Dec 2013 issue

THE

ITALIAN TIMES Published by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com VOL. 35, NO. 5 DECEMBER 2013

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‘Tis the season for giving

Join Jimmy and Linda Spataro in donating stock to the ICC

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Late last year, Jimmy Spataro, a past president of the Italian Community Center (1985-86), and his wife, Linda, were fondly discussing the organization, its history and how proud they were to be charter members. Jimmy recalled how much his late parents, Jim and Anne, loved the Center and Festa Italiana.

Jimmy and Linda also knew that the ICC, a nonprofit organization, had had its share of rocky times in recent years resulting from the worldwide economic turndown.

“We brought up a meeting that took place in the latter part of 1984 at the old Italian Community Center on Hackett Avenue when a standing room only crowd was on

hand to vote on whether the organization should pursue a proposal with Milwaukee County for the purchase of the ‘Coachyards’ property (the former railroad property where the current ICC stands),” Jimmy said.

“An overwhelming majority of the people who attended that meeting supported the proposal,” he said. “My parents were in favor.

Everyone said, ‘We want to go back to our home’ in the (Historic) Third Ward” where the vast majority of the Italian immigrants settled when they first came to Milwaukee starting in the late 1800s. Many of the people in attendance that night grew up in the Third Ward.

Jimmy, who was the ICC’s president-elect then, said members were presented with financial projections Please turn to page 11

Linda and Jimmy Spataro

ICC members elect Susie Christiansen, Pietro Tarantino, Tony Piacentini and Liz Ceraso to Board of Directors

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen, Pietro Tarantino, Tony Piacentini and Elizabeth Anne Ceraso captured the four open director-atlarge seats in the Italian Community Center’s annual election. Results were announced at the Oct. 3 general membership meeting.

All of the incumbent officers – President Gina M. Spang, Vice President Giuseppe Vella, Treasurer Sam Purpero, Secretary Rose

Ann Ceraso-Fritchie and SergeantAt-Arms Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek – were unopposed.

Election Committee Chairperson Rosemary DeRubertis announced that 581 ballots were counted before the start of the Oct. 3 meeting. Ballots were mailed to 1,167 members.

The term for the newly elected officers and directors officially began on Nov. 1. They were ceremonially sworn-in at the general membership meeting on Nov. 7.

The first official meeting of the

new Board is this Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m.

The newly elected officers serve a one-year term and the four directors who were elected will serve for two years.

Seven candidates ran for the four open director-at-large seats.

The other candidates were Joseph Jannazzo, Jr., Paul F. Iannelli and Bruno Giacomantonio.

The officers Spang is the second woman in Please turn to page 10

Italians ready for Folk Fair this weekend

By Thomas Hemman and Susie DeSanctis Christiansen Getting ready to serve as representatives of Italian culture at the 70th anniversary Holiday Folk Fair are volunteers from the Italian Community Center and members of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee and I Bei Bambini, the Children’s Italian Dance Group.

The Folk Fair will take place Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24 in the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in Please turn to page 12

Festive multi-cultural program presented at ICC

Festival di Danza e Cultura, a multi-cultural celebration, was presented on Tuesday, Oct. 15 before a large, enthusiastic audience in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom of the Italian Community Center as a commemoration of Italian Heritage Month. This photo shows members of all the performing groups that evening.

Among them was the visiting Yabana-kai of

Narita City, Japan. Performing groups and artists from Wisconsin included: West African Drums, Tradizione Vivente: The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, a gospel group Moving Forward, Spanish Iberian Flamenco Dancers, Nefertari African Dance Company, the German Pommersche Tandeel Freistadt, Turam Turkish Folk Dance Group and Lac du Flambeau flutist

Darren Thompson representing the American Indian. The two-hour program was organized by Gina Jorgensen, who is a member of both Tradizione Vivente and the ICC’s Culture Committee. The program was preceded by a spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner. Approximately 250 people attended the event. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

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PAGE 2 – DECEMBER 2013

THE ITALIAN TIMES

A message from Gina M. Spang, Italian Community Center President Thank you to Mr. Peter Gustin and Mr. Ralph Busalacchi for their recent service as Directors on the ICC Board. I appreciate the time and dedication that you gave to the organization. A warm welcome to new and returning board members for this upcoming year; we have a busy year ahead of us and I am anxious to get started!

Students of the Milwaukee School Of Engineering (MSOE) presented the first draft of their ideas for the improvements and modifications to the ICC. We have a class of seniors working with the ICC based on the following criteria: reorganize space to create designated space for the community center and more clearly separate the banquet facilities, identify deferred maintenance and create a major maintenance plan for future capital improvements, retain area for parking and look at expansion for a hotel or similar future opportunity. This is a senior design project and involves each design team developing a solution for the “client”. It was very interesting to hear their questions

and ideas. There will be a few more updates prior to their formal presentation which is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15th. The presentation will be at MSOE and everyone is invited. We will provide more details as we get closer to the date of the presentation.

Vice President Joe Vella and I recently met with representatives from many of the Italian Societies.

It was a very good meeting! We all have common challenges and we identified good ideas for ways to work together. One idea that we want to develop is an all society event to celebrate Columbus Day in 2014. We will keep you updated as we continue these discussions.

I’m asking that all presidents or heads of the societies contact Constance Jones in the ICC office and give her your contact information. When we were scheduling our meeting, we found that much of our

information was outdated. So please provide us with your contact information so that all societies can be invited to participate in future meetings.

The Italian Community Center is teaming up with the Historic Third Ward Association for the “Christmas in the Ward” which takes place on Friday, Dec. 6th. It will be a fun event with hot chocolate, lighting of the Christmas tree, roasting chestnuts and fireworks!

Plan to come and represent the ICC at this event.

Finally, I encourage our members to attend our monthly general membership meetings. The meetings are a great opportunity to see your board members, talk with them and hear first hand what is going on with the Community Center. It is also a great time to get together with your friends and family. Our next meeting is

Thursday, Dec. 5th, which is our Christmas dinner and dance. Our next general meeting in 2014 will be on Thursday Jan. 9th.

Happy and safe holidays to you and your family.

– Gina M. Spang ICC President

Deadline set for January issue of The Italian Times All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the January 2014 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Friday, Dec. 6. This will be an online-only issue.

Advertising can be emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org, sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

THE ITALIAN TIMES 631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . . . . Gina Spang Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . Rosemary DeRubertis Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Italian Page Editor . . . . . . . Enrica Tarantino-Woytal Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors and Staff Writers/Reporters . . . . , .Mario A. Carini Angelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon and Susan Christiansen Staff Photographers. . . . . . .Joe Spasiano, and Tom Hemman For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@italiancc.org.

Copyright 2013 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.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 3

Ted Glorioso, Ladies of UNICO and Pompeii Men’s Club make large donations for Thanksgiving dinner for the poor The annual Thanksgiving dinner for the poor that the Italian Community Center sponsors received sizable donations from Ted Glorioso of Glorioso’s Enterprises,

the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, and the Pompeii Men’s Club.

Glorioso, a longtime member and supporter of the ICC and the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO

National, presented a $500 check.

The Ladies of UNICO, through its Community Projects Committee, made a $200 contribution and the Pompeii Men’s Club donated $100.

In addition to those three large donations, numerous individuals made smaller contributions for the meal, said Tony Lupo, who served as chairman of the event. “There is no middle man. All of the funds

that are raised for the dinner go for the food that is served,” he added.

The dinner was held Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Open Door Cafe at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee.

Lupo enlisted the volunteers who served the meal. The culinary staff of the Italian Conference Center prepared the feast and delivered it to the meal site.

Ted Glorioso (left), of Glorioso’s Enterprises, presented a $500 check to Tony Lupo for the Thanksgiving dinner for the poor at his jewelry store, Glorioso’s Gold Imports and Diamond Center, on Oct. 4.

Times photos by Tom Hemman

The Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO donated $200 for the Thanksgiving dinner. The check was presented at the ICC’s general meeting on Oct. 3 to ICC President Gina Spang and dinner chairman Tony Lupo by Ann Romano, chairperson of the UNICO Ladies’ Community Projects Committee. Spang, Lupo and Romano are seen in the center of the picture.

On each side of them are the members of the Ladies of UNICO who were in attendance that night.

Charles Lazzaro (right), Pompeii Men’s Club President, presented a $100 donation for the Thanksgiving dinner on behalf of his organization at the ICC’s general meeting on Nov. 7. The check was given to Tony Lupo, dinner chairman.

PAGE 4 – DECEMBER 2013

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Joe Glorioso, acclaimed Italian food market owner and one of the founding fathers of Milwaukee’s Festa Italiana, dies at age 91

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor As a testimony to how much Joseph T. Glorioso was loved and respected, all one needed to see was the extremely large attendance for his visitation on Sunday, Oct. 20 and his funeral service and burial the next day.

Joe, as many knew and called him, died Tuesday, Oct. 15 at the age of 91. He had been hospitalized for two weeks prior to his death after collapsing at the grave of his late wife, Mary, who was struck by a car and killed while crossing Brady St. on May 10, 2004.

Joe was born on Apr. 20, 1922.

He was the oldest of seven children – six boys and a girl – born to Felice and Theresa Glorioso. They were raised in Milwaukee’s old Third Ward, the heart of Milwaukee’s Italian community and the location of the Sicilian immigrant-built Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church. Joe’s father had been a peddler and fisherman in Sicily. He worked on Commission Row after settling in Milwaukee and bought and sold produce and fresh fruit from a pushcart, traveling to Bay View and St. Francis.

After graduating from Lincoln High School, Joe served in the United States Army for 42 months during World War II. He was stationed in the European front, seeing action in France. He earned the rank of Technical Sergeant and attained a Bronze Star for serving in a war zone.

With the help of a $1,000 loan that Joe’s father secured from his boss, Joe and his brothers Eddie and Teddy opened Glorioso’s Italian Food Center at 1020 E. Brady St., on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side, on Valentine’s Day in 1946. It was reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Felice wanted Joe to open the store with his brothers Eddie and Ted to keep them busy and out of trouble.

In the beginning, Joe did the ordering, Eddie handled deliveries and Teddy did just about everything else that needed to be done.

Joe and his brothers worked hard, sometimes spending the night to get the tasks done. Their labors paid off and the market became Wisconsin’s largest Italian food center.

The store established a loyal following of shoppers who valued imported Italian oils, pastas, cook-

Joe Glorioso and his late wife, Mary. The couple was wed in 1950.

Mary was tragically killed when she was struck by a vehicle across Brady St. in 2004.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ies, canned goods, fresh cannoli and bread from nearby Sciortino’s Bakery, freshly made sausage, and an extensive line of Italian cheeses as well as the intimate feel of a neighborhood shop. It quickly became the cornerstone of the Brady St. business community.

In 1950, Joe married Mary Frinzi, whose family also operated a grocery store on Water St. and Broadway. The couple went on to work together for more than 50 years.

Joe and his brothers added side businesses in and around the store.

There was Trio’s Pizza and Glorioso’s Villa. Today, Ted owns and operates Glorioso’s Gold Imports & Diamond Center at 1018 E. Brady St., upstairs from the original market.

In late 2010, the Glorioso family moved its business to a more spacious location at 1011 E. Brady St., a building that was once the Astor Theater and the Brady St. Pharmacy.

More than 70 members of the Glorioso family have worked at the business. Today, Joe’s son Felice and Teddy’s son Michael are the general managers of Glorioso’s Italian Market. Eddie and Teddy are still very active in the business.

Joe was working at the store on a semi-retired basis right up to his hospitalization. Semi-retired meant maybe he took off a day or two.

Joe always spoke with pride about the quality of the products sold at his store, “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten,” he said.

The Glorioso family was honored with the Wisconsin Small Business of the Year Award in 2007 and has been recognized as “Milwaukee’s Best Deli” by OnMilwaukee.com on numerous occasions.

When Glorioso’s celebrated 60 years in business on Brady St. in 2006, the Glorioso brothers received a plaque from thenWisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. The plaque cited Glorioso’s as “one of Milwaukee’s best-known resources for Italian foods, including dozens of antipasti possibilities and tour de force of olives. Glorioso’s also carries a wide selection of cheeses, cured meats and marinated vegetables.”

The citation further read: “Glorioso’s remained an anchor on Brady Street even during the street’s declining days and played a major role in the rejuvenation due in large part to their support and allegiance to the area which led other property owners to realize the hidden value of Milwaukee’s lower East Side.”

The governor’s citation even mentions something that everyone who shopped at the market probably overheard at one time or another: “The brothers’ success in working together for the last 60 years, despite disagreements and discussions in English and Sicilian – with the latter adding undeniable flair to the debates – has been based on their ability to forgive and get back to work.”

Festa and the ICC In the 1970s, a movement began in Milwaukee to re-establish an Italian festival similar to the religious festivals that were held years ago in the city’s old Third Ward,

but only on a grander scale. Joe was one of the Italian movers and shakers who made it happen.

Meetings to organize what would become “Festa Italiana” were held in the lower level of Glorioso’s Villa.

When the decision to proceed was made and the legal documents were signed with the City of Milwaukee to hold the first Festa Italiana on the weekend of Aug. 46, 1978 on the Summerfest grounds, Joe was in charge of food operations and ordering all the related food supplies. Back then, and in fact for the first six years of Festa, all the food booths were staffed entirely by volunteers.

Professional restaurateurs, bakers and deli operators weren’t brought into the fold until 1984.

From the first Festa until the mid 1990s, Joe was in charge of the distribution area of the festival, where vendors could get all of the supplies they needed to accompany the food they sold.

For more than a dozen years, Joe served on the Festa Food Committee, reviewing the contracts and food menus of all the vendors and offering his expertise on how they could make their operations run more smoothly or more successfully.

Glorioso’s has always been one of the sponsors of Festa Italiana and their store has always been the place that sells the most advance admission tickets for the festival.

Glorioso’s Gold Imports has frequently donated a jewelry prize for the festival’s raffle.

After the first Festa, the Italian Community Center was established. Joe and his wife, Mary, were among the charter members. Joe was elected to the original Board of Directors in 1978 and was re-elected three more times, ending his service after the 1981-82 term.

Joe and Mary were given the honor of being the Re and Regina (King and Queen) for the ICC’s second celebration of “Il Grande Carnevale,” a pre-Lenten costume and mask ball, in 1981.

Financial contributions by Joe, his brothers and their families helped to build the current Italian Community Center. For many years, Joe and Mary provided funds each spring for the flower planting and landscaping on the grounds.

That support continues in the form of a memorial after Mary’s untimely death.

On behalf of the organization, ICC President Gina Spang stated, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Glorioso. Joe was a highly respected member of the City of Milwaukee’s Italian community, a lifetime member of the Italian Community Center and one of the driving forces behind Festa Italiana. As an early pioneer on Milwaukee’s East Side, Joe and his family established a family business that served as a hub for ‘all things Italian.’ It was the place where people gathered, ideas were developed and decisions were made. Joe’s legacy will live on through his many contributions to both the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana.”

Other organizations Joe was also a co-founder of the Holy Crucifix Society, a member of

When Joe Glorioso turned 90 in April 2012, the family throw him a birthday party at Glorioso’s Italian Market. Times Editor Tom Hemman was invited to come and took this picture.

UNICO National, a member and past president of the Milwaukee Chapter of UNICO (1973-74), member of the Madonna del Lume Society, Pompeii Men’s Club, National Italian American Foundation, Sons of Sicily, and American Legion Post 418.

The Pompeii Men’s Club honored Joe as its “Man of the Year” in 1986. The award recognized his “continuous and generous service to the community.”

When Joe found some spare time. he enjoyed fishing and doing drawings in pen and pencil, his son Felice said.

Survivors and memorials Joe is survived by his son Felice (Margaret) and daughter Rena; his grandchildren Maria, the late Theresa, Joseph and Francesca Glorioso and Giana, Adrianna and Benny Tralongo; his great-grandchild Zora Tralongo; his brothers Eddie (Joann), the late Nick (Dorothy), Ted (Rosemary), Anthony (Lois) and Charles (Rita) his sister Rosalie; and many other relatives, friends and employees.

The family suggests memorials to the Milwaukee Chapter of UNICO Scholarship Fund.

Have something to sell to the readers of The Italian Times?

Consider placing an ad in our next issue. For advertising information, please call (414-223-2801 or send an email to Editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org.

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 5

Make your Thanksgiving Day dining plans at the ICC Pre-paid reservations required for this bountiful feast There’s no need to spend most of your Thanksgiving Day in the kitchen preparing your family feast. Let the Italian Conference Center staff do the cooking on Thursday, Nov. 28. For the second consecutive year, the ICC is offering a Thanksgiving Day buffet.

