ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com OCTOBER 2018 • VOL. 40, NO. 4
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Postmarked ballots due no later than Thursday, Oct. 11
Director-at-large seats up for grabs in ICC election; officers unopposed
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor While the election outcomes for the five unopposed nominees for officer positions are certain, voters in the Italian Community Center election will decide, from among eight nominees, who will capture the four open director-at-large seats. As reported in the September issue, the election slate was finalized at the Aug. 16 general meeting. Here is a recap.
Members in attendance accepted the slate of officers proposed by the Nominating Committee. They included: Joseph Emanuele for President, Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie for Vice President, Ted Catalano for Treasurer, Susie DeSanctis Christiansen for Secretary and Joanne Sanfilippo Czubek for Sergeant-At-Arms. The committee nominated the following for directors-at-large: Christopher Bartolone, Eddie
Ciano, Marie Andaloro Lieber and Tony Lupo. Members added Christine Catalano, Sophia Michalovitz, Pietro Tarantino and Anthony Zingale. After adjournment of the Aug. 16 general meeting, the Nominating Committee conducted a drawing of the names of the nominees for director positions to determine the order of placement on the election ballot. This reporter witnessed the drawing.
Russo Brothers to perform at ICC Installation Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 3
For many of you, an installation dinner for your organization’s newly elected officers and board members is always a “should attend” event. For others, it may not be that high on your priority list. It might take a little extra prodding for you to come. Let the prodding begin. What if we told you that the one-and-only Russo Brothers will perform for your dancing and listening pleasure at the Italian Community Center’s Installation Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 3? We will also assure you that the ceremonial activities will be kept to the essentials. Absent will be those long drawn-out speeches. We also know some of you expect a good hearty dinner, right? How about a supper featuring Chicken Marsala as the entrée? The event will begin with a cocktail reception (cash bar) with passed hors d’oeuvres. Now some of you might be thinking this might be a little too pricey? Nope! How about $25 per person? That’s right. Not a bad deal for a Saturday night of good
The committee recently mailed a ballot and voting instructions to every member who is eligible to vote. It is important to read the voting instructions to make sure that your ballot counts. A key provision is that ballots must be returned in the supplied envelopes with the outer envelope postmarked no later than Oct. 11, 2018. Ballots received after that date will be saved, but will not be counted. Voters are limited to voting for one officer for each officer position and four or fewer of the candidates for director-at-large positions. Write-ins are prohibited. Please turn to page 4
Cosa c’è dentro? What’s inside?
See Disney’s Hocus Pocus on on Movie Night, Oct. 12 page 2
La Scala adding dinner hours starting Oct. 1
President’s message
page 2 page 3
Get those 2019 schedules turned in page 3 Madonna del Lume Women hosting Italian Mass page 3
Donate to Thanksgiving dinner to less fortunate page 7 Calendar of events
page 7
Mangiamele Arts Foundation donates $30,000 to OSIA for scholarships page 8 OSIA Milwaukee to present ‘Night of Magic,’ Oct. 13 page 8
Here are The Russo Brothers – Dominic (left) and Nick – shown in a performance at Festa Italiana 2017. (Times photo by Tim Townsend)
food, great music, dancing, and the important parts of an installation ceremony! You’ll also be sharing an evening with i tuoi amici (your friends), some of whom you probably don’t see very often and you wish you could see more.
By the way, an anonymous donor, who says he wants to see a big turnout, is covering the costs for The Russo Brothers performance.
Night. Next, for our holiday season, we are going to offer a “buy one membership, get one free” promotion. If you are going to be renewing your membership anyways, you can renew it and get a free membership of equal value to give to a nonmember. Please note: It must go to a non-member and not someone who currently has a membership because our goal is to bring in new members to share our Center. Beginning Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, you can get two memberships
for the price of one. Please write somewhere on the form or we will have a box online where you must write or enter BOGO2018. We will then have a certificate for you to give as a gift to the new member. They can then fill out a membership form and activate their membership with the certificate and completed membership form. We are hoping that this will be a great holiday gift for family and friends who are not currently members. Now is the time to take advantage of this special offer because
Santa Rosalia Society invites all to family event, Tradizione Siciliane page 9 Pompeii Men’s Club awards scholarships
Learn how to preserve heirlooms at Ladies of UNICO event on Oct. 16
page 9 page 9
Justinian Society’s Columbus Day Awards Banquet page 10
Holiday special announced for Italian Community Center memberships
The Italian Community Center Membership Committee has been busy finding ways to add value to our memberships. We have reached our first goal of 1,000-plus memberships, and are well on our way to hitting the next goal of 1,500! We’ve added Membership “Happy Hours,” which allow for members and potential members to get together and share memories and volunteer opportunities. We added member movie nights, which have been a huge success, starting with Moonstruck and Big
Please turn to page 6
Remembering Sr. Maria Agostina Giannini page 12
it is the only time of the year we will offer it. Let’s get as many people as possible to share in the support and celebration of our Italian American heritage.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a message with the office and we will get back to you as soon as possible to answer all your questions.
– Submitted by Bill Stocks and Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto ICC Membership Committee
Bring the family on Friday, Oct. 12
Disney’s Hocus Pocus will be next ICC Movie Night film
The Italian Community Center’s “Movie Night” series continues on Friday, Oct. 12 with the showing of the Disney comedy horror fantasy film, Hocus Pocus. “We’re hoping the showing of Hocus Pocus will bring families together for a fun evening at the ICC,” said Mary Anne CerasoAlioto, ICC Membership Committee Chair. The pre-movie trivia will be played starting at 6:30 p.m. and the film starts rolling at 7:15 p.m. If the weather is good enough, the film will be shown in the Courtyard. If there’s inclement weather, the big
screen will be set up in the Bocce Courts. Bring blankets, chairs and pillow or whatever you need to make yourselves comfortable. Food, snacks and beverages will be available at the concession stand. Cafe La Scala will be open for dinner and cocktails. Starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, Hocus Pocus is based on the story by Mick Garris and David Kirschner. The film follows the villainous trio of witches – played by Midler, Najimy and Parker – who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage male virgin in Salem, Massachu-
setts. The film was directed by Kenny Ortega and produced by Steven Haft and David Kirschner. It also
stars Omri Katz and Thora Birch. The film was released July 16, 1993. The running time is 96 minutes.
Starting Monday, Oct. 1, Cafe La Scala will be open weekdays for both lunch and dinner service. Lunch hours will continue to be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Dinner hours will be from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday. The restaurant will be closed Saturday and Sunday. In recent months, dinner hours at Cafe La Scala were limited to the nights when acts performed in the “Live Music in the Courtyard” series. The Bartolotta Catering staff, which operates the restaurant, invites Italian Community Center members and friends of the ICC to come and enjoy the dining experience at Cafe La Scala.
Cafe La Scala hours changing Oct. 1
November issue deadline
All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the November 2018 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Wednesday, Oct. 10. All materials can be emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com or sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. For further information, call 414-2232189.
Manuela Francavilla Italian Translator
MF Italian Language Services
For your Italian Genealogy and Ancestry Translation needs Manuela.Francavilla@gmail.com mfitalianlanguageservices.com
THE ITALIAN TIMES
631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually
Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . Dean Cannestra Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors, Reporters and Columnists . . . . . . . . . Blaise Di Pronio, Barbara Collignon, Laura Duronio Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler and Donato Di Pronio For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2189 or send an e-mail to: themman@iccmilwaukee.com. Copyright 2018 The Italian Community Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved
PAGE 2 – OCTOBER 2018
All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Italian Community Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times. In addition, the Newspaper Committee reserves the right to reject ads based on editorial policy approved by the Board of Directors of the Italian Community Center. The Italian Community Center is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Visit Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward Association.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
A message from Dean Cannestra, Italian Community Center President As we move from the summer season and into fall, we have a lot of things to look forward to at the Italian Community Center. First and foremost is our upcoming election of officers and directors. I encourage all of our members to vote. Ballots should be arriving in your mailboxes any day now. While all of the nominees for officer positions are unopposed, we have eight candidates running for the four open director-at-large seats with two-year terms. As the outgoing President, I am working closely with PresidentElect Joe Emanuele to facilitate a smooth transition to office. I also look forward to working with Joe and our newly-elected board in the next term in my new position as immediate past president. I was very pleased to hear the latest report from our Membership Committee that our total member-
ship has exceeded 1,000 persons for the first time in quite a bit. That is a very positive sign for an organization like ours. Let’s keep it going. To continue to have the ability to celebrate our culture and to showcase our heritage for generations to come, we need new members, especially younger new members. Bring individuals who might want to become members to our movie nights and other activities. We will make them feel like they are part of our big family. Our ICC volunteers – led by Tony Lupo, Tony Zingale and Ray
Martinez – are again raising funds for a Thanksgiving-style dinner for the poor and homeless at the Open Door Cafe at St. John’s Cathedral. The dinner will take place Sunday, Nov. 11. Please support them in this effort. Send checks, designated for the Thanksgiving dinner, to the ICC or give your donation to the chairs at our October general meeting. They are also looking for volunteers to work the day of the event. If you can help, let them know. – Dean Cannestra ICC President
The 2019 meeting and social event schedules of all of the societies, clubs and organizations that
regularly use the Italian Community Center for their activities are needed by The Italian Times. ICC Business Manager Laurie Bisesi uses the information to coordinate room scheduling with Bartolotta Catering. Times editor Tom Hemman needs the information to provide an accurate reporting in the calendar published in each issue of the newspaper. All groups are asked to submit their schedules including the starting time of all events as soon as possible. The goal is to have the schedules from all societies, clubs and organizations by Nov. 30. Please submit schedules using any one of these methods: • Send an email to Tom Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com. • Drop off the schedules in person at the ICC. • Mail them to Tom Hemman, ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Groups that fail to comply with this request may experience difficulty in securing the accommodations they most desire. Please note: The Members Room can no longer be reserved for individual meetings and private parties. The room is available to members at all times that the ICC is open.
