John Linden, Joe Simoni and club Vice President Karen Wilson play the accordion at the Sons of Italy anniversary celebration on Thursday, April 14, 2011, in Nice, Calif. Photo courtesy of Debbie Clarke.

NICE, Calif. – We often yearn for yesteryear, when we enjoyed family dinners and listened to relatives sing songs or tell stories from their youth. We learned so many things and made great memories to share with our family.

Many of us had a taste of that experience on Thursday, April 14, at the anniversary party for Lake County Lodge No. 2537 Order of Sons of Italy Nice, at TJ's Bar and Grill in Lakeport.

The club celebrated 28 years with 40 guests from the community and club members.

Our surviving founding member, Angela Staiti, attended along with longtime past officers John Gustavino and Sue Lewis.

Newly elected Vice President Karen Wilson joined John Linden and Joe Simoni who traveled from San Mateo to play classics on their accordions.

Wilson has played the accordion since she was a child and quickly remembered many songs from her days in San Francisco's Italian district.

Anita Wienke, board member, and mother of member Glenn Wienke, owner of the restaurant, planned the event which included antipasto with bread, a fantastic dinner, wine and dessert.

Past President Rosalie Sonnenburg was honored with flowers by President Rick Ferretti.

Italian flag-colored table arrangements were donated by Flowers by Jackie in memory of Fran Staiti, one of the founders of the club.

Order of Sons of Italy in Nice has become a popular venue for their family-style pasta feed, dinner dances twice a month and rental hall.

Everyone is welcome to join in our fun and memory making.

Please call us anytime at 707-274-2244 for more information.

Board Member Anita Wienke, Glen Wienke with President Rick Ferretti at the Sons of Italy anniversary celebration on Thursday, April 14, 2011, in Nice, Calif. Photo courtesy of Debbie Clarke.