ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com APRIL 2017 • VOL. 38, NO. 10
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ICC’s ‘A Taste of Italy’ is coming your way on Sunday, Apr. 2
Delicious Italian food at low costs, live entertainment, free admission and free parking
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 22nd annual “A Taste of Italy” on Sunday, Apr. 2. 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 have those extra large trays for carrying your food and beverages to your table. Volunteers will hand out the trays at the entrance to the Pompeii Ballroom,” she added. “A Taste of Italy,” since its inception in 1995, has served as an essential fundraising activity for
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 Please turn to page 8
It has been nearly six months since the Italian Community Center and The Bartolotta Restaurant Group officially began a partnership that your Board of Directors firmly believes will ensure the stability of our organization now and into the future. Through the concessionary agreement that both parties agreed to, The Bartolotta Restaurant operates all of the banquet and catering business and the restaurant, Cafe
La Scala. We are sincerely grateful to Joe Bartolotta and his team for believing in the importance of the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. Joe has mentioned to us, many times, that he has a special place in his heart for the ICC since it has been part of his life and his family’s life since the inception of the organization in 1978. His father, the late T.J. “Tudy” Bartolotta, was the first executive director of the ICC
and played an important role in the success in the early years of our Festa Italiana. The Bartolotta Restaurant Group has been a sponsor and supporter of Festa for many years. Joe and his team believe they can transform the ICC into a major player in the highly competitive banquet and catering business in southeastern Wisconsin and that the restaurant can be a place where those of us of Italian descent and the community-at-large can enjoy great Italian food and beverages in a friendly and accommodating environment. Their ability to succeed and prosper is vitally important to the ICC’s future. As your President, I encourage all of our members and our Italian societies and organiza-
tions to support the Bartolotta group and to patronize the restaurant, where a new menu was just implemented. Show them our Please turn to page 4
A message from Dean Cannestra, Italian Community Center President
Hail to the King and Queen!
Margie (Purpero) and Tim Kezman reigned as La Regina e Il Re (The Queen and The King) of Il Grande Carnevale 2017. The pre-Lenten gala was held Feb. 25 at the Italian Community Center. The Kezmans are longtime members of the ICC. As owners of Calypso Lemonade, the Kezman/Purpero families have been the presenting sponsor of Festa Italiana since 2010. In addition to their sponsorship, Tim, as a volunteer, has been responsible for hiring and coordinating the Festa entertainment since 2013. Look for more pictures from the 38th annual Carnevale inside this issue. Margie is the daughter of Sam and the late Lucille Purpero. Sam is the current treasure of the ICC and a past president. Find more photos from Carnevale on pages 11-14 (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
the nonprofit Italian Community Center.
New policy for Festa food vendors explained
The Italian Community Center Board of Directors and the Festa Italiana Planning Committee recently announced what has been perceived by some as controversial changes to the methodology of selecting food booth vendors to participate at Festa Italiana as it has affected the return of some longstanding participants. The Board and Committee are very grateful to all past participants of Festa Italiana. As you are aware, the role of the board is to do what is in the best interest of the Italian Community Center. It was felt that past participants should be involved with the ICC on a year round basis, not just a few days out of the year. These vendors were given the opportunity to make substantial profits for themselves, but the Center needs ongoing and continued participation, support and a mutual patronage in order to sustain
and survive in difficult times. In addition, the changes are meant to encourage growth and promote participation. We have entered into a Please turn to page 20
Cosa c’è dentro? What’s inside?
Festa’s “$7 for 7 Day’s Online Ticket Deal” is back page 3 Festa hours, VIP Day changes announced
Tribute to Sinatra
It’s all good for It’s All Good, the bocce team
News fromItalian organizations
Italian Film Festival coming to UWM
page 3
page 5 page 6
pages 15-16
The Throne of Vulcan
page 18
page 19
Sezione Italiana pagine 22 e 23
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PAGE 2 – APRIL 2017
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Festa Italiana’s $7 for 7 Days Online Ticket Deal is back in April, May and June
Festa Italiana organizers announced they are bringing back, for the fourth straight year, the successful advance ticket promotion known as “$7 for 7 Days Spring Fever Ticket Deal.” The first time this online only ticket deal will be available will be Monday, Apr. 17 through Sunday, Apr. 23. The promotion will also run May 15-21 and June 19-25. The $7 for 7 Days ticket promotion is available online only at
http://festaitaliana.com. Please click on the Ticket tab to purchase your tickets. “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 Dean Cannestra, Italian Community Center President. Regular $10 advanced online tickets will be available soon. During Festa, July 21-23, ticket prices will be $13. Children, 12 and under,
The 40th annual Festa Italiana will open its three-day run at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 21 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (the Summerfest grounds). In the past several years, the festival had opened at 11:30 a.m. The decision to alter the starting time was based on the average attendance and the economic realities of an earlier opening period. Public admission hours for Festa Italiana 2017 are: • Friday, July 21: 3 p.m. to midnight. • Saturday, July 22: 11:30 a.m. to midnight. • Sunday, July 23: 11:30 a.m. to midnight.
day. The last day that they will be available is Thursday, July 13. VIP tickets can also be ordered by mail. Be sure to include the name of the VIP and one guest, phone number, the type of disability and indicate if you may require any special needs for the disability. With your request, include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope so your tickets can be processed on a timely basis. Proper postage is required. Send the request to: VIP Day c/o Festa Italiana, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 532025916. The cut-off date for mail orders is Friday, July 7. A ticket order form accompanies this article. For group VIP ticket orders, please email Constance Palmer at cpalmer@italianconference.com or you may call her at 414-223-2808. She will make the arrangements for group ticket orders. During the VIP Day hours, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., food vendors will have special offers on two food items. Each will be available for half price, courtesy of Festa Italiana. Each VIP will also be eligible to pick up free fresh fruit at the Catalano Fruit stand in the Miller Lite Area. A Milwaukee area fruit wholesaler, who wishes to remain anonymous, is donating the fruit.
Changes in hours and VIP Day announced for the 40th annual Festa
VIP Day on Saturday As a result of the later starting time on Festa’s opening day, the 35th annual VIP Day for persons with disabilities has been moved from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. Each VIP Day guest and a caregiver will be able to attend Festa for free on Saturday, July 22, starting at 11 a.m., a half-hour before the grounds officially open to the public. Advance VIP Day tickets will soon be available at the Festa office at the Italian Community Center during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Fri-
THE ITALIAN TIMES
631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually
Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . Dean Cannestra Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaise DiPronio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors, Reporters and Columnists . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio, Barbara Collignon and Donato Di Pronio Staff Photographers. . . . . . Joe Spasiano, Tim Townsend 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.
vance tickets can be found at the conclusion of this article. Note: This form is only for regular advance admission tickets. If you are interested in purchasing tickets through the “$7 for 7 Days” promotion, you must visit http://festaitaliana.com.
Vendor Peter Gustin using his woodworking skills to design maps of Sicily to sell at Festa
Longtime Italian Community Center member Peter Gustin is exercising his passion for woodworking to design framed maps of the Italian region of Sicily to sell at his booth at Festa Italiana, July 21-23. Gustin is the owner of PietrAngelo Rustic Furnishings. The first map of Sicily that he crafted was given as a Christmas gift to fellow ICC member Domenic Zizzo, who is seen here holding the framed work. Based on Zizzo’s positive reaction, Gustin decided to design more maps of Sicily. Gustin utilizes recycled urban lumber for his many creative works. If people are interested in pre-ordering these maps, they can contact Gustin at RusticFurnishing@gmail.com or petergustinsr@gmail.com. If there is sufficient interest expressed, he might even design maps of two other Italian regions, Calabria and Abruzzo. (Photo provided by Peter Gustin)
Italian Times seeks 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 July/August 2017 Festa Italiana edition. Persons with solid writing skills and/or a basic understanding of the newspaper reporting principles should contact Hemman at themman@italiancc.org or call 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. “We can also assure writers that they will receive tickets for Festa Italiana, July 21-23, on the Summerfest grounds,” Hemman said.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
are admitted free all three days when accompanied by an adult. Regular advance admission tickets will soon be available at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 532025916. A form to order regular ad-
Harder Funeral Home
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• AN ASSOCIATE OF THE HARDER FUNERAL HOME SINCE 2010. • Personally providing the services you have come to expect at the Harder Funeral Home or your church or cemetery chapel. • Funeral pre-planning and Title 19 expertise. • Longtime member of the Italian Community Center. • Not associated with Schmidt & Bartelt – Guardalabene & Amato APRIL 2017 – PAGE 3
A message from ICC President Dean Cannestra
from page 1 thanks for becoming a part of the ICC. As with any transition, there have been bumps in the road. We have and will continue to address them and work them out. The Bartolotta group has shown its eagerness to work with us. We had a very productive meeting this past Thursday (March 9th) when the ICC Board invited Joe Bartolotta and our Italian societies and organizations to meet to discuss the transition. I think what we found out is that direct communication can resolve the misunderstandings and the concerns. I want repeat what I said at the meeting that I want all of the societies and organizations to know that the ICC fully supports you and your missions. I want our members to know this is still your building. During the meeting, Joe Bartolotta encouraged the presidents and representatives of societies and
Words in an Italian word
organizations to meet with Barbara DeMeulenaere, the Catering Director, to discuss their events and their needs.
Together, we can solidify our future and ensure that the ICC remains a place to celebrate and rejoice in our heritage.
With the renovations and remodeling planned for our building starting this summer, all of us are looking to forward to a sparkling return of the jewel that we call our home in the Historic Third Ward.
presentation of Gallery Night & Day, a quarterly program coordinated by the Historic Third Ward Association and the East Towne Association. Fritchie will show her works in the ICC’s Garibaldi Board Room on Friday, Apr. 21 from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Apr. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission, as always, is free. Wine and cheese will be served during the Friday night showing. “Elise has shown her work at the ICC in the past and we are eagerly looking forward to what new endeavors she has in store for us,” said Liz Ceraso, who coordinates the ICC’s program on behalf of the Avanti Committee. Fritchie, who is a lifetime member of the ICC, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. She has a variety of influences from Bernini to pop culture to tattoos. She has her own unique style and likes to
paint things with personal meaning to her, sometimes relating to her past. “Elise paints a lot of commissions and we will see some of these as well as her works influenced by angels, the military and tattoos,” Ceraso said. “She is also experimenting with some ‘lighter’ subjects.” Ceraso added, “She looks for light and shadow which is realized on her canvas. Religious iconography appears in her work so expect to see that represented as well.” For your own commissioned work, contact Fritchie at Elise.fritchie@gmail.com. Not only is Fritchie an accomplished painter, she is a tattoo artist. Her style continues to develop along with the popular culture in which we exist. The ICC will be one of around 60 venues throughout the downtown and Historic Third Ward areas participating in the spring Gallery Night & Day program.
Works of Elise (Ceraso) Fritchie to be featured artist as ICC participates in Gallery Night & Day, Apr. 21-22
The Italian Community Center welcomes Elise (Ceraso) Fritchie as its featured artist for the spring
by Blaise Di Pronio How many words can you make with the letters in OPERA? Answers on page 24
And now, a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Escalate: To increase, enlarge or intensify. It comes from the Italian scala or staircase or ladder and scalare or to go up the steps or climb and ascend.
“A Taste of Italy” Our next big event is our “A Taste of Italy” fundraiser on Sunday, Apr. 2. We’re expecting everyone to come with a big appetite. Be sure to let your relatives, neigh-
bors, friends, and co-workers know about this event. As you probably know, Ann Romano, chairperson, has been working day in and day out to make “A Taste of Italy” a gigantic success. As I have said before, “A Taste of Italy” is a fun event for everyone. You get to enjoy a lot of great Italian food and live entertainment, see old friends, and celebrate some that everyone no matter how young and how old can enjoy. – Dean Cannestra ICC President
St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon I want to thank Mary Winard, chairperson, and her committee for the tremendous job they did handling the arrangements and presentation of our 25th annual St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon on Mar. 17. As always, it proved to be a great job to celebrate our heritage.
Calendar of Events Elise Ceraso-Fritchie
March 24 – April 26, 2017
Friday, Mar. 24 • Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society social, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Mar. 25 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 29 • Pompeii Women’s Club General meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Apr. 2 • Italian Community Center’s 22nd annual “A Taste of Italy,” 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details in this issue. Wednesday, Apr. 5 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 8 • Italian American Family History Club, 10 a.m.-noon. Details in this issue. • Italian Community Center Children’s Easter party, noon. Details in this issue
Monday, Apr. 10 • Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Apr. 11 • Abruzzese Society meeting and spuntino, 2 p.m. • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Apr. 13 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. • Società Santa Rosalia general meeting, 7 p.m.
