January 2015 issue

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDMILWAUKEE, WIPermit No. 5716

Published by the Italian Community Center631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202

www.ICCMilwaukee.comVOL. 36, NO. 7JANUARY 2015

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PASTE ADDRESS LABEL HERE.

THEITALIAN TIMES

Italy’s Ambassador to the United States Claudio Bisogniero (center ofphoto) completed a busy day in Wisconsin on Monday, Dec. 1 with a visitto the Italian Community Center. Bisogniero has been Italy’s Ambassadorto the U.S. for three years. A complete story on the ambassador and histour of Wisconsin and more photos can be found on pages 14 and 15. Seenhere with Ambassador Bisogniero are numerous ICC officers and direc-tors, both past and present. Current officers, directors and past presidentsare identified as such. From the left: Director Liz Ceraso, Immediate Past

President Gina Spang, past Director Rosemary DeRubertis (who stood infor Sergeant-At-Arms Joanne Czubek), Vice President Dean Cannestra,Past President Betty Puccio, Past President and current Director JoeCampagna, Jr., Past President Bill Jennaro, Ambassador Bisogniero, PastPresident Sam Purpero, Director Ted Catalano, President Giuseppe Vella,Director Tony Piacentini, Director Pietro Tarantino, Secretary Rose AnneCeraso Fritchie, Past President and current Treasurer Dave Spano andPast President Mike Palmisano. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Italian Ambassador Bisogniero visits ICC

Amore will be in the air as the ICC’scelebrates Carnevale on Valentine’s Day

By Thomas HemmanTimes Editor

Imagine combining the romanticnature of Valentine’s Day with themagic, pageantry and excitement ofa Venetian-style costume and maskball. What would you get? It’s theItalian Community Center’s IlGrande Carnevale 2015 – “UnaCelebrazione dell’ Amore” (“ACelebration of Love”).That’s right, the ICC’s 36th

annual Carnevale will take placeon Valentine’s night, Saturday,

Feb. 14, starting with an hour-longsocial reception at 5 p.m.“It’s going to be an evening for

lovers and those who simply love tohave a grand time,” said Carnevalechairs Joanne (Sanfelippo) Czubekand Rosemary DeRubertis. “Bycombining the splendor, pageantry,color and frivolity of Carnevalewith the amore and romance associ-ated with Valentine’s Day, the pos-sibilities for a memorable eveningare endless.”As usual, the general public is

invited to join ICC members inattending. While the general publiccan revel in the festivities for $60per person, an ICC member canpartake for just $50. Reservationsare required by Saturday, Feb. 7.There will be assigned seating.Your reservations can be made

by using the form accompanyingthis article, in person at the ICCfront office during regular businesshours or by calling 414-223-2180and having your credit card handy.You may also pick up a Carnevale

flyer with a reservation form atvarious locations at the ICC.Those who have attended before

know Carnevale is the ICC’s “SocialEvent of the Year,” featuring greatfood, dancing, a coronation of royal-ty, a costume and mask parade,

Cosa c’è dentro?What’s inside?

President’s message page 2

Meeting dates changing page 2

Holiday closings page 2

Free screening of MPTVdocumentary onMilwaukee’s Italians page 3

Oldies But Goodies reunionconcert is Feb. 7 page 3

ICC donor pledges triple page 4

Children’s party withLa Befana is Jan. 10 page 7

Volunteers present Italianheritage at Folk Fair pages 10-11

Volunteers serve dinnerto less fortunate pages 12-13

Members’ Christmasdinner and dance page 13

Society and club news page 16

Members’ news page 17

Please turn to page 5

The Italian Community CenterBoard was challenged this fallwith the responsibility of raisingmembership dues. The Boardvoted in November to raise thedues starting in 2015. This willmark the first increase in manyyears.The questions the Board antici-

pates being asked by ICC mem-bers will no doubt be “Why?” Whyare ICC dues being increased?Why should I continue to supportthe ICC and remain a member?”The dues are being increased

for the following reasons:1. The Italian Community

Center is an important symbol inour city, representing the Italianand Sicilian immigrants who set-tled in Milwaukee. Imagine ourcity without the ICC. It would beprofoundly missed. Your financialhelp is needed to ensure its sur-vival.2. Admittedly, membership

dues will not fully cover all of thecosts of maintaining the ItalianCommunity Center and are notreally meant to. They are an

expression of commitment and ofvalue. We hope our members willcommit themselves and will valuethat commitment – financially, inperson and in spirit.3. An increase is long overdue.

We are emerging from and havesurvived a distressing economicperiod where expendable moneydecreased considerably. Non-essentials, such as culture, musicand art suffered during that timebecause money was needed for theessentials, such as food, utilities,

Commitment-based membershipdues structure approved for 2015


THE ITALIAN TIMESPAGE 2 – JANUARY 2015

All advertisements must be in accordancewith the rules and requirements as deter-mined by editorial policy. Paid advertise-ments are not to be interpreted as anendorsement by the Italian CommunityCenter or its newspaper, The Italian Times.In addition, the Newspaper Committeereserves the right to reject ads based on edi-torial policy approved by the Board ofDirectors of the Italian Community Center.The Italian Community Center is a mem-

ber of the Metropolitan MilwaukeeAssociation of Commerce, Visit Milwaukeeand the Historic Third Ward Association.

THE ITALIAN TIMES631 E. Chicago St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916(414) 223-2180

Published 11 times annually

Publisher . . . Italian Community CenterICC President . . . . . . . . .Giuseppe VellaNewspaper CommitteeChairman . . . . . . . Rosemary DeRubertisEditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas HemmanItalian PageEditor . . . . . . . Enrica Tarantino-WoytalAdvertising SalesManager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas HemmanAdvertising SalesRepresentative . . . . . . Faye Ann KesslerEditorial Contributors and StaffWriters/Reporters . . . . , .Mario A. CariniAngelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon

and Susan ChristiansenStaff Photographers. . . . . . .Joe Spasiano,

and Tom Hemman

For advertising information, please call(414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to:[email protected].

Copyright 2014The Italian Community Center, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

A tutti auguro un santissimoNatale e un Felice Anno Nuovo! (Iwish everyone a Blessed Christmasand a Happy New Year!) I hope youhave a chance to celebrate withyour family and carry on the holi-day traditions of parents andgrandparents.On behalf of our officers and

board members, I want to thank allthe volunteers, members of soci-eties and members of ourConference Center staff for doingsuch a tremendous job of decorat-ing our building for the holidays. Ifyou haven’t been to the ICC lately,I encourage you to stop in and seethe displays.We’re looking forward to the

New Year. One of our goals in 2015is getting more people involved inthe ICC. For our organization to bea viable entity in our community foryears to come, we need the children,grandchildren and great-grandchil-dren of our older members to joinand be involved in the ICC.We also want the ICC to be an

inclusive organization. That is whywe invite our Italian societies andcommunity members to participatein our activities.There are two activities early in

the year at which all are welcome:our Gallery Night and Day pro-gram and Il Grande Carnevale.Rose Anne (Ceraso) Fritchie and

Liz Ceraso, co-chairs of our Avanti

Committee, have invited the stu-dents from Victory School’s ItalianImmersion Program to displayVenetian masks at Gallery Nightand Day (Jan. 16-17). The entireevent will have a Carnevale theme.Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek and

Rosemary DeRubertis, Carnevaleco-chairs, are working diligentlywith the committee to plan anotherspectacular celebration onValentine’s Day, Feb. 14.We encourage our members, the

Italian societies and community-at-large to attend these events.Our Festa Italiana committees

are very busy planning for our 2015festival, which will take place July17, 18 and 19.

– Giuseppe VellaICC President

A message from Giuseppe Vella,Italian Community Center President

Italian Community CenterPresident Giuseppe Vellaannounced that the ICC will beclosed Christmas Eve(Wednesday, Dec. 24) throughSunday, Dec. 28 and New Year’sDay (Thursday, Jan. 1) throughSunday, Jan. 4.Vella wants to remind every-

one that the ICC will hold itsannual New Year’s Eve party onWednesday, Dec. 31. A separatestory with reservation formappears in this issue.On behalf of the officers, direc-

tors and staff of the ICC, Vellawishes everyone a MerryChristmas and Happy New Year!

ICC announcesholiday closings

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ICC Board and generalmeeting dates changingstarting in January

Starting January 2015, theItalian Community Center Boardmeetings will be moving to the sec-ond Thursday of the month and thegeneral membership meetings willbe held on the third Thursday ofthe month.That means, the next ICC Board

meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 8 at6:30 p.m. and the general member-ship meeting will be Thursday,Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. There will con-tinue to be a members’ dinner pre-ceding the general meeting. Thatbuffet-style dinner will be availableat 5:30 p.m.The changes to the board meet-

ing dates and the general meetingdates were approved by the boardat a meeting on Nov. 20.Previously, board meetings wereheld on the third Thursday of themonth and general meetings on thefirst Thursday.Please disregard a notice that

was published in the December2014 issue on the cancellation ofthe January and February generalmeetings.

Deadline set forFebruary issue

All advertising copy, news sto-ries and photos for publication inthe February 2015 issue of TheItalian Times must be submittedto the editor no later thanThursday, Jan. 8.All materials can be emailed

to editor Tom Hemman at [email protected], sent to TheItalian Times, 631 E. Chicago St.,Milwaukee, WI 53202. For fur-ther information, call 414-223-2801.

