FEBRUARY 2016 PUBLISHED BY THE ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY VOLUME, XXXVI No. 2 43843 Romeo Plank Road - Clinton Township, MI 48038 - Phone (586) 228-3030 ext 15 - FAX (586) 228-1678 - Email iacs@iasconline.com
Italian American Cultural Society
HOSTS 9TH ANNUAL LADIES NIGHT OUT Thursday, March 3, 2016 - GIFTS | DINNER | SHOPPING
Sponsored by Giuseppe’s International Oils & Vinegars and Il Fornaio Bakery The IACS is hosting their premier shopping event, “Ladies Night Out” on Thursday, March 3, 2016, 43843 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, 6:00 p.m. Ladies will be shown to a room of endless shopping beginning with our friends at Carson’s over at the Mall at Partridge Creek, Il Fornaio Bakery, Giuseppe’s Inter-
FOR MORE INFO TURN TO PAGE 14
Easter Brunch FOR MORE INFO TURN TO PAGE 6
FOR MORE INFO TURN TO PAGE 9
national Oils & Vinegars, The Spoiled Girl, Fresh Egyptian Linens, and many more local vendors carrying health and beauty products, jewelry, and fashion accessories. Take some time for you to relax with girlfriends, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. A delicious plated dinner at 7:00 p.m.
prepared by Chef Alex Lozovoj will be served along with scrumptious mini pastry desserts from Il Fornaio Bakery. There is a cash bar. To make your prepay reservations, please contact the IACS office at 586228-3030, Ext. 15. www. iacsonline.com – email: iacs@iacsonline.com
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1401 MT CLEMENS MI 48043
PAGE 2
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
February
Jennifer, New Baltimore
Maria and Jennifer, Macomb
Mirella, Shelby Twp.
Orazia and Romano, Macomb
Roman, Macomb
Scott, Macomb
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
IACS Members Night
Every Wednesday 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. February 3 – Wednesday – IACS Senior Membership meeting – 10:00 a.m. – Italian Cultural Center February 3 – Wednesday – Italian American Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting – Petruzzello’s Banquet Center, 6950 Rochester Rd, Troy – 6:00 p.m. Board Meeting; 6:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting February 5 – Friday – Captain Jack’s Seafood Table at the Italian Cultural Center; doors open at 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m., open premium bar; $70/member; $75/non- member. February 16 – Tuesday – 7 p.m., Michigan Accordion Society monthly meeting and musical event. Please call 586-992-0498 for location and performance information. February 17 - Wednesday IACS Book Club will meet at 1:00 PM. Please contact Sandy Tornberg for additional information at 586-907-6631. March 3 – Thursday – IACS 9th Annual Ladies Night Out, at the Italian American Cultural Center, 6 p.m. – dinner 7 p.m. (See Flyer in newspaper) March 8 – Tuesday – 12 p.m. “Festa Della Donna 2016”
Luncheon at the Palazzo Grande. Tickets are $30. Contact Serafina Loria at 586-677-9751 for tickets and additional information. March 13 – Sunday - San Francesco Church will be hosting its annual Dinner Dance at Penna’s of Sterling. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. with a sit-down dinner served at 4:00 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Pino Marelli. Tickets are $55.00 per person sold in advance (absolutely no tickets sold at the door). This Year’s honorees will be Lorraine Frontera, Concetta (Connie) Galati, and Rosa Balsamo. This is a fundraising Event -all proceeds go directly to the church for maintenance and preservation. For tickets/ information call Geraldine Calderone 586-294-8698 or Sharon Ruggiroli 313-8825132. March 16 – Wednesday – Feast of St. Joseph Mass and Dinner at the Italian Cultural Center, (Details forthcoming). March 16 - Wednesday IACS Book Club will meet at 1:00 PM. Please contact Sandy Tornberg for additional information at 586-907-6631 March 20 – Palm Sunday – IACS Gioventu’ Festa dei Bambini (Details forthcoming). March 27 – Sunday - Easter Brunch at the Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center
PAGE 3
PLEASE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE IACS
ATTORNEYS J.B.Bieske and Jenifer Alfonsi 19991 Hall Road Macomb Twp., MI 48044 800-331-3530 fax 586-977-8444 www.ssdfighter.com Aiello, Mark Anthony 535 Griswold St #1650 Detroit, MI 48226 313-964-4900 Lucido & Manzella, PC Attorneys & Counselors at Law 39999 Garfield Road Clinton Twp., MI 48038 586-228-3900 Marchese, Giorgio 43455 Schoenherr Rd Ste.7 Sterling Heights, MI 48313 586-323-2300 BAKERIES Bommarito Bakery Michigan Italian Bakery, Inc 21830 Greater Mack Ave St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-772-6731 fax 772-6556 Il Fornaio Bakery 13689 23 Mile Road Shelby Twp., MI 48315 586-566-5280 BANQUET HALLS IACS Banquet Center 43843 Romeo Plank Rd Clinton Twp., MI 48038 586-421-5155 www.iacsonline.com CEMETERIES Resurrection Cemetery 18201 Clinton River Road Clinton Twp., MI 586-286-9020 www.mtelliott.com DENTIST John A. Dobry, DDS 15870 19 Mile Rd Ste 160 Clinton Twp, MI 48038 586-286-0790 www.dobrydental.com Salvatore S Aragona DDS 37020 Garfield Rd. Suite T-4 Clinton Twp., MI 48036
586-2630-4060 www.aragonadentistry.com FINANCIAL ADVISING Donadio Financial Services 47718 Van Dyke Avenue Shelby Twp, MI 48317 www.DonadioFinancialServices.com 586-737-2000 FRUIT MARKET Randazzos Fresh Markets www.randazzofreshmarket. com 36800 Garfield Clinton Township MI 48035 586-293-3500 49800 Hayes Rd Macomb, MI 48044 586-566-8700 13441 13 Mile Rd Warren, MI 48088 586-979-1010 FUNERAL HOMES Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Homes St. Clair Shores & Sterling Heights 586-777-0557 or 586-977-7300 Lee Ellena Funeral Home, Inc. 46530 Romeo Plank Road Macomb Twp., MI 48044 586-412-8999 Resurrection 40800 Hayes Road Clinton Twp., MI 48038 586-412-3000 Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke Ave Shelby Twp., MI 48316 586-677-4000 HAIR SALONS Pomponi’s Hair Shop 4728 Rochester Road Royal Oak, MI 48073 HPomponis@yahoo.com 248-585-5979 or 588-4464
HOME HEALTH CARE Walkar’s Home Relief Services 5005 E. 14 Mile Road Sterling Heights, MI 48310 (586)264-3550 www.walkars.com INSURANCE AGENCIES Lucido Insurance Agency 39999 Garfield Clinton Twp., MI 48038 586-286-8200 Auto • Home • Business • Life • Health • Financial Planning LANDSCAPING SC Lawnscape, LLC Macomb Twp., MI 586-263-0641 POLISHED CONCRETE Creative Surfaces, Inc 20500 Hall Road Clinton Twp., MI 48038 586-226-2950 www.cre8tivesurfaces.com info@cre8tivesurfaces.com PHYSICIANS Skardarasy, MD Charles Si’ Parla Italiano 33464 Schoenherr Ste 160 Sterling Heights, MI 48312 586-258-3775 RETIREMENT LIVING Villa Bella of Clinton Township 15894 19 Mile Road Clinton Township, MI 48038 586-412-8190 www.Villa-Bella.net TRAVEL AGENCIES Heritage Travel 3636 Peany Lane Canal Winchester, OH 43110 800-829-2200 Volare Travel Inc. 42500 Hayes, Ste 400 Clinton Twp., MI 48038 586-263-4500 www.volaretravel.com
PAGE 4
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
IACS SENIORS CHAIRPERSON MESSAGE
SAN FRANCESCO CHURCH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER DINNER DANCE
saving time. March 16th will be our St. Joseph dinner and Mass here at the Center. We can’t forget St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th when everyone becomes Irish! Also, our Friday night fish dinners will be held.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Happy Valentine Day to everyone –Make someone happy with a special greeting.
