The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Lodge 2245 held a celebratory dinner on Sept. 26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Elmont-Franklin Square lodge. The dinner, said lodge President Andrew Monteleon, was held for “people who believe in the lodge” and its mission to bolster Italian-American pride and serve community members.

The dinner also commemorated five individuals who have been longtime active members of Lodge 2245 for more than 50 years, including Rosemarie Montemarano, Catherine Palmeri, Michael Paolino, Fredrick Tomasone and Monica Tomasone.