2019 schedules of Italian societies and organizations that regularly meet at ICC are needed promptly
Madonna del Lume Women to sponsor Italian Mass on Oct. 14
La Società Femminile Maria S.S. Del Lume (Madonna del Lume Society Women) is sponsoring a Mass in the Italian language on Sunday, Oct. 14. President Enrica Tarantino Woytal said the Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. at St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 1702 N. Humboldt St., Milwaukee, and is open to anyone interested in attending. St. Hedwig is part of Three Holy Women Parish. Normally, this Mass is held at St. Rita, but due to the construction project, it is not possible this year, Tarantino Woytal said.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Interested in advertising in our November issue? Get all of the details by calling 414-223-2189 or sending an email to Tom Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com
OCTOBER 2018 – PAGE 3
Eight nominees running for the four, open director-at-large seats
Stipulations as to who is eligible to vote and the procedures for nominations, and the annual election are spelled out in Article V of the ICC Bylaws. The Nominating Committee’s duties ended with the mailing of the ballots. This committee was cochaired by Rosemary DeRubertis and Salvatore Lo Coco and had Christina Ziino, Suzanne Wypijewski and Joseph Zambito as members. The organization’s bylaws call for an Election Committee to oversee the opening of the envelopes and counting of the ballots. This will be done the night of the Oct. 18 general meeting under the direction of Election Committee Chairman Joe Zambito. Outgoing President Dean Cannestra announced Zambito’s appointment. Zambito will select a volunteer committee (“tellers” as the bylaws call them) to count the ballots. Candidates can designate an individual to oversee the counting of the ballots. The election results will be announced before the end of the Oct. 18 general meeting. That meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. A buffet dinner is available at 5:30 p.m. Remember to call 414-223-2180 for dinner reservations by Monday, Oct. 15. The newly elected officers and directors officially assume their positions on Nov. 1, in accordance with the bylaws. The officers will serve for one year. The four directors will serve for two years. President-Elect Emanuele has announced that an installation dinner and ceremony has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3. Details on this event appear in a separate article.
Election changes Regardless of who wins the four director-at-large seats, the composition of the ICC Board will change from slightly to possibly significantly. Some of these changes are already known. Giuseppe Vella will no longer be on the board, ending nearly a decade of service. He first captured a director-at-large seat in the 2010 election. Two years later, he was elected vice president and served in that position through the 2013-14 term. In 2014, he won his first term as ICC President and was reelected in 2015. Since the 2016 election, he served in the non-elective position of immediate past president. Cannestra will become the next immediate past president. Like Vella, Cannestra has served almost a decade on the board. He was first elected as director in 2010 and served two consecutive terms. He won the vice presidency in 2014 and was re-elected in 2015. The next year, he succeeded Vella to the presidency and was re-elected in 2017. Emanuele was first elected as a director in the 2015 election before winning back-to-back terms as vice president the last two years. He will become 23rd individual in the organization’s history to serve as ICC President. Fritchie, a director the last year, will move to the vice presidency. She previously served on the ICC Board as secretary from 2004 to 2016. Catalano, Christiansen and Czubek will resume service in their respective positions. Catalano was first elected treasurer last year after three years as a director-atlarge. Christiansen has been the
PAGE 4 – OCTOBER 2018
secretary the last two years and was previously a director a combined total of nine years. Czubek has served as the first female sergeant-at-arms since 2010 and had prior service as a director-at-large. Even among the directors-atlarge, there is certain to be change as two of the current directors aren’t in the running and two others are up for re-election. Fritchie, who was appointed to fill an unexpired one-year director term last year, is this year’s nominee and certain victor for the vice presidency. Blaise Di Pronio, a director for the last two years, opted to not seek re-election. The terms of two other directors – Lupo and Zingale – are expiring, although they are running for a second term. Among the six other candidates for running for directors-at-large, Tarantino has previous experience as a director (1999-2001, 20022004, 2006-2010 and 2013-2017). The other five candidates – Bartolone, Catalano, Ciano, Lieber and Michalovitz – are looking for an opportunity to serve on the board for their first time. All of the candidates have significant volunteer service to the ICC and Festa Italiana. Completing the board for the 2018-2019 term will be the four directors who will one year of service remaining. They are Ralph Busalacchi, Mary Anne CerasoAlioto, Joseph Jannazzo, Jr. and Ray Martinez.
Seeking your vote As an informational service to the ICC membership, The Italian Times asked the director-at-large candidates to complete a questionnaire. After stating their name, occupation, title and employer, each candidate was asked to answer three questions. The first question asks about their ICC and/or Festa Italiana involvement during the last year. The second question asks about their other local community involvement. Both of these questions required responses of 50 words or less. The final question asked the candidates to describe in 150 words or less what they are going to do to help the ICC if they are elected. The candidates’ responses are presented in the same order as their names appear on the election ballot. * * * Candidate #1 1. Name: Pietro Tarantino 2. Occupation: Self-employed 3. Title: 4. Employer: 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Italian Language Committee Chairperson. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. (No answer provided.) 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? ICC members worked extremely hard to acquire our Center, and it would be a shame to see it vanish in thin air. THE ICC IS A COMMUNITY CENTER! Issues should be brought to members for discussion, not having a select few make the decisions for all. I’ll make a positive difference in making necessary changes to bring back the
Pietro Tarantino
Center to its members, and make positive relationships with the board, committees, chairs and members. I can create solutions with an atmosphere of trust, cooperation and honest dialogue. With the right people, we will make necessary changes to bring back the Center to what it once was. I’LL PROVIDE FISCAL AND FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY to establish budgets for Festa and the Center. Dismal finances require ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY. As a board member, I’m ready for the challenge of RETHINKING, RENEGOTIATING and REBUILDING the ICC to make it an EQUAL place for all. * * * Candidate #2 1. Name: Marie Andaloro Lieber. 2. Occupation: Paralegal 3. Title: Paralegal 4. Employer: Terschan, Steinle, Hodan & Ganzer, Ltd. 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Volunteered at Festa since its inception 41 years ago and manager of Cucina Showcase last 16 years. • Member, Creative Design Team, Carnevale, past 10 years. • Volunteered for Taste of Italy past 10 years, recently co-chairperson of Taste of Italy. • Captain, Tuesday bocce league. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Secretary and Board Member, MPD-K9 Foundation. • Member, Brown Deer Park & Recreation Committee. • Member, Brown Deer Senior Citizens Club. 7. If you are elected to the ICC
Marie Andaloro Lieber
Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? If I’m elected, I’ll do my utmost to carry out its mission statement. To promote our culture by educating not only the Italian Community Center but others by helping to formulate programs to raise funds, create new and exciting activities and infusing a renewed interest in the ICC. I’ll collaborate with fellow board members so that we can effectively fulfill our obligations to the ICC as board members. I’d advocate and promote the needs of our members and to listen to suggestions made by all ICC members. We must regain our position in this community as the number one cultural organization. With your help, I think we can do this by demonstrating that we are a community rich in our heritage and culture with the desire to pass these on not only to our children and grandchildren but to all those who walk through the doors of the ICC. * * * Candidate #3 1. Name: Christopher Salvatore Bartolone 2. Occupation: Facilities Planning & Management 3. Title: Assistant Director of Facilities and Campus Services 4. Employer: Marquette University 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Co-Manager, Festa Equipment Set-Up with Ted Catalano. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Member, Pompeii Men’s Club. • President, North Shore Catholic League. • Basketball Coach, Holy Family Catholic Church. 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? As a member of the ICC Board, my main focus would be to actively listen to the community members and fellow board members and help find common ground in order to continue toward the vision and mission of the ICC in a fiscally responsible manner. I would work collaboratively with those involved to further the goals of the ICC. I’m a results-oriented and open-minded individual with experience in leading large groups of people and exercising creative problem solving to come to a consensus. My strength is in bringing different groups of people to the table and actively workContinued on page 5
Christopher Bartolone
THE ITALIAN TIMES
from page 4 ing toward a common goal. I believe these aforementioned qualities would benefit the ICC organization and continue the good work of those already involved. My goal would be to build on the rich tradition already established by my predecessors within the organization. * * * Candidate #4 1. Name: Edward (Eddie) Ciano 2. Occupation: Milwaukee Police Officer 3. Title: Community Liaison Officer 4. Employer: City of Milwaukee 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Manager, Festa Entertainment Drivers. • Re (King), Il Grande Carnevale 2018 with my wife, Stephanie, the Regina (Queen). 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Member. Pompeii Men’s Club • As an MPD Liaison Officer, I work closely to solve programs in the community with such organizations as Safe & Sound, United Health Care, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Milwaukee Archdiocese, Dominican Center, Messmer Schools, The Light House, Halyard Park, RiverWorks BID, The 30th Street Corridor, Historic King Drive BID and as a mentor in the MPD Ambassador Program. 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? It would be my honor to be elected to the Board of Directors. As a child, I grew up attending functions at the ICC on Hackett Ave., from UNICO Spaghetti Dinners to Friday Fish Frys. This Center has been an important part of my life. If elected to the board, I will strive to improve communications and transparency for the membership. I will be open to listening to any new ideas and will support ideas that make Festa great again. I’m proud of my Italian heritage. I’m willing to put in the work needed to continue our great traditions and to be part of creating new traditions as we move forward.
less, Open Door Cafe, St. John’s Cathedral. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Member, Pompeii Men’s Club. • Volunteer, Pompeii Men’s Club Good Friday Fish Fry. • Volunteer, Spaghetti dinners, St. Rita Church/Three Holy Women Parish. • Volunteer, Annual spaghetti dinner, St. Joan Antida High School. 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? I will work to help reduce our mortgage. I will assist in getting new members. I want to be your advocate to communicate member concerns, especially those of our senior members, to the Board of Directors.
