Italian Times - June 2012 issue

THE

ITALIAN TIMES Published by the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 www.ICCMilwaukee.com

VOL. 34, NO. 1

JUNE 2012

ICC ready to kick off 12th Courtyard Music Series season Free weeknight concert series starts June 4 All the pieces are in place for a spectacular 12th season of the Italian Community Center’s Courtyard Music Series. Featuring a variety of live music performances on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, the series begins the week of June 4.

Best of all, the series continues to be offered with no cover charge and no drink minimum, and free parking is available in the lot south of the building.

The staff of Cafe La Scala, the ICC’s public restaurant, will be on hand each night to take food and beverage orders.

Due to the popularity of the series, reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling Cafe La Scala at 414/2232185.

The shows go on rain or shine.

In the event of inclement weather, the shows are moved indoors to the Festa Ballroom.

Best lineup ever “This year, I think we have our strongest lineup ever – from jazz legend Janet Planet and Midwest blues powerhouse The Bel Airs to a popular flamenco group, fabulous opera singers and the one-and-only Doo-Wop Daddies – this is going to be a great summer,” said Joe

Campagna, Jr., who is again coordinating the series with Sal Quarino.

“We brought back some of our longtime friends and favorites and added some new acts to the lineup, which we know have large followings, so we’re expecting a full house nearly every night,” Quarino said.

Like the last couple of seasons, the series is offering jazz on

Monday night, blues on Tuesday night, opera and classical (with some Broadway, too) on Wednesday night and good time rock and roll on Thursday night.

Tom Sorce, a Midwest guitar legend and recording artist, booked the entertainment for Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Kay Sparling, a former Metropolitan

Opera soprano and owner of a Jefferson, Wisconsin conservatory for young performing artists, put together the talent for the Wednesday night series.

This year, the series is being extended a month longer than last year. Campagna said the decision to extend the series was based on Please turn to page 8

A message from Dave Spano, Italian Community Center President We’re less than two months away from the start of the celebration of our 35th annual Festa Italiana and all of our committees are working diligently to put on the finishing touches.

The dates of Festa are Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22. Advance $10 tickets are now available. (Look for a story in this issue or go to www.festaitaliana.com.) At the gate, admission will be $13.

We have some great entertainment, including classical crossover artists Michèal Castaldo and Alfio, escape artist Mario Manzini (performing his tribute to Houdini), and The Louis Prima, Jr. Band (direct from Las Vegas). Sammy Llanas, formerly of the BoDeans,

has been added to the entertainment lineup for a show on Saturday night, July 21.

We have verbal commitments for shows by the Ides of March on Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Saturday night, July 21 and we’ll be announcing a show by a national country artist closer to the start of Festa. All of these shows will be free with a paid admission to the festival.

We know many of you come to Festa to enjoy the wide variety of Italian food that’s available. This year, we’ll have more than 30 different vendors ready to satisfy your tastes. Trattoria di Carlo and Major Goolsby’s have been added to our food vendor lineup.

Celebrity chefs Nick Stellino Please turn to page 15

Several thousand enjoy Different day, similar perks “A Taste of Italy” for Festa’s VIP Day

Special event for persons with disabilities moved from Thursday to Friday

A large crowd of Italian food lovers came to the Italian Community Center on Sunday, Apr. 22 for the 17th annual “A Taste of Italy,” an essential fund-raiser for the nonprofit organization. Seen here: Tony Farina and his daughter, Diane, enjoyed the wide variety of delicious Italian food that was available at nearly 30 booths set up in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom and the Festa Ballroom. Look for more photos and information from the event inside this issue. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

By Colleen Jurkiewicz The 35th Festa Italiana will see some changes, most notably in its popular annual VIP Day event, which has been serving the disabled of southeastern Wisconsin since 1981.

Festa and the sponsors of VIP Day, Milwaukee Public Schools, Goodwill and Summerfest, aim to make Festa more accessible to those with disabilities as well as their caregivers. Summerfest graciously charges Festa half the normal daily rental for use of Maier Festival Park during the three hours of VIP Day. In years past, it was an exclusive event held on Thursday, the festival’s first day, with the grounds open only to the disabled and their caregivers, featuring reduced-price food and drinks from vendors.

With this year’s Festa opening at 5 p.m., festival officials have decided to move VIP Day to Friday, July 20. The VIP Day

time period remains the same, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees will be glad to hear that nearly all of the same perks are available. There will again be free admission for all those with disabilities and their caregivers, as well as designated reduced-price food items and free soda from all vendors (for that three-hour period only). The only difference will be that the grounds will also be open to the public during this time.

Parking for the three-hour period will be $5 as in previous years in the Italian Community Center lot and Summerfest Lot P. Vans will be allowed to discharge and pick up VIPs at the Mid Gate at Harbor Dr. and Chicago St. Festa will issue special van passes for these situations, so please specify that with your ticket request if one is required.

The Special Olympics Bocce Tournament will also return. The Please turn to page 7

Festa’s parade will be all about family

By Colleen Jurkiewicz This year more than ever, Festa is all about family.

To that end, the festival will feature the family-friendly “La Parata Italiana” (The Italian Parade) on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22. The Saturday parade will honor Festa’s 35 years and serve as a memorial tribute to the late Henry W. Maier, the long serving Mayor of Milwaukee.

Led by Vespa scooters, courtesy of Reina International Auto/Vespa Milwaukee, and accompanied by

the Sicilian Band of Chicago, the parade will feature Festa favorites Pinocchio, Geppetto, the Blue Fairy and Topo Gigio. Tradizione Vivente, I Bei Bambini and the Festa Regional & Renaissance Group will dance in the parade.

The 2012 ICC Carnevale Royalty will process along with the Carnevale costume and mask winners.

Completing the grand procession will be baton twirlers, a juggler/stilt walker (who will also perform on the Children’s Stage), a

Sicilian carretto (cart), beautiful imported Italian cars (also courtesy of Reina) and much more. And of course, Italian music will be prominent in the procession as well.

In honor of Festa’s 35th anniversary, parade organizer Susie (DeSanctis) Christiansen has extended an invitation to all of Milwaukee’s ethnic festivals to participate in Saturday’s parade to represent the many ethnic groups that have made this city the melting-pot metropolis that it is today.

“Since this is Festa Itali-

Singers wanted for Festa’s ‘Italian Idol’ contest

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Could you be Festa Italiana’s next “Italian Idol” winner?

For the sixth consecutive year, Festa Italiana is conducting its Italian Idol karaoke competition for amateur singers, 14 years and older. This year, the nightly event will be presented, for the first time, on the Cucina Showcase stage, starting at 8 p.m.

The 35th annual Festa takes place Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22 on the Summerfest grounds To register to compete in Italian Idol, persons who believe they have some degree of vocal ability are asked to come to the Cucina Showcase starting at 6

p.m. on the Thursday, Friday or Saturday of Festa to sign up. Idol managers Christine Conley and Sandy Winard said they are looking for 15 contestants each night.

At the time of registration, contestants will be asked to decide what song they wish to perform.

They are allowed to choose any title from the extensive karaoke repertoire brought to Festa by Kim Marie, the founder and one of the vocalists of the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, a rock and roll band that is slated to perform late nights at Festa.

Three finalists and an alternate will be selected by a panel of judges each of the first three nights of Festa to advance to the championship round on Sunday,

July 22. In all, nine finalists will sing for a chance to win cash prizes on Sunday night.

In the finals, the contestants will not only sing the song of their choice, but will be asked to choose a number from Kim Marie’s Italian tunes selection.

Prize money doubled This year, the prize money has been doubled from previous years!

The first prize is $500. Second prize is $300 and third prize is $200.

Last year, Kelly Gerschke of Brookfield captured the first prize.

Jim Unger of Racine win second prize and Ed Lemberger of South Milwaukee took third prize.

Winard will be serving as the emcee each night.

ana’s35th anniversary, we want this year’s parade to be as spectacular as possible,” said Christiansen.

“We think it would add a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to include cheerleading squads to shout cheers celebrating Festa’s anniversary and pom pon squads to perform along the way with red and green pom pons.”

The purpose of the parades, said Christiansen, is to “celebrate famiglia, cultura, and all things Italian!”

Children needed for parade Christiansen has put out a special call for more children. All children are encouraged to participate in the parade on both days.

Parents whose children would be interested in walking in the parade or riding on the Pinocchio float are asked to contact her by phone at (414) 217-0174 or by email at susie@iccmilwaukee.com.

Please note, the parade will not be held on the first two days of Festa, July 19 and 20.

Deadline set for July/August issue of The Italian Times All advertising copy, news and feature stories, letters from the readers and photographs for publication in the July/August Festa Italiana 2012 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Monday, June 11.

Materials can be emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org, sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202, or dropped off at the reception desk in the Italian Community Center office.

Your cooperation will insure timely publication of the newspaper.

THE ITALIAN TIMES 631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Spano Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Ruggieri 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 . . . . .Robert Ruggieri, Colleen Jurkiewicz, Mario A. Carini, Bobby Tanzilo, Angelo Castronovo and Susan Christiansen, Staff Photographers . . . . Tim Townsend, Tom Hemman and Colleen Jurkiewicz For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@italiancc.org.

Copyright 2012 The Italian Community Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Italian Community Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times.

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

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

PAGE 2 – JUNE 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ICC to participate in Brewers’ ‘Italian Heritage Day’ game promotion The Italian Community Center will actively participate in the Milwaukee Brewers’ “Italian Heritage Day” promotion for the game on Sunday, July 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The ICC has purchased 500 tickets for the game and is offering a package that includes a pre-game tailgate party at the ICC, bus transportation to and from Miller Park and a premium ticket in the shade-covered rightfield loge for $55.

These tickets can be obtained by stopping in at the ICC reception desk on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 414/223-2180 and having a credit card handy.

Everyone who buys this $55 package will be entitled to free parking in the ICC’s closest lot to the building even though Summerfest will be going on at nearby Maier Festival Park.

An Italian-style tailgate party will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the ICC’s Courtyard, with buses departing for Miller Park around 11:30 a.m.

The first pitch is at 1:10 p.m.

This event is being organized by the ICC’s Membership Committee.

For the three-game series against the Diamondbacks (June 29 and 30 and July 1), the Brewers will wear special uniform tops, including the word “Birrai” (the Italian translation of “Brewers”) stretched across the front.

The Brewers have also announced that the July 1 game will feature a bobblehead giveaway.

All fans entering the ballpark with receive a bobblehead of “Guido,” the Italian racing sausage, courtesy of Klement’s Sausage.

ICC’s June meetings advanced a week due to Summerfest Italian Community Center members are asked to mark their calendars for meeting date changes in June, all of which are precipitated by the opening of Summerfest at nearby Maier Festival Park. Summerfest opens its 11-day run on Wednesday, June 27.

These meetings are being advanced by one week from their

normal time: • The ICC Finance Committee will meet on Monday, June 11 at 6 p.m. (instead of the normal third Monday, June 18).

• The ICC Board will meet on Thursday, June 14 at 6 p.m. (instead of June 21).

• The ICC membership dinner and general meeting will take place on Thursday, June 21

(instead of June 28, the second day of Summerfest). The dinner and meeting will be at their usual times, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

In July, the ICC has no regular Board meeting or general membership meeting scheduled.

The organization returns to its regular meeting schedule in August.

Calendar of Events May 22 – June 26, 2012 Tuesday, May 22 • Società Maschile M.S.S. Del Lume meeting, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 23 • Festa Italiana Advisory Board meeting, noon.

Thursday, May 24 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.

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

Friday, May 25 • Abruzzese Society social, 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 26 • Balliamo, Bambini, last class this spring for toddlers, ages 2-5, 10 a.m.

Monday, May 28 • Memorial Day. The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference Center, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times and Cafe La Scala will be closed.

Tuesday, May 29 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

• Italian Community Center spring bocce championship playoffs, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30 • Festa Italiana Advisory Board meeting, noon.

• Pompeii Women’s Club May Crowning ceremony and dinner, 6 p.m.

Details in this issue.

Monday, June 4 • Solomon Juneau Club meeting, 1 p.m.

• Courtyard Music Series season opener: Hot Jazz with Bob Maynard & The Milwaukee Connection, 6:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

Tuesday, June 5 • Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

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

• Courtyard Music Series: Tuesday Bluesday with Steve Cohen Band and Greg Koch, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6 • Festa Italiana Advisory Board meeting, noon.

• Courtyard Music Series: Opera, Classical & Broadway with Sparling Theatrical Productions, Inc., 6:30 p.m.

• Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 7 • Courtyard Music Series: Rock and Roll with the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 11 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

• Courtyard Music Series: Hot Jazz with Jackson Dordell & The Ray Tabs Trio, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 12 • Courtyard Music Series: Tuesday Bluesday with Bryan Lee Band, 6:30 p.m.

• Abruzzese Society meeting, 7 p.m.

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

Wednesday, June 13 • Festa Italiana Advisory Board meeting, noon.

• Courtyard Music Series: Opera, Classical & Broadway with South Shore

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Youth Opera Ensemble, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 14 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6 p.m.

• Courtyard Music Series: Rock and Roll with Rick D’Amore’s Rockin’ Dance Party, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 18 • Courtyard Music Series: Hot Jazz with Vivo Rio (Pam Duronio, Tim Stemper and Warren Wiegratz), 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 19 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO membership dinner meeting, 6 p.m.

• Courtyard Music Series: Tuesday Bluesday with Jim Liban Blues Combo, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 20 • Festa Italiana Advisory Board meeting, noon.

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

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

• Courtyard Music Series: Opera, Classical & Broadway with Siempre Flamenco, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 21 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.

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

• Courtyard Music Series: Rock and Roll with the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 22 • Abbruzzese Society social, 6 p.m.

Monday, June 25 • Courtyard Music Series: Hot Jazz with Frank DeMiles All-Stars, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 26 • Courtyard Music Series: Tuesday Bluesday with Leroy Airmaster and Junior Brantley, 6:30 p.m.

Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The spring leagues championship playoffs are on Tuesday, May 29. The fall league season will get under way the week of Sept. 10. Look for details in our next issue.

• “Balliamo, Bambini,” a dance class for children, ages 2-5, concludes its eight-week run on Saturday, May 26 at 10 a.m.

• Free Children’s Italian class. The fall semester of the Italian Community Center’s free children’s Italian class (for those ages 6-12) will be announced soon.

• Italian I and II classes for teens and adults. The fall semester of Italian I and II classes for teens and adults will be announced soon.

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

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

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 3

Cucina Showcase serves up a good time for 2012 Festa Italiana

By Colleen Jurkiewicz The kitchen is the heart of the Italian home, and fittingly the Cucina Showcase stage will be the heart of this year’s Festa Italiana.

In the May issue of The Italian Times it was reported that specialty chef Rossella Rago, host of the online show Cooking with Nonna, will be appearing at the Cucina Showcase. She will demonstrate the cooking of traditional family recipes (tried and true through the generations) with the help of one lucky nonna who will assist her onstage.

All nonnas are invited to write a short paragraph on why they would like to show off their culinary skills at the Cucina Showcase. All interested applicants should send a typewritten paragraph explaining their love of family, food, and being an Italian nonna. Applicants should include their name, address, and telephone number. Entries must be submitted no later than Friday, June 15. Please send entries to Nonna’s Cooking with Rossella, c/o Marie Lieber, Cucina Manager at 9140 N. Goldendale

by Rago prior to the beginning of Festa.

Chef Rossella Rago

Drive, Milwaukee WI 53223.

The lucky nonna will be selected

Contests to return Festa attendees will be glad to hear that the annual CannoliEating Contest is making its grand return for the seventh year in a row. The contest consistently draws a large and enthusiastic crowd to watch devoted eaters vie for the coveted crown of “Cannoli Champion.”

Last year’s champion, threetime winner Anthony Paulis, will be invited back to participate, along with other champions. Paulis won the contest, devouring 10 cannoli, while his closest competitors lagged far behind, digesting their seventh and eighth pastries.

This year’s contest will take place on Saturday, July 21.

Interested in competing in this year’s contest? You can register at the Cucina Showcase anytime prior to the start of the contest.

The cannoli, courtesy of Sciortino’s Bakery, will arrive at the Cucina Showcase on silver trays carried on the shoulders of Roman soldiers. Ten contestants

will compete after their names are randomly drawn. To be eligible, contestants must be present at the drawing of the names and must be at least 18 years of age. All participants will receive a t-shirt and the first-place winner will be awarded a cash prize.

Returning to the Cucina Showcase for its third year will be the popular Children’s PizzaMaking Contest on Sunday, July 22. Two contests (one for children ages 5 to 9 and the other for ages 10 to 16) will be held. The contests will once again be sponsored by Due Sorelli, an Oak Creek manufacturer of Italian spices and other unique cooking and baking products. Due Sorelli has long been a sponsor and participant in Festa.

Interested kids can sign up for the contest at the Cucina Showcase all days of the festival. Names will be randomly drawn to determine who will compete. Contestants must be present at the drawing of the names. A pizza-making demonstration will precede the competition, which will be judged on creativity and visual appeal.

Ancient Rome coming to life at the Festa Culture Exhibit

By Colleen Jurkiewicz The students of Gina Jorgenson’s North Division High

School art history class got a chance to travel back to ancient Rome while preparing displays for

this year’s Festa Cultural Exhibit.

Historic dioramas, artistic reproductions of ancient weapons, boards explaining Roman social traditions, and much more will be on display at the Culture Tent on the north end of the festival grounds. Students from the class will volunteer to be experts-onhand at the tent to explain exhibits to festival-goers.

Jorgenson is the chairperson of the ICC’s Culture Committee and president of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in art education and art therapy from Alverno College, as well as a master’s degree in visual studies from Cardinal Stritch University.

“Before the project is completed, the students do much research first,” Jorgenson said. “We start with an essential question and students create projects.”

Jorgenson explained she got the idea for the exhibit while doing a project-based learning unit on ancient Rome in her class.

Some examples of displays include a board explaining the logistics of an ancient catapult, utilized by the Romans in their wars against Syracuse, Macedon, Sparta, and Aetolia in the 3rd and 2nd centuries, BC. Another board illustrates the details of social etiquette in ancient Rome, explaining the difference between the appearance of noblewomen and common women.

Other boards provide information on ancient Roman swords and shields.

The students are also creating a giant Pinocchio head and whale to be featured in the Festa Parade, using materials like chicken wire, zip ties, thin wire, newspaper, plaster wrap, and paint.

Students have made impressive representations of Roman shields out of cardboard, plaster wrap, newspaper, and paint, along with examples of intricate mosaics.

PAGE 4 – JUNE 2012

Some students also created their own renderings of such historic buildings as the Coliseum, which will accompany information about ancient Roman gladiators.

Festa attendees will also be able to see the projects used in an interactive way. “The catapult will be used to launch off bean bags somewhere on the grounds, most likely the Kid’s Area,” said Jorgenson. “It will also be used to launch off candy during the parade.”

Jorgenson also plans to do an art activity in the Cultural Tent. “I am thinking of doing paper mosaic plates that will be displayed along with a display board about the historical aspect of this art form,” she said.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to assist at this year’s Culture Exhibit should contact Gina Jorgenson (ginajorgy@yahoo.com or jorgy@wi.rr,com) or Chirstina Zizzo (momziino@sbcglobal.net), manager of the Culture Exhibit. Individuals interested in volunteering can also contact the Festa Italiana office at 414/223-2808. Items can be donated for the art activity, including paper, glue sticks, any kind of design stamp, paper of any kind, markers and ink pads.

Correcting a couple errors in our March issue In the obituary for longtime Italian Community Center member Joseph Ninfo, we incorrectly listed his birth date as Jan. 19, 1919. His wife, Josephine, reports that Joe was born six days earlier, Jan. 13, 1919. We also listed that he graduated from Rufus King High School.

He actually graduated from another Milwaukee high school, Riverside.

Our apologies to Josephine Ninfo.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Get your advance Festa tickets now; save money

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Can’t wait for Festa Italiana?

Then, get your advance admission tickets now.

Festa officials have kept the price of an advance admission ticket for the 2012 festival the same as last year – $10. That’s a $3 savings over the gate admission price.

One way to get your advance tickets is to order them online by visiting www.festaitaliana.com.

You may also buy advance tickets in person at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, or for credit card puchases, call 414/223-2194. You can also use the form that accompanies this article to order your advance admission tickets.

A complete list of advance ticket outlets will be published in the July/August issue of The Italian Times, which is expected to be available the week of June 25.

The 35th annual Festa Italiana takes place Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (the Summerfest grounds).

As has always been the case, children, 12 and younger, are admitted to Festa for free when

accompanied by an adult.

Festa will open from 5 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 19 and 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday through Sunday, July 20-22.

The deadline to order advance tickets is Sunday, July 1.

ORDER YOUR MONEY-SAVING ADVANCE TICKETS TO FESTA ITALIANA 2012 Name(s) ____________________________________________________

One-of-a-kind Festa raffle

Address _____________________________________________________

A ‘50/50 cash raffle’ now under way

Total amount enclosed: $________________________________________

Instead of offering a new car or a trip to Italy with other grand merchandise in its raffle, Festa Italiana officials have decided to go in a new direction. This year, Festa is offering a “50/50 cash raffle.”

What this means is there will be one prize. The prize winner will collect 50% of the raffle’s gross revenue based on the number of tickets sold as verified by the accounting firm Reilly, Penner and Benton, LLP, certified public accountants. The amount of the prize is anyone’s guess at this point, but it’s expected to be substantial since raffle tickets are already on sale. Festa Italiana will retain the remaining 50% of ticket sales. The minimum prize is $5,000.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

The cost of one raffle ticket has been set at $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Italian Community Center during regular business hours and at special events or online at www.FestaItaliana.com. They are also available from ICC members and will be on sale on the Festa grounds during the festival, which begins Thursday, July 19 and ends Sunday, July 22. The drawing will take place on July 22 at 10 p.m. on the Miller Lite Oasis Stage.

The prize winner need not be present for the drawing. That person, however, will be responsible for payment of all applicable state and federal taxes. The tax settlement date must occur on or before Dec. 31, 2012.

City, State, Zip _______________________________________________ Phone ________________ Email _________________________________ I/we want to order _____ advance tickets @ $10.00 each.

Payment by check, money order and credit card accepted.

Credit Card No. _______________________________________________ Credit Card Expiration Date _____________________________________ Mail this form with your payment to Festa Italiana, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Checks or money orders are payable to Festa Italiana. Your advance tickets will be mailed to you. Requests for advance tickets must be received no later than July 1, 2012.

San Giovanni Feast Day celebrated in Florence, Italy As feast day for Florence’s patron saint – San Giovanni Battista – June 24 is essentially a religious holiday.

The day’s celebrations start with an early-morning parade, with processors wearing historic costumes and carrying large candles (ancient tradition dictated that Florentine nobility donate their candles to the feast day’s celebration).

Mass is then said in the Cathedral.

The day also includes a medieval

tournament followed by music, drinking and feasting.

In true Italian fashion, a soccer tournament is held in the Santa Croce piazza – although this form of soccer takes on a medieval twist, with more aggressive, almost violent, playing.

In the evening, rowboats carrying lit candles make their way down the Arno River. A fireworks show follows.

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 5

Details about Festa Mass announced

By Bob Ruggieri As has become customary, thousands of worshipers are expected to converge upon the Marcus Amphitheater on Sunday, July 22, to join in Festa Italiana’s celebration of a Catholic Mass. Officiating at the 11 a.m. Mass will be Fr. John Belmonte, S.J., superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese of Joliet, Ill. and former principal of Milwaukee’s Marquette University High School.

Vivian Balistreri (vivbal@sbcglobal.net) and Sal Lo Coco (salantonettelococo@att.net), co-chairs of Festa’s Mass Committee, said that the Mass will be followed by the traditional procession to the north end of the grounds for a benediction ceremony. The Sicilian Band of Chicago will be on hand for that event. Participating also will be the band of La Società San Giuseppe.

“We are very grateful for the support of the Italian clubs and societies whose participation each year in the Mass and the procession reinforces the traditional aspects of our celebration,” said Balistreri.

Adding to that is the music used during the Mass.

It is distinctly Italian music compiled by Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor, who also teaches Italian pronunciation to members of a volunteer chorus assembled especially for the Festa Mass. The choir is under the direction of Michael Kamenski, music liturgist at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church and conductor of the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra.

The day’s activities are sponsored by Catholic Financial Life and James Guardalabene of Harder Funeral Home.

The gates to the Marcus Amphitheater will open at 10 a.m. Those attending are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, which will be collected at the entrances by representatives of the Hunger Task Force.

In 2011, 3,000 pounds of food were collected, up from 1,000 pounds in 2010, the first year of the project.

Once again, donations to help defray the costs of the Mass are welcome. Contact either Balistreri or Lo Coco.

Call put out for Festa Mass ushers Ted Catalano, Mass & Procession Committee member and usher recruiter, has issued a call for at least 15 new ushers to step up and volunteer for this year’s Festa Italiana Mass on Sunday, July 22.

To be an usher, you must be at least 16 years old. The only other requirement is that you attend a brief instructional meeting at the Italian Community Center on Monday, July 16 at 7 p.m. At that time, information on the duties of an usher during the Mass and the

procession, which follows the Mass, will be discussed.

Catalano requests that new ushers sign up with him early and then follow through on their commitment. To volunteer as an usher or for more information, call Catalano at 414/305-9769.

At least 55 ushers are needed every year for the Mass, which has drawn up to 15,000 people.

Catalano said he has about 40 dedicated ushers who show up automatically each year.

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ICC Historian Mario Carini seeks more vintage Italian American photos to display at Festa Italiana.

Photos must be submitted by June 1 for Festa 2012 consideration.

Italian Community Center Historian Mario A. Carini has put out a call to all persons of Italian descent to consider submitting photographs – either originals or quality reprints – of vintage pictures that demonstrate your family’s Italian heritage.

Fr. John Belmonte, S.J.

Festa seeks priests, deacons and brothers for Mass Priests, deacons and brothers are cordially invited to participate in the 35th annual Festa Italiana Mass on Sunday, July 22. The Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in the Marcus Amphitheater.

Priests are invited to concelebrate; deacons to vest. Free park-

ing and admission to Festa will be provided. Members of the clergy who are interested in participating should contact Therese Ciofani at 414/303-9772 or email her at rezmel@sbcglobal.net.

The principal celebrant will be Father John Belmonte.

Singers sought for Festa Choir Would you like to learn some Italian and be part of an inspiring musical experience? The Festa Choir invites you to participate in one of the most moving events at Festa Italiana: Sunday High Mass at the Marcus Amphitheater, 11 a.m., on July 22.

Be among the sopranos, altos, tenors and basses who will meet for six two-hour rehearsals, beginning in early July, under the direction of Maestro Michael Kamenski. There is no need to audition, and no previous knowledge of Italian is required, since Italian tutoring will be provided by Dr. Marisa

Attention First Holy Communicants!

Do you have or know a child receiving his/her First Holy Communion this year? The Festa Italiana Mass & Procession Committee is inviting all 2012 First Communicants to participate in the 2012 Festa mass and procession on Sunday, July 22.

For more information, please contact Shannon Drezek by phone at 608/577-6353 or by e-mail: smd7759@yahoo.com. Deadline to sign up is June 30. Children are not required to be of Italian descent to participate.

Gatti-Taylor.

Persons interested in singing in the Festa Choir are asked to contact Michael Kamenski by phone at 414/453-1928 or via email at mkamenski@saintsebs.org (please use Festa Choir in the subject line).

A detailed rehearsal schedule will be announced in the next issue of The Italian Times.

I Want to Buy Your Old Musical Instruments.

Looking for accordions, concertinas, guitars, banjos, mandolins, violins, saxophones & amplifiers.

Call Tom (414) 333-3221

Carini is looking, in particular, for photos that were taken prior to 1955 and show outdoor and indoor activities of any kind, or business activities or studio portraits. He wants to have a new selection of these vintage photos to display at the 34th annual Festa Italiana, July 19-22, on the Summerfest grounds.

Your photos can be dropped off or mailed to the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. On the back of the photo, please write the names of all persons you can identify, an estimate of the date when the picture was taken, and your name and phone number.

Carini is also accepting all types of memorabilia (documents, newspapers, film footage, business and club records, souvenir programs, tools, utensils and handiwork) that once belonged to early Italian immigrants. These materials not only chronicle our forefathers’ lives, but give insight into and appreciation of the immigrant experience.

People who have questions or need more information about donating photos or memorabilia can contact Carini at 414/964-5898.

