ITALIAN TIMES THE
Published 11 times annually by the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 www.ICCMilwaukee.com OCTOBER 2016 • VOL. 38, NO. 4
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Battle for vice presidency and four directors seats in ICC election
by Thomas Hemman Times Editor While the election outcomes for the next president of the Italian Community Center and the candidates for the treasurer, secretary and sergeant-at-arms are certain as they are uncontested, decisions on who will be the next vice president and who will fill the four open director-at-large seats are in the hands of ICC members. The election results will also determine how the newly elected board will fill one or possibly two vacancies among the directors-atlarge. Read on to find out the details. In the race for vice president,
Rose Anne (Ceraso) Fritchie is being opposed by Joseph Emanuele. Fritchie has been the secretary on the board the past 13 years. She is also the president of the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National. Emanuele was elected to his first term as a director-at-large last year. He is the president of the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America. Eight candidates are running for the four directors’ positions. They are (in alphabetical order): Ted Catalano, Karen Dickinson, Blaise Di Pronio, Bruno Giacomantonio, Joseph Jannazzo, Anthony Lupo, Valorie (Sanfilippo) Schleicher and Anthony Zingale.
Dean Cannestra will become the next president of the ICC succeeding Giuseppe Vella on Nov. 1, the date established in the organization’s bylaws as the start of the new term. Cannestra is completing his second consecutive one-year term as vice president and previously served as a director-at-large for two terms (four years total). Cannestra is the owner/manager of Divino Wine and Dine Restaurant and Nessun Dorma Bar and Restaurant. Vella is finishing his second term as president. Even if he would have been interested, Vella could not run for a third consecutive term. The bylaws limit a president
Volunteers will join forces to present a day of Italian culture and education to local grade school students on Monday, Oct. 17. “Student Culture Day,” as it is known, is returning to the lineup of community activities offered by the Italian Community Center. The reinstating of the program is due, in large part, to the contributions by three members.
Contributions of $1,000 were offered by Rose Purpero Spang, Sam Purpero and Joseph Mangiamele. “Their donations will go a long way for covering the costs associated with Student Culture Day,” said Christina Ziino, co-chair of the Culture Committee, which is responsible for organizing the program. Ziino said the program is
scheduled to feature all of the learning experiences and components it included the last time it was offered in October 2013. These include: • An Italian language class. • A homemade pasta-making class. • A history class on the Italian immigrant experience, focusing on Please turn to page 4
to two consecutive one-year terms of office. He will still have a position on the new board in the nonelected position of immediate past president. Sam Purpero will continue to serve as treasurer. He has held the Please turn to page 5
Student Culture Day back in the fold at ICC, thanks to 3 donors
Casino Night fundraiser is a winning wager
With no opponent in the upcoming election, Vice President Dean Cannestra will become the next president of the ICC. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Installation dinner set for Friday, Oct. 28
As you probably have read, the results of the Italian Community Center election will be announced at the general membership meeting on Oct. 20. Eight days later, the newly-elected officers and directors-at-large for the 2016-17 term
will be sworn in. An installation dinner will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a reception (cash bar). A buffet-style dinner will be available at 6:30 p.m., followed by Please turn to page 5
Cosa c’è dentro?
President’s message
(What’s inside?) page 2
Italian societies, organizations: Your 2017 schedules are needed page 2
Come to the Festival di Danza e Cultura page 3
Chairperson Karen Dickinson and her husband, Bill, are seen here with a few of the raffle prizes people had a chance to win by participating in the Casino Night event at the Italian Community Center on Sept. 9. A onemonth rental of the Vespa was provided by the Reina brothers of Reina International Auto/Vespa Milwaukee. The wine seen here was donated by Sal Purpora of Papa Luigi’s Pizza. This marked the third consecutive year that Karen Dickinson has served as chairperson of the Casino Night fundraiser. More pictures and information from Casino Night can be found inside this issue. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
ICC to showcases its works for Gallery Night and Day weekend page 3
ICC’s Holiday Boutique set for Nov. 26 page 4 Calendar of events
page 4
Uncovering an American pilot’s remains in Italy page 8
Your support sought for Thanksgiving dinner for less fortunate page 9
UNICO Ladies first to donate for Thanksgiving dinner
page 9
Editor/author Umberto Mucci to speak about his new book at ICC page 9
Thanks to Casino Night supporters
page 11
Club news
page 12
Opeera insights
page 12
Sezione Italiane pagine 14-15
Victory K-8 report
page 20
A message from Giuseppe Vella, Italian Community Center President
This is my second last message as President of the Italian Community Center. It has been an eventful 22 months with some highs and some lows.
My term ends on November 1st, the day that the Bartolotta Restaurant Group officially takes over the banquet and restaurant operations at the ICC.
This transaction was something that our organization needed to get done. We accomplished it through a thorough examination of our operations and our abilities to function and prosper while remaining a viable entity in our community.
resulting in a higher degree of success. Together, we can move forward with confidence.
Casino Night By the time you read this message, our third annual Casino Night (held Sept. 9) will be in the books. I want to thank chairpersons Karen and Bill Dickinson and their volunteers for making this fundraiser a success. It was a great way for our members and nonmembers to get together, share camaraderie and have some fun. Upcoming events We have a number of events coming up in October and November for which I encourage your support.
By having Bartolotta – a wellrecognized restaurant and catering professional aboard – we can concentrate on what our organization does best. The Italian Conference Center staff has done an outstanding job running our banquet and restaurant operations since the opening of our building in the fall of 1990, and they deserve our highest accolades. One of the most essential factors for us in proceeding with this 10-year agreement with Bartolotta was their ability to bring greater resources and expertise,
These include: • The Avanti Committee-hosted Gallery Night and Day on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22. • The ICC Installation Dinner on Friday, Oct. 28. • The ICC Culture Committeehosted “Festival di Danza e Cultura” on Tuesday, Nov. 1. • The ICC’s second annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 26. Details on all of these events
The 2017 meeting and social event schedules of all of the societies, clubs and organizations that regularly use the Italian Community Center for their activities are needed by The Italian Times. Times editor Tom Hemman needs the information to provide an accurate reporting in the calendar published in each issue of the news-
paper. All groups are asked to submit their schedules including the starting time of all events as soon as possible. The goal is to have the schedules from all societies, clubs and organizations by Nov. 30. Please submit schedules using any one of these methods: • Send an email to Hemman at
appear in this issue.
Thanks to donors On behalf of the ICC Board, I want to thank Joe Mangiamele, Rose Purpero Spang and Sam Purpero for making monetary donations that will result in the revival of the ICC’s Student Culture Day. It is very important that the ICC strives to educate the students in our community about our Italian heritage. With the help of the three donations and the efforts of our Culture Committee and its volunteers, the Student Culture Day will be presented Monday, Oct. 17. Thanks to everyone who is lending a hand to bring this important program back into the fold.
Election ballots Every member “in good standing” should be receiving an election ballot in the mail. Our bylaws define a member in good standing as anyone who has been a member 60 days prior to the counting of ballots and the announcement of the election results. For the upcoming election, anyone who has been a member since Aug. 22 is considered
a member in good standing and will receive a ballot. All ballots must be postmarked no later than the Thursday preceding the election. In this case, the final day for the receipt of ballots that are eligible to be counted is Thursday, Oct. 13. Good luck to all of the candidates. I look forward to working with you in the non-elective position of immediate past president.
– Giuseppe Vella ICC President
Italian societies and organizations: ICC needs your 2017 schedules
Avanti Committee looking for new members
Calling all ICC members 18 and older. Are you interested in helping to continue the growth of the social events of the Italian Community Center? We are looking for members to join the Avanti Committee. By joining the Avanti Committee, you can help us at such fun events as our children’s post-
Christmas party with La Befana, the Children’s Easter party, Gallery Night and Day and other social events and classes. Please contact Liz Ceraso at: liz.ceraso@gmail.com with your contact information. We look forward to meeting everyone.
themman@italiancc.org. • Fax the information to 414223-2187. • Drop off the schedules in person at the ICC.
Groups that fail to comply with this request may find it difficult at a later time to get the accommodations they most desire.
Upcoming events ICC’s Student Culture Day Program Monday, Oct. 17
ICC General Membership Dinner & Meeting Election Results Announced. Thursday, Oct. 20 ICC Avanti Committee hosts Gallery Night Friday, Oct. 21
ICC Avanti Committee hosts Gallery Day Saturday, Oct. 22
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PAGE 2 – OCTOBER 2016
ICC’s Installation Dinner Friday, Oct. 28
Festival di Danza e Cultura hosted by ICC Culture Committee and the International Institute of Wisconsin Tuesday, Nov. 1 ICC’s 2nd annual Holiday Boutique Saturday, Nov. 26
ICC’s Membership Christmas Party Thursday, Dec. 15
“If we don’t have the schedule of events for your organization with the starting time of each event, it is impossible to prepare an accurate calendar listing for the newspaper. We depend on the presidents or the designated representative of the many Italian organizations to supply this information,” Hemman said.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916 (414) 223-2180 Published 11 times annually
Publisher . . . Italian Community Center ICC President . . . . . . . . .Giuseppe Vella Newspaper Committee Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaise DiPronio Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman Advertising Sales Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler Editorial Contributors, Reporters and Columnists . . . . . . .Blaise Di Pronio, Barbara Collignon, Donato Di Pronio, Annette Robertson and the late Mario A. Carini 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.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Festival di Danza e Cultura coming to ICC on Tuesday, Nov. 1
Several ethnic dance and music groups will come together to perform at the Italian Community Center’s fourth annual Festival di Danza e Cultura on Tuesday, Nov. 1. This multi-cultural program, which is part of the ICC’s celebration of National Italian American Heritage Month, will be presented in the Pompeii Grand Ballroom starting at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks, dessert, and coffee will be available during the performance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a reception. A cash bar will also be available before and during the evening. The program price has changed this since dinner will not be offered. There is an admission fee of $8 for adults and $5 for children (12 and younger). “We will not offer dinner this year but will bring it back when the Japanese are here in 2017,” said Gina Jorgensen, Culture Committee chair. Reservations can be made using a credit or debit card by calling the ICC office at 414-223-2180 or by completing the form at the conclusion of this article to send in with payment. Festival di Danza e Cultura is a presentation of the ICC Culture Committee and Tradizione Vivente: the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee, in conjunction with the International Institute of Wisconsin. This program celebrates the kickoff for the 2016 Holiday Folk Fair International, which is Nov. 18-20 at State Fair Park – Expo Center in West Allis. As of press time, Gina Jorgensen, Culture Committee Chair, has confirmation from four performing groups representing a variety of ethnicities and cultures. Dance groups who are confirmed for this year’s event are: Italian, Mexican, Hmong, and Scot-
Here is Tradizione Vivente: The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee seen in a performance at Festa Italiana 2016. The group is joining the Italian Community Center in hosting the fourth annual Festival di Danza
tish. “There are at least four more groups that we are waiting for confirmation from,” Jorgensen said. Photos and information on each performing group will appear in the next issue of The Italian Times. “We continue to receive such great feedback about the past events held at the ICC,” Jorgensen said. This is truly a mini-Folk Fair that gives people a solid glance at what they can expect at the Holiday Folk Fair International in November. We truly appreciate the visiting ethnic groups that are generously giving their time and talents to our event.” The link to Holiday Folk Fair: http://www.folkfair.org/. She added that the Nov. 1 event will feature a raffle with some interesting gift items. Tickets for the 73rd annual Holiday Folk Fair International and raffle tickets will be available for purchase at a table outside the Pompeii Grand Ballroom.
e Cultura on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the ICC. Several ethnic groups will perform. Look for details on each group in the next issue of The Italian Times. (Times photo by Paul Inzeo)
FESTIVAL DI DANZA E CULTURA RESERVATION FORM
Names _____________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ________________________________________________
Phone _________________ Email _______________________________
Number of adults attending this event: ___ @ $8.00 per person = $______
Number of children attending this event: ____ @ $5.00 per child = $_____
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED:
Please send this form with your check (payable to the Italian Community Center) to ICC, c/o Festival di Danza, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Reservation deadline: October 24, 2016.