Pre-paid reservations are necessary for this bountiful feast, which will begin with the first seatings at 11 a.m. Reservations will be taken on the half-hour from that time on, with the last seating scheduled for 4 p.m.

Business Manager Patrick Morgan has kept the prices at $24.95 for adults, $15.95 for children, ages 5-12, and free for children, 4 and younger.

Make your prepaid reservations in person at the reception desk at the Italian Community Center on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 414/223-2180 and pay with a credit card.

The Thanksgiving menu The following array of sumptuous buffet choices awaits those

who come to the ICC for their Thanksgiving dinner.

• Salads: Garden salad with assorted dressings; Caesar salad; Caprese salad; seafood tortellini salad; and Waldorf salad.

• Appetizers: Fresh fruit; assorted cheese and crackers; antipasto, vegetables and dill dip; and cranberry relish.

• Sides: Garlic mashed potatoes; sweet potato casserole; roasted yams; sweet corn; fresh green beans almondine; and penne pasta marinara.

• Meats: Oven-roasted turkey and gravy; honey glazed ham; carved prime rib au jus; Italian sausage sauté; baked cod with lemon dill butter; and meatballs in sauce.

• Desserts: Tiramisu; cannoli; pumpkin pie; apple pie; wild berry pie; and many other assorted tortes.

• Add-ons: Italian bread; butter; coffee; tea; and milk.

Free parking will be available in the lot south of the building.

ICC expecting a full house for its New Year’s Eve party Doo-Wop Daddies to play after fabulous dinner at this reservations-only event

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Don’t wait to make your reservations for the spectacular New Year’s Eve party planned at the Italian Community Center. The celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 7 p.m., will include lots of delicious food, plenty of party favors and dancing to the ‘50s-‘60s sounds of the legendary Doo-Wop Daddies.

General Manager Patrick Morgan said, “The Doo-Wop Daddies have always drawn large

crowds every time we’ve booked them. So, I want to advise everyone to get their reservations made early.”

The cost for the evening is $75 per person. Reservations are required and can be made using a credit card and calling 414/2232180, or by mailing in the form accompanying this story. Be sure to make your check payable to the Italian Conference Center and submit it along with the reservation form to ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The Doo-Wop Daddies are returning for a third consecutive year to perform at the Italian Community Center’s New Year’s Eve party.

If you wish to be seated at a table with specific persons, please list the names of those people on a separate sheet of paper. Don’t forget to include your own name.

The ICC will not be allowing walk-ins the night of the event.

At 7 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a variety of the Italian Conference Center’s famous hot and cold hors d’oeuvres in the galleria. There will be a cash bar.

An hour later, guests will be called into the Pompeii Grand Ballroom for a sumptuous dinner.

It will begin with an Italian salad with Romaine lettuce topped with mozzarella cheese, salami, prosciutto, tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts and pepperoncini.

The main course will feature a combination entrée – center cut beef tenderloin topped with wild mushroom Bordelaise sauce and jumbo shrimp scampi – served over angel hair pasta, steamed vegetable medley, Italian bread, and coffee, tea, iced tea or milk.

For dessert, guests will be served tiramisu (ladyfinger cookies, soaked in espresso and coffee liqueur, layered with mascarpone, dusted with cocoa powder and

chocolate shavings).

Following a midnight champagne toast welcoming the New Year, a buffet station will be made available. The buffet will feature assorted cold cuts, cheese and relish trays, fresh rolls, pasta salad and assorted cookies.

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Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 Name(s) _________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ City _______________________________ State ______ Zip _____________ Phone ___________________ Email __________________________________ Please list the names of persons in your party on a separate sheet of paper. Tables of 10 are available. Singles and couples: If you wish to be seated at a table with specific persons, please list their names on a separate sheet of paper.

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PAGE 6 – DECEMBER 2013

Please make your check/money order payable to: Italian Conference Center, and mail to: ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

All payments are non-refundable and must accompany this reservation form.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Members’ Christmas dinner and dance set for Thursday, Dec. 5

By Susie DeSanctis Christiansen Christmas Party Chairperson Italian Community Center members, as well as non-member guests, are invited to start off the holiday season with a splendid celebration. The ICC’s annual Members’ Christmas Party, on the evening of the general membership meeting, Thursday, Dec. 5, features a sit down dinner, dancing, a bake sale and lots of fun. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with a half-hour cocktail reception (cash bar).

Dinner A sumptuous dinner is being planned. It begins with an Italian salad with fresh greens and topped with meats and cheeses. Guests will then enjoy an entrée of tender Sicilian steak, side of pasta, vegetables medley and fresh Italian bread. Assorted Italian cookies and gelato will be served for dessert, courtesy of the Vella family, owners of Sciortino’s Bakery, and the Reina family of Gelateria Italiana fame.

Dancing Providing the entertainment for the evening will be the popular deejay service, Music on the Move

Plus. The deejay for our party will play danceable music for all ages – whether it’s swing, polka, disco, rock and roll or today’s best music – everyone will be able to get out on the floor.

Bake sale A vast array of fresh-baked cakes, cookies, cupcakes and pastries will be on sale. Made with tender loving care by fellow ICC members and the culinary staff of the Italian Conference Center, you’ll be able to find something to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Reservations required Advance reservations are required. The cost for the festive evening is $20 per member and $35 per non-member. Please use the form accompanying this story to make your reservations. Checks are payable to the Italian Community Center. You may also call 414/2232180 and make your payment with a credit card. The reservation deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 27.

The dinner and dance are replacing the regular general membership dinner and meeting; however, after dinner and before the entertainment begins, there will be a brief business meeting.

American Christmas Village display coming to ICC Christmas at the Italian Community Center will be even more festive than usual, thanks to the generosity of a gentleman from Chicago. Enzo Brusca, a member of the Society of San Biaggio Platani and friend of ICC members Ann and Joe Zambito, has offered to bring his extensive Christmas Village to the ICC to display for the entire holiday season.

The Village contains around 300 pieces. There are moving figures and structures such as a ferris wheel. Enzo has been collecting the pieces for many years and has amassed quite a collection of unique pieces. He estimates it will

take him two days to put together the display.

It will be available for viewing in the Board Room starting Dec.1 and will run through the first week of January during normal ICC hours. Groups and families are welcome to come have lunch or dinner and see this amazing display. ICC Culture Committee Chair Christina Ziino said, “It is sure to put anyone in the holiday spirit!”

Large groups should notify ICC receptionist Salina Castro in the office when they are coming so that a volunteer can be available to answer questions. Admission is free.

ICC General Membership Christmas Dinner & Dance Reservation Form Name(s) ____________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________________ Phone No. ________________ Email _____________________________ Number of ICC members attending ________ x $20.00 = $_____________ Number of non-members attending ________ x $35.00 + $_____________ Make check or money order payable to: Italian Community Center. Send this form and your payment to: ICC, Attn.: Membership Christmas Dinner & Dance. 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Reservation deadline: Thursday, Nov. 25.

Calling all holiday bakers ICC looking for volunteers to donate baked goods for Dec. 5 Christmas party fund-raiser The Italian Community Center’s Members’ Christmas Party is all set for Thursday, Dec. 5. As in the past, one of the big attractions of the evening is the fabulous bake sale featuring all the delicious holiday baked goods donated by ICC members.

Bake Sale Coordinators Joanne Czubek, Gina Manning and Rosemary DeRubertis are asking members to “bring out the pots and pans, nonna’s favorite recipes and your baking skills” to help make this year’s holiday bake sale truly successful.

“Anything goes – cakes, cookies, candy, whatever your favorite holiday treats might be – we welcome your donation,” Czubek said.

If you are unable to bake, bring something from your bake shop.

Baked items can be dropped off at the ICC office the day before or the morning of the party. “If you are unable to package your items, we will do that for you,” Manning said. “We will also do the pricing.”

“If you prefer to bring your items the night of the party, please have them packaged nicely so they are ready to be priced and sold,” DeRubertis noted.

Everyone who is interested in donating to this fund-raising event is asked to call Czubek at 414/529-0183 so the committee can get a handle on what to expect.

“Please come and join us for a night of fun, friendship, holiday cheer and delicious holiday treats.

Hope to see you there,” the coordinators added.

Snowblowers – Ariens & Toro • Briggs & Stratton, Kohler & Tecumseh Engines • SALES - SERVICE - PARTS Yard-Man • Snapper • MTD • Murray • Poulan

4525 South 13th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221 414/282-6449 – Fax 414/282-6701 ICC Member

Madeline Mary (Storniolo) Balistreri on the 10th anniversary of her passing Born: November 30, 1925 Married to Philip Balistreri on November 22, 1944.

Passed away on November 7, 2003.

Beloved wife and mother.

Beloved daughter of the late Joseph & Franchesca Storniolo.

Beloved sister of the late Joseph, Jr. (Ruth), the late Rose, the late Mary, Tony (Peggy) and Dorothy (Lionel) LoCroix.

We will always love you!

Salvatore, Joseph, Donna, Jack, Philip, Jr., Alex and Philip Balistreri, Sr. Sadly missed. Rest in Peace!

THE ITALIAN TIMES

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 7

ICC members: Make sure your children or grandchildren attend the Befana party on Saturday, Jan. 4

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor For the 12th consecutive year, the Italian Community Center will host a post-Christmas party for the youngest children and grandchildren of ICC members. This party celebrates the legend of La Befana.

The gift-bearing witch of Italian folklore will greet and provide gifts to youngsters on Saturday, Jan. 4 at a party that begins with a noon lunch in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom.

“Since the mission of the ICC is to promote Italian culture, we think it’s important that our children and grandchildren learn about La Befana,” said Liz Ceraso, chairperson of the Avanti Committee, which is organizing the event.

Having the party after the busy Christmas season has also proven quite popular with the parents and grandparents, added Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie and Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto, Avanti Committee members, who are co-chairing the children’s party.

Party details Children are encouraged to wear socks that day because, after they eat lunch, the children will be asked to take off their shoes and leave them behind a curtain. ICC officials have heard that Befana has expressed an interest in leaving special treats in the children’s shoes.

The lunch will feature a buffet with food to please both the children and the adults in attendance.

The menu will include barbecue beef sandwiches, chicken nuggets, french fried potatoes, macaroni and

USA Today lists our Festa among 10 best USA Today’s 10best.com posted on Nov. 5 a slideshow of the best places to “Discover Italian Heritage in America’s Neighborhoods.” And on that list is Milwaukee’s Festa Italiana.

Festa Italiana in Milwaukee, hosted by the Italian Community Center, has been celebrated every year at Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) since 1978.

Alongside a photo of the Festa procession, 10best.com writes: “Milwaukee hosts the famous Festa Italiana, which was the very first ethnic festival celebrated in 1978 on the grounds that once housed the Third Ward, the historic Italian neighborhood that fell prey to urban renewal.

Since then, this site has embraced ethnic festivals of all kinds, resulting in Milwaukee being known as the City of Festivals. Milwaukee’s Brady Street neighborhood also reflects the city’s Italian past, with authentic delis, bakeries and restaurants.”

Also on the list are San Francisco, Boston, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Clarksburg, W.Va., New Orleans, Hollywood, Chicago’s Taylor Street and Manhattan’s Little Italy.

PAGE 8 – DECEMBER 2013

required by Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Please use the form accompanying this article to make your reservations.

Please include on the form the name and age of each child so that gifts appropriate for each age group are given out. Walk-ins on the day of the event will not be permitted.

Anna Pitzo, a director on the ICC Board, is making the arrangements for Befana’s visit.

La Befana

cheese, fruit, chocolate or white milk for the kids and coffee for adults.

For dessert, everyone will be able to make their own ice cream sundae.

The cost to attend is $15 per person. Pre-paid reservations are

La Befana: The Yuletide Witch In Italy, there still remains a tradition involving the beneficent witch named Befana. On the night of the Feast of Epiphany (the 12th and final day of the Christmas holiday observance), Befana leaves presents in children’s stockings, hung upon a hearth or a stairway railing (a tradition quite similar to the American Santa Claus story).

Legend has it that when Christ was born, the Three Wise Men (I re magi) stopped at Befana’s hut for directions on their way to Bethlehem and, in the conversation, asked her to join them.

Befana said no, she was too busy.

Later, a shepherd asked her to

join him in paying respects to the Baby Jesus.

Again, Befana declined.

When it became dark, Befana noticed a great star illuminating the sky just as the Wise Men had told her earlier in the day. She then realized that perhaps she should have gone with them. So, she gathered some toys that had belonged to her own baby, who had died as an infant, and boarded her magic broom to find the kings and the stable where the Christ Child lay.

The legend states that, regretfully, Befana was unable to locate either the Three Wise Men or the place where Jesus was born. Since then, each year at this time, Befana continues her search for the Christ Child and, leaves gifts along the way for good children and pieces of charcoal for bad ones.

Here’s an amazing fact about Befana’s visits to the ICC’s annual party: Not once in the past 11 years has Befana left charcoal in the shoes or gift bags of any of the children attending. Could that possibly mean that all the children have been good?

CHILDREN'S LA BEFANA PARTY & LUNCH RESERVATION FORM NAMES OF BOYS ATTENDING __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

AGE ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

NAMES OF GIRLS ATTENDING __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

AGE ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Names of male adult members attending: ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Names of female adult members attending: ___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cost: $15.00 per person. Total Amount Enclosed: $ . Make your check payable to: Italian Community Center. Mail this form with your payment to: Italian Community Center, Attn.: Befana party, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Reservation form with payment due Tuesday, Dec 31, 2013. No walk-ins permitted.

ICC Culture Committee members participating in decorating Dousman Stagecoach Inn in Brookfield for holidays Members of the Italian Community Center’s Culture Committee have been invited to decorate the historic Dousman Stagecoach Inn for “An Italian Christmas” the weekend of Dec. 78. Anna Pitzo, Fran SorrentiTollefson, Christina Ziino and Santa Mazza comprise the decorating committee.

The inn is located at 1075 Pilgrim Parkway in Brookfield. The hours are Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 6-12.

“We will be decorating the drawing room, the dining room, several bedrooms and the third floor community gathering room,” Ziino, committee chair, said. “Anna Pitzo will play the part of La Befana (the Epiphany witch of Italian folklore) and have story time on Saturday,

from 11 a.m.-noon and from 2 to 3 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 to 2 p.m.

There will be ornament decorating for the children. The Elmbrook Historical Society will also have their bake sale and will be selling hot soup from the recipe of the Inn’s one time owner, Mrs. Brown.

There will be silent auction items.”

There will be a display of presepios, a shepherd bagpiper, traditional foods, music, linens and other holiday décor.

This stately Greek Revival Inn once stood at the corner of Bluemound and Watertown Plank Roads. It was built in 1842 by Talbot Dousman, whose brother’s son Hercules, later built the Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien.

In 1857, Daniel Brown purchased the property and ran it as a stagecoach inn to accommodate travelers using the plank road that

ran from Milwaukee to Watertown.

After 1875, railroads supplanted stagecoach travel and the inn became a farm owned by Frederick Zimdars. From 1887 to 1980, its owners were Charles Dunkel and his descendent, John Behling. John Behling donated the inn to the City of Brookfield who leased it to the Elmbrook Historical Society.

In 1981, the inn was moved by the Elmbrook Historical Society to its current location at 1075 Pilgrim Parkway in Brookfield.

For more info go to www.elmbrookhistoricalsociety.org or call 262/782-4057.

Find out how inexpensive and effective newspaper advertising can be. Contact The Italian Times for details. Phone: (414) 223-2801 Email: themman@italiancc.org

THE ITALIAN TIMES

2014 schedules sought from Italian societies and groups that regularly use the ICC The 2014 meeting and social event schedules of all societies, clubs and organizations that regularly use the Italian Community Center for their activities are needed by the Italian Conference Center’s Sales and Catering Department and The Italian Times.

David Stachowiak, Director of Sales, Catering & Special Events, and Michelle LeFebvre, Catering Sales Representative, need these schedules to guarantee dates and hall/room availability.

Tom Hemman, Times editor, needs the information to provide an accurate reporting of events in the calendar published in this newspaper.

All groups are asked to submit their schedules including the starting time of all events as soon as possible. The goal is to

have the schedules from all societies, clubs and organizations by the end of November.

Please submit schedules by using any one of these methods: • Send an email to Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org or to David Stachowiak at dstachowiak@italianconference.com or Michelle LeFebvre at mlefebvre@italianconference.com.

• Fax the information to either The Italian Times or the Italian Conference Center Sales and Catering Department at 414/2232187.

• Drop off the schedules in person at the ICC. Groups that don’t comply with this request may find it more difficult at a later time to get the accommodations they most desire.

“We always try our best to accom-

modate all requests, but if we can reserve dates and rooms early, it’s to everyone’s advantage,” Stachowiak said.

Added Hemman, “If we don’t have your schedule of events and the starting time of each event, it becomes very difficult and a bit

frustrating to prepare an accurate calendar listing for the newspaper.

We do hear about it when an event is not listed in the calendar. This is why we have to depend on the presidents or the designated representatives of the many organizations to supply that information to us.”

January general meeting moved from 2nd to 9th Italian Community Center President Gina Spang has announced that the January general membership meeting will not be held on the day after New Year’s Day but rather on Thursday, Jan. 9 starting at 6:30 p.m.

General meetings are normally

held on the first Thursday of the month, but with holiday celebrations and travel, Spang said she thought it would be best to move the January meeting to the 9th.

Cake and coffee will be served at the conclusion of the meeting.

All other ICC meeting dates remain as normally scheduled.

Calendar of Events November 19, 2013 – January 28, 2014 Tuesday, Nov. 19 • Abruzzese Society singers rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Center, Italian Conference, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times will be closed. Cafe La Scala will also be closed.

Wednesday, Nov. 20 • Società Maschile M.S.S. Del Lume election meeting, 6 p.m.

• Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting, 6 p.m.

• Filippo Mazzei Lodge of Order Sons of Italy in America Council meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 31 • Italian Community Center New Year’s Eve party, 7 p.m. Details in this issue.

Thursday, Nov. 21 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 22 – Sunday, Nov. 24 • Italian Community Center and Tradizione Vivente participate in the Holiday Folk Fair in the Wisconsin Exposition Building at State Fair Park. Details in this issue.

Thursday, Nov. 28 • Happy Thanksgiving. The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times will be closed.

Cafe La Scala will also be closed.

• Italian Community Center’s Thanksgiving Day Buffet, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Details in this issue.

Monday, Dec. 2 • Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 3 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO membership installation and Christmas dinner, 6 p.m.

• Pompeii Men’s Club Board meeting, 6 p.m.

• Abruzzese Society singers rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 5 • Italian Community Center membership Christmas dinner and dance, 6 p.m. Details in this issue.

Wednesday, Jan. 1 • Felice Anno Nuovo! Happy New Year! The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times will be closed. Cafe La Scala will also be closed.

Saturday, Jan. 4 • Children’s La Befana party, noon. Details in this issue.

Week of Jan. 6 • Italian Community Center’s winter bocce season begins with couples’ leagues on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and seniors’ leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Details in this issue.

Monday, Jan. 6 • Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 • Pompeii Men’s Club Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9 • Italian Community Center general membership meeting, 6:30 p.m. Cake and coffee served after meeting.

Monday, Jan. 13 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14 • Abruzzese Society meeting and spuntino, 7 p.m.

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

Saturday, Dec. 7 • Abruzzese Society annual holiday dinner and dance, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 15 • Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America Council meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 10 • Abruzzese Society election meeting, 7 p.m.

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

Thursday, Jan. 16 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 13 • Charles Purpero book signing, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

Saturday, Dec. 14 • Holy Crucifix Society Christmas party, noon.

Saturday, Jan. 18 • Italian Family History Club meeting, 10:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

Tuesday, Jan. 28 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 17 • Abruzzese Society singers rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The winter bocce leagues season will begin the week of Jan. 6. Look for more information in this issue.

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

• Free Children’s Italian class. Look for information on the spring semester in our next issue..

Thursday, Dec. 19 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 24 • Christmas Eve. The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times will be closed. Cafe La Scala will also be closed.

Wednesday, Dec. 25 • Buon Natale! Christmas Day. The offices of the Italian Community

THE ITALIAN TIMES

• Italian classes teens and adults. Look for information on the spring semester in our next issue.

• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Ballate con noi! Dance with us!

• Members Room. Open to Italian Community Center members and their guests, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday - Thursday and 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 9

ICC members elected Christiansen, Tarantino, Piacentini and Ceraso to Board; all officers re-elected without opposition from page 1 the 35-year history of the organization to serve as president and will become the first female to serve two consecutive terms. Betty Puccio served the ICC as its president during the 1989-90 term.

Spang had previously held the vice presidency on two different occasions and served as a directorat-large. A longtime, third generation member of the ICC, Spang has served on numerous ICC and Festa Italiana committees over the years.

She was the general chairperson of the 2013 Festa Italiana and will continue in that capacity for the 2014 celebration next July.

She is employed as the Director of Facilities and Maintenance for Milwaukee Public Schools. She is a civil engineer with emphasis on facilities and construction management.

Vella, who is completing his first term as vice president, previously served as a director-at-large. The 17-year owner of Peter Sciortino’s Bakery, Vella is a longtime member of the ICC and a past president of the Madonna Del Lume Society. He has been active in Festa Italiana the last several years, serving on the Management Committee, the Advisory Committee and Food Committee.

He and his wife, Rhiana, were honored as Re and Regina (King and Queen) of the ICC’s Il Grande Carnevale in 2010. Carnevale is the organization’s pre-Lenten costume and mask ball.

Since the inception of the ICC in 1978, Purpero has served on the Board for all but two years, holding the positions of president (1982-83), president-elect, first vice president, treasurer and director-at-large.

This election marks his fifth consecutive term as treasurer. He has been heavily involved in each of the 36 Festa Italiana celebrations organized by the ICC. Ceraso-Fritchie, a longtime member of the organization, has held the office of secretary for the last nine years. She has long been an active volunteer in Festa Italiana. In the most recent years, she has served as manager of golf carts. She is currently the president of the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National. She is chairperson of the ICC’s Avanti Committee and has been on the committee that is responsible for orchestrating Carnevale.

Czubek first won the sergeantat-arms post in the 2010 election, making her the first woman to hold the position in the history of the ICC. She previously served on the Board as a director-at-large (19972002). She has a long history of volunteer involvement in the ICC and with Festa. She has been co-chairperson of Carnevale the last six years and has chaired the Membership Committee and the Election Committee. She has volunteered for many events and has been co-manager of Festa Signage the last several years. For the last 18 years, she served as Festa’s volunteer coordinator.

Director Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen

PAGE 10 – DECEMBER 2013

Each of the newly-elected directors has a long history of volunteer service to the organization.

Others serving on the Board Dave Spano continues to serve on the Board in the non-elective position as immediate past president. Also continuing their service are directors Dean Cannestra, Henry Piano, Anna Pitzo and Anthony Zingale, who are in the middle of their two-year terms.

Departures from the Board of the 2012-13 term are Ralph Busalacchi and Peter Gustin.

Busalacchi was ineligible to run because of the organization’s term limit stipulation. Gustin, who com-

pleted his first, two-year term as director, opted not to seek re-election.

Busalacchi was initially appointed to the Board five years ago to fill a vacancy. He was elect for the first time in 2009 and re-elected in 2011.

During the installation ceremony at the Nov. 7 general meeting, President Gina Spang thanked both Buslacchi and Gustin for their service on the Board and encouraged them to remain active in the organization.

The Election Committee was comprised of Rosemary DeRubertis as chairperson, Mary Ann Maglio, Frank D’Amato, Bill Dickinson and Sal Lo Coco.

President Gina Spang

Vice President Giuseppe Vella

Treasurer Sam Purpero

Secretary RoseAnne Ceraso-Fritchie

Sergeant-At-Arms Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek

Director Elizabeth Ceraso

Director Pietro Tarantino

Director Tony Piacentini

The newly-elected directors Christiansen returns to the Board as a director after a one-year hiatus. She was first appointed to fill a vacancy during the 2005-06 term and was elected in the fall of 2008 and 2010 to two-year terms.

The term limit stipulation in the ICC Bylaws prevented her from seeking re-election last fall. No director can serve more than two consecutive, two-year terms without taking a one-year hiatus.

Tarantino last served on the Board as a director during the 2009-10 term. He had previously served in the same position from the fall of 1999 through the fall of 2005 and re-elected to two-year terms in 2006 and 2008.

Piacentini and Ceraso were elected to their first two-year term in 2012.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Join Jimmy and Linda Spataro in donating stock to the ICC this holiday season from page 1 on what it would cost to obtain a 20-year mortgage on the property at $1.3 million and to build a $3 million to $4 million facility. “We also explained that it would take tremendous effort on everyone’s part to make it happen,” he said.

“Everyone enthusiastically expressed support, and they said that they would do whatever it would take.”

With the full-fledged backing of the late Milwaukee County Executive William O’Donnell, the County Board approved the sale of the Coachyards property to the ICC on Mar. 20, 1986.

The ICC’s fund-raising efforts

hit a fever pitch from that point forward, recalled Jimmy, who was the organization’s president by then.

Just as ICC members needed to commit to a major fund-raising effort back then, Jimmy said, the children and grandchildren of those members need to resolve their commitment to the organization today to insure that the ICC can carry on for generations to come.

The Spataros commitment After making a $1,000 donation to the ICC in October 2012, Jimmy and Linda decided, on Christmas Eve, it was time to do more and make a donation that might stimulate others to contribute. They

decided to get the ball rolling by making a donation of $18,435.81 in stock to the ICC. The couple presented it as a Christmas gift in memory of Jimmy’s parents. He said he specified that the donation go towards reducing the mortgage on the building.

The couple was aware that a charitable contribution of this sort would not only benefit the ICC, but would significantly lessen their capital gains tax burden. An accompanying article addresses the legalities of making a stock donation to a charitable/nonprofit organization and the tax benefits.

“The stock market has had a

good year,” Jimmy noted. “People have experienced capital gains. If they want to get the tax benefit of donating stock, it must be done before the end of the year. Now is the time to do it. Reduce your tax on capital gains and make a holiday donation of stock to the ICC. “It’s time for everyone to step up and financially support the ICC so that the dream that our parents and grandparents had back in the mid 1980s of an Italian Community Center in the Historic Third Ward can be carried on for future generations. Look over your financial situation, talk to your advisor and contact the ICC to make your donation.”

Charitable donations of stock benefit everyone Annex Wealth Management assisted with the donation of stock from Jimmy and Linda Spataro and offers the following information for anyone thinking about donating stock.

If you are considering making a contribution to a qualified charitable organization, such as a church, school, charity or the Italian Community Center, then consider donating appreciated stock. The gifting of stock has several advantages over cash donations generated by the sale of stock. The benefit to the donor can be in the form of a bigger tax deduction.

The benefit to the charitable organization is generally a bigger donation.

A gift of appreciated stock provides two potential tax advantages to the donor. First, the donor receives the fair market value of the stock as a tax deduction. Secondly, the donor avoids any capital gains from the sale of the appreciated stock.

Let’s look at an example: Dan and Mark both want to make charitable contributions to their favorite charity. Both purchased $5,000 worth of ABC stock 20 years ago, and now their investments have a fair market value of

$25,000 each.

Dan chooses to sell his shares in ABC stock to make his charitable contribution. He realizes a gain of $20,000 on the shares. Dan now has to pay $4,000 in tax on this $20,000 gain (20% capital gains rate). He then takes the remaining funds that total $21,000 and donates this to the charity. Assuming that Dan is in the 28% tax bracket, he will realize a tax savings of $5,880 (28% x $21,000) on the charitable contribution deduction of $21,000.

Mark makes arrangements with his charity to donate his shares of ABC stock directly to the charity. After the donation, Mark will not realize any taxable gain or pay any tax on the $25,000 transfer of stock. Plus, he will receive a charitable deduction for the full $25,000 fair market value of ABC stock. Assuming that Mark is also in the 28% tax bracket, the $25,000 charitable contribution deduction will generate a tax savings of $7,000 (28% x $25,000) to him.

In Mark’s case, the charity received $25,000 AND he did not incur any tax on the transfer of stock. In Dan’s case, the charity received only

$21,000 because he had to pay $4,000 in capital gains on the sale of the stock. Official charitable organizations are not taxed when they sell appreciated stock, so in Mark’s case no one pays taxes.

There are a few issues to consider before making the contribution: The appreciated stock must have been held for at least one year, and confirm that the donor qualifies for the “qualified appreciated stock” deduction. If the shares were held for a year or less, the shares would be treated as “ordinary income” for these purposes, and the charitable deduction would be limited to the stock’s cost basis.

There are also some benefits to selecting stocks that have gone down in value for charitable purposes. First, sell the stock and then donate the proceeds. The donor can then use the realized loss from the sale as a deduction on their taxes and a charitable contribution for the proceeds. When devalued stock is donated, the loss cannot be deducted.

For further information, people may contact Dave Spano or Mark Beck at Annex Wealth Management at 262/786-6363.

Thanks for your donations to the Italian Community Center building fund The officers and directors of the Italian Community Center wish to thank and acknowledge all those who pledged, fulfilled a pledge or contributed to the building fund.

To obtain information on how to make a donation, please call 414/223-2808 or visit www.ICCMilwaukee.com.

The following donations were received between Aug. 16 and Nov. 5, 2013.

This donations report is appearing in The Italian Times only during the times there is a print issue.

It is not appearing in online-only issues. This was a decision of the Newspaper Committee.

In memory of Joseph T. Glorioso Sally Rondinelli Tony Machi Paul & Rose Iannelli John Coffaro George & Judy Menos Ron & Joanne Czubek Tom & Rose Zingale Noel & Minnie Schuster Sal Mussomeli & Sally Mullins Gino A. Dentice August J. Amoroso Tom & Marcia Nardelli Bill & Rita Jennaro

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Jimmy & Linda Spataro Mary Ann Maglio Frances Firle Nina Carini Frank & Nina Galioto Mary Winard Nunzio J., Margaret and Anthony Maniaci Mary Costa Melody & Sonny Gensler Sam & Lucille Purpero Anna Pitzo In memory of Mike Carini Mario A. Carini Margaret M. Carini Tony Machi George & Gina Manning Mary Ann Maglio Frances Firle Ines Spinelli Betty Puccio Jimmy & Linda Spataro Sonny & Melody Gensler Bill & Rita Jennaro In memory of Jean Rose Palmisano Betty Puccio Sam & Lucille Purpero In memory of Bernardo Vitale John & Antoinette Sanfilippo Rosalie Glorioso Joyce Damico

Colleen Schumann J.M. Wilczyk Isidore & Mary Pecoraro Frank & Nina Galioto In memory of Roy Cortese Sons of Sicily In memory of Joseph C. Dimiceli, Jr. Tony Machi In memory of Joseph “Joe” Saggio Jr. Gordon & Bernice Boucher Tony Machi Sal Mussomeli & Sally Mullins In memory of Santo Dentice Angela Prochazka Tony Machi In memory of James Rappis Tony Machi In memory of Clarence Blend Ron & Joanne Czubek Sam & Lucille Purpero In memory of Antonina Storniolo Salvatore J. & Antonette M. Lococo In memory of Maria Carini Salvatore J. & Antonette M. Lococo Frank & Nina Galioto Francis Firle

Mary Ann Maglio In memory of Madeline Roccapalumba Francis Firle Mary Ann Maglio Mary Winard Bill & Rita Jennaro Frank & Nina Galioto In memory of James Lee Schneider Tony Machi In memory of Antonio Carmelo Patti Tony Machi Gino Dentice In memory of Peter A. Orlando Sam & Lucille Purpero Sal Mussomeli & Sally Mullins Eddie & Joann Glorioso John Coffaro Jimmy & Linda Spataro In memory of Eugene Scgaller Scgaller Family In memory of Tommy Gumina Tony Machi In memory of Richard “Dick” Bartman Jimmy & Linda Spataro

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 11

Italian culture to be well-represented this weekend at Holiday Folk Fair by ICC, Tradizione Vivente and I Bei Bambini from page 1 West Allis.

ICC volunteers will operate a culture booth under the guidance of Phyllis and Geralyn Travia.

Tradizione Vivente and I Bei Bambini will perform and staff an Italian food booth. This year, the ICC will not operate a booth in the international marketplace.

Advance admission tickets, priced at $10, can be purchased at the ICC or by ordering them through the Folk Fair’s website, www.folkfair.org. Admission during the three-day event will be $12.

Senior citizens and children, ages 6-12, are admitted for $10 and military personnel with identification and children, 5 and under, are admitted for free at all times. A family four-pack is available in advance for $36 through the website listed above or by calling 414/225-6225 and purchasing with a credit card.

Folk Fair hours are: Friday from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tradizione Vivente will perform daily at both the All Nations Theater and the Music Pavilion inside the Expo Center.

At the All Nations Theater, the group will perform Tarantella Fantasia. “This vivacious dance comes to us from the province of Agrigento, Sicily,” said longtime group member Susan DeSanctis Christiansen. “The steps and movements of this dance and the music create the effect of a fantasy, so they have bestowed upon this dance the appropriate name of

Tarantella Fantasia, or Fantasy Tarantella.”