The Oldies But GoodiesSpectacular, joined by special guestperformers, will bring backMilwaukee’s ‘50s to the ‘80s rock-and-roll scene in a concert at the

Italian Community Center, 631 E.Chicago St., Milwaukee, onSaturday, Feb. 7.Doors of the Festa Ballroom

open at 6:30 p.m. The show begins

at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are nowavailable at the ICC for $20. Stopin or call 414/223-2180 with yourcredit card handy to purchase yourtickets. Tickets are also availablefrom members of the Oldies ButGoodies Spectacular. Should ticketsstill be available the night of theshow, admission will be $25.Cafe La Scala, the ICC’s public

restaurant, will be open at 5 p.m.that Saturday night. The staff willbe on hand to take food and drinkorders in both the restaurant andFesta Ballroom throughout theevening.Kim Marie, the founder and one

of the three lead vocalists of theOldies But Goodies Spectacular,said, “Several very special guestperformers will be joining us forthis show, which is a reunion ofMilwaukee’s best rock-and-rollartists from the late ‘50s throughearly ‘80s.”The special artists and the

groups they played with back in theday include: “Twistin’ Harvey”Scales of Harvey Scales & TheSeven Sounds, Tom Anthony of The

Tom Anthony Group, “Bullet Bob”of The Comic Books, “Big Louie” ofThe Renegades, “Johnny B”, for-merly of the Oldies But GoodiesSpectacular and Pete Sorce, whowas a singer in the band Toll Free

THE ITALIAN TIMES JANUARY 2015 – PAGE 3

Milwaukee Public Television(MPTV) is offering everyone achance to view “Storia Italiana:Milwaukee,” a compelling docu-mentary on Milwaukee’s ItalianAmerican community, before theofficial broadcast. This event willbe at the ICC on Wednesday, Feb.4.Doors open at 6 p.m. with the

program beginning at 7 p.m. Theevent is free and open to the public.Italian Community Center mem-bers are encouraged to attend.There will, of course, be free

parking. Cafe La Scala, the ICC’spublic restaurant, will be openstarting from 5 p.m.“Storia Italiana: Milwaukee” is a

one-hour local program produced inconjunction with the nationalPublic Broadcasting System series,“Italian Americans,” set to air inmid-February.The local documentary was writ-

ten and produced by MPTV’saward-winning producer MaryannLazarski. The local videographerand associate producer is JeffJanca. They have been working on

this program since early summer.The program looks at the storied

history of Milwaukee’s Italians andtells of courageous, personal jour-neys from Italy and Sicily to theMilwaukee area. It also tells ofhardships and the importance offaith, family and togetherness. Italso looks at the crossroads of gen-erations and what’s to come of thefuture for the Italian community.The children of immigrants chal-lenge the younger generations tocarry on meaningful traditions firstestablished by their great-grand-

parents, grandparents and parentsand why it’s critical for the youngto write the next chapter of this150-year old story.ICC Historian Mario A. Carini,

past president Gina Spang andGina Manning contributed informa-tion to the production team, whichalso came to the ICC to shoot videoof the vintage Italian Americanphotos and various activities.Carini said he provided details onthe Italian experience inMilwaukee. All three were inter-viewed by MPTV staff.

MPTV to present free screening ofdocumentary “Storia Italiana:Milwaukee” on Feb. 4 at ICC

In honor of Il Grande Carnevale,the students from Victory School’sItalian Immersion Program will bepresenting their versions ofVenetian-style masks as the ItalianCommunity Center participates inthe winter Gallery Night and Day,Jan. 16 and 17.The ICC will also have a display

of Carnevale costumes that atten-dees might recognize from thesepre-Lenten events that the organi-zation has hosted.Entering its 28th year, Gallery

Night and Day is a quarterly eventorganized by the Historic ThirdWard Association and the EastTowne Association. The ICC will beone of about 60 venues participat-ing Jan. 16 and 17.Liz Ceraso, co-chair of the ICC

Avanti Committee, said the hoursfor Gallery Night, Jan. 16, will be 6to 10 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 17,the hours will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission and parking are free. Allactivities will take place in theBoard Room.If you haven’t already read it in

this issue, the ICC hosts its annual

Il Grande Carnevale on Saturday,Feb. 14. See separate story.Victory School is offering an

Italian immersion program for stu-dents from four year-old kinder-garten through sixth grade duringthe 2014-15 school year. TheVenetian masks that the studentsmake will be on sale with proceedsgoing to support the program.Members of the Ceraso family

and other volunteers are scurryingthrough their closets and storageareas to create a display ofCarnevale costumes.Attendees are invited to enjoy a

meal at Cafe La Scala, the ICC’spublic restaurant, before or afterviewing the Carnevale displays.There will be a banner outside CafeLa Scala, indicating that the ICC isa Gallery Night and Day partici-pant.The Historic Third Ward offers

Gallery Night Xpress Shuttles thatart fans can utilize to attend sever-al of the participating venues. Formore information, please visitwww.historicthirdward.org.

Carnevale is theme forGallery Night & Day at ICC

Victory School students toparticipate with mask displays

Oldies But Goodies Spectacular with specialguests to perform at ICC on Saturday, Feb. 7

Advance tickets available now for this show reunitingMilwaukee’s top rock and rollers from ’50s to ‘80s

Here are Tony Clementi, Kim Marie and Chuck Travis, vocalists for theOldies But Goodies Spectacular. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

Harvey Scales


By Thomas HemmanTimes Editor

An appeal to Italian CommunityCenter members to support theorganization by pledging to the“Annual Donor Society” is beingheard loud and clear as evidencedby the fact that pledges more thantripled since the last report waspublished in The Italian Times.Through Dec. 1, 2014, a total of

44 pledges have been made, total-ing $16,736.37.The “Annual Donor Society” was

initiated in mid October when cam-paign material was mailed to mem-bers.This marked the first time in 25

years that the ICC has asked itsmembers to participate in a donorcampaign. During the mid 1980s, itwas an appeal to raise funds for theconstruction of the organization’scurrent building at 631 E. ChicagoSt., in Milwaukee’s Historic ThirdWard, the home of many of thecity’s early Italian immigrants.Today, the ICC is asking its

members to contribute for the con-tinuation and growth of the organi-zation which they cherish and loveand all that it has come to stand forsince its founding in 1978.

Like many nonprofit organiza-tions, the ICC wants to make thisan annual appeal to its members toensure that the organization canprosper for years to come. Memberswho participate will become part ofthe “Annual Donor Society.”In the letter that was part of the

campaign material, then-PresidentGina Spang and then-VicePresident Joe Vella, stated that theICC has become a “dependable,friendly, welcoming place whereMilwaukee’s Italian American com-munity meets to enjoy friends, won-derful food and celebrate its richheritage. More than bricks andmortar, the ICC is a testament toour ancestors who were unwaver-

ing in their quest to pave the wayto a more prosperous life for them-selves and generations to follow.”(Spang is now the immediate pastpresident and Vella is the the orga-nization’s president.)The letter and a supporting

campaign document with a pledgeform are reprinted inside this issue.“Many organizations have annu-

al appeals to their members anddonors to sustain themselves and togrow,” said Rose Purpero Spang,who headed the volunteer commit-tee that developed the campaignliterature. “We believe an annualappeal is something that is longoverdue here at the ICC. We trustthat all of our members will read

the literature that was sent tothem, think it over carefully and dowhatever they can to support ourItalian Community Center.“We hope that our members who

can afford it will make the largestgifts, in our gold category of $5,000or our silver category of $2,500,”she said.Other categories of support are:

$1,000, $750, $500, $250, $150 orother amount. All donations arewelcomed and appreciated. Alldonors will be recognized in TheItalian Times. In addition, gold andsilver category contributors will belisted in the Carnevale programbook that will be published for the


Thomas A. “Tom” Lorino, amajor supporter of the ItalianCommunity Center and FestaItaliana, has donated six wheel-chairs to the ICC.The wheelchair will be used

when necessary to accommodatedisabled guests.Lorino was among the first

members to become a major donorto the building fund for the newICC when construction was pro-posed in the mid 1980s, He alsohas been supportive of FestaItaliana throughout its 37 years.

Tom Lorinodonates sixwheelchairs

to ICC

CafeLa Scala wants tomakelunchyourfavoritemeal of theday!

Nowavailable a different lunchbuffetMonday throughFriday, 11am -2pm for just $8.50per person!

Monday –TexMex:Black bean salad, soft flour torillas, crispy corn torillas, groundbeef, grilled chicken,shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, chickenenchiladas, rice andbeans.Tuesday – PastaAbbondanza: Caesar salad, Italian pasta salad, lasagna,eggplant parmesan, pennapasta,meatballs, tomato basil sauce,Alfredosauce.Wednesday – SouthernBBQ:Cobb salad, cole slaw, pulled pork shoulder,Mississippi roast beef,mac and cheese, fried potatowedges, corn bread.Thursday – Italian:Antipasto, rice balls, pasta alla eggplant, chickenFlorentine,minestrone soup, sautèed cauliflower.Friday – FishFry: Tossed salad, tuna pasta salad, baked cod, fried cod,French fries, parsley boiled potatoes, potatopancakes.Alsotry CafeLa Scala’s new lunchanddinnermenu, includingourfamouspizza,withyourfavoritebeverage!

Cafe La Scala•631E.Chicago St.•Milwaukee414-223-2185•OpwnMonday - Saturday

Lunch - 11am-2pm•Dinner from5pm,Friday at 4:30pm

The Pompeii Women’s Club demonstrated its ongoingsupport for the Italian Community Center with thepresentation of a $500 donation at the ICC’s member-ship Christmas dinner and dance on Thursday, Dec.11. The check was presented to ICC PresidentGiuseppe Vella by Pompeii Women’s Club PresidentPatricia Consolazione. Pompeii Women’s Club mem-

bers were invited to join Consolazione in making thepresentation to Vella. From the left: Marie Schwindt,Mary Winard, Aggie Collura, Jane Palmisano, PatConsolazione, Joe Vella, Mary Pecoraro, Lucy Sorce,Lena Zingale, Phyllis Travia and Suzanee Wypijewski.(Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Pompeii Women’s Club continuesto show its support for ICC

Tom Lorino (seated) was thankedfor his donation of six wheelchairsby Sam Purpero, a past presidentof the Italian Community Center.(Times photo by Tom Hemman)


Member pledges to “Annual Donor Society”more than triple since last report


Amore will be in the air as the ICC’scelebrates Carnevale on Valentine’s Day

special entertainment, plenty ofpageantry, magnificent decorationsand displays, a marvelous sweettable and always lots of surprises.Alas, we can’t forget to mention,the spectacular BartolottaFireworks show!

Royalty chosenCzubek and DeRubertis are

pleased to announce the 2015Carnevale Royalty.• Re and Regina (King and

Queen): Joe and Ann Zambito.• Nonno and Nonna (Grandpar-

ents): Tony and Barbara Lupo.• Principe and Principessa

(Prince and Princess): John PaulCarvalho and Rebecca LeeSchwindt.• Piccolo Principe and Piccola

Principessa (Little Prince andPrincess): Anthony Puchner andJulia Bongert.• Il Gran Maresciallo (Gran

Marshal): Ted Catalano.• Il Vescovo (The Bishop): Frank

D’Amato.