PAGE 6 – JUNE 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

These food vendors will satisfy the appetites of Festa attendees The lineup of food vendors for the 35th annual Festa Italiana is all set. More than 30 vendors – many of whom operate well known Italian restaurants, bakeries and delicatessens in southeastern Wisconsin – will be ready to satisfy the appetites of the thousands who attend Festa, July 19-22, on the Summerfest grounds.

Here’s the list of food vendors in alphabetical order: Alioto’s, Angelo’s Pizza, Badger Corn, Bella Caffe’, Bobalou Enterprises (Lemon Chill), Cafe La Scala, Carini’s La Conca d’Oro, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Catalano Fruit & Lemonade, Cataldo’s, Cold Stone Creamery, Crocker Root Beer Barrels, Gelateria Italiana,

Glorioso’s Deli, Italian Sno, Johnny V’s Classic Cafe, Koepsell’s Festival Popcorn Wagons, Libiamo, Major Goolsby’s, Mille’s Spaghetti Factory, Nessun Dorma, Nino’s Italian Bakery, Nuts for You!, Papa Luigi’s, Pietro’s Pizza, Saz’s Festival, Sciortino’s Bakery, Sil’s Mini Donuts, Trattoria di Carlo, Ultimate Confections, Venice Club and Water Street Brewery.

Trattoria di Carlo, an Oak Creek restaurant, and Major Goolsby’s, a downtown Milwaukee sports pub and restaurant, are new to the lineup.

A more complete story on Festa’s food vendors will appear in our July/August Festa Italiana issue.

New at Festa – Wine tastings Italian and Napa Valley wines to be featured New this year at Festa Italiana will be scheduled wine tastings.

The tastings, called “flights,” will feature some of the most famous and expensive wines of Italy along with some from Napa, Calif. that are becoming world famous.

Among the latter will be wines from the Napa vineyard of Mario Andretti, the famed race car driver.

A special wine bar at the top of the Harley-Davidson building, across from the Harley stage, will serve the wines between “flights.”

Lo Duca Bros., sponsor of wine concessions at Festa, which announced the wine tasting events, reported that the educational and informative “flights” will be led by Frank Mirenda. He is a certified sommelier and, for the last 11 years, has been general manager of the Andretti Vineyard. His presentations will involve seven wines.

Registration for the “flights” can be purchased at any of the

wine booths at Festa Italiana for $20. There will be two wine tasting events on Friday, July 20; three on Saturday, July 21; and two on Sunday, July 22. Space will be limited to 30 people at each session.

The menu at the wine booths this year will consist of the following wines from Italy: Pinot Grigio, Mamertino, Chianti from Tuscany; Pinot Noir from Verona; Moscato d’Asti from Cuneo; Lambrusco from Reggio Emilia; and the always popular Mamertino from Emilia Romagna.

Wine will be $6 per glass.

This year, Festa’s wine booths will be run by volunteer groups, with the profits going to Festa Italiana and to the Italian Communiy Center to support cultural activities and the building fund. The volunteers come from the St. Joan Antida Alumni Association, the Garibaldi Society and the Order Sons of Italy.

VIP Day moved to Friday from page 1 Festa bocce courts will be moved back to their location near the Mid Gate, unlike last year when they were featured on the south end of the festival grounds.

First aid and paramedic personnel will be on hand during all of VIP Day. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association/Greater Milwaukee Chapter will operate their usual Respite Center near the Mid Gate, offering barrier-free relaxation areas, restrooms, and a place to cool off during a hot festival day. A “special needs” trailer for changing clothes, administering medication and doing other necessities will be situated near the South Gate.

The VIP guests will also receive one piece of fresh fruit from the Catalano fruit stand in the Miller Stage area. The fruit is being donated by an anonymous area fruit vendor.

The discounted meals were selected by the Festa Food Committee. “We wanted to make

THE ITALIAN TIMES

sure we treat our guests nicely,” said Bill Jennaro, VIP Day chairman.

To obtain tickets for VIP Day, anyone with a disability may request a free advance admission ticket (which admits one VIP and one guest) by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to VIP Day, c/o Festa Italiana 631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 Please include the name of the VIP and guest (unfortunately, any more than one guest is prohibited) and any special needs. (Festa provides wheelchairs at no cost.) This information is important to festival planners to ensure that all guests’ needs are met and that suitable accommodations are present on the grounds during VIP Day. “We’re looking forward to VIP Day and we hope we’re going to have a nice turnout and good weather,” said Jennaro. “We are very grateful to our sponsors, without whom this day would not be possible.”

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 7

ICC’s free Courtyard Music Series opens the week of June 4 from page 1 the demand of those many people who attended last year. “We had so many people say they were sad to see last year’s series end that early and that they would support our shows if we extended the series through September. We decided to take them at their word,” he said.

The only series that will not be extended into September is the Wednesday night opera, classical and Broadway series. Sparling explained that many of the artists who perform these genres are teachers or professors or professional vocalists and musicians who have to go back to their vocations in September.

As usual, the series will be suspended during Summerfest at nearby Maier Festival Park (June 27 – July 8) and there will be no shows on the opening night of Festa Italiana (Thursday, July 19 at Maier Festival Park) and on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3).

Here’s a look at the acts that will be performing during the first month of the Courtyard Music Series.

Monday night jazz The “Hot Jazz” series will open with some familiar faces as Italian Community Center favorites Bob Maynard & the Milwaukee Connection take the stage, led by vibraphonist Bob Maynard and featuring 2006 WAMI “Guitarist of the Year” Steve Lewandowski. Joining them will be Chicago’s John Blegen on the clarinet, George Welland on bass, and Jack Carr on the drums.

Begun in 1999 by the late Chuck Hedges, the band has become a Milwaukee jazz-scene staple by featuring some of the Midwest’s best jazz musicians along with a harddriving rhythm section and tight ensemble melodic lines.

The beat goes on June 11 as Jackson Dordell & The Ray Tabs Trio perform. Jackson Dordell has been impressing audiences in the past several years with soulful performances. The Ray Tabs Trio is entering their fourth decade as local jazz performers, having released several albums like “I’m In Love With You.” June 18 will bring Vivo Rio and their vibrant international beats.

The ensemble’s jazz-driven melodies are spiked with notes of pop bossa and samba, and every tune takes the audience on a vacation of their desire with lyrics in English, Portuguese, Italian, and

Spanish.

Hear them put their own stamp on favorites such as “Santa Lucia,” “The Girl From Ipanema,” and “Light My Fire.” Vivo Rio features Milwaukee jazz artists Pam Duronio and Tim Stemper, along with their frequent collaborator, 11-time WAMI Reed/Brass Instrumentalist of the Year Warren Wiegratz. Wiegratz is also known for composing the score for two major motion pictures, Dreamweaver and Lady Mary.

The June leg of the Courtyard Music Series’ Monday Night Jazz will conclude on the 25th with the Frank DeMiles All-Stars, headed by keyboard wizard and vocalist Frank DeMiles. DeMiles’ real name is Frank Dominguez; he’s a retired Greenfield High School music teacher and local jazz favorite for decades – as well as a former teacher and mentor of The Milwaukee Connection’s Steve Lewandowski.

Tuesday Bluesday The Tuesday Bluesday series gets right in the groove the opening night, June 5, with a band featuring a homegrown harmonica playing legend and guitar virtuoso. It’s the Steve Cohen Band with Greg Koch.

For years, Cohen has been recognized as one of the Midwest’s top blues harmonica players. Cohen has received public recognition, winning over a dozen awards from several organizations, including Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award, the Shepherd/Express Readers Poll, and Milwaukee Magazine. He was a finalist at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis as a solo performer Koch is a recognized guitar clinician and has performed throughout the world alongside some of the biggest artists in blues, rock and funk. Earlier this year, Koch released his latest CD, “Strats Got Your Tongue,” which has been hailed for featuring sophisticated, blues-based, “old-school” six string mojo of the highest level.

The Bryan Lee Band takes the stage on June 12. Known as the “Braille Blues Daddy,” Bryan Lee was born in Two Rivers, Wis.. He completely lost his sight by the age of eight. Having an interest in early rock and blues of the 1950s, Lee learned to play rhythm guitar, He released his first album, “Beauty Isn’t Always Visual,” in 1979.

In 1982, he moved to New

Vivo Rio

PAGE 8 – JUNE 2012

Bryan Lee

Orleans and landed a steady gig at a club on Bourbon Street and became a French Quarter institution. His latest CD titled “Live From Sao Paulo,” released in 2011.

Before coming to the ICC, Lee and his band have gigs in Topeka, Kan. (June 8), Kansas City, Mo. (June 9) and Cape Girardeau, Mo. (June 10).

The June 19 show will be a night for fans of harmonica style blues when the Jim Liban Combo performs. Jim Liban has an international cult status as one of the foremost post-war blues harmonica stylists on the scene. One critic said, “Liban is one of the few players working today who seems to have captured much of the bite and playfulness of (Junior) Wells’ best harmonica work and he’s taken it one step further to his own voice on the instrument.” Liban has penned songs for John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Lonnie Brooks and other international blues artists.

June 26 brings Leroy Airmaster with Junior Brantley to the stage in the ICC’s Courtyard.

Brantley, formerly of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, teams up with the Milwaukee legendary players in Leroy Airmaster. With drummer Vodie Rhinehart and bassist Kurt Koenig keeping a steady yet elastic groove, guitarist Bill Stone and harmonica king Steve Cohen stand on a solid platform for their emotive solos.

Brantley, a Milwaukee native, played with a popular local blues band, Short Stuff, before he was recruited by Texas blues guitar hero Jimmy Vaughn to join his band (The Jimmy Vaughn Band).

Later, both were members of The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Wednesday night Opera, Classical & Broadway Wednesday, June 6, the opening night of the Opera, Classical and Broadway programming, will feature performers from Sparling Theatrical Productions, a branch of Sparling Conservatory.

The company presents opera and musical theatre concerts, Broadway revues, pop concerts, plays, operas and lectures. Students enrolled in Sparling Conservatory have the opportunity to audition for company productions.

Performers on June 6 will include dramatic soprano Kay Sparling, who has performed opera and sacred works in the U.S. and Europe and has performed several times in the Dominic H. Frinzi Memorial Opera Tent at Festa Italiana; Ryan Albrechtson, a lyric

Kay Sparling

tenor from Waukesha who has performed on several regional musical theatre stages; MeriKate Bock, a lyric coloratura soprano from Racine whose most recent appearance was at a benefit concert for the Italian-American Club in Kenosha; Halli Stewart, lyric mezzo-soprano from Fort Atkinson who recently played the lead role in a production of “Romeo and Juliet;” and Seth Westenberg, lyric baritone who, in 2011, performed at Carnegie Hall with a national select vocal ensemble.

Sparling said that the program will consist of 20 Italian arias, duets and songs, and seven tunes from Broadway shows.

On June 13, the Courtyard Music Series welcomes back the South Shore Youth Opera Ensemble, which has performed in the series for several years. The ensemble was formed in 2002 by Julie Maurer, who is its director.

Initially, the group was meant to provide Maurer’s voice students with increased opportunities to use their training and showcase their talent. While that still remains true, South Shore’s primary purpose today is to educate and inspire young singers, musicians and audiences through the art of opera.

In the beginning, most SSYOE members were from south shore communities. Today, members are joining from throughout the metro Milwaukee area. Performers are between the ages of 14 and 30.

Maurer, a mezzo-soprano, is a graduate of St. Norbert College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music education with a vocal/choral emphasis. She studied Continued on page 9

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Live music four nights a week with no cover charge, no drink minimum from page 8 voice and language in Italy through La Musica Lirica. While there, she performed the role of Fidalma from Domenico Cimarosa’s comic opera, “Il Matrimonio Segreto.” In addition to performing, she maintains a full voice and piano studio. She serves on the board of directors of the MacDowell Club.

On June 20, Milwaukee-based Siempre Flamenco will make its Courtyard Music Series debut. The group, whose mission is “to study, interpret and perform traditional Flamenco music and dance,” was formed in 2009.

One of the traditions associated with flamenco is the assigning of Spanish “nicknames” to the participants.

Members of Siempre Flamenco, with their nicknames in parentheses, are guitarists Eric Wruck (“El Marinero”), Don Weimer (“El Valiente”) and Wim Leydos (“El Panadero”); percussionist Anthony Ramirez (“El Cocinero”); dancers Dianne Dziengel (“La Verona”) and Rebecca Skurulsky (“La Picara”); and vocalist Heidi Papadhopulli (“La Traviesa”), who sometimes doubles as a dancer.

Flamenco is described as an artistic expression fusing song, dance and musicianship. It originated in and is strongly identified with Andalusia in southern Spain.

In the May issue of The Italian Times, we advised readers that the Opera, Classical and Broadway schedule was not yet available.

Following is the Wednesday night performance schedule for the months of July and August.

• July 11 – Sparling Theatrical Productions.

• July 18 – Master Singers of Milwaukee.

• July 25 – Notturno.

• Aug. 1 – Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Faculty Singers.

• Aug. 8 – South Shore Youth Opera Ensemble.

• Aug. 15 – Notturno.

• Aug. 22 – Kerry Hart & Friends.

• Aug. 29 – Metropolitan Opera National Council Singers.

Thursday night Rock & Roll Kicking off the Thursday night Rock and Roll series is the Oldies But Goodies Spectacular on June 7. The band was formed by vocalist Kim Marie about 15 years ago after she completed seven years in Las Vegas and a gig for Chevrolet at New York City’s Lincoln Center and in various cities around the country.

Kim Marie said her goal in forming the band was to gather the most talented Milwaukee area musicians from bands popular in the 1960s, and and regenerate the nostalgic feel of the ‘60s rock and roll era in Milwaukee.

Joining Kim Marie today are vocalists Tony Clementi and Chuck Travis; keyboardist Brian Lorde, drummer Bruce Cole, lead guitarist Tom Sorce, bass guitarist Bob Sanders, saxophonist Mike Miller, trombonist Jay Allison, and trumpeter Mike Betts.

On tap for June 14 is Rick D’Amore’s Rockin’ Dance Party.

Rick D’Amore, a longtime popular vocalist, told The Italian Times, “Get ready to dance the night away to your favorite rock and roll tunes from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and on up.”

Joining D’Amore will be Rob

THE ITALIAN TIMES

The South Shore Youth Opera Ensemble vocalists and instrumentalists are seen here in a photo taken at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Chalifaux on bass; Tim Sardina on drums; and Pete D’Amore on lead guitar.

The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular return for their second performance on June 21. * * * This story was compiled by Colleen Jurkiewicz, Bob Ruggieri and Times Editor Tom Hemman.

