April 2018

ITALIAN TIMES THE

Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com MARCH 2018 • VOL. 39, NO. 10

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Are you ready for ‘A Taste of Italy’?

ICC’s free admission Italian food tasting extravaganza set for Sunday, Apr. 22, doors open at 11:30 a.m.

by Thomas Hemman Times Editor Remember when your nonna would emphatically call out, “Mangia, mangia,” insisting that you eat more of the delicious Italian food she prepared for the Sunday dinner? Well, this time it’s the chairpersons of the Italian Community Center’s “A Taste of Italy” making that plea. The 23rd annual Taste of Italy will be Sunday, Apr. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and you better come ready to eat!

Admission is free and so is parking. Everything you choose to eat and drink – whether it’s an entrée item, a sandwich or panini, a salad, pizza, a dessert and soft drink, beer or wine (with one exception), can be purchased with a single ticket. The lone exception on the menu is calamari fritti (deep-fried squid) which will require two tickets, necessitated by the market price. You can buy a book of 6 tickets for $10. Single tickets will sell for $2 each.

Main entrées, sandwiches, salads and pizza will be available in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. Desserts will be sold in the Festa Ballroom.

Seating will be available throughout the building, including the bocce court room and the spacious courtyard. “We want to make sure everyone has a place to sit down and enjoy the food,” said Christina Ziino, who is joined this year by Valorie (Sanfilippo) Schleicher and Marie (Andaloro) Lieber as the chairpersons of “A Taste of Italy.”

“We will again have those extra large trays for ease in carrying your food and beverages. Volunteers will be passing out those trays at the entrance to the Pompeii Ballroom,” she added.

“A Taste of Italy,” since its inception in 1995, has served as an essential fundraising activity for the nonprofit Italian Community Center. The chairs wish to thank Ann Romano, who served as chairperson of 21 of the previous 22 events, for her valuable assistance in helping to make the 23rd Taste of Italy a huge success.

Live entertainment While dining on the large selection of food and beverages (listed in its entirety later in the article), you

Rose Emanuele (center) and her daughters Victoria Werner and Rose Anne Emanuele enjoyed some of the scrumptious desserts that were available at the 2017 Taste of Italy. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

will be able to enjoy a diverse lineup of Italian and Italian American entertainment.

Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, will be performing at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Festa Ballroom.

Please turn to page 6

St. Joseph’s Day celebrated at ICC luncheon

Festa Italiana’s ‘$7 for 7 Days’ online ticket deal returns week of Apr. 16

Festa Italiana organizers are pleased to announce that the “$7 for 7 Days Spring Fever Ticket Deal” is coming back for the fifth straight year. This promotion allows Festa-goers to buy advance admission tickets online for only $7 during a seven-day period in each of the next three months.

To order these $7 ticket, all you will need to know is this website address: https://festaitaliana.com and these dates below when the “$7 for 7 Days Spring Fever Ticket Deal” is in Please turn to page 3

Cosa c’è dentro?

What’s inside?

President’s message

Tom’s T-Ballers roll to winter bocce title

Strategy developed for getting new members

page 2

page 3 page 4

Three ICC members among OSIA IL/WI honorees page 9

Santa Rosalia Society event to benefit Penfield Children’s Center page 10 In keeping with its tradition of celebrating the Feast Day of St. Joseph, the Italian Community Center held its 26th annual St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon on Mar. 16.

The event, which recognizes Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ and patron saint of Sicily, served as a preview to the actual observance of the religious holiday, which is Mar. 19 and is celebrated in many Catholic churches in Italy, the United States and other countries. Charter member Mary (Mineo) Winard, who has long served as chairperson of the

ICC luncheon, said that it was a grand success with approximately 130 people attending and with the help of her volunteers, the ICC staff and Bartolotta Catering. Winard is seen here with her committee of volunteers. From the left: Suzanne Wypijewski, Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek, Louise Au, Winard and Patricia Guttuso. As in previous years, Czubek set up and decorated the beautiful altar. More photos from the luncheon appear on page 8. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Italian genealogy development reported

page 10

OSIA ‘Sinatra Night’

page 11

Support the Pompeii Men’s Good Friday Fish Buffet page 10 UNICO scholarships

page 12

Italian Festival Film has ICC’s support page 13

ICC member Charlie Evans authors book page 14

A message from Dean Cannestra, Italian Community Center President

An event that is a favorite of a lot of people, including me, is coming up quickly at the Italian Community Center. Of course, I’m talking about our Taste of Italy on Sunday, Apr. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Valorie Schleicher, Christina Ziino and Marie Lieber are doing an excellent job get all of the preparations done for this key fundraiser.

They have been busy seeking donations of cash and product, and continue to do it. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested, in making a cash donation or product donation, please contact any of the three ladies. You can find their contact information in the Taste of Italy story that starts on page 1 of this issue. All donations are greatly appreciated and help to make this fundraiser a great success. Thank you, Val, Chris and Marie for all of your hard work, I also want to thank Ann Romano, who coordinated 21 of our first 22 Taste of Italy events, for consulting with our new coordinators this year. Ann’s wealth of knowledge in putting together an event of this magnitude is invaluable.

“A Taste of Italy” is really an enjoyable event whether you are volunteering like I am or attending.

It’s a great Italian event with lots of delicious Italian food, family, friends and Italian entertainment.

Best of all, we still offer free admission and free parking and the food and beverages are still available at bargain prices. See you there!

Advance and gate ticket prices are set and we’ve kept them the same as 2017. Advance tickets, which can be ordered through our secure website – festaitaliana.com – are $10. The price at the gate will be $13. Our first “$7 for 7 Days” online ticket deal will take place the week of Apr. 16-22. If you order tickets during this time period, you’ll be able to buy as many Festa tickets as you want for just $7. We will also offer this ticket deal one week in May and June. Look for the article in this issue for all the particulars.

I’m pleased to report that George Busateri is returning as our entertainment manager. He will be handling the booking and facilitating of our entertainers and the ongrounds technical and production needs. His group, Spider George & The Web will be back performing at Festa.

I’m happy to report that longtime ICC member Peter Russo is replacing Bill Jennaro as the manager of our gondola fleet and gondoliers. Bill has stepped down after many years as the “commander” of gondolas.

Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie is returning to manage our golf cart op-

eration. Welcome back, Rose Anne.

Show your support Besides our Taste of Italy and Festa Italiana, there are some other events for which I ask your support. These include the following: • The Pompeii Men’s Club Good Friday Fish Buffet on Friday, Mar. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the ICC. (Fundraiser) • The Bartolotta Catering’s Easter Sunday Buffet on Sunday, Apr. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ICC. • The Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge #2763/Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America “Sinatra Tribute Night.” Doors open at 5 p.m. (Fundraiser) • The Santa Rosalia Society Spring Benefit Gala on Saturday, Apr. 14 starting at 6 p.m. at the ICC. (Fundraiser to benefit Penfield Children’s Center.)

• The Order Sons of Italy in America/Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin “Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence” Banquet on Sunday, May 6 at noon at Roma Lodge, Racine. Three of our members are being honored.

• The Madonna del Lume Society Women’s Italian Mass on Sun-

day, May 6 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Hedwig Catholic Church.

• The UNICO Scholarship & Awards Banquet on Tuesday, May 15 at the ICC. • The Pompeii Women’s Club May Crowning Banquet on Wednesday, May 30 at the ICC. It’s important that we support our Italian societies and clubs since we anticipate the support of their members for our events and activities. With the vendor agreement the ICC has with The Bartolotta Restaurant Group, the more they succeed, the more the ICC succeeds.

Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter!

– ICC President Dean Cannestra

Festa Italiana update We have been busy planning our 41st annual Festa Italiana, which will take place Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22 on Maier Festival Park (the Summerfest grounds). The hours for Festa will be the same as last year. We will open at 3 p.m. on July 20 and close at midnight. On July 21, the hours will be 11:30 a.m. to midnight. On July 22, the Sunday Mass will begin at 11 a.m. and the grounds will open at 11:30 a.m. with our closing at 11 p.m.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually

Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . Dean Cannestra Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors, Reporters and Columnists . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio, Barbara Collignon, Elizabeth Zizzo Angela Bozano and Donato Di Pronio For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@iccmilwaukee.com.

Copyright 2018 The Italian Community Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved

All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Italian Community Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times.

In addition, the Newspaper Committee reserves the right to reject ads based on editorial policy approved by the Board of Directors of the Italian Community Center.

The Italian Community Center is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Visit Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward Association.

PAGE 2 – APRIL 2018

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Tom’s T-Ballers capture ICC’s winter bocce championship

Tom’s T-Ballers, one of the three wildcard teams to gain entry into the Italian Community Center’s winter bocce playoffs, walked away with the championship on Monday, Mar. 12.

The team that finished the regular season in second place in the Thursday night league rolled past three teams that ended the regular season in first place in their respective leagues to capture the title.

Tom’s T-Ballers started off with a 12-6 win in a quarterfinal match with the Pallino Magnets, the first place team from the Tuesday afternoon league. Next, Tom’s T-Ballers took on Tarantino’s Handicappers, the first place team from the Thursday night league and defeated them, 12-8.

In the championship match, the opponent was the Garibaldi Society, Wednesday night’s first place team, and Tom’s T-Ballers defeated them, 12-5.

The players on Tom’s T-Ballers roster are Tom Tarantino, Chuck Moser, Marcello Luna and Tony Tarantino.

The Garibaldi Society advanced to the championship match by first defeating the Highlanders, the Thursday afternoon first place team by a 12-7 score and beating Wednesday night’s second place team, Club Garibaldi, 12-8.

In other opening round games, Club Garibaldi defeated It’s All Good, Monday night’s first place team, by a score of 12-7, and Tarantino’s Handicappers beat Porticello, Monday night’s second place team, by a 12-6 score.

The spring bocce regular season started the week of Mar. 19. The season’s championship playoffs are scheduled for Monday, May 14. * * * Editor’s note: Thanks to Bocce Coordinator Troy Halverson for supplying this information.

from page 1 effect: • Monday, Apr. 16 through Sun-

day, Apr. 22.

• Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20.

Here are the ICC’s Winter 2018 Bocce Champs (from the left): Tom Tarantino, Chuck Moser, Marcello Luna and Tony Tarantino. (Photo by Troy Halverson)

Festa ‘$7 for 7 Days’ online ticket deal is back for April, May and June • Monday, June 18 through Sunday, June 24.

The $7 promotion ticket will save you $3 off the price of a regular advance ticket ($10) and $6 off a ticket that is purchased at the gate ($13) the days of Festa Italiana, Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22.

“We want to encourage all Ital-

ian Community Center members to take advantage of the $7 for 7 Days Ticket Deal,” said ICC President Dean Cannestra. “It’s a great way to get your tickets early and at a family affordable price.”

Keep in mind that children, 12 years and younger, are admitted for free when accompanied by an adult all three days of Festa.

Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22, 2018 Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds) www.FestaItaliana.com

Bible Prophecy and the End Times A book by ICC Member Charlie Evans Italian Community Center Member Charles H. (Charlie) Evans is pleased to announce the publication of his book, Bible Prophecy and the End Times, that he worked on for 10 years. Bible Prophecy is compared with ancient times and events in the world today.

Over 500 Bible references are compiled and discussed. The entire plan of God is revealed, from Adam’s fall to Christ’s second coming and the world’s final destiny. All prophecies found in the Bible have been fulfilled, except those whose time has not yet come. Nearly 200 Old Testament prophecies refer to events after Christ’s resurrection. For about 2000 years, none were fulfilled. Yet some were just fulfilled in the last century. Is Judgment Day just over the horizon? Do you see signs of the end?

Read more on Charlie’s website, www.charlieevans.com. You can order your copy of Bible Prophecy and the End Times using his website or on Amazon.com. The price is $20 for a signed copy directly from Charlie without shipping costs if you pick up the book from his home or church.

Contact him via his website or email charlesevans1802@att.net.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 3

Membership Committee has strategies for attracting new members

Attracting new members to join the Italian Community Center is essential for the organization’s growth and survival. With that said, the Membership Committee has developed a strategy for attracting new members.

First, the committee plans to have a membership table at numerous events. The committee has already obtained permission to have a table at the Pompeii Men’s Club’s Good Friday Fish Fry Buffet on Mar. 30, at the ICC’s “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 22 and at the Italian Film Festival at UWMilwaukee, the weekend of Apr. 2729. “We are looking to be present at other events,” said Membership Committee Chair Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto.

The committee is working on de-

veloping a slide show, which will be shown as part of the membership “kit” or table. Through the slide show, the committee wants “to show non-members the super exciting events that go on at the Italian Community Center,” she said.

The committee is also looking to have two areas at Festa Italiana, July 20-22. One area will be in the Festa Information Booth across from the main gate. Members of the Pompeii Women’s Club have volunteered to staff this area. The area for the other membership booth has yet to be determined.

“We are intending to create new signage for membership that can be displayed in our building or at our activities,” Mary Anne said. The committee has discussed signage that is attractive, gives people pause to read and creates an inter-

Notice of passing of an ICC member to be sent to members in email blast

When the ICC receives word that a member who has died, an email blast (news alert) will be sent to all members who are set up to receive such emails. The blast will include the member’s name and if any funeral information is known.

To help facilitate this process, members are asked to notify the ICC when a loved one passes away.

The idea for making this recog-

PAGE 4 – APRIL 2018

nition of deceased members, when the information is made available, came as a recommendation from the Membership Committee to the ICC Board which approved the action at its Mar. 8 meeting.

To get the email blasts, a member must have internet service and have signed up on his/her member application to receive these email blasts. Members can also contact Susie Christiansen at smdc-icc@outlook.com to sign up.

est in becoming members.

“We are looking to have a go-to kit that can be grabbed and set-up quickly,” she said. Many organizations have these kits as part of membership recruitment and retention.

Lastly, the committee is looking for members who would love to volunteer to be at the table and talk with non-members about the great activities going on at the ICC, which keep our heritage going strong for generations to come. In-

terested members can contact Mary Anne at 414-801-4757.

The Membership Committee meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the ICC. Persons interested in attending the meeting, but can’t physically be there, can now participate via video conference call that will be set up.

If you are interested in participating this way, contact Mary Anne at the number above.

Currently, the ICC has 878 members.

Deadline for May 2018 issue

All advertising copy, news stories and photographs for publication in the May 2018 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Tuesday, Apr. 10.

These materials can be

emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com or sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

For further information, call 414-223-2189.

30 students participating in ICC’s Italian classes this spring

Enrica Tarantino Woytal, the longtime instructor of Italian classes at the Italian Community Center, reported that about 30 students are participating in the two classes she is teaching on Tuesday nights this spring.

She said her Italian I class has 22 students. This class is intended for those who want an introduction to the language and the culture of Italy. The introductory course runs

from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.

The Italian II class has eight students. This class is for ideal for those who have completed the introductory course and are ready to learn more about the language and culture of Italy. Tarantino Woytal holds this class from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.

The classes will run through Tuesday, May 8.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Italian Times editor looking for writers to help with Festa stories

Tom Hemman, editor of The Italian Times, is looking for individuals to help write some of the articles that will appear in the July/August 2018 Festa Italiana edition.

