ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com NOVEMBER 2018 • VOL. 40, NO. 5
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Members elect Bartolone, Lieber, Catalano and Tarantino in contested directors’ race Emanuele, Fritchie and incumbent officers cruise to victory
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor While the candidates for officer positions – President Joe Emanuele, Vice President Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie, Treasurer Ted Catalano, Secretary Susie DeSanctis Christiansen and SergeantAt-Arms Joanne Sanfilippo Czubek – cruised to victory without opposition in the Italian Community Center election, eight candidates battled it out for four director-at-
large seats. In the results announced during the Oct. 18 general meeting, three first-time candidates – Christopher Bartolone, Marie Andaloro Lieber and Christine Catalano – and one candidate with prior board experience, Pietro Tarantino, were elected to those directors’ positions. The newly elected officers and directors officially take office on Thursday, Nov. 1 in accordance with the ICC Bylaws. They will be
‘New Beginnings’
Here is Joe Mangiamele in front of the two story tall, abstract stainless steel sculpture that he commissioned for placement on the northwest side of the Italian Community Center grounds. The sculpture, named “New Beginnings,” is dedicated to American immigrants. The structure is nearly complete. Mangiamele is holding the prototype that he had designed. Look for more on this artistic addition to the ICC on pages 6-7. (Times photosby Tom Hemman)
sworn in at an installation dinner ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 3. When the ICC Board holds its first meeting of the new term on Thursday, Nov. 8, the newly elected executive officers and board members will be joined by Dean Cannestra, in his new position as the non-elective immediate past president, and by returning directors Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto, Ralph Busalacchi, Joe Jannazzo, and Ray Martinez. The latter four are starting the second year of their twoyear terms. The four candidates who unsuccessfully ran for directors’ seats in this year’s election were incum-
Italians to showcase culture, food and dance at Folk Fair Please turn to page 10
by Gina Jorgensen ICC Culture Committee Chairperson Preparing to serve as the representatives of Italian culture at the 75th annual Holiday Folk Fair International are volunteers from the Italian Community Center, members of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, and its youth group, I Bei Bambini. The Folk Fair will take place Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18 in the Wisconsin Expo Center at State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. ICC volunteers will operate a culture booth under the guidance of Culture Committee Chair Gina Jorgensen. Tradizione Vivente and I Bei Bambini will perform. Tradizione Vivente will also be in charge of an Italian cafè. Advance tickets for the event, priced at $10, are available at the ICC. Admission during the fair will be $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62 and over with an ID) and children (ages 6-12). Children, age 5 and under, will be admitted for free. The Folk Fair is also offering free admission to military personnel (with a military ID). Family four-packs are available in advance for $36 and can be purchased online at www.folkfair.org. You can go to the link and find lots of great information about dance, food, tradition and more. Folk Fair has new hours this year. Each day, the fair is closing an hour earlier than in the past. Public hours are as follows: Friday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Prior to opening to the public on Friday, there is an Education Day program from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. when thousands of students from all over Wis-
President-Elect Joe Emanuele
consin will visit the fair. There will be special cultural presentations for the students. Folk Fair details The 2018 Folk Fair theme is “Celebrate the Culture of Diversity,” honoring a community of people bound together by common ties, such as language, customs and beliefs, by what they think, how they behave, what they value, and what Please turn to page 9
Cosa c’è dentro? What’s inside?
Join your ICC friends for ‘Bocce Night’ on Nov. 30 page 2
BOGO membership deal ends Nov. 30 page 2
Ground turning ceremony for St. Rita Square page 3 Glorioso’s wins again for ‘Best Takeout’
UNICO Ladies, Pompeii Men donate for dinner
page 3 page 4
Final message from President Dean Cannestra page 7 Want to know the dates of Carnevale and Taste of Italy in 2019? page 8
Garibaldi Society celebrates 110th anniversary page 11
Saluting Italian American military heroes page 11 Pompeii Woman throw a bridal shower page 12 Pompeii Women donate supplies to two schools page 13 Italian Family History Club news
page 13
Italy’s Superman
page 15
Espresso insights Sezione Italiana
page 14
pagine 16-17
Buy-one-get one special ICC Membership on ICC memberships Committee hosting ends Nov. 30 free, fun-filled bocce night, Nov. 30
Are you ready to celebrate your Italian heritage playing a game that could be Italy’s greatest sport played by Galileo and DaVinci? Want to celebrate together with everyone – Italian and non-Italian – and enjoy a game or two of bocce with a bit of vino, beer or your favorite mixed drink? The ICC Membership Committee has an event that you might want to attend on Friday, Nov. 30. Please read on. The Membership Committee is sponsoring an evening of camaraderie where anyone can learn how to play or hone their skills playing bocce. The game begins with one player tossing a small white ball (the pallino) onto the court. As the game continues, players bowl other large red or green balls trying to get theirs closer to the pallino. Sometimes a tape measure is used to measure how close a ball is to see which team gets the point. It’s a game where age isn’t a factor. Currently, the Italian Community Center’s bocce leagues feature players of all ages. This includes seasoned players in their 80’s who
sometimes help to coach the newer, young players on ways to strategize to win points. During the evening we will have seasoned players available and we will even set up some teams to play. The courts are here year-round and the bocce balls are available to be rolled. All we need is you! On the evening of Nov. 30, we will start at 7 p.m. and run until approximately 9 p.m., unless there is a heated game going on at the end. Cafe La Scala will be open for dinner and drinks. So come and spend the evening sharing, learning and laughing a lot with your friends and members of the ICC and non-members, too. Non-members, who hopefully will become members, are welcome to attend this fun-filled evening.
– Submitted by Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto ICC Membership Committee Chairperson
The Italian Community Center Membership Committee has been busy finding ways to add value to our memberships. We have reached our first goal of 1,000-plus memberships, and are well on our way to hitting the next goal of 1,500! We’ve added Membership “Happy Hours,” which allow for members and potential members to get together and share memories and volunteer opportunities. We added member movie nights, which have been a huge success, starting with Moonstruck, Big Night and Hocus Pocus. Next, for our holiday season, we are going to offer a “buy one membership, get one free” promotion. If you are going to be renewing your membership anyways, you can renew it and get a free membership of equal value to give to a nonmember. Please note: It must go to a non-member and not someone who currently has a membership because our goal is to bring in new members to share our Center. Through Nov. 30, you can get two memberships for the price of
Get the word out about your holiday specials. Place an ad in our December issue? For details, call 414-223-2189 or email themman@iccmilwaukee.
one. Please write somewhere on the form or we will have a box online where you must write or enter BOGO2018. We will then have a certificate for you to give as a gift to the new member. They can then fill out a membership form and activate their membership with the certificate and completed membership form. We are hoping that this will be a great holiday gift for family and friends who are not currently members. Now is the time to take advantage of this special offer because it is the only time of the year we will offer it. Let’s get as many people as possible to share in the support and celebration of our Italian American heritage. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a message with the office and we will get back to you as soon as possible to answer all your questions. – Submitted by Bill Stocks and Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto ICC Membership Committee
Cafe La Scala brings back fish fry favorites
Not so long ago, Cafe La Scala offered two Friday fish favorites at really good prices and people loved it. Well, start loving it again. They are back. Each Friday, get two pieces of beer battered cod and baked Atlantic cod for $8.95 or three pieces of either for $10.95. The dinner includes seasonal vegetables and cole slaw with your choice of French fries, potato pancakes or boiled potatoes or a cup of chicken pastini or the soup of the day. For an additional $2.50 add a house salad. Regular restaurant hours are: Lunch – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday and dinner – 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually
Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . Dean Cannestra Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors, Reporters and Columnists and Contributors. . . . . . . . . Blaise Di Pronio, Barbara Collignon, Laura Duronio, Donato Di Pronio. Gina Jorgensen and Membership Committee members
For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@iccmilwaukee.com. Copyright 2018 The Italian Community Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved
PAGE 2 – NOVEMBER 2018
All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Italian Community Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times. In addition, the Newspaper Committee reserves the right to reject ads based on editorial policy approved by the Board of Directors of the Italian Community Center. The Italian Community Center is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Visit Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward Association.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Ground turning ceremony held for St. Rita Square project
An event to celebrate the start of the St. Rita Square project in the area of Cass and Pleasant Streets was held on a chilly Friday afternoon, Oct. 12. Numerous participants in the project including developer James Tarantino, Milwaukee Bishop Jeffrey R. Haines, The Very Rev. Timothy Kitzke, Father John Baumgartner and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett took part in a ground turning ceremony. Tarantino, founder and principal owner of Tarantino & Company and Capri Senior Communities, was drawn to the project because of his strong family connection to St. Rita Church and the former Our Lady of Pompeii Church.
The project set forth by Tarantino & Company calls for developing the current St. Rita properties into St. Rita Square, a senior living community with independent living apartments, assisted living apartments, and a memory care unit. A new St. Rita Church, which includes a walkway to the residential buildings, is a major highlight of the development. The new church that Tarantino’s team has designed incorporates design elements from the former Blessed Virgin of Pompeii Church and stained glass windows from the current St. Rita Church building. The new church will integrate the art and sacred objects from both churches.
Photos provided by Stephanie Kucher, Marketing Coordinator, Capri Senior Communities.
Numerous project participants and dignitaries were given the privilege of taking part in the ceremonial ground turning for St. Rita Square. From the left: The Very Rev. Timothy Kitzke, Father John Baumgardner, Park Bank CEO Dave Werner, the project developer James Tarantino of Taran-
tino & Company, Mayor Tom Barrett, Bishop Jeffrey Haines, Westminster Capital Managing Principal Chuck King, Citizens Bank of Mukwonago CEO Charles Miller, Pepper Construction Senior Project Manager Ryan Eberly and Park Bank Vice President Mark Henschel.
The 2019 meeting and social event schedules of all of the societies, clubs and organizations that regularly use the Italian Community Center for their activities are needed by the end of November. ICC Business Manager Laurie Bisesi uses the information to coordinate room scheduling with Bartolotta Catering. Times editor Tom Hemman needs the information to provide an accurate reporting in the calendar published in each issue of the newspaper. All groups are asked to submit their schedules including the starting time of all events as soon as possible. The goal is to have the schedules from all societies, clubs and organizations by Nov. 30. Please submit schedules using any one of these methods: • Send an email to Thomas Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com. • Drop off the schedules in person at the ICC. • Mail them to Tom Hemman, ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Groups that fail to comply with this request may experience difficulty in securing the accommodations they most desire. Please note: The Members Room can no longer be reserved for individual meetings and private parties. The room is available to members at all times that the ICC is open.
2019 schedules of Italian societies, organizations that regularly meet at ICC are needed promptly
The Very Rev. Tim Kitzke (front) was among the speakers at the ground turning ceremony. Behind him are Milwaukee Bishop Jeffrey Haines, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Father John Baumgardner.
Glorioso’s chosen ‘Best Takeout’ again in OnMilwaukee.com poll
Glorioso’s Italian Market has done it again. The family owned grocery and deli was chosen “Milwaukee’s Best Takeout” in the OnMilwaukee.com 2018 “Best of Dining” poll. Glorioso’s has earned this title numerous times in the last two decades. On Milwaukee.com cited Glorioso’s as “the real deal. They have all the authentic Italian staples you’ll need. From pasta to pizza to fine Italian cheeses and sausages, it’s a prime spot to make that charcuterie board you’ve been dreaming about or, simply, to grab a pizza and bottle of wine to go and call it a night.
