Feb 2015 online

ITALIAN TIMES THE

Published by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com VOL. 36, NO. 8 FEBRUARY 2015

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Amore all around as the ICC celebrates Carnevale on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 Have you made your reservations yet?

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Imagine combining the romantic nature of Valentine’s Day with the magic, pageantry and excitement of a Venetian-style costume and masked ball. What would you get?

It’s the Italian Community Center’s Il Grande Carnevale 2015 – “Una Celebrazione dell’ Amore” (“A Celebration of Love”).

The 36th annual Carnevale will take place on Valentine’s night, Saturday, Feb. 14, starting with an

hour-long social reception at 5:11 p.m. (traditional Carnevale start

time).

“It’s going to be an evening for lovers and those who simply love to have a grand time,” said Carnevale chairs Joanne (Sanfelippo) Czubek and Rosemary DeRubertis. “By combining the splendor, pageantry, color and frivolity of Carnevale with the amore and romance associated with Valentine’s Day, the possibilities for a memorable evening are endless.”

As usual, the general public is invited to join ICC members in

attending. While the general public can revel in the festivities for $60 per person, an ICC member can partake for just $50. Reservations are required by Saturday, Feb. 7.

Your reservations can be made by using the form accompanying this article, in person at the ICC front office during regular business hours or by calling 414-223-2180 and having your credit card handy.

You may also pick up a Carnevale

to write the next chapter of this 150-year old story.

ICC Historian Mario A. Carini, past president Gina Spang and Gina Manning contributed information to the production team, which

also came to the ICC to shoot video of the vintage Italian American photos and various activities.

Carini said he provided details on the Italian experience in Milwaukee. All three were inter-

viewed by MPTV staff.

Lazarski told The Italian Times that MPTV is planning to make DVDs of the program. Details on the availability of the DVDs will be announced at the Feb. 4 screening.

MPTV to present free premiere screening of documentary “Storia Italiana: Milwaukee” on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at ICC

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Milwaukee Public Television (MPTV) is offering everyone a chance to view “Storia Italiana: Milwaukee,” a compelling documentary on Milwaukee’s Italian American community, before the official broadcast. This event will be at the ICC on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Italian Community Center members are encouraged to attend.

There will, of course, be free parking. Cafe La Scala, the ICC’s public restaurant, will be open starting from 5 p.m.

“Storia Italiana: Milwaukee” is a one-hour local program produced in conjunction with the national Public Broadcasting System series, “Italian Americans,” set to air Monday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. on Milwaukee Public Television (check your local listings).

The local documentary was written and produced by MPTV’s award-winning producer Maryann Lazarski. The local videographer and associate producer is Jeff Janca. They have been working on this program since early summer.

The program looks at the storied history of Milwaukee’s Italians and tells of courageous, personal journeys from Italy and Sicily to the Milwaukee area. It also tells of hardships and the importance of faith, family and togetherness. It also looks at the crossroads of generations and what’s to come of the future for the Italian community.

The children of immigrants challenge the younger generations to carry on meaningful traditions first established by their great-grandparents, grandparents and parents and why it’s critical for the young

Please turn to page 7

La Befana pays a visit to ICC to the delight of children

For the 13th consecutive year, the Italian Community Center hosted a post-Christmas party for the youngest children and grandchildren of ICC members that celebrates the legend of La Befana. Here, La Befana is seen telling the children her story. The gift-bearing widow of Italian folklore told the youngsters that she dismissed chances to travel with the Three Wise Men and a shepherd to Bethlehem to see the Baby Jesus. Then, realizing her errant ways, she set out on an unfruitful

journey to find the Holy Child’s birthplace. In an attempt to make amends, she has been delivering gifts to good children on Epiphany Eve for many centuries.

As you might guess, she had gifts for all of the youngsters attending the ICC’s party on Saturday, Jan. 10.

The event. which included a buffet-style lunch, was organized by the Avanti Committee. Several more photos from the celebration appear inside this edition.

(Times photo by Tom Hemman)

A message from Giuseppe Vella, Italian Community Center President There is no reason to go into hibernation this winter with everything that is going on at the Italian Community Center. I want to encourage you to attend these upcoming events: • The free public screening of the MPTV program, “Storia Milwaukee” on Italiana: Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Festa Ballroom. The staff of Cafe La Scala will be on hand to take food and drink orders starting at 5 p.m. This will be the premiere showing of the program, which will air locally on MPTV on Feb. 23.

• The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular winter reunion concert on Saturday, Feb. 7 featuring some of Milwaukee’s most popular rockand-roll singers and musicians from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Advance tickets ($25) are available at the ICC. The Cafe La Scala staff

will be present to take food and drink orders the night of the show.

• Il Grande Carnevale: Una Celebrazione dell’ Amore, our fantastic costume and mask ball, on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Pre-paid reservations are required. Look for more details in this issue, on flyers available at the ICC and online at www.iccmilwaukee.com.

• The general membership meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19, our first one of the new year. The meeting will be preceded by the members’ buffet-style dinner.

I wish to acknowledge and thank Rosemary DeRubertis and Joanne Czubek and their committee for all the hard work they are putting into Carnevale. One way to show your appreciation is to attend this marvelous event and thank them in person. I’d like to remind the membership that Carnevale

serves as an important fundraiser for our organization. Your support is appreciated and will help us to perpetuate the traditions that celebrate our Italian heritage.

Upcoming events In addition to Carnevale, we have to major events coming up that everyone should mark on their calendars. These are our 20th annual “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 19 and our 38th annual Festa Italiana, Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19.

Ann Romano and her committee are working diligently to plan a spectacular Taste of Italy. This is an essential fundraiser for the ICC. I’m requesting that all the societies and organizations and all ICC members support this event, whether it is through volunteering, making donations or attending.

Your support is very much appreci-

ated. Let’s make the 20th annual Taste of Italy our most successful yet.

I can tell you that all of the Festa Italiana committees are in the beginning stages of planning a spectacular event. Stay tuned for more details.

– Giuseppe Vella ICC President

Welcome new Italian Community Center members!

The following people became members of the Italian Community Center between Dec. 8, 2014 and Jan. 9, 2015. Benvenuti! (Welcome!)

Frances Boyle of Cedarburg

Lucille Sorce of Germantown

Beth Anne Bongert and children Julia, Nathan and Eva Benedetta of Brookfield

Jason and Michelle Sedovic and son Max of Colgate

Jim and Marie Blise and children Marco and Malea of Colgate Joan Kirby of Sussex

Salvatore (Ted) and Polly Ferraraof Delafield Anita Moyer of Pewaukee

ICC’s free Spring Fever Music Series on Tuesday and Thursday nights starting Apr. 2.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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

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Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . .Giuseppe Vella Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaise DiPronio 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 2015 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 TIMES

Oldies But Goodies Spectacular with special guests to perform at ICC on Saturday, Feb. 7 Advance tickets available now for this show reuniting Milwaukee’s top rock and rollers from ’50s to ‘80s

The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, joined by special guest performers, will bring back Milwaukee’s ‘50s to the ‘80s rockand-roll scene in a concert at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, on Saturday, Feb. 7.

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 with your credit card handy 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,

Here are Tony Clementi, Kim Marie and Chuck Travis, vocalists for the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

said, “Several very special guest performers will be joining us for this show, which is a reunion of

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Milwaukee’s best rock-and-roll artists from the late ‘50s through early ‘80s.”

The special artists and the groups they played with back in the day include: “Twistin’ Harvey” Scales of Harvey Scales & The Seven Sounds, Tom Anthony of The Tom Anthony Group, “Bullet Bob” of The Comic Books, “Big Louie” of The Renegades, “Johnny B”, formerly of the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular and Pete Sorce, who was a singer in the band Toll Free and now performs with Jeff LeBarge Big Band.

Harvey Scales is an internationally known rhythm and blues

Harvey Scales

singer, songwriter and producer.

He has been active in the music industry since the 1960s when he first became known as “Twistin’ Harvey.”

Scales has composed songs for groups such as The Dells, The Dramatics and The O’Jays. He is particularly notable for his coauthorship of the songs “Love-It is” and “Disco Lady,” the latter single being recorded by Johnnie Taylor and spent four weeks in the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

People who have followed the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular through the years know that the Please turn to page 11

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William A. Jennaro Law, LLC Entertain them at the Italian Conference Center’s FESTA BALLROOM. 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 Gina at 414/ 223-2800 to reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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Of Counsel with the firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 3

Member pledges to “Annual Donor Society” continue to grow

An appeal to Italian Community Center members to support the organization through its “Annual Donor Society” has resulted in $18,868.27 in pledges as of Jan. 5, 2015.

The “Annual Donor Society” was initiated in mid October when campaign material was mailed to members.

This marked the first time in over 25 years that the ICC has asked its members to participate in a donor campaign. During the mid 1980s, it was an appeal to raise funds for the construction of the organization’s current building at 631 E. Chicago St., in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, the home of many of the city’s early Italian immigrants.

Today, the ICC is asking its members to contribute for the continuation and growth of the organization which they cherish and love and all that it has come to stand for since its founding in 1978.

Like many nonprofit organizations, the ICC wants to make this an annual appeal to its members to ensure that the organization can prosper for years to come. Members who participate will become part of the “Annual Donor Society.”

In the letter that was part of the campaign material, then-President Gina Spang and then-Vice President Joe Vella stated that the ICC has become a “dependable, friendly, welcoming place where Milwaukee’s Italian American community meets to enjoy friends, wonderful food and celebrate its rich heritage. More than bricks and mortar, the ICC is a testament to our ancestors who were unwavering in their quest to pave the way to a more prosperous life for themselves and generations to follow.”

(Spang is now the immediate past president and Vella is the organization’s president.)

The campaign document with a pledge form are reprinted in this issue.