Persons with solid writing skills and/or a basic understanding of the

newspaper reporting principles should contact Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com or call 414-223-2189.

These are voluntary positions which offer individuals opportunities to get the stories they write published with their byline, which

Thanks for your donations to the ICC

The officers and directors of the Italian Community Center wish to thank and acknowledge all those who pledged, fulfilled a pledge, or made a contribution to the nonprofit organization.

To obtain information on how to make a pledge or a donation, please call 414-223-2808.

Please note: When the ICC is informed of the death of a member, an email blast is being sent out to all members who have signed up to receive these email blasts as part of their membership.

The following donations were received between Feb. 8 and Mar. 12, 2018.

In memory of Peter Frank Sorce Peter T. and Kathy M. Sorce Christina Sorce In memory of Cindy Bartz The Zamjahn Family

In memory of Mary Hoffman Anthony T. Machi Dr. Grace L. Machi Paul & Rose Iannelli Mary Winard Anna Pitzo John & Antoinette Sanfilippo George & Aggie Collura Robert J. Trotalli In memory of Dan Conley Anna Pitzo

In memory of John Coffaro Marie Lore John & Antoinette Sanfilippo

In memory of Ambrose Ciano Pompeii Men’s Club George & Aggie Colura Ron & Joanne Czubek

may be valuable when they seek future employment in journalism, public relations, marketing or general writing fields.

“We can also assure writers that they will receive tickets for Festa Italiana, July 20-22, on the Summerfest grounds,” Hemman said.

All of those events take place at the Italian Community Center unless otherwise indicated.

Pompeii Men’s Club Good Friday Fish Buffet Friday, March 30, 4-8 p.m.

Bartolotta Catering Easter Sunday Buffet Sunday, Apr. 1, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Filippo Mazzei Lodge/OSIA “Sinatra Night Tribute” Saturday, Apr. 14. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Santa Rosalia Society Benefit Gala Saturday, Apr. 14. Starts at 6 p.m.

ICC’s 23rd annual “A Taste of Italy” Sunday, Apr. 22, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Order Sons of Italy in America/ Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Banquet Sunday, May 6 at noon. Roma Lodge, Racine.

UNICO Scholarship & Awards Banquet Tuesday, May 15. Starts at 6 p.m.

Pompeii Women’s Club May Crowning Banquet Wednesday, May 30. Starts at 6 p.m.

41st annual Festa Italiana Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 22 Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds)

ICC Members: Planning to attend the dinner before the General Meeting on Thursday, April 19th?

If so, you are kindly asked to make a reservation on or before Monday, April 16th.

Call 414-223-2180. Your reservation will help the culinary staff of Bartolotta Catering prepare sufficient food for the buffet.

Thank you for your cooperation!

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APRIL 2018 – PAGE 5

Get your family together for ‘A Taste of Italy’ on Sunday, Apr. 22

from page 1 For more than 65 years, the members of Tradizione Vivente have been keeping alive the traditions of music, dance and costume brought here by their Italian ancestors. In addition to performing annually at local events such as Festa Italiana and the Holiday Folk Fair International, the group has earned acclaim for its appearances at ethnic festivals, folk dance conferences and other events across the United States.

The Sicilian Serenaders (Peter Balistrieri and Tom and Ted Pappalardo) will play Italian and Sicilian music strolling through the crowd. Their appearance is sponsored by La Società di San Giuseppe, which made a monetary donation for the event. Balistrieri and the Pappalardo brothers are carrying on the strolling musician tradition started by their fathers more than 65 years ago.

Both Tradizione Vivente and the Sicilian Serenaders have been regular participants in “A Taste of Italy” since its inception.

Returning for the fifth year, vocalist Jayne Taylor will grace the Taste of Italy audience with a selection of popular international songs, including some Italian favorites. Jayne, who has won numerous awards, has hosted and produced her own tv/cable show, “The Jayne Taylor Show,” which she plans on expanding to a wider

audience. Her latest CD, “Souvenirs,” which has seen international play, will be available at “A Taste of Italy.” She is planning to record her third CD this summer.

All of the entertainers donated their time and talent for this event.

Two big raffles!

For the first time, The Taste of Italy will have two big raffles. One will be a prize raffle where you place your ticket(s) in a container next to the prize you’d like to win.

Prize tickets will be available for $2 each, 6 for $10 or 15 for $20. Raffle tickets cannot be mailed to ICC members since it is prohibited by postal regulations.

The other is a 50/50 raffle in which one winning ticket is drawn.

The winner will receive 50% of the cash collected in this raffle. The other 50% will be donated to the ICC. Those tickets will be $5 each.

Several great items will be available in the prize raffle including a flat screen TV, gift baskets and certificates from Alioto’s Restaurant and Fazio’s Sweet Memories Sweet Life, a table top grill with accessories, two children’s baskets, a large stained-glass sun catcher designed by ICC member Bill Dickinson, food and wine baskets, a box of assorted cheeses, and more. For baseball fans, there will be a copy of Professor Larry Baldassaro’s latest book, Baseball Italian Style.

Taste of Italy Menu Okay, we’ve kept you waiting

Thanks to ‘Taste of Italy’ donors so far

Chairpersons Val Schleicher, Christina Ziino and Marie Lieber would like to acknowledge and thank the donors that have to date generously committed to making the 23rd “A Taste of Italy” a great success: Patrick Cudahy, Glorioso Brothers, Suminski Family Funeral Home, Joe Reina, Saz’s, Alioto’s, Ladies of UNICO, Dean Cannestra, Fazio’s Chocolates, Barilla Pasta, Palermo’s Pizza, Grande Cheese, Cedar Crest Ice Cream, Vince Carini, Yvonne and Mary from Bad Dog Studios, Scrima’s Pizza, Joe Jannazzo, Anna Pitzo, Sophia Michalovitz. Peter Gustin, Fran Tollefson, Rose Spang, Sandi Mazza, Christina Ziino, Sargento Cheese, Marie Lieber, Meijer, So-

PAGE 6 – APRIL 2018

cietà Maschile Maria SS Del Lume, Società di San Giuseppe, UNICO National, AbruzzeseGalileo Galilei Society, Pompeii Women’s Club and Pompeii Men’s Club.

Donations are still being accepted. A complete list of donors will appear in the next issue. I f anyone or a business is interested in making a donation to “A Taste of Italy,” please contact the chairpersons. Here are their telephone numbers: Marie Lieber, 414-7081607, Val Schleicher, 414-2411194 or Christina Ziino, 414-218-2175.

If you have a donation for the prize raffle, please contact Fran Tollefson, 262-786-8276.

Sophia Michalovitz put some red sauce over an order of manicotti. Seen also in this photo is Carla Pellin, president of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO. Continuing a long tradition in 2018, Anna Pitzo and Sophia are making the manicotti and donating it to the ICC for “A Taste of Italy.” Together, they make about 500 orders of manicotti! Donations like this one help to make the event a success. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

long enough. Here’s the menu for the 23rd annual “A Taste of Italy.”

In the Pompeii Grand Ballroom: • Pizza with assorted toppings.

Courtesy of the Giacomo Fallucca family, makers of Palermo’s Pizza (“Dat’s da Best”). Booth staffed by members of the Abruzzese Society.

• Italian-breaded pork tenderloin (with sweet peppers and onions). Served by Ann Romano, Vivian Balistreri and the Maria Assunta Society.

• Arancini (rice balls). Booth will be staffed by the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO. • Italian sub sandwiches and panini sandwiches. Lunch meat courtesy of Patrick Cudahy’s Pavone Deli Company. Cheese courtesy of Grande Cheese. The booth will be staffed by members of the Santa Rosalia Society.

• Sfincione (thick crust Sicilianstyle pizza). Courtesy of the Dean Cannestra family and friends of Nessun Dorma and Divino Wine & Dine restaurants.

• Manicotti. Courtesy of ICC members Anna Pitzo and Sophia Michalovitz.

• Italian sausage sandwiches (with sweet green peppers and onions). Sausage courtesy of Vince Carini. Booth will be staffed by the

Pompeii Men’s Club.

• Lentil soup, chicken pastina soup and Italian wedding soup.

Served by members of La Società di San Giuseppe.

• Romanita Pasta Salad. Courtesy of Glorioso’s Italian Market.

Served by Glorioso’s staff.

• Italian salad. Served by the Santa Rosalia Society.

• Pasta with red sauce. Served

by Christina Ziino and her volunteers.

• Meatballs in red sauce. Served

by Sandi Mazza and members of her family.

• Deep-fried calamari (squid).

Served by members of the Pompeii Women’s Club.

• Sfingi (fried bread dough with sugar and cinnamon). Served by Louise Au and her volunteers.

• Eggplant. Booth staffed by the Madonna del Lume Society Women.

• Italian red and white wine.

Members of the Milazzese Social Club will be volunteer servers.

• Beer and soda. Served by John Sanfilippo and ICC volunteers.

• Coffee. Served by ICC volunteers.

In Festa Hall: • Gelato. Courtesy of Joe Reina Continued on page 7

THE ITALIAN TIMES

More of the vast Taste of Italy menu

from page 6 and European Gelato. Served by Marie Andaloro Lieber and her family.

• Cannoli. Made by Peter Sciortino Bakery. Served by members of the Addolorata Society.

• Eclairs. Made by Peter Sciortino Bakery. Served by Fran Tollefson and her volunteers.

• Italian cookies. Made by Peter

Sciortino Bakery. Served by members of the St. Theresa Society.

• Pizzelle (Italian wafer cookies). Courtesy of Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO. Made by Annette Huettl and her volunteers.

• Spumoni. Courtesy of Cedar Crest Ice Cream. Served by the Marie Andaloro-Lieber family.

• Bottled water – Courtesy of Scrima’s Pizza. Served by members

and volunteers on behalf of the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America.

Taste of Italy Committee Joining Schleicher, Ziino and Andaloro-Lieber on the Taste of Italy Committee are: Tony Zingale (volunteer meal ticket chair), Fran (Sorrenti) Tollefson (raffle chair), Laurie Bisesi (ICC Business Manager), John Sanfilippo (beer and soda bars), and Tom Hemman (publicity).

• Coffee. Served by the Marie Lieber family.

In addition to the donors, monetary donations have been made by various societies. These monetary donations help to defray the cost of food that is not donated.

Calendar of Events March 28 – April 25, 2018

Wednesday, Mar. 28 • Pompeii Women’s Club dinner and general meeting, 5:30 p.m., social, 6:30 p.m., dinner.

Wednesday, Apr. 18 • Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Lodge general membership meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Apr. 1 • Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter!

• Bartolotta Catering at the Italian Community Center presents its Easter Brunch, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations required. Visit: bartolottas.com/easter.

Sunday, Apr. 22 • Italian Community Center’s 23rd annual “A Taste of Italy,” 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

Friday, Mar. 30 • Pompeii Men’s Club annual Good Friday Fish Fry Buffet, 4 – 7:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

Wednesday, Apr. 4 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Apr. 5 • Italian Community Center Membership Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

Details in this issue.

Monday, Apr. 9 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 10 • Abruzzese Society meeting, 2 p.m.

• Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Apr. 12 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

• Santa Rosalia Society general meeting, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Apr. 14 • Italian Family History Club meeting, 10 a.m. – noon. Open to all interested in doing genealogical research. Article in this issue.

• Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Lodge presents “A Tribute to Sinatra” concert. Doors open at 5 p.m. Details in this issue.

• Santa Rosalia Society Benefit Gala, 5 p.m. social, 6 p.m. dinner and dancing. Details in this issue.

Thursday, Apr. 19 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m. Reservations required by Monday, Apr. 16.

• Italian Community Center general membership meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 24 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Apr. 25 • Pompeii Women’s Club general membership dinner and meeting, 5:30 p.m., social, 6:30 p.m., dinner and meeting.

Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The spring season continues through the week of May 14. The championship playoffs are set for Monday, May 21.

• ICC Italian classes. The spring semester of Italian I, an introductory Italian class, and Italian II, a conversational Italian class, for persons, 13 years and older, continues on Tuesday nights through May 8.

• I Bei Bambini, The Children’s Italian Dance Group. This children’s folk dance group practices weekly on most Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the ICC. New dancers are welcome. For details, visit: www.tradizionevivente.com. Breaks are taken during the holidays.

• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on most Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit: www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Breaks are taken during the holidays. Ballate con noi! Dance with us!

• Hula hoop dance fitness class. Every Tuesday night, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. in the bocce court room. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $5 per member, $10 per non-member. No classes during the holidays.

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

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• Not associated with Schmidt & Bartelt – Guardalabene & Amato APRIL 2018 – PAGE 7

St. Joseph Day tradition continues for 26th consecutive year at ICC

ICC Chaplain/The Very Reverend Tim Kitzke blessed the St. Joseph’s Day altar and everyone attending with Holy Water.

Chairperson Mary Winard greeted guests to the St. Joseph’s Day luncheon on Mar. 16.

Times photos by Tom Hemman

Events celebrating St. Joseph traditions include either feeding the less fortunate or a collection of donations for feeding the less fortunate. For the ICC’s event, a table was set up for luncheon guests to make donations. These donations will be given to Three Holy Women Parish.

Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek stands along side the beautiful St. Joseph’s Day altar she decorated for the event.

John Puchner volunteered once again to play music for the event.

ICC President Dean Cannestra welcomed all to the organization’s 26th annual St. Joseph’s Day luncheon.

PAGE 8 – APRIL 2018

Guests picked a bag fruit and bread to take home as they departed the luncheon. Volunteer Suzanne Wypijewski handed out the bags.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Judge John DiMotto, ICC Vice President Joe Emanuele and Professor Emeritus Joseph Mangiamele among the honorees

OSIA Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin to honor 11 individuals at May 6 banquet at Racine’s Roma Lodge The Order Sons of Italy in America/Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin has announced that it will present its Leonardo da Vinci Award to 11 Italian Americans who have excelled in their professional and personal lives at a banquet on Sunday, May 6 at Roma Lodge, 7130 Spring St., Racine.

The event, which begins at noon, is open to the public. Tickets are $65 per person and can be ordered by calling 708-403-7822 or emailing gl.osiailwi.org.

The honorees include three Italian Community Center members: the recently retired Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge John DiMotto, ICC Vice President Joseph T. Emanuele and Professor Emeritus Joseph Mangiamele.

The other honorees are: Wisconsin State Representative Peter Barca, Anthony J. Bruno of the Italian Workmen’s Club of Madison, Dentist Luigi Caira, Fra Noi Correspondent CJ Martello, Deacon and Roma Lodge Chaplain Russell Missureli, Radiologist Kathryn A. Occhipinti, Attorney/Author/Speaker John E. Salza, Esq., and Wisconsin’s First Lady Tonette Tarantino Walker.

This will mark the 17th time that the OSIA Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin has held its Leonardo da Vinci Award Gala.

The ICC members: Judge John DiMotto Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge John Di Motto will receive the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Jurisprudence. He retired this past Feb. 28 after 42-plus years of public service, including 27 years as a judge and more than 15 years as Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney.