“A family business that’s more than 70 years old, Glorioso’s has always been about people and, of course, a passion for food. If the idea of homemade pasta and cannoli aren’t enticing enough, the smells are sure to get you.” Glorioso’s Italian Market, 1011 E. Brady St., Milwaukee, was chosen over Jake’s Deli, Cafe Italia, Ono Kine Grindz, Speed Queen and Mara’s Grill. Several members of the Glorioso family, including Ted, Michael and Felix, the primary operators of the business – are longtime members of the Italian Community Center.
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UNICO Ladies, Pompeii Men continue support for ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for poor and homeless
The Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, through its Community Projects Committee, presented a $200 donation for the Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and poor that Italian Community Center volunteers will serve on Sunday, Nov. 11 at the Open Door Cafe meal site at St. John’s Cathedral. The UNICO Ladies are always the first and one of the largest consistent donors to this annual event. Here, Ann Romano, UNICO Ladies’ Community Projects Chair, presented the check to Tony Lupo, dinner chair. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Tony Lupo (left), co-chair of the ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for the poor and homeless, accepted a $200 donation from Chuck Lazzaro, Pompeii Men’s Club President. The club’s donation was presented at the ICC’s Oct. 18 general meeting. ICC volunteers expect to serve a full Thanksgiving dinner to about 300 guests. Lazzaro and others from the Pompeii Men’s Club are among the volunteers. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Thanks for your memorial donations to the ICC
The officers and directors of the Italian Community Center wish to thank and acknowledge all those who pledged, fulfilled a pledge, or made a contribution to the nonprofit organization. To obtain information on how to make a pledge or a donation, please call 414-223-2808. Please note: When the ICC is informed of the death of a member, an email blast is being sent out to all members who have signed up to receive these email blasts as part of their membership. The following memorial donations were received between Sept. 10 and Oct. 10, 2018. In memory of Peter Frank Sorce Peter T. and Kathy M. Sorce Christina Sorce
In memory of the one year anniversary of the passing of Past ICC President Sam Purpero – Oct. 11, 2017 Tony and Barbara Lupo Ray and Carole Martinez
“The Jayne Taylor Christmas Show”
Back by popular demand! Last year’s show was a sell out! November 24, 2018 – 7:30pm Sunset Playhouse 800 Elm Grove Rd. Elm Grove, WI Call the box office at (262) 782-4430 or visit: www.sunsetplayhouse. com www.jaynetaylormusic.com PAGE 4 – NOVEMBER 2018
In memory of Harold D. Bruckbauer Anthony T. Machi
In memory of Joe (Big) Carini Joseph and Virginia Besasie
In memory of Rosario A. Spella Anthony T. Machi Gino A. Dentice Pompeii Men’s Club In memory of Rose Maniaci Anthony T. Machi Gino A. Dentice
Deadline set for December 2018 issue
All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the December 2018 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Friday, Nov. 9. All materials can be emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@iccmilwaukee.com or sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. For further information, call 414-2232189.
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Calendar of Events November 1 – 30, 2018
Thursday, Nov. 1 • Italian Community Center Membership Committee meeting, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3 • Italian Family History Club meeting, 10 a.m. • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 11 a.m. • Italian Community Center installation dinner and ceremony, 5:30 p.m., reception, 6:30 p.m., dinner. Details in this issue.
Monday, Nov. 5 • Italian Community Center Finance & Personnel Committee meeting, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 8 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 12 • Italian Community Center Fall Bocce Championship Tournament, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 13 • Abruzzese Galileo-Galilei Society meeting and spuntino, 2 p.m. • Italian Community Center Italian I class, 5:30 p.m. Fall semester finale. • Pompeii Men’s Club general membership meeting, 6 p.m. • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m. • Italian Community Center Italian II class, 7:30 p.m. Fall semester finale. Wednesday, Nov. 14 • Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge/Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Board meeting, 6 p.m.
Winter bocce season to start week of Jan. 7
After a break for the holidays, bocce leagues will start up again at the Italian Community Center in January. Get your team together now. The winter bocce season gets underway the week of Jan. 7. Teams in the senior citizen leagues
Thursday, Nov. 15 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m. • Italian Community Center general meeting, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 • Abruzzese Galileo-Galilei Society social, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 22 • Thanksgiving Day. The Italian Community Center, Festa Italiana and Italian Times offices will be closed. Friday, Nov. 30 • ICC Membership Bocce Night. 7 p.m. Details in this issue.
Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The fall bocce season is coming to an end. The championship playoffs will take place on Monday, Nov. 12. • ICC Italian classes. The fall semester of weekly Italian I and Italian II classes run through Tuesday, Nov. 13.
• I Bei Bambini, The Children’s Italian Dance Group. This children’s folk dance group practices weekly on most Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the ICC. New dancers are welcome. For details, visit: www.tradizionevivente.com. Breaks are taken during the holidays and after Festa Italiana through Labor Day.
• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on most Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit: www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Breaks are taken during the holidays and after Festa Italiana through Labor Day. Ballate con noi! Dance with us! • Hula hoop dance fitness class. Every Tuesday night, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. in the bocce court room. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $5 per member, $10 per non-member. No classes during the holidays.
play on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Teams in the mixed couples’ leagues compete on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. The regular season lasts eight weeks. The winter season champiPlease turn to page 8
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Abstract sculpture, commissioned by member Joe Mangiamele, almost ready to shine near ICC’s northwest corner
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor Joseph Mangiamele, President of Mangiamele Arts Foundation, said he is “very pleased” with the construction of the two-story, stainless steel abstract sculpture that he commissioned for construction at the Italian Community Center under an agreement with the ICC Board. The sculpture, on the northwest side of the ICC property, was nearing completion at the time this newspaper went to press. All that remained was the connection of uplighting in circular cylinders at the base of the structure and filling in the work area around the base. The ICC Board is inviting its members and friends of the organization to attend the general meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15 when a special celebration will be held to thank Joe Mangiamele and the nonprofit Mangiamele Arts Foundation for choosing the ICC for the display of this abstract work. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Both outgoing President Dean Cannestra and President-Elect Joe Emanuele have said that the sculpture represents a major art addition to the ICC, the Historic Third Ward and the City of Milwaukee, and that they expect it will become a focal point, bringing art aficionados and tourists to the ICC. The Mangiamele Arts Foundation has named the sculpture “New Beginnings” and has dedicated it to immigrants of all nationalities and races who came to America. Joe Mangiamele, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus of the School of Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has had a long career has an urban designer.
He designed the three-dimensional sketches and hardboard model for the sculpture. He initially hired a fabricator who designed a 22-inch bronze model from his designs. From there, he turned to Gallas Metalworks, Inc. to build the stainless steel sculpture. Gallas owner James Stearns has had a crew of three working to complete the structure on the ICC grounds. The structure is bolted onto a concrete base that is six feet deep and about six feet round. There is a steel plate on top of the base. The sculpture itself is resilient and easy to maintain, Mangiamele said. He said he is very happy with the work that has been done, which is quite different from the types of work orders than Gallas Metalworks usually performs for its clients. The uplighting will be programmable for the degree of light strengths, he added. For more than a decade, Mangiamele has been designing small prototypes of what eventually he believes could become sculptures up to 30 feet in urban and business settings In an article appearing our September 2018 issue, Mangiamele said, “Perhaps my mission is not only to place large sized structures into public places but also to encourage private firms to use engaging sculptures to identify their businesses and to include them in their surrounding landscapes. My most personal mission is to make a significant contribution to the art movement and making this city, ‘ the art city of the world’.” To that end, he established the Mangiamele Arts Foundation that is encouraging young adults through scholarships to pursue a
The crew from Gallas Metalworks works on polishing and buffing the sculpture.
PAGE 6 – NOVEMBER 2018
design curriculum. Recently, the foundation donated $30,000 to the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order
Sons of Italy in America to offer scholarships to students pursuing an art and design education. Times photos by Tom Hemman
Structure is underway.
Joe Mangiamele is joined by some of his friends after their usual Wednesday afternoon lunch meeting at Cafe La Scala. From the left: Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Anthony J. Machi, Past ICC President Anthony T. Machi, ICC President-Elect Joe Emanuele, Tony Lupo, Joe Besasie, Joe Mangiamele and Ray Besasie.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
This photo was taken from above the sculpture by our photographer who was hoisted up by a crane operated by Kevin Crag of Gallas Metalworks, Inc.
A message from outgoing ICC President Dean Cannestra
Joe Mangiamele looks up at the two story tall “New Beginnings” sculpture just off Jackson Street and south of Chicago Street on the northwest side of the ICC grounds.
Since this is my last message as President of the Italian Community Center, the first things I want to do are thank our members for giving me the opportunity to serve as your president and for supporting me through two memorable years. It has been truly an honor and an experience made possible by a lot of people who put their faith in me and supported me throughout my two terms. Secondly, I want to congratulate
and extend my best wishes to my successor Joe Emanuele. I know Joe is extremely dedicated and committed to continuing our success as a vital ethnic and cultural organization in our community and keeping the ICC going strong financially. Congratulations also to our newly-elected officers: Vice President Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie, Treasurer Ted Catalano, Secretary Susie DeSanctis Christiansen and Sergeant-At-Arms Joanne Sanfilippo Czubek and our newly elected directors-at-large Christopher Bartolone, Marie Andaloro Lieber, Christine Catalano and Pietro Tarantino. I encourage all of our members to show their support for Joe Emanuele and our newly elected officers and directors as well as our returning board members. Let’s make the next year a smashing success. I look forward to working with Joe and the board in my new position as immediate past president. I also want to thank Blaise Di Pronio, Tony Lupo and Tony Zingale for their service on the board during my presidency. You served for our organization honorably. Membership One way you can show your support of the ICC is by renewing your membership, and it is a great time to do. Now through Nov. 30, we have a “buy-one-get-one-free” sale going on! Under the proposal developed by our Membership Committee, if you are renewing your membership, you can get a free membership of equal value to give to a non-member. The only stipulation is the free one must go to a non-member, not someone who is also renewing a membership. There’s an article in this issue with all the details for participating in this special offer. It is essential for an organization like ours to keep growing and
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Please turn to page 8
NOVEMBER 2018 – PAGE 7
Oscar-wininng Cinema Paradiso to be shown on ICC Movie Night, Friday, Nov. 9
Cinema Paradiso, an Oscar-winning film at the 62nd Academy Awards, will be shown at the Italian Community Center on Movie Night, Friday, Nov. 9. Admission is free. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the film will be shown at 7:15 p.m. Food
and beverages will be available for purchase. Released in November 1988, Cinema Paradiso was written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The film was shot in Tornatore’s hometown, Bagheria, Sicily, as well as Cefalu on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The film centers on a filmmaker’s recollection of his childhood when he fell in love with the pictures shown at the cinema of his home village and his formation of a deep friendship with the cinema’s projectionist. Cinema Paradiso stars Jacque
Perrin, Philippe Noiret, Leopoldo Trieste, Marco Leonardi, Agnese Nano and Salvatore Cascio and was produced by Franco Cristaldi and Giovanna Romagnoli, while the music score was composed by Ennio Morricone, along with his son, Andrea.
from page 7 to bring in younger members to carry on our culture, our beliefs and participation in the community.
nation for art aficionados and tourists. All we’re waiting for are the lights, which will go in at the base of the sculpture. These specially imported lights will project degrees of color upward, which should make for spectacular viewing at night. We are planning a special celebration to mark the completion of the sculpture and to thank Joe Mangiamele and his foundation for bringing this artwork to our property. The celebration will be part of our general membership meeting
on Thursday, Nov. 15. I hope you will be there.