At the Music Pavilion, Tradizione Vivente will perform the highly energetic and charismatic dance, San Rocco, which “we were fortunate enough to have received from Ru Maccature, a performing group in Carpinone, Molise, Italy,” DeSanctis Christiansen said. “This dance celebrates the protector of all illnesses, Saint Rocco. Six centuries after his death, San Rocco is still honored in Patrica, Italy and revered as the citizens’ Patron Saint.”

On Sunday, I Bei Bambini will charm the audience with their dance, Tarantella Siciliana (Sicilian Tarantella). “The children have been working very hard to learn this dance, and they are excited to perform on the big stage,” said DeSanctis Christiansen, who serves as one of the instructors with Marie Mattia.

The Italian food booth, operated

by Tradizione Vivente and its volunteers will be selling pizza, meatball sandwiches, bruschetta, chicken pastina soup with Italian bread, and arancini (rice balls) along with traditional Italian pastries and desserts, such as cookies, tiramisu, cannoli and cassata cake.

Sciortino’s Bakery and Palermo’s Pizza are supplying all the food that will be available at the booth.

The Italian culture booth will feature displays that capture the Folk Fair’s 2013 theme, “Celebrating the Culture of Community.” According to Geralyn Travia, “The culture exhibit will feature three topics which pertain

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to the theme: sports of Italy (bocce and soccer), arts and crafts handed down from our Italian ancestors (knitting and crocheting) and religious traditions celebrated by the Italian community. We will give the history of the topics, have current events related to the topics, and demonstrate how community plays a role in all three of these topics.”

According to a news release issued by the International Institute, the Folk Fair’s organizing body, the theme commemorates “a community of people who are bound together by common ties, such as language, customs and beliefs. They are also connected by what they think, how they behave, what they value and what they pass on to the next generation. The community gives them an identity and a sense of belonging. It helps us discover who and why we are.

The culture of community, sometimes called ‘folklore’ or ‘folklife,’ is

the living expression of culture woven into everyday life – anyone’s culture – learned and passed on informally from person to person. It must be alive and current to be folklife, even though it may have existed over long stretches of time.

This intangible cultural heritage refers to traditions or living oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.”

The Holiday Folk Fair is the largest indoor multicultural festival in the United States. The first Folk Fair was held on Dec. 10, 1944.

Despite a violent snowstorm, 3,500 people braved the weather and took part in the event. In 1947, the fair became a two-day event, and Friday was added in 1964. More than 40 ethnic groups traditionally participate in the fair.

ICC Membership Christmas Party Hosted by: Italian Community Center Thursday, December 5, 2013 – 6:00 p.m.

ICC New Year’s Eve Party Hosted by: Italian Conference Center Tuesday, December 31, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Children’s La Befana Christmas Party Hosted by: Avanti Committee Saturday, January 4, 2014 – Noon Rock and Roll Winter Blast featuring Oldies But Goodies Spectacular and other ‘60s Milwaukee Rock and Roll legends Saturday, Feb. 1 – 6:30 p.m., Doors open 8:00 p.m., Show Il Grande Carnevale Hosted by: Italian Community Center Saturday, March 1, 2014 – 6:11 p.m.

A Taste of Italy Hosted by: Italian Community Center Sunday, April 6, 2014 – 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Easter Party Hosted by: Avanti Committee Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Noon

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

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DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 13

Festival di Danza e Cultura, a multicultural celebration, presented at ICC

The visiting Yabana-kai of Norita City, Japan are seen here. The group was in Milwaukee as part of a sister state partnership between the State of Wisconsin and the Prefecture of Chiba, Japan.

Turam Turkish Folk Dance Group performed two folk dances, Dellio, a line dance from central Turkey (seen here), and Shakerolan, a dance performed at weddings and harvest celebrations.

Times photos by Tom Hemman The Spanish Iberian Flamenco Dancers, under the direction of Virginia Topetiz, performed the Malaguena, a Spanish and Flamenco dance, and the Sevillanas, a dance originating in Seville, Spain.

Tradizione Vivente: The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee performed, in rapid succession, three folk dances – San Rocco, Tarantella Fantasia and La

PAGE 14 – DECEMBER 2013

The gospel group Moving Forward is seen performing here. The singers are under the direction of Marilynn Douglas.

Peppinella – during its performance at the multi-cultural event. The group is performing this weekend at the Holiday Folk Fair at State Fair Park.

Representing the American Indian was Darren Thompson, a Lac du Flambeau flute player, flute maker and composer.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Nefertari African Dance Company performed Funga, which means welcome in Swahili and originated in West Africa. This dance of welcome is performed at happy occasions.

Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt, a local group organized in 1977 to preserve the folk culture of their forefathers by performing songs and dances from the former Pomeranian region of what we now know as Germany.

Keba Diabate and the West African Drums opened Festive di Danza e Cultura. Diabate (fourth from right) is a master of drums and the 21-string Kora (African harp).

The performers exhibited athleticism and physical strength in the performance of this dance named Pommersche. The dance unites both German and Slavic dance elements.

A solo performance by a member of the visiting Yabana-kai of Norita City, Japan

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

“The partisans, now regularly supplied with nighttime airdrops from American planes, accelerated their reprisals. Families were torn apart as acts of vengeance became more ferocious as the year wore on. Italians killing Germans. Germans killing Italians and worse, Italians killing Italians. Gianni was becoming less and less convinced the partisan cause was a noble endeavor.”

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 15

Shorewood students participate in ICC’s Italian culture day program

About 50 third and fourth grade students from Lake Bluff Elementary School in Shorewood came to the Italian Community Center on Monday, Oct. 21 to learn and experience Italian culture. The program, known as “Student Culture Day,” is organized by the ICC’s Culture Committee and staffed by volunteers. Here, Culture Committee Chair Christina Ziino (far right) explains to students what they can expect when they participate in the Ellis Island immigrant experience. Ziino, who played the role of a nurse, told these students that they would be filling the roles of Italian immigrants arriving at Ellis Island in the early 1900s. Student Culture Day is part of the ICC’s October celebration of Italian Heritage Month.

Students were given an opportunity to cut dough into various pasta shapes on an authentic Italian chitarra during the pasta-making lesson.

Instructing this activity was Kathy O’Farrell.

Times photos by Tom Hemman

ICC volunteer Dan Conley gave these students some instructions before they began a game of bocce.

Joe Dentice, filling the role of an Ellis Island doctor, pretended he was putting drops in the eyes of a recently arrived Italian immigrant.

Volunteer Valorie (Sanfilippo) Schleicher taught a class on early Italian immigrants to Milwaukee. Here, she is showing and explaining some of the vintage photos of Milwaukee’s early Italians to Lake Bluff students.

Enrica Tarantino-Woytal, who has been the instructor of Italian language classes at the ICC for nearly 30 years, taught Lake Bluff students some very basic Italian words and phrases during their visit. Among the students in this group was Salvatore Vella, who is sitting next to his mother, Rhiana (far right), who was one of the parent volunteers. Salvatore’s father and Rhiana’s husband is ICC Vice President Giuseppe Vella.

PAGE 16 – DECEMBER 2013

THE ITALIAN TIMES

While one student kneaded fresh dough, another rolled the dough for making pasta. Rosalia Ferrante instructed this activity.

A student turned the handle on a pasta shaping and cutting machine under the guidance of Anna Pitzo.

Mary Castrovinci, playing an Ellis Island doctor, gave a basic examination to the Lake Bluff students who filled the roles of early 1900s Italian immigrants.

Nancy Oberleitner checked over the paperwork of each immigrant to make sure everything was in order and that they hadn’t come to the United States illegally.

Lake Bluff students thank ICC volunteers for Italian cultural experience

Student Culture Day ended with a pasta-and-meatballs lunch in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. The lunch, prepared and served by the Italian Conference Center staff, is always one of the highlights of the day.

Nurse Fran (Sorrenti) Tollefson checked an immigrant for head lice during the Ellis Island experience in the Festa Ballroom.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

After attending the Culture Day program put on at the Italian Community Center on Oct. 21, the third and fourth grade students from Lake Bluff Elementary School wrote letters about their experience and thanked the volunteers who presented the program. These letters were sent to Anna Pitzo, who organized the activity on behalf of the ICC Culture Committee.

Several of their letters appear here (as written by the students).

This activity normally occurs when immigrants become naturalized American citizens. Volunteer

In some instances, however, we edited the letter for brevity. * * * Dear ICC, Thank you for inviting our class to join you for a fun day full of Italian history.

I really enjoyed making pasta. I enjoyed rolling out the dough the most.

Bocce ball was fun, too. I don’t usually play bocce ball, but it was Please turn to page 27

Santa Mazza led these immigrants in pledging their allegiance to the United States.

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 17

Oldies But Goodies Spectacular with special guests to perform at ICC on Saturday, Feb. 1 Advance tickets available now for this show reuniting Milwaukee’s early rock performers The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, joined by special guest performers, will bring back Milwaukee’s ‘50s and ‘60s rock-androll scene in a concert at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Doors of the Festa Ballroom open at 6:30 p.m. The show begins

at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are now available at the ICC for $20. Stop in or call 414/223-2180 to purchase your tickets. Tickets are also available from members of the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular. Should tickets still be available the night of the show, admission will be $25.

Cafe La Scala, the ICC’s public restaurant, will be open at 5 p.m.

that Saturday night. The staff will be on hand to take food and drink orders in both the restaurant and Festa Ballroom throughout the evening.

Kim Marie, the founder and one of the three lead vocalists of the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, said, “Several very special guest performers will be joining us for

The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular is seen here in a previous performance at the ICC. (Times photo)

Harder Funeral Home JAMES T. GUARDALABENE ASSOCIATE 18700 W. Capitol Drive “Three generations of my family serving yours.” www.Guardalabene.com Phone: (262) 781-8350 Cell: (414) 588-0836 “As dictated by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, all pre-paid funeral trusts are allowed to be transferred to another funeral home at any time. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss transferring your trust to me from Schmidt & Bartelt or any other funeral home. I would, of course, honor all the terms and wishes as originally agreed upon. It is a very simple process that only requires your signature on a transfer form which I would provide. In addition, there likely could be a savings to you because of Harder’s more reasonable charges.”

PAGE 18 – DECEMBER 2013

• NO LONGER ASSOCIATED WITH SCHMIDT & BARTELT/ GUARDALABENE & AMATO. • Personally providing the services you have come to expect at your church, chapel or at the Harder Funeral Home.

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• Pre-planning and Title 19 expertise.

• Longtime member of the Italian Community Center.

• Proud sponsor of the Festa Italiana Mass since 2002.

this show, which is a reunion of Milwaukee’s best rock-and-roll artists from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.”

The special artists and the groups they played with back in the day include: Bob Barian of The Comic Books, Warren Wiegratz of The Freeloaders, Larry Lynne of The Skunks, Jim Rosetti of The Midnighters (appearing with Antonio Wigley), Bob Hirschi of The Van Tels, Big Louie of The Renagades and Johnny B., formerly of The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular. Kim Marie added that baritone sax player Yogi, formerly of The Soul Entertainers and The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, is returning to play with the band for this show.

People who have followed the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular through the years know that the band is comprised of several artists who also performed in popular Milwaukee bands from the late ‘50s into the ‘70s. Kim Marie was a member of Denny and The Darnells. Vocalist/guitarist Chuck Travis was the leader of The Do Wa Wa’s. Drummer Bruce Cole played with The Vantels. Trumpeter Mike Betts was with The Free Loaders.

Lead guitar Tom Sorce still plays with the Tom Anthony Group and his own group, the Tom Sorce Band. Bass guitarist Jeff Burhardt was with The Do Wa Wa’s.

Keyboardist Bob Sanderson played with The Citations. Saxophonist Mike Miller was with Junior and The Classics. The group’s third vocalist, Tony Clementi, is the only exception. He did not perform with any of Milwaukee’s early rock bands.

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THE ITALIAN TIMES

Letters from members and friends

BUON NATALE A TUTTI!

Dear Festa Mass Committee c/o Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor: What a perfect way to start out Festa Italiana on Sunday (July 22) by attending the beautiful Mass in the Marcus Amphitheater, followed by the colorful, traditional Procession. The Celebrant, Bishop Donald Hying, made us all feel at home and proud of being Italian.

The choir sounded like a host of heavenly angels under Maestro Michael Kamenski, singing traditional, melodious hymns that go back to the old Third Ward era when Sister Irene directed the Pompeii Church adult choir, where several of my mother’s family were chorus members. Sister Irene, one of the first Sisters of St. Joan Antida to arrive in Milwaukee, was a native of Rome, Italy, and brought with her a repertoire of pontifical music from the Vatican.

Soprano Rebecca Carvalho’s rendition of “Ave Maria” was very touching; she has such a rich smooth voice and lovely presence, a true talent from our own Milwaukee’s Italian community.

The whole Mass operation was very well organized, including the ushers, distribution of Holy Communion and the children’s participation. I truly look forward to the Festa Mass in 2014.

Mary Gilardi ICC Member To President Gina Spang and the ICC Board, On Tuesday, Oct. 15, our members were offered the opportunity to attend a multi-cultural dance program featuring dancers visiting our city from Chiba, Japan. Those of us who attended were treated to a wonderful evening of food, fellowship and entertainment. Our Tradizione Vivente and the Japanese dancers were joined by Flamenco dancers, the Nefertari African Dance Company, Pomeranian dancers, Turkish dancers, Gospel singers and an American Indian flute player.

Many thanks to everyone who made this evening so special!

Fran Sorrenti Tollefson ICC member Dear David Stachowiak, Catering Director, and Jack McNeir, Executive Chef, Italian Conference Center: On behalf of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, I want to thank and acknowledge David Stachowiak and Jack McNeir and his staff for their tremendous efforts in helping to make our organization’s 50th anniversary fashion show and luncheon a great success.

David, you went out of your way in handling all the arrangements for our event. Jack, you and your staff prepared an outstanding meal, which our guests are still raving about.

Everyone who attended our event had a great time, due in large part to your efforts.

Ann Romano Chairperson of 50th anniversary Fashion Show & Luncheon Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 19

Items from Columbus Museum displayed at ICC

A select set of items that commemorate the life and accomplishments of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus were on display at the Italian Community Center, Oct. 14-21. The items were provided by Dan Amato, the owner of the Columbus Antique Mall & Museum, 239 Whitney St., Columbus, Wis. The exhibit included scale models of Columbus’s three ships built by Duane B. Anderson, a replica of the sword used to knight Columbus by the Spanish Queen Isabella, maps, books, porcelain and other memorabilia. Sophia Michalovitz (far left) and ICC Culture Committee Chair Christina Ziino set up the exhibit in the Board Room. The replica of

the sword used at the knighting ceremony is seen in the photo below this caption. The inscription on the sword reads “Remember me, Mother of God.” Amato, who is a member of the ICC, invites fellow members and the public to visit the Columbus Antique Mall & Museum, which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Michalovitz, a member of the Culture Committee, made the arrangements with Amato to bring the exhibit to the ICC. (Times photos by Tom Hemman)

Palermo’s Pizza was the official sponsor of the Sicilian drum troupe that came to Festa In a caption on the front page of the September/October issue with the photo of the drum troupe from Aspra (Sicily), Italy, we incorrectly identified the sponsor for the drummers.

Please note that Palermo’s Pizza was the official sponsor of the drummers. Said President Gina Spang, “We are very grateful for Palermo’s sponsorship. While the idea of bringing authentic entertainment from Italy was enthusiastically embraced by the Festa

Planning Committee, the budget had been established and there was no additional funding for this. We reached out to Palermo’s and they did not hesitate to support our effort through a direct sponsorship.

Because of their quick response to our request, we were able to bring these authentic performers to Festa 2013.

“Our sincere thanks to Palermo’s for their sponsorship and our deepest apologies for this error in The Italian Times.”

Having up to 300 dinner guests?

Maddy Sherman displays works at ICC during Gallery weekend

Entertain them at the Italian Conference Center’s FESTA BALLROOM.

Maddy Sherman, an award-winning local acrylic artist, displayed and sold her works at the Italian Community Center the weekend of Oct. 19-20 as the organization participated in the quarterly Gallery Night & Day program. The program is coordinated by the Historic Third Ward Association and the East Towne Association. The lCC has long been a program participant. Sherman’s specialty is landscapes of Italy. Critics have said her realistic style and attention to detail pull viewers in and make them feel like they are part of the scene. (Photo provided by Liz Ceraso)

PAGE 20 – DECEMBER 2013

A gorgeous setting in which to enjoy great food!

The Italian Conference Center in the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St. (a block west of Summerfest) Call David or Michelle at 414/ 223-2800 to reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Report from Victory School’s Italian Immersion Program In four-year old kindergarten, we are working on learning the Italian alphabet. The students have journals called, “Il Mio Libro Alfabetico,” in which they practice writing their Italian alphabet. Each day we also do “calendario” and spend time learning the days of the week and Italian numbers. The students have been working on the songs “ABC” and “La Settimana”.

Maestro Bruno’s K-5 students are enjoying learning the body parts in Italian by playing tombola. Greetings are practiced everyday in both the FLES and regular classrooms and on the play-

ground during recess. At the end of each day, Maestro bids his students farewell with “A domani!” as they get on their bus. Last Friday he said to one student: “Ciao! See you on Monday.” To which she replied (without skipping a beat): “You mean tomorrow is Sabato?”

Maestra Robertson’s second graders are writing research papers on animals and their homes and habitats. They are learning to identify the main idea and details in informational text and then writing their own paper on the material that they learned and their conclusions. There are 16 bright eyed and bushy tailed second graders racing to find the next acorn in terms of

learning.

The third grade students researched “Il Sistema Solare” during their science lessons this fall.

They learned about the connection between the names of the planets and the days of the week in Italian.

For example, the word for Thursday (Giovedi) comes from the name Jupiter (Giove) and the word for Tuesday (Martedi) comes from the name Mars (Marte). By tracing their shadows on the concrete at different times of the day, the third graders observed the earth’s rotation and how the sun appears to be moving throughout the day.

Maestra Laurenzi’s fourth graders and Maestra Wilcox’s fifth graders took a field trip to the zoo.

While they were at the zoo, they saw some giraffes, tigers, monkeys, lions, cheetahs and rhinos. When they visited the animals, they observed some of their adaptations To learn more about their habits.

They explored the autumn (l’autunno) change in animal habitats.

They enjoyed the animals and the fall leaves while learning about animals, habitats and seasons.

– Submitted by Annette Robertson

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Italian Society and Club News Milwaukee Sons of Italy Pompeii Women present lodge establishes website three $1,000 scholarships The Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge #2763 of the Order Sons of Italy in America has established a website – www.sonsofitalymilwaukee.org – that went live in early October.

According to Mazzei Lodge President Joe Emanuele, yhe website, which is still somewhat under construction, features pages such as membership, “Italian Businesses in Milwaukee” and “Italian Recipes.” It will also have a “Photo Gallery,” a “Contact Us” page and more.

“The site will be linked to the Italian Community Center’s website– www.iccmilwaukee.com – in support of the Center’s activities and to promote future growth for its organization,” Emanuele said.

“As a means of reaching our

youth, the website will also be linked to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter,” he said.

“My intentions are to not only build our membership, but bring more youth and more activities to the Italian Community Center as well.

All societies should begin to focus on promoting the ICC in the best interest of our children, as it has been the home to everyone from the start.”

OSIA has also established its own email address and a Visa and MasterCard account for renewing and recruiting new members.

“These are a few of the new ideas that have been implemented since I started the presidency in February of 2013. OSIA is bringing new energy to the Filippo Mazzei Lodge and is very excited about its future,” Emanuele said.

UNICO Ladies elect new officers Catherine Kelly succeeds Sophia Michalovitz as president The Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO recently elected new officers for the next two years.

Longtime active member Catherine Kelly succeeds Sophia Michalovitz as president. Kelly served in the last term as vice president Michalovitz has led the civic organization the last four years.

She continues to serve as immediate past president.

Others elected included: Carla Pellin as vice president, Katherine Clancy as recording secretary, Prudence Camuy as corresponding

secretary, Maria LoRicco as treasurer, Rosalia Ferrante as finance/membership officer, Edith Brown and Rosalinda Schaapveld as co-historians, Nancy Oberleitner as sergeant-at-arms, and Anna Pitzo as parliamentarian.

Camuy, LoRicco, Ferrante, Brown and Schaapveld are returning to the same offices they held in the last term.

The newly-elected officers will be installed at the organization’s annual Christmas dinner meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.

During its meeting on Sept. 25 at the Italian Community Center, the Pompeii Women’s Club awarded three $1,000 scholarships to benefit students attending Dominican High School, St. Anthony High School and Pius XI High School.

The scholarships were presented to each school’s administrators, who were allowed to decide how to distribute the awards.

Emily Curley, Dominican Director of Advancement, presented the $1,000 scholarship to sophomore Michael Jackels. The award was given to Michael’s parents as he was unable to attend.

Pius High School President, Dr. Melinda Skrade, presented two $500 scholarships – one to freshman Markia Silverman-Rodriguez and to sophomore Gabrielle Stockwell.

St. Anthony Principal Julia D’Amato also split the scholarship, awarding $500 each to senior Erika Baca and senior Sinai MendozaZarate.

The Pompeii Women’s Club plans to continue awarding three $1,000 scholarships annually.

Guests in attendance the evening of the scholarship presentations included Antoinette and Rosalie Sanfilippo and Joe and Jane Palmisano. Jane joined the club that night. Welcome, Jane.

Member Jeannie Doern and her husband, Dave, were also present.

The hostesses for the scholarship dinner meeting were club members Patti Bennetts and Lucy Sorce with assistance from Janet Corona.

The club held another membership meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 30. It was hosted by members Marie Schwindt and Sharon Best.

Father Mike Hammer was the guest of honor and showered blessings on the club and its members on its 35th anniversary.

The club’s next membership meeting will be its Christmas party on Wednesday, Nov. 20, also at the ICC. – Prepared by Mary Winard Publicity Chair

UNICO Ladies join Marian Romberger for her 100th birthday

Pompeii Men’s Club invites all to its Christmas party The Pompeii Men’s Club welcomes the public to join them in a Christmas celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Papa Luigi’s II, 1919 12th Ave., South Milwaukee.

There will be a social hour starting at 5 p.m. with a buffet-style dinner served at 6 p.m. The buffet will include: meat mostaccioli, baked chicken, Italian sausage, green beans, parsley buttered potatoes, relish tray, shrimp salad,

tossed garden salad, and rolls and butter.

The cost has been set at $20 per person. Reservations are required

by Tuesday, Nov. 26 and can be made by calling President Chuck Lazzaro at 414/421-7359 or by sending a check (payable to Pompeii Men’s Club) to Lazzaro at 6213 Mansfield Dr., Greendale, WI 53129. Please include a list of the names of attendees.

Abruzzese Society welcomes all to annual holiday dinner and dance The Abruzzese Society is hosting its annual Christmas holiday dinner and dance at the Italian Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 7. “We invite you to join us for this special holiday event featuring music and dancing, a buffet dinner and door prizes,” said Vince Vitale, Abruzzese Society President.

The dinner buffet will be available at 7 p.m.

Admission is $30 per person.

Make checks payable to Abruzzese

PAGE 22 – DECEMBER 2013

Society and mail to: Vince Vitale, 5758 W. Kinnickinnic Pkwy, West Allis, WI 53219. Reservations must be made by Monday, Nov. 25.

For more information, please contact Vitale at 414/545-5659.

Find out how inexpensive and effective newspaper advertising can be. Contact The Italian Times for details. Phone: (414) 223-2180 Email: themman@italiancc.org

Several members of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO helped one of their own, Marian Romberger, celebrate her 100th birthday. The celebration took place on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the River Club of Mequon. The blessing was given by The Very Rev. Timothy Kitzke of Three Holy Women Parish and Old St. Mary’s Church. “We have been fortunate to celebrate Marian’s 90th, then 95th and, most importantly, 100th birthday,” said Sophia Michalovitz, Ladies of UNICO President. “As a member of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, Marian has held many positions on the Executive Board and, at age 90, was still preparing the audit for the organization and helping in creating the budgets. Marian is still practicing our motto ‘Service Above Self’, which was evident at her birthday celebration. In lieu of gifts, she requested contributions to the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Scholarship program. We look forward to Marian presenting the Marian Romberger Scholarship in May of 2014. She has been an inspiration and beloved member of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO for over 68 years.”

Romberger officially turned 100 on Sept. 13. Front row (l-r): Frances Firle, Ann Romano, Marian Romberger, Carmen Schlotthauer, Mary Ann Ganny and Mary Castrovinci. Back row: Nancy Oberleitner, Rosalia Ferrante, Mary Ann Maglio, Anna Pitzo, Marie LoRicco, Rosalinda Schaapveld and UNICO Ladies’ President Sophia Michalovitz. (Photo provided by Anna Pitzo)

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Milwaukee UNICO holds bocce party to benefit scholarship program The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National hosted a bocce party to benefit its 2014 scholarship program on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Italian Community Center. The fund-raiser was the second of this type in 2013.

This past May, the Milwaukee Chapter, joined by the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, presented

$18,000 in scholarships to 16 area students of Italian descent.

A team comprised of Ed Sciano, Bill Dickinson, Stefanie Guttuso and her daughter Danielle, won the Oct. 25 bocce tournament.

Here are some photos from the event, provided to The Italian Times by Liz Ceraso.

Ed Sciano, a member of the team that won the bocce tournament, is seen here in action.

UNICO District Governor Bea Ceraso (left) and Karen Dickinson enjoyed the bocce party.

Italian Community Center Membership Join us today! What’s not to love?

• ALL ARE WELCOME. Membership is open to any person of Italian heritage or other public-spirited individuals supporting the purposes and objectives of the Italian Community Center.

• A MEMBERSHIP IN THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER IS A PERFECT GIFT for friends and relatives, holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings and other special occasions.

BENEFITS OF INDIVIDUAL OR SENIOR MEMBERSHIP • Home delivery of The Italian Times* • Complimentary ticket to Festa Italiana • Voting privileges** • Free international television in Members Room for sports and cultural programs • Special events discounts • Social, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities • Discount on advertising in The Italian Times. *Online edition of The Italian Times available for everyone. Visit www.ICCMilwaukee.com. **Persons, 18-25, who purchase individual membership, will have voting privileges.

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

Here’s Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National President Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie (left) and Mary Winard.

K Individual Membership (64 or younger) @ $35.00/year. K Senior Membership (65 or older) @ $30.00/year.

FREE Junior Membership, available for children, teens and adults under the age of 25 with a paid individual membership.

Please complete the following information and mail this application form with your payment to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. If you have any questions or want further information, please call (414) 223-2180. If there are more than two persons in each category, please list the additional persons on a separate sheet of paper. All memberships are valid for one full year.

Names and birthdates of persons applying for or renewing an individual membership: First individual New Membership K Mr./Mrs./Ms.: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Second individual New Membership K Mr./Mrs./Ms.: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _____________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________________ Phone: __________________ Cell: ______________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Number of persons applying for or renewing an individual membership ____ @ $35/person = $_______________________ Names and birthdates of persons applying for or renewing a senior membership: First individual Mr./Mrs./Ms.: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Second individual Mr./Mrs./Ms.: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________

New Membership K Renewing Membership K New Membership K Renewing Membership K

Address: _____________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________________ Phone: __________________ Cell: ______________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Number of persons applying for or renewing a senior membership ____ @ $30/person = $____________________________ Names and birthdates of persons applying for or renewing a free junior membership: First individual New Membership K Mr./Mrs./Ms.: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Second individual New Membership K Mr./Mrs./Ms.: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _____________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________________ Phone: __________________ Cell: ______________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Dan Conley, who is the manager of bocce operations at Festa Italiana and coordinator of the ICC’s Monday night league, served as the referee.

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Number of persons applying for or renewing a junior membership ___________ at no cost.

Date of application

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $

_

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 23

Rolandi family acquires dual Italian-U.S. citizenship Italian Community Center member Alan Rolandi reports that each member of his family has acquired Italian citizenship to go along with their United States citizenship. The nationality law of Italy bestows citizenship jure sanguinis (by right of blood).

Rolandi told The Italian Times that he requested recognition from Italy of the citizenship that already existed per the Italian law. Joining him in acquiring dual citizenship are his wife, Karen, and their two daughters, Allie and Maggie.

“When my daughters marry, their husbands are eligible,” he said. “If they have children, their children will be 100% Italian at birth.”

Rolandi cited these reasons for wanting dual citizenship: “We are Italian and wanted to be officially Italian citizens. I’m so proud, but more so for my children. No visa is required when traveling in Europe, which is an advantage for employ-

ers, too. Italian citizens are also European citizens so we are actually citizens of all European Union countries (28 in all). My grandchildren will be 100% Italian.”

Rolandi was one of the founders of WisItalia and he served as its executive administrator for eight years and remained on its executive committee. He currently serves as the President of WisItalia.

WisItalia is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 voluntary organization created in December 2000 to promote the teaching of the Italian language in Wisconsin schools. It was founded

by Italian-American clubs in Wisconsin, as well as UW-Madison, and UW-Milwaukee. To date, WisItalia has been successful in creating new Italian programs and promoting existing Italian schools and programs. This continues to grow and provides a valuable service to the community.

Tony and Bernice Sparacino celebrate 65th anniversary Longtime Italian Community Center members Tony and Bernice (Holtz) Sparacino celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on May 1.

Tony told The Italian Times that he met Bernice when they were teenagers working at the old Paradise Theater in West Allis.

“She was 16 and was the popcorn girl. I was 17 and was the usher,” he said. “I knew right away, she was one for me.”

The couple was married at Whitnall Park Lutheran Church in Hales Corners on May 1, 1948.

The Sparacinos’ sons, Terry, Michael and Mark and their families hosted a surprise anniversary party for them at Bravo! Cucina Italiana in Brookfield. Tony and Bernice have 10 grandchildren.

Tony has been a volunteer for 35 of the 36 Festa Italiana celebrations, organized by the ICC. For many years, he was a member of

Festa’s famed “911 crew,” a group of elderly male volunteers who worked diligently on set-up and take-down of the festival decorations, signs, lighting and much more. When Tony was 70, he said he was the youngest member of the crew.

Tony is a longstanding volunteer for the Festa Patrol and has been involved in assigning and keeping charge of the radios used by members of the patrol and other Festa officials.

Tony has also volunteered at the ICC. In the early years of the present ICC facility, he was among the crew, headed by Carmen Zingara, that painted rooms and did tiling work. He also contributed financially to the organization’s building fund and has a plaque on the ICC’s Wall of Honor. His plaque is in honor of his wife Bernice and his mother, the late Lucretia Sparacino.

Bernice (Holtz) and Tony Sparacino

Al Rolandi and his daughter Maggie are seen here. The entire Rolandi family has dual citizenship and Al and Maggie have passports.

Welcome new Italian Community Center members!

The following people became members of the Italian Community Center between August 15 and November 5, 2013. Benvenuti!

(Welcome!)

Jeffrey Sardina, Germantown Deborah Mikush, Waukesha Jamie Mikush, Waukesha Mary Spinella, Whitefish Bay Kathy Holat, Wauwatosa Michael and Kate Sorge, Milwaukee William Gainey, South San Francisco, CA Brian Neal, Greenfield Jane K. Gertler, Milwaukee Claire Jarosz, Milwaukee Mary Caravello and child Nicolo Caravello, Milwaukee Linda Joy, Brookfield

PAGE 24 – DECEMBER 2013

Request from ICC for cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses

By Susie Christiansen Social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as e-mail and cell phone texting, are currently the most common methods of communicating for people. Using those avenues, we want to develop a way to reach out to our membership to inform you about upcoming events organized by the Italian Community Center, such as Il Grande Carnevale, A Taste of Italy and Festa Italiana.

We can even email you a copy of The Italian Times.

When the ICC hosts wine tastings, musical events and cooking classes, it would be helpful to everyone involved to be able to send an e-mail blast or a cell phone text blast to ICC members and as many non-members as possible. Right now, committee chairs and event planners here don’t always know what advertising options are available to them and how to reach out to you. Without spending a ton of money, we just aren’t sure how to let the people out there know about upcoming events at the ICC. ICC members can be placed on an e-mail list and a cell phone list when they sign up for or renew their membership. Our application includes a place for your e-mail address and cell phone number.

Our membership contact list is extremely private, and we will continue to keep it that way. We do not distribute our address, phone or email lists to anyone. Rest assured your contact information will be retained by the ICC and only the ICC, and you will only be sent messages on a limited basis.

We simply want to inform you. We want to tell you about the fantastic events, activities and ethnic experiences that the Italian Community Center has to offer.

These are the other options available for submitting your cell phone number and e-mail address: 1. Our website: www.iccmilwaukee.com – use the Contact Us Form (the last tab on the site).

2. By e-mail: susie@iccmilwaukee.com.

3. Call Constance Palmer at the ICC – 414-223-2808.

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Cousins meet for the first time in 85 years at the ICC John Camp has been a member of the Italian Community Center since it was located on Hackett Avenue on Milwaukee’s East Side.