DiMotto told The Italian Times in its March 2018 issue that what kept him going all those years as a public servant was “having the opportunity to help people – individuals whose lives may have been forever impacted – and having the opportunity to empower the victims. For most individuals, the case that we’re hearing is the most important in their lifetimes, and a judge needs to feel the importance of each and every case he or she hears. I think our most important job is to empower and protect the victims, give the people the opportunity to be heard, and see that justice is served.”

In his time on the bench, DiMotto became widely recognized as a leader in judicial education and someone who generously shared his legal knowledge with judges across the state.

DiMotto serves on the faculty of the National Judicial College and is a former Associate Dean of the Wisconsin Judiciary College.

Over his long career, DiMotto has been recognized with many awards including recognitions as “Wisconsin Judge of the Year” by the American Board of Trial Advocates and “Jurist of the Year” by the Wisconsin Justinian Society of Lawyers. In 2008, DiMotto was recognized in an article in the Wisconsin Law Journal for his record as a circuit court judge on appeal. From Jan. 1, 2000 through 2006, DiMotto’s decisions had been reviewed and affirmed by the

Judge John DiMotto

appellate court 46 times without a reversal. In 2016, DiMotto ranked first among the state’s 248 circuit court judges in an anonymous statewide survey of 2,245 trial lawyers conducted by Gannett, the publisher of numerous newspapers including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

DiMotto was born and raised in the City of Milwaukee. He is one of two sons born to John and Anna Marie (Budich) DiMotto. His father died in 1999. His mother is an active 93 year old.

The judge earned his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University in 1972 and graduated with his Jurist Degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1974.

On June 30, 1973, DiMotto was married to Jean Wouters. Like her husband, Jean served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge for 17 years. She retired five years ago.

Judge DiMotto is a longtime member of the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National, La Società di San Giuseppe, the Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge #2763 of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America and the Wisconsin Justinian Society of Lawyers. He is a past president of the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National.

ICC Vice President Joe Emanuele ICC Vice President Joseph Emanuele will be presented the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Community Service. He has served the Milwaukee community throughout the 61 years he has been a resident of the city he calls home. That service includes being a police officer for Milwaukee Police Department from 1992 to 2017 when he chose to retire to spend more time with family. He is a devoted father of five, Jamie, Danny, Michael, Santino and Jessica, as well as a grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren.

During his tenure with the MPD, Emanuele was promoted numerous times, allowing him to make optimal use of his expertise and skills. He was promoted from police officer to Forensic Investigator in 2002 and to Identification Systems Specialist in 2006. Recog-

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ICC Vice President Joe Emanuele

nizing the scope of Emanuele’s abilities, Department Administrators requested Emanuele travel throughout the United States to work with police departments nationwide. In this role, he worked in an advisory position, reviewing and testing the departments’ records management practices and identification software.

Furthering his focus on being of service to his community, Emanuele is active in The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSIA), as well as in the Italian Community Center (ICC) located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. His contributions to each organization led to his being elected President of OSIA in 2013. He served two consecutive terms, completed in 2017. Presently, he serves as Vice President of the ICC, a position he has held since 2016. He is slated to be elected President of that organization in the fall of 2018.

Each summer, Emanuele can be found volunteering both in a leadership role as well as hands-on at the annual Festa Italiana. He currently chairs the Bylaws Committee for the ICC and has served on the Festa entertainment Committee for the organization for the past two years.

Emanuele’s reputation professionally and in the community is one of excellence, earned through his impeccable record of service. In addition to dedication to his profession and to the organizations that have benefited from his leadership, he is a devoted family man. In 2001, Emanuele co-published a book with his cousin, Victoria Werner, recording the history of the Emanuele family in America, titled “Our First 100 Years.”

He is spending his first year of retirement enjoying the additional time he is now able to spend with his children and grandchildren. He is an avid golfer, organizing an annual golf outing as well as playing eighteen with his three sons. He enjoys playing guitar and traveling to northern Wisconsin to visit extended family.

Joseph Mangiamele Professor Emeritus Joseph Mangiamele will be given the Leonardo

Professor Emeritus Joe Mangiamele

da Vinci Award for Education. He received his doctorate from the London (England) School of Economics and Political Science and worked in the planning and development of new towns around London while completing his doctorate studies. He also was employed as a city planner in Omaha, Neb. before accepting an academic position at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1963.

Mangiamele was appointed the Director of University Planning and Development at UWM. In that role, the university acquired surrounding institutions, built some unusual buildings and developed a 20-year plan. He chaired the committee for selecting the first dean of the School of Architecture. He then taught city planning and urban design at UWM until 2001.

He also headed his own planning and consulting firm during this time before becoming a professor emeritus and somewhat retired.

Mangiamele’s talent and passion are metal sculpting. Some of his beautiful works were displayed at the ICC’s Holiday Boutique this past November. He is the President of the Mangiamele Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose work is to get scholarships for architecture students.

Mangiamele humorously remarked in a 2006 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article that he strove to achieve his many accomplishments “because my undergraduate philosophy professor advised me to get into something practical because he didn’t think I could make a living as a philosopher.”

He was married to his late beloved wife Ebbie for 60 years.

Mangiamele is a longtime member of the ICC and was honored as the organization’s Il Nonno (Royal Grandfather) at its pre-Lenten mask and costume gala, Il Grande Carnevale, this past February.

“The Professor,” as many affectionately call him, prides himself as being one of the original members of Cafe La Scala’s “Round Table.”

This is the group of gentlemen who have met for lunch at the ICC Please turn to page 11

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 9

Santa Rosalia Society invites all to its benefit gala for Penfield Children’s Center

La Società Santa Rosalia has extended an invitation to all to attend its 2018 Benefit Gala on Saturday, Apr. 14 at the Italian Community Center. A portion of the evening’s net proceeds will be donated to the Penfield Children’s Center.

The gala, which begins at 5 p.m. with a social hour (cash bar), includes dinner, prepared and served by the Bartolotta Catering staff,

and dancing to the music of Enzo Scarano and Le Nuove Onde.

There will be a special live performance by dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

The cost to attend is $85 per Santa Rosalia Society member, $95 per non-member and $25 per child (12 and under). Advance reservations are required by Monday, Apr. 9.

To make reservations, contact

either Filippo R. Reina at 414-7369087 or email him at freina23@gmail.com or Joann Stern at jstern@societarosalia.org.

The Penfield Children’s Center (penfieldchildren.org) creates a positive start in life for infants and children, many of whom, have developmental delays or disabilities, by providing early education, health services and family programming.

La Società Santa Rosalia di Santo Stefano Quisquina (the full Sicilian name of the Santa Rosalia Society) was founded in 2005.

By George Koleas Many Milwaukee Italians came from an area around Palermo, including but not limited to such towns as Bagheria, Sant’ Elia, Santa Flavia, Porticello, Solanto and Aspra.

Some of the family names from this area include: Affatigato, Aiello, Alioto, Aliota, Amato, Arena, Arioto, Asciutto, Balesteri, Balestreire, Balestrere, Balestreri, Balestrieri, Balisteri, Balistreri, Balistrieri, Basile, Battaglia, Bellante, Bellanti, Billante, Busalacchi, Busalachi, Buttita, Buttitta, Buttone, Carini, Cefalu, Colla, Contorno, Corona, Corrao, Crisci, Crivello, D’Acquisto, D’Amato, D’Amico, Damato, Deluca, Dentice, Dentici, DeSalvo, Frittata, Frittitta, Galioto, Guardalabene, Gumina, Lalicata, Lamonica, Latona, Lococo, Lupo, Machi, Marino, Martarano, Martorana, Martorano, Mercurio, Messina, Pizzo, Purpura, Sanfilippo, Scardina, Scola, Sorce, Sparacino, Squatrito, Storniolo, Tagliavia, Taormina, Taormino, Tarantino, Vetrano, Villa, Vitrano and Zanca.

The members of the Italian Family History Club, also known as Pursuing Our Italian Names Together, Chapter 22 and the Mil-

waukee County Genealogical Society’s Italian Area Interest Group, have been working with researchers from different parts of the country who have connections with these surnames. One of those researchers is Jamie Aukskalnis, who I connect to, through my Mother’s (Alioto) side of the family.

Jaime was at our last meeting via phone connection. This introduction is from Jaime: “Let me introduce myself, my name is Jamie Aukskalnis and I’m the Lithuanian Sicilian. I have been doing my Sicilian genealogy for 25 years now and would like to extend my tree to all of those looking for family from the Bagheria peninsula. Hundreds of those families came to Milwaukee and most continued to remarry into the same family lines. My tree is available on Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) and is open to view. I would like to extend this to your group to continue to connect not only my cousins but cousins you may be looking for. I can be reached at jamesjauk@msn.com.”

Jaime continued: “This coming March, we are putting together a plan for a research by a company in Italy: http://www.bellaitaliagenealogy.com/site/. Our hope is that this person can copy much of the

info we need from the churches in Santa Flavia and Bagheria, if needed. The second part of the week, he is going to one or two churches in Palermo that some of the participants have identified as the family’s church. This is so exciting as we don’t have access to these records through the LDS site.

As we move forward and any of you would like to contact me for missing info in the Santa Flavia area, please contact me.” LDS is Latter Day Saints, The Mormon Church, which has filmed many records throughout Italy and Europe and have made those records freely available. For more information go t o : https://www.lds.org/church/news /familysearch-unites-with-italianarchive-organization-to-digitizecivil-registration-records?lang=eng &_r=1.

Jaime reported, “The Antenati archives site and the LDS site continue to work with the Palermo archives to get these particular digitized records out for free. Currently, you can only view all these digitized records at the LDS libraries. Antenati posted the Palermo films for a few hours and then it was taken down, so we know it is ready to post if they can work out the contracts. Hope this all helps and I look forward to hearing from you all.” The Anetenati site Jaime refers to is at http://www.antenati.san.beniculturali.it/en. This site is collaboration with the Italian Archives to make these records available and free to all. It is available in Italian

and English.

If you want our help to research your own Italian family that may not be listed above or if you want to participate with us in this project with Jaime, a Family Group Sheet, available can be found at: http://c.mfcreative.com/pdf/trees/ charts/famgrec.pdf and an ancestral chart, available at http://c.mfcreative.com/pdf/tre es/charts/anchart.pdf. Fill these out as best as you can with the information you know, send them to me or bring them to our next meeting, which will be Saturday, Apr. 14, at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at noon. Please feel free to bring guests.

The Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 28 was well attended with 30 members and a few guests. In the absence of Chaplain Mike Hammer, Club President Suzanne Wypijewski called on member Sr. Ann Catherine to lead the gathering in an opening prayer.

The majority of business that night was a presentation by the Bylaws Committee, chaired by past president Pat Consolazione, on revisions to the club’s bylaws. She was joined by past vice president Lucy Sorce and Peggy Zoet. Jeannine Doern, also a committee member, was unable to attend. New bylaws booklets will be printed and be mailed to members as soon as possible.

Following adjournment of the business meeting and closing

prayer, names were drawn for door prizes – potted miniature Kalanchoe plants in decorated Valentine’s décor.

Hostesses for this meeting were Pat Consolazione, Lucy Sorce and Mary Winard.

Please note, Wednesday, May 30 on your calendar as the date of the Pompeii Women’s Club’s annual May Crowning event at the ICC. It will be open to the public. Details will be available in the near future.

Club members hope to have a large crowd.

Buona Pasqua to ICC members and members of all the Italian societies and clubs that meet at the ICC. – Submitted by Mary Winard Public Relations Representative Pompeii Women’s Club

It is a nonprofit, charitable organization that promotes preservation of cultural traditions, family and giving back to the community.

For more information, visit athe club’s websote: societasantarosalia.org.

Trova i tuoi antenati (Find your ancestors): New developments to report

Support the Pompeii Men’s Club Good Friday Fish Buffet

You can show your support for the Pompeii Men’s Club by attending the organization’s annual fundraiser, the Good Friday Fish Buffet, at the Italian Community Center on Friday, Mar. 30 (Good Friday).

The fish buffet is the club’s biggest fundraiser and proceeds benefit its extensive charity work.

The meal is all-you-can-eat and will be served from 4 to 8 p.m.

The cost is set at $16 for adults and $8 for children, 4-10 years, and free for children, 3 years and younger.

The menu consists of breaded and baked cod, potato pancakes, French fries, popcorn shrimp, mostaccioli with red sauce, coleslaw, tossed salad, Italian bread, watermelon wedges, choice of beverage (coffee, tea, or milk) and dessert. There will be a full range of condiments available.

Guests can park for free in the lot immediately south of the building.

The event will also feature a money raffle. Cash prizes are: 1st - $300, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $150, 4th

PAGE 10 – APRIL 2018

- $100, 5th - $75, 6th - $50, 7th $50 and 8th through 10th prizes $25 each.

Raffle tickets are available for $2 each or seven for $10 and can be purchased by contacting Club President Tony Baudo at 414-3246347 or Fish Buffet Chairman John A. Sanfilippo at 414-2822667 or Tony Zingale at 414-4444689. Tickets will also be sold at the event.

The Pompeii Men’s Club charitable outreach has benefited the ICC, along with several other local organizations including the Sojourner Truth House, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the Ronald McDonald House and Special Olympics of Southeastern Wisconsin. The club also has strong ties to Three Holy Women Parish. The club was formerly the Holy Name Society of the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii Church, the predecessor to St. Rita of Cascia Church on Cass Street, and evolved into the Pompeii Men’s Club after the demolition of the Pompeii Church in the late 1960s.

We welcome anyone with an interest in Italian family history. You will be welcome to attend, whether you are just curious, are just starting, or have been researching family for years. You will be welcome even if your family is not Italian.

My father’s side is Greek. Please feel free to bring guests. If you can’t attend in April, you are welcome to attend any of our 2018 meetings, always on Saturdays. The remaining dates are Aug. 25 and Nov. 3, also starting at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at noon. You can also visit us at Festa Italiana, July 20-22.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me, George Koleas, by e-mail at GeorgeJK676@wi.rr.com or by calling 262-251-7216 after 7 p.m.

Pompeii Women’s Club reports on Feb. 28 meeting activities

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Enjoy ‘Sinatra Night’ on Apr. 14 at ICC Show is presented as a benefit for the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America

An opportunity to experience what it might have been like to witness the legendary Frank Sinatra in concert awaits all those who attend the “Frank Sinatra Night” being hosted by the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America on Saturday, Apr. 14 at the Italian Community Center.

The show, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Festa Ballroom, will feature Chicagoland crooner Jim Bulanda with recording artist Jayne Taylor as the opening act.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the local Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America scholarship program.

Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. They can be bought at the ICC reception desk during regular business hours in person or by calling 414-223-2180 or by contacting Ralph Busalacchi at 414-534-6455. A table of 10 can be reserved for $100.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. A dinner buffet, presented by Bartolotta Catering, will be available for $15 per person from 5 to 6 p.m. as well as the regular menu from

began his professional singing career in 1994, performing in numerous nightclubs in Chicago and northwest Indiana.

For more information visit Bulanda’s website, www.tributetofrank.com.

Jim Bulanda

Cafe La Scala.

Opening act Jayne Taylor and accompanist Tom Sorce will play from 5 to 7 p.m. with Bulanda taking the stage shortly after.

