Summer Convention Renewed!

Convention Held after One Year Absence

After a one year absence due to the pandemic that cancelled the first convention since WWII, the summer convention was back in August. Held at the newly remodeled Wyndham Resort in Lancaster, Pa., the Convention drew 170 attendees and exceeded everyone’s expectations. Concerns of COVID-19 kept some away, but those who attended had a great time as many of the usual fun activities were held.

Wednesday night the group went to Miller’s Smorgasbord to enjoy a feast of Amish food—no one goes away hungry there. The resort had an on-premise golf course which drew over 20 golfers Thursday and Friday. After dinner at the hotel on Thursday, Fr. Jim Lentini, our National Secretary and Chaplain, held a raucous night of trivia which seven tables competed to win the honors. Friday’s Alumnus Emeritus luncheon honoring brothers who have been in the fraternity for 50 years or more, honored 30 brothers with attendance of 60 (a large number in any year). Friday night, we listened to 3-Star Lt. General (ret) Tim Benchoff speak to our military veterans about recruiting in today’s military. During dinner Friday night, the conventioneers were entertained by a Murder Mystery troupe on a 1980s whodunit.

Saturday morning, National President Flagiello conducted an executive committee meeting followed by the annual alumni vs. undergraduate softball game. Following the game, all conventioneers were treated to a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, a lead- ership conference was held for undergraduates, followed by the traditional memorial Mass in honor of our brothers who have passed away in the last year. The highlight of the Convention was the annual awards dinner (award winners note page 9).

Join us next year for our 99th annual summer Convention— a tradition like no other. We are returning to the Red Lion Resort in Harrisburg, Pa. August 3 –7, 2022. The Red Lion was supposed to host the 2020 Convention which was cancelled.

We Are Family

By Kathy Belsky, wife of Rod Belsky, Psi ’71

“Who’s winning?” I asked the young man standing by the bleachers at the annual Alumni vs Undergrads softball game.

“We are!” he replied enthusiastically.

But the enthusiasm in his voice was not just about the game or the fact that after many years the undergrads had a team that had an opportunity to win. What I learned about the young man (Aaron) was that he had recently pledged the fraternity, and this was his first convention. He was excited to be part of it.

Aaron has no idea what a significant and life-enriching decision he has made. You see, my husband made that same decision 50 years ago, it was a decision that not only shaped his life, but one that has had a significant impact on mine. As the wife of an Alpha Phi Delta brother, I found that this fraternity is much more than a brotherhood, it is truly a family.

If you don’t believe that is true, then you need to come to a Convention and experience it for yourself. There is so much that I could tell you about how this group of people has formed a family not related by blood, but by commitment to each other. I don’t know what they actually say when they pledge to be part of this group, but I do know that whatever it is, they mean it. It is evident in the pride they share and the inclusion of their own families.

The convention brings everyone together to experience what it’s like to be part of the Alpha Phi Delta Family. They have watched each other’s children grow up, they have brought comfort to those grieving, and they have laughed and enjoyed time together.

This year was no different. Attendees were not only the brothers of but their children, spouses, and even the mothers and wives of brothers who have passed on. I couldn’t have asked for a bigger and better family. Famiglia per sempre!

Alumni vs Undergrads Battle to the Final Out

For the sixth year in a row, the aged old guys beat the young stallions in a back-and-forth fight to the final out, with the alumni prevailing 11–10. The UG squad, captain’ed by Kevin Zaccareo (Epsilon Iota), jumped out to an early lead, highlighted by a homerun from Tyler Martinez (Epsilon Iota) over the head of Poison’s #1 Fan, Annie Fannie, aka Ray Rokicki (Gamma Nu). The Alums battled back, taking a tworun lead in the fifth. Doing their best impression of the Yankees and Mets, the Alums gave them a quick run in the seventh but hung on to get the final out with the tying and go ahead runs on base. The alums were led offensively (and defensively) by Tyler Kotcher (Epsilon Lambda) with three hits including a homerun and Pete Gaudiuso (Theta Beta) with four hits and two runs scored. The alumni fielded 13 players, while the undergrads had over 20 show up from numerous chapters in attendance.

George Casadonte (Beta Delta), inset left, pinch hit in the sixth inning for the alums, becoming the oldest brother to play in the softball game in APD History. At 86 years young, he broke the Modern Era record of 81 set by Joe Massaro (Epsilon) in 2014.

Many thanks to our umpires, Paul Fabrizio and Garry Kosteck, who once again did a fine job, and Zeke Parmegiani, our annual official scorer!