The Zambitos, Lupos, Catalanoand D’Amato have long beeninvolved in the ICC and FestaItaliana. They are dedicated ICCmembers with a distinguishedrecord of volunteerism. Catalano isa current director on the ICCBoard.

John Paul Carvalho is a memberof Tradizione Vivente, the ItalianDance Group of Milwaukee.Rebecca Lee Schwindt is the

daughter of James and KyleSchwindt and the granddaughter ofJames, Sr. and Marie Schwindt.Anthony Puchner is the son of

piano-playing member JohnPuchner.Julia Bongert is the daughter of

Chuck and Beth Ann Bongert andthe granddaughter of Don and Fran(Sorrenti) Tollefson.

Carvalho, Schwindt, Puchnerand Bongert have already exempli-fied what the younger generationhas to offer the ICC and FestaItaliana in carrying on the tradi-tions and pride of their parents andgrandparents and their Italianancestry.

Bios and photos of each memberof royalty will appear in the nextissue of The Italian Times.

Salute royalty with adin program book

Family members, friends, soci-eties, organizations and businesseshave an opportunity to salute each

member of royalty by placing an adin the Carnevale program book.Please contact either the writer

of this article, Tom Hemman, at414-223-2189, or Anna Pitzo, at262-695-6119, to get the details onadvertising. The program bookserves as an essential fund-raiserfor Carnevale. Act promptly, as thebook must go to the printer by theend of January.

Appetizers, dinner, sweet tableWhile hot and cold hors d’oeu-

vres will be offered during theopening reception (cash bar), saveroom for the three-course dinnerthat will be served at 6 p.m. in thePompeii Grand Ballroom.

Dinner begins with an Italiansalad, followed by mouth-waterentrée: petite filet mignon withBordelaise sauce and butterflyshrimp with fresh vegetables,baked potato and Italian bread andbutter. A special Carnevale dessertfollows. There will be wine on eachtable. Guests will have the choice ofcoffee, tea, iced tea or milk.

Later in the evening, a beauti-fully decorated and bountiful sweettable, will be available.

Dancing and entertainmentThe Carnevale co-chairs are

pleased to announce that the BillSargent Big Band is returning toperform dance music for all agesthroughout the evening. The bandhas been called “the tightest, mostsolid ensemble of expert musiciansMilwaukee may ever see.”Tradizione Vivente, its youth

group I Bei Bambini, and the chil-dren of Carnevale will also per-form.

Costumes and masksEveryone who attends

Carnevale is encouraged to wear acostume or mask. There will beprizes awarded for the best asdetermined by a distinguishedpanel of judges.If you are adorning yourself in

either or both and want to partici-pate in the costume and maskparade, please head to the registra-tion desk upon your arrival toreceive a number. Since the judgingpanel certainly won’t know eachparticipant, numbers are writtendown by the judges in determiningthe winners.

The costume and mask parade,led by Gran Maresciallo Catalanoand the royalty, take place beforethe judges make their final deci-sions.

Raffle and donationsWhether you’re attending

Carnevale or not, you can partici-pate by buying tickets in a cash raf-fle or making a tax-deductibledonation.Raffle tickets, which will be

available soon, will be $2 each orseven for $10. Prizes are $500 – 1stprize, $300 – 2nd prize, $100 – 3rdprize and $100 – 4th prize.Donations to help cover the cost

of this fund-raising event can bemade the same way as reserva-tions: by using the form accompa-nying this article, in person at theICC, by filling out the flyer found inthe building or with your creditcard and calling 414-223-2180.Remember, income tax season isapproaching and all donations aretax deductible since the ICC is aregistered 501.3c nonprofit organi-zation.

from page 1

Carnevale 2015 chairs Joanne Czubek and Rosemary DeRubertis are seenhere alongside one of the two Christmas trees that Czubek volunteered todecorate at the ICC for the holiday season. Czubek and DeRubertis haveserved as the chairpersons of the ICC’s pre-Lenten costume and mask ballthe last several years. The other Christmas tree that Czubek decorated isin the galleria. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Carnevale 2015 Reservation FormName(s) ____________________________________________________Address ____________________________________________________City, State, Zip _______________________________________________Phone: _________________ Email: ______________________________

Please list the names of persons in your partyon a separate sheet of paper. Tables of 10 are available.

Number of ICC members attending: ______ x $50.00 = $Number of non-members attending: ______ x $60.00 = $Total amount of your check or money order: $Please make your check or money order payable to: Italian CommunityCenter. Send payment and this form with the list of those in your party to:Carnevale, c/o ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.Reservation deadline: Feb. 7, 2015.If you cannot attend Carnevale 2015, please consider making a dona-tion to support this event. My/Our donation is : $_________________.

Apply conventional wisdom when planning your nextbusiness conference, banquet or meeting. Hold it at the

The Italian Conference Center offers . . .• First rate conference, convention, banquet &meeting facilities for groups from 4 to 1,400.• Professional planning assistance.• Outstanding food service.• Handicap access & convenient parking.• Easy access to freeway & downtown.

ITALIAN CONFERENCE CENTERLOCATED AT THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER

For professional assistance in coordinating your event, callDavid or Gina at (414) 223-2800 oror visit www.italianconference.com.

Italian Conference Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WIJust a block west of Summerfest in the Historic Third Ward.


Still time to make reservations forgrand New Year’s Eve party

Doo-Wop Daddies to play after fabulous dinner at this reservations-only eventBy Thomas Hemman

Times EditorDon’t wait a minute longer to

make your reservations for thespectacular New Year’s Eve partyplanned at the Italian CommunityCenter. The celebration onWednesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 7p.m., will include lots of deliciousfood, plenty of party favors anddancing to the ‘50s-‘60s sounds ofthe legendary Doo-Wop Daddies.Business Manager Laurie Bisesi

said, “The Doo-Wop Daddies havealways drawn large crowds everytime we’ve booked them. So, I wantto advise everyone to get theirreservations made early.”The cost for the evening is $80

per person. Reservations arerequired can be made either bycalling 414-223-2180 and using acredit card or by completing in theform accompanying this story. Besure to make your check payable tothe Italian Conference Centerand submit it along with the reser-vation form to ICC, 631 E. Chicago

St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.If you wish to be seated at a

table with specific persons, pleaselist the names of those people on aseparate sheet of paper. Don’t for-get to include your own name.The ICC will not be allowing

walk-ins the night of the event.At 7 p.m., guests will be able to

enjoy a variety of the ItalianConference Center’s famous hotand cold hors d’oeuvres in the galle-ria. There will be a cash bar.An hour later, guests will be

called into the Pompeii GrandBallroom for a sumptuous dinner.It will begin with an Italian saladwith Romaine lettuce topped withmozzarella cheese, salami, pro-sciutto, tomatoes, black olives, arti-choke hearts and pepperoncini.The main course will feature a com-bination entrée – center cut beeftenderloin topped with wild mush-room Bordelaise sauce and jumboshrimp scampi – served over angelhair pasta, steamed vegetable med-ley, Italian bread, and coffee, tea,

iced tea or milk.For dessert, guests will be

served tiramisu (ladyfinger cookies,soaked in espresso and coffeeliqueur, layered with mascarpone,dusted with cocoa powder andchocolate shavings).Following a midnight cham-

pagne toast welcoming the NewYear, a buffet station will be madeavailable. The buffet will featureassorted cold cuts, cheese and rel-ish trays, fresh rolls, pasta saladand assorted cookies.The Doo-Wop Daddies will play

from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Doo-Wop DaddiesBased in Milwaukee, the Doo-

Wop Daddies capture the demand-ing vocal styles of doo-wop musicwith unsurpassed excellence.That’s only the beginning. TheDaddies don’t merely recreate this

classic genre, but have redefined itand made it their own 21st centurydoo-wop.The group’s live shows attain

that ideal unity of masterful per-formance and entertainment.Combining elements of vintage andcutting edge musical technologies,the Daddies produce an excitingtheatrical show that remains faith-ful to the doo-wop style.The Doo-Wop Daddies’ lineup

includes Mike Sturino, Mike Welch,Ryan Clark, Mark Lansing, TomRiepenhoff, Lee Stephens, LeeWanek and Terry Casey.More than 500 people came to

see the Doo-Wop Daddies performduring their last appearance at theICC. The group played in thePompeii Grand Ballroom on Sept.18. It was the largest crowd for anyof the summer 2014 CourtyardMusic Series shows.

The Doo-Wop Daddies are returning for the fourth consecutive year toperform at the Italian Community Center’s New Year’s Eve party.

ICC New Year's Eve Party Reservation FormWednesday, Dec. 31, 2014

Name(s) _________________________________________________________Address __________________________________________________________City _______________________________ State ______ Zip _____________Phone ___________________ Email __________________________________Please list the names of persons in your party on a separate sheet of paper. Tablesof 10 are available. Singles and couples: If you wish to be seated at a table with

specific persons, please list their names on a separate sheet of paper.Total number of people attending _________ x $80.00 = $Please make your check/money order payable to: Italian Conference Center, and

mail to: ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.All payments are non-refundable and must accompany this reservation form.

Christmas is the time of year for cookingand giving. My cookbook makes a greathostess gift for the person who has

everything. I have several easy holidayrecipes. Dedicated to my nonna who

inspired me to cook – Mangia, Mangia!!BUON NATALE!!

Sale price - $12.00Send check or money order to: FRANCENA,125 Boyce Road, Centerville, OH 45458

Call: 937-433-7313 or email: [email protected]

Since it’s too cold, wet, andsnowy to play bocce outdoors inWisconsin in the winter time, whynot play Italian lawn bowlingindoors at the Italian CommunityCenter? Winter leagues are nowforming.

The winter bocce season getsunder way the week of Jan. 5.Teams in the senior citizen leaguesplay on Tuesday and Thursdayafternoons. Teams in the mixedcouples’ leagues compete onMonday, Wednesday and Thursdaynights. Teams in each league playonce a week. The regular seasonlasts eight weeks.The winter season champion

playoffs will take place Monday,Mar. 9.If you’re interested in register-

ing a team to play in a winterleague, here are a few things youneed to know. There are two sets ofregistration fees – one for thosewho are not members of the ICCand one for those who are ICCmembers. The non-member regis-tration fee is $40 per person perleague season. A discounted regis-tration fee of $30 per person perleague season is offered to an ICCmember. Each team must consist ofat least four players, with one play-er designated as the team captain.Each league is interested in havingeight teams.