About Jim Bulanda Bulanda can easily step into the shoes of any major Las Vegas-style entertainer. He is a vocalist who is most appreciated and famous for his impressions of Dean Martin

Welcome new Italian Community Center members!

The following persons became members of the Italian Community Center between February 8 and March 12, 2018. Benvenuti (Welcome!)

Anthony & Kathleen Fricano of New Berlin Melissa Bucci of Milwaukee

Louis L. Bruno, Jr. of Larchmont, N.Y. Peter & Darlene Tocco of Hubertus

Società Femminile Maria M.S.S. Del Lume sponsoring Italian Mass on May 6

La Società Femminile Maria M.S.S. Del Lume (Madonna del Lume Society Women) is sponsoring a Mass in the Italian language on Sunday, May 6.

President Enrica Tarantino Woytal said the Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. at St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 1702 N. Humboldt St., Milwaukee, and is open

Other award winners The other winners are named here with the awards they will receive at the May 6 banquet.

• Rep.Peter Barca, Government Award.

• Anthony J. Bruno, Community Leadership Award.

and, of course, the “Chairman of the Board,” Frank Sinatra. He also does strong impressions of the songs of Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Michael Bublé and many others.

He started singing at the age of seven to entertain his large Italian family. Throughout his 20s, he regularly sang in church as a cantor.

Parishioners soon took notice of Jim’s beautiful, velvety smooth voice, and he was often asked to sing at weddings.

In the early 1990s, Bulanda ventured into the Windy City’s nightlife scene. He could frequently be seen singing and dabbling in comedy at Chicago’s local comedy clubs. Patrons at these clubs soon remarked on his remarkable singing voice and encouraged him to develop his vocal talent. For the next three years, Jim polished his Sinatra classic songs and developed a nightclub act that includes a repertoire of 70 classic songs. He

ICC represented at Mukwonago Library’s Cultural Showcase

to anyone interested in attending.

Following the service, attendees are welcome to join society members for a luncheon at their own expense.

St. Hedwig is part of Three Holy Women Parish. Normally, this Mass is held at St. Rita, but due to the construction underway, it is not possible this year, Tarantino Woytal said.

OSIA Grand Lodge to honor 11 with da Vinci Awards of Excellence

from page 9 restaurant every Wednesday and Saturday for the past 37 years to share their camaraderie and wisdom and discuss how to solve the world’s problems.

Jayne Taylor

Jayne Taylor Jayne Taylor, a multi-award winning singer/songwriter/recording artist began captivating audiences since a young age. Her ability to sing different styles of music, as well as in foreign languages, makes her a voice for the ages.

She will perform a selection of popular international songs, including some Italian favorites for the Apr. 14 show.

She who has sung in numerous major theaters throughout Wisconsin, including the Oshkosh Opera House, Stephanie H. Weill Center, and the Door County Auditorium, and has hosted and produced her own tv/cable show, “The Jayne Taylor Show”, which she plans to expand to a wider audience in the near future.

She has also appeared on TV programs including “Fox 6 WakeUp” and “Today’s TMJ4 Morning News.” Over the years, she has performed at Summerfest, Festa Italiana and various other outdoor venues. Jayne had the honor of singing the National Anthem to a crowd of 35,000 at Miller Park Stadium.

Since her latest CD, “Souvenirs” has gained favorable attention both nationally and internationally, Jayne will be recording her third CD this summer. For more information visit her website, www.jaynetaylormusic.com.

• Luigi Caira, D.D.S., Medicine Award.

• CJ Martello, Journalism Award.

• Deacon Russell Missureli, Community Leadership Award.

• Kathryn A. Occhipinti, M.D., Medicine Award.

• Attorney John F. Salza, Law Award.

• Tonette Tarantino Walker, wife of Wisconsin Governor Scott Waker, Community Leadership Award.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Past President Bill Jennaro (left) and current Vice President Joe Emanuele staffed the Italian Community Center’s station at the Mukwonago Community Library’s Cultural Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Bill and Joe offered information about Italy and Milwaukee’s Italian community. The three-hour event was presented by Mukwonago’s Teen Library Council. Among the 25 participating groups and organizations that joined the ICC were the Aarabhi Indian Dance School, Milwaukee Irish Dancers, Ceol Cairde, Milwaukee German Liederkranz Choir, Milwaukee Scottish Country Dancers and Old World Wisconsin. Besides the informative and educational stations, there were special performances, children’s activities, raffles, music, food and games. Bill and Joe said they met with attendees on an individualized basis and answered any questions they had on Italy or the Italian American community. Bill added that he brought some photos from Milwaukee’s old Third Ward, including one of the Jennaro Bros. Produce truck. (Photo provided by Joe Emanuele)

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 11

UNICO organizations to present scholarships for 82nd consecutive year

College-bound students of Italian descent: Apply for scholarships from Milwaukee UNICO organizations by Mar. 31

Continuing a program started 82 years ago, the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and the Ladies of UNICO, Inc. will award several scholarships this spring to high school seniors of Italian descent. The exact number of scholarships to be presented had not been determined as of press time.

To be eligible, applicants must attend a public or private school in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha or Walworth counties.

The spirit of this scholarship is

to help Italian American seniors with financial needs. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of non-Italian descent dignitaries from the Milwaukee area. Financial need, scholarship, community/school involvement and personal character are the criteria by which the applicants will be judged.

Obtaining a scholarship application Applications will be available on the Milwaukee UNICO website, www.unicomilwaukee.com. Click

on the documents link found on the sidebar.

Application deadline Candidates must submit their applications by Saturday, Mar. 31 to: Scholarship Director of UNICO Milwaukee, 1333 N. 59th St., Milwaukee, WI 53208.

Applicants may be contacted to attend a personal interview at the Italian Community Center during school hours on Friday, Apr. 13.

The scholarships will be presented at a banquet on the evening of Tuesday, May 15. The recipient

Application deadline is Apr. 15

or his/her representative must be present to accept the scholarship award.

The Milwaukee UNICO scholarship program has awarded over $1 million dollars in scholarships over the past 82 years.

The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National is celebrating 87 years in existence in 2017. The organization awarded its first scholarship in 1936. The Ladies of UNICO celebrate its 55th anniversary as an independent civic and service organization in 2018.

UNICO National offers scholarships for undergraduate and post-graduate students of Italian ancestry

Students in the United States who are of Italian ancestry and are interested in pursuing either an undergraduate or post-graduate education may apply for UNICO National scholarships.

UNICO National offers four $6,000 undergraduate scholarships, several post-graduate scholarships and three scholarships for Ph.D. candidates. Presentations are made to recipients at events hosted by local UNICO chapters across the nation in the spring.

They are also recognized in the UNICO National Convention Journal, published for the 96th national convention which will take place July 25-29, in Delray Beach, Fla. The criteria that UNICO National uses in selecting its recipients are quite similar to those used by the Milwaukee Chapter in choosing local awardees.

The four undergraduate scholarships are designated as the Theodore Mazza Scholarship, the Major Don S. Gentile Scholarship, the William C. Davini Scholarship and the Alphonse A. Miele Scholarship. These awards do not require the applicant to specify a collegiate major. The Mazza scholarship was established to commemorate the contributions of the late Theodore Mazza of Milwaukee to both the national organization and the Milwaukee Chapter.

Additionally, there are several awards for matriculated college students, post-graduate and doctoral candidates:

• Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Graduate Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant up to a maximum of $6,000, paid out at $1,500 per year, for a graduate scholarship. The awardee must be initiating graduate study, fulltime, at an accredited college/university program in the United States. A candidate must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage.

• Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant a $5,000 scholarship, paid on award, to a student pursuing graduate education at an accredited medical school

PAGE 12 – APRIL 2018

in the United States. A candidate must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage.

• Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarships: The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will provide grants valued at $2,500 each, paid on award, to students attending accredited prelicensure or graduate nursing programs in the United States. Preference is given to applicants demonstrating financial need. A candidate must be a United States citizen. This program is open to nursing students of all ethnicities.

• DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $1,250 each, for study in Italy. Candidates must be currently enrolled, full-time, in an accredited college or university in the United States, pursuing a degree. The study abroad program must be eligible for credit by the student’s college/university. An applicant must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage.

• Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation will provide two literary scholarships, valued at $1,000 each. Application for this program will be open to matriculated college students.

Terms of submission require the candidate to present, in writing, an original short story or essay celebrating their Italian heritage.

• Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation will grant a scholarship valued at $1,250 paid on award to a sophomore, junior or senior student enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States majoring in engineering. An applicant must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage.

• Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science: The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing study of the Physical Sciences or Life Sciences. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

• Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing a degree. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

• Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing a degree in the Fine Arts. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities. A nominee must reside in the home state of an active UNICO Chapter. Online degree programs are not eligible for UNICO scholarships.

Maria and Paolo Alessio Southern Italy Scholarship: The UNICO Foundation will provide a scholarship valued at $2,500 to a student currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus based college/university program in the United States, pursuing a degree.

An applicant must be a United States citizen of Southern Italian descent, specifically including the regions of Abruzzo, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Latium,

Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicilia. *Open to all 50 states.

• Inserra Scholarships: The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to students currently attending, full-time, an accredited campus based college/university in the United States pursuing a degree. A candidate must be an American citizen of Italian descent.

• Eleanor and Anthony De Francis Scholarship Fund for Natural Sciences. Open to only the students attending the following: California Institute of Technology; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; School or Astronomical Studies at the University of Arizona, Tucson. UNICO Foundation will grant scholarships valued in the range of $2,500 to $10,000 to fully matriculating students currently attending, full-time, one of the above listed universities majoring in the Natural Sciences. The candidate must be at least eighteen years of age and a natural born United States citizen of Italian ancestry, having at least one parent of Italian descent.

Application forms for all UNICO National scholarships are available at www.unico.org/scholarships.asp.

The deadline for submitting applications, except as noted in each scholarship, is Sunday, Apr. 15.

Words in an Italian word

by Blaise Di Pronio

How many words can you make with the letters in "AVANTI" (Forward)? _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

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_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________ Answers on page 19

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Spotlight on Cultural Arts ICC returning as sponsor

Milwaukee’s Italian Film Festival to celebrate food and wine of Italy

Recognizing the declaration – made by the Italian Ministries of Culture and Agriculture – that 2018 is the “Year of Italian Food,” Milwaukee’s Italian Film Festival will present not one, but two, films that celebrate food and wine made in Italy.

The festival will include the United States premiere of Cucinì, a fascinating documentary that takes the viewer into the flavors, smells and colors of the gastronomic tradition in Naples. It will be shown Sunday, Apr. 29, at 3:45 p.m.

In addition, The Last Prosecco is set in one of the great wine producing areas of the world, the rolling hills of the Veneto region, near the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The film will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday, Apr. 27.

These are only two of eight new, award-winning and highly praised films from Italy that will be shown

for the first time in Milwaukee at the festival starting Apr. 27 and ending Apr. 29 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Union Cinema, Kenwood Blvd. and Maryland Ave. As always, admission is free. All the films are in Italian with English subtitles.

A perennial supporter of the film festival, the Italian Community Center has graciously agreed to sponsor a film, Friends by Chance (Tutto Quello che Vuoi). It will be shown on Saturday, Apr. 28, at 7 p.m. The ICC has been one of the film festival’s sponsors for several years.

“We are so pleased to again offer Milwaukee a weekend of outstanding films,” said Simonetta Milli Konewko, chair of the local committee that screens and selects the films. “Our committee worked hard to select a variety of films in drama, comedy and documentary.”

Anthony Crivello, the Tony Award-winning performer and Milwaukee native, is coming home for the production of Next Act Theatre’s Hear What’s In The Heart – An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale. The production will run at Next Act’s home, 255 S. Water St., in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point, from Wednesday, May 2 through Sunday, May 6.

An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale was co-written by Steve Scionti and James Shanta with additional dialog by Crivello. The play stars Scionti and is directed by Crivello.

The one-man play (with music, dance and song) has had successful runs in several cities and OffBroadway at the New York City Fringe Festival.

It is a story of a young man sets out on an artistic journey to find his passion and the wisdom given by family and ‘elders’ along the way.

The play brings to life all the passion, comedy and drama inherent in a Sicilian American family.

Scionti paints a theatrical family portrait in a series of humorous and poignant vignettes transferring himself into various family mem-

bers and friends, jumping back and forth through time to affecting moments on his journey into adulthood.

Eight characters are portrayed in all, including his grandfather, his father Sebastiano, his mother Rosetta, his brother Antonio, uncles Amadeo and Manny, the neighborhood pizza-maker Jerry and Brother Connelly, a teacher from Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut. It includes Sicilian dialogue.

Find out what’s cooking in Cucinì, a fascinating documentary that takes the viewer into the flavors, smells and colors of the gastronomic tradition in Naples. It will be shown Sunday, Apr. 29, at 3:45 p.m. in the UWM Union Cinema.

She is an associate professor in the Department of French, Italian and Comparative Literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Anthony Crivello returning home for Next Act Theatre’s production of Hear What’s In The Heart – An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale, May 2-6

Steve Scionti

“Steve Scionti delivers a tour de force performance. He effortlessly switches from humor to pathos,” said Rachel Grundy of NYTheatre.com.

“An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale is a beautiful feat of stage craft. Steve Scionti is a remarkable, physical actor. It’s a beautifully realized performance of a powerful story,” added Ann Hicks of Greenville News.

“No, you don’t have to be Italian American to relate to Hear What’s In The Heart – An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale even though Mr. Scionti makes you think you are!” stated Alvin Klein of The New York Times.

For ticket information, go to nextact.org.

Anthony Crivello Crivello is the son of former Italian Community Center members the late Josephine (Mussomeli) and the late Vincent J. Crivello.

His first Broadway role was in the original production of Evita in 1983. He then appeared in the musicals The News and Les Misèrables before achieving prominence as Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1995, for which he won a Tony Award as “Best Featured Actor in a Musical.”

In 1999, Crivello played opposite

THE ITALIAN TIMES

In its 12th year, the Italian festival has become one of the most popular film festivals in the city.

Milwaukee is one of 12 such festivals, which are coordinated by Italian Film Festivals USA (www.italianfilmfests.org).

For the first time this year, the festival is expanding to Madison, with several films being shown in a venue there.

Here is the complete film schedule: • Friday, Apr. 27, 7 p.m.: The Last Prosecco (Finche c’e’ Processo). (Director, Antonio Padovan, Drama, 2017, 101 minutes.) This mystery unfolds in the rolling hills of the Veneto region where Prosecco grapes are grown.

Please turn to page 15

Anthony Crivello

Audra McDonald in Michael John LaChiusa’s musical Marie Christine. Two years later, he received a Los Angeles Ovation Award nomination, a Garland Award, a Robby Award nomination and a L.A. Drama Critics Award nomination for “Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor” in the musical Do I Hear a Waltz? at the Pasadena Playhouse. During this time, he also played the role of Maxwell, the independent contractor on the TV series “Seinfeld.”

Crivello was originally one of two actors rotating in the title role in the Las Vegas production of The Phantom of the Opera, before assuming the sole lead role in the summer of 2008. Crivello has received numerous accolades for his performance.

Over two million people saw him star as “The Phantom” in Las Vegas.

