JULY/AUGUST 2009
SONS OF ITALY NEWS
95 th Annual Convention
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Just Hanging Out (Continued from Page 10)
Granite State and Rumford, Maine Brothers and Sisters having a fun time along with their Sister Member Theresa Farina State Treasurer.
AND THE WINNERS OF THE SCRATCH BOARD ARE IRENE & FRANK CANALONGA — holding scratch board is State Financial Secretary Tina Helton along with State President Florence Ferullo Kane. GOOD LUCK! with. It was then time for the donations made to the various charities and a final accounting was given by Ruth-Ann Berlandi thanking all for their dedication and help. Brother Kevin Mercadante announced to President Florence Ferullo Kane that he had the election report ready. The new slate of Officers for the years 2009-2011 is as follows: President, James DiStefano 1st Vice President, Carmelita Bello 2nd Vice President, Antonio Sestito
Banquet
Chairman of Golden Lion Banquet State Trustee Richard Farina and Chairman of Banquet Reception State Financial Secretary Tina Helton and Benefit Insurance Commissioner Paul DiBona reviewing the list for the line up for the Banquet Reception. Thank you for all the preparations for the evening.
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State Orator, Robert Boncore, Esq. Recording Secretary, Ron Hill Financial Secretary, Cathy Bourassa Treasurer, Michael DiStefano State Trustee District 1, Louis Floriani State Trustee District 2, Margaret Campbell State Trustee District 3, (2) to be elected – Franco Battista, Matt Ezekiel State Trustee District 4, Dr. John Christoforo State Trustee District 5, Denise Furnari State Trustee District 6, Marie Jackson State Trustee District 7, Theresa Farina State Trustees At-Large (3) to be elected Carol Rossi, Richard Sacca, John Silva Benefit Insurance Commission, Walter “Sonny” Robak, President Benefit Insurance Secretary, Paul DiBona The National Delegates elected are as follows: District 1, Justin DiNicola; District 2, Mary Ann Bello; District 3, John Saladino; Rita MalettaRobak, Anthony Panaggio, Jr.; District 4, Joseph Russo; District 5, Delia Bartucca; Districts 6 & 7, Theresa Farina; National Delegate At-Large, Kevin A. Caira, Walter “Sonny” Robak, Carmelita Bello. The State Arbitrators are as follows: Joseph Boncore Esq., Charles DiStefano, Robert Pacetti, Mary Cooper, Geraldine Cimino. The following five (5) will serve as Alternate Arbitrators – Arthur Bennett, Angela Maraia, Maryjane Piro, Brian MacNamara, Ken Simoncini. There were two results challenged, that of the State Orator and that of the National Delegate for District 5. Both of these results remained as noted above with no change after the recount. At this time our guest National Past Historian Lucy Codella, who is no stranger to our Conventions spoke. Ms. Codella stressed that this election is now a time for healing and that we should always keep in mind our purpose in always working for the “Good of the Order”. It is always a pleasure listening to Ms. Codella, she always brings signs of hope, love and fraternity. Last minute notices were noted and instructions for photos, meeting for the Memorial Mass at 4:00p.m., the Cocktail Reception and the Convention Banquet. At the Banquet three members of the Order were honored for their distinguished service to the Order Sons of Italy. The Golden Lion Award Recipients were Gladys Bello and Arthur Porcaro, the Presidential Recipient was Dorothy Berlandi. Our guest speaker was National Past President and National Past Foundation President Emeritus Paul Polo. (See next issue for details of the Banquet). Saturday morning was the closing of the Convention and the Installation of Officers which was conducted by National 3rd Vice President, Dorothy Berlandi, National Past President Philip Boncore, Esq., State Past President Charles Perenick and State Past President Joseph Russo. This was a very impressive ceremony as many of the new officers were vested by their spouses or family. After the Installation of Officers, it was time for the Pot of Gold drawing. There were many happy faces as the winning numbers were called, and after a light collation the 95th Annual Convention drew to a close.
Mass
State Chaplain Father Gregory Mercurio celebrating the Mass.
First Reading State 2nd Vice President Michele Caira Nortonen.
Responsorial — State Financial Secretary Tina Helton.
Second Reading State Trustee Ron Hill.
Donna Giulani and State Trustee Mary Ann Bello singing the hymns at the Mass.
Members attending the Mass.
Offertory Gifts presented by State 1st Vice President James DiStefano and wife Kathy.
Past Presidents — Left to right-Past State President Charles Perenick, Immediate Past President Kevin A. Caira, Past First Lady Cheryl Caira, Past First Lady Laura Caira, State President Florence Ferullo Kane, Past First Lady Sandy Giuffrida, Past President Joseph Giuffrida, Past First Lady Pauline Russo, Past President Joseph Russo and Past President Philip R. Boncore, Esquire.