Team registration forms areavailable from the league coordina-tors: Dan Conley (Monday night),Anthony Gazzana (Tuesday after-noon), Tony Tarantino (Wednesdaynight), Anna Pitzo (Thursday after-noon) and David Alioto (Thursdaynight). The forms also can beobtained by calling Salina Castroat 414/223-2180.The championship playoffs, fea-

turing each league winner and fourteams with the next best record,will be played the night of Monday,Mar. 9. Prizes will be awarded tothe championship team and therunner-up in the tournament.Spring and fall leagues datesBocce players might want to

mark their calendars for the start-ing dates for the ICC’s spring andfall 2015 bocce leagues.According to Anthony Gazzana,

who serves as the ICC’s bocce coor-dinator, the spring season willbegin the week of Mar. 16 and thefall season will start the week ofSept. 14. In both the spring andfall, leagues will be available formixed couples on Monday andWednesday nights and seniors’leagues on Tuesday and Thursdayafternoons.The spring championship play-

offs will be on Monday, May 18.The fall playoffs will be Monday,Nov. 16.

Winter bocce season tostart week of Jan. 5


ICC members: Last chance to sign upyour children or grandchildren forthe Jan. 10 party with La Befana

For the 13th consecutive year,the Italian Community Center willhost a post-Christmas party for theyoungest children and grandchil-dren of ICC members that cele-brates the legend of La Befana.The gift-bearing witch of Italian

folklore will greet and provide giftsto youngsters on Saturday, Jan. 10at a party that begins with a noonlunch in Festa Hall.“Since the mission of the ICC is

to promote Italian culture, wethink it’s important that our chil-dren and grandchildren learn aboutLa Befana,” said Liz Ceraso, chair-person of the Avanti Committee,which is organizing the event.Having the party after the busy

Christmas season has also provenquite popular with the parents andgrandparents, added Rose AnneCeraso-Fritchie and Mary AnneCeraso-Alioto, Avanti Committeemembers, who are co-chairing thechildren’s party.

Party detailsChildren are encouraged to wear

socks that day because, after theyeat lunch, the children will beasked to take off their shoes andleave them behind a curtain. ICCofficials have heard that Befanahas expressed an interest in leav-ing special treats in the children’sshoes.The lunch will feature a buffet

with food to please both the chil-dren and the adults in attendance.The menu will include barbeque

beef sandwiches, chicken nuggets,french fried potatoes, macaroni and

cheese, fruit, chocolate or whitemilk for the kids and coffee foradults.For dessert, everyone will be

able to make their own ice creamsundae.The cost to attend will be – $20

per adult and $15 for child. Pre-paid reservations are required byWednesday, Jan. 7. Please use theform accompanying this article tomake your reservations.Please include on the form the

names and ages of each child sothat gifts appropriate for each agegroup are given out. Walk-ins onthe day of the event will not be per-mitted.Anna Pitzo, a longtime ICC

member, is making the arrange-ments for Befana’s visit.

La Befana: The Yuletide WitchIn Italy, there still remains a

tradition involving the beneficentwitch named Befana. On the nightof the Feast of Epiphany (the 12thand final day of the Christmas holi-day observance), Befana leavespresents in children’s stockings,hung upon a hearth or a stairwayrailing (a tradition quite similar tothe American Santa Claus story).

Legend has it that when Christwas born, the Three Wise Men (I remagi) stopped at Befana’s hut fordirections on their way toBethlehem and, in the conversa-tion, asked her to join them.Befana said no, she was too busy.Later, a shepherd asked her to

join him in paying respects to theBaby Jesus. Again, Befanadeclined.When it became dark, Befana

noticed a great star illuminatingthe sky just as the Wise Men hadtold her earlier in the day. Shethen realized that perhaps sheshould have gone with them. So,she gathered some toys that hadbelonged to her own baby, who haddied as an infant, and boarded her

magic broom to find the kings andthe stable where the Christ Childlay.The legend states that, regret-

fully, Befana was unable to locateeither the Three Wise Men or theplace where Jesus was born. Sincethen, each year at this time, Befanacontinues her search for the ChristChild and leaves gifts along theway for good children and pieces ofcharcoal for bad ones.Here’s an amazing fact about

Befana’s visits to the ICC’sannual party: Not once in thepast 12 years has Befana left char-coal in the shoes or gift bags of anyof the children attending. Couldthat possibly mean that all the chil-dren had been good?

CHILDREN'S LABEFANAPARTY& LUNCH RESERVATION FORM

Names of male adult members attending: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Names of female adult members attending: ___________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Cost: $20.00 per adult, $15.00 per child. Total Amount Enclosed: $ . Make your check payable to: ItalianCommunity Center. Mail this form with your payment to: Italian Community Center, Attn.: La Befana party, 631 E. ChicagoSt., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Reservation form with payment due Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. No walk-ins permitted.

NAMES OF BOYSATTENDING AGE__________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ____

NAMES OFGIRLSATTENDING AGE__________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ____

and now performs with JeffLeBarge Big Band.Harvey Scales is an internation-

ally known rhythm and bluessinger, songwriter and producer.He has been active in the musicindustry since the 1960s when hefirst became known as “Twistin’Harvey.” He has composed songsfor groups such as The Dells, TheDramatics and The O’Jays. He isparticularly notable for his co-authorship of the songs “Love-It is”and “Disco Lady,” the latter singlebeing recorded by Johnnie Taylorand spent four weeks in the num-ber one spot on the Billboard Hot100.People who have followed the

Oldies But Goodies Spectacularthrough the years know that theband is comprised of several artists

who also performed in popularMilwaukee bands from the late ‘50sinto the ‘70s. Kim Marie was amember of Denny and TheDarnells. Vocalist/guitarist ChuckTravis was the leader of The Do WaWa’s. Drummer Bruce Cole playedwith The Vantels. Trumpeter MikeBetts was with The Freeloaders.Lead guitarist Tom Sorce who hasperformed with several bands andstill leads his own Tom Sorce Bandand plays with the Tom AnthonyGroup. Saxophonist Mike Millerwas with Junior & The Classics.Keyboardist Bob Sanderson playedwith The Citations. The group’sthird vocalist, Tony Clementi, isthe lone exception. He did not per-form with any of Milwaukee’s earlyrock bands, but is flying fromFlorida on Feb. 7 for a rare winter-time appearance in the Brew City.

Please turn to page ??

Oldies But Goodies’winter reunion concertset for Feb. 7 at ICC

The officers and directors of theItalian Community Center wish tothank and acknowledge all thosewho pledged, fulfilled a pledge orcontributed to the building fund.

To obtain information on how tomake a donation, please call 414-223-2808.

The following donations werereceived between Nov. 10 and Dec.8, 2014.

In memory of DennisPalmisanoSonny and Melody Gensler

In memory of Carmello“Carmen” ZingaraPaul and Rose Iannelli

August J. Amoroso

In memory of Charles “Peter”DiMaggioGeorge and Aggie Collura

In memory of Louis “Louie” F.MigliaccioTony MachiBill and Rita Jennaro

In memory of Frank SanfelippoPompeii Men’s Club

In memory of AnthonyLoCiceroPompeii Men’s Club

General donstion to the build-ing fundPompeii Women’s Club

Thanks for your donationsto the Italian CommunityCenter building fund

Mark your calendars now: TheItalian Community Center’s 20thannual “A Taste of Italy” will beSunday, Apr. 19.This Italian food extravaganza

is an essential fund-raising activi-ty for the nonprofit organizationand has always been successful.Chairperson Ann Romano said

that April 19 was chosen becauseit is two Sundays after Easter andthe Milwaukee Brewers will beplaying out-of-town (inPittsburgh). Romano has chaired19 of the 20 Taste of Italy events.Look for a lot more information

on “A Taste of Italy” in upcomingissues of The Italian Times.

Taste of Italy setfor Sunday, Apr. 19


Wednesday, Dec. 24• Christmas Eve.

Wednesday, Dec. 24 – Sunday, Dec. 28The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference Center,Festa Italiana and The Italian Times will be closed. Cafe La Scala willalso be closed.

Thursday, Dec. 25• Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, Dec. 31• Italian Community Center New Year’s Eve party, 7 p.m.Details in this issue.• Cafe La Scala will be open for lunch only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.No dinner service.

Thursday, Jan. 1• Felice Anno Nuovo! Happy New Year!

Thursday, Jan. 1 – Sunday, Jan. 4The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian Conference Center,Festa Italiana and The Italian Times will be closed. Cafe La Scala willalso be closed.

Monday, Jan. 5 – Thursday, Jan. 8• Italian Community Center’s winter bocce season begins with mixed cou-ples’ leagues on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and seniors’leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Tuesday, Jan. 6• Pompeii Men’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 7• Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 8• Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. Please note: Newmeeting date.

Saturday, Jan. 10• Italian Community Center’s La Befana children’s party, noon.Details in this issue.

Tuesday, Jan. 13• Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society meeting, 7 p.m.•Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 15• Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.• Italian Communiy Center general membership meeting, 6:30 p.m.Please note: New meeting date.

Friday, Jan. 16• Italian Community Center participates in Gallery Night program,6-10 p.m. Details in this issue.

Saturday, Jan. 17• Italian Family History Club meeting, 10:30 a.m.• Italian Community Center participates in Gallery Day program,11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 21• Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge #2763/Order Sons of Italy inAmerica Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Daily and weekly classes and activities• Bocce leagues. The winter league season will begin the week of Jan. 5with mixed couples’ leagues on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nightsand seniors’ leagues on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Registrationforms are available from league coordinators or at the ICC front officereception desk.

• Free Children’s Italian class. Look for information on the spring semes-ter of this free class in the next issue.

• Italian classes for teens and adults. Look for information on the springsemester of classes in the next issue.

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

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

Editor’s note: If the time and date of your society or club meeting doesnot appear in this calendar, it is quite likely that no one from your organi-zation has supplied The Italian Times or the Italian Conference Center’sCatering Department with a 2015 schedule of events. Please submit theseschedules to us as soon as possible via email at [email protected] [email protected] or by faxing to 414/223-2187 ormailing it to either department at 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI53202. Schedules can also be dropped off at our office.