Crivello has had roles in several films and television programs. In 2015, he reprised his Tony Awardwinning role of Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman on PBS Great Please turn to page 14

Interested in seeing ‘Shoemaker’s Tale’ as group from the ICC?

If you are interested in attending one of the productions of Hear What’s In The Heart – An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale with a group from the Italian Community Center, contact Culture Committee Chairperson Gina Jorgensen via email at gina.jorgensen@yahoo.com or call the ICC at 414-223-2180.

The Next Act Theatre, 255 S. Water St., has extended a discounted offer to the ICC for group tickets. The ticket price is $26.

An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale, directed by Anthony Crivello, will be presented on these days and times: Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 5 at 4:30 p.m. and at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m.

If you are interested in attending, please let Gina or the ICC know what day and what time you would prefer to attend.

Based on the response, Gina will decide how to proceed.

The production, which stars Steve Scionti, one of the co-writers, runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 13

ICC member Charlie Evans authors book titled Bible Prophecy and the End Times

After 10 years of researching, Italian Community Center Charles H. (Charlie) Evans has completed a book titled Bible Prophecy and the End Times, which is now available through his website, www.charlieevans.com, or on Amazon.com.

According to Evans, his book describes how all Bible prophecies have been fulfilled except those whose time has yet to come. “None were fulfilled since the resurrection of Christ, until this last century, as the world changes rapidly into a dangerous place to live,” he said.

“Readers will learn that the end times are upon us. The entire plan of God is revealed here. Christians will be spared, but nonbelievers will endure more horror than the world has ever seen.”

Evans remarked, “Intelligent people are being misled that this world will go on for thousands of years. To change, they need to see proof through intellectual exploration. In my book I reach out to show through calculations and logical thinking that all Bible prophecies about the End Times will be fulfilled. God’s word should be believed. There is a Judgment Day, and the end is coming. The book shows the actual Bible passages

ICC member Charlie Evans

and observable data on which the discussion is based.”

He added, “Everything that is written in the book is from the Bible, or inferred by it, or is supported by facts that you can easily affirm by your own research. Assumptions are only made that are consistent with Holy Scripture and existing facts. The book is written for anyone who wants to know about Bible Prophecy. It is assumed that the reader is not acquainted with Bible Prophecy or the Bible itself. So it starts at the beginning, covering some basic concepts in the

first couple of chapters. It shows history agreeing with the Bible, rather than interpreting the Bible so that it agrees with “science” and archeology. The text is basically a literal interpretation of the Bible. A friend of mine gave me this pithy statement: ‘If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense, lest you have nonsense.’ To stimulate discussion among my

Opera insights

by Barbara Collignon This month, we look at Giuseppe Verdi’s Luisa Miller and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute, both of which opera fans in southeastern Wisconsin will be able to enjoy in April and May. Let’s start with Luisa Miller.

Giuseppe Verdi’s Luisa Miller is the featured opera of the Metropolitan Opera of New York Live in HD performance at the Marcus Theatre in Mequon on Saturday, Apr. 14 at noon. The encore performance will be shown Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

Inspired by Friedrich Schiller’s play Kabale und Liebe (Intrigue and Love), Luisa Miller is a tragedy reflecting corrupt politics, class conflicts and bitter family squabbles.

This opera, set in Tyrol in the early 1700’s, was Verdi’s 15th opera and was first performed in 1849. The storyline follows Luisa, who thinks she is in love with a peasant, Carlo, but he is really a nobleman named Rodolfo, the son of Walter who wants his son to marry a wealthy widowed duchess, Francesca. He conspires with his counselor, Wurm, to break them up. Wurm is only too happy to do so because he loves Luisa. Luisa and Carlo (Rodolfo) have pledged their love to each other.

In order to save her father who has been imprisoned by Walter for a perceived insult, Luisa is forced to write a letter admitting she was only after Rodolfo’s wealth and is really in love with Wurm. Rodolfo receives Luisa’s letter and, in despair, is about to attack Wurm when Wurm appears and persuades him that marrying Francesca is the best way to avenge Luisa’s treachery. In the following memorable aria, Rodolfo laments her perceived betrayal.

Quando le sere al placido chiator d’un ciel stellato meco figgea nell’etere lo sguardo innamorato, e questa mano stringermi

PAGE 14 – APRIL 2018

dalla sua man senita . . . ah! mi tradita!

Allor, ch’io muto, estatico da’ labbri suoi pendea, ed ella in suon angelico, “amo te sol” dicea, tal che sembrò l’empiereo apirisi all’alma mia!

Ah! mi tradia!

These are the lyrics interpreted in English.

When in the evenings in the calm pale light of a starry sky she gazed with me into the heavens with a look of love, and I felt this hand pressed By her hand...

Ah! She betrayed me!

I was mute, ecstatic, Hanging from her lips.

When she said in angelic tones ‘I love only you’, It seemed like the world Opened to my soul!

Later, Rodolfo confronts Luisa and she cannot deny she wrote the letter. Rodolfo drinks from a decanter of wine that he has poisoned and Luisa, now released from her vow, swallows the wine, too. He tells her the wine was poisoned. It is then that she reveals the truth, how she bravely sacrificed her own happiness in a desperate effort to save her father’s life. She expires in Rodolfo’s arms after this moving aria.

Tu puniscimi, o Seignore, se t’offesi e paga io sono, ma de’barbari al furore non lasciami in abbandono.

A scamper da fato estremo innocente genitor chieggon essi a dirlo io fremo!

Chieggon essi della figlia il dishonor!

These are the verses of the aria in English.

You punish me, O Lord, if I’ve offended you, I’m paying, but to the fury of barbarians do not leave me abandoned, To save the extreme fate of my innocent father for which they ask –

I shudder to say! - the dishonor of his daughter.

As Luisa dies, peasants enter with Count Walter and Wurm.

Rodolfo, his life on the wane, summons enough strength to run his sword through Wurm’s breast declaring to his father La pena tua mira / “Look on your punishment.”

Critics praise Verdi’s habit of fashioning the musical forms to match the dramatic purpose. Julian Budden writes that in Luisa Miller, Verdi also assimilated some Parisian elements into his Italian style, resulting in setting a new standard in Verdian opera.

The Magic Flute Mark your calendars for Milwaukee’s own Florentine Opera’s performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute on May 11 and 13 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in Uihlein Hall. It is an epic adventure with a dragon, a bird-catcher and other fantastic, colorful characters.

The Florentine’s website (florentineopera.org) calls The Magic Flute, “Mozart’s family-friendly fantasy delights audiences with its tuneful and mystical journey.” The company’s production brings this magical score to life with a young and dynamic cast.

Noah Stewart sings the role of Tamino while Will Liverman and Rachel Blaustein sing the unforgettable Papageno/Pagagena duet.

Tamino and Papageno, the bird-catcher, embark on an epic quest to rescue the beautiful Pamina, sung by Florentine favorite soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine. The performance of Argentinian soprano Laura Pisani, in her Florentine debut as daughter of the evil Queen of the Night, is anticipated to excite fans of this opera. Tamino and Papageno’s journey leads them to the temple of Sarastro, sung by bass-baritone Jeff Beruan.

Maestro Joseph Rescigno leads the Florentine Opera Chorus and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

readers, I list ‘Points to Ponder’ at the end of every chapter. They can pick and choose among them and use them in book discussion groups.

As you read through the book and browse through the Points to Ponder, you will discover that my book actually goes through the entire plan of God.” Evans concluded, “All prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled, except those whose time has not yet come, as evidenced by 565 footnotes, most of them containing multiple verses of the Bible, all testifying to the validity of prophecies in the text. Listed are about 200 Old Testament prophecies referring to events that will occur after the resurrection of Christ. For about 2,000 years, none were fulfilled. Yet, some were just fulfilled in the last century.

Evans allows the reader to decide: Is Judgment Day just over the horizon? Do you see signs of the end?

To obtain more information about his Bible Prochesy and the End Times, visit his website, www.charlieevans.com. You can buy the book through his website, or at Barnes & Noble (Greenfield), or Amazon.com. The cost is $20 plus shipping costs. “I can sign your copy if you buy direct from me, and without shipping cost if you pick it up from my home. You can contact me through my website, or email me directly by writing to me at charlesevans1802@att.net,” Evans said.

Charles and his wife, Doris, are longtime ICC members and, for numerous years, were active ICC and Festa Italiana volunteers. ICC members may recall the Pinocchio puppet display that Doris set up at Festa several years ago and Charlie displaying his vocal abilities as a performer at “A Taste of Italy.”

The couple was honored as Il Nonno e La Nonna (The Royal Grandparents) of the organization’s pre-Lenten costume and mask ball, Il Grande Carnevale, in 2014.

An Italian Shoemaker’s Tale

from page 13 Performances. Last year, he appeared in an episode of the FX Channel series Feud.

Crivello performed at Festa Italiana in 2011.

He last performed in Milwaukee in 2017 in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production of McGuire, a story about the late Marquette University men’s basketball coach Al McGuire.

And now, a word from Italy

by Blaise Di Pronio Bankrupt: Depleted of money and not having the means of meeting pecuniary liabilities.

It comes from the Italian “banca rotta,” which refers to an out-of-business bank, having its bench/exchange table physically broken. When a moneylender in Northern Italy would become insolvent, he would break the bench/counter he worked from to signify that he was no longer in business.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Italian foods you won’t find in, er......, Italy

by Blaise Di Pronio Preamble: In Italy, a typical daily meal is divided into five distinct phases. Antipasto (starter): Assorted items, but usually consisting of small sized cheeses, cured meats and olives. Primo: A pasta or rice or legumes. Secondo: A meat, fish, cheese or eggs with a side of vegetables. Frutta (fruit) and dolce

(sweets). You can skip one of these if you want but you CANNOT change their order or mix them!

Pasta with Chicken: This is a huge and big no-no as indicated above. No mixing of phases. You can find meat with pasta just in a few cases, but this would be a specific sauce made with meat, like Carbonara, Amatriciana and Ragù.

Spaghetti with Meatballs: They do eat meatballs in Italy but they’re not the large, tightly packed balls of meat found in America. Italian meatballs, or polpette, can be made with any meat or fish and bread crumbs (to make them lighter) and are typically eaten alone or as a secondo. They’re golf ball-sized or smaller and have a higher ratio of

bread than those dense American meatballs.

Pepperoni Pizza: Don’t ask for pepperoni in Italy. It’s the plural for peppers and you’ll end up with a pizza covered in grilled peppers. If you want to order a pepperoni pizza in Italian, then you have to ask for salame piccante (spicy salami). AcPlease turn to page 17

from page 13 • Sunday, Apr. 29, 3:45 p.m.: is ready to use all deceptions to win Cucinì. (Director, Ciro Fabbricino, again and keep his power. The Documentary, 2017, 54 minutes.) A mayor’s opponent is Pierpaolo Najourney into the flavors, smells and toli, a 50-year-old honest professor, colors of the Neapolitan gastro- at his first political experience and nomic traditions through the eyes full of courage and ideals. Would and memory of five Neapolitan the citizens of Pietrammare be ready for a new age of legality and chefs.

• Sunday, Apr. 29, 5 p.m.: It’s respect for the rules in town?

• Sunday, Apr. 29, 7 p.m.: The the Law (L’ora Legale). (Directors, Salvatore Ficarra, Valentino Order of Things (L’ordine delle Picone, Comedy, 2017, 92 minutes.) Cose). (Director, Andrea Segre, In the small Sicilian village of drama, 112 minutes.) Corrado is an Pietrammare the election of the agent for the Italian Ministry of the new mayor is approaching. The Interior, specialized in internatown has been lead for many years tional missions against illegal imby the crooked Gaetano Patanè who migration. During the inspection of

a Libyan detention center for migrants, he meets Swada, a young Somali woman who is trying to escape in order to reach her husband in Europe. Corrado will soon find himself faced with a choice: respect his orders and the law, or help someone who is in difficulty.

Patrons are invited to come to one or two or three or all of the films. Parking is available in the UWM Union lot. Local sponsors also include the Department of French, Italian and Comparative Literature at UWM. For more information, see http://www.italianfilmfests.org/.

Italian Film Festival set for UWM Union Cinema, Apr. 27-29

A winemaking count fighting to protect his territory; a cement factory manager who meets an inexplicable end; a crazy cemetery custodian; a Persian-Italian police inspector: all ingredients in a thriller that highlights the conflict between greed and respect for the land.

• Friday, Apr. 27, 9:15 p.m.: Ears (Orecchie).

(Director, Alessandro Aronadio, Comedy, 2016, 90 minutes.) A man wakes up one morning with an annoying ringing sound in his ears. A note on the fridge says: “Your friend Luigi has died. P.S.: I took the car.” The problem is that he does not even remember who this guy Luigi is. This is just the beginning of a tragicomic day during which he will be plunged into the folly of the world, one of those days that changes your life forever. Sponsored by the Dental Offices of Dr. David Paris.

• Saturday, Apr. 28, 5 p.m.: Sea Dreaming Girls (Funne).

(Director, Katia Bernardi, Documentary, 2016, 78 minutes.) The splendid scenery of the Alpine town of Daone is the poetic setting for twelve eighty-year-old “girls” and their dream to see the sea, because many of them have never see it before. The president of the pensioner’s club decides to collect money for this cause, and so begins the adventure that will see them cook pies to sell in town, pose as calendar models, and organize crowdfunding on the Internet to reach their goal.

• Saturday, Apr. 28, 7 p.m.: Friends by Chance (Tutto Quello che Vuoi). Alessandro, an irascible 22-year-old, and Giorgio, an 85-year-old poet, live within a stone’s throw from each other, but their paths have never crossed.

That is, until Alessandro unwillingly takes a job as the elegant gentleman’s walking companion. Over time, the poet’s failing mind reveals memories of a hidden treasure. Following the clues Alessandro and his friends take Giorgio on a trip in search of the treasure, but find the true treasure hidden within their own hearts. (Director, Francesco Bruni, Drama/Comedy, 2017, 106 minutes.) Sponsored by the Italian Community Center.

• Saturday, Apr. 28, 9:15 p.m.: Easy. (Director, Andrea Magnani, Comedy, 2917, 91 minutes.) Isidoro (a.k.a. Easy) is lonely and depressed. His promising career as a race car driver ended when he gained too much weight and could no longer fit into his car. Now he’s gone back home to live with his mother, passing his days watching TV and eating. One day, his brother, an entrepreneur with questionable ethics, offers him an “easy” job: drive a coffin containing the body of a Ukrainian bricklayer from Italy to a small town in Ukraine. He might go by the nickname “Easy,” but for him, unfortunately, nothing is. Sponsored by the Dental Offices of Dr. David Paris.

ICC Membership Dues Benefits of Italian Community Center Membership

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Four (4) Festa Italiana Tickets – Maximum of Eight (8) Per Family Voting Privelegs (21 & Older) Postal Service Delivery of The Italian Times Member Discounts on Social Events, Classes & Bocce Leagues Members Rooms Cultural, Educational & Social Activities Forever Friendships Stronger Bonds Between Your Family & Your Culture

Age 20 and under Individual

Annual Dues

Individual

Couple/Family

Annual Dues

Gratis – $0.00

Individual

Couple/Family

$100 per year

Annual Dues

Ages 85 & Older

Annual Dues

Members, age 20 and under, receive two (2) free Festa Italiana tickets. No voting rights. At age 18, a member may vote, but must purchase a membership to do so.