“Many organizations have annual appeals to their members and donors to sustain themselves and to grow,” said Rose Purpero Spang, who headed the volunteer committee that developed the campaign literature. “We believe an annual appeal is something that is long overdue here at the ICC. We trust that all of our members will read the literature that was sent to them, think it over carefully and do whatever they can to support our Italian Community Center.

“We hope that our members who can afford it will make the largest gifts, in our gold category of $5,000 or our silver category of $2,500,” she said.

Other categories of support are: $1,000, $750, $500, $250, $150 or other amount. All donations are welcomed and appreciated. All donors will be recognized in The Italian Times. In addition, gold and silver category contributors will be listed in the Carnevale program

Have something to sell that might interest The Italian Times readers? Place an ad in our next issue. Call 414-223-2801 or send an email to themman@italiancc.org.

PAGE 4 – FEBRUARY 2015

book that will be published for the pre-Lenten costume and mask ball on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015.

Contributions can be made by check or credit card. As an option, donors can contact the ICC office at 414-223-2180 to set up a payment plan.

So far, two gold category pledges have been made. Those came from Sam Purpero and Ebbie and Joe Mangiamele.

One silver category donation has been made, coming from Joseph John and Rose Purpero Spang.

“I want to remind our members that all donations to the ICC, a 501c.3 corporation, are taxdeductible,” Vella said. “With income tax season upon us, a donation to the ICC before year’s end would unquestionably work to your advantage.”

Listed below are the names of the members who made a commitment to the “Annual Donor Society” through Jan. 5, 2015:

• RoseMarie DeMichele • Michele R. Butz • William and Rita Jennaro • Leonard and Marlene Widen • Joe Manone • Vincenza and Vincent Vitale • David and Jeannie Doern • Gordon and Bernice Boucher • Joseph and Virginia Magestro • Gerald and Judith Perona • Keith Gross • Jerry W. Hermann • Maurine and Nick DeLeo • Anthony and Barbara Lupo • Margaret Mary Carini • Mary L. Herro • Joe and Carole Casamento • Joseph and Diane Barbieri • Peter and Mille Gustin • Santa L. Mazza • Gaetano Canzoneri • Wayne Kitzerow and Sheila Vivi • Vincent and Lucretia Lo Coco • Joseph Charles Spang • Joseph John and Rose Purpero Spang (Silver Pledge) • Sam Purpero (Gold Pledge)

• David C. Shaw • Otto and Joan Satula • Rosario and Josephine Spella • Gwen Wood • Sandy M. Powers • Bob Mari and Ann Larsen • Frank and Betty Fugarino, Sr. • Anna L. Pitzo • Joseph and Jane Vento • Donald and Frances Tollefson • Grace M. Elliott • Theodore F. Mazza • Michael N. Balistreri • Edward and Edith Brown • Kenneth H. Pakulski • Ebbie and Joe Mangiamele (Gold Pledge) • Joseph J., Jr. and Christine Ziino • Tony and Lena Zingale • Gino A. Dentice • Robert and Isabel Vezzetti • James and Alexandra Celoni • Gina M. Spang • Mary G. Winard • Charles and Doris Evans • Ray and Caroline Besasie • August J. Amoroso

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Lose the winter blahs by attending the ICC’s free “Spring Fever Music Series” starting Apr. 2

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor The Italian Community Center is offering people a chance to get over the winter blahs and warm up to jazz, blues and good-time rock and roll with its “Spring Fever Music Series.” This free-admission series will start the first week of April and end the last week of May. There will be either a jazz or blues group performing on Tuesday nights and rock and roll bands on Thursday nights. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Festa Ballroom.

“We want to emphasize that these shows are offered with no cover charge or drink minimum,” said Joe Campagna, Jr., series coordinator.

The staff of Cafe La Scala, the ICC’s restaurant, will be on hand to take food and drink orders in both the restaurant and the ballroom starting at 5 p.m.

Who’s performing Tom Sorce, legendary guitarist, recording artist and bandleader, put together the “Spring Fever” line-up.

Here’s the Tuesday night schedule.

• Apr. 7 – Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.

(Blues) • Apr. 21 – Chris Mariani Band.

(Blues) • May 5 – Pete Sorce with the Jeff Lebarge Band. (Jazz) • May 12 – Alex Wilson Band.

(Blues) • May 19 – Anita Stemper with Opus (Jazz) • May 26 – Leroy Airmaster with Junior Brantley (Blues) This is the Thursday night rock and roll line-up: • Apr. 2 – Noyz Boys & Gyrlz.

• Apr. 9 – Bob Hirschi & Groove Therapy.

• Apr. 16 – Larry Lynne Band.

• Apr. 30 – Tom Anthony Group.

• May 7 – The Classics (featuring members of the Doo-Wop Daddies).

• May 14 – Rick D’Amore Band.

• May 21 – Bob Hirschi & Groove Therapy.

• May 28 – Tom Anthony Group.

There will be no shows on Tuesdays, Apr. 14 and 28, and Thursday, Apr. 23 since the Festa Ballroom is booked for private functions.

Tuesday night acts Here’s something about each of the groups performing on Tuesday nights.

Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys has been bringing crowds to their feet at the hardest to please and sophisticated night clubs in the Midwest for many years. The band plays traditional blues straight up with a big dose of passion. With smoking grooves, served up with hot harmonica and smooth stinging guitar, they play original songs peppered with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and the three Kings of blues.

Chris Mariani Band presents the swinging sounds made famous by jazz and pop stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble. The band has performed throughout the Midwest at clubs, festivals and social events.

For more information, visit: chrismariani.com.

The Jeff Lebarge Band featuring Pete Sorce on vocals has

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Series Coordinator Joe Campagna

Music Director Tom Sorce

Rev. Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys

been called the “Midwest’s premier big band.” The band performs at music festivals, dances and concert series, performing a variety of compositions and arrangements from Stan Kenton and Woody Herman to Bobby Darin and Brian Setzer.

Pete Sorce has been singing since he was 8 years old. He was an original “American Idol,” performing and winning the “Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour.” A former member of the Milwaukee band, Toll Free, Sorce delivers vocals made popular by the legends such as Sinatra, Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr. and others.

Alex Wilson Band is a 2013 WAMI winner for “Blues Band of the Year” and has received recognition at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. Alex Wilson grew up in a family of talented musicians. Alex picked up a guitar at age 5 and never put it down. His expertise in blues guitar playing has given him opportunities to perform with B.B. King, Big Walter Horton, Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, Stevie Ray Vaughn and others. The band keeps a busy performance schedule. For more details, visit: alexwilson.com.

Anita Stemper with OPUS has been one of the Midwest’s most popular jazz fusion bands since the 1970s. The May 19 performance will serve as a party for the release of Stemper’s latest CD. Joining Anita that night will be Steve Lewandowski, guitarist and band leader, Curt Hanrahan, sax, Jim Sodke, keyboards, Larry Tresp, bass and Brian Ford, drums.

Whether singing with OPUS or her own trio, Anita Stemper keeps a busy performance schedule and works as a cosmetologist.

Leroy Airmaster with Junior Brantley completes the Tuesday night shows. This well-traveled band was founded in the 1980s and established a solid Midwest following before breaking up. The band was regenerated in 2010 to continue to perform its unique blend of blues, jazz and rock music. Led by Steve Cohen on harmonica, the

Chris Mariani

Pete Sorce

Thursday night shows The Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz, which kicks off the Spring Fever Music Series on Apr. 2, is a 10piece band with three vocalists. The group covers rock and rhythm and blues hits from the late ‘50s to today. Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, The Temptations, Pat Benatar, Joe Cocker, The Supremes, Amy Winehouse, Chicago and Santana are just some of the hit performers the band covers.

ICC member and artist Laura Easey-Jones is one of the vocalists.

In the ICC galleria, Laura painted the reproductions of parts of Michelangelo’s work done in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

Bob Hirschi & Groove Therapy, which performs twice in the series Apr. 9 and May 21, presents one of southeastern Wisconsin’s hottest horn shows. The band covers the best in rock, soul, R&B, pop and more in the style of the classic horn bands, from Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears to Sinatra,

Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder.

Hirschi was one of the original vocalists in the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular.

Larry Lynne Band promises a unique variety show that consists of rock, country-rock, blues and classic favorites from the ‘50s and today’s chart-toppers. The band has been together since 2009, but its leader, Larry Lynne, known as “Milwaukee’s Godfather of Rock and Roll,” has been making music since the 1960s. He led the band The Skunks, which released the song “Elvira” in 1965, long before the Oak Ridge Boys made it a #1 hit. The Skunks followed up with a Billboard Hot 100 hit, “I Recommend Her.” The Tom Anthony Group performs the best of good-time rock and roll, pop and country. The variety of songs sung by Tom Anthony and backed by expert musicians Tom Sorce (guitar), Brian Ford (drums), Jim Sodke and Mike Hetzel (keyboards) is virtually a best of series of hits from the 1950s to today. Tom Anthony and company performed at Roma Lodge in Racine this past New Year’s Eve. Anthony was elected a Milwaukee County Supervisor in 2013. Expect this group’s shows to fill the house on Apr. 30 and May 28.

The Classics are a new group in the ICC music series lineup but Please turn to page 12

Rick D’Amore

Tom Anthony

band has won numerous WAMI awards and other blues recognitions. Joining them for the May 26 show will be premier pianist and vocalist Junior Brantley, who was formerly with the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Jimmy Vaughn Band and played with the iconic Milwaukee blues band Short Stuff in the 1970s.

FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 5

Calendar of Events February 2 – February 25, 2015

Monday, Feb. 2 • Solomon Juneau Social Club meeting, 11:30 a.m.

• Pompeii Men’s Club Board, 6 p.m.

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

• Free screening of MPTV documentary “Storia Italiana: Milwaukee,” 6 p.m., doors open, 7 p.m., showing. Details in this issue.

Saturday, Feb. 7 • Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society dinner, 6 p.m.