ICC to showcase its artifacts and photos for Gallery Night and Day, Oct. 21-22
Since October is nationally proclaimed as “Italian American Heritage Month,” the Italian Community Center’s Avanti Committee has chosen to display the organization’s own artifacts and historical photos as a participant in the area-wide Gallery Night & Day program, Friday night, Oct. 21 and Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22. A varied collection of prized artifacts and Italian heritage photos that demonstrate the pride, love and personality of Milwaukee’s Italian immigrant population will be set up in the Board Room. The hours will be from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Admission is free. Wine and cheese will be available on Friday night. The ICC has more than 3,000 vintage photos and numerous religious and family artifacts.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
The Avanti Committee is also looking into the possibility of borrowing a selection of Italian artifacts from local churches such as St. John’s Cathedral and St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church for the Gallery Night & Day display I n its 28th year, the program is a quarterly event organized by the Historic Third Ward Association and the East Towne Association. The ICC will be one of about 60 venues participating in the Gallery Night & Day. Attendees are invited to enjoy a meal at Cafe La Scala before or after viewing the display. There will be a banner outside Cafe La Scala indicating that the ICC is a Gallery Night & Day participant. The Historic Third Ward offers free Gallery Night Xpress Shuttles that art fans can utilize to attend several of the participating venues. For more information, please visit www.historicthirdward.org.
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Italian Community Center to host Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 26
Holiday boutiques are a most wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit – they inspire holiday cheer and provide shoppers with an opportunity to give a unique gift to the people in their lives. On Saturday, Nov. 26, the Italian Community Center will host its own Holiday Boutique featuring artists, designers, and the brilliantly creative to showcase their work in a festive atmosphere. “We hope this is the first of many boutiques to come,” said Karen Dickinson, who is chairing this fundraiser. The ICC Holiday Boutique boasts a number of artisan booths where shoppers will find a magnificent variety of goods – handcrafted goods, unique items and gifts that you won’t find in stores.
“We will offer ‘package check’, so you don’t need to carry your purchases while you continue shopping or having lunch,” Dickinson said. There will also be a silent auction, where you will win an artist’s donation if you are the highest bidder. List of artists Cathy Adams/Mary Janik Unique handbags Karen and Bill Dickinson – Jewelry Trina Frost – Letter word art Faith Givings – Watercolor ceramics John and Trudie Hechel – Wood Jenn Hintz – Wire sculpture Lynn Kallas - Knit Hats Ladies of UNICO - Handmade items
Student Culture Day back in the fold
from page 1 those who settled in Milwaukee. • The Ellis Island immigrant experience. A re-enactment of the experience of Italian immigrants who landed at Ellis Island for entry into the United States with the students playing the immigrants and the volunteers in the roles of the Ellis Island nurses, doctors and registrars.
• A lesson on learning how to play bocce. The program will end with a spaghetti and meatballs luncheon provided by the ICC. The Italian Times learned that approximately 87 students from two schools – Victory K-8 in Milwaukee and Washington Elementary in Wauwatosa – will be attending the program.
Judith Lesniewski/Marlene Kowalski - Hand painted ornaments Laura Livermore - Hand painted silks Zia Maskara - Hand painted clutches Linda Menge – Exquisite sweatshirts Maureen Modlinski - Paper Casting Evelynn Mubasa – Clothing Eric Nelson – Pottery Stephanie Olson - Fiber Sarah Pelishek - “Upcycled” clothing Nancy Rollag – Silk embroidery Renee Scherr – Baskets Betty Scopp/Leigh Peterson Jeweled Objects Mark Seay - Rock Candles Mary Spencer – Stained glass Ruchita Varma – Block prints
For those interested in taking home something edible, they will be strongly encouraged to visit the Boutique Pantry, where vendors will offer chocolates, Italian cookies, homemade bakery and jellies.
Boutique pantry Tradizione Vivente – the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee – Cupcakes and Italian cookies Jennifer Grundy and Gil Petrovic – Gourmet jelly Lynn Sobye – Gourmet Chocolate candy Ladies of UNICO – Specialty breads
The Holiday Boutique will take place in the Festa Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $2 per person. Guests are encouraged to have lunch at Cafe La Scala, which is next to the ballroom.
Benvenuti!
Wclcome, new ICC members!
The following persons became members of the Italian Community Center between August 10 and September 10, 2016. Benvenuti! (Welcome!) Mary Lucchesi Engelbart of Milwaukee, WI Lily Miceli of Milwaukee, WI
Christine Hojnacki of Big Bend, WI
Calendar of Events
Mary Ann Bova-Bellanti of Milwaukee, WI
September 27 – November 1, 2016
Tuesday, Sept. 27 • Courtyard Music Series: Jazz with Pete Sorce and the Jeff Lebarge Big Band, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 29 • Courtyard Music Series: Rock and Roll with The Classics, 6:30 p.m. End of 2016 season. Wednesday, Oct. 5 • Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 10 • Italian Community Center Finance & Personnel Committee meeting, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 11 • Abruzzese Galileo-Galilei Society meeting, 2 p.m. • Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 7 p.m. • Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National Board meeting, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 13 • Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. • Società Santa Rosalia general meeting, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 • Abruzzese Galileo-Galilei Society social, 2 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 17 • Italian Community Center’s Student Culture Day, 9 a.m. Details in this issue.
Tuesday, Oct. 18 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO general meeting, 6 p.m. • Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19 • Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Lodge #2763 general meeting, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 20 • Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m. • Italian Community Center general meeting, 6:30 p.m. Election ballots counted and results announced. Details in this issue. Friday, Oct. 21 • Italian Community Center’s Avanti Committee hosts Gallery Night, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Details in this issue.
PAGE 4 – OCTOBER 2016
Saturday, Oct. 22 • Italian Community Center’s Avanti Committee hosts Gallery Day, 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 • Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 26 • Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting and dinner, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28 • Italian Community Center Installation Dinner, 6 p.m., social, 7 p.m., dinner. Details in this issue. Tuesday, Nov. 1 • Italian Community Center Culture Committee and the International Institute of Wisconsin present “Festival di Danza e Cultura,” 7 p.m. Details in this issue.
Daily and weekly classes and activities • Bocce leagues. The fall season is underway with mixed couples’ leagues on Monday and Wednesday nights and seniors’ leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The championship playoffs will be Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
• 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 nonmember.
• ICC Italian classes. The fall semester of Italian I and Italian II, held every Tuesday night will end on Nov. 15. The Italian I class runs from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. The Italian II class begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 7:15 p.m.
• ICC Free Children’s Italian class. The fall semester of these free classes takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. each Saturday through Nov. 12.
• 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. • 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. Ballate con noi! Dance with us!
THE ITALIAN TIMES
ICC election features races for vice president and director-at-large seats
from page 1 same position seven of the last eight years. In the 38 years that the ICC has been in existence, Purpero has held every position on the board except secretary and sergeant-at-arms. He was the organization’s president in the 1982-83 term and has served as either an officer or director for all but two years and a couple of months since 1978. In 2014, after choosing not to seek re-election as treasurer, he was appointed to the board as a director in early January 2015 to fill a vacancy. Susan (DeSanctis) Christiansen, one of the directors-at-large elected last fall, is relinquishing the second year of her term to fill the position of secretary. Since 2005, Christiansen has served a total of nine years as a director. Joanne Czubek will continue her service as sergeant-at-arms. She first won the post in the 2010 election, becoming the first female to hold the position in the history of the organization. She previously served on the board as a directorat-large (1997-2002). As previously mentioned, the newly elected board will have to fill at least one vacancy among the Since directors-at-large. Christiansen is forgoing her final year as a director to become secretary, one vacancy is created. According to the ICC bylaws (Article IV, Section 9.b.: “In the event of the death, resignation or removal of any of the directors-atlarge, the candidate for such office who receives the next highest (to the winners) number of votes in the most recent election shall fill the vacant director-at-large position, commencing with his/her formal appointment at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. This procedure shall apply to any such vacancies with the directors-at-large occurring thereafter.” What the above language simply means is that the fifth place finisher has a stake in this election, as
Incumbent Sam Purpero is assured of another term as treasurer.
he/she will be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Christiansen. Another appointment to a directorship will become necessary if Emanuele wins the vice presidency. With one year left on his term as director, the sixth place finisher in the election will be appointed to that position. Potentially, six of the eight candidates running for directors’ positions could earn spots on the board. In case you missed it in our September issue, the election slate was finalized at the Aug. 18 general meeting. The Nominating Committee announced a slate that included the names of Cannestra for president, Fritchie for vice president, Purpero for treasurer, Christiansen for secretary, Czubek for sergeant-at-arms and Catalano, Dickinson, Di Pronio and Jannazzo for directors-at-large. Members placed in nomination the names of Emanuele for vice president and Lupo, Zingale, Giacomantonio and Schleicher for directors. The committee included Rosemary DeRubertis and Sal Lo Coco, as co-chairpersons, Suzanne Wypijewski, Ray Martinez and Christina Ziino as members. Vella
Susie DeSanctis Christiansen is leaving her director-at-large seat to become the new secretary.
appointed the co-chairs and members who attended the May general meeting elected the others, as stipulated in Article V, Section 3. The committee has confirmed that all the individuals nominated met the eligibility requirements set forth in Article V of the organization’s bylaws. Nearly all of the ICC’s nomination and electionrelated matters are spelled out in Article V. Qualified voters will receive an election ballot in the mail. According to Article III, Section 1 of the organization’s bylaws, a qualified voter is anyone who has been a member a minimum of 60 days prior to the election. For the upcoming election, a ballot shall be mailed by the Nominating Committee to each person who has been a member since Aug. 22. Before doing the mailing, the Nominating Committee is given the
Joanne Sanfilippo Czubek will return for her seventh straight term as sergeant-at-arms
authority to conduct a drawing to arrange the order of placement of the candidates’ names on the ballot. (See Article V, Section 8.) That was done on Aug. 22 in the presence of this reporter. Article V, Section 9 stipulates that the ballots must be sent to voters within eight days of the September general meeting. The date of the general meeting was Thursday, Sept. 22, so expect your ballot to arrive soon. The envelope with the ballot (or ballots, in the cases of couples) will also include a return envelope addressed to the ICC. Voters must use the return envelope to submit their ballots. The mailing of the ballots is the last duty of the Nominating Committee. Only those ballots in the return envelope that are postmarked on or before Thursday, Oct. 13 will be eliPlease turn to page 6
Installation dinner set for Friday, Oct. 28
from page 1 the installation ceremony. There will be assigned seating. Reservations are required by Tables of eight to 10 are available. Monday, Oct. 24. Call 414-223-2180 Support the ICC by attending or use the form accompanying this and congratulate the newly-elected article. The cost is $18 per person. officers and directors.
ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER INSTALLATION DINNER RESERVATION FORM
Names _____________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________________
Phone _________________ Email _______________________________
Number of people who are in my party: (There will be assigned seating.) Total of payment enclosed:
____________________
x $ 18.00 per person =$
Please send this form with your check (payable to the Italian Community Center) to ICC, c/o Installation Dinner & Dance, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Reservation deadline: October 24, 2016.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 5
Election ballots must be postmarked on or before Oct. 13
from page 5 gible to be counted. Ballots received with envelopes postmarked after Oct. 13 will be saved but not counted. The timetable for returning ballots is spelled out in Article V, Section 9. Section 10.a. of Article V states that the current ICC President must appoint tellers – a chairperson and members – who will meet prior to the October general meet-
ing “to confirm the validity of all returned ballots.” Vella has appointed Joe Zambito as the chairperson of the election tellers. Section 10.b. explains when the tellers will open and count the ballots. It states, “The tellers shall meet on the day of the October general membership meeting (which is Oct. 20 this year) and open all valid ballot envelopes received. The tellers shall tally all ballots and
shall report the election results to the membership prior to the adjournment of the October general membership meeting.” As an informational service to the ICC membership, The Italian Times asked the contested candidates to complete a questionnaire. After stating their name, occupation, title and employer, each candidate was asked to answer two questions. The first asks about
their ICC and/or Festa Italiana involvement during the last year. Their responses were limited to 50 words. The second question asked them to describe in 150 words or less what they are going to do to help the organization.
Please note: Candidates’ comments are presented here in the same order as their names appear on the election ballot.
The race for Vice President
Rose Anne Bertucci (Ceraso) Fritchie
Occupation: Human Resources Title: Human Resources Manager Employer: Everbrite, LLC – South Milwaukee Facility How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Secretary of the Executive Board of Directors of the Italian Community Center (since November 2003) • Member of the Avanti Committee/Hostess of Gallery Night and Day • Coordinating and running the Children’s Christmas Party (La Befana Party) and the Children’s Easter Party • Managing the Golf Carts for Festa Italiana If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? After 13 years as Secretary, I’m ready to make more of an impact on the ICC. We need to keep the ICC moving forward while maintaining the vision of our founders, by getting back to the days when we were more of a Community Center and people worked together to preserve and present our Italian American history and culture. Planning and running Festa needs to be done in an open and collaborative atmosphere: our members have a lot of good ideas which need
Rose Anne (Ceraso) Fritchie
to be heard. If you want to make changes, you need to step up and take ownership to make those changes happen. I believe in fairness and equality for all members. I have demonstrated service above self when supporting our ICC events. I will make a positive difference. Thank you for your past support, and I hope that you, the members, will continue to support me.
Joseph T. Emanuele
Occupation: Police Officer Title: Identification Systems Specialist Employer: Milwaukee Police Department How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Currently serving as a Directorat-Large • Work with Festa Operations and Grounds Crew • Festa sausage booth captain • Arranged police presence during Festa mass. If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? “When you can’t change the direction of the wind, adjust the sail.” That is the strategy we must follow to ensure that our Center becomes profitable and stable for the future. Necessary changes are essential to our operation and realistic goals are needed to benefit our members and the Center itself. We must re-evaluate Festa and ask ourselves what changes are needed not only to make it more profitable but to re-establish our identity as Italians. We have to work with the Bartolotta Group in making the Center active, popular and attractive within the downtown area. We
Joseph T. Emanuele
must secure our parking business by investing in an electronic parking system. And most importantly, we must continue to reduce our debt so we can concentrate on our culture. As a result, we will be in the position to offer something back to our community. After all, we are a Community Center!
The candidates for Directors-At-Large Anthony Zingale
Occupation: Retired Employer: Johnson Controls (for 50 years) How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Current director-at-large on ICC Board • Co-Chair, Volunteer Tent, Festa Italiana • Member, ICC Newspaper Committee
Anthony Zingale
PAGE 6 – OCTOBER 2016
• Festa Mass volunteer • Co-Chair, Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? Securing an ICC Board member position is to increase the quality of service I’ve given to the community and to bring integrity to this office. In the past, I’ve served on the ICC Board as sergeant-at-arms and a director-at-large. With your vote, I’ll be considerate of your needs at all meetings, asking questions when necessary for the membership and the Center. At the officers/board meetings, I’ll be attentive to vote on issues that are for the good of the ICC. As a member for many years, I’ve volunteered since the first Festa Mass. My past involvement includes ICC Board representative to Festa Steering Committee, advertising and membership drive. I had the privilege of chairing the Taste of Italy (2006) and now as a vice chair, I also chaired Carnevale (2 years). It’s my honor to serve the ICC and to preserve our culture and religious heritage. I’m proud of my Italian/Sicilian heritage.
Anthony Lupo
Occupation: Retired Title: Grocery Warehouse Employer: Kohl’s Food How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Worked for Taste of Italy. • Managed the Volunteer Tent at Festa. • Assisted with tallying votes for the 2015 election.
Anthony Lupo
• Helped getting sponsors for Casino Night. • Attend all meetings to keep abreast of things. • Served for last several years as co-chair of Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate. If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I have been a proud and involved member of the ICC for 37 years. This past year, the Italian community has made a lot of progress. I would like to see it continue to grow and be part of that. I will work to see that Festa Italiana and our beautiful Mass will continue. I will be there to help with fundraising for any events that we have. As a Board member, you have my word that I will work for you and with you.
Having a fall sale? Let our readers know about with an ad in our next issue. For information on ad sizes and cost, call 414-223-2189 or send an email to themman@italiancc.org.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Statements of the candidates for director-at-large posts continued Karen Dickinson
Occupation: Retired Title: Sales Representative (39 years) Employer: Nordberg Mfg. Co. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Volunteer Tent – Festa • ICC Membership Chair (4 years) • Casino Night Chair (3rd annual fundraiser. Originated, planned, managed and secured financial sponsors.) • Holiday Boutique Chair (2nd annual fundraiser. Originated, organized and managed.) Both fundraisers were wellattended and profitable for the ICC. • Volunteer, Taste of Italy. If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I was appointed to the ICC several months ago, and look forward to continuing being part of the decision-making process for a more enjoyable and traditional Center. I enjoy fundraising, and will assist in forming a sustaining source of revenue. I will work to preserve the beautiful heritage of the ICC and want to be active in its renaissance. As an ICC member for 10 years, I have strived to become an inte-
gral part of the center, and will continue for its betterment. In the coming years, important decisions must be made for the center, and it’s my plan to be an added value in this effort. I want to promote an annual “new members welcome night” that would define and promote membership and interest in special events, societies and activities. The ICC is a marvelous organization that I consider family.
Occupation: Artist, Design and Art Chair Title: VL Schleicher Sculptures, LLC Employer: Self-employed How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Volunteer, Taste of Italy • Manager of Fine Arts Tent, Festa Italiana • Teach 4-5 classes on Italian immigrants to America, done at the ICC during October and student culture day. If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I see my role as a cultural liaison: Using culture, art, science and humanities to bring together groups of people and our membership into the vibrant Italian culture and the ICC. I would promote activities that allow us to gather, learn and share our experiences from involving our neighbors (Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design) to our condominium neighbors to enjoy what the ICC has to offer. We have many cultural exhibits around the
Midwest that would allow us to learn, visit and educate ourselves on our culture. Being a collaborator and working in the creative industries, I see and know the CASH that culture, art, science and humanities brings to other organizations, and why not us? Thank you for your consideration.
Occupation, Title, Employer: Agenda Manager, COUNTRY Financial, over 18 years. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Worked in OSIA sausage booth. • Previously volunteered as a Festa driver and co-manager of the Festa bank. If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I’m a third generation Italian American living in Waukesha. My wife is Jennifer, and I have four daughters Gillian, Mia, Gianna and Isabel. As your board member, my
objective will be to modernize the ICC as an organization of the future, while protecting the great heritage and traditions of the past. I would like to create a business professionals networking group of Italian American businesses, to further grow our presence in the community. I have experience working with the Chambers of Commerce, community networking, and grassroots marketing that I can use to help integrate new approaches for Italian Americans to connect here in Greater Milwaukee. By implementing these ideas, we can build on the future thinking of the past few years and continue development of new partnerships moving forward.
Blaise Di Pronio
Occupation: Attorney with and owner of Di Pronio Law Office. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Chairman of the Newspaper Committee. • Major contributor of articles and features to The Italian Times. If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I have been involved with the Italian Community Center from its inception and have participated in many committees and events. I believe that, as the ICC enters into a critical period of changes and restructuring, such as the leasing of food services, possible partitioning and sales of real estate and modifying of Festa, it will need the guidance and leadership of professional and experienced board members. Know what the candidate can
bring to the board table as it will be critical for assuring the ICC’s future.
Occupation: Retired Home Builder Employer: Self-employed How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Festa Italiana Grounds Crew Manager If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I have been an Italian Community Center member/volunteer and Festa volunteer for many years. Through the years some of my accomplishments as an ICC volunteer are: remodeling work in the Courtyard, restaurant and kitchen, window and door openings, bell pedestal, fountain and parking lot pavement. If elected to the board, I have proposals to eliminate debt and building operating expenses while keeping our profitable parking lot revenue. I will continue to offer my
ideas for the betterment of the ICC so that the organization can prosper well into the future. I appreciate your vote.
Occupation: I’m a teacher. Title: I teach mathematics at South Division High School. Employer: Milwaukee Public Schools pays me to do this. How have you been involved in the ICC and/or Festa during the last year? • Helped set up and take down Festa Italiana. • Made numerous calls to people who had dropped out of membership to our prestigious organization and invited them to “come back.” • Spent most of the year working on the Mass Committee for Festa Italiana.
• Assisting on ICC’s “Casino Night” If you are elected to the Board, please describe in 150 words or less what you are going to do to help the organization? I look forward to continuing assisting in the many ways that I do. This specifically means: to create a successful Festa next year, to help to ease the addition of Bartolotta’s to the ICC in November, to keeping members here and getting former members back and, finally, to listening carefully at every meeting and adding sound transparent questions/suggestions always.
Joseph O. Jannazzo, Jr.