Ages 66 – 84

Ages 21 – 65

$50 per year $75 per year

Individual

Couple/Family

$50 per year

$30 per year

$50 per year

Effective: January 1, 2018. All Memberships Valid Through December 31, 2018.

MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION FORM Names & Birthdates of Each Adult: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

Names & Birthdates of Each Child (under age 21): _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

Address, City, State, Zip Code: ___________________________________________________________________

Phone No.: ________________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________ No. of Members under 21: _____ No. of Members 21-65: ______ No. of Members 66-84: ______ No. of Members 85 & Older: _____ Payment Amount: _______________ Method: Cash Check Credit Card – Card Type MC Visa Discover Other

Card No. :______________________________________________________ Expiration Date: _____________

___________________________________ Signature – Adult Member

____________________________________ Signature – Adult Member

Mail this form to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. The ICC respects your privacy and does not sell or distribute personal information such as birthdates, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. This membership registration form can also be emailed to cpalmer@iccmilwaukee.com. For further information, call (414) 223-2180.

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 15

The Holiday House, of Milwaukee’s old Third Ward, remembered

by Barbara Collignon Judy Ramazzini, whose family once owned The Holiday House, recently took me on a walk down memory lane, specifically to the corner of Clybourn St. and Van Buren, just around the corner from the current Italian Community Center.

Here, once stood The Holiday House, a marvelous establishment where Milwaukeeans could enjoy a cocktail, dine and dance. “Every Day’s a Holiday” was the theme of this nightspot whose policy was to book and present top attractions on the entertainment circuit.

The Holiday House, one of the last remnants of the “old Third Ward” after the urban renewal projects of the late 1950s and early ‘60s, was spared until a fire in 1965.

Big name artists such as Johnny Desmond, Dick Gregory, the Harmonicats, Tony Bennett and Milwaukee’s own Liberace drew enthusiastic crowds to the nightspot. But it was the food that drew the faithful to The Holiday House that many recognized as “Milwaukee’s Finest Supper Club.”

The Holiday House, 620 N. Clybourn St., opened Dec. 23, 1949.

That evening, the dinner club fea-

tured the orchestra of George Criston. A cover charge of $2 let patrons enjoy entertainment starting at 9 p.m.

Dinners were served from 4:30 to 9 p.m.. On Sundays, one could dine between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The opening was heralded by a fullpage ad in the Milwaukee Sentinel.

Ramazzini reported, “Major touring acts kept the Holiday House a hot spot through the 1950s. Brewery and business executives, the Clark Oil brothers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Braves ballplayers and screenwriter Milt Gehlman were regulars.” Tony Bennett gave two shows nightly and earned $10,000 weekly.

So, what drew the crowds to the Holiday House? The co-owners John Volpe and Bruno Ramazzini knew their patrons expected great food. A sumptuous Lazy Suzanne graced the center of each table and constituted a vegetarian meal in itself. Volpe was quoted as saying, “Anyway you look at it, it’s the food that’s most important in our business…. We buy nothing but quality, hire the best chefs and constantly seek to improve our menu offerings and service. What confuses me is

In this picture, Bruno Ramazzini (far right), one of the co-owners of the Holiday House, is seen with a Clark Oil executive (left) and Milwaukee Braves’ Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn.

Here is a picture taken at the Holiday House on Easter Sunday in 1951.

that our patrons will rave about the show and seldom comment on their dinner. At the same time, every dish that goes back to the kitchen is cleaner than a twice-rinsed Kitchen-Aid platter!”

Judy Ramazzini enthusiastically shared that one of the chefs who created dishes there was re-

A lazy Susan was placed in the center of every table at the Holiday House. This photo was taken in 1950.

PAGE 16 – APRIL 2018

cruited from the Vatican. The menu was exceptional. A diner could indulge in one of no less than 18 desserts offered: lemon meringue pie, strawberry shortcake or Schaum torte, among others.

Other delights included oysters and clams in season, frog legs, broiled scampi, lobster, chicken Kiev, Welsh rarebit, or filet mignon.

There was a variety of soups, fish and seafood, eight kinds of potatoes and 17 kinds of appetizers!

Judy was a little girl in those early years. She shares a memory of a special Mother’s Day in 1951 when Phyllis Diller was the featured entertainer.

“Phyllis Diller told us that she was our new aunt. She dubbed my mother the Schiaparelli of Milwaukee…. When JFK was president, Vaughn Meader made a career of impersonating him. During his booking at the Holiday House, my dad arranged for him to perform at my high school, Holy Angels. The Irish nuns enjoyed the almost Irish president. My junior class luncheon (May 26, 1962) was held at the Holiday House when 120 girls were serenaded by Dick Contino.”

“Some entertainers came to our home for dinner. My sister Donna, seven years old at the time, danced in our living room with Johnny Puleo of the Harmonicats. They were the same height.”

Children were also welcome at the Holiday House. One Mother’s Day attraction featured John Conrad’s marionettes. He entertained the children with the heartwarming story of Louis Braille.

The list of entertainers who performed at the Holiday House is very impressive. Who would suspect that such famous and beloved Continued on page 17

THE ITALIAN TIMES

The Holiday House remembered cotheque featuring the Holiday Twisters dancing in cages and a private VIP room fashioned after the Playboy Club in Chicago.

from page 16 artists as the Mills Brothers, Sophie Tucker, Hildegarde, Della Reese, Rowan and Martin, Peggy Lee and Julius La Rosa would appear in Milwaukee? They, of course, did perform at the Holiday House.

There never seemed to be a dull moment in the Holiday House’s history. One particularly exciting time involved a daring robbery where burglars got away with $15,340 worth of loot. Just after New Year’s on an early Friday morning in January of 1953, the burglars broke into the Holiday House and took the safe and a filing cabinet. They broke open the safe and dumped it on N. Commerce St. under the N. Humboldt Ave. bridge. The broken safe was discovered by a man on his way to work. Papers inside showed it belonged to the Holiday House.

How much is $15,340 in today’s currency? It comes to a whopping $135,912.

In January of 1964, Ramazzini’s partner, Joseph Volpe, was named vice president of Holiday House, Inc. Volpe soon bought partner Bruno Ramazzini’s interest in the club. He converted the club to a dis-

Bruno Ramazzini, born in Caspian, Mich., died in March 2005 in Milwaukee. His daughter Judy Ramazzini, of Ramazzini Art Glass, nostalgically remarks, “Countless weddings, anniversaries, reunions, holiday parties and great times were had at the Holiday House, where every day was a holiday.”

by Thomas Hemman Times Editor Being a lifelong fan of Major League Baseball, knowing there are a lot of other fans out there and with the 2018 season about to start, it seemed like the appropriate time to ask this question: “If you had to choose a team comprised of the 25 greatest Italian American players of all-time, who would make your team?”

If you are interested in submitting your roster by the positions they play or played, send it to me at themman@iccmilwaukee.com by Tuesday, Apr. 10 and we’ll publish it in our next issue.

For what’s it worth, I will give you my 25 Italian American player roster by position. Let’s start with catcher, followed by first base, which might be the two toughest positions because of the number of

eligible players.

Catcher: Yogi Berra (starter), Roy Campanelli and Mike Piazza (back-ups).

First Base: Anthony Rizzo (starter) and Mike Napoli (backup).

Second Base: Craig Biggio (starter) and Tony Lazzeri (backup).

Third Base: Joe Torre (starter) and Ron Santo (back-up).

Shortstop: Phil Rizzuto (starter).

Outfield: Joe DiMaggio, Carl Furillo and Rocky Colavito (starters).

Dom DiMaggio and Tony Conigliaro.

Starting Pitchers: Vic Raschi, John Smoltz, Frank Viola, Johnny Antonelli and Andy Petite.

Bullpen: Dave Righetti, John Franco, Sal Maglie, Dave Giusti and Frank DiPino.

Manager: Tony La Russa.

In June of 1965, the Holiday House was badly damaged by a two-alarm fire. Damage to the club’s two connected structures and contents were estimated by the fire department at $80,000. Volpe himself estimated the damage at $150,000. The fire chief thought cigarettes in a trash can may have started the blaze and gas flowing from a broken pipe in the basement fed the fire. Performers scheduled for July were cancelled, but Volpe planned to rebuild and have the club ready for Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa and Louis Jordan in October. However, the club never reopened.

Can anyone recognize the late, great accordionist Dick Contino in this picture? He is the fourth on the left.

Greatest all-time Italian American baseball team

These ‘Italian’ foods you won’t find in Italy

Holiday House hostesses Sis Haberman (left) and Irma Ramazzini are seen here.

Word Search: Happy Easter/ Buona Pasqua

by Blaise Di Pronio

from page 15 tually, you won’t find anything in toasted, too – and even rubbed with Italy that comes close to our pizza a slight amount of fresh garlic. It’s in general. First of all, if you want then topped with lots of fresh tomameat on your pizza, you’ll only find toes. pizzas with thinly sliced prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese: In Italy, or lean sausage. Secondly, Italian there are strict rules about which pizza has less cheese, less sauce, sauces you serve with specific pasand thinner crust than American tas, depending on their texture and pizza, making it a much lighter and shape. Macaroni (Maccheroni in healthier dish than our cheese and Italian), is typically served with toppings laden heavy slices. ragù or a tomato sauce. There is no Italian Garlic Bread: Many of macaroni and cheese served in our restaurants, especially Italian Italy (at least, I think not). restaurants offer it, but it is not Italian Dressing: The tangy, bell Italian. In fact, it does not exist in pepper-and-herb flecked salad Italy and real Italian cuisine. It is dressing favored by American an American creation that nobody restaurants doesn’t exist in Italy. in Italy would recognize. The com- There, salads are exclusively mon restaurant version of garlic dressed with oil and vinegar or bread calls for old or stale crusty sometimes just oil – olive oil and bread – Italian or French – liberally vinegar or olio e aceto. That is Italcoated and drenched with butter ian dressing. Period. that has been infused with either The above is based on your augarlic powder or garlic salt. Yuck! thor’s residing in plus visiting and Eat at your own risk. Better yet, traveling throughout Italy. Agree? stay away from the restaurant that Disagree? Send me an email – touts it. Instead, try bruschetta al bdiponio@wi.rr.com – and perhaps pomodoro where the bread is we’ll publish your input.

Interested in advertising in The Italian Times? Get the details by emailing themman@iccmilwaukee or call 414-223-2189

THE ITALIAN TIMES

To find Word Search solved, turn to page 19

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 17

La Pagina Italiana

Matera: La Città Sotterranea

Matera è città antichissima e la sua origine si perde nella preistoria. Per il substrato abitativo consistente in grotte scavate nel masso tufaceo è nota come la«città sotterranea» e per la continuità di vita dal paleolitico ai giorni nostri è ritenuta una delle più antiche del mondo. Ai primi popoli nomadi affacciatisi sulla Murgia ne seguirono altri dediti alla pastorizia i quali si fissarono intorno al provvido serbatoio d’acqua chiamato lurio, e principalmente sulla Murgia Timone, sulla Murgecchia e sul colle della «Civita», occupando grotte e organizzandosi in villaggi trincerati.

Proprio l’insediamento della Civita viene considerato il primo nucleo della futura città di Matera.

Importante è lo studio col quale il Ridola ha dimostrato l’antichità e la continuità di vita della città: nel preparare le fondamenta di un edificio presso la cattedrale si misero in evidenza, strato dopo strato, i vari periodi della storia di Matera. A sei metri si rinvenne la città risorta dalle rovine di incursioni barbariche e saracene e sepolcri cristiani scavati nel tufo; più giù, frammenti di statue, di capitelli, di colonne testimonianti le precedenti distruzioni e monete attestanti il dominio bizantino; in uno strato inferiore, l’insediamento antico scavato nel tufo e cocci di greca e romana; ceramica nell’ultimo strato, a dieci metri, frammenti di ceramica attribuita alla prima età del ferro, simile a

PAGE 18 – APRILE 2018

quella di Murgia Timone, della Murgecchia e di altre stazioni locali.

Oltre a questa eloquente documentazione stratigrafica, le vicende storiche di Matera sono evidenziate dalle abbondanti ed interessanti testimonianze raccolte nel Museo Nazionale Ridola, nel quale è possibile partire dai reperti del paleolitico inferiore e man mano giungere a quelli di epoca storica, greca e romana. La distruzione di antichi monasteri e la successiva chiusura di altri hanno contribuito a disperdere documenti di alto valore. Si rilevano per ciò grandi lacune di notizie storiche prima del Mille. La città doveva aver raggiunto una sua fisionomia quando vi si insediarono le prime colonie greche e quindi con la dominazione romana. Nel 568 sono presenti i Longobardi, cacciati nel 612 con l’aiuto di Costanzio, Imperatore di Costantinopoli; nel 664 entra a far parte del ducato di Benevento.

Cade ancora nelle mani dei Longobardi che nell’867, molestati dai Saraceni, chiedono l’intervento dell’imperatore Ludovico II, il quale la mette a fuoco per poi riedificarla.

Nel 938 subisce altre incursioni e spoliazioni dai Saraceni. Contesa dai Salernitani, conquistata da Ottone Il e quindi dai Beneventani, è riespugnata (978) dai Greci.

Ricostruita nel 994 dopo un violento terremoto, è per lungo tempo assediata dai Saraceni e durante la strenua difesa si registrano avvenimenti di rilievo.

Sono in seguito i Normanni a tenere la Contea materana alla stregua di uno stato indipendente al centro di numerosi castelli e terre. Il primo conte nel 1043 è Guglielmo, poi si susseguono gli Altavilla: al comando di Roberto escono dal Castiglione i crociati materani per unirsi alle schiere di Boemondo. Fedele a Federico II, si adatta malvolentieri al dominio di casa d’Angiò e spera la tregua sotto gli Aragonesi. Gli Aragonesi promisero formalmente di mantenerla nella regia dipendenza, ma spesso vennero meno agli impegni presi: gravi conseguenze si ebbero dopo la sua vendita al conte Giancarlo Tramontano che, resosi inviso a tutta la popolazione, fu trucidato nel 1514.

Fra un alternarsi di libertà e di

soggezione con varie vicende di riscatti e di vendite, Matera, che faceva parte della Terra d’Otranto, nel 1663 fu scelta a sede della Regia Udienza di Basilicata e, aggregata a questa regione, ne rimase capitale fino al 1806. Dal 1927 è stata nuovamente elevata a capoluogo di provincia ora composta di 31 comuni.

Attualmente conta circa 55.000 abitanti. La città è ubicata a 401 m s.l.m. e dista soli 45 chilometri dal mare. Come già detto consta di parti di varie epoche: quella più antica, dei Sassi congiunti, dallo sperone della Civita, con il Duomo; la parte medievale-rinascimentale lungo “il Piano”, ai bordi dei Sassi; alla fine, la città nuova con rioni molto eleganti realizzati dai più Continua a pagina 20

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Se hai programmato le holidays in Abruzzo…

di Donato Di Pronio Se hai in programma una gita in Abruzzo, non dimenticare di visitare Roccamorice, antico e storico paesello adagiato a 520 metri s.l.m. ai piedi della Maiella su una superficie a forma triangolare, e che spunta, come un fungo, fra strapiombi da brivido.