• Oldies But Goodies Spectacular reunion concert, 6:30 p.m., doors open, 8 p.m. show. Details in this issue.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.

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

Saturday, Feb. 14 • Il Grande Carnevale, 5 p.m. social, 6 p.m. dinner and program. Details in this issue.

Tuesday, Feb. 17 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO general meeting, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 • Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge #2763/Order Sons of Italy in America general meeting, 6 p.m.

Donations to the ICC 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 414223-2808.

The following donations were received between Dec. 8, 2014 and Jan. 9, 2015.

Isidore and Mary Pecoraro

In memory of Michael Oberleitner Carmen Schlotthauer

In memory of Virginia Jennaro Bill and Rita Jennaro

In memory of Carmello Zingara

In memory of Joanne E. Greiczek Tony Machi Sonny & Melody Gensler Ines Spinell

This spring, the Italian Community Center will offer an introductory class (Italian I) as well as an Italian II class, both starting Tuesday, Mar. 10.

Both courses will be held on 10 consecutive Tuesday nights, with the final classes on May 12.

Instructor Enrica Tarantino Woytal described Italian I as being for those who want an introduction to the language and the culture of Italy. The introductory course will run from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.

The Italian II course will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and end at 9:15 p.m. “Italian II is ideal for those who have completed our

introductory course and are ready to learn more about the language and culture of Italy,” Tarantino Woytal said.

Enrollment is open to ICC members and the general public. There is a limit of 25 students per class.

The fee for each course is $100 for an ICC member and $110 for a non-member. The fee does not include the course textbook.

To register, complete the form accompanying this article. Checks or money orders are payable to the ICC. Registration will be accepted up to the start of the Mar. 10 classes if the enrollment limit has not been reached.

Thursday, Feb. 19 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.

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

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

Wednesday, Feb. 25 • Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The winter league season runs through the week of Mar. 2 with mixed couples’ leagues on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and seniors’ leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The championship playoffs to be held Monday, Mar. 9 at 7 p.m.

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

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

• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on most 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.

Get your Taste of Italy on Sunday, Apr. 19 at ICC

Mark your calendars now: The Italian Community Center’s 20th annual “A Taste of Italy” will be Sunday, Apr. 19.

This Italian food extravaganza is an essential fund-raising activity for the nonprofit organization and has always been successful.

Chairperson Ann Romano said

that April 19 was chosen because it is two Sundays after Easter and the Milwaukee Brewers will be playing out-of-town (in Pittsburgh).

Romano has chaired 19 of the 20 Taste of Italy events.

Look for a lot more information on “A Taste of Italy” in upcoming issues of The Italian Times.

12 will begin Saturday, Mar. 14, at the Italian Community Center. The class, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m., will continue for eight weeks, with the final session on May 2.

The course is intended to provide children with an introduction to the Italian language and the culture of Italy. Besides learning some basic words and the Italian alphabet, the children also make drawings for holiday and special occasions and receive a snack during each Saturday session.

The instructor is Enrica Tarantino Woytal, who also leads the ICC’s Italian classes for teens and adults. She was honored by

the children’s class at the ICC since the early 1980s. Over the years, several hundred youngsters have participated in the free class.

To register for the spring semester, please complete the form accompanying this article and mail it to: Children’s Italian Course, c/o ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Since there is no enrollment fee, parents can also register their children in person any time during the semester.

For further information, contact the ICC office at 414/223-2180, or Enrica Tarantino Woytal or Pietro Tarantino at 414/481-0170, or via email at enricaw@aol.com.

Italian classes being offered Free children’s Italian class to begin Mar. 14 at ICC for adults and teens The spring semester of a free WisItalia as Wisconsin’s 2009 weekly series of Italian classes for “Italian Teacher of the Year.” starting Mar. 10 at ICC children between the ages of 6 and Tarantino Woytal has been leading

Registration form for Italian I course & Italian II course

Name(s) ___________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________

Phone No. ___________________Email _________________________________ I am (we are) enrolling in:

Italian I course Number of persons enrolling.

Italian II course Number of persons enrolling.

Course fee: ICC Member - $100.00; Non-Member - $110.00

Make payment to: Italian Community Center, and send to: ICC, c/o Italian Class, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Enrollment in each class is limited to the first 25 students who send in this registration form with full payment.

PAGE 6 – FEBRUARY 2015

Free Children's Italian Course Registration Form

(For children ages 6-12) at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee

Parent(s) Name ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________ City ________________________ State _______ Zip __________

Phone No.: ______________ Email_________________________ Children's Names & Ages: _______________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________ _ Send this form to: Children's Italian Course, c/o ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ICC combining Carnevale with Valentine’s Day for “A Celebration of Love” and you’re invited

from page 1 flyer with a reservation form at various locations throughout the ICC. There will be assigned seating.

Check in at the reservation table during Carnevale’s social hour to get your table assignment.

For the second straight year, the Carnevale Committee is pleased to announce that free valet parking will be available that evening. The drop off point is under the canopy at the south entrance to the building, which makes a short walk to the registration table, the coat check room and the galleria where the festivities begin.

The valet parking is being sponsored by Joe Reina and Reina Auto/Vespa International Milwaukee of Brookfield.

Those who have attended before know Carnevale is the ICC’s “Social Event of the Year,” featuring great food, dancing, a coronation of royalty, a costume and mask parade, special entertainment, plenty of pageantry, magnificent decorations and displays, a marvelous sweet table and always lots of surprises.

Returning to make the ground tremble and the chilly winter sky light up with brilliant color will be spectacular Bartolotta the Fireworks show!

Royalty chosen Czubek and DeRubertis are pleased to announce the 2015 Carnevale Royalty.

• Re and Regina (King and Queen): Joe and Ann Zambito.

Nonno and Nonna • (Grandparents): Tony and Barbara Lupo.

• Principe and Principessa (Prince and Princess): John Paul Carvalho and RebekaLee Ruth Schwindt.

• Piccolo Principe and Piccola Principessa (Little Prince and Little Princess): Anthony Puchner and Julia Bongert.

• Il Gran Maresciallo (Grand Marshal): Ted Catalano.

• Il Vescovo (The Bishop): Frank D’Amato.

Bios on each member of royalty, written by Blaise DiPronio, appear in a separate article.

Appetizers, dinner, sweet table While hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be offered during the opening reception (cash bar), save room for the three-course dinner that will be served at 6:11 p.m. in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom.

Dinner begins with an Italian salad, followed by a mouth-watering entrée: petite filet mignon and butterfly shrimp with fresh vegetables, baked potato and Italian bread and butter. A special Carnevale dessert follows. There will be wine on each table. Guests will have the choice of coffee, tea, iced tea or milk.

The wine served during the dinner is courtesy of Dean Cannestra and Divino Wine and Dine in

Carnevale 2015 Reservation Form

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.

Number of ICC members attending: ______ x $50.00 = $

Number of non-members attending: ______ x $60.00 = $ Total amount of your check or money order: $

Please make your check or money order payable to: Italian Community Center. Send payment and this form with the list of those in your party to: Carnevale, c/o ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

Reservation deadline: Feb. 7, 2015.

If you cannot attend Carnevale 2015, please consider making a donation to support this event. My/Our donation is : $_________________.

Love to be in the air and on “The Wall” at Carnevale 2015

By Rosemary DeRubertis Carnevale Co-Chair Valentine’s Day and Carnevale will be joining forces this year for “A Celebration of Love.” All in attendance will have the opportunity to write a message to their special someone and post it on “Juliet’s Wall.”

Taken from the movie, “Letters to Juliet,” a large mural of Juliet’s balcony will be on display in the Milwaukee and Sal Purpora of Papa Luigi’s Pizza, Pasta and More in Cudahy.

Later in the evening, a beautifully decorated and bountiful sweet table will be available.

Dancing and entertainment The Carnevale co-chairs are pleased to announce that the Bill Sargent Big Band is returning to perform dance music for all ages throughout the evening. The band has been called “the tightest, most solid ensemble of expert musicians Milwaukee may ever see.”

Tradizione Vivente, its youth group I Bei Bambini and the children of Carnevale will also perform.

Costumes and masks Everyone who attends Carnevale is encouraged to wear a costume or mask. There will be prizes awarded for the best as determined by a distinguished panel of judges. If you are adorning yourself in either or both and want to participate in the costume and mask parade, please head to the registration desk upon your arrival to receive a number. Since the judging panel certainly won’t know each participant, numbers are written down by the judges in determining the winners.

The costume and mask parade, led by Gran Maresciallo Catalano

galleria to post a Valentine message during cocktails.

All materials will be supplied, and Romeo and Juliet themselves will be there to lend a helping hand. All valentines will be numbered. If your lucky valentine number is picked, you will win a special prize for your loved one.

So come prepared with thoughts of love and creative verses to wow the love of your life.

and the royalty, takes place before the judges make their final decisions. The parade concludes in the loggia where Carnevale revelers can watch the Bartolotta Fireworks show.

Special guests Among the special guests on this star-studded evening will ICC Chaplain Reverend Father Tim Kitzke and Father Mike Hammer.

Raffle and donations Whether you’re attending Carnevale or not, you can participate by buying tickets in a cash raffle or making a tax-deductible donation.

Raffle tickets, which have been mailed to ICC members, are $2 each or seven for $10. Prizes are $500 – 1st prize, $300 – 2nd prize, $100 – 3rd prize and $100 – 4th prize. You will also be able to buy raffle tickets during the event.

Donations to help cover the cost of this fund-raising event can be made the same way as reservations: by using the form accompanying this article, in person at the ICC, by filling out the flyer found in the building or with your credit card and calling 414-223-2180.

Remember, income tax season is here and all donations are tax deductible since the ICC is a registered 501.3c nonprofit organization.

Bios on the Carnevale Royalty appear on pages 8 and 9.

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

Italian Conference Center

The Italian Conference Center offers . . .

