2015 April Monza News

Benvenuto International Club of Monza

April 2015

1 April 2015 monza news

Monza News

Editor

Melissa Saucedo

338 938 6783

[email protected]

Assistant Editor

Gayna Clark

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Contact the editor

Cover photo: Abstract Spring

All other photos provided by Elda Elvedese, Ce-cilia Atzori and current Board members.

The Monza News is sponsored by Bolliger In-ternational Movers

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The Benvenuto International

Club of Monza

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www.benvenutomonza.com

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[email protected]

Members can also join the facebook group by sear-ching Benvenuto International Club of Monza.

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April 2015 monza news 2

NEWS

Monza

April ADVERTISEMENTS....................................................3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT……………………………….4

ANNOUNCEMENTS ……………………………………………….5

FILM LIST....... .....................…………………………………..5

ABSENTEE BALLOT....................................................5

PREVIOUS EVENTS ……...…………………………..….....…6-8

BOARD NOMINEES .........……………...............……..9-10

ADVERTISEMENTS.............................….……….…11-16

BOARD NOMINEES CONTINUED ... .................17

RECIPE.....................……….…..............……………….....17

CALENDAR …………………………....…………...................18

MEMBERS’ ARTICLES.....………………………………...19-20

BIRTHDAYS..............................................................21

GROUP ACTIVITIES..................................................22

THE BOARD & CLUB RULES....……...........................23

BABYSITTERS & IMPORTANT INFO.........................29

ADVERTISEMENTS..................................................26

We are deeply grateful to Bolliger International Movers for the

continuous support for

our magazine production.

Quote of the month

“A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she

is until she gets in hot water.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt

The theme for this month’s issue was Inspiration and

from the impressive events that our club held this past

month, there is no denying that we are among some

very talented and inspirational women.

It all seemed to kick off from Rose’s talk and Janu’s

yoga exercises, that we all performed from our chairs,

at the last coffee morning. Wow! Truly inspiring and

energizing. It’s a good thing many of us were able to

use that energy for dancing at the always anticipated

W.A.R.M. dance and celebration.

It doesn’t stop there. Just a couple of weeks later, as

we were becoming anxious for the sun to return, we

had our International Spring Festival. What a massive

turnout and huge success! If you weren’t inspired by

the great dishes and desserts, there’s truly no hope

for you!

Then we come full circle and back to our beloved flo-

wer. Our Rose and the exploration of mindfulness.

Even for those of us who were not able to attend, the

reverberation was felt.

I hope you enjoy this issue of our Monza News and

continue to be inspiring.

Melissa Saucedo

Letter from the Editor

The deadline for the April Monza News is

May 4th, 2015

April theme will be

Benvenuto Club


letter from the president

Hello Ladies,

Well I am writing this April edition of the Presidents letter abso-lutely exhausted ha-ving just returned ho-

me after the 2015 Spring International food festival.

What a day! Even the threat of rain did not put anyone off from coming and we had an incredible turnout of over 200 people.

It is such a family event and the food as usual was simply amazing. It is all thanks to so many ladies who not only provide the food but also their time to make this event not only fun but successful. Thanks must go to the wonderful Cecilia Atzori and Anna Vincentini who worked so incredibly hard to organise, co-ordinate with our lovely ta-ble co-ordinators and always with the aim of raising as much money as possible for our charities. We raised over 1800 euros profit for charity so WELL DONE EVERYBO-DY....Cecilia says next year we might need San Siro to hold us all.....

I hope you have all had a great Easter time. My family managed to visit Malta for the first time.

We are also still skiing. Thanks to the Sports Specialist shop having an end of sea-son sale which attracted my son enough to get him to part with his hard earned pocket money in the form of a snowboard, my ski season which I thought was behind me , now has been rejuvenated and involves getting up early at weekends again to drive 2 hours to the high slopes to test his new skills..

Please don't forget the party of the year is just around the corner...May 16th is the 25th celebration of Benvenuto Monza and it will be a wonderful night. Lots of nice food, music, entertainment and dancing. I

hope as many ladies who were here at the beginning will come.....and of course it will be a chance to put that special dress on. It is at Villa 900 and tickets are now avai-lable. Ivan can also give you any informa-tion you might need.

It is that time of year when all the new board members have been chosen or volun-teered for next year 2015/16 and we wish them well. Please read their biographies later in the magazine and of course they will not be able to do this without members support and help. The club is run by ladies who dedicate not only time but energy and their full commitment so please offer help when you can....

Please remember to leave food at the cha-rity table and of course, Irmi is collecting her High Quality clothes for the fashion show in June.

So enjoy the weather, the daffodils and the beautiful pink and white blossom and enjoy the coffee morning....

Janine Davies

COFFEE MORNING DATES

14 MAY

11 JUNE


Announcements

Every Monday at 15.00, 18.00 and 21.00

(Except where * 17.00

and 20.30).

For info: [email protected]

Phone 039 671 359

DATE FILM

20 APR BLACK OR WHITE

27 APR UNBROKEN

4 MAY WILD

11 MAY MR. TURNER

www.monzacinema.it

The International

Church of Milan

Bible Study at Monza

Friday Mornings at 9:45. Would you like to learn

more about God’s word? Join us for women’s Bible

study as we grow in our knowledge and love of Je-

sus Christ. We meet in members’ homes in Monza.

For more information, please call Claire Wroe at 039

327 775.

COME STUDY WITH US!

The International Church of Milan is a Bible

believing, non-denominational, English speaking

church for the whole family.

