ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com DECEMBER 2016 • VOL. 38, NO. 6
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Quite a ‘day’ for new ICC President Dean Cannestra
If you didn’t attend the Italian Community Center’s installation dinner, you might not have known this fact: Friday, Oct. 28 was officially designated as “Dean Cannestra Day in the City of Milwaukee” by Mayor Tom Barrett. A proclamation, recognizing the new ICC President Cannestra for his dedication and leadership, was presented to him at the dinner by Giuseppe Vella, who is now the immediate past president. Find more photos from the installation dinner on pages 14-15 of this issue. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
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Bravo! Festival di Danza e Cultura
Multi-cultural event is superb
People who weren’t able to attend the Italian Community Center’s fourth annual Festival di Danza e Cultura on Nov. 1 missed a superb performance showcase. The event featured seven folk dance and music groups. It was organized by the ICC Culture Committee, under the leadership of Gina Jorgensen, and served as a preview to the Holiday Folk Fair International, which took place Nov. 18-20. Shown here are the Caledonia Scottish Dancers performing their first number, MacNeil of Barra. Look for more photos from Festival di Danza e Cultura inside on pages 12-13. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Past President Phil Purpero dies at the age of 94 ICC members owe a great debt to Purpero for all of his unheralded efforts
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor When Italian Community Center members speak with pride of the history of their organization, the beautiful facility in which it is housed and their celebration of Festa Italiana, they should always include the name of Phillip J. Purpero in the narrative. From the very start of Festa and
the ICC in 1978, Phil played an instrumental role, and never sought the accolades he certainly deserved for all of time and energy he devoted in a voluntary capacity. Proud to be Italian, and giving to an organization he believed in and wanted to see prosper, was satisfying enough for Phil. A past president, Purpero, who everyone knew simply as “Phil,”
Special membership meeting called for Dec. 8 to act on offer to purchase
President Dean Cannestra has called for a special meeting of the Italian Community Center membership to be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. to act upon a pending offer to purchase of a small portion of ICC’s unused land at the far southwest corner of the ICC property. The ICC bylaws state that the sale or long-term lease of any portion of the Italian Community Center Coachyards property require approval by a 2/3 vote of all votes cast at a special meeting of the general membership. In addition, the voters must be mem-
bers of the ICC for at least 60 days prior to the vote. Since the offer contains a confidentiality clause, more details cannot be disclosed in this article but a more detailed letter on the sale is being mailed to all ICC members. The meeting will allow for discussion of the transaction and the voicing of all viewpoints prior to the actual voting on whether or not to sell. “As time is of the essence, we are thus convening on such a short notice,” Cannestra said. “It is very important that all members attend the meeting.”
died Friday, Nov. 4 at the age of 94. Phil was one of the founders of the ICC in the late 1970s and served the organization diligently as its executive director for more than five years as a volunteer. He performed crucial duties for Festa Italiana from its beginning. Joined by his lifelong friend, Tony Machi, and Jimmy Spataro, the organization was able to win approval from the Milwaukee County Board in April 1986 to purchase the 15.7-acre “Coachyards” property, upon which the organization built its current home. Phil and Tony, who became friends in Please turn to page 10
Phillip J. “Phil” Purpero
Cosa c’è dentro?
President’s message
(What’s inside?)
La Befana is coming
page 3
page 5
ICC package deal for DaVinici/Michelangelo show at The Pabst page 6 Tony and Alma Gazzana leave gift for ICC page 7 Use your La Scala gift certificates by Dec. 3
page 8
Students say thanks to ICC volunteers page 8
Judge Clare Fiorenza “Jurist of the Year” page 16 Christmas: Italian-style
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Sezione Italiana pagine 18-19 Pompeii Men donate to St. Joan Antida program page 21