Tony Lupo
* * * Candidate #6 1. Name: Anthony M. Zingale 2. Occupation: Retired 3. Title: Senior Control Analyst/Product Planner 4. Employer: Johnson Controls, Milwaukee 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Director-At-Large, ICC Board • Volunteer, Festa Volunteer Tent • Volunteer, Festa Mass & Procession Committee. • Co-Coordinator, ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for poor and homeless, Open Door Cafe, St. John’s Cathedral. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Eucharistic Minister, Three Holy Women Parish: St. Rita and Holy Rosary. • Member, Pompeii Men’s Club. • Member, Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge. • Volunteer, Spaghetti dinners, Three Holy Women Parish. • Volunteer, Annual spaghetti
dinner, St. Joan Antida High School. 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? I will work for unity of the board and all organizations associated with the ICC for the good of the Center. I will continue working to keep the Pompeii Room presentable for all to enjoy. I will work to help to direct better results for Festa and the Taste of Italy. * * * Candidate #7 1. Name: Christine M. Catalano 2. Occupation: Business Management 3. Title: District Administrator 4. Employer: Insperity, LLC 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Volunteer, Carnevale Committee, planning. • Regularly attended monthly ICC meetings. • Volunteer, assisted with Festa sausage booths set-up. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Board Member, Wisconsin Humane Society. • Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters. • Volunteer, Lupus Foundation Run/Walk. • Volunteer, Alzheimer’s Association Walk. • School Board President, St. Eugene School. 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? The Catalano family began in the very neighborhood where the ICC stands today. Promoting our heritage and to facilitate change is why I became a member. Working at Fortune 100 companies and nonprofit agencies has taught me to professionally and ethically accomplish our purpose. I have served on numerous boards and have participated in the Alzheimer’s and Lupus Foundations. The ICC Board can be rejuvenated by electing a new revitalizing force of people with a passion for accomplishment who will work together in the best interest of its members and the Center. The past years have been status quo. Long serving individuals have switched roles having made little difference with members’ concerns and the community. My objective as an ICC board member is to facilitate goals, listen to members’ interests and to play a vital role in enhancing the growth of the ICC now and in the future.
Sophia A. Michalovitz
Historical re-enactment of ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ in Piedmont town in early October
Edward (Eddie) Ciano
* * * Candidate #5 1. Name: Tony Lupo 2. Occupation: Retired 3. Title: 4. Employer: Kohl’s Foods Warehouse 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Manager, Festa Volunteer Tent. • Volunteer, Taste of Italy. • Volunteer, Student Culture Day. • Co-Coordinator, ICC Thanksgiving dinner for poor and home-
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Christine M. Catalano
Anthony M. Zingale
Candidate #8 1. Name: Sophia A. Michalovitz 2, Occupation: Retired 3. Title: Commercial Banking Representative 4. Employer: Chase Bank 5. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Volunteer, Taste of Italy, manager, manicotti booth, made and donated manicotti. • Volunteer, ICC Photo Restoration Committee and exhibit. • Volunteer, ICC Student Culture Day, Festa Italian Heritage Exhibit and Holiday Folk Fair Italian Culture Exhibit. • Attended ICC Board and general meetings, offered my thoughts on various matters. 6. Have you recently been active in any other local community organizations? If yes, list them below. • Vice President, Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO. • Vice President, Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National. • Member, Christian Women, Three Holy Women Parish. • Chairperson, Scholarship Committee, Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National. 7. If you are elected to the ICC Board, please describe in 150 words or less, what you are going to do to help the organization? I will be involved with the Membership Committee to help increase our numbers. I will share ideas I have to help Festa achieve success and become a leader of festivals again. I will work to bring our cultural décor back to the ICC. I will work with our Culture Committee to help achieve a stronger presence in our community. I have been an ICC member for over 35 years and have dedicated myself to making it a place of pride. I’m proud of my heritage and work to erase the negative tones that the media try to glorify. We have a rich and beautiful culture. We need to highlight it again in our community. We have youth and a board with a positive attitude and I plan on supporting them any way I can.
Reminder: Postmarked election ballots due on or before Thursday, October 11th.
A festival recreating the legend of the “Man in the Iron Mask” takes place in the Piedmont town of Pinerolo the first weekend in October. According to the legend, the man in the iron mask was held for 11 years in the French fortress of Pignerol (old spelling of Pinerolo) in Piedmont. The man in the mask is played by someone different each year. On Sunday afternoon after the story is acted out, the mask is removed to reveal the man wearing it. Many times, the mask wearer is an Italian athlete or celebrity.
OCTOBER 2018 – PAGE 5
Installation banquet set for Saturday, Nov. 3 with special performance by the Russo Brothers
from page 1 The Russo Brothers There might be some of you who aren’t familiar with The Russo Brothers. The Russo Brothers have performed almost annually at Festa Italiana. One reason why is because they are so wildly entertaining and enjoyed by people of all ages. The Russo Brothers are Nick, 31, and Dominic, 27, Italian-American brothers, who grew up right
outside of Milwaukee. They first played at Festa when they were 8 and 4 years old, respectively. While Nick is an outstanding keyboardist, accordionist and vocalist, Dominic can play the part of the smooth crooner or the vocalist who can really get the party started. Their show features a mix of Italian favorites – Sinatra, Martin, and Pavarotti – with today’s favorite upbeat music and some hilarious comedy, too.
ICC INSTALLATION BANQUET RESERVATION FORM
Names ___________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _____________________________________________
Phone _________________ Email _____________________________ Number of people who are in my party: (There will be RESERVED seating.)
Total of payment enclosed:
__________________
x $ 25.00 per person =$
Please send this form with your check (payable to the Italian Community Center) to ICC, c/o Installation Banquet, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Reservation deadline: Friday, Oct. 26, 2018.
All of the event details Here’s everything you need to know for the evening of Saturday, Nov. 3. The Installation Banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the reception. Dinner will be served by the Bartolotta Catering staff at 6:30 p.m. The menu includes salad with choice of dressings, Chicken Marsala with potato and vegetable, Italian bread and butter, dessert, and coffee, tea or milk.
The ceremony is set for 7:30 p.m. with the music and dancing to begin at 8 p.m. The cost (as mentioned above) is $25 per person. Reservations are required by Friday, Oct. 26. (No exceptions, please). There will be reserved seating. To make reservations, call the ICC office at 414-223-2180 and have your credit card ready. You can also use the form accompanying this article. Hope to see you there!
The officers and directors of the Italian Community Center wish to thank and acknowledge all those who pledged, fulfilled a pledge, or made a contribution to the nonprofit organization.
In memory of Peter Frank Sorce Peter T. and Kathy M. Sorce Christina Sorce
Thanks for your donations to the ICC
To obtain information on how to make a pledge or a donation, please call 414-223-2808. Please note: When the ICC is informed of the death of a member, an email blast is being sent out to all members who have signed up to receive these email blasts as part of their membership. The following donations were received between Aug, 13 to Sept. 10, 2018.
These will be your ICC officers for the 2018-19 term
President Joseph Emanuele
Secretary Susan DeSanctis Christiansen
PAGE 6 – OCTOBER 2018
Vice President Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie
Sergeant-At-Arms Joanne Sanfilippo Czubek
Treasurer Ted Catalano
Immediate Past President Dean Cannestra
In memory of Sam Purpero Ray and Caroline Besasie
In memory of Salvatore Fricano Gerry Accetta Purpero (Correction from the September issue listing.)
In memory of Franca Orlando Tony and Yolanda Corrao
In memory of Harold D. Bruckbauer Stefana Bruckbauer In memory of Salvatore, Rosalie and Nino Mussomeli Rosselle Mussomeli-Sturdevant
Pompeii Women’s Club report
The monthly Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting was held on Sept. 5 when plans for the approaching fall members’ dinner meetings were finalized. Hostesses for the Sept. 26 dinner meeting are Sister Ann Catherine Veierstahler, Agnes Ulezelski-Bova and Mary Ann Bellante. Look for a report on this event in the next issue. The club’s dinner meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 31, will be chaired by Pat Consolazione, Lucy Sorce and Mary Winard. The Board thanks all of the aforementioned members for their kindness and support. President Suzanne Wypijewski informed members that Carla San Felippo has resigned from the board due to a job change and will be replaced by Ashley Guttuso. Carla is cochair with Lucy Sorce of the club’s Scholarship Committee. Carla will attend the Oct. 31 meeting. The Board looks forward to seeing all members and welcomes friends to these coming events. Facebook page One other note of importance: the Pompeii Women’s Club has established a Facebook page. Check it out and like us on Facebook! – Mary G. Winard Public Relations Chair Pompeii Women’s Club
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Support the ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate
Tony Lupo, chairman of the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate, announced that donations are now being collected for the 2018 meal. The dinner will once again be held at the Open Door Cafe, a meal site at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee. The date of the event is Sunday, Nov. 11. The feast will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ICC volunteers, led by Lupo and vice chairs Tony Zingale and Ray Martinez, organize the dinner in consultation with the meal site director, conduct the fundraising to buy a complete Thanksgiving din-
ner and have the meal prepared and delivered to the Open Door Cafe. They also serve as volunteers at the event.
How to make a donation Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to submit a check payable to the Italian Community Center. Donations can be mailed to the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Please list on the memo line of your check that this donation is for the “Thanksgiving Meal.” This will ensure that your donation is properly credited for the dinner. Envelopes should be di-
rected to the attention of ICC Receptionist Valentina. She will accept donations at her desk during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Lupo, Zingale and Martinez will be on hand to collect contributions at the ICC’s general membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 18. “You might think that the vast majority of people fed at this dinner are homeless men or jobless men, but that would be incorrect,” Lupo said. “Many of the dinner attendees in recent years are women and children. We are seeing more and more families each year that are homeless and desperately in need of
everything many of us take for granted.”
Persons interested in volunteering to help out at the dinner are asked to contact Lupo, Martinez or Zingale. A bit of history This annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate has been going on since the late 1970s. It was started by a group called the Ragione Club under the leadership of such men as the late Tom Busalacchi, Dr. John Balistreri, Mario Bartolotta and Bob Cefalu. Tony Lupo assumed the chairmanship after Cefalu’s death in 2012.