ESTHER BEAUDETTE About the time you read this article Spring will only be about seven weeks away. Spring will begin March 20th, which also will be Palm Sunday. There is so much to do before the first day of Spring. Our February and March meetings will have taken place. Our day trip on February 27th will have passed by. March 3rd is Ladies Night here at the Center. March 8th will be primary election day. March 13th we will spring ahead to daylight
Trip News: Our March 23rd day trip to Meadowbrook Theatre with a tour, lunch, and tickets to see Calendar Girls. Seats are still available. Cost is $72. Our departure time will be 10 a.m. from our Cultural Center. Please call Esther at (586) 286-2597 for reservations. All money is due by February 20th for our Meadowbrook package is due 30 days prior to our event. Our first meeting will be on the 3rd – Looking forward to seeing you there. Stay warm and healthy. Enjoy each day for each day is a gift…Esther
Concetta (Connie) Galati
San Francesco Church, Clinton Township, Michigan will be hosting its annual Dinner Dance Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Penna’s of Sterling. Entertainment will be provided by Pino Marelli. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $55.00 per person in advance (absolutely no tickets sold at the door). This event is a fundraiser … the only fundraiser San Francesco Church holds. All proceeds go directly to the maintenance and preservation of the church.
Rosalia Garrisi Receives
“OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD” By Fran Guido
Rosalia Garrisi was the 16th person to receive the “Outstanding Senior” award at the November 2, 2015 Senior Meeting. She was nominated by
her fellow members. For many years, Rosalie has been an active member of our Society as well in her church, St. Michael. Being proud of her Italian heritage, she took the opportunity to promote and celebrate its traditional Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19, 2015, at our Banquet Center. With her diligences and many members helping, it was a successful event.
Rosalie, with the help of many people, will work on having another Feast of Saint Joseph at our Center this year, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Come to our meetings on the first Wednesday of every month and see who our next “Outstanding Senior” award will go to.
Rosa Balsamo
At this year’s event, San Francesco Church will be honoring Lorraine Frontera, Concetta (Connie) Galati, and Rosa Balsamo for their exemplary service to the church. Lorraine Frontera is the daughter of Walter Frontera and Mary (Destasi) Frontera. She is the tenth child of eleven siblings. She was born in Detroit, Michigan where she raised three children. Lorraine is a selfless and dedicated individual with a sincere devotion to San Francesco Church and her faith. Lorraine attends mass daily at least once. She is at the church every morning at 5:30 a.m. to start the tasks of preparing the church for the days’ events whether it be a mass, funeral, wedding, or any other event. Lorraine’s service to the parish, as Father Giulio affirms, is “unbelievable”. She is dedicated and very hard working, and there is nothing she will not help with. She is a thoughtful, loving, caring, giving person who truly loves the Lord.
Lorraine Frontera
Concetta (Connie) Galati is the daughter of Frank and Rose (Bozzo) Licavoli. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and is the eldest of seven siblings. Concetta is married to Rocco Galati. In July 2016, they will be married for 47 years. They have 5 wonderful sons and 9 beautiful grandchildren. She is a loving and caring individual who works very hard and has a sincere devotion to family. When you are with Connie or at her home, her generosity and kindness inspires you. Rosa Balsamo is the daughter of Vito and Rosa (Galati) Galati. She is the youngest of three siblings. Rosa was born in Italy. When she was 4 years of age, she traveled to America on the ship Andrea Doria. Their family settled in Detroit, Michigan where other family members resided. Rosa is married to Salvatore Balsamo and is blessed with 4 children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. Rosa has earned a Bachelor’s cont. on page 13
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
PAGE 5
Congratulations to the New IACS Board of Directors
You are Cordially Invited to:
“THE ROAD TO LANSING” Your Fresh Voice
A Fundraiser for Your Community Friend
DR. MIKE AIELLO “ I need your help and your vote to get our voice to LANSING”.
Candidate for State Representative District 24: Harrison, Macomb and Clinton Twps.
Grazia, Dr. Mike
Table Top Stroll (Mangiare)-Beer–Wine-Espresso Italian American Cultural Society 43843 Romeo Plank Road Clinton Township, MI 48038
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 Time: 6-9PM $50.00 per person
Make Checks Payable to : CTE Mike Aiello for State Representative No Corporate Checks
Tickets are also available at the door day of event
We want to congratulate all of our newly elected Board Members and congratulate and welcome new Directors. We welcome you to the IACS leadership, if you are new to the Board and thank you for your continuing commitment, if you are a returning Board member. It is our pleasure to announce the results of the election to the IACS Board of Directors. The following members have been elected to serve three-year terms starting in January 2016. Giovanni LoIacono Esther Beaudette Dr. Mike Aiello Joseph P. Ventimiglia Mark Garagiola Mariano Evola Antonio DiGiorgio Board of Directors Serving One-Year Term Anthony Apone Rosanna Maniaci Giovanni Maniaci Sincere Appreciation to the following Directors, who are no longer on the Board for all of their dedicated service to the IACS. Thomas Bommarito Ronald A. DiBartolomeo, Past President In Memory of our Deceased Members on the Board James J. Calderone, Third Vice-President Frank J. Palazzolo, Past President
IN DEEPEST SYMPATHY
RSVP: (586)663-0435 or to order tickets Disclaimer: IACS is a nonprofit, and the IACS does not endorse
Cracchiolo; and former spouse Victoria Baldassarro. Raffaele was predeceased by his parents, Pasquale and Concetta (nee Monaco) Baldassarro; and son-in-law, Gaspare Cracchiolo
or support any political candidate. Paid for by CTE Mike Aiello for State Representative
St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese of Lisieux
Father Larry Zurawski, pastor, along with Father Enzo Addari and Father Giuseppe Licciardi invite everyone to attend our first Italian Heritage Mass on:
Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 3:00PM Well known vocalist Dino Valle will be singing beautiful Italian, English and Latin hymns. A light reception follows with homemade Italian desserts. Mark your calendars and make sure to bring your kids and grandkids. St. Therese of Lisieux 48115 Schoenherr Shelby Twp., MI 48315 586.254.4433 www.StThereseParish.ws
Raffaele Baldassarro of Sterling Heights, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 at the age of 73 years. Raffaele is survived by his children, Francesca Cracchiolo, Raffaele (Rachael) Baldassarro, and Mario Elizabeth) Baldassarro; grandchildren, Vittorio and Marcella
The family of Raffaele received friends from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a 12:00 p.m. Funeral Service on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Hauss and Modetz Funeral Home, 47477 Romeo Plank, Macomb. Burial was at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to the family of Raffaele Baldassarro.
PAGE 6
Italian American Cultural Society
FEBRUARY 2016
ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2016 VERDI OPERA VOCAL COMPETITION AND REMINDER FOR STUDENT ENTRIES DEADLINE
Thoseare arethe therequired requiredingredients ingredientsin inevery everyrecipe recipefor formusical musicalsuccess. success. Those Mix them them together together under under the the proper proper conditions conditions and and aa star star isis born. born. Or Or two, two, or or three. three. Mix The Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan in cooperation withThe TheItalian ItalianAmerican AmericanCultural CulturalSociety Society The with The Italian American Cultural Society TheVerdi VerdiOpera OperaTheatre Theatreof ofMichigan Michiganin incooperation cooperationwith with The Italian American Cultural Society The Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan in cooperation andThe TheItalian Italian American Clubof of Livonia Livonia Charitable Foundation arepleased pleased toannounce announce and American Club Charitable Foundation are to andThe The ItalianAmerican American Clubof ofLivonia Livonia Charitable Foundation presents and Italian Club Charitable Foundation presents
The Annual The 22nd 20th Annual Annual The 20th Italian Arias Vocal VocalCompetition Competition ItalianSongs Songs and and Arias Vocal Competition Italian Songs for Michigan High School Students for Michigan Michigan High High School School Students Students for See website: website: www.verdioperatheatre.com www.verdioperatheatre.com See Tenfinalists finalistswill willbe beselected selectedfrom fromthe theentries entriesreceived receivedand andwill willperform performatatthe theConcert Concertofofthe theFinalists. Finalists. Ten Eachfinalist finalistwill willreceive receiveaamonetary monetaryprize. prize.Entry Entryforms formsfor forthe thecompetition competitionand andall allother otherpertaining pertaininginformation, information, Each areavailable availabletototeachers teachersand andstudents studentsatatour ourwebsite, website,www.verdioperatheatre.com www.verdioperatheatre.com are
$1000 First Prize
Concert of the Finalists Sunday, May May 4,1, 4,1,20 20 1 atat 4:00 4:00 pm pm Sunday, May 14 114 Sunday, May 2016 pm Sunday, 2016 pm atthe theItalian ItalianAmerican American Cultural Cultural Center the Italian American Italian American CulturalCenter Center atatatthe Cultural Center
43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, 48038 43843 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp.,MI MIMI 48038 43843 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp., 48038 Phone: Phone: Phone:(586) (586)228-3030 228-3030 (586) 228-3030
Join us at at this exciting event, event, Join us exciting Join us this by encouraging encouraging Join us by asstudents dreams come come to life! life! as dreams to your students to participate participate your to Tickets $7.00 $7.00 per per person person at at the the door door Tickets in this this exciting event! in exciting event! ($5.00 for students, students, senior citizens, ($5.00 for senior citizens, and IACS IACS members) members) and
IN DEEPEST SYMPATHY
TARANTO, Giralomo “Jerry”. January 14, 2016. Age 84. Beloved husband of the late Maria and the late Zina. Loving father of Maria (Nicolo) Oliveri and Joe (Marisa). Proud and loving Nonno of his grandchildren Simone (Jessica), Rosaria (Mike) and Alyssa and his great-grandchildren Sophia, Colette and Lil-
iana. Also survived by 3 brothers, 2 sisters and his dear friend and companion Rosena Lopez. Jerry enjoyed Italian music and dancing and especially loved his family and being with them. Visitation Sunday 2-9pm with a 7pm Scripture service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Instate Monday 11:30am until time of 12 noon Mass at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 48115 Schoenherr (N. of 21 Mile Rd.), Shelby Twp. Entombment, Christian Memorial Cultural Center, Rochester Hills.
Ten finalists will be selected from the entries received, and those finalists will perform in a live concert in front of an audience at the Concert of the Finalists, scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2016, at the Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center, 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038, Phone: (586) 228-3030. The First Prize winner will receive $1,000, with Second and Third prize winners being awarded $300 and $200 respectively, and each of the other finalists will receive a monetary prize of $50. The prizes are sponsored by the Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Foundation. The finalists will receive invaluable help and support from the three distinguished judges who will review their performance at the end of the concert.
Importantly, every participant in the competition will be able to explore the wonderful world of classical Italian songs and opera arias and to test their talent in this challenging art form. This competition has earned a reputation as Michigan’s top classical singing contest for high school students. Please check-out the information in the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan’s website www.verdioperatheatre.com - click on Vocal Competition - regarding the List of Schools that have participated through the years, the Repertory Sample listing all the songs/arias performed by participants, and the posters showing photos and newspaper articles about many of the past winners. Several finalists and winners of this vocal competition are presently performing with various
opera companies in the USA and abroad, and one in particular, soprano Caitlin Lynch, winner of the 1998 edition of the competition, has made her debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 2013, performing the role of Biancofiore in Riccardo Zandonai’s opera “Francesca da Rimini” and has subsequently returned there to perform in the world premiere of Nico Muhly’s opera “Two Boys”. The public is invited to attend this exciting annual event, to hear and to cheer on these outstanding young talents. For more information please contact John Zaretti, President of the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan, via e-mail at verdiopera@comcast.net, or by phone at (734) 5524236, or Barbara Smith, at the IACS, barb@iacsonline.com, (586) 228-3030. Arrivederci!
REMINDER!!
REMINDER!!
High HighSchool School Vocal Competition Competition Vocal First PlacePrize Prize First Place $
1000 1000
The deadline for entering the competition is February 15th! For more information, go to
www.verdioperatheatre.com
IACSItalian Membership - Levels Benefits American Cultural Societyand
FEBRUARY 2016
Advantages to being an IACS Member: •
Monthly home delivery of the Italian American Cultural Society newspaper;
• •
Free dinner for children under 5 during Nonna Nite with Family, Family & Friends, Patron, Benefactor, or Lifetime membership levels;
•
Special 10% discount Italian language classes;
• • •
Discounted IACS special events over $25;
•
Special 20% coupons at Carson are at Partridge Creek Mall only. Must have a valid IACS membership ID to participate.
•
Special 20% discount on all baked goods including wedding cakes at Il Fornaio Bakery, 13689 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township;
•
Giuseppe’s International Oil & Vinegars - $1.00 off each bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Aged Balsamic Vinegar (200ml size & up); The Mall at Partridge Creek – 586/263-4200; www. giuseppesoils.com;
Special discount for IACS members on advertising in the IACS newspaper;
•
Dr. David Guzzardo – Chiropractor – New Patients – A free consultation, free exam, and half off on x-rays – 39725 Garfield, Clinton Twp., 586/286-6616; www.guzzardochiropractic.com;
•
St. Clair Eye, Charles G. Shermetaro, O.D. – 15% discount on lenses, frames, and non-prescription sunglasses. Not to be used with insurances, other discounts, or on contact lenses. 48873 Hayes Rd. @ 22 Mile – (586) 247-2121;
•
SC Lawnscape LLC – FREE first lawn cutting with signed year contract. 10% SAVINGS on any landscape purchase of $2,500 or above. REFERRAL PROGRAM, our current, past, or new customers receive discounts or local gift cards with every signed referral. 586/263-0641 – www.sclawnscape. com; Attorney Armand Velardo – Free consultation and 10% discount on legal services. (Acquisitions; Civil and Commercial Litigation; Corporate Planning; Estate Planning; Family Law; Mergers; Personal Injury; Probate; Real Estate Transactions; Shareholder Disputes; Tax Issues; Arbitrator; Facilitator; and Mediator.)
•
Membership in January - Membership begins 2016 And expires January 2017
IACS Membership - Levels and Benefits
Membership in February - Membership begins February 2016 EveryAnd member strengthens the Italian American Cultural Society to better expires January 2017 educate and preserve our traditional italian culture. Your membership helps to Every strengthens Italian American Society to better educate and preserve our makemember the IACS more the responsive to the Cultural Italian American community it serves.
traditional Italian culture. Your membership helps to make the IACS more responsive to the Italian American community it serves.
Your membership pays for itself. Your membership payssubscription for itself. • One to the Italian American newspaper; - year • One-year subscription to the Italian American • Discounted Italian language classes;newspaper; • Discounted Italian language classes; • Discounted IACS special events over $25 . PLEASE CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:
Senior - $33 CIRCLE Senior Couples - $66 Gioventu’ Couple - $66 Individual (Under age 60) - $44 PLEASE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL: Family - $88 – Two adult members and children in same household. Gioventu’ Family - $88 Senior & - $40 Senior Couples - $80 Gioventu’ Couple - $80 or Individual (Under18age 60) and - $55 Family Friends - $132 – Two adult members; all children grandchildren years Family - $100 – Two adult members and children in same household. Gioventu’ Family - $100 younger, and includes two (2) adult guests of the member at an IACS event at member’s price. Family & Friends - $150 – Two adult members; includes two (2) guests and all children or Patron - $275 18 – Two members in same household and all children or grandchildren 18 years grandchildren yearsadult and younger. and younger; four guests at member’s prices. and all children or grandchildren 18 years Patron - $300Includes – Two adult members in same household Benefactor - $451 – Two adult members in sameprices. household and all children or grandchildren 18 and younger; Includes four guests at member’s years and younger; six members guests at in member’s price; $100 IACS gift certificate – good 18 and all children or grandchildren Benefactor - $500 –Includes Two adult same household years and Includes six guests at member’s price; $100 IACS gift certificate– good towards allyounger; IACS special events. towards all IACS special Lifetime - $5,000 – Two events. adult members in same household and all children or grandchildren 18 Lifetime - $5,000 –Includes Two adult same household allIACS children grandchildren 18 years and younger; 10members guests at inmember’s price; a and $100 giftorcertificate – good years and Includes 10 guests at member’s price; a $100 IACS gift certificate– good towards allyounger; IACS special events. towards all IACS special events.
Upon of payment, you may the benefits of membership. February 2016 Uponreceipt receipt of payment, you start may enjoying start enjoying the benefits of membership. Membership is prorated and good January through January 2017. checks Make checks payable to IACS. Membership is good through 2017. Make payable to IACS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IACS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
IACS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
LAST FIRST NAME NAME LASTNAME NAME FIRST SPOUSE’S FIRST NAME DATE OF BIRTH CHILDREN’S NAMES & AGES RESIDING WITH PARENTS SPOUSE’S FIRST NAME DATE OF BIRTH ADDRESS – CITY – STATE – ZIPRESIDING WITH PARENTS CHILDREN’S NAMES & AGES TELEPHONE NUMBERS: HOME CELLULAR Signature of Applicant: ADDRESS – CITY – STATE – ZIP Visa/MasterCard/Discover Card #
DATEOF OFBIRTH BIRTH DATE
EMAIL Date: Exp/Date
CID Code
TELEPHONE NUMBERS: CELLULAR Call Center:HOME 586-228-3030 – 43843 Romeo Plank Road, ClintonEMAIL Township, MI 48038 OFFICE USE ONLY Date:
Signature of Applicant:
Received
Paid By
Visa/MasterCard/Discover Card #
Renewal Month/Year
Member Years
Exp/Date
ATTORNEY/AVVOCATO Fluent in Italian
Renewal Month/Year
Let me show you how to
maximize
Civil Litigation Personal Injury OUIL/Traffic Offenses Business Transactions
Silver Pine Complex 43455 Schoenherr, Suite 7 Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313
DISTRIBUTION Lelio D’Aristotile WRITING STAFF Esther Beaudette Antonio DiGiorgio Barbara Smith Sandra Tornberg Photographer Elio Ripari Sandra Tornberg 586/228-3030 ext 15 iacs@iacsonline.com
Deadline for submitting material is the 10th of the month. We reserve the right to edit all copy.
Initial Consultation at no charge • • • •
LAYOUT & DESIGN American Speedy Printing
Member Years
586-323-2300
Divorce Real Estate Wills/Estates Corporations
ITALIAN EDITOR Sandra Tornberg
www.iacsonline.com
OFFICE USE ONLY
Paid By
Italian American
CID Code
Call Center: 586-228-3030 – 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Received
The
EDITOR Barbara L. Smith
• Discounted IACS special events over $25.
GIORGIO MARCHESE
• • • •
PAGE 7
39378 Aynesley, Clinton Township, MI 48038
James G. Timpa, LUTCF
Authorized Independent Agent
(586) 226-1550 or (586) 286-7005 timpainsurance@wowway.com
PAGE 8
IACS SUPPORTING HANDBAGS OF HOPE MOTHER’S DAY DRIVE
HandBags of Hope is a 501 (c) (3) organization that understands the importance of a woman’s purse. Their concept is simple: they ask women to donate new or gently used purses. Each purse is then filled with ten items of necessity. The bags are gifted locally in Macomb County, and across the state to domestic abuse transitional housing and teen empowerment programs. The organization is run by two women, Jackie Bobcean and Lisa Kaufmann, along with a host of volunteers, with no monetary compensations paid. They rely on 90% product donations. Their funding comes from their own personal
MICHIGAN ACCORDION SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETINGS
Italian American Cultural Society fundraising efforts, local business, groups, corporations and individuals. They gift 2500 purses a year. Since their inception in 2006 they have provided roughly seventeen thousand handbags. HandBags of Hope has received recognition through the Comcast-NBC Universal’s “I-Volunteer” program, Verizon Wireless, Zonta International and People Magazine. Supporters include UAW Ford, Michigan handbag designer Jenna Kator and Sally Beauty Supply. In the last quarter of 2015, HandBags of Hope held a handbag drive which yielded 1500 handbags. Now those bags need to be filled, and this is where IACS members and their friends and families can help. The Mother’s Day Filler Drive will kick off February 15th and run through April 15th. The filled handbags will be donated to domestic violence shelters and programs, The Michigan Accordion Society meets every third Tuesday of the month between 7:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. at various locations throughout Southeastern Michigan These events include musical performances by several local and guest musicians in a variety of musical styles including ethnic, jazz, classical, country, music from movies and the stage,
women in transition, and teen programs in time for distribution for Mother’s Day. The list of requested items is as follows: WALLET HAIRBRUSH MANICURE SET TISSUE CHAPSTICK MEMO PAD / PEN HAND LOTION* DEODORANT* BODY WASH* * Can be full-size or purse size This is an excellent way for us to recognize International Women’s Day by assisting local women who need some help. Collection boxes will be located in the IACS lobbies beginning on February 1. Please consider donating some of these items to help fill the handbags. For more information about HandBags of Hope, visit their website http://www.handbagsofhope.webs.com.
etc. Join us if you play accordion or just want to hear great musical performances. All ages are welcome! For more information as to each month’s location and performers, please call 586-992-0498 and leave message and phone number. More information about the club can be found at http://www.michiganaccordion.org/
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCHEON The group Festa della Donna will once again host a luncheon on March 8, 2016 in recognition of International Women’s Day. This year’s event will be held at the Palazzo Grande. At 12:00 P.M. Tickets are $30, and proceeds from the event go to organizations that help women in need.
FEBRUARY 2016 Please contact Serafina Loria at 586-677-9751 for tickets or for additional information about the event. The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on February 28, 1909 in New York, in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. Eventually it came to be celebrated on March 8. In different regions of the world the focus of the celebration ranges from a general celebration of respect, appreciation, and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political, and social achievements.
PHILA-ITALY AMERICANA
By Gerardo Perrotta
Postage stamps do more than just facilitate the transport of mail. They tell a story. This book tells the unique story of the indelible imprint Italians, Italian-Americans, and lovers of Italian culture have imparted on the formation and development of the United States. While each encapsulated image traces a single thread of the journey, together they form a rich trove of experiences and contributions from the very beginning to the present.
But the story does not end here! As successes and contributions from this large ethnic and highly assimilated group continue to mount, the pictorial story of America will continue to grow. The ever-blossoming tale of those with a “root in the boot” will grace the American landscape for years to come. To order, call 888-7954274 ext. 7879 or order online at www.xlibris. com, www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon. com.
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
WE THE ITALIANS. TWO FLAGS, ONE HEART. ONE HUNDRED INTERVIEWS ABOUT ITALY AND THE US Umberto Mucci’s New book - By Sandra Tornberg
Umberto Mucci is my “virtual” friend who lives in Rome – virtual because I met him online, a friend because we share many of the same interests and I rely on him for inspiration and support. Umberto is the founder and CEO of We the Italians, www. wetheitalians.com, a website about anything regarding Italy and the US. He has a degree in Political Science and International Relations and an advanced degree in Marketing and Communication. Umberto is guest lecturer at International Consortium for Academic Programs Abroad (ACCENT), where he lectures about Italian emigration in the US and about the actual Italian presence in the US to students from Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota and Santa Barbara City College. He is the representative in Italy for the Italian American Museum of New York. Most importantly, Umberto loves America and Italian Americans and all things Italian-American. For this book Umberto has chosen the best 100 interviews he has conducted between 2012 and
2015, both in the US and in Italy. The interviewees come from diverse thematic or geographic points of view and each has a story or role that is valuable to understanding the relationship between Italy and the U.S. They are dedicated and passionate about one or more aspects of Italy, and every one of them offers something relevant for the Italians living in Italy today. The Italian community in the U.S., made up of Italian Americans and Italians born in Italy and recently arrived in the U.S., is a prestigious group made up of several million positive people linked by a wonderful Italian heritage and an American dream. Detroit is well represented in the book. Among the interviewees are Italian Consul in Detroit Dr. Maria Luisa Lapresa, and Jennifer Baross and Jack Johnson, director and producer of the documentary film “Parducci: The Man Who Made Detroit Beautiful”. Corrado Parducci was an architectural sculptor who came to Detroit in 1924 at the request of Albert Kahn. Parducci’s work adorns many buildings in Detroit, including the Guardian Building and the Penobscot Building. “Two Flags, One Heart is the pay off of We the Italians: it represents the sense of loving two different countries and some-
how belonging to both of them, a story that has been describing the lives of the Italians in America for over a century. After these 100 interviews, the author’s opinion is that being Italian AND American (some of the interviewees have just one passport, but all of them love the country they don’t officially belong to) is a gift, a blessing and something that will never cease to be beautiful.” Umberto will be on a promotional tour in the U.S. during February and March, which will take him to New York, and wisely, several cities with warmer temperatures including Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Houston. He will be returning to the U.S. in May and we will collaborate to try and make Detroit one of his stops. Two Flags, One Heart can be ordered on Amazon. com: http://www.amazon. com/dp/B01AJWDV1S. The Italian edition is expected to be released in June.
Copy Writed Material
PAGE 9
PAGE 10
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
Save The Date Comfortable, spacious visitation rooms with private lounges Private hospitality suites for dinners & funeral lunches Outdoor seating on porches overlooking natural wetlands Dedicated children’s room • Ample parking Competitive pricing • Natural light throughout funeral home
Feast of St. Joseph Dinner Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Twp., Michigan 48038 Mass at 6:00 P.M. Celebrant Father Enzo Addari Dinner immediately following
ITALY
Luxury travel to Italy. Custom designed itineraries for the educated tourist looking to experience Italy in a truly distinctive and authentic manner. Luxury properties, private guides, private drivers, villa and exclusive properties. ITALIAN CONSULAR OFFICER AT IACS Please be reminded that the Italian Consulate in Detroit, under the auspices of the Comites of Detroit, has made the services of a Consular Officer available once a month, to assist Italian citizens who may have difficulty reaching the Consulate offices in downtown Detroit. The officer will meet with a maximum of twenty citizens each time who may consign their files directly
to the visiting officer. This service is available on the third Wednesday of each month at the Italian American Cultural Center, at 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, Michigan. Citizens will draw a number from one to twenty upon arrival, and will be seen in numerical order. Please call the Consulate at 313-963-8560 for additional information, or email questions to inform.detroit@esteri.com.
Volare Travel Inc.
42500 Hayes, Clinton Twp., MI 48038 (586) 263-4500 www.volaretravel.com
NIGHT DINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
During Lent, Nonna Night Dinners will be interrupted begining February 11th until Thursday, March 31st.
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
PAGE 11
Stations Of The Cross at
The Italian American Cultural Society Banquet & Conference Center
Fridays – 7:15 P.M. February 19 February 26 March 4 March 11 March 18
Padre Giuseppe Licciardi
If you had died yesterday, would your family know what to do today? Why preplanning is one of the smartest decisions you will ever make Chances are you have planned for many things in your life – home and car insurance, healthcare, even retirement. But the benefits of preplanning your “final” plans are just as significant. There are a few things to consider when it you are considering why now is the perfect time to preplan your final resting place. This is where your friends and family members will forever come to celebrate your life so it is important to make a decision that best fits your needs. Preplanning allows you to: 1) Relieve your loved ones from making a sud-
den, emotional decision
ally.
Making final arrangements is far more difficult when a loved one has just passed than if you plan for it now. It is a difficult decision to make during a time when family members and friends should be remembering others. There are more than 50 decisions that must be made in literally 24 hours to prepare for final arrangements and a funeral.
2) Make a smart financial decision
For an individual or a couple, being able to make those decisions with a clear mind is vitally important, and a blessing for loved ones. And most people who wait until the time of need will spend a significantly higher amount of money on average because they are purchasing emotion-
Like anything, burial and cremation costs also rise each year, and double every 8-10 years. Preplanning saves on these costs, and allows for either an upfront payment, or an affordable payment plan that fits your budget. You can lock in your price now before prices rise. Furthermore with preplanning you are able to make decisions on your funeral plans. Including: 3) Personally decide on the details of your memorial These are decisions you can make now with your loved ones so the choice is yours. Your family won’t have to guess as to
what you want because your arrangements will have already been made.
Elliott Cemetery Association serves families of all Christian faiths.
Making your final arrangements is the final act of love that you can give to your family. Your family may not understand its full impact until the day you die but they will understand what a thoughtful and lasting gift you left them during a period of mourning and remembrance.
You’ve prepared for everything else – now is the perfect time to make your “final” plans. Visit www. mtelliott.com or contact any one of our cemeteries to learn more.
The Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association can serve as a resource for you for any preplanning-related questions, from burial options to cremation to payment plans. With six cemeteries located in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, including an all-natural cemetery in Waterford, the Mt.
ITALY CON NOI Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat 5:00 - 6:00 PM Sunday 4:00-5:00 PM For more Information 248-524-9281
Italy Con Noi On Comcast Channel 90
PAGE 12
FINDING YOUR ROOTS, ITALIAN STYLE
By Resurrection Cemetary... Karen Mack You have decided that Getting started in geyou want to find your nealogy means that you lineage in Italy. Bravo! start with what you know. Before you start subscribStart with you and work ing to pay websites, take backwards. Link your a step back and outline family together; your what your goals will be in brothers and sisters; this quest. your mother and father. Document who marMany individuals who ried whom and list their research their genealogy, children. Move to the quickly become overprevious generation and whelmed. There is so do the same thing noting much information out all siblings and those who there that without a plan, still live and those who’ve it’s easy to lose your way died. When completed, and become frustrated. move to your grandparAsk yourself, these quesent’s lineage. Follow this tions: method of listing for as • What is it that you long as you can. List all want to find out? that you find on a his• How far back do you torical chart, noting the want to go? generations. While you may have holes in your • Do you want to know findings, those holes will only about your mother’s be filled as you search. side or both your mother and father’s side? You must talk to the elders of your family. They o Are you going to do have a wealth of informathem together or one at a tion that will aid you in time? your research. They will o Which one first? enjoy telling the family Develop a plan. You can stories and you will glean always expand or edit that pearls from them as a replan, but having one will sult. As you talk to them, provide you with direcyou may encounter relation as your develop your tives that you didn’t know research. exist. Families often fight Realize that it is unlikely and stop talking to each you will ever complete other. Talking to these this genealogy project. elders may uncover Zia’s You will start it, but it and Zio’s that you never will be handed down and knew you had. each generation will add While you’ve always to it. It will be completed known you come from a when your lineage ends. certain town in Italy, in You have the distinction talking to the elders, you of starting this family may find that not all of search. the family members were
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society born in that town. Often, families moved from town to town following the jobs. While the first child may have been born in the town that you’re familiar with, the next child may have been born two towns over. They have may have returned to the original town in time, thus creating the allusion that they never left. The cardinal rule in genealogy is NEVER ASSUME. Always find out. Look for memorial cards, scrapbooks, certificates, documents and anything else that will help you with your search. Enlist family members help in locating these items. Make copies and put them aside. You will need them later. Record all that you do. This will prevent you from retracing your steps later. While this may not seem like a lot, these steps are monumental. Compiling this information will take time. Make a plan and update it regularly. Once you’ve completed this task, you will be ready to go to the next step in your genealogy search. Karen Mack is the Community Liaison for the Mt Elliott Cemetery Association, which manages six cemeteries in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. It serves families of all Christian faith and was founded in 1841. Learn more by visiting www.mtelliott.com.
MEMBERS NIGHT CHRISTMAS PARTY 2015 By Antonio Di Giorgio
It has become customary to have this group celebrating a Christmas pizza party every year. However, this year we had the pleasure of having the Columbus Committee directors with us. Mark Garagiola, the Chair of the Columbus group, opened the evening with a warm welcome to everyone. We were over 65 people between the groups – waiting to enjoy the food and friendship. It was my turn to say some nice, which I did by this initiative of combining the two groups. Pizza, salad, chicken, and trimmings were served –
seeing people going back for seconds, including myself, is a direct praise to Alex, the chef, who has very much acquired the art of making us happy… and fat. Maria Cicchini with Roberto Cicchelli entertained the evening with karaoke songs in both languages, and a vast repertoire of Christmas songs were played. Then the dancing started with all sorts of music. We enjoyed the friendship shared among the people, the food, the music/dance, and the camaraderie. We will do it again!
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
PAGE 13 San Francesco... cont. from page 4 Degree in Science and a teaching certificate and currently works as a substitute teacher. Rosa feels teaching children was a calling from God and is truly a rewarding job. These are two special ladies who have taught Catechism at San Francesco Church for well over 25 years. You can find them every Tuesday at the church in the 5th grade classroom teaching the children about their faith. Even though their own children have long grown into adulthood and now have children of their own, Connie and Rosa continue to teach every week hoping their dedication influences the students and brings them closer to the Lord. Their profound devotion to their faith and great dedication to teaching catechism is an inspiration to many. The number of hours volunteered by these three ladies is immeasurable and San Francesco Church is very blessed as a parish community to have their support. Please support us by attending our Dinner Dance and honoring these upstanding women of our community on March 13, 2016. For tickets/information please contact Geraldine Calderone 586-294-8698 or Sharon Ruggiroli 313-882-5132.
PAGE 14
FEBRUARY 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
CALL FOR DANCERS FOR ITALIAN AMERICAN FOLK DANCE TROUPE IACS Members Gene and Shirley Fedeli have graciously offered their talents to help the IACS form an Italian dance troupe. They were the founders of the Amici Italiani Folk Dance Troupe in Rockford, Illinois and were active with the group for many years prior to moving to Michigan. We are looking for young people over the age of eight and adults of all ages. Our goal is to have this “new” folk dance troupe perform at various local events. What a way for the IACS to show that our youth and young
adults are carrying Italian culture to a new level! Please see the site below where Amici Italiani shows their dances. https://youtu. be/Fxsasl5FEfw?list=PL1AA32B39F5BC109E You will see many of their dances on this site, but Gene and Shirley have chosen three for your review. Tarentella; Tarentella di Catania; La Staggia. The first 2 are from southern Italy, the last from northern Italy. Please complete the enclosed form. We will contact you for the first meeting.
IN DEEPEST SYMPATHY
SETTECERRI, ROSEMARIE Age 80 January 3, 2016, Beloved wife of the late Frank J.. Loving mother of Dr. Jeffrey
(Tara) Settecerri and Nancy (David) Sinutko. Proud grandmother of Lauren, Andrew, Daniel, Samantha, Alexis and Natalie. Dear sister of Robert J. (Susanne) Catalano and Anna (Tom) Dombrowski. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews. Longtime member of the Italian American Cultural Society. Visitation Tuesday
3-9pm with a 7pm Rosary at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Pkwy. (16 Mile). Instate Wednesday 11:00am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church 44663 Utica Rd. in Utica until 11:30am Mass. Share memories with the family at their “On-Line Guestbook” @ WujekCalcaterra.com.
FEBRUARY 2016
December 16, 2015 Eugenia Bernadine Szmania Edward Raymond Ziolkowski December 17, 2015 Dede Prenge Beleshi Ligoria Valerie Chmielewski Josephine Migliore Nicola Norrito Opa lMarjorie Potasky December 18, 2015 Sharon Rose Fish Robert Frank Kemmis Virginia Alice Rollo Peter Thomas Watson December 20, 2015 Sophie V. Dembeck Doca Dimitrijevich Wilhelma Catherine Smallwood Ronald Robert Strapec December 21, 2015 Christopher Arnone Charles Walter George
Italian American Cultural Society
December 22, 2015 Girolamo Accardo Kenneth Francis Bertetto Joseph S. Bianchi Giovanni Luigi Cavaliere Bernice Catherine Plewa December 23, 2015 Adele Malik December 24, 2015 Sharon Lynn Foreman Paris Nick Slovak December 25, 2015 Edward M. Byrne December 27, 2015 Glenn John Bour Paul Carl Delcourt December 28, 2015 Rose M. Scovone December 29, 2015 Sergio Roberto Barrientez Marianne Lusch Rosa Pscheidl December 30, 2015 Helen Barbara Kandrac Stephen Donald Laboda
December 31, 2015 Thomas Patrick Casey Arthur Harry Dzuiblinski Leo Paul Morin Sharon Ann Oehmke Jack Russell Radcliff Nickolas Tavoularis January 1, 2016 Steven Joseph Caldwell David C. Piechowiak January 2, 2016 Euphrasia A. Cozza Florence Sabina Hilton Mary Lillian Jadike Michael William Mackey Florence Ann Ruggeri January 3, 2016 Gregory Thomas Coucke Judith Ann Herbart Else Pfaehler Michael Pokornicki Rosemarie Settecerri Stanley Szymanski
PAGE 15
January 4, 2016 Jason Michael Gallagher Leo Earl Kowalski Donald Lanzon January 5, 2016 Charlotte DeGeorge Josephine Estelle Regan John Edward Reuter Stella Toth January 6, 2016 Freda Caradonna Joyce Marie Deck Samuel Vito Pellerito January 7, 2016 Eleanora Achs Gary Allen Beattie Irene Caputa Vincent James Caputo Elena DeLeonardis Richard Albert Doan Joseph Hartinger Pauline Jachimowicz January 8, 2016 Vita A Simonte
January 9, 2016 Patrick Gene Lowry Eugenia J. Postek Donald G. Puscas Wanda Senkowski Delphine Carol Stelmaszek Glenn David Warrington January 10, 2016 Anthony Anselmo Russell Gerard Giacopelli George Peter Gianakopoulos Konstantinos Fotios Karnas January 11, 2016 Mary Beverin Michael Harry Kelley Walter William Skawski January 12, 2016 Vincent Anthony Buscemi Marino Davide Giannini Celeste Iacobelli Virginia Starski January 13, 2016 Rosalie P. Isola Margaret Mary Stevens
FEBBRAIO 2016 PUBLISHED BY THE ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY VOLUME, XXXVI No. 2 43843 Romeo Plank Road - Clinton Township, MI 48038 - Phone (586) 228-3030 ext 15 - FAX (586) 228-1678 - Email iacs@iasconline.com
Carnevale vecchio e pazzo s’è venduto il materasso per comprare pane, vino tarallucci e cotechino. E mangiando a crepapelle la montagna di frittelle gli è cresciuto un gran pancione che somiglia a un pallone. Beve, beve all’improvviso gli diventa rosso il viso, poi gli scoppia anche la pancia mentre ancora mangia, mangia. Così muore Carnevale e gli fanno il funerale: dalla polvere era nato e di polvere è tornato. Gabriele D’Annunzio
Buon San Valentino
PAGINA 2
Italian American Cultural Society
L’associazionismo all’estero? Il miglior sostegno ai nostri emigrati DI GIANNI PEZZANO | JAN 07, 2016
La commemorazione dei santi, come la festa di San Gennaro a New York, è un esempio di associazionismo fra i gruppi di emigrati all’estero Quando parliamo degli emigrati italiani in giro per il mondo e dei loro discendenti pensiamo subito alle partenze e agli sforzi fatti per trovare una vita nuova. C’è però un aspetto che pochi conoscono. Chi è emigrato con successo ha voluto chiamare nel nuovo Paese di residenza parenti e compaesani. Di conseguenza, ogni comunità italiana all’estero, ha concentrazioni particolari di persone provenienti dallo stesso paese. Per citare due esempi, Minturno (in provincia di Latina) ha una “colonia” di discendenti a Stamford, Connecticut negli Stati Uniti e San Giorgio la Molara (Benevento) ne ha una
altrettanto grande ad Adelaide, in Australia. In molti casi, le popolazioni in questi centri urbani sono più grandi delle popolazioni attuali nei paesi di origine. Inoltre, questi gruppi si concentrano nella stessa zona della città, creando non solo delle “Little Italy”, ma pseudo colonie paesane. Ricordo un giro di visite in una strada di Melbourne con i miei genitori dove, se non parlavi il dialetto calabrese di Bianco, rischiavi di non trovare nessuno che ti capisse. In quel caso, i paesani erano anche tutti impiegati di un conterraneo che aveva un’impresa di successo. Molti di questi gruppi hanno formato circoli sociali, spesso non solo a livello regionale, ma persino di singoli paesi, come il Circolo di Fondi (Latina) a Melbourne. Questi gruppi sono stati
la base della commemorazione dei Santi patroni dei loro Paesi e, senza dubbio, l’esempio più famoso è la Festa di San Gennaro a New York. In molti casi la chiesa cattolica (l’Ordine degli Scalabriniani è particolarmente attivo in questi compiti) ha fornito una base solida di promozione dei gruppi di assistenza. Insieme ai circoli sociali sono nati i gruppi sportivi nei vari continenti e, per esempio, sarebbe interessante vedere quanti Club Juventus (per citare solo una squadra) si trovano in giro per il mondo. Il volto meno conosciuto di queste attività comunitarie è quello dei gruppi di promozione della lingua e della cultura del Bel Paese e, soprattutto, di gruppi di assistenza ai connazionali. Purtroppo non tutti gli emigrati italiani hanno avuto suc-
cesso e non pochi hanno bisogno di assistenza di vario genere. Con l’invecchiamento degli emigrati, inoltre, sono stati formati gruppi di beneficenza che hanno acquistato e gestiscono case di cura per gli anziani. Allo stesso modo in molte di queste comunità esistono patronati che aiutano i connazionali per le pensioni o le pratiche lavorative nei Paesi di residenza. Queste sono le cose che rendono grandi le nostre comunità all’estero. Sarebbe stato facile dire che lo Stato doveva fornire i servizi in cambio delle tasse pagate, ma siamo stati noi italiani a capire che siamo proprio noi i migliori a fornire i servizi di cui abbiamo bisogno nelle varie fasi della nostra vita. Questi sono gli esempi che noi in Italia dovremmo studiare per poter
FEBBRAIO 2016 aiutare gli immigrati che ora arrivano nel nostro Paese per integrarsi al meglio. Le nostre esperienze all’estero non sono diverse da quelle che ora fanno i nostri nuovi residenti. Chiunque sia mai andato in case di cura per gli anziani italiani all’estero sa benissimo cosa affronterà questo Paese nel futuro non troppo lontano per gli immigrati che ora sono giovani e sani, ma che con il tempo sentiranno gli effetti dei loro sforzi. Chiunque sia andato nei gruppi di assistenza forniti ai nostri connazionali all’estero sa benissimo che ci sono problemi relativi al processo di immigrazione e che bisogna tenere sotto controllo per aiutare gli immigrati ad integrarsi nel migliore di modi. A differenza di Paesi di immigrazione come gli Stati Uniti o l’Australia, l’Italia è fortunata perché ha un tesoro nelle storie e nelle esperienze dei connazionali all’estero. Abbiamo potenzialmente una fonte enorme dalla quale prendere esempio per evitare sbagli commessi in passato. Il miglior modo consiste nell’imparare da queste esperienze e di riproporle. Se mettiamo in pratica le lezioni che ci pervengono dall’estero, dimostreremo a noi stessi di non ripetere gli sbagli, dimostrando d’aver imparato che si può fare meglio. http://www.italoamericano.org/ story/2016-1-7/associazionismo-estero
FEBBRAIO 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
PAGINA 3
Riposa in pace Raffaele Baldassarro
Raffaele Baldassarro era uno dei miei migliori amici. Io lo conoscevo da quarantacinque anni e più. Tuttavia, lui e sua moglie spesso andavano a ballare a Bonny Brooks, Polka Club, Caboto. Ecco dove indirettamente ho conosciuto la coppia. Più tardi, lo incontrai ufficialmente in uno dei banchetti italiani. Se mi ricordo, era una festa di Natale, la sua famiglia composta di moglie e tre figli. Fin d’allora insieme abbiamo partecipato a tante attività essendo soci della IACS, e più tardi Raffaele divenne parte della nostra Federazione Abruzzo del Michigan. Aveva un buon umore, e per questo che aveva molti amici, ed era molto dedicato al suo patrimonio culturale italiano. Molti sono stati gli aneddoti che raccontava, essi erano così divertenti che ancora oggi li ricordiamo con una bella risata sopra. Ci ha fatto ridere, ha mostrato molti trucchi di magia, ha aggiustato molti
dei nostri problemi di auto. Era un maestro del suo mestiere di Aggiustatore Meccanico ed Elettrico. Indossava spesso una camicia rossa e perciò il suo soprannome divenne “Garibaldi” ... ogni riferimento è puramente casuale! Quante volte lui ha avuto idee brillanti di come fare questo o quello. Gli ingegneri, lì dove lavorava, erano pronti a copiare le sue idee relative al suo lavoro, e non ha mai ricevuto compensazione; eppure la compagnia risparmiava molto dalle sue idee. Era un tipo di famiglia, anche se il suo lavoro richiedeva molto tempo lontano da essa. Ma infine ha sempre lodato tutti di famiglia. Era un buon giocatore di bocce e di carte per i nostri campionati. Un buon amico ci lascia, con un vivido segno del suo carattere che resta nella nostra memoria. Ci mancherà: R.I.P. Raffaele Antonio Di Giorgio
Funzionario itinerante al IACS Si ricorda che il Consolato italiano a Detroit, sotto gli auspici del Comites di Detroit, ha reso i servizi di un Funzionario consolare itinerante una volta al mese, per assistere i cittadini italiani che possono avere difficoltà a raggiungere gli uffici del Consolato a Detroit. L’ufficiale si incontrerà con un
massimo di venti cittadini ogni volta I quali possono depositare le loro pratiche direttamente al Funzionario itinerante. Questo servizio è disponibile il terzo Mercoledì di ogni mese presso il Centro Culturale Italo Americano (IACS), a 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township,
Michigan dalle ore 13:00 alle ore 16:00. I cittadini potranno ritirare un numero da uno a venti al loro arrivo, e saranno ricevuti in ordine progressivo. Si prega di chiamare il Consolato a 313-963-8560 per ulteriori informazioni, o inviare e-mail a nform.detroit@ esteri.com.
PAGINA 4
ARMANDO VARRICCHIO, CHI È IL NUOVO AMBASCATORE NEGLI STATI UNITI Bruno Guarini
Armando Varricchio è stato designato ambasciatore negli Usa. La designazione è avvenuta nel corso dell’ultimo consiglio dei ministri del 2015. Il prossimo ambasciatore dell’Italia negli Stati Uniti, che sostituirà dalla prossima primavera Claudio Bisogniero, finora rivestiva il ruolo di consigliere diplomatico della presidenza del Consiglio. Quindi Varricchio andrà negli States con un robusto mandato politico, nell’anno in cui peraltro si svolgeranno le elezioni. STUDI Armando Varricchio è nato a Venezia il 13 giugno del 1961. Conseguita la Maturità Classica, assolve gli obblighi di leva nell’Arma dei Carabinieri e si laurea a Padova in Scienze Politiche – Indirizzo Internazionale – con il massimo dei voti e la lode. PRIME ESPERIENZE Inizia l’attività professio-
FEBBRAIO 2016
Italian American Cultural Society
nale nel settore finanza del Gruppo Marzotto e a 24 anni intraprende la carriera diplomatica. Da maggio 1988 è Secondo Segretario all’Ambasciata a Budapest nella fase storica di dissoluzione del blocco socialista. IL LAVORO A BRUXELLES Dall’ottobre 1992 è Primo Segretario alla Rappresentanza Permanente presso le Comunità Europee a Bruxelles. Coordina le attività dei Consigli Affari Esteri, Ecofin, Giustizia e Affari Interni ed è membro delle delegazioni italiane ai Vertici dei Capi di Stato e di Governo. IL RUOLO A PALAZZO CHIGI Dal settembre 1996 è Consigliere presso l’Ufficio Diplomatico del Presidente del Consiglio, dove segue le questioni europee e i rapporti con l’Asia. Nel 1998 è Capo di Gabinetto del Ministro per le Politiche Europee.
AI VERTICI G7 E G8 Dal settembre 1999 è Consigliere Diplomatico del Presidente della Commissione Europea e Rappresentante Personale (Sherpa) ai Vertici del G7/G8 di Okinawa, Genova e Kananaskis. Dall’agosto 2002 è Primo Consigliere presso l’Ambasciata a Washington, responsabile per le questioni economiche e commerciali, finanziarie e globali, la cooperazione nel campo scientifico e tecnologico e i rapporti bilaterali nel settore dell’industria aerospaziale e della difesa.
CELEBRAZIONE FESTA DELLA DONNA Gentili donne simpatizzanti dell’Unione Donne Italiane-Estero: siete pregate di partecipare alla Festa Della Donna che quest’anno sarà commemorata il 6 marzo 2016 da Villa Penna, costo del biglietto $40.00 a persona. Siate numerose questo giorno perché non solo passerete un pomeriggio piacevole ma contribuirete a dare supporto ad enti locali che aiutano donne in disagio.
CONSIGLIERE AL QUIRINALE Dall’agosto 2006 è Consigliere Diplomatico Aggiunto del Presidente della Repubblica, che assiste in incontri internazionali e visite all’estero. Dal gennaio 2007 ricopre il grado di Ministro Plenipotenziario. Dal giugno 2009 è Ambasciatore d’Italia a Belgrado, in una fase di forte intensificazione dei rapporti bilaterali culminata con la firma dell’Accordo sul Partenariato Strategico che istituisce Vertici Intergovernativi tra l’Italia e la Serbia.
2014 ricopre il grado di Ambasciatore. Grande Ufficiale dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica, è insignito di numerose onorificenze di Stati esteri.
ALLA FARNESINA Nominato nel dicembre 2012 Vice Segretario Generale della Farnesina, da maggio 2013 è Consigliere Diplomatico del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri e Rappresentate personale ai Vertici del G8/G20. Da gennaio
IL RISIKO INNESCATO DA VARRICCHIO La designazione del nuovo ambasciatore negli Stati Uniti innesca di fatto una serie di prossime nomine. Bisogniero, in scadenza negli Stati Uniti, potrebbe essere destinato o a Bruxelles, al posto di Stefano San-
Questo è l’anno della misericordia e ricordiamoci di tutte le donne
LA VITA PRIVATA E’ sposato con Micaela Barbagallo, dalla quale ha avuto due figlio, Federico e Umberto.
che hanno sacrificato, sacrificano e soffrono e quindi noi donne italiane uniamoci tutte per dare il nostro sostegno a coloro che non hanno o che non possono difendersi. Seguianno informazioni più dettagliate nelle prossime settimane e grazie per il vostro supporto. Contattateci ai seguenti numeri telefonici: Maria Iucci-Dzikiewicz, Presidente 586-791-6749; Maria Mancini - 586-2944862; Giggia DeLellis - 586-294-7282.
nino, che è stato di fatto sfiduciato politicamente dall’esecutivo, oppure alla Nato. Molto dipende dal nome del successore di Sannino. Ci sono anche le ipotesi che possa andare a Bruxelles l’attuale rappresentante permanente alla Nato, Mariangela Zappia, o il rappresentante permanente d’Italia all’Onu, Cesare Maria Ragaglini. Sullo sfondo, poi, resta il progetto del premier di varare una sorta di Comitato per la sicurezza nazionale a Palazzo Chigi. http://formiche. net/2016/01/05/armando-varricchio-chi-e-il-nuovo-ambasciatore-negli-stati-uniti/