• 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.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

To coordinate your convention plans, call David or Gina 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

FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 7

Meet the Carnevale 2015 Royalty Re e Regina Joe and Ann Zambito

The throne to the Carnevale’s royalty is bestowed this year upon ICC charter members Joe and Ann Zambito, King and Queen for 2015!

Accompanied by their families, both Ann and Joe came to Milwaukee from Italy as young children. The two met while attending St. Rita’s Grade School on Milwaukee’s East Side. They continued on to high school at St. John’s Cathedral for Joe and St. Joan Antida for Ann. Joe graduated from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee Business School, leading to a career as stockbroker, department manager and accountant.

Even though they and their families had known each other for many years, Joe and Ann’s first date was attending a University of Wisconsin Homecoming dance.

They were married after Joe’s graduation from college. After raising two daughters, Gina and Sandra, Ann returned work as an insurance auditor and to volunteer work with

the Mequon-Thiensville School District. They have now been married for 45 years and live in Mequon.

The Zambitos have been ICC volunteers for years in different areas and capabilities such as managers at Festa, Taste of Italy and Carnevale. During Festa they have hosted several entertainment groups from Italy that brought color, enrichment and pride to our cultural exhibits. Joe has served as a member of the ICC Board and is a current member of the ICC Finance Committee. Additionally, the Zambitos are members of the Abruzzese Galileo-Galilei Society, Sons of Italy, UNICO and the Santa Rosalia Society – of which Joe is one of the founding fathers and past president. The Santa Rosalia Society has raised thousands of dollars for various local charities. Their elevation to Re and Regina is a well-deserved recognition of all their efforts and contributions.

The Grandparents of the 2015 Carnevale are longtime members of the ICC, Tony and Barbara Lupo.

The Lupos have been married for 54 years. They have three children, three grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. Their family is disbursed all over the United States with members living from Kentucky to California.

Tony and Barbara have both been volunteering at the ICC and Festa Italiana since 1979. Their jobs have been many and varied: working in such areas as the lasagna and raffle ticket booths

plus the volunteer food tent. The Lupos have participated in the ICC’s annual “A Taste of Italy” and are also very involved in the St. Rita and St. Joan Antida spaghetti dinners. Tony is also a coordinator of the ICC’s annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate at the meal site at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee. Several hundred needy families are served at this dinner, which is made possible through donations, that Tony and other obtain and the volunteers he gets to help work at the event.

RebekaLee Ruth Schwindt is the Carnevale Princess in 2015. She is the daughter of James, Jr. and Kyle Schwindt and the granddaughter of James, Sr. and Marie

Schwindt, longtime ICC members and volunteers.

RebekaLee is a senior at West Allis Central High School where she has earned 13 varsity letters in cross country, basketball, soccer and track. It is her plan to attend college and study to become an athletic trainer and physical therapist.

She is a past and ongoing volunteer in the Italian community and at Festa Italiana, which she has been attending since she was a young child. RebekaLee enjoys volunteering along with her grandparents and they have helped with the ICC’s “A Taste of Italy” and La Befana party. She especially enjoys helping all the children in the Befana activities.

Nonno e Nonno Tony and Barbara Lupo

King and Queen Joe and Ann Zambito

La Principessa RebekaLee Schwindt

Deadline set for February issue of The Italian Times

Princess RebekaLee Schwindt

PAGE 8 – FEBRUARY 2015

All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the February 2015 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Thursday, Jan. 8.

All materials can be emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org, sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. For further information, call 414223-2801.

Royal Grandparents Barbara and Tony Lupo

Il Principe John Paul Carvalho

The Principe’s role has been given to John Paul Carvalho. He is the son of longtime ICC members, Lory Bresina and Terrance Van Gorder. John’s Italian ancestry is derived from his grandmother, Maria Bellanti, whose parents came from the Porticello/Santa Flavia towns in Sicily.

Although born in California, John was raised in Milwaukee where he attended St. Charles Borromeo Grade School and then Greendale High School where he excelled both scholastically and in sports. He is also a past recipient of a UNICO scholarship. John continues his education at the Milwaukee School of Engineering where he studies Bimolecular Engineering with hopes of creating future medical innovations for the treatment of cancer.

John is a familiar face at the ICC through his participation in the Tradizione Vivente Dance Group and as a catering department server and bartender. Italian folk dancing is nothing new to him as he has been participating in it

since the age of two when he was part of a children’s group here in Milwaukee.

Prince John Paul Carvalho

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Piccolo Principe Anthony Puchner

This year, Carnevale’s Piccolo Principe will be Anthony Puchner.

Anthony is the son of John and Marya Puchner. Most of you may know John as he has become the go-to musician at the ICC when one is needed. John plays the piano, accordion and guitar and he has provided the music at many of our events.

Young Anthony is an 8 year old third grader at the Trinity Academy in Pewaukee. He has two younger brothers and three younger sisters. He enjoys a good game of chess, piano playing and singing. Not bad in this day of video frenzy. Anthony is also an active Bear Scout. His favorite sports are hockey, swimming and, of course, football especially when played by that team in green and gold just north of here.

Little Prince Anthony Puchner

Il Gran Maresciallo Ted Catalano

The important role of Il Gran Maresciallo of Carnevale this year has gone to Ted Catalano.

Ted was born in Milwaukee to Ted and Patricia Catalano back when a certain “Little Pink Church” was still on Jackson Street. Born into a large family of many uncles, aunts and cousins, baptism and communion parties abounded in his youth and Ted had his fill of all the cookies and pastries. He remembers those were really the days of ‘abbondanza’.

After attending Dominican High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he majored in finance, Ted unexpectedly settled in the produce business at the behest of his uncle, Sam Catalano. He remained in the business for 15 years and then sold it and went into his true calling: teaching in the Milwaukee Public School System as a math instructor.

Ted has been an avid participant in the Festa Mass Committee

and manager of the Mass ushers and is looking forward to many continued participations in the future.

The role of Il Vescovo (The Bishop) will be filled for the fifth consecutive year by Frank D’Amato. Frank is no stranger to the Carnevale court – he and his late wife, Catherine, were selected as the Re and Regina in 1997.

Frank, a retired lithographer, resides in Brown Deer. He is the proud father of six children (three boys, three girls), the grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 3.

His wife of 52 years Catherine (nee Dentice) passed away in 2008. He is the brother-in-law of ICC member Joe Dentice. His grandson, Jack Elliott, was Piccolo Principe in 2014.

Frank can remember being involved in the ICC when it was located on Hackett Avenue. Since then he has served on several committees. Most notably, he has been a member of the Festa Mass and Procession Committee since its inception and has served both as the chairman and co-chairman. He has long worked as a volunteer in Festa’s Pompeii sacred art exhibit and has been on the Carnevale

Committee for the past several years.

Piccola Principessa Julia Bongert

Carnevale’s adorable Piccola Principessa is 8 year old Julia Bongert. She is the daughter of Chuck and Beth Anne Bongert and the granddaughter of Don and Fran (Sorrenti) Tollefson. She has a younger brother and sister living with her.

Julia is a 3rd grade student at St. Joseph School in Wauwatosa.

She participates in and loves her dance and gymnastics classes and she also belongs to the Saints Club and Art Club. Julia is also a Girl Scout and is ‘famous’ for selling the most cookies at her school.

Julia is an avid attendant of the ICC’s party with La Befana and the children’s Easter party.

She’s also a past volunteer at Festa’s Regional tent along with her ‘nonna’ and a participant in the Festa Parade.

Little Princess Julia Bongert

Help needed for housing Italian music students

In the next issue of The Italian Times, read about Carroll University’s spring music program which will include its hosting of music students from Italy and the resulting need to house and feed them.

The dates these students will be here are Mar. 1-9 and Apr. 13-

21. This International Culture Exchange Project will culminate with concerts on Mar. 5 and Apr. 18. Any help with housing and feeding these Italian guests will be deeply appreciated.

For more information at this time, call 262-327-4378 or email lharper@carroll.edu.

The Perfect Ending

Grand Marshal Ted Catalano

Il Vescovo Frank D’Amato

Bring your wedding day to a successful close. Gather your families and friends where the ambiance is special, the food is exceptional and the staff is attentive to your every need.

631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI Call David or Gina at 414-223-2800 or visit ItalianConference.com Bishop Frank D’Amato

Looking to sell something that the readers of The Italian Times might find interesting? Put an ad in our next issue. For costs and ad sizes, call 414-223-2801 or send an emai to themman@italiancc.org.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 9

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 nonmembers 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 e-mail 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 Jones at the ICC – 414-223-2808.

L’Angolo del Poeta Prepared by Barbara Collignon

PAGE 10 – FEBRUARY 2015

“I do not go in search of poetry. I wait for poetry to visit me,” said Eugenio Montale (1896-1981).

Considered by many as the greatest Italian poet since Giacomo Leopardi, he is often compared to T.S. Eliot. His poetry was, according to critic Galassi, “motivated by a desire to come closer to his own experience than the prevailing poetic language allowed him.”

Poetic language before him was Please turn to page 15

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Italian Society and Club News

Milwaukee UNICO organizations will award scholarships for the 79th consecutive year in 2015

Continuing a program started 79 years ago, the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and the Ladies of UNICO will award several scholarships this spring to high school seniors of Italian descent.

The exact number of scholarships to be presented had not been determined as of press time.

To be eligible, applicants must

attend a public or private school in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha or Walworth counties.

Additionally, the student must hold an academic standing in the top 20% of the graduating class and/or a relative standing in the upper 20% on a college aptitude test (ACT or SAT).

The spirit of this scholarship is

to help Italian American seniors with financial needs.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of nonItalian descent dignitaries from the Milwaukee area.

Financial need, scholarship, community/school involvement and personal character are the criteria by which the applicants will be judged.