Ted Anthony Catalano
Blaise Di Pronio
Bruno Giacomantonio
Karen Dickinson
Valorie (Sanfilippo) Schleicher
Bruno Giacomantonio
Ted Anthony Catalano
Valorie Schleicher
Joseph O. Jannazzo, Jr.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 7
Uncovering the remains of a WWII American pilot in Italy
by Martin Hintz Loren Hintz wasn’t a fighter ace, but his life and devotion to his country deserve the same recognition. Hintz was killed in action flying a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter on his 66th mission over Italy on April 21, 1945. He was shot down the same morning as nearby Bologna was freed from German control by Polish forces. At the time of his death, Hintz was part of the 86th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, based at Cesenatico, a port city on the Adriatic coast. Previously, he had flown out of Foggia, a city in the Puglia region of southern Italy. Hintz’s family, including his daughter Gretchen Wronka of Bloomington, Minn., and son Martin Hintz of Milwaukee, along with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, embarked on an epic journey this summer. An Italian team of aviation enthusiasts and archaeologists was assisted by Eric Trueblood, a P-47 restoration expert from AirCorps Aviation of Bemidji, Minn. It had taken a decade to decipher military records, maps and statements to identify Lt. Hintz’s crash site. “This is the story of a young man, age 27, compelled to serve his country. He gave the ultimate sacrifice just days from victory in Europe celebrations (VE Day),” said Trueblood. “There are stories so compelling that, after hearing, one can’t put out of mind. Destiny serves as the only explanation for the ‘Finding Loren’ puzzle pieces coming together while the narrative unfolds,” he added. The dig started in the early hours of July 23, 2016, near the village of Bagnarola, about a 45-minute drive northeast of Bologna. Lt. Hintz was the last plane in a flight of 12 P-47s attacking German gun emplacements in the vicinity. In the days before and after the dig, interviews were also conducted with several now-elderly locals who recalled the events of that day witnessed as children. Along with the plane wreckage, the excavation team found the remains of Lt. Hintz. These are expected to be interred in the American Military Cemetery near Florence along with other remnants initially found after the war by a Graves Registration unit. At that time, the only means of identifying Lt. Hintz was through the serial number on his pistol. However, the dig on July 23 unearthed his dog tags, confirming his identity. DNA testing will also be conducted as part of the burial protocol. Among the hundreds of spectators watching the dig unfold were numerous Italian government officials and military veterans, including a paratrooper unit which presented an American flag to Gretchen Hintz Wronka, Lt. Hintz’s daughter. She had initiated the search a decade before, looking for her father’s crewmates. Friends included a number of Italian pilots led by Piero Fabbri, who managed the organizational logistics on the ground. Several dozen Italian volunteers from AdA (Archeologi dell’Aria) were led by Fabio Raimondi and Gianluca Mazzanti. Others included Marco Marisaldi, chief of the memorial team, plus Danilo Dozza and heavy equipment operator Lobrano Stagni. The nonprofit AdA organizes searches for and recovers WWII aircraft and pilots missing in action in Italy. (http://www.archeologidellaria.org). Digging down almost 20 feet in the field, they found personal effects and aircraft parts, all now being numbered and cataloged for further study. There is a Facebook live video on AirCorps Aviation’s Facebook page show-
The Lt. Loren E. Hintz grave site in the American military cemetery near Florence, Italy.
PAGE 8 – OCTOBER 2016
This is a photo of 1st Lt. Loren E. Hintz in the cockpit of his P-47 fighter. (All photos provided by Martin Hintz)
ing the process. ETV Bologna and numerous other Italian broadcast and print outlets from around Italy were on hand. “Even having been very closely involved in this project directly with my counterparts in Italy for the last five years, it is still astonishing how much time and effort was invested to achieve the success,” said Hans Wronka, Hintz’s nephew who, along with his mother Gretchen, had initiated the search. According to Wronka, Italian flier Piero Fabbri and his close friends Marie Bonfini, Stefano Gherardi and others in their pilot group ran down leads, searched hundreds of acres from the sky and on the ground to piece together an overwhelming body of evidence that lead to the plane’s discovery. Others making the search a success were pilot Tommaso (Tommy) Battini, Saturno Marchetti; Capt. Beppe Gallieri; Carabiniere Lgt. Pasquale Pangallo and App. Nicola Longobardi; Silvia Casagrande; and Perlucca Mancinelli of the Associazione Arma Aeronautica. Some of those most critical to this success still live in Bagnarola. Among them are Maria (Teresa) Bisognin, Marquis Luigi Malvezzi, Tonino Zucchelli and the Chiesa brothers (Aristodemo and Renato). Each provided critical eyewitness information and details necessary to ultimately unlock the mystery, Wronka pointed out. Being able to present their evidence to AdA and have them join the team to lead the permitting, excavation and processing of recovered material could not have worked out better, he went on. Archeologi dell’Aria Con la collaborazione dell’Ambasciata Americana di Roma, il Ministero dei Beni Culturali di Roma e Archeologi dell’Aria, le piastrine di riconoscimento (Dog-tag) recuperate il 23 luglio 2016, dallo staff AdA addetto al setaccio, durante lo scavo di Bagnarola di Budrio (Bo) verranno recapitate ai figli del Tenente pilota Loren Hintz! * # archeologidellaria Translation: With the collaboration of the American Embassy in Rome, the ministry of cultural heritage of Rome, and archaeologists of the air, the platelets of recognition (Dog-tags) were recovered on July 23, 2016, by the staff in charge of the AdA sieve, during excavation. # Archeologidellaria The results of this project exemplify the generosity, spirit and graciousness of the people of Italy, reaffirmed Wronka. Luca Pettazzoni, owner of the farm on which the plane crashed, graciously gave permission for the dig. Also helping were Davide Cere, who led a trip to Castel San Pietro Terme, scene of bloody fighting in 1944 and 1945 near the city of Budrio. A wreath of laurel leaves and a photo of Lt. Hintz were laid at a memorial cross there. The Hintz/Wronka family also visited the Memoriale Della Liberta in Bologna and Hintz’s gravesite at the American military cemetery near Florence. While at the cemetery, they assisted in lowering the colors in the evening. Among staff on hand were Superintendent Angel M. Matos and Paolo Viviani of the American Battle Monuments Commission and groundskeeper Fiorenzu Iacono.
Here is Italian historian/pilot Piero Fabbri standing in the field that was part of the crash site excavated to find the remains of 1st Lt. Loren E. Hintz.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Support the ICC’s Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate
Tony Lupo, chairman of the annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate, announced that donations are now being collected for the 2016 meal. The dinner will once again be held at the Open Door Cafe, a meal site at St. John’s Cathedral in
downtown Milwaukee. The date of the event is Sunday, Nov. 13. The feast will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ICC volunteers, led by Lupo and vice chairs Tony Zingale and Ray Martinez, organize the dinner in consultation with the meal site
director, conduct the fundraising to buy a complete Thanksgiving dinner and have the meal prepared and delivered to the Open Door Cafe. They also serve as volunteers at the event. Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to submit a check
UNICO Ladies first to donate for Thanksgiving feast for poor
On behalf of the Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO, a $200 donation was made to support the Thanksgiving dinner that Italian Community Center volunteers put on every year for the poor and homeless in our community. The presentation was made by Ann Romano, chairperson of the UNICO Ladies’ Community Services Committee, to the three men who organize the dinner
along with ICC Vice President Dean Cannestra. As in past years, the Ladies of UNICO were the first organization to make a major contribution. From the left: dinner co-chairs Ray Martinez and Tony Lupo, Cannestra, Romano and dinner co-chair Tony Zingale. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
We The Italians website founder/author Umberto Mucci to speak at October general meeting
by Blaise Di Pronio Readers of The Italian Times may recall a previous article featuring Italian Community Center member Bill Jennaro and author Umberto Mucci, the founder and CEO of the web site We the Italians (wetheitalians.com). His site allows everyone to share, promote, be informed and keep in touch with anything regarding Italian-themed happenings in the United States. Earlier this year, Mucci published a book entitled We the Italians, Two Flags, One Heart, One Hundred Interviews About Italy and the U.S. The book includes an interview with the ICC’s own past president and former judge, Bill Jennaro, who is now in private practice in Milwaukee. Mucci will be attending and speaking at the ICC general membership meeting on Thursday Oct. 20. At that time, Mucci will formally present his book to the ICC and Milwaukee, in general. He has made similar presentations in other cities such as Houston, Miami, Washington, Chicago and New York. “We, of course, are very grateful that he has agreed to also spend some time with us in Milwaukee,” said Jennaro.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Umberto Mucci
The We Italians book will be available for sale during the event and 20% from its sale proceeds will be donated to the ICC by Mucci, “We encourage all our members to make a special effort to attend the meeting,” said ICC President Giuseppe Vella. “In addition and, as a special reminder, that night, we will be counting our election ballots and announcing the results. See you there!”
payable to the Italian Community Center. Donations can be mailed to the ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Please list on the memo line of your check that this donation is for the “Thanksgiving Meal.” This will ensure that your donation is properly credited for the dinner. Envelopes should be directed to the attention of ICC Receptionist Shamyra. She will accept donations at her desk during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Lupo, Zingale and Martinez will be on hand to collect contributions at the ICC’s general membership meeting on Oct. 20. “You might think that the vast majority of people fed at this dinner are homeless or jobless men, but that would be incorrect,” Lupo said. “Many of the dinner attendees in recent years are women and children. We are seeing more and more families each year that are homeless and desperately in need of everything many of us take for granted.” Persons interested in volunteering to help out at the dinner are asked to contact Lupo or Zingale. This annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate has been going on since the 1970s. It was started by a group called the Ragione Club. The culinary staff at the Italian Conference Center has prepared the feast, and the set-up staff delivered it to the meal site. The ICC made donations of food and labor towards the event. These donations will continue under The Bartolotta Restaurant Group’s direction this November.
Thanks for your donations to the ICC
The officers and directors of the Italian Community Center wish to thank and acknowledge all those who pledged, fulfilled a pledge, or made a contribution to the nonprofit organization. To obtain information on how to make a pledge or make a donation, please call 414-223-2808. The following donations were received between Aug. 10 and Sept. 7, 2016. In memory of Peter Frank Sorce Peter T. and Kathy M. Sorce Christina Sorce In memory of Peggy V. Picciurro Jimmy and Linda Spataro Anthony T. Machi In memory of Paula (Collura)
Johnson Pauline A. Cannestra In memory of Angela Friday Anthony T. Machi
November issue deadline
All advertising copy, news stories and photos for publication in the September 2016 issue of The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later than Monday, Oct. 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 414-2232189.
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OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 9
Casino Night fundraiser brings members and non-members out for a fun night at ICC About 100 people, some high rollers and some just looking to have a good time, came out Friday, Sept. 9 to support the Italian Community Center’s third annual Casino Night fundraiser. The event was a successful due, in large part, to the many table sponsors and prize donors, said Karen Dickinson, chairperson. All of the sponsors and donors are rec-
PAGE 10 – OCTOBER 2016
ognized in a special billboard on the next page. Dickinson advises all of the raffle prize winners to carefully read the instructions that came with the prizes. These who won gift certificates for dining or events should look for the expiration date. * * * All photos by Times Editor Tom Hemman
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Casino Night 2016
Thanks to the 2016 Casino Night Sponsors and Contributors Casino Night Event Sponsors
Louise Au Crowne Plaza Hotel – Airport Divino Wine & Dine – Dean Cannestra Ted Catalano Susie Chris*ansen Farmers Insurance – Jill Legge+ Steelmacher William Jennaro Jennifer’s Talent Unlimited – Jennifer Berg Wayne & Sheila Kitzerow Sal Lo Coco Tony Machi Joe Mangiamele Na*onal Recycling – Dave Doern Order Sons of Italy in America/ Filippo Mazzei Greater Miwaukee Lodge Papa Luigi’s Pizza – Sal Purpora The Pompeii Men’s Club The Pompeii Women’s Club C.W. Purpero – Sam & Phil Purpero Peter Scior*no Bakery – Joe Vella Gina Marie Spang Rose Purpero Spang
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Casino Night Raffle Contributors
Alioto’s Restaurant Amelia’s Restaurant Bartolo+a Restaurants Boston Stores Buca di Beppo Susie Chris*ansen Ambrose Ciano Daymond Johns Karen & Bill Dickinson Divino Wine & Dine – Dean Cannestra Green Bay Packers Harley-Davidson Hilton Milwaukee City Center Intercon*nental Hotel Italian Community Center Maggiano’s Restaurant Milwaukee Admirals Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Chop House Milwaukee Food Tour Milwaukee Repertory Theater Milwaukee Wave Next Act Theater Northwestern Mutual – Steve Holter Agency Papa Luigi’s Pizza – Sal Purpora Pietro’s Pizza – Pietro Taran*no Reina Interna*onal Auto – Joe Reina Sobelman’s Pub & Grill Gina Spang Mary Winard OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 11
Opera insights by Barbara Collignon
Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” will be the featured opera of the Met Opera in HD on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Marcus Theater in Mequon. If you miss it, the Florentine will present it in March of 2017. The legend of Don Giovanni or Don Juan is a common metaphor for a womanizer or libertine. He believes because he is young and death is in the distant future, he has ample time to repent his sins of seducing women. The legend can be traced to 1630 when Tirso de Molina, Spanish
dramatist (nom de plume: Gabriel Téllez), wrote the play “El Burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra” or “The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest” with a purpose. For him, the play, set in the 14th Century, represents a religious parable against Don Juan’s sinful ways. In the end, Don Juan is denied salvation by God. Other authors and playwrights have interpreted Don Juan’s fate differently. In Da Ponte’s libretto for Don Giovanni, he boldly and repeatedly refuses to repent despite
The Pompeii Men’s Club donated $1,500 to Strong History Bold Vision, the Capital Campaign for St. Thomas More High School. The goal is to raise $2.2 million in the next two years to help improve their facilities and programs by upgrading important infrastructure and learning spaces. As a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school in Milwaukee’s historic Bay View, St. Thomas More High School is in its second century of fostering faith, character, and opportunity. With over 540 students enrolled for this fall, they are launching a one-of-a-
kind servant leadership initiative which is going to engage the entire St. Thomas More community. “The Pompeii Men’s Club is proud to help students in the Milwaukee area continue their Catholic education,” said Tony Baudo, Pompeii President. “Particularly we support programs that encourage students to give back to those less fortunate through service. We believe this encourages leadership and helps students discover their purpose, passion and become genuine servant leaders in the image of Christ.”
Pompeii Men’s Club donates to St. Thomas More High School
being given the opportunity by the statue and is punished by being consumed by flames. In the last scene, Elvira, Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina, Masetto and Leporello all reappear and contemplate their futures and the fate of the immoral Don Giovanni. The myth of Don Juan has religious implications concerning the Act of Contrition, which theoretically grants salvation to those who repent before dying. Tirso de Molina apparently believed some sins were unforgivable, and the sinner deserved damnation. In the opera, Don Giovanni’s fate is similar. Masculine honor and feminine integrity are crucial cultural elements to consider. Don Juan devalues women, sees them, not as individuals to be respected for who they are, but merely as numbers he could add to his list. Albert Camus, Jane Austen and Kierkegaard all had something to say about Don Juan. Perhaps the most interesting analysis was made by the endocrinologist Gregorio Marañón. According to an article in Wikipedia, he argued that, “far
from the paragon of masculinity he was often assumed to be, Don Juan actually suffered from an arrested psychosexual development”. Perhaps you saw the 1995 film Don Juan DeMarco, in which Johnny Depp plays the title role, a mental patient convinced he is Don Juan, and who retells his life story to the psychiatrist played by Brando. Of course, Mozart’s music constitutes the greatest attraction to the opera. “Dalla sua pace” and “Il mio Tesoro” are two beautiful arias sung by Ottavio. Zerlina sings “Vorrei e non vorrei”, “Batti, batti, o bel Masetto” and “Vedrai, carino”. Leporello’s “Madamina, il catalogo è questo” is unforgettable.
Pompeii Women invite all to scholarship awards banquet
The Pompeii Women’s Club is hosting its annual scholarship awards banquet on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Italian Community Center. Non-members are welcome to attend the event. The cost is $20 per person. For
reservation, please contact Lucy Sorce, scholarship chair, at 262293-9109. – Mary Winard Public Relations Chair Pompeii Women’s Club
Word Search: Italian American sports figures by Blaise Di Pronio The answers to October puzzle
Shown here is Pompeii Men’s Club President Tony Baudo and Mary McIntosh, President of Saint Thomas More. (Photo provided by Tony Baudo)
Pompeii Men invite all to VIP fundraiser
The Pompeii Men’s Club is sponsoring its 25th annual Joseph P. Caminiti VIP Dinner and Fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Alioto’s Restaurant, 3041 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa. The event, which is open to the public, begins with a cash bar with appetizers at 5:30 p.m. Dinner (spiedini with pasta) will be served at 6 p.m. After dinner, the fun begins. One lucky winner will take home the $1,000 grand prize. There will be many other cash prizes in the raffle. The cost is $60 per person. Reservations must be made by Tuesday, Sept. 27. For tickets or to make a donation to this fundraiser,
PAGE 12 – OCTOBER 2016
contact chairman John Sanfilippo at 414-282-2667 or President Tony Baudo at 414-324-6347.
“Your support goes a long way toward helping our various charities and our high school scholarship fund,” Baudo said. “This is a great event to which you can bring your sons and grandsons.”
The Pompeii Men’s Club, a nonprofit organization founded in 1968, is dedicated to improving the community through charitable work and has been a major supporter of many events and activities in the Italian community, including the Italian Community Center and Festa Italiana.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Porticello – Part 3:
The Feast of Porticello
The Porticello feast, in honor of the Madonna del Lume, takes place in the two days before and after the first Sunday of October. The Mother Church of Porticello houses the picture of the Madonna del Lume, about which, legend says, was found at sea by local fishermen. The devotion of Porticellesi towards their patron saint is truly
by Blaise Di Pronio In Italy, it is part and parcel of the ubiquitous “ciao” – the famous hello and/or goodbye salutation which is then accompanied by a simultaneous kiss on both cheeks. But why kiss (bacio in Italy) and not rub noses like the Eskimos?
Happy Days
by Blaise di Pronio We celebrate it here by saying “Happy Birthday.” In Italy, we celebrate it (as I did mine this year), by the salutation “Buon Compleanno.” This Italian expression does not translate to that happy day of your birth but rather to the goodness of having completed another year of life. “Buon” – “good,” “comple” – “completion,” and “anno” – “year.” You have to understand and appreciate the different connotations of the two appellations. The American “happy birthday” seems to be celebrating and honoring the mere act of getting older, whereas the Italian “buon compleanno” commemorates the goodness, benefits and enjoyment of having completed another healthy and successful year of “la bella vita” or good life. Thus, it is mere aging versus more relishing – and what a difference. Italian life is good, and let the alternative wait.
unique. The taking down or descent from the altar of the painting is truly a spectacular event. On Monday around 3 p.m., a few hours before the procession, the picture of Mary is taken from the altar by a crowd of faithful who pass it hand in hand until it reaches the center of the church for its placement on the
“vara”. This moment is accompanied by shouts of invocation, applause and praise to the Virgin Mary yelled out by an individual and to which the crowd responds. The “vara” and the picture placed on it are taken in procession through the streets of the area by the “bearers of the vara.” The procession ends with the return to the
Actually, the nose rubbing as being equivalent to a kiss is a common misconception. It is in fact a non-erotic but intimate greeting used by cold climate people who, when they meet outside, often have little except their nose and eyes exposed. And what about kissing on the lips – that seemingly unsanitary act we all like?
parents chewing food bits and then transferring it over mouth to mouth to their infants who could not chew on their own. This act evolved further into an expression of the inner emotions of care, nurturing and love and so began the most human intimation that distinguishes us from the beasts. And no one can care, nurture and love better than Italians. Now, go kiss somebody!
Pucker up
The anthropologists say that kissing on the lips evolved from
Church but only after passing by the port and shipyard of the town where fireworks are detonated in honor of Mary. The following Sunday, there is a procession of boats on the sea. At Capo Zafferano, near the point where it is said the picture was found, a small chapel was built and dedicated to Maria SS del Lume. It is toward this chapel the two processions are headed, one on foot and one by boat. For the occasion, all fishing boats and vessels of Porticello are put out to sea. Hundreds of the faithful find places on these boats, including many tourists and foreigners, who are attracted by this unusual and impressive event. This local event is re-enacted and reproduced somewhat by Milwaukee’s Madonna del Lume Society, which stages a similar display during our Festa’s post Mass procession.
Word Search: Famous Italian product producers by Blaise Di Pronio
Words in an Italian word
by Blaise Di Pronio How many words can you make with the letters in “grazie” (thank you) Look for the answers on page 17
Are you a wit or a twit? Take the test and find out by Blaise Di Pronio
Questions: 1. Carnevale’s Italian bishop. 2. Your father’s soup strainer. 3. Mary had a little one. 4. Of cookbooks fame. 5. Consigliere to the Pope. 6. St. Peter’s at the Vatican is one. 7. Swiss Guards’ hangout. 8. Where horses trot in Italy? 9. Clooney’s herby aunt. 10. It includes her story too. 11. Site of first miracle. 12. It does pay...for lawyers. 13. One with a true conviction. 14. Usually found stoned. 15. Men keep their eyes out for them. Answers & scoring on page 17
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Word Search solved – page 17
OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 13
La Pagina Italiana
Quando l’analfabetismo era … imperante
di Donato Di Pronio Questa piaga sociale è purtroppo ancora presente in molti paesi del mondo. Il’analfabetismo in Italia è completamente scomparso grazie soprattutto alla riqualificazione morale e civile, professionale e culturale della popolazione, ripresa e ultimata con impegno e determinazione dopo la Seconda Grande Guerra Mondiale.
Durante il secolo XIX e nei primi anni del XX, era ancora molto diffuso anche per mancanza di insegnanti e di … scolari. Sentiamo come un vecchio Parroco (che chiameremo don Camillo) di un paesino montano parla della scuola ai suoi tempi.
“L’insegnamento è affidato all’Economo-curato comunale il quale ha il compito principale di “imparare a leggere, scrivere, e numerica (matematica) ai ragazzi (quasi tutti figli di “galantuomini”). Il suo onorario annuale (anno 1840) è di ducati sessanta a carico del Comune”.
Qui non ci sono Maestri privati e Maestre pubbliche e private. Erano tante le famiglie che non mandavano i figli a scuola: la scuola era un lusso!
I ragazzi sin dai primi anni dovevano guadagnarsi la pagnotta: diventavano adulti senza aver vissuta la fanciullezza!
Alcuni ragazzi più fortunati, diventati grandicelli, durante le serate invernali andavano a recitare, cioè ad imparare a leggere e scrivere, o per lo meno, a fare la propria firma, dai mastri, artigiani o contadini, che da piccoli avevano avuta la fortuna di istruirsi. Ogni mastro aveva un proprio metodo di insegnamento.
Sentia-mone uno: “per scrivere ‘pane’ ci vuole la lettera con la pancia sopra (lettera p), la pecorella (a), le due zampe (n) e l’occhio della pecorella (e); per scrivere ‘cosa’ ci vuole la mezza luna (c), la tonda tonda (o), la serpentella (s) e la pecorella (a), e
via … insegnando!” Da un Editto dell’Arcivescovo della Diocesi del precitato don Camillo emesso in occasione della Santa Visita nel 1792 alla sua Parrocchia: “Vogliamo e comandiamo che non si manchi all’istruzione dei fanciulli e fanciulle nei rudimenti della dottrina Cristiana da farsi in ogni festa, mentre, oltre di essere nostro pastorale dovere vigilare che dai Parroci s’adempisca ad una tale di loro precisa obbligazione, è anche volontà del nostro Sovrano, che Dio sempre feliciti, che non si manchi ad un tale atto di cristiana religione, per cui con sua Reale determinazione del 9 Febbraio
corrente anno, inculca, sotto pena di carcere, ai Padri di Famiglia di mandare alla cristiana dottrina i loro figli, e sarebbe sommo mio piacere se potesse eleggersi tra i fanciulli i più provetti per Maestri, e le più provette per Maestre delle fanciulle, con dividersi in classi, e da questi farsi le interrogazioni coll’assistenza però sempre del Reverendo Parroco.” Avete letto bene: si ricordava l’obbligo di mandare i figli alla dottrina non alla scuola. Viene da pensare che unica preoccupazione del Real Sovrano era quella di assicurarsi sudditi devoti … e che non gli importava se analfabeti!
Una poesia di Antonio Di Clemente* In dialetto Abruzzese dal comune di Roccamorice Padre nostro di Natale, Sian benedetto chi l’impara.
San Martino, Gioia, gioia pellegrino. Pellegrino va cantenn, La Madonn va predichen Predichen ad alta voce, I so figlio mort’en croce. Chi li deva le lanciate, Bianch e rosse macellate. I lu sang chi li sceva, La Maddalena la raccuglieva E le deva a San Francesch, San Francesch lu cappucino Porta’n braccia lu bambino. Lu bambino come n’a rosa, La Madonna come n’a sposa. La Madonna dov’e’ parti’, Sola, sola si ne i’. S’incuntro’ con San Pietr avant, Disse a Maria perche’ piangi tant? Mu lu piann mio figliol, Su tre giorn chi non lu ritrov. Va’la casa di Pilat, Lo ci sta’, lo so lasciat. Tupp tupp. Diss chi si? So Maria sventurata. Mamma, mamma du pozz’apri’ Lu popul m’ann incatenat. Incatenat ‘nche le catene che non la pozz piu’ la pena. Ma quant si senti’ chella Nuella, Si scuri’ lu ciel, sl scuri’ la terra, In che Maria divento’ ‘na stella.
Sul Calvario
La Fata Morgana
La Fata Morgana
di Donato Di Pronio Oh, quante volte da piccoli abbiamo sognato una fata! Queste misteriose figure femminili pronte lì a farci sognare e a cullare i nostri sogni! (Ma non siamo in tanti a sognarle anche … in tarda età?). Morgana (nome di origine dalla regione francese Bretagna, che significa “fata delle acque”) secondo le leggende, è una giovane bellissima fata buona ed amorevole dotata di voce deliziosa e di poteri magici. Abita in un bellissimo castello, tutto marmi e coralli. (Ragazzi, attenzione! in certe circostanze può diventare cattiva e maligna). In Italia il vocabolo FATAMORGANA si usa per
indicare un insolito ed evanescente fenomeno dell’improvvisa apparizione nel mare o in alto al di sopra di esso, a chi dalle coste della Calabria sullo stretto di Messina sta guardando quelle della Sicilia, di oggetti strani e misteriosi, librati in aria o capovolti, a volte posti a distanze notevoli (torri, piramidi, case, persone, ecc.). Questo strano e fascinoso fenomeno, secondo l’immaginazione e la fantasia popolari, sarebbe originato dai poteri magici di Morgana, Il fenomeno è simile ad un miraggio: apparizione, per un’illusione ottica dovuta o a particolari condizioni atmosferiche o a stati di allucinazione, di malessere fisico, di turbamento psicologico, di oggetti inesistenti
Porticello: Parte 3: La Festa
La festa di Porticello, in onore della Madonna del Lume,si svolge nei due giorni precedenti e successivi alla prima domenica del mese di ottobre. Nella Chiesa Madre di Porticello è custodito il quadro delle Madonna del Lume che la leggenda vuole sia stato trovato in mare dai pescatori del luogo. La devozione dei Porticellesi nei confronti della loro patrona è davvero unica. Spettacolare è l’evento della discesa del quadro dall’altare. Il Lunedi intorno alle 15, qualche ora prima della processione, il quadro di Maria viene prelevato dall’altare da una folla di fedeli che passandolo di mano in mano lo fanno giungere al centro della chiesa per la deposizione sulla “vara”. Questo momento è accompagnato dalle grida di invocazione, acclamazione e lode alla Madonna innalzate da un soggetto e a cui la folla risponde. La “vara” su cui viene posto il
PAGINA 14 – OTTOBRE 2016
quadro è portata in processione per le vie del paese dai “portatori della vara”. La processione termina con il ritorno in Chiesa, non prima di essere passata dal porto e dallo scalo dove vengono fatti esplodere dei fuochi d’artificio in onore di Maria.
La Domenica successiva si svolge la processione a mare. A Capo Zafferano, nei pressi del punto in cui si dice sia stata ritrovato il quadro, è stata costruita una piccola cappella intitolata a Maria SS del Lume. Verso questa cappella, si dirigono due processioni, una a piedi e l’altra via mare. Per l’occasione tutte le barche e i pescherecci della marineria di Porticello vengono messi in mare. Centinaia sono i fedeli che trovano posto nelle barche, anche turisti e forestieri attirati dall’insolita e suggestiva manifestazione. –Dal sito: flavia.pa.it.
comune.santa-
(oasi o sorgenti d’acqua nel deserto, isole in mezzo al mare, ecc.). E’ un fenomeno ottico di riflessione e rifrazione totale dei raggi luminosi che, riflessi obliquamente verso l’alto da una superficie illuminata, vengono ritratti (per forte differenza di densità fra strati atmosferici superiori ed inferiori) e rimandati in basso. Il fenomeno si verifica anche in altre parti d’Italia (in provincia di Foggia osservando dal Gargano le Isole Tremiti, nel Salento, ecc.) e del mondo: Stretto di Gibilterra, USA (deserto del Moyave, regione dei Grandi Laghi, ecc.), Canada (Isola Victoria), Irlanda, Norvegia, nelle grandi distese di ghiaccio delle regioni polari, ecc. Sono tante le leggende legate al fenomeno della FATAMORGANA. Una vuole che un Re barbaro, sceso dal Nord Europa in Italia, dopo averla conquistata, voleva passare in Sicilia, ma non aveva navi per attraversare lo stretto. Mentre se ne stava tutto pensoso, gli apparve Morgana, la quale con una delle sue magie, gli fece apparire a due passi la città di Messina. L’illuso Re entrò nelle acque del mare, ma non sapendo nuotare, morì affogato e con lui affogarono pure le sue truppe e tutte le sue ambizioni. Al contrario, dopo molti anni, la stessa Morgana si mostrò molto buona e generosa con un Re, il normanno Ruggero I d’Altavilla. Re Ruggero nel 1061 pensò di conquistare la Sicilia per liberarla dai Saraceni Musulmani. Ma era dubbioso e incerto anche perché l’attraversamento dello Stretto di Messina non era una impresa facile non disponendo di mezzi adeguati. A questo punto, prosegue la leggenda, gli apparve Morgana tutta splendida e radiosa, su un carro bianco-azzurro tirato da sette superbi bianchi cavalli, incitandolo a seguirla e ad attraversare lo stretto di Messina e proseguire nella sua impresa. E Re Ruggero … la seguì … non la raggiunse mai! … In compenso conquistò e liberò l’Isola “guadagnandosi” il titolo di Conte di Sicilia.
Antonio Di Clemente, detto “Pace”, e’ un residente del paese di Roccamorice situato all’interno del Parco Nazionale della Majella e della Comunità Montana Majella e Morrone . ‘La Rocca’ è un piccolo centro di media montagna della provincia di Pescara. .Questa poesia e’ un piccolo omaggio privato a una storia che tocca a tutti.
Indovinelli
1. Che cosa facevano i dodici apostoli?
2. Posso vivere solo dove c’è luce, ma muoio se questa splende su di me. Che cosa sono?
3. Quanti bottoni deve avere un giubbotto sportivo?
4. Enrico è in grado di parlare mentre si lava i denti. Sai dire come si fa? 5. Come finiscono tutte le cose?
6. Cosa si può aggiungere ad una valigia vuota per farla pesare ancora meno?
7. Quanti cioccolatini puoi mangiare a stomaco vuoto? Risposte - pagine 19
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Proverbi Italiani
1. (Dialect-Veneto) Co ’eta avansa, l’omo fa el stomego, la dona pansa. With the passing of the years, men get a big stomach and women, a big belly.
2. Salute e vecchiezza creano bellezza. Health and old age create beauty. 3. Gli anni sanno piu dei libri. Years know more than books.
4. Tal piu un vecchio in un canto che un giovane in un campo. An old man singing is better than a young man (working) in the fields.
5. Chi barba non ha e barba tocca, si merita uno schiaffo nella bocca. He who is beardless touches a beard, deserves a slap in the face. (Meaning) Alludes to the respect the young should give their elders.
6. II vecchio che si cura cent’anni dura. An old man who takes care of himself will live to a hundred years old.
7. In gioventu’ bisogna acquistare quel che in vecchiezza ti pu’ giovare. In youth you have to acquire the things you will enjoy in old age.
Italian idioms and expressions
1. O mangia questa minestra o salta questa finestra. Either eat this soup or jump out the window. (Meaning) Take it or leave it.
2. Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata. Wet bride, lucky bride. (Meaning) Rain on your wedding day brings good luck. 3. Dove entra il vino, scappa la vergogna. Where wine enters, shame escapes. (Meaning) Wine lowers inhibitions. 4. Sputa il rospo. Spit out the frog. (Meaning) Speak up.
5. Tra l’incudine e il martello. Between an anvil and a hammer (Meaning) Between a rock and a hard place.
6. Non dire “gatto” se non ce l’hai nel sacco. Don’t say cat, if you don’t have the cat in the bag. (Meaning) Be honest about your ability to do things.
7. Non avere peli sulla lingua. To not have hair on one’s tongue. (Meaning) To speak plainly and not mince words.
E fatt’na risata
Un tizio entra in un autobus e chiede a conducente due biglietti. - A cose le servono due biglietti, visto che lei è solo? - Se ne perdo uno, l’altro è di riserva. Il conducente, con un sorriso: - Ma se perde anche l’altro? - Non ci sono problemi, ho anche il biglietto mensile.
Per 10 anni ho dovuto sopportare le mie zie che ai matrimoni di fratelli e cugini, si avvicinavano con un sorrisetto e dandomi una pacca sulla spalla, mi dicevano: - Allora, sarai tu il prossimo? Poi ho iniziato a fare lo stesso ai loro funerali ed hanno smesso.
In Africa un cacciatore sta sparando ad un leone, ma il fucile gli fa cilecca. Il cacciatore scappa ma il leone lo rincorre. Ad un certo punto entra in una grotta e, mentre l’animale quasi gli è addosso il cacciatore si mette a pregare: - “Signore, ispira sentimenti cristiani a questo leone!” Miracolo: il leone si inginocchia e.... - “Signore, benedici il cibo che sto per mangiare!” Dal fruttivendolo:
- “A cumpa...quanto li fai li fichi?” - “5 euro ar chilo!” - “E li cachi?” - “Er giorno dopo!”
Tre ragazzi che giocano a calcio nella loro casa si chiamano: Scemo, Cretino e Nessuno. Nessuno cade dalla finestra ed allora Cretino chiama l’ospedale e gli dice: -Nessuno è caduto...venite subito!! e l’infermiera , scioccata, gli dice - ma che sei Scemo?! e lui risponde...... no, sono Cretino! Ahahahah.
Risposte
1. Una dozzina. 2. L’ombra.
3. Tanti quanti le asole del giubbotto. 4. Si toglie la dentiera e, mentre la lava, parla. 5. Con la lettera “e”. 6. Dei buchi.
7. 1, perché poi non avresti più lo stomaco vuoto.
Have something to sell to the readers of The Italian Times? Let them know about with an ad in our next issue. Get all of the details by calling (414) 223-2189 or by sending an email to hemman@italiancc.org.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
And now, a few words from Italy
by Blaise Di Pronio Terminal – Pertaining to an end or finality. It comes from the Italian termine or the end of a boundary line. Root of many English words which signify the end of something such as the end of a railway or bus line, of a section or series or the end of life itself. The main railway station of Rome is called Termini(ends) as it is the central spot where all transportation(train, bus and subway) lines end. * * * Fiasco – A humiliating and complete failure. It comes from the Italian fiasco which means a wine bottle usually in a straw jacket. In old Italian the-
atrical slang, the expression was fare fiasco, literally, ‘to make a bottle’ or, even better, the allusion to a bursting bottle. Another suggestion refers to Venetian glass crafters who used imperfect or ‘failed’ bottles to make such wine flasks(note the rooting in fiasco). * * * Amateur – A person who engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession. It comes from the Italian amare or to love. Thus, one who attaches to or is fond of a particular pursuit solely for the love of it and not as a professional goal. Our amity (friendship) is rooted in amare or love.
La Barcolana
La Barcolana è una storica regata velica internazionale che si tiene ogni anno nel Golfo di Trieste nella seconda domenica di ottobre. È nota per essere una delle regate più affollate del mondo, con il record ottenuto nell’edizione 2001 quanto risultarono iscritte 1968 imbarcazioni. La particolare formula che la contraddistingue la rende un evento unico nel panorama velico internazionale: su una singola linea di partenza infatti si ritrovano a gareggiare fianco a fianco velisti professionisti e semplici appassionati, su imbarcazioni di varie dimensioni che vengono suddivise in categorie a seconda della lunghezza fuori tutto. Nata nel 1969 per iniziativa della Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, deve il suo nome completo di Regata Coppa d’Autunno Barcolana al fatto che da sempre si tiene nella seconda domenica di ottobre, a conclusione della stagione del circolo velico. Alla prima edizione parteciparono 51 imbarcazioni, tutte di circoli velici triestini, ma anno dopo anno la popolarità di questo evento è cresciuta fino a coinvolgere equipaggi internazionali con velisti di caratura mondiale. La regata si svolge su un percorso di circa 15 miglia a vertici fissi, un quadrilatero con linea di partenza fissata tra il Castello di Miramare e la sede della Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano e la linea di arrivo che, per la prima volta nel 2014, è stata collocata nel tratto di mare di fronte a Piazza Unità d’Italia. Il percorso nel corso degli anni ha subito diverse modifiche, e per molti anni ha avuto una boa collocata in acque slovene. La Barcolana è un evento che coinvolge non solo i velisti ma l’intera città, attraendo turisti anche dall’estero. Ogni anno vi prendono parte circa 25mila velisti mentre il pubblico arriva ad oltre 250mila persone, che seguono la regata sia dalle Rive di Trieste che dalle alture del Carso. La particolare conformazione del territorio attorno al Golfo di Trieste permette infatti di osservare la gara da moltissimi punti di osservazione, in quello che è di fatto uno “stadio della vela” naturale.
The staff of Cafe La Scala invites you to stop in for lunch or dinner.
Arancini • Boneless Buffalo Chicken Strips • Panzanella • Italian Beef Sandwich • Reuben • Sicilian Chicken Sandwich • Chicken Basil Panini • Sicilian Steak Sandwich • Mushroom Swiss Burger • Pasta alla Norma • Chicken & Spinach Alfredo • Sicilian Steak Dinner • La Scala Pizza • Alfredo Pizza • Prosciutto Pizza and much more!
WEEKDAY LUNCH BUFFET FOR JUST $10.95/PERSON! Monday 5 Mexican • Tuesday 5 Pasta • Wednesday 5 Southern BBQ; Thursday 5 Italian; Friday 5 Fish Fry
Cafe La Scala 631 E. Chicago St. • 414-223-2185 LaScalaMilwaukee.com Lunch, Mon.-Sat., 11am-2pm
OTTOBRE 2016 – PAGINA 15
Chocolate lovers festival takes place in Perugia, Italy in Oct. 14-23
Eurochocolate is an international chocolate exhibition in Perugia (Umbria), Italy, dedicated to people’s passion for the sweet flavor of cocoa. Admission and all activities during the 10-day festival are free. Each year, the Eurochocolate is
World Pasta Day celebrated Oct. 25
World Pasta Day is celebrated on Oct. 25 every year. The chief purpose is to encourage an appreciation for the nutritional and culinary advantages of pasta. Eating Italian food, featuring homegrown pasta, is one of the pleasures of traveling in Italy. Pasta is the well-recognized part of the Italian diet. The Italian people eat more pasta than any other ethnic group in the world. Italy also makes nearly one-third of the pasta that is consumed globally. It has been reported that pasta utensils have been found in the early Roman archaeological sites and the Etruscan tombs, demonstrating that pasta has been eaten by the Italians for long time. World Pasta Day was started in 1995 in Rome. A worldwide panel is promoting all the nutritional advantages of the pasta. In 1997, Oct. 25 was formally declared as World Pasta Day. In spite of what fashionable diets have claimed in recent years, foods which are enriched with carbohydrates, such as pasta, are nutritious and serve as body fuel that energize the body. They are enriched with vitamin B, necessary for cell formation, mental alertness, and energy conversion and are very helpful in boosting the immune system. Scientific studies have confirmed that a pasta diet is a gold standard for healthy eating. Pasta is a worldwide food, which is consumed on all the continents. It is often combined with vegetables, legumes, cheese, olive oil, and fish and is dressed in the various sauces.
held in Perugia’s historic piazzas. Since 1993, this event has been recognized as one of the largest chocolate festivals in all of Europe. It allows guests to discover the different flavors of chocolate from cultures around the world. About one million visitors are expected to come to Perugia for the festival. Some of the activities include experimental tastings, cooking classes, performances, sculpting and art displays, all, of course, involving chocolate. Many snacks will be available for purchase such as chocolate liqueurs and bricks, from only the top chocolatiers on the planet including Perugina, the famous hometown chocolatier. A “Chococard” can be purchased at the festival, which offers guests special privileges, discounts, contests, prizes and free tastings. This year, the festival staff is inviting guests to share the best moments of Eurochocolate 2016 through the hashtag #ConChi.
Having dinner for up to 300 guests?
Entertain them at the Italian Conference Center’s FESTA BALLROOM. A gorgeous setting in which to enjoy great food! The Italian Conference Center in the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St. (a block west of Summerfest)
Call David 414/ 223-2800 to reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com
Tuscan town hosts Boccaccesca in October
Boccaccesca, a fabulous food and wine festival, is set for the weekend of Oct. 8-10 in Certaldo Alto, a hillside town in Italy’s Tuscany region. The fair celebrates local culinary traditions and the best wines of the region. Lots of food and varieties of wine are available for purchase. There are also cooking classes and workshops in the courtyards, gardens and streets of Certaldo Alto. The narrow, medieval streets are filled with the stands of craftsmen and women from every corner of Tuscany.
PAGE 16 – OCTOBER 2016
THE ITALIAN TIMES
The Italian Times welcomes your input
The Italian Times is extending an invitation to our readers to submit articles and/or suggestions for news stories for future publication in our printed and online edition. The Newspaper Committee and Editor Tom Hemman have developed a series of guidelines to revamp the publication’s editorial presentation with a concerted effort being made to make it more current, relevant and reader friendly. We welcome interested individu-
als to submit articles and/or suggestions for news stories to Editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org. You may also contact Newspaper Committee Chair Blaise DiPronio at 262-6794351. Articles can be submitted in English or Italian. The following criteria has been established for news articles: 1). Must be relevant, newsworthy, pertaining to and of interest to the Italian American community.
The 2016 White Truffle Fair (“Fiera del Tartufo Bianco”) in Alba, Italy is set for consecutive weekends starting Oct. 9-10 through Nov. 25-26. The Piedmont region, where Alba is located, is considered to have the best white truffles in the world. As such, visitors come from all over to take part in the White Truffle Fair in Alba’s central square.
The 86th annual fair will feature will also arts and cultural events and spectacles that revolve around the celebration. Chefs and food experts come from afar for the festival, where the world’s largest truffle auction and market takes place. The auction is private, but the white truffle market in Alba is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and sells all sorts of trufflerelated goods.
Piedmont town hosts white truffle festival in October and November
2). Can be current, developing, historical or anecdotal. 3). Must be of original content and authorship. 4). If not original, copyright and authorship permission must be granted in writing and proper credit must be given. 5). Cannot be of a political nature or content. 6). Cannot jeopardize the Italian Community Center’s bulk mail status. Guidelines are established in United States Postal Service Publication 417. 7). Cannot promote products or services better suited to paid advertising. 8). Must be limited to 300 words or less. Any article exceeding the 300-word limit will be rejected unless the writer is granted a predetermined waiver based on merit. A writer can appeal the word limit to the editor and the Newspaper Committee. The final decision is that of the editor and the committee. 8). Must be electronically submitted (i.e., email) as a Word docu-
Word Search: Famous Italian product producers from page 13
ment to themman@italiancc.org. 9). Articles submitted in Italian should also include an accurate paraphrased English translation. 10). Every submission is subject to editorial review, editing, deadline restrictions and space availability in the newspaper. 11). We reserve the right to reject an article for publication in the newspaper and on the ICC website. Over the next few months, we plan on giving you a partial list of potential subjects for articles. The list begins this month. 1). Tutorials on how to play bocce, scopa, briscola and tombola and their rules and regulations. 2). Recipe box with recipes from Italy, hand-me-downs, member specialties, local Italian restaurants and bakeries. 3). Reviews of Italian connected movies, music, books, art, displays, exhibitions and so on. 4). Sports clubs’ news for soccer, bicycling, skiing, etc. 5). Auto and motorcycle club news featuring Italian vehicles. 6). Italian clubs in the many schools teaching Italian, reporting their activities and fun things. 7). Awards, promotions and accolades given to members. 8). Upcoming events, entertainment, dinners, dances and other activities. 9). Profiles on donors, members and volunteers. 10). Births, weddings, graduations and obituaries.
Words in an Italian word
from page 13 50 words in “grazie.” 1. gazier 2. agrize 3. graze 4. zaire 5. grize 6. gazer 7. izar 8. gair 9. gear 10. rage 11. gaze 12. ragi 13. zari 14. ager 15. raze 16. gare 17. riza 18. gari 19. areg 20. riz 21. rez 22. gae 23. era 24. are 25. ria 26. ger 27. erg 28. ire 29. rig 30. gar 31. reg 32. air 33. zea 34. rei 35. zig 36. rag 37. rai 38. age 39. zag 40. gie 41. ear 42. re 43. ea 44. ae 45. ag 46. ai 47. er 48. ar 49. za 50. gi.