Nov. 9, the Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso will be shown. There’s a “Members’ Bocce Night” on Friday, Nov. 30. The Membership Committee invites everyone to come to the ICC for a free night of bocce and good camaraderie. The date for our 40th annual “Il Grande Carnevale” has been set for Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Our 24th annual “A Taste of Italy” will take place Sunday Apr. 28, 2019. – Dean Cannestra ICC President Fall 2016 - Fall 2018
Messsage from outgoing ICC President Dean Cannestra
Joe Mangiamele I hope you have noticed the new addition on the northwest side of our property. Thanks to ICC member Joe Mangiamele and his Mangiamele Arts Foundation, a wonderful two-story tall stainless steel abstract sculpture has gone up, which we expect will become a landmark for the ICC and a desti-
Dates While winter might be right around the corner, there are still a lot of of events going on at the ICC. I hope that we have a big crowd on Saturday, Nov. 3 for our installation dinner and ceremony. It should be a fun night with The Russo Brothers performing. We have our monthly free “Movie Night” series continuing on the second Friday of the month. On
Winter bocce leagues
The Italian Times is seeking volunteers to help with proofreading. Individuals must be good spellers and have a solid understanding of proper punctuation and grammar.
Individuals who are interested in helping out should contact Editor Tom Hemman at (414) 223-2189 or email him at themman@iccmilwaukee.com. PAGE 8 – NOVEMBER 2018
from page 5 onship playoffs will take place Monday, Mar. 11 at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in registering a team to play in a winter league, here are a few things you need to know. There are two sets of player registration fees. The lower fee is for players who are members of the ICC. That fee is $30 per person per league season. The nonmember registration fee is $40 per person per league season. Each team must consist of at least four players, with one player designated as the team captain. Each league is interested in having eight teams. That way every team can compete each week. Team registration forms are available by calling the ICC office at 414-223-2180 or by picking one up at the ICC. The form can also be emailed to you. League coordinators are: Troy Halverson (Monday night), Craig Lieber (Tuesday afternoon), Tony Tarantino (Wednesday night), Jeannie Prindiville (Thursday afternoon) and Chris (Kit) Nelson (Thursday night). People can also contact Bocce Coordinator John Alioto at pasta31@aol.com.
Reserve the date: Sunday, April 28, 2019 for the 24th annual
“A Taste of Italy” at the
Italian Community Center Follow The Italian Times for details.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Italian culture to be showcased at Holiday Folk Fair by ICC volunteers, Tradizione Vivente and I Bei Bambini Multi-cultural event is set for Nov. 16-18
from page 1 they pass on to the next generation. These communities provide an identity and a sense of belonging. They help us discover who we are and why. It is our culture that shapes our identity and influences our behavior. Culture is our “way of being,” a sense of belonging. This year Folk Fair will celebrate the traditions of diversity by featuring “Foods of Celebration.” An Italian cooking demonstration on Education Day and over the weekend will be done by Lisa DeSanctis, with assistance from her brother, Mark DeSanctis, both of whom are longtime members of Tradizione Vivente. The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance, the World Cafè offering traditional dishes, the International Stage where young people perform their ethnic dances, the Tanzhaus (Music Pavilion) where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings, the Tanzhaus where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians, Heritage Lane, with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits, the International Bazaar, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine. The Holiday Folk Fair International is a festival that allows cultures from around the world to showcase their traditions and heritage. As we foster an environment of learning and understanding, of respect and tolerance, visitors will begin to find within themselves the necessary qualities for shaping their lives and that of their community, as well as of our state and nation. Italian participation In keeping with the theme, the culture exhibit, run by the Culture Committee and volunteers, will fea-
ture displays and information how Italians celebrate diversity. There will be a large map where fair-goers can pin the location in Italy where their ancestry came from before immigrating to America.
“We will also display a variety of items that depict celebration Italian style,” Jorgensen said. “We will
ICC Members: Planning to attend the dinner before the General Meeting on Thursday, November 15? If so, you are cordially asked to make a reservation no later than Monday, Nov. 12. Call 414-223-2180. Your reservation will help the culinary staff of Bartolotta Catering prepare sufficient food for the buffet. Thank you for your cooperation!
Catering THE ITALIAN TIMES
be displaying the Pinocchio mobile, designed and built by ICC member Cosmo Carini.” As usual, Tradizione Vivente will be performing each day of the fair. I Bei Bambini, the Children’s Italian Dance Group will perform on Sunday. For dance times and stages, visit folkfair.org.
Mangia! Mangia! Folk Fair guests can dine at the Italian food booth, operated by Tradizione Vivente. The booth will feature Cavatappi pasta with a breadstick, Cavatappi Pasta with meatballs and breadstick, meatball sandwiches, Italian sausage sandwiches, arancini (rice balls) and pizza, along with many tasty dessert options such as cannoli (regular and chocolate), tiramisu, pizzelle, Italian ice cup (strawberry), a 75th anniversary cookie, and confetti (Jordan almonds). This year, the Italian café will offer handmade Italian sodas! Peter Sciortino Bakery will provide the Italian fare. Owned by the Vella family, the food and bakery supplied by Sciortino’s has constantly remained a favorite of fairgoers. Tradizione Vivente is seeking donations of pizzelle (Italian wafer cookies) to sell since this is a very popular item at the fair. The dancer group greatly appreciates any assistance from fellow ICC members. If you can help out, please contact Gina Jorgensen at gina.jorgensen@yahoo.com or at 414380-0808. For the cooking demonstration during Education Day and over the weekend, Lisa DeSanctis said minestra maritata will be made. This soup is well known as Italian wedding soup, but really has nothing to do with weddings nor is it served at weddings. The name is more accurately translated as “wedded broth” in that it is the perfect combination of broth, meatballs, orzo and vegetables (escarole). The dish has variations all over Italy and is served for different feasts such as the Feast of Santo Stefano (Dec. 26) in Naples, during the Christmas and Easter seasons on the Amalfi Coast and in Sicily during the annual pig butchering. For additional information on the Holiday Folk Fair, please visit www.folkfair.org.
Cafe La Scala is now open Monday – Friday for Lunch and Dinner. Stop in before your meeting, before heading home from work, or if you’re looking for great Italian food! Lunch: 11am – 2 pm, Monday-Friday Dinner, 5pm – 8:30pm, Monday-Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday We look forward to see you! Cafe La Scala, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee At the Italian Community Center (414) 223-2185 NOVEMBER 2018 – PAGE 9
Election brings three first-timers and one returnee to the ICC Board to fill open director-at-large seats with the Milwaukee Police Department from 1992 to 2017 when he retired. His last promotions with MPD were as a Forensic Investigator (2002-06) and an Identification Systems Specialist (2006-2017). He completed second terms as Vice President and previously served one year as a director-at-large on the ICC Board. He is also the immediate past president of the Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America.
from page 1 bents Tony Lupo and Tony Zingale and Sophia Michalovitz and Edward Ciano, the latter two were seeking their first-ever terms on the board. With Ceraso Fritchie moving from a director’s seat to vice president and Blaise Di Pronio, Tony Lupo and Tony Zingale departing from the board, the four newlyelected directors – Bartolone, Lieber, Catalano and Tarantino – represent a 50% change among the directors-at-large compared to the last year. Di Pronio opted to not seek reelection although he would have been eligible for another term. Another departure from the board is Giuseppe Vella, who was the nonelective immediate past president the last two years. Ballots were mailed to 977 members, who met the bylaws stipulation as eligible voters. Of that number, 535, or 54.7% were returned. About the officers Joe Emanuele was an officer
Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie succeeds Emanuele in the vice presidency. Last year, she filled the director’s seat vacated when Ted Catalano was elected treasurer. She completed 12 consecutive years serving as ICC Secretary at the end of the 2015-16 term. She is the current Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National President. Catalano is beginning his second term as treasurer. He previously served three years as a director-atlarge. He was Il Grande Maresciallo (The Grand Marshal) of the ICC’s Il Grande Carnevale in 2015.
President Joe Emanuele
Vice President Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie
Treasurer Ted Catalano
Secretary Susan DeSanctis Christiansen
Sergeant-At-Arms Joanne Sanfilippo Czubek
Immediate Past President Dean Cannestra (non-elective)
ICC Officers for 2018-19 term
PAGE 10 – NOVEMBER 2018
Christiansen is starting her third consecutive year as secretary after serving a total of nine years as a director-at-large. She and her husband, Tom, were La Regina e Il Re (The Queen and the King) of Carnevale in 2011. Czubek first won the sergeantat-arms position in the 2010 election and has been re-elected every year since. She has the distinction as the only female to have served as sergeant-at-arms in the 40-year history of the ICC. She and Rosemary DeRubertis have served as general chairpersons of Carnevale for the past 15 or so years. Joanne was La Regina of Carnevale in 1996. That year, her brother, John Sanfilippo, was Il Re. The term for each officer position is one year. All of the newly elected officers have many years of experience as volunteers for the ICC and Festa Italiana.
Set-Up with Ted Catalano. He was Il Principe (The Prince) of Carnevale in 2000.
Lieber is a paralegal with the law firm Terschan, Steinle, Hodan & Ganzer, Ltd. She has been volunteering at Festa since its inception in 1978 and has managed the Cucina Showcase the last 16 years. She served as Carnevale’s La Grande Mariscialla in 2005 and 2013 and was one of the three cochairs of the ICC’s “A Taste of Italy” this year.
Christine Catalano is in business management, serving as District Administrator of Insperity, LLC. She served on the 2018 Carnevale Committee and has volunteered for Festa sausage booths set-up.
About the directors Bartolone works in Facilities Planning & Management at Marquette University. He has served as co-manager of Festa Equipment
Tarantino is self-employed. He has previously served a number of terms on the board as a director-atlarge in the years: 1999-2005, 20062010 and 2013-2017. He has served several years as chairman of the ICC’s Italian Language Classes Committee.
Chris Bartolone
Marie Lieber
Newly elected Directors-AtLarge serving 2018-20
Directors with a year of service remaining Chrissy Catalano
Ralph Busalacchi
Pietro Tarantino
Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto
Joe Jannazzo
Ray Martinez
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Garibaldi Society celebrates 110th anniversary at ICC event
Members of the Giuseppe Garibaldi Italian Mutual Aid Society celebrated the organization’s 110th anniversary on Sept. 23 at the Italian Community Center. ICC Past President and retired Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Bill Jennaro was the guest speaker. The society was founded in 1908 for the purpose of assisting fellow Italian immigrants, especially from
Saluting our Italian American military heroes
language. The society is still active today, and conducts its monthly meetings at a facility in Bay View that is owned by the society. There are approximately 105 active members. It is one of the oldest Italian mutual aid organizations in Wisconsin. (Photo supplied by Dan Laurence and John Ferraro)
ICC Membership Dues Benefits of Italian Community Center Membership
Italian Americans have a long history of distinguished service in the United States military. With Veteran’s Day coming up in November, we decided to report on several of these heroes in this issue. Here’s a selection of Italian American heroes who distinguished themselves during their military service (in no particular order) from the American Revolution War to more current conflicts.
1). Captain Don Gentile. This U.S. Air Force ace shot down more than 30 Nazi planes during World War II. Nicknamed a “one man Air Force” by General Dwight Eisenhower, Gentile received the Distinguished Service Cross. 2). Pascal de Angelis. At the age of 13, de Angelis is among and the first natives of Italy to bear arms against the British during the Revolutionary War. 3). Major J.J.U. Rivardi. He was appointed by President George Washington in 1774 to fortify Baltimore, Md., and Alexandria and Norfolk, Va. 4). General Luigi Palma d’Cesnola. Before the end of the Civil War, he became the first Italian American to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Aldie in Virginia on June 17, 1863. He was born June 29, 1832 in Rivarola (Piedmont), Italy. After his service in the military, he became the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York. 5). General Carl Vuono. He was the first Italian American to be appointed Army Chief of Staff. He served from 1887 to 1891. 6). Admiral Bancroft Gherardi. He was the first Italian American to attain the rank of U.S. Admiral in 1877. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. 7). Tech Sergeant Peter d’APlease turn to page 18
the regions of Piedmont and Marche. These immigrants settled in the Bay View neighborhood in the south east section of Milwaukee. They developed their own set of bylaws, which at the time required that the monthly meetings be conducted in the Italian language. Newly settled immigrants were given assistance in finding employment and with learning the English
THE ITALIAN TIMES
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Mail this form to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. The ICC respects your privacy and does not sell or distribute personal information such as birthdates, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. This membership registration form can also be emailed to cpalmer@iccmilwaukee.com. For further information, call (414) 223-2180.
NOVEMBER 2018 – PAGE 11
Pompeii Women’s Club throw a bridal shower for member, Valentina Sturdevant, at September 26 general meeting
Our monthly dinner meeting was held on Sept. 26 at Meyer’s Restaurant and was hosted by Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler, Agnes Bova Ulezelski and Mary Ann Bellante. President Suzanne Wypijewski welcomed the attendees and called on Sr. Ann Catherine to lead us in prayer prior to the serving of dinner. Before undertaking the agenda for the meeting, President Suzanne called member Ashley Guttuso to the podium and swore her in as a member of the Board, replacing Carla SanFelippo, who resigned as reported in our article in last month’s issue. Moving along, President Suzanne called on Patti Bennetts for the Treasurer’s report. After relevant announcements presented by Suzanne on future ac-
Valentina Sturdevant opening her gifts.
Valentina Sturdevant is presented a recipe book as a wedding gift from the Pompeii Women’s Club. The book contains the women’s favorite recipes. Maria D’Amato made the presentation.
tivities, she shouted “SURPRISE” as a wedding shower commence to honor member Valentina Sturdevant whose marriage will take place in November. After some gift unwrapping, attendees were treated to a piece of a special wedding cake with multi cupcakes and plenty of whipped cream in the shape of a bridal gown. These treats were made by Maria D’Amato. Keeping with the wedding theme, Agnes Bova Ulezelski prepared decorated mini white paper bags filled with mints for each guest to take home. The club wishes to thank Maria, our hostesses Sr. Ann Catherine, Agnes and Mary Ann, and the board members and club members who were involved in planning the entire evening. Members were asked to send their favorite recipes to Maria who asked them into a book for Valentina. Valentina’s mother, Rosselle Mussomeli-Sturdevant, and her Aunt Marie Mussomeli, were present at our event. Both are former members of the Pompeii Women’s Club. How about rejoining us, ladies? Member Amy Domagalski brought a guest, Enrica Fracchia Miller, to the event. Enrica is a teacher at Milwaukee’s Italian Immersion School and is joining our club. Thank you, Amy. Thanks to our members who brought school supplies that were given to St. Augustine Preparatory School and the Italian Immersion School. Topping off this fun evening were the delightful books each member received through Sr. Ann Catherine’s magical ways. She closed the evening with a prayer. Again once, thank you to Sr. Ann Catherine and all the others who were involved and responsible for this delightful evening, including our President Suzanne. The Pompeii Women’s Club’s next dinner meeting is our October scholarship event on, Oct. 24.
Mary Ann Bellante was one of three meeting hostesses.
Left side of the table: Mary Winard, Rosalie Giano, Vice President Karen Dickinson and Ann Skocynski. Right side: Lena Zingale and Maria D’Amato.
PAGE 12 – NOVEMBER 2018
President Suzanne Wypijewski (left) with Valentina Sturdevant.
Photos provided by the Pompeii Women’s Club
Here is the cupcake wedding dress made by Maria D’Amato.
Here are two of the three hostesses: Sr. Ann Catherine Veierstahler (left) and Agnes Bova-Ulezelski.
President Suzanne Wypijewski swearing in new board member Ashley Guttuso.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Pompeii Women’s Club donates supplies to two local schools
Continuing its charitable efforts, the Pompeii Women’s Club recently donated school supplies for students to use at two Milwaukee area schools. The supplies were distributed at Victory Italian Immersion School and St. Augustine Preparatory Academy. Pompeii Women’s Club members Amy J. Domagalski and Enrica Fracchia Miller joined Sister Ann Catherine in distributing the supplies at Victory Italian Immersion School on Milwaukee’s southeast side. Domagalski and Fracchia Miller are on the teaching staff. Domagalski is a fifth grade teacher and Fracchia Miller teaches first grade students. Both expressed their deepest gratitude for the supplies for their students. The Pompeii Women’s Club presentation to St. Augustine Preparatory Academy was made by Sr. Ann Catherine to Chris Sosnay, the school’s Director of Development. “I was deeply inspired by the warmth and hospitality I received when I brought our donated supplies to St. Augustine Prep,” Sr. Ann Catherine said. The school, on Milwaukee’s south side, emphasizes academics, faith, family, athletics and arts.
And now a word from Italy
Here are (l – r:) Sr. Ann Catherine with Victory teachers Amy Domagalski and Enrica Fracchia Miller. Both
teachers are also members of the Pompeii Women’s Club. (Photos provided by Sr. Ann Catherine)
Sr. Ann Catherine is seen here making the presentation of school supplies to Chris Sosnay, Director of Development at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy.
by Blaise Di Pronio Portico: A porch or walkway with a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building. Derived from the Italian porta or door. Root for port which is a kind of doorway to land from the sea.
Nov. 1-2 are 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.
Italian Family History Club news
by George Koleas We had a GREAT Festa Italiana. How do we measure our Festa Italiana results? Our only goal is to encourage people to start their own family research. We measure success by how busy we are helping people find their families and teaching them how to start their family research. Joined by our Milwaukee County Genealogical Society (M.C.G.S.) partners, we were busy literally non-stop. Visitors waited in line to talk with us. We want to thank all of the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society members who came to help and a special thanks to Wilson and Giovanna Wright, who coordinated M.C.G.S volunteers and provided the M.C.G.S. computers. Our Italian Family History Club volunteers were Sue Alioto, Florence Anastasi Zickermann, Jaime Aukskalnis, Mary Gilardi, Arlene and John Jorgensen, Tana and David Salvaggio, Mary Jerominski, Jan Koleas and Dan Niemiec, for-
mer leader of the Pursuing Our Italian Names Together (POINT) Chicago North Chapter and contributor to Fra Noi. To read Fra Noi “Pursuing Our Roots” articles, go to: http://www.franoi.com/category/roo ts/. Jaime, who maintains a huge database of people from around the Santa Flavia area, added many names to his database and met many cousins. He would like to remind everyone that if any of you would like to contact him for missing info in the Santa Flavia area, contact, jamesjauk@msn.com. After Festa, Dan Niemiec sent me a list of the names he and his former chapter were researching. I sent him the list from our website of names our members are researching. Our hope is that if either of us finds a family looking for one of these surnames, we will contact one another. The Italian Family History Club has set its tentative calendar for 2019. Our meetings will be Satur-
THE ITALIAN TIMES
days from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 12, Apr. 27, Aug. 24 and Nov. 2. I submitted these dates to the Italian Community Center. We renewed our discussion of a possible trip to Sicily. We would set a date to travel in 2020. Because of the cost of airfare to Europe, we would likely stop elsewhere in Italy, possibly Rome for a tour, before heading to Palermo, Sicily. We would follow a pattern that would be arrival in a town, followed by a tour of the town. Next, we would have a free day or two to explore on your own or arrange personal travel to another location. Because so many of us are from the towns in and around the Bagheria Peninsula, we would tour this area. This would all be planned by a travel agent to accommodate as many personal travel needs as possible while we are in Italy. ICC members are welcome to join us. We’re going to find a way to go. I made contact with Mary Frances Gerace, the coordinator of
the Italian Special Interest Group at the Villages where they share their research experiences with one another. She will be receiving our minutes to share with her members. We hope that some of her members may be researching some of our families. For more, go to: https://villagesgenealogy.org/ cpage.php?pt=18. To see other special interest groups at the Villages, go to: https://villagesgenealogy.org/cpage. php?pt=10
The Italian Family History Club’s last meeting in 2018 will be Saturday, Nov. 3 at the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at noon. 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 by e-mail at GeorgeJK676@wi.rr.com or by calling 262-251-7216 after 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER 2018 – PAGE 13
As you like it: Espresso insights
by Blaise Di Pronio Try as you might, try as you will, you will never find nor ever make an espresso as good as the one enjoyed in Italy. Just what is it that makes that little demitasse of black and frothy liquid smell and taste so delicious and found at only those ubiquitous cafes in Italy? In 1901, an Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera, came up with the idea of forcing pressurized water through a handful of coffee powder to produce a short, concentrated drink: the espresso, so called because it could be prepared expressly for each customer and because the water had to be expressed through the coffee and, most important, it was fast. The espresso machine became a futuristic icon at the turn of the century, sharing its name with a high-speed train. In order to clear a common belief, it should be noted that although espresso has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages because the usual serving size is much smaller, the total caffeine content is less than a cup of standard brewed coffee. The espresso machines found their place in so-called “American bars”—spaces where people would stand at the bar, saloon-style, instead of sitting down at the table. The first American bar in Italy was Caffé Manaresi, in Florence, nicknamed Caffè dei Ritti after the standing people that populated it (ritti means “upright” in Italian). The person who prepared the coffee was called a barman, until the word barista was coined under the reign of Fascism. But so good only in Italy and mediocre elsewhere? Here are the many variables and factors that affect the results: • Speed. In the U.S., baristas take around three minutes to make an espresso. A lifetime compared to Italy! Making a regular espresso should take 30 seconds from grinding beans to being served. Here they take too much time making fancy moves, pressing the grounds too hard, and making it too long (diluted). Coffee is not a wine that needs aging. It should be made and served quickly. In Italy, espresso is still consumed standing at the bar, in the original “American” way. You order and wait about 30 seconds as the barista efficiently runs through a set of procedures: load machine, put cup under machine, start machine, place plate on bar, stop machine, serve coffee, attend to the next customer. You drink the espresso down in one shot, then, it’s
barista with no opportunity to mask a poorly extracted espresso coffee with milk, cream, powders and flavor additives as they do in other parts of the world. • Water. Water quality is one of the biggest factors on why coffee, pasta and pizza taste better in Italy. The water has more calcium and a different combination of minerals. Additionally, Italy has less added chlorine. In most cases, the water is already filtered by mother nature, e.g., mountain and volcano filtered water with tons of good minerals. So there you have it! Do you agree, disagree? Feel free to let us know.
out the door. • Beans. In U.S., the beans are over-roasted, tending to bitterness and roasted all the way through without much purpose. In Italy, roasting is an art all by itself and attended to very carefully to avoid such over-roasting. The most common brands in Italy are Danesi, Lavazza, Illy and Kimbo and whose beans are sourced mostly from South America. • Ease up. Baristas push too hard on the coffee grounds. This loading process must be done with a delicate hand, as ultimately, the machine will press the coffee. Do not over press. Let the grounds breathe a bit. • Wrong machines. Grinders are the most important tool. Baristas need to grind the coffee as fine as possible. With coffee machines, it doesn’t matter much as long as they are strong professional lines like a Cimbali. In Italy, you rarely see those transparent, expensive machines that are the mode in U.S.. They all seem to have a Cimbali. In Italy, the machines are old and used hundreds of times per day. The more you use a machine the more its mechanics inside will taste of coffee and produce better quality. If possible, don’t buy at a brand new machine location. It takes years to have the internal cylinders and tubes smell like coffee. • No turnover. One reason service is faster in Italy is because the same barista and machines have been making coffee for many years, sometimes even decades. The barista has made an espresso so many times so their movements are pretty fast. By working at the same
bar and using the same machine for years they become masters. A great barista must practice their art. Because becoming a barista in Italy is a two- or three-year educational process whereas in most other countries, you’re basically a barista when you’re able to push a button. • Too long. Espresso has to be short, very short. A perfect pour is no more than half of an espresso cup, not three-quarters. Forget the “Double Espresso” mania. Nobody drinks those in Italy as they prefer several single “shots” throughout the day. A single shot espresso should be strong enough. Double espressos ruin the quality and the original taste. • Temperature. Most Americans prefer to sip espresso as if it was a tea or coffee. Therefore, the espresso here is made much hotter in order to keep it hot and sippable. In Italy, one drinks it quickly at the counter so it’s served at a much lower temperature. Also, Italians generally drink their coffee in its purest form ... espresso. Espresso, short and black, provides the
Special ICC events
All of those events take place at the Italian Community Center.
ICC Installation Banquet Saturday, Nov. 3 5:30 p.m., cocktail reception 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m., installation ceremony 8:00 p.m., performance by The Russo Brothers ICC Movie Night Friday, Nov. 9 Oscar Award-winning Cinema Paradiso 6:30 p.m., doors open 7:15 p.m., film stars Bocce Courts Room ICC Members’ Bocce Night Friday, Nov. 30 6:30 p.m., doors open 7 p.m., games begins Open to members and non-members Bocce Courts Room ICC Members’ Christmas Dinner & Dance Thursday, Dec. 20 6 p.m., reception, 6:30 p.m., dinner More details to come.
Word Search: Italian American Families by Blaise Di Pronio
Words in an Italian word by Blaise Di Pronio
How many words can you make with the letters in the Italian word "Natale" (Christmas)?
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_________________________________________________________________ Answers on page 17
PAGE 14 – NOVEMBER 2018
To find Word Search solved, turn to page 17
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Faster than a speeding cloud
by Blaise Di Pronio The whole world knows the DC Comics and movie champion Superman. What about in Italy? Is he also known as Superman or does his name change in Italian? In today’s Italy, Super stays as Super but a man is ‘uomo’. So it should be Superuomo. But in keeping with Italy’s love and penchant for everything American (and its English), Superman it is. But what about back when? When I was growing up in Italy. When Italians spoke only Italian and English was a foreign language. In Fifties Italy, like all the other ragazzi, I was hooked on the flying hero but his name, unbelievably, was not Superman nor Superuomo. It was Nembo Kid. What the heck is a ‘nembo’ and what’s with ‘kid’? Well ‘kid’ was plagiarized from the oversaturation of nascent Italian TV broadcasts of American cowboy programming then very popular – here and there. Every other outlaw’s or cowboy’s name was a ‘Kid’ of some kind. So, Kid it was in Italy. Now Nembo was a different story. Most young Italians, including yours truly, had no idea what the name meant and why it was connected to a superhero. As for myself, I solved the mystery just re-
cently by asking Mr. Google, of course. It turns out that nembo is an Italian meteorological term literally referring to a dark and large cloud which moves very rapidly and threatens intense rain and/or hail. The English equivalent would be that nimbus cloud frequently referred-to in weather forecasts. In its figurative use, it means a horde of animals or people that move rapidly en masse- like a stampede with a resulting cloud of dust (like in those same cowboy shows). So now it finally makes sense to this much older ‘kid’. Italy’s super Nembo Kid was in effect a ‘flying cloud of dust’ (like our ‘faster than a speeding bullet’).
The Nembo Kid comic book was one of the first Italian publications that dealt with American superheroes. The ‘S’ on his chest had to be painstakingly removed in every issue and from the covers. First, his breastplate was painted a solid red and in later issues it’s yellow. After more than 500 issues which bore the name Nembo Kid, he was renamed Superman Nembo Kid and eventually Superman.
Guarda al cielo! Look up in the sky!
Living la vita bella
So has Wisconsin gotten to you yet? Wait ‘til January and then answer. How about staying awhile in our ancestral land? Maybe that’s it! What do you do? Read on. Italy is the perfect year round destination – and for some, the country’s outstanding beauty, culture and food make it impossible to leave. So if you’re planning to remain in the land of the dolce vita for longer than three months, you need to apply for residency. Applying for residency in Italy can be a long and complicated process, but it’s something that anyone who wants to stay more than three months has to do. Here’s what you need to know. The following presumes that you are outside the European Union and are a nonEU citizen as citizens of the Union have their own rules and requirements. Non-EU citizens: Short-term residency (up to three months) If you live outside the EU, you are not entitled to the same privileges awarded to European Union citizens. However, if you come from Canada, the USA, New Zealand or Australia, you do not need a visa to stay in Italy for up to three months as a tourist.
If you plan to stay more than a week in Italy, the law states that you should register with the local Questura (police headquarters) and apply for a permesso di soggiorno per turismo (permit to stay for the purposes of tourism) within eight working days. In practice, however, many short-term visitors do not. Long-term residency (more than three months) If you are planning to remain for more than three months, you will need a visa (visto). You should apply for it at the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country, as the process may take awhile. There are different types of visas according to the reason for your visit: 1). For employees: work visa. 2). For students: student visa. 3). For people with relatives in Italy: family visa. 4). For entrepreneurs, artists and qualified professionals: self-employed visa. 5). For people with money: investor visa.
More information can be found at thelocal.it/20180918/how-toget-residency-in-italy.
Opera insights
by Barbara Collignon Opera and musical theatre fans, even fans of cinema, have a smorgasbord of events to choose from this season. Though the focus of this column has been Italian opera, it seems appropriate to speak about even non-Italian music presented at events offered by the Florentine Opera and The Milwaukee Opera Theatre. • On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 and 10, the Donald and Donna Baumgartner Studio Artists will present “Opera Goes to the Movies” at the Florentine Opera Center, 926 E. Burleigh St. • On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8, “Home for the Holidays” will be the program featured by the artists at the Florentine Opera Center. • From Friday, Jan. 18 through
– Courtesy of: thelocal.it
Sunday, Jan. 27, the Milwaukee Opera Theatre along with the Quasimondo Physical Theatre and Cadance Collective will present “Zie Magic Flute” by Mozart at the Tripoli Shrine Center. Jill Anna Ponasik is Producing Artistic Director of the MOT and currently an Artistic Associate at the Skylight. Ponasik is receiving great kudos for her imaginative, unconventional and creative artistic direction. This is not the traditional version of “Zie Zaubeflaute” but is based on a Daniel J. Brylow translation/adaptation in German and English. Set in the round on the main lobby floor and overhead balcony of the Tripoli Shrine Center, it employs props rather than sets and fanciful costumes. Don’t expect the traditional “Magic Flute” but be assured of Please turn to page 18
THE ITALIAN TIMES
LEST WE FORGET Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863 By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation: The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God... No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washing-
ton, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and of the Independence of the United States the Eightyeighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln * * * La Proclamazione di Ringraziamento L’anno che si avvia alla fine è stato ricolmo della benedizione di campi fruttuosi e di cieli salubri. A queste munificenze, di cui godiamo così costantemente da essere portati a dimenticare la loro fonte, se ne sono aggiunte altre di natura così straordinaria da non poter che penetrare e addolcire anche i cuori abitualmente insensibili alla Provvidenza sempre vigile di Dio Onnipotente... Nessuna mente umana ha congegnato né alcuna mano mortale ha elaborato queste grandi cose. Esse sono i doni generosi dell’Altissimo Dio, il quale, mentre ci tratta con ira per i nostri peccati, si è nondimeno ricordato della sua misericordia. Mi è sembrato giusto e appropriato che essi fossero riconosciuti con solennità, riverenza e gratitudine, con un sol cuore e una sola voce, dall’intero Popolo americano. Invito pertanto i miei concittadini in ogni parte degli Stati Uniti, e anche coloro che si trovano in mare e che soggiornano in terre straniere, di designare e osservare l’ultimo giovedì di novembre prossimo, come giornata di ringraziamento e Lode al nostro Padre benefico che abita i Cieli.
NOVEMBER 2018 – PAGE 15
La Pagina Italiana
La pasta: Un alimento tra i più antichi
di Donato Di Pronio La primogenitura della PASTA spetta alla Cina o all’Italia? Il cammino della PASTASCIUTTA, questo tipico piatto della cucina italiana, partì dalla Sicilia o da altre regioni? Plauso agli appassionati delle ricerche storiche per risalire alle origini della pasta sia essa fresca che secca, ed anche a quanti si sono dedicati e si dedicano allo studio e alla preparazione di sempre nuovi piatti di maccheroni e di spaghetti, di rigatoni e di penne, di bucatini e di linguine e via dicendo. E plauso alle donne abruzzesi alle quali spetta la maternità della benedetta invenzione dei MACCHERONI ALLA CHITARRA. (Maccherone: dal greco macar, beato, epiteto che si dà ai morti. Pare che in origine con questo nome si indicasse il cibo
che si consumava nei banchetti funebri). La PASTA (dal greco PASTE: impasto di farina e acqua opportunamente rimestato sino a renderlo sodo e compatto), non è un’invenzione medievale ma il risultato di un lento affermarsi lungo i secoli di un alimento ricavato dal frutto di una graminacea, il grano. Infatti fu presente e consumata da tempi remoti in diverse parti dell’Estremo Oriente, specie della Cina, e delle aree mediterranee della penisola italica. (La parola PASTA entrò in uso in Italia all’incirca nell’anno 1051). L’uomo, abbandonata la vita nomade, iniziò e imparò a coltivare la terra ed in particolar modo il grano, che consumava cotto sia intero che frantumato e ridotto in
farina, diventando in breve uno dei suoi più vitali alimenti. Al modo iniziale della cottura mediante bollitura dei piccoli formati di pasta ricavati dallo sbriciolamento di un impasto di farina ed acqua, fu aggiunto quello della loro cottura al forno dove erano messi con il condimento come liquido di cottura. Il commediografo greco Aristofane (445-380 circa a.C.) chiamava LÀGANON le striscie di pasta (antesignane delle nostre tagliatelle) ricavate dall’impasto d’acqua e farina di cui sopra. Ai tempi del celebre oratore, filosofo e uomo di stato romano Cicerone (106-43 a.C.) era diffuso il consumo di un tipo di pasta fresca detto LÀGANA, termine dal quale dovrebbe derivare la parola LASAGNA e quella delle umilissime SAGNE abruzzesi
Il giorno del Ringraziamento, o Thanksgiving Day, è una festa celebrata negli Stati Uniti ogni quarto giovedì di novembre e in Canada ogni secondo lunedì di ottobre. Dunque il 22 novembre di quest’anno negli USA si festeggia il giorno del Ringraziamento. Il primo giorno del Ringraziamento viene comunemente fatto risalire al 1621, quando nella città di Plymouth, nel Massachusetts, i padri pellegrini si riunirono per ringraziare il Signore del buon raccolto. Nel 1863, nel bel mezzo della guerra di secessione, Abramo Lincoln proclamò la celebrazione del giorno del Ringraziamento, che da quel momento diventò una
festa annuale e perse gradualmente il suo contenuto cristiano. Oggi rappresenta una delle feste più importanti per i nordamericani. In Europa la celebrazione è conosciuta grazie ai film e telefilm di importazione in cui viene rappresentata spesso come l’occasione di riunirsi attorno al famoso tacchino per ringraziare (Dio, la vita, gli amici, i parenti) per ciò che si ha. La tradizione vuole che la cena venga sempre organizzata a casa, mai al ristorante, con familiari e amici. Il tacchino, che in ogni famiglia viene cucinato secondo la propria ricetta “segreta”, è accompagnato
da salsa gravy, puré di patate, patate dolci, salsa di mirtilli, verdure e torta di zucca. La storia dei tacchini risale al popolo degli Aztechi, nelle Americhe appena conquistate, che li offrirono in dono agli spagnoli che li importarono in Europa. In breve tempo la sua presenza divenne così consueta da far dimenticare a tutti la sua provenienza. Ironicamente, l’americanissimo tacchino è stato poi “reimportato” più di un secolo dopo sulle coste del Massachusetts dai Padri Pellegrini del Mayflower che hanno dato inizio al suo consumo intensivo. – Grazie a focus.it
Nel Parco Nazionale d’Aspromonte è la natura a farla da padrona, con vette che sfiorano i 2000 metri. Sesto parco nazionale ad essere stato istituito in Italia, il Parco Nazionale d’Aspromonte presenta una struttura molto frastagliata del territorio, dal Tirreno allo Ionio e regala una grande varietà di specie vegetali generando un’ampia biodiversità, grazie anche alle condizioni climatiche particolarmente favorevoli. Si incontrano oleandri e tamerici ma è possibile osservare anche il pioppo nero, il salicone e l’ontano nero, grazie alla numerosa e abbondante presenza di corsi d’acqua. È facile ritrovarsi in meravigliose foreste di faggio, ma la spettacolarità di pinete immense e sublimi si deve al pino laricio,
l’albero emblema dell’Aspromonte. In questa zona si coltiva anche il bergamotto, agrume particolarmente raro e profumato, di cui note sono le essenze, e che attecchisce solo in alcuni punti della Calabria. Il Parco ospita anche molte specie animali che trovano nell’Aspromonte l’habitat ideale. Il lupo, per esempio, che ha scelto la montagna aspromontana come rifugio, ma anche il gatto selvatico, il ghiro, il cinghiale e lo scoiattolo nero. Non è difficile ammirare anche volpi, lepri, tassi, ricci, faine e martore. Dal 2011 è stata reintrodotta nel parco una specie assente da circa un secolo nei territori aspromontiani: il capriolo. Il parco è ricco di meravigliosi sentieri naturalistici, alcuni dei quali adatti
a percorsi in bicicletta o a cavallo, sci e canyoning.
Il giorno del ringraziamento
(pasta fatta in casa, tagliata a striscioline sottili e corte). (Non hai ancora gustato un piatto di sagne e fagioli, pecorino della Maiella, olio extra vergine d’uliva e … peperoncino leggermente abbrustolito ? Datti da fare! Fatti invitare). Nel Medioevo erano di consumo diffuso ravioli, lasagne, vermicelli e maccheroni. Il più grande dei novellieri italiani G. Boccaccio (1313-75) nel Decamerone parla di “genti che niuna altra cosa facevan che far maccheroni e raviuoli, e cuocerli in brodo di capponi”. La pasta secca a lunga conservazione compare in Sicilia nel secolo X. La popolazione musulmana siciliana l’aveva inventata per venderla ai mercanti saraceni e berberi i quali ne facevano largo consumo durante i loro spostamenti nel deserto.
Top 30 Italian newspapers and news media 1. La Repubblica 2. Corriere della Sera 3. Altervista 4. Il Fatto Quotidiano 5. ANSA.it 6. La Stampa 7. Tiscali 8. Diario del Web 9. Huffington Post 10. Fanpage 11. Notizie.it 12. l Messaggero Il 13. Il Post 14. liberoquotidiano. 15. etenews24.it 16. Leonardo.it Continua a pagina 17
Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte
PAGE 16 – NOVEMBRE 2018
Aspromonte: A marvelous naturalistic, cultural and human experience Aspromonte National Park is situated in the southern part of the Apennines in Calabria. This strip of granitic-crystalline origin resembles a giant pyramid. The area is near the sea and reaches 2,000 meters of height with its many mountain peaks and plateaus of marine sedimentary origins. The park territory, deeply marked by a number of water-
courses, is also characterized by numerous species such as the wolf, peregrine, eagle owl, and the goshawk, and by wide forests of beech tree, silver fir, black pine, holm oak, chestnut tree and Mediterranean maquis. A couple of rare species live here: Bonelli’s eagle and the tropical fern woodwardia radicans. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the park is enriched by considerable historical, artistic and archaeological aspects, evidences of the archaic, classical, Greek, medieval and modern culture. – Courtesy of Parks.it & Turiscalabria.it
THE ITALIAN TIMES
La festa di tutto i Santi
Il primo di novembre è festa grande, perché è il giorno di tutti i Santi ed anche se non suonano le bande noi ci sentiamo allegri tutti quanti. Una festa che si fa tutti gli anni e senza far venire i cantanti che per i soldi vanno dappertutto, facciamo tutto noi inventando canti. Se da lassù sentono cantare, i Santi ci perdonano peccati che abbiam già fatto e quelli che faremo. Se pure li abbiam sempre bestemmiati, questo giorno Loro devono liberarci dal male, acché non siamo condannati. – Giuseppe Vita * * *
Novembre
Gemmea l’aria, il sole cosi chiaro che tu ricerchi gli albicocchi in fiore, e del prunalbo l’odorino amaro senti nel cuore... Ma secco è il pruno, e le stecchite piante di nere trame segnano il sereno, e vuoto il cielo, e cavo al piè sonante sembra il terreno. Silenzio intorno: solo, alle ventate, odi lontano, da giardini ed orti, di foglie un cader fragile. È l’estate fredda dei morti. – Giovanni Pascoli * * *
San Martino
La nebbia a gl’irti colli piovigginando sale, e sotto il maestrale urla e biancheggia il mar; ma per le vie del borgo dal ribollir de’ tini va l’aspro odor de i vini l’anime a rallegrar. Gira su’ ceppi accesi lo spiedo scoppiettando: sta il cacciator fischiettando su l’uscio a rimirar tra le rossastre nubi stormi d’uccelli neri, com’esuli pensieri, nel vespro migrar. – Giosué Carducci
Top 30 Italian newspapers and news media continua da pagina 16 17. Blog di Beppe Grillo 18. l Mattino Il Mattino 19. l Gazzettino 20. il Sussidiario 21. Internazionale 22. Today 23. Leggo 24. Rai News 25. Quotidiano Net 26. Adnkronos News 27. L’Unione Sarda 28. Il Secolo XIX 29. Panorama 30. MilanNews.it
Detti Popolari: Popular Sayings
Dialect-Molise: Al contadino non far sapere quanto e buono il formaggio con le pere. Literally: Don’t let the peasant know good good cheese is with pears. Meaning: Don’t let the poor know how good it is to be rich. * * * Dialect-Molise: Lampa e trona ca le fica so bone. Literally: Lighting and thunder makes the figs so good. Meaning: Summer rains will help bring in a good harvest of figs. * * * Dialect-Molise: U sazie ne crede u dijune. Literally: The one who is full cannot believe he who is hungry. Meaning: The well-fed can’t understand what it’s like to go hungry. * * * Dialect-Molise: Quande a trippe e vacante, ne z’sone e ne z’cante. When one’s belly is empty, one can’t sleep or sing. * * * Dialect-Molise: U lacce, che belle e vevete me ce facce. Literally: Celery is so good that I have to make myself a drink with it. Meaning: With celery a good drink follows naturally. Or, food and drink go well together. Equivalent: Any excuse is a good excuse to have a drink * * * Dialect-Molise: E’meje embriache e non carcerate. It’s better to be drunk than to be in jail. * * * Dialect-Molise: Pe guadegna u shtuppelle ze perde a fiasche. Literally: To save the cork, one loses the bottle. Equivalent: Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water.” Alternatively, “Don’t fix what ain’t broke.” (‘cause you’ll make it worse).
Words in an Italian word
Italian everyday idioms and expressions
Avere le mani in pasta. Literally: To have one’s hands/fingers in the pasta dough. Meaning: It refers to someone who is involved in someone else’s affairs in either a positive or negative sense. Equivalent: He’s well connected. * * * Magari! Literally: Maybe or ‘if only’. Meaning: It’s used in informal situations very often to express a desire for the improbable, e.g., “If only he would jump in the lake.” * * *
Come il cacio sui maccheroni. Literally: Like cheese on macaroni/pasta. Meaning: Describing a perfect solution or situation. Equivalent: Just what the doctor ordered. * * * Mangi cadaveri! Literally: To eat dead bodies. Equivalent: You have bad breath! * * * Dai! Literally: Give! Equivalent: Come on! Let’s go!
All’ospedale. Anna chiede al padre: “quando potrò giocare con la mia sorellina?” e il padre: “tra poco la prendiamo, la portiamo a casa e potrai giocare con lei”..allora Anna, pensando a quando avrebbe dovuto dividere la sua camera con la sorella appena nata, fa al padre: “ma poi, finito di giocare, la riportiamo qui vero?” * * * Un professore chiede agli alunni: “Sapete dirmi cos’è la formula chimica H2SO4?” e l’alunno secchione tenta di rispondere: “Aspetti professore ce l’ho sulla punta della lingua!!!!” E l’insegnante: “Allora sputalo cretino che è l’acido solforico!” * * * Studiare significa non avere fiducia nell’intelligenza del compagno di banco! * * * - “Papà oggi ho fatto 13.” - “ma come hai fatto?” risponde il papà. - “7 in religione, 3 in matematica e 3 in geografia.” * * * Un bambino non arriva a suonare il campanello dello stabile,
un signore si accorge del bimbo in difficoltà e chiede: “bambino vuoi un aiuto?” ed il bambino: “si, mi suona il campanello per favore?” Il signore suona e dice: “ecco fatto, suonato e ora?” e il bambino: “e ora scappiamooooooooooooo!” * * * Pierino va dalla mamma appena arriva a casa e gli dice: “mamma ora ti racconto una barzelletta.” E la mamma risponde “va bene Pierino”, Pierino dice: “incomincia a ridere” e la mamma: “hahahahahahah.” E Pierino: “è finita la barzellett.a” * * * Maestra: “Pierino, che cosa puoi dirmi della morte di Giulio Cesare?” “Che mi dispiace tantissimo!” * * * Cappuccetto rosso alla nonna: - “O nonna che occhi grandi hai” - “Per vederti meglio” - “O nonna che orecchie grandi hai” - “Per sentirti meglio” - “O nonna che bocca grande hai” - “Senti cappuccetto ma sei venuta qui per criticare!?”
E fatt’na risata
Word Search: Italian American Families SOLVED From page 14
from page 14
The answer: 70 words in “NATALE”
1). lanate 2). alane 3). alant 4). alate 5). antae 6). laten 7). leant 8). natal 9). talea 10). alae 11). alan 12). anta 13). ante 14). elan 15). etna 16). lana 17). lane 18). lant 19). late 20). lean 21). leat 22). lent 23). nala 24). neal 25). neat 26). taal 27). tael 28). tala 29). tale 30). tana 31). tane 32). teal 33). tela 34). aal 35). ala 36). ale 37). alt 38). ana 39). ane 40). ant 41). ate 42). ean 43). eat 44). elt 45). eta 46). lat 47). lea 48). let 49). nae 50). nat 51). net 52). tae 53). tan 54). tea 55). tel 56). ten 57). aa 58). ae 59). al 60). an 61). at 62). ea 63). el 64). en 65). et 66). la 67). na 68). ne 69). ta 70). te.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
NOVEMBRE 2018 – PAGE 17
Saluting our Italian American military heroes
2017 Little Princess Lacey Schober gets her first buck
from page 11 lessandro. This U.S. Army Technical Sergeant was the second most highly decorated military personnel during World War II, having received the Congressional Medal of Honor, three Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, one Bronze Star and one French Croix de Guerre. 8). Sergeant John Basilone. This U.S. Marines Sergeant was the third most highly decorated military personnel during World War II. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, three Bronze Stars, one Purple Heart and one WWII Victory Medal. 9). Rear Admiral Louis J. Sartori. He was the first Italian American to attain the rank of Rear
Admiral. He was appointed to the Navy in 1829 and commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1841. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned as Commander and took part in several actions. In 1866, he was made Captain and in 1874, he was promoted to Commodore. In 1898, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives for his promotion to Rear Admiral. 10). Brigadier General Francis Spinola. President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Brigadier General for meritorious conduct in recruiting and organizing a brigade of four regiments and accompanying them to the field. He was wounded twice at the Battle of Wapping Heights during which he led his brigade in a bayonet charge.
from page 15 some excellent operatic singing. • On Sunday, Feb. 10, the Florentine will present “Con Amore” at the Marcus Center’s Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall at 2:30 p.m. • From Mar. 15 to Mar. 31 at the MOT, Danceworks Performance Company and Chant Claire Chamber Choir will feature “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff with reduced orchestration by Wilheim Killmayer. This cantata includes poems in secular Latin verse, with a small amount of Middle High German, Old Provencal and Old French. Dating from the 11th or 12th century, it speaks of the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the ephemeral nature of life, joy at the return of Spring and
the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling, and lust. • On Saturday and Sunday, Mar. 30 and 31, the Florentine will perform the “Coronation of Poppea” (in Italian) by Monteverdi. (Featured artists were reviewed in the October 2018 issue of The Italian Times.) • On Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 6 and 7, the Milwaukee Opera Theatre will present “La Clemenza di Tito” by Mozart with libretto by Pietro Mazzola. Sung in Italian in cooperation with students and alumni of UWM at the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts. • On Friday and Saturday, Apr. 12 and 13, the Florentine Opera Center will present “Opera After Dark.”
On Feb. 25, 2017, Lacey Schober was dressed up like a little princess as she was honored as La Piccola Principessa of the Italian Community Center’s Il Grande Carnevale. On Oct. 7, 2018, she was dressed up as a deer hunter and shot her first buck during Wisconsin’s Youth Gun Deer Hunt weekend. Lacey got the six-point buck on one shot with a 242 rifle. She is seen here with her father, Joe, and the buck. Lacey is the daughter of Valerie Romano, the Princess of Carnevale 2006 and the greatgranddaughter of Ann and the late Nick Romano, the King and Queen of Carnevale 1984. (Photo provided by Lacey Schober and Valerie Romano)
by Barbara Collignon Nicholas Huff is one of the four Baumgartner Studio Artists in residence studying and singing with the Florentine Opera this year. You can hear them perform this season at the Florentine Opera Center (926 E. Burleigh St.) as well as in main stage productions.
Chicago and my older sister was a church pianist and director for many years. In some ways, the family and my mother are responsible for me doing music. I was pretty stubborn as a kid and it was the family coaxing me into music that gave me the space to learn to love it. That, and art, philosophy, and literature too, for that matter. BC: What sparked your interest in opera? Huff: It was playing a small role in Le nozze di Figaro my first year in school that turned me onto opera. A senior who sang the role of the countess was astonishing to me. She was so mature and vibrant sounding, I realized we weren’t so far apart, and that I might be able to make that kind of sound. It was so much fun making friends our first year and putting the show together. I saw how amazing this work could be. BC: Do you have a favorite opera? Huff: That’s a pretty tough question. I’m not sure exactly what my favorite show might be, but if I had to pick I’ll say I really like Donizetti, particularly the comedies or lighter-hearted works: La Fille du régiment (for the tenor aria with all the high C’s, besides the fun story), L’Elisir d’Amore, and also Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini. Gianni Schicchi also keeps me laughing a lot, if it’s a good production. BC: Who is your favorite singer? Huff: Favorite singer is tough,
too! For tenors I like, probably unsurprisingly, it’s Pavarotti and, hopefully less predictably, Fritz Wunderlich. They just have excellent vocal production as well as their artistry. They’re some of the best. BC: Do you have a favorite aria? Huff: Hands down “Ah mes amis” from La fille du régiment is one of the most fun arias I do. It’s a thrill vocally, but it has an innocence and sweetness that’s fun to play. Actually, that aria only came when I learned to stop smiling so much and relax my cheeks enough to sing an easy high C. I also love to sing the Duke’s middle aria from Rigoletto, which is lesser known, “Ella mi fu rapita...Parmi vederle lagrime” which is one of the less predatory (and maybe even tender) moments he has in the show. But I love Mozart arias, too. I do all the major ones, but ‘Un’aura amorosa’ or ‘Dies Bildnis’ are personal favorites. BC: How are you benefiting from the Baumgartner Studio Artist program? Huff: In so many ways. We benefit from this program in all the ways you would expect. We get coaching, learn repertoire, and get vocal and repertoire guidance, but we also benefit in ways you probably wouldn’t guess. Just this week we got to see the cast of Prince of Players sing their music, some of which we’re covering, and all the things you can learn from that are
Opera insights
An interview with a studio artist studying and singing with the Florentine Opera
Huff will be singing the role of Male Emilia in Prince of Players (one of the lesser male actors from Shakespeare’s time that played women). In Coronazione di Poppea, he’ll sing as Lucano (friend to emperor Nero and poet), as well as some other moments in the show as a soldier, etc. He and the other studio artists will also be singing in the 85th anniversary concert with the other star singers at the end of the season.
In a recent interview, I asked Huff, “When and how did you decide to become an opera singer? Huff: I was actually in college before I decided to commit to opera. I used to think I would be an artist (I did some work in cartoons). After my freshman year and being really immersed in opera for the first time, I realized how much I loved it and wanted to keep doing it. So I got serious and sang my first leading role, Nemorino, in L’Elisir d’Amore the next fall. BC: Do you come from a musical family? Huff: I definitely do. My dad directs a choir in the suburbs of
PAGE 18 – NOVEMBER 2018
Nicholas Huff
astonishing. Watching how they interact with the conductor, hearing how they shape a phrase, or how a given line evolves over time, essentially seeing their process up close just teaches you more than you would think you might learn. It’s a whole experience for us and it’s so incredibly valuable. You can find more about Nicholas Huff on his website: www.NicholasHuff.pw. or his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages can be found at: @NickHuffTenor.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Players of Italian descent have left their mark in the NFL
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor Throughout the history of the National Football League (NFL), numerous players of Italian descent have had storied careers or made significant contributions to the teams on which they played. Several of them, like Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Andy Robustelli, were among the most prolific and popular players of their time and are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Some of them, like Adam Vinatieri, Joe Flacco and (the recently injured) Jimmy Garoppolo, are still making significant contributions to their teams. Vinatieri is all but certain to be a Hall of Fame inductee. Beginning with this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best athletes of Italian descent to play in the NFL. We will start with the quarterbacks. This group includes Montana, Marino, Daryl Lamonica, Dan Pastorini, Vincent Anthony Ferragamo, Vito “Babe” Parilli, Vinny Testaverde and the previously mentioned Flacco and Garoppolo. In upcoming issues, we’ll write about players of Italian descent who played other positions. Montana, selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1979 NFL draft, had a stellar career with the 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was known as a master of late-game comebacks, directing his team to 31 fourth quarter come-from-behind wins during his career, including a 92-yard drive in the closing second of Super Bowl XXIII. A true student of the game, Montana won the NFL’s passing title in 1987 and 1989. He topped the NFC in passing five times. He passed for more than 300 yards 39 times, including seven times in which he surpassed 400 years. His six 300-yard passing performances in the post-season are an NFL record. Montana led his teams to nine divisional championships and victories in four Super Bowls. He earned the MVP award in each Super Bowl win. Named All-NFL three times and All-NFC on five occasions, Montana was voted to the Pro Bowl eight times, which was a league record for a quarterback at the time. In 1994, he became just the fifth quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards in a career. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth in career passing yardage (40,551), attempts (5,391) and touchdowns (273). His 3,409 completions ranked third all-time and his career passer ranking 92.3 was second all-time. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Montana is 75% Italian (including Sicilian) and 25% mix of Irish and English. He has been a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame since 1997. Marino was a surprisingly late pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft, going on the 27th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins. Five other quarterbacks, including Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and John Elway, had been taken before him. None of them would, however, put out the passing records set by Marino over the next 17 years. He earned the starting role early in his rookie season and, over the course of his career, the fortunes of the franchise rode on his shoulders. By the time he retired following the 1999 NFL season, Marino had lit-
Joe Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl wins.
Dan Marino played his entire career with the Miami Dolphins.
erally rewritten the passing section of the NFL’s record book. Marino became the Dolphins starter in the sixth week of his rookie season and helped the team to a 12-4 record and the AFC East Title. He was honored as Rookie of the Year and was named to the first of his nine Pro Bowl selections. His performance the following season was unlike any seen in NFL history as he guided the Dolphins to a 14-2 record and a division crown. He became the first player ever to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 5,084. His 48 touchdown (TD) passes obliterated the previous record – 36 – held by Y.A. Title and George Blanda. By season’s end, he had set six league records and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. In the 1984 AFC Championship Game, Marino passed for 421 yards and threw four touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 45-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning his first and only trip to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XIX, Marino played well (29 completions on 50 attempts, 318 yards, and one TD), but the 49ers won, 38-16. Marino’s passing prowess continued at a record pace, and by the end of the 1995 season, he supplanted Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton as the career passing leading in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. Marino’s career totals are staggering as he completed 4,967 of 8,358 passes for 61,361 yards and threw 430 TD passes during his 242-game career. Thirteen times in his career he passed for 3,000 yards or more in a season, which included the six seasons he surpassed the 4,000-year plateau. He passed for 300 yards in a game 63 times and threw for 400 or more yards in 13 games. Marino was named first- or second-team All Pro eight times and earned All-AFC honors six times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. The year before, Marino was inducted to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Ancestry-wise, Marino is 25%
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Italian, 25% Slovak and 50% Polish. Lamonica played in the former American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League after the merger of the leagues in 1966. He was nicknamed “The Mad Bomber” due to his affinity for throwing the long pass in virtually any situation. Lamonica was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 24th round of the 1963 AFL draft. He was also drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 12th round of the NFL draft. After three seasons as mostly a second-string quarterback with Buffalo, he was traded in March 1967 to the Oakland Raiders for whom he became a much more prolific player. In his first season as a Raider, Lamonica, the starting quarterback, completed 200 passes of 425 attempted for 3,228 yards and 30 TD passes. He ran for four more TD. His team won 13 of 14 games and defeated the Houston Oilers in the AFL Championship Game on Dec. 31,1967. Two weeks later, Lamonica’s Raiders played the Packers in Super Bowl II, and lost, 33-14. For his sensational season, Lamonica was named the AFL MVP. The following year, Lamonica shined again, completing 206 of 416 passes for 3,245 and 25 TD passes. His team went 12-2 in the regular season, tying the Kansas City Chiefs for the best mark in the AFL Western Division. In a playoff match, the Raiders topped the Chiefs, 41-6 to get to the AFL Championship. Lamonica threw for 401 yards in the AFL title game against the New York Jets, but the Raiders lost, 27-23. Lamonica had another spectacular season in 1969. completing a career high 221 passes in 426 attempts for 3,302 yards and 34 TD passes. The Raiders went 12-1-1, winning the Western Division once again. In the divisional playoff game, Lamonica threw six TD passes and the Raiders defeated Houston, 56-7. The next week in the last AFL championship game, Lamonica threw three intercep-
tions and Raiders fell to Kansas City, 17-7. That year, Lamonica was named AFL MVP by United Press International and The Sporting News while Joe Namath was given the nod by the Associated Press. In 1970, Lamonica led the Raiders to a fourth consecutive Western Division title. Over his career in the AFL/NFL, which ended after the 1974 season, he completed 1,288 passes, had 2,601 passing attempts, threw for 19,154 yards and 164 TD passes. Lamonica played sparingly in one season (1975) with the Southern California Sun in the shortlived World Football League. Lamonica is a popular name in the Sicily region of Italy. Daryl is 50% Italian and 50% Irish. He was named to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. Pastorini was known as a tough quarterback throughout his career. He was the third overall pick in the first round of the NFL, taken by the Houston Oilers. From 1972 to 1979, Pastorini missed only five regular season games, playing through broken ribs and even a punctured lung at times. He was the first player to wear what has become known as the “flak jacket” under his uniform to protect broken ribs. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t play behind what’s regarded as a quality offensive line until 1977. Pastorini was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team in 1975. His best season came in 1978, when he threw for a career-high 2,473 yards and 16 TD passes. In the 1979 playoffs, he helped the Oilers to wins over the Miami Dolphins and the AFC East Division champion New England Patriots. His last game as an Oiler was the 1979 AFC Championship game against the eventually Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1980, Pastorini played with the Oakland Raiders. The next year, he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams. He completed his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1982 and 1983. For his career, he completed 1,556 passes in 3,055 attempts, threw for 18,515 yards and 103 TD passes. Not much is available on Pastorini’s ancestry, other than the fact that his father’s family followed Sicilian traditions. He was a 2005 inductee to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Ferragamo is best known for leading the Los Angeles Rams to a surprising string of playoff victories to get to Super Bowl XIV. Although Ferragamo had his team leading after three quarters in the Super Bowl, the Rams fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a fourth quarter comeback, 31-19. A southern California native, Ferragamo started his career with the Rams in 1977. He became the starting quarterback in 1979. After going 9-7 in the regular season, Ferragamo led the Rams to road victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1979-80 playoffs to advance to Super Bowl XIV. Ferragamo enjoyed his best statistical season in 1980 in which he threw 30 TD passes, tied for second most in the NFL. The Rams again made the playoffs, but were defeated by Dallas, 34-13 in the NFC Wild Card game. Before the 1981 season, somePlease turn to page 20
NOVEMBER 2018 – PAGE 19
NFL quarterbacks of Italian decent who have left their mark
from page 19 thing happened to Ferragamo that would probably never happen today. The Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) offered Ferragamo a significantly higher-paying contract than the Rams ($600,000 compared to $250,000). Ferragamo went to Canada. He, however, didn’t perform well with the Alouettes and returned to the Rams for the 1982 through 1984 seasons. In the last regular season game in the 1982 season against the Chicago Bears, Ferragamo threw for 509 years, becoming, at that time, only the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for 500 or more yards. He led the Rams back to the NFL playoffs during the 1983 season. After beating the favored Cowboys, 24-17, in a wild card match-up, the Rams were soundly beaten by the Washington Redskins, 51-7. Washington advanced to Super Bowl XVIII, only to lose to the Oakland Raiders, 38-9. In 1984, Ferragamo broke his right hand in the Rams’ third game against the Steelers and didn’t return to the lineup the remainder of the season. The next two seasons, Ferragamo spent his time as backup quarterback with the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers. For his career, he completed 902 passes in 1,615 attempts (55.9%). He threw 76 touchdowns, but had 91 passed intercepted. Ferragamo was inducted to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Little is known about Ferragamo’s family ancestry. Parilli played for five seasons in the NFL and three in the CFL in 1950s and then in the AFL for all 10 seasons in the 1960s. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1952 and played his first two seasons with them before going to the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL for two seasons. He returned to the NFL in 1956, playing one season with the Cleveland Browns and two more with the Packers. By 1959, he was back in Ottawa playing for the Rough Riders. At the age of 30, Parilli took a chance to play in the fledgling AFL in 1960 with the Oakland Raiders and threw for just over 1,000 yards that season. In April 1961, he was part of a five-player trade that sent him to the Boston Patriots where he went on to become one of the AFL’s most productive and colorful players. Playing with the Patriots from 1961 through 1967, Parilli finished his career with over 25,000 total yards and 200 TD passes, ending among the top five quarterbacks in 23 categories such as passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing yards. He was selected to three All-Star Games. In 1965, throwing primarily to fellow Italian, receiver Gino Cappelletti, Parilli notched nearly 3,500 yards passing with 31 TD
And now a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Prima donna: A person who considers himself or herself much more important than others, has high expectations of others and becomes angry when his or her standards or demands are not met. From the same words in Italian which mean a self-explanatory first (prima) lady (donna).
PAGE 20 – NOVEMBER 2018
Vito “Babe” Parilli, from the 1952 football card series.
passes, the latter remaining a Patriots record until Tom Brady broke it in 2007. Parilli was chosen as a member of the Patriots All-1960s (AFL) Team. He was the MVP of the 1966 AFL All-Star Game and also earned the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award that year. Parilli spent his last two seasons with the New York Jets, backing up Joe Namath and being an expert holder on field goals and extra points. He earned a Super Bowl when the Jets shunned the Baltimore Colts, 16-7, in Super Bowl III. Over his career in the AFL/NFL, Parilli completed 1,552 passes in 3,300 attempts (46.6%), good for 22,681 yards and 178 TD passes. Parilli, who died on July 15, 2017 at aged 87, was a full-blooded Sicilian. He is a member of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Testaverde will always be known for his longevity as a quarterback, playing 21 years with seven different teams. Unfortunately, most of the teams he played on were not good. In fact, Testaverde’s 123 losses as a starting quarterback is an NFL record, and his career regular season winning percentage of 42.3 is the lowest of any quarterback with at least 70 wins. His 90 wins are the most of any quarterback with more losses than wins. Statistically, Testaverde per-
formed quite well. Retiring after the 2007 season, Testaverde ranks in the NFL’s top 10 in several passing categories including career passing yardage, career TD passes and career completions. He is the highest ranked quarterback in those categories who is not in the NFL Hall of Fame. Testaverde played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19871992), Cleveland Browns (1993Baltimore Ravens 1995). (1996-1997), New York Jets (19982003 and 2005), Dallas Cowboys (2004), New England Patriots (2006) and Carolina Panthers (2007). He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1996 and 1998). He holds the NFL record for most consecutive seasons with at least one touchdown pass – 21 – and the oldest player to win an NFL game – age 44 in 2007. Over the course of his long career, he played in 233 games, attempted 6,701 passes, completing 3,787 (56.5%), resulting in 46,233 yards gained and 275 touchdowns. He tossed 267 interceptions. Testaverde’s ancestors hailed from north central Italy, primarily the Emilia-Romagna region. Flacco has been the Baltimore Ravens’ starting quarterback since his rookie season in 2008, when he became the first rookie quarterback in league history to win two road playoff games. Under his leadership, the Ravens have won the AFC North twice, appeared in three AFC Championship Games, and defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII following the 2012 season. Flacco was named the Super Bowl MVP, concluding a post-season run in which he tied Joe Montana’s single post-season record for touchdown passes (11) without an interception. Flacco has proven himself to be an outstanding post-season performer, having posted a career 10-5 playoff record and holding the record for most post-season road victories by a quarterback with seven. He holds 23 of the Ravens’ passing records. On his ancestral side, ethniccelebs.com reports that Flacco’s paternal grandfather, Giuseppe Flacco, was born in Isola del Gran
Sasso, Province of Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy. Giuseppe’s father was Massino Flacco. Joe’s paternal grandmother, Laura Wheeldon, was the daughter of Isaac and Madeline (Tartiglia) Wheeldon. Madeline’s father, Ernest A. Tartiglia, was an Italian immigrant. Garoppolo was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2014 draft. He played little with the Patriots. He started the first two games of the 2016 season when Tom Brady was suspended, only to be injured in the second game against the Miami Dolphins. During the times he played, Garoppolo showed a lot of potential to be an NFL starting quarterback and became subject to trade rumors in 2016 and early 2017. The trade happened on Oct. 31, 2017. Garoppolo was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers. Before Garoppolo got his first start as quarterback with the 49ers, the team had a horrendous 1-10 record. Garoppolo went on to lead the team to five consecutive victories in the 49ers final five games of 2017. This season, he led the 49ers to wins in its first two games. In Week 3 (Sept. 18), Garoppolo finished with 251 passing yards before leaving the game with a left knee injury. It was revealed that he had torn his ACL, prematurely ending his 2018 season. Garoppolo is the son of Anthony J. Garoppolo and Denise F. (Malec) Garoppolo. Jimmy’s paternal grandfather, Anthony Garoppolo is the sonof Rose and Anthony Garoppolo who were both Italian immigrants. Not much else is known about his ancestry.
nation is asked to submit a check payable to the Italian Community Center. Donations can be mailed to the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Please list on the memo line of your check that this donation is for the “Thanksgiving Meal.” This will ensure that your donation is properly credited for the dinner. Envelopes should be directed to the attention of ICC Receptionist Valentina. She will accept donations at her desk during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Lupo, Zingale and Martinez will be on hand to collect last minute donations at the ICC’s general membership meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15. “You might think that the vast majority of people fed at this dinner are homeless men or jobless men, but that would be incorrect,”
Lupo said. “Many of the dinner attendees in recent years are women and children. We are seeing more and more families each year that are homeless and desperately in need of everything many of us take for granted.” Persons interested in volunteering to help out at the dinner are asked to contact Lupo, Martinez or Zingale of the ICC office at 414-223-2189.
And now a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Terra cotta: A hard semi-fired waterproof ceramic clay used in pottery and building construction. From the same words in Italian which mean cooked (cotta) earth (terra). Root for terrazzo or flooring material of marble or stone chips set in mortar and polished when dry.
Support the ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate
Tony Lupo, chairman of the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate, announced that donations are now being collected for the 2018 meal. The dinner will once again be held at the Open Door Cafe, a meal site at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Milwaukee. The date of the event is Sunday, Nov. 11. The feast will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ICC volunteers, led by Lupo and vice chairs Tony Zingale and Ray Martinez, organize the dinner in consultation with the meal site director, conduct the fundraising to buy a complete Thanksgiving dinner and have the meal prepared and delivered to the Open Door Cafe. They also serve as volunteers at the event. How to make a donation Anyone wishing to make a do-
Bit of history This annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate has been going on since the late 1970s. It was started by a group called the Ragione Club under the leadership of such men as the late Tom Busalacchi, Dr. John Balistreri, Mario Bartolotta and Bob Cefalu. Tony Lupo assumed the chairmanship after Cefalu’s death in 2012.
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