Calendar of Events
September 26 – November 3, 2018
Wednesday, Sept. 26 • Pompeii Women’s Club general membership meeting, 6 p.m., social, 6:30 p.m., dinner. Scholarship night. Thursday, Sept. 27 • Live Music in the Courtyard with FBI & The Untouchable Horns, 6:30 p.m. Final concert in 2018 series.
Thursday, Oct. 4 • Italian Community Center Membership Committee meeting, 6 p.m. Board Room. Monday, Oct. 8 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 3 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 9 • Abruzzese Society meeting and spuntino, 2 p.m. • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 11 • Italian Community Center election ballots must be postmarked no later than this date to be eligible to be counted. Details in this issue. • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. • Società Santa Rosalia general meeting, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 12 • Wisconsin Justinian Society of Lawyers’ Columbus Day Awards Banquet, 5:30 p.m., social, 6:30 p.m., dinner. Details in this issue. • Italian Community Center Movie Night, 6:30 p.m. Details in this issue.
Saturday, Oct. 13 • Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America present “A Night of Magic,” 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. dinner buffet, 6 p.m. music starts. Details in this issue.
Sunday, Oct. 14 • La Società Femminile Maria M.S.S. Del Lume Italian Mass, 12:30 p.m., St. Hedwig Catholic Church. Details in this issue. • La Società Santa Rosalia “Tradizione Siciliane” – Food, musicians from Sicily and family fun, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Details in this issue.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Tuesday, Oct. 16 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO general meeting and dinner, 6 p.m. Details in this issue. Wednesday, Oct. 17 • Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m. Reservations must be made by Monday, Oct. 15. Call 414-223-2180. • Italian Community Center general meeting, 6:30 p.m. Election results will be announced before adjournment of the meeting.
Wednesday, Oct. 24 • Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting, 5:30 p.m. social, 6:15 p.m. dinner. Scholarship night.
Saturday, Nov. 3 • Italian Family History Club meeting, 10 a.m. • Italian Community Center installation dinner and ceremony, 5:30 p.m., reception, 6:30 p.m. Details in this issue.
Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The fall bocce season is underway. The championship playoffs will take place on Monday, Nov. 12.
• ICC Italian classes. The fall semester of weekly Italian I and Italian II for teens and adults are underway and run through Tuesday, Nov. 13.
• I Bei Bambini, The Children’s Italian Dance Group. This children’s folk dance group practices weekly on most Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the ICC. New dancers are welcome. For details, visit: www.tradizionevivente.com. Breaks are taken during the holidays and after Festa Italiana through Labor Day.
• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on most Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit: www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Breaks are taken during the holidays and after Festa Italiana through Labor Day. Ballate con noi! Dance with us! • Hula hoop dance fitness class. Every Tuesday night, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. in the bocce court room. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $5 per member, $10 per non-member. No classes during the holidays.
OCTOBER 2018 – PAGE 7
Mangiamele Arts Foundation donates $30,000 to OSIA Milwaukee
On a night when the Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America awarded scholarships totaling $3,500 to three recipients, the highlight of the evening of Aug. 15 may have been a donation from the Mangiamele Arts Foundation for future scholarships.
Photos provided by OSIA Milwaukee
OSIA Milwaukee held its annual scholarship awards night at the Italian Community Center. The organization awarded scholarships to Zoe Mazza ($2,000), Heaven Lucas ($1,000) and Gino D’Alessio ($500) for their pursuance of higher education degrees.
The same evening, Joe Mangiamele presented OSIA a $30,000 check from his foundation, the Mangiamele Arts Foundation, to help continue the OSIA scholarship program and to create a new scholarship for students in the Milwaukee area who are pursuing a degree in architecture or a fine arts degree. “The $30,000 will help fund our scholarship program for the next five years,” said OSIA Milwaukee President Nick DeQuardo. “The Sons of Italy could not be happier to receive this magnificent
Joe Mangiamele presented a $30,000 check to OSIA Milwaukee for its scholarship program. From the left:
donation from Joe Mangiamele,” DeQuardo added. “We will do our
Ralph Busalacchi, Mike Maida, Nick DeQuardo, Carl “Butch” Busateri, Joe Mangiamele and Rick Bonanno.
best to carry on his legacy for years to come.” This past May, the OSIA Illinois/Wisconsin Grand Lodge awarded Joe Mangiamele a Leonardo Da Vinci Award of Excellence in recognition of his lifetime achievements. He played a very integral part in initiating the architectural program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the 1960s. More recently, he and his
foundation have built a magnificent abstract sculpture, dedicated to immigrants, which will soon be displayed on the ICC grounds on the northwest section of the property. “I have gotten to know Joe Mangiamele these last couple of years and he has become a very dear friend to the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy here in Milwaukee,” DeQuardo said. “We are extremely grateful for his donation.”
The Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America invites the public to attend “A Night of Music,” a musical tribute to Motown artists, Ricky Nelson, Frankie Valli, Neil Diamond and more. The show is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. There will be a dinner buffet available from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person or $100 per reserved table. Call 414-223-2180 by Friday, Oct. 12 to order tickets. The show’s headliner will be Eric Diamond with his tribute to Neil Diamond and other recording artists. Eric Diamond is recognized as “The Midwest Finest Neil Diamond Tribute Act.” Performing also will be Freddy
Meier (with tributes to Ricky Nelson and Frankie Valli), Steve Mattox (featuring the songs of Motown and other soul and rock and roll artists), Gary D’Amato and Judy Oswald.
OSIA Milwaukee to present a musical ‘Night of Magic’ on Oct. 13
OSIA President Nick DeQuardo is seen here with two of the three scholarship winners: Zoe Mazza (left) and Heaven Lucas (center). Not pictured, the third scholarship winner, Gino D’Alessio.
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PAGE 8 – OCTOBER 2018
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THE ITALIAN TIMES
Santa Rosalia Society invites all to family event, Tradizione Siciliane, on Sunday, Oct. 14
Individuals and families are invited to come to “Tradizione Siciliane” (Sicilian Traditions) presented by the Santa Rosalia Society on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. The event, which will feature food, musicians from Sicily, and family fun, will take place in Best
Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, 901 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee.
A buffet dinner will start at 4 p.m. Society members suggest that attendees dress casual for this event.
The costs have been set at $35 for society members and $40 for non-members. Children, 12 and under, can attend for $10. Reservations are required by Sunday, Oct. 7. To make reservations, contact Goffredo Alferi at 414-573-8084 or email goffredoalferi@gmail.com.
Pompeii Men’s Club awards scholarships
The Pompeii Men’s Club awarded $2,500 scholarships to Laura Foti and Alexandra Seemann at a dinner event held at Meyer’s Restaurant on Sept. 11. The award is open to Catholic grade school students who will be furthering their education by attending a Catholic high school. The following criteria were used: A combination of grade point average, financial need, school attendance
and how the applicant answered questions regarding continuing his or her Catholic education. Laura and Alexandra are attending Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. The Pompeii Men’s Club has awarded this scholarship to worthy applicants for the last five years. Learn more about the club on Facebook at Pompeii Men’s Club or our website: pompeiimensclub.com.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis).
From the left: Pompeii Men’s Club President Chuck Lazzaro, scholarship winners Laura Foti and Alexandra Seemann and Pompeii Scholarship Committee Chairman Joe Palmisano. (Photo provided by the Pompeii Men’s Club)
UNICO Ladies invite you to learn about preserving and passing on your heirlooms
Do you ever wonder what to do with your treasures when you downsize your home? What should you do with those heirlooms? Come to the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, and you might get the answers to those questions. Giovanna Wright, a planning specialist, will give a presentation after dinner on “Preserving and Passing on Your Historic, Precious Heirlooms.” She will offer suggestions on how to preserve or re-purpose the heirlooms we most
cherish. She will answer your questions and will have handouts to take home. All are welcome to join the Ladies of UNICO for dinner and the presentation by Wright. Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $20 per person. Tables of eight can be reserved. To make reservations, contact Sophia Michalovitz at 414-476-0461 by Tuesday, Oct. 9. Payments will be collected at the door. The menu will be chicken scaloppini with lemon caper sauce, mashed potatoes and house salad with tea, coffee and dessert.
Harder Funeral Home
631 E. Chicago Street
JAMES T. GUARDALABENE
Milwaukee, WI At the Italian Community Center (414) 223-2185
We are excited to announce that we will be adding dinner hours to Cafe La Scala beginning October 1, 2018. Cafe La Scala will be open Monday – Friday Lunch: 11am –2pm Dinner: 5pm – 8:30pm THE ITALIAN TIMES
18700 W. Capitol Drive
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Proud sponsor of the Festa Italiana Mass since 2002.
• AN ASSOCIATE OF THE HARDER FUNERAL HOME SINCE 2010. • Personally providing the services you have come to expect at the Harder Funeral Home or your church or cemetery chapel. • Funeral pre-planning and Title 19 expertise. • Longtime member of the Italian Community Center. • Not associated with Schmidt & Bartelt – Guardalabene & Amato OCTOBER 2018 – PAGE 9
Justinian Society to honor Archbishop Jerome Listecki, Judge Maxine White and Renee Ramirez at 25th annual Columbus Day Awards Banquet
The Wisconsin Justinian Society of Lawyers invites the public to join in its salute to three honorees at its 25th annual Columbus Day Award Banquet on Friday, Oct. 12 at The Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. The honorees will be Archbishop Jerome Listecki, Milwaukee County Chief Judge Maxine White and Renee Ramirez, the founding Executive Director of the Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic (WCCDC). The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Business attire suggested. The cost of the dinner is $80 per person. Checks are payable to the Justinian Society. For further information and reservations, contact Attorney Christine D’Angelo at 262-523-4321.