We are now meeting at Viale Toscana 46/8, 20089 Rozzano (MI)

each Sunday at 17:30. Weekly Bible studies for men/women/

students are available. For more info please contact

Jim at 349 766 9678 or refer to our website

www.icm-milan.org

ABSENTEE BALLOT FORM

THE BENVENUTO INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF MONZA

BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2015 - 2016

The candidates for next year´s board are as listed below. The Nominating Committee will present these candidates

to the general membership at the April Coffee Morning.

Should there be no further nominations, these candidates will stand as presented and will be voted on at the April

Coffee Morning. If you are unable to attend the April Coffee Morning, but wish to vote, please send this

completed form to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee:

ANNA VICENTINI (fpusate @libero.com) before the May Coffee Morning.

POSITION NOMINEE YES NO

President Zizeth Maroun

Vice President Maria Teresa Gambaro

Secretary Susan Edick-Gianferrara

Treasurer Cecilia Atzori

Membership Director Hana Da Ros

Newcomers Director Audrey Garny

Special Activities Coordinator Ivana Menegardo-Develter

Editor Cheryl Stockman

Public Relation Director Chara Procaccini


By Rachael Martin

Two ladies, both in

their eighties, are at

the hairdresser's. They sit there giggling and the

years dissolve. Tonight is their big

night and they want to look their

best. Meanwhile, a five year old is putting on her

party dress. A group of young girls, aged ten

and slightly older, are

getting ready to sing

and dance that night. All

across Monza, Brianza and as far as

Milan, women are putting on new out-

fits or raiding their wardrobes. Men are

being left previously prepared dinners

or being encouraged to have boys'

nights with their sons. The daughters are getting ready with

their mothers. “No mummy, don't go!”

Sorry, boys, mummy's going to a party

tonight. Women are getting in their cars,

texting each other - “You ready yet?” The

party is about to

begin.

Welcome to

WARM – Women

Appreciation Role Model – a party for

women held by Julia Waters, and which

involved 130 women or thereabouts this

year. WARM is held every year at the time of International Wo-

men's Day and celebrates women of all ages and all nationali-

ties. It is the focus of great preparation and excitment for many.

Plans have been made, rehearsals have taken pla-

ce, caterers called and

music organised. It

seems everyone gets

excited about WARM.

The Sporting Club has

been suitably dressed:

beautiful pink paper lan-

terns hover above a sea of black

dresses and a Prosecco welcome.

All the tables have been named

after inspirational women. As is traditional,

the evening begins with the talent show. Wo-

men and girls sing, dance and play musical instruments. There

is zumba organised by Isabella Ranieri, Gayna and Rebecca

play piano and violin, a group of girls organi-

sed by Shae dance and sing, to name a few.

My personal highlight was a rendition of

“Volare”, a classic song dating back from the

1950s, sung by an Italian lady in her eighties.

She asked us to sing along with her. For the

Italian women, this was part of their history, for

those of us who have lived here for a while it

was a sentimental reminder of all we love

about Italy,

maybe for

newcomers it

was just a

beautiful

song and a

beautiful

moment. Whatever the case, she touched

us, and reminded us all that we can and

will fly.

Dinner follows and then it's up on the dan-

cefloor and the dan-

cing begins. Firstly,

there's Julia's traditio-

nal “soul train”, where

women shimmy their

thing down the middle

of two lines of women. “I love it because

our husbands aren't here and we can let

our hair down,” a friend tells me. Of cour-

se it's a purely female

thing. You just wouldn't

get a group of middle-

aged men dancing in a

circle to the Spice Girls

and having the time of

their lives. Over to one side, there are three

generations dancing:

mother, daughter and granddaughter,

which for me remains one of the lasting

images of the evening. Who knows what

these young girls will remember of tonight

far in the future. Happy memories and

good role models, I imagine, which is what

WARM is all about.

As a friend so beautifully said after: “It was

just so great for us all to be together. I

wish we could do it every month.” What

struck me was the way she said “us”, the

affection in her voice. Exactly. Here's to

us, here's to us all,

to each and every one of us, and Volare

is the song I hope

we'll all remember

and to which we

will all fly throu-

ghout the coming

year. And here's to

next year's WARM of course, and to

future celebrations of women.

Thank you Julia, Shae and all who helped them for making

such a wonderful evening possible.

Previous events


Previous events

Spring Festival 2015

What a wondeful day!

One of those family days

Benvenuto organizes to

show us how cooking for

people is a great expres-

sion of generosity, soulful-

ness and peoples gather-

ing.

We have been literally

overwhelmed by the

huge number of partici-

pants who attended the

event held in Agriturismo

La Camilla on the 22nd of

March. We were a party

of

207

people

composed by 161 adults

and 46 children

FUND Raising

W e

were there for a very im-

portant reason. Spring Festi-

val is mainly a charity event

and we can say it loud!

Thanks to the

table

coordinators,

food donors,

raffle participants and…food

eaters, we have been able to

raise the stunning amount of

1,851€.

Special thanks

All this wouldn’t have been

possible without our table co-

ordinators and food donors

who managed to feed all. A

special thanks to our Top Guns

Marisa Riva Bonaventura who

managed to organize, in a

blink of an eye, the Italian table and the raffle

promoter Anna Vicentini.

My personal feelings

Organizing this event was not

easy, we could not expect to

receive all of this multitude so

we really had to stay very

very close…

Weather did

not help ei-

ther but we all

had the chance to know

each other even better and

t h e

m a i n

t a r g e t

of the fund raising was

fully achieved. Last but

not least, food and

wine were enough for

all!

For next year, I’ve al-

ready asked the quota-

tion for San Siro stadi-

um…

I’d like

to end

my report

wi th th i s

q u o t e :

“ C h i l d r e n

must early

learn the

beauty of

generosity. They are taught

to give what they prize most,

that they may

taste the happi-

ness of giv-

ing” (Charles

Alexander East-

man).

Kind regards,

Cecilia Atzori

Cimini


Previous events Mindfulness with Rose Cartolari by Meredith Cava-

lieri

This past month, I had the

pleasure of going to a talk

on Mindfulness by Executi-

ve Coach and Benvenuto

member, Rose Cartolari.

Rose began by defining

Mindfulness as a state of

active, open attention on

the present in which you

are aware of your thoughts and feelings, without

judging them good or bad. Instead of letting life pass

you by, it is living each moment fully and awakening to

the experience.

Next, she spoke about the neu-

roscience behind it and the com-

mon misconceptions. Rose used

slides to illustrate the concepts

and diagrams which helped cla-

rify the information. As I'm more

of a visual learner, I really appre-

ciated this!

Rose concluded with the ways

mindfulness can benefit us, such as

increased effectiveness, greater emo-

tional balance, fewer stress related

illnesses and stronger whole brain

functioning. She also talked about with

ways to work mindfulness into our

every day lives.

Overall, I found the presentation both fascinating and

enlightening. Rose is an engaging and dynamic spea-

ker. It was a fun way to spend the morning and learn

something new.

Since Rose's presentation, I've

tried to be more mindful. Re-

cently I was in the Monza Park

and I concentrated intently on

the scene around me: the trees,

grass, path. My intense focus

didn't last long, but while it was

happening, I definitely felt a stronger connectedness to

my surroundings. It was a positive experience which

left me with a feeling of wellbeing. I plan to do this

again, ideally prolonging the duration of my concentra-

tion. Rose warned us that it takes time to build up the

ability to be mindful. The more you practice, the easier

it gets.

I've also attempted to be more mindful when interac-

ting with my kids. This can be a challenge when the

conversation is long and revolves around BMX bikes

and stunts, but while I was practicing mindfulness, I

felt more in tune with my son and felt a deeper under-

standing of what he was telling me. I hate to admit it,

but sometimes, when the kids are rambling on, I'm thin-

king about the grocery list, the day's activities, etc. It

was pleasant to fully connect with my child by being

mindful. I felt calmer and more relaxed because I

wasn't thinking about what came next and rushing life

along. I was living the moment.

For more information on mindfulness, check it out on

the web or speak with Rose.

Thanks, Rose

I would like to send my

Thanks to Rose Cartalori for

her talk on "mindfulness".

It was really fun and intere-

sting and I am pleased so

many ladies turned up to ma-

ke it a full house.

I found it very motiva-

ting and I have alrea-

dy taken her advice and

found that artwork even

in the form of a Vintage

ladies colouring book

has changed the way I

think about thing

around me.

I know Rose can highly

recommend some rea-

ding materials should anybody want the websites and

book names. Please contact her or any member of the

board and we will help you.

I really look forward to another presentation on this

complex subject as Rose makes it fun and fascinating.....

Thanks, Janine


Board Nominees

I was born in Israel, and decided to come to Italy to study

Law. I am a very generous and outgoing person, and when

I decide to do something I dedicate myself to it

completely. I consider myself

very professional and have

been able to start up different

businesses. I realize that my

biography is very short but I

think that says a lot, I prefer to

get right to the point of things. I

am also a person you can con-

fide in, I will always be honest

and upfront in every situation,

and when possible I do what I

can to help others. My time is

very important to me. I spend a lot of time with my business

which leaves very little personal time, but the time I have

after work is with my two sons, and to cook and to socialize

with others.

Zizeth Maroun —President

My name is Maria

Teresa Gambaro and

I am very pleased

and honoured to ap-

ply for the position of

VicePresident of the

Monza Benvenuto

Club.

I am Italian but con-

sider myself a

"citizen of the

world". I was born in Genova where I attended the Ger-

man school from the first to the eighth grade.

This was my very first experience in an International

environment. My family then moved to Geneva,

Switzerland, where I joined the International School

obtaining my International Baccalaureat. I spent several

years surrounded by students coming from 86 different

nations and I really appreciated and enjoyed the huge

exchange of cultures and mentalities that brought to

longlasting and strong friendships.

After a degree in languages (English, German and

French) I came back to Italy where I started working as

interpreter and executive secretary. I have been working for

20 years in multinational companies which gave me the

opportunity to remain connected with the wide world.

I am married to Bart and we have two children, Ludovica

(29) and Giacomo (26) who are now working respectively in

Italy and in London.

When we settled down in Monza, 20 years ago, I heard

about the Benvenuto Club but I couldn't apply having a

full day job and the family to take care of.

Some years ago I decided to shift to a free lance job

realizing after a while that I was missing my "international

habitat". Therefore, after a 5 year waiting list, I was very

happy to become a Benvenuto member.

As you can easily imagine I love travelling and getting to

know new countries and people.

I strongly believe in solidarity and I have always done

volounteer work in various organizations.

I also like music, reading, movies, skiing, swimming,

aquagym and Nordic Walking.

My slogan: if you smile at life, life will smile at you!

Maria Teresa Gambaro—Vice President

My main passion besides my husband and my children is

music and singing. Music is a very important part of my life

and I am a member of a major choir in Milan (laverdi.org).

Music can heal a sad soul, and can certainly bring you into

harmony with the universe.

I live in Concorezzo where I am a

volunteer as an Italian teacher

to foreign women who mostly come

from East Europe, South Ameri-

ca and Magreb. Listening to them

has awakened my curiosity, and I

enjoy learning about their coun-

tries and their ways of living. I feel a

lot of empathy with them as I, too,

have experienced living far from my own family, far from

friends and my own culture.

I also read stories to elderly people twice a month, so I

like to browse through texts to find ones that will resonate

in their hearts.

My husband is presently working in Switzerland, my

daughter lives in England and my son in France - so that

gives me the chance to travel a lot..

All these activities bring fulfilment to my life, along with

learning experiences, and give me many happy moments.

Ivana Menegardo-Develter - Special Ac-

tivities


I am genuinely a nice

person and very easy

going and open minded.

One thing you may find

about me is that I am

also a very quiet person

(which makes me a very

good listener). I live my

life by the Golden

Rule “Treat others the

way that you want to be

treated”. I really enjoy

the Benvenuto Club, and think it is a great place for

people who are expats, or have experienced being an

expat, to get together and support one another. We

all have different experiences, but in the end these expe-

riences effect us all just about the same way.

I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana USA. I have worked in

a few different types of environments but one of my

favorite jobs was working with mentally disabled children

who lived on campus, the aim being to teach them the

skills they needed to have a better life. Some of my

favourite hobbies are reading, and watching movies. I

am also a mother of two, my son is 10 and my daughter 8

and they keep me fairly busy.

I remember one day when, as a child (I had to be around

12), I was out riding my bicycle and daydreaming,

thinking about my future love. Even at that time my mind

was open to the world of opportunities, and I remember

thinking to myself “who knows maybe my future husband

is in another country”. Years passed and the internet

was invented and I found it so interesting to talk to other

people online, but I was not the type of person to just sit

at the computer. When I was 16 and started driving, I

was out with my friends downtown, at the dance clubs, I

loved going out and partying! In my downtime I would get

online and chat with others. I downloaded a video chat

program and one day I saw this handsome man and

decided to say hello- never thinking for a moment that

this man would change my life completely. He lived here

in Italy, and it was he who first came to see me in the

States. We travelled back and forth for a few years until,

finally, I decided to come to Italy. I have now been here

for 11.5 years. I spent the first 8 years in Sicily and then

we decided to relocate to Monza; there were several

reasons but the major one was more opportunities for our

children. What a difference between North and South!

Susan Edick Gianferrara —Secretary

I was born in the Czech Republic,

moved in Italy in 1976, resident in

Monza, married, with two children,

After experiences in institutional

bodies of trade and international

tourism from 1996 I work as the

Director of the Italian-Czech Cham-

ber of Commerce and Culture in

Milan, promoting the economic and

cultural exchange between Italy and the Czech Republic.

My choices and professional behavior are inspired by these

principals: be realistic, but ambitious,

believe in what you do and do only what you believe in.

I am a member and past president of the International

Soroptimist Club of Monza.

I love to travel, to read, to listen to the music and I am

interested in studying interculture relations

Hana Da Ros —Membership

I’m French, like my husband. We started expatriation in

2009. We enjoyed 3 years in South Carolina, USA, then we

lived for3 years in Finland and now we are in Italy. We

hope to stay for more than 3 years!

I have 3 children, Enzo - 12

years old, Amandine - 8

years old and Perrine, also

known as the Drama Queen,

4 years old. They are all at

the International School of

Monza and they love it!

When I was in France, I

worked for 10 years at an

energy cable company, in

R&D and in the Quality De-

partment. I left my job when we moved abroad to be able

to help my children and my husband with this new

amazing life.

I was already involved in 2 associations in Finland:

treasurer of t he French school and of the French

Association.

Today I’m taking care of my family and helping the ISM as

a class rep. Now, I will do my best as helping the

Benvenuto International Club of Monza with the new

comers.

Audrey Garny — New Comers Director

Board Nominees


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SMOVEY – TRAINING WITH MAURO:

once/twice a week in the Monza Park – Bar Cavriga

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For the rest of this Benvenuto year BABY-

SITTING during coffee mornings is

FREE OF CHARGE.

Booking in advance is required.

Ivana Menegardo Develter

[email protected]

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE

INFORMATION:

www.benvenutomonza.com

Fratelli Meroni

Furniture V. le VALASSINA, 42, Lissone

Via COPERNICO, 39, Lissone

Fratelli Meroni is a Family

business, established since

1960. Come to view furnitu-

re for every room in your

house in our two show-

rooms. Many leading

brands sold including Sca-

volini, Dibiesse, Arflex,

Minacciolo, Jesse, Elica

and Bosch .

For further in-formation call

Giovanni Mero-ni on 347 145 9748 (English spoken)

Discount for Benvenuto Members


Also available for individual/group lessons in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Choose the type that suits you best and enjoy the journey of transformation which begins on the

mat as you move into your first yoga posture! Call/email for more info, or to book for a free trial class!

Janu Soner, Mobile: 348.261.0278 – email: [email protected]

In the traditional

sense, Yoga means

union. The union of

body, mind and spirit.

Yoga helps in

developing a healthy

body, a concentrated

mind, joyous

emotions and

expanded

consciousness.

In my style of Yoga,

body and breath

move as one to unite

and purify body, mind

and spirit.

Through Asanas and

Pranayamas, Prana

(life-energy) is

brought into the body,

increasing vitality.

It takes a more

holistic approach to

your physical fitness.

YOGA With Janu

Yoga 2(Dynamic Class) Day: Wednesday

Time:10.45am Place: Sporting Club

Monza.

Yoga 1 (Gentle Class) Day: Wednesday Time:9.30am Place: Sporting Club, Monza.

Friday Yoga(Free Spirit) Day: Friday

Time:10.00am Place: Academy Dance

& Fitness, Lissone.


Board Nominees cont.

My name is Cecilia Atzori Cimini and I was born in Rome just a couple of years ago.

I am both sunny and a warrior.

I live my life with joy, energy, passion and temperance.

I love art, photography, technolo-gy, animals, zumba, tennis and ski.

I have a Master’s in Man-agement and Corporate Govern-ance after having achieved the degree in Economics at the L.U.I.S.S. University in Rome.

My life in Milan started in 1994 with a fun-tastic job experi-ence , as a Buyer, in METRO Cash & Carry, the biggest whole-saler in the world.

During this experience, until December 2011, I had the chance to travel throughout Italy and Europe.

I got married in 2002 and in 2005 my beautiful daughter Sofia arrived. She is 10 years old and attends the ISM school in Vedano.

When we moved to Vedano in 2012, after 7 different cities in the last 10 years, I go t to know many mums of Benvenuto Club. That really helped me to settle “in a blink of an eye“.

I am happy to take on this role with enthusiasm and to con-tribute to the development of the Benvenuto Club ideals and reward the keen members of their precious help.

Cecilia Atzori Cimini —Treasurer

I am Chiara, an half Italian and half Finnish girl. I was born

in Italy but I lived 9 years in Finland where I finally got my

second nationality.

I moved back to Italy 3,5 years ago and decided to study

Pharmacy. Concerning my hobbies, I do yoga, love dogs

and like to learn new languages.

I am really glad to start to cooperate with you actively since

I am an open-minded and easy going person who likes to

interact with people from different countries.

Hope to be a good co-worker with you all!

Chiara Praccini — Public Relations

Cucumber, Avocado and Feta Salad

Yield: Serves 4-6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

You only need 5 ingredients to make this simple salad!

Ingredients:

1 large seedless cucumber, chopped

3 large avocados, pit removed and chopped

Juice of 1 lemon

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cucumber, avocado, le-

mon juice, feta, and dill. Gently stir to combine. Sea-

son with salt and black pepper, to taste. Serve.

Note: this salad is best the day it is made

Recipe


Please note that if you are unable to attend a Special Activity for which you have paid, a minimum

of 48 hours notice is required for cancellation but a refund cannot always be guaranteed.

Calendar

April 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 Coffee Morning 17 18 15:30 Discov-

ering Leonardo da

Vinci. Pinacoteca.

19 20 21 10:00 New-

comers Coffee at

Stefania

Aliprandi’s

22 23 11:00 Lom-

bardy Art at

Palazzo Reale

24 25 Shop for dress

for Benvenuto

dinner/dance!

26 27 28 Lunch together

TBD

29 30

May 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 Pick out fits to

donate for Catwalk

show!

12 Don’t forget

canned goods for

charity on Thurs!

13 14 Coffee Morning 15 16 25th Anniv

Party at Villa 900

17 18 19 20 21 Trip to Berga-

mo with Ester.

Details tba

22 23

24 25 26 Lunch together

TBD

27 28 29 30

31


Members’ Articles

Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz (awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in1988) was the Reading Group book for March. Palace Walk is a street.

YVONNE EL MASRI

When a lady of our group asked if I would suggest something by an Egyptian author I proposed the first book of Mahfouz's trilogy, but I was rather sceptical. To talk to friends about Egypt, its traditions, cul-ture and ways of life is one thing, but to read an author like Mahfouz who descri-bes Egyptian society in depth is another. Although I know the condition of women in Egypt and how normal it is in certain walks of life, it re-mains light years away from the intellect of the occidental way of thinking. I was very dubious about how it would be received by my fellow readers, and therefore gave them an insight into what they would be reading because there was a possibility they would give up at the beginning of the book. I was absolutely thrilled to bits and overjoyed when I discove-red how much the book was liked, and even that some had the intention of reading the other two books.

The book “Palace Walk” is the first of a trilogy entitled Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz who won the Nobel Prize for lite-rature in 1988. He is considered one of the first contempora-ry writers of Arabic literature who covered themes of existen-tialism. The trilogy depicts the lives of three generations of different families in Cairo from World War I until after the 1952 military coup that overthrew King Farouk.

I heartily recommend it to anyone who wishes to read it, keeping in mind what I previously said.

ELISABETTA BUSCEMI

Following Yvonne's recommendation we read "Palace walk", the first volume of ”The Cairo Trilogy", by Naguib Mahfouz. She remembered enjoying the novel when she was young and considered it worth reading. And it definitely is. The no-vel written by Egyptian Nobel prize winner Mahfouz leads us into the lives of al-Sayyid's patriarchal family members, their relationships, their aspirations, hopes, and fears against the restless years of English colonization in Egypt.

We are presented with the master of the family, tyrannical yet fascinating, with his obedient wife whose love keeps the household united and proves stronger than everything, with their sons and daughters, whose hearts the novelist so keenly and affectionately discloses to us with deep psycho-logical insight. And through Mahfouz's pen Cairo comes to life with its shops, mosques, alleys evoked so vividly that you almost "feel" them.

The novel is superbly written with the deep love for a country and respect for its millennial traditions that only great books can render.

A splendid accomplishment.

BARBARA DE SAVORGNANI

Our discussion led to much talk about Egypt, its history, cu-stoms & relation to the Arab world. We raised the question: Are Egyptians Arabs? The answer is NO – not necessarily - first came the Copts then invasions brought the Arabs, so they are and they are not! I suggest you google “are Egyptians Arabs?” for a fuller answer.