Calendar of EventsDecember 24, 2014 – January 31, 2015

“Spring Fever MusicSeries” coming to ICC onTuesday and Thursdaynights in April and MayThe Italian Community Center

is offering people a chance to getover the winter blahs and warm upto jazz, blues and good-time rockand roll with its “Spring FeverMusic Series.” This free-admissionseries will start the first week ofApril and end the last week of May.There will be either a jazz or

blues group performing on Tuesdaynights and rock and roll bands onThursday nights. All shows beginat 6:30 p.m. in the Festa Ballroom.“We want to emphasize that theseshows are offered with no covercharge or drink minimum,” saidJoe Campagna, Jr., series coordina-tor.The staff of Cafe La Scala, the

ICC’s public restaurant, will be onhand to take food and drink ordersin both the restaurant and the ball-room starting at 5 p.m.Call Cafe La Scala at 414-223-

2185 to reservation a table, espe-cially if you’re coming with a largegroup.

Who’s performingTom Sorce, legendary guitarist,

recording artist and bandleader,put together the “Spring Fever”line-up.Here’s the Tuesday night sched-

ule.• Apr. 7 – Reverend Raven &

The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.

(Blues)• Apr. 21 – Chris Mariari Band.

(Blues)• May 5 – Pete Sorce with the

Jeff Lebarge Band. (Jazz)• May 12 – Alex Wilson Band.

(Blues)• May 19 – Anita Stemper with

Tom Sorce Band (Jazz)• May 26 – Leroy Airmaster

with Junior Brantley (Blues)The Thursday night rock and

roll line-up dates and bands:• Apr. 2 – Noyz Boys & Gyrlz.• Apr. 9 – Bob Hirschi & Groove

Therapy.• Apr. 16 – Larry Lynne Band.• Apr. 30 – Tom Anthony

Group.• May 7 – The Classics (featur-

ing members of the Doo-WopDaddies).• May 14 – Rick D’Amore Band.• May 21 – Bob Hirschi &

Groove Therapy.• May 28 – Tom Anthony

Group.Information on each of the acts

will appear in the next issue of TheItalian Times. Sorce said thatAnita Stemper’s May 19 show willserve as her latest Opus CD releaseparty. There will be no shows onTuesdays, Apr. 14 and 28, andThursday, Apr. 23 since the FestaBallroom is booked for privatefunctions.

The 2015 meeting and social event schedules of every society, cluband organization that regularly use the Italian Community Center foractivities is needed promptly by the Italian Conference Center’s Salesand Catering Department and The Italian Times.While most of the societies and organizations have submitted their

schedules, there are still a few that have not, and 2015 is just days ago.David Stachowiak, Director of Sales, Catering & Special Events, and

Gina Manning, Catering Sales Representative, need these schedules toguarantee dates and hall/room availability. SPECIFIC HALLS ANDROOMS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED WITHOUT THE COOPERA-TION OF ALL SOCIETIES, CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS.Tom Hemman, Times editor, needs the information to provide an

accurate reporting of events in the calendar published in this newspa-per.All groups are asked to submit their schedules including the start-

ing time of all events as soon as possible. The goal is to have theschedules from all societies, clubs and organizations by the end ofNovember.

Here’s how to submit your datesPlease submit schedules by using any one of these methods:• Send an email to Tom Hemman at [email protected] or to

David Stachowiak at [email protected] or GinaManning at [email protected].• Fax the information to either The Italian Times or the Italian

Conference Center Sales and Catering Department at 414/223-2187.• Drop off the schedules in person at the ICC.Groups that don’t comply with this request may find it more difficult

at a later time to get the accommodations they most desire. “We alwaystry our best to accommodate all requests, but if we can reserve dates androoms early, it’s to everyone’s advantage,” Stachowiak said.Added Hemman, “If we don’t have your schedule of events and the

starting time of each event, it becomes very difficult and a bit frus-trating to prepare an accurate calendar listing for the newspaper. Wedo hear about it when an event is not listed in the calendar. This is whywe have to depend on the presidents or the designated representatives ofthe many organizations to supply that information to us.”Stachowiak and Hemman wish to thank those societies and organiza-

tions that already submitted their schedules.

2015 schedules sought fromsocieties and organizationsthat regularly use the ICC


Increase in ICC membershipdues approved for 2015

and mortgages.We feel we can offer our mem-

bers so much more, and we needyour help.We need your commitment and

loyalty, your positivity, and yourenthusiasm.We need just some of your time,

and we need your attendance at theoutstanding events hosted by theICC.We need your advice, your sug-

gestions for improvement, yourideas and your expertise.What you will receive in return

for your commitment:• Home delivery of The Italian

Times.• Four (4) complimentary tick-

ets to Festa Italiana per adultmember. Eight (8 Tickets for familymembership).• Voting privileges.• Free international television

in Members Room for Italian sportsand cultural programs.• Discounted price on ICC

events.• Social, recreational, cultural

and educational opportunities cele-brating Italy.• Discount on advertising in

The Italian Times.• Free Italian language classes

for children.

You will also be gifted with newand rekindled friendships, prideand personal satisfaction, contin-ued celebration of the history ofthose who came to America fromItaly, Italian language, culture andmusic and, lastly, enjoyment and alot of laughter.You give, and you get back so

much more – that is a community.Our community center needs everyone of you.You will find the new ICC mem-

bership form in this issue.For those who have already

renewed their membership, thedues increase will not take effortuntil the renewal period next year.

from page 1

Want ICC newssent to you

electronically?By Susie Christiansen

Social networking websites,such as Facebook and Twitter, aswell as e-mail and cell phone tex-ting, are currently the most com-mon methods of communicating forpeople. Using those avenues, wewant to develop a way to reach outto our membership to inform youabout upcoming events organizedby the Italian Community Center,such as Il Grande Carnevale, ATaste of Italy and Festa Italiana.We can even email you a copy of

The Italian Times.When the ICC hosts wine tast-

ings, musical events and cookingclasses, it would be helpful toeveryone involved to be able tosend an e-mail blast or a cell phonetext blast to ICC members and asmany non-members as possible.Right now, committee chairs andevent planners here don’t alwaysknow what advertising options areavailable to them and how to reachout to you. Without spending a tonof money, we just aren’t sure howto let the people out there knowabout upcoming events at the ICC.ICC members can be placed on

an e-mail list and a cell phone listwhen they sign up for or renewtheir membership. Our applicationincludes a place for your e-mailaddress and cell phone number.Our membership contact list is

extremely private, and we will con-tinue to keep it that way. We donot distribute our address, phoneor e-mail lists to anyone. Restassured your contact informationwill be retained by the ICC andonly the ICC, and you will only besent messages on a limited basis.We simply want to inform you.

We want to tell you about the fan-tastic events, activities and ethnicexperiences that the ItalianCommunity Center has to offer.These are the other options

available for submitting your cellphone number and e-mail address:1.The ICC website:

www.iccmilwaukee.com – use theContact Us Form (the last tab onthe site).2. By e-mail: susie@iccmilwau-

kee.com.3. Call Constance Jones at the

ICC – 414-223-2808.

ICC Historian Cariniwants your high

school yearbooks andother memorabiliaDon’t throw away your old

high school yearbooks or othermemorabilia. If you attended ahigh school in Milwaukee Countyor surrounding counties, ItalianCommunity Center HistorianMario A. Carini is interested inusing the yearbooks and otherhigh school memorabilia for fur-thering his research on localItalian Americans.Carini will deposit the year-

books and memorabilia at theMilwaukee County HistoricalSociety after he completes hisresearch.“These can be yearbooks and

memorabilia from public,Catholic or private high schools,”Carini said.Yearbooks and memorabilia

can be dropped off at the recep-tion desk in the main office of theICC. Please include a note withyour name and phone number soCarini knows who made thedonation.


Volunteers present Italian heritage atthe Holiday Folk Fair International

Italian Community Center volunteers presented an Italian culture boothat the Holiday Folk Fair International. The booth display followed in linewith the Folk Fair theme, which was “Celebrate the Culture of theArtisan.” Featured were staged and photo displays of Italian artisans,such as a jewelry maker, glass blower and decorative plaster craftsman atwork. Volunteering at the time this photo was taken were (seated, l to r):Lynn Sobye and Louise Au, (standing): Joanne Ruggieri and Jeannie Hoss.The exhibit was coordinated by the ICC Culture Committee. (Times photoby Tom Hemman)

On the left: MPS students D’Andrea Johnson, Teyonda Hamlin and MariahJackson worked on decorative art projects at the Holiday Folk Fair. Theart class was taught by Gina Jorgensen, an MPS Art Specialist, member ofthe ICC, vice president of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group ofMilwaukee and secretary of WisItalia. The class was part of the StudentEducation Day program that was held before the Folk Fair opened to thepublic on Friday, Nov. 21. (Photo provided by Gina Jorgensen)

Eugene Orlandini, a well-known maker of decorative plaster and architec-tural ornaments, appears here with Gina Jorgensen (first on left) andRosa Loeffelholz, members of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Groupof Milwaukee. All three volunteered for the Holiday Folk FairInternational. In keeping with the theme of the fair – “Celebrate theCulture of the Artisans – the Italian Community Center’s CultureCommittee invited Orlandini to demonstrate his decorative plaster skills.His works are also prominently displayed in the cultural exhibit.Jorgensen and Loeffelholz not only danced, but worked in the Italian foodbooth operated by Tradizione Vivente. (Photo provided by GinaJorgensen)

Members of Tradizione Vivente, the Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee,were in charge of the Italian food booth at the Holiday Folk FairInternational. Guests were able to indulge in a wide variety of Italianentrees and sweets including pizza, pasta with meatballs, meatball sand-wich, arancini (rice balls), an artisan plate with artisan bread and a trio oftapenades, spreads and cheeses, and Italian wedding soup with bread-stick. For dessert, the booth offered assorted Italian cookies, cannoli,tiramisu, Sciortino’s Bakery artisan pizza cookie, and pizzelle. When thisphoto was taken, the volunteers working at the booth were (l-r): GianaSongstad, Jenna Hamdan and Linda DeSanctis. Nancy Meneese waited forher order at the booth. She also was a volunteer there. (Times photo byTom Hemman)

Enrica Fracchia (left) and Sabrina Lupoli, Victory School Italian teachers,helped out in the Italian cafe at the Holiday Folk Fair. Fracchia, hailingfrom the Liguria region of Italy, is teaching fourth grade. Lupoli, fromTaranto (Puglia), Italy, is a K5 co-teacher. (Photo provided by GinaJorgensen)

Two of the ICC’s most dedicated volunteers, Anna Pitzo and SophiaMichalovitz, were staffing the culture booth at the Holiday Folk Fair whenthis photo was taken. (Photo provided by Gina Jorgensen)


Tradizione Vivente extendsthanks to Vella family,Sciortino’s Bakery

Tradizione Vivente, the ItalianDance Group of Milwaukee, wishesto extend “a huge thank you to theVella family and Sciortino’s Bakeryfor providing amazing food for ourItalian cafe at the Holiday Folk

Fair 2014!”The cafe featured pizza, pasta

with meatballs, meatball sandwich-es, arancini (rice balls), an artisanplate with artisan bread and trio oftapenades, spreads and cheeses,Italian wedding soup with bread-stick, assorted Italian cookies, can-noli, tiramisu, Sciortino’s artisanpizza cookie and pizzelle.Members of Tradizione Vivente

and volunteers recruited by thegroup worked at the cafe the threedays of the fair.

Photo on right: A manikin dressedas a glass blower performing hiscraft was part of the Italian cul-ture booth. The display wasaccompanied by photos of glassblowers at work and informationabout this art. Some of the infor-mation is shown in the photo onthe left. (Times photos by TomHemman)

The United States Marine Corps held a 239th anniver-sary celebration at the Italian Community Center onSaturday, Nov. 8. The event included an inspirationalprogram to honor Marines who have served and losttheir lives in service. The top photo shows the USMCColor Guard. Photo below: Among the event attendees

were two ICC members and retired Marines, JoeCampagna, Jr. (first on left) and Peter Russo (farright). In between them are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fritz(retired). Campagna is a past president of the ICC anda current member of the Board of Directors. (Timesphotos by Paul Inzeo)

U.S. Marine Corps holds239th anniversary event at ICC

It’s essential tolet ICC know ifyour mailingaddresschanges

Any member of the ItalianCommunity Center who has achange of address is asked tonotify the ICC promptly so thatmailings from the Center aresent to the correct address.Since the ICC uses nonprofit

bulk rates to mail The ItalianTimes, the United States PostalService is entitled to charge afee (57¢) for each newspaperthat is returned to the ICC anddeemed undeliverable due to anincorrect address.Even if you are temporarily

away from your permanent resi-dence and are not receiving mailat that address, you need tonotify the ICC of your temporaryaddress so that your newspapercan be delivered to that addressand so that the ICC is notcharged 57¢ for each failedattempt to deliver the publica-tion to your permanent resi-dence.

“We’ve had a number of mem-bers who have gone to Florida oranother warm weather locationfor the winter and these peopledid not supply us with their tem-porary change of address; hencetheir newspaper was returned tothe ICC with the service fee duefor each newspaper,” Editor TomHemman said.Nonprofit bulk rate mail is

not forwarded to a new address,which means those memberswho neglect to inform the ICC oftheir change of address will notreceive the newspaper.Please send change of

address information to: ItalianCommunity Center, 631 E.Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI53202-5916 or email ConstanceJones at this address:[email protected] orcall her at 414/223-2808.


Gratitude extended to all who donated toThanksgiving dinner for less fortunate

On behalf of the ItalianCommunity Center, general chair-man Tony Lupo extended a “heart-felt thank you” to all who donatedproduct, money or time and talentto the 38th annual Thanksgivingdinner for the less fortunate.The dinner was served on

Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Open DoorCafe, a meal site on the campus ofSt. John’s Cathedral in Milwaukee.“Your input, be it product, mone-

tary or onsite volunteering made theserving of a Thanksgiving feast tothe less fortunate a success,” Luposaid. “We served hundreds of peoplea full complimentary dinner.”Lupo noted that every donation

– no matter how large or small –was greatly appreciated. “From thelargest donations made by TedGlorioso and his daughter, TheresaAntonicci, John Pellmann, Jane

Gertler and the Milwaukee Ladiesof UNICO to the smallest dona-tions, every one helped us to pro-vide a dinner that nearly 300 of theless fortunate in our communitymight not otherwise have a chanceto enjoy,” he said.In all, $3.605 was raised for the

dinner, which was prepared anddelivered to the meal site by theItalian Conference Center staff.That total is about $500 more thanlast year, Lupo said.The donation from Jane Gertler

was made in memory of her hus-band, the late Dr. Coleman Gertlerand the late Sadie Machi, wife ofthe ICC’s first president, AnthonyT. Machi.A list of all the donors appears

at the end of this article.Lupo also extended thanks to

the students of St. Dominic School

in Brookfield who volunteered asservers the day of the event.“Thank you to everyone for your

generosity. We look forward to yourparticipation in 2015, which will beour 40th year of service,” he said.

Generous donorsHere are the names of all those

who generously donated funds for theThanksgiving dinner: Salvatore (Ted)Glorioso and Theresa Antonicci, JohnPellmann, Jane K. Gertler (in memo-ry of Dr. Coleman Gertler and SadieMachi), Milwaukee Ladies ofUNICO, Gordon and BerniceBoucher, Pompeii Women’s Club,Pompeii Men’s Club, MilwaukeeChapter UNICO National, LynnSobye, Carmello SanFelippo, SamPurpero, Phillip Pu-rpero andGeraldine Accetta Purpero, DavidRichards, Tony and Lena Zingale,

Gina Spang, Rose Spang, George andAggie Collura, Ray and CarolMartinez, Tony and Lena Zingale,Mary Ann Maglio, Tom and SusanChristiansen, Sonny and MelodyGensler, Sophia Michalovitz, Annand Joe Zambito, George and GinaManning, Società Maria SantissimaAddolorata Di Santa Elia, RobertTrotalli, Salvatore Quarino, JohnSekula, Dr, Marisa Gatti Taylor andSteven M. Taylor, Michael Balistreri,William Eckart, Anthony andBarbara Lupo, Josephine Spano,Joseph Lembo, David Doern,Salvatore and Antonette LoCoco,Mario A. Carini, Margaret Carini,Anna Pitzo, Tony Gazzana, JoePanella, Agnes Bova-Ulzelske,Rosemary DeRubertis, Isidore andMary Pecoraro, Mary Winard, JoeDentice and numerous anonymousdonations.

Here are many of the volunteers who served the Thanksgiving dinner toless fortunate guests at the Open Door Cafe on Nov. 16. Front row: JoeDentice, Tony Zingale, Charlie Zingale, George Collura, Claire Davis, RayMartinez, Carol Martinez, Lena Zingale, Barbara Lupo and Liz Conway.Back row: Bryan Gaener, Mike Cardo, Michael Sludky, Kurt Peot, Tony

Lupo, Jack Damico, Sydnee Livingston, Mike Toffler and Peter Greco.Many of these volunteers are members of the Italian Community Center.Others came from St. Dominic Catholic Church in Brookfield. Tony Luposerved as general chairman of the dinner.

Schauneille Allen, Director ofOutreach Ministries at St. John’sCathedral, extended her thanks ina letter to Anthony Lupo, all of hisvolunteers and donors, and theItalian Community Center forsponsoring the Thanksgiving din-ner for the community’s less fortu-nate.The letter is reprinted here.

Dear Tony and Members of theICC’s Men’s Service Club:Well, the busy day is over for

another year and I cannot thankyou enough for all of the hard workby all of your members and staff toprepare and serve 280Thanksgiving dinners this year.Thankfully, there were no weatherwarnings, cell phone alerts andblaring sirens like last year. Themeal was beautiful, delicious andplentiful.

Our guests were thrilled to havea full and delicious Thanksgivingmeal with all the trimmings, plusall kinds of sweets, ice cream, andbeverages to choose from. Clubmembers and sponsors gave gener-ous donations of time, talent andtreasure to make this special eventa reality again this year. We lookforward to this partnership eachyear and look forward to workingwith each of you again next year.Thanks again to all of you for

your generosity of spirit and open-ness of heart to our poor and home-less brothers and sisters.May God’s blessing be with you

always!Gratefully,

Schauneille R. AllenDirector of Outreach Ministries

The Cathedral ofSt. John the Evangelist

Director of Outreach Ministriesthanks Tony Lupo and ICC forsponsoring Thanksgiving dinnerfor community’s less fortunate

Among the group of regular volunteers for the Thanksgiving dinner forthe less fortunate are these gentlemen. From the left: Mike Cardo, CharlieZingale, George Collura, Tony Lupo, Joe Dentice and Tony Zingale.

Times photos byJoe Spasiano


In the foreground, Barbara Lupo and Ray Martinez are seen serving themashed potatoes and turkey. In the background are Lena and TonyZingale. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

Earl Williams of the Italian Conference Center staff helped with the deliv-ery of the food for the Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate that washeld at the Open Door Cafe at St. John’s Cathedral on Nov. 16. The ItalianConference Center’s culinary staff prepared all of the turkey and fixingsfor the dinner. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)

ICC hosts Christmas dinner and dancefor members and friends

More than 160 people were onhand for the Italian CommunityCenter’s 2014 Christmas party onThursday, Dec. 11. The event wasopen to members and non-mem-bers.Susan Christiansen, a director

on the ICC Board, served as gener-al chairperson. RosemaryDeRubertis and Joanne Czubekwere in charge of the fund-raisingbake sale and raffle that took place.A Sicilian steak dinner was pre-

pared and served by the ItalianConference Center staff. Dancemusic was presented by Music onthe Move Plus.Guests were able to have their

Christmas picture taken at a photobooth operated by Gianni andChristina Vaccaro. A 2014Christmas party photo album willbe put together and available to seeat the Jan. 15 general meeting.

Attendees who had their phototaken can pick up a free copy at theICC.Christiansen announced that

the law firm Whyte HirschboeckDudek, S.C. donated $100 to theICC, which was used to help offsetthe costs of the event.Raffle prizes included a multi-

color vase, Calvin Klein men’s win-ter scarf, a crystal set by OlegCassini, a cocktail set with recipebook, glam red-glittered flask,necklace and earrings, Christmasgift basket, Italian platter, wine setby Cristalleria FUMO, admissionpasses to the Milwaukee ArtMuseum to view the exhibit “OfHeaven and Earth: 500 Years ofItalian Painting,” and fourMilwaukee Bucks basketball ticketfor five games this season. All ofthe prizes were donated.

