The Italian Times - Nov. 2012

THE

ITALIAN TIMES Published by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com VOL. 34, NO. 5 NOVEMBER 2012

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ICC installation dinner set for Nov. 3 Besides swearing in of new officers and directors, event includes fabulous dinner, volunteer award presentations and dancing to the music of Tom Sorce Band

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Italian Community Center’s installation of its 2012-13 officers and directors will take place at a dinner ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 3.

In addition to the swearing in of newly elected officers and directors, the event will include a sumptuous dinner, the presentation of recognition awards to several outstanding volunteers and dancing to the music of the Tom Sorce Band.

ICC members and guests are encouraged to attend. The cost for members is $30 per person. The cost for non-members is $35 per person. Pre-paid reservations are

required and must be made by Tuesday, Oct. 30. Tables will be reserved for parties of 8 to 10. To make reservations with a credit card, call Salina at the ICC at 414/223-2180, or complete the form at the end of this article and mail it with a check to the ICC (see details below).

Activities will get under way at 5:30 p.m. in the galleria with a social hour. The Italian Conference Center’s acclaimed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be served. There will be a cash bar.

Attendees will be called into the Pompeii Grand Ballroom for dinner at 6:30 p.m. The menu will feature

an Italian salad, a chicken Marsala entrée with a twice-baked potato, vegetable medley, Italian bread, and coffee, tea or milk. For dessert, guests will be served a slice of New York cheesecake with strawberry filling and chocolate ganache.

The installation ceremony will begin after dinner, followed by the presentation of recognition awards to several long-time volunteers.

Gina Spang, the organization’s current vice president, will be sworn in as president along with Giuseppe Vella as the new vice president, Sam Purpero as treasurer, Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie as secretary and Joanne (Sanfilippo)

Czubek as sergeant-at-arms. All of these officers are assured of election since they do not face opposition.

Joining the officers will be four directors-at-large who will be determined when election ballots are tabulated and results are announced at the Oct. 25 general membership meeting. There are eight nominees running for the four positions.

They are (alphabetically) Dean Cannestra, Bruno Giacoman-tonio, Joseph Jannazzo, Henry Piano, Anna Pitzo, Pietro Taran-tino, Joseph Zambito and Anthony Zingale.

Please turn to page 4

Italian culture to be well represented at Holiday Folk Fair, Nov. 16-18

By Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen Don’t miss the 69th anniversary Holiday Folk Fair, the three-day festival celebrating customs and traditions from around the world.

Held at the Expo Center of Wisconsin State Fair Park, this year’s fair will run from Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18.

The Folk Fair is the largest indoor multicultural festival in America. Its ultimate goal is to

encourage peace through respect and understanding for the many unique cultures that comprise the world we live in. Thousands of visitors attend the fair each year. A world of cultures and customs are united in peaceful solidarity for everyone to experience through a variety of honored family recipes, arts and crafts, ethnic music and spirited folk dances.

The Folk Fair offers continuous entertainment by Milwaukee’s

Historian John Gurda speaks about Milwaukee’s 3rd Ward at ICC event Tradizione Vivente is shown here in a performance at the Music Pavilion at the 2011 Holiday Folk Fair. The group is returning to present Italian folk dancees at the 2012 Folk Fair, Nov. 16-18, in the Exposition Center at State Fair Park. (Photo provided by Tradizione Vivente)

As the opening act for the Italian Community Center’s October celebration of national “Italian Heritage Month,” prominent historian/writer John Gurda was invited to speak on the history of Milwaukee’s Third Ward, the district where most of the city’s early southern Italian immigrants first settled. Nearly 50 people attend the Oct. 5 talk. Gurda noted that the ICC returned to the Historic Third Ward, as it is now known, to pay tribute to the early Italian immigrants who first took up residency there in the 1880s. Gurda is seen here with Gina Jorgensen, chairperson of the ICC Culture Committee, which organized the program. Gurda’s The Making of Milwaukee, was turned into an Emmy Award winning documentary series by Milwaukee Public Television. He is an eight-time winner of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Award of Merit and is also a local history columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

many ethnic performing groups who are preserving the legacy of their heritage and of times gone by.

The main shows take place on two stages – the All Nations Theater and the Music Pavilion. There are additional shows on the International Stage and at the Coffee House. The performances are mesmerizing and inspiring.

Guests will also enjoy ethnic exhibits, markets and food from around the world by sampling regional cuisine and purchasing handcrafted goods. One can expect to sample such a wide variety of food as Italian arancini, Chinese

fried rice, Bavarian strudel, Irish soda bread, Middle Eastern falafel and Greek spanakopita – all under one roof.

The Italian representative As usual, Italian culture will be well represented at the fair through the efforts of the Italian Community Center’s Culture Committee and volunteers, Tradizione Vivente (The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee), and the children’s Italian dance group, I Bei Bambini.

Tradizione Vivente will perform Please turn to page 8

Dentro a queste pagina (Inside these pages President’s message

page 3

Calendar of events

page 3

Money donations sought for dinner for less fortunate page 9 ICC members news pages 10 & 11

Doo-Wop Daddies show set for Nov. 17 at ICC

page 5

ICC offers Thanksgiving Day feast

Times’ delivery method to change with January issue page 12

page 6

Gatti-Taylor produces CD featuring Festa Choir page 16

Tribute to 35 years of Festa entertainment is Nov. 24 page 7

La Pagina Italiana

pagina 22

Three ICC meeting dates changed due to Thanksgiving Three of the Italian Community Center’s meetings in November are being moved up one week to avoid a conflict with the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

The ICC Finance Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5 (instead of Nov. 12). The ICC Board meeting will convene at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8 (instead of Nov. 15). The membership dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the general meeting at 6:30 p.m. will take place on Thursday, Nov. 15 (instead of Nov. 22).

Nov. 22 is Thanksgiving Day. While all the business offices at the ICC will be closed, the Italian Conference Center is presenting its first-ever Thanksgiving Day buffet, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pre-paid reservations are required. Look for a separate story on this event in this issue.

Deadline set for December issue of The Italian Times All advertising copy, news and feature stories, letters from the readers and photographs for publication in the December 2012 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Wednesday, Nov. 7.

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

Your cooperation will insure timely publication of the newspaper.

THE ITALIAN TIMES 631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Spano Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . To be appointed Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Italian Page Editor . . . . . . . Enrica Tarantino-Woytal Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors and Staff Writers/Reporters . . . . .Ginny Balistreri, Bill Lavelette, Mario A. Carini Angelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon and Susan Christiansen, Staff Photographers . . . . Tim Townsend, Joe Spasiano and Tom Hemman For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@italiancc.org.

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

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

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

PAGE 2 – NOVEMBER 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

A message from Dave Spano, Italian Community Center President As I conclude my second consecutive term, I am taking this opportunity to write to you as President one last time. Being President of the Italian Community Center is an honor and a privilege, and I have always treated the position as such. I would like to thank the membership for trusting me, and my family for allowing me the time to commit to the ICC. As most of you recall, I laid out some initiatives at my installation two years ago.

First, was to establish an electronic presence. We introduced the Italian Community Center’s first website, along with the revamped Festa Italiana and Italian

Conference Center websites.

Second, was to establish a framework for the management of Festa Italiana. This included the establishment of an advisory board that allowed the past ICC presidents and current board members to be involved in the day-to-day management as well as attack the expense side of the budget to secure the operation of America’s finest Italian festival. It was one of the few times in recent memory where all hands were on deck, and I am proud that we all came together.

Third, was to fully explore the highest and best use of our land. A request for proposals was established and sent out. That has led us to a relationship with the Marcus Corporation and we are vetting out ideas at the moment. More information will soon follow. I have always believed that all well-run organizations establish goals upfront, and then measure their success by how they accomplish those set goals.

As we look ahead, Gina Spang will take the helm on November 1st. Not only is she intelligent and conscientious, but as importantly, the ICC has its second woman as a president. The challenges and responsibilities are great, but rest assured Gina is clearly up to the job. Also, I want to personally thank Patrick Morgan, the General Manager of the ICC. I have spoken to him daily and he proved his worth every one of those days.

Finally, after 27 straight years as a manager with Festa, with the last two as the General Chairman,

I will stay on the board as the immediate past president and will look forward to continuing to contribute where asked. Thank you for the opportunity, God bless you,

and let’s all continue to work together for the Italian Community Center.

– Dave Spano ICC President

Author Joe Gasperetti speaks about his novel on Vietnam experience at ICC event

Joseph A. Gasperetti, who recently authored his first novel, Landon’s Odyssey, spoke to an audience at the Italian Community Center on Friday, Oct. 12, about his Vietnam War service experience. Gasperetti’s book, which he termed “historical fiction,” is loosely based on his own tour of duty and return home to a less than receptive America. Gasperetti, who was a 1960 Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National scholarship recipient, read from the book and played music from the era. His talk was part of the ICC Culture Committee’s programming to celebrate Italian Heritage Month and the contributions those of Italian ancestry have made to America. Gasperetti was born and raised in Milwaukee and now lives in Iowa City, Iowa. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Calendar of Events October 25 – November 28, 2012 Thursday, Oct. 25 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.

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

Election results to be announced.

Friday, Oct. 26 • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National bocce party, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 30 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 31 • Pompeii Women’s Club membership dinner meeting, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 3 • Italian Family History Club meeting, 10:30 a.m. Details in this issue.

• Italian Community Center installation dinner, dance and awards ceremony, 5:30 p.m., cocktails. Details in this issue.

Monday, Nov. 5 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

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

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

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

Thursday, Nov. 8 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 9 • Abruzzese Society social, 6 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 12 • Italian Community Center fall bocce championship playoffs, 7 p.m.

Details in this issue.

Tuesday, Nov. 13 • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 15 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.

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

Friday, Nov. 16 • Italian Community Center volunteers and Tradizione Vivente participate in Holiday Folk Fair at State Fair Park. Public hours: 2 – 10 p.m. Details in this issue.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Saturday, Nov. 17 • Italian Community Center volunteers and Tradizione Vivente participate in Holiday Folk Fair at State Fair Park. Public hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Details in this issue.

• Doo-Wop Daddies concert, 8 p.m. Details in this issue.

Sunday, Nov. 18 • Italian Community Center volunteers and Tradizione Vivente participate in Holiday Folk Fair at State Fair Park. Public hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Details in this issue.

Tuesday, Nov. 20 • Società Maschile M.S.S. del Lume meeting and spuntino, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 22 • Happy Thanksgiving Day! • Italian Community Center Thanksgiving Day buffet, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Reservations required. Details in this issue.

Saturday, Nov. 24 • 30 Years of Festa Italiana entertainment show, 7 p.m. Details in this issue.

Wednesday, Nov. 28 • Pompeii Women’s Club membership dinner meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The fall bocce season, with a mixed couples league on Monday night and seniors leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, continues through the week of Nov. 5. The championship playoffs are set for Monday, Nov. 12. at 6:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

• Free Children’s Italian class. The fall semester of the Italian Community Center’s free children’s Italian class (for those ages 6-12) is under way and runs each Saturday through Nov. 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Children, ages 6-12, can be registered before the start of any class.

• Italian I and II classes for teens and adults. The fall semester of Italian I and II classes for teens and adults is under way and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 13. No new registrations accepted.

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

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

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 3

ICC installation dinner set for Nov. 3 Besides swearing in of new officers and directors, event includes fabulous dinner, volunteer award presentations and dancing to the music of Tom Sorce Band from page 1 Spang has announced the following award recipients: • Ann Romano, Lifetime Volunteer.

• Anna Pitzo, Promoting and Preserving Italian Culture.

• The Joseph and Mary Reina family, Family Participation.

• Bea Ceraso, Lifetime Commitment.

• Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen, Young Volunteer.

• Harrison Hessel, Theresa Radke, Peter Radke, John Radke, Joe Radke, Sarabeth Pankow, Danny Pankow, Angelina Pankow, Adam Hamdan, Ryan Lieber and Tyler Hromadka, Junior Volunteers.

Following the award presentations, the Tom Sorce Band will play dance music appropriate for all age groups in attendance.

A sweet table will be presented later in the evening featuring a wide variety of cookies, cakes, bars and pastries.

About the award recipients Ann Romano has been active in the ICC and Festa Italiana since the inception of both in 1978. Most notably, she has served as chairperson of the highly successful fundraiser, “A Taste of Italy,” for 16 of the 17 years it has been held and has been named chairperson for the 2013 event, which will be held Sunday, Apr. 14. For 27 years, she and her late husband, Nick, managed the Volunteer Food Tent at Festa.

Ann served for eight years on the ICC Board as a director and for several years as member of the Finance Committee. Throughout the years, she has chaired numerous committees and activities. She has been co-chairperson of Carnevale, chairperson of the bake sale and raffle held in conjunction with senior citizen luncheons and chairperson of holiday decorations. She was also in charge of the volunteers for Friday night fish fry events, food servers for children’s holiday parties and volunteers for bingo nights.

In 1984, the ICC honored Ann and Nick as the Regina (Queen) and Re (King) of Carnevale.

Ann is also active in the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO where she is a past president and has long served as chairperson of its Community Projects Committee. She is a past recipient of that organization’s Star Award, which recognized dedicated her volunteer service.

Ann also is a past recipient of the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ “Italian Person of the Year” award.

Anna Pitzo has been a member of the ICC for more than 30 years during which time she served on the ICC Board as secretary for nine years and as a director-at-large.

She has volunteered at Festa Italiana, serving as chair of the regional exhibit for several years.

She has volunteered for “A Taste of Italy” since its inception and has generously donated homemade manicotti for the event. Since the ICC has taken over the Italian exhibits at the Holiday Folk Fair, she has chaired the culture booth.

She has also done Italian cultural and cuisine demonstrations on behalf of the ICC at schools, senior centers and nursing homes.

For many years, Anna has coordinated the ICC’s Student Culture Day in which students from area

PAGE 4 – NOVEMBER 2012

Ann Romano

Bea Ceraso

schools are given an opportunity to learn about Italian culture, history, language, recreation and food.

During the event, she demonstrates how to make homemade pasta.

Anna has served as both chairperson and member of the ICC’s Culture Committee and has coordinated or assisted in orchestrating many of the programs presented and sponsored by the committee.

In 1999, the ICC recognized Anna and her late husband, Edward, as the Nonna and Nonno (Royal Grandparents) of Carnevale.

Anna is also active in the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO and is a past president of that organization.

The Joseph and Mary Reina family has long been active in participating in and supporting Festa and the ICC. Over the last decade, Joe Reina has provided several Vespa scooters for the raffles conducted in conjunction with Festa Italiana and the ICC’s “A Taste of Italy.” These donations were made possible through the Vespa dealership he and his brothers, Filippo and Ignazio, operate. Joe and his brothers are also the owners of Reina International Auto and have provided Italian-made cars for use in the Festa parade. For this year’s Festa, Reina International Auto/Vespa Milwaukee was a key sponsor. Reina International Auto has long participated as an advance ticket outlet for Festa.

Joe and his wife, Mary, have donated gelato and spumoni for various ICC events. The couple have a business known as European Gelato and have operated the Gelateria Italiana booths at Festa for many years.

Joe and Mary Reina were recognized by the ICC for their support in 2009 when they were chosen the Re and Regina of Carnevale. Their daughters also have been chosen

Anna Pitzo

Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen

The Reina family – seated (l tor ): AnnaMela, Joseph and Marilena.

Standing: Mary and Joseph. (Photo provided by the Reina family)

for the royalty of Carnevale. Marilena, was the Principessa (Princess) of Carnevale in 1995. AnnaMela was the Piccola Principessa (Junior Princess) of Carnevale in 2012.

Joe and Mary’s children, including her son, Joseph, have participated in volunteer capacities at both the ICC and Festa.

Since the inception of the ICC in 1978, Bea Ceraso has been an active member and volunteer, often working side by side with her late husband, Sam, who served as president of the ICC during the 1983-84 term. Together, the couple organized and/or participated in numerous cultural, civic and social events sponsored by the organization.

These include installation dinners, Carnevale, award presentations, public showings of Italian cultural exhibits, and arts and education programs.

For many years, Bea and her family have assumed the responsibility of putting up the traditional Italian Christmas religious display known as the presepio, which is displayed at the ICC throughout the holiday season. Decorated with collections of nativity scenes and other collectibles that Sam and Bea acquired through the years, the display is set up in the ICC’s Board Room.

In 2003, the ICC recognized the contributions of Bea and Sam by selecting them as the Nonna and Nonno (the Royal Grandparents) of Carnevale.

Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen has been a member of Tradizione Vivente, the Milwaukeebased Italian folk dance group, for 35 years. She has been the group’s president and dance director. For the last 23 years, she has served as dance director of I Bei Bambini, and she not only teaches youngsters how to perform traditional

Italian dances, but to sing and speak in Italian.

Susie, as she is known to many ICC members, is completing five years of service as a director-atlarge on the ICC Board. She was initially appointed to the board in 2007, then elected in 2008 and reelected in 2010. She has been a member of the ICC’s Avanti Committee for 13 years and served several years as chairperson.

Since 2009, she has coordinated the highly-praised parade at Festa Italiana, which has grown in substance and scope each year under her direction.

Susie has also spent untold hours as a volunteer developing, managing and updating the websites of the ICC, the Italian Conference Center and Festa Italiana.

In 2010, the ICC recognized Susie and her husband, Tom, as the Regina and Re of Carnevale.

All of the junior volunteers who are being recognized are carrying on the volunteer traditions established by their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, by serving Festa Italiana and the ICC at numerous events.

Harrison Hessel is the son of Mark and Angel (Piano) Hessel and the grandson of Henry and Joanne Piano. In 2011, Harrison was the Principe (Prince) of Carnevale in 2011.

Theresa, Peter, John and Joe Radke are the children of Dr. David and Roz (Besasie) Radke and the grandchildren of Ray and Caroline Besasie. John was the Principe of Carnevale in 2010.

Sarabeth, Danny and Angelina Pankow are the children of Rosemarie and Matthew Pankow and the grandchildren of Rose (Purpero) and Joe Spang.

Continued on page 5

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Doo-Wop Daddies to perform at ICC on Saturday, Nov. 17 $15 advance tickets now available The legendary Doo-Wop Daddies will be performing at the Italian Community Center in the Festa Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Advance tickets, priced at $15, are now on sale.

Tickets at the door will be $20.

To obtain advance tickets, stop in at the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, or call 414/223-2180 with your credit card handy and your tickets will be mailed to you.

You may also call the Doo-Wop Daddies at 262/385-7404. Only tickets purchased for a table of 10 will be reserved.

Based in Milwaukee, the DooWop Daddies capture the demanding vocal styles of doo-wop music with unsurpassed excellence.

That’s only the beginning. The Daddies don’t merely recreate this classic genre, but have redefined it and made it their own 21st century

doo-wop.

The group’s live shows attain that ideal unity of masterful performance and entertainment.

Combining elements of vintage and cutting edge musical technologies, the Daddies produce an exciting theatrical show that remains faithful to the doo-wop style.

The Doo-Wop Daddies’ lineup includes Mike Sturino, Mike Welch, Ryan Clark, Mark Lansing, Tom Riepenhoff, Lee Stephens, Lee Wanek and Terry Casey.

The group will also be returning for the ICC’s New Year’s Eve party.

(See separate article.)

Joining the Doo-Wop Daddies for their Nov. 17 show will be “Big Al” formerly of the Milwaukee group, The Mob. Cafe La Scala open ICC General Manager Patrick Morgan announced that Cafe La

The Doo-Wop Daddies

Scala will be open for dinner and bar service starting at 5 p.m. the night of the show. Persons can be restaurant reservations by calling

414/223-2185.

Bar service will also be available in Festa Ballroom throughout the show.

ICC election results to be announced at Oct. 25 general meeting

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Results of this year’s Italian Community Center election, which features races for four director-atlarge seats, will be announced during the general membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 25, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

All of the nominees for officer positions are unopposed.

Gina Spang will succeed David Spano as president of the ICC. Spang has served this past year as vice president.

Giuseppe Vella, who is finishing a two-year term as a director, will be the new vice president.

Sam Purpero will return for his fourth consecutive term as treasurer.

Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie will continue her service as secretary, a post she has held the last eight years.

Returning for a third straight term as sergeant-at-arms is Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek.

There are eight nominees for the four open director-at-large

Several volunteers to be recognized at installation dinner and dance from page 4 They are also the nieces and nephew of Gina Spang.

Adam Hamdan is the son of Abel Hamdan and Tina Conley and the grandson of Christine and Dan Conley. Adam was the Piccolo Principe (Junior Prince) of Carnevale in 2008.

Ryan Lieber is the son of C.J. and Angie Lieber and the grandson of Marie (Andaloro) and Craig Lieber. Ryan was the Piccolo Principe of Carnevale in 2009.

Tyler Hromadka is the son of Tom and Jane Hromadka and the grandson of Aggie (Balistreri) and George Collura.

Italian Community Center Installation Dinner Reservation Form Name(s) ____________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________________ Phone ___________________ Email ______________________________ Number of ICC members attending ______ @ $30.00 per person = $_____________ Number of non-members attending ______ @ $35.00 per person = $____________ Total amount enclosed: $______________

Make your check payable to the Italian Community Center and submit it with this form to: ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. if you are reserving a table of 8 or 10, please list all of the names of the attendees on a separate piece of paper. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 30.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

seats. They are (in alphabetical order): Dean Cannestra, Bruno Giacomantonio, Joseph Jannazzo, Henry Piano, Anna Pitzo, Pietro Tarantino, Joseph Zambito and Anthony Zingale.

Officers serve a one-term term.

Directors are elected for a two-year term. Terms for both officers and directors begin officially on Nov. 1.

Spano, who has completed two consecutive terms as president, will move into the non-elective position of immediate past president, succeeding Henry Piano.

Under the term limit stipulation in the ICC Bylaws, a president can serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Directors Ralph Busalacchi, Elizabeth Ceraso, Peter Gustin and Tony Piacentini, who were elected last October, will be returning for the final year of their terms.

A complete report on the election results will appear in the December 2012 issue of The Italian Times.

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4525 South 13th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221 414/282-6449 – Fax 414/282-6701 ICC Member

Madeline Mary (Storniolo) Balistreri on the 9th anniversary of her passing Born: November 30, 1925 Married to Philip Balistreri on November 22, 1944.

Passed away on November 7, 2003.

Beloved wife and mother.

Beloved daughter of the late Joseph & Franchesca Storniolo.

Beloved sister of the late Joseph, Jr. (Ruth), the late Rose, the late Mary, Tony (Peggy) and Dorothy (Lionel) LoCroix.

We will always love you!

Salvatore, Joseph, Donna, Jack, Philip, Jr., Alex and Philip Balistreri, Sr. Sadly missed. Rest in Peace!

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 5

ICC’s fall bocce playoffs set for Nov. 12

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Teams participating in the Italian Community Center’s fall bocce leagues are entering the home stretch of their regular season schedule. The championship playoffs are set for Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

This season, there are four leagues: two seniors’ leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and two adult leagues on Monday and Wednesday nights. The first and second place teams from each of the four leagues will qualify for the playoffs, said Anthony Gazzana, the ICC’s bocce coordinator.

The winter 2012 bocce season will begin in January. Look for details in the next issue of The Italian Times on how to get your team involved.

Carnevale will be Saturday, Feb. 9 Bill Sargent Band to play The Italian Community Center’s 34th annual pre-Lenten costume and mask ball – Il Grande Carnevale – will take place Saturday, Feb. 9, chairpersons Rosemary DeRubertis and Joanne Czubek announced.

The theme is “Ricordi di Carnevale” (“Memories of Carnevale”).

DeRubertis and Czubek said the Carnevale Committee has begun planning a fun-filled, nostalgic evening with fabulous food, fireworks, sweet table and dancing to the music of the Bill Sargent Band.

Selections for the Royal Court – Re and Regina (King and Queen), Principe and Principessa (Prince and Princess), Piccolo Prince and Piccola Principessa (Junior Prince and Junior Princessa) and Nonno and Nonna (Royal Grandfather and Grandmother) – as well as Il Gran Maresciallo (the Grand Marshal) and all other details are expected to be announced in the December issue of The Italian Times.

Make your Thanksgiving Day dining plans at the ICC Pre-paid reservations required for this bountiful feast There’s no need to spend most of your Thanksgiving Day in the kitchen preparing your family feast. Let the Italian Conference Center staff do the cooking on Thursday, Nov. 22. For the first time, the ICC is offering a Thanksgiving Day buffet.

Pre-paid reservations are necessary for this bountiful feast, which will begin with the first seatings at 11 a.m. Reservations will be taken on the half-hour from that time on, with the last seating scheduled for 6 p.m.

Business Manager Patrick Morgan has set prices at $24.95 for adults, $15.95 for children, ages 5-12, and free for children, 4 and younger.

The Thanksgiving menu The following array of sumptuous buffet choices awaits those who come to the ICC for their Thanksgiving dinner.

• Salads: Garden salad with assorted dressings; Caesar salad; Caprese salad; seafood tortellini salad; and Waldorf salad.

• Appetizers: Fresh fruit; assorted cheese and crackers; antipasto, vegetables and dill dip; and cranberry relish.

• Sides: Garlic mashed potatoes; sweet potato casserole; roasted yams; sweet corn; fresh green beans almondine; and penne pasta marinara.

• Meats: Oven-roasted turkey and gravy; honey glazed ham; carved prime rib au jus; Italian sausage sauté; baked cod with lemon dill butter; and meatballs in sauce.

• Desserts: Tiramisu; cannoli; pumpkin pie; apple pie; wild berry pie; and many other assorted tortes.

• Add-ons: Italian bread; butter; coffee; tea; and milk.

Free parking will be available in the lot south of the building.

ICC planning for a full house for its New Year’s Eve party Doo-Wop Daddies to play after fabulous dinner at this reservations-only event

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Don’t wait to make your reservations for the spectacular New Year’s Eve party planned at the Italian Community Center. The celebration on Monday, Dec. 31, beginning at 7 p.m., will include lots of delicious food, plenty of party favors and dancing to the ‘50s-‘60s sounds of the legendary Doo-Wop Daddies.

General Manager Patrick Morgan said, “The Doo-Wop Daddies have always drawn large crowds every time we’ve booked them. So, I want to advise everyone to get their reservations made early.”

calling 414/223-2180, or by mailing the form accompanying this story.

Be sure to make your check payable to the Italian Conference Center and submit it along with the reservation form to ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

If you wish to be seated at a table with specific persons, please list the names of those people on a separate sheet of paper. Don’t forget to include your own name.

The ICC will not be allowing walk-ins the night of the event.

At 7 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a variety of the Italian Conference Center’s famous hot and cold hors d’oeuvres in the galleria. There will be a cash bar.

How to make reservations The cost for the evening is the same as last year, $70 per person.

Reservations are required and can be made using a credit card and

Dinner menu An hour later, guests will be called into the Pompeii Grand Ballroom for a sumptuous dinner.

It will begin with an Italian salad with Romaine lettuce topped with mozzarella cheese, salami, prosciutto, tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts and pepperoncini.

The main course will feature a double entrée – center cut beef tenderloin topped with wild mushroom Bordelaise sauce and jumbo shrimp scampi – served over angel hair pasta, steamed vegetable medley, Italian bread, and coffee, tea, iced tea or milk.

For dessert, guests will be served tuxedo black and white torte

William A. Jennaro Law, LLC General Practice of Law 330 E. Kilbourn Ave., Ste. 1170 Milwaukee, WI 53202 414.271.1440 – Office 414.224.8660 – Direct Line 414.271.7680 – Fax wajennarolaw@grgblaw.com Of Counsel with the firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP Have something to sell during the holiday season? Consider placing your advertising in The Italian Times. Reserve spots now in our December issue. For more information, call (414) 223-2180 or send an email to: themman@italiancc.org.

PAGE 6 – NOVEMBER 2012

Make your prepaid reservations in person at the reception desk at the Italian Community Center on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 414/223-2180 and pay with a credit card.

with a layer of New York cheesecake, raspberry filling, chocolate butter cream, moist double chocolate cake topped with French vanilla butter cream.

Following a midnight champagne toast welcoming the New Year, a buffet station will be made available. The buffet will feature assorted cold cuts, cheese and relish trays, fresh rolls, pasta salad and assorted cookies.

The Doo-Wop Daddies will play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Doo-Wop Daddies Based in Milwaukee, the DooWop Daddies capture the demanding vocal styles of doo-wop music with unsurpassed excellence.

That’s only the beginning. The Daddies don’t merely recreate this classic genre, but have redefined it and made it their own 21st century doo-wop.

The group’s live shows attain that ideal unity of masterful performance and entertainment.

Combining elements of vintage and cutting edge musical technologies, the Daddies produce an exciting theatrical show that remains faithful to the doo-wop style.

The Doo-Wop Daddies’ lineup includes Mike Sturino, Mike Welch, Ryan Clark, Mark Lansing, Tom Riepenhoff, Lee Stephens, Lee Wanek and Terry Casey.

ICC New Year's Eve Party Reservation Form Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 Name(s) _________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ City _______________________________ State ______ Zip _____________ Phone ___________________ Email __________________________________ Please list the names of persons in your party on a separate sheet of paper. Tables of 10 are available. Singles and couples: If you wish to be seated at a table with specific persons, please list their names on a separate sheet of paper.

Total number of people attending _________ x $70.00 = $ Please make your check/money order payable to: Italian Conference Center, and mail to: ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

All payments are non-refundable and must accompany this reservation form.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

First Choice Entertainment Services presents

“Moments to Remember” A tribute to 35 years of Festa Italiana entertainment

By Fred Meier If you have enjoyed the entertainment at Festa Italiana over the past 35 years, you won’t want to miss the show coming to the Italian Community Center’s Pompeii Grand Ballroom on Saturday, November 24 from 7 to 11 p.m.

The show will be a benefit for the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee, whose mission since 1974 is ending hunger among children and the elderly, veterans, displaced workers and working poor families.

The show will be a tribute to the 35 years of entertainment at Festa Italiana. It will include songs that have been performed by some of the best and well known entertainers who have ever been at Festa since 1978.

The show will include the

most well known songs from ABBA, Frankie Avalon, Tony Bennett, Dick Contino, Vic Damone, Vic Dana, Danny & The Juniors, Dion & The Belmonts, The Four Aces, The Four Lads, Sergio Franchi, Jay & The Americans, Dean Martin, Al Martino, Liza Minelli, The Monkees, The Righteous Brothers, Jimmie Rodgers, Bobby Rydell, Neil Sedaka, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Jerry Vale, The Vogues and many more.

Performing these songs will be Sherwood Alper, Johnny B., Mike Betts on trumpet, Bruce Cole on drums, Kalani, Mark Koch, Jeff LaBarge on sax, Larry Lynne - vocals and guitar, Freddy Meier, Mike Miller on sax, Judy Oswald, Joe Palumbo, Elvis Prince, Bob Sanderson on guitar, Sam

Schiera, Tom Sorce on guitar, Tony Spavone, Jeff Stoll on keyboards, Jayne Taylor and Tommy Zingale.

There will be a buffet dinner offered for $12.95 per person before the show from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the Italian Community Center’s public restaurant, Cafe La Scala, will be open for dinner and late night dining and drinks.

Reservations can be made by calling 414/223-2185. Two cash bars will also be set up in the ballroom.

Advance tickets for the show are now on sale for $30 per person and can be obtained by calling 414/764-4145. The night of the show, tickets will be sold at the door for $35 per person.

Hope to see you there!

Sponsored by: China Inn Restaurant 10539 W. Forest Home Avenue Hales Corners, WI 53130 (414) 425-4903 Nessum Dorma Restaurant 2778 N. Weil Milwaukee, WI 53212 (414) 264-8466

Diversified Capital Management Michael R. Palmisano 11805 W. Hampton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53225 (414) 688-7547 Lucille’s Rockin’ Pianos 1110 N. Old World Third Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 225-0304

Reina International Italian Sports Car Center 12730 W. Capitol Drive Brookfield, WI 53005 (262) 781-3336

Sail Loft Spirits and Dining 649 E. Erie Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 223-0100

Peter Sciortino’s Bakery 1101 E. Brady Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414 272-4623

Uptown Ford Lincoln 2111 N. Mayfair Road Milwaukee, WI 53226 (414) 771-9000

THE ITALIAN TIMES

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 7

Italian culture to be well represented at Holiday Folk Fair, Nov. 16-18 from page 1 daily at both the All Nations Theater and the Music Pavilion. At the All Nations Theater, Tradizione Vivente will debut a dance brand new to the group. Fortunate to have developed a relationship with Ru Maccature, a performing group from Carpinone, Molise, Italy.

Tradizione Vivente will perform the energetic and charismatic dance, San Rocco.

The kindness and generosity of Ru Maccature’s president, Michele Castrilli, became evident as he graciously gave the dance group permission to perform San Rocco. He said he was proud and honored that Tradizione Vivente enjoyed their dance so much that they wished to perform the dance in America.

At the Music Pavilion, the dance group will perform a beautiful ribbon dance, Laccio d’Amore and Tarantella Seicento (600).

On Sunday, I Bei Bambini will

charm and astound the audience with the delightful dance, il Codiglione.

The Italian marketplace booth will offer beautiful jewelry from the island of Murano off the coast of Venice – known for its stunningly colorful blown glass. There will be Italian made and themed ornaments, aprons, Italian-made soaps, spoon rests made in Italy, advent calendars, hand-woven hemp bracelets in Italian colors and other great gift ideas.

For the young people attending Friday’s Student Day, the volunteers at the Italian marketplace booth will sell fun items such as silicone “ITALY” bracelets and Venetian court jester hats that light up.

ICC member Christina Ziino assures us they are hard at work, still searching for other Italian merchandise, and will undoubtedly provide the guests with a very attractive merchandise booth.

2013 schedules sought from groups that regularly use the ICC The 2013 meeting and social event schedules of all societies, clubs and organizations that regularly use the Italian Community Center for their activities are needed by the Italian Conference Center’s Sales and Catering Department and The Italian Times.

David Stachowiak, Director of Sales, Catering & Special Events, and Michelle LeFebvre, Catering Sales Representative, need these schedules to guarantee dates and hall/room availability.

Tom Hemman, Times editor, needs the information to provide an accurate reporting of events in the monthly calendar published in this 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 Monday, Dec. 3.

Please submit schedules by using any one of these methods: • Send an email to Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org or to David Stachowiak at dsta-

chowiak@italianconference.com or Michelle LeFebvre at mlefebvre@italianconference.com.

• Fax the information to either The Italian Times or the Italian Conference Center Sales and Catering Department at 414/2232187.

• Drop off the schedules in person at the ICC. Groups that don’t comply with this request may find it more difficult at a later time to get the accommodations they most desire.

“We always try our best to accommodate all requests, but if we can reserve dates and rooms early, it’s to everyone’s advantage,” Stachowiak said.

Added Hemman, “If we don’t have the your schedule of events and the starting time of each event, it becomes very difficult and a bit frustrating to prepare an accurate calendar listing for the newspaper. We do hear about it when an event is not listed in the calendar. This is why we have to depend on the presidents or the designated representatives of the many organizations to supply that information to us.”

Guests can dine at the Italian food booth, which will be run by Tradizione Vivente. The booth will feature pizza, pasta and meatballs, and arancini (rice balls), along with other traditional Italian pastries and desserts such as cookies, tiramisu, and cannoli. Local vendors Sciortino’s Bakery and Palermo’s Pizza will provide the delicious fare that remains a favorite of the public.

ICC member Anna Pitzo, who for many years has generously volunteered her time at the Italian cultural exhibit, tells us that this year’s booth honors the theme of Holiday Folk Fair 2012, which is “Celebrate the Culture of the Story.” The Italian culture booth will feature stories related to Christmas in Italy. Visitors will learn why Christmas is celebrated on December 25. They will learn about gift-giving practices in Italy and special decorations honoring the birth of Christ. There will be other stories, which relate to our

rich Italian culture.

Hours and admission prices The public hours for the Holiday Folk Fair are: 2 to 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18.

Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased from members of the ICC Culture Committee or members of Tradizione Vivente. They also can be ordered online on the Folk Fair’s website. General admission at the door is $12 or $10 for senior citizens (62 and over with ID) and children, ages 6-12. There is free admission for military personnel (with military ID) and children, age 5 and under. Family Fun 4-Packs are available for $36 and can be ordered on the Folk Fair website or by calling 414/225-6225 or 1/800/FAIR-INTL. For performance schedules and additional information, please visit the Holiday Folk Fair website, www.folkfair.org.

I Want to Buy Your Old Musical Instruments.

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

Call Tom (414) 333-3221

David or Michelle

PAGE 8 – NOVEMBER 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Monetary donations sought for 36th annual Thanksgiving dinner for less fortunate This year’s dinner is in memory of Robert Cefalu

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Monetary donations are now being solicited for the 35th annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate, sponsored by the Ragione Club, a group comprised largely of longtime Italian Community Center members.

The dinner will again be held at the Open Door Cafe at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 831 N. Van Buren St., Milwaukee. It will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Ragione Club has announced that this year’s dinner is being held in memory of Robert Cefalu who died this past June 18 at the age of 75. He was actively involved in putting together the annual dinner for many years and served as general chairman the past five years.

Donations can be dropped off or sent to the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53211. Make checks

payable to the ICC. Please reference “Thanksgiving Dinner” on the memo line.

Club members will also be present at the ICC’s Oct. 25 general membership meeting to collect contributions, according to Anthony Lupo, who replaced Cefalu as general chairman.

The ICC purchases the food for the event from the donations that are collected. The organization also covers any shortages in funds to ensure that there are sufficient quantities of food available for a complete Thanksgiving-style dinner.

The food is prepared at no cost to the Ragione Club by the Italian Conference Center staff, headed by Executive Chef Jack McNeir. The Conference Center staff also delivers the food to the meal site.

During the dinner, Ragione Club members and other volunteers who are recruited for the event act as food servers. Many of them also contribute money and/or food products for the dinner, Lupo said.

With the slow recovery of the

United States economy, Lupo said he expects a large turnout for the Nov. 18 dinner. “We could feed 400 or more guests, so every donation – no matter how small or large – is very much appreciated. For many of our guests, this will be the only complete Thanksgiving dinner they will have this year,” he added.

Joining Lupo in organizing this

year’s dinner are vice chairs Anthony Zingale and Ray Martinez, and Sal Agnello, Anthony Machi, George Collura, Aggie Collura, Charles Zingale, Tony Carlson, Frances Chris Busalacchi, Dolly Accetta, Robert Trotalli, Mr. and Mrs. John Pellmann, Barbara Lupo, Lena Zingale and Carol Martinez.

Copies of vintage photos displayed at ICC or Festa available through Milwaukee County Historical Society Persons interested in acquiring a copy of any of the vintage Italian American photographs that are displayed throughout the year at the Italian Community Center or during the four days of Festa Italiana must contact the Milwaukee County Historical Society (MCHS) to obtain the photo, ICC Historian Mario A. Carini announced.

“The Historical Society is the keeper of all of the negatives,” Carini said, who donated a massive collection of artifacts, photos and other memorabilia to the society on behalf of the ICC and the early Italian immigrants in 2010.

Please contact either Steve Daily or Amanda Koehler at the MCHS. They can be reached at 414/273-7487 or 414/273-8288.

Gloria Italiano sells ‘Pinocchio’ book and other works at ICC

Chuck Lazzaro (left), president of the Pompeii Men’s Club, presented a $150 donation on behalf of his organization to the group of volunteers who are coordinating the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate during the Italian Community Center’s general meeting on Sept. 27.

Anthony Lupo, general chairman of the dinner, accepted the donation.

This year’s dinner is Sunday, Nov. 18 at St. John Cathedral’s Open Door Cafe. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Cafe La Scala

makes it easy for you to enjoy great Italian food like pasta, pizza and daily specials at affordable prices.

• Dine-In: Lunch, 11 am - 2 pm & Dinner from 5 pm, Monday - Thursday: from 4:30 pm Friday. Have our bartender mix your favorite cocktail.

• Carry-Out: Call 414/223-2185 to place your order and pick it up at the time you requested.

Cafe La Scala, 631 E. Chicago St., Milw.

Gloria Italiano (third from left), who has received high acclaim for her English translation of Carlo Collodi’s original version of “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” sold copies of that book and other works she has authored at the Italian Community Center on Monday, Sept. 24. Italiano’s granddaughter, Marì Santagata (first on left), her daughter Julie Ann Anzilotti and ICC Culture Committee member Anna Pitzo (far right) joined Italiano for this picture. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

THE ITALIAN TIMES

A block west of Summerfest

414/223-2185 • www.LaScalaMilwaukee.com Have you tried our all-you-can-eat Friday night fish fry?

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 9

Jack Fallucca, ‘Papa Palermo,’ established family-run frozen pizza business that has grown into one of nation’s largest

By Bill Lavelette Gaspare “Jack” Fallucca helped his family launch a business in Milwaukee that grew to employ nearly 500 people.

A Sicilian immigrant with a fifth-grade education, Fallucca and his wife Zina founded a bakery, a restaurant and then a frozen pizza business.

Jack died October 4th of natural causes. He was 82 years old.

Palermo’s Pizza was the latest of the family businesses that started with the bakery in 1964 on N. Murray Ave. – just around the corner from the busy east side intersection of Farwell and North Avenues.

With the creation of the frozen pizza business, Fallucca became known as “Papa Palermo.” His memorable expression – “Dat’s da Best” – is a trademarked phrase used on company products.

Fallucca started working on a frozen pizza after turning down a request from a grocery store owner to make a snack for his workers on a Saturday morning. He said it would not be worth warming up the ovens at that time.

The customer suggested making the pizza ahead of time and freezing it. The family began selling frozen pizza in 1974.

Born in 1930 into a farm family in San Cipirrello, Sicily, in the Palermo province, Fallucca immigrated to the United States in

1956. Despite not speaking English, he immediately got a job as a dishwasher at the Pfister Hotel. He later worked in various construction jobs for the H.E. Stark Company.

Fallucca also worked with his nephew Joseph Campione in local Italian bakeries in the early years along with members of the Sgroi family, Michael, Josephine and Nino.

By 1964, Jack and Zina had saved enough money to open the Palermo Bakery. Life in the bakery business required long hours.

Fallucca started late at night and worked until noon the next day when he finished driving baked goods to customers.

The family’s three sons – Peter, Giacomo and Angelo – were born during those years.

When a hardware store went up for sale next door to the bakery, Jack and Zina leveraged their assets to open the Palermo Villa restaurant in 1969.

The restaurant quickly became popular for its food, especially pizza. It often attracted out-of-town entertainers such as Tony Bennett, Frankie Avalon and James Darren.

One of the people who frequented the restaurant was Betty Puccio, a past president of the Italian Community Center. She fondly said Fallucca was one of a kind and will definitely be missed.

Puccio recalled that Fallucca kept the restaurant open late to

Vietnam War veteran Leo Sorce dies at age 66 Italian Community Center member Alexander P. “Leo” Sorce died Oct. 12 of complications from Agent Orange, which he battled since his service with the United States Army’s 82 Airbourne Division in the Vietnam War. He was 66 years old.

Leo enjoyed coming to Festa Italiana and to the ICC’s Courtyard Music Series, especially on Tuesday Bluesday. He played the harmonica, a popular instrument among blues players.

Although he was a disabled vet-

eran, he worked for 10 years at Ladish Company in Cudahy and laid carpeting for many years.

He is survived by his children Christine (Darin) Petzer, Jimmy (Maya) and Illona Lee (Ryan) Huolihan; his grandchildren Justin, Megan, Davin, Aaron, Cassidy, Addison and Brecken; great-grandson Damien; his brothers Thomas (Myrna), and Peter (Colleen) and his sister Margaret (George) Landowski. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Sorce.

Jack Fallucca and his wife, Zina, are seen here in a photo taken at the Italian Community Center’s pre-Lenten ball, Il Grande Carnevale, in 1983.

Jack Fallucca served as Il Gran Maresciallo (The Grand Marshal) at that event. (Times photo by the late Dr. Edward F. Leone)

serve customers after taverns closed.

“A group of us would stop by a couple times a week, and Jack would always make me feel like I was family,” Puccio said. “The place would be crowded, and he would see me and, in his booming Italian accent, he would say, ‘Betty, come here, I have your table.’”

Puccio said Jack would often sit with her group at their table and share stories. But he always knew what was going on around him, she said.

Puccio recalled, “Once a customer complained that the anchovies were too salty, and Jack went right to the table and said, ‘They are supposed to be salty. Eat them. They are good for you.’ The group started laughing and ate the pizza.”

On the way out, they told Fallucca that it was a very good pizza, and they would be back, she said.

After years of hard work in the restaurant and bakery business, Fallucca decided he wanted something different for his family. He informed Zina and their sons when they returned from a vacation in 1979 that he had sold the restaurant. They would concentrate on frozen pizzas in the future, he said.

They purchased a former bakery on the south side and fixed it up to make frozen pizzas on a larger scale. They started with family members doing many of the tasks themselves as they had with their two earlier businesses.

Leo Sorce (first on left) is seen here with his brothers Peter and Tom and sister Margie at a family reunion. (Photo provided by Tom Sorce)

PAGE 10 – NOVEMBER 2012

Longtime residents of the Milwaukee area may recall seeing Jack, decked out as “Papa Palermo” (chef’s hat and apron included), at their local grocery store on a Saturday morning in the frozen foods aisle greeting shoppers and offering them samples of the latest Palermo’s Pizza products. Jack

once told The Italian Times that he loved getting out to meet the people who bought frozen pizzas and letting them know what was special about Palermo’s Pizza.

The frozen pizza business gradually grew. Fallucca determined that after about eight years that it was time for another change.

The business had its own set of challenges, including competition from some of the largest corporations.

Fallucca and his wife decided to turn the day-to-day business over to their sons who were barely in their twenties. He and Zina would concentrate on the plant and product development.

Palermo’s Pizza moved its headquarters and manufacturing operations in 2006 into a new building on W. Canal St. in the re-developing Menomonee Valley. The building, designed to look like an Italian villa, expanded by 113,000 sq. ft. of space in 2011. The Palermo’s facility now occupies about 250,000 sq. ft.

Puccio said the Fallucca family has been very supportive of Festa Italiana over the years, participating as a sponsor, vendor and seller of advance tickets. One year, Palermo’s Pizza sponsored a “Pizza Toss” competition, which allowed Festa’s guests to display their athletic skills in launching fresh pizza dough for a variety of prizes.

Jack and his family have long supported the ICC including providing pizza for the organization’s fund-raiser “A Taste of Italy.”

Fallucca was II Gran Maresciallo (Grand Marshal) of the Italian Community Center’s II Grande Carnevale (pre-Lenten costume and mask ball) in 1983.

Besides his wife, Zina, and sons Peter, Giacomo and Angelo, survivors include a sister, Josephine Sgroi, and four grandchildren.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Tony Sparacino honored at UW football game Tony Sparacino, a longtime member of the Italian Community Center and dedicated Festa Italiana volunteer, was honored as the “Season Ticket Holder of the Game” at the University of Wisconsin Badgers football game on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Camp Randall Stadium.

Sparacino, 87, has been a Badgers season ticket holder since 1950. He said he saw his first Badgers game in 1937 when he was 13 years old; UW played Marquette University, and he “fell in love with Badger football.”

In the 62 years Tony has been a season ticket holder, he said he’s missed only three games. He has even followed the Badgers on road trips.

Among his biggest “road trips” was the Wisconsin-Michigan State game in Tokyo, Japan on Dec. 5, 1993. The winner of the game would go on to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Badgers won that game and went on to defeat to UCLA in the Rose Bowl. The Dec. 5, 1993 game was the only one Tony attended without his wife, Bernice. The couple has been married for 65 years.

Tony has also gone to two Rose Bowl games in Pasadena in which the Badgers played including the Jan. 1, 1994 game. He also traveled to Florida (three times), Las Vegas (three times), California (three different cities), Dallas, Arizona, Hawaii, Seattle and Texas to see the Badgers. He went to see Wisconsin battle Notre Dame University when the two schools played a home-and-home series years ago.

As the Wisconsin football program’s “Season Ticket Holder of the Game,” Tony receives a parking pass, a wide variety of Oscar Meyer/Kraft Food products for a tailgate party for 25 years (including tent and chairs, grilling and eating utensils), an Oscar

doing painting jobs in the various rooms and hall. Tony also helped lay tiles. A lot of the work was done at night after activities at the ICC had ended.

“All the work was done for free.

We wanted to show our support for the ICC,” he said.

About Tony Tony worked for the City of West Allis for 40 years in the recreation and electrical departments and was a member of the city’s fire department and an emergency medical technician. He met his wife, Bernice, while the two were just teenagers working at the old Paradise Theater in West Allis.

Tony was raised by his mother, Lucretia. His father died when he was two years old. Tony’s mother was one of the founders of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in West Allis.

Not only is Tony a Badgers season ticket holder, but he has been a Green Bay Packers season ticket holder for more than 50 years and has followed the Packers for 72 years. Tony said, “My greatest treasure is that I have a Don Hutson autographed game day program (which at the time sold for 15¢). Hutson is still on the list of top athletes in all sports in the world.”

Here’s Tony Sparacino wearing his Badgers attire, including a cap he bought in Tokyo, Japan when Wisconsin played Michigan State in 1993.

Meyer/UW football jersey, a photo in the game day program, a feature story about him the day of the game on UWBadgers.com, and an on-field recognition during the game shown on the giant television monitor.

Festa and the ICC Tony has been a volunteer for Festa Italiana since 1979. He was introduced to Festa by Ray Hoffman, who, like Tony, worked for the City of West Allis. Tony served for many years on the 911 grounds set-up crew and, as a member of Festa’s Secuity Patrol, he’s been in charge of the communications radios used by volunteers throughout the run of the festival.

When the new Italian Community Center opened in the early 1990s, Tony joined Carmen Zingara and other volunteers in

Tony Sparacino (far right with cap on) is helping to hold up a sign with Badgers fans at the game in Tokyo.

St. Joan Antida Spaghetti Dinner is Sunday, Nov. 4 The Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida High School invite the public to their 57th annual Fall Festival and Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 4.

The event takes place at St. Joan Antida High School, 1341 N. Cass St., Milwaukee.

From 11 a.m. to noon, people can stop by for take-out only.

From noon to 6 p.m., people can dine in or order the dinner for take-out.

For more information, please call 414/272-8423 ext. 208.

Longtime friends salute Tom Lorino at ICC Thomas A. “Tom” Lorino, a major supporter of the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana, was saluted by his longtime friends and neighbors from Milwaukee’s old Third Ward and his classmates from Lincoln High School at a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 21 in the ICC’s Members Room.

Lorino was among the first members to become a major donor to the building fund for the new ICC when construction was proposed. He also was supportive of

Tom Lorino is seen here wearing a striped shirt and is seated next to Anthony Machi.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Festa Italiana throughout its 35 years.

According to ICC Treasurer Sam Purpero and past ICC President Henry Piano, who organized the event, some 32 friends attended the luncheon.

The guests included Jeffrey T.

Lorino, James D. Lorino, Salvatore “Teddy” Lorino, Todd Lorino, Desty Lorino, Ray Besasie, Anthony T. Machi, Bobby Hawke, Dominic Foti, Dave Doern, Rudy Fernandez, Sal “Moose” Mussomeli, Joe Palmisano, Larry Balistreri, Joe Rosso, Joseph “Benno” Casamento,

Joe Besasie, Bob Galusha, Tony Sanfelippo, Steve Sanfelippo, Joe “Smitty” Purpero, Frank Calarco, George Collura, Dominic Giuffre, Frank Giuffre, Joe Catalano, John Cashin, William Genaro, Joe Zarcone, Henry Piano and Sam Purpero.

Times photos by Tom Hemman

More than 30 of Tom Lorino’s friends, neighbors and classmates showed up for the luncheon held in his honor.

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 11

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

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

The following donations were received between September 7 and

October 9, 2012.

In memory of Phyllis Ann Ghiardi Anthony T. Machi

Mary Ann Maglio Frances Firle Anna Pitzo Bill & Rita Jennaro

In memory of Rev. Victor R. “Vic 4 JC” Capriolo Sam & Lucille Purpero Phil Purpero

In memory of Patricia L. Vargas Anthony T. Machi

In memory of Norma Angeli Anthony T. Machi

Instructor of toddlers’ dance class presents $100 donation to ICC

In memory of Robert J. “Bob” Ruggieri Sam & Lucille Purpero Ron & Joanne Czubek Mary Ann Maglio Frances Firle George & Judy Menos Paul & Rose Iannelli Mary Winard Carmen & Lorre Zingara Anthony T. Machi Bill & Rita Jennaro Tom Hemman & Faye Ann Kessler Ray & Mary Hoffman Tom & Rose Zingale Betty Hermann Jimmy & Linda Spataro Phil Balistreri Isidore & Mary Pecoraro Charles & Doris Evans Mario A. Carini Margaret M. Carini Carmen Schlotthauer Ann Romano George & Aggie Collura Kathy Balistreri Jimmy & Linda Spataro Joe Dentice Pauline Cannestra In memory of Joseph “Joe” Scaffidi Paul & Rose Iannelli

Sofia Gatti Taylor (left), instructor of “Balliamo, Bambini,” an Italian dance and cultural education class for youngsters, ages 2-5, presented a $100 donation to Italian Community Center President Dave Spano during the organization’s general meeting on Sept. 27. The class was held for the first time at the ICC on Saturday mornings between March and May. The donation represented proceeds from the class registration fees. Gatti Taylor announced that she is planning to conduct the class again in 2013.

She advises people to look for more information in future issues of The Italian Times. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

In memory of Robert K. Gibbons, Sr. Anthony T. Machi In memory of Rodney “Ron” Vento Anthony T. Machi Bill & Rita Jennaro Eddie & Jo Ann Glorioso

UNICO Ladies make another donation for the preservation of ICC’s vintage photos

Dr. Grace Lucretia Machi Sam & Lucille Purpero In memory of Sam Corrao Paul & Rose Iannelli Bill & Rita Jennaro Anthony T. Machi Eddie & Jo Ann Glorioso Phil Balistreri Jimmy & Linda Spataro Sal Mussomeli & Sally Mullins In memory of Ignatius J. Balistreri Anthony T. Machi Paul & Rose Iannelli In memory of Angelo A. Dragotta Dr. Grace Lucretia Machi Sam & Lucille Purpero Jimmy & Linda Spataro In memory of Robert J. Cefalu with donations designated for the ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate Phil Balistreri Anthony & Barbara Lupo Ray & Carol Martinez Sally Rondinelli In memory of Alex Calarco Sonny & Melody Gensler In memory of Gaspare “Jack” Fallucca (Papa Palermo) Sam & Lucille Purpero Anthony T. Machi Mary Ann Maglio Mary Winard Ron & Joanne Czubek John Coffaro Ann Romano George & Judy Menos Joe & Sheeda D’Amato Sal Mussomeli & Sally Mullins George & Aggie Collura Jimmy & Linda Spataro Paul & Rose Iannelli Jim & Marie Schwindt Sally Rondinelli Kathy Balistreri Frank & Nina Galioto Joe and Sheeda D’Amato Anna Pitzo In memory of Ruth A. Busalacchi Tony & Barbara Lupo In memory of Patricia Frinzi John Coffaro Anthony & Catherine Gazzana The following donations were made to the Thanksgiving dinner for less fortunate organized by the Ragione Club Margaret M. Carini Tom & Susan Christiansen Anna Pitzo Anonymous donor

Correcting errors in our October 2012 issue

The members of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO continued to demonstrate their commitment to the preservation and growth of the Italian Community Center’s vintage photography collection with a $500 donation presented during the ICC’s general meeting on Sept.

27. The UNICO Ladies have been a longtime supporter of the preservation effort. The ICC has what many believe is the largest collection of vintage ethnic photos in the United States. The ICC’s collection traces the

PAGE 12 – NOVEMBER 2012

history of the Italian-American community in Milwaukee. Ann Romano, chairperson of the UNICO Ladies’ Community Projects Committee, presented the donation to ICC President Dave Spano (both of whom are seen standing on the far right). Spano thanked the UNICO Ladies on behalf of the organization and its historian Mario A. Carini, who wasn’t present at the meeting. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

In an article on Joseph Gasperetti and his Oct. 12 book reading, we incorrectly spelled his last name “Gasparetti” throughout the article. Our apologies to Mr. Gasperetti.

In the advertisement for Fred Meier’s “Moments to Remember” show, the last line of copy in the editorial part was cut off in mid sentence. This error resulted from a quirk in the production process. The line should have read: “The night of the show, tickets will be sold at the door for $35 per person.” Our apologies to Mr. Meier.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Method of delivery of The Italian Times to change with January issue

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor Beginning with the January 2013 issue, The Italian Times will be introducing a new method of delivery of the newspaper to its readers.

The Italian Times will continue to be published 11 times annually, including the giant combined July/August Festa Italiana issue.

Every issue will be published as an online edition of the Italian Community Center’s website – www.ICCMilwaukee.com. However, just six of the 11 editions will be printed and made available for mailing to ICC members and for

free public distribution through our 70 outlets in the Greater Milwaukee Area.

This action, which was approved by the Italian Community Center Board, is being taken to save on printing, mailing and delivery costs. Our plan is to produce print editions carrying datelines of February, April, June, July/August, October and December in 2013.

With the introduction of this new plan, we have a special offer to our advertisers. Our plan is to charge for advertising in the print editions only. Initially, there will be no charge for advertising in the online edition. However, advertis-

Members: Please notify ICC of a change of address; noncompliance is costly for ICC Any member of the Italian Community Center who has a change of address is asked to notify the ICC promptly so that mailings from the Center are sent to the correct address.

Since the ICC uses nonprofit bulk rates to mail The Italian Times, the United States Postal Service is entitled to charge a fee (50¢) for each newspaper that is returned to the ICC and deemed undeliverable due to an incorrect address. Since June 2009 when the fees were first assessed, the ICC has been forced to pay more than $390 to the Postal Service because members did not supply the ICC with their change of address information.

Even if you are temporarily away from your permanent residence and are not receiving mail at that address, you need to notify the ICC of your temporary address so that your newspaper can be delivered to that address and so that the ICC is not charged 50¢ for each failed attempt to deliver the publication to your permanent residence.

“We’ve had a number of members who have gone to Florida or another warm weather location for the winter and these people did not supply us with their temporary change of address; hence their newspaper was returned to the ICC

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

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

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

THE ITALIAN TIMES

with the 50¢ service fee due for each newspaper,” Editor Tom Hemman said.

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

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

ers must purchase advertising in the print edition to receive free online edition advertisements.

Once we are able to evaluate online readership, we will be able to set our online advertising rates accordingly. These rates, we expect, will vary from the print edition advertising rates. However, if they desire, advertisers will be able to purchase combined print and online advertising rates at very attractive rates.

We will also be offering adverting opportunities on the three websites under the stewardship of the ICC. In addition to ICCMilwaukee.com, the two other websites are www.FestaItaliana.com and www.ItalianConference.com.

Details on this advertising program

need to be ironed out and will be made available once the work is completed.

Our goal is to retain all of our regular advertisers and, through the worldwide exposure of the online edition, attract many more new readers, as well as advertisers.

The ICC Board considers The Italian Times a vital tool for the organization, its future growth and prosperity and an important record of the contributions of persons of Italian descent to our society.

Persons who may have questions about the new method of delivering The Italian Times may contact me, Tom Hemman, at 414/223-2180 or via email at themman@italiancc.org.

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Harder Funeral Home JAMES T. GUARDALABENE ASSOCIATE 18700 W. Capitol Drive “Three generations of my family serving yours.” www.Guardalabene.com Phone: (262) 781-8350 Cell: (414) 588-0836 “As dictated by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, all pre-paid funeral trusts are allowed to be transferred to another funeral home at any time. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss transferring your trust to me from Schmidt & Bartelt or any other funeral home. I would, of course, honor all the terms and wishes as originally agreed upon. It is a very simple process that only requires your signature on a transfer form which I would provide. In addition, there likely could be a savings to you because of Harder’s more reasonable charges.”

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

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

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

• Longtime member of the Italian Community Center.

• Proud sponsor of the Festa Italiana Mass since 2002.

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 13

Italian Society and Club News Abbruzzese Society extends public invitation to Christmas dinner dance at ICC Members of the Abbruzzese Society have extended an invitation to the general public to join them for their annual Christmas dinner dance on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Italian Community Center. 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee.

The party will begin at 6 p.m. with a social bar (cash bar) fol-

lowed by a buffet dinner at 7 p.m.

Afterward, a deejay will spin dance music until midnight.

The cost is $30 per person.

Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Vincent Vitale, Abbruzzese Society President, at 414/545-5659 or via email at: vincentvitale@gmail.com.

Pompeii Women’s Club reports on Sept. 26 dinner meeting Great food, fun and friendship are three words that appropriately describe the Pompeii Women’s Club membership meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the Italian Community Center.

The highlight of the evening was a mini-food presentation by Dean Cannestra, assisted by his sister, Kathleen Mirenda. We were treated to sample servings of bruschetta, ravioli and zambaglione. Dean is kept busy as an owner of Nessun Dorma restaurant and as a member of the ICC Board of Directors.

Kathleen was the proprietor of the former Palermo Villa restaurant.

We sincerely appreciate their kindness.

Later, we were treated to desserts of a delicious fruit tart and scrumptious carrot cake made by Frances Firle. Frances and her sister, Mary Ann Maglio, served as the hostesses for the Sept. 26 meeting.

The theme they chose for the evening was “Wine & Roses,” which

was carried out with table centerpieces comprised of vases of roses and baby’s breath and bottles of wine. The centerpieces were the door prizes won by some lucky ladies in attendance. All of the guests were give a rose with baby’s breath wrapped in plastic. Thank you Mary Ann and Frances.

Our next monthly dinner meeting will be at the ICC on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Our hostesses will be Marie Schwindt and Sharon Best, and I’m sure pumpkins will be involved.

Any women interested in attending one of our dinner meetings and finding out what we’re all about is invited to call Membership Chairperson Aggie Collura at 262/821-3924. She’ll be happy to hear from you.

Lastly, we offered up a spiritual bouquet of roses in honor of our Blessed Mother’s Feast Day on Oct. 6.

– Mary Winard Publicity Chairperson

NIAF holds 37th Awards Gala Several prominent individuals of Italian ancestry and an academy were honored at the National Italian American Foundation’s 37th Anniversary Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The honorees included: • Geno Auriemma, head coach of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team and head coach of the gold medal-winning U.S.A. women’s basketball team in the 2012 Olympics this past summer. Recipient of NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in Sports.

• Mark Del Rosso, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Audi of America.

Recipient of NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in Business.

• Giovanni Ferrero, chief executive officer of The Ferrero Group.

Recipient of NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in International Business.

• Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. Recipient of NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in Science and Technology.

• Letizia Moratti, president of Friends of San Patrignano.

Recipient of NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in Philanthropy.

• Marco Simeon, director of government and international

PAGE 14 – NOVEMBER 2012

relationships for RAI. Recipient of Special Recognition for International Media Relations.

• Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the oldest science academy in the world. Recipient of NIAF’s Special Recognition for Academic Contributions.

More than 2,000 guests attended the awards dinner at The Washington Hilton.

Twelve-time Major League Baseball All-Star Mike Piazza served as master of ceremonies.

Singer and songwriter Giada Valenti, who performed at Festa Italiana in Milwaukee this past summer, sang “Inno di Mameli,” Italy’s national anthem. Actress and singer Christina Carlucci, sang the U.S. national anthem.

The awards gala capped off a weekend of conferences, meetings, exhibits and entertainment highlighting Italy and its contributions to the world. Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell performed at a program titled “A Little Moonlight,” which featured dancing, dinner and entertainment.

A celebrity auction luncheon was also held as well as conferences on immigration and breast cancer, a movie screening of John Turturro’s “Passions” and wine tastings featuring a selection of wines and delicacies from Italy’s Calabria region.

Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO show support for worthwhile causes through donations

By Sophia Michalovitz Ladies of UNICO President The Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO are staying true to the organization’s motto – “Service above Self” – with new contributions for worthwhile causes.

In September, Community Project Chair Ann Romano presented a $200 check to a cancer survivor. On behalf of the Ladies of UNICO, Romano and her committee presented a $500 check to the Italian Community Center for the restoration of its renowned vintage Italian American photo collection.

The Ladies of UNICO have been a longtime donor to this effort.

During the ICC’s general membership meeting on Thursday, Oct. 25, the Ladies of UNICO will present a $200 donation for the Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate that ICC volunteers will be hosting at the Open Door Cafe at St. John’s Cathedral on Sunday, Nov. 18.

Activities report In August, we were entertained by the Hawaiian Dancers from Wilson Park at our “Picnic on the Patio Luau.”

In September, we crowned our “Queen for a Night.” The honor went to Carmen Schlotthauer. Our organization awarded her several prizes including a cut and style by Rodica of Scenario Salon on Capital Drive and make-up by Kathy Clancy, a Mary Kay Cosmetic representative. Carmen also received a tiara, boa and free dinner.

At our Oct. 16 membership meeting, the topic was Italian her-

Here’s Carmen Schlotthauer, the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO “Queen for a Night.” (Photo provided by the Ladies of UNICO)

itage month where guests were asked to share mementos from their families.

New members welcome The Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO are always interested in receiving new members. Come join our monthly meetings and enjoy our fun events. To get information on becoming a member or attendance at our events, please contact me, Sophia Michalovitz, at 414/7317693 or Membership Chair Rosalia Ferrante at 414/347-1017.

Join us for fun but also to share in our motto “Service above Self” in our community endeavors.

Pompeii Men invite public to Christmas event The Pompeii Men’s Club welcomes the public to join its members in a Christmas celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Papa Luigi’s Pizza, 1919 12th Ave., South Milwaukee.

There will be a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by a buffet-style dinner at 6 p.m.

The cost has been set at $20 per

person.

Reservations are required by Friday, Nov. 16. Contact Chuck Lazzaro, Pompeii Men’s Club President, at 414/421-7359 or send a check for the number of people attending to Lazzaro at 6213 Mansfield Dr., Greendale, WI 53129. Make checks payable to the Pompeii Men’s Club.

Welcome, new Italian Community Center members!

The following people became members of the Italian Community Center between Sept. 7 and Oct. 8, 2012. Benvenuti! (Welcome!)

Robert E. Conklin, Jr. of Milwaukee Michael & Carmela Renda of Mequon Maria Calarco of Wauwatosa Jason Wedner of Wauwatosa Debra A. Syring of Kaukauna Brian Taffora of Cedarburg Carmin Caravella and son Tony of West Allis

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Collecting your family oral history before it is too late

By George Koleas The veterans of World War I are gone. The Italian immigrants who brought their families to America are rapidly passing. The Veterans Administration estimates that over 700 World War II veterans die every day. Our opportunity to learn about their lives and our families is disappearing. Time is running out and we have to take action now. Against this backdrop, there is the renowned reluctance of some Italian families to talk about their own families. How do you get them to share what they know?

The coming holidays give us a great opportunity to act before it is too late. Families gather at holidays. Take this opportunity to ask your relatives about their lives and about your family.

How do you get started?

First, learn how to ask questions. Some of you will remember the old TV show “Dragnet”. The main character was Detective Joe Friday. He would ask, “Just the facts m’am.” That type of questioning is useful at times. But if you start with those questions, people find it too challenging and they stop talking. That is the opposite of what you want. Then there was a TV show “Columbo: The lead character was a detective named Columbo. Columbo would ask a person to explain what happened. He let the person talk. Then he would ask a specific question. If encouraged, people like to talk and tell their story. You have to show an interest. Really listen. Ask follow up questions. But don’t demand answers. They may not want to talk about a particular topic. Switch to another topic. Take what they are willing to give you. They are telling their story. Let them tell it the way they want to.

You are likely to have relatives that lived during the 1940s. The 1940 census is the most recent census available to us. Bring a copy of the 1940 census to your family gathering. It will show your family and their neighbors. What was life in the old neighborhood like? Were the neighbors friendly? Did any family members live nearby? Who were they? How were they related?

What was it like living in America during the

1940s?

The cost of new car was $1,611. A gallon of gas was 18 cents. What kind of car did they have? Did they take car trips? Where did they go? Who did they go with?

In 1940, 82.8% of U.S. households owned a radio. What were their favorite radio shows? Did they listen alone or with other family? What was a night at home like without a television? The price of a one pound loaf of bread averaged 8 cents. What was their favorite recipe? What did they eat during the holidays? Who did they celebrate with?

Then of course, there was World War II. Where were they when they heard about Pearl Harbor? What did they do? Did they conserve for the war effort? What was rationing like? Did they work in a war industry? How did they support the troops? How were other family members involved?

My family sent packages to relatives in Italy.

Did yours? What did they send? Where did they send it? Who did they send it to? How were they related? Where were they when the war ended?

How did they celebrate the end of the war?

Once you get family members to start telling their story, ask about the relatives that they mention. How are you related? How old where they? What became of them?

You can find more facts to use about the 1940s at: http://www.census.gov/1940census/, http://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the _decades/fast_facts/1940_fast_facts.html.

You do not have to use the 1940s. You can use any decade or year as a springboard for your conversation. But do it now. Collect the story of your parents and grandparents before it is too late. Then write it all down and distribute the stories to your family. Ask them to tell you their stories.

What do you do if you want to tell your story, but no one in your family is interested? Write down your story anyway. Entrust it to a relative or an interested group. StoryCorps may be your answer. According the description on its website:

“StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 40,000 interviews from nearly 80,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.” Visit: http://storycorps.org/about/.

More information about interviewing relatives and oral history is available at: • How to Interview a Relative at: http:// genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/ht/interview. htm.

• 20 Questions for Interviewing Relatives at: http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/20questions.

• Gathering Family Memories at: http:// www.genealogy.com/80_taylor.html.

• Interviewing Mom and Grandma: Oral History Tips at: http://www.genealogy.com/ 95_carmack.html.

• Oral Family History Sample Outline and Questions at: http://oralhistory.library.ucla. edu/familyHistory.html.

• Creating Oral Histories at: http://www. familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Creating_Oral_Hi stories.

To learn more about researching your family history, you are invited to attend the next meeting of Pursuing Our Italian Names Together, The Italian Family History Club on Saturday, Nov. 3 (changed from Nov. 10) at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at noon. You are also invited to any of our meetings in 2013 on Jan. 19, Apr. 27, Sept. 21, and Nov. 9.

Please feel free to bring guests. We welcome anyone with an interest in Italian family history.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me, George Koleas, by e-mail at GeorgeJK676@ wi.rr.com or by calling 262/251-7216 after 7 p.m.

Victory School’s Italian immersion program expands The Italian Immersion Program at Victory Elementary School for the Gifted and Talented is off to a running start this year. The program has expanded into the fifth grade. We now offer the Italian immersion program from four-yearold kindergarten through fifth grade.

The program has welcomed two new teachers, Jessica Cannizzo and Jana Horntvedt.

Jana Horntvedt is one of two five-year-old kindergarten teachers at Victory School. Jana graduated from UW-Madison this past spring with a major in elementary educa-

THE ITALIAN TIMES

tion and a minor in Italian language. Jana loved learning to speak Italian and feels very fortunate to be able to teach the language to others. Jana enjoys teaching and helping her students grow and learn each day.

Jessica Cannizzo teaches second grade and is very excited to join the staff. Jessica enjoys working with the kids and teaching them not only required subjects such as math and reading, but also the beautiful Italian language and Italian culture. She is originally from Italy (specifically Palermo, Sicily) and came to the United

States at a very young age. Jessica has taught herself to read and write in Italian with some help from her parents. Jessica is a recent college graduate with an Italian degree.

The four year olds in Maestra Robertson’s class learned “matematica forme: cono, triangolo, rettangolo, cerchio, quatrato, ovale, cubo, prismo e rettangolo.” Maestra Pat served “gelato” as a reward. The students were thrilled to have “gelato” at 10 a.m.

The first grade has been talking about apples. They learned the word for apples in Italian, le mele, and read a book in Italian about apples. They did apple stamping in art class. They graphed who liked which type of apples after tasting yellow, red, and green apples.

Students in the third grade class of Maestro Falsetti had the opportunity to meet “McGruff the Crime Dog.” This month the students have been studying community during their reading period and through social studies connections. District Six Police Officer Carlos Felix and dentist Dr. Thomas Falsetti (father of Maestro Falsetti) visited the third grade to explain how professions help citizens in our community. The third grade discovered where their city is located in the state of Wisconsin, in the United States and in the world. They learned geographical concepts through the use of the Italian social studies book Mappe 2 and a project called “Post-crossing” that has them sending and receiving postcards to countries all

around the world. The focus of science is Il Sistema Solare! The students explored the solar system and took a field trip to the UWM Planetarium.

Please come in, volunteer, see our classrooms, and tell everyone you know about us. We need your help in spreading the word about the Victory Italian Immersion Program. Please visit our Facebook page: Victory Italian Immersion, visit our school webpage: http://www5.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/s chool/victory/ and email us anytime with questions. Please support this amazing and unique program.

A presto, The Italian Immersion Team

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 15

Spotlight on Cultural Arts Marisa Gatti-Taylor and the 2011 Festa Choir perform traditional Italian hymns on new CD Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor and the 2011 Festa Choir sing traditional Italian hymns on a new CD titled, INNI E CANTI: Sacred Hymns of the Italian-American Tradition, produced by Gatti-Taylor and her husband Steven Millen Taylor.

According to Gatti-Taylor, the music chosen for the CD was inspired by the extraordinary job that the Festa Choir has done since 2008 in learning and performing traditional Italian hymns for the Mass at Festa Italiana. The CD includes an Italian, English, and Latin version of the beloved Ave Maria, performed by Gatti-Taylor.

When Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor, a former UWM instructor of French and Italian, was invited to be part of the Festa Italiana Mass and

Procession Committee in 2008, she told the committee that she wanted to try to introduce Italian hymns.

So, with their approval and support, she contacted Michael Kamenski, Director of Liturgy & Music at St. Sebastian Church in Wauwatosa, because she knew that he would be able to handle such a challenge. She also knew that his choir was very good. She had worked with him some years earlier when he was preparing to take his choir to Italy, and she had provided Italian lyrics for a hymn that they would be singing in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Michael welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the Festa Mass for a number of reasons, not the least of which was his Italian

Tickets on sale for Frank Sinatra, Jr. concert benefiting Salvation Army The Advisory Board of The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County has announced that the annual Red Kettle Benefit Concert will feature a performance by Frank Sinatra, Jr. on Friday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee.

Tickets can be purchased for $125, $85, and $60 by calling 414/286-3663 or visiting www.pabsttheater.org, “Sinatra Sings Sinatra” features songs that Frank Sinatra sang in over 50 years of performing, many of which Sinatra Jr. witnessed first hand. A portion of the show includes a photo gallery depicting Sinatra’s “look” throughout each decade while Sinatra, Jr. sings the songs that best represented the times. The show includes such classics as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “One For My Baby,” “New York, New York,” “Luck Be A Lady” and “Strangers In The Night.”

Having performed for nearly 50 years himself in major clubs and showrooms throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and England, Sinatra, Jr. has appeared on stage with such showbiz greats as George Burns, Phil Harris, Flip Wilson, and his father. Throughout the 1960s and into the early-1990s, Sinatra Jr. appeared regularly in Las Vegas, opening for many stars in the main rooms and headlining in his own right in the lounges. In 1988, Sinatra Jr. joined his father’s staff as musical director and conductor.

With five albums to his credit, Sinatra, Jr. has also appeared in films and television shows, including “The Sopranos” and “Son of the Beach.”

“Starting in November of each year and running through the end of December, Milwaukee County families are given the opportunity to give back through the donation of coins and bills to the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign,” said Major Roger Ross, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander. “The funds

PAGE 16 – NOVEMBER 2012

wife, Sherri Sandona. So he and the St. Sebastian choir joined the choirs of local churches and volunteers who make up the Festa Choir.

On her part, Marisa drew upon the collection of notes and music she had accumulated over the years in the late 1950s, the 60s, and the 70s, when she was soloist at three Italian-American churches in Detroit. Given the commitment to tradition that Festa Italiana represents, she said she looked for hymns that would have been sung by the generations of Italian Americans who had come here from Italy.

At the same time, the committee wanted to be able to provide an English translation of the lyrics so that those participants at Mass who did not know Italian could

understand what was being sung.

Marisa’s daughter Olivia not only translated the lyrics into English but made the translations fit the music so that the English version could be sung together with the original Italian.

After the 2009 Festa Mass, Marisa and her husband, Steven, decided to produce a CD of Italian traditional hymns. Kamenski and other choir members expressed deep interest and excitement at the possibility of releasing a CD of the hymns.

The recording date was set for July 28, 2011, at St. Josephat’s Basilica, right after Archbishop Jerome Listecki celebrated the Festa Mass. It was a steamy summer day.

“I could see the perspiration drip down their faces; they looked like so many candles consuming themselves for the love of the Lord and Our Blessed Mother,” she said. “It was a moving experience for me. I was overwhelmed by memories and emotions.”

After the choir and musicians left, Marisa was to record the Ave Maria in Italian and Latin, but when she stood in front of the microphone and tried to sing, she discovered that she had lost her voice Marisa’s part of the recording Continued on page 17

Sportswriter Don Manoyan authors insightful book on football legend Alan Ameche

Frank Sinatra, Jr.

raised provide services to thousands of area residents, giving them an opportunity to not only have a joyous holiday season, but to also have access to other services throughout the year. This concert will enable people to not only support the programs and services offered by The Salvation Army, but enjoy an evening of music.”

For more information, call 414302-4300 or visit www.SAmilwaukee.org.

About The Salvation Army The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States.

Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Approximately 84 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide.

Dan Manoyan, an award-winning sportswriter for nearly four decades, has written the first biography of Alan “The Horse” Ameche, one of America’s great gridiron heros. The book is titled Alan Ameche: The Story of “The Horse.”

Born in 1933 to Italian immigrants, Ameche grew up in Kenosha, Wis., where he played for one of the state’s best-ever high school football teams. He went on to break Big Ten rushing records for the University of Wisconsin Badgers, leading them to the 1953 Rose Bowl and winning the 1954 Heisman Trophy. He earned his nickname “The Horse” for his tremendous training ethic, power and stamina in a professional career with the Baltimore Colts

that lasted just six seasons before injury ended it. He was the 1955 NFL Rookie of the Year and went to the Pro Bowl five times.

Ameche scored the winning touchdown in the 1958 NFL championship game in sudden death overtime against the New York Giants. The game, called the NFL’s “Greatest Game Ever Played,” captured the attention of television viewers across the nation and laid the groundwork for football to become the enormously popular and lucrative business it is today.

Manoyan, a retired sportswriter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dallas Morning News, Waukegan News-Sun and Kenosha News, has delved into Ameche’s history, interviewing the Ameche family, Kenosha friends, Wisconsin Badger players and several of Ameche’s Baltimore Colts teammates to offer revealing insights about Ameche the man. Manoyan gives a fuller picture of him as an Academic All-American, a devoted husband and father, highly successful businessman after his football career, a pioneer in race relations, a patron of the arts, and a committed philanthropist.

Alan Ameche: The Story of “The Horse,” published by the University of Wisconsin-Press, is available in cloth cover for $26.95 and on eBook for $14.95.

The book’s foreword was written

by Pat Richter, former UW Athletic Director. . Manoyan has previously authored the book Men of Granite.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ICC members take on roles as extras in the film, ‘No God, No Master’

By Ginny Balistreri It took three years, but the movie “No God, No Master,” which was filmed in Milwaukee in 2009, finally had its Midwest premiere at the recent Milwaukee Film Festival. For five members of the family of Audray and the late Carlo DeRubertis, seeing themselves on the silver screen was a check mark in the margin of their bucket list and a unique opportunity for the family to share a once in a lifetime experience.

Gina (DeRubertis) Thompson recalled the day in 2009 when her sister Carla Shircel read about a casting call for actors and extras for the film. Terry Green, the writer and director, was looking for individuals who “looked Italian.”

Gina’s sons Alex and Nikko, then 19 and 11, fit the bill.

Gina’s son Alex had appeared in a commercial 10 years earlier and did such a good job, his mom and aunt thought it would be fun for Alex, and perhaps Nikko, to try out for the film. The casting call was being held on a Saturday in July at the Radisson Hotel just minutes from Carla and Tommy Shircel’s Fox Point home. Gina and the boys left their house in Neenah for what they thought would be a one-day adventure. The boys’ father, Chuck

Thompson, stayed behind.

When the Thompsons arrived at the Radisson, they learned that the director was looking for individuals of all ages. Gina decided to try out, too. She called her sister and told her to drop everything and come to the Radisson. The Shircels were holding a rummage sale that day, but Carla thought the invitation was too much fun to pass up, so she left her husband in charge of the sale and joined her sister and nephews at the Radisson.

Tom Shircel, not one to pass up a good time, asked himself why he was the only one working the rummage sale. So he too headed for the Radisson, even though he looks more Germanic than Italian. At the casting call, the Thompsons and Shircels, all ICC members, were briefly interviewed and had their photos taken. They thought that was the end of it, but in a day or two they were all called back and were among the 300 local extras hired to be in the movie.

“I could have been a star instead of an extra,” quipped Tommy.

“During our interviews, the casting director came up to me and asked if I was an actor. When I told him ‘no,’ he said, ‘too bad,’ and walked away. I realized I lost my chance for a speaking part.”

Carla and Tommy Shircel in costume on the Milwaukee set of the film, “No God, No Master,” in 2009.

Gatti-Taylor and 2011 Festa Choir perform traditional Italian hymns on new CD from page 16 had to be postponed to October.

But when her daughters heard the recording she made in October, they were disappointed because they said that she sounded as if she were singing in a confessional. Her voice was restrained and contained.

So, a third recording was arranged for February at the Cathedral of Saint John.

Meanwhile, Marisa took advantage of the extra time to create a painting for the cover of the CD. In it, she incorporated elements from her native Republic of San Marino and Milwaukee’s “little pink church” of Our Lady of Pompeii.

On the eve of the third attempt at recording the Ave Marias, Marisa was moved to make a faithful English translation of the traditional Italian lyrics, along with the Italian and Latin versions. “So

THE ITALIAN TIMES

when Steven, who accompanied me at the piano, and I showed up at St. John’s Cathedral for the recording, I set out to sing three Ave Marias,” she said. “Three Hail Marys is in itself a devotion, I thought.”

The CD includes seven hymns in Italian and seven English versions of the hymns plus the Ave Maria in Latin. Among the selections are Inni e Canti (Let Us Raise Hymns and Songs); T-Adoriam. Ostia Divina (O Divine Host. We Adore You); and, Mira il Tuo Popolo (Gaze Upon Your People).

“It is my hope and prayer that those listening to these hymns will think that they, too, are singing in the choir,” Gatti-Taylor added.

People interested in purchasing a copy of the CD for $20 can order it online at www.inniecanti.com or contact Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor at 414-332-2994 or by email at marisagattitaylor@gmail.com.

ICC members (from left to right) Alex Thompson, Gina Thompson, Tommy Shircel, and Gina Shircel with Nikko Thompson (front) pose for a family photo on the set of “No God, No Master.” The family of Rosemary DeRubertis were extras in the film, which was shot in 2009. Alex was 19 at the time and is now 22. Nikko was 11 and is now 15. Alex had a beard when he reported for duty on the Milwaukee set, and was told to shave.

Later the costume director decided to give him a fake beard. The film had its Midwest premiere in the 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival.

The filming started days later on July 20, Carla’s birthday. It was the first of many coincidences that made the family believe this was meant to be.

“No God, No Master” is a period film that takes place in New York in 1919 and is inspired by real events. It stars David Strathairn who received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for best actor in the 2005 George Clooney film, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Strathairn plays a federal agent investigating package bombs left on the doorsteps of politicians and business leaders. He discovers an anarchist plot that leads to a federal crackdown of immigrants. Ten thousand Italian immigrants are rounded up and detained, and many are jailed or deported. The events are followed by the armed robbery and murder of a payroll master in Massachusetts and to the arrest and eventual conviction of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, admitted anarchists who were framed by the federal government for the murder and executed.

Carla and Gina’s aunt, Rosemary DeRubertis, attended both Midwest showings of the film at the Oriental and Fox-Bay Theaters. She said the film made her think about families who came to this country with hopes of a better life. Her mother Zina came to Milwaukee from Rome in 1928, but her father Nick arrived in Milwaukee in 1918 from Abruzzo, about the same time as the setting for the film.

“It (the film) brought to life the stories our relatives talked about when they described how they were treated when they came to this country as very young men and women,” she said. “My father wasn’t in New York during this period, but he understood that many immigrants met with oppression when they came to America. They struggled to gain their rights.”

Much of the film was shot on Brady Street and other locations including Milwaukee’s City Hall, Villa Terrace, the old Pabst Brewery and the South Shore Pavilion. Some of the locations were recognizable, like Brady Street and Villa Terrace, while others were more disguised to repli-

cate New York’s Little Italy in early 20th Century.

In one of those serendipitous events that the DeRubertis family associates with the film, Carla and Gina found themselves in scenes on the first day of shooting that were just around the corner and within feet from their late Grandfather Nick’s barbershop off Brady Street.

“That was a moving moment for us,” said Carla.

The family took part in numerous scenes in the film, but not all of them made it into the final cut.

The 94-minute film moves quickly, so it takes some effort to catch glimpses of the fledgling actors.

But they have a presence in some of the most pivotal scenes, including a brawl that was staged at the City Hall, a deportation scene, an opera scene filmed at the Pabst Brewery, and a courtroom scene.

In all, Carla and Gina estimated that they were in as many as 16 scenes. In several, Carla identified herself by a big black hat that was part of her costume. Gina was seen often with her hair wrapped in a scarf. Nikko and Alex, who have changed considerably in the intervening years and are now 15 and 22, are a little harder to recognize.

But Tommy, who assumed different roles, was most recognizable in an opening shot of a photograph with Strathairn’s character.

Nikko and Alex spent about two days on filming, while Gina, Carla and Tommy spent about four days filming.

“It was a lot of fun to be a part of this experience,” said Carla. “But we learned that filmmaking is serious, hard work.” She pointed out that the writers and producers have a passion for presenting a story that means a lot to them, and they invest everything, including millions of dollars into their creative efforts in hopes that it will have a payback in audience appreciation.

“It takes restraint to be a good extra,” she added. “It’s your job.

You have to be quiet and take direction. You have to listen carefully and do exactly what you are told. Even if they give you a dirty rag to wear and put dirt on your face, you do it.”

Part of the job was working with Please turn to page 18

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 17

L’Angolo del Poeta prepared by Barbara Collignon and Roberto Ciampi Cesare Pavese, Italian translator and poet, was responsible for introducing Italian readers to Edgar Lee Master’s masterpiece, Spoon River Anthology. L’Antologia di Spoon River was first translated by Fernanda Pivano and published by anti-fascist Giulio Einaudi. It appeared in Italy in March of 1943, when Fascism prohibited works coming from the U.S.A. Permission was somehow granted, perhaps because the celebrity of Masters was unknown. Italians responded with great enthusiasm to the work and, as evidenced by its continued prominent presence in Italian bookstores, the work still enjoys considerable success in Italy.

A bilingual edition of Master’s epitaphs offers students of English or Italian a wonderful way to read and appreciate the work and improve one’s knowledge of either language. Petit, the Poet is from Antologia di Spoon River while Cleanthus Trilling is from Il nuovo Spoon River.

Petit, the Poet Seeds in a dry pod, tick, tick, tick, Tick, tick, tick, like mites in a quarrel – Faint iambics that the full breeze wakens – But the pine tree makes a symphony thereof.

Triolet, villanelles, rondels, rondeaus, Ballades by the scores with the same old thought: The snows and the roses of yesterday are vanished; And what is love but a rose that fades?

Life all around me here in the village: Tragedy, comedy, valor and truth, Courage, constancy, heroism, failure – All in the loom, and oh what patterns!

Woodlands, meadows, streams and rivers – Blind to all of it all my life long.

Triolets, villanelles, rondels, rondeaus, Seeds in a dry pod, tick, tick, tick,, Tick, tick, tick, what little iambics, While Homer and Whitman roared in the pines?

– By Edgar Lee Masters Petit il poeta Semi in un baccello secco, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, come insetti in un bisticcio – giambi sommessi che la piena brezza ridesta – ma il pino ne crea una sinfonia.

Terzine, villanelle, rondelli, rondò,

ballate a ventine con lo stesso identico pensiero: le nevi e le rose di ieri sono svanite; e che cos’è l’amore se non una rosa che impallidisce?

Tutta la vita intorno a me qui nel villaggio: tragedia, commedia, valore e verità, coraggio, costanza, eroismo, fallimento – tutto sul telaio, e oh che disegni!

Boschi, prati, ruscelli e fiumi – cieco a tutto per tutta la mia vita, Terzine, villanelle, rondelli, ondò, semi in un baccello secco, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, che minuscoli giambi, mentre Omero e Whitman ruggivano nei pini?

– Translation by Letizia Ciotti Miller Cleanthus Trilling The urge of the seed: the germ.

The urge of the germ: the stalk.

The urge of the stalk: leaves.

The urge of leaves: the blossom.

The urge of the blossom: to scatter pollen.

The urge of the pollen: the imagined dream of life.

The urge of Tomorrow: Pain.

The urge of Pain: God – By Edgar Lee Masters Cleanthus Trilling Lo stimolo del seme: il germolglio.

Lo stimolo del germoglio: lo stelo.

Lo stimolo dello stelo: le foglie.

Lo stimolo delle foglie: il fiore.

Lo stimolo del fiore: disseminare polline.

Lo stimolo della vita: desiderare il domain.

Lo stimolo del domain: il Dolore.

Lo stimolo del Dolore: Dio. – Translation by Umberto Capra and Attilia Lavagno In the 212 poems of the Anthology, Masters explored human nature and the meaning (or lack thereof) of life through his characters, their thwarted dreams, disappointments in love, the cruelty and meanness of people they encountered, their achievements or failures.

Given summer has come to a close, I offer this brief poetic commentary on love and the brevity of life. It is a view less pessimistic than the work of Edgar Lee Masters and tinged with a bit of humor.

Opera Topics Last month, I talked about Antonin Dvorak, the Czech composer of many orchestral pieces, who also wrote some 10 operas, most notably symphonies, a song cycle that contained one of the most famous concert melodies, Songs My Mother Taught Me, and other works are an impressive example of multi-talented composers in the pantheon of music that lives through the ages.

This brings to mind the names of other great composers who wrote in both genres and with great distinction. There is Samuel Barber, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Claude

Fireflies Fervent, flickering fireflies flirt.

Around the garden’s fringe they skirt.

Lanterns lit, they blink; they twink.

At lady fireflies they wink.

Lamp lights glow, become extinct, Signal lovers’ code distinct.

Fascinating fireflies!

In chemistry, life’s mystery lies.

The summer’s sweet.

Its pleasures brief, As fleeting light of fireflies.

– By Barbara Collignon Lucciole Ferventi, le lucciole guizzanti giocano sul bordo del giardino gironzolano.

Lanterne accese, balenano,brillando alle loro signore ammiccano.

Luci di lampade ardono, si spengono, chiaro segnale di amorosa corte.

Lucciole avvincenti!

Nella chimica sta il mistero della vita.

L’estate è dolce, I suoi piaceri brevi come la luce fuggente delle lucciole.

– Translated by Roberto Ciampi

Barbara Collignon

by Angelo Castronovo

Debussy, Alexander Borodin, Giuseppe Verdi, Ludwig van Beethoven, Sergei Prokofiev, Peter Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Richard Strauss, and the prolific genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The wealth of musical treasurers this litany suggests is almost too much to contemplate.

And so I’ll list mainly highlights of these wonderful writers’ compositions in an attempt to not miss anything of importance. Let me add this note: This group of composers is only a partial list of those who wrote both opera and orchestral music.

Mozart must top the list with his output of some 17 operas and numerous symphonies, concertos and various other pieces. Among his major operas Don Giovanni, Idomeneo, Marriage of Figaro, Così Fan Tutti, The Abduction From The Seraglio and The Magic Flute. He was a child prodigy and a genius.

Giuseppe Verdi, the author of 27 operas, wrote a Requiem Mass, a four movement work entitled Four Sacred Pieces for orchestra and voice, a string quartet and composition called The Hymns of Nations, which was later turned into a modern day film production featuring

ICC members take on roles as extras in the film, ‘No God, No Master’ from page 17 wardrobe and posing for still pictures so that the director can ensure continuity between scenes.

“It’s all very precise,” Carla added.

The Shircels and Thompsons have been tracking the film since it was completed. Earlier in the year, they learned that the film was going to premiere at the Stony Brook Film Festival in New York.

Tommy surprised his wife by arranging a trip out East to see the first showing of the film … on Carla’s birthday weekend, July 20th. The events were bringing them full circle.

When they arrived at the New York showing, they caught up with

PAGE 18 – NOVEMBER 2012

Roberto Ciampi

Terry Green and his producer wife, Anna Marie Crovetti. The couple was genuinely pleased to see them.

Carla and Tommy were invited to participate in some of the premiere events, which for them added to the excitement of the opening of the film.

Where does the film go from here? During the Q&A following the showing at the Oriental, Green said that the producers are taking the film to other film festivals around the country and are looking for a limited distribution of the film, or perhaps a TV or DVD release. Much of the work, he said, is post-production – finding investors and distributors to get the film into theaters.

Carla and Tommy have now seen the film three times. The last showing was at the Fox-Bay Cinema. That seemed another coincidence for Gina and Carla, who grew up in nearby Shorewood and spent free time during their formative years seeing movies at the Fox-Bay. “The film is beautiful,” said Carla, “and we’re all proud to have been a part of it. But the reason we did it was not just to be in a movie.

It meant something to our family to do this together. It took us back in time and helped us recognize what it took for our relatives to leave their homes to come here and become citizens. It had to do with our culture and our heritage.”

tenor Jan Peerce.

Tchaikovsky produced six operas, among which are Eugene Onegin, Mazeppa and The Queen of Spades. His instrumental works included six symphonies, plus one other (mostly unknown), three major ballets Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty and a number of songs and two rousing overtures, 1812 and Marche Slave.

The great Beethoven wrote only one opera, Fidelio, but added to that, nine symphonies including the wonderful Chorale for chorus and soloists. He also composed several lovely songs including Adelaide and the well-known piano composition Fur Elise.

Next there is Sergei Rachmaninoff, composer of four operas, among them Aleko and Francesca da Rimini plus three symphonies, three piano concertos, a group of piano preludes, several songs including one called Lilacs Continued on page 19

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Opera Topics from page 18 and the thrilling concerto Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, which contains a melody later made famous under the title of The Story of Three Loves.

Moving on, we come to another master of melody, Richard Strauss, composer of such gems as Der Rosenkavlier and Arabella. He also composed Ariadne Auf Naxos, Salome and Electra. In addition, Strauss wrote several concert pieces known as tone poems, the most familiar include Don Juan, Death and Transfiguration, A Hero’s Life and Till Eulenspiegel’s

by Angelo Castronovo

Merry Pranks. One of his most sublime works is Four Last Songs for soprano and orchestra, written later in life.

Sergei Prokofiev is the composer of seven operas. The Fiery Angel, The Love of Three Oranges and War and Peace are the best known. He also wrote an often performed ballet, Romeo and Juliet, and seven symphonies in his spare time.

Alexander Borodin wrote at least three operas, including what is considered to be a masterpiece, Prince Igor. He also wrote a number of songs and two symphonies.

Many of Borodin’s themes were

Joe Dentice appointed to OSIA’s Illinois/Wisconsin Grand Lodge Council Joseph Dentice, a longtime member of the Italian Community Center, has been appointed as a trustee on the Illinois/Wisconsin Grand Lodge Council of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA).

Dentice is also a member of the OSIA’s Filippo Mazzei Lodge #2763 of Greater Milwaukee and has previously served on the ICC’s Board in the positions of vice president and director-at-large.

adapted for the popular Broadway musical Kismet, which contained vocal selections popular in the mainstream of American music.

Two of those selections are Stranger in Paradise and And This Is My Beloved.

Riders to the Sea is Ralph Vaughn Williams’ most familiar opera among the three he produced. Also well known are his Fantasia on Greensleeves and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.

American composer Samuel Barber’s two operatic works are Vanessa and Anthony and Cleopatra, which opened the new Lincoln Center complex in New York in the 1960s with Leontyne Price. The work was a disaster because of technical problems.

Barber is also known for his soaring and emotional Adagio for Strings.

And last, but not least for this column, is Claude Debussy, master of impressionist musical pictures who wrote one opera, Pellèas and Mèlisande. There were other themes he worked on, but did not

complete. His many orchestral compositions include such familiar titles as Clair de Lune, The Girl with the Flaxen Hair, The Engulfed and La Mer. He also composed Three Nocturnes, Suite Bergamasque, Iberia, The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian and The Afternoon of a Faun. He also wrote a ballet Jeux and various sets of preludes for piano.

According to one writer, Debussy was considered to be “. . . a crucial figure in the transition to the modern era in western music.”

There will be more of these multi-faceted composers featured in upcoming columns among other subjects I’d like to deal with.

Before I close, I want to take the opportunity to thank my good friend and musical colleague J. Robert “Bob” Baker for his assistance in the past in supplying valuable research material for a number of columns. Thank you, Bob. * * * Quotable quote: “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.” – Ludwig van Beethoven

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Italians married in Milwaukee: 1897-1925 Part I Compiled by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian Introductory Notes The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1897-1925 includes the name of the individual married and the month and year the marriage took place.

Information contained in the Milwaukee Marriage Index:1926-1940 was compiled by this researcher in January of 1993 and will be featured in The Italian Times at future dates. The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1941-1955 was previously published in The Italian Times.

Reporting of the volume Milwaukee Marriage Index was obtained from the Milwaukee County Historical Society and copies at the City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works are all copyrighted and an original copy is at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. for all time.

Please keep in mind that these marriages were actualized only in the City of Milwaukee. Accordingly, if you were married outside the city limits (e.g., Shorewood, West Allis, Cudahy), your name won’t appear in this listing. Names appearing here are listed and spelled exactly as found in the marriage volumes. If you know of a relative who was married in Milwaukee during the time period 1897-1925 and that relative’s name does not appear in these listings, please contact the Milwaukee County Historical Society. Note: Surname of bridegrooms appears in parenthesis after bride’s name. This series will continue for the next several issues.

Name Married Abbotti, Michael July 1920 Accetta, Carlo May 1923 Accetta, John May 1923 Accetta, Mamie (Cianciola) September 1925 Accetta, Nuncia (D’Amico) June 1919 Accomando, Gioacchino November 1924 Acita, Rosina (Palermo) August 1917 Acosta, Albert July 1898 Acquisto, Anthony August 1918 Adimero, Tecchi December 1916 Agnello, Theresa (Russo) October 1919 Agnesini, Anna (Marchetti) November 1913 Agnesini, Beatrice (Ziemer) November 1913 Agnesini, Carolina (De Prato) October 1912 Agnesini, Margaret (Pennefeather) October 1923 Agnesini, Marguerite (Kuhnmuench) September 1915 Agnoletti, Margaret (Wojischowski) December 1923 Aiello, Isidoro October 1916 Aiello, Peter October 1922 Aiello, Peter November 1923 Airoldi, Giacomo January 1900 Alasantro, Theresa (Gervasi) November 1917 Albamondi, Lucia (Mirarello) November 1915 Albano, Domenico October 1915 Albano, Salvatore November 1914 Albergo, Frank January 1924 Albergo, Giuseppa (Proitti) September 1914 Alberti, Antonio April 1920 Alberti, Carlo November 1920 Alberti, Frances (Petta) November 1923 Alberti, Gilarmo September 1915 Alberti, Giovanna (Mairano) November 1916 Alberti, Girolamo September 1915 Alberti, Laborio September 1905 Alberti, Lucy (Russo) February 1920 Aliota, Antonette (Milone) July 1920 Aliota, Antonia (Dercola) February 1918 Aliota, Jennie (Valente) May 1917 Aliota, Rosemary (Zappatarreno) July 1924 Adornado, Sebastino October 1924 Adornatp, Lorenzo October 1925 Adornato, Rose (Amoroso) May 1925 Alioto, Angela (Amato) April 1914 Alioto, Angelo February 1925 Alioto, Antonia (Mussomeli) December 1910 Alioto, Antonio August 1920 Alioto, Giuseppe April 1917 Alioto, Joe November 1925 Alioto, Joseph July 1913 Alioto, Joseph February 1917 Alioto, Rosa (Alioto) July 1913 Alioto, Rosalia (Regalbutto) September 1920 Alioto, Rosalie (Clemente) January 1908 Alioto, Rose (Cheneler) December 1920 Alioto, Rosie (Patti) December 1910 Alioto, Sam June 1923 Alioto, Thomas April 1920 Alioto, Thomas October 1921 Alioto, Tomy January 1925 Aliotti, Giachino December 1906 Alitio, Frank November 1909 Allioto, Gasper May 1904 Allioto, Nancy (Francinlia) July 1917 Alliotti, Nicolo June 1917 Allo, Jennie (Cerniglia) September 1923 Alonge, Josephine (Fucarino) April 1904 Alonge, Pasquala (Tomasino) October 1905 Alongi, Annie (Rizzo) April 1918 Alongi, Giovanna (Capizzo) January 1915 Alongi, Mary (Balistreri) January 1911 Alongi, Rose (Sardini) September 1911 Altmora, Santina (Giordano) October 1915 Amate, Sarah (Demato) May 1920 Amato, Anna (Sberna) May 1921 Amato, Antonia (Damato) November 1917 Amato, Blasius April 1909 Amato, Dominic April 1914 Amato, Ignazio August 1910 Amato, Jeanette (Rainere) November 1920 Amato, Joseph September 1924 Amato, Josie (DeMato) May 1921 Amato, Lucille (Ferrara) May 1921 Amato, Maria (Sardina) July 1915 Amato, Salvator August 1907 Amato, Santa (D’Amato) August 1910

PAGE 20 – NOVEMBER 2012

Name Married Alessi, Antonino June 1920 Alessi, Goseppe October 1909 Alessi, Peter August 1910 Alessi, Nick October 1919 Alexandro, George April 1917 Alfredi, Frank March 1923 Altamone, Santina May 1917 Amadio, Guido February 1924 Ambrogio, Frank June 1925 Ambrojio, Emma (Tomasso) December 1920 Andrenocetti, Joseph December 1906 Andreotti, Tessie (Fuggiti) May 1924 Andreuccetti, Anita (Del Bianco) April 1910 Andreuceetti, Fabby (Sbragia) December 1907 Anichini, Arthur November 1907 Anselmino, Margaret (Jianetto) March 1918 Aregi, Frank R. April 1919 Armenio, Marianna (Bruno) April 1915 Armenio, Mary (Ballato) September 1912 Armigo, Leonardo September 1899 Asti, Josephine (Marchi) June 1922 Avanzato, Charles April 1910 Aveni, Domenico July 1915 Ambrosi, John October 1918 Amelotti, Rose (Cornali) May 1921 Amico, Salvatoix (Profeta) August 1915 Amidrici, Giulio July 1912 Amoroso, Antonio May 1925 Amma, Mary (Pongo) December 1923 Amma, Vincent February 1918 Ancelosi, Peter December 1910 Andaloro, Michael October 1923 Andano, Rosina (Casadonte) December 1911 Anello, Gaetano June 1917 Angeletti, Luciano February 1923 Angelino, Frank October 1906 Angelo, Joseph December 1908 Antonelli, Angelo February 1924 Antoni, John April 1918 Antonica, Carmella (Sgiggetta) November 1913 Antonicci, Rubina (Pantaleo) March 1917 Antonucci, Rosa (Scalici) February 1915 Aquilino, Bernardo March 1909 Arado, Phillip October 1906 Angeliaio, Rosie (Corrieri) September 1915 Armao, Angelina (Arena) June 1923 Amaro, Mary (Sanfelippo) April 1906 Amarto, Frank October 1924 Amarto, Rose (DeGiorgio) January 1914 Amora, Martizia (Philippa) June 1906 Asti, Carmelo April 1917 Asti, Theodore January 1920 Audano, Agostino (Batagna) June 1905 Azolino, Frank September 1907 Azzarellia, Mary (Buzzanca) January 1911 Azzolino, Giuseppe November 1905 Balestreri, Anna (Gumina) Nov-1925 Balestreri, Filippo October 1923 Balestreri, Frank August 1901 Balestreri, Frank December 1919 Balestriere, Gaetana (Louicano) April 1910 Balestrieri, Fannie (Mazzucco) January 1917 Balestrieri, Joe April 1917 Balestrieri, Joseph November 1915 Balestrieri, Stefano August 1917 Balestrieri, Stefana (Tomasello) April 1905 Balestrieri, Tony July 1919 Balistreri, Annie (Canino) January 1910 Balisteri, Tony May1917 Balisterre, Catharine (Aliotti) December 1906 Balisterre, Stefana (Amato) August 1907 Balisterre, Frances (Balestreri) October 1923 Balistiera, Anna (Tagliavia) May 1917 Balistiere, James November 1907 Balistrere, Maria (Carini) September 1917 Balistreri, Angeline (Alioto) October 1921 Balistreri, Anna (Olivo) October 1920 Balistreri, Anna (Consolazione) December 1924 Balistreri, Annie (Balistars) January 1910 Balistreri, Antonia (Consolazione) October 1925 Balistreri, Aurelia (Sardina) August 1910 Balistreri, Cajetanus April 1910 Balistreri, Caterina (Pizzo) July 1918 Balistreri, Charles February 1920 Balistreri, Fannie (Mazurco) January 1917

Name Married Balistreri, Filippo April 1920 Balistreri, Florence (Giangrassi) April 1920 Balistreri, Frances (Comella) April 1918 Balistreri, Francesco September 1925 Balistreri, Frank June 1912 Balistreri, Frank January 1918 Balistreri, Gaetana (Pecoraro) April 1903 Balistreri, Girolamo September 1919 Balistreri, Joseph March 1921 Balistreri, Josephine (Lalicatto) September 1908 Balistreri, Letterio November 1909 Balistreri, Pietrina (Alliotti) June 1907 Balestere, Rosie (Lavaro) December 1916 Balestrere, Stefano August 1917 Balestreri, Angela (Alioto) April 1917 Balistreri, Plurenzia (Carino) November 1914 Balistreri, Rose (Balistreri) July 1921 Balistreri, Rose (Puccio) July 1921 Balistreri, Rozalia (Graco) October 1919 Balistreri, Santina (Bruno) December 1922 Balistreri, Stefano June 1911 Balistreri, Thomas January 1920 Balistreri, Vito July 1921 Balistrieri, Antonino October 1925 Balistrieri, Joseph April 1917 Balistrieri, Rachel (Camarda) August 1924 Balistrieri, Peter July 1921 Ballato, Frank September 1912 Ballesteri, Rose (Morano) April 1913 Balesterre, Gaetano June 1909 Ballestreri, Plurencia (Caremo) November 1914 Barbieri, Frank June 1900 Barbieri, Hazel (Basch) August 1922 Bartolone, Francesco September 1911 Bartolone, Paola (Garello) October 1911 Bartucci, Frank June 1915 Bartuluzzi, Carmella (Mirenda) September 1924 Basile, Adeline (DeNicola) April 1923 Basile, Gioracchino October 1914 Badile, Olga (Manna) April 1914 Bassile, Samuel April 1916 Basile, Theresa (Marchese) October 1921 Basso, Joseph September 1922 Bastiani, Bartolomeo April 1914 Bastiani, Enrichette (Rigacci) April 1921 Bella, Annabella (Budisch) May 1917 Bella, Edwardo May 1915 Bella Helen (Renner) June 1913 Bellant, Angela (Guardalabene) September 1907 Bellant, Rose (Sanfilippo) April 1920 Bellant, Tony August 1906 Bellante, Vincenzina (Busalack) December 1906 Bennetto, William July 1912 Bertoglio, Mary (Gardetto) September 1925 Bertoncini, Michael February 1907 Bertucci, Frank February 1919 Bertucci, Joseph May 1920 Bessolo, Mary (Scino) November 1922 Biagi, Frank October 1899 Biagi, Helen (Cafarelli) December 1900 Boggiana, Mary (Romollo) March 1905 Boggio, Francesca (Boggio) September 1922 Boggio, Frank December 1923 Boggio, Joseph September 1922 Boggio, Louise (Guglielmino) May-1917 Boggio, Maria (Gialdini) October1922 Bongusto, Matthew January 1922 Borgarino, Jennie (Migliaccia) September 1917 Bova, Angie (Corso) September 1920 Bova, Angie (Corso) September 1920 Bova, Antonio February 1905 Bova, Ignasia (Bova) November 1904 Bova, Mary (Corso) July 1917 Bova, Nick November 1904 Brazoni, Louis May 1922 Brazzella, Helena (McCleary) December 1897 Brezina, Frank August 1923 Brazzali, Nellie (Patti) March 1922 Brogli, Katie (Leifer) November 1916 Brogli, Peter May 1923 Broglie, Simon October 1897 Bruno, Benedetta (Dimaggio) October 1919 Bruno, Jeanette (Seaturro) August 1919 Bruno, Joseph August 1917 To be continued in the next issue

THE ITALIAN TIMES

ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTERʼS COOKBOOK, “LIBRO DELLE RICETTE,” VOLUME 2.

Looking for some delicious, home-tested recipes? Youʼll find them in this cookbook. Use this form to order the book. The cost is $12. Volume 1 is now out of print.

ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER COOKBOOK ORDER FORM Your Name _________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________________________________ Phone ____________________ E-mail ___________________________ Number of copies of Volume 2 ____ @ $12 each (Note: Price includes sales tax)

= $___________

Shipping & Handling* ($3.00 for one book; $2.00 each additional book)

$ ___________

Grand Total

$___________

*You can save the shipping and handling cost by picking up your order at the Italian Community Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

If youʼre paying by check: Make your check payable to the Italian Community Center. If you are paying with a charge card, please complete the following.

Type of Charge Card: _________________________________________ Charge Card No.: ____________________________________________ Expiration Date: ______________________________________________ Send this form to: Italian Community Center, c/o Cookbook, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

MILWAUKEE’S ITALIANS: THE EARLY YEARS

by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian

Cover Price: $12.95

ON SALE NOW FOR $9.95 ALL PROCEEDS FROM BOOK SALES GO TO THE ICC BUILDING FUND. ICC Historian Mario A. Carini’s labor of love traces the history of Milwaukee’s Italian community from the mid 1800s to 1925. Resulting from a lifetime of research by Carini, Milwaukee’s Italians: The Early Years is a 143-page illustrated paperbook book. The Italian Community Center is the publisher.

MILWAUKEE’S ITALIANS: THE EARLY YEARS ORDER FORM Your Name: ________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________________ Phone: __________________ Email: ____________________________________ Number of copies of book ordered: ___________________________________ x $ Subtotal A:

$9.95 per book

$

Shipping & Handling* ($3.00 for one book, $2.00 each additional book): $ *You can save the shipping and handling cost by picking up your order at the Italian Community Center.

Subtotal B: Subtotal C (enter sales tax figure):

If you like to eat truffles (any of various fruiting fungus known for its aphrodisiac qualities), then Italy is the place to be in November. Truffle festivals abound during the month.

tacles that revolve around the celebration.

Chefs and food experts come from afar for the festival, where the world’s largest truffle auction and market takes place.

Two of the most popular are the Alba International White Truffle Festival in Alba (Piedmont) and the San Miniato Truffle Fair (in the Pisa Province of Tuscany).

“La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco” is the official name of the annual truffle fair in the medieval Tuscan hill town of San Miniato. This year, the fair is set for the weekends of Nov. 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27.

The Alba festival, which starts on weekends in early October, goes on through the weekend of Nov. 1213. The Piedmont region, where Alba is located, is considered to have the best white truffles in the world. As such, visitors come from all over the world to take part in the festival in Alba’s central square.

The festival features not only the truffles themselves, but also arts and cultural events and spec-

Twenty-five percent of Italy’s white truffles are produced in this territory and November is the heart of truffle gathering season.

The fair features lots of food and craft stands and live entertainment. Restaurant owners offer truffle specials on their menus.

Other truffle celebrations take place in the Italian regions of Umbria, Le Marche and EmiliaRomagna.

November weather in Italy November generally isn’t considered to be the best month for visiting Italy. The days are short, and it is often rainy, although rarely very cold. In addition, some hotels and restaurants may close in order to carry out renovation work or allow the owners to take a holiday.

Here’s the average temperature range across three areas of Italy: • Northern Italy: 35º-50º Fahrenheit (2º-10º Celsius).

• Central Italy: 45º-60º Fahrenheit (7º-16 Celsius).

• Southern Italy: 55º-65º Fahrenheit (13º-18º Celsius).

Rome Film Festival set for Nov. 9-17 The dates for the seventh edition of the International Rome Film Festival will be Friday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 17.

As usual, the festival’s main venue will be the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, which will be hosting the screenings in its theaters.

This year’s festival will feature 60 world premieres and two new competition strands, CinemaXXI (21st-century Cinema) and Perspective Italy. CinemaXXI is

reserved for works that “reflect the continuous reinvention of cinema on the contemporary visual scene.”

Perspective, Italy will take stock of new trends in Italian cinema.

Activities accompanying the festival involve all of Rome, from its center to the outskirts.

The goal is to invite all people interested in cinema to participate in fun activities, attend exhibitions, demonstrations, concerts, fashion shows and literature readings.

Remember the ICC in your gift-giving plans this holiday season.

The “giving” holidays are approaching. You can give someone dear to you a very special gift by making a contribution to the Italian Community Center in his or her name. We will send your “honoree” a special holiday card telling them of your generosity on their behalf.

If you wish to make a gift in honor (or in memory) of a friend or family member, please fill out the form below and send it to the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. All donations of $1,000 or more are recorded on the Wall of Pride or Wall of Honor and are listed in the official contributions book situated between the Walls at the entrance to the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. Donations of less than $1,000 are recorded in the book.

For more information on making a donation, please call (414) 223-2194, weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Your Name ________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________

$

Sales tax (Wisconsin residents only, 5.6%): x $

Truffle festivals abound in Italy in November

0.056

$

City ______________________________ State _______ Zip _______________ My contribution of $ ___________ is made

Enter Subtotal B figure & add with sales tax figure: + $

In memory of _______________________________________________________

Grand total:

In honor of _________________________________________________________

$

If you’re paying by check: Make your check payable to the Italian Community Center.

On the occasion of: Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Graduation, Other

If this purchase is being made with a charge card, please complete the following:

(please specify) _____________________________________________________ Send acknowledgement to:

Type of Charge Card: _______________________________________________

Name _____________________________________________________________

Charge Card No.: ___________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

Expiration Date: ___________________________________________________

City ______________________________ State _______ Zip _______________

Send this form to: Italian Community Center, c/o Milwaukee’s Italians book, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

NOVEMBER 2012 – PAGE 21

LA PAGINA ITALIANA a cura di Enrica Tarantino-Woytal

Paoli, si’ a Sanremo ma solo con Rea Invitato da Fazio, stasera a Roma presenta nuovo cd con pianista ‘’Al Festival di Sanremo? A Fazio ho posto una condizione: sul palco con me deve esserci anche Danilo Rea. E poi devo avere due canzoni. E le devo scrivere.

Se vogliono e’ cosi’, altrimenti ciccia’’: così Gino Paoli commenta l’invito di Fabio Fazio al prossimo

festival di Sanremo.

Stasera Paoli e il pianista jazz saliranno di nuovo insieme sul palco della Sala Santa Cecilia di Roma per presentare ‘Due come noi che...’, in uscita il primo ottobre e pubblicato dall’etichetta dell’Auditorium.

Sanremo: Littizzetto a Fazio, ci sarò Sarò la bionda e la bruna, ti amerò per 5 giorni della mia vita Luciana Littizzetto parteciperà a Sanremo: lo annuncia a Che tempo che fa, in un duetto con Fabio Fazio impegnato in un corteggiamento: ‘’Luciana vuoi tu condurre con me il prossimo festival di Sanremo?’’. ‘’Se non rompi troppo i maroni’’,

aggiunge lei. ‘‘La bionda e la bruna, l’alta e la magra, la bona e la bonazza, la scema, l’intellettuale, sarò per te il gabbiano che vola sopra l’Ariston e ti scagazza in testa: prometto di amarti e rispettarti per cinque giorni della mia vita’’.

Cous cous fest batte tutti i record 250 mila visitatori a San Vito lo Capo, vince la Francia SAN VITO LO CAPO (TRAPANI), - Si e’ chiusa a San Vito Lo Capo con un bilancio di circa 250 mila visitatori la quindicesima edizione del Cous Cous Fest, il festival internazionale dell’integrazione culturale, organizzato dal Comune di San

Vito Lo Capo e dall’agenzia Feedback. La gara tra gli chef di nove paesi di tutto il Mediterraneo (Costa d’Avorio, Egitto, Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Senegal e Tunisia) e’ stata vinta per il secondo anno consecutivo dalla francese Alice Delcourt.

Having dinner for up to 300 guests?

Celentano, dvd e cd con duetto Morandi Ti penso e cambia il mondo, nella versione deluxe C’è anche il duetto con Gianni Morandi sulle note di Ti penso e cambia il mondo nella nuova versione deluxe in cd + dvd di ‘Facciamo finta che sia vero’, l’ultimo album multiplatino di

Bond e i Beatles compiono 50 anni Domani anniversario uscita Licenza d’uccidere e ‘Love me do’ Per la cultura pop, almeno quella britannica, e’ impossibile immaginare il mondo prima del 5 ottobre 1962. Quel giorno, esattamente mezzo secolo fa domani, uscirono nei negozi e nelle sale un singolo e una pellicola che hanno fatto la storia del cinema e della musica: il primo film di James Bond, ‘Licenza di uccidere’ ed il primo disco dei Beatles, ‘Love me do’. Prima di allora, nessuno aveva

Looking for great Italian food in a casual setting?

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

Cafe La Scala

Morricone riceve medaglia pontificia Ennio Morricone e’ oggi a Kielce, nella Polonia centrale, dove stasera il presidente del Consiglio della cultura presso il Vaticano, Cardinale Gianfranco Ravasi, gli consegnera’ la medaglia pontificia ‘Per arte ad Deum’. ‘’Questo premio e’ per me un grande onore, ragione di enorme emozione’’, ha detto Morricone all’ANSA sottolineando che da sempre la musica avvicina gli uomini alla fede e facilita il loro rapporto con l’eternità.

Indirizzi Utili Consolato Generale D’Italia Alessandro Motta Consul General 500 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1850 Chicago, IL 60611 312/467-1550 Fax: 312/467-1335 www.italconschicago.org Istituto Italiano di Cultura Silvio Marchetti - Director 500 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1450 Chicago, IL 60611 Email: direttore.iicchicago@esteri.it 312/822-9545 Fax: 312/822-9622 Italian Trade Commission Dott. Pasquale Bova 401 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 312/670-4360 Fax: 312/670-5147

Entertain them at the Italian Conference Center’s FESTA BALLROOM.

PAGINA 22 – NOVEMBRE 2012

sentito parlare dei ‘Fab Four’ di Liverpool e Sean Connery era un attore semisconosciuto.

Youʼll find it all at

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

A gorgeous setting in which to enjoy great food!

The Italian Conference Center in the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St. (a block west of Summerfest) Call SanDee or David at 414/ 223-2800 to reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com

Adriano Celentano. Prodotto dal Clan Celentano e distribuito da Universal Music, ‘Facciamo finta che sia vero’ e’ già nei negozi in una versione speciale ricca di contenuti inediti.

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

Dine-in or Carry-out 414/223-2185

Comites Chicago 7432 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60634 773/816-2282 Fax: 773/237-7778 Email: comiteschicago@yahoo.com Si suggerisce usare Email: radioitalia24ore@yahoo,com Milwaukee Representative: Pietro Tarantino 414/364-3803 Email: enricaw@aol.com

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Cremona’s torrone festival set for Nov. 16-18 The northern Italian city of Cremona (Lombardy region) claims to be the birthplace of torrone, the Italian nougat candy.

An official document from Oct. 25, 1441 indicates that torrone was first made for a wedding banquet of Francesco Sforza and Bianca Maria

Romaeuropa Festival in full swing in November Romaeuropa Festival is Rome’s big celebration of theater, music and dance held in venues throughout the Eternal City. This year, the festival, which started in late September, completes it run on Nov. 24.

Held each year since 1980, Rome has held this multi-disciplinary arts festival with participation of famous artists from all over the world.

The prestige of the festival has grown in leaps and bounds. Today, Romaeuropa is considered one of the greatest art events in the world. One can enjoy classic compositions side by side with modern compositions from various fields: theater, dance, literature and more.

The largest events take place at Teatre Olimpico and Auditorium Parco de la Musica.

Nov. 1 and 2 are special religious days in Italy November 1 has long been a standing holiday on the Italian calendar for the observance of All Saints Day (“Tutti i Santi Ognissnati”). It is a national holiday. Some towns across Italy have public celebrations; but, in most places, the day is designed for families.

All Souls Day, which is not a national holiday, is observed on Nov. 2. Italians bring flowers to cemeteries to honor deceased relatives.

Visconti in Cremona.

Cremona holds an annual torrone festival, which takes place this year Nov. 16-18.

The festival will include a reenactment of the historic wedding and lots of other activities.

Sicily food festivals in November Sink your teeth into a tasty muffuletta – a sumptuous focaccia bread sandwich with marinated olive salad, capicola, salami, pepperoni, ham and provolone – at a Nov. 11 festival in the Sicilian town of Castellammare del Golfo in the Trapani province.

Ten days later, the “Sagra dell’Olio e della Salsiccia” (Festival of Olive Oil and Sausage) is held in Misilmeri in the province of Palermo.

Venice’s Festa della Madonna della Salute celebrated Nov. 21 Each year on Nov. 21, the Festival della Salute is celebrated in Venice (Veneto).

The feast commemorates the end of the terrible plague that spread across Venice, which quickly decimated the city’s population.

When all medical attempts failed, the Senate of the Republic and Duke Nicolò Contarini decided to ask the Virgin Mary for help, voting to erect a temple in her name as soon as the scourge ended.

The plague finally came to an end in November 1631 and the government decided to begin the construction of the temple. The temple was consecrated on Nov. 21, 1687 and since then the day has been known as “Madonna della Salute” for all Venetians.

This impressive Baroque church, which contains beautiful works by Tiziano and Tintoretto, is located on the eastern point of

Dorsoduro and is visible from the banks of St. Mark’s Square. On Nov. 21, a guided procession begins in the Patriaca part of St. Mark’s, crosses the bridge of the Grand Canal and solemnly concludes in the Church of the Salute. A wooden bridge is temporarily erected across the canal and thousands of pilgrims cross to the church.

Tuscan town fetes on chestnuts and new sweet wine on Nov. 1 The small Tuscany town of Talla in Arezzo celebrates “La Sagra delle Castagne e del Vin Dolce” (Chestnuts and New Sweet Wine) on Nov. 1.

This typical traditional festival in the town piazza has food booths selling local produce, roasted chestnuts and, of course, new sweet wine to wash them down.

Dance the night away to the best of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s performed by the legendary Doo-Wop Daddies Saturday, Nov. 17 • 8:00 - 11:30 p.m.

Italian Community Center’s Festa Ballroom l Specia Guest: ” “Big Al from The Mob.

Looking for the ideal gift?

How about Cafe La Scala gift certificates?

Available in any denomination.

Stop in today or call (414) 223-2185.

Cafe La Scala at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St. A block west of Summerfest in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Advance tickets: $15.00 Available at the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., or by calling (414) 223-2180 or (262) 385-7404. $20.00 at the door.

Tables of 10 will be reserved.

The ICC’s Cafe La Scala will be open from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. for dinner and drinks. For reservations, call (414) 223-2185.

Admission ticket required to attend the show.

There will be bar service throughout the show.

NOVEMRE 2012 – PAGINA 23

PAID ADVERTISEMENT This statement is my own and does not represent in any manner or way the following: Italian Community Center, Inc., Festa Italiana, Italian Conference Center, Inc., Milwaukee Chapter of UNICO, National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities or any organization or group; their officers, directors, management, or any member. This is a paid advertisement written and paid for by Jimmy Spataro.

In 1978, three organizations – UNICO Men, Pompeii Men’s Club and the Ladies of UNICO – each donated the seed money to produce the first Festa Italiana. Other Italian American societies and organizations joined in to stage three magnificent days of traditional Family Fun, Food, Entertainment, Holy Mass and Procession and Spectacular Fireworks displays.

WHAT A SUCCESS! WE DID IT! Volunteers were the key, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Mom, Dads, Children, Aunts, Uncles, Sisters, Brothers, Cousins, Neighbors and Friends all got involved. They cooked the food, decorated the grounds, poured beer, served wine and peaches, cleaned and paid the bills. Festa was a financial success. We were proud of our heritage, and the proceeds became the foundation of the Italian Community Center.

Our first Community Center was a small store front on Brady Street. After three successful Festa Italiana celebrations, we were able to purchase a former Masonic Lodge on N. Hackett Avenue, it was a very nice temporary Center. Although the building itself remains an example of great Italian architecture, it did not meet our growing needs. The members of the Italian Community Center wanted to go back to the old Third Ward, the heart of the Italian neighborhood, which was destroyed in the 1950’s by Urban Renewal.

We were fortunate to purchase 15.2 acres of land called “the Coachyards” in 1986, and we broke ground in September 1989. We opened the new Italian Community Center in 1990. The beautiful new Center became home to many activities and events enjoyed by Italian Community Center members and members of the Community-At-Large.

WE, THE VOLUNTEERS, BUILT THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER November 6th is a national election for President of the United States. For the last four years our country has been stuck in an economic slowdown with high unemployment, high gas prices and lack of consumer confidence.

In 1975, I started American Moving & Storage Company, and like all entrepreneurs, worked hard, and with the help of great employees, we were able to weather the economic slowdown from 1979-1982. Those days remind me of what we are going through now: uncertainty, high gas prices, a lack of confidence and jobs. We voted for new leadership and changed Presidents in 1980. By the last half of 1982, the economic conditions turned around, businesses survived and flourished. I truly believe we need to elect Governor Mitt Romney, a proven and successful businessman, to be the next President of the United States to lead us out of this slow growth, high unemployment and to stop the take over of our Health Care System. Governor Romney has selected Congressman Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential nominee. Like Governor Romney, Congressman Ryan wants every American to have the opportunity to succeed.

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan for my personal health insurance. I do not want a Government panel of non-elected administrators making decisions on my or your health care. I want decisions made by patients and their doctors. WE MUST REPEAL OBAMACARE! Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan have plans to retain our Medicare system and will work to make sure it is still available to everyone under the age of 55. There will be no changes for citizens over 55 and will keep Medicare and Social Security for all age groups. Citizens under the age of 55 will have choices, including Medicare.

If we allow health care providers to compete for our health care dollars, they will improve and become more economical. Competition results in improvements and lower prices, just think of the first computers and cell phones and how they have become better and more economical due to free market competition.

The expansion of the Federal Government the last 4 years in unbelievable – $5.2 Trillion in debt and 23 million people out of jobs. I remember in 1975 having a million dollars was everyone’s dream. Today the talk is billions (one thousand million dollars) and I don’t even want to calculate trillions.

Without a change in government spending, we will bankrupt our country. This must stop! We cannot sustain another 4 years of stagnation, dependency, high unemployment, high gas prices, and uncertainty over our health care. WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP! Did you know that there were more people working in our country in 2001 than today, even though our population has grown by approximately 30 million people during those same years? This must change.

Governor Romney wants to (direct quote): “Reinvigorate the economy not by expanding government and raising taxes, but by encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and getting employers hiring again.”

My wife Linda and I have enjoyed achieving the American dream of success in work and business. We are proud to live in a country where success is celebrated. This is the legacy we want for all citizens, now and for our future generations. Please join us, support and VOTE FOR GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AND WISCONSIN’S OWN CONGRESSMAN PAUL RYAN for President and Vice President of the United States.

MAY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Jimmy Spataro

Past President, Italian Community Center, Inc., 1986.

Founder and President of American Moving & Storage, Inc., 1975-2000.

Past President, National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, 1980 & 1981.

Past Chairman, UNICO Scholarship Program, 1979-1983.

Manager, Practice Range PGA Tour – Tournament of Champions, 1999-2006.

Pro Staff Ten-Point Crossbows, 2010-Present.

DISCLOSURE: I have never been a member of the Democratic Party, Republican Party or any other political organization. I have endorsed, voted for and financially supported Democratic, Republican and Independent candidates in the past.

PAGE 24 – NOVEMBER 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES