Dec. 2012 - Part 1 - Italian Times

THE

ITALIAN TIMES Published by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com VOL. 34, NO. 6 DECEMBER 2012

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Gina Spang becomes 20th President in ICC history

Gina Spang was sworn in as President of the Italian Community Center at the installation ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 3. The oath of office was administered

by Past President Sam Purpero (at podium) with the assistance of another past president, Phil Purpero.

The Purperos are Spang’s uncles. Spang becomes the 20th individual to hold the office of the ICC presidency and the second female to do so. Betty Puccio served as president during the 1989-1990 term. See more photos on pages 10 and 11. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Members’ Christmas Dinner and Dance set for Thursday, Dec. 20

By Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen The Italian Community Center invites members, and non-member guests to start off the holiday season with a splendid celebration.

The ICC’s annual Members’ Christmas Party, on Thursday, Dec. 20, will feature a delicious sit down dinner and a night of dancing – a truly festive night.

Delicious dinner Dinner will begin with an Italian salad comprised of fresh greens topped with Italian meats and cheeses. Guests will then enjoy an entrée of tender Sicilian steak, a side of pasta, vegetables medley, and fresh bread. Assorted Italian cookies and gelato will complete the meal, courtesy of the Vella family and Sciortino’s Bakery and the Reina family and Gelateria Italiana.

Special performance To begin the evening’s festivities, Tradizione Vivente will lead you directly to the dance floor, where you will no doubt spend the remainder of the night.

Fortunate to have developed a relationship with Ru Maccature, a performing group from Carpinone, Molise, Italy, Tradizione Vivente

will perform the highly energetic and charismatic dance, “San Rocco.”

Through the kindness and generosity of Ru Maccature’s president, Michele Castrilli, Tradizione Vivente was given permission to perform “San Rocco.” He has expressed his pride and honor that Tradizione Vivente enjoyed their dance so much and wished to perform it in America. The dance celebrates the protector of all illnesses, Saint Rocco, or San Rocco. He ministered to the sick, bestowing several miraculous cures. Six centuries after his death, San Rocco is still honored in Patrica, Italy and revered as its Patron Saint.

Dance the night away Providing the entertainment for the evening will be premier deejay service, Music on the Move Plus.

Music on the Move Plus deejays are always professional in both appearance and attitude, and always ensure that the evening is full of fun, dancing, music and activities!

Whether it’s swing, polka, disco, the rock-and-roll of the ‘50s & ‘60s, or today’s best music, Music on the Move Plus can provide it. What better way to celebrate the holidays Please turn to page 7

General meeting date moving to 1st Thursday in February Starting in February, the Italian Community Center’s general membership meeting is moving to the first Thursday of the month.

There will be no general meeting in January. So mark your calendars: the first general meeting in 2013 will be Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Newly-installed President Gina Spang requested the switch to resolve a professional conflict.

Spang told The Italian Times, “Usually the date of the general membership meeting is on the same night as the Milwaukee Public Schools Board meeting (the fourth Thursday). Since I need to attend both meetings, one needed to change.”

Spang is the Director of Facilities and Maintenance Services for Milwaukee Public Schools.

There will be a membership dinner preceding the February general meeting. The buffet will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. In 2013, the membership dinner will be available prior to every other general meeting. On the nights when the dinner is not available, cake and coffee will be served.

Effort under way to establish an Italian minor at Marquette University ICC joins in community support for campaign

By Thomas Hemman Times Editor An initiative is under way at Marquette University to establish Italian as an academic minor. A committee of faculty members is leading the campaign and is seeking wide community support.

The committee hopes to have a proposal presented to the Dean of the College and the Provost of the

University for approval by the end of the current academic year.

The Italian Community Center has already jumped on board in support of the effort.

ICC President Gina Spang, a graduate of Marquette University, is excited about the new program.

“We are looking forward to collaborating with Marquette University Please turn to page 17

Claudia Pessarelli, an instructor of Italian at Marquette University, is seen here with Italian Community Center Historian Mario A. Carini.

Pessarelli is seeking the support of the community in establishing Italian as a minor at Marquette. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

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PAGE 2 – DECEMBER 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

You are cordially invited to attend the 34th annual Il Grande Carnevale

By Ginny Balistreri Another grand evening is being planned for the 2013 Il Grande Carnevale, the Italian Community Center’s pre-Lenten costume and mask ball. The theme for the event on Saturday, Feb. 9, is “Recordi di Carnevale” (“Memories of Carnevale”), and it’s shaping up to become one of the most memorable events of the New Year. Consider this your official invitation to attend.

Built upon the traditions of Venice, Italy’s historic celebration, the ICC’s Carnevale is traditionally one of the highlights of the Center’s event calendar. Co-Chairs Rosemary DeRubertis and Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek and their committee are promising to top past events with terrific, fun-filled activities highlighted by great food, the outstanding music of the Bill Sargent Big Band, magnificent costumes and masks, chances to win cash and other prizes, a gala parade, the coronation of the royal court, luscious sweets and a Bartolotta fireworks display to light the sky and your imagination.

The deadline for reservations is Monday, Feb. 4. Prepaid reservations are $55 per person, with a discounted price of $50 for ICC members. Reservations may be made with a credit card by calling the Italian Community Center at 414-223-2180, or by sending in the reservation form accompanying this article. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your plans.

Carnevale always enjoys a capacity attendance.

and cold hors d’oeuvres. An hour later, at 6:11 p.m., guests will be called into the Pompeii Grand Ballroom for a sumptuous dinner and dessert.

A colorful coronation ceremony of the ICC’s 2013 royalty follows dinner. Then there’s judging for the best costumes and masks along with many chances to win prizes, dancing to the popular Bill Sargent Big Band and other entertainment.

But that’s not all; there’s a money raffle and an exciting late-night pyrotechnics display presented by Bartolotta Fireworks. The memorable evening concludes with a trip to the spectacular sweet table. A cash bar will be open all evening.

Carnevale’s dinner menu is best described as a gastronomic extravaganza. Starting with Italian salad and bread and butter, it includes a double entrée – a petite filet mignon and chicken Sarà – served with a nest of light garlic-butter angel hair pasta, broiled tomato parmesan, and a vegetable medley followed by a decadent dessert of New York cheesecake with strawberry filling and chocolate ganache, coffee, tea, iced tea or milk. Each table will be set with a bottle of red and white wine.

The creative design team of ICC volunteers Marie and Craig Lieber, C.J. Lieber, Ryan Lieber, Christina Ziino, Ann Zambito, Santa Mazza, Frank D’Amato, Cosmo Carini and Pamela Mazza-Mueller are already busy creating the ballroom decorations to carry out Carnevale’s theme. All they will say is that the

ballroom will sparkle. However, the team does ask that anyone who has photographs of past Carnevale contact the ICC. The design team would like to borrow the photos and use them in displays at the ball.

The photos will be returned to you after the event. The most desirable pictures are those that reflect your memories of Carnevale.

Other members of the committee, including Rose Anne Ceraso Fritchie, Liz Ceraso, Mary Winard, Marie Schwindt, Jim Schwindt, Mary Pecoraro, Anna Pitzo, and Ginny Balistreri are busy at work on registration, the raffle, program book design, publicity and ad sales.

Those who would like to place a business ad or a congratulatory message to members of the Royal Court in the program book should contact Anna Pitzo at 262-6956119; or at pitzomom@wi.rr.com.

She will provide specs and prices and help in placing your ad.

Costumes and masks Costumes and masks aren’t required to have an enjoyable evening, but many choose to get in the spirit of Carnevale with imaginative outfits. It’s not unusual to see court jesters, Las Vegas show girls, ladies and gentlemen of the renaissance, lions and tigers, clergy, the phantom of the opera, and an Elvis or two among the guests.

Masks, which are separately judged, are equally imaginative decorated in sequins, beads, plumes, and whatever else strikes the creator’s fancy.

An evening to remember For those who haven’t previously attended, Carnevale gets under way at 5:11 p.m. in the galleria with a social hour (cash bar) where you will enjoy an array of tasty hot

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For advertising information, please call (414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to: themman@italiancc.org.

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

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

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Please turn to page 4

Harder

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Spano Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . Rosemary DeRubertis Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Italian Page Editor . . . . . . . Enrica Tarantino-Woytal Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors and Staff Writers/Reporters . . . . .Ginny Balistreri, Bill Lavelette, Mario A. Carini Angelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon and Susan Christiansen, Staff Photographers . . . . Tim Townsend, Joe Spasiano and Tom Hemman

“We encourage our guests to come in costume or masks and create a few memories of their own,” said the co-chairs, DeRubertis and Czubek. “We’ll have judges to select the best entries, and we will be awarding prizes for the best and most creative efforts.”

The judging will take place during the grand march before the fireworks show and the serving of the sweet table.

In her role as La Gran Marescislla, Marie Lieber will open the evening’s festivities and be in charge of keeping the activities on schedule.

Czubek and DeRubertis added: “This year we’re asking past royalty who plan to attend Carnevale on Feb. 9 to let us know they will be

“Three generations of my family serving yours.” www.Guardalabene.com Phone: (262) 781-8350 Cell: (414) 588-0836 “As dictated by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, all pre-paid funeral trusts are allowed to be transferred to another funeral home at any time. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss transferring your trust to me from Schmidt & Bartelt or any other funeral home. I would, of course, honor all the terms and wishes as originally agreed upon. It is a very simple process that only requires your signature on a transfer form which I would provide. In addition, there likely could be a savings to you because of Harder’s more reasonable charges.”

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DECEMBER 2012 – PAGE 3

Make plans to attend the 34th Carnevale from page 4 there and to wear their sashes, medals and crowns if they still have them. They will be asked to participate in the grand march.”

Coronation of Royalty The highlight of the evening will be the coronation of the 2013 Royalty. The Royal Court of the 34th Carnevale includes: John Alioto and Mary Anne (Ceraso) Alioto as Re e Regina (King and Queen), Ray and Caroline Besasie as Nonno e Nonna (Royal Grandfather and Grand-mother); Mason Mueller as Prinicipe (Prince); Gina Loeffelholz as Principessa (Princess); Dominic Bartolone as Piccolo Principe (Little Prince) and Ella Rose Vollbracht as Piccola Principessa (Little Princess). Alyssa Lieber and Zachary Rolf are Royal Pages.

Lending to the ecclesiastical air of the occasion as Il Vescovo (The Bishop) will be long time ICC member Frank D’Amato. Profiles on all the members of the Royal Court appear in a separate article in this issue of The Italian Times.

Raffle As a fund-raising activity, a raffle, featuring cash prizes, will be conducted. Tickets will be mailed to ICC members for purchase and will be on sale the night of the event.

The raffle will offer chances to win $500 (1st prize), $300 (2nd prize), $200 (3rd prize) and $100 (4th prize). Ticket prices are $2 each or seven for $10. “We encourage our members to purchase and sell as many tickets as possible,” Czubek and DeRubertis said. For additional tickets, call the ICC office at 414/223-2180.

Carnevale 2013 Reservation Form Name(s) ____________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________________________________ Phone: _________________ Email: ______________________________ Please list the names of persons in your party on a separate sheet of paper. Tables of 10 are available.

Number of ICC members attending: ______ x $50.00 = $ Number of non-members attending: ______ x $55.00 = $ Total amount of your check or money order: $ Please make your check or money order payable to: Italian Community Center. Send payment and this form with the list of those in your party to: Carnevale, c/o ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.

Nonno and Nonna Ray and Caroline Besasie Re and Regina John and Mary Anne (Ceraso) Alioto

Piccolo Principe Dominic Bartolone

Royal Page Zachary Rolf

PAGE 4 – DECEMBER 2012

Principe Mason Mueller

Principess Gina Loeffelholz

Frank D’Amato is returning to perfom the role of Il Vescovo (The Bishop) of Carnevale. (Times photo

by Tom Hemman

Marie Lieber, Il Gran Maresciallo of Carnevale 2013, is seen here in a costume worn at the celebration three years ago. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Piccola Principessa Ella Rose Vollbracht

Royal Page Alysssa Lieber

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Royal Court announced for Feb. 9 Il Grande Carnevale

By Ginny Balistreri The Royal Court has been selected for the 34th annual Il Grande Carnevale, the Italian Community Center’s social event of the year.

Their selection will be formally acknowledged at a coronation ceremony during the pre-Lenten celebration, which is open to the public and will take place at the ICC on Feb. 9, the Saturday before Ash Wednesday in 2013.

The theme of the 2013 gala is “Ricordi di Carnevale” (“Memories of Carnevale”). Details of the event can be found in an article in this issue of The Times.

Carnevale co-chairs Rosemary DeRubertis and Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek are once again chairing the gala for which attendees are encouraged to wear costumes or masks or both. “You can wear any costume you choose; you’re limited only by the extent of your imagination,” they said. As in the past, judges will award prizes for the best costumes and masks.

“Competition for prizes is always intense,” they added. “Year after year, people keep outdoing themselves.”

Czubek and DeRubertis announced that their committee has selected the following ICC members for 34th Royal Court: • Re e Regina (King and Queen) – John Alioto and Mary Ann Ceraso Alioto.

John and Mary Ann have been members of the Italian Community Center “…since the beginning.”

Their parents, Sam and Beatrice Ceraso and John and Caroline Alioto, set the example by being long time active members of the Center and dedicated volunteers.

It was only natural that their commitment would be passed down to their children. Besides Festa and Carnevale, the 2013 King and Queen have served as volunteers for events like the Children’s Easter and Befana post-Christmas parties and help coordinate golf carts at Festa.

The only time they weren’t involved was when they were caring for Mary Anne’s late father during his illness.

The ICC and Festa are part of the reason the couple is together today. John and Mary Anne dated in high school and college, but went their separate ways and later married others. John, who works for C&D Technologies as a lead man in production, and Mary Anne who develops telecommunications solutions for business customers of Time Warner Cable, met again in 1998 after they were both divorced.

They began working together as ICC/Festa volunteers from that time on. They married two years later in 2000. Their blended family includes John’s daughters, Jenna, Kayla and Anna Alioto, and the couple’s son, Sam. This is the first time the couple has been named to the Carnevale Royal Court. However, Sam was Piccolo Principe in 2010 and John’s daughter Jenna is a former Principessa.

“We’re honored to have been asked,” said Mary Anne. “We’re excited to share this experience with our family and everyone who attends Carnevale. It’s going to be a wonderful evening.”

They expect a big turnout from members of both the Ceraso and Alioto families. Their excitement is

THE ITALIAN TIMES

multiplied by the fact that Mary Anne has had a very long recuperation from groundbreaking ankle surgery following an extreme sport accident. She expects that by February she will be able to walk in the Grand March and hopefully to share a dance with her husband.

• Nonno e Nonna (Grand father and Grandmother) – Ray and Caroline Besasie Ray and Caroline (Purpero) Besasie were founding members of the ICC and Festa. Their dedication to the Center is steeped in volunteerism and family commitment.

Even though the couple raised five children and Ray was also busy with a very successful career as vice president of The Excalibur Corporation and later as the owner of Baci Auto Co., Inc., many of their 57 years together are linked to ICC events and activities.

Ask either Ray or Caroline to recount a memory of the early days of the organization, and they have trouble recalling just one. However, Caroline can look back on the first Festa and her role as the one and only cashier for that event 35 years ago with a hearty laugh.

Her assignment was to sell Festa tickets from a wooden booth at the Main Gate that was as dirty as it was old. She had to clean it from top to bottom before she could open for business. But that was nothing compared to the unexpected onslaught of business that occurred from the time they opened until they closed three days later.

The organizers underestimated Festa’s initial attraction, and Caroline had to manage rapid sales without the benefit of even a cash box. Someone finally found a shoebox and that’s how she managed the cash flow.

Caroline later served as Captain of the Main Gate, while Ray managed the Festa bank.

The couple, who met at Lincoln High School and married in 1955, is well suited to their role as the Royal Grandparents. They have five children – Ray, Jr., Grace Ann Niles, Roslyn Radke, Marilyn Besasie and Carlo Besasie – and they are the grandparents of 11 – 6 boys and 5 girls.

• Principe (Prince) – Mason Mueller Mason, who turns 21 in December, is the son of Jon and Pam Mazza-Mueller and grandson of Santa and and the late Nick Mazza. Mason is a student at Milwaukee Area Technical College where he is studying Sustainable Facilities Operations. He works part time at UPS and Modern Maintenance Services. Mason volunteers each year at Festa Italiana and at the ICC. In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding, listening to music, and science. He is also an avid numismatist. He is looking forward to participating in Carnevale as the 2013 Prince.

• Principessa (Princess) – Gina Loeffelholz Gina is the daughter of Rosa Giannotto Loeffelholz. She is an 18 year old senior at Muskego High School and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin next fall to pursue a career in nursing. Gina is a member of the Muskego Poms Dance Team. In addition to performing at games, the Poms serve the community through fundraisers and benefits.

Gina is a dance instructor at Anita’s Dance Center where she has performed on stage since the age of four and has won many first place awards in dance competitions. She has performed at many sport events throughout the U.S. She is involved with Radio Disney and takes part in parades and holiday shows.

Gina also plays piano and earned two trophies through the Wisconsin Music Federation. She was a member of the I Bei Bambini (Children’s Italian Dance Group) and is now a member of the Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group.

• Piccolo Principe (Little Prince) – Dominic Bartolone Dominic is the son of Lisa (Natoli) and Christopher Bartolone.

He is 8 years old and a third grade student at Richards Elementary School in Whitefish Bay. He has one brother and two sisters: Isabella, 9, Charlie, 5, and Sofia, 4.

Dominic is very athletic. He enjoys sports particularly tackle football, soccer, baseball and basketball. He is a member of the Milwaukee Kickers soccer team, plays baseball in the Whitefish Bay Little League and plays basketball and football through the Whitefish Bay Recreation Department. His favorite at this time is tackle football. He is a receiver. Dominic is also a very good student and loves school.

Lisa and Christopher say that Dominic’s selection as the Piccolo Principe is ironic. It was 13 years ago - in 2000 - that Lisa attended Carnevale and met her future husband, Christopher, who was the Principe of that event. Dominic, however, is a bit young to be picking out a wife.

• Piccola Principessa (Little Princess) – Ella Rose Vollbracht Ella turns 7 on December 2.

The daughter of Jeannine and James Vollbracht, Muskego, she is the granddaughter of Joanne and Ron Czubek and the sister of Molly who was the Piccola Principessa in 2010.

Ella is in the first grade at Tess Corners Elementary School where she enjoys learning and spending

time with friends. She is very nurturing, kind and entertaining. She has a great sense of humor.

Ella loves art and dance. She is studying ballet, tap and jazz at Anita’s Dance Studio and is a member of the Hippity Hoppers hip hop dance team. During the holidays, Ella will be an extra playing a mouse in a dance school performance of “The Nutcracker.” She and her fellow Hippity Hoppers will also perform during half time at the New Year’s Eve Globetrotters game and possibly at Zoo ala Carte and Festa Italiana.

Ella is in her second year of Girl Scouts at the Daisy level and will earn Brownie status in spring.

When asked what excites her most about being the Piccola Principessa at Carnevale, she said she gets to “…wear a long, long dress and a crown.” She also asked if she’s going to have to kiss the prince.

Her mother replied, “Only by mutual consent.”

• Royal Page – Zachary Rolf Zachary is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade at St. Jude the Apostle School. He is the son of Sara Rolf and the godson/nephew/cousin of the Winard and Radowicz families. Zach is a member of the ICC’s I Bei Bamnbini children’s dance group.

He has performed at the Holiday Folk Fair and at Festa Italiana. He is also a Festa volunteer.

Zachary is a high-brown belt in Tae Kwon Do at the J.K. Lee Black Belt Academy. He plays Tosa and West Bend Little League baseball and Tosa basketball. He also enjoys music and studies viola through the Pius XI High School Performing Arts program. Zach aspires to become both an author and pediatrician.

• Royal Page – Alyssa Lieber Alyssa, who is also called Ally, will be 11 in January. She is the daughter of C.J. and Angie Lieber and the granddaughter of Craig and Marie (Andoloro) Lieber. She is in the 5th grade at Brown Deer Middle School. Ally is a member of the Girl Scouts and also takes violin lessons. She enjoyed helping out in the barn feeding the horses, bailPlease turn to page 6

Jayne Taylor’s new CD Come and join Jayne Taylor as she celebrates the release of her new CD with the Tom Sorce Band and her special guest, Mr. Tom Anthony.

Tickets are available through the Sunset Playhouse box office at 262-782-4430.

Jayne’s new CD will be available for purchase at the show.

December 29, 2012 - 7:30pm Sunset Playhouse 800 Elm Grove Road Elm Grove, WI 53122 jaynetaylormusic.com DECEMBER 2012 – PAGE 5

A message from Gina M. Spang, Italian Community Center President Congratulations to the officers and directors who were recently installed; and thank you to everyone who attended the installation dinner. The event was spectacular, and as always, Rosie DeReburtis and Joanne Czubek outdid themselves with the planning and preparation of the event. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.

As an organization we are poised for a year that will bring challenges as well as great opportunity. I am asking the membership to begin thinking about the top three issues that we need to focus on this year. We will begin this

conversation in November and December and then have a work session at the February general membership meeting to solidify our goals and objectives for the upcoming year. I believe that it is important that we collectively work together to identify these goals. We are stronger and more successful when we are a cohesive group working to accomplish the same goals.

In the upcoming months, we will identify opportunities for members to become more engaged in the organization. As you know, it is our members who are the foundation and strength of the Italian

Community Center, and if we are to continue our success we need to grow our membership and keep our members actively engaged. Thanks to General Manager Patrick Morgan and the wonderful employees of the ICC; the building looks wonderful during the holiday season. Why don’t you bring your family, friends or co-workers down to the ICC for lunch, dinner or one of the many events taking place? Or better yet, invite them to our Christmas party!

I look forward to working with you this upcoming year. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

– Gina M. Spang, ICC President

Royalty chosen for Carnevale 2013 from page 5 ing hay and other chores until allergies forced her to give up her work with horses.

Ally also models for her cousin Tracey, who is a photographer. She loves to dance and is a member of the Italian Dance Group, Tradizione Vivente. She volunteers at Festa helping her grandmother Marie, the manager of the Cucina Showcase.

• La Gran Marescialla (The Grand Marshall) – Marie (Andoloro) Lieber Traditionally, someone is selected to be Il Gran Maresciallo or La Gran Marescialla (The Grand Marshal) to keep the evening’s activities on schedule. Marie Lieber served in this capacity at the 2005 Carnevale and is “back by popular demand,” according to the Carnevale co-chairs. She is only the third woman to hold these duties.

Marie, along with her husband

Craig, son C.J. and grandson Ryan serve on the event’s creative design team responsible for designing, creating and decorating the ICC for Il Grande Carnevale.

Marie is a long-time ICC and Festa volunteer. She has been the manager of the Festa Cucina Showcase for eight years and serves as the emcee and assistant to visiting chefs. She scoops European gelato at Taste of Italy, works the Italian booths at the International Holiday Folk Fair, and is often seen dressed as the Easter Bunny at the Pompeii Women’s Club breakfast and as Pinocchio at Festa Italiana.

Marie is a paralegal with the law firm of Terschan, Steinle, Hodan & Ganzer, Ltd. She also does small animal massage therapy. She and Craig have been married for 41 years.

Besides their son C.J., who works closely with his parents at in

all of their volunteer activities, they also have three grandchildren, Ryan, Dominic and Alyssa.

• Il Vescovo (The Bishop) – Frank D’Amato The coronation ceremony includes an ICC member filling the role of Il Vescovo (The Bishop).

That ecclesiastical post will be taken once again by Frank D’Amato, who was Il Vescovo at Carnevale in 2011 and 2012.

Frank is a long-time volunteer for the ICC and Festa. He serves on the Creative Design Committee of Il Grande Carnevale.

Frank and his late wife, Catherine, were selected as the Re and Regina in 1997.

Frank, a retired lithographer, is the proud father of six children (three boys, three girls), the grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 3.

His wife of 52 years Catherine (nee Dentice) passed away in 2008.

His granddaughter Sara Maslowski represented the family as a former Piccola Principessa.

Frank can remember being involved in the ICC when it was located on Hackett Avenue. Since then he has served on several committees. Most notably he has been a member of the Festa Mass and Procession Committee since its inception and has served both as chair and co-chair.

He has been on the Carnevale Committee for the past few years.

He also serves as assistant manager of the Festa Pompeii Church Exhibit.

Frank’s civic involvement extends beyond the ICC. He is a member of the Pompeii Men’s Club and has been very active at Three Holy Women Parish for his entire life. He serves as an usher at Three Holy Women Parish’s St. Rita’s Church and is also one of the cooks for its annual spaghetti dinner.

Calendar of Events November 28 – December 31, 2012 Wednesday, Nov. 28 • Pompeii Women’s Club membership dinner meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30 • Italian Community Center Culture Committee hosts book reading with author Paul Salsini, 7 p.m. Detsils in this issue.

Saturday, Dec. 1 • Abbruzzese Society Christmas party, 6 p.m. Details in this issue.

Monday, Dec. 3 • Solomon Juneau Club Christmas party, noon.

Tuesday, Dec. 4 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Christmas dinner meeting, 6 p.m.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 5 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8 • Holy Crucifix Society holiday party, noon.

Monday, Dec. 10 • Italian Community Center Finance & Personnel Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 11 • Abbruzzese Society election meeting, 7 p.m.

• Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 20 • Italian Community Center Membership Christmas dinner and dance, 5:30 p.m. Details in this issue.

Monday, Dec. 24 • Christmas Eve. ! The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference Center, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times as well as Cafe La Scala will be closed.

Tuesday, Dec. 25 • Buon Natale! Merry Christmas! The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference Center, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times as well as Cafe La Scala will be closed.

Monday, Dec. 31 • Italian Community Center New Year’s Eve party, 7 p.m. Details in this issue.

Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The spring bocce season, with a mixed couples league on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and seniors leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, will begin the week of Jan. 7. Details in this issue.

• Free Children’s Italian class. Look for an announcement on the spring semester class in our next issue.

• Italian I and II classes for teens and adults. Look for an announcement on the spring semester of classes in our next issue..

Wednesday, Dec. 12 • Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge 2763/Order Sons of Italy in America Council meeting, 6 p.m.

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

Thursday, Dec. 13 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6 p.m.

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

PAGE 6 – DECEMBER 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Fabulous bake sale planned for Membership Christmas party Everyone attending the Italian Community Center’s Membership Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 20 will have a chance to purchase fabulous holiday cookies and homemade treats at a giant bake sale.

Last year, this sale, which serves as a fund-raiser for the organization, generated nearly

$800.

Co-chairs Joanne Czubek, Rosemary DeRubertis and Gina Manning are asking members to donated baked goods for the fundraiser.

“The bake sale is successful because of your dedication to the ICC and your willingness to bake

Members’ Christmas Dinner and Dance set for Thursday, Dec. 20 from page 1 than to dance the night away!

Come jitterbug, cha cha, rock-and roll, electric slide and cupid shuffle your way into the holidays.

Bake sale Imagine the vast array of stunning fresh-baked cakes, cookies, cupcakes and other pastries. The quality of this absolutely beautiful bake sale is second to none. You won’t want to miss this. (See separate story.)

Reservations neccessary Advance paid reservations are required. The cost for this fantastic evening is $20 per member, $35

per non-member. Please use the form accompanying this story to make your reservations. Make checks payable to the Italian Community Center.

You may also call 414/223-2180 and make your payment with a credit card.

The reservation deadline is Thursday, Dec. 13.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a half-hour cocktail reception.

The dinner and dance are replacing the regular general membership meeting. However, after dinner and before the entertainment begins, there will be a brief business meeting to inform the members of future activities.

for this event,” the chairs said. “We are also grateful to the Vella family and Sciortino’s Bakery for the delicious cookies they donate each year and Jack McNeir, the ICC’s executive chef, who always comes up with something special for this event.”

The bakery table is always a sight to see; beautifully decorated with holiday cheer along with the delicious and lovely packaged goodies ready for purchase for gifts or just for the buyer’s enjoyment.

“Please pick a favorite recipe, whether it’s cookies, cakes, bars or candy, anything goes,” the chairs said. “You can package your bak-

ery, or we can do it for you. You can drop off bakery at the ICC during business hours the day before or the morning of the Christmas party. If you package your own bakery and are coming to the party, you can bring it with you that night.”

Please contact Joanne Czubek at 414/529-0183 and let her know you’re willing to bake for this event and when your baked goods will be delivered. “We can always count on our members to pitch in and help make this event a great success,” Czubek said.

The chairs said they will set the prices for all the baked goods.

ICC General Membership Christmas Dinner & Dance Reservation Form Name(s) ____________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________________________________ Phone No. ________________ Email _____________________________ Number of ICC members attending ________ x $20.00 = $_____________ Number of non-members attending ________ x $35.00 + $_____________ Make check or money order payable to: Italian Community Center. Send this form and your payment to: ICC, Attn.: Membership Christmas Dinner & Dance. 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Reservation deadline: Thursday, Dec. 13.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It will begin with an Italian salad

with Romaine lettuce topped with mozzarella cheese, salami, prosciutto, tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts and pepperoncini.

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

For dessert, guests will be served tuxedo black and white torte with a layer of New York cheesecake, raspberry filling, chocolate butter cream, moist double chocolate cake topped with French vanilla butter cream.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doo-Wop Daddies

THE ITALIAN TIMES

DECEMBER 2012 – PAGE 7

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

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

The Italian Times will continue to be published 11 times annually, including the combined July/August Festa Italiana issue. Every issue will be published as an online edition of the Italian Community Center’s website – www.ICCMilwaukee.com. However, just six of the 11 editions will be printed and made available for mailing to ICC members and for free public distribution through our 70 outlets in the Greater Milwaukee Area.

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

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

Once we are able to evaluate online readership, we will be able

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

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

Details on this advertising program need to be ironed out and will be made available once the work is completed.

Our goal is to retain all of our

regular advertisers and, through the worldwide exposure of the online edition, attract many more new readers, as well as advertisers.

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

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

The Italian Times has been an outgoing publication of the ICC since June of 1979.

Three ICC meetings moved up in December Three of the Italian Community Center’s meetings in December are being advanced by one week.

The Finance and Personnel Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10. The ICC Board meeting will convene at 6 p.m. on

Thursday, Dec. 13. The general meeting, which will be a brief part of the annual membership Christmas dinner and dance, will take place Thursday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.

All of these meeting date

changes are being made to ensure that nothing interferes with members’ celebrations between Christmas and New Year’s.

Since the membership Christmas dinner and dance is a special event, the $5 buffet dinner will not

be available that night. A story on the Christmas dinner and dance starts on page 1. Reservations are required for that event. A story on the new date selected for general membership meetings can also be found on page 1.

Buon Natale e Un Felice Anno Nuovo! from

The Vella Family

“AMERICAʼS FINEST” Are you tired of the same gift ideas?

Visit our store for: Holiday Cookie Trays, Assorted Cookie Tins & Stollens.

Perfect as gifts for your business clients, friends and family or for your office party and other holiday celebrations.

Peter Sciortino’s Bakery Coupon

Receive an extra 1 lb. of cookies when you spend $50 or more through December 31, 2012.

Coupon must be presented at time of purchase for redemption.

1101 E. Brady St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone (414) 272-4623 • Fax (414) 272-1456 www.PeterSciortinosBakery.com Tuesday - Saturday, 6:30 AM - 6 PM, Sunday, 6:30 AM - 5 PM. Closed Mondays.

PAGE 8 – DECEMBER 2012

THE ITALIAN TIMES

Get involved in the Avanti Committee

BUON NATALE A TUTTI!

Want to get more involved in the Italian Community Center?

Joining the Avanti Committee is a great way to start. This group of younger ICC members is looking for new members for planning fun, culture and family events.

The Avanti Committee is responsible for many events that ICC members have come to enjoy.

These include: La Befana children’s post-Christmas party on the first Saturday of January; the children’s Easter party; “La Cucina” cooking classes; and wine tastings.

If you want to become active in the Avanti Committee, you’re invited to attend a meeting at the ICC on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

“We look forward to seeing everyone there,” said Liz Ceraso, ICC director and Avanti member.

“If you have any questions, please email me at liz.ceraso@gmail.com.

‘La Befana’ children’s party will be Jan. 5 Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie, representing the Italian Community Center’s Avanti Committee, has advised The Italian Times that a post-Christmas party celebrating the legend of La Befana will be held at the ICC, at noon, Saturday, Jan. 5, for the youngest children and grandchildren of ICC members.

Complete details on the event will be announced in the next issue, published in late December.

The gift-bearing witch of Italian folklore will greet, tell her story and provide gifts to youngsters, 11 years and younger.

This will mark the 11th consecutive year that the ICC has hosted this post-Christmas party for children.

Deadline set for January issue of The Italian Times All advertising copy, news and feature stories, letters from the readers and photographs for publication in the January 2013 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Friday, Dec. 7.

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

Your cooperation will insure timely publication of the newspaper.

Saint Stephen’s Day is a national holiday in Italy December 26th is the day to honor San Stefano (Saint Stephen) in Italy and many other countries. The Feast of San Stefano is a national holiday in Italy.

San Stefano was one of the early disciples who joined the Church of Jerusalem when it was in its infancy following the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. He is said to be the first Christian martyr.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

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