Da un inno locale: “O paeselle me’ quanta ši belle t’à create nu grande Pittore - se uno mi dicesse di cagnà (cambiarti) - nen (non) te cagnesse manche pe’ nu reame (regno).”

Lo circondano corsi d’acqua pura e cristallina, vaghe colline e riposanti contrade, pianori ricchi di pascolo, aridi ed assetati colli incappucciati di cime brulle arrotondate da agenti atmosferici, monti - carichi di storie e di misteri - nobilitati da sovrumano silenzio e da immensa quiete.

D’inverno, a chi da lontano lo guarda, appare coperto di candido manto di latte di piume, e gli viene di sognare bimbi che se ne stanno dietro le finestre a veder cadere la neve. Ti accolgono aria e luce, aria leggera e sottile, luce bianca e abbagliante: nitide nella loro purezza.

Camminando per le sue piccole e strette rùe tra case addossate l’una all’altra, mute in ascolto dello struscio dei tuoi passi pensosi e curiosi, ti immergi in un mondo antico: la musica della fontana … un arco di età vetusta … una parete sbrecciata dagli anni e dal vento … il profumo del pane appena sfornato … il gradevole effluvio delle pezzèlle ... l’aroma di sughi ingentiliti con segrete erbette maiellesi … l’aspro odore del mosto in fermentazione … il fumigar d’un camino … gli occhi verdi d’un gatto che ti fissano … il suono delle campane … l’incanto dell’ora del tramonto quando su l’aure corre l’umil saluto dell’Avemaria …

Dai balconi del Belvedere (una spianata di roccia a Nord del paese sporgente su due valloni),

sospesi nel vuoto, si spazia in un panorama a 360 gradi: lo sguardo corre dal monte Morrone al superbo Gran Sasso, dalla pianura al Mare Adriatico, e dal mare alla leggendaria Maiella, la montagna Madre delle Genti dì Abruzzo che ha accolto e protetto nel corso dei secoli anacoreti ed eremiti, uomini illustri e santi.

Roccamorice è da annoverare tra quegli antichissimi borghi, dei quali l’origine si nasconde nelle tenebre del mito, e tutti furono sedi di popoli forti e operosi. La presenza dell’uomo sin dalla notte dei tempi nelle sue contrade ricche di grotte, di anfratti e di ripari naturali, è testimoniata da studi e ricerche archeologiche e da reperti venuti alla luce anche durante recenti scavi.

Le sue origini sono anteriori all’èra cristiana e vanno collegate alla “vita” e alla “storia” della Cercatori d’oro Maiella. provenienti da Roma ne furono i cofondatori: infatti dicono gli storici che il Nicate (la Maiella) nel passato fu rinomato per le sue miniere di metalli preziosi, alla cui escavazione i Romani impiegarono soprattutto molti schiavi. Dagli scritti di Plinio il Vecchio (nato nel 23 morto nel 79 durante l’eruzione del Vesuvio che seppellì anche Pompei): il Nicates (la Maiella) “è un monte ricco di argento puro e di purissimo oro e non esiste luogo (… nel mondo allora conosciuto!).

I cercatori si riparavano in anfratti e sotto pareti ed anche in piccole more (ricoveri in pietra a secco a pianta circolare troncoconica somiglianti vagamente ai trulli e alle tholoi) e in capanne (muri in pietra con copertura di frasche); durante i periodi di inattività (inverno, malattie, ecc.) si ritiravano nella dianzi citata spianata rocciosa del Belvedere (posto già frequentato da pastori “stanziali” e transumanti) dove avevano attrezzato una specie di campo base.

Detti popolari – Popular sayings

Dialect-Lazio: Amore, tesoro, saosiccia e pommatoro.

Literally: Love, darling, sausage and tomatoes.

Meaning: Love and a darling are as good as sausages and tomatoes. * * * Dialect-Lombardia: Pan e pagn ai nu fai mai dagn.

Meaning: One can never have too much of bread and clothes. * * * Dialect-Lombardia: Persagh,

fich e mlon toti bon ala so stagion.

Literally: Peaches, figs and melons are best when they are in season.

Meaning: Everything has its time. * * * Dialect-Lombardia: En doe ‘l pase el beer el va fo la sapiensa.

Meaning: Where drinks come in, common sense goes out. * * * Courtesy of:italyrevisited.org

Fare la gatta morta.

Make like a dead cat.

Equivalent: Playing dumb. * * * Fuori come un balcone.

Literally: Outside like a balcony.

Equivalent: Out of one’s mind. * * * Andare a letto con le galline.

Literally: Go to bed with the chickens.

Equivalent: Go to bed early. * * * Acqua in bocca.

Literally: Water in the mouth.

Equivalent: Keep your mouth shut (or water will spill out). * * * Rimanerci di stucco.

Literally: Remain stuck like putty.

Equivalent: To be dumbfounded or left speechless. * * * Avere argento vivo addosso.

Literally: To have quicksilver on themselves.

Equivalent: To be fidgety.

Offerte da non rifiutare

di Blaise Di Pronio Don Vito ha fatto loro un’offerta che non potevano rifiutare. L’avvocato ha fatto loro un’offerta che non sono riusciti a capire. Cosa fareste se un paese italiano vi offrisse del denaro per avervi come suoi nuovi abitanti? Accettereste un’offerta così allettante da costringervi a pensare “troppo bello per essere vero”? Esiste in Italia un paesino nella regione Puglia di nome Candela, ad un paio d’ore da Napoli, che offre fino a 2.350 dollari a chiunque decidesse di trasferirvisi.

Ci fu un periodo in cui Candela, le cui origini sono da ricollegare al periodo medievale, era conosciuto col nome di “Piccola Napoli” per via del traffico che animava il suo centro. La sua popolazione raggiunse più di 8.000 abitanti, successivamente si è ridotta a circa 2.700. In parte questo calo fu dovuto all’esodo del dopoguerra, ma molto è da attribuirsi ai recenti trasferimenti dei giovani fuori città alla ricerca di un lavoro e ad un tasso di natalità ridotto a 1,34 nuovi nati per ogni donna italiana.

Per fare un paragone, il sottoscritto, nato nel periodo del baby boom, appartiene ad una famiglia di nove figli! Quel che è certo è che gli anziani che ci stanno lasciando non vengono sostituiti da nuove nascite.

L’idea di pagare le persone, compresi gli stranieri, per indurle ad accettare la residenza nel paese, è nata dall’intuizione del sindaco

Nicola Gatta, che sta cercando di scongiurare la trasformazione di Candela in un paese fantasma.

L’emittente CNNTravel descrive il luogo come un insieme suggestivo di edifici in stile barocco, perlopiù disabitati, vicoli sormontati da archi, terrazze panoramiche e balconi ricchi di decorazioni.

L’offerta prevede somme in denaro così distribuite: 800 euro per i singoli, 1.200 euro per le coppie, da 1.500 a 1.800 euro per le famiglie composte da tre membri e più di 2.000 euro per le famiglie con quattro o cinque membri. Tre sono i requisiti fondamentali per accedere ai fondi: i nuovi residenti devono conseguire la cittadinanza a Candela, prendere in affitto una casa ed avere un lavoro che gli permetta di avere un reddito di almeno 7.500 euro l’anno. Sembra dunque che non siano ben accetti gli approfittatori. A conti fatti sei famiglie si sono già trasferite e altre cinque hanno fatto domanda.

Se desiderate abitare in un paesino di montagna in Italia, Candela vi offrirà edifici e piazze tradizionali, sagre, fiere dedicate alla floricoltura e all’arte e criminalità ridotta al minimo. In più è anche il luogo ideale per le vostre vacanze: qui si trova una casa di Babbo Natale, in onore del leggendario San Nicola che si ritiene sia stato sepolto nella vicina città di Bari. Cosa aspettate a fare le valigie e partire?

– Tradotto dall’Inglese da Laura Duronio

Words in an Italian word from page 12

The answer: 42 words in the word “Avanti.”

1. avanti 2. avant 3. avian 4. anta 5. anti 6. tain 7. tana 8. tava 9. tian 10. tina 11. vain 12. vant 13. vina 14. vint 15. vita 16. aia 17. ain 18. ait 19. ana 20. ani 21. ant 22. ava 23. ita 24. nat 25. nit 26. tai 27. tan 28. tav 29. tin 30. van 31. vat 32. via 33. vin 34. aa 35. ai 36. an 37. at 38. in 39. it 40. na 41. ta 42. ti.

Word Search solved: Happy Easter/Buona Pasqua from page 17

Italian idioms and expressions

THE ITALIAN TIMES

APRILE 2018 – PAGE 19

Pasqua

L’Uovo

Pasqua festa antica e nuova, Primavera sboccia ancora.

Dalle chiese le campane a distesa suonan chiare.

La speranza si rinnova e la vita vince ancora.

Per i grandi ed i bambini per i nonni e i nipotini per le mamme ed i papà pace, amore, felicità.

E per chi non spera ancora sia la Pasqua nuova aurora di sorrisi e novità da scoprire ad ogni età.

Sii per tutti un messaggero di speranza e amore vero per portare ad ogni cuore un sorriso, un canto, un fiore. * * *

Nell’uovo di Pasqua che mai ci sarà?

C’è forse nascosta la felicità?

Apritelo piano se no, la per là, la dolce sorpresa scappare potrà. * * *

Mamma uccello, così come faceva ogni giorno, lasciò nel nido i suoi piccoli per andare a procurar loro il cibo. Mentre era in volo, vide sulla cima di un monte tre croci e tanta gente. Curiosa, si avvicinò e sulla croce centrale vide inchiodato un uomo con una corona di spine in testa: era Gesù. Fu presa da una grande tristezza nel vedere tanta cattiveria e cercò il modo di alleviare una sofferenza così grande. Si posò allora vicino alla

testa di Gesù e col becco cercò di staccare la spina più grande. Ci riuscì, ma il suo petto si macchò di sangue. Tornò al nido, raccontò ai figli quello che aveva visto e, mentre li abbracciava, macchiò di rosso anche il loro petto. Da quel giorno in poi, quegli uccellini si chiamano “ pettirosso “, in ricordo del gesto generoso di quella mamma.

– Courtesy of: rosalbacorallo.it

noti architetti italiani. Matera infatti è città molto vivace, aggiornata, con una cultura che vive di fatti contemporanei e di storia. Moltissime sono le chiese materane dal XIII secolo al XIX, con un gruppo più nutrito barocco.

S. Giovanni, S. Domenico e il

Duomo sono le più antiche. Ciò dimostra che mentre esistevano le laure e le grotte, parallela si sviluppava una vita già cittadina.

Le tre chiese citate risentono di cultura romanica e pugliese.

– dal sito comunale: comune.matera.it

La Campana Una campana piccina, piccina con la sua voce fresca e argentina si sveglia all’alba tutta contenta nessuna nuvola più la spaventa.

Dondola dondola nel cielo blu e dice a tutti: “Risorto è Gesù!” * * *

La Leggenda del Pettirosso

Matera / continua da pagina 18

PAGE 20 – APRIL 2018

Simboli della Pasqua

Uova: rappresentano il freddo e triste sepolcro che viene spazzato via da Cristo che risorge e vince la morte. Ecco perché a Pasqua ci si scambia l’uovo con sorpresa.

Colombe: simboleggiano l’inizio di una nuova vita: La Resurrezione.

Campane: sono gli strumenti più adatti a trasmettere velocemente e con gioia il “lieto annuncio” della Resurrezione

Ulivo: simbolo della Pace, rappresenta Dio che “ fa la pace” con gli uomini attraverso il dono di suo Figlio Gesù che vince la morte per dare anche a noi la possibilità di risorgere Primavera: dai tronchi freddi e morti dell’inverno quasi per incanto sbocciano le gemme e tutta la natura comincia a rivivere.

Due bambine chiacchierano e una chiede all’altra: “Voi fate la preghiera prima di mangiare?” e l’altra risponde: “No la mia mamma cucina bene!” * * * Ci sono due gemelli siamesi che si vogliono bene e uno dice all’altro: “Non ti lascerò mai.” * * * Una volta una madre fece un figlio così brutto che mandò i bigliettini di scusa a tutti gli amici. * * * Un Napoletano vuole imparare l’Inglese, appena arrivato a scuola il maestro dice: “Sit down” e il Napoletano: “E tu si scem.” * * * Alla festa di compleanno di un neonato tre amiche della mamma si avvicinano al festeggiato. La prima dice: “E’ bello come la mamma” e la seconda: “E’ intelligente come il papà” e conclude la terza: “E’ sdentato come il nonno”. * * * C’era un principe brutto ma cosi brutto che Cenerentola se ne scappò alle 10.16! * * * Un alunno chiede alla professoressa se aveva corretto le

verifiche e la professoressa risponde che non le ha corrette perché ha otto classi allora l’alunno le dice: “Io non ho fatto i compiti per oggi” e la professoressa arrabbiata gli chiede il perché e l’alunno risponde: “Io ho otto professoresse.” * * * Ad inizio novecento in una scuola il maestro sta picchiando uno scolaro e mentre lo picchia gli dice: “Lo sai perchè ti picchio?..Lo sai perchè ti picchio?” e lo scolaro: “Perchè è più forte di me.”

E fatt’na risata

And now, a word from Italy

by Blaise Di Pronio Mezzanine: A partial story between two main stories of a building or the lowest balcony in a theater or the first few rows of that balcony.

It comes from the Italian “mezzano” or middle and “mezzanino,” the diminutive of mezzano. Note: mezzanotte means the middle of the night or our midnight.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Little Easter time

by Blaise Di Pronio Most of you probably are familiar with many of Italy’s Easter (Pasqua in Italian.

See: Paschal/Passover) traditions and customs, but do you know what the Pasquetta observance is? “Etta” is a

diminutive suffix added to Pasqua which then translates to “little Easter.” So what is this little Easter (more often known as Easter Monday) all about?

The Pasquetta always falls on the Monday after Easter Sunday. It

started out as a religious tradition known as Lunedi dell’Angelo (The Angel’s Monday), a day to celebrate the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene’s meeting with comforting angels outside Jesus’ empty tomb.

The day eventually evolved into a more secular ritual, in effect extending the Easter holiday another day. The day also converged with the ancient Romans’ feasts timed with the arrival of the spring equinox (day and night reach equal length) and their specific feast of Lupercalia which was held to mark the end of winter and to rejoice in the coming season of rebirth.

Thus, Easter Monday becomes a day to go outdoors with family and friends alike since the days are now getting a little longer, plants are beginning to bloom (well. in Italy, anyway) and daytimes are getting warmer (again, make that Italy only, brrrr....). So, as a general practice, on Easter Monday, Italians pack a picnic basket and head for the countryside. They also head for parks, beaches, vineyards and fields to celebrate and herald the coming of spring. The rural villages plan more organized activities such as dancing, races and games. And, of course, food and more food. Leftovers always lead the menu and then eggs cooked in their many variations follow along with a torta di Pasqua (Easter cake).