The story in the book centers around the family of Ahmad, a wealthy middle class shopkeeper.. Ahmad, the husband, is 2 personalities - at home, a tyrant - stern, severe, & harsh to the extreme with all the family members, but at night he goes out - wining & dining with his friends, carousing, indul-ging his enormous sexual appetite. Instead his wife, Amina, and 2 daughters are, on his orders, confined to the home, completely cut off from the outside world which they see through latticed windows & know only through the reports of the 3 sons. These three women are totally isolated from the everyday world, but they have a hungry curiosity and avidly learn of the “outside” world through the three boys. This point led to lots of discussion – did these ladies expect more from life? Did they chafe under the restrictions? In any case we soon discovered that their lot is not that of others, other wives and daughters do go out.

All the family members are afraid of the father & it comes as a great shock to 2 of the boys when they see their father in his “other personality” in different circumstances. I found the raging sexual appetite and the attitude to women of both the father and the first son quite astounding – giving support to many of the things we hear of in present day times.

The book was easy to read - a few problems at the begin-ning with the names, but the descriptions etc are wonderful. And although Amina cowers before her husband – how much is fear and how much “keeping the peace”? She knows him well and on many occasions manipulates him to get what she wants, without putting herself out on a limb. Isn’t that a story we all know?

It is a good read – now to Books 2 and 3.


Members’ Articles

Tea and Inspiration

by Rachael Martin

There has been a lot of talk about tea this month. Firstly, Anna Vincentini hosted an amazing high tea in the mor-ning, all home-baked and complete with carrot cake topped with marzipan carrots I believe. I couldn't attend but stand in awe, especially of the carrot cake. Then it was tea par-ties once more in preparation for the Spring Fair. More tea, vicar? Of course, although this is one of those moments I feel it's a pity I never really learned to bake well, and despi-te a nice new kitchen to mark the end of the baby food years (read mess), there's no sign of it happening yet. And so it came to the Spring Fair and I found myself lacking somewhat in the baking department, although my fellow countrywomen came up trumps as usual and the vicar got his cucumber and egg mayonnaise sandwiches. I spent the night before preparing food but mainly dreaming about what I was going to eat and what I hoped everyone else would be making. The Asian table featured high on the list. Stomach first, culinary skills second.

I love the Spring Fair, I really do. It's one of those great Benvenuto family days where you get together with all your fellow countrywomen and celebrate the best of your coun-try's gastronomic offerings along with everybody else's and just enjoy spending time with each other and everybody else. My husband enjoys the Spring Fair, my boys enjoy the Spring Fair, and this year was special because my dad was here and he got to enjoy it too.

But back to the tea. Back in Yorkshire, tea was not ne-cessarily the sophisticated high tea affair many of us asso-ciate it with. That came later, when my mother and her friends were older and it was all Victoria sponges and china cups and tea plates, all with matching tea pot, milk jug, su-gar bowl and lace covers. Of course it was really an excuse for a get together, and my mother certainly knew how to set the scene. She was an excellent baker who enjoyed baking and spent time doing so with her children and grandchil-dren. I can still taste her mince pies, and one day I keep promising myself I shall learn how to make quiche like she did. Nevertheless for tea parties and certainly for family events, she often took a more practical approach and pre-ferred to call in two equally excellent bakers from church who made heavenly lemon cake filled with home-made lemon curd and covered in lemon icing. There was always a coffee cake too and home made scones with whipped cream and strawberry jam.

Whilst afternoon teas as an event were rare when I was a girl, cakes were not. I have my maternal great-grandmother's recipe book in handwriting belonging to both my great grandmother and grandmother, and complete with the traditional pound cake. You need a pound of eve-rything: butter, sugar, flour and numerous eggs as the cake was big and so were the families. Fruit cakes were made, rich and fruity and often laced with brandy at Christmas, and although my grandma moved up north to Yorkshire and lived alongside her in-laws for many years, the Christ-mas cake recipe was always her mother's. Then there were buns (what we call cupcakes); always buns for tea, at bir-thday parties and in tupperware boxes on days out.

Yet tea has nothing to do with cakes or teacups. Tea is the thing that was yelled through the door as me and my brother ran in the house. “Mum, what's for tea?” which means dinner in Yorkshire – or up north as anyone from the south of England will say - and takes place at five o'clock. That will always be tea for me: fishfinger and chips, corned beef hash, shepherd's pie, ham sandwiches in whi-te bread with butter, and later on lasagne made with green pasta, chicken kiev and Chinese stir fries cooked out of a Marks and Spencer cookbook which was considered very exotic at the time it came out.

Maybe when we have our own children we return to our childhoods as our own point of reference and remember happy times that we wish to replicate for our own children. Of course time is a rose-tinted lens and memory allows us to take what we deem important and ignore the rest. Thus our past continues to feed our present in spite of how diffe-rent the form of our lives may be now.

There were walks down the fields past the blackberry bushes, stopping to see the horses and going to dance on the fairy stone. I run on ahead and a blond-haired chubby face belonging to a sturdily built toddler follows behind me. Later the walks take place amidst the hills of the Yorkshire Dales from a caravan in a wet field as I make up stories and stride out ahead. The rest came later, but the seed of inspiration was already sown.

Emma

by Melissa Saucedo

I’m delighted to say that I’m easily inspired. A little sun,

a brisk walk in the park, being near the sea, music, the

smell of lavender, I think you get the picture. The pro-

blem for me is the inevitable question: “Now what?”

I’ve never really known what to do with this inspiration.

In fact, one of the three following would occur: 1. I would

eat something I should not be eating. 2. I would start

another project and leave it to gather dust near my desk.

3. The inspiration just eventually disappeared or was re-

placed by some new feeling of inspiration.

Oh well, so is life.

However, a few weeks ago something very special hap-

pened.

My nine-year-old daughter Emma was participating in

the girls’ 800 meter run for her athletics group that was

held in Monza park. Hundreds of children were participa-

ting and you could feel the nervous energy in the air.

Emma was excited. She’s a very strong runner and had

been waiting for this moment for months.

Just before the race, she noticed a teammate was not

feeling well. The whistlle blew. Emma did not take off like

a shot. Instead, she stayed at her side and encouraged

her during the entire race with positive feedback. They

came in third to last. Emma did not finish first, but she

won.

This is where my inspiration goes. This is my inspira-

tion. This is Emma.


If you are a Benvenuto member and you wish to advertise your private classes, please contact the editor.

The monthly contribution is Euro %.00

Contact Details Information Class and Times Venue

Janu Soner

Cell: 3482610278

Home: 0392305215

[email protected]

Call/email for more info or

to book for a free trial

class!

Get strong, flexible, fo-

cused, balanced and in

shape with YOGA, a more

holistic approach to

your physical fitness.

Yoga 1 (Gentle Yoga)

Wednesday 9.30am

Yoga 2 (Dynamic Yoga)

Wednesday 11am

Friday Yoga (Free Spirit)

Friday 10am

PLACES AVAILABLE!!!

Sporting Club

Academy Dance and Fitness,

Via F Cavallotti, 18, Lissone

As above

Isabella Ranieri

Info: 333 6921877

[email protected]

Dancer and Zumba in-

structor.

Come and join us for a

fun fitness party that will

get you moving and heal-

thy! Zumba! Let it move

you!!!

Zumba classes every Tues-

Fri mornings 10:00 – 11:00

@NG DANCE school

Via Schiaparelli 6

Villasanta

Rachael Martin

Cell: 338 5213 716

[email protected]

Mother-tongue English teacher with experience in all levels and ages.

To be arranged To be arranged

Diana Testa

338 9788281

[email protected]

ONE TO ONE and GROUP ENGLISH/ITALIAN CLASSES adults, children and teenagers

to be confirmed Monza area

MEMBERS CLASSES

Date Name

APR 19 Chiara SCUDELETTI

APR 19 Sandra PIERINI

APR 20 Margarita VALVERDE

APR 24 Maria GRISOLIA

APR 29 Ginny JU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Date Name

MAY 2 Pauline O'CONNOR-SORMANI

MAY 3 Irmi SIEBER

MAY 17 Katrien STRAGIER

mailto:[email protected]


GROUP ACTIVITIES

Activity Contacts Tel & email Meets Venue Cost

BOOK CLUB

ONE

Barbara de

Savorgnani

039 200 6664

333 4931 018

[email protected]

3rd Thursday every

month,

10:00 to 12:00

Cindy Brizzi’s home Annual book

cost €15

BOOK CLUB

TWO Anne Stubley

039 671 359

[email protected]

Usually 1st Tuesday

every month, 10:00 to

12:00

Anne Stubley’s home Annual book

cost €20

READING

GROUP Anne Stubley

039 671 359

[email protected]

Once a month

14:00 to 16:00

Member’s home or at a

bar free

WRITING

GROUP Anna Bodini

Anna: 039 608 2896

[email protected] Twice a month

Usually at the Sporting

Club Free

PARENTS &

TODDLERS Rachel Hawes [email protected]

Every Tuesday

From 16:30

Cold/rainy weather: Crivi

Bar, Vedano al Lambro.

Sunny days: Sant’Andrea

Park (exact location tbc)

Free

MOM’S NIGHT

OUT Gayna Clark [email protected] Once a month Different restaurants

MONZA

WALKERS Cindy Brizzi

039 321 284

[email protected]

Every Monday,

9:15 Bar Cavriga, Monza Park No charge

FRENCH

SPEAKING

GROUP

Ivana Menegar-

do-Develter

039 647 962

Ivanamenegardo @yahoo.fr

La renconte avec les

francophones est

mensuelle.

n/a n/a

ENGLISH

SPEAKING

GROUP

Laura Panzeri

Giovanna Ca-

sati

039 6064 698

[email protected]

039 382 048

[email protected]

Thur of Coffee mor-

ning immediately after

meeting, and Thur 2

weeks later at 14:30

Sporting Club please con-

tact Giovanna Casati Free

MONDAY EN-

GLISH MOVIE Anne Stubley

039 671 359

[email protected]

Every Monday after-

noon n/a n/a

GERMAN

SPEAKING

GROUP

Ute Pastorelli

Wiechern

Ursula Accor-

dino

Ute: 039 367 397

[email protected]

Ursula: 039 920 5461

[email protected]

Every 1st and 3rd

Thursday

15:00 to 17:00

Sporting Club Lounge Free

LANGUAGE

EXCHANGE

Marisa

Cerizzi 039 249 6967

Every Wednesday,

10:00 to 12:00 Sporting Club Free

NEIGHBOR-

HOOD NET-

WORK Vimer-

cate

Anna Bodini &

Gabriella Ma-

pelli

Anna: 039 608 2896

Gabriella: 039 685 0808

[email protected]

First Thursday of the

month - please con-

tact before

La Camilla, Vimercate Free


Janine Davies

331 54 24 443

[email protected]

Sushil Penuti

039324083 / 3409168552

[email protected]

Anna Vicentini

348 87 12 329

publicrelations@

benvenutomonza.com

Melissa Saucedo

3389386783

[email protected]

Zizeth Maroun

320 31 43 665

[email protected]

Eleonora Litta Durban

347 22 44 927

Membership @benvenutomonza.com Julia Waters-DeZordi

338 23 97 850

specialactivities@

benvenutomonza.com

BOARD benvenuto monza

Susan Edick-Gianferrara

392 16 05 714

newcomers@

benvenutomonza.com

Charity Co-Chair:

Marina Lambrechts

Honorary Members:

Barbara De Savorgnani

Ivana Menegardo-Develter

338 53 54 240

[email protected]

President

Vice President

Membership

Editor

Newcomers

Special Activities

Treasurer

Public Relations

Secretary

The Benvenuto International Club of Monza wel-comes English-speaking women from all over the world and fosters international fellowship through its various activities. A monthly Coffee Morning is the Club’s principal social function. The Club is non-profit, non-denominational and a-political. English shall be the official language of the Club. All work per-formed by the Board and its committees is done on a voluntary basis.

Membership: The membership year runs from September through June of the following year. The Membership Fee for current members is due and payable no later than the October Coffee Morning of each year. A full year’s Membership Fee is payable by new members until February at which time new members pay one-half of the Membership Fee. For any questions about member-ship contact the Membership Director.

Name Badges: Name badges are supplied to each member to be worn at each Coffee Morning. If Members forget their name badge they will be required to pay a fine.

Guests: Members are welcome to bring a guest to one Coffee Morning to introduce potential members to the Club. The same guest is only allowed to attend two Coffee Mornings and the Christmas meeting per year. The Guest Fee is €4. All guests will be given a nametag to wear during the meeting.

Commercial Sales, Logo, Directory, Member’s Ser-vices: No commercial sales are permitted at Club functions and nei-ther the Benvenuto Club logo nor the membership directory is to be used for any commercial purposes. For a contribution, members providing goods and services are invited to post advertisements in the Monza News.

Babysitting during coffee mornings: Children are not allowed in the big hall in the Sporting Club where the monthly meetings are held. This is due to the Insur-ance and the requirements of the Sporting club itself. Babysitting is offered during coffee mornings, please contact Ivana ([email protected]) to book Baby Sitting. For the moment this service is free of charge if you book in advance.

CLUB RULES

mailto:[email protected]


From Name Language Telephone Transport

Carate Brianza Camilla Riva EN 036 299 3953 or 338 459 8262 Own

Cosetta Riva IT, GER, EN 362 993 953 or 335 620 2887 Own

Albiate Erica Callisaya Vela IT, EN, ES 320 481 3559 Own

Lissone Sujanika Elvitigalage Dona IT, EN, ES 338 4735 895 Own

Macherio Sara Valtorta IT 338 247 5082 Own

Monza Giorgette Savy IT, FR, EN 039 380 816 Own

Daphne D'Amato IT, EN, Dutch 346 628 1605 Own

Mileth Hernandez IT, ES 327 291 5270 Own

Stefania Candurra IT 347 645 0884 -

Wendy Hodgson IT, EN 3407969829 Own

Giulia Milan IT, EN, FR 3392071971 -

Claudia Ghilardi IT, EN 3803458183 -

Francesca Barzaghi IT, GER, EN 333 678 1489

Vedano al Lambro Josy Arcaya IT, ES, EN 329 073 3910 -

Sylvia Malnati IT, FR 348 244 2570 Own

Genevieve Sumiller EN 3884426131 -

Elizabeth Sabado IT, EN 3450121809 Own

Maria Castro IT, EN 3896488867 Own

Arianna D'Onofrio IT, EN,Greek 0392496666, or 3468336219 No

Disclamer: This list of babysitters have been produced for information purposes only and the club takes no responsibility for the qualifications of

these babysitters. However, all these names have been provided by members who have used their services.

BABYSITTERS

Service Tele-

phone

Emergency Service – Ambulance

(Pronto Soccorso) - www.118milano.it 118

National Police (Carabineri) 112

Local Police 113

Fire Brigade (Vigili del fuoco) 115

Forest Fire (Incendio boschivo) 1515

Car Breakdown Assistance

(Soccorso stradale) 116

Emergency Doctors (Medici Volanti)

7733

In Case of a night-time health problem that is not serious enough for the Hospital Emer-gency room service, but needs to be attended to quickly, call: Emergency Public Health Ser-vices

Guardia Medica Nat’l Call Number: 840 500 092

Recommendation*:

Listen to the recording (in Italian) and wait for an opera-tor on the line.

If you don’t speak Italian, ask for someone who speaks English.

Provide all of your personal information: name, address, telephone number and the description of your illness. Ask if there is a doctor who speaks English or your lan-guage.

They will have a doctor call you back in the next hour (usually faster). The doctor will tell you, if they need to make a house visit or if you should to go to the nearest GUARDIA MEDICA. They will give you the address of the closest one to your location.

Visits usually free of charge. House visits may be differ-ent.

This service usually works very well for a quick diagno-sis or to resolve a problem, and to obtain a prescription to go to the pharmacy.


Follow usvia Monti e Tognetti, 15 - 20900 Monza (MB) Tel. 039 896 2184

Cof ee and American cakes.

No ideas for your party? Looking for something special to share with your family?Visit our store in Monza, in via Monti e Tognetti 15: Burger’s Family prepares every day the best hand made cakes, muffins, cupcakes and much more.Try the difference and take at home our wonderful cakes and pastries.

2015 April Monza News

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Transcript of 2015 April Monza News