He and his wife volunteered in the pizza booth at Festa Italiana faithfully year after year from when Palermo’s commenced as vendor until the operation was taken over

by Cafe La Scala. Although John and his family have resided in

south Florida for 25 years, they faithfully return to Milwaukee every summer to take in the festival season and have not missed a single Festa since it started.

This year, while perusing the grounds John stopped at the cultural village. He was particularly intrigued by the exhibit in the genealogy pavilion. It was featuring the region of Puglia, an area of

ICC members visit Italy, attend Sicilian festival

Italy on the Adriatic coast opposite from Naples on the opposite coast.

His interest was piqued because the roots of his mother’s family were there. His mother, her sister and their widowed mother immigrated from there to America following World War I. While viewing the exhibits, imagine his startled surprise to see his mother’s family tree posted on the wall. Even more surprising was a photograph of his grandfather resplendent in a carabinieri uniform. He had never seen a picture of his grandfather nor did he know one existed. The exhibit became more intriguing when he saw pictures of a cousin he did not know even existed. It was a pair of photographs of a young man in boxing attire in a publicity pose as a golden gloves boxer taken right after World War II. The young man was the son of the sister of John’s mother. Upon speaking with staff members in the pavilion to learn the source of this display,

he was told that the young boxer was Rocco Defilippis, who was in the pavilion the day before and was equally startled by the display and to see himself shown as he was over 60 years ago.

One inquiry led to another and John was put in contact with George Koleas, the coordinator of genealogy search at the Italian Community Center, to learn the source of this information.

Through Koleas’s intercession, John was able to get in touch with Rocco who now resides in Port Washington.

The two cousins hit it off well and agreed to meet for lunch at the ICC. There, almost four score and seven years later, the two men met for the first time. John is 87.

Rocco is two years younger. So now with almost nine decades of life’s experiences to recall these two have a lot to talk about. Their wives joined in this reunion and the four lingered long at the ICC, a perfect place for this all to occur.

Joe Campagna, Jr. and Mike Palmisano, past presidents of the Italian Community Center, Joe’s wife, Kathy, and Peter and Jennie Corrao, all ICC members, recently spent four days in Rome, Italy and six days in Sicily, including attending the Feast of the Madonna del Lume in Porticello, Sicily. While in Rome, the group caught up with ICC Chaplain, the Very Rev. Timothy Kitzke for dinner. The top photo shows Mike Palmisano (left), Fr. Tim and Kathy Campagna. The photo below shows Kathy and Joe Campagna standing near the vada of the Madonna del Lume. (Photos provided by Joe Campagna)

John Camp and Rocco Defilippis are seen here in a photo taken inside Cafe La Scala.

Jeff Friday, nephew of Joe Campagna, amid 16th season as NFL strength coach Joe Campagna, Jr., a past president of the Italian Community Center, is proud of the accomplishments of his nephew/godson Jeff Friday. Friday is amid his 16th season as a strength coach in the National Football League. This season and the three previous, he has served as assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In that capacity, Friday is a key off-the-field member of the Bengals organization, helping lead a strength training routine that also serves as a form of recovery for players who put their bodies through enormous physical stress every week. He not only helps the players in their physical development, but lends his expertise in their mental, social and even spiritual foundations.

Over the course of his 16 seasons in the NFL, Friday has also served as a strength coach with the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens. He was head strength and conditioning coach for the Ravens when they won the Super Bowl in the 2000 season, when Friday was named Professional Strength and

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Conditioning Coach of the Year by his peers. He has coached seven Hall of Fame players and more than 30 Pro Bowlers.

Friday is the son of Angela and Jerry Friday. Jerry taught at Marquette University High School for 45 years.

Jeff Friday

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 25

Spotlight on Cultural Arts Charles Purpero writes suspect novel titled 29 Hours Author to conduct book signing at ICC on Friday, Dec. 13 Charles A. Purpero, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, has written a suspect thriller entitled 29 Hours, which is now available in hardcover, paperback and in Kindle format on Amazon.com.

Here’s a brief story description: “Charles Weston is a simple man. A few beers, an occasional day at the track, and time with his family are all it takes to keep him happy. But when Charlie goes to pay his income tax bill at the Milwaukee Federal Building and comes face to face with terrorists trying to annihilate his Midwestern lakefront city, his only concern is how to keep them from executing their diabolical plan. As he is thrown into combat with the men who have infiltrated the government building, he learns that the attack is only a small part of a nationwide terrorist plot.

“Soon Charles is entangled in a web of conspiracy that takes him from obscurity to the forefront of a battle to save the future of his country, his town and his own life.

Despite overwhelming odds, he spearheads a mission with the FBI and the President that takes him from the Midwest to the coast of Oregon where he is compelled to penetrate the terrorists’ inner sanc-

tum, free hostages they have taken, and destroy their stranglehold on America itself, but the clock is ticking.”

29 Hours is dedicated to his parents, Anthony and Shirley, his wife, Lynn, and their daughters, Stephanie and Christy.

The book is available in hardcover for $24.95 (plus shipping and handling) and paperback for $14.95 (plus shipping and handling). To order, visit www.HenschelHAUSbooks.com. It is also available in Kindle format at Amazon.com.

Purpero told The Italian Times that people can also contact him directly at 414-350-0234 for an autographed copy and he will work out arrangements for delivery of the book.

You can also get an autographed copy of 29 Hours when Purpero conducts a book signing at the Italian Community Center on Friday, Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Purpero said he will donate $2

Biography of Italian fascist Gabriele D’Annunzio earns British prize A biography of Italian fascist Gabriele D’Annunzio has won Britain’s leading nonfiction book prize. “The Pike,” by Lucy Hughes-Hallett, was awarded the $32,000 Samuel Johnson Prize.

The book describes how D’Annunzio (1863-1938), became a national hero. He was a writer, poet, playwright, journalist and soldier during World War I. D’Annunzio occupied a prominent place in Italian liter-

ature from 1889 to 1910 and was a fascist politician from 1914 to 1924.

Hughes-Hallett bested three other finalists for the prize which recognizes English language books from any country in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sports, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts. Hughes-Hallett is a cultural cultural historian and authored several award-winning books.

The Reluctant Patriot by Edward Bernardi presents personal accounts of Italians who lived through Mussolini’s Fascist regime For 30 years, Edward Bernardi interviewed family members and old neighbors from Italy in hopes of unveiling the history of his relatives from the rise of Mussolini in 1922 to the end of World War II. He planned to share these notes with his children. He never imagined it would lead to the publishing of a novel.

Bernardi’s The Reluctant Patriot is based of the true stories of his relatives and their friends.

It has been described as “a significant, historical novel about a small community of poor, hardworking mountain people who became involved in the turmoil brought about during the rise and fall of Mussolini’s regime” and “a heartwarming tale of illicit love under the eyes of the enemy, collaboration, revenge and the excruciating pain of a family, and community torn apart by the actions of politicians and the war they created.”

Bernardi‚ a Northwestern University graduate and an Evans Scholar recipient, is a retired

PAGE 26 – DECEMBER 2013

investment banker. This is his first novel.

Pauline Spicuzza Mohr, in a review of Bernardi’s book, wrote: “I had the pleasure of reading The Reluctant Patriot when it was first written. The story was totally

absorbing, and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the conclusion. I found the historical aspects particularly interesting. Almost all of the incidents actually took place as told by those who experienced them. Any one whose ancestors emigrated from Italy will be caught up in the story, perhaps hearing echoes of the stories their grandparents or great-grandparents told of time of in the ‘old country.’ The story is beautifully written and authentically rendered – a good read for anyone.”

Spicuzza Mohr is the niece of the late Francesco Spicuzza, the acclaimed Italian immigrant who settled in Milwaukee and who’s artistic talents made him one of the most acclaimed in Wisconsin’s history.

The Reluctant Patriot is available in hardcover edition for $28 ($25 plus $3 shipping). For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s website: bernardipatriot.com or email book order to: reluctantpatriot@gmail.com.

Charles A. Purpero (Photo by Sarah Stevens, I Do Photography)

to the ICC for every hardcover copy of the book that is sold that evening and $1 from every paperback version.

About the author Purpero started out in the family construction business, but even from a young age, knew that he wasn’t someone who wanted to work for someone else. He wanted to make his own way. After a couple of moderately successful business ventures, Purpero got involved with a cable television collections company. Running his own business has allowed him to pursue some of his passions, and storytelling has always been one of them. 29 Hours is his first story to be put into writing, and he plans to develop other stories and characters he has been building for the better part of a decade.

In an interview with The Italian Times, Purpero said he has “always had an interest in writing and has been a good storyteller.” He added that he started to develop the story for 29 Hours after a terrorist attack in 1995 at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Before self-publishing the book, he had several people read the story and earned high marks from the reviewers.

Purpero added that he has “several other books in the works, including a sequel to 29 Hours.”

People familiar with the ICC know the Purpero name quite well.

Phillip and Sam Purpero, past presidents of the ICC, are Charles’ uncles. Rose Purpero Spang, a charter member, is his aunt. Gina Spang, the current president of the ICC, is his cousin.

Saint Stephen’s Day is a national holiday in Italy December 26th is the day to honor San Stefano (Saint Stephen) in Italy and many other countries. The Feast of San Stefano is a national holiday in Italy.

San Stefano was one of the early disciples who joined the Church of Jerusalem when it was in its infancy following the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. He is said to be the first Christian martyr.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

L’Angolo del Poeta Prepared by Barbara Collignon and Roberto Ciampi Roberta Lipparini, our featured Italian poet for December, is a member of a group of poets who meet at number 77 via S. Stefano, a place that hosted Portici Poetici, the exhibition in Bologna created

by Alessandro Dall’Olio (poet, writer and journalist), an event that offered those who love poetry the opportunity to share and inspire each other (Lipparini used the word contaminarsi!) through literary form in verse. It was at Portici Poetici that she read her poems aloud to others for the first time.

Lipparini writes, “Scrivo da sempre: poesie per adulti e filastrocche per bambini. All’inizio più raramente (a parte la fecondissima parentesi adolescenziale); da qualche anno in un fluire ininterrotto.” (I’ve always written: poetry for adults and nursery rhymes for children. In the beginning rarely (apart from the fertile adolescent parenthesis); for some years in continuous flow.”

A diciotto anni ho lasciato gli studi e ho iniziato a lavorare. Il curriculum inviato era scritto in rima. (At 18, I left school and began to work.

The resume I sent was written in rhyme.) For two years, she worked behind the scenes in the lyric opera of il Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

She writes, “Ho pubblicato un unico libro…”C’è un posto accanto a me. Poesie per una scuola senza barriere”, nel 2013, con la casa editrice Mondadori. E’ un libro per

bambini dai 7 anni, sulla sensibilità, la leggerezza, la profondità e il disagio dell’infanzia. Un libro di poesie in rima. Un altro libro uscirà, sempre con la Mondadori nel gennaio 2014, un libro sulla spiritualità nei bambini” (I’ve published a single book. …It’s a book for children aged 7 and up about the sensitivity, lightness, depth and discomfort of childhood. A book of poetry that rhymes. Another book will come out, again with Mondadori, in January of 2014, a book about the spirituality of children).

Lipparini has gifted us with an exquisite poem about Christmas gifts for our December column.

Incarterò i tuoi doni questa notte mio amore poi verrò da te e te li poserò nel cuore

By Roberta Lipparini CHRISTMAS PRESENTS On this cold night in a cold that hurts, I’m wrapping for you my Christmas presents.

The silent rhythm of an endless tide, a thin and light pencil line.

Forgiveness

for your every mistake, comfort from darkness, shelter from sorrow.

Certainty that I will go and search for you though you may elude me though you may get lost at sea Trust that in your flight the fear of being alone won’t stop you I will wrap your presents tonight my love then I will come to you and I will lay them on your heart – Translation by Roberto Ciampi

DONI DI NATALE In questa notte fredda d’un freddo che fa male sto incartando per te i miei doni di Natale Il ritmo quieto di una marea infinita un tratto leggero lieve, a matita Il perdono per ogni tuo errore conforto dal buio riparo dal dolore La certezza che ti verrò a cercare anche se mi sfuggi se ti perderai nel mare La fiducia che nel tuo volo non ti fermerà la paura di esser solo

Lake Bluff students thank ICC volunteers for Italian cultural experience and best-ever lunch! from page 17 new to me and it was super fun.

One of my favorite stations was the immigration. I really liked acting out someone else and it was very interesting going through the same process people back then went through.

When we learned about the Milwaukee Italian community it really made me think about my heritage. It was even more interesting looking at the photos.

It was very interesting learning the Italian language. It was fun and cool relating it to Spanish.

I really enjoyed the trip and lunch was amazing. Thank you again!

Becca C. * * * Dear ICC, Thank you for volunteering your time to set up this huge thing without us paying you. We really appreciate it. We learned so much.

I really liked when you gave us names and checked us for lice and eye problems. It made me feel so lucky that we didn’t have to go through the same process. It was really awesome learning the language because it was a lot like Spanish and I know a lot of Spanish.

I loved bocce ball because it was a new experience. I would also like to thank you for lunch.

I know you put a lot of time and effort into this trip and I really appreciated it.

Oskar * * * Dear ICC, Thank you so much for all the amazing activities. I loved pasta making and hearing the story about the boy who made the instru-

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ment and his mom used it for cutting pasta. I also loved immigration, getting the name tags and going through the lice check, eye check and asking all the questions and last of all, the oath.

I also loved Italian language, watching people having a conversation in Italian and hearing how to count, Milwaukee’s Italian community and learning about the people and the ship and how everybody stayed at the top to stay away from the smell and from the dark and looking at all the pictures of people who were boarding the ship.

I also loved bocce ball. Dan is really good. I liked watching the ball because you don’t know where the ball was going to end up.

And last but not least, lunch was delicious. I loved the pasta and brownies.

Thank you so much for sharing your time!

Ruby * * * Dear ICC, Thank you so much for everything. Thanks for giving us your time and letting our class come. It was amazing. I had so much fun that I can’t even pick a favorite thing.

I loved bocce ball and learning how to speak Italian and everything else. I can’t wait to tell my parents about it. I think that they will be jealous.

Thank you to everyone. I can’t wait to go back.

Ava * * * Dear ICC, Thank you for your time with my class. I loved the Italian language. I thought it was a little challenging because the words were

hard to say, but it is good to learn another language.

My favorite activity was seeing how pasta was made. My favorite part was when we got to roll it up and mix it.

The history thing I loved that the most of all because I was 17, married to Rosario and I was pregnant. I thought that was very funny. I also thought that was very interesting to know what happened when you were on the boat to America.

As for the lunch, WOW, that was probably the best I ever had.

The meatballs were very good (yummy in my tummy). The brownies were my favorite of all.

Thank you for the free lunch and thank you for your time with our class.

Eleanor * * * Dear ICC, Thank you so much for inviting us to your center. I had so much fun.

In bocce ball, I had a lot of learning how to play the game, even if I lost.

It was fun getting the Italian names and doing the fake trip to Ellis Island.

It was cool learning how to speak Italian. I liked thinking about where our family came from.

I also liked making the pasta.

The lunch was very delicious. The spaghetti was the best. I loved the bread. The brownie was delicious.

Jonah * * * Dear ICC, Thank you for inviting us to your community center. I really liked it when we did the acting. It was really fun. My name was Rita

Alberti. I had two kids and a husband.

The other thing that was very fun was pasta making. I want you to know that my pasta is ravioli.

I also liked bocce ball. I was on the green team and the other team was red. I won the first round.

Then the red team won the other one. But my team still won the whole thing.

Thank you again and ciao.

Kamryn * * * Dear ICC, Thank you for teaching us so much about how it was for immigrants to come to Milwaukee. I liked that we learned how to make pasta and that I got a turn using the pasta machine. Thank you for taking time to show me all the pictures of people that immigrated here to Milwaukee.

Theo * * * Dear Ms. Pitzo, Many thanks to you and to all of the wonderful volunteers at the Italian Community Center. We enjoyed our visit to the Center immensely. Our students have been talking about it all week!

They had a great time while learning so much about Italian culture. The pasta making, the bocce ball, and the immigrant experience simulation were particular favorites.

We appreciate all of your time, your effort, and your enthusiasm in providing such a wonderfully enriching day for our students. We hope to visit the Italian Community Center again soon.

Marita Gruber Teacher

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 27

Opera Topics by Angelo Castronovo Opera’s favorite characters are usually played by tenors, but not always. Sopranos run a close second, and with some opera lovers, they can be first in the affections of audiences.

Tenors such as Franco Corelli, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and others who have passed on including Richard Tucker, Luciano Pavarotti and Giuseppe Di Stefano had their foibles to be sure.