Easter Monday is a public holiday in Italy. Organizations and businesses that are closed include: government offices, post offices, banks, schools and other educational institutions. It is a day of rest, relaxation and appreciation for the abundance of nature springPlease turn to page 22

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An Easter Bunny

I had an Easter bunny, One day she ran away.

I looked for her by moonlight, I looked for her by day.

I found her in the meadow With her babies 1, 2, 3.

So now I have four rabbit pets To run and jump with me. * * *

A Time of Love

Easter is a time of love, A time of death and pain undone, So we may know the power of The love that lives in each one.

Each love we feel, unstained and free, Redeems us-as with you and me. * * *

Easter blessing to all

May God bless you at Easter, And keep you all year through.

May God give you all the faith it takes, To make your dreams come true.

May His love and wisdom always help, To guide you on your way.

May His light shine down upon you now, To bless your Easter Day. * * * – Submitted by Blaise Di Pronio

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 21

‘The Fastest Nun in the West’ or ‘The Nun Who Took on Billy the Kid’

by Blaise Di Pronio Yes, that Billy the Kid. She was born Rose Maria Segale in a small village in Italy in 1850. Her family soon emigrated to Ohio. Rose Maria joined the Sisters of Charity at the age of 16 at which time she was given the name of Sister Blandina.

The young nun was eventually assigned to Colorado to teach and tend to the needy and sick. She lived in a Wild West type of town called Trinidad, where she had heard about the many well known and feared outlaws including one William H. Bonney, the notorious “Billy the Kid.” One day, one of the Sister’s students told her about an associate of Billy’s who had been accidentally shot by another gang member and left to die. She immediately went to his aid and nursed him back to good health. He told her that the Kid

was coming to town by train in order to punish the four town doctors who refused to treat his injury because he was an outlaw. The nun went into preventive action.

Billy’s train arrived right on schedule and the fearless Sister was right there to meet one of the most feared murderers in the West.

Surely he was taken by surprise but he was kind to her and thanked her for saving his friend. As a gesture of gratitude, he offered to do her any favor she wished. Well, we know what she went on to ask for: spare the doctors. The Kid was reportedly upset, but he reluctantly agreed to the request, and they were saved.

“Billy the Kid” was eventually killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett but he always remained in the thoughts and prayers of his friend, the

Catholic nun. Not much is said about Sister Blandina in the history books, but she was a great example of what faith and determination can accomplish, even when it came to the outlaw, “Billy the Kid.” Sister Blandina is today a beloved figure in New Mexico and Colorado. Her adventures in the Southwest were immortalized in At the End of the Santa Fe Trail, a collection of letters she wrote to her sister that was published as a book in 1932. Her character was featured in an episode of the 1966 TV show “Death Valley Days,” which memorably dubbed her “The Fastest Nun in the West.”

Presently, Sister Blandina is in the process of being vetted for sainthood, a befitting end to a life devoted to helping others and standing up for the less fortunate.

Those snappy, savory, spicy and saucy sauces

Editor’s note: Due tan error occurred that in the layout of this article in last month’s issue that resulted in one part of the article being repeated twice and the other part not appearing at all, it was decided to rerun the article in its entirety in this issue. * * *

by Blaise Di Pronio Did you know that there is a class of pasta sauces that not only shares the common denominators of being hot, peppery and spicy but is also known by colorful, lively and even a bit indelicate names? You may have seen them featured in local restaurants including Cafe La Scala and may have further wondered what these descriptive names really meant. Look no further and just read on.

Pasta Arrabbiata literally means “angry” pasta in Italian. Of course, what is angry is the spicy sauce made from garlic, tomatoes and dried red chili peppers cooked in olive oil. The spice level is a highly personal decision and different people have wildly different heat tolerances. Also keep in mind that different chilies, whether fresh or dried, can have a broad range of intensities. So, watch out, because underneath the “anger” lies a fiery streak.

Pasta Alla Vesuviana is pasta “Vesuvio” style. Vesuvius, of course, is the Neapolitan volcano that cooked and buried Pompeii many years ago. This sauce is a volcaniclike explosion of flavors from the Mediterranean area bordering the

Easter Monday in Italy

from page 21 ing forth again.

So, if our Milwaukee based Pasquetta Monday (Apr. 2) should miraculously be a warm, sunny and dry day, make the best of it – do like the ancient and present day Romans do – head outdoors, forget the hardships of winter and celebrate the rebirth of all that’s important and make it quick before it starts snowing. But remember: “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi.” (“Christmas with family, Easter with whomever you like.”)

PAGE 22 – APRIL 2018

Sister Blandina

famous fiery mountain. The melted mozzarella and tomato sauce on the pasta is supposed to resemble Vesuvius lava and the fire part comes from the chilies used. Caution is suggested here. Remember what happened to Pompeii.

Pasta Fra Diavolo is pasta “Brother Devil” style. It is the name given to a spicy sauce, apparently from hell. Most versions are tomato-based and use chili peppers

And now, a word from Italy

by Blaise Di Pronio Bank: A business establishment/financial institution in which money is kept for saving or commercial purposes or is invested, supplied for loans or exchanged.

It comes from the old Italian “banca” or table and “banco” or bench which used to refer to a money lender’s exchange table.

Pasta Arrabbiata

for spice, but the term is also used for sauces that include no tomato, or that use cayenne or other forms of pepper.

Some legends say that the pasta was named after a certain Fra Diavolo (1771–1806), which was the popular name given to Michele Pezza, a famous Neapolitan guerrilla leader, who resisted the French occupation of Naples. He was known as an out of control and naughty child, who grew into an adult with a fiery temper just like the namesake sauce. In addition, in Italy, Brother Devil fires are those large fires that are dangerously out of control, a la hellfire, with an implied reference to Dante’s Inferno (Hell).

Pasta Puttanesca is pasta “trollop” style or, in effect, hot, piquant, racy, salty, spicy and tangy like a fallen woman of the night It is a sauce invented in Naples in the mid-20th century. Its ingredients typically include tomatoes, olive oil, anchovies, olives, capers and garlic.

But why this saucy sauce name?

One story claims that at the end of the evening, the workingwomen would come begging at local restaurants for leftovers. This sauce was

made of all leftover ingredients. If there was sauce on the stove, anything that may be going “bad” was put into the simmering sauce. It is also claimed that the name purportedly comes from the fact that the resulting intense fragrance of this sauce was like a siren’s call to the men who visited such “ladies of pleasure.” And another version stressed that the ladies needed to make something speedy and nutritious between appointments and they could cook the sauce in the time it took her to meet with the client and then enjoy it between subsequent appointments.

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The Italian Times welcomes your input

The Italian Times is extending an invitation to our readers to submit articles and/or suggestions for news stories for future publication in our printed and online edition.

The Newspaper Committee and Editor Tom Hemman have developed a series of guidelines to revamp the publication’s editorial presentation with a concerted effort being made to make it more current, relevant and reader friendly.

We welcome interested individuals to submit articles and/or suggestions for news stories to Editor Tom Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com. You may also contact Newspaper Committee Chair Blaise DiPronio at 262-376-0019 or bdipronio@wi.rr.com. Articles can be submitted in English or Italian.

The following criteria has been established for news articles: 1). Must be relevant, newsworthy, pertaining to and of interest to

the Italian American community.

2). Can be current, developing, historical or anecdotal.

3). Must be of original content and authorship.

4). If not original, copyright and authorship permission must be granted in writing and proper credit must be given.

5). Cannot be of a political nature or content.

6). Cannot jeopardize the Italian Community Center’s bulk mail status. Guidelines are established in United States Postal Service Publication 417.

7). Cannot promote products or services better suited to paid advertising.

8). Must be limited to 300 words or less. Any article exceeding the 300-word limit will be rejected unless the writer is granted a pre-determined waiver based on merit. A writer can appeal the word limit to

the editor and the Newspaper Committee. The final decision is that of the editor and the committee.

8). Must be electronically submitted (i.e., email) as a Word docuto ment themman@iccmilwaukee.com.

9). Articles submitted in Italian should also include an accurate paraphrased English translation.

10). Every submission is subject to editorial review, editing, deadline restrictions and space availability in the newspaper.

11). We reserve the right to reject an article for publication in the newspaper and on the ICC website.

Over the next few months, we plan on giving you a partial list of potential subjects for articles. The list begins this month.

1). Tutorials on how to play bocce, scopa, briscola and tombola and their rules and regulations.

2). Recipe box with recipes from

Members: Please notify ICC of address changes

Any member of the Italian Community Center who has a change of address is asked to notify the ICC promptly so that mailings from the Center are sent to the correct address.

Since the ICC uses nonprofit bulk rates to mail The Italian Times, the United States Postal Service is entitled to charge a fee for each newspaper that is returned to the ICC and deemed undeliverable due to an incorrect address.

Even if you are temporarily away from your permanent resi-

dence and are not receiving mail at that address, you need to notify the ICC of your temporary address so that your newspaper can be delivered to that address and so that the ICC is not charged for each failed attempt to deliver the publication to your permanent residence.

“We’ve had a number of members who have gone to Florida or another warm weather location for the winter and these people did not supply us with their temporary change of address; hence their newspaper was returned to

THE ITALIAN TIMES

the ICC with the service fee due for each newspaper,” Editor Tom Hemman said.

Nonprofit bulk rate mail is not forwarded to a new address, which means those members who neglect to inform the ICC of their change of address will not receive the newspaper.

Please send change of address information to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 or email Constance Palmer at cpalmer@iccmilwaukee.com or call her at 414223-2808.

Italy, hand-me-downs, member specialties, local Italian restaurants and bakeries.

3). Reviews of Italian connected movies, music, books, art, displays, exhibitions and so on.

4). Sports clubs’ news for soccer, bicycling, skiing, etc.

5). Auto and motorcycle club news featuring Italian vehicles.

6). Italian clubs in the many schools teaching Italian, reporting their activities and fun things.

7). Awards, promotions and accolades given to members.

8). Upcoming events, entertainment, dinners, dances and other activities.

9). Profiles on donors, members and volunteers.

10). Births, weddings, graduations and obituaries.

Romans celebrate city’s 2,775th birthday Apr. 21

There is archaeological evidence of human occupation of the Rome area from at least 14,000 years ago.

Rome’s early history, however, is shrouded in legend. According to Roman tradition, the city was founded by Romulus on Apr. 21, 753 B.C. It is said that Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, descendents of refugees of the mythical city of Troy, decided to build a glorious city. After an argument, Romulus killed Remus and soon after named the city after himself.

Visitors to Rome on its official birth date are treated to festivals, concerts and special events such as gladiator processions and a fireworks display over the Tiber River.

April 21 is a Saturday in 2018.

APRIL 2018 – PAGE 23

Liberation Day celebrated in Italy on Apr. 25

One day you can count on being marked across all of Italy is Apr. 25 which is the Festa della Liberazione, or Liberation Day, marking the liberation of Italy by the Allied troops in 1945.

Today, the day is commemorated in Italy not just for that liberation, but also as a day when Italians honor their fallen soldiers.

In particular, Liberation Day is known for honoring the fallen partisans of the Italian Resistance who fought the Nazis as well as Mus-

solini’s troops throughout World War II. Italy lost nearly 500,000 people during the war (military casualties and civilian casualties combined).

There are Liberation Day activities in virtually every town and city from parades with marching bands to political rallies and music concerts. It’s also a day when many museums, shops, banks, restaurants and monuments are closed and public transportation runs on a less frequent schedule.

“Palio della Rana,” a golden frog race, takes place each year on the Sunday after Easter in the town of Fermignano (population 8,500) in the Marche region of Italy.

Contestants race 170 meters (almost 558 feet) with frogs in tiny wheelbarrows. This year, the race will be on Apr. 8.

The origins of the race go back to 1607 when Francesco Maria

della Rovere, 15th Count of Montefeltro and Duke of Urbino, founded the first town council of Fermignano.

Golden frog race in Fermignano, Italy on Sunday after Easter

Piedmont town hails St. George on Apr. 23

This unique race is recognized by the Italian Federation Games and the Italian Federation of Historic Living as a real historical tournament.

On the day before the race, there is usually a pageant in historical costume and a fireworks show.

Il Giuramento di Pontida marked in early April

Every year in early April, a historical re-enactment commemorates il Giuramento di Pontida the “Oath of Pontida.” The oath was an historic alliance forged between the powerful Lombard cities of Bergamo, Brescia, Mantova and Cremona against Frederick I of Hohenstaufen, a Holy Roman Emperor who was attempting to

dominate northern Italy.

The oath of friendship between the cities was made in the town of Pontida in Bergamo, 40 km (just less than 25 miles) northeast of Milan, on Apr. 7, 1167. The oath established what was known as the Lombard League and their alliance would defeat Frederick at the Battle of Legnano a decade later.

A great day to be in Venice, Italy is Apr. 25 when the Festival of San Marco (St. Mark) is celebrated. St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice and a relic of his body has resided in the town after being smuggled in 828 by Venetian merchants. For many years, the relic brought pilgrimages to Venice, helping to make it the city it is today.

In modern times, the festival includes a large religious procession that ends in the basilica. Throughout St. Mark’s Square, free music concerts are presented and visitors can partake of a huge feast at which various regional delicacies are available.

It is a tradition in Venice to give a rose to your loved one on this day.

“Corsa all’anello” (The Race of Rings) is part of the celebrations held usually on the last weekend in April in the town of Narni in the Umbria region of Italy.

During this medieval jousting competition, three horsemen try to

snare rings. In addition, medieval markets and banquets are hosted, historical presentations are enacted, dance spectacles are performed and a torch-lit parade is put on by more than 600 costumed participants.

Venice’s Festival of St. Mark is Apr. 25

Umbria town has jousting event in April

The Piedmont town of Caresana celebrates Saint George’s Day on Apr. 23. Festivities include the “Palio dei Buoi,” a parade of floats pulled by oxen. St. George is the patron saint of farm workers.

Although the flag of St. George is often associated with being an English emblem but it was originally the state flag of the Genoa region in Italy where devotion to St. George is marked.

San Biagio feted in Puglia town in April

The residents of Avetrana, Italy, in southern Puglia, celebrate their patron saint, San Biagio (St. Blaise), with a two-day festival in late April that includes live bands, food, a street fair and a religious procession.

San Biagio Day is Apr. 28. St. Blaise is known as a saint who cures afflictions of the throat, and on his feast day it is common that the faithful are blessed by priests holding a crossed pair of candles against their throat.

Did you know?

Onorio Razzolini was the first Italian American ever to hold public office. He was the United States Armourer and Keeper of Stores in Maryland between 1732 and 1747, a duty which essentially put him in charge of defense for the Colony of Maryland.

In 1837, John Phinizy, the son of an Italian immigrant named Ferdinando Finizzi, became the first Italian American mayor of a U.S. city. He served from 1837 to 1840 as the mayor of Augusta, Ga. Anthony Louis Ghio, who was one of the founding fathers of Texarkana, Tex., was elected Texarkana’s mayor in 1880. He later opened the city’s first opera house.

PAGE 24 – APRIL 2018

THE ITALIAN TIMES