banquet."

Another purpose of the society is to keep the Italian heritage and traditions alive. "We put floats in the local parades," said Borla. "We have also offered scholarships to students affiliated with the lodge. We also have a memorial for deceased members."

By Christine Young / Intermountain Catholic