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

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

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

They are also recognized in the UNICO National Convention Journal, published for the 93rd national convention which will take place July 29 - Aug. 1, 2015 in Newport Beach, Calif.

is the Sergeant John Basilone Scholarship. It is available to any public or private college student of Italian extraction who is receiving (or has received) a baccalaureate degree and plans to enroll in a post-graduate program.

The second post-graduate award – offered for the fourth consecutive year – is the Dr. Benjamin Cottone Scholarship.

Applicants for this award must be at least seniors at a university or graduates of a university who are starting study in the field of medicine or persons who are enrolled in an accredited medical school in the United States.

The criteria that UNICO National uses in selecting its recipients are quite similar to those used by the Milwaukee Chapter in choosing local awardees.

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

The first post-graduate award

A third post-graduate award is the Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship which will grant two $1,000 each literary scholarships.

Application for this program will be open to matriculated college students. Terms of submission require the candidate to present, in writing, an original short story or essay celebrating their Italian heritage.

A fourth post-graduate award, the DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship, will grant $1,250 scholarships to two students attending accredited study abroad programs, in Italy, associated with a college or university in the United States. A candidate must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage. Application deadline is March 1.

The first award available for

The Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge #2763 of the Order Sons of Italy in America has announced several of its 2015 events.

During the organization’s meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18, students from the Italian Enrichment Program from Milwaukee’s Victory School will present a performance.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Italian Community Center.

On Saturday, Mar. 21, the lodge will present a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Details will be announced

soon.

The Grand Lodge of Order Sons of Italy in America of Illinois and Wisconsin invites all OSIA members and non-members to its Leonardo da Vinci Awards program on Sunday, May 3, at Victoria Beau Jolie in Schiller Park, Ill. The Filippo Mazzei Lodge will host its annual golf outing at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva on Sunday, June 28.

Look for more details of these events in future issues of The Italian Times.

Filippo Mazzei Lodge/OSIA announces 2015 events

THE ITALIAN TIMES

PhD candidates is the Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for a Doctorate in Science. Two scholarships valued at $2,500 each will be awarded to students enrolled as PhD candidates pursuing study of the Physical Sciences or Life Sciences. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

The second award, the Ralph J. Torraco Doctoral Scholarship for the Study of Italian History, will award two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to students enrolled as PhD candidates pursuing the study of Italian history. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

The third award for PhD candidates is the Ralph J. Torraco Doctoral Scholarship for Music Study. Two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, will be awarded to students enrolled as PhD candidates pursuing the study of music.

A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities.

Application forms for all UNICO National scholarships are available by contacting Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National President, Rose Anne Fritchie at r.fritchie@aol.com. The deadline for submitting applications, except as noted above, is Wednesday, Apr. 1.

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

Application deadline Candidates must submit their applications by Wednesday, Apr. 1, to: Scholarship Director of UNICO Milwaukee, 10625 W. North Ave. Suite 300, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.

Applicants may be contacted to attend a personal interview at the Italian Community Center during school hours on Friday, Apr. 10.

The scholarships will be presented at a banquet on the evening of Tuesday, May 19. The recipient or his/her representative must be present to accept the scholarship award.

The Milwaukee UNICO scholarship program has awarded over one million dollars in scholarships over the past 79 years.

The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National is celebrating 84 years in existence in 2015. The Ladies of UNICO celebrated their 50th anniversary as an independent civic and service organization in 2013.

Pompeii Men remainder on Good Friday fish fry

The Pompeii Men’s Club is asking everyone to reserve Friday, Apr. 3, for attending its annual Good Friday Fish Fry. The event will once again take place at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee.

The Good Friday Fish Fry is an essential fund-raising event for the club, which makes donations of cash and manpower to several charitable causes each year.

More details on this event will appear in upcoming issues of The Italian Times.

Be there for the Oldies But Goodies winter reunion concert on Feb. 7 at ICC

from page 3 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 Freeloaders.

Lead guitarist Tom Sorce who has performed with several bands and

still leads his own Tom Sorce Band and plays with the Tom Anthony Group. Saxophonist Mike Miller was with Junior & The Classics.

Keyboardist Bob Sanderson played with The Citations. The group’s third vocalist, Tony Clementi, is the lone exception. He did not perform with any of Milwaukee’s early rock bands, but is flying from Florida on Feb. 7 for a rare wintertime appearance in the Brew City.

Get ready to rock and roll!

FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 11

LA PAGINA ITALIANA a cura di Enrica Tarantino-Woytal

Sicilia Mondo - A Modica presentazione dell’Antologia “Poesie scelte” di Pippo Puma, Presidente della Associazione “Casa Giara” aderente a Sicilia Mondo

Nello storico Palazzo della Cultura di Modica, nel quadro dei “sabati letterari” del Caffè letterario Quasimodo, è stata presentata l’Antologia “Poesie scelte” di Pippo Puma, poeta modicano, alla presenza di un folto gruppo di amici, poeti e amanti della cultura.

Dopo il saluto del sindaco di Modica Ignazio Abbate, la presentazione della raccolta di poesie è stata aperta da Domenico Pisana, Presidente del Caffè letterario Quasimodo.

E’ stata quindi la volta dei relatori, il poeta albanese Clirim Muca e lo scrittore milanese Alberto Figliolia mentre l’attore Giorgio Sparacino ha letto alcuni testi dell’autore legati alla sua terra di origine, intervallandoli con le note del maestro Gianluca Abbate.

A conclusione della serata, dopo l’intervento dello stesso autore Pippo Puma, il Presidente del Caffè Quasimodo Domenico Pisana ha consegnato ai tre ospiti il “Medaglione Quasimodo”, ove è riprodotto il volto del Premio Nobel modicano.

Azzia intervenendo sulla presentazione, ha detto: “Sono qui per testimoniare la mia amicizia e vicinanza a Pippo Puma, mio carissimo amico, ma anche per esprimere il mio apprezzamento

sulla Antologia “Poesie scelte” che raccoglie poesie selezionate tra le tantissime contenute in ben 9 pubblicazioni. Selezione non facile.

Pippo mi ha sempre omaggiato le sue poesie che conosco ed apprezzo. Quando dovevo inserirle nella rivista Sicilia Mondo l’imbarazzo della scelta era totale.

Mi piacevano tutte.

I n realtà Pippo ha una visione etica del suo universo poetico per la ricchezza di sentimenti, di umanità e di valori alla vita.

Le poesie che partono quando Pippo a 18 anni ha lasciato Modica per approdare a Milano, scandiscono la sua straordinaria sensibilità e creatività poetica nell’arco della sua stagione esistenziale fino ad oggi. Quella di un uomo che si è fatto da sé.

Si leggono tutte di un fiato perché ti portano subito dentro il suo contenuto facendotelo vivere dal vero. Coinvolgendoti. Come una magia.

Nelle poesie di Pippo trovi di tutto: temperamento, fantasia, versi che scivolano fluidi come note musicali.

Così nella scultura dei sentimenti, della profonda umanità, dei ricordi mai dismessi e nella creatività di aneddoti e immagini, raffigurazioni, nella memoria struggente della Sicilia, della sua Modica, degli affetti familiari, nell’impatto a Milano.

Leggendo le poesie di Pippo Puma si sente l’esigenza di rileggerle ancora, di approfondirle perché lasciano nella tua mente qualcosa di unico e irripetibile, che resta e ti arricchisce dentro.

Le poesie di Pippo fanno cultura, tradizione, storia e letteratura nazionale ma anche un punto di riferimento in Sicilia dove si coglie un insorgente rinnovamento culturale”.

Pippo Puma ha quindi ringraziato gli ospiti e gli amici, con particolare abbraccio a Mimmo Azzia.

Le poesie di Puma sono scritte in dialetto siciliano-modicano ed in italiano. Sono tradotte in inglese e citate in antologie culturali di poesie all’estero.

L’Antologia “Poesie scelte” contiene 260 poesie tra gli oltre 600 componimenti.

Pippo Puma è conosciutissimo nel mondo letterario italiano. Tra i tanti riconoscimenti ricevuti ricordiamo “L’Ambrogino d’Oro” dal Comune di Milano, la “Medaglia d’Oro alla Modicanità” dal Comune di Modica e il “Diploma di Benemerito della Cultura e dell’Arte” da parte del Presidente della Repubblica Ciampi, le citazioni di Rai Tre Piemonte, Rai Tre Lombardia, Rai Tre Sicilia, Corriere della Sera, Repubblica, Il Giornale, Gazzetta del Sud,

Ritengo di farti cosa gradita ricordandoTi che il 7 Gennaio è la Giornata Nazionale del Tricolore italiano, istituita nel 1996, anno del bicentenario della Bandiera, per riproporre un momento di riflessione su una bandiera scelta dai Costituenti come vessillo della Repubblica e simbolo di una Italia una ed indivisibile, fondata sui valori di democrazia e di libertà.

Il Tricolore è il simbolo che ci riaggrega tutti, facendoci riscoprire i valori e l’orgoglio della identità.

Un orgoglio acuito in modo particolare da Voi, per la Vostra lontananza, ma fortemente

presente nel cuore di tutti noi italiani.

consapevolezza di appartenere ad una grande Nazione e ad una grande civiltà.

Sicilia Mondo ricorda ai Presidenti delle Associazioni aderenti, ai collaboratori ed ai corrispondenti che il 7 gennaio è la Giornata Nazionale del Tricolore La celebrazione del Tricolore assume un significato particolare per tutti noi, in un momento certamente non facile per il Paese in difficoltà ma che fa riflettere per guardare insieme un futuro carico di speranza.

Sicilia Mondo intende sensibilizzarti su questa data del 7 gennaio perché ritiene che la memoria storica di un percorso che portò alla costruzione dell’Unità Nazionale, sia un sentimento profondo che rinsalda i vincoli e la

In campo nazionale, la celebrazione avrà luogo a Reggio Emilia, dove il Tricolore vide la luce il 7 gennaio del 1797, quale bandiera della Repubblica Cispadana.