Let’s take Corelli as a prime example. He and other tenors are reviewed in an interesting volume edited by concert manager and author Herbert Breslin in which five prominent writers view and assess the merits and careers of the likes of Pavarotti, Tucker, Corelli, Domingo and Jon Vickers.

All of them had specific views on their art and performance capabilities, but I cite Corelli, in particular,

because he was in some ways obsessed and extremely nervous about going onstage and often even while onstage. He thrilled audiences regardless of these foibles.

Corelli, among all the tenors I’ve listed, had the least formal training. being largely self-taught through listening to the recordings of great singers of the past and by recording and listening to his own performances.

He was quoted as saying “. . .I am a man who likes to do dangerous things; I like adventure. I like to do things with the voice that may be too difficult for it.”

Tucker, on the other hand, had the view that just singing, even singing a lot won’t hurt the voice, it’s the rest of it, he said.

Vickers was a singer who believed in being less centered in his art and said, “. . .A person’s tal-

ent must serve art; art must not be made to serve the person . . .”

Pavarotti believed there was no better job than being a singer. “. . .

It’s a profession because it gives you money and it’s art because it gives you satisfaction. . .”

In 1974, when the book was released, Domingo believed New York was a soprano town and said it means that people aren’t listening to the whole opera.

And then there was “America’s Favorite Tenor,” James Melton, so called by millions from the 1920s through the 1950s. He had a multimedia career that included concerts, recordings, movies and the Metropolitan Opera radio and television. He was also a noted antique car collector.

Quotable quote: “Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.” – Aristotle

Serafina Purpero Krupp writes about tapping into higher self in her book Create Space with Your Higher Self Serafina Purpero Krupp, the daughter of Carl Purpero of the Milwaukee Purperos, has authored her #1 selling book, Create Space with Your Higher Self, published

by Balboa Press. Now available at Boswell Bookstore in Milwaukee and online at Barnes and Noble and Balboa Press, her book is about tapping into your higher self and co-creating with it.

In her book, she shares the practice of Interior Design and Angelic Feng Shui. She lays down the foundation and explains Angelic Feng Shui and goes over the Bagua (the Feng Shui map). Each chapter takes the reader through nine different areas of one’s life and offers methods to make desired changes in a person’s life. Each chapter contains a guided meditation connecting the reader with angelic help and inner guidance.

The message thread of the book is to empower and give the reader the tools to create the spaces to live

within and work for an abundant life. The deeper message of the book is to let the reader know that they are the main character in their life, and that their world revolves around them. They will be shown how to call upon the angelic realm for help and it explains how the angels will guide them towards making choices that bring in joy. If one resists and is unable to surrender to the ability to manifest what they want through Angelic Feng Shui the book offers guidance on how to re-script their lives in their inner and outer worlds. Angelic Feng Shui is about being one to that place of inner peace.

The book brings together Interior Design and the practice of Angelic Feng Shui at an understandable and user-friendly level with the teachings, passion and sacredness of the cultures of the past and the sophistication, maturity, and needs of people in today's modern world.

Avanti Committee hosts ‘ghost tour’

Serafina Purpero Krupp

spaces they want to live and work in and to create enlightened changes in their lives. Through the practice and teachings of Angelic Feng Shui, Serafina brings balance to the mind, body and spirit within the interior spaces of the world around us. She also shows us how to use and call upon angelic help.

Today, Serafina lives in Southern California, regularly teaching classes, giving retreats for women, private consultations, angel readings and healings, Reyad Sekh Em Egyptian healings, Feng Shui house parties, and de cluttering.

For more info on Serafina go to www.serafinaonline.com.

“My wish is for the readers to open their hearts and bring in more love, light, joy and abundance into their world,” Serafina offered at the recent membership meeting of the Italian Community Center.

Serafina is a renowned Master Teacher, Interior Designer, and practitioner in Angelic Feng Shui and has been exploring the art and science of Feng Shui since she discovered it while she was studying for a master’s degree in Interior Design. Her mission is to empower men and women to create the

Apply conventional wisdom when planning your next business convention. Hold it at the

Italian Conference Center The Italian Conference Center offers . . .

The Italian Community Center’s Avanti Committee hosted a “ghost tour” of Shaker’s Cigar Bar on Oct. 12. Shaker’s, at 422 S. 2nd St., Milwaukee, is in a classic Victorian bar and restaurant that is believed to be haunted.

The people who joined the Avanti Committee for the event toured all four levels of the building hoping to see or feel the presence of a ghost.

Unfortunately, it was not to be this time, reports Liz Ceraso, Avanti Committee Chair. “But everyone who attended had a great time.” (Photo provided by Liz Ceraso)

PAGE 28 – DECEMBER 2013

• More than 22,000 sq. ft. of convention space.

• Professional planning & catering services • Handicap access.

• Ample, free parking.

• 7 day a week availability.

• Easy access to freeway and downtown.

To coordinate your convention plans, call David or Michelle at (414) 223-2800 or visit www.ItalianConference.com

Italian Conference Center at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee A block west of Summerfest

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Italians married in Milwaukee: 1897-1925 Addendum – Part 1 Compiled by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian Introductory Notes The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1897-1925 includes the name of the individual married and the month and year the marriage took place. Information contained in the Milwaukee Marriage Index:1926-1940 was compiled by this researcher in January of 1993 and is being featured in The Italian Times. The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1941-1955 was previously published in The Italian Times.

Reporting of the volume Milwaukee Marriage Index was obtained from the Milwaukee County Historical Society and copies at the City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works are all copyrighted and an original copy is at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. for all time.

Please keep in mind that these marriages were actualized only in the City of Milwaukee. Accordingly, if you were married outside the city limits (e.g., Shorewood, West Allis, Cudahy), your name won’t appear in this listing. Names appearing here are listed and spelled exactly as found in the marriage volumes. If you know of a relative who was married in Milwaukee during the time period 1897-1925 and that relative’s name does not appear in these listings, please contact the Milwaukee County Historical Society.

Surname of bridegrooms appears in parenthesis after bride’s name.

This addendum relates to Italians listed in the Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1897 – 1925, but were not included in the main corpus of this particular research project.

NOTE: Surname of bridegroom appears in parenthesis after bride’s name.

Name Married Alessi, Antonino Jun-1920 Alessi, Goseppe Oct-1909 Alessi, Peter Aug-1910 Alessi, Nick Oct-1919 Alexandro, George Apr-1917 Alfredi, Frank Mar-1923 Altamore, Santina May-1917 Amadio, Guido Feb-1924 Ambrogio, Frank Jun-1925 Ambrojio, Emma (Tomasso) Dec-1920 Andrenccetti, Joseph Dec-1906 Andreotti, Tessie (Fuggiti) May-1924 Andreuccetti, Anita (Del Bianco) Apr-1910 Andreuccetti, Fabby (Sbragia) Dec-1907 Anichini, Arthur Nov-1907 Anselmino, Margaret (Jianetto) Mar-1918 Aregi, Frank R. Apr-1919 Armenia, Marianna (Bruno) Apr-1915 Armenio, Mary (Ballato) Sep-1912 Armigo Leonardo Sep-1899 Asti, Josephine (Marchi) Jun-1922 Avanzato, Charles Apr-1910 Aveni, Domenico Jul-1915 Babbini, Louise Raggio (Testa) Sep-1918 Baccini, John Apr-1911 Bacigalupe, Stephen Aug-1916 Bacigalupe, Anthony Sep-1911 Bacigalupe, Julia (Law) Oct-1916 Badini, Caroline (Chiaverotti) Jan-1925 Baglio, Laura (Plumery) Oct-1909 Balbi, Frank Jun-1923 Balasteria, Frances (Balasteria) Sep-1909 Balasteria, Gaetano Sep-1909 Balasterie, Lawrence Dec-1909 Balastreri, Francisco Jun-1902 Ballo, Frank Dec-1920 Baratto, Nicholas Feb-1908 Barbieri, Francis Apr-1901 Baroni, Christina (Cappo) Aug-1916 Basquinelli, George May-1912 Bellucci, Emma (Brocca) Jul-1913 Bellucci, Rosa (Feduzzi) Nov-1912 Berardinuci, Carolina (Fraternali) Oct-1909 Bernardi, Maurice Jun-1922 Bernasconi, Pasquale Sep-1919 Bernero, Louisa (Arado) Oct-1906 Berni, Semira (Celoni) Jun-1902 Bertani, Henry Jun-1911 Bianco, Mary A (Simeone) Sep-1912 Bieri, John Dec-1924 Bollongino, Mary (Barth) Jul-1920 Bonavita, Elifania (Piscitello) Oct-1906 Bonci,Gemimano Oct-1916 Bondi, Phillippi (Truplano) Dec-1919 Bonni, Bruna (Puccinelli) Jun-1914 Boscia, Bartolomew Feb-1916 Brignadello, T. J. Jun-1897 Buffa, Salvatore Feb-1919 Bulgarino, Emanuel Jan-1911 Burgarino, Emanuel Apr-1906 Burgarino, Felicia (Torretta) Jan-1900 Burgarino, Jennie (Migliaccia) Sep-1917 Buslaccki (Busalacchi), George May-1923 Buslaccki (Busalacchi), Rosa (Buslaccki) May-1923 Buzzanco, Mary (Costarella) Feb-1917 Buzzanco, Teodore Dec-1910 Canconera, Francesca (Gaetano) Jan-1908 Canino, Joseph Jan-1910 Cannizzaro, Mary (Damato) Dec-1922 Cannizzo, Mario Apr-1919 Callova, Joe Nov-1917 Cannata, Florence (Doria) Sep-1920 Cappo, Joseph Jul-1897 Carmella, Josie (Sciano) Oct-1920

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Name Married Carmelo, Caputa Aug-1906 Cauzani, Robert Dec-1907 Cavaiani, Jennie (Wilke) Jun-1919 Cavalieri, Benedetto Aug-1910 Cavolla, Mary (Diciaula) Aug-1923 Centretto, Vittorio (Nunzio) Jan-1910 Cicerelli, Sarah (Collura) Jun-1923 Cicero, Andrew Oct-1912 Cicero, Concettina (Greco) Nov-1914 Cirrincione, Carmelo (Lasura) Apr-1913 Chimino, Salvatore Apr-1905 Chiaraluci, Adele (Brutti) Oct-1922 Chiaramonte, Nicolo (Amore) Nov-1902 Colangeli, Anthony Dec-1920 Colavita, Mathew Dec-1910 Conoscente, Jacob Jan-1907 Conzaro, Gaetano Oct-1906 Conzaro, Gaetano Sep-1907 Copezza, Salvatore Sep-1914 Coraggio, Diomira (Dalessandris) May-1921 Coraio, Mary (Balesterei) Aug-1917 Corine, Guiseppe Nov-1907 Corrieri, Rocco Sep-1915 Corrago, Calogero Jul-1899 Corrago, Salvatore Dec-1899 Cosmano Rose (Clement) Aug-1913 Costa, Josephine (Kauck) Apr-1913 Costa, Philip Apr-1914 Costa, Rosey (Buscaglia) Apr-1905 Crescimagna, Paula (Callio) Mar-1919 Cucinalla, Pietro Jun-1919 Dall’Ozzo, John Aug-1920 DeBella, Joseph Jan-1921 De Bella, Mary (Colluro) Dec-1913 DeBona, Andrew Sep-1919 DeBona, Angela (Norrie) Jun-1904 DeBona, Edward Feb-1920 DeBona, Stella (Gestner) Oct-1905 DeGeorgi, Frank Jan-1914 Del Bianco, Carlo Apr-1910 Del Chicca, Alegra (Delgenovese) Jun-1910 Del Conte, Louis Sep-1906 Delgenovese, Torello Jun-1910 Dequisto, Steve Feb-1913 Dequodone, Libera (Capello) Jul-1900 DeSalvo, Cesimo May-1925 DeSalvo, Frances (Salerno) Mar-1924 DeSalvo, Frank Sep-1919 Desandre, Frank Jun-1919 DeSantis, Louis Dec-1914 Domato, Joseph Jun-1915 Domato, Rosoria (Coronia) Oct-1909 Doncelli, Harriet (Righi) Jul-1921 Donzelli, Thomas Dec-1920 Doria, Charles Jr. Nov-1923 Doria, Sam Sep-1920 Dovi, Salvatore May-1925 Dovi, Santo Nov-1909 Emanuele, Rose (Purpero) Oct-1920 Enea, Vicenzina (Sciurba) Feb-1912 Ercole, Luigi Jun-1921 Faletti, Grace (Lasleck) Aug-1921 Fellini, Mary (Zanotelli) Dec-1924 Filippi, Mary (Hauer) Dec-1908 Filippi, Rose (Walder) Sep-1922 Fillo, Theresa (Holba) Feb-1924 Flingelli, Bena (Stelzer) Feb-1909 Foro, Peter May-1912 Fortino, Liboria (Giordina) Oct-1925 Franceschette, Louis Aug-1923 Franceschi, Carolina (Piacentino) Jul-1912 Franceschina, Caterina (Leonarduzzi) Jul-1923 Francesco, Pileggi Sep-1913 Franceschi, John Apr-1921 Franchino, Samuel Jan-1922

Name Married Franchino, Theresa (Catrini) Sep-1925 Franco, Guiseppe Oct-1916 Franco, Joseph Oct-1914 Francolina, Nicolina (Leone) Dec-1910 Francolino, Nicolina (Togneri) Oct-1914 Francaidia, Felici Dec-1898 Francinlia, Stefano Jul-1917 Fricano, Isado Jul-1920 Fricano, Isadoro Nov-1912 Fricano, Nunzio Apr-1919 Frititto, Nancy (Sorce) Nov-1925 Frinzi, Joseph Oct-1920 Fucili, Enrico Apr-1918 Fucili, Ericol Sep-1913 Fucili, Nazzareno Aug-1910 Fugarino, Joseph Sep-1920 Fuggiti, Ray May-1924 Fumai (Funai), Angela (Paccagnella) Jun-1921 Fumai, Francesca (Pellegrino) Jun-1921 Fumaio, Rachael (Loquercio) May-1924 Funai, Amelia (Lucchini) Feb-1906 Funai, Rociel (Doepke) May-1923 Fusso, John Jun-1921 Fusso, Joseph Jan-1922 Fusso, Steve Nov-1919 Galineti, Constanso Aug-1920 Gallino, Anglia (Shono) Jun-1906 Galluzzo, Antonio Oct-1910 Gayliano, William Nov-1914 Gebbia, Rosario May-1920 Gentile, August Mar-1913 Gentile, Engi (Dimmaggio) Jan-1916 Gentile, Giuseppe Oct-1900 Gentile, Maria (Gaglione) Nov-1901 Gentile, Matteo Oct-1905 Gentile, Nunziata (Machi) May-1903 Gentilli, Joseph May-1917 Gentilli, Mary (D’Amico) Oct-1923 Gervasi, Giacomo Nov-1917 Gigante, Antonia (Geraci) Feb-1913 Gigante, Joseph Aug-1910 Gigante, Serafina (Alioto) Aug-1920 Gigante, Serafina (Ciauri) Mar-1923 Gifre, Fancesco Dec-1901 Gindusa, Rosalia (Capra) Feb-1904 Glaettli, Anna (Pastillo) Dec-1911 Gramona, Catterina (Tomassini) Oct-1915 Grasso, Nunzia (Padovano) Jul-1917 Grippa, Guiseppe Sep-1907 Grippo, Salvatore Nov-1912 Guaci, Nunctia (Natoli) Dec-1910 Guardalabene G. B. Sep-1907 Guardalabene, Josephine (Bellant) Aug-1906 Guerino, Francesco Apr-1906 Guglielmino, Joe May-1917 Guidotti, Rhea (Olsen) Jul-1912 Guiliani, Rose (Graff) May-1925 Guilioni, Christina (Pedrotti Jr.) Dec-1924 Guzzetta, Josephine (Kretlow Jr.) Jul-1924 Gazzano, Carmello Nov-1920 Iadermaro, Victoria (Mastropito) Apr-1912 Iannelli, Michael Aug-1923 Ignazzitto, Rocco Jun-1922 Ignina, Edward May-1918 Ingelli, Ernest Mar-1916 Ingrilli, Rosaria (Giuffre) May-1925 Iraci, Peter May-1924 Iraci, Viola (Romano) Mar-1924 Italiano, Josephine (Crise) Aug-1923 Iversetti, Fred Mar-1913 Jacapetti, Frederico Oct-1914 Jaccobucci, Mary (Roux) Mar-1898 Jacomini, Sabatino Jan-1905 Jamio, Rose (Valenti) Jul-1913 To be continued in our next issue.