Are you a wit or a twit?
from page 13 Answers: 1. Vescovo. 2. Mustache. 3. Lamb. 4. Recipes. 5. Cardinale. 6. Basilica. 7. Vatican. 8. Trattoria. 9. Rosemary. 10. History. 11. Cana. 12. Crime. 13. Felon. 14. Statue. 15. Curves. Scoring: 10-15 correct = you’re a wit. 5-9 correct = you’re a twit. 1-4 correct = you’re moribund.
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OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 17
Taste of Italy set for Sunday, Apr. 2
Mark your calendars now. The Italian Community Center’s 21st annual “A Taste of Italy” will be Sunday, Apr. 2. Chairperson Ann Romano announced the date at the ICC’s September general meeting. “A Taste of Italy,” at which attendees can enjoy entrée items, sandwiches, salads, dessert and beverages, at extreme low prices, is an essential fund raising activity for the nonprofit organization. It
Feast of Santa Reparata, an Oct. 8 event in Florence
has always been a success, said Romano, who chaired the activity 21 of the 22 years it has been held. She announced that Anthony Zingale has agreed to return as volunteer food ticket chair and that Marie and Jim Schwindt are returning to be charge of the raffle held in conjunction with “A Taste of Italy.” The entire building will again be used for this Italian food extravaganza. Look for much more information on “A Taste of Italy” in upcoming issues of The Italian Times.
Commitment Membership payment options
Presently, there are two payment options available to you should you choose a 2-year membership or a 3-year membership. 1. You may pay each January for the duration of your 3-year or 2-year membership. As an show of good faith, you must sign the statement at the bottom of the application (that appears below).
2. You may pay for your full 3-year or 2-year membership by the end of the first year – in 4 quarterly payments.** ** If a member pre-pays for a 2-year or 3-year membership, and
passes away or moves out of state, the remainder of their membership dues will be donated to the Italian Community Center in the member’s name.
Pro-Rated amount You may have received a bill for a smaller amount of money. This dues payment doesn’t relate to the new dues program, but rather, is a transitional amount that is intended to return everyone to a Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 Membership. You are not being charged an additional amount.
The date of October 8th commemorates Santa Reparata in Firenze (Florence, Italy). The city’s first cathedral was named after this saint who remains a co-patron of Florence. In ancient times, the festivities on this day included two races: one on horseback and one on foot, both running across the city. Nowadays, in remembrance of these races, a modern-day foot race is held which starts and ends in Piazza San Giovanni, in front of the Duomo. Runners in the race are picked among the local footballers, and the competition is kicked off by a marching procession of the Florentine Republic dressed in period costume. The procession leaves from Piazza di Parte Guelfa (near Piazza Repubblica) and marches on towards the Duomo at 4 p.m. This is a real opportunity to take part in one of the more traditional things to do in Florence in October.
For your Wedd ing Reception and Rehearsal Dinner
The Italian
Conference Center
located at the Italian Community Center 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee
You'll welcome our attention to detail and the way our staff goes out of its way to meet your every need. Your guests will love the setting, the food, and easy access and parking. Our wedding specialists will work closely with you to make certain that your day is everything you dreamed it would be. They'll even assist with floral arrangements, music, photography, ordering the wedding cake and other extras. Call David or now for available dates and a tour.
(414) 223-2800
Visit: www.italianconference.com PAGE 18 – OCTOBER 2016
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Report from Milwaukee Italian Immersion School at Victory K-8
The staff is excited to announce some changes to the Italian program that was formerly part of Victory K8 School. Staff and administration are working to build
an innovative immersion school. As of July 28, the Milwaukee School Board approved a name change for our school to, “Victory K-8 and Milwaukee
Here are the teachers who are serving as instructors in the Italian Immersion program at Victory K-8 School this year. Ground level (l – r): Angela Bozano, Liz Zizzo, Annette Robertson and Cathy Laurenzi
Italian Immersion School.” This name change signifies the commitment from the district to fully support a return to full-immersion. We are rebuilding our full-
Essex. Top row: Alex Kaftan, Rita Szopinski, Sabrina Lupoli and Enrica Fracchia. Victory K-8 is located at 2222 W. Henry Ave., Milwaukee. (Photo provided by Annette Robertson)
immersion program starting in the kindergarten grades – K4 and K5 – then expanding to an additional grade level each consecutive year through 5th grade. In addition to the name change, our school has received funding for materials in Italian, technology to enhance language instruction, a refresh of the classroom furniture, updates to the front entrance, and a full-time implementer. We are very excited for the ongoing support for the Italian immersion program. Expect to see great things this year. Maestro Alex Kaftan is teaching the 4-year-old kindergarten full-immersion classroom for his second year. In the K4 classroom, daily instruction is done exclusively in Italian. Families will certainly be impressed with how quickly students adapt to the new classroom environment and also how quickly they can understand Italian. The students in Maestra Sabrina Lupoli’s K5 full-immersion room have been playing games to get to know each other. They have shared about their summer breaks and made some great artwork depicting their summer adventures. After the long break, they are working on getting back into their school routines and beginning their language journey. Maestra Enrica Fracchia and Maestra Angela Bozano are pleased with the amount of Italian their first graders retained over the summer. Both teachers have moved Please turn to page 20
Milwaukees Italians who served in the U.S. Military during World War II – Part 16
Researched and written by the late Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian The information presented here was researched and copyrighted as a historical record of the men and women of Italian descent who lived in the City of Milwaukee and served in the United States Military during World War II. The information recorded and documented by this researcher from records kept at the Milwaukee County Historical Society and the City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works were copyrighted in 2004 and an original copy has been placed in the repository at the United States Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The research was secured from City of Milwaukee Directories 1941, 1942 and 1944-45. No directory was published in 1943. The years 1944 and 1945 were combined into one directory.
Name Perlongo, Jerome Perlongo, Natale Petta, Andrew Petta, Frank P. Petta, Harold Petta, Salvatore Piano, Anthony, Jr. Pica, George Piantino, Cliff Picciolo, Rosario Picciolo, Steve Picciurro, Peter O. Pietrangelo, John Pietura, Bruno Pipia, Carmello Pipia, Jim Pipito, Frank Piraino, Frank Jr. Piraino, J. James Piraino, Joe J. Piraino, Vince Piscitello, Peter Piscitelo, Tom Piscuine, Charlie Pitzo, Joe
Branch Army Army Navy Navy Army Navy Army Army Army Army Navy Army Army Army Army Navy Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Address 333 E. Lyon 333 E. Lyon 1843 N. 27th St. 5044 N. 26th St. 5044 N. 26th St. 4820 N. Wells 1434 N. Broadway 1103A N. Milw. 1425 E. Manitoba 235 N. 37th St. 1550 N. Warren 1620 N. Jackson 1416 N. Broadway 2328 W. Rogers 427 E. Buffalo 427 E. Buffalo 1639 N. Farwell 1679 N. Cass 1679 N. Cass 1679 N. Cass 223 Honey Creek 1416A N. Milwaukee 1662 N. Franklin 514 E. Lyon 1676 N. Cass
Name Pizzi, Joe Pizzino, Angelo Pizzino, Anthony J. Pizzino, Tom Pizzino, Anthony Pizzo, Ignatius Pizzo, Salvator Porchetta, Mario Provinzano, Joe Pradarelli, Elmer Pradarelli, Joe Presti, Fred Presti, Sal Presti, Arthur Prevetti, Bill Prioletta, John Prioletta, Mike Procopio, Frank Pucci, Domenic L. Pucci, Peter D. Puccinelli, Henry Puccini, Daniel Puccio, Carlo Puliafito, Anthony Pulito, Frank Purpero, Phil Quarino, Jasper Quarino, Peter Quartana, Oakley Quartana, Phil Raffaele, Basil Raffaele, Charlie Raffaele, Joe Raffaele, Carmello Raimondo, Sebastian Ramazini, Alfred
Branch Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Army Coast Guard Coast Guard Marines Army Army Army Army Army Army ROTC Army Army Army Army Army Navy Navy Army Army Army Coast Guard Army Army Army Navy Army Navy Army
Address 4341 S. Burrell 1665 N. Van Buren 1665 N. Van Buren 1665 N. Van Buren 337 N. Jackson 225 N. Jefferson 6016 W. St. Paul Avenue 2341 N. 9th St 612 E. Lyon 2483 S. Delaware 2471 S. Delaware 723 E. Michigan 723 E. Michigan 2938 N. Farwell 2892 S. Delaware 3031 W. Mount Vernon 3031 W. Mount Vernon 741 N. 14th St. 1688 N. Humboldt 1688 N. Humboldt 2024B N. 1st St. 2408 N. 9th St. 2582 N. Cramer 3605 N. 24th P1. 816 E. Michigan 210 N. Jefferson 1149 E. Kane 63 E. Pleasant 1909 N. 16th St. 226 N. Milw 1749 N. Franklin 1749 N. Franklin 1749 N. Franklin 2437A N. Buffum 525 E. Buffalo 1330A W. Burleigh
Source: Wright’s Milwaukee City Directory, 1941, Wright Directory Co., Milwaukee. Continued in the next issue
OCTOBER 2016 – PAGE 19
Barcolana regatta in Gulf of Trieste, Italy is one of the world’s largest sailing races
First held in 1969, the Barcolana, held in the Gulf of Trieste, Italy, is the biggest in the regatta Mediterranean and one of the largest sailing races in the world with more than 2,000 participants. The 48th annual Barcolana Regatta will take place on Sunday, Oct. 9. All manner of boats race, and there are illuminated night races. Named after the village of Barcola, the regatta turns Trieste into the unofficial sailing capital of Europe for nine days. The start line is traditionally underneath the Victory Lighthouse, built in 1927 to light the gulf and serve as a monument to those
killed in World War I. Everyone from brave amateurs all the way up to world-class helmsmen can take part in the race that is held annually on the second Sunday in October. some Offering activities for everyone, the event includes a “King of the Wind” event, in which people with disabilities race in specially adapted boats. Besides racing, visitors can enjoy regional cuisine and wine and plenty of live music. For the past six years, the championship has been won by Esimit Europa 2, an entry from the Yacht Club of Monaco.
Italian teachers report from Victory K-8 from page 19
from K5 to first grade so they can use the rapport they built with their students to continue to move forward academically with their language development. Even though the teachers have separate classrooms, they are collaborating to meet the needs of their students. They are excited to continue working with this group of students and help advance the Italian program. Maestra Annette Robertson is thrilled and feels fortunate to be with the super fantastic second grade partial-Italian class. She will teach science and culture in Italian and the fun strategies of math. They will partner this year with Ms. Jacqueline Erickson’s 8th grade for weekly reading pairs and will take a few field trips together, such as ice skating and a musical. The class will use the new school kitchen to create pizza, bread and other delights such as torta della terra to honor Earth Day. Maestra Cathy Laurenzi is excited to be back for another year in our third grade partial-Italian program. Maestra Laurenzi is looking forward to using some of the new Italian materials that have recently arrived. She will teach Italian as a foreign language and is sure to find creative ways to integrate Italian into their schedule. Maestra Rita Szopinski’s 4th and 5th grade class started off the year with a field trip to Indian Summer, held on the Summerfest grounds. Here the students learned about Native American culture and heritage, with focus on the Navajo Tribe. Maestra Szopinski will be able to provide Italian instruction on a daily basis. If you are interested in learning more about Victory K8 and Milwaukee Italian Immersion School, please contact Ms. Elizabeth Zizzo at zizzoe@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
PAGE 20 – OCTOBER 2016
THE ITALIAN TIMES