Friday, Apr. 14 • Pompeii Men’s Club Good Friday Fish Fry, 4:00-7:30 p.m. Details in this issue.
Wednesday, Apr. 19 • Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Lodge general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Apr. 20 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m. Reservations required by Monday, Apr. 17. Call 414-223-2180.
PAGE 4 – APRIL 2017
• Italian Community Center general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Apr. 21 • Abruzzese Society social, 6 p.m. • Italian Community Center participates in Gallery Night, 6-10 p.m. Details in this issue.
Saturday, Apr. 22 • Italian Community Center participates in Gallery Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Details in this issue. • Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Lodge “A Tribute to Frank Sinatra” concert, 5-9 p.m. Details in this issue. Tuesday, Apr. 25 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 26 • Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The spring season began the week of Mar. 20. It continues through the week of May 15. The championship playoffs will take place on Monday, May 22. • ICC Italian classes. The 10-week spring semester will begin Tuesday, Mar. 14. Look for details in this issue. • ICC free Children’s Italian class. The eight-week spring semester will begin Saturday, Mar. 18. Look for details in this issue.
• I Bei Bambini, The Children’s Italian Dance Group. This children’s folk dance group practices weekly on most Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the ICC. New dancers are welcome. For details, visit: www.tradizionevivente.com. Breaks are taken during the holidays.
• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk dance group practices weekly on most Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit: www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Breaks are taken during the holidays. Ballate con noi! Dance with us! • Hula hoop dance class. Every Tuesday night, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. in the bocce court room. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $5 per member, $10 per non-member. No classes during the holidays.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Top 10 Italian Easter traditions
1. Palm Sunday – On the Sunday before Easter, palm leaves and olive branches are placed outside houses and on Easter cakes, while the Pope addresses the crowds in St Peter’s Square in Rome. 2. Scoppio del carro – In Florence, on the morning of Easter
Sunday, an antique cart is packed with fireworks and set on fire. The tradition dates back over 350 years and a successful explosion is believed to guarantee a good year ahead. 3. Ruzzola – On the day after Easter, known as Pasquetta (liter-
ally: little Easter), the small Umbrian town of Panicale has a cheese-rolling competition. Competitors must roll huge wheels of Ruzzola cheese around the village as part of a game known as “Ruzzolone”. 4. Colomba di Pasqua – “Easter
Joe Bartolotta addresses membership on partnership with ICC
Joe Bartolotta (at podium), the owner of The Bartolotta Restaurant Group, spoke to the Italian Community Center membership on Thursday, Mar. 16 about the partnership that his company has engaged in with the ICC. He expressed his passion and support for the ICC and his pride and confidence in his highly recognized restaurant and catering operations. He said that his intent upon entering into this partnership was to help the ICC succeed. It has been an organization that has been part of his life since his childhood, he said, when his father, the late T.J. (Tudy) had an active role. Bartolotta also fielded questions from the membership about the new venture. A week earlier, Bartolotta addressed the ICC Board. ICC President Dean Cannestra talks about the importance of the partnership in his message, which begins on page 1. Seen also in this photo (from the left): Sergeant-At-Arms Joanne Czubek, Vice President Joe
Emanuele, President Dean Cannestra (behind Emanuele), Director Karen Dickinson and Secretary Susie Christiansen. The partnership with The Bartolotta Restaurant Group officially started this past Nov. 1. Bartolotta recently implemented a new menu at Cafe La Scala, the restaurant at the ICC. Bartolotta has a catering office on the west end of the building. A building remodeling project, funded by both Bartolotta and the ICC, is expected to begin in June. It will include the Pompeii Grand Ballroom, the Festa Ballroom, the corridors and the restroom facilities. Bartolotta has already made renovations to the kitchen. Remodeling of the restaurant is anticipated to take place in 2018, Bartolotta said. These would be the first major renovations of the builidng since winter of 2005-2006 when the Festa Ballroom was remodeled. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Dove” in English, this is a traditional Easter cake often made with candied peel and almonds. 5. Easter eggs – If you’re one of those people who only celebrate Easter for the chocolate, don’t worry. Chocolate eggs are also part of Italian Easter tradition and they often come with a surprise in the middle. Just don’t expect an Easter bunny to come and deliver them to you. 6. Good Friday parade, Enna, Sicily – Several processions take place in towns across Italy on the Friday and Saturday before Easter. One of the largest is the Good Friday procession through the streets of Enna, central Sicily, which includes some 2,000 friars. During the procession, Italian Christians carry the statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, to commemorate the crucifixion. 7. Misteri di Trapani – Lasting a whopping 24 hours, this is the longest Easter parade in Italy. It takes place on Good Friday in the town of Trapani. 8. La Madonna che scappa in piazza – In the town of Sulmona after the Easter Sunday service, priests carry the statue of Mary and run it to the statue of Christ at the other end of the square. 9. Good Friday parade, Chieti – A procession with torches and masks is held throughout the town on the Friday before Easter. Only men and children are allowed to participate. 10. Pallia dell’uovo, Tredozio – If you ever compete in the Pallia dell’Uovo in the town of Tredozio in the northern Emilia-Romagna region you may well never want to see an egg ever again. On the Monday after Easter, the town hosts a series of games, all of them featuring eggs. One example is the competition to see who can eat the most eggs in the shortest time. – Courtesy of thelocal.it
OSIA to present ‘Tribute to Sinatra’ at ICC on Saturday, Apr. 22
If you are a Frank Sinatra fan, you will want to be at the Italian Community Center on Saturday, Apr. 22. That’s when the Filippo Mazzei Lodge #2763 of the Order Sons of Italy in America will present its annual “A Tribute to Frank Sinatra,” benefit concert from 5 to 9 p.m. The show will star Chicagoland crooner Jim Bulanda with recording artist Jayne Taylor as the opening act. Proceeds from the show benefit the local OSIA organization’s scholarship program. The event, which has drawn rave reviews the past few years, will take place in the Festa Ballroom. Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are available for $10 per person and can be bought at the ICC reception office during regular business hours or by contacting Ralph Busalacchi at 414483-1562. A table of 10 can be reserved for $100. Doors to the Festa Ballroom will open at 4:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available all night. The Bartolotta Catering staff will be on hand to take orders beginning at 5 p.m. Attendees can be ordered food from either the new Cafe La Scala menu or they can purchase the Italian dinner buffet that will be available in the room. About Jim Bulanda Bulanda can easily step into the
Jim Bulanda
shoes of any major Las Vegas-style 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 also does strong impressions of the songs of Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Michael Bublé and many others. 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 Windy City’s night-
THE ITALIAN TIMES
life scene. 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. Go to Bulanda’s website: www.tributetofrank.com for more information.
Jayne Taylor Jayne Taylor, a multi-award winning singer/songwriter/recording artist began captivating audiences since a young age. Her ability to sing different styles of music, as well as foreign languages, makes her a voice for the ages. She will be singing a selection of popular songs, including some Italian favorites for her performance on April 22. She who has sung in numerous major theaters throughout Wisconsin, including the Oshkosh Opera House, Stephanie H. Weil Center, and the Door County Auditorium, and has hosted and produced her Please turn to page 15
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It’s all good for It’s All Good
Monday night team wins ICC’s winter bocce championship
It’s All Good was on a roll Tuesday, Mar. 14. The first-place team from the Italian Community Center’s Monday night league sped past three opponents to capture the winter bocce championship. After more than three hours of play, It’s All Good defeated Felice Amici by a 12-9 score to win the title. Felice Amici came into the eight-team playoff tournament as Tuesday afternoon’s second place team. To reach the finale, It’s Good All eliminated the Pallino Magnets (12-6), and Tom’s T-Ballers, 12-3. The Pallino Magnets were the first place team from the Tuesday afternoon league. Tom’s T-Ballers captured first place on Thursday night. Felice Amici got to the finals by topping Como Si Chiama, the first place team from Thursday afternoon (12-7) and Amici’s, Monday
night’s second place team, in a tight one (12-11). The players are It’s All Good are Jim Grzybowski, Filippo Canizzo, Carmelo De Angelis and Sam Abraham. The roster for Felice Amici includes Gaetano Canzoneri, Armondo Ferrari, Alfonso Marchicco and Gerimmo DiPietrantonio. Amici’s made the quarterfinal round by soundly defeating Club Garibaldi, Wednesday night’s first place team, by a 12-2 score. Tom’s T-Ballers win its opener, 12-8, over the Garibaldi Society, Wednesday night’s second place team.
The spring bocce season got underway the week of Mar. 20. The championship playoff tournament is set for Monday, May 22.
– Information submitted by Troy Halverson Interim Bocce Coordinator
Here are the players on the winter boccec championship team, It’s All Good. From the left: Jim Grzybowski, Filippo Canizzo, Carmelo De Angelis and Sam Abraham. The
The tournament had been scheduled Mar. 13 but wss postponed to the next day to the record snowfall the area experieced. (Photo provided by Troy Halverson)
Students: Deadline for applying for Milwaukee UNICO scholarships is Mar. 31
Continuing a program started 81 years ago, the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and the Ladies of UNICO, Inc. will award several scholarships this spring to high school seniors of Italian descent. The exact number of scholarships to be presented had not been determined as of press time. To be eligible, applicants must attend a public or private school in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha or Walworth counties. The spirit of this scholarship is
to help Italian American seniors with financial needs. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of non-Italian descent dignitaries from the Milwaukee area. Financial need, scholarship, community/school involvement and personal character are the criteria by which the applicants will be judged.
Obtaining a scholarship application Applications will be available on the Milwaukee UNICO website, www.unicomilwaukee.com. Click
Application deadline Candidates must submit their applications by Friday, March. 31 to: Scholarship Director of UNICO Milwaukee, 10625 W. North Ave. Suite 300, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Applicants may be contacted to attend a personal interview at the Italian Community Center during school hours on Friday, Apr. 14. The scholarships will be presented at a banquet on the evening of Tuesday, May 16. The recipient
Students in the United States who are of Italian ancestry and are interested in pursuing either an undergraduate or post-graduate education may apply for UNICO National scholarships. UNICO National offers four $6,000 undergraduate scholarships, several post-graduate scholarships and three scholarships for Ph.D. candidates. Presentations are made to recipients at events hosted by local UNICO chapters across the nation in the spring. They are also recognized in the UNICO National Convention Journal, published for the 95th national convention which will take place July 26-30, in Scottsdale, Ariz. The criteria that UNICO National uses in selecting its recipients are quite similar to those used by the Milwaukee Chapter in choosing local awardees. The four undergraduate scholarships are designated as the Theodore Mazza Scholarship, the Major Don S. Gentile Scholarship, the William C. Davini Scholarship and the Alphonse A. Miele Scholarship. These awards do not require the applicant to specify a collegiate major. The Mazza scholarship was established to commemorate the contributions of the late Theodore Mazza of Milwaukee to both the national organization and the Milwaukee Chapter. Additionally, there are several awards for matriculated college students, post-graduate and doc-
toral candidates: • Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Graduate Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant up to a maximum of $6,000, paid out at $1,500 per year, for a graduate scholarship. The awardee must be initiating graduate study, fulltime, at an accredited college/university program in the United States. A candidate must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage. • Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will grant a $5,000 scholarship, paid on award, to a student pursuing graduate education at an accredited medical school in the United States. A candidate must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage. • Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarships. The UNICO Foundation, Inc. will provide grants valued at $2,500 each, paid on award, to students attending accredited prelicensure or graduate nursing programs in the United States. Preference is given to applicants demonstrating financial need. A candidate must be a United States citizen. This program is open to nursing students of all ethnicities. • DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $1,250 each, for study in Italy. Candidates must be currently enrolled, full-time, in an accredited college or university in
the United States, pursuing a degree. The study abroad program must be eligible for credit by the student’s college/university. An applicant must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage. • Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation will provide two literary scholarships, valued at $1,000 each. Application for this program will be open to matriculated college students. Terms of submission require the candidate to present, in writing, an original short story or essay celebrating their Italian heritage. • Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation will grant a scholarship valued at $1,250 paid on award to a sophomore, junior or senior student enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States majoring in engineering. An applicant must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage. • Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies. The UNICO Foundation will provide a scholarship, valued at $1,000, to a student enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing Italian Studies. A candidate must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities. • Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science. The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500
on the documents link found on the sidebar.
or his/her representative must be present to accept the scholarship award. The Milwaukee UNICO scholarship program has awarded over $1 million dollars in scholarships over the past 85 years. The Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National is celebrating 86 years in existence in 2017. The organization awarded its first scholarship in 1936. The Ladies of UNICO celebrated their 50th anniversary as an independent civic and service organization in 2013.
UNICO National offering scholarships for undergraduate and post-graduate students of Italian ancestry but deadline to apply is April 1
PAGE 6 – APRIL 2017
each, to students enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing study of the Physical Sciences or Life Sciences. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities. • Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students enrolled full-time, in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing a degree. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities. • Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship. The UNICO Foundation will grant two scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, to students enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program in the United States pursuing a degree in the Fine Arts. A nominee must hold United States citizenship. This program is open to applicants of all ethnicities. A nominee must reside in the home state of an active UNICO Chapter. Online degree programs are not eligible for UNICO scholarships. Application forms for all UNICO National scholarships are available by contacting Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National President, Rose Anne Fritchie at roseannefritchie@aol.com. The deadline for submitting applications, except as noted in each scholarship, is Saturday, Apr. 1.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
THE ITALIAN TIMES
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 7
Eat to your heart’s content at the ICC’s ‘A Taste of Italy’ on Sunday, Apr. 2
from page 1 have been keeping alive the traditions 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 (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 the fourth year, vocalist Jayne Taylor, will grace the Taste of Italy audience with a selection of popular international songs, including some Italian favorites. Jayne, who has won numerous awards, has hosted and produced her own tv/cable show, “The Jayne Taylor Show,” which she plans on expanding to a wider audience. Her latest CD, “Souvenirs,” which has been played internationally, will be available at “A Taste of Italy.” This summer, she will be recording her third CD. All of the entertainers donated their time and talent for this event.
Here is Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group in performing one of their folk dances at the 2016 edition of “A Taste of Italy.” The group has been a regu-
Zambito said. Checks are payable to the Italian 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
lar participant in the event. Their performances at the 2017 Taste of Italy will take place in the Festa Ballroom. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
need not be present, but it’s a lot more fun when they are in attendance,” the Dickinsons said. Grazie! Grazie! Grazie! “This event would not be possi-
ble without the outstanding support of the societies and organizations, the food purveyors, the volunteers of the ICC and the coopContinued on page 9
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 Ann Zambito and Karen and Bill Dickisnon. “Simply put postage on the envelope to return the stubs and payments from the ticket sales,”
The weather was perfect for last year’s Taste of Italy and many of the attendees headed to the Courtyard to enjoy their food and beverages. On hand to entertain
them are the Sicilian Serenaders – Ted Pappalardo on mandolin, Tom Pappalardo on accordion and Peter Balistrieri on guitar. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Ann Romano recalls how ‘A Taste of Italy’ came into existence
Here is vocalist Jayne Taylor in a picture taken at “A Taste of Italy” 2016. She will be singing in the Festa Ballroom again this year. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
PAGE 8 – APRIL 2017
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 loal
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 Italian food-tasting event as a fundraiser 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.”
Taste of Italy Chairperson Ann Romano is seen here with Tony Zingale, who is in charge of volunteer food tickets. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
THE ITALIAN TIMES
What’s on the Taste of Italy menu?
from page 8 eration of the Italian Conference Center and Bartolotta Catering staffs,” 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 is pleased to report that a new vendor, Vince Carini, is donating Italian sausage to the ICC for the event. Carini supplies sausage to many local pizzerias. Italian sausage is always one of the top selling items on the Taste menu. She added that past 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 olive salad and providing the staff for the booth where this menu item will be sold. Suminski Family Funeral Homes provided a $500 donation for raffle ticket printing. Catalano Produce (John Catalano) and Louis Maniscalco are 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 22nd 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 Ladies of UNICO. • Italian sub sandwiches and panini sandwiches, 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 Società Santa Rosalia. • 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). Booth will be staffed by the Pompeii Men’s Club. Sausage courtesy of Vince Carini. • Lentil soup, chicken pastina soup and Italian wedding soup – served by members of La Società di San Giuseppe. • Olive salad – courtesy of 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 Christina Ziino and her volunteers. • Meatballs in red sauce –
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 a donation, please call 414-223-2808. The following donations were received between Feb. 9 and Mar. 9, 2017.
In memory of Kim Marie Fasciano Mary Ann Maglio Anthony T. Machi George and Agatha Collura Anna Pitzo
In memory of Peter Frank Sorce Peter T. and Kathy M. Sorce Christina Sorce
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 Jim Lo Duca and Lo Duca Bros. Wine. Members of the Milazzese Social Club will be volunteer servers. • Beer – Served by ICC volunteers. • Soda – Provided by Sysco Served by ICC volunteers. • Coffee – 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.
ICC’s 22nd annual “A Taste of Italy” Sunday, Apr. 2
ICC Children’s Easter Party Saturday. Apr. 8 Pompeii Men’s Club’s Good Friday Fish Fry Friday, Apr. 14 ICC participates in Gallery Night & Day Friday, Apr. 21 and Saturday, Apr. 22
OSIA/Filippo Mazzei Lodge and ICC host
• Italian cookies – Served by members of the St. Theresa Society. Made by Sciortino’s Bakery. • Pizzelle (Italian wafer cookies) – Made by Annette Huettl and her volunteers. • Spumoni –Served by ICC volunteers. • Bottled water – Served by members and volunteers on behalf of the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America. Water courtesy of Sendik’s Market. 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.
Taste of Italy Committee Joining Romano on the Taste of Italy Committee are: Tony Zingale (volunteer meal ticket chair), Ann Zambito, Karen and Bill Dickinson (raffle ticket chairs), Laurie Bisesi (ICC Business Manager), John Sanfilippo (beer and soda bars), and Tom Hemman (publicity).
“A Tribute to Frank Sinatra” Saturday, Apr. 22
Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National and Ladies of UNICO Scholarship & Awards Banquet Tuesday, May 16 Pompeii Women’s Club May Crowning Wednesday, May 31 40th annual Festa Italiana Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23
ICC’s 4th annual Casino Night Friday, Sept. 8
In memory of Frank Aiello Sal Mussomeli and Family
In memory of Gary Anderson Joseph R. Maro In memory of Joann (Dolly) Glorioso Joseph R. Maro
In memory of Carmen Schlotthauer Allen and Josephine Crosariol Salzstein George and Agatha Collura
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THE ITALIAN TIMES
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 9
If you plan to bring your kids to the ICC’s Children’s Easter Party, get your reservations in by Mar. 29
by Rose Anne Fritchie Just like the Easter bunny, everyone who is planning to attend the Children’s Easter Party better get a-hopping. That is, a-hopping to get your reservations in by Wednesday, Mar. 29. The Avanti Committee is happy and excited to host this year’s party, Festa di Pasqua, or Easter Carnival, which will take place Saturday, Apr. 8 at noon, but advance reservations are required. The costs are $15 per child (ages 11 and under) and $20 per adult. To ensure that sufficient food, candy and gift prizes are ordered only those with pre-paid reservations will be able to attend. Attendance is limited to ICC members, their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Please use the form accompanying this article to make your reservations. We can assure all who attend that it will be an entertaining, “crazy good” time. The atmosphere will be that of a carnival or county fair and will be tons of fun for everyone. As the children arrive, they will be given tokens to be used for the carnival games and the Ice Cream & Popcorn Shoppe. At noon, all guests are invited to enjoy a delicious, buffet-style lunch consisting of mini hamburgers, mini corndogs, penne pasta, platters of healthy munchies like carrots, pickles, celery and fresh fruit. There will be chocolate or white milk for the youngsters and coffee for adults. And for dessert, we hope the carnival-goers stop at the Ice Cream & Popcorn Shoppe for an ice cream sundae and a sweet treat. After lunch, the games begin! The room will be filled with the sights and sounds of a festival, with carnival games such as the Ring Toss, Bowling Balls Push, Lollipop Pulls, Topple the Cans, Bean Bag Toss, and so much more. The children will also have an additional chance to win special prizes by participating in the guessing jars contest. Street artists will be painting faces, and balloon hats will be created for anyone interested in wearing a special Easter hat. During the festivities, we anticipate a visit from the Easter Bunny who will greet all of the children and lead them in a parade through the carnival. The children are welcome to wear their new hats and fill the room with the joyous noise of their musical instruments. The parade will end at the stage where the Easter Bunny will have treats for all youngsters to take home.
May 2017 issue deadline
All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the May 2017 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than the morning of Monday, Apr. 10.
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 414223-2189.
PAGE 10 – APRIL 2017
ICC Childrenʼs Easter Party & Lunch Reservation Form
Names of boys attending
Saturday, April 8 • Noon to 2:00 p.m. age
Names of girls attending
age
Name(s) of adult ICC members attending: _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Number of children attending: Number of adults attending: Total amount enclosed: $
x $15.00 per member
=$
_ x $20.00 per person = $
Make your check payable to: Italian Community Center. Mail this form with your payment to: ICC, Attn.: Easter Party, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Deadline: Mar. 29, 2017.
The Carnevale Committee and the Italian Community Center thank you for your support and contributions to Il Grande Carnevale 2017 in making this a wonderful event.
John Alioto & Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto Alioto’s Restaurant Tom & Barbara Balistreri Bartolotta Catering at the Italian Community Center Bartolotta Fireworks The Milwaukee Bucks Liz Ceraso Joanne Czubek Frank D’Amato Rosemary DeRubertis Susan De Sanctis Christiansen Karen & Bill Dickinson Divino Wine & Dine Fazio’s Sweet Moments, Sweet Life Grand Geneva Resort & Spa The Geneva Inn I Bei Bambini Marie & Craig Lieber Lo Duca Bros. Wine Tony Machi Marcus Theatres Corp. Sandy Mazza Metro Market of Shorewood
Nails by Debra Nessun Dorma Isodore &Mary Pecoraro Pick ‘n Save Pietro’s Pizza Anna Pitzo Betty Puccio Sam Purpero Sal & Maria Purpora – Papa Luigi’s Franca & Lorenzo Reina Saz’s State House Peter Sciortino Bakery Fran Tollefson Tradizione Vivente: The Italian Dance Group VIP Nail Salon Mary Winard Suzanne Wypijewski WFA Staffing (Fred D’Amato & Todd Strelow) Joe & Ann Zambito Joe & Christina Ziino Kathy Zulli
Please accept our apologies if your contribution was received after the printing of this program book.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Carnevale celebrated in grand style
Times photos by Tom Hemman
The Italian Community Center held its 38th annual “Il Grande Carnevale” on Feb. 25. Many people cmae in costumes, masks and hats. The Berry family won the honor of best costume. Seen here are Jim and Sophia Berry and their children Josephine, James and Isabella. The family won a wine and chocolate gift basket with a gift certificate for Fazio’s Sweet Moments Sweet Life in Elm Grove and Papa Luigi’s Pizza in Cudahy.
The prize for best mask was given to Jo Schumann. Her winnings included a gourmet tea and cocoa gift basket with various goodies and a gift certificate for two to Saz’s Sunday brunch at its State Street restaurant.
Bea Ceraso was awarded the prize for best hat. Her prize included a gift basket with gourmet ice cream toppings and various goodies and a gift certificate for any Culver’s Frozen Custard Restaurant.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
After its performance, Tradizione Vivente invited the Royal Court and Carnevale revelers to join them in doing an easy-to-learn tarantella titled “Tarantella Tipica.”
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 11
The 2017 Royal Court
The Royal Court is seen here with some of the special Carnevale participants. On the left side of the photo are (front, l-r): Il Nonno Peter Carini, La Nonna Jan Carini and La Principessa Krystyna Hintz. Below them are (l-r): Father Tim Kitzke and Il Gran Maresciallo Giuseppe Vella. In the
Here are Peter and Jan Carini, Il Nonno e La Nonna (The Grandfather and The Grandmother) of Il Grande Carnevale 2017. The couple, who operate Carini’s La Conca d’Oro restaurant on Milwaukee’s east side, have been involved in Festa Italiana since its inception, first with the Verdi Sport Club and more recently with their restaurant. Peter, a native of Porticello, Sicily, is a member of Società Maschile Maria S.S. Del Lume, the patron saint of Porticello.
Queen Margie and King Tim Kezman are seen here upon their coronation.
PAGE 12 – APRIL 2017
center of the photo: La Regina Margie (Purpero) Kezman, Sister Purgatory (aka Marie Lieber) and Il Re Tim Kezman. On the right side: La Piccola Principessa Lacey Schober, Il Piccolo Principe Giuseppe “Joey” Vella and Il Principe Adam Hamdan.
Lacey Marie Schober and Giuseppe “Joey” Vella were given the honor of La Piccola Principessa e Il Piccolo Principe (The Little Princess and The Little Prince). Both come from families – Romano and Vella – who have a long history of involvement in the ICC and Festa.
The honor of La Principessa e Il Principe (The Princess and The Prince) went to Krystyna Hintz and Adam Hamdan. Krystyna is a longtime member of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. Adam has been actively involved in the ICC and Festa for many years with his family and relatives who include members of the Hamdan, Conley, Cannestra and Puccio families. He was Il Piccolo Principe in 2008.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
A performance of Tradizione Vivente: The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee followed the coronation of the 2017 Royalty. The group, led by
Members of I Bei Bambini, the Children’s Italian Dance Group, got the celebration of the 38th annual Carnevale off to a rousing start with two traditional
dance director Mark DeSanctis, performed a dance named “San Vito,” a lively traditional Sicilian dance.
Italian folk dances. The children rehearse, under the tutelage of Susie Christiansen and Ashley DeSanctis, every Monday night at the Italian Community Center.
Reading Dante’s Inferno? No, our photographer caught Sal Purpora and Tony Lupo glancing over something much less epic and certainly lighter, the 2017 Carnevale program book. Both had plenty to look for as the Sal and his family slong with their Papa Luigi’s restaurant placed two ads in the book and Tony and his wife, Barbara bought four ads. Sal and his wife, Maria, completed their reign as Il Re e La Regina of Carnevale 2016. Tony and Barbara were Il Nonno e La Nonna of Carnevale 2015.
Times photos by Tom Hemman
Led by the Italian and American flag bearers Luigi Vella and Salvatore Vella, the parade of Carnevale Royalty and everyone in costume, mask or hat began. During the parade, the final judging was done for the costume, mask and hat prize winners. After marching around the dance floor several times, the parade participants and all those attending were invited to the loggia to witness the Bartolotta’s Fireworks show. The pyrotechnics display was presented from the parking lot to the north of the ICC. Luigi Vella is the father of the 2017 Piccolo Principe Giuseppe “Joey” Vella. Salvatore Vella held the same title in 2012.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 13
Scenes from Il Grande Carnevale 2017
With everything that goes on at Il Grande Carnevale, it takes real pros to get everything coordinated and happening in a timely fashion. The ICC, no doubt, has two of the best in Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek (left) and Rosemary DeRubertis, who served as general chairpersons again this year. This picture was taken at one of the few relaxing moments of the evening for them. It was just after the pyrotechnics show was blasted off outside by the Bartolotta Fireworks Company and before the opening of the sweet table. The table featured the festive arrangements crafted by Czubek.
“Sister Purgatory,” played by the ICC’s own Marie Lieber, added some levity to the pomp and circumstance of the program leading up to the
PAGE 14 – APRIL 2017
Suzanne Wypijewski (left) and Karen Dickinson, members of the Carnevale Raffle Committee, were staffing the table where raffle tickets were sold during the reception period. Ticket buyers were able to decide from among numerous gift baskets and prizes just exactly what they would like to have a chance to win. All they had to do was place a ticket (or several tickets) in a jar next to the prize. Ticket winners were drawn later in the evening. Winners were able to pick up their prizes before the end of the event. Times photos by Tom Hemman
coronation of the Royalty. Her remarks even drew a blush from Father Tim Kitzke, the ICC Chaplain.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
OSIA’S Mazzei Lodge to swear in Nicholas DeQuardo as President
by Dino Black Filippo Mazzei Lodge/OSIA Nicholas DeQuardo will be sworn in as the president of the Filippo Mazzei Lodge No. 2763 of the
Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) at the organization’s general membership meeting on Wednesday, Apr. 19. Sebastian Busalacchi will take the oath of vice
president. There will be free food and refreshments for all in attendance. DeQuardo, who will serve as president for two years, will succeed Joseph Emanuele, who had held the office the last four years. DeQuardo, who was born and raised in Sussex, currently lives in Brookfield with his wife Jill. He is a graduate of UW-Whitewater and works for Baldor Dodge as a sales engineer in the Milwaukee and Madison area. He is also the grandson of Sam DeQuardo, who formerly operated DeQuardo’s Pizza on the Milwaukee’s east side and in Menomonee Falls. DeQuardo said he is very excited to become the next president of OSIA here in Milwaukee. He has been an active board member for the last four years. He said he looks forward to continuing and broadening the traditions established by the Milwaukee OSIA lodge. Some of his plans include more community outreach and broadening the current membership base to other areas of southeastern Wis-
consin as well as working to get more corporate sponsorship involved in the annual scholarship award. DeQuardo said he is honored to take over this prestigious position and become more involved at the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana as well. He said he is grateful for the solid foundation that has been established for him to succeed by his predecessor, Joseph Emanuele. If anyone has questions for DeQuardo or about Order Sons of Italy in America please email him at ndequardo51@gmail.com. OSIA is the largest and longest established national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States. There are over 600,000 members nationwide with a focus on preserving the large cultural heritage of Italy in the states. OSIA Filippo Mazzei Lodge No. 2763 meets every third Wednesday of the month at the ICC. Council meetings begin at 6 p.m. in the Members Room. General meetings start at 6:30 p.m.
The Pompeii Men’s Club will hold its annual Good Friday Fish Fry Buffet at the Italian Community Center on Apr. 14. Your attendance is key to the success of the event. The buffet serves as the organization’s biggest fundraiser, and net proceeds benefit its extensive charitable giving in the community. This is an all-you-can-eat buffet and will be served from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The cost will be $16 for adults, $8 for children ages 4 to 10 and free for youngsters age 3 and under. Available on the buffet will be breaded and baked cod, potato pancakes, baked potatoes, French fries, popcorn shrimp, mostaccioli with red sauce, coleslaw, tossed salad, Italian bread, watermelon wedges, coffee, tea or milk and dessert. A full range of condiments will be available to accompany the meal. Free parking will be available in the lot south of the building. As usual, the event will feature a money raffle. The cash prizes are: 1st - $300, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $150, 4th - $100, 5th - $75, 6th and 7th $50 each and 8th – 10th - $25 each. Raffle tickets will be $2 each or seven for $10 and can be purchased by contacting club president Tony Baudo at 414-324-6347, chairman John A. Sanfilippo at 414-282-2667 or Tony Zingale at 414-444-4689. Tickets will also be sold at the Good Friday event.
There will also be opportunity gift baskets to bid on and a 50/50 cash raffle. The Pompeii Men’s Club Fish Fry is one of Milwaukee’s best attended on Good Friday. The Pompeii Men’s Club charitable outreach has benefited the Italian Community Center along with several other local organizations, among them the Sojourner Truth House, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the Ronald McDonald House, and Special Olympics of Southeastern Wisconsin. The club also has strong ties to Three Holy Women Parish. It was founded by members of the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii Church, the predecessor to St. Rita of Cascia Church on Cass Street.
The Pompeii Women’s Club proudly announces its annual May Crowning ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, May 31 at the Italian Community Center. President Pat Consolazione is taking reservations for this event, which is open to members and non-members. The dinner menu, the cost and other details will be announced in the next issue of
The Italian Times. Any questions or concerns may be directed to Pat at 262-786-3984.
Help make the Pompeii Men’s Good Friday Fish Fry a successful fundraiser
Here is Nick DeQuardo, who will become the next president of the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America, with his bride, Jill.
OSIA to present ‘Tribute to Sinatra’ on Apr. 22
from page 5 own tv/cable show, “The Jayne Taylor Show”, which she plans to expand to a wider audience in the near future. She has also appeared on TV program including “Fox 6 WakeUp” and “Today’s TMJ4 Morning News.” Over the years, she has performed at Summerfest, Festa Italiana and various other outdoor
venues. Jayne had the honor of singing the National Anthem to a crowd of 35,000, at Miller Park Stadium. Since her latest CD, “Souvenirs” has gained favorable attention both nationally and internationally, Jayne will be recording her third CD this summer. For more information visit her website, www.jaynetaylormusic.com.
And now, a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Solo: A performance by a single singer or instrumentalist. Unaccompanied: alone. It comes from the Italian solo or alone which, in turn, is likely derived from the Italian word for the sun or sole, which hints at the fact that there is only one sun. Or, in other words, the sun is all alone in the sky.
Reserve May 31 to attend Pompeii Women’s May Crowning event
Jayne Taylor
THE ITALIAN TIMES
The club looks forward to welcoming guests to this annual event. Please mark your calendars for May 31 to reserve the day. – Mary Winard Public Relations Chair
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 15
Start researching your Italian family history
by George Koleas Why do people want to learn about their Italian family history? There are many reasons and motivations. These include: learning more about a favorite family member who has passed away; finding missing family; finding out where your ancestors came from so you can visit your town in Italy; to learn if you are related to anyone famous; to learn if a family story is true; and learning about your family medical history. The most important reason is that your Italian family history is your history. It is what brought your family here from Italy and what makes you who you are today. Shows such as; Who Do You Think You Are? or Long Lost Family, both on the Learning Channel, (TLC), or Finding Your Roots or Genealogy Roadshow, both on the Public Broadcasting Service, (PBS),
tell the stories of celebrities and everyday people looking for information about their families. These people get lots of help from the staff who work on these shows, but most of what they do can be done by anyone. I lead the Italian Family History Club at the Italian Community Center. We have been meeting since 1998. Our purpose is to promote the research of Italian family history and to help people who are doing their own research. We are also known as Pursuing Our Italian Names Together, Chapter 22. Additionally, we serve as the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society’s Italian Area Interest Group. We are people who are researching our own Italian family history. We have members who are researching families from all over Italy. A significant amount of our members are from Sicily and many from the
towns and villages around Palermo, the region of many Milwaukee Italians. Through research, many of our members have discovered that they are related. You may have seen us in the Culture tent at Festa Italiana, helping people learn about how to research their Italian family history. If you saw us, you may have asked us a question or had us look up a name in the private or public databases we use or promised to get back to us with information that would link you to information we found for you. Whatever the reason, we invite you to come to our meetings. Our meetings begin by welcoming new visitors. We will ask what you are hoping to learn, what family you want to learn about and how we can help you. Our members will tell about new progress they have made since our
Wisconsin State Representative Peter Barca and St. Joseph Catholic Academy will be honored at WisItalia’s annual Recognition Dinner on Sunday, Apr. 2 at the Italian American Club, 2217 – 52nd Street, Kenosha. Barca will receive WisItalia’s 2017 President’s Award. He is a long-serving Democratic state representative for the Racine and Kenosha areas and is the Minority Leader in the Wisconsin State Legislation. Barca was WisItalia’s first president and served in this capacity for eight years. The award that will be presented to him is given to an indi-
vidual who has significantly contributed to the teaching of Italian language and culture in the K-12 schools in Wisconsin. St. Joseph Catholic Academy (SJCA) in Kenosha will be recognized as the 2017 “Wisconsin Italian Language Program of the Year.” SJCA’s Italian curriculum is taught beginning in the seventh grade through the senior year of high school. Advanced Placement Italian is in the school’s planning in the next two years, according to Al Rolandi, WisItalia President. SJCA Italian language students will perform at the event, which will run from 1 to 3 p.m.
The event will include a pasta and meatballs dinner. Costs have been set at $15 for students and $20 for adults. Advance pre-paid reservations are required. Payments can be sent to Karen Rolandi, 13155 Oakhurst Ave, Elm Grove, WI 53122.
WisItalia to honor State Rep. Peter Barca and St. Joseph Catholic Academy
last meeting or describe what brick walls have stopped their progress. Brick walls are obstacles that stand between someone and the information they need. Common brick walls are missing documents, different spellings, changed names, conflicting information and other issues. We then discuss new developments in family research including using DNA, new sources, new books, new software, new databases and services. We meet four times a year. Some members come to every meeting. Some come as often as their schedule permits. Members participate as much or as little as they choose. We have no dues or fees of any kind. Whether you are experienced or new to Italian family research, you will be welcome at any of our meetings. Our next meeting will be on Saturday, Apr. 8 at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at noon. Please feel free to bring guests. Many members also are researching families from other nationalities. If you cannot come to our Apr. 8 meeting, please mark your calendar for one of our other meetings in 2017 on Aug. 26 and Nov. 4 at the ICC, starting at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at noon. 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.
Word Search: Classic Italian Arts & Literature by Blaise Di Pronio
WisItalia presents grant to Milwaukee school
Al Rolandi, president of WisItalia, presented a $250 grant to Elizabeth Garcia (center), who teaches Italian at Wedgewood Park International School, a Milwaukee Public School at 6506 W. Warnimont Ave. On hand for the presentation also was Assistant Principal Kerry Goggins. Wedgewood Park International School is the first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program in the state of Wisconsin. To be authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization, Wedgewood Park staff is required to be intensively trained in IB curriculum writing, assessment and methodology. A complex application process following a successful two-day authorization visit by International Baccalaureate representatives resulted in Wedgewood Park receiving this honor along with high future expectations. Garcia thanked WisItalia for recognizing her students and the school. She said in Italian, “Apprezzo molto questa opportunita. I miei studenti anche sono contenti per questa borsa di studio. Grazie tante a Al Rolandi per visitarci oggi.” (Photo provided by Al Rolandi)
PAGE 16 – APRIL 2017
Word Search solved – See page 17
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Spotlight on Cultural Arts
Delightful comedy “Like Crazy” part of 2017 Italian Film Festival at UWM Union Cinema, Apr. 28-30
When the film “Like Crazy” (“La Pazza Gioia”) was released last year it was immediately praised as an Italian version of the hit American comedy “Thelma and Louise.” But the film is much more than that, as viewers attending the Italian Film Festival of Milwaukee will discover. Sponsored by the Italian Community Center, “Like Crazy” will be one of eight award-winning and highly praised films from Italy that will be shown for the first time in Milwaukee at the festival. It will be held the weekend of Apr. 28-30 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Union Cinema, Kenwood Boulevard and Maryland Avenue. As always, admission is free. All the films are in Italian with English subtitles. “Like Crazy” was directed by Paolo Virzì (“Human Capital”) and stars Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Micaela Ramazzotti. They portray a self-proclaimed countess and a mysterious tattooed woman who develop an unpredictable friendship on a hilarious and touching road trip as they search for a little happiness in the world of the sane. The review in Variety called it “a terrific comedy-drama about two women in a mental institution that avoids the pitfalls such a scenario could encounter and boasts deli-
Italian Film Festival sponsor
Like Crazy (Italian: La pazza gioia) is a 2016 Italian film directed by Paolo Virzì, starring Valeria Bruni Tedeschi and Micaela Ramazzotti. It tells the story of
cious dialogue with a rare sense of balance.” The film was screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. “We are excited to show this film and are most grateful to the Italian Community Center for again sponsoring a film,” said Paul Salsini, chair of the selection committee for the festival. “Sponsorship allows us to continue to offer our films free to the public.” This is the film festival’s 11th year. Each year a new attendance
Opera insights by Barbara Collignon
What’s in a name? Playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron Beaumarchais, creator of the plays that inspired Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, could tell you. Figaro comes from fils Caron, his nickname, French for son of Caron. Figaro, the character whose name has become synonymous with “barber”, is a reflection of the author himself – witty, joyful and entrepreneurial. His sense of social justice and anti-hypocrisy is as evident in the opera as it was in his creator’s plays and the life of the playwright himself. In the opera, Figaro assists Count Almaviva in winning the hand and freedom of Rosina, ward of Bartolo, a pompous old man who hopes to marry her and acquire her dowry. She is virtually a prisoner in his home.
Figaro helps Almaviva Count Almaviva, who loves Rosina and wants her to love him for himself and not his wealth, disguises himself as poor student Lindoro. Figaro instructs him to enter the house as a drunken soldier with orders that Bartolo bil-
let (lodge) him there. Almaviva also lives up to his name. It can be traced to Alma, meaning soul or spirit and vivere, to live. He cleverly impersonates not only the soldier but also a music teacher. Poor old Bartolo. He doesn’t see that Rosina and the pretend music teacher are singing about him and conniving to elope. Rosina, herself, is a strong, clever, high spirited character who outwits her guardian several times. She has written a letter and manages to hide it and deliver it. Bartolo is so controlling that he knew one of six pieces of paper was missing and that his pen was used. But Rosina has an explanation for everything. The aria she sings is one of the loveliest in opera repertory and highlights her character.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Rosina with letter in hand: Una voce poco fa qui nel cor mi risuonò. Il mio cor ferito è già e Lindoro fu che il piagò. Si, Lindoro mio sarà, Io giurai, la vincerò. Please turn to page 22
two women with different backgrounds who become friends while being treated at a mental institution. See it for free at the Italian Film Festival on Apr.29.
record is set, and it has become one of the most popular film festivals in the city. Milwaukee is one of twelve such festivals, which are coordinated by Italian Film Festivals USA www.italianfilmfests.org Again this year the festival features a wide variety of comedies, dramas and an outstanding documentary. The complete schedule: • Friday, Apr. 28 28, 7 p.m. “Feather • Piuma” (Director, Roan Johnson, Comedy, 2016, 98 minutes). Ferro and Cate have just nine months to prepare themselves, as well as their parents, for the arrival of a baby! Will they be ready? Film Sponsor: The Dental Offices of Dr. David Paris. • Friday, Apr. 28, 9 p.m. “The Confessions • Le Confessioni” (Director, Roberto Andò, Drama, 2016,100 minutes). The director of the International Monetary Fund invites an Italian monk to hear his confession at a G8 meeting. Following a tragic and unexpected incident, the G8 ministers and the monk engage in an intensifying struggle regarding the director’s confession. • Saturday, Apr. 29, 5 p.m. “An Almost Perfect Town • Un Paese Quasi Perfetto” (Director, Massimo Gaudioso, Comedy, 2015, 92 minutes). The inhabitants of a remote mountain village on the verge of economic extinction are desperate to save their small town. Will their wacky plan succeed? • Saturday, Apr. 29, 7 p.m. “Like Crazy • La Pazza Gioia” (Director, Paolo Virzì, Comedy, 2016, 118 minutes). Beatrice, a selfproclaimed countess, and Donatella, a mysterious tattooed woman, are both patients of a women’s mental institution. Their unpredictable friendship brings them to a hilarious and touching escape and the search for a little happiness in the world of the sane. A modern day Thelma and Louise.
• Saturday, Apr. 29, 9:15 p.m. “The Last Will Be The Last • Gli Ultimi Saranno Ultimi” (Director, Massimiliano Bruno, Drama, 2015, 103 minutes). Luciana is leading the quiet life she’s always desired with her husband, Stefano. But shortly after finding out she’s pregnant, Luciana gets fired and her world starts falling apart. Will she find justice? • Sunday, Apr. 30, 3:45 p.m. “The Road To Reconciliation • La Via Della Conciliazione” (Directors, Raffaele Brunetti e Piergiorgio Curzi, Documentary, 2016, 52 minutes). The Via della Conciliazione leading to St. Peter’s Basilica is one of Rome’s most famous images. Few realize this street has not always been there and, in fact, it was not part of Bernini’s architectural vision. • Sunday, Apr. 30, 5 p.m. “Daddy’s Boys • Belli Di Papà” (Director, Guido Chiesa, Comedy, 2015, 100 minutes). Vincenzo, a successful entrepreneur, concocts a scheme to bring his three adult children back to the real world from their lives of luxury. They all must do something that they’ve never done before—work! • Sunday, Apr. 30, 7 p.m. “The Stuff Of Dreams • La Stoffa dei Sogni” (Director, Gianfranco Cabiddu, Drama, 2015, 101 minutes). A boat carrying a small acting company, together with a group of mobsters, wrecks on the shores of an island prison after WWII. An homage to Shakespeare’s The Tempest and De Filippo’s Art of Comedy. Sponsored by the Dental Offices of Dr. David Paris. Patrons are invited to come to one or two or three or all! Parking is available in the UWM Union lot. Local sponsors also include the Department of French, Italian and Comparative Literature at UWM. For more information see http://www.italianfilmfests.org/.
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 17
The Circus was in town
by Blaise Di Pronio Who hasn’t seen the chariot race in the movie Ben-Hur? A spectacular sequence in film making but how realistic was it? Did such a racing arena really exist in Ben’s time or circa 33 AD? In fact, it did and the movie set was a faithful replica of the real thing. The actual stadium/racing course was the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo in Italian and the greatest or largest circle in English). It was a large chariot-racing amphitheatre which did go around not as a circle but really as an oblong or elongated shape with a spina (spine) or median strip down the middle just as shown in the movie. It measured 2,037 feet in length and 387 feet in width and could accommodate more than 150,000 spectators – take that Lambeau! It was, and its footprint still is, located in Rome between the Aventine and Palatine hills. The early Romans loved chariot racing. The ancient chariot was a weapon of war and soldiers practicing its use evolved into its racing format as the Romans loved both – warmaking and then, chariot racing. Chariot racing itself was nothing new for the ancients and was featured in the last book of the Greek Iliad. In 680 BC Greece, it was added in the Olympic events featuring both two and four horse teams. The races were held in special tracks called hippodromes which had mechanical starting gates and a rack of metal dolphins which were used to keep track of the laps (just as seen in Ben-Hur). Many of the chariot drivers were
slaves who could buy their freedom with prize monies from the races. Teams were also formed whose members would then use strategies very similar to today’s Formula1 driving or Tour de France bicycling, i.e., lesser drivers supported lead drivers by blocking the opposition or even crashing with them (a la Barrichello and Schumacher under team orders from Ferrari). Rome’s Circus Maximus remained in use for about 500 years with occasional repairs and reconstructions as the area was prone to
Chariot races were a huge draw at Circus Maximus.
This is the view of the Circus site from the southeast. The tower in the foreground is part of a medieval fortification.
PAGE 18 – APRIL 2017
floods and fires. After the 6th century, the arena deteriorated substantially due to lack of use and general decay. The last games were held there in 549 by Totilla the Goth, and then never used again. The structure was taken apart and quarried for its precious marble, much like the neighboring Coliseum. What remained was destroyed by fire and thus reduced to a grassy hollow and scattered ruins of mostly rocky tiers of what used to be the bleachers. Today, the Circus Maximus site has gained a new life as it is used as a park area in the center of Rome (Central Park, Roman style). It is also used for meetings, concerts and celebrations such as the 2006 World Cup won by Italy revelries. The band Genesis performed there in 2007 to an audience of approximately 500,000 and, in 2014, The Rolling Stones (literally among the stones) also took the stage.
Here is a model of Rome in the 4th century AD. The Circus lies between the Aventine (left) and Palatine (right). The oval structure to the far right is the Colosseum.
The Circus Maximus site and Palatine Hill in the background.
The Obelisco Flaminio, now in the Piazza del Popolo, was once part of the dividing barrier (spina) at the Circus Maximus.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Mount Etna: The Throne of Vulcan
by Bill Dickinson Mount Etna was at it again a couple of weeks ago. Well actually, it’s still at it. In fact, the current eruption started in 2007. But Etna has been blowing her top since dinosaurs roamed around the planet. In fact, her ancestors first eruptive tantrum was about 500 million years ago. Not much would have been seen then because at that time the volcano would have been below sea level. In the area of Acicastello, Ficarazzi and Acitrezza, 500,000 years old volcanic deposits prove this point. The Castle of Aci Castello is a famous landmark and tourist attraction that is built on and from “pillow lava,” a type of volcanic rock known only to be a product of undersea eruptions. About 230 million years ago, near what is now Monti Iblei is the approximate believed location of where Etna’s ancestor
took permanent residence on land with serious activity. A second distinct phase of Etna’s development took place between 220,000 and 110,000 years ago. (The Timpe phase) During this period, as the African tectonic plate slid below the Eurasian plate, Sicily bent and a crack formed running roughly parallel along the shoreline. As the crack formed a 15km(9.321 mile-) long series of volcanic fissures opened as magma pushed along toward the present site of today’s volcano. An oblong “shield” volcano started to form thus laying the well known lava deposits on the Hyblean Plateau south of Catina. About 110,000 years ago a third phase began as the magma started a path inland to an area currently identified as “Valle del Bove.” As this happened, the eruptions became very explosive and effusive during which lava steadily flowed
The Castello Normanno (“Norman Castle”) or alternatively the Castello di Aci (in English: “Castle of Aci and in Sicilian: Casteddu di Iaci), It is believed to have been built upon the volcanic rock in 1076 by the Normans.
This picture illustrates what Ellittico or Mongibello may have looked like in their “shield” stage. Note the side eruptions and especially the rivers of lava.
out of a volcano onto the ground. Early volcanoes preceded Etna and were named Rocche, Tarderia and Monte Cicirello. These eruptions did their business in the southeastern section of the Valle del Bove near Piano del Trifoglietto. Gradually, the lava, ash and breccia (erupted rock) built a cone to over 7,000 feet. It was during this time that several smaller volcanic vents opened and contributed to the del Bove site. Geologists, today refer to the complex volcanic structure as the Trifoglietto volcano. About 60,000 years ago, a fourth stage in Etna’s development had begun. Magna once again shifted course and deserted Rocche, Tarderia, Monte Cicirello and the other small volcanors. As the magma retreated, Trifoglietto was left unsupported and the whole area collapsed into the “Caldera” (a valley like depression), which we see there today. Finding another weak point in the Earth’s crust, nearby, Mount Ellittico started to form and construction of the “Stratovolcano” resumed carrying the summit vent to almost 2.5 miles. Roughly 15,000 years ago, a series of violent eruptions literally blew the top off of Ellittico. The debris from this eruption fell back into the crater forming another caldera and allowing the develop-
ment of Mongibello and a vent opening of 2.4 miles in diameter.. In closing, here are more reasons why Etna is one of the most fascinating volcanos in the world. • Nearly constant recorded activity has been going on for roughly the last 3.500 years. • Certainly, the last 400 years are the best documented. For instance in 1669, between March and July, Etna blew a sideways eruption that built Monti Rossi and a 14 km lava flow that threatened the city of Catania and took many lives. • Mount Etna is, Europe’s tallest and most active. • Etna’s eruption cycles are common between about a year and SIZ or seven years, making it one of the world’s most active volcanoes. • Physically, Etna is unique because she exhibits many types of volcanism in one capsule…Shield, Stratovolcano, Calderas and side vents. • The lava that Mount Etna throws around is a different type than the neighboring volcanoes exude. Another reason to justify Etna’s noteworthy uniqueness is the variety of her mischief. Through the centuries, Etna has caused tsunamis (tidal waves that have eliminated cities). Please turn to page 20
Diagram of typical volcano shapes.
Map showing current location of Mount Etna (red), province of Catania (cream), the first believed location of Etna’s predecessor volcano (pink). Determined by ancient lava deposits. Faint black lines indicate known geologic faults (cracks).
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Mount Etna at work. Lava flowing to the left. Boulders and burning gas being discharged from the vent.
APRIL 2017 – PAGE 19
Fiddler not on the roof
by Blaise Di Pronio His full name was Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus but he will forever be known as Nero, the fiddler, not on the roof, but fiddling while the city of Rome burned. But did he and did it? In the present age of fake news and guilt by insinuation, I can safely say that such reporting is not anything new as shown by what happened to our friend, Nero, back when and to this day. Nero Germanicus (probably socalled since he was blond and blueeyed) was a Roman emperor from 54 to 68 A.D. and the last of the Julio-Claudian line. The name Nero (Black) kind of foreshadowed the dark cloud that would shroud his reign and reputation. In reality, Nero focused much of his reign on enhancing Rome’s position of prominence and power through diplomacy and trade. From a cultural standpoint, he had many theaters built and sponsored many acting competitions. He also promoted athletic events and games and he participated in such venues. He liked to drive his one-horse chariot sans bodyguards. He even competed in the Olympics of 63 A.D., driving a 10-horse chariot (take that Ben-Hur), but from which he was thrown and almost died (is Benny laughing yet?). What may have led to his alleged fiddling fiasco might have been his penchant for and love of singing to the lyre (a small harplike stringed instrument) and reading and reciting poetry. He even did a little acting, to the dismay of some. Yes, he did crave attention,
what was happening in Rome. In summary then, Nero did not fiddle while watching Rome burn. In fact, upon hearing of the fire, Nero came immediately back to Rome to organize relief efforts which he also financed with his own money. He personally participated in the search and relief efforts and also opened his palace to shelter the homeless and arranged for food supplies. After the fire, Nero rebuilt Rome with a new urban development plan which included the use of
A bust of Nero
but he thought singing and acting in public would increase his popularity (sound familiar Don?).
But what about that fiddling around while flames abounded? Well, let’s put that to rest once and for all. Rome did burn in a great fire (it started in shops laden with flammable goods held for sale) which erupted on the night of July 18, 64 A.D. and lasted into the following day. While Rome burned, Nero was actually at his villa in Antium about 50 miles away, pretty far in the days of a one-horse power chariot. As to the fiddle (a bowed musical instrument more often called a violin), it would have been an anachronism as it was yet to be invented in 16th century Italy. Who knows, he might have been really playing and singing while in Antium, but without any knowledge of
Word Search: Classic Italian Arts & Literature solved from page 16
bricks and the spacing out of houses and new roads in order to avoid spreading should there be future fires. Nevertheless and unfortunately, the Roman population made Nero their scapegoat and thus blamed him for what happened. He, in turn – in order to deflect the blame, targeted and took it out on the nascent Christian groups via persecution, mistreatment and oppression and this ultimately blackened and sealed his legacy as being one of infamy – non-fiddlingwhile-burning notwithstanding.
New policy for Festa food vendors explained
from page 1 new phase of revitalization and quired to participate in the Festa renovation, which is centered on vendor sponsorship program and our success and financial stability have Festa advertising material moving forward. (provided) available to the public at Below is a summary of the new his/her establishment in a highlycriteria and guidelines: visible area available to customers. • All food booth vendors are re• All food booth vendors with quired to have an existing restau- websites shall establish a link to rant or retail food service the Festa Italiana website. establishment. These guidelines have been es• All food booth vendor busi- tablished for the future success of nesses must be open year-round, the Italian Community Center. We fully licensed and permitted. apologize to those vendors who are • All food booth vendors must be unable to meet these criteria. members in good standing of the – The Italian Community Italian Community Center. Center Board of Directors • All food booth vendors are re- and Festa Planning Committee
Opera insights from page 17
Il tutor ricuserà, io l’ingegno aguzzerò, alla fin s’accheterà, e contenta io resterò. Si, Lindoro ecc. Io sono docile, son rispettosa, sono obbediente, dolce, amorosa, mi lascio reggere, mi fo guidar. Ma se mi toccano dov’è il mio debole, sarò una vipera, sarò, e cento trappole prima di cedere farò giocar. Io sono docile, ecc.
Rosina (with a letter in her hand) The voice I heard just now has thrilled my very heart. My heart already is pierced and it was Lindoro who hurled the dart. Yes, Lindoro shall be mine, I’ve sworn it, I’ll succeed. My guardian won’t consent, but I will sharpen my wits, and at last, he will relent, and I shall be content. Yes, Lindoro etc. I am docile, I am respectful, I am obedient, sweet and loving. I can be ruled,
I can be guided. But if crossed in love, I can be a viper, and a hundred tricks I shall play before they have their way. I am docile, etc.
Rossini wrote many famous operas. Among them, Otello, La Cenerentola, Guillaume Tell, La Gazza ladra, L’Italiana in Algeria, La Scale di seta and also six movements of his Stabat Mater (1832). He died at the age of 76 in France and was buried in Pere La Chaise Cemetery in Paris. However, at the request of the Italian government, his remains were moved and now rest in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.
Il Barbiere di Siviglia was so successful that Beethoven, after meeting Rossini in 1822, wrote, “Ah, Rossini. So you’re the composer of The Barber of Seville. I congratulate you. It will be played as long as Italian opera exists. Never try to write anything else but opera buffa; any other style would do violence to your nature.”
Il Barbiere di Siviglia will be presented by our own Florentine Opera Company May 5 and 7 of this season. Visit www.florentineopera.org for details.
The Throne of Vulcan
PAGE 20 – APRIL 2017
from page 19 Other mischievous activities in- melted snow and ice on the sumclude: mit), • Pyroclastic flows (very hot, • Phreatomagmatic eruptions. very high-velocity, mixtures of ash, (An explosive volcanic eruption inigas and fragmented rock that flows tiated by the interaction of magma like a liquid down slopes and over and water usually either meteoric terrain, as fast as 600 m.p.h. in or groundwater). some cases). Why “The Throne of Vulcan”? • Ash clouds (that have closed Etna is the common name, but you airports and have been seen as far need to know “Etna” is derived from Sicily as Lybria). from the Roman name Aetna and • Mudflows. who considered the volcano the • Lahars (when hot material home of the god of fire, Vulcan.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Milwaukee Italian Immersion School report for March 2017
Victory K8, Milwaukee Italian Immersion School, will host a very special evening on Thursday, Apr. 27. There will be an international fair that will showcase the diversity of our school. Students will have the opportunity to share their STEM projects with their families. It will be a great night to see all of the wonderful events that are happening at Victory. The general public is welcome. If anyone is interested in touring the school, please join us from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Ms. Elizabeth Zizzo will be delighted to give a tour in Italian or English. Mr. Alex Kaftan’s K4 students are improving their comprehension and use of Italian. It is amazing the way students can follow along with the lesson. It is very clear students enjoy learning Italian and revere their teacher at that age. Students are working on beginning sounds and dividing words up by their syllables. In February, Ms. Sabrina Lupoli’s K5 students completed a large display to showcase their indepth study of penguins. During Valentine’s Day, students made cards for their family members, friends and teachers. After reading a book about Dr. Martin Luther King, students drew pictures about what they dreamt of becoming when they grew up. Some students wanted to become police officers and veterinarians. One child wanted to become an Italian teacher! Students performed a song during the school’s Black History program for parents and school community. First graders turned into scientists and now understand basic concepts of light and sound. They also studied how various animals sur-
vive in winter. They learned where honey comes from and all about the life of a honeybee. Students have been involved in a pen pal project with an elementary school in Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna), Italy. The students await the arrival of letters from Italian children with much anticipation and are happy when the letters finally arrive. Now they have an Italian friend with whom to communicate on a regular basis. The project will culminate at the end of the school year with a live Skype call. In addition to collaborative utilization of linguistic skills, the program encourages students to write sentences reflecting their experiences. In March, students studied “Carnevale” and the famous characters from Commedia dell’arte. The teachers report that students are making progress. Ms. Annette Robertson’s class is studying the vocabulary words that express all the objects students use in class and the words to describe the interior of the classroom. Students celebrated Carnevale at the beginning of the month with handmade masks and special food at a masquerade gathering in the classroom. One parent made “Cenci”, the Tuscan sweet, eaten in Italy on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The next theme of study is living and non-living things, habitats, water and the plant cycle. Students are preparing their “Erosion” S.T.E.M. project which is the creation of a structure to keep water from eroding an embankment of plants and soil. At the end of the month, students will visit the “Survive Alive House” where they will learn how to evacuate a smoke filled burning house with supervision by Milwaukee Police and Fire safety staff.
Ms. Cathy Laurenzi’s third grade class has been studying the human body, specifically the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. They have also had the pleasure of having Mr. Tony, their student intern from Marquette High School, who was working with them for two weeks. Tony, of Sicilian heritage, enjoyed working in Victory’s Italian Immersion School. Ms. Rita Szopinski’s fifth graders are preparing for their trip to Junior Achievement Biz Town. Through this project, they are learning how to manage their finances, balance checkbooks, manage a business, and participate in the local economy. The project will end in March with a trip to the JA Biz Town facility, where they will simulate a day of business in a fictional city, sponsored by real businesses.
In Italiano La Scuola Victory ospitera’ un evento speciale giovedí 27 aprile. Si terra’ una fiera internazionale che mostrera’ la eterogeneita’ della nostra scuola. Gli studenti illustreranno i loro progetti.. Sara’ una fantastica serata per vedere le meravigliose attivita’ che si svolgono a scuola. L’entrata e’ aperta al pubblico dalle 4:30 alle 6:00. Gli studenti del K4 di Mr Kaftan stanno facendo grandi progressi in italiano. E’ incredibile vedere come lo seguono attentamente durante la lezione. E’ evidente che ai bambini piace sia la lingua italiana sia il loro maestro. Gli studenti stanno imparando la divisione in sillabe e i suoni dell’alfabeto. Nel mese di Febbraio, nel K5 della maestra Sabrina Lupoli, i bambini hanno completato un gran display sui pinguini. A San Valentino hanno realizzato cartoline di auguri per familiari, amici e per le maestre preferite. Hanno poi visto video e letto libri su Martin Luther King. Ogni bambino ha disegnato il suo sogno: alcuni bimbi vorrebbero diventare maestri da grande, altri vorrebbero prendersi cura degli animali, ma c’è anche chi vorrebbe lavorare in polizia. Durante il programma del “Black History Month” i bambini hanno cantato una canzone. Gli alunni del 1st grade hanno imparato come si comportano gli animali durante l’inverno e dove si rifugiano. Hanno imparato da dove viene il miele e la vita intensa delle api. Sono stati molto impegnati in
un progetto di “amico di penna “ con una scuola in Italia, a Ferrara . Ora hanno un amico italiano con il quale possono comunicare. Le prime letterine sono state molto attese e i bambini erano contentissimi. Questo progetto continuera’ fino alla fine dell’anno scolastico e si concludera’ con una video chiamata. Questo progetto oltre ad essere una fantastica opportunita’ per i bambini di concretizzare la loro esperienza linguistica, li porta a scrivere frasi che riguardano il loro vissuto. In matematica sperimentano le decine e le unita’ e praticano i multipli di dieci. In scienze e studi sociali vestono i panni degli scienziati e ora conoscono come funzionano il suono e la luce. Prossimamente saranno impegnati in attivita’ sul Carnevale e le famose maschere della Commedia dell’arte. Bambini le maestre sono molto contente dei vostri progressi! La classe della maestra Robertson sta imparando le parole che si usano all’interno dell’aula. All’inizio del mese gli studenti hanno festeggiato con una piccolo sfilata il carnevale costruendo originali maschere e gustando qualche dolce tipico. Il prossimo che affronteranno argomento saranno gli esseri viventi e non viventi, l’ecosistema e il ciclo delle piante. Gli studenti si stanno preparando al progetto di S.T.E.M., la creazione di una struttura che possa proteggere il terreno dall’erosione dell’acqua. La classe della maestra Laurenzi 3 grado, ha approfondito il corpo umano, specialmente l’apparato scheletrico, l’apparato muscolare e il sistema nervoso. Hanno anche avuto la possibilita’ di aver avuto per due settimane, Mr Tony, uno studente della scuola superiore di Marquette. A Tony e’ stato molto contento di poter lavorare nella nostra scuola ad Immersione italiana perche’ la sua famiglia ha origini siciliane. La maestra Szopinsky e I suoi alunni del 5 grado si stanno preparando all’uscita didattica a JA Biz Town. Grazie a questo progetto impareranno come si amministrano le proprie finanze, come si gestisce il libretto degli assegni, il modo migliore di gestire un’attivita’ commerciale e come essere d’aiuto all’economia locale. – Submitted by Annette Robertson on behalf of the Italian Immersion staff
Top photo: Students learned about the Italian Carnevale celebrations and Commedia del’arte. Photo below: Students wrote letters to their Italian pen pals in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna.
Students expressed their dreams on paperduring the Martin Luther King celebration at the Milwaukee Italian Immersion School – Victory K8.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
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APRIL 2017 – PAGE 21
La Pagina Italiana
Pompei, centro turistico e religioso
di Donato Di Pronio Ci capita spesso di trovare affisso vicino all’ingresso di abitazioni, di giardini, di parchi, ecc. un cartello, una mattonella e simili con la scritta cave canem, attenti al cane! `Tale cautela riguarda la presenza di un cane pronto ad azzannare gli incauti e i … mariuoli! Simile avvertimento fu scoperto in un mosaico del pavimento di una casa di Pompei, quando nel secolo XVII se ne iniziarono gli scavi per il suo disseppellimento (sono stati scoperti circa quattro quinti dell’area dell’antica Pompei) e fu subito “copiato”. Pompei forse fu fondata da genti
osche (popolo italico abitante nella Campania) nel secolo VI avanti C. Nell’anno 63 dopo C. fu gravemente colpita e danneggiata da un violentissimo terremoto. Risorta più bella, nell’anno 79 dopo C. fu seppellita sotto una pioggia di cenere e di lapilli emessi dal Vesuvio (vulcano tuttora attivo poligenico, prodotto cioè dall’ammassarsi degli effetti di una serie di eruzioni, tra le quali è rimasta famosa quella imponente e terribile del predetto 79 d. C. che seppellì una vastissima area circostante, comprese le città di Ercolano e Stabia. (Siamo molti a ricordare l’eruzione del 1944 durata 11 giorni).
La Pompei attuale sorse nel XIX secolo (e le fu dato il nome di Valle di Pompei) ad Est dell’antica città, attorno al Santuario della Madonna del Rosario, costruito nel 18761891, nella piana del fiume Sarno, presso le pendici orientale del vulcano Vesuvio. Da borgo di circa quattrocento anime, oggi è una cittadina di oltre venticinquemila persone. Il nome Pompei, in latino Pompei, attestato anche in iscrizioni locali, potrebbe derivare dall’indoeuropeo punk”e (cinque) (latino quinque, osco pontos ‘quinque’) e forse allude alla riunione di cinque villaggi. Sulle origini di detto nome non mancano
di Donato Di Pronio Un nipotino al nonno: “A scuola ci hanno parlato di Adamo ed Eva. Ma quanti anni fa sono vissuti questi nostri progenitori?”. “Eh! Tanti tanti: Uno seguito da molti zeri! Dopo cena, il buon vecchio si distese pigramente sul sofà, davanti al camino. Riempì di aromatico tabacco il fornello della pipa, vi pressò un minuscolo pezzetto di brace, mise tra le labbra il cannello dell’annosa pipetta e aspirò con voluttà. La fiamma del fuoco trasfigurava il suo volto, il fumo, che espirava, si infilava a piccole lente volute sotto la cappa del camino. Chiuse gli occhi e ripensò alla domanda del curioso nipotino; una dopo l’altra le reminiscenze scolastiche si affollarono nella sua memoria. Ascoltiamolo. La posizione eretta dell’uomo su due piedi dovrebbe risalire ad oltre quattro milioni di anni fa: passeranno millenni e soltanto circa nel 30.000 a. C. cominciò ad esprimersi con il linguaggio “vocale”. La sua non facile addomesticazione degli animali risale a
tanti anni successivi, addirittura ad epoca (si fa per dire!) recente: circa 15.000 anni addietro (seguita dopo alcuni millenni dallo sviluppo dell’agricoltura). E la scoperta del fuoco? Dobbiamo tornare indietro di un milione e mezzo di anni; imparò a servirsene per la cottura del cibo soltanto molti secoli dopo, nell’80/mila a. C. e ne dovranno passare ancora 70/mila perché imparasse ad utilizzarlo per la cottura del pane; dopo tre millenni cominciò a conservare gli alimenti mediante essiccazione, affumicatura e salatura: sì, siamo ancora fermi a questi metodi! Circa dodicimila anni fa l’uomo, stando alla interpretazione di reperti archeologici, esce dalle caverne e impara a costruire rudimentali abitazioni: capanne, tholos, ecc. Intanto passano i millenni e i nostri antenati si evolvono sempre più: risalgono, dicono gli antropologi, a 9-8 mila anni fa la scoperta delle fasi lunari, l’invenzione dei numeri e del calcolo (la moneta? Qualche anno fa: meno di tremila!). Saltiamo alcuni millenni e
portiamoci in Mesopotamia (dal greco: terra tra due fiumi: il Tigri e l’Eufrate). Ma perché?
Un tuffo nella notte dei tempi – l’evoluzione umana
Chi lo sapeva? Who knew?
1. A Roma gruppi di tre o più persone rischiano una multa di 500 Euro se vengono colti a cantare e/o ballare per le strade della città. 2. Nel centro storico di Roma è anche illegale mangiare all’aperto. 3. A Milano una legge di vecchia data prescrive alle persone di sorridere costantemente mentre si trovano negli spazi pubblici; gli unici a non rischiare la multa sono il personale ospedaliero e i partecipanti ad un funerale.
4. A Roma l’utilizzo delle bocce per i pesci rossi è stato vietato dopo che la detenzione di pesci rossi come animali domestici è stata considerata una pratica crudele. 5. Nonostante l’abbondanza di zone sabbiose nelle vicinanze, è illegale costruire castelli e strutture con la sabbia sulle
PAGE 22 – APRILE 2017
spiagge di Eraclea, nel lido veneziano. 6. Sebbene non sia teoricamente illegale fare il bagno nelle fontane pubbliche italiane, si può comunque rischiare la multa se si viene colti sul fatto. 7. A Torino i padroni di cani sono obbligati a portare l’animale a sporcare almeno tre volte al giorno, pena l’applicazione di una multa. 8. A Lerici, sulla riviera ligure, è illegale appendere ad asciugare gli asciugamani umidi fuori dalla finestra. 9. A Lucca e Firenze è stata approvata una nuova legge che proibisce l’apertura nel centro storico di locali fast food che preparano kebab. 10. In Italia un uomo che indossa una gonna in luogo pubblico può essere arrestato. Fate attenzione uomini scozzesi! – Tradotto dall’Inglese da Laura Duroni
E’ qui che i vostri predecessori, signori birrai, produssero la prima bionda bevanda (circa 9.000 anni fa). Il vino? Non dovette passare molto tempo perché il divino nettare allietasse le mense e le menti!
Quelli che mal tolleravano queste inebrianti bevande (è pensabile che qualche astemio sia sempre esistito!) venivano incitati con stornelli del seguente tenore: Mosè, il gran Patriarca, fu salvato dalle acque (il Diluvio Universale) sapete perché? Nooo … Ma perché fu l’inventore del dolce liquore che allegri ci fa! Bevevano i nostri padri? Sìììì …. Bevevano le nostre madri? Sììì …
E noi che figli siamo beviam beviam … Ma con sobrieta’, esortavano (non sempre ascoltate) prudenti e sagge discendenti di Eva!
derivazioni, alcune più che fantasiose come la seguente: Ercole, per eccellenza l’eroe nazionale della mitologia greca, venuto in Campania, sconfisse e uccise Gerione, un mitico gigante con tre teste, dopo avergli tolto un armento di floride giovenche. Per festeggiare la vittoria, Ercole, il dio delle prodigiose e proverbiali 12 fatiche, fece sfilare per quei luoghi queste famose giovani vacche e a ricordo dell’impresa, fu fondata una città che fu chiamata Pompa (= corteo trionfale). Nel mese di ottobre del 1872 si recò nella Valle di Pompei un giovane avvocato pugliese (nato a Latiano, Brindisi, nel 1841) per risolvere una questione sorta tra una proprietaria, la contessa Marianna Furnararo, vedova De Fusco, e i contadini che coltivavano i terreni che la contessa possedeva nella predetta Valle (si rifiutavano di pagare i canoni di fitto). I contadini vivevano in misere casupole, i ragazzi passavano intere giornate senza far nulla, i loro piccoli erano abbandonati alla strada, la povertà e la miseria regnavano sovrane. Erano pochi quelli che frequentavano la Chiesa. Bartolo, fortemente impressionato da questo stato di degrado, iniziò un’intensa attività assistenziale ed educativa a carattere religioso, principalmente diffondendo la recita del Rosario. A Napoli una pia donna gli regalò un quadro malridotto. Fattolo pulire e restaurare, fu esposto alla devozione popolare: è l’immagine della Madonna (una delle più note icone mariane) esposta nel Tempio (mèta di numerosi Fedeli e di turisti) eretto in suo onore con le offerte raccolte tra i contadini e gli amici dell’aristocrazia e della borghesia napoletana, mèta di sempre più numerosi pellegrini. Barolo Longo, deceduto il 5 ottobre 1926, riposa, in attesa della Resurrezione, sotto la mensa della cappella a lui dedicata nel Santuario.
Proverbi Italiani – Italian Proverbs
1. (Dialect: Emilia-Romagna): Murir e parturir, an i e oura. (Literally) Death and giving birth, there is no set time.
2. (Dialect: Emilia-Romagna-): L’erba cativa lan mor mai. (Literally) Bad grass never dies. (Meaning) Bad people are the last to die.
3. (Dialect: Emilia Romagna): Murir inco o murir edman l’e l’istas, soil essregh pasdman. (Literally) Die now or die tomorrow, the important thing is to die the day after tomorrow. (Meaning) Death is inevitable, but it shouldn’t happen today, or tomorrow. The best thing would be for the event to be postponed indefinitely.
4. (Dialect: Emilia-Romagna-): In Paradiso c’e una sedia preparata per la prima nuora e suocera che sono andate d’accordo. (Literally) In Paradise there is a chair prepared for the first daughter-in-law and mother-in-
law who were in agreement. (Meaning) Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law never agree on anything. If a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law ever do agree, they will have a special place in Paradise. 5. A tutto c’e rimedio, fuorche’ alla morte. There is a cure for everything except death.
6. (Dialect: Molise): A galline se pele dope morte. (Literally) A chicken is plucked after it dies. (Meaning) Be patient and don’t jeopardize a good thing such as your inheritance.
7. (Dialect: Molise): L’avare fa bene sole quanne more. (Literally) Work does good only after one is dead. (Meaning) One’s hard work only benefits one’s heirs and does little for the one who had to struggle so hard to get what one got. – Grazie a: Italyrevisited.org
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Un’idea per non pagare le tasse
di Blaise Di Pronio Si dice che la morte e le tasse siano le uniche certezze della vita. Io non ne sono così sicuro. La criogenesi, vale a dire la tecnica che permette di congelare il corpo in attesa di eventuali cure future, non ha ancora garanzie di riuscita ed è ancora troppo costosa (sto tentando di capire se da Palermo’s Frozen Pizza mi possano congelare nel loro reparto Thin Hawaiian Style così starò sicuramente più al caldo in quella zona del congelatore! Voglio dire, parliamo delle Hawaii e tutto il resto, no?). E le tasse invece? Come si potrebbe mai tenere alla larga zio Sam? Quello che sto cercando di dire è che anche il buon Dio ci esortò a dare a Cesare quel che è di Cesare. E Cesare ed i suoi successori amavano tassare il popolo, alla maniera del Wisconsin. Tuttavia una volta ci fu un romano che ebbe astuzia e mezzi sufficienti da riuscire ad eludere zio Sam, alla
E fatt’na risata
Cenerentola va al ballo. Dopo qualche minuto le viene fame e comincia a mangiare...Scocca la mezzanotte e lei se ne va perdendo una scarpetta. Il principe le dice: “cenerentola, cenerentola la scarpetta” e lei: “no grazie, sono sazia”.
maniera italiana. Durante il primo periodo dell’Impero Romano, i cimiteri erano esenti dal pagamento delle tasse di proprietà (probabilmente perché coloro che “abitavano” lì non avevano denaro) perciò chi possedeva una tenuta con un sito di sepoltura non doveva pagare le tasse né rischiava la confisca del terreno da parte dallo Stato. Così il famoso poeta Romano Virgilio (nato nel 70 a.C. e conosciuto maggiormente per aver scritto il poema epico “L’Eneide”, ancora oggi considerato capolavoro letterario) si inventò un modo molto ingegnoso per evitare di pagare le tasse gravanti sulla sua villa. La trasformò in un cimitero costruendo un sito di sepoltura contenente una tomba al suo interno. Volete saper a chi era destinata? Alla sua mosca “domestica”! (Mi ricorda un po’ la formica domestica di Woody Allen, di nome Spot-Punto). Circolarono storie sul funerale sfarzoso che Virgilio organizzò sui terreni della sua casa situata sul colle Romano Esquilino. Il funerale attirò molti partecipanti. Inclusi nella cerimonia c’erano anche i portatori della bara, gli elogi funebri, la relativa marcia e la somministrazione di cibi e bevande: tutto ciò in memoria dell’insetto defunto, tanto caro al poeta. Fu costruita una tomba nella quale fu deposta la minuscola carcassa
senza vita tra i pianti e i lamenti dei partecipanti intervenuti su richiesta in quell’occasione. Si racconta che alcuni elogi furono davvero commoventi e persino Virgilio stesso recitò alcuni dei suoi versi. Santo cielo! La domanda è: fu davvero messa in scena questa cerimonia? E quali furono i risultati? Ebbene, dato che la vicenda fu inserita tra le pagine dell’opera “Vita di Augusto” redatta dallo storico Svetonio Tranquillo, la risposta è affermativa. Forse quello
fu realmente il luogo dove sotterrare i sotterfugi. Perciò per quest’anno ho deciso di seppellire a fianco al mio appartamento la prima zanzara che schiaccio. Vedremo se in questo modo riuscirò a risparmiare sulle spese condominiali, dato che nel corpo dell’insetto ci sarà un po’ del mio sangue e non esiste niente di più credibile per renderlo un luogo di sepoltura vero e proprio. – Tradotto dall’Inglese da Laura Duronio
Italian idioms and expressions
1. Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca. Literally: To have the wine cask full and the wife drunk. Meaning: Used just like “To have your cake and eat it, too.” 2. Acqua in Bocca. Literally: Water in the Mouth. Meaning: This is equal to mum’s the word or don’t say anything about it.
3. Dio li Fa, poi li Accoppia. Literally: God makes them, then He mates them. Meaning: Said of any unlikely couple paired together by nature or fate... Similar to “There’s a
match for everyone.”
4. Tirare il pacco. Literally: To pull the pack. Meaning: It means you didn’t show up to a date or meeting with a friend, you’re a disappointment to them. 5. Che pacco. Literally: What a pack. Meaning: What a disappointment
6. Essere un pacco. Literally: Being a package. Meaning: Describes something disappointing or boring. Common expressions among young people.
Due donne si incontrano dopo un po di tempo: – “Ciao Paola ma questi ragazzini sono tutti tuoi?” – “Si, solo che cambiava il postino!”
Una signora è al ristorante e all’ora del dolce sta per cadere nel mentre arriva il cameriere e chiede: “cosa volete per dolce?” e la signora che sta per cadere dice: “tirami suuuuuuuuuuù”. Una vecchia è seduta davanti al caminetto quando appare una fata che le concede tre desideri: “vorrei che questa casa tornasse bella come una volta”... un colpo di bacchetta ed ecco fatto e lei ancora: “ora vorrei riessere bella come ero in gioventù” e fatto anche questo, per ultimo: “e come ultimo desiderio voglio che il mio gatto si trasformi in un bellissimo principe azzurro” e detto fatto e il principe azzurro dice: “ti penti, adesso, di avermi fatto castrare, eh?”. Conversazione tra due amiche al telefono: – “Carmela quanto vanno all’etto le lumache?” – “non saprei..vanno a letto quando hanno sonno!!”
Una signora va dalla indovina e la signora le dice: “voglio sapere il futuro!” E l’indovina chiede: “di quale verbo signora?”
Il marito dice alla moglie: “Il tuo seno sembra come due cipolle e quando le guardo mi viene da piangere!” E poi ancora: “sei bella come il sole ma non ti posso guardare perchè mi bruciano gli occhi!! Having a spring sale? Let our readers know about it with an ad. Call 414-223-2189 or email themman@italiancc.org for information on sizes and costs.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
APRILE 2017 – PAGE 23
JoAnn “Dolly” Glorioso, past Carnevale Regina, dies at age of 73
JoAnn “Dolly” Glorioso (nee Mirenda), a charter member of the Italian Community Center, died Jan. 13 at the age of 73. Dolly and her husband, Ignatius “Eddie,” were honored by the ICC as La Regina e Il Re (The Queen and King) of Il Grande Carnevale, the organization’s pre-Lenten costumed ball, on Feb. 21, 1987. The event was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Pfister Hotel, as construction of the current ICC was just beginning. The Carnevale theme was “A Night of Magic.” As King and Queen, the Gloriosos were recognized for their service and dedication to the ICC and the Italian community, in general. Dolly and Eddie were married
Welcome new ICC members!
The following persons became members of the Italian Community Center between February 9 and March 9, 2017. Benvenuti (Welcome!) Ron & Denise Accuardi of Milwaukee
Joanna W. and Zoe Mei Maria Townsend (Junior Memberships) of Milwaukee Louise Sesini of Milwaukee
Kathleen Lacey of Shorewood David Burns and Mya Kubasiak (Junior Memberships) of Muskego Frank DeGeorge of Menomonee Falls
Dawn Coleman, Aidan and Kayleigh Coleman (Junior Memberships) of Cedarburg
And now, a word from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Primary- Highest in rank, quality, or importance; principal. It comes from the Italian primo or first. It is also the root for premier or first in rank, i.e. chief, and primitive or earliest/first of its kind.
Words in an Italian word
from page 4 44 words in ‘OPERA’ 1. porae 2. opera 3. pareo 4. aero 5. prao 6. pear 7. rope 8. pore 9. rape 10. pare 11. reap 12. aper 13. repo 14. proa 15. ora 16. apo 17. poa 18. ore 19. pro 20. era 21. are 22. per 23. par 24. ope 25. oar 26. roe 27. ape 28. reo 29. rep 30. pre 31. pea 32. ear 33. rap 34. re 35. ea 36. ae 37. oe 38. pa 39. er 40. pe 41. ar 42. op 43. or 44. po.
PAGE 24 – APRIL 2017
for 40 years. Although she was 20 years younger, Eddie said, they always felt close. “I had known her and her family since she was 3-1/2 years old when they used to come in to shop at the store on Brady Street. After her first husband died, I’ll always remember her young son saying to me, ‘Why don’t you marry my mama.’ And that’s how it happened.” Dolly worked with Eddie when they opened Dolly’s Deli on Pleasant Street in Milwaukee, and later, a second location by the same name on North 68th Street in Wauwatosa. “She did everything, from being the cashier, waiting on customers, cutting meat, whatever needed to get done,” Eddie said. She also worked in the Dolly’s Deli food booth the couple operated at Festa Italiana for several years. In earlier years, Dolly was employed by the Milwaukee Journal and worked at orthodontic facilities in Milwaukee. In addition to being the wife of Eddie, Dolly was the mother of Joseph (Keely) and Sean, stepmother of John (Nancy), Bob (Ann) and Jim (Vicki), grandmother of
Fiona, Giuseppe, Anthony, Andy, Amy, Amanda, Alex, Adam, Alissa, Angelo, James, Monica and Cody. She was the sister of Rose (Wayne) Smith, Mary (Don) Brietback,
Joseph Mirenda and John (Chris) Mirenda. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
This picture was taken of Eddie and the late Dolly Glorioso at a Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National dinner in the late 1990s when Eddie was serving as president of the local civic chapter. The photographer was the late Dr. Edward Leone.
ICC Membership Dues – 2017 Benefits of Italian Community Center Membership
Four (4) Festa Italiana Tickets – Maximum of Eight (8) Per Family Voting Privelegs (21 & Older) Postal Service Delivery of The Italian Times Member Discounts on Social Events, Classes & Bocce Leagues Members Rooms Cultural, Educational & Social Activities Forever Friendships Stronger Bonds Between Your Family & Your Culture
Age 20 and under Individual
Annual Dues
Gratis – $0.00
Ages 21 – 65
Individual
Annual Dues
$50 per year
Members, age 20 and under, receive two (2) free Festa Italiana tickets. No voting rights. At age 18, a member may vote, but must purchase a membership to do so.
Couple/Family
$100 per year
Individual
Ages 85 & Older
Individual
Annual Dues
Ages 66 – 84
Annual Dues
Couple/Family
$75 per year
$50 per year
Couple/Family
$30 per year
$50 per year
Effective: January 1, 2017. All Memberships Valid Through December 31, 2017. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION FORM Names & Birthdates of Each Adult: _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Names & Birthdates of Each Child (under age 21): _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________
Address, City, State, Zip Code: ___________________________________________________________________
Phone No.: ________________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________ No. of Members under 21: _____ No. of Members 21-65: ______ No. of Members 66-84: ______ No. of Members 85 & Older: _____ Payment Amount: _______________ Method: Cash Check Credit Card – Card Type MC Visa Discover Other
Card No. :______________________________________________________ Expiration Date: _____________
___________________________________ Signature – Adult Member
____________________________________ Signature – Adult Member
Mail this form to: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. The ICC respects your privacy and does not sell or distribute personal information such as birthdates, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. This membership registration form can also be emailed to cpalmer@italianconference.com. For further information, call (414) 223-2180.
THE ITALIAN TIMES