Rick D’Amore

Siempre Flamenco will make its Courtyard Music Series debut on Wednesday, June 20.

The Oldies But Goodies Spectacular will kick off the Thursday night Rock and Roll Series on June 7. This picture was taken when the band performed for the

ICC’s Winter Rock and Roll Blast this past February.

(Times photo by Tom Hemman)

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 9

The value of ICC membership Part of what makes America so unusual is the celebration of so many different ethnic cultures – each with different music, different foods, flavors & spices, different languages – and I may be biased, but to me, the Italian culture is at the top of the list – one of the most beautiful and rich.

I think the reason it is so important to me that our Italian Community Center thrive is the

thought that one day we could live in a country where the cultures have all been watered down to just a hint of what they once were – the uniqueness of each culture gone, and the stories, recipes and pictures lost.

Please look at the larger picture and do what you can to preserve our stunning culture. Listen to Italian music. Learn how to cook Italian meals. Listen to and learn

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the Italian language. And encourage others to do so.

All of these things can be found at the Italian Community Center.

At the ICC, you can attend Italian language courses; get dressed up and go dancing at Carnevale; feast at “A Taste of Italy”; sit on a committee and meet new friends (I have met some of my best friends here); play bocce; learn Italian folk dancing from one of the most recognized Italian folk dance groups in the United States; and find out what keeps this center ticking each month at the general membership meetings. Of course, you can always volunteer at Festa Italiana, the ICC’s four-day celebration of Italian culture on the Summerfest grounds.

Not only are these things fun, but there is a huge sense of satisfaction that comes from contributing to the success of our community center and to our festival.

If there is something that you want from our Italian Community Center, you can help make it happen. You cannot change anything while standing on the outside. Step

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

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

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

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

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP K Individual Membership (64 or younger) @ $35.00/year.

K Senior Membership (65 or older) @ $30.00/year.

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

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

Names and birthdates of persons applying for or renewing an individual membership: New Membership K Name: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _________________________________ Phone: _________________ Email: _____________________________ New Membership K Name: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _____________________________ Phone: __________________ Email: ________________________________ Number of persons applying for or renewing an individual membership ____ @ $35/person = $_______________________ Names and birthdates of persons applying for or renewing a senior membership: Name: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________

New Membership K Renewing Membership K

Address: _________________________________ Phone: _________________ Email: _____________________________ New Membership K Name: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _____________________________ Phone: __________________ Email: ________________________________ Number of persons applying for or renewing a senior membership ____ @ $30/person = $____________________________ Names and birthdates of persons applying for or renewing a free junior membership: New Membership K Name: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _________________________________ Phone: _________________ Email: _____________________________ New Membership K Name: ___________________________________ Birthdate: _______________ Renewing Membership K Address: _____________________________ Phone: __________________ Email: ________________________________ Number of persons applying for or renewing a junior membership ___________ at no cost.

Date of application

PAGE 10 – JUNE 2012

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $

_

inside and start a volleyball league here. Step inside and organize a cooking class. Step inside and make whatever changes or improvements you think would help. You give, and you get back.

Occasionally, I hear people talk about the different ages here – for me, it’s not about age – it is about Italy. It’s not about young or old; it’s more about sharing both our history and also our hopes for the future of the ICC. It is about combining traditional ideas with new ideas. It is about passing down a magnificent culture from one generation to the next; all of this creating a really fascinating, inviting community center. That is the legacy here. Be a part of it.

– Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen Proud Member of the Italian Community Center * * * Tell us why you love being a member of the ICC. Send a paragraph or two by U.S. mail to the Italian Community Center, Attn: Membership Committee, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202, or submit your paragraph(s) on our website under Membership at www.iccmilwaukee.com.

Pietro Tarantino offers help to Italian citizens Pietro Tarantino, a longtime member and past board member of the Italian Community Center, is offering free assistance to members of Wisconsin’s Italian community on matters involving the Italian government. Tarantino will be at the ICC on the first Saturday of the month from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Tarantino is a member of Comites (Comitato degli Italiani all’estero) and a liaison to the Italian General Consulate of Chicago.

Among the matters for which Tarantino can provide assistance are visas and passports, power of attorney, verification of signatures, documents relating to death certificates and declarations dealing with citizenship, civil status and pensions.

Correction to Festa entertainment line-up story in last issue Due to a misunderstanding, it was incorrectly reported in the May 2012 issue of The Italian Times that Spider George & The Web would be performing at Festa Italiana this year.

The group will not be appearing at Festa.

There’s no better time to advertise in The Italian Times than in our July/August Festa Italiana issue. It’s our biggest and most read issue of the year.

If you’re interested in advertising, call 414-2232180 or send an email to Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

17th annual ‘Taste of Italy’ was a wonderful success, thanks to donors, volunteers and ICC staff, chairperson Ann Romano reports The Italian Community Center’s 17th annual “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 22 proved to be an enjoyable and successful event. All of this is due to the magnificent effort put forth by so many individuals, societies, clubs, donors and the ICC staff.

With so many people, groups and businesses participating, it’s impossible to thank everyone individually. But I can assure you that this fund-raising event couldn’t have been done with such success without you. All of your efforts are greatly appreciated.

I want to extend a big thank you to ICC Business Manager Patrick Morgan, Assistant Business Manager/Maintenance Manager Laurie Bisesi, Executive Chef Jack McNeir and their staffs; Mary Ann Maglio, Tom Hemman, Michelle LeFebvre and Constance Palmer.

Jack McNeir is excellent to work with, and Tom Hemman does a wonderful job promoting the event in our newspaper and other publications and in getting the word out to television stations.

Many thanks also to those who entertained our Taste of Italy guests: the Sicilian Serenaders II (Peter Balistrieri and Tom and Ted Pappalardo); Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee; and vocalist Charles Evans and his accompanist Galina Gerakosov.

I want to acknowledge morning anchorwoman Kim Murphy and WITI- TV Fox 6 Milwaukee for making time available for us to promote our event. I appeared on Fox 6 on their Wednesday morning newscast on Apr. 18. My thanks also go to ICC Chaplain, The Very Rev, Timothy Kitzke, for allowing us to put the Taste of Italy flyers in the bulletins of Three Holy Women Parish and Old St. Mary’s Church.

My heartfelt thanks to the societies and clubs that made donations or ran a booth. Those included the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National, Pompeii Women’s Club, Pompeii Men’s Club, Holy Crucifix Society, Addolorata Society, Abruzzese Society, Solomon Juneau

Club, Milazzese Social Club, Società Femminile Maria S.S. del Lume, Società Maschile Maria S.S. del Lume, Società Santa Rosalia, Società di San Giuseppe, the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America and the St. Theresa Society.

My sincere thanks to these individuals and vendors who donated money or products (which are noted in parentheses): Pauline Cannestra; Joe Reina and Gelateria Italiana (gelato); Miller Beer (soda and beer); Premium Waters, Inc. (bottled water); Patrick Cudahy and its Pavone Italian Deli (all lunch meat for subs); Glorioso’s Italian Market (olive salad); the Giacomo Fallucca family and Palermo’s Pizza (“Dat’s da Best” pizza); Joe Vella and Sciortino’s Bakery (all the rolls); Dean Cannestra and Nessum Dorma restaurant (all the sfingiune and Bloody Mary drinks); Italian Conference Center (wine); Milazzese Social Club (peaches); Grande Cheese Company (cheese); Mille’s Italian Sausage and Venice Club (Italian sausage); Bella Caffè (espresso); Ted Glorioso and Glorioso’s Gold Imports & Diamond Center (crystal bracelet); Suminski Family Funeral Homes ($500 donation for raffle ticket printing): past presidents Sam Purpero, Phil Purpero, Tony Machi, Joe Campagna, Jr., Bill Jennaro, vice president Gina Spang, board member Tony Piacentini and business

manager Patrick Morgan for monetary donations for raffle prizes; and catering director SanDee Peller for beautiful gift baskets.

Special thanks to my wonderful committee co-chair Ann (D’Amico) Skoczynski for handling of food and beverage tickets and raffle chairpersons Marie and Jim Schwindt, who did a terrific job.

A special thanks to Anna Pitzo and Sophia Michalovitz for making and donating all the manicotti as

These three ladies put a lot of their time and talent into making the 17th annual “A Taste of Italy” a grand success. From the left: vice chairperson Ann Skoczynski, chairperson Ann Romano and raffle chairperson Marie Schwindt. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Harder Funeral Home JAMES T. GUARDALABENE ASSOCIATE 18700 W. Capitol Drive “Three generations of my family serving yours.” www.Guardalabene.com Phone: (262) 781-8350 Cell: (414) 588-0836

Rosalia Ferrante made homemade pizzelle for guests to enjoy at “A Taste of Italy.”

THE ITALIAN TIMES

they have done for many years now; Rosalia Ferrante for chairing the pizzelle booth and doing the pizzelle-making demonstrations; Isidore Pecoraro and his crew Frank Galioto and Giovanni Frijia of the Società Maschile Maria S.S. del Lume for making Milwaukee’s best calamari; and John Sanfilippo for chairing the beer and soda.

– Ann Romano Chairperson “A Taste of Italy”

“As dictated by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, all pre-paid funeral trusts are allowed to be transferred to another funeral home at any time. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss transferring your trust to me from Schmidt & Bartelt or any other funeral home. I would, of course, honor all the terms and wishes as originally agreed upon. It is a very simple process that only requires your signature on a transfer form which I would provide. In addition, there likely could be a savings to you because of Harder’s more reasonable charges.”

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

• Funeral planning & pre-planning at your residence or at the funeral home.

• Pre-planning and Title 19 expertise with a cost guarantee.

• Longtime member of the Italian Community Center.

• Proud sponsor of the Festa Italiana Mass since 2002.

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 11

Scenes from 17th annual “A Taste of Italy” Times photos by Tom Hemman

Giovanni Frijia removed some deep-fried calamari from one of the fryers in the ICC kitchen.

Peggy Salamone put cinnamon and sugar on the fried bread dough that was served at “A Taste of Italy.”

Dean Cannestra cut his homemade sfingiune into slices in the ICC kitchen.

Manicotti with red sauce was served by these volunteers (l to r): Sophia Michalovitz, Carole Casamento and Yvonne Zarcone.

Members of the Abruzzese Society sold slices of Palermo’s pizza from a booth in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. From the left: Tom Conzonieri, Vince Mattanga, Vince Azzolina, Joe Vitale and Vince Vitale, who is president of the society.

Members of the Pompeii Men’s Club served Italian sausage sandwiches from a stand in the northeast corner of the Pompeii Grand Ballroom.

Bill and Rita Jennaro (seated) were among the volunteers who sold food and beverage tickets to guests.

PAGE 12 – JUNE 2012

These volunteers, representing the Addolorata Society, sold cannoli made for the event by Sciortino’s Bakery. From the left: Mary Brusky, Catherine Kelly, Megan Clancy, Katie Clancy, Kathy Clancy, Daniel Clancy, Zach Sorole, Frank D’Amato and Joe Dentice.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Pamela Hoff (left) and Erin Mazaba sold Italian olive salad to guests. The olive salad was donated by Glorioso’s Italian Market.

Ballroom dancing friends got together for “A Taste of Italy” at the Italian Community Center on Sunday, Apr. 22. From the left (going around the table):

Dorothy Calicchio, Carol and Jim Anschutz, Clarence and Marlene Czysh, Dino and Ruth Ann Schneider and Louis Calicchio.

Times photos by Tom Hemman

Vocalist Charles Evans, accompanied by Galina Gerakosov, performed classic Italian songs in the Festa Ballroom.

The Sicilian Serenaders II – Ted Pappalardo (on mandolin), Tom Pappalardo (on accordion) and Peter Balistreri (on guitar) entertained guests during the afternoon.

Marilyn St. Martin, Geri Mascari and Karen Jablonski helped to serve the Italian wine from LoDuca Bros. for “A Taste of Italy.”

Concetta Sanfilippo prepared a serving of calamari (deep-fried squid) for a Taste of Italy guest.

The booth was operated by volunteers from the Pompeii Women’s Club.

Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, gave two performances in the Festa Ballroom.

Marie Lieber (left) and Darlene Tocco served genuine gelato to Taste of Italy attendees. The gelato was donated for the event by Joe Reina and family.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Members of Società Santa Rosalia served as volunteers at booths where Italian salads and Italian sub sandwiches were sold. Here are the volunteers who were working at the salad booth when our photographer arrived. From the left: Goffredo Alferi, Tiffany Biandi, Jeff Hubbard and Tanino Alferi.

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 13

More photos from 17th annual “A Taste of Italy” Times photos by Tom Hemman

These volunteers sold éclairs from a booth in the Festa Ballroom. From the left: Rose Mary Joecks, RebekaLee Schwindt, AudriAnn Schwindt and Jim Schwindt. The éclairs were made by Sciortino’s Bakery. AudriAnn is wearing her “Principessa” sash. She was crowned the ICC’s 2012 Principessa at the organization’s “Il Grande Carnevale” this past February.

Pat Rashak (left) and Lou and Jane Pedriani were among the volunteers from the Solomon Juneau Club who sold bowls of pasta with red sauce.

Members and volunteers from the Madonna del Lume Society Women sold polenta with red sauce, a northern Italy treat, from their booth.

Sagra di San Giovanni is oldest festival at Lake Como, Italy Sfingiune, thick Sicilian-style pizza, was available at this booth where volunteers Kathleen Mirenda and Nina Galioto worked.

Taste of Italy raffle winners drawn At the conclusion of the 17th annual “A Taste of Italy,” the winning tickets in the event’s raffle were drawn. The prize winners are listed here.

• 1st prize – a 42-inch LCD HDTV, to Gwen Wood of Milwaukee.

• 2nd prize – an Apple IPad with WI-FI, to Shannon Drezek of Oxford, Wis. • 3rd prize – a Swarovski crystal silver bracelet, donated by Glorioso’s Gold Imports & Diamond Center, to Quentin Oliva of Milwaukee.

• 4th prize – a 32-inch LCD TV, to Mark Nordigian of Twin Lakes, Wis. • 5th prize – a $100 gift certificate from the Bartolotta

PAGE 14 – JUNE 2012

Restaurant Group, to Deborah Slominski of Milwaukee.

• 6th prize – a basket filled with Italian wines, donated by the Italian Conference Center, to Mark A. Cameli of Brookfield.

• 7th prize – a girl’s bike, to Sophia Michalovitz of Milwaukee.

• 8th prize – a boy’s bike, to Gregory Jedrzejewski of Oak Creek.

Wood, Drezek, Oliva, Nordigian, Cameli and Michalovitz are members of the ICC. The raffle serves as a key fundraising ingredient for “A Taste of Italy.” This year, Marie and Jim Schwindt served as chairpersons of the raffle.

The Sagra di San Giovanni is the oldest historical event to take place on Lake Como in the Lombardy region of Italy.

It is celebrated the last weekend of June in the town of Como.

Hundreds of tiny lamps float in the lake and there’s a large fireworks display on the Saturday evening

(which is June 23 this year).

The next morning brings a parade on the lake in which boats are decorated with flowers.

This is followed by folk dancing competition, the showing of folk art displays and flag throwing competitions.

William A. Jennaro Law, LLC General Practice of Law 330 E. Kilbourn Ave., Ste. 1170 Milwaukee, WI 53202 414.271.1440 – Office 414.224.8660 – Direct Line 414.271.7680 – Fax wajennarolaw@grgblaw.com Of Counsel with the firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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

To obtain information on how to make a donation, please call 414/223-2194 or visit www.ICCMilwaukee.com.

The following donations were received between Apr. 9 and May 8, 2012.

In memory of Gloria Jennaro Bill & Rita Jennaro In memory of Robert S. “Bob” Curro Bill & Rita Jennaro In memory of Elizabeth Zappia Jimmy & Linda Spataro

In memory of Carlo A. Balistreri Angelo Prochazka David & Susan Behrens In memory of Salvatore T. “Sal” Pizzo Mary Winard Mary Ann Maglio Anna Rose San Felippo Anthony T. Machi Jim & Marie Schwindt Isidore & Mary Pecoraro In memory of Rossana Pappalardo Anthony T. Machi In memory of Rose Schroder Anna Rose San Felippo Jim & Marie Schwindt Mary Ann Maglio

Frances Firle Ron & Joanne Czubek Isidore & Mary Pecoraro Mary Winard In memory of Robert Michael “Bob” Riepenhoff Anthony T. Machi In memory of Margaret “Marge” Alberti Jack Carini In memory of Frances (Vincenza) Balistreri George & Judy Menos Mary Ann Maglio Paul & Rose Iannelli Anthony T. Machi Tom & Barbara Balistreri Isidore & Mary Pecoraro John Coffaro Mario A. Carini

A message from Dave Spano, Italian Community Center President from page 1 and Rossella Rago are coming to our Cucina Showcase. Our cannolieating contest and children’s pizzamaking contest are returning to the Cucina.

I hope you’re planning to participate in our 50/50 raffle. The more tickets we sell, the larger the prize for the winner. Raffle tickets are $10 each and are now available.

Look for the raffle story in this issue to find out where and how you can order your tickets.

We’re expanding our children’s and family-oriented programs this year. The BP Olympic Experience is coming to Festa. Look for details in the next issue of The Italian Times.

We’re going to have an exceptional parade on the Saturday night of Festa. We’re inviting the other ethnic festivals to join us as we salute our 35 years and the late

Milwaukee Mayor Henry Maier, who laid the groundwork for Milwaukee’s summer ethnic celebrations.

As always, our focus this year is on delivering an outstanding FAMILY event and the best value in the Midwest.

Italian American Heritage Day at Miller Park The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that they will be celebrating Italian American Heritage Day at Miller Park on Sunday afternoon, July 1 when the Brewers play the Arizona Diamondbacks.

We want to have our ICC well represented and have purchased 500 game tickets. The ICC is offering a special package, which includes a tailgate party at the ICC, free bus transportation to and from the game, and a seat in the shade-covered right field loge. The

Having dinner for up to 300 guests?

cost is $55 per person. Get your tickets at the ICC. Look for details in a story appearing in this issue.

All fans attending the game will receive a bobblehead of Guido, the Italian sausage, courtesy of Klement’s Sausage.

This is going to be a great time.

I hope you will join us.

Courtyard Music Series The 12th season of free Courtyard Music Series gets under way the week of June 4. I want to congratulate Joe Campagna, Jr., Sal Quarino, Tom Sorce and Kay Sparling for all the effort they’ve put in to making this year’s lineup quite possibly our best ever!

Look for details on the series in this issue, and please attend as often as you can.

WisItalia I had the opportunity to represent the ICC at the annual WisItalia “Teacher of the Year” awards banquet on Saturday, May 12. I congratulate Dr. Robin Pickering-Iazzi, who won the “teacher” award, and the Italian Immersion staff of Milwaukee’s Victory School, who were honored.

WisItalia is doing a tremendous job promoting and encouraging the teaching of the Italian language and the culture of Italy.

The ICC will stand behind WisItalia as they seek to keep funding for Victory’s Italian Immersion Program from Milwaukee Public Schools.

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 SanDee or David at 414/ 223-2800 to reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Congratulations to Sam Purpero and Rose Emanuele Two of our longtime ICC members, Sam Purpero and Rose Emanuele, were honored at the May 15 scholarship and awards banquet sponsored by the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO. Sam Purpero, our current treasurer and a past president, received the Milwaukee Chapter of UNICO National’s “Citizen of the Year” award. Rose Emanuele, a dedicated volunteer, was honored with the UNICO Ladies’ “Star Award.”

On behalf of our members, officers and directors, I extend our congratulations to both of these deserving individuals.

– Dave Spano ICC President

Margaret M. Carini Sam & Lucille Purpero In memory of Antonia “Ann” Panella Anthony & Catherine Gazzana In memory of Vincent J. Castiglione Marty & Nancy Hassenfelt In memory of Isadore “Izzy” Sorce Peter & Kathy Sorce and family In memory of Joseph Davoli Mike & Karen Iannelli In memory of Anthony “Tony” Balistreri Angela Prochazka In memory of Nicole Cianci Anthony T. Machi In memory of Lucille LoCicero Anthony T. Machi In memory of Donald Kruck Marie Lore In honor of Joe Campagna’s 70th birthday Joe & Sheeda D’Amato

School official praises Conference Center staff Dear David Stachowiak, Catering Sales Representative: I do not think we have ever officially thanked you for all of the work you and the staff at the Italian Conference Center have done for us over the years with the Messmer High School Junior/Senior Prom. So, I send this letter to make our gratitude official. For five years now, you all have made our work easier, our proms better.

Not only do you provide a beautiful setting for the prom, but you have catered – and more than just delicious food – to our needs, your suggestions over the years helping to make our proms the successes they have been. The commitment of all there has truly made our work with the prom easier, and it has also made the proms themselves wonderful.

Our entire Prom Committee and all of our students attending thank you heartily for your work and hospitality. Please extend our gratitude to everyone there. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the ICC for years to come.

Timothy Gallagher Messmer High School Milwaukee

What is the most popular seafood in Italy?

As with any country with a lengthy coastline, the answer is dependent on what part of Italy you are in. In general, the local fresh fish is usually the most popular.

The main fish caught are anchovy, rainbow trout, European hake, and sardines. In recent years, more delicate white marine fish have been preferred and imported (Italy is the 5th largest importer of seafood) as well as shrimp, salmon, and cepholapods (squid, octopus, etc).

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 15

Balliamo, Bambini!

Toddlers’ dance class under way at ICC

A new dance class for toddlers, ages 2 to 5, is off to a grand start at the Italian Community Center.

Called “Balliamo, Bambini!,” the class meets on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Bocce Court Room through May 26 and is under the instruction of Sophia Gatti Taylor, with the assistance of her mother, Marisa Gatti-Taylor. Children

learn simple steps like the polka, mazurka, rumba and waltz. There is also a strong element of Italian culture to the instruction and children learn to count the dance rhythms in Italian. In the photo on left, Sophia Gatti Taylor dances the mazurka with Angeline Surges.

“These dances are great for the little kids because of the 1-2-3 count,”

Gatti Taylor said. “It gets their ear trained and helps them get the rhythm, establishing that connection early on.” Gatti Taylor is the owner of Wisdom Wellness, a holistic lifestyle-focused training center. In the center photo, Angelina Surges is seen dancing with her mother, Laura. Parents, grandparents or an adult guardian are

asked to accompany the toddlers for the class. Angelina is the granddaughter of ICC member Liz Di Stefano and the late John Di Stefano. In the photo on the right, Skylrae Riccio, granddaughter of ICC member Rosella Riccio, twirls at the Apr. 28 session of Balliamo, Bambini! (Times photos by Colleen Jurkiewicz)

Victory School’s Italian Immersion Corner Ciao, Benvenuti.

Let’s get started with all of our novità.

May 3rd brought about amazing experiments ranging for our children from the four-year kindergarteners (K4) all the way to the 8th graders. Maestra Kleczewski’s K5 explored volcanoes made out of Play Doh, while Maestra Robertson’s K4 discovered how the students are all different by their fingerprint. Maestra Zizzo’s 1st grade discovered the best popcorn for maximum pop to buy, and Maestra Laurenzi’s 2nd grade discovered that since water and oil do not mix, why not add some food coloring and make a homemade lava lamp. The 3rd and 4th graders also had wonderful individual projects that were judged and prized with a blue ribbon.

During the science fair, Maestra Zizzo put together an amazing ITALIAN book fair. Thank you for giving the students and families the opportunity to buy authentic books from Italy. Che bello!

A huge thank you to the school science committee and Parent Teacher Organization for making this such a successful and welcoming event!

With only a few weeks of school

PAGE 16 – JUNE 2012

left, Victory’s Italian Immersion program is planning some awesome end-of-the-year activities.

The book, “Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly,” came to life for the 1st and 2nd graders when they attended the play at First Stage on May 17. Grazie to Maestra Zizzo for making this happen for the students.

On June 1, the Milwaukee Public Museum will come alive for the K4, 1st grade, and 2nd grade as they explore butterflies and space.

Maestra Robertson’s K4 will explore the life cycle of butterflies, farfalle. They will experience their habitat and have the opportunity to touch the butterflies as well.

Maestra Zizzo and Laurenzi’s class-

es will explore colors in space, lo spazio. The students will learn how a rainbow gets its colors and why Mars is red, rosso. After the educational adventures, the students will then be able to explore the museum to their liking.

Of course the school year could never come to an end without the end-of-the-year Italian Immersion picnic. On June 11, students and parents will enjoy a day of play, relaxation, food and Italian at Wilson Park.

Please, take part in our events

and help us continue to be Milwaukee’s only Italian Immersion program. Join us at our fundraisers, volunteer at our school, and support our efforts in educating our youth in a beautiful and rich heritage.

As always, visit us via Facebook, or in person at the school. Our doors are always open.

If you are set on joining our program or know of someone who is, please come to Victory and sign up!

A presto!

– The Italian Immersion Crew

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Conversazione with Bob Ruggieri Joe Glorioso, who’s as well known on Brady Street as is the Italian grocery store bearing the Glorioso name, recently celebrated his birthday … twice. And why not? 90 years is certainly deserving of special attention.

The first celebration was on Sunday, Apr. 22, at the new and much larger Glorioso’s that opened in December 2010 across the street from the original store that became part of the lower east side landscape in 1946. Joining in the celebration in the store were neighbors, customers and employees.

A special cake was ordered for the in-store celebration. It was square and imbedded into the frosting on all four sides were photos tracing Joe’s life, from infancy to now. Photos included Joe with his late wife, Mary; other family members; and even the storefront of the original Glorioso’s on the north side of Brady Street.

Speaking of family, that’s who assembled for Joe’s second birthday celebration a week later on Sunday, Apr. 29. In all, about 35 people were gathered at nearby Pitch’s restaurant. ##### Nick and Dominic Russo, who’ve been performing at our Festa Italiana since 1996 and will be there again this year, were in Florida on Apr. 1. Vacation? No, they were working. To be more precise, they were performing.

They made their first appearance at Festa Italiana Tampa, a street festival staged for the 15th year in Tampa’s historic Ybor City

by L’Unione Italiano, The Italian Club of Tampa. Most of the festivities took place on Sunday.

Included were a Mass and the availability of lots of Italian food.

There’s one stage for entertainment and the crowd usually numbers in the thousands.

Nick and Dominic delivered what an unbiased observer (their mother, Linda Russo), described as “a killer show.” The crowd responded enthusiastically when

Joe Glorioso is seen here with a special cake created for the celebration of his 90th birthday. Photos tracing Joe’s life were featured on the four sides of the cake.

Looking for great Italian food in a casual setting?

Pasta, pizza, daily specials and a whole lot more?

That’s Joe Glorioso as an infant in this photo that was one of several gracing the four sides of his birthday cake.

asked if the Russo Brothers should

Singing brothers posed for the photographer at Festa Italiana Tampa on Apr. 1. Pictured are (clockwise from top) Andrew Arena, Dominic Russo, Sammy Arena and Nick Russo. The Arena Twins were a long popular performing duo based in Tampa. The Russo Brothers performed for the first time at the Florida Italian festival.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

cle, “The company continues to have the feel of a neighborhood grocer, but has managed to stay innovative.”

Note that Sendik’s received the Regional Spirit Award. That’s demonstrated by the company’s sponsorship of local events and its contributions to a number of charities. ##### Is there anything interesting, unusual or humorous going on in your world? If so, let’s tell others.

Drop me a note, and be sure to include your phone number. You can leave that note with Times Editor Tom Hemman at the ICC office or send it to me directly at 9049 N. 86th St., Milwaukee, WI, 53224-1805 or via e-mail at rjruggieri@sbcglobal.net. Grazie!

be invited back in 2013.

The brothers were booked by Andrew Arena, who sponsors Festa Tampa’s entertainment stage.

Andrew and his brother, Sammy, were also entertainers and are credited with having been the first recording artists from Tampa. You may remember the Arena Brothers having performed at Festa in Milwaukee several years ago.

They’re big fans of and frequent attendees at our festival.

Andrew Arena enjoyed the Russo Brothers show so much that he got up on stage to join them in a rendition of “O Sole Mio.” It would appear that the Russo Brothers are starting to be recognized by planners of other Italian festivals across the nation. Last year, they performed in St. Paul, Minn.

By the way, there’s a website that may be of interest to you.

Check out therussobrothers.com. ##### The current (May 14 – 27) issue of BizTimes Milwaukee pays homage to a number of area businesses with what the publication calls its “Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards.”

This year’s “Regional Spirit Award” goes to Sendik’s Food Markets.

That’s the growing chain (they’re up to 10 stores now in southeast Wisconsin) operated by the Balistreri family that’s competing successfully against some large grocers.

According to the BizTimes arti-

Youʼll find it all at

Cafe La Scala And every Friday night, an all-youcan eat fish fry from 4:30 pm

631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee A block west of Summerfest

Dine-in or Carry-out 414/223-2185 JUNE 2012 – PAGE 17

Italian Society and Club News Sam Purpero receives Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Sam Purpero, a past president of the Italian Community Center and the Pompeii Men’s Club and a longtime contributor to the Italian American community, was presented with the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National “Citizen of the Year” award at the organization’s annual scholarship and awards banquet on Tuesday, May 15 at the ICC. He has long been active in Milwaukee’s Festa Italiana. “I was involved from the initial planning stages for our first Festa, starting in 1977,” Purpero said. The first Festa was held Aug. 4-6, 1978 on the Summerfest grounds.

Since then, Purpero has been heavily involved in the festival from a managerial standpoint, from serving as general chairman to gate control manager and bank chairman. “This year, I’m serving on the steering committee, the advisory board and as chairman of the Food Committee,” he said. The 35th annual Festa is set for July 19-22.

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

tion as treasurer. He is a longstanding member of the ICC’s Finance and Personnel Committee.

Purpero also is a longtime member of the board of the Italian Conference Center, Inc. and is currently serving as treasurer of that corporation.

An original member of the Pompeii Men’s Club, Purpero was the third president of that organization, which evolved from the Holy Name Society of Our Lady of Pompeii Church after the church’s demolition in October of 1967. He is also a longtime member of the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National.

Born and raised at 210 N. Jefferson St. in Milwaukee’s old Third Ward, Purpero graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953.

His parents were the late Charles W. and Rosalia (Emanuele) Purpero. Sam has two brothers, Phillip, also a past president of the ICC, and Anthony and two sisters, Caroline Besasie and Rose Spang.

After graduating from Lincoln, Sam went to work at C.W. Purpero, initially a trucking business started in 1919 by his father. In 1948, the company added residential and business excavation services.

Sam spent 55 years in the business. He became certified as an operating engineer and went on to

UNICO honors students, volunteers

By Colleen Jurkiewicz Ten Milwaukee-area students of Italian descent were honored with $1,000 scholarships at the 81st annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner sponsored by the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO. The event was held on May 15 at the Italian Community Center.

To receive the award, the students underwent a rigorous application process. They were judged by a panel of non-Italian representatives from the Milwaukee area chosen by UNICO. Qualifications taken into consideration were financial need, community and school involvement, and personal character.

All recipients had achieved an academic standing in the top 15% of their graduation high school classes. They also attended an interview day with the committee at the Italian Community Center on Apr. 13.

“UNICO is very pleased to support the Italian-American students of Milwaukee in this way,” said Rose Anne Fritchie, president of Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National. “These students are exemplary in many ways and great representatives of our community.”

The Ladies of UNICO awarded $1,000 scholarships to the following students: • Hannah Ruth Alfredson of Kenosha Tremper High School.

PAGE 18 – JUNE 2012

tices.

In 1984, Sam bought King Juice Company, Inc., which is run by his son-in-law Tim Kezman and his daughter Margaret. King Juice is a mid-size packager of non-carbonated liquids based in Milwaukee. The company also produces its own line of Calypso branded juices and fruit drinks.

Although he’s officially retired, Sam remains actively involved in both C.W. Purpero, Inc. and King Juice.

Through his personal commitment and his businesses, Purpero has long been a dedicated supporter and contributor to charitable and civic causes in the Italian American community. Possibly his largest commitment has been to the Italian Community Center and its four-day festival, Festa Italiana, for which he has given of his time, talent and financial resources. He has had a pivotal role in virtually every major development of the ICC and Festa since the inception of both.

• Genna Catherine Bonfiglio of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School.

• Rachell Caniza of Rufus King International High School.

• Elizabeth Rose Lucy Mazza, homeschooled through Mother of Divine Grace School.

The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National awarded $1,000 scholarships to the following students: • Mandi Lynn Ayala of West Allis Central High School.

• Elizabeth Mary Bersch of Pius XI High School.

• Kristen Louise Bonfiglio of Divine Savior Holy Angels High School.

• Vince Cupertino of Wauwatosa East High School.

• Leah Rose Mott of Wauwatosa West High School.

• Michael David Saggio of Marquette University High School.

At the dinner the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO recognized Rose Emanuele their annual Star Award, based on her long history of volunteerism and involvement with the community. (An article appeared on this award presentation in the May issue of The Italian Times.)

The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National presented its prestigious Citizen of the Year Award to former ICC president and current treasurer Sam Purpero (see separate article).

Sam Purpero

become the president and chairman of the board of C.W. Purpero, Inc. After Sam’s retirement, his son, Phillip, succeeded him as president.

Sam is still the chairman of the board. Over the years, the company has further evolved, becoming wellknown grading, sewer and water and demolition contractors. The company has received recognition from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for its commitment to safe environmental prac-

Sam and his wife, Lucille (Vehar), have been married since 1956. They have six children, Catherine Rose, Susan Carol, Margaret Ann, Phillip Anthony, Mary Lucille and Christina Therese. They also have 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

As for his selection as the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National “Citizen of the Year” awardee, Purpero said. “It’s an honor to be acknowledged for my service and contributions to the Italian community. I’m very proud and humbled to be receiving this award.”

Milwaukee UNICO Chapter hosts fund-raising bocce tournament The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National hosted a bocce tournament to raise funds for its charitable giving on Tuesday, Apr. 24 at the Italian Community Center.

Seven teams competed in the tournament. The tourney champion team was captained by Liz Ceraso. Joining her on the team were Dean and Joe Cannestra and Eddy Ciano. All these players are members of the ICC’s Membership Committee. They were awarded a Cafe La Scala gift certificate.

To win the championship, Ceraso’s team defeated a team

captained by Ryan Balistreri Gustafson, treasurer of the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National. His teammates included Renee St. Pierre, Katherine Eddy and Marguerite Balistreri Gustafson. Players on the Gustafson team received gift certificates from Eddie Glorioso for Glorioso’s Italian Market.

Other teams were captained by Milwaukee Chapter President Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie, Bea Ceraso, Tom Falsetti, Michael Saggio and Mary Winard.

Cafe La Scala pizza and sub sandwiches were served before the tournament.

Cass Street Softball Reunion scheduled for Sunday, July 15 The fifth annual Cass Street Softball Reunion is set for Sunday, July 15 at the Cass Street School Playground, 1647 N. Cass St., Milwaukee. This event, which includes a softball game, lunch and renewing of old friendships, is open to anyone who grew up on the Lower East Side of Milwaukee.

Sign-up time for the softball

game is 12:30 p.m. with the game at 1 p.m. Afterward, anyone is invited to come to Pitch’s Lounge & Restaurant, 1801 N. Humboldt Ave., for lunch. A $20 donation is requested.

This year, the event is sponsored by the Sons of Sicily. For more information, contact Felix Glorioso at 414/272-1311.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Suzanne Wypiszewski to receive Pompeii Women’s ‘Angel of the Year’ award The members of the Pompeii Women’s Club are proud to announce that Suzanne

Suzanne Wypiszewki

Wypiszewki will be presented with their “Angel of the Year” award at their annual May Crowning dinner on Wednesday, May 30 at the Italian Community Center.

Wypiszewki has been a member of the club for about five years and is currently serving as sergeant-atarms. An alumnus of St. Joan Antida High School, she is a very dedicated member who delivers knitted and crocheted baby items made by club members to the Christ Child Society monthly. She also is a very active volunteer for the club’s Palm Sunday Breakfast Buffet, especially in procuring help for bussing of the tables and other chores.

Wypiszewki is employed by U.S. Bank.

“Suzanne has a very cheerful, upbeat personality and is a credit to our club,” said Carla Ann Sanfelippo, Pompeii Women’s Club President.

– Submitted by Mary Winard Publicity Chairperson

Pompeii Women Club’s Palm Sunday Breakfast Buffet was a success The Pompeii Women’s Club reports that its Palm Sunday Breakfast Buffet was very successful. The club extends its appreciation to all those who were in attendance and supported the club by purchasing bakery and raffle tickets.

The club also wishes to acknowledge the students from St. Joan Antida High School and Mount Mary College and the Pompeii Men’s Club and their wives who volunteered their time to assist that day.

The officers and members of the Pompeii Women’s Club also thank the Italian Conference Center’s

kitchen and wait staffs for all their efforts on the club’s behalf and the various restaurants, groceries and sport teams and all of other businesses and individuals who made contributions to this event.

“This event is our one and only fund-raiser and provides our club with the means to make monetary donations to worthy charitable organizations,” said Carla Ann Sanfelippo, club president. “The club is also going to resume making donations to various schools for scholarships in the coming year.”

– Submitted by Mary Winard Publicity Chairperson

Pompeii Men sponsoring Super Run/Walk on June 27 The Pompeii Men’s Club and the Badgerland Striders will team up once again to stage their 30th annual 5K (3.1 mile) Run/Walk.

This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, June 27 in Lake Park.

Pre-registration forms are available at several Milwaukee area running stores or you can download a registration form at http://www.badgerlandstriders.or g/home.htm Race day registration will begin at 5 p.m. in the Park’s pavilion and will continue until 6:30 p.m.

An entry fee of $25 ($30 race day), $15 for seniors, age 60 or older, will entitle each participant to receive the following: entry in the event, a shirt, trophies for top finishers, fruit juice, fresh fruit, beer and a drawing for prizes.

As always, there will be Italian sausage available for sale at a nominal cost. “You can join the fun by either running or walking the 3.1 mile course. It will be good for you, and at the same time, you will be helping local Milwaukee charities,” said Charles Lazzaro, Pompeii Men’s Club President.

The event has averaged approximately 800 participants and has become known as one of Milwaukee’s premier run/walks.

The race’s image and loyal following have been solidified because of the beautiful location, superb post race refreshments, and the committed efforts of over 100 volunteers who make the race day activities proceed smoothly and efficiently.

Madonna del Lume Society plans trip to Chicago feast The members of Società Maschile Maria S.S. Del Lume are planning to take their annual trip to Chicago for the feast of Maria S.S. Lauretana on Sunday, Sept. 2.

They invite all who might be interested in attending to join them.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

A bus will leave from St. Rita Church, 1600 N. Cass St., Milwaukee, at 8 a.m. and will return at 7:30 p.m. The cost of the bus is $25 per person.

For more information, please call Mario or Rose Carini at 414/964-1161.

OSIA Mazzei Lodge members make two donations to Palermo Soccer Club

The Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America recently made two monetary donations to the Palermo Soccer Club, which has teams competing in leagues in the Wisconsin Soccer Association. One donation came from the lodge; the other from individual members. The donations will help the soccer club purchase jackets for the upcoming season. OSIA Mazzei Lodge President Bill Jennaro (right) presented the checks to Sal Carini of the Palermo Soccer Club. (Photo provided by OSIA Mazzei Lodge)

OSIA Mazzei Lodge sets Aug. 19 for annual golf outing The Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America has announced that its annual golf outing will take place Sunday, Aug. 19 at The River Club of Mequon, 12400 N. Ville du Parc Dr., Mequon.

The event, which is open to both members and non-members, will begin at 10 a.m. The cost is $95 per golfer, which includes course fee, a cart, range balls, a box lunch on the course, prizes/gifts and hors d’oeuvres at the program that follows

golfing. The cost to attend the program only is $30 per person. The program is expected to start at 4 p.m.

Persons interested in participating should send a check (payable to the Filippo Mazzei Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America) to Joe Palmisano, 5302 S. Hidden Dr., Greenfield, WI 53221.

For more information, contact either Palmisano at 414/281-5556 or Joe Campagna, Jr. at 262/7836161.

Gina Jorgensen replaces Tom Balistreri as Milwaukee rep on WisItalia Board One Italian Community Center member has replaced another on the WisItalia Board of Directors.

Gina Jorgensen, chairperson of the ICC’s Culture Committee, has assumed the Milwaukee area representative position from Tom Balistreri, a director on the ICC Board.

Balistreri, who is also director on the Italian Community Center

Board, has filled the WisItalia post the last few years.

WisItalia is a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the teaching of the Italian language, and the culture of Italy, in Wisconsin’s primary and secondary schools as well as post secondary colleges and universities. It also strives to educate the public about the Italian language and culture.

SIF hosting 24th NELA gala on May 23 The Sons of Italy Foundation’s 24th annual National Education & Leadership Awards gala, a tribute to achievement, sacrifice and patriotism, takes place Wednesday, May 23 in Washington, D.C. Gala honorees include U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; retired U.S. General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace; Claudio Bozzo, President, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Inc.; and Armand E. Sabationi, General Secretary/Treasurer of Laborers International Union of North America.

SIF, the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America, will also present awards to its scholarship recipients.

The NELA gala is the SIF’s most important fund-raising and public affairs event, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to educational excellence, leadership and the betterment of society. To date, the NELA gala has helped the SIF raise $119 million for education, medical research, disaster relief, cultural preservation, and other special projects, with $50 million in scholarships awarded.

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 19

Bob Trotalli scholarship established at UWM

By Colleen Jurkiewicz Longtime Italian Community Center member Bob Trotalli worked for over 30 years to help the students of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as the program director for the UWM Union, director of Disabled Student Services, and eventually Assistant Dean of Students.

He retired in 1990, but he is still making a difference in the lives of UWM students who need it most.

Two years ago, Trotalli donated his retirement assets back to the university, establishing the Robert J. Trotalli Scholarship fund to benefit undergraduate students with disabilities.

“My personal satisfaction in my years at UWM was in assisting students in reaching their educational goals,” Trotalli told UWM Tomorrow, the planned-giving publication of the university. “I sincerely hope my scholarship fund will continue to contribute to these goals.”

Throughout his career at UWM, Trotalli worked tirelessly to establish a center for specialized services, which he coordinated for several years. In the 1970s, he became the director of Disabled Student Services and dedicated himself to helping students with challenges meet the rigorous demands of an undergraduate career. Both a mentor and an advocate, he spearheaded the campaign to establish the UWM Student Accessiblity Center (SAC), which now serves more than 700 students at the university.

Bob Trotalli is seen here in a photo taken on the UWM campus.

“Many (SAC students) take less than a full load of classes per semester as a result of their disabilities, extending the time needed to finish college,” said Laurie Peterson, current director of the Student Accessibility Center.

“Because other sources of financial aid may expire after four years, scholarship support provides a crucial means for students to complete their degree and realize their full potential.”

The SAC provides a wide range of accommodations to students with many different kinds of challenges, including but not limited to physical disabilities, mental disabilities, learning disabilities, and even emotional disorders.

Atty. Henry Piano honored for work on real estate project

By Bob Ruggieri Attorney Henry G. Piano, a past president of the Italian Community Center, was named a co-winner of a real estate project award from The Milwaukee Business Journal for his work on the sale of the Shorecrest Hotel Apartments.

The project was named the “best deal/lease of the year.“ Piano shared the honor with William Bonifas, executive vice president and head of global corporate services for CBRE Milwaukee, a commercial real estate brokerage firm.

They were recognized at an Apr. 20 awards luncheon at which 17 real estate projects were honored.

The 116-unit Shorecrest is located near the corner of N. Prospect Ave. and E. Lafayette Pl. Piano represented the seller, John Balistrieri, who was present at the awards luncheon. Piano noted that he represented the Balistrieri family when they purchased the Shorecrest in 1971.

“The Balistrieris deserve a great deal of credit for what they accomplished during their ownership of the property,” said Piano. “The

building was in terrible shape when they took ownership. Today, it’s an art deco jewel.”

Noting that the Shorecrest is a permanent home for many people, Piano said, “The Balistrieris also are to be commended for their relationships with their tenants. They treated them with dignity and compassion, and many have gone on to become friends and, in some cases – in true Italian fashion – almost like family.”

Piano said that this marked the first time The Milwaukee Business Journal had honored the sale of an existing property. “This was a complex deal to close, and the work that Bill Bonifas did was phenomenal.”

The nine-story Shorecrest, at 1962 N. Prospect Ave., was built in 1925. It was later named to the National Register of Historic Places as a significant example of Moroccan/Art Deco architectural style. Its new owner is Watercrest Investment Group, which owns Milwaukee’s Astor Hotel and highend residential properties.

Larry Baldassaro honored with OSIA award for Excellence in Literature

By Colleen Jurkiewicz On May 6, Larry Baldassaro, Professor Emeritus of Italian at UW-Milwaukee, received the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Excellence in Literature from the Illinois and Wisconsin Grand Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The two winners of the “Best Deal/Lease of the Year” award, attorney Henry Piano (left) and broker William Bonifas (center), posed with Mark Kass, editor of The Milwaukee Business Journal, which held its annual Real Estate Project Awards program on Apr. 20.

The award was for Baldassaro’s latest publication, “Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball” (U. of Nebraska Press, 2011).

The Leonardo da Vinci Awards are presented at a gala every May, which was held this year at the BeauJolie Banquet Hall in Schiller Park, Ill. “I was particularly honored to receive the da Vinci Award from the Sons of Italy because of my two primary motives for writing the book,” said Baldassaro. “I wrote ‘Beyond DiMaggio’ to preserve the legacy of those who not only made great contributions to baseball, our national pastime, but whose success and dignity did so much to counter negative stereotypes and enhance the public perception of Italian-Americans.”

Baldassaro has been writing about baseball for over 30 years, and since 1990 has been writing for the official magazine of the Milwaukee Brewers. “At some point,” he said, “I realized that almost nothing had been written about the long and distinguished history of Italian Americans in baseball. It was a story waiting to be written.”

PAGE 20 – JUNE 2012

Sam Schiera announces birth of twin granddaughters

Larry Baldassaro

Baldassaro has been researching the topic since 1999, when he began by spending two weeks at the Baseball Hall of Fame Library in Cooperstown, N.Y.. “It turned out to be a much bigger project than I anticipated,” he said.

“Beyond DiMaggio” was also a labor of love for Baldassaro.

Italian Community Center member Sam Schiera announced that he recently became grandfather to twin girls named Aniela Mia and Sofia Grace.

They were born on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to Sally Schiera and Kyle Mayhugh.

The twins have two older brothers, Giuseppe Matera, 11, and Salvatore Matera, 8. At birth, Sofia weighed 5 lbs. and Aniela was 4 lbs., 12 oz. Sam Schiera’s late wife, Judy, was also an ICC member.

Sam is the president of La Società di San Giuseppe.

“It was my small way of honoring the memory of my four Italian immigrant grandparents, to whom I dedicated the book, and of thanking them for their courage in coming to this country and the gift of opportunity they gave me by doing so.”

Baldassaro is a longtime member of the Italian Community Center.

Sofia Grace and Aniela Mia

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Balistreri siblings academic achievements announced Christina and Michael Balistreri, children of Italian Community Center members Tom and Barbara Balistreri, achieved major academic goals in May. Christina received her juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Law School on May 18.

She will be admitted into the State Bar of Wisconsin on June 7.

She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008, with a double-major in Communication Arts and Political Science. After college, Christina worked as a longterm substitute teacher at Milwaukee’s Victory School in the Italian Immersion program in the four-year-old kindergarten classroom. She began law school in the fall of 2009 and has focused primarily on the areas of family law and criminal law.

Throughout law school, Christina was active in a number of student organizations including serving as the publicity coordinator

Nancy Sinatra

Michael Balistreri

for the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-Student Chapter and as the Vice President

of Academic Affairs for the Latino Law Students Association. She has also remained involved in her sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. and plans to join the Alumnae Association upon graduation.

Christina also served as a contracts law study group leader for first year law students and as a law school tour guide. When Christina graduated, she received recognition from the Pro Bono Society for her volunteer service at the Dodge County Immigration Detention Center and in the Unemployment Appeals Clinic.

Christina also gained invaluable experiences through various internships and clinics, including a judicial internship with Judge John J. DiMotto in the Milwaukee Circuit Court; as a student attorney in the Criminal Appeals Clinic: an intern at the Juvenile Division at the State Public Defender’s Office in Waukesha County; and an extern in the Criminal Litigation Unit at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Welcome, new Italian Community Center members!

The following people became members of the Italian Community Center between Apr. 9 and May 8, 2012. Benvenuti! (Welcome!)

Vincent N. & Catherine Ciccolini of Brookfield Vincent A. Ciccolini of Brookfield James & Mary Jane Perkins of Milwaukee Matt & Theresa Talluto and children Alessandro and Alyssa of New Berlin Susan Maglio-Peltonen of Muskego Ronald & Susan Matty of New Berlin Karen Campbell of Pewaukee

Castrovinci sisters bring Australian cousins to ICC for tour and lunch

It’s not often that people from halfway around the world stop in for lunch at Cafe La Scala, the Italian Community Center’s public restaurant. However, it happened on Thursday, May 3 when the Castrovinci sisters – Carmen Schlotthauer, Nancy Oberleitner and Mary Castrovinci – brought their cousins from Perth, Australia to the ICC for a tour and lunch. “We wanted to show them our beautiful Italian Community Center,” said Carmen Schlotthauer. From the left:

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Nancy Aliota, Rosalinda Schaapveld, Mary Castrovinci, Pina Lenzo, Joe Lenzo, Maria Louisa Pollard, Teresa Miszewski, Carmen Schlotthauer and Nancy Oberleitner. Aliota, the Lenzos, Pollard and Miszewski are all from Perth, which is the capital of and largest city in Western Australia and fourth largest city in Australia. The visitors said they were on a four-week stay in the United States. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Christina plans to begin her legal career in either Milwaukee or Madison. She is also an ICC member and a Festa Italiana volunteer.

Michael, after four eventful years as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., will be commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on May 29. He was one of 27 from the Class of 2012 to be selected as a Surface Warfare Nuclear Officer In July, he will report aboard the USS Carney (DDG 64) for a 21month tour, then attend Nuclear Power School in Charleston, S.C. As a senior, he achieved the rank of Midshipman Lieutenant Commander as the First Battalion Commander. He was a founding member and later President of the Italian-American Midshipmen Club. His fluency in Italian allowed him to be selected to visit the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno, Tuscany three times and two weeks aboard an Italian Navy vessel.

He will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in Honors English. Michael graduated as valedictorian from Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School in 2008. Michael is a member of the ICC, the Order Sons of Italy in America and La Società di San Giuseppe. He also has volunteered at Festa Italiana and as a Festa Mass usher. Michael is proud of his Sicilian heritage and is honored to be able to serve the United States of America as a naval officer.

Baldassaro to speak at Italian Cultural Institute in Chicago Author Lawrence Baldassaro, an Italian Community Center member, will do a presentation of his book, “Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball,” on Thursday, June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Institute, 500 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1450, Chicago.

“Beyond DiMaggio,” which is a social history of baseball, is the first comprehensive study of the role Italian Americans have played in American baseball, tracing the evolution of American perceptions toward those of Italian descent as it chronicles the baseball exploits that influenced those perceptions.

Baldassaro will talk about the Italian Americans’ contributions to the game, from Joe DiMaggio, who transcended his ethnic identity to become an American icon, to A. Bartlett Giamatti, who served as commissioner of baseball, to Mike Piazza, considered the greatest hitting catcher ever.

Baldassaro is a professor emeritus of Italian at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. He is the author of numerous articles on baseball, co-editor of “The American Game: Baseball and Ethnicity,” and editor of “Ted Williams: Reflections on a Splendid Life. “ “Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball” is available locally at Boswell Books and online at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

JUNE 2012 – PAGE 21

LA PAGINA ITALIANA a cura di Enrica Tarantino-Woytal

Festa della Repubblica Italiana La Festa della Repubblica Italiana viene celebrata il 2 giugno a ricordo della nascita della Repubblica.

Il 2 e il 3 giugno 1946 si tenne, infatti, il referendum istituzionale indetto a suffragio universale con il quale gli italiani venivano chiamati alle urne per esprimersi su quale forma di governo, monarchia o repubblica, dare al Paese, in seguito alla caduta del fascismo. Dopo 85 anni di regno, con

12.718.641 voti contro 10.718.502 l’Italia diventava repubblica e i monarchi di casa Savoia venivano esiliati.

Il 2 giugno celebra la nascita della nazione, in maniera simile al 14 luglio francese (anniversario della Presa della Bastiglia) e al 4 luglio statunitense (giorno in cui nel 1776 venne firmata la dichiarazione d’indipendenza).

In tutto il mondo le ambasciate italiane tengono un festeggiamento cui

Napolitano, preoccupano economia e lavoro Bisogna restituire fiducia in prospettiva di una ripresa Questo è “un momento di forti preoccupazioni per l’andamento dell’economia e le prospettive dell’occupazione, in particolare dei giovani e delle donne.” Lo afferma Giorgio Napolitano, in un messaggio all’Assemblea annuale di R.E.T.E.

Imprese Italia auspicando che le piccole e medie imprese potranno offrire “un notevole contributo che consenta di alleviare tale stato di sofferenza e contribuisca a restituire fiducia agli operatori in una prospettiva di ripresa dell’economia”.

Mengoni e Pausini eroi Trl Music Awards Tra gli altri vincitori Emma, Moda’, e il rapper Emis Killa Marco Mengoni e Laura Pausini sono i ‘supereroi’ del Trl Awards 2012 di MTV. In base al voto web (oltre 12 milioni le preferenze espresse) i due artisti si sono aggiudicati il primo posto nelle categorie della “Superman Award” e “Wonder Woman Award”

della kermesse pop tenuta nel piazzale Michelangelo di Firenze di fronte a 25mila giovanissimi. Tra gli altri vincitori, Emma, per “Italians do it better,” i Modà per “Best Band”; nella sezione emergenti, ha trionfato il rapper teenager Emis Killa.

Hit parade: Antonacci resta al top Biagio Antonacci ancora al top con il suo nuovo cd Sapessi dire no, Vasco Rossi secondo con L’altra metà del cielo e Norah Jones che irrompe al terzo posto con il suo nuovo album “Little Broken Hearts”: questo il podio della classifica dei dischi più venduti della

settimana. Primo dei download dei singoli resta il fenomeno Gotye feat.

Kimbra con “Somebody that I used to know,” mentre Ligabue resiste al vertice della classifica dei dvd musicali più venduti con Campovolo 2.0.

sono invitati i Capi di Stato del Paese ospitante. Da tutto il mondo arrivano al Presidente della Repubblica Italiana gli auguri degli altri capi di Stato e speciali cerimonie ufficiali si tengono in Italia.

Prima della fondazione della Repubblica, la festa nazionale italiana era la prima domenica di giugno, festa dello Statuto albertino.

Con la legge 5 marzo 1977, n.54, soprattutto a causa della congiuntura economica sfavorevole, la Festa della Repubblica fu spostata alla prima domenica di giugno. Solamente nel 2001 su impulso dell’allora Presidente della Repubblica, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, il secondo governo Amato, con la legge n. 336 del 20 novembre 2000, riportò le celebrazioni al 2 giugno, che quindi tornò ad essere un giorno festivo.

La parata Il Presidente della Repubblica Giorgio Napolitano alla parata del 2 giugno 2006.

Nel giugno del 1948 per la prima volta in Via dei Fori Imperiali a Roma ospitò la parata militare in onore della Repubblica. L’anno seguente, con l’ingresso dell’Italia nella NATO, se ne svolsero dieci in contemporanea in tutto il Paese mentre nel 1950 la parata fu inserita per la prima volta nel protocollo delle celebrazioni ufficiali.

Attualmente il cerimoniale prevede la deposizione di una corona d’alloro al Milite Ignoto presso l’Altare della Patria e una parata militare alla presenza delle più alte cariche dello Stato.

Alla parata militare e durante la deposizione della corona d’alloro presso il Milite Ignoto, prendono parte tutte le Forze Armate, tutte le Forze di Polizia della Repubblica ed il Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco e della Croce Rossa Italiana. Nel 2005, l’allora Presidente della Repubblica Carlo Azeglio Ciampi ordinò che sfilassero anche il Corpo di

Polizia Municipale di Roma in rappresentanza di tutte le Polizie Locali d’Italia ed il personale civile della Protezione Civile. Prendono inoltre parte alla parata militare alcune delegazioni militari dell’ONU, della NATO, dell’Unione Europea e rappresentanze di reparti multinazionali che presentano una componente italiana.

Dalla sua istituzione sino alla sua temporanea abolizione, la parata militare poteva contare sulla sfilata di maggiore personale. Dopo la re-introduzione l’organico defilante fu ridotto notevolmente e nel 2006 venne praticamente eliminata la presenza di mezzi terrestri ed aerei per ragioni di bilancio.

La cerimonia prosegue nel pomeriggio con l’apertura al pubblico dei giardini del palazzo del Quirinale, sede della Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana, con esecuzioni musicali da parte dei complessi bandistici dell’Esercito Italiano, della Marina Militare Italiana, dell’Aeronautica Militare Italiana, dell’Arma dei Carabinieri, della Polizia di Stato, della Guardia di Finanza, del Corpo di Polizia Penitenziaria e del Corpo Forestale dello Stato.

Tematiche Le Frecce Tricolori durante la parata del 2 giugno.

La parata ha ogni anno una tematica differente: • 2003, 57º anniversario: “Le Forze Armate nel sistema di sicurezza internazionale per il progresso pacifico e democratico dei popoli.”

• 2004, 58º anniversario: “Le Forze Armate per la Patria.”

• 2010, 64º anniversario: “La Repubblica e le sue Forze Armate impegnate in missioni di pace.”

• 2011, 65º anniversario: “150º anniversario dell’Unità d’Italia.”

Auguri a tutti ì papa!

“Paese che vai, Usanze che trovi.”

La festa dei papà in Italia si festeggia a Marzo, giorno 19 Festa di San Giuseppe. In America, la festa di papà ricorre a Giugno.

La mamma è la persone più importante per un bambino però anche il papà.

Auguri, auguri, auguri!

Happy Father’s Day!

PAGINA 22 – GIUGNO 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Spotlight on Cultural Arts

Opera Topics

by Angelo Castronovo

Helen Porter Mitchell was her real name, but the world came to know her as Nellie Melba, one of the greatest sopranos of her day.

She was born May 19, 1859, near Melbourne, Australia, She studied with one of the prominent teachers of the time, Mathilde Marchesi, and was eventually considered the greatest of Marchesi’s students, among whom were Emma Calve, Emma Eames, Sybil Sanderson and Frances Alda.

Melba was talented as a musician as well, becoming proficient on the piano, organ and violin. She was considered to be “the” soprano after Adelina Patti, who many called the “most phenomenally flawless technician before the public.”

And Melba completely agreed with that assessment. She once told a reporter she had the voice of a genius. She was always confident, but she was also outspoken and jealous of other singers and those around her knew her to be a “holy terror.”

One of her marked habits was her bluntness as when she appeared in a joint concert with Mary Garden at a command performance at Windsor Castle and reportedly turned to the Lord Chamberlain and said, “What a dreadful concert this would have been if I hadn’t come.”

She knew she was admired by many well-known composers including Charles Gounod, Ambroise Thomas and Jules

Nellie Melba

Massenet. The writer George Bernard Shaw marveled at Melba’s accuracy of intonation, noting the wide gap that exists between the ordinary singer who sings avoiding being out of tune, and the singer who really sings in tune.

Some considered Melba to be a singing machine, but there was the occasional detractor as well and some modern day observers note that she never sang as though the music had much meaning.

Still, her rivals and colleagues praised her. Tenor Jean de Reszke told her nature had given her a “voice of gold.” And even Mary Garden was ecstatic about Melba’s performance in “La Boheme.”

Garden enthused, “My God! How she sang it.”

The amazing soprano concentrated on a handful of operatic roles, although she knew approximately 25. Among her most famous were Juliet, Lucia, Gilda and Mimi. The singer who made everything easy died on Feb. 23, 1931.

Last month, I talked about unusual career accomplishments and spoke about a tenor, Hughes Cuenod, who made his Met debut at the unusual age of 84 and his last performance at age 91. There was a typographical error in one line which read “suspicious.” It should have read “auspicious,” which it certainly was.

Quotable Quote: Our life is made by the death of others. – Leonardo da Vinci

L’Angolo del Poeta June – the month when roses bloom. Speaking of roses, Rainer Maria Rilke, Austrian poet (1875 1926), wrote, “Other flowers merely decorate the table that you transfigure” and “Summer: to be for a few days the contemporary of roses”. Such a concept – to be the contemporary of roses – both embraces the ephemeral nature of roses and hints at our mortality.

“A Serenata de’ Rose,” one of the most popular and well loved of Neapolitan songs, was written by composer Eduardo di Capua (Mar. 12, 1865 – Oct. 3, 1917) and poet Vincenzo Russo (1876-1904).

Here it is in the Neapolitan dialect and an English version. È mezzanotte e cu stu mandulino I’ canto a stu barcone chin’ ‘e rrose, Saglie n’addorre arance d’ ’o ciardino E a st’aria doce vene a profumà. ’A luna janca me pare d’argiento Sbattute songh’ ’e rrose da stu viente.

Oi rose meje!

Si dorme chesta fata, Scetatela!

Cu chesta serenata.

– Lyrics by Vincenzo Russo My love, I sing to you beneath your window, I strum a mandolin and sing my love song.

The roses grow and orange trees are blooming, Sweet perfume fills the air, as I declare: Ah! Love! My serenade among the roses, Brings you the love that now my song discloses.

The rose will fade and die when snowflakes fall, dear, But love will grow and live beyond it all.

(English lyrics from Italian Music, Songs, Dances and Arias, Ashley Publications Inc., copyright 1968) Love, like the fragrance of roses, is in the air in June but one is also reminded of the exhilarating feeling of joy, of new life and resurrection that the season brings. Here’s a poem inspired by the roses that bloom in June.

Resurrection

The rose again, beside the fence, now grows and newly thrives.

Repentant now, the earth’s hard heart to new shoots gently yields.

Contrite, the hovering clouds disperse and weep no more upon the fields.

The garden has forgiven the frost, forgiven the freezing rain.

Dark nights have been converted and long bright days now reign.

Resurrected roses climb, inspire poets verse to rhyme, beam beatitudes and praise, steal the breath of all who gaze.

Blessed be the mornings and blessed be the afternoons.

Blessed be the songbirds, their hymns and twilight tunes.

Blessed be the bumble bees, the butterflies ascending.

Blessed be this paradise, this rose the world transcending.

– By Barbara Collignon Resurrezione Il giardino, in stato di grazia, ora rivive, si sveglia.

Torna la rosa, di fianco al recinto, che cresce e di nuovo germoglia.

Ormai pentito, il cuore duro della terra, ai nuovi germogli si arrende dolcemente.

Contrite, le nuvole in alto, si disperdono e mai più piangeranno sulla semente.

Il giardino ha perdonato il freddo, ha perdonato le piogge ghiacciate.

Le notti oscure son trasformate ed ora regnano lunghe e luminose giornate.

Le rose risorte si levano, ai versi dei poeti suggeriscono la rima Irradiano beatitudini e lodi, rubano il fiato a coloro che guardano.

Sia benedetto il mattino e sian benedetti i meriggi.

Benedetto il canto degli uccelli i suoi inni e i vespertini arpeggi.

Benedette siano le api, la farfalla che ascende.

Benedetto sia questo paradiso, e questa rosa che il mondo trascende.

The garden, in a state of grace, now awakes, now revives.

– Translated by Roberto Ciampi

Barbara Collignon

Roberto Ciampi

Host families sought for high school students from Italy The Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is now accepting applications from families interested in hosting high school students from Italy. The likely time commitment is from August of 2012 through June of 2013.

The foreign students typically speak English and come with health insurance.

Host families are expected to include their foreign guests in family activities as much as possible.

Persons interested in learning

THE ITALIAN TIMES

more about the program are advised to contact CCI local coordinator Jennifer King at 262/8348063 or visit www.cciexchange.com. King recommended that interested visitors to the website fill out the inquiry form.

Established in 1985, the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit international educational exchange organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace.

GIUGNO 2012 – PAGINA 23

Italian American baseball trivia

By Larry Baldassaro For more than 100 years, Italian Americans have been making significant contributions to big league baseball, as players, coaches, managers and executives. In this, the second in our series, we examine some of the records they have established.

Records Vince DiMaggio (Boston Bees) set the single-season major league strikeout record (134) in 1938, a record that stood until 1956.

Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941 is considered by many the greatest feat in baseball history.

In 1949, Dom DiMaggio, the youngest of the three DiMaggio brothers in the Major Leagues, set the still-standing Red Sox record by hitting in 34 straight games.

On Sept. 13, 1942, Len Merullo (Cubs) tied the record for most errors in one inning by a shortstop (4). In “tribute” to Merullo’s per-

formance, his son, Len, Jr., born that same day, was given the nickname “Boots.”

Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella are two of 11 catchers since 1900 to catch three no-hitters in a single season (1956), but they are the only players to have caught two by the same pitcher: Berra and Allie Reynolds, Campanella and Carl Erskine. Berra’s third no-hitter was Don Larsen’s perfect game in the World Series.

In 2000, Jason and Jeremy Giambi (Oakland A’s) hit a combined 60 homers, breaking the previous single-season record of most home runs by brothers (59) set in 1937 by Joe and Vince DiMaggio.

Tony and Billy Conigliaro (Red Sox) are fourth, with 54 homers in 1970.

On May 5, 2004, Mike Piazza (then with the New York Mets) hit home run number 352 to establish a new career record for home runs by a catcher. Widely considered to be the greatest hitting catcher of all

time, the 12-time All-Star ended his career with 396 homers.

Craig Biggio (who spent all 20 years of his career, 1988-2007, with the Astros) is the only player in major league history to achieve all of these milestones: 600 doubles, 250 home runs, 2,700 hits and 400 stolen bases. He also holds the post-1900 record for most times hit by a pitch (285) and the National League record for most leadoff home runs (53).

Left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte (Yankees and Astros) holds the record for most wins in the playoffs and World Series with 19.

In 16 years (1995-2010), he never had a losing season.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Red Sox catcher) holds the record for the longest surname in major league history.

Editor’s note: Larry Baldassaro, Professor Emeritus of Italian at UW-Milwaukee, is the author of Beyond DiMaggio: Italian

L’angolo culturale

By Bobby Tanzilo First off, I’d like to thank everyone who came out in support of the sixth annual Milwaukee Italian Film Festival in May at the UWM Union Cinema.

Next, Paul Salsini, veteran Milwaukee journalist and writing teacher at Marquette University and one of my collaborators on the Film Festival, has a new book out.

Fortunately for us, Paul just can’t shake the Tuscan blood that runs through his veins and, it seems, straight into his pen.

Following on the success of his trio of novels set in the central Italian region (“The Cielo,” “Sparrow’s Revenge” and “Dino’s Story”), Salsini – the son of Italian immigrants – returns with “The Temptation of Father Lorenzo: Ten Stories of 1970s Tuscany.“ The 400-page paperback features stories that continue the stories of characters from the Tuscan trilogy: Father Lorenzo, still exhausted from the 1966 flood that devastated Florence, is tempted by a woman; Tomasso searches for his

estranged son; Father Sangretto strikes back when another priest conjures a “miracle”; Donna and Ezio open an agriturismo; the women of Sant’Antonio work together to help the ailing Annabella; Anna leaves the convent; and Dino chooses between Sophia and Francesca.

Engrossing as these tales is the story of how Salsini came to fiction later in life – “The Cielo” was his first novel – and so quickly found a voice. Remarkable stuff.

In sort of a mirror image of Salsini’s American journalist writing about Italy, Udinese journalist Guido Mattoni, who lives in Milan and has long been a frequent visitor to the United States, also has a new novel out. His “Whispering Tides” is set in Savannah, Ga. That city has honored Mattoni with an honorary citizenship award. The book is also available in Italian as “Ascoltavo le maree.”

You can find it online at Amazon, Apple, Diesel, Sony, Smashwords, Kobo and Barnes and

Noble, and it is also available in paperback from Amazon.com.

Some of our more senior readers will likely remember 1950s and ‘60s rock and roll singer Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, who struck with hits like “Palisades Park” and “Tallahassee Lassie.” A few months ago, Cannon – born Frederick Anthony Picariello, Jr. – penned his autobiography – with Mark Bego and an introduction by the late Dick Clark. “Where The Action Is” charts Cannon’s rise as a teenage star in rock’s nascent years, including his escapades with no less than Elvis Presley and Eddie Cochran. You can find it at bookshops everywhere.

Americans in Baseball (U. of Nebraska Press, 2011). In May, he received the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Excellence in Literature from the Illinois and Wisconsin Grand Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America.

Italy’s ‘Festa della Repubblica’ is June 2 The Festa della Repubblica is celebrated in Italy each year on June 2. It commemorates the institutional referendum of 1946 when the Italian population was called upon to decide what form of government – monarchy or republic – to give to the country after World War II and the fall of Fascism.

After 85 years of monarchy, with 12,717,923 votes for and 10,719,284 votes against, Italy became a republic, and the monarchs of the House of Savoy were deposed and exiled. It became illegal for any male member of the family to set foot on Italian soil.

Monarchists argued that the vote was miscounted. These allegations were never proven.

This is one of the most important Italian public holidays which, like July 4 in the United States, celebrates the birth of the modern nation.

A grand military parade is held in central Rome. Many cities mark the holiday with parades and fireworks. Many businesses and venues, even major attractions, are closed in observance of this day.

For your Wedding Reception and Rehearsal Dinner

The Italian Conference Center

Italians married in Milwaukee County: 1830 to 1895

located at the Italian Community Center

Compiled by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian

You'll welcome our attention to detail and the way our staff goes out of its way to meet your every need. Your guests will love the setting, the food, and easy access and parking.

Official records of marriages performed in the City of Milwaukee prior to 1897 are located at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Register of Deeds Office. The City of Milwaukee began its official recording of marriages performed in the city in 1897.

Names in this listing appear as written in the County records.

Source: Index Marriages – Name of Husband, 1830 to 1897, Vols, A-L and M-Z. Date of Marriage Aug. 22, 1895 Nov. 23, 1876 Sept. 11, 1890 Feb. 2, 1895 Jan. 26, 1895 Nov. 25, 1890 Apr. 26, 1892 May 2, 1893 May 13, 1878 Sept. 2, 1893 Sept. 19, 1894 Jan. 6, 1894 June 19, 1895 July 4, 1859

PAGE 24 – JUNE 2012

Groom’s Name Charles Alfonso Dominick Baroni Ubaldo Bartolomasi Henry Boggiano Christopher Buscalio John Cavano Albert Clarisso Raphael Cincci Peter Coralini Ferdinand Magli Filiberto Marchetti Giuseppe Mercurio Salvatore Quartano George Raggio

Bride’s Name Catherine Boyle Madalina Carrara Louise Krueger Rosie Engelbrecht Angelina Mercurio Mary Noblet Agnes Anderson Getsemina Daprato Rosa Garamona Rosa Felber Josephine Roesch Providensa Gatavista Josephine Soiano Mariam Prondfit

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THE ITALIAN TIMES