Here are three young ladies who had a big hand in making the ICC mem-bership Christmas dinner and dance a grand success. From the left: eventchairperson Susie Christiansen, Gianni Vaccaro and Christina Vaccaro,operators of the photo booth. The photo booth allowed attendees to gettheir picture taken either in the apparel they wore to the party or withadded costume and decorative apparel. Attendees who had their photostaken can pick up one free copy at the ICC. A 2014 Christmas party photoalbum will also be put together and available to see at the Jan. 15 generalmembership meeting.

Attendees danced to the music supplied by Music on the Move Plus. Awide variety of danceable music styles was played throughout theevening. Holiday music was played during the dinner hour.

Santa Claus and his favorite elf delivered a birthday cake to Bea Ceraso,who happened to be celebrating her 85th birthday on the day of the ICCmembership Christmas party (Thursday, Dec. 11). Bea, her late husband,Sam, and the entire Ceraso family have been active in the ICC since theinception of the organization in the late 1970s. Sam served as president ofthe organization during the 1984-85 term. Bea is a past president of theMilwaukee Chapter UNICO National and has had key roles in many ICCactivities throughout the years. The appearance of Santa and his elf wasmade possible by two of Bea’s favorite fellows, John Alioto, her son-in-law,and Sammy Alioto, her grandson. Santa and his elf greeted all the atten-dees and passed out candy upon their arrival.

Times photos byTom Hemman


Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisognierospends busy day in Wisconsin, capped offby visit to Italian Community Center

Claudio Bisogniero, the ItalianAmbassador to the United States,capped off an extensive tour ofWisconsin on Monday, Dec. 1 witha visit to the Italian CommunityCenter.The ambassador was greeted at

the ICC by President GiuseppeVella, Vice President DeanCannestra, other officers and boardmembers, ICC members and repre-sentatives of Italian societies,organizations and cultural groups.Bisogniero started his day in

Madison at a meeting withWisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker.His next stop was Victory School

on Milwaukee’s south side. As read-ers of The Italian Times know, thisMilwaukee Public School offers anItalian immersion program for stu-dents in K-4 (four year-old kinder-garten) through sixth grade. Theimmersion program began in 2006.This year, five new Italian teacherswere added to the program, includ-ing four who were born and raisedin Italy and the other who spent agreater portion of his life in Italy.The teachers were hired by VictoryPrincipal Janine Graber and MPS’Office of Human Capital in collabo-ration with WisItalia, a nonprofitgroup that advocates for and sup-ports the teaching of Italian.Bisogniero’s third stop was at

the Milwaukee Art Museum, wherehe was given a tour of “Of Heavenand Earth: 500 Years of ItalianPaintings From GlasgowMuseums,” a collection that is ondisplay there through Jan. 4.Bisogniero entered the ICC at

about 4:45 p.m. and was welcomedby ICC President Giuseppe Vella.Bisogniero was first guided on atour of the organization’s extensivecollection of vintage ItalianAmerican photos that line the wallsfrom the main entrance to the westend of the building. ICC HistorianMario A. Carini provided theambassador with details about thephotos.Afterward, President Vella

introduced the ambassador to the

gathering. He also presentedBisogniero with a plaque to com-memorate his visit to the ICC.Bisogniero said that, before he

arrived in Milwaukee, he “nevercould have envisioned such a beau-tiful building that salutes Italy andits heritage and pays tribute tothose who left the country to cometo America.”He added that, while the United

States and Italy have been alliesfor many years, Italy, Milwaukeeand Wisconsin, have, over thecourse of years, developed lastingties through commerce, educationand culture.A reception followed the ambas-

sador’s comments. Many in atten-dance had an opportunity to greetBisogniero before his departure.

Bisogniero’s backgroundBisogniero was born in Rome, on

July 2, 1954. After graduating witha degree in Political Science fromthe University of Rome (1976) witha dissertation in InternationalEconomics, he completed his mili-tary service as an officer in theItalian Army in 1976-77. Heentered the Italian Foreign Servicein May 1978. In September of1981, he was posted to theEmbassy of Italy in Beijing, Chinaas First Secretary for Economic andCommercial Affairs with responsi-bility also for bilateral and multi-lateral development co-operationprograms with China.From 1984 to 1989, he served at

the Permanent Mission of Italy toNATO in Brussels, as Counselorwith primary focus on disarma-ment and international securityissues. He also served as a delegateto the Senior Political Committee.In 1989, he returned to Rome

and was assigned to the Office ofthe Diplomatic Adviser to thePresident of the Republic,Francesco Cossiga, where heremained until April 1992. In thistask, he covered a wide range ofinternational issues, both bilateraland multilateral, relevant to all

aspects of the international activityof the Italian President.From 1992 to 1996, he served at

the Embassy of Italy inWashington, D.C. as FirstCounselor for Economic andCommercial Affairs, with specialfocus also on financial issues, rela-tions with the IMF and WorldBank, think tanks, and defense-industry co-operation.In 1996, he was assigned to the

Permanent Mission of Italy to theUnited Nations in New York, withprimary responsibility for politicalaffairs and UN reform. During thisperiod he served as a member ofthe Italian delegation in the UNSecurity Council in 1996 and as amember of the Italian delegationsto the 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rdUN General Assemblies.Three years later, he returned to

the home office, serving first withthe Division of Personnel and laterwith the Office of the SecretaryGeneral of the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, as direct collaborator to theSecretary General.

In February 2002, he wasappointed Deputy Director Generalfor Political Multilateral Affairs -Deputy Political Director - respon-sible for NATO, United Nations,G8, disarmament, OSCE, anti-ter-rorism, and human rights.In June 2005 he was named

Director General for the Americas,with responsibility for the relationsof Italy with the United States andCanada, as well as with all thecountries of Latin America.Two years later, he took up his

duties as NATO Deputy SecretaryGeneral, responsible for a variety ofsecurity and strategic issues on theAlliance’s agenda. He also followedthe NATO Summits in Bucharest,Strasbourg/Kiel and Lisbon, andworked actively in the preparatoryphase for the 2012 NATO Summitin ChicagoNamed Ambassador of Italy to

the United States, Bisogniero pre-sented his credentials to PresidentObama on Jan. 18, 2012.Bisogniero is married to Laura

Denise Noce Benigni Olivieri. Theyhave a daughter and a son.

Seen here with Ambassador Bisogniero are Milwaukee County CircuitCourt Judges Clare Fiorenza and Mary Triggiano.

ICC President Giuseppe Vella presented a plaque to AmbassadorBisogniero to commemorate his Dec. 1 visit to the ICC.

Ambassador Bisogniero addressed the gathering at the ICC.

Times photos byTom Hemman


ICC President Giuseppe Vella welcomed Claudio Bisogniero, Italy’sAmbassador to the U.S., to the ICC. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

From the left: Joe Reina, Joe Dentice, Ambassador Bisogniero, VinceVitale, Frank Schiro and Joe Zambito. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

As part of his tour of Wisconsin on Dec. 1, Claudio Bisogniero (third fromleft), Italy’s Ambassador to the U.S., paid a visit to Victory School, theMilwaukee Public School where an Italian Immersion Program is offeredcurrently to students in four year-old kindergarten through 6th grade.The program, which has expanded one grade level each school year sinceits inception, has received support from nonprofit groups such asWisItalia and the Italian Community Center. WisItalia played an impor-tant role in helping to bring three teachers from Italy to Victory School toteach this fall. From the left: Al Rolandi, WisItalia President, JanineGraber, Victory School Principal, Ambassador Bisogniero, and MPS’ ArtSpecialist Gina Jorgensen, who is also the secretary of WisItalia. (Photoprovided by Gina Jorgensen)

Photo on left: Ambassador Bisogniero is seen here with the teachers whocame to Victory School this year from Italy. From the left: Second GradeCo-Teacher Angela Margerita Bozano, First Grade Teacher Emanuela LaGrutta, the Ambassador, K5 Co-Teacher Sabrina Lupoli and Fourth GradeTeacher Enrica Fracchia.

Photo below: Ambassador Bisogniero with the Victory School teachingand administrative staff.

Photos provided by the Victory School staff.

Larry Baldassaro (left) had a brief discussion with AmbassadorBisogniero. Besides being an ICC member, Baldassaro is an EmeritusProfessor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an author. He is theformer Director of UWM’s Honors Program. (Times photo by TomHemman)


Italian Society and Club News

The Milwaukee Ladies ofUNICO have presented $75 Pick ‘nSave food certificates to 12 needyfamilies in the Milwaukee area.Ann Romano, chairperson of the

Ladies of UNICO CommunityProjects Committee, said the dona-tion of the certificates will no doubt

make the holidays brighter forthese families. “It’s the right thingto do.” she said.The donation of these certifi-

cates follows in a longstanding tra-dition of holiday contributions bythe Ladies of UNICO to the mostneedy in the Milwaukee area.

UNICO Ladies present adozen $75 holiday food

certificates to needy families

Pompeii Men’s Club collectsdonations for MACC Fund on

Candy Cane Lane

Members of the Pompeii Men’s Club collected donations and handed outcandy one evening to passers-by who came to enjoy the beautifulChristmas decorations on Candy Cane Lane in West Allis. Candy CaneLane is located north of Oklahoma Ave., between S. 92nd and S. 97th Sts.and is bordered by Montana St. on the north. The funds collected by vol-unteers on Candy Cane Lane are donated to the MACC Fund. Over thecourse of the years, organizers have raised more than $1.5 million to fightchildhood cancer. Candy Cane Lane is open for public viewing throughChristmas. Pictured here from the left: Chuck Lazzaro, Mike Cardo, ChrisBartolone, Domenic Foti and Joe and Jane Palmisano. Pompeii Men’sClub President Tony Baudo thanked the volunteers for doing a great jobfor great cause. (Photo provided by the Pompeii Men’s Club)

The Pompeii Men’s Club set up a nativity scene in the curio cabinet in thegalleria near the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii Chapel at the ItalianCommunity Center. The nativity scene was donated to the club by the latePeter Boyer. Seen here are (l to r): Pompeii Men’s Club members Sal Colla,Joe Palmisano, Chuck Lazzaro and Tony Zingale, who set up the display.(Photo provided by Pompeii Men’s Club)

Pompeii Men’s Club putsup nativity display at ICC

The Pompeii Women’s Club isvery proud of our honorary mem-ber, Milwaukee County CircuitCourt Judge Mary Triggiano, whowas honored by the WisconsinChapter of the Justinian Society ofLawyers at its Columbus DayDinner. Mary was recognized as“Jurist of the Year.”Our organization placed a con-

gratulatory ad in the evening’s pro-gram book. Mary has often accept-ed our invitation to administer theoath of office to newly elected offi-cers and board members at ourinstallation dinners.