Archbishop Listecki The Most Reverend Jerome Edward Listecki will be the recipient of the Justinian Life Leadership Award. Listecki was named the 11th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Pope Benedict XVI. He succeeded the Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, who was named Archbishop of New York in February 2009. Listecki previously served as Bishop of the Diocese of LaCrosse. He was installed as Archbishop of Milwaukee on Jan. 10, 2010 by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Papal Nuncio to the United States. At that time, he assumed responsibility for the spiritual well-being of Catholics in the 10 counties of southeastern Wisconsin and took on the day-to-day administration of the Archdiocese. A native of Chicago, Listecki attended St. Michael the Archangel Grammar School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary South High School and Niles College of Loyola University. He began his graduate studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary in 1971, and was ordained a priest on May 14, 1975. His first assignment as a priest was at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Chicago, from 1975-1976. In 1976, he was appointed Dean of Students at Quigley Preparatory Seminary North, Chicago, and was also assigned to Mater Christi Parish, North Riverside, Ill.
He began graduate studies in Canon Law and Moral Theology in 1979 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, earning a doctoral degree in Canon Law in 1981, and continuing Moral Theology studies until his return to the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1983. Upon his return, he taught Canon Law and Moral Theology at the Archdiocese of Chicago major seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. He remained on the faculty until his appointment as Pastor of St. Ignatius Parish, Chicago, in August 2000.
On Nov. 7, 2000, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago by Pope John Paul II and was ordained a bishop on Jan. 8, 2001. Listecki is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. He earned a civil law degree from DePaul University, Chicago, in 1976.
PAGE 10 – OCTOBER 2018
Archbishop Jerome Listecki
Born Mar. 12, 1949, Listecki is the son of Harry and Alfreda (Kasprzk) Listecki. They are both deceased. He has one sister, Mary (Penny), who lives in Tinley Park, Ill., a south Chicago suburb.
Chief Judge White The Justinian Society will present its Jurist of the Year Award to Milwaukee County Circuit Court Chief Judge Maxine White. White was appointed to Branch 1 Judge of Milwaukee County Circuit Court by Governor Tommy Thompson in 1992. Thirteen years later, she was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to serve as Chief Judge for the First Judicial District. In this position, she is essentially the chief administrative judicial officer for the Courts in Milwaukee County. As Chief Judge, she has extensive oversight over the affairs of the district including overseeing budgetary; personnel, administrative and public affairs for the 47 state trial courts, the 19 municipal courts and staff in Milwaukee County. In June 2018, White was selected as the chair of the Wisconsin Committee of Chief Judges. Her judicial leadership is expansive including seven years as Deputy Chief Judge, eight years as a Presiding Judge and appointments to numerous local and statewide committees. She previously presided over court calendars with complex caseloads, including the Civil Division, the Family Division and Specialty Courts in the Criminal Division dedicated to the prosecution and resolution of homicide, sexual assault, felony drug trafficking, gun and domestic violence cases.
As Chief Judge, White works with other stakeholders to bring additional funding resources to the district, convenes meetings on planning and funding process for a new criminal court facility, explores best practice juvenile justice models to replace the current juvenile facilities and participates in national forums about how to succeed in a variety of initiatives despite the challenges of an urban court. Immediately upon graduation from the Marquette University Law School, she was appointed as Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and represented the federal government
Judge Maxine White
in criminal, civil and bankruptcy matters before the federal district and bankruptcy courts, and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. During her tenure, she was reassigned as legal advisor and instructor for the Federal law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Ga., providing instruction to federal trial attorneys, federal agents and state and local law enforcement across the nation. White earned her bachelor’s degree and was Magna cum Laude at Alcorn State University. She received her master’s degree with honors in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Her jurist degree at Marquette was earned with honors. White has received numerous awards from organizations in and out of the legal community including Safe and Sound, Inc. (Law Enforcement Leader Award), the Wisconsin State Bar (Judge of the Year Award), Marquette University (All University Award and Law Alumnae Award), Wisconsin Law Journal (Leader in Law Award), National Association of Women Judges’ Judge Mattie Belle Davis Award and many others.
Renee Ramirez The Justinian Society will give its Citizen of the Year Award to Renee Ramirez, founding Executive Director of WCCDC. WCCDC is a nonprofit dental clinic that opened in Waukesha in 2008. Ramirez recently oversaw the development of a second clinic that opened in Menomonee Falls in August. Both locations provide access to affordable dental care for low income families. The clinic’s primary focus is serving high risk expectant
Renee Ramirez
mothers and low income children. It recently expanded dental care to adults with special health needs. Since opening in 2008, the clinic has provided more than $19 million in dental care to more than 19,000 patients. Through Ramirez’s leadership, the organization was named Waukesha County Executive’s “Large Nonprofit of the Year” in 2015 and has been nationally recognized by the American Academy of Pediatric Dental Foundation as a “gold star” dental program for children. Ramirez graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics. She has nearly 30 years experience in nonprofit management and is recognized in Waukesha County as a mentor for women as an advocate for oral health equity. She is also recognized for her expertise and success in fundraising. She co-chairs the Waukesha County Community Foundation Advisory Board and is a member of the Carroll University Board of Trustees (chairing its Business Committee), and was a member of the Town of Waukesha Plan Commission. Ramirez was a member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s national board of directors including serving as chair, received the Rotary International’s Paul Harris Award, was named UW Badger of the Year for Waukesha County, received the Key to the City” award by the City of Waukesha and honorees as a “Woman of Distinction.” She has been married to Judge Ralph Ramirez for 35 years. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Welcome new Italian Community Center members!
The following persons became members of the Italian Community Center between August 13 to September 10, 2018. Benvenuti (Welcome!) Thomas & Roseanne Casper and children Ashley & Anthony of Milwaukee
THE ITALIAN TIMES
by Barbara Collignon It’s not too early to begin planning how you will celebrate Christmas musically. One event you will not want to miss is the Plymouth Chorale’s concert program entitled “An Italian Christmas.” The Chorale will perform at Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire, just east of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. and offers a repeat performance Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.
Donna Kummer, Plymouth Chorale Director, has chosen two stirring works: Respighi’s Lauda per la Nativita del Signore (sung in English) and Palestrina’s Hodie Christus Natus Est (sung in Latin).
Several carols by Italian composers will also be sung including “Dormi, Dormi, O Bel Bambin.”
Respighi’s Lauda Most of us are familiar with Ottorino Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome,” but not necessarily with his other works. Critics agree that the Lauda is so beautiful that it should have gotten greater recognition and be performed more frequently.
Lauda per la Nativita made its debut on St. Cecilia’s Day in 1930, sung by the Piccolo Coro di Santa Cecilia under the direction of the composer. Elsa Respighi, the composer’s wife, sang the role of Mary. A month later, on Dec. 26, this pastoral work was performed in Rome. It is a stunningly beautiful work that depicts the nativity as the shepherds might have experienced it. A high soprano sings the role of the angel who announces the birth to the shepherds. The shepherds are represented by tenors and a mezzo-soprano portrays Mary. The text is attributed to Jacopone da Todi, a monk, who may also have written the text of Stabat Mater. It is based, in part, on the second chapter of Luke. In addition, Mary expresses her thoughts and feelings on this miraculous event. In this performance, the role of the Angel will be sung by Lydia Eiche. Nathan Wesselowski will sing the role of the Shepherd and Julianne Perkins will sing the part of Maria.
Opera insights
Music at Plymouth Church since 1995. Also in 1995, she accepted the position of director for the Wauwatosa Community Band program, which includes a 70-piece concert band and a 25-piece swing band. These events marked a return to the world of music after a 10-year hiatus during which Kummer received a J.D. degree from Marquette University and practiced law. Prior to that, she had
earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Kummer regularly serves as musical director and accompanist to several Milwaukee area theatre and opera companies, including Boulevard Theatre. She has been involved with over 180 different productions with 40 different companies, and most recently, served as music director for Boulevard’s
Longtime Italian Community Center members Charlie and Doris Evans proudly report that their granddaughter Violeta Evans is a recipient of a full ride scholarship from the Powell Scholarship Program. She is attending the Pacific University in Stockton, Calif. A full ride scholarship is an award that covers all expenses related to college. This includes tuition, books, fees, room and board and sometimes living expenses. It removes the need for additional financial aid. Violeta is a 2018 graduate of Sequoia High School in Redwood City,
Calif. She also earned an International Baccalaureate diploma, a Bilingual Literacy Award and is recognized as a community scholar for her work with the Girl Scouts Peninsula Day Camp, as a reading partner for children who are behind in reading and a keyboard accompanist for the Redwood City Community Theater. Violeta is currently interested in studying law. Her grandparents, Charlie and Doris, were Il Nonno e La Nonna (the Royal Grandparents) of the ICC’s 2014 edition of Il Grande Carnevale.
Violeta Evans receives full ride scholarship
Violeta Evans
ICC Membership Dues Benefits of Italian Community Center Membership
The angel announces the birth. A tenor, representing a shepherd, asks for guidance to the manger. A chorus of shepherds is struck by the humble birth in the manger. They offer their cloaks to help warm the baby and request to touch this divine child. Mary consents. The angel and Mary sing joyous praise. Respighi employed several archaic musical forms and devices such as madrigal, plainchant and fugue. The work requires two flutes, an oboe, English horn, two bassoons, piano for four hands and a triangle.
