May 2017 online

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THE

ITALIAN TIMES Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com MAY 2017 • VOL. 38, NO. 11

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Large crowd treated to Past ICC President Joe ‘A Taste of Italy’ at ICC Panella remembered as a kind, generous man

Just as expected, a large crowd turned out for the Italian Community Center’s 22nd annual “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 2. The event offered attendees a wide variety of Italian food and beverages to enjoy at a low cost (seven tickets for $10 or single tickets for $1.50 each). Both admission and parking were free. Seen here (l-r) are Suzanne Purpero, Phil Purpero and Joan Kirby, each carrying a tray filled with different food items they purchased in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. “A Taste of Italy” is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit organization. Many more photos from the event can be found inside this issue, starting on page 8. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

by Thomas Hemman Times Editor Joseph N. Panella, a past president of the Italian Community Center (1988-89) died Wednesday, Apr. 5 at the age of 94. Known to many in the Italian community and the community-atlarge as a kind and generous man with a great sense of humor, Panella was the ICC President at the time when the organization broke ground for the building of its current facility in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Sept. 7, 1989. In his capacity as president, he signed the initial $5.1-million construction loan. Before becoming president, he served on the ICC’s Building Committee and assisted in the organization’s fundraising efforts. In his years of service on the ICC Board, Panella always held an officer position and never faced an opponent in his bids for election. He was elected the second vice president in the 1985-86 term, the first vice president in the 1986-87 term

Fun-filled afternoon for childen who attended Easter party

Past President Joe Panella

and the president-elect in the 198788 term. In accordance with the organization’s bylaws at the time, he automatically moved into the presidency in the 1988-89 term. As president, Panella accepted the role of being the volunteer general chairman of Festa Italiana in 1989. That Festa was a great success, drawing 167,173 people in its four-day run. The attendance was the third highest in Festa’s history, topped only by the festival’s record year of 1988 when 174,007 attended and the 1987 Festa when 169,987 passed through the turnstile gates. Please turn to page 5

News bulletin At press time, we learned that legendary accordionist virtuoso/singer Dick Contino died. A favorite at Milwaukee’s Festa Italiana for many years, Contino was 87 years old. Look for a complete story in the June 2017 issue of The Italian Times.

Cosa c’è dentro? What’s inside? President’s message

page 2

Festa admission deals

page 2

Web chef Rossella Rago returning to Festa

page 3

Bylaws revisions proposed

page 4

UNICO organizations to honor Judge Mosley and Prudence Camuy page 14 The Italian Community Center held its Children’s Easter party on Saturday, Apr. 8. The event was hosted and organized by the Avanti Committee. There were many activities for the children. Shown here is the Easter Bunny (a.k.a,. Sam Alioto) leading a parade around the Festa Ballroom. Many of the children wore

balloon hats that were made for them. The kids also shook the percussion instruments they made at the arts and crafts table. Many of them enjoyed having their faced painted by “street artists.” More photos and information can be found on pages 22 and 23. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Four local men to receive OSIA’s da Vinci Award of Excellence page 15 Pompeii Women announce May Crowning details page 16 Fermi and atomic bomb page 18


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