Christmas partyOur Nov. 29, membership

Christmas dinner at the ICC was a

huge success. The dinner wasexcellently prepared and served bythe Italian Conference Center staff.Member Marie Schwindt was thereservations hostess. She madearrangements with GoodwillIndustries for a fashion showreview, featuring styles and appar-el of the 1920s, ‘30s, 40s and on.The models were perfectly matchedto their outfits.Table centerpieces of poinsettias

were given as door prizes.We wish all of the other Italian

clubs and societies and the ICCstaff a Blessed Christmas and aHappy New Year!

– Mary (Mineo) WinardPublicity Chair

Pompeii Women’s Clubcongratulate Judge Triggiano

How are all thosecousins related?

By George KoleasThe holidays are here and a new year is upon us. Memories of your

family gatherings are fresh in your mind. Identifying your aunts, uncles,grandparents, great aunts and great uncles, great-grandparents, great-aunts and great-uncles is very straightforward and understandable.But, what about your cousins? Many people just identify all cousins thesame way. They are simply cousins. But are they a first cousin or a sec-ond cousin or a third cousin? Are they once or twice removed? What doesthat mean?It is about relationships. Let’s start with you. The children of your

parents’ brothers and sisters (your uncles and aunts children) are yourfirst cousins. The children of your grandparents or the brothers and sis-ters of your grandparents (your great uncles’ and great aunts’ children)are your second cousins.What does it mean to be “removed”? This time, it is about genera-

tions. A generation is considered to be 25 years. Let’s start with yourgeneration. Those at different generation levels are “removed.” Yourfirst cousins’ children are your first cousins once removed. One genera-tion different from you. A two generations difference is twice removed.The number of generations you are separated is the number removed.It can get a little more confusing as you try to match up different

relationships and different generations. This can be determined easilyby using a relationship chart. Just such a chart is available for free at:http://www.familytreemagazine.com/upload/images/pdf/relationship.pdfSo what does this matter to someone researching his or her family?

Gaps in generations of over 25 years tell you that you need to re-evalu-ate your information. You may have placed a cousin in the wrong gener-ation. In most cases, researching your family starts with you and worksbackward, finding older and older generations. There are times whenyou are researching your family, when you run into a “brick wall”. Abrick wall is something that is keeping you from making progress onyour research. Maybe you can’t find a birth certificate, or you can’t findyour relative in a census, or you can’t find their immigration record oryou can’t find their record in Italy. You can get around your brick wallby going around it by searching for cousins that are second and thirdremoved. Identifying a removed family member will help you find cluesthat will lead you back to the relative you are seeking and to older gen-erations. If you have ever watched: “Who Do You Think You Are?” (onTLC) or “Finding Your Roots” (on PBS), you will have seen this methodused to find older generations and then work back to the ancestor youare seeking.For plenty of information on generations, visit:

http://www.ancestry.com/cs/Satellite?childpagename=UKLearningCenter%2FLearning_C%2FPageDefault&pagename=LearningWrapper&cid=1265124426382.For more explanations about the relationships between members of

the same family can be found at:https://familysearch.org/blog/en/cousins-removed/ andhttp://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bridgett/cousins.htm.Those holiday family gatherings you are attending and stories you

hear may have inspire you to learn more about your ancestors. Ourorganization is the Italian Family History Club, also known as PursuingOur Italian Names Together, Chapter 22 and the Milwaukee CountyGenealogical Society Italian Area Interest Group. At our meetings, wediscuss new developments in researching your family history; membersreport on progress they are making in their research and how they didit; members describe their brick walls and other members offer sugges-tions on how to overcome those brick walls and we help new members toget started. If you are from the Milwaukee area, you may even find afamily connection to one of our members.Our next meeting will be on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Italian

Continued on page 17


IN THE KNOW . . .News About I.C.C. Members

Ron Benigni Henck,longtime ICC member, Festavolunteer, dies at age of 75Ron Benigni Henck, who assist-

ed Cosmo Carini in building FestaItaliana’s most admired structuressuch as the Venetian bell tower,the Pinocchio mobile, the lightedarch and the Pinocchio tricycle,died Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the age of75.The two also repaired and refur-

bished the gondola fleet that theVella family and the festivalacquired and operates each year.“Ron was my right-hand man,”

said Cosmo Carini, designer andchief builder of the projects. “Henever said no when I asked him tohelp me out. He spent many hourswith me working on everything wedid for Festa in the warehouse(located on the south end of theItalian Community Center proper-ty).”Carini noted that he and Henck

were often among the last volun-teers to leave the Festa groundswhen setting up and taking downthese projects and helping out inother areas where their skills wererequired.“Ron is really going to be

missed,” Carini said. “I miss himalready.”ICC President and Festa 2015

General Chairman Giuseppe Vellasaid, “Ron Henck was a valuablevolunteer, who helped Festa getthings done. Working in conjunc-tion with Cosmo Carini, their skills

and dedication and the time theydonated saved Festa a lot of moneyand manpower over the years.”

In all, Henck worked withCarini for 13 years. He had alsovolunteered for a previous Festaset-up crew, headed by John Vella.“He brought us to Festa and

showed us everything that he had ahand in building,” said Henck’sson, Steven. “He was very proud ofthe work he did for the ICC.”

Henck was born in Toledo, Ohio,on Aug. 7, 1939. He worked in thetool and die business and at SchlitzBrewing Company in the canningdivision. After the brewery closed,Henck opened his own tool and diebusiness. He eventually went towork for Carini in the painting andremodeling business.

In addition to being a longtimeICC member, Henck was a memberof the West Allis Lodge of theShriners International. He was inthe Shriners Motor Corps, partici-pating regularly in parades andother activities. He had attended aShriners meeting the night beforehe died.

Henck became a Master Masonin 2004.He is survived by his sons Ron,

Jr. and Steven and his daughterLeann, two grandchildren Cory andHailey, other relatives and friends.

Here’s Ron Benigni Henck (center) with John Vella on the left and CosmoCarini on the right. They are standing in front of Festa Italiana’s 43-foottall replica of Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice,Italy)

Ruth C. Storniolo (nee Witt),who was a longtime member of theItalian Community Center, died onNov. 26 at the age of 95.She was preceded in death by

her husband, Joseph A. Storniolo,and is survived by her son Jeffrey,her granddaughter Nicole TenPas,her granddaughter Lily, and otherrelatives and friends.

Longtime ICC member RuthStorniolo dies at age of 95

Welcome new ICC member!The following individual became a member of the Italian Community

Center since the last publication deadline of The Italian Times.Benvenuti! (Welcome!)

Rick Varisco of Eden, Wis.

Community Center, 631 E. ChicagoSt., Milwaukee, starting at 10:30a.m. and ending at noon. Our othermeeting dates for 2015 will be onApril 25, September 19 andNovember 14. Anyone with an

interest in Italian family history iswelcome to attend.If you have any questions or

need additional information, pleasefeel free to contact me by e-mail [email protected] or by call-ing 262/251-7216 after 7 p.m.

How are all thosecousins related?from page 16

Having dinner for up to 300 guests?

Entertain them at theItalian Conference Center’s

FESTA BALLROOM.A gorgeous setting in which to enjoy great food!

The Italian Conference Centerin the Italian Community Center

631 E. Chicago St. (a block west of Summerfest)Call David or Gina at 414/223-2800 toreserve your party or meeting space at theICC. Visit: www.ItalianConference.com

Incorporation dates of ItalianAmerican Mutual Aid Societiesof Milwaukee (1884-1928)

By Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian

1. Galileo Galilei January 11, 18842. Cristoforo Columbo January 5, 18933. Santa Croce June 5, 19054. Unione Fratellanza Toscana September 21, 19075. Giuseppe Garibaldi December 4, 19086. Madonna del Lume April 17, 19097. San Giuseppe November 7, 19098. Duca degli Abruzzi November 17, 19099. Trinacria Milazzese January 17, 191010. Nasco Capo d’Orlando May 17, 191011. Vespri Siciliani July 10, 191012. Tripoli Italiana July 6, 191213. Loggia Dante Alighieri November 192214. San Pietro November 5, 192415. Eleonora Duse January 10, 192516. San Rocco November 25, 192517. Loggia Francesco Crispi July 2, 192718. Società Abruzzese August 17, 192719. Principe Umberto August 3, 1928

Source: Angelo Cerminara Collection,Milwaukee County Historical Society.


Name MarriedPuccinelli, Anita (Balistreri) Oct-1938Puccinelli, Carl J Oct-1932Puccinelli, Carl J Mar-1940Puccinelli, Josephine (Dicristo) Nov-1940Puccinelli, Louise (Pagac) Jun-1939Puccinelli, Roger Jul-1930Puccio, Anthony Oct-1928Puccio, Frederick Jan-1932Puccio, Vincent Sep-1934Purpero, Carmella (Silvestri) Oct-1935Purpero, Pasquale Jul-1937Purpero, Theresa (Fricano) Apr-1926Purporo, William Sep-1939Quarino, Jasper Aug-1934Quarino, Mary (Zarcone) Sep-1939Quarino, Nancy (Sorano) Nov-1927Quartana, Aselda (Strillmatter) Sep-1933Quartana, Frances (Tarantino) Feb-1936Quartana, Joseph Sep-1929Quartana, Peter Oct-1927Quartulle, Thomas Jul-1937Quartullo, Adelia (Colavita) Oct-1935Quartullo, Basil Aug-1933Quartullo, Louise (Da Mario) Nov-1940Quartullo, Lucille (Rulli) Jun-1930Quartullo, Margaret (Sendik) Jan-1934Quartullo, Rita (Rizzo) Nov-1936Quattrocchi, Tony Aug-1940Quella, Bernard Jan-1930Quella, Clara (Franklin) Oct-1928Quella, Louise (Psiropoulos) Feb-1935Querio, Agnes (Abel) Aug-1935Querio, Ann (Stefani) Jan-1935Raccanelli, Anna (Gentile) Nov-1939Raccoli, Arