ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com APRIL 2016 • VOL. 37, NO. 10
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Savor ‘A Taste of Italy’ at ICC on Sunday, Apr. 17
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Enjoy a wide variety of Italian food and beverages for low cost
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor An opportunity to indulge in a magnificent variety of delicious Italian entrèes, sandwiches, salads, pizza, desserts and beverages at an extremely low cost awaits everyone who attends the Italian Community Center’s 21st annual “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 17. As always, there will be free admission and free parking for the event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Everything you choose to eat or drink will be available with the purchase of food and beverage tickets. Buy a book of seven tickets for $10 or single tickets for $1.50 each. Every item you buy – except one – will be available for one ticket. The lone exception is calamari fritti (deep-fried squid), which – out of necessity – will require two tickets. Find the entrées, sandwiches, salads and pizza in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. Desserts will be sold in the Festa Ballroom. Seating will be available throughout the building, including the bocce ball room and the spacious courtyard. “We want to make sure everyone
has a place to sit down and enjoy the food,” Ann Romano, general chairperson, said. “This year, we will again have free extra large trays for carrying your food and beverages to your table,” she added. “A Taste of Italy,” since its inception in 1995, has served as an essential fundraising activity for the nonprofit Italian Community Center.
Live entertainment Something else you will be able to enjoy is a diverse Italian entertainment lineup. Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, will be performing twice (at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.) in the Festa Ballroom. For more than 65 years, the members of Tradizione Vivente have been keeping alive the tradi-
Don’t miss soprano prodigy Jackie Evancho at Festa Italiana on Sunday, July 24 at 7 p.m. in the BMO Harris Pavilion. Tickets are $78, $48 and $22. Italian Community Center members can receive a $10 discount on the $48 tickets by using the code FESTA. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or the
Marcus Amphitheater Box Office. The 15-year old singing sensation, Evancho first dazzled American television audiences at the age of 10, gaining global recognition with her stunning debut on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Named runner-up, she was immediately signed by Columbia Records and has established herself as a
tions of music, dance and costume brought here by their Italian ancestors. In addition to performing annually at local events such as Festa Italiana and the Holiday Folk Fair International, the group has earned acclaim for its appearances at ethnic festivals, folk dance conferences and other events across the United States. The Sicilian Serenaders Please turn to page 6
Jackie Evancho to headline BMO Harris Pavilion at Festa Italiana on July 24
St. Joseph’s Day celebrated at ICC luncheon
Jackie Evancho
The Italian Community Center hosted its 24th annual St. Joseph’s Day luncheon on Friday, Mar. 18 (one day before the official Feast of St. Joseph on the Roman Catholic calendar). The event, which is a celebration of the stepfather of Jesus Christ, included a blessing of
the St. Joseph’s Altar with Holy Water. Here, the Very Rev. Timothy L. Kitzke is seen blessing the altar. Kitzke is also the longtime chaplain of the ICC. Several more photos from the event can be found on pages 10 and 11. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
force within the classical crossover genre. Her unique, gorgeous soprano voice has won her millions of fans all over the world. Currently, Evancho, who turns 16 on Apr. 9, is working on her fourth studio album, which will be released later this year. Her single and video, “Writings on The Wall,” a Sam Smith cover, debuted last month. Evancho has released a string of successful recordings including “O Holy Night,” “Dream With Me,” “Heavenly Christmas,” and a rendition of “Safe and Sound” from the film, The Hunger Games. Her rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” is a YouTube highlight. In 2014, she released her third full studio album, “Awakening,” which entered the Billboard Classical Chart at number one and ended 2015 at the number three spot on Billboard’s Year End Classical Chart. That same year, she earned Please turn to page 4
Carnevale Nonno and Nonna say ‘Thank you!’
Dear Friends: Many thanks to Rosemary DeRubertis, Joanne Czubek and the entire 2016 Carnevale Committee for bestowing on us the honor of Nonno and Nonna and for making this an event to remember. We would also like to thank our children and grandchildren and those who expressed their congratulatory and best wishes in the Carnevale program book. They include Tony and Barbara Lupo, Joe and Ann Zambito, Sal and Antonette Lo Coco, Joe Vella, Gina Spang, Anna Pitzo, George and Gina Manning, Jim and Marie Schwindt, George and Aggie Collura, Bill and Karen Dickinson, Glorioso’s Italian Market and C.W.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually
Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . .Giuseppe Vella Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaise DiPronio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors, Reporters and Columnists . . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio, Angela Castronovo, Donato Di Pronio, Barbara Collignon, Roberto Ciampi, and the late Mario A. Carini Staff Photographers. . . . . . .Joe Spasiano, and Tom Hemman
For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@italiancc.org. Copyright 2016 The Italian Community Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved
All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Italian Community Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times. In addition, the Newspaper Committee reserves the right to reject ads based on editorial policy approved by the Board of Directors of the Italian Community Center. The Italian Community Center is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Visit Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward Association.
PAGE 2 – APRIL 2016
Purpero, Inc. (Sam and Phil Purpero). Viva Il Carnevale! Ray and Carol Martinez Il Nonno e La Nonna Carnevale 2016
Nonna Carol and Nonno Ray Martinez (Times photo)
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THE ITALIAN TIMES
Tony Machi to be honored by OSIA Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin on May 1
In recognition of his achievements in the field of leadership, the Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, has chosen Anthony T. “Tony” Machi to be a 2016 recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence. Machi played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana. He was the first president of the ICC and general chairman of Festa in its first three years and has remained vital in both. He has been long active in other Italian organizations such as UNICO National, the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities. The Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence has been instituted to recognize Italian Americans in a variety of fields, who have become a pride and inspiration to the Italian community. The presentation ceremony will be held Sunday, May 1 at the White Eagle Banquets, 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL, at noon. Tickets for the event are $65 per person. Reservations can be made by contacting Marie Marsalli at Mmarsalli@aol.com or calling 708403-7822. About Tony Through Tony’s leadership as the first president of the ICC and general chairman of the first three Festa Italiana celebrations, both
aspired to success. Approaching nearly 40 years in existence, the ICC and Festa are now recognized nationally and internationally among Italians and non-Italians. As president, Tony led the campaign for the ICC to find its first permanent home, a former Masonic Lodge building on Milwaukee’s East Side. The building remained the organization’s home from the early 1980s through the summer of 1990. In the middle 1980s, Tony and his childhood friend, Phil Purpero, played vital roles in the ICC’s acquisition of 16.3 acres of Historic Third Ward property where the organization’s facilities are now standing. The land, known as the “Coachyards property,” was in the district of Milwaukee where Tony and Phil were born and raised. A majority of the Sicilian immigrants, who came to Milwaukee, settled there and raised their Americanborn children, providing sentimental value to the acquisition from Milwaukee County. Using his suave and political connections, Tony led the charge for the ICC to convince then-County Executive William O’Donnell and the County Board that sale of the property to the ICC was the best proposal for the land. He helped to spearhead the fundraising campaign for the organization’s current building, which opened in 1990. Throughout the years, Tony has been an essential spokesman and fundraiser for the ICC and has pro-
vided his talents in booking entertainment, acquiring sponsorships, and promoting Festa Italiana. Every ICC president who has succeeded him has looked to him for advice and support. He remains a key member of the Festa Italiana Steering Committee. With UNICO National, Tony has served as president of the Milwaukee Chapter and chairman and co-chairman of the National Convention. In 1958, he served as chairman of the fundraising com-
mittee for the Pius Memorial Library of St. Louis University in Missouri, and in 1972, he sponsored a benefit for the Nicaraguan disaster victims. For many years, he was active on the March of Dimes Fundraising Committee for Southeastern Wisconsin and the UNICO Scholarship Committee. In 1959, Tony was one of the founders of the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, which, since its exception, has provided significant financial assistance to numerous charitable organizations including the Boys and Girls Town of Italy, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society and Milwaukee’s Italian Community Center. In 1973, Tony served as president of the tournament. Two years later, he served as chairman of this organization’s Sergio Franchi concert at Milwaukee’s Performing Arts Center, a benefit which sold-out and raised $16,000 for the Boys’ Town in Italy. One of the accomplishments that Tony says he is most proud of occurred in 1954. That year was the Milwaukee Braves baseball club’s second year in the city. The fans loved the team and showed it in various ways. Civic, ethnic and religious organizations organized special days to honor the ballplayers. Not long after these special salutes started, a Braves officials asked Tony if he would do something for a ballplayer. Tony asked, Please turn to page 5
• July 12 – Rockin’ Johnny with Aki Komar. • July 19 – Bryan Lee Band. • July 26 – Joey Leone. • Aug. 2 – John Sieger with Sub Continentals. • Aug. 9 – Denny Geyer with Leroy Airmaster. • Aug. 16 – Third Coast Blues Collective with Jim Voegli and Perry Weber. • Aug. 23 – Blues Disciples. • Aug. 30 – Alex Wilson Band. • Sept. 6 – The Mosleys. • Sept. 13 – Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys. • Sept. 20 – Paul Spencer Band. • Sept. 27 – Vocalist Pete Sorce with the Jeff Lebarge Big Band.
• July 14 – Rick D’Amore Band. • July 21 – Oldies But Goodies Spectacular. • July 28 – Bob Hirschi & Groove Therapy. • Aug. 4 – Doo Wah Wahs. • Aug. 11 – Ricochettes. • Aug. 18 – Tom Anthony Group. • Aug. 25 – Bob Hirschi & Groove Therapy. • Sept. 1 – Larry Lynne Band. • Sept. 8 – Rick D’Amore Band. • Sept. 15 – Tom Anthony Group. • Sept, 22 – Noyz Boyz & Gyrlz. • Sept. 29 – Classics. The entertainment is subject to change.
Tony Machi
A sign of summer: ICC’s Courtyard Music Series schedule announced
What could be better than spending a warm, starry summer night in the Italian Community Center’s beautiful courtyard enjoying a great meal, your preferred beverage and listening or dancing to groups performing your favorite music? Starting June 9, the ICC is giving you the opportunity to do so as it presents its 17th annual Courtyard Music Series. Just like the past 16 seasons, the series is offered with no cover charge and no drink minimum. The staff of Cafe La Scala will be on hand to take food and beverage orders. Shows will be presented on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights until the end of August. Then, the schedule is condensed into two nights – Tuesdays and Thursdays – in September. Each performance begins at 6 p.m. and ends about 9 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the music is brought indoors to the Festa Ballroom. Through August, the series features jazz groups on most Mondays, blues bands on Tuesdays, and goodtime rock-and-roll and rhythm and blues bands on Thursdays. In September, blues bands are slated for the first two Tuesdays followed by jazz groups the last two Tuesdays. Rock-and-roll bands will continue as the main attraction on September Thursday nights. “We know there are a lot of people who can’t wait to hear the news about the start of our Courtyard Music Series,” said Joe Campagna,
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Jr., series coordinator. “It’s something they look forward to, and we’re proud to be able to present it once again with no cover charge and no drink minimum. We’re expecting big crowds. Our music director, Tom Sorce, has done an outstanding job coordinating the artists and getting a variety of entertainment to attract the young and the old.” Sorce, a local music producer and expert guitarist, has been involved in booking the artists for the series for many years. The 2016 Courtyard Music Series schedule follows. Like the past 16 seasons, there will be no shows during Summerfest (June 29-July 10).
Monday nights • June 13 – Joe Zarcone Band. • June 20 – Vivo. • June 27 – Chris Mariani Band. • July 11 – Vocalist Anita Stemper with the Tom Sorce Band. • July 18 – The Bel Airs. • July 25 – Tom Anthony Group. • Aug. 1 – Suzanne Grzanna Band. • Aug. 8 – Vocalist Pete Sorce with the Jeff Lebarge Band. • Aug. 15 – Generation Gap. • Aug. 22 – Jack Grassel, Jill Jensen and Jeff Santag. • Aug. 29 – Hat Trick.
Tuesday nights • June 14 – Altered Five. • June 21 – Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys. • June 28 – Junior Brantley with Leroy Airmaster.
Thursday nights • June 9 – Oldies But Goodies Spectacular. • June 16 – Bob Hirschi & Groove Therapy • June 23 – Larry Lynne Band.
Free parking is available in the lot south of the building. The ICC does not allow people to carry in their own food and beverages. Look for more details on the series in upcoming issues of The Italian Times.
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APRIL 2016 – PAGE 3
A message from Giuseppe Vella, Italian Community Center President
I hope everyone had an enjoyable celebration of Easter this past Sunday. On behalf of the ICC Board, I can report that your organization is headed in the right direction. We have tackled many complicated fiscal issues over the last few years and are moving ahead at full speed. We hope to have a major announcement about the future of our organization soon. As you can read in this issue, our annual Courtyard Music Series will start in June. I encourage all of our members and friends to support the series, which is being offered this year on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, June 9 – Aug. 30 and Tuesday and
Thursday nights, Sept. 1-29. I’m pleased to announce that the Bartolotta Restaurant Group will be joining the ICC in sponsoring the 2016 series.
Festa Italiana I hope you know by now that our 39th annual Festa Italiana will be the fourth weekend in July. The dates are: Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24. These are some of the activities that I can report to you about this year’s Festa: • We will have the free carnival rides returning on the north end of the grounds. • The replica of the Trevi Fountain and all of our other
Italian attractions will be returning. • We are adding a third entertainment stage. Our former Cucina Showcase Stage will be used for entertainment. We’re looking at this stage for primarily operatic and theatrical productions. • The Cucina Showcase will be moving to our cultural area on the north end of the grounds. Our goal is to create a piazza-type of atmosphere in this area. The Cucina Showcase will join our regional exhibit, the cinema tent, the Pompeii Church and vintage photo exhibit, the artists and authors tent, and the gondola rides ticket and staging area. • Festa will have two new food vendors, Charcoal Grill and Cedar Crest Ice Cream. Both are longtime Summerfest vendors and will occupy the same booths that they utilize during that event. • On Saturday, July 23, we are partnering with the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation for the 3.1-kilometer (5-mile) Lombardi Run/Walk. The event will draw several thousand runners (and walk-
ers) down to the Summerfest grounds. We anticipate that many of them will stay after the race and enjoy Festa. We are offering the participants an invitation to attend our Sunday Mass and receive a special blessing. • As you can read in this issue, we have announced the start of ticket sales for a Sunday night show at the BMO Harris Pavilion with young singing sensation Jackie Evancho. We’re hoping to fill all of the seats. I hope everyone who is able to attend will support us in the endeavor. – Giuseppe Vella ICC President
Jackie Evancho coming to Festa Italiana on July 24
from page 1 the number five spot on Billboard’s Classical Album Artists Chart. Evancho has participated in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. where
PAGE 4 – APRIL 2016
she delighted President and Mrs. Obama, performed before 100,000 people in Russia with opera stars Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Sumi Jo prior to the opening of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, performed in Japan before the Royal Family at the Imperial Palace, and for Pope Francis during his last U.S. visit in 2015. Evancho has also performed the classic film song “Over the Rainbow” at the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony and performed as a special guest in Cirque du Soleil’s “One Night for One Drop” benefit at the Bellagio in Las Vegas in 2013. Billboard Magazine named Evancho to its list of music moversand-shakers under the age of 21 in 2011 and again in 2012 because her “spellbinding operatic vocals possess a power and poignancy that often moves listeners multiple times her age to tears.” ICC President/Festa General Chairman Giuseppe Vella said, “Audiences at Festa will be moved by this platinum-selling singer and will not want to miss this one-night performance. For more informationon Evancho, visit her official website: http://jackieevancho.com.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Makers of hand-crafted artifacts sought for display outside of Pompeii Exhibit at Festa Italiana 2016
by Susie Christiansen and Christine Conley In our capacity as managers of the Pompeii Church exhibit at Festa Italiana, we are seeking persons who are skilled in the creation of both religious artifacts and nonreligious Italian traditions, such as palm weaving, hand-strung knotted rosaries, hand-crafted bookmarks, bomboniere, Carnevale masks, embroidery, beading, crocheted or knitted prayer shawls, etc. We envision small tables set up outside of the Pompeii Exhibit, where these talented individuals will enjoy a relaxing afternoon cele-
brating their craft. Those who participate should be willing to talk to the public about the craft, should people stop by to inquire. We believe they will stop. We want to celebrate these time-honored crafts and bring them to the forefront. We want the public to learn more about these traditions and possibly develop an interest in continuing them and carrying them forward. If you have a craft you would like to share at Festa Italiana, complete the slip below or simply contact us by email at: smdcicc@outlook.com.
Festa Italiana organizers announced they are bringing back the “$7 for 7 Days Spring Fever ticket deal” for the third consecutive year. The online only ticket deal begins Monday, Apr. 18 and runs until Sunday, Apr. 24. The promotion will also run May 16-22 and June 13-19. The $7 for 7 Days ticket promotion is available online only at none other than
www.festaitalina.com. Please click on the Ticket tab to purchase your tickets. Regular $10 advanced online tickets will be available in early April. “We encourage all ICC members to take advantage of the $7 for 7 Days Ticket Deal. It’s a great way to get your tickets early at an affordable price,” said Giuseppe Vella, Festa General Chairman.
from page 3 “Who do you have who’s Italian?” The official answered, “Sibby Sisti.” Sebastian Daniel “Sibby” Sisti was a career utility player. He filled in for regulars in the starting lineup at virtually every position except pitcher and catcher. Tony’s initial reaction to the suggestion was, “Sibby Sisti? Are you kidding me?” The 1954 Braves featured several big name players – Eddie Matthews, Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, Joe Adcock and a rookie named Henry Aaron. Sibby Sisti, who had nine at-bats and two hits in his final big leagues’ season, was not one of them. Regardless of his batting numbers, Sisti’s perseverance in the face of numerous injuries made him a fan favorite, and Tony said he would get together a special day for Sisti. Tony purchased a bunch of $1.85 seat tickets and sold them for $10 to raise funds. Being the salesman he was, Tony sold lots of tickets and was able to buy a $1,000 saving bond for Sisti, a diamond wristwatch for his wife, and bicycles for the couple’s four children. In addition, more than 35,000 fans turned out for “Sibby Sisti
Day.” Tony’s many and varied activities could not have been possible without the moral support and sacrifices of his wife of 52 years, the late Sadie Orlando Machi. Tony and Sadie raised four children, Dr. Anthony, Dr. Grace Lucretia, Attorney Salvatore (Ted) and the late Peter. They have 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Tony and Sadie demonstrated their commitment to their children through their faith, support of higher education and community service. In 2011, the Machi children hosted a 90th birthday party for their father. The family asked guests, in lieu of gifts, that they make donations to the ICC in memory of their mother, Sadie. The event resulted in more than $9,300 in memorial donations.
Festa’s ‘$7 for 7 Days online ticket deal’ is back starting Monday, Apr. 18
Tony Machi to be honored by OSIA
THE ITALIAN TIMES
FESTA ITALIANA CRAFTER INFORMATION FORM
Craft: ______________________________________________________ Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________ Send this form to: Festa Italiana, Re: Hand-Crafter, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Winter bocce championship goes to Porticello
Fishermen in the Sicilian town of Porticello were probably waking from a night’s slumber when a bocce team bearing the town’s name won the winter championship at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. Team Porticello, the first-place champs in the ICC’s Monday night league (22 wins, 2 losses) rolled past three worthy opponents in the Mar. 7 playoffs to win the title. Playing for Porticello were Vincent Corrao, Tony Lococo, Bob Schneider and Mario Orlando. As the victors, each received a $15 gift certificate for Cafe La Scala, the public restaurant at the ICC. In the championship game, Porticello defeated Amici’s, runner-up in the Monday night league (19-5 record), by a score of 12-4. The players on Amici’s – Frank Cannestra, Rick Beri, Mike Lange and Felippo Cannizzo – were given a $5 La Scala gift certificate. To reach the championship match, Porticello rolled past Tarantino’s Handycappers, 12-7, in the quarterfinals and edged Felice Amici, 12-11, in the semifinals. Tarantino’s Handycappers won the Thursday night league title with a 15-6 record. Felice Amici was the Tuesday afternoon seniors’ champ with a 19-5 record. Amici’s came to the title match
by notching earlier victories over Club Garibaldi, 12-8, and Club Garibaldi Society, 12-2. Club Garibaldi was the Wednesday night league champion (22-2 record) and Club Garibaldi Society was the same league runner-up (18-6 record). Felice Amici won its opening round game over Pallino Magnets, 12-7. Pallino Magnets was runner-up in the Tuesday afternoon seniors’ league (17-7). Club Garibaldi Society won its quarterfinal match over Paesani, 12-5. Paesani was the Thursday afternoon seniors’ champion (19-5) “For the first time, court assignments were by luck of the draw,” said Dan Conley, bocce leagues coordinator. “Teams could practice wherever they chose but don’t know until game time which court they would be on and who they would play. It added suspense to the tournament. “The match-ups for the first round were drawn from two pools –the top four first place teams and a second pool of the lowest seeded first place team and the three second-place teams that qualified for the playoffs. I felt the top four had earned the right to each have a court. All of the individual league coordinators and teams liked the changes, and we will probably continue them. All in all, it was a great tournament and we saw some fun match-ups.”
Having a spring sale. Place an ad in our next issue. For information on ad sizes, costs and deadlines, call (414) 223-2189 or send an email to: themman@italiancc.org
Meet the ICC’s winter bocce champions, Porticello, which won the Monday night league regular season championship, then rolled past three opponents in the Mar. 7 playoffs to win the season title. From the left: Bob Schneider, Tony Lococo, Vincent Corrao and Mario Orlando. (Photo provided by Dan Conley)
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 5
‘A Taste of Italy’ awaits; bring your appetite to ICC on Apr.17
from page 1 (Peter Balistrieri and Tom and Ted Pappalardo) will play Italian and Sicilian music in the galleria. Their appearance is sponsored by La Società di San Giuseppe, which made a monetary donation for the event, Romano said. Balistrieri and the Pappalardo brothers are carrying on the strolling musician tradition started by their fathers more than 60 years ago. Both Tradizione Vivente and the Sicilian Serenaders have been regular participants in “A Taste of Italy” since its inception. Returning for a third year, vocalist Jayne Taylor will grace the “Taste of Italy” audience with a selection of popular international songs, including some Italian favorites. Jayne, Festa Italiana’s 2007 “Italian Idol” winner, has won numerous awards, as well as hosted and produced her own local access TV show. She will be coming off a performance at the Sinatra tribute show, hosted by the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America, on Apr. 2. Taylor will have CDs available for purchase at “A Taste of Italy.” All of the entertainers donated their time and talent for this event.
Giant raffle A giant raffle will be held in conjunction with the event. Buy tickets – $2 each or seven for $10 – for chances to win these prizes: 1st – a diamond cocktail ring (courtesy of Ted Glorioso and Glorioso’s Gold Imports & Diamond Center), 2nd – $500 cash, 3rd – $300 cash, and 4th – $200 cash. “We’re encouraging all of our members to sell or buy the raffle tickets which have been mailed to them,” Romano said. Included in the mailing is a return envelope addressed to the raffle chairs Marie and Jim Schwindt. “Simply put postage on the envelope to return the stubs and payments from the ticket sales,” Marie Schwindt said. Checks are payable to the Italian
The Sicilian Serenders
Community Center. Raffle tickets will be sold right up to the time of the drawing, which will take place minutes before the close of the event. “Winners need not be present, but it’s a lot more fun when they are in attendance,” the Schwindts said.
Grazie! Grazie! Grazie! “This event would not be possible without the outstanding support of the societies and organizations, the food purveyors, the volunteers of the ICC and the cooperation of the Italian Conference Center staff,” said Romano. “After Festa Italiana, this event – ‘A Taste of Italy’ – is our biggest fundraising activity. The success of ‘A Taste of Italy’ helps the ICC continue its mission in Milwaukee.” Romano announced that ICC President Giuseppe Vella and his family, owners and operators of Peter Sciortino Bakery, are providing all of the rolls. Grande Cheese is donating all the cheese (grated Romano, Provolone and mozzarella). Glorioso’s Italian Market is supplying its Roman antipasto and providing the staff for the booth where this new menu item will be
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PAGE 6 – APRIL 2016
sold. Suminski Family Funeral Homes provided a $500 donation for raffle ticket printing. New sponsor Catalano Produce (John Catalano) is supplying various types of lettuce for salads, sandwiches and subs. The names of more of the product donors (who have stepped forth as of press time) appear in the following menu listing.
Taste of Italy menu We’ve kept you waiting long enough. Here’s what you’ve been waiting to read, the menu for the 20th annual “A Taste of Italy.” In the Pompeii Grand Ballroom: • Pizza with assorted toppings – courtesy of the Giacomo Fallucca family, makers of Palermo’s Pizza (“Dat’s da Best”). Booth staffed by members of the Abruzzese Society. • Italian-breaded pork tenderloin (with sweet peppers and onions). Served by Ann Romano, Vivian Balistreri and the Maria Assunta Society. • Arancini (rice balls). Booth will be staffed by the Milwaukee
Jayne Taylor
Ladies of UNICO. Rice balls made by ICC staff. • Italian sub sandwiches and panini sandwiches, new to the menu, with lunch meat courtesy of Patrick Cudahy’s Pavone Deli Company and cheese courtesy of Grande Cheese. The booth will be staffed by members of the Santa Rosalia Society. • Sfincione (thick crust Sicilianstyle pizza) – courtesy of Dean Cannestra family and friends of Nessun Dorma and Divino Wine & Dine restaurants. • Manicotti – courtesy of ICC members Anna Pitzo and Sophia Michalovitz. • Italian sausage sandwiches (with sweet green peppers and onions) – courtesy of Greco & Sons and the Venice Club. Booth will be staffed by the Pompeii Men’s Club. • Lentil soup, chicken pastina soup and Italian wedding soup – served by members of La Società di San Giuseppe. • Roman antipasto – courtesy of Continued on page 7
Ann Romano recalls how ‘A Taste of Italy’ came into existence
On Sunday, Apr. 19, the Italian Community Center will sponsor its 20th annual “A Taste of Italy.” Chairperson Ann Romano, who has been actively involved in all but one, recalled for The Italian Times how “A Taste of Italy” came into existence. “In the fall of 1995, Bill and Rita Jennaro, Mario Carini and I went down to Chicago to see one of the Italian feasts. My husband, Nick, stayed home to watch the Packers’ game. After the Mass and procession, there was time to do some more sightseeing. Bill suggested that we check out the ‘Taste of Melrose Park’. This is a street festival with all the food and beverage stands run by local restaurateurs and everything you bought at that time was $1 a portion. “We were very impressed with the event. On the way home, I said wouldn’t it be nice to have an event like that at the ICC as a fund-raiser. At the time, we had a House Committee, on which I served. The idea of having an
Ann Romano
Italian food-tasting event as a fund-raiser was discussed and approved. The plan was to get the societies and organizations involved and our members to make donations and help run the stands. “The idea blossomed and after 20 years, ‘A Taste of Italy’ is still as popular as ever and serves as the ICC’s second most important fund-raiser.”
THE ITALIAN TIMES
On the menu at ‘A Taste of Italy’
from page 6 Glorioso’s Italian Market. Served by Glorioso’s staff. • Italian salad and small sub sandwiches – served by the Santa Rosalia Society. • Pasta with red sauce – served by Ann Zambito and her volunteers. • Meatballs in red sauce –
served by Sandy Mazza and members of her family. • Deep-fried calamari (squid) – served by members of the Pompeii Women’s Club. • Sfingi (fried bread dough with sugar and cinnamon) – served by ICC volunteers. • Eggplant. Booth staffed by the Madonna del Lume Society Women.
• Italian wine. Wine courtesy of the Italian Conference Center. Members of the Milazzese Social Club will be volunteer servers. • Beer – Served by ICC volunteers. • Soda – Served by ICC volunteers. • Coffee – courtesy of the Italian Conference Center. Served by ICC
volunteers. In Festa Hall: • Gelato – courtesy of Joe Reina and Gelateria Italiana. Served by ICC volunteers. • Cannoli – served by members of the Addolorata Society. Made by Sciortino’s Bakery. • Eclairs – served by ICC volunteers. Made by Sciortino’s Bakery. • Italian cookies – Served by members of the St. Theresa Society. Made by Sciortino’s Bakery. • Pizzelle (Italian wafer cookies) – with pizzelle-making demonstrations by Rosalia Ferrante and her helpers. • Spumoni –Served by ICC volunteers. • Bottled water – courtesy of the Italian Conference Center. Served by members and volunteers on behalf of the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America. In addition to the donors, monetary donations have been made by various societies. These monetary donations help to defray the cost of food that is not donated. A complete report on the donations will appear in The Italian Times after the event.
Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, is seen here performing at the 2015 “A Taste of Italy.” The group, which has been in existence
for more than 65 years, is a regular in the Taste lineup. The group is scheduled for two performances on Sunday, Apr. 17. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Taste of Italy Committee Joining Romano on the Taste of Italy Committee are: Tony Zingale (volunteer meal ticket chair), Marie and Jim Schwindt (raffle ticket chairs), Laurie Bisesi (ICC Business Manager), John Sanfilippo (beer and soda bars), and Tom Hemman (publicity).
Come to the ICC for your Easter Sunday feast; call for reservations
The Italian Community Center invites its members and the public to an all-you-can-eat Easter Sunday brunch in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom. Easter is Sunday, Mar. 27. Brunch prices are $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for each child under the age of 12. Pre-paid reservations are required. The ICC is taking reservations
on the half-hour, starting at 10:30 a.m. with the last reservations taken for the seating at 2 p.m. Please call 414-223-2180 with your credit card handy to reserve your time and table. You can also sign up for the brunch by stopping in at the ICC reception desk on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Italian Times has been asked not to put a reservation form in the news-
Thanks for your 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 make a donation, please call 414-223-2808.
The following donations were received between February 9 and March 16, 2016. In memory of Peter Frank Sorce Peter T. and Kathy M. Sorce Christina Sorce
In memory of Ted J. Catalano, Sr. Daniel and Nancy Sparacino John and Theresa Gamsky Michael V. and Linda M. Vonderheide Lawrence J. and Ann E. Castiglione Joseph Dentice
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Gary A. Catalano Mark H. and Jacqueline M. Gold Robert W. and Barbara M. O’Brien Salvatore J. and Antonette M. Lo Coco Michael A. and Kelly J. Bichanich Leonard T. and Maria C. Machi Joseph and Ann Zambito Norbert F. and Dorothy Whittle Thomas J. Spera Timothy P. and Margaret A. Kezman In memory of Harry Michalovitz Anna Pitzo Ann Romano
In memory of Sally Rondinelli Paul Mandella In memory of Alex Radke Tony Machi In memory of Vincent S. Azzolina John and Maria Carmen The Azzolina Family
paper because of a history of late submittals of these forms on which people request seating times which have long been filled. If you’re interested in the earliest reservation times – 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or noon – you should act promptly as these slots sell out the quickest. As always, the Easter brunch menu is extensive and sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings. It includes black pepper and garlic crusted sliced prime rib; bone-in Virginia maple ham; southern fried chicken; chicken scallopini; baked cod with lemon beurre blanc; roasted vegetable lasagna; cheese tortellini; penne pasta; marinara sauce;
Alfredo sauce; rice pilaf; fire roasted corn; arancini (rice balls); garden fresh greens; creamy Caesar salad; farfalle pasta salad; seasonal fruit with mint; Italian olive salad; antipasto; cottage cheese; baby red potato salad; omelettes made-toorder (including egg whites and Egg Beaters); applewood smoked bacon; sausage; pancakes; lyonnaise potatoes; French toast; artisanal breads (assorted dinner rolls, butter croissants, fresh bread, bagels, danish and muffins); homemade fruit pies; tortes; cannoli; tiramisu; Italian cookies; fruit juices; coffee; tea; and milk. Free parking is available in the lot south of the building.
ICC’s 21st annual “A Taste of Italy” Sunday, Apr. 17 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
ICC’s Columbus Day Celebration Saturday, Oct. 8
UNICO Scholarship Awards Banquet Tuesday, May 17
ICC’s 2nd annual Holiday Boutique Saturday, Nov. 26
ICC’s Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 8
ICC’s 3rd annual Festival di Danza e Cultura Friday, Oct. 21
ICC’s 39th annual Festa Italiana Friday, July 22 – Sunday, July 24
ICC’s Membership Christmas Party Thursday, Dec. 15
ICC’s 3rd annual Casino Night Friday, Sept. 9
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 7
Let the political debate begin
The Italian Community Center was the site for the first political debate between Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and State Senator Chris Larson. The debate occurred on Feb. 22. Larson (seen on the far right) is opposing Abele (middle) in the Apr, 5th election. The winner will receive a fouryear term. The debate was sponsored by Public Policy Forum, a nonpartisan public policy research organization and good government watchdog. The moderator was Rob Henken (first on left), president of Public Policy Forum. The organization holds events at the ICC on a regular basis. Larson and Abele were the top vote-getters in the February primary for race for county executive. With 2016 being an important election year, the big question is: Will the ICC be chosen for an event by any presidential candidate? It has happened in the past, In 2004, Democratic Party candidate John Kerry held a rally and the incumbent George Bush attended an event for his Republican Party supporters. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Festa Patrol looking for volunteers
Ralph Busalacchi, manager of the Festa Patrol, is seeking volunteers to serve on his crew during Festa Italiana, July 22-24. Volunteers on the Festa Patrol serve as first responders to a variety of situations on the festival grounds, ranging from security and first aid to lost children. They strive to keep order along parade and procession routes and work to ensure that Festa’s guests experience a pleasant and safe family event. Those interested in volunteering should contact Busalacchi at 414483-1562 or email him at abodanza1@sbcglobal.net.
May issue deadline
All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the May 2016 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Saturday, Apr. 9. All materials can be emailed to editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org, sent to The Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. For further information, call 414-223-2189.
Commitment-based ICC membership payment options
Presently, there are two payment options available to you should you choose a 2-year membership or a 3-year membership. 1. You may pay each January for the duration of your 3-year or 2year membership. As an show of good faith, you must sign the statement at the bottom of the new application (that appears on the next page).
2. You may pay for your full 3-year or 2-year membership by the end of the first year – in 4 quarterly payments.** ** If a member pre-pays for a 2year or 3-year membership, and passes away or moves out of state, the remainder of their membership dues will be donated to the Italian Community Center in the member’s name.
Calendar of Events March 29 – April 27, 2016
Tuesday, Mar. 29 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 30 • Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting and dinner, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 6 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Apr. 11 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 12 • Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society meeting, 7 p.m. • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Apr. 14 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. • Società Santa Rosalia meeting, 7 p.m.
Friday, Apr. 15 • Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society social, 6 p.m. • Italian Community Center Avanti Committee participates in Gallery Night, 6 –10 p.m. Details in this issue.
Saturday, Apr. 16 • Italian Community Center Avanti Committee participates in Gallery Day, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details in this issue.
Sunday, Apr. 17 • Italian Community Center’s 21st annual “A Taste of Italy,” 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Details in this issue.
Tuesday, Apr. 19 • Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 6 p.m. • Filippo Mazzei Lodge/Order Sons of Italy in America
PAGE 8 – APRIL 2016
general meeting, 6 p.m. • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO general meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Apr. 21 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m. • Italian Community Center general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 23 • Italian Family History Club meeting, 10 a.m. Details in this issue. Tuesday, Apr. 26 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 27 • Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting, 5:45 p.m.
Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The spring season goes on through the week of May 9. Multi-league championship playoffs tournament on Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m.
• ICC’s free Children’s Italian class. Spring semester continues on consecutive Saturdays through May 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Children, 6 – 12 years old, can be enrolled before any class. • ICC Italian classes for teens and adults. Spring semester continues on Tuesdays through May 17. Italian I at 5:30 p.m. and Italian II at 7:30 p.m. No new registrations accepted.
• I Bei Bambini, The Children’s Italian Dance Group. This children’s folk dance group practices weekly on most Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the ICC. New dancers welcome. For details, visit www.tradizionevivente.com.
• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on most Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Ballate con noi! Dance with us!
THE ITALIAN TIMES
THE ITALIAN TIMES
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 9
ICC’s St. Joseph’s Day Celebration Luncheon – March 18, 2016
Chairperson Mary Winard thanked guests for coming and acknowledged donors to the event. Donors included Rose Purpero Spang, Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National, Pompeii Women’s Club, Pallotine Fathers and Brothers and Pauline Cannestra. It should be noted that Mary was also a donor to the luncheon.
The Very Rev. Timothy L. Kitzke, ICC Chaplain, blessed guests at each of the tables before they ate.
ICC President Giuseppe Vella welcomed guests to the organization’s 24th annual St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon.
Times photos by Tom Hemman
Joanne Czubek stands alongside the St. Joseph’s Day altar she decorated for the luncheon. The altar with St.
Volunteers Rosemary Joecks (left) and Ann D’Amico Skoczynski helped to hand out gift bags filled with fruit and blessed bread to each attendee.
PAGE 10 – APRIL 2016
Joseph holding the Christ Child is the centerpiece of the event.
ICC member John Puchner volunteered to perform religious music and Italian standards during the luncheon.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Photographer Gerry Geischer to display her work for Gallery Night & Day at ICC, Apr. 15-16
The Italian Community Center’s Avanti Committee is pleased to announce that photographer Gerry Geischer will be showcasing her unique collection at the ICC during the Gallery Night & Day program, Friday and Saturday, Apr. 15 and 16. Liz Ceraso, Avanti Committee co-chair, said Geischer, a Whitefish Bay resident and ICC member, will display and sell photos from her unique collection from 6 to 10 p.m. on Apr. 15 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Apr. 16 in the Board Room. Ceraso encourages ICC members to join the general public in viewing Geischer’s photos. Admission and parking are free. Wine and cheese will be served during the Friday night display hours. While attending, enjoy a meal at Cafe La Scala, the public restaurant at the ICC. For reservations, call 414-223-2185. Geischer and her photos Geischer’s images, taken during numerous hiking trips in the Swiss Alps, depict farming life on lofty mountain slopes. She captures the
age-old process of cheese-making and inside milking huts. Her photos, all taken in natural light, are unaltered. In contrast, her colorful photos in Burano, Italy, show fishermen with their vividly painted “barca” (boats). Earning a Master of Art Degree and her profession in illustration qualified Geischer to be an instructor at the Milwaukee Area Technical College for three decades.
Gallery Night & Day facts In its 29th year, the Gallery Night & Day program is organized by the Historic Third Ward and East Towne Associations. The ICC joins numerous other venues as a participant. Art fans can travel between exhibits in the free Xpress shuttle. For more information, visit www.historicthirdward.org. There will be a banner hanging outside the ICC as well as other venues indicating their participation in the Gallery Night & Day program. Seen here are two images that Geischer provided.
St. Joseph’s Day collection for the poor
Donations were collected at this table for the Three Holy Women Parish Food Pantry. Making charitable donations to those in need is associated with the theme for St. Joseph’s Day. In Italy, Father’s Day is celebrated on the Feast of St. Joseph. It honors the day
THE ITALIAN TIMES
when the prayers of the people of Sicily were answered during a severe drought when many were dying of starvation due to the lack of precipitation. St. Joseph interceded on their behalf and rain was sent to nourish the crops that sustained life on the island.
Italian Times editor looking for writers to help with Festa issue stories
Tom Hemman, editor of The Italian Times, is looking for individuals to help write some of the articles that will appear in the June 2016 issue or the July/August 2016 Festa Italiana edition. Persons with solid writing skills and/or a basic understanding of the newspaper reporting principles should contact Hemman at this email address: themman@italiancc.org or call him at 414-223-2189. These are voluntary positions which offer individuals opportunities to get the stories they write published with their byline, which may be valuable when they seek future employment in journalism, public relations, marketing or general writing fields. Some assignments will require interviewing skills. Background information for all stories will be supplied by th editor. “We can also assure writers that they will receive tickets for Festa Italiana, July 22-24, on the Summerfest grounds,” Hemman said.
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 11
Italian Society and Club News
WisItalia demonstrates support for MPS’ Victory Italian Immersion School
WisItalia presented a $2,600 grant to representatives of Milwaukee Public Schools and its Italian Immersion Program at Victory School on the city’s south side. Al Rolandi, WisItalia President, made the presentation to MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver and Victory Principal Janine Cano Graber. Dr. Driver thanked WisItalia for its 10 years of continuous support for the immersion school and she expressed the strong commitment of MPS to Victory for continuation of the immersion program through eighth grade. From the left: Principal Janine Cano Graber, Al Rolandi, Sandra Liliana Pucci, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Linguistics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Sandro Corso, Education Office Director, Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, Dr. Darienne Driver, and Tony Bruno, WisItalia Past President and representative of the Italian Workmen’s Club of Madison. (Photo provided by WisItalia)
My family history journey
by George Koleas When I was a child, I listened to the stories being told at different family events. The adults were very interested in sharing them. As much as they enjoyed telling their stories, they enjoyed hearing those of others. As I grew older, the stories became more interesting to me, and I started to listen more carefully to the details that they relayed. The stories were interesting because of their variety. Some of them were funny. Some were sad. Some were tragic. At that time in my life, they were just entertaining stories. I can tell you the exact moment when the stories became real and very important to me. It was when my nonna, Concetta Alioto Costa, died. A switch within me was turned on. I had to know more about her. At nearly the same time, I had to know more about Joseph Costa, my nonno, whom I never knew. This desire to know more quickly expanded to everyone in my family. I was determined to find all of the generations as far back as
I could go. Simultaneously, I needed to know more about my wife’s family, too. I started with the stories I had heard. From my memories, I wrote them down. Then I asked questions of the remaining family members about those stories. I learned many new details. I also learned variations on the same story. They pointed the way to the information I had to find. I had to learn how to find this information. I began reading books about genealogy, the study of family history. I learned that there were societies and groups that were full of people trying to do the same thing I was doing. I joined the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society and the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society. I learned that the Continued on page 13
PAGE 12 – APRIL 2016
The Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) will present “A Tribute to Frank Sinatra” starring Chicagoland crooner Jim Bulanda on Saturday night, Apr. 2, at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Opening for Bulanda will be Jayne Taylor, a talented local vocalist, who will take the stage at 5 p.m. Bulanda will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets, which are available for $10 per person, must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be obtained at the ICC during regular business hours or by contacting Ralph Busalacchi at 414-483-1562. Food and beverages will be available all night. The staff of Cafe La Scala, the ICC’s public restaurant, will be on hand to take orders beginning at 5 p.m. An Italian American buffet will also be available in the ballroom.
Jim Bulanda
Chicago’s famous Omni Ambassador East and The Pump Room. He has entertained audiences as large as 3,000 and has traveled as far as Nevada and Arizona to perform. In the spring of 2001, Bulanda was sent to Las Vegas by Chicago’s WXRT radio station to perform in the Fremont Street Experience Talent Showcase. Bulanda has entertained audiences at numerous casinos and at other events. For more information or for bookings, Jim can be reached at 219-718-7503 or visit his website, www.tributetofrank.com.
About Bulanda Bulanda can easily step into the shoes of any major Las Vegas entertainer. He is a vocalist who is most appreciated and famous for his impressions of Dean Martin and, of course, the “Chairman of the Board,” Frank Sinatra. He started singing at the age of seven to entertain his large Italian family. Throughout his 20s, he regularly sang in church as a cantor. Parishioners soon took notice of Jim’s beautiful, velvety smooth voice, and he was often asked to sing at weddings. In the early 1990s, Bulanda ventured into the nightlife. He could frequently be seen singing and dabbling in comedy at Chicago’s local comedy clubs. Patrons at these clubs soon remarked on his remarkable singing voice and encouraged him to develop his vocal talent. For the next three years, Jim polished his Sinatra classic songs and developed a nightclub act that includes a repertoire of 70 classic songs. He began his professional singing career in 1994, performing in numerous nightclubs in Chicago and northwest Indiana. He has performed in places such as Chicago’s East Bank Club, The Merchandise Mart, Salvatore’s and
Jayne Taylor Jayne Taylor will perform a selection of popular international songs, including some Italian favorites. Taylor, who won Festa Italiana’s 2007 “Italian Idol” contest, has received numerous awards and has hosted and produced her own local access TV show. She is also scheduled to perform at the ICC’s “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 17. Last summer, she headlined a country music/rockabilly program with Geoff Landon for the ICC’s Courtyard Music Series. In December, she sang at the Roma Lodge in Racine. In November, she put people in the holiday spirit at her annual Christmas program at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. Vocalist Pete Sorce joined her that night.
interested in attending this event or would like to be added for the society’s mailing list for any future events, please contact Joann Stern at jstern@santarosaliasocieta.org or 414-526-4388. Following the society’s tradition, a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit a local organization. This year, Easter Seals Southeastern Wisconsin has been chosen as the beneficiary. The Enzo Scarano Band will perform danceable music for all ages. Come out and enjoy a great dinner, music/dancing and some fun drawings. “This event is a crowd pleaser,” Stern said. “Come for date
night, or meet some friends and family for dinner.” There will be a number of drawings held during the evening. Anyone interested in purchasing advance raffle tickets should Stern at the email address or phone number appearing above. La Società Santa Rosalia di Santo Stefano Quisquina (Santa Rosalia Society), founded in 2005, is a non-profit, charitable organization that promotes preservation of cultural traditions, family and giving back to the community. More information on Easter Seals can be found on its website at http://www/easterseals.com/wise/our-programs.
Società Santa Rosalia invites all to Spring Dinner Dance on Saturday, Apr. 23
The Santa Rosalia Society is holding its 2016 Spring Dinner Dance and invites all to attend. The event will be held on Saturday, Apr. 23 at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave., in downtown Milwaukee. The event will begin with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. followed by dinner an hour later.
George Koleas
Tickets still available for OSIA’s ‘Tribute to Sinatra’ concert on Saturday, Apr. 2
The costs have been set at $65 per Santa Rosalia Society member or $70 for each member of the general public. Children, 12 and under, can attend for $20 each. These costs include entry, dinner, dessert and music. Advance registration is required. Space is limited. If you are
THE ITALIAN TIMES
My family history journey
from page 12 Milwaukee County Historical Society had a research library with many of the records that I needed to find. I learned that there were resources at the Milwaukee Public Library. I found that there was an organization called Pursuing Our Italian Names Together. It was an organization that specialized in Italian genealogy with members like me, who were looking for their Italian families. Soon after I joined, I contacted other members looking for information. I found cousins I did not know I had. They were related in some way to the surname Alioto. Some of the surnames they were looking for included: Balistreri, Bellanti, Busalacchi, Dentice, Machi, Sanfilippo and many, many others with various spellings. Exchanging information enabled us to connect our families. As we shared more information, we made more connections, and we extended our family history farther into the past. A small group of us with an interest in Italian family history started to meet in Milwaukee. We asked the Italian Community Center to allow us to form an
Welcome new ICC members!
The following persons became members of the Italian Community Center between February 9 and March 16, 2016. Benvenuti! (Welcome!) Gil Petrovic of Milwaukee John and Martha Fromm of Milwaukee
John and Rosalie SanFilippo of Milwaukee
Correcting an error in our last issue
In the caption accompanying the photo of Sal Mussomeli’s birthday celebration in our March issue, we inadvertently identified one of the individuals sitting next to Sal. The person to his left is Aldo Zanoni. Our apologies to Aldo and Sal.
Italian Family History Club. We became the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society’s Italian Area Interest Group and became Chapter 22 of Pursuing Our Italian Names Together. Although we did not know it at the time, many of us would eventually learn that we were cousins. What about those family stories I heard as a child? Most of them were true. Some of them were partially true. Others had an element of truth to them. All of them were much more amazing and meaningful as more of the facts behind them became known. My journey is far from over. I have many more details to uncover, more family mysteries to solve and
many more family members to find. I invite you to start your own journey. Our next meeting will be Saturday, Apr. 23, at the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at noon. Please mark your calendars for the remainder of our meetings for 2016: Sept. 24 and Nov. 12. At our meetings, we discuss new developments in researching our family history, members report on the progress they are making in their research, members describe the obstacles preventing them from finding the information they need, and other members offer suggestions on how to overcome those obstacles. When we have new visi-
tors and members, we answer their questions and get them on the right path to discovering more about their families. If you or your families are from the Milwaukee area, you may even meet a new cousin. Please feel free to bring guests. Whether you are just starting or have been researching your family for many years, anyone with an interest in Italian family history is welcome. Many of our members are also researching families from other nationalities. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me, George Koleas, by e-mail at GeorgeJK676@wi.rr.com or by calling 262- 251-7216 after 7 p.m.
by Blaise Di Pronio Who hasn’t or wasn’t fooled on an annual April Fool’s Day? Most think that this prankster’s day is strictly an American curiosity when, in fact, it is celebrated the world over in a variety of ways (and variety of dates). And, of course, Italy is no exception. There also, April 1st is a day of practical jokes, pranks and general silliness, all played for laughs. In Italy, as in some other European countries, April 1st is known as “Pesce d’Aprile” or April Fish. Notwithstanding the name, Pesce d’Aprile is essentially the same as our April Fool’s Day, and jokes and pranks abound. Although the substance of the day is the same, its association with fish comes from a specific prank that is played. The traditional Pesce d’Aprile consists of kids sneakingly slapping on or attaching a paper cut-out of a “pesciolino” (little fish) on the back of other, but unsuspecting, kids. Then, everybody jokingly asks: “L’hai visto? (Have you seen?) Chi?
(Who?) Il pesce d’Aprile (the April fish/fool)”. Of course, the victim doesn’t know that he or she is the one they are talking about. Sounds a little old fashioned and electronically challenged? But the kids in Italy are still doing it. There are some historical references in what could be characterized as an April Fool’s Day as far back as the 14th century, but it was really popularized in 19th century Genoa especially among the wealthy classes where some of the pranks were much more elaborate than the fishy-on-the-back small fry. Some of these were designed to fool larger segments of the population. Sound familiar? In more modern times, adult pranks have become more sophisticated and on larger scales. Hoaxes such as fake events drawing large crowds have been staged in Italy only to be told they were all gullible fools. Ministry of Interiors news flashes of Martian landings (a la Orson Welles) or distribution of free money have taken place there, and the media has had a ball
reporting on these and many such fooleries. As you know, Italy is surrounded by water, and words with “pesce” (fish) are very common there. Fishing, swimming, sailing, cruising and, of course, seafood, are all vital aspects of Italian tradition and culture and so, many common expressions emanate from our wet friends and here are just a few: • Un pesce lesso: a boring person. • Trattare a pesce in faccia: to mistreat or humiliate. • Buttarsi a pesce: to make a dive for or begin an activity with enthusiasm. • Pesce grosso: big shot. • I pesci grossi mangiano i piccini: big fish eat little fish. • Chi dorme non piglia pesce: the early bird catches the worm. • Un pesce fuori d’acqua: a fish out of water. • Non sapere che pesce pigliare: to be at wits end or don’t know which way to turn. “What’s that sign on your back?”
April foolery in Italy or ‘slapping with the fishes’
Rosario Spella celebrates 96th birthday
Rewriting history
It should be noted that in our March issue feature on restaurateur Peter Carini and his Conca d’Oro, we wrongly indicated that, when he was growing up in Porticello, he began delving in pizza making in his father’s eatery. Boy, did we goof there, as we mixed up Peter’s history with that of one of his employees. Peter’s father was in fact, like most Porticellesi men, an expert fisherman. Our apologies for confusing Peter and, even more, his friends and family who obviously knew the truth and, apparently, have been making light of our mistake and teasing Peter endlessly for our rewriting his resume. But, it suffices to say that he is, in fact, a master Neopolitan-pizza chef and probably a pretty good fisherman to boot as he had a master teacher.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Longtime ICC member Rosario Spella (seated in front row next to his wife Josephine) recently celebrated his 96th birthday with his family, Jim and Karen Spella, Camille Spella, Mary Beth and Roger Hill, Jean Spella,
and Monica Hughes. Rosario and Josephine have 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. (Photo provided by Camille Spella)
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 13
Italian Film Festival expands to eight; Will include acclaimed film Palio
Eight award winning and highly praised films from Italy will be shown for the first time in Milwaukee at the Italian Film Festival, to be held April 22-24 at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee’s Union Cinema, Kenwood Blvd. and Maryland Ave. As always, admission is free. All the films are in Italian with English subtitles. “Normally, we show seven films,” said Paul Salsini, chair of the committee that plans the festival, “but this year we were excited to add Palio to our schedule.” Palio, directed by Cosima Spender, is a critically acclaimed documentary about the famed horse race that takes place in Siena, Italy. Strategy, bribery and corruption play as much a part as the skill of the riders. In this documentary, a legendary rider works the system, paying off younger jockeys and fixing the race with average horses. But one jockey stands in his way, his former trainee, a handsome young Sardinian, who is quietly determined to challenge his old mentor. Their passionate and dramatic battle is an epic and cinematic tale of Italian life in microcosm. In his review in Movie Talk, Jason Best wrote, “Spender’s fascinating documentary gives us an insider’s view of the passions that sustain the eight-centuries-old contest and the devious scheming that goes on behind the scenes.” Palio will be shown at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 24. Just before that, at 3:30 p.m., another acclaimed documentary will be shown. Before
The famed horse race in Siena, The Palio, is the subject of an acclaimed documentary, Palio, to be shown
Neorealism: Italy’s Forgotten Cinema, directed by David Lee Morea, is a comprehensive documentary on Italian cinema during Fascism. Composed of clips, archival footage and interviews with scholars, the film investigates how the regime partnered with the entertainment industry to manipulate public opinion and create political consensus. The film includes documentation on the building of Cinecittà, the massive film studio in Rome. The Italian Community Center
during the Italian Film Festival in Milwaukee April 2224.
will again sponsor a film, An Italian Name, Il Nome Del Figlio, a delightful comedy with some surprise disclosures. It will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 23. “We are most grateful to the Italian Community Center for again sponsoring a film,” Salsini said. “Sponsorship allows us to continue to offer our films free to the public.” This is the film festival’s 10th year. Last year, the seven films attracted a total of 1,391 filmgoers, breaking the 2014 record of 1,114,
and it has become one of the most popular film festivals in the city. Milwaukee is one of 13 such festivals, which are coordinated by Italian Film Festivals USA (www.italianfilmfests.org). Patrons will find a variety of films, from comedies to dramas, in this year’s schedule. “We’re very pleased with the selection and are certain audiences will appreciate all of them,” Salsini said. The complete schedule Friday, Apr. 22, 7 p.m.: I, Continued on page 15
Milwaukee’s Italians who served in the U.S. Military during World War II – Part 11
Researched and written by the late Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian The information presented here was researched and copyrighted as a historical record of the men and women of Italian descent who lived in the City of Milwaukee and served in the United States Military during World War II. The information recorded and documented by this researcher from records kept at the Milwaukee County Historical Society and the City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works were copyrighted in 2004 and an original copy has been placed in the repository at the United States Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The research was secured from City of Milwaukee Directories 1941, 1942 and 1944-45. No directory was published in 1943. The years 1944 and 1945 were combined into one directory.
Name Ingrelli, Joe Ingurgio, Joe C. Iraci, George Italiano, Andrew Italiano, Frank Italiano, Williams Italiano, Joe Italiano, Peter Irolo, Vico Jagiello, Len Jennaro, Salvatore Jendusa, Jack Jendusa, Jacob Jendusa, Joe Jendusa, Peter Jeffre, Anthony (Giuffre) Lsbarbera, Jim Labarbera, Joe Laberbera, Sam Labraco, Mike LaConte, Domenic LaConte, Joe LaConte, Sebastian Lagalbo, Paul
PAGE 14 – APRIL 2016
Branch Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Navy Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Marines Army Army Army Army Army
Address 2214 W.Hopkins 1511 N. Astor 3422 W. Center 2359 N. 12th St. 704 E. Lyon 704 E. Lyon 733 E. Clark 733 E. Clark 4128 N. Farwell 812A E. Wright 1613B N. Cass 936 S. 28th St. 3230 W. Scott 1538 N, Marshall 3230 W. Scott 1720A N. Marshall 518 N. Jackson 518 N. Jackson 2114 N. 41st St. 1552 S/ 3rd St. 2055 S. 36th St. 2531 N. Murray 2055 S. 36th St. 1542 N. Cass
Lagalbo, Peter Army 1542 N. Cass Lagalbo, Russ Army 1542 N. Cass Lalicata, Joe Marines 1431 N. Milwaukee LaMalfa, Emil Army 619 W. Greenfield LaMalfa, Frank Army 619 W. Greenfield LaMalfa, Joe Army 619 W. Greenfield LaMonte, Louis Army 4957 N. 54th St. LaMora, Arthur Army 321 E. Oklahoma LaMora, Charlie Army 321 E. Oklahoma LaMora, Jim Army 321 E. Oklahoma Lampone, Frank Army 733 E. Clarke Lanza, Anthony Army 2825 N. Fredrick Lanza, Frank Army 2824 N. Fredrick Lanza, Anthony Army 1621 N. Van Buren Lanza, Frank Army 1621 N. Van Buren Lanza, Joe Army 1621 N. Van Buren Lanza, Rosario Army 2563 N. Holton Laporte, Anthony Army 1680 N. Jackson Laporte, Eugene Army 1111 N. Van Buren Laporte, Joe Army 1718A W. Juneau Laporte, Sam Army 420 E. Reservior Laporte, Jim Navy 1537 W. Atkinson Larosa, Joe Army 2610 N. Fredrick Larussa, Joe Army 1220 N. 33rd St. Lascari, Joe Army 615 E. Pleasant Lasusa, Gene Army 2203 N. Weil Lasusa, Luigi Army 2471 N. 4th St. Latone, John Army 140 S. Hawley Rd. Latone, Florence Army 140 S. Hawley Rd. Latone, Marie Army 140 S. Hawley Rd. Lauri, Nick Army 1323A W. Scott Lenarduzzi, Aldo Army 1680 N. Cass Leonardelli, Tullio Army 1500 W. Galena Leone, John Army 717 S. 25th St. Leone, Nick Army 717 S. 25th St. Leone, Nick Army 2675 N. Booth St. Letezia, Anthony Army 220 N. Jefferso Source: Wright’s Milwaukee City Directory, 1941, Wright Directory Co., Milwaukee. Continued in the next issue
THE ITALIAN TIMES
L’Angolo del poeta
Prepared by Barbara Collignon
Now that we’ve had a taste of spring, I wonder what were your thoughts and feelings upon stepping out on one of these first sunny, warm days when a slight breeze tussled your hair? Did you think of Phoebus, the sun god, smiling upon you or of Zephyrus, the god of wind, blessing you as he passed? Did you imagine nymphs dancing in the forest or Pan piping along the paths? If you did, then you most likely have had some instruction in classical poetry. If instead, you thought “Today, Nature is so beautiful, so inspiring and yet, here am I, lonely and miserable, incapable of happiness”, you would be reflecting a Romantic view. With his poem, Alla Primavera, o delle favole antiche (To Spring, concerning ancient myths), Giacomo Leopardi (1798 – 1837) presents a bridge between Classicism and Romanticism. At the time it was written (1819-1820), artists were moving away from the mythological worlds of the past, reacting against the Industrial Revolution, the corruption of cities and politics, and moving back to nature and the expression of personal feelings. Artist Matthew Parrot compares Classicism and Romanticism in a most interesting way. He says that Classicism attempts to achieve an ideal and looks upwards (heavenly) and forwards (to the future). For the classicist, beauty is found in the universal, the eternal; whatever is balanced and regular is beautiful. Romanticism revels in what is and looks downwards (to earth) and backwards (to the past). It is the personal, historical, idiosyncratic and odd that is beautiful. In Alla Primavera, we have both. Wikipedia says Leopardi “praises ancient times when nymphs populated the fields, the springs, the flowers and the trees. Although the lyrical style is apparently classical, it is also pervaded by the characteristic dissatisfaction with the present of the romantics…. Leopardi here romanticizes the pure intentions of the Greeks, since he was actually romantic in his sentiments and classical in his imagination and intellect.” See for yourself, in this extract from I Canti. Alla Primavera, O delle favole antiche di Giacomo Leopardi Perchè i celesti danni Ristori il sole, e perchè l’aure inferme Zefiro avvivi, onde fugata e sparta Delle nubi grave ombra s’avvalla; Credano il petto inerme Gli augelli al vento, e la diurnal luce Novo d’amor desio, nova speranza Ne’ penetrati boschi e fra le sciolte Pruine induca alle commosse belve; Forse alle stanche e nel dolor sepolte Umane menti riede La bella età, cui la sciagura e l’atra Face del ver consunse
Innanzi tempo? Ottenebrati e spenti Di Febo i raggi al misero non sono In sempiterno? Ed anco, Primavera odorata, inspiri e tenti Questo gelido cor, questo ch’amara Nel fior degli anni suoi vecchiezza impara? Vivi tu, vivi, o santa Natura? Vivi e il dissueto orecchio Della materna voce il suono accoglie? Già di candide ninfe i rivi albergo, Placido albergo e specchio Furo i liquidi fonti. Arcane danze D’immortal piede i ruinosi gioghi Scossero e l’ardue selve (oggi romito Nido de’ venti): e il pastorel ch’all’ombre Meridiane incerte ed al fiorito Margo adducea de’ fiumi Le sitibonde agnelle, arguto carme Sonar d’agresti Pani Udi lungo le ripe; e tremar l’onda Vide, e stupi, che non palese al guardo La faretrata Diva Scendea ne’ caldi flutti, e dall’immonda Polve tergea della sanguigna caccia Il niveo lato e le verginee braccia. Vissero i fiori e l’erbe, Vissero I boschi un di. Conscie le molli Aure, le nubi e la titania lampa Fur dell’umana gente, allor che ignuda Te per le piagge e i colli, Ciprigna luce, alla deserta notte Con gli occhi intenti il viator seguendo. Te compagna alla via, te de’ mortali Pensosa immaginò. Che se gl’impuri Cittadini consorzi e le fatali Ire fuggendo e l’onte, Gl’ispidi tronchi al petto altri nell’ime Selve remote accolse, Viva fiamma agitar l’esangui vene, Spirar le foglie, e palpitar segreta Nel doloroso amplesso Dafne o la mesta Filli, o di Climene Pianger credè la sconsolata prole Quel che sommerse in Eridano il sole…. * * * To Spring, Concerning Ancient Myths Translated by A. S. Kline* Because the sun renews the injured heavens, and Zephyrus revives the dull air, and the dark shadows of clouds are driven off, scattered down the valleys; birds trust their fragile forms to the wind, and the light of day brings new desire for love, fresh hope, penetrating the woods and through the melting frost, to waking creatures: perhaps human spirits, drowned in grief and weariness might remake the age of beauty, which tragedy, and the black torch of truth, consumed before its time? Are Phoebus’s rays truly quenched in darkness forever? Fragrant Spring
can you rouse and inspire this frozen heart that knows old age’s bitterness in the flower of youth? Are you alive, O sacred Nature, are you alive? Alive, and your maternal voice gathered to an unaccustomed hearing? Your rivers were once home to the bright nymphs, the liquid founts were placid haunts and mirrors. And the rugged mountain ridges, the tangled woods (today the remote haunt of the winds) trembled to the arcane dance of immortal footsteps: and the shepherd leading his thirsty flock through the flickering mid-day shadows of the flowering river-banks, heard the shrill piping of woodland Pan echoing along the stream: saw the waves tremble, amazed, and, saw, vaguely, the quiver-bearing goddess descending into the warm flood, washing the grime and dust of the bloody chase from her white flanks and virgin arms.
Once, the grass and flowers breathed, and the woods. The gentle airs, the clouds, and the lamp of the sun, were aware of humanity, then, when the traveller followed you with intent eyes, Cyprian Planet, in the empty night, you, naked above the hills and shores, his companion on the road, the image of mortal thought. When, fleeing the impure towns and deadly anger and shame, men clasped the rugged tree-trunks, deep in dense woods, and thought that living flame surged through the dry veins, leaves breathed: that they clasped in their arms the hidden heartbeat of sorrowful Daphne, or sad Phyllis, or heard Clymene’s disconsolate daughters weeping for Phaethon, drowned by the Sun in the Italian River.* * * * *The Canti. Copyright 2003. A.S. Kline. This work may be freely reproduced, stored and transmitted, electronically, or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose.
Italian Film Festival set for Apr. 22-24
from page 14 Harlequin • Io, Arlecchino. Director: Matteo Bini and Giorgio Pasotti. (Drama, 2014, 90 minutes.) Paolo has it all, including a popular television show. But his perfect world crumbles when his father takes ill. Paolo rushes home only to find the old actor stubbornly rehearsing to perform one last time his beloved Harlequin from the magical world of the commedia dell’arte. Friday, Apr. 22, 9 p.m.: Another South • Una Storia Sbagliata. Director: Gianluca Maria Tavarelli. (Drama, 2014, 109 minutes.) A nurse from Sicily takes part in a humanitarian mission to help children in a war-tonn zone, but she also goes to search for something important. What is she looking for, and why? Saturday, Apr. 23, 5 p.m.: God Willing • Se Dio Vuole. Director: Edoardo Falcone. (Comedy, 2015, 87 minutes.) Tommaso, a brilliant
THE ITALIAN TIMES
surgeon, and Carla have two children. The older has no ambitions, but the younger, Andrea, is to follow his father’s footsteps. Lately, Andrea seems to have changed and goes out in the evenings without explanations. And so doubts begin…
Saturday, Apr. 23, 7 p.m.: An Italian Name • Il Nome Del Figlio. Director: Francesca Archibugi. (Comedy, 2014, 94 minutes.). During a dinner party, Paolo announces to his friends what he would like to name his son, causing reactions to steam up and a torrent of revelations to follow.
Saturday, Apr. 23, 9 p.m. The Legendary Giulia • Noi e la Giulia. Director: Edoardo Leo. (Comedy, 2014, 115 minutes.) Three 40-yearolds flee the city and, joined by two zany characters, decide to open a B&B. Their dreams are blocked by the local mobster who, arriving in a
vintage Alfa Romeo, asks for protection money. The threat forces them to rebel in a most daring way. Sunday, Apr. 24, 3:30 p.m. Before Neorealism: Italy’s Forgotten Cinema. Director: David Lee Morea. (Documentary, 2015, 56 minutes.) A comprehensive documentary on Italian cinema during Fascism. Composed of clips, archival footage and interviews with scholars, the film investigates how the regime partnered with the entertainment industry to manipulate public opinion and create political consensus. Sunday, Apr. 24, 5p.m. Palio. Director: Cosima Spender. (Documentary, 2015, 92 minutes.) Twice a year, the city of Siena hosts the oldest horse race in the world, the Palio. It’s not your average race. Pageantry, strategy and bribery play as much a part as the skill of the riders. Sunday, Apr. 24, 7 p.m.
Wondrous Boccaccio • Maraviglioso Boccaccio. Directors: Paolo and Vittorio Taviani. (Drama, 120 minutes.) The film by the legendary Taviani brothers was inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron. The plague forces 10 young men and women to take shelter in the countryside and entertain themselves by telling stories. Patrons are invited to come to one or two or three or all of the films. Parking is available in the UWM Union lot.
Local sponsors who make the film festival possible include the Italian Community Center, Dr. David Paris, D.D.S., DeWan Dental, Dean Cannestra’s Divino and Nessun Dorma restaurants, and the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. For more information see http://www.italianfilmfests.org/.
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 15
La Pagina Italiana
Il comparaggio o comparatico
di Donato Di Pronio Questa forma di parentela spirituale e di intimità familiare che si stabilisce tra i compari e le comari di battesimo, di cresima e di nozze è detta anche sangiovanni dall’usanza di contrarla da tanti il 24 giugno, giorno in cui la Chiesa commemora la nascita di San Giovanni Battista, cugino di Gesù Cristo da parte di Madre, la cui testa fu offerta da Erode su un vassoio d’argento a Salomè, figlia di Erodiade.
Si inviava alla persona prescelta un mazzolino vagamente ornato di garofanini, erbette aromatiche, cioccolatini, caramelle, ecc. Il comparaggio veniva suggellato dalla persona prescelta con l’invio anche da parte sua di un mazzolino nel successivo giorno 29, festa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo.
Questa forma di comparatico veniva consigliato a ragazze zitelle e a giovani scapoli. Allo scopo le mamme spesso ricorrevano ai buoni uffici di una comare ruffiana (ruffiana nel significato onesto e corretto della parola). Tra i compiti di queste brave signore, c’era la pratica del rito del piombo: passavano sulla testa della ragazza affidata alle sue cure una padella nella quale aveva fuso dei pezzetti di piombo che poi
versava in un catino pieno d’acqua, recitando la giaculatoria San Giovanni benedetto, fammi conoscere la sorte di questa giovanetta. Dalle varie forme che prendeva il piombo risolidificandosi traeva i pronostici.
Combinata una coppia, seguiamone la sorte. Se dopo i primi timidi approcci i due candidati decidevano di ufficializzare il proprio amore, toccava a lui, come da usanza, presentarsi a casa di lei per manifestare i suoi sentimenti. Se accettato, iniziava il fidanzamento ufficiale (durante il quale si portava le serenate con chitarre, violini, grammofoni, canti, ecc.). Andava a casa di lei preferibilmente il sabato sera; i due, guardati a vista, sedevano a debita distanza; d’inverno davanti al camino o nelle calde stalle; partecipavano alla conversazione comune e dovevano compostamente recitare il Santo Rosario.
Le nozze: una settimana prima del matrimonio, dalla casa della sposa partiva un gruppetto di donne con canestri sulla testa colmi del suo corredo (molta biancheria era tessuta al telaio a mano), seguito da un quadrupede, bellamente adorno, carico di “rame” (pentole, tegami, conca, ecc.) e lo portavano nella sua
nuova residenza. Il giorno delle nozze (quasi sempre di domenica), lo sposo con parenti ed amici si recava a casa della sposa, da dove, poi, partiva il corteo: lei al braccio di un congiunto seguita dal suo gruppo al quale si accodava quello di lui. Dopo la cerimonia, si invertiva l’ordine della sfilata con gli sposi in testa e tutti insieme si dirigevano verso la loro abitazione dove li attendeva un lauto (non sempre!) banchetto, al quale, come alla funzione religiosa, non partecipava la suocera: a lei e ad altri familiari rimasti in casa veniva portato un canestro colmo di pietanze (mi sia consentito un curioso ricordo: nel canestro inviato alla madre di una sposina mia conoscente, era stato inserito per errore un fiasco anziché di vino, di aceto: lascio immaginare le risate e le scuse). Durante la sfilata, venivano lanciati verso la folla plaudente confetticannellini-praline. Una coppia, che per un qualche motivo (mancanza di mezzi, opposizioni, lei in avanzato stato di gravidanza, un lutto recente, ecc.) non poteva celebrare le nozze in forma tradizionale, se ne scappava, ricorreva, cioè, alla classica fuitìna: quelle riparatrici seguivano a breve scadenza ed erano celebrate di mattina presto, in sacrestia o dietro l’altare.
San Pio di Pietrelcina a Roma
di Maria Concetta Sanfilippo In occasione del giubileo della Misericordia, Papa Francesco ha voluto a Roma la presenza della salma di Padre Pio, (canonizzato da Giovanni Paolo II nel 2002) perchè testimone privilegiato della misericordia, avendo dedicato tutta la vita al sacramento della riconciliazione. L’urna per la prima volta ha lasciato il santuario di San Giovanni Rotondo (provincia di Foggia) per fare la prima tappa (3 Febbraio) a San Lorenzo fuori le mura o di Verano e poi nella chiesa di San Salvatore a Roma (4 Febbraio). Da qui in processione
Indovinelli
1. Non parlo ma conosco tutte le lettere. Chi sono?
2. Ho tre occhi e una sola gamba, se non mi obbedisci te ne pentirai.Chi sono?
3. Se mi hai vuoi condividermi, ma se lo fai mi perdi. Che cosa sono?
4. Salgo su quando sento caldo e non riesco mai a scappare dalla mia gabbia di cristallo. Chi sono?
5. Mi lascio trasportare dalla corrente, sono presente nella vita di tutti i giorni e riesco a renderla più facile. Ma sono anche molto brava ad uccidere. Chi sono?
6. Vengo messa in tavola, ma non vengo mangiata. Cosa sono?
7. Che cosa cade ma non si rompe mai? Risposte – pagina 17
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PAGINA 16 – APRILE 2016
(Febbraio 3-11, 2016) solenne è stata portata alla Basilica di San Pietro dove è rimasta fino al 11 Febbraio esposta davanti all’altare Maggiore. Roma caput mundi , la città più bella in assoluto dove si respira cultura, storia, arte e spiritualità Cristiana è sempre piena di turisti provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo e in questa occasione ha raggiunto il pienone. A Piazza San Pietro durante l’udienza del papa (dedicata a San Pio Di Pietrelcina) erano presenti i gruppi di San Pio provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo, più di 80 mila persone in un’unica piazza(fra i quali si trovava il nostro
gruppetto da Porticello). Si pregava in tutte le lingue e si palpava la devozione verso San Pio e l’amore nei confronti di Papa Francesco. Ciò che unisce tutta questa gente non può essere altro che la fede anche se qualcuno ci va per curiosità. Era bellissimo per me a vedere il Papa da vicino, sempre sorridente con un viso cosi luminoso che sembrava Cristo in terra. La gente ammalata e nelle sedie a rotelle era numerosa e tutti avrebbero voluto toccare il Santo Padre che sfiorava tutti con la dolcezza del suo sorriso. Per coloro che credono, quei
di Donato Di Pronio Da dove deriva il nome Italia? Le ipotesi sono diverse e tutte, apparentemente, accettabili. Ecco il parere dell’Accademia della Crusca (accademia sorta a Firenze nel 1583 con lo scopo principale di vigilare sul buon uso della lingua italiana; il nome Crusca fu preso originariamente dalla definizione di Crusconi assunta burlescamente dai suoi primi soci): “Italia è un nome di tradizione classica, in origine con riferimento all’estremità meridionale della Calabria; si estende poi alla penisola con l’avanzarsi della conquista romana. La sanzione ufficiale del nome nel 42 a. C. con Ottaviano (63 avanti Cristo – 12 dopo Cristo), mentre l’unione amministrativa con le isole si ha con Diocleziano (243-313 d. C.) (diocesi italiciana). Nei secoli il nome rimane di tradizione dotta (l’evoluzione popolare del latino Italia sarebbe stato Itaglia, Idaglia, a seconda delle zone). L’origine del nome è discussa ed incerta. Alcuni suppongono che derivi da una forma di orine osca e corrisponda a Viteliu accostato all’umbro vitluf ‘vitello’, latino vitulus. Per altri
avrebbe il senso di ‘terra degli Itali’, popolo che avrebbe come totem il vitello (italos), perciò la denominazione si fonderebbe sull’uso antichissimo di divinizzare l’animale totem della tribù; oppure ‘il paese della tribù degli Itali’, nome totemistico da witaloi figli del toro’. Non mancano le interpretazioni leggendarie, come quella del principe Italo, l’eroe eponimo che avrebbe dominato il Sud della penisola. Vi è poi il mito secondo il quale Eracle, nell’attraversare l’Italia per condurre in Grecia il gregge di Gerione, perde un capo di bestiame e lo cerca affannosamente; avendo saputo che nella lingua indigena la bestia si chiama vitulus, chiama Outalìa tutta la regione”. Il nome Italia compare per la prima volta nel 91 avanti Cristo e fu dato a Corfinium, un centro di importanza strategica ed economica (nelle vicinanze di Sulmona, Abruzzo) dai Peligni, dai Marrucini, dai Vestini (antiche popolazioni italiche abruzzesi) e dagli Italici (sono così denominati quei popoli di stirpe ario-europea stanziati in Italia già nei tempi preistorici, che parlavano dialetti affini al latino) quando, sollevatisi
momenti sicuramente avranno rafforzato la propria fede e, per i non credenti, quello sarà stato un momento di forte riflessione sul motivo per cui tanta gente prega con cosi tanto fervore. Per precisione devo dire che assieme alle spoglie di San Pio sono state portate a San Pietro anche quelle di San Leopoldo, meno famoso del primo ma ugualmente importante. Questo è stato sicuramente un momento storico e unico nel suo genere, i fedeli hanno potuto godere della presenza di Papà Francesco e dei due Santi così amati.
L’origine del nome Italia
contro Roma, la designarono capitale del loro territorio. Mantenne il ruolo di Capitale per poco più di un anno e in tale periodo batté moneta col nome Italia (Italica). Nel febbraio del 49 a. C., Italia-Corfinium, presidiata da truppe di Pompèo (106-48 a. C.), si arrese a Cesare (102-44) dopo una brevissima e incruente resistenza.
Corfinio ha una storia che risale ad oltre il V secolo a. C. come testimonia la necropoli che presenta diverse modalità di sepoltura. Tra le leggende sorte su questo antichissimo paesino, interessante è quella su Ponzio Pilato rappresentato come un potente e ricco abruzzese arroccato in un inaccessibile castello a Corfinium, dove l’Imperatore Tiberio lo mandò a chiamare per inviarlo in Giudea.
Con la caduta dell’Impero Romano, l’Italia si divise durante gli anni in diversi Stati: Regno di Napoli, Regno delle Due Sicilie, lo Stato Vaticano, Repubblica di Venezia, Repubblica di Genova, Regno di Sardegna, Gran Ducato di Toscana, ecc. Bisogna aspettare il 1870 per raggiungere l’Unità.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
by Blaise Di Pronio Every once in a while a new Italian word begins to surface into usage in our English language until it eventually becomes part of the vernacular. Words such as pasta, espresso, bruschetta (remember ‘ch’ is a ‘k’ sound) and cappuccino are
A word is born
now common place and heard and read all over. You may have noticed that the common denominator with these words seems to be their connection to food or drink. This, of course, demonstrates the impact Italian cuisine has had on the American lifestyle.
Proverbi Italiani
1. Italian: (Dialect: Lombardy) – Quando la barba la tra ‘l bianchi, lassa la dona e ciapa ‘l vi. English: When one’s beard starts to grow white, best to leave women alone and take to wine.
2. Italian: (Dialect: Lombardy) – Da vint ani l’e na putela, da trenta l’e na dona bela, da quaranta dona fata, da sinquanta vecia mata. English: At 20 years old: a girl, at 30: a beautiful woman, at 40: a woman that has been made (i.e., a woman that has long reached her prime), at 50: a mad old woman.
3. Italian: (Dialect: Lombardy) – Da ente la forza, de trenta l’inzegn, de quaranta la roba, de sinquanta la goba, de sessanta ‘l bastu, de setanta a marsu. English: At 20 years of age: strength, at 30: wit, at 40: wealth, at 60: a walking cane, and at 70: the mad house. 4. Italian (Dialect: Lombardy) – A trasa de zuen a ‘s patess de ecc. English: If you are wasteful when you are young, you will regret it when you are old. 5. Italian: (Dialect: Lombardy) – Beata quella ca che di vecc la po cunta. English: (Literally) Blessed is the house where the old can be counted. Meaning: The more old people you share your home with, the luckier you are, as you can benefit from their experiences.
6. Italian: (Dialect: Lombardy) – Par viv san e scampa vicc ghe vor tre ropp: tante pape, poche pipe e mie pive. English: (Literally) To live a long and healthy life one needs three things: baby food, little of smoking the pipe and never to be empty handed. Meaning: To live a long and healthy life one needs three things: food easy to digest, no smoking and a good income. * * * With thanks to Mary Melfi and italy reiviset.org
A lot of these “new” words have little known histories which, at times, we have featured in our publication (remember cappuccino and the Capuchin monks a few issues back?). The latest Italian words infiltrating our culture clearly fit the above mold. One word is “ciabatta”. In Italian, ciabatta means “slipper” and from it, we get ciabatta bread – so called because of its shape resembling a slipper. It is a type of thick and flat, textured bread with rounded top edges and corners (thus that slipper look) and with a floury crust and made with olive oil. It looks and feels like a wellworn comfortable slipper but remember to eat it and not wear it. The other word is “calzone,” which is known here as a baked or fried Italian turnover made with pizza dough and filled with vegetables, meat or cheese and other toppings. In Italian, it means trouser or pant leg or it could also mean a very large sock. With a liberal use of your imagination, you should see the resemblance between the edible and the wearable here. A stuffed sock does kind of look like the stuffed dough pocket. Oh well, I think I just gave a new meaning to the “foot in the mouth” expression which has nothing to do with its French “faux pas” (false step) meaning. I couldn’t resist with another “wordy” aside here since the word “pants” is used in this article. “Pants” comes from the Italian name Pantalone. Pantalone was also a famous character in the 16th century Italian Commedia dell’Arte (Comedy of the Arts) troupes. He
wore super wide trousers extending from the waist to their gathering at the ankles. Pantalone’s type of trouser came to be known as “pantaloons” and then, like your author’s trousers, the name was shortened to our “pants”. And please, no accusations of “liar, liar, pants on fire” as this is all true!
WORDS IN AN ITALIAN WORD
by Blaise Di Pronio How many words can you make with the letters in FESTA? Answers on page ??
And now, a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Lunatic – Extremely foolish or maniacal such as a madman or a psychopath. It comes from the Italian ‘luna’ or moon and the archaic belief that changes in the moon cycles(full, quarter, etc.) caused intermittent insanity. Luna was the name of the Roman moon goddess.
Barzellette
In chiesa un carabiniere chiede al parroco che ha un braccio fasciato: “Che vi e’ successo Don Salvato”? “Nulla figlioli, ho inciampato nel bide’ ... e mi sono rotto un braccio!”. Quindi il parroco si allontana e rimangono soli i due carabinieri. “Marescia’, che cos’e’ sto bide’?” “E che ne so! So’ dieci anni che non vengo in chiesa!!”. Sapete perche’ al sud le macchine dei carabinieri sono piu’ lunghe? Perche’ sulla fiancata c’e’ scritto : “Carrabbinieri.” Un carabiniere telefona all’aero-porto e chiede: “Quanto impiega un volo da Torino a Roma?” “Un attimo.” “Grazie.” Click. Carabinieri: Perche’ sorridono quando c’e’ il temporale e fuori lampeggia? Perche’ credono che gli facciano la fotografia!
Perche’ i carabinieri bevono il latte direttamente al super mercato? Perche’ c’e’ scritto: ‘Aprire qua’
Un carabiniere va in ferramenta per farsi fare una chiave. Il ferramenta, in vena di scherzare, sovrappensiero, gli chiede se la vuole per chiudere o per aprire. E il carabiniere, dopo un attimo di imbarazzo, risponde che deve andare a chiedere…
Risposte
1. L’alfabeto.
2. Il semaforo. 3. Il segreto.
4. Il mercurio
5. L’elettricità.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Word Search Solved – Page 18
6. La tovaglia. 7. La notte.
APRILE 2016 – PAGINA 17
by Blaise Di Pronio If asked to visualize a common symbol of Italy, what would come to mind? The Coliseum? The boot shape? Or (unfortunately!) even a plate of spaghetti? And others. But for sure, a favorite of many is the Leaning Tower of Pisa or La Torre Pendente di Pisa in Italian. (A replica of the Leaning Tower is featured each year at Festa Italiana). The tower in question is a free standing (not attached to a partner church or cathedral) belltower
The lean lowdown (campanile in Italian from campana or bell). Its lean began during the tower’s construction, begun in 1173 and completed in 1372. It was caused by its foundation having been built on soft ground. (You would think that the name Pisa, which is Greek for “marshy land”, would have been a dead giveaway.) The ground could not support the weight of the finished tower which amounted to about 14,500 tons. The lean began in 1178 at the completion of the second floor and continued throughout construction and
beyond its completion. By the way, there are several other bell towers in marshy Pisa that lean such as those at the churches of St. Michele and St. Nicola. There are 296 steps on one side of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and 294 on the other. It comprises eight stories and is 185.93 feet tall on its high side. Although he was baptized in the nearby baptistery in 1565, Galileo Galilei never dropped two cannon balls of differing masses from the
by Blaise Di Pronio Which musical personality has sold more than 70 million records worldwide, has been nominated for six Oscars, was given an Academy Honorary Award and, in 2016, was awarded an Oscar for his score for Quentin Tarantino’s film, The Hateful Eight? That would be Italy’s brilliant and renowned Ennio Morricone. Morricone is not a stranger to awards as he’s also won three Grammies, three Golden Globes and six BAFTAs (British Oscars) on top of many other awards in Europe and throughout the world. The 87 year-old composer, conductor and former trumpet player was born in Rome, and first gained international fame in the the ‘60s and ‘70s by composing much of the music to the then in vogue Spaghetti Westerns. His score to Sergion Leone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was one of the most
influential (and often imitated) sound tracks of all time and also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame category. In The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, his original compositions which blended music with whistling, gunfire, yodeling and animal howling, proved to be unforgettable and trend setting. He has composed songs for other notable Italians such as Zucchero, Mina and Bocelli, and other Italian film directors like Bertolucci, Argento, Pasolini, Zeffirelli and Tornatore, and for countless Hollywood-based movies and television shows. Interestingly, when Morricone received his Honorary Oscar in 2007, his acceptance speech was in Italian and it was simultaneously interpreted by the “original” Spaghetti Cowboy, Clint Eastwood, who stood at his side up at the podium.
Composer Ennio Morricone: A fist full of awards
Ennio Morricone
tower. There is no verifiable original architect of the tower but only many contributors in its construction history. As was typical of other campaniles in Italy, inside the tower there are seven bells, each representing and sounding one note of the major musical scale. The bells are located on the eighth or top floor. Its original maximum lean angle was 5.5 degrees, but, with restoration between 1990 and 2001, the lean was reduced to 3.97 degrees. The tower was used as a lookout by the Nazis, but the Allies specifically spared it from bombing much to the gratitude of all Italians the world over.
Are you a wit or a twit? Take the test and find out
by Blaise Di Pronio Questions 1. Archbishop in long ‘skirt’ 2. Feasted annually at the ICC 3. That goodfella Martin 4. Pre-Lenten fete at ICC 5. Famous last word at the ICC 6. Little house on the Menomonee Valley 7. Tutti’s last name 8. ICC hangout for team skippers 9. Rack packer 10. Little Italian dumplings 11. Expect high ‘tolls’ there in Italy 12. Opposite of forte 13. Cry overheard at ICC’s La Scala 14. Biblical jeans? 15. Showcased at Festa Find the answers and scoring on page 22
And now, a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Fanatic – A person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal for a cause or activity, i.e., a fan. It comes from the Latin (Rome’s original language named after its home region of Lazio) “fanum” or temple, and it originally described what might result from one’s possession by a god or demon while in such temple.
WORDS IN AN ITALIAN WORD The answers from page 17 60 words in ‘FESTA’:
1. festa 2. fetas 3. fates 4. feast 5. feats 6. feta 7. east 8. fate 9. teas 10. efts 11. tefs 12. eats 13. fast 14. fest 15. feat 16. fats 17. safe 18. fets 19. seta 20. sate 21. etas 22. ates 23. taes 24. seat 25. saft 26. eas 27. tea 28. est 29. eat 30. aft 31. efs 32. ats 33. eft 34. tef 35. tae 36. sea 37. fae 38. sae 39. tes 40. tas 41. fes 42. fet 43. eta 44. ate 45. set 46. fas 47. fat 48. sat 49. ea 50. ef 51. fa 52. ae 53. ta 54. fe 55. te 56. es 57. et 58. as 59. st 60. at
PAGE 18 – APRIL 2016
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Crossword Puzzle No. 9: Answers with explanations and comments
ITALIAN TIMES PUZZLE NO. 9 SOLVED Puzzle appeared in February 2016 issue By Blaise Di Pronio
by Blaise Di Pronio Across 3. Wind – It blows by all sorts of other names. 4. Alfredo – Famous fatty and creamy white sauce. 5. Davis – Sammy. He too was short and dark. 7. Paradiso – Great Italian film. 8. Bread – Usually preceded by ‘any’ and followed by ‘man’. 9. Cleopatra – a.k.a. Elizabeth Taylor to some. 11. Sugar – Yes it is isn’t it? 13. Portobello – Well it does mean ‘cute port’. 15. Enricos – Famous for science and song. 16. Spang – She’s the one before the last one. 17. Carne – Meat is meat in any language. 18. Burp – It really is a sign of good taste. 20. Biscotti – See they start out hard for a reason. 23. Soprano – The hitter of those high notes. 24. Scopa – It also means broom for ‘sweeping’ the table. 26. Socks – Time to make a mends.
Down 1. Pizzas – Good source of dough. 2. Purperos – ICC’s founding brothers. 6. Hair – Not on your humble writer though. 7. Provolone – Great for the submarine crew. 8. Bylaws – I guess they’re better than in-laws. 9. Capellini – It means thin, hairlike spaghetti. 10. Arias – Operatic songs sung in Milan. 12. Peroni – Maybe I should have said infamous. 13. Prosciutto – Bathed, salted and hung out to dry. 14. Lucifer – He fell from heaven and guess where he landed. 19. Giovanni – The man’s name and not his resting place. 21. Olives – Squeezed, not drilled please. 22. Bocce – And cheat too, if you want. 25. Cafe – It would help to have outdoor seating though.
Golden frog race in Italian town on Sunday after Easter
“Palio della Rana,” a golden frog race, takes place each year on the Sunday after Easter in the town of Fermignano (population 8,500) in the Marche region of Italy. Contestants race 170 meters (almost 558 feet) with frogs in tiny wheelbarrows. This year, the race will be on Apr. 3. The origins of the race go back to 1607 when Francesco Maria della Rovere, 15th Count of Montefeltro and Duke of Urbino, founded the first town council of Fermignano. This unique race is recognized by the Italian Federation Games and the Italian Federation of Historic Living as a real historical tournament. On the day before the race, there is usually a pageant in historical costume and a fireworks show.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 19
A discovery of love in the old Third Ward
by Bill Dickinson My attraction to Italian pizza began on Milwaukee’s Erie Street. In fact, this can also be said of my wife, Karen, too. It was about 60 years ago. My parents had friends named Joe and Josie Manage. One day, in my Bay View High School years, the Manages asked the Dickinsons if they had ever had something called “pizza pie”. Of course, the Dickinsons had never heard of it. Joe and Josie said, “Let us treat.” I had just met Karen so it seemed to be an opportunity for a date and an opportunity for her to meet my parents. Karen (just 14 back then) had no idea what pizza pie was either. During the build-up time to the date, she interrogated all her friends and anyone else she could think of to define what a pizza pie was. Her search for knowledge was in vain. None of her friends and none of the Dickinson contacts had any idea what a pizza pie was. You must remember that my back-
ground is strongly German/labor/professional and Karen’s is primarily Norwegian/bucolic. On the appointed day, we all piled into the Manages’ car and headed off to the “Third Ward”. At that time, for me, the Third Ward was a totally fantastic experience. Here, right in the center of Milwaukee, visitors entered a completely different culture. Railroad tracks shared some streets and disappeared down dark alleys. Block after block, the sidewalks were sheltered with steel awnings. Trucks were backed up under the awnings so that street traffic was difficult. Men were frantically pushing carts and hand trucks loaded with boxes of fruit and vegetables to and from the vans and delivery trucks. If you had the car windows down you got the sweet smells of the fresh produce. And once in a while, you could hear the sounds of people communicating in a strange and different language. The Third Ward was, indeed, a dif-
ferent and fascinating place. Anyway, Joe Manage discharged his passengers on the corner of Erie and Corcoran Streets with instructions to wait until he returned from parking the car. I remember there were some box cars lined up on the railroad tracks beside a building across the street. Once assembled, we proceeded to a dark and rather scary, smoke filled “working man’s” tavern called The Caradaro Club. It was hard to see people in the place because of the smoke, and it was very noisy, but everyone seemed to be having a good time. Joe placed the order for our table, and we, the mystified guests, waited to see what this pizza pie was all about. Karen was shy and quiet. I was focusing or trying to focus on people near to us in the smog. I clearly remember the smells in the room. Mingled into the very visible cigarette and cigar smoke was the hint of baking bread, the rather pungent scent of something burning and the strange smell of unknown spices.
Both Karen and I had to return to the street a couple of times to try to stop our eyes from watering. Soon there were some flat, round, sizzling things delivered to our table but not in “pie” pans. I looked at my parents, and Karen looked at me. “Now what do we do?” That was the question going through our heads. Joe said, “Here they are. Let’s dig in.” Karen sat frozen in her chair! A first date! A smoke filled bar! Eyes burning! Something called “pie” with no pie tin! And NO KNIFE AND FORK!! I was equally bewildered, but, because my parents had exposed me to a lot of strange things to eat (such as rattlesnake, crocodile, schmaltz). I kind of settled back and watched Joe and Josie. Soon it became clear to Karen and me that pizza would become a vital part of our diet and a springboard into our affinity and love for the Italian culture. Mangia!
The Italian Times is extending an invitation to our readers to submit articles and/or suggestions for news stories for future publication in our printed and online edition. The Newspaper Committee and Editor Tom Hemman have developed a series of guidelines to revamp the publication’s editorial presentation with a concerted effort being made to make it more current, relevant and reader friendly. We welcome interested individuals to submit articles and/or sug-
gestions for news stories to Editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org. You may also contact Newspaper Committee Chair Blaise DiPronio at 262-6794351. Articles can be submitted in English or Italian. The following criteria has been established for news articles: 1). Must be relevant, newsworthy, pertaining to and of interest to the Italian American community. 2). Can be current, developing, historical or anecdotal.
3). Must be of original content and authorship. 4). If not original, copyright and authorship permission must be granted in writing and proper credit must be given. 5). Cannot be of a political nature or content. 6). Cannot jeopardize the Italian Community Center’s bulk mail status. Guidelines are established in United States Postal Service Publication 417. 7). Cannot promote products or
services better suited to paid advertising. 8). Must be limited to 300 words or less. Any article exceeding the 300-word limit will be rejected unless the writer is granted a predetermined waiver based on merit. A writer can appeal the word limit to the editor and the Newspaper Committee. The final decision is that of the editor and the committee. 8). Must be electronically submitted (i.e., email) as a Word document to themman@italiancc.org. 9). Articles submitted in Italian should also include an accurate paraphrased English translation. 10). Every submission is subject to editorial review, editing, deadline restrictions and space availability in the newspaper. 11). We reserve the right to reject an article for publication in the newspaper and on the ICC website. Over the next few months, we plan on giving you a partial list of potential subjects for articles. The list begins this month. 1). Tutorials on how to play bocce, scopa, briscola and tombola and their rules and regulations. 2). Recipe box with recipes from Italy, hand-me-downs, member specialties, local Italian restaurants and bakeries. 3). Reviews of Italian connected movies, music, books, art, displays, exhibitions and so on. 4). Sports clubs’ news for soccer, bicycling, skiing, etc. 5). Auto and motorcycle club news featuring Italian vehicles. 6). Italian clubs in the many schools teaching Italian, reporting their activities and fun things. 7). Awards, promotions and accolades given to members. 8). Upcoming events, entertainment, dinners, dances and other activities. 9). Profiles on donors, members and volunteers. 10). Births, weddings, graduations and obituaries.
The Italian Times welcomes your input
Favorite arias
Largo al factotum
Figaro’s aria from Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). Largo al factotum della citta. Presto a bottega che l’alba e gia. Ah, che bel vivere, che bel piacere per un barbiere di qualita! Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo! Fortunatissimo per verita! Pronto a far tutto, la notte e il giorno sempre d’intorno in giro sta. Miglior cuccagna per un barbiere, vita piu nobile, no, non si da. Rasori e pettini lancette e forbici, al mio commando tutto qui sta. V’e la risorsa, poi, de mestiere colla donnetta... col cavaliere... Tutti mi chiedono, tutti mi vogliono, donne, ragazzi, vecchi, fanciulle: Qua la parruca... Presto la barba... Qua la sanguigna... Presto il biglietto... Qua la parruca, presto la barba, Presto il biglietto, ehi! Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!, ecc. Ahime, che furia! Ahime, che folla! Uno alla volta, per carita! Figaro! Son qua. Ehi, Figaro! Son qua. Figaro qua, Figaro la, Figaro su, Figaro giu,
Pronto prontissimo son come il fumine: `` sono il factotum della citta. Ah, bravo Figaro! Bravo, bravissimo; a te fortuna non manchera.
PAGE 20 – APRIL 2016
by Gioacchino Rossini
Make way for the topman of the city. Rushing to his shop now that it’s dawn. Ah, isn’t life good, how pleasant it is For a barber of class! Ah, nice one Figaro! Nice one, really nice one! I am the luckiest it’s true to say! Ready for anything, night and day Always busy and around. A better lot for a barber, A more noble life cannot be found. Razors and combs Lancets and scissors, At my command Are all here. And there are “extras”, Then, for the business With women... and with gentlemen... Everyone asks for me, everyone wants me, Women, young people, old people, the golden haired; What about the wig... A quick shave... Some leeches for bleeding... Quick the note... What about the wig, a quick shave, Hurry - the note, o me! Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! etc. Heavens, what mayhem! Heavens, what crowds! One at a time, For pities sake! Figaro! Here I am. O me, Figaro! Here I am. Figaro here, Figaro there, Figaro up, Figaro down,
Quicker and quicker the sparks fly with me; I am the topman of the city. Ah, nice one Figaro! Nice one, really nice one; From you luckiness will not depart.
Having an estate sale or rummage sale? Let our readers know in an ad in our next issue. Get the details by calling 414-223-2189 or emai themman@italiancc.org.
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Request from ICC for cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses
By Susie Christiansen Social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as e-mail and cell phone texting, are currently the most common methods of communicating for people. Using those avenues, we want to develop a way to reach out to our membership to inform you
And now, a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Baloney – Foolish words or ideas, i.e., nonsense. It comes from a variant of the name of the northern Italian city of Bologna and its famous export of Bologna style sausage. Bologna’s nickname in Italy is “La Grassa” or the “Fat One” because of its renowned cuisine which features fatty items such as said sausage and mortadella (destined to become our edible type of baloney).
Notify ICC of a change of address
Any member of the Italian Community Center who has a change of address is asked to notify the ICC promptly so that mailings from the Center are sent to the correct address. Since the ICC uses nonprofit bulk rates to mail The Italian Times, the United States Postal Service is entitled to charge a fee for each newspaper that is returned to the ICC and deemed undeliverable due to an incorrect address. The fee can cost the ICC twice as much as the original mailing cost, depending on the zip code and the weight of the newspaper. Even if you are temporarily away from your permanent residence and are not receiving mail at that address, you need to notify the ICC of your temporary address so that your newspaper can be delivered to that address and so that the ICC is not charged the fee for each failed attempt to deliver the publication to your permanent residence. “We’ve have had a number of members who have gone to Florida or another warm weather location for the winter and these people did not supply us with their temporary change of address; hence their newspaper was returned to the ICC with the service fee due for each newspaper,” Editor Tom Hemman said. In addition, nonprofit bulk rate mail is not forwarded to a new address, which means those members who neglect to inform the ICC of their change of address will not receive the newspaper or any other mailed material with which the bulk mailing permit is used. Please send change of address information to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 or email Constance Palmer at this address: palmer@italianconference.com or call her at 414/223-2808. Constance is the only ICC employee with computer access to membership information.
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about upcoming events organized by the Italian Community Center, such as Il Grande Carnevale, A Taste of Italy and Festa Italiana. We can even email you a copy of The Italian Times. When the ICC hosts wine tastings, musical events and cooking classes, it would be helpful to everyone involved to be able to send an e-mail blast or a cell phone text blast to ICC members and as many non-members as possible. Right now, committee chairs and event planners here don’t always know what advertising options are available to them and how to reach out
to you. Without spending a ton of money, we just aren’t sure how to let the people out there know about upcoming events at the ICC. ICC members can be placed on an e-mail list and a cell phone list when they sign up for or renew their membership. Our application includes a place for your e-mail address and cell phone number. Our membership contact list is extremely private, and we will continue to keep it that way. We do not distribute our address, phone or e-mail lists to anyone. Rest assured your contact information will be retained by the ICC and
by Italian Senator Renato Turano On March 2, Italy’s new ambassador to the United States Armando Varricchio was welcomed to the White House by President Barack Obama. Ambassador Varricchio comes with a strong background in diplomacy, having served — among other roles — as deputy secretary general at Italy’s Foreign Ministry. I’d like to welcome him, and thank outgoing Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero for his hard work over the past five years. Similar welcomes and thanks are in order in Chicago, where incoming Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro replaces Adriano Monti; New York, where Francesco Genuardi takes over for Natalia Quintavalle; and Miami, where Gloria Marina Bellelli recently took up where Adolfo Barattolo left off. The work done by ambassadors, consul generals and all the other diplomatic staff abroad is often underestimated or taken for granted. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the important functions carried out by the representative offices they serve. Aside from the embassy in Washington D.C., there are nine Italian general consulates spread throughout the country: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. (Newark’s consulate was closed in 2014, but I have been battling to restore it.) Each of these offices has several satellite honorary consulates in smaller cities or more
rural areas, offering some of the services provided at the General Consulates. These offices are best known for renewing passports and issuing visas for tourists and students, but they offer many other services that are worth pointing out. For example, consulates maintain and update the list of all Italians living abroad who reside in their districts. It is important to be signed up for this list, known as AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero), because it allows consulates to send important notices by mail, as well as provide ballots to vote in national elections. Another major function is to accept citizenship requests and documents. This may be needed for spouses or children of Italian citizens living abroad, so that they, too, may become citizens. Citizenship is also sought by descendants of Italian immigrants who once had to renounce their Italian passport. It’s important to keep in mind that consulates are not responsible for translating documents related to these services. To prove someone’s Italian origins, sometimes it’s necessary to dig up vital records from tiny towns in the Italian countryside. Consulates are not able to seek this information on behalf of registrants, but staff can help point people in the right direction. Usually, consulates also have a list of trusted translators in the area who can provide services and have all the necessary certifications. Most consulates also have offices dedicated to promoting Italian in
only the ICC, and you will only be sent messages on a limited basis. We simply want to inform you. We want to tell you about the fantastic events, activities and ethnic experiences that the ICC has to offer. These are the other options available for submitting your cell phone number and e-mail address: 1. Visit: www.iccmilwaukee.com – use the Contact Us Form (the last tab on the site). 2. E-mail Susie Christiansen at: smdc-icc@outlook.com. 3. Call Constance Palmer at the ICC – 414-223-2808.
The duties of Italy’s diplomats play in the U.S.
local schools. This is an important resource for parents looking to put their children in schools where Italian is taught. For those who want to take A.P. courses in Italian, a phone call to their local consulate’s school office can help you get a clearer picture of availability. Consulates also often have lists of scholarships available for students enrolled in Italian programs. The same applies to colleges, as not all have them have Italian departments. When it comes to certifying a high school or college degree, consulates are often able to provide answers there, too. In recent years, a major effort has been made to modernize the Italian consular network’s online presence. The push has resulted in cleaner websites that provide relevant information in a clear and effective manner. When in need of a consular service, I would recommend consulting your consulate’s website first to determine what documents are needed relative to your request. There’s nothing worse than going to a consulate and not being able to complete the paperwork because something was left at home. If you’re not websavvy, find someone to assist you, or give the consulate a call. Don’t be afraid to ask!
And now, a word from Italy
U.S. President Obama and new Italian Ambassador Varricchio
by Blaise Di Pronio Fanatic – A person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal for a cause or activity, i.e., a fan. It comes from the Latin (Rome’s original language named after its home region of Lazio) “fanum” or temple, and it originally described what might result from one’s possession by a god or demon while in such temple.
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 21
Report from Milwaukee’s Victory K-8 Italian Immersion School
The students at Victory School are excited with the advent of warmer weather, signs of spring and the Easter break! Maestra Annette Robertson’s class is planning a field trip to see the musical production of “The Little Mermaid” by Riverside University High School students. The themes in Maestra Robertson’s K4 class in Marzo are: Primavera, Pasqua, Gli animali allo zoo, e Lavoratori della communità. “Maestre Elizabeth Zizzo and Rita Szopinski’s 1st grade class had an exciting visit from a real burattinaio (an Italian puppeteer). The students had a two-hour workshop where they learned about the tradition of puppetry in Italy and then made their very own puppets with
a profile and background story! They were excited to experience this part of Italian culture and learn about la commedia dell’arte.” Mr. Alex Kaftan’s and Mrs.Carrie Brunelli’s second graders are studying dinosaurs, Earth science, nature, bodies of water, and the solar system. Ms. Cathy Laurenzi and Ms. Sabrina Lupoli’s third graders are studying core knowledge sounds through reading and writing. They are learning English sounds through stories and reading. They are reading current events and discussing the implications of these events on contemporary society. They are also studying fractions in math. Buona Pasqua a tutti!
Wit or Twit
The answers and scoring
Answers: 1. Tutu- Desmond. Anglican Archbishop with ballet moniker. 2. Taste- Of Italy. Yearly food feast at the ICC. 3. Scorsese- Martin. Director of mob movies fame. 4. Carnevale- ICC’s homage to Mardi Gras. 5. Arrivederci- It. for “Until we see each other again”. 6. Casino- It. for “little house”. Indian for “Stick ‘em up!”. 7. Frutti- Made famous by Piccolo Riccardo. 8. Coachyards- ICC’s birth name. 9. Elk- Big red deer of fraternal fame. 10. Gnocchi- Small and round lumps of dough. 11. Campanile- Italian bell tower of Pisa’s tilted-one fame. 12. Piano- Pianoforte means “soft/loud” in tone range. 13- Mangia- Eat! As if we need encouragement. 14. Levis- The fashion conscious Hebrew tribe. 15. Cucina- Just follow your nose to its stage. Scoring: 10-15 correct = You’re a wit. 5-9 correct = You’re a twit. 1-4 correct = You are moribund.
PAGE 22 – APRIL 2016
Anna Passante to discuss her book, Bay View’s Little Italy at St. Francis Civic Center on Apr. 28
The St. Francis Historical Society is presenting Anarchy in Bay View’s Little Italy, September 9, 1917, and the Shocking Aftermath, a book talk by its author, Anna Passante, on Thursday, Apr. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The talk will take place at the St. Francis Civic Center, 3400 E. Howard Ave., St. Francis. The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 414316-4391.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
The staff of Cafe La Scala invites you to stop in for lunch or dinner.
Arancini • Boneless Buffalo Chicken Strips • Panzanella • Italian Beef Sandwich • Reuben • Sicilian Chicken Sandwich • Chicken Basil Panini • Sicilian Steak Sandwich • Mushroom Swiss Burger • Pasta alla Norma • Chicken & Spinach Alfredo • Sicilian Steak Dinner • La Scala Pizza • Alfredo Pizza • Prosciutto Pizza and much more!
WEEKDAY LUNCH BUFFET FOR JUST $8.95/PERSON!
Monday 5 Mexican • Tuesday 5 Pasta • Wednesday 5 Southern BBQ; Thursday 5 Italian; Friday 5 Fish Fry
Cafe La Scala 631 E. Chicago St. 414-223-2185 LaScalaMilwaukee.com Lunch, Mon.-Sat., 11am-2pm Dinner, Mon.-Thurs., 5-9pm, Fri., 4:30-10pm, Sat., 5-10pm
The Perfect Ending Bring your wedding day to a successful close. Gather your families and friends where the ambiance is special, the food is exceptional and the staff is attentive to your every need.
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DON’T LET YOUR ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERSHIP LAPSE!
DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS YOUR HERITAGE AND IS THE MANTEL OF MILWAUKEE’S ITALIAN COMMUNITY.
Be sure you can get advantage of the benefits of membership – • Four Festa Italiana admission tickets (max. 8 per family). • Event Discounts. • Members Room. • Free Computer & Satellite TV Use. • Home delivery of The Italian Times. • Bocce leagues. • Cultural, social and educations activities. • Family & Friendships. All Memberships were due January 1st. Please renew your membership today! Use the form in this issue to renew or visit: www.iccmilwaukee.com or call (414) 223-2180.
631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI Call David or Kim Marie at 414-223-2800 or visit ItalianConference.com
APRIL 2016 – PAGE 23
PAGE 24 – APRIL 2016
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