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 29

LA PAGINA ITALIANA Nazionale di calcio dell’Italia a cura di Enrica Tarantino-Woytal

In virtù di un 2-1 conquistare Repubblica Ceca a settembre 10, l’Italia ha qualificato per la Coppa del Mondo nel 2014. La squadra nazionale Italiana, soprannominato Azzurri per un’inconfondibile uniforme blu, sarà a capo per il Brasiliano la prossima estate alle ricerca della loro quinta titoli mondiali contro altri 31 paesi.

Oltre che in Italia, le squadre che rappresentano gli altri nove paesi già qualificato per la Coppa del Mondo. Queste squadre

rappresentano l’Argentina, Australia, Brasile, Costa Rica, Iran, Giappone, Paesi Bassi, Corea del Sud e Stati Uniti.

Il team Italiano è attualmente classificato quarto nella classifica FIFA dietro Spagna, Argentina e Germania.

La Nazionale di calcio dell’Italia è la selezione maggiore maschile di calcio della Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio, il cui nome ufficiale è Nazionale A, che rappresenta l’Italia nelle varie competizioni

Francobollo per riapertura La Fenice

Raffigura l’interno del teatro andato in fumo nel 2003 Il Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico ha autorizzato l’emissione, per 9 novembre di un francobollo ordinario appartenente alla serie tematica “il Patrimonio artistico e culturale italiano” dedicato al Teatro “La Fenice” di Venezia, nel decimo anniversario

della riapertura, nel valore di 0,70 euro. La vignetta raffigura l’interno del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, distrutto completamente da un incendio nel 1996 e successivamente riedificato e riaperto il 14 dicembre 2003.

Morandi, arriva il nuovo singolo Scritto da Pacifico “Bisogna vivere”, stesso titolo ultimo album Da domani sarà in rotazione radiofonica il nuovo singolo di Gianni Morandi “Bisogna vivere”, stesso titolo dell’ultimo album di inediti del cantante (Sony Music) che fin dalla sua uscita, l’1 ottobre, è entrato ai primi posti della

classifica Fimi. Scritto da Pacifico, che in questa occasione ha affidato a Morandi un pezzo diverso dal precedente “Stringimi le mani”, il brano è, nelle parole e nella melodia ritmica, un invito a fronteggiare le difficoltà della vita.

D’Alessio, nuovo singolo in radio

“Notti di Lune storte” precede uscita dell’album “Ora” “Notti di Lune storte”, nuovo singolo di Gigi D’Alessio che precede l’uscita dell’album “Ora”, atteso il 19 novembre, da domani sarà in rotazione radiofonica e disponibile su tutte le piattaforme digitali. Notti di Lune storte (Sony Music) racconta le difficoltà e le

cadute del percorso di vita di un uomo. Tante porte chiuse in faccia e tante notti di lune storte, ma per ogni battuta d’arresto occorre trovare il coraggio di rialzarsi e proseguire il proprio cammino di vita.

Nessun problema per aeroporto, settori aerei aperti era stata registrata anche ieri dall’Istituto nazionale di geofisica e vulcanologia di Catania, che monitora il vulcano. Nessun problema per l’aeroporto, i cui settori aerei sono rimasti aperti.

In Sicilia 10 ristoranti ‘stellati’

L’elenco dei locali premiati dalla Guida Michelin Sono dieci i ristoranti siciliani che sono stati premiati con le prestigiose ‘’stelle’’ assegnate dalla guida Michelin 2014. Quattro ristoranti hanno ottenuto le due stelle: la Locanda di Don Serafino, a Ragusa Ibla, La Madia di Licata (Agrigento), Principe Cerami a

PAGINA 30 – DICEMBRE 2013

Nella graduatoria FIFA in vigore da agosto 1993 ha occupato più volte il 1º posto, la prima volta a novembre dello stesso anno, mentre il peggior posizionamento è stato il 16º posto raggiunto a ottobre 2010. Al momento occupa il 4º posto della graduatoria.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

MILWAUKEE’S ITALIANS: THE EARLY YEARS

by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian

Cover Price: $12.95

ON SALE NOW FOR $9.95 ALL PROCEEDS FROM BOOK SALES GO TO THE ICC BUILDING FUND. ICC Historian Mario A. Carini’s labor of love traces the history of Milwaukee’s Italian community from the mid 1800s to 1925. Resulting from a lifetime of research by Carini, Milwaukee’s Italians: The Early Years is a 143-page illustrated paperbook book. The Italian Community Center is the publisher.

MILWAUKEE’S ITALIANS: THE EARLY YEARS ORDER FORM Your Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________

Etna: ancora esplosioni e cenere

Una nuova serie di esplosioni accompagnata da una “discontinua e impulsiva” emissione di cenere, dispersa subito dal vento, ha interessato il nuovo cratere di SudEst dell’Etna. Una analoga attività

ufficiali o amichevoli riservate a squadre nazionali. È una delle Nazionali di calcio più titolate del mondo: annovera nel suo palmarès quattro campionati mondiali (1934, 1938, 1982 e 2006, record europeo e seconda al mondo dopo il Brasile) ed un campionato europeo (1968). È inoltre una delle cinque nazionali maggiori (assieme a quelle di Belgio, Svezia, Uruguay e Regno Unito) a potersi fregiare del titolo di “olimpionica”, essendosi aggiudicata il torneo a cinque cerchi del 1936 (uno dei sette riservati alle nazionali maggiori e disputati dal 1908 al 1948), mentre nella Confederations Cup, ultimo trofeo internazionale riconosciuto dalla FIFA, vanta un terzo posto come miglior risultato, nel 2013.

In bacheca, infine, annovera anche due Coppe Internazionali, competizione continentale antesignana dell’attuale campionato d’Europa. Al mondiale è arrivata tra le prime quattro classificate in otto edizioni (sei le finali) e cinque volte all’europeo (tre le finali); dopo la Germania, è la Nazionale europea con il maggior numero di piazzamenti nei primi quattro posti nelle due competizioni.

Taormina e il Duomo di Ragusa Ibla. Sei i locali premiati con una stella: Coria a Caltagirone (Catania), Bellevue e La Capinera a Taormina (Messina), il Bye Bye Blues a Palermo, La Gazza Ladra a Modica e La Fenice a Ragusa.

Phone: __________________ Email: ____________________________________ Number of copies of book ordered: ___________________________________ x $ Subtotal A:

$9.95 per book

$

Shipping & Handling* ($3.00 for one book, $2.00 each additional book): $ *You can save the shipping and handling cost by picking up your order at the Italian Community Center.

Subtotal B:

$

Sales tax (Wisconsin residents only, 5.6%): x $ Subtotal C (enter sales tax figure):

0.056

$

Enter Subtotal B figure & add with sales tax figure: + $ Grand total:

$

If you’re paying by check: Make your check payable to the Italian Community Center.

If this purchase is being made with a charge card, please complete the following: Type of Charge Card: _______________________________________________ Charge Card No.: ___________________________________________________ Expiration Date: ___________________________________________________ Send this form to: Italian Community Center, c/o Milwaukee’s Italians book, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

What you can learn about your family

By George Koleas I attended the Sicilian Family Reunion on Sept. 27 at the Italian Community Center, organized by one of our members, Michael Aliota, with the help of Antonina “Nina” Crivello Gusho and Virginia Alioto Bonini. It was wonderful to meet people whose families came from Sicily. The event was special because many of the people in attendance are also part of my extended Alioto family.

People came for various reasons.

I came to honor the memories of my Alioto and Costa families from my mother’s side of my family. My Alioto family was from Santa Flavia and Sant’ Elia, Palermo Province. My Costa family was from Palazzo Adriano, Palermo Province and Lucca Sicula, Agrigento Province.

Why research your family history? There is an American Indian Tuscarora Tribe saying, which states “They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.”

What can you learn after so many years have passed and your relatives are no longer with you? This is what I was able to learn studying history, verifying family stories, and finding records.

My Nonna, Concetta Alioto, was the daughter of Francesco Alioto and Maria Aiello. With her parents, her brother Anthony and her two sisters Nunziatta and Antonina, she lived at Via Montalbo 14A in Palermo, Palermo Province, Sicily.

Francesco Alioto was born in Santa Flavia. His father, Giuseppe, was born in Sant’ Elia. Francesco had been a seaman in the Italian Merchant Marine. During one of his travels, he visited Milwaukee.

He liked Milwaukee and decided to make it his home. He entered the country on Sept. 20, 1900, in the Port of New York. Francesco sent the correct fare to bring his wife and all of the children at one time.

An eye infection prevented my Nonna, Concetta, from making the trip. The family knew that an immigrant with an eye infection would not pass the Ellis Island eye and medical examination. Her mother, Maria Aiello Alioto, and her brother, Anthony, made the voyage to New York. Concetta and Nunziatta were left behind in the care of their older sister, Antonina.

Concetta was issued an Italian passport on August 19, 1911.

Concetta and Nunziatta left Palermo on Aug. 25, 1911 aboard the Italian steamer S.S. Mendoza with an adult Italian, Caterina Puleo.

S.S. Mendoza passed the Statue of

Liberty on its way to an anchoring point on Sept. 9, 1911. A barge would have taken Concetta and Nunziatta from their anchored ship to Ellis Island however the children became separated from Caterina Puleo.

A paper with information from the ship’s registry was pinned on Concetta’s and Nunziatta’s clothing. They stood in long lines of adults for the eye and medical examination. After their eye and medical examinations, Concetta and Nunziatta would have been questioned in the legal admission process. Because they were separated from Caterina Puleo, they were considered traveling alone, therefore Concetta and Nunziatta were held for Special Inquiry in a small detention cell.

A Board of Special Inquiry was held the same day to determine the children’s risk of becoming a “Public Charge.” A vote was taken and the children were admitted and released at 10:10 a.m.. An Ellis Island staff member purchased tickets for them to travel by train to Milwaukee. Concetta and Nunziatta would have been taken to the barge to New Jersey to the railroad station and put in the care of a conductor. The conductor would have put Concetta and Nunziatta on the train and pinned a note on their clothing with their final destination. Alone on the train, the children would have their hopes raised at each stop, straining to see their father or mother, only to be disappointed.

As the train finally arrived in Milwaukee, the children pressed their faces to the window.

Suddenly, they saw their father, Francesco, standing on the platform, smiling and waving. They were waving, jumping up and down with excitement in their seats, pounding on the windows and calling out, half-laughing , half-crying “Papa!, Papa!”. They were reunited with their father and he took them to their new home at 149 Detroit Street.

My Nonna is not gone. She lives in my heart and in the family history that I will pass on to my children and grandchildren, through which she will continue to be remembered.

You can learn how to do what I have done and how to preserve the memories of your family. Our members are people just like you who are working on their own family histories. Some have just started, while others are very experienced.

We learn from one another and we will share our experience with you.

You are welcome to attend the next meeting of Pursuing Our Italian

ICC Historian Carini wants your high school yearbooks and other memorabilia Don’t throw away your old high school yearbooks or other memorabilia. If you attended a high school in Milwaukee County or surrounding counties, Italian Community Center Historian Mario A. Carini is interested in using the yearbooks and other high school memorabilia for furthering his research on local Italian Americans.

Carini will deposit the yearbooks and memorabilia at the

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Milwaukee County Historical Society after he completes his research.

“These can be yearbooks and memorabilia from public, Catholic or private high schools,” he said.

Yearbooks and memorabilia can be dropped off at the reception desk in the main office of the ICC. Please include a note with your name and phone number so Carini knows who made the donation.

Names Together, Chapter 22, the Italian Family History Club, on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at noon. You are welcome to attend any of our other meetings in 2014 on Apr. 26, Sept. 20 and Nov. 8.

Please feel free to bring guests.

We welcome anyone with an interest in Italian family history 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.

Immigrant and refugee stories sought for oral history study Immigrant and refugee stories are important parts of Milwaukee history. Marquette University and the International Institute of Wisconsin are looking for immigrants and refugees to participate in oral history interviews with undergraduate students during late November.

Cultures around the world have long used oral histories to pass on knowledge from one generation to the next. Oral histories provide insight and deeper understanding of everyday life.

These interviews can take place at a time and location decided upon by the participant and students.

Interviews can take place during the Holiday Folk Fair International, Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis. A free fair admission ticket is offered to each participant.

Interviews will be recorded confidentially via an audio

recorder. Names will not be used.

The questions that are asked will be related to: pre-migration (questions about homeland), immigration journey, family, language, culture, life in the United States, school, religion, gender, work and health. Here’s a sample of questions that might be asked: In what country were you born?

What do you remember most about this place? Why did you come to the U.S.? What did you hear about life in America prior to arriving here? Can you tell me what you remember about leaving your home and coming to the U.S.? What are the main differences between here and from where you came? What are some of the biggest changes you’ve had to make? What from your culture do you wish to pass on to your children?

Persons interested in participating in this oral history study are asked to contact Claire Reuning by calling 414/225-6220 or emailing creuning@iiwisconsin.org.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTERʼS COOKBOOK, “LIBRO DELLE RICETTE,” VOLUME 2.

Looking for some delicious, home-tested recipes? Youʼll find them in this cookbook. Use this form to order the book. The cost is $12. Volume 1 is now out of print.

ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER COOKBOOK ORDER FORM Your Name _________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________________________________ Phone ____________________ E-mail ___________________________ Number of copies of Volume 2 ____ @ $12 each (Note: Price includes sales tax)

= $___________

Shipping & Handling* ($3.00 for one book; $2.00 each additional book)

$ ___________

Grand Total

$___________

*You can save the shipping and handling cost by picking up your order at the Italian Community Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

If youʼre paying by check: Make your check payable to the Italian Community Center. If you are paying with a charge card, please complete the following.

Type of Charge Card: _________________________________________ Charge Card No.: ____________________________________________ Expiration Date: ______________________________________________ Send this form to: Italian Community Center, c/o Cookbook, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

DECEMBER 2013 – PAGE 31

Amici’s rolls to ICC’s fall bocce championship in grand fashion After dispensing with two earlier opponents, Amici’s, the first place finisher from the Monday night league, steamrolled past the Happy Rollers, 12-0, to win the Italian Community Center’s fall bocce championship on Nov. 11.

squad opened with a 12-9 win over Trizzano, the second place wildcard from the Wednesday night league, then defeated It’s All Good, the second place wildcard from the Monday night league by a 12-7 score.

This marked the first time in 32year history of ICC’s championship playoffs that a team won the title match without allowing the opponent to score a single point.

The Happy Rollers, the first place team from the Tuesday afternoon seniors’ league, advanced to the title match against Amici’s by notching earlier victories over Paesani, the second place wildcard from the Thursday afternoon seniors’ league (12-9 score) and Como Si Chiama, Thursday afternoon’s first place finisher (12-6).

It’s All Good won its opening round match, 12-6, over Club Garibaldi, the first place finisher in the Wednesday night league.

Como Si Chiama defeated Felice Amici, 12-8, in its opening match.

Felice Amici was the second place wildcard from the Tuesday afternoon seniors’ league.

The players on Amici’s are: Frank Cannestra, Rich Cannestra, Rich Beri and Mike Lange. Each player received a $15 Cafe La Scala gift certificate. Cafe La Scala is the ICC’s public restaurant.

The players on the Happy Rollers team were given $5 restaurant certificates.

Amici’s seemed to gain more momentum with each game it played in the tournament. The

Winter bocce season to start week of Jan. 6 Since it’s too cold, wet, and snowy to play bocce outdoors in Wisconsin in the winter time, why not play the Italian lawn bowling indoors at the Italian Community Center? Winter leagues are now forming.

The winter bocce season gets under way the week of Jan. 6.

Teams in the senior citizen leagues play on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Teams in the mixed couples’ leagues compete on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Teams in each league play once a week.

The regular season lasts eight weeks.

If you’re interested in registering a team to play in a winter league, here are a few things you need to know. There are two sets of registration fees – one for those who are not members of the ICC and one for those who are ICC members. The nonmember registration fee is $40 per person per league season. A discounted registration fee of $30 per person per league season is offered to an ICC member.

Each team must consist of at least four players, with one player designated as the team captain. Each league is interested in having eight teams.

Team registration forms are available from the league coordinators: Dan Conley (Monday night), Anthony Gazzana (Tuesday afternoon), Tony Tarantino (Wednesday night), Anna Pitzo (Thursday afternoon) and David Alioto (Thursday night). The forms also can be obtained by calling Constance Jones at 414/2232808.

The championship playoffs, featuring each league winner and four teams with the next best record, will be played the night of Monday, Mar. 10. Prizes will be awarded to the championship team and the runner-up in the tournament.

PAGE 32 – DECEMBER 2013

Here are the fall 2013 bocce tournament champions: Frank Cannestra, Rich Cannestra, Rich Beri and Mike Lange from Amici’s, the first place team from the Monday night league. (Times photo by Jim Schultz)

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THE ITALIAN TIMES