La Giornata sarà aperta dagli onori militari e dall’alzabandiera alla presenza del Ministro degli Affari Esteri Paolo Gentiloni e delle Istituzioni regionali e locali, con un dettagliato programma cerimoniale.

Artecultura, La Stampa e Sicilia Mondo. Non sono mancati spunti critici da parte di personaggi illustri della cultura nazionale come Gesualdo Bufalino.

Pippo Puma è un valoroso commercialista con studio a Milano dove risiede da 30 anni. Frequenta gli ambienti culturali meneghini ma dedica parte del suo tempo nel sociale e come Presidente della Associazione “Casa Giara” è motore delle Associazioni siciliane a Milano che mantengono uno stretto legame con la Sicilia.

In questa direzione, Pippo Puma è l’animatore culturale dell’agosto modicano dove nel salotto letterario di “Casa Giara” ha sempre ospitato e premiato poeti, scrittori, artisti e musicisti della Sicilia. Il 17 agosto dell’anno scorso ha celebrato la XXVI Edizione del Concerto d’Estate.

Casa Giara è divenuta negli ultimi anni l’appuntamento estivo di Sicilia Mondo con i Presidenti delle Associazioni del Nord Italia.

A tutti i lettori Buon Anno 2015!

SAPEVATE CHE . . . . . .

L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via!

Con L’Epifania si concludono tutte le feste e si ritorna alla normalita’.

Lotteria Italia: spettacolo meraviglioso per il giorno della Befana. Il gran premio di 5 milioni di euro a un fortunate di Roma.

Febbraio e’ corto e amaro ma anche dolce perche ci porta S.Valentino la festa degli innamorati.

Auguri?

A carnevale ogni scherzo vale! Buon Carnevale a tutti.

Si e’ spento all’ eta’ di 59 anni un grande della musica napoletana e italiana. Napuli e’! Addio Pino Daniele le tue canzone ci rimarrano nel cuore.

Festival di SanRemo: iniziera’ fra non molto il Festival di SanRemo.

La novita’ (secondo le informazioni) la partecipazione di Al Bano e Romina.

February weather Get ready for ICC’s free “Spring Fever Music across Italy

While January tends to be colder overall than February, the two months are fairly interchangeable weather-wise. The northern part of Italy and other mountainous regions are often snow-covered, and rain usually dominates the forecast in other areas.

Still, February is when some parts of Italy, especially southern regions, are beginning to shake off

PAGINA 12 – FEBBRAIO 2015

the winter cold.

Here’s the average temperature range in the northern, central and southern parts of Italy: • Northern Italy: 25º-45º Fahrenheit.

• Central Italy: 40º-55º Fahrenheit.

• Southern Italy (including Sicily): 50º-60º Fahrenheit.

Series” starts on Apr. 2

from page 5 features the familiar face of “Guido” of Doo-Wop Daddies fame.

With that said, attendees of the May 7 show can expect the best of the good-time rock and roll sounds of the ‘50s. ‘60s and ‘70s.

The Rick D’Amore Band, a longtime ICC favorite, returns May 14 with a show featuring ‘50s-‘60s rock and roll, pop favorites and

much more. Versatile vocalist Rick D’Amore has been performing for more than 45 years. For many years, he performed regularly in nightclubs and supper clubs.

Expect to hear the best of Elvis Presley, Dion Dimucci, Roy Orbison and many others from the rock and roll era along with a little bit of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tom Jones.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Italians married in Milwaukee: 1926-1940 Part X Compiled by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian

Introductory Notes The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1926-1940 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 will be featured in The Italian Times the next several months.

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 1926-1941 and that relative’s name does not appear in these listings, please contact the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Parts I and IX of this series were published in past issues of The Italian Times.

Name Sciurba, Dominic Sciuti, Joseph Scoigletti, Rocco Scolerio, Mary (Pitts) Scolini, Egidio Screma, Louis Sebastiani, Angelo Sendik, Anno Balistreri (Torcivia) Sendik, Anthony Balistreri Sendik, Gaetano Balistreri Sergio, Joseph Sergio, Julia (Griffin) Sergio, Nellie (Sparacino) Sericati, Antonio Sericati, Doris (Wudtke) Sericati, Inez (Macejk) Sericati, Primo Serio, Biagio Serio, Carl Serio, Carl C Serio, Frank Serio, Gloria (Kepes) Serio, Grace (Zaffiro) Serio, Joan (Copeland) Serio, John Serio, Joseph Serio, Joseph D Serio, Joseph J Serio, Josephine (Anastasi) Serio, Leonard Serio, Lucy (Caputz) Serio, Madaline (Salamone) Serio, Mary (Mirasola) Serio, Mary (Verniglio) Serio, Mike Serio, Philip Serio, Philip J Serio, Rosalie (McGowan) Serio, Rosalie (Serio) Serio, Roy Serio, Salvatore Serio, Sebastian Serra, Michelina (Vincienzo) Serra, Renee Serra, Salvatore Severa, Felix Severa, Frank Severa, Marian (Himes) Severi, Hazel (Hawk) Severini, Dorothy (Wright) Severini, Ida (Wright) Severini, Veronica (Stillwell) Sibrigandio, Margaret (Ginseppe) Sibrigandio, Sylvester Sicchio, Tina (Sorgi) Sicula, Harry Sidello, Jacob Silva, Mike Silva, Nancy (Santoro) Simonetti, Amelai (Ciratto) Sindoni, Teresa (Alberti) Sirianni, Antoinette (Mellette) Sirianni, Cornelia (Scoll) Sirianni, Mary (Ceti) Sirna, Charles Sirovina, Andro Smagola, Rosalia (Todryk) Smaniatto Joseph Smaniatto, Valentine Sobello, John Sollitto, Sylvester Solorio, Steve Sopoci, Margaret (Serio) Sorano, Frank Sorano, Sam Sorce, Anthony Sorce, Congetta (Balestreri) Sorce, Esther (Alstad) Sorce, Giralamo Sorce, John Sorce, John Sorce, Joseph Sorce, Joseph Sorce, Judy Sorce, Rose (Sorce) Sorce, Thomas

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Married Jun-1934 Oct-1926 Aug-1939 May-1930 Dec-1927 Jun-1927 Sep-1931 Dec-1934 Jun-1933 Jun-1934 Apr-1934 Jul-1937 Aug-1939 Oct-1934 Jun-1935 Nov-1940 Sep-1938 Jun-1935 Apr-1929 May-1936 Jul-1938 Oct-1940 Jun-1928 Jun-1939 Jul-1930 Jun-1940 Jun-1934 Jul-1934 Sep-1930 Aug-1937 Sep-1935 Jun-1927 Oct-1928 Oct-1936 Mar-1927 Sep-1929 Sep-1930 Nov-1937 Jul-1929 Nov-1934 Apr-1934 Jul-1929 Oct-1928 Dec-1929 Oct-1928 Jul-1934 Oct-1939 May-1938 May-1938 Apr-1934 Jul-1934 May-1940 Oct-1930 Jun-1934 Oct-1939 Jun-1934 Jul-1928 Nov-1933 Oct-1928 Feb-1927 Nov-1933 Jul-1938 Sep-1934 Jun-1934 Oct-1938 Oct-1938 Jun-1940 Nov-1928 Mar-1928 Dec-1935 Apr-1937 Nov-1933 Sep-1930 Nov-1927 Oct-1939 Sep-1930 Jun-1932 Apr-1940 Jul-1930 Jan-1930 Sep-1940 Mar-1932 Jul-1939 Oct-1935 Sep-1940 Aug-1931

Name Sorcinelli, Elsie (Cialdini) Sorcinelli, Jessie (Rich) Sorcinelli, Primo Sorgi, Anita M (Mazza) Sorgi, Ezio Sorgi, Herman J Sorgi, Mario Sorrenti, Frank Jr. Sortino, Josephine (Sadusky) Sortino, Mary (Tarman) Soto, Librado Soto, Lucy (Landin) Sottile Vincy (Rinaldi) Sottile, Florence (Deforno) Sottile, Josephine (Burdicki) Sottile, Josephine (Fantin) Sottile, Marie (Zella) Sottile, Sam Spagnolo, Philip Spagnolo, Sarah (Kollock) Spano, Marion (Busalacchi) Spano, Rosa (Spalla) Sparacino, Joan (Gunta) Sparacino, Lorenzo Sparacino, Michael Sparacino, Pauline (Cifaldi) Sparacio, Anthony Sparano, Henry Sparapane, Marie (Stadler) Spataro, James Spella, Arnold Spella, Christine (Commorato) Spella, Ida (Sardina) Spera, John Spera, Josephine (Heiser) Sperra, Eleanor (Erickson) Spicciati, Giovanna (La Rosa) Spicuzza, ? (Zingale) Spicuzza, Angelyn (Knapp) Spicuzza, John Spicuzza, John G Spicuzza, Mary (Spicuzza) Spicuzza, Mary A (Cianciolo) Spicuzza, Mary C (Schmal) Spicuzza, Salvatore Spicuzza, Sylvia (Jellsett) Spicuzza, Terese (Kaufmann) Spicuzza, Theodore S Jr Spinato, Mary (Patane) Spinella, Angeline (Catania) Spinelli, Jack Spingola, Frank Springhetti, Aurelio Springhetti, Joseph Stamitti, Joseph Stancampiano, Carmelo Stancampiano, Nunzio Stancompiano, Charles Stirnola, Gaetana (Accetta) Stirnola, Rose (Accetta) Storniolo, Joseph Succa, Charles Susitti, Frank Susitti, John Taccati, Joseph Tamboli, Guido Tamboli, Jessie (Ganzke) Tamboli, Mario Tamillo, Dorothy (Rekowski) Taramelli, Frank Taramelli, Irene (Trotalli) Tarantino, Angele (Talakowski) Tarantino, Anna (Sorce) Tarantino, Anthony Tarantino, Anton Tarantino, Antoniette (Landowski) Tarantino, Baldassare Tarantino, Carlo Tarantino, Catherine (Corrao) Tarantino, Dorothy (Rossbach) Tarantino, Frances (Balistreri) Tarantino, Frank Tarantino, Frank T Tarantino, Isadore Tarantino, Salvatore Tarantino, Salvatore

Married Jan-1930 Apr-1929 Feb-1938 Oct-1934 Aug-1940 Oct-1936 Oct-1939 Apr-1938 Nov-1940 Sep-1937 Apr-1932 Dec-1930 Apr-1929 Aug-1940 Jun-1937 Sep-1936 Aug-1940 Sep-1940 Oct-1927 Jul-1927 Jul-1939 Oct-1929 Dec-1940 Jun-1932 Aug-1939 Dec-1927 Sep-1932 May-1926 Nov-1926 Jun-1937 Sep-1938 Apr-1940 Feb-1928 Aug-1934 Aug-1939 Jun-1940 Nov-1939 Apr-1929 Oct-1936 Sep-1930 Jun-1932 Sep-1930 Oct-1929 Dec-1940 Aug-1931 Jul-1935 Jul-1939 Oct-1936 Oct-1927 Apr-1928 Jan-1940 Feb-1926 Nov-1931 Jul-1929 May-1926 Sep-1935 Nov-1939 Sep-1938 Oct-1935 Oct-1935 Mar-1930 Jul-1929 Sep-1937 Oct-1937 Apr-1934 Oct-1936 Feb-1939 Nov-1932 Dec-1940 Nov-1933 Oct-1928 Nov-1929 Mar-1932 Oct-1931 Sep-1928 May-1934 Feb-1928 Sep-1929 Jul-1931 May-1939 Jun-1932 Aug-1929 Oct-1935 Dec-1936 May-1935 Jun-1937

Name Married Tarantino, Sam May-1937 Tarantino, Sebastian Oct-1930 Jul-1934 Tarantino, Thomas Tarantino, Tony Feb-1936 Tenaglia, Agnes (Gabardi) Jul-1927 Tenaglia, August May-1930 Tenaglia, Charles Jun-1929 Tentoni, Etalo Jun-1928 Teriaca, Jasper Oct-1930 Teriaca, Madeline (Simeone) Apr-1936 Teriaca, Mamie (DeMotto) Aug-1940 Nov-1939 Teriaca, Stella (Zurawski) Termini, George May-1934 Termini, Sophie (Daddato) May-1934 Terzo, Audrey (DeCarlo) Jr Apr-1938 Tibaldo, Peter Nov-1936 Tina, Ciro Jun-1935 Tinetti, Margaret (Polgar) Sep-1938 Tinetti, Mary (Bitters) Jun-1937 Tinetti, Terese (Giaudrone) May-1934 Todarello, Paul Jul-1928 Todaro, Joseph Feb-1933 Todaro, Vincenzina (Puccio) Sep-1934 Todero, Peter Nov-1928 Tomasello, Annie (Trovato) Aug-1931 Tomasello, Anthony Jul-1926 Tomasello, Emanuel Dec-1934 Aug-1938 Tomasello, Marie (Norberg) Tomasello, Rosario Nov-1931 Tomasello, Rose (Smukalla) Oct-1938 Tomasello, Stella (Krueger) Jun-1938 Tomasini, Emil Oct-1937 Tomasini, Frank May-1938 Tomasino, Antoinette (Radtke) Apr-1939 Tomasino, Gioachino Mar-1926 Tomasino, Mae (Hylaszek) Jul-1934 Tomasino, Margaret (Geracie) Mar-1938 Tomasino, Mary G (LaBarbara) Apr-1931 Tomasino, Rose D (Vollmer) Jun-1935 Tonoli, Rosanna (Podlesnik) Feb-1934 Tonso, Mary (Kuntz) Jun-1929 Tontinella, Anna (Corrao) Oct-1935 Tontinella, Filippo May-1930 Torcivia, Albert Dec-1929 Torcivia, Alfred Jan-1935 Torcivia, Andrew Oct-1928 Torcivia, Angeline (Enea) Sep-1934 Torcivia, Charles Sep-1940 Torcivia, Joseph Jun-1936 Torcivia, Lillie (Resler) Oct-1940 Torcivia, Louis Apr-1926 Torcivia, Mary (Spera) Aug-1934 Torcivia, Santo Dec-1934 Torcivia, Tony Oct-1931 Toretta, Tony Dec-1930 Toro, August Nov-1928 Toro, Ethel (Roth) Jan-1926 Toro, Ted Feb-1932 Torra, Emilio Nov-1929 Torre, Frances (Urusturis) Jun-1940 Torregrossa, Frank Sep-1940 Torregrossa, Mary (Torregrossa) Sep-1940 Torretta, Mary (Rampolla) Apr-1926 Tralongo, Jack Mar-1926 Tralongo, Lucy (Natalizio) Jul-1939 Tralongo, Rosaria (Alaimo) Oct-1926 Tralongo, Salvatore Apr-1932 Trigiano, Steve Sep-1928 Triliegi, John May-1937 Trillo, Michael Jul-1929 Trinitapoli, Devina (Ingrilli) Jul-1931 Trinitapoli, Lydia (Melchiorre) Oct-1929 Trinitapoli, Oreste May-1940 Tripi, Luigi Dec-1929 Tripoli, Mary (Medenski) Jan-1937 Trotalli, Peter Oct-1928 Trovato, Frank A Aug-1931 Tucci, Santa (Mathewson) Jul-1928 Tuccio, Anthony May-1935 Tunisi, Anna (Abelt) Apr-1940 Tunisi, Rose (Scaglione) Mar-1926 Turco, Gioacchino Feb-1938 Turrino, Emilio Jun-1934 Ugrotzi, Ann (Androsh) Nov-1939 Continued and concluding in the March 2015 issue of The Italian Times.

FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 13

Report from the MPS Victory School Italian Enrichment Program

Maestre Zizzo and Lagrutta’s first graders were busy during this holiday season. They attended the musical, Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer. First Stage Children’s Theater put on a wonderful performance that had our students sitting on the edge of their seats. In the spring, the students are looking forward to participating in First Stage’s Connections Program which includes a pre- and post- performance workshop and attending the performance of Big Nate.

Maestre Bozano and Robertson’s second grade students are learning addition and subtraction strategies up to 1,000 in English and Italian.

Students attended the play, How I Became a Pirate at Marquette University’s Helfaer Theatre.

Students are learning “pirate lingo” in English (ship ahoy mateys, aaaarrrrgggghhhh, batten down the hatches) and some in Italian! They are practicing a pirate “ditty” to be performed at Victory School’s Spring Concert. In fles le parti del corpo e le emozioni collegando con la lezione dei pirati che fanno in inglese. La canzone del corpo e dei pirati. Con i nostri alunni.

Maestra Laurenzi’s third graders had a visit from La Befana on Jan. 6. La Befana gave coal to a few of the children and candy to all of the children. Many students are

still wondering how La Befana found Victory K8 School, having flown all the way from Italy on her broom in frigid temperatures.

In fourth grade, both classes are participating in a nice “teachers exchange.” At this point of the year, their math curriculum digs into the Metric System, and, as Maestra Enrica is fond of this topic, she teaches it in both fourth grade classes, while Miss Flesner teaches reading and writing. Maestra Enrica brought back from Italy empty food containers and “metri

da sarto” (taylor’s meter tapes) so students can measure according to the European/Italian style and they are visually involved with this new system to measure distances, length, mass and volume.

They are becoming – day by day – more aware of the Italian culture and having fun in the same time.

Maestro Falsetti’s fifth and sixth graders said goodbye to Miss Jackson, the stellar student teacher from Marquette University who had been with them since the beginning of the school year.

Opera topics

by Angelo Castronovo

Recently, I stopped at a friend’s restaurant in Wauwatosa and got into a conversation with a lady who remembered me from a music event some years ago. Her father, an older gentleman, asked me if I knew Grace Moore, and I told him, of course, I did.

Grace Moore was a most unusual performer, having sung on many different stages and thus endearing herself to audiences around the world. She was a soprano who triumphed as a movie star, concert artist and Metropolitan Opera singer. She possessed determination in spades. She died tragically and prematurely at the age of 48 in a plane crash in Copenhagen on Jan. 26, 1947. Her death made worldwide headlines including in the New York Times.

Moore’s great success began in 1934 when she flashed across the musical sky in the hit movie: One Night of Love. She had an unsparing, not to be denied ambition.

Even though she was told by the prominent Artur Bodanzky and Irving Thalberg, from the Met Opera and MGM Studios respectively, that she had no chance of appearing in either of their major venues, Moore persisted on and proved them both wrong.

A Tennessee native, she possessed charisma and a melting voice which one reviewer said sounded like “liquid peaches”. In

PAGE 14 – FEBRUARY 2015

One Night of Love, she sang complete arias, and the film gave rise to a number of similar productions starring such major singers of the day as Lily Pons and Gladys Swarthout. It was a golden age for musical events with live symphony orchestra concerts and radio programs as well.

Moore even appeared on Broadway in composer Irving Berlin’s Musical Revue of 1924.

She debuted at the Metropolitan as Mimi in Puccini’s La Boheme on Feb. 7, 1928. She was decorated by kings and presidents and became a leader in the State Department’s cultural exchange program. But it took two unsuccessful Met auditions and studying in Europe with soprano Mary Garden’s vocal coach to bring her a contract at the Met under the management of Giulio Gatti-Casazza, formerly of La Scala in Milan, Italy.

Grace Moore, who loved life and living, sometimes overdid it with long-into-the-night celebrating.

This caused her to become weak and tired, but she always seemed to bounce back and go on to new successes causing writer Emily Coleman to say of her: “With her capacity to reinvent herself, she could have given lessons to the Phoenix.”

Quotable quote: “In a dream, I saw a city invincible. – Walt Whitman

Diana Greguska-Busalacchi passes away at 93

Diana Greguska-Busalacchi, who family members said “always had a smile or laugh to share,” died on this past New Year’s Eve at the age 93. She was a former member of the Italian Community Center.

Diana was married to William Greguska, Sr. for more than 50 years. Later, she remarried to Charlie Busalacchi. She worked at Universal Foods for more than 20 years and worked with her first

husband in his fur business for many years.

She raised four children, Tom, Gerri, Pat and Bill. She loved to bowl, play cards, cook, bake, go out to eat, go to the movies, play golf, do water exercises and go to church. She also did some professional modeling and made rosaries and loved the Milwaukee Brewers.

She vacationed in Italy a couple of times with her daughter Pat.

Saint Faustino’s Day, on Feb. 15, commemorates the saint adopted by single people in Italy. If you see a sign for a St. Faustino Day party, it is most likely an event for singles.

St. Faustino is also the patron

saint of Brescia, a city in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

There, a large festival is held on Feb. 15.

The day is filled with music, vendors, lots of food and a huge fireworks display at night.

Unmarried people celebrate St. Faustino’s Day in Italy

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Poet’s Corner

Prepared by Barbara Collignon

from page 10 highly embellished and thus his goal was to lower his voice without appearing trivial or shapeless.

Montale himself said he wanted to remain musical, instinctive and unprogrammatic. He is quoted as saying, “I wanted to wring the neck of eloquence of our old aulic [relating to royal court] language, even at the risk of a counter-eloquence.”

He elaborated his ars poetica in his 1976 Nobel Prize acceptance speech. He was awarded this prize based on having published only six volumes of poetry .una produzione scarsa, according to some.

One wonders can six volumes really be considered scant production? Montale spoke to that in his acceptance speech in Stockholm, saying: “Hanno detto che è una produzione scarsa, forse supponendo che il poeta sia un produttore di mercanzie; le macchine debbono essere impiegate al massimo. Per fortuna la poesia non è una merce.”

(They have said that this is scant production, perhaps assuming that the poet is a producer of merchandise; machines must be used to the maximum. Fortunately, poetry is not a commodity.)

“La poesia è l’arte tecnicamente alla portata di tutti: un pezzo di carta e una matita e uno è pronto.“ (Poetry is the art technically within the grasp of everyone: a piece of paper and a pencil and one is ready.) He further says of poetry, “Per mio conto, se considero la poesia come un oggetto ritengo ch’essa sia nata dalla necessità di aggiungere un suono vocale (parola) ali martellamento delle prime musiche tribali.” (For my part, if I consider poetry as an object, I maintain that it is born of the necessity of adding a vocal sound (speech) to the hammering of the first tribal music.)

Lentamente la poesia si fa visiva perché dipinge immagini, ma è anche musicale: riunisce due arti in una. (Slowly poetry becomes visual because it paints images, but it is also musical: it unites two arts into one.) With this, he echoes the ars poetica of the French poet Verlaine, who encouraged “Music above all else” (“de la musique avant toute chose“.)

In ogni modo io sono qui perché ho scritto poesie, un prodotto assolutamente inutile, ma quasi mai nocivo e questo è uno dei suoi titoli di nobiltà. Ma non è il solo, essendo la poesia una produzione o una malattia assolutamente endemica e incurabile. (Anyway I am here [in Stockholm] because I wrote poems, an absolutely useless product, but hardly ever harmful and this is one of its titles of nobility. But not the only one, since poetry is a product or an absolutely endemic and incurable disease.)

La vera poesia è simile a certi quadri di cui si ignora il proprietario e che solo qualche iniziato conosce. Comunque la poesia non vive solo nei libri o nelle antologie scolastiche. Il poeta ignora e spesso ignorerà sempre il suo vero destinatario. (True poetry is like certain paintings whose owners are unknown and that only someone familiar with it recognizes.

However, poetry doesn t live only in books or school anthologies. The poet doesn t know and may never know for whom he really is writing.)

And with this, Montale tells the

THE ITALIAN TIMES

story of the great poet Majakovskij, who, having read a Russian translation of one of Montale s poems said: « Ecco un poeta che mi piace. Vorrei poterlo leggere in Italiano ». (Here s a poet I like. I d like to read him in Italian.) Montale continues, “L’episodio non è inverosimile. Se ha pronunziate tali parole posso dire che quelle mie poesie avevano trovato, per vie distorte e imprevedibili, il loro destinano.” (The episode is not improbable. If he did pronounce such words, I can say that my poetry found, by a crooked and unforeseeable path, its receiver.)

Perhaps there s an unforgettable poem in your literary life that greatly influenced you perhaps one like this one by Montale.

RIPENSO IL TUO SORRISO Ripenso il tuo sorriso, ed è per me un’acqua limpida scorta per avventura tra le petraie d’un greto, esiguo specchio in cui guardi un’ellera i suoi corimbi; e su tutto l’abbraccio di un bianco cielo quieto.

Codesto è il mio ricordo; non saprei dire, o lontano, se dal tuo volto s’esprime libera un’anima ingenua, o vero tu sei dei raminghi che il male del mondo estenua e recano il loro soffrire con sé come un talismano.

Ma questo posso dirti, che la tua pensata effigie

sommerge i crucci estrosi in un’ondata di calma, e che il tuo aspetto si insinua nella mia memoria grigia schietto come la cima di una giovinetta palma.

I Recall Your Smile I recall your smile, and for me it is limpid water witnessed by chance among the stones of a riverbed. slight mirror in which you see an ivy and its inflorescence, and over all the embrace of a serene white sky.

This is my recollection; I cannot say, O distant one, if an ingenuous spirit is freely expressed in your face, truly you are a wanderer whom the world’s ills exhaust, and who carry your suffering with you like a talisman.

But this I may say; that your thoughtful portrait drowns anxious inspiration in a wave of calm; and your aspect insinuates itself in grey memory pure as the crown of a youthful palm-tree.

Translated by A. S. Kline © 2012 All Rights Reserved. This work may be freely reproduced, stored, and transmitted, electronically or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose.

Members: Please notify ICC of a change of address

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

Since the ICC uses nonprofit bulk rates to mail The Italian Times, the United States Postal Service is entitled to charge a fee (57¢) for each newspaper that is returned to the ICC and deemed undeliverable due to an incorrect address.

Even if you are temporarily away from your permanent residence and are not receiving mail at that address, you need to notify the ICC of your temporary address so that your newspaper can be delivered to that address and so that the ICC is not charged 57¢ for each failed attempt to deliver the publication to your permanent residence.

“We’ve had a number of members who have gone to Florida or another warm weather location for the winter and these people did not supply us with their temporary change of address; hence their newspaper was returned to the ICC with the service fee due for each newspaper,” Editor Tom Hemman said.

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

Please send change of address information to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 or email Constance Jones at cjones@italianconference.com or call her at 414/223-2808.

Cafe La Scala wants to make lunch your favorite meal of the day!

Now available a different lunch buffet Monday through Friday, 11am - 2pm for just $8.50 per person!

Monday – Tex Mex: Black bean salad, soft flour torillas, crispy corn torillas, ground beef, grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, chicken enchiladas, rice and beans.

Tuesday – Pasta Abbondanza: Caesar salad, Italian pasta salad, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, penna pasta, meatballs, tomato basil sauce, Alfredo sauce.

Wednesday – Southern BBQ: Cobb salad, cole slaw, pulled pork shoulder, Mississippi roast beef, mac and cheese, fried potato wedges, corn bread.

Thursday – Italian: Antipasto, rice balls, pasta alla eggplant, chicken Florentine, minestrone soup, sautèed cauliflower.

Friday – Fish Fry: Tossed salad, tuna pasta salad, baked cod, fried cod, French fries, parsley boiled potatoes, potato pancakes.

Also try Cafe La Scala’s new lunch and dinner menu, including our famous pizza, with your favorite beverage!

Cafe La Scala is open Monday through Saturday for Breakfast: 6am - 11am; for Lunch, 11am - 2pm; and for Dinner: 5pm - 9pm, Monday-Thursday, 4:30 pm, Friday and 5pm-10pm, Saturday.

Closed Sunday.

Cafe La Scala at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee • Free Parking (414) 223-2185 •www.LaScalaMilwaukee.com FEBRUARY 2015 – PAGE 15

Legend of La Befana celebrated at children’s party at ICC on Jan. 10 Times photos by Tom Hemman

Ethan Neureuther was proud of the job he did decorating his own Christmas sugar cookie.

La Befana greeted all the children. Here she is with Eva Mendoza.

Rebeka Lee Schwindt helped her three-year old cousin, Evan, carry his ice cream sundae. Rebeka is serving as Carnevale’s La Principessa.

Here’s Julia Bongert with an ice cream sundae she made. Julia, as you might have already read in this issue, is the Piccola Principessa of this year’s Carnevale.

Lacey Romano Schober found some of her food items on the lunch buffet at the ICC’s children’s party with La Befana.

Volunteer John Puchner played the piano and led a holiday sing-a-long with the children attending the party.

Charter ICC member Rose Emanuele joined her great-grandsons, Andy Graf and Spencer Van Peursen, at the self-serve ice cream sundae bar.

Lucia Safina, 5, and her brother, Giuseppe, 9, are seen here with La Befana.

PAGE 16 – FEBRUARY 2015

Seen here is the committee that organized the children’s party and made the arrangements for La Befana to make a special trip from Italy to the ICC in Milwaukee. Kneeling next to La Befana is Jenna Alioto. In the back row: Andy Villa, RoseAnne Fritchie and Liz Ceraso.

THE ITALIAN TIMES