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525 – 1594) took his name from the hilltop town located just outside of Rome. He composed hundreds of pieces for Catholic liturgy and his work became the model for centuries of church music applicable to all the major celebrations of the Christian calendar. His work represents the culmination of Renaissance polyphony. An organist at first, he was appointed musical director of the Julian Chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Julius III. Hodie Christus Natus Est (Now today, Christ is born) is a Christmas motet with eight parts for a double chorus of mixed voices. About Kummer Donna Kummer assumed leadership of the Plymouth Chorale in 2004 and has been the Director of
staged reading of “Pal Joey.” Upcoming performances for Kummer include a concert with the Wauwatosa Community Band on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School on 76th St. and North Ave. The concert is entitled “Holiday Variations” and features variations on Let It Snow, Jingle Bells, and Dona Nobis Pacem as well as other holiday favorites.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Four (4) Festa Italiana Tickets – Maximum of Eight (8) Per Family Voting Privelegs (21 & Older) Postal Service Delivery of The Italian Times Member Discounts on Social Events, Classes & Bocce Leagues Members Rooms Cultural, Educational & Social Activities Forever Friendships Stronger Bonds Between Your Family & Your Culture
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OCTOBER 2018 – PAGE 11
Remembering Sister Maria Agostina Giannini, SCSJA
by Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler Sister Maria Agostina was born on October 22, 1916. In 1937, at the age of 21, she set sail from Naples aboard the Conte Di Savoia to the USA. She began 80 years of service as a Sister of Charity of St. Joan Antida to our Italian community and to so many young people and families here in Milwaukee. Many will remember her years of teaching at St. Rita grade school. She told me that my dad would fill his car with her eighth grade students and take them to the Boys Club for recreation and fun on Saturday mornings. She also was the principal of St. Rita‘s while she taught 8th grade. She was among the first sisters who taught at St. Joan Antida High School, teaching Art, Latin and History. She was also a guidance counselor. Art, in so many forms, Photos provided by Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler.
was a very important part of her life. She was a Sister with many talents and always expressed gratitude to God for the abundant blessings He gave her. Even in her 90’s, she was teaching Italian to people. Joy might be the one word to best describe her life. She loved her school children and their families. But most of all, she had a deep devotion to her sisters, especially Sr. Mary Celeste Rossi, who was her constant companion the last 40 years of her life. Her 99th birthday was celebrated at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. At the end of the celebration she went around to thank the more than 70 guests personally for celebrating with her. Agnes Bova, a member of the Pompeii Woman’s Club, was always inspired by Sr. Maria’s great joy and enthusiasm for life. Sister Maria died peacefully at
the age of 101. Sr. Maria Giannini, Sr. Celeste Rossi, Sr. Dominic and Sr. Dolores attended Festa Italiana every year until three years ago. It was always
a time to renew relationships with students, families and so many people touched by their lives. They are missed and will be remembered forever.
Sr. Maria Agostina (far right) is seen here with Joe Dentice, a longtime member of the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana Mass Committee and Sister Dolores in a picture taken at Festa Italiana 2014.
Sr. Maria (front, right) with her fellow Sisters and a group of sailors at Festa Italiana 2014.
Word search: Packers greats
Sr. Maria with Sr. Dominic.
by Blaise Di Pronio
To find Word Search solved, turn to page 16
PAGE 12 – OCTOBER 2018
Sr. Maria (seated) with Sr. Celeste.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Celebrating confetti
by Blaise Di Pronio There’s a line of well dressed people engaged in hugs, kisses and congratulations and topped off with the imbibing of a variety of shots (of liqueurs that is). Then there’s the open bar, antipasti, lots of food and wine and toasts and plate clinking to induce more kissing. Music and sweating, dancers and hints of a little inebriation soon follow. The music tones down. Exhausted people slowly filter out to waiting cars. These are, of course, the common denominators of old school Italian American weddings.
Today, some or all of these customs still take place. One unique feature at these weddings were the confetti bombonieri (which can be loosely translated as wedding souvenirs or favors). These would be handed out to the guests either at the reception line or brought to their tables by the bride and groom.
The bombonieri would be a kind of knick-knack containing a traditional treat of five white sugar coated almonds symbolizing five wishes for the bride and groom and sometimes including a tag with the traditional wedding wish: “Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat reminds us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new husband and wife: Health, wealth, happiness, children, and long life!” The generic name bomboniera refers to any of several types of sweets, especially small candies coated in sugar or chocolate. The name arose from the dialectic Italian word bon, meaning “good” in in
Italy and several other Romance languages. Thus, the term “bon bon” simply refers to any type of candy or small confection (derived from the Italian confetti) in English, French, etc..
As mentioned, the confetti candy is a unique Italian confection and it should be distinguished from the English word confetti which are small pieces or streamers of paper or metallic material which are usually thrown at celebrations, especially parades and weddings.
The origins are from the Latin confectum, with confetti the plural of Italian confetto. These modern paper confetti trace back to symbolic rituals of tossing grains and
sweets during special occasions which was traditional for numerous cultures throughout history as an ancient custom dating back to pagan times but adapted from sweets and grains to paper through the centuries. The Italian word for the English paper confetti is coriandoli that is still an essential part of the annual Carnevale celebrations all over Italy. Italian confetti candy are small,
Feast of Santa Reparata in Florence
from page 8 on foot, both running across the city. Nowadays, in remembrance of these races, a modern-day foot race is held which starts and ends in Piazza San Giovanni, in front of the Duomo. Runners in the race are picked among the local footballers, and the competition is kicked off by a marching procession of the Florentine Republic dressed in period costume. The procession leaves from Piazza di Parte Guelfa (near Piazza Repubblica) and marches on towards the Duomo at 4 p.m. This is a real opportunity to take part in one of the more traditional things to do in Florence in October.
almond sweets with a crisp, sugar coating. These traditional confectionery are a much-loved and essential offering at any Italian wedding, baptism, anniversary, graduation or significant family event. Originally they were a Roman delicacy that was coated in honey but then switched to sugar in the 15th century. The Medieval city of Sulmona in the Abruzzo region became the home and principal center of production in Italy with the Pelino family commencing their operation in 1783. Once Sulmona had become in effect the home of confetti production, many other producers set up shop in the Abruzzese city. Confetti are the classic Sulmona souvenir and those made by all of the local companies are available to buy in many shops both in Sulmona and throughout Abruzzo. Confetti come in a rainbow of colors to suit all tastes and festive color schemes. An ages-old tradition dictates which color should be used for which occasion: For weddings: white or ivory For baptisms: pastel pink or blue For graduations: red For anniversaries: coated in silver or gold They are always served in odd numbers as even numbers are deemed to be unlucky – remember the five at the weddings mentioned above.
The Pelino confetti are still hand-made with traditional equipment according to a recipe and process dating back over 300 years. The individual almonds are coated with a colored sugar solution and tumbled over and over in special, heated, copper drums until the process is complete. These confetti are also uniquely distinguished by their formula which traditionally uses neither flour nor other forms of starch.
And now a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Embrace: To clasp or hold close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection. Derived from the Italian braccio which means arm. The root for the Italian abbraccio or embrace and a root for bracelet (an ornamental band or chain encircling the wrist or arm).
Words in an Italian word by Blaise Di Pronio
How many words can you make with the letters in the word "SALAMI"? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
Three fast car stories
by Blaise Di Pronio 1. Cop pulls over a speeding Ferrari: Officer: “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Driver: “Yes. Because I let you.” *** 2. Cop pulls over a speeding car: Officer: “I will let you go if you have an excuse I’ve never heard before.”
Driver: “You see my wife ran off with a police officer and I thought it was you trying to bring her back.” Officer: “Get out of here!” *** 3. Cop pulls over a Lamborghini: Officer: “I’ve been waiting for you for a week.” Driver: “That’s why I got here so fast.”
THE ITALIAN TIMES
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OCTOBER 2018 – PAGE 13
La Pagina Italiana
Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
Il territorio del Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise è costituito principalmente da un insieme di catene montuose di altitudine compresa tra i 900 e i 2.200 m s.l.m. Le montagne del Parco presentano un paesaggio vario ed interessante in cui si alternano vette tondeggianti, tipiche dell’Appennino, a pendii dirupati dal tipico aspetto alpino. La zona centrale del Parco è percorsa dal fiume Sangro, al quale affluiscono vari torrenti; nella zona più esterna defluiscono, invece, le acque del fiume Giovenco, del Melfa, del Volturno e di altri fiumi. A causa del fenomeno carsico, le acque scorrono spesso in letti sotterranei e formano risorgive a valle, talvolta anche fuori del territorio del Parco. All’interno del Parco esistono due bacini lacustri: il lago artificiale di Barrea alimentato dal fiume Sangro ed il lago Vivo di origine naturale. Quest’ultimo è situato in una depressione di origine tettonica posta a circa 1.600 m s.l.m. Essendo alimentato in parte da sorgenti proprie ed in parte dallo scioglimento delle nevi, le sue dimensioni seguono andamenti stagionali. Il territorio del Parco è stato in passato modellato da fenomeni di giacialismo e carsismo, oggi testimoniati dalla presenza di circhi glaciali nella parte alta delle vallate, depositi morenici, rocce montonate lungo le valli, grotte, fenditure e doline. Le rocce del Parco sono per la maggior parte di natura calcarea. Nella zona della Camosciara è presente la dolomia, un tipo di roccia che, essendo impermeabile, permette all’acqua di scorrere in superficie dando luogo a pittoresche cascate e pozze d’acqua. Nei rilievi più importanti, come il Monte Marsicano, la Montagna Grande, la catena del Petroso e della Meta, il Monte Greco, sono scolpiti in forma visibile i segni dei grandi eventi della storia della Terra, che hanno condizionato la morfologia del territorio fino ai nostri giorni. Là dove 160 milioni di anni fa si ergevano possenti scogliere coralline immerse in caldi mari tropicali, oggi possiamo ammirare imponenti massicci. Le acque meteoriche, sciogliendo il calcare con cui è stata “costruita” la roccia, penetrano nelle viscere dei monti, si arricchiscono di preziosi minerali e vanno a formare grandi emergenze situate alla base delle catene montuose. Notevoli e suggestive sono le sorgenti del Volturno, nei pressi di Rocchetta al Volturno o quelle di Posta Fibreno nell’alta Ciociaria, che nel contesto formano habitat acquatici di raro valore naturalistico. Lungo i versanti e le valli del
Parco si possono ammirare le impronte delle glaciazioni che hanno lasciato ai nostri giorni circhi glaciali, morene e massi erratici sui Monti della Meta, sul Marsicano e sul Greco. Ancora più emozionanti appaiono gli enormi fenomeni erosivi prodotti dalle acque piovane e dai fiumi che, fessurando la fragile roccia, forgiano profonde gole, come quella della Foce di Barrea, una forra spettacolare di 5 chilometri di lunghezza attraversata dal fiume Sangro che, dopo aver formato l’omonimo lago artificiale, raggiunge la fragorosamente pianura alluvionale tra Alfedena e Castel di Sangro, tra vertiginose pareti verticali. Tuttavia, quando si arriva nel cuore del Parco grande è l’emozione provocata dall’impressionante anfiteatro naturale della Camosciara molto simile, nell’aspetto e nella struttura, alle dolomitiche, che montagne racchiude nel proprio contesto la zona di Riserva Integrale. Da qualche anno è stata abolita la strada provinciale che consentiva l’accesso all’area per circa 3 km al traffico motorizzato, con grande disturbo per la flora e la fauna selvatiche. Oggi, invece, partendo dall’area di sosta, situata a fianco della SS Marsicana, oltre la riva destra del Sangro, è possibile godere del grandioso scenario percorrendo un comodo itinerario a piedi, accompagnati dai suoni della natura e lontano dagli assordanti rumori delle auto, moto e pulman. La catena della Camosciara, insieme alle contigue Val di Rose e Valle Iannanghera rappresentano i luoghi del “culto” della natura protetta, dove si possono osservare con meraviglia a pochi metri di distanza e in ogni stagione, stupendi esemplari del Camoscio d’Abruzzo, che grazie all’opera dell’Ente Parco, ha raggiunto oggi una consistente popolazione. – dal sito: parcoabruzzo.it
Tenere un piede in due scarpe. Literally: Have a foot in two shoes. Equivalent: Keep a foot in both camps. *** Sul piede di guerra. Literally: On the foot of war. Equivalent: Ready for action. *** Prendere in contro piede.
Literally: To grab a wrong foot. Equivalent: To be off-guard. *** Prendere piede. Literally: Grab a foot. Equivalent: Become established, get a foothold, make inroads, catch on, become popular. *** Essere a piede libero.
Lupo Appenninico (Italian wolf). Foto: Wikipedia Commons
Sterpi_d'Alto. (Foto: Wikipedia Commons)
Italian everyday expressions: Il piede: The foot
PAGE 14 – OTTOBRE 2018
Literally: To be on a free foot. Equivalent: Be out on bail. *** Avere un piede nella fossa. Literally: To have a foot in the hole. Equivalent: To be at death’s door or have a foot in the grave. *** Avere il piede in due staffe. Literally: To have a foot in two stir-
rups. Equivalent: Keep your options open. *** Alzarsi col piede sbagliato. Literally: To get up with the wrong foot. Equivalent: To get out of the wrong side of bed.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
I programmi TV preferiti dagli italiani
Gli italiani adorano la televisione e, in particolare, amano guardarla alla sera quando tornano dal lavoro e dagli impegni di tutti i giorni. Ma quali sono i programmi tv preferiti dagli italiani? Le classifiche parlano chiaro: gli italiani amano il cinema, ma non disdegnano le serie tv di ultima generazione e sono ‘ghiotti’ di reality e talent, soprattutto legati allo spettacolo e alla cucina.
Talent show: il segreto del successo I talent show stanno registrando un grande successo da parte del pubblico italiano, perché si tratta di format coinvolgenti, che hanno un inizio e una durata stabiliti, e che si concludono con l’incoronazione di un vincitore o di una vincitrice. Si tratta di programmi coinvolgenti ma al contempo leggeri, che offrono puro intrattenimento e sono quindi ideali per chi ha bisogno di ‘staccare la spinà. Quale esempio? Gli italiani hanno dimostrato di apprezzare lo spettacolo, e fatto
letteralmente lievitare gli ascolti dell’ultima edizione di X-Factor, talent musicale trasmesso da Sky che ogni anno si propone di scovare nuovi talenti sotto la direzione di giudici ‘litigarell`. E ancora Italia’s Got Talent, programma musicale prodotto da Sky che va in onda su Tv8, Cielo e la stessa Sky. Tante le novità per quest’anno, a partire dalla conduzione che è stata affidata alla cantante Lodovica Comello. I quattro giudici sono Claudio Bisio, Luciana Littizzetto, la cantante Nina Zilli e Frank Matano, quindi un bel quartetto di artisti che si prepara a giudicare i concorrenti e ad eleggere il talento del 2016. Il format piace molto agli italiani perché è una produzione veloce, supportata dalla simpatia dei giudici e accompagnata dalla striscia giornaliera Tutti Giorni’s Got Talent, che permette di seguire anche i fuori programma più divertenti e interessanti, il tutto con la conduzione di Lucilla Agosti e del musicista Rocco Tanica. Ma
dove si possono leggere le news su Italia’s Got Talent? La scelta migliore è affidarsi a siti specializzati come programmitv.info, sito con i programmi tv che al puro palinsesto affianca tanta leggera informazione sui migliori programmi trasmessi in Italia.
Palinsesto tv: ricca scelta per gli spettatori italiani Non solo talent show fra le preferenze televisive degli italiani, perché secondo i dati audiweb i programmi in tv più ricercati e seguiti nel bel paese spaziano dai talk show agli eventi sportivi, fino all’immancabile cinema. I film rimangono un punto di riferimento per gli abitanti dello stivale, che li preferiscono in alte percentuali e soprattutto nelle ore serali. La grande offerta del palinsesto televisivo permette infatti di scegliere fra cinema di diversa tipologia, che spaziano dai Blockbuster ai film di essai,
Cin … Cin … Salute!
di Donato Di Pronio Il vecchio, rientrato a casa alquanto alticcio (cosa che gli capitava quando rivedendosi con un antico compare, festeggiava l’incontro … in cantina), andò a sedersi vicino al nipotino che se ne stava davanti al focolaio godendosi il caldo di uno scoppiettante fuoco. Dopo un po’ il ragazzo, ricordandosi della domanda che giorni prima un compagno di scuola aveva rivolta alla maestra (Signora Maestra, è nato prima l’uovo o la gallina?), ingenuamente chiese al nonno: <Tatò, è nato prima l’uomo o il vino?>. Il volto del vecchio, già rossiccio per effetto delle abbondanti bevute, diventò più rosso dei carboni ardenti; guardò il nipotino, lo
Tre poesie d’autunno È caduta una foglia
dall’albero lassù, quando l’albero si spoglia l’estate non c’è più. *** L’autunno comincia il suo gioco dipinge le foglie di croco, le indora; se sbaglia le strappa, le dona al vento che scappa. Accende l’ultimo lampo, saluta chi semina il campo, la rondine che trasvola, i bimbi che tornano a scuola. Ma, a un tratto… dov’è la sua gioia? L’autunno fa il broncio, si annoia, piagnucola pioggerellina monotona e fina fina. *** Vien l’ottobre e sopra il cielo, di sue nebbie stende il velo; improvviso s’alza il vento con un lungo alto lamento. Pur, che festa di colori, che tripudio id canzoni, che splendor, qua e là, di falci e che porpora nei tralci! Quest’ottobre un po’ bizzarro mette e toglie il suo tabarro, è venuto con l’ombrello, se ne va col tempo bello. Nel settembre generosa, or la terra si riposa sotto un fremito di foglie; pur già dentro il grembo accoglie nuovi semi di lavoro; i preziosi chicchi d’oro che in un mese ancor lontano diverran spighe di grano.
carezzò delicatamente, poi canticchiò: ‘Bevevano i nostri padri? Bevevano le nostre madri? Evviva Noè il gran Patriarca, salvato dalle acque, sai perché? Perché fu l’inventore dell’inebriante liquore che allegri ci fa!’ Poi prese dal focolaio, a mani nude, un bracino, lo calcò sulla pipa e aspirò voluttuosamente. L’origine della vite è antichissima: tracce di coltivazione sono state rinvenute in India, sulle rive del Mar Caspio, nella Turchia Orientale, nel bacino del Mediterraneo e in altre località. Ma chi veramente per primo ha prodotto il vino? Alcuni storici sono propensi a ritenere che circa 10000 anni fa era già conosciuto nel Caucaso. Tra le tante e spesso fantasiose ipotesi c’è quella che ne attribuisce la paternità ad Adamo ed Eva, i quali lo avrebbero prodotto dalla fermentazione del frutto proibito, che non sarebbe stata la mela bensì l’uva! Il vino, ipotesi che appare la più probabile e possibile, si generò in seguito alla fermentazione fortuita di uva dimenticata in un recipiente: poiché la bevanda
piacque (!), si cominciò a produrla migliorandola sempre più. In alcuni geroglifici egiziani risalenti al 2500 A.C. si evidenziano l’esistenza di vari tipi di vino. È certo che nell’antichità il vino fu una bevanda comune e diffusa. L’acqua spessissimo era di pessima e malsana qualità: le epidemie erano ricorrenti e il vino, battericida, era un ottimo toccasana e utile elemento anche per la preparazione di bevande salutifere. È tuttora diffusa tra i residenti in piccoli centri la coltivazione di poche centinaia di viti sufficienti per la produzione di vino per uso familiare. Intorno ai primi giorni del mese di Novembre, quando si assaggia il vino novello (ricordate il detto “per San Martino ogni mosto è vino?”) c’è chi invita per la circostanza qualche amico e si fa festa: un boccale di vino troneggia sul tavolo e le caldarroste profumano la stanza. Un bicchiere ne tira un altro. E poi un altro …ed un altro ancora. E alla fine il vinello si beve … l’anfitrione e gli invitati!
accontentando tutti e dando vita a serate rilassanti e all’insegna della cultura. Non stupisce comprendere che la griglia programmi tv sia sempre più ricca e variegata, pensata per accontentare tutti i gusti e per rendere felici le diverse fasce di età. I film trasmessi in prima serata sono infatti leggeri, adatti anche ad un pubblico di ragazzi e di bambini, mentre in seconda serata i programmi in tv si propongono più adatti ad un pubblico adulto e sfociano su argomenti più impegnativi o caratterizzati dai generi thriller, horror e noir. Ciò che è certo è che la tv dei giorni nostri sa davvero accontentare tutti, grazie ad un palinsesto ricco e variegato, disponibile ad ogni ora del giorno e quindi adatto alle varie esigenze degli italiani, che oggi come non mai dimostrano di adorare la tv e di apprezzare le tante proposte delle emittenti televisive. – per cortesia di: vocenuova.tv
Italy sports websites 1. La Gazzetta dello Sport 2. Diretta.it 3. Corriere dello Sport 4. Tuttosport 5. FantaGazzetta 6. TUTTO MERCATO WEB 7. CalcioMercato.com 8. Tutto Juve 9. Football Italia 10. Juventus 11. CalcioNapoli24 12. Fiorentina.it 13. F.C. Internazionale Milano 14. FC Inter News 15. transfermarkt.it 16. FC Inter 1908 17. dueruote.it 18. Gianluca Di Marzio 19. Sportando 20. CalcioMercato.it 21. AC Milan 22. Datasport 23. La Lazio Siamo Noi 24. cittaceleste.it 25. Calcionews24 26. Forza Italian Football 27. SpazioNapoli.it 28. Sportlive.it 29. sportal.it 30. calcioblog.it
Il tricolore tra storia e leggenda
di Blaise Di Pronio Se anche voi avete pensato che i colori della bandiera italiana (verde, bianco e rosso) rappresentassero i simboli della cucina del paese, cioè basilico, mozzarella e pomodoro, leggendo questo articolo dovrete ricredervi. Ben altri sono i significati nascosti dietro quelle tinte. La bandiera della Repubblica Italiana è definita “Il Tricolore” e presenta tre rettangoli di uguale dimensione in posizione verticale con il colore verde al livello dell’asta seguito dal bianco e dal rosso. La prima versione del tricolore sventolò nel 1797 come simbolo della Repubblica Cisalpina (una repubblica sorella nata nell’Italia settentrionale su modello francese e durata dal 1797 al 1802) istituita da Napoleone che scelse Milano come sua capitale. I colori selezionati dalla repubblica furono il rosso e il bianco, che all’epoca erano i colori della bandiera di Milano, e il verde, indossato dalla Guardia Civica milanese sulle uniformi. La Legione Lombarda aveva utilizzato un vessillo con il rosso e il bianco (riprendendo la bandiera di Milano), gli stessi colori in seguito adottati dalla Legione Italiana, costituita da soldati provenienti da Emilia e Romagna. Come spesso accade, la confusione su queste origini fu creata nel contesto della politica italiana. Esistono anche alcune teorie diverse sul simbolismo dei colori, per esempio quella che ritiene che il verde rappresenti le pianure e le colline del paese (e in questo caso non ci si discostava molto dall’idea del basilico), il bianco ricordi le Alpi ricoperte dalla neve e il rosso sia quello del sangue versato negli anni delle guerre di indipendenza prima dell’Unità d’Italia. Un’altra
THE ITALIAN TIMES
interpretazione, questa volta a sfondo religioso, vuole il verde simbolo della speranza, il bianco della fede e il rosso della carità, nel complesso definite virtù teologali. Il 25 aprile 1945, celebrato come il giorno della Festa della Liberazione, il Fascismo di Benito Mussolini fu definitivamente archiviato. Il Tricolore italiano come lo conosciamo oggi fu adottato ufficialmente il 1° gennaio 1948 quando terminò il regno della dinastia dei Savoia e fu dichiarata la nascita della Repubblica Italiana con l’entrata in vigore della Costituzione. – Tradotto dall’Inglese da Laura Duronio
OTTOBRE 2018 – PAGE 15
Scary times in Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio October is almost here and so Halloween will soon arrive in the U.S. What happens in Italy during those upcoming scary times? Until more recently, nothing really happened, but in our modern instant communication times, Italy has finally imported this festival from America through films, TV and pop culture.
American movies and TV series of the ‘80s began to make Italians aware of Halloween: the movie ET showed what Halloween was all about. Some American horror movies also made quite an impression: Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween come to mind. As you would expect, Italians seemed to like this type of overblown, over the top celebration and started to enjoy it. Dress up parties for adults were held more and more often and in schools. It became common to have small “trick or treat” sessions in the day which then led to entertaining children after school with the more famous trick-or-treat routines. Nowadays, one must acknowledge that Halloween has become popular, especially among Italy’s younger generations. But let’s not forget, Italy’s (and ICC’s) very own Carnevale, (i.e.,those two weeks right before Lent when Italians get crazy about dressing up and playing tricks on their friends). Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Yes, it does remind us of a lot of what Americans do on Halloween. Carnevale has
And now a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Pedestrian: Somebody walking rather than using a vehicle; somebody traveling on foot. Derived from the Italian piede, which means foot. A root for pedestal (a base or support just like the feet which support the body).
plenty in common with Halloween and not only because it’s a holiday with a penchant for tricks and costumes, there are also the specialized foods and confections. For example, in Sicily during the Ognissanti (All Saints) night, the dead bring sweet treats to the good kids. Obviously. the sweets are prepared by mamme and nonne. Their name is dolci di Martorana (sweets from Martorana). In Friuli-VeneziaGiulia and Lombardy, people leave a water basin and some bread for the dead, in case they come back. So let’s backtrack a little to those less modern times and discover that traditionally Italy had Ognissanti or Tutti i Santi (All Saints Day), a public holiday celebrating all Saints, on November 1. The next day, November 2, was All Souls’ Day. In Italy, it has a more macabre name, “Il giorno dei Morti” (The Day of the Dead), i.e., a day in which we are supposed to go to the cemetery to pay respect to our dear departed. As many other Christian feasts, these days have roots in a pagan celebration, such as the Celtic Samhain (celebrating the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter). At Samhain, time lost all meaning and the past, present, and future were one. The dead, and the denizens of the Other World, walked among the living. It was a time of fairies, ghosts, demons, and witches.
Thus, if we look at those true origins and meaning of Halloween, we’ll see that they’re not that different from what Italians celebrate on All Saints and All Souls Day. If, from a commercial point of view, Halloween is an All-American product, its spirit is rooted in antiquity and comes very much from Europe. Halloween was originally nothing more than a day to remember and honor the souls of the dead. It’s been here since before Christ. Celebrations of Halloween were popular in Ireland and Scotland and when people from these countries migrated to the U.S. in the 19th cen-
tury, they brought this custom along. America then made of Halloween what we know today, whereas Europe, in general, and Italy, in particular, remained attached to the more spiritually-oriented celebrations of All Saints and All Souls Days. For this aspect, the macabre celebration of October 31st is similar to the commemoration of the dead. It is now evident that the merging of religious feasts and pagan rituals of the original Hallow’s Eve (All Saints Eve) is throwing some controversy into the laps of religious authorities in Italy. Halloween is starting to develop a superior influence over Italy’s All Saints and All Souls Days. Many worry about the fact that it may
turn what is supposed to be a time to remember our dead with love and cherish, into yet another occasion catering to Italy’s penchant to party, celebrate and have fun. I will let you decide what the final preference will be. How do you say “BOO!” in Italian?
The New York City Columbus Day Parade is the world’s largest celebration of Italian American culture. More than a million spectators watch more than 35,000 people from more than 100 organizations march up Fifth Ave. from 47th St. to 72nd St. The parade was started in 1929 by Generoso Pope. Today, it is organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation (CCF). The parade brings together New York’s City’s Italian American community to show its pride, meet with politicians and raise money for scholarships for promising Italian American students. The parade currently provides more than 700 scholarships. Guy Chiarello, president of First Data Corporation, has been named
the Grand Marshal of the 2018 parade, which will take place Monday, Oct. 8 from noon to 3 p.m. The parade is televised live in WABCTV. Chiarello has been president of First Data since 2013, where he oversees the business and technology solutions created for the corporation’s clients. First Data drives commerce every day powering more than 3,000 transactions per second and $1.9 trillion in annual transactions. Among the past Grand Marshals of the NYC Columbus Day Parade have been Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren, Joe DiMaggio, Justice Antonin Scalia, Lidia Bastianich, Maria Bartiromo, Joe Plumeri, Frank Bisignano and Leonard Riggio.
And now a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Portfolio: A portable case for holding material, such as loose papers, photographs, or drawings. It comes from the Italian portare or carry and foglio or sheet of paper. The Italian equivalent is portafoglio.
Columbus Day Parade: New York City’s big Italian celebration
Word Search:
Italian Movie Directors SOLVED from page 12
Words in an Italian word from page 13
The answer: 78 words in “SALAMI”
1. alisma 2. lamias 3. salami 4. alias 5. almas 6. amias 7. amlas 8. lamas 9. lamia 10. limas 11. mails 12. malas 13. malis 14. salmi 15. aals 16. aias 17. ails 18. aims 19. alas 20. alma 21. alms 22. amas 23. amia 24. amis 25. amla 26. lama 27. lams 28. lias 29. lima 30. maas 31. mail 32. mala 33. mali 34. mals 35. masa 36. mils 37. sail 38. saim 39. sama 40. sial 41. sima 42. slam 43. slim 44. aal 45. aas 46. aia 47. ail 48. aim 49. ais 50. ala 51. als 52. ama 53. ami 54. ism 55. lam 56. las 57. lis 58. maa 59. mal 60. mas 61. mil 62. mis 63. sai 64. sal 65. sam 66. sim 67. sma 68. aa 69. ai 70. al 71. am 72. as 73. is 74. la 75. li 76. ma 77. mi 78. si. PAGE 16 – OCTOBER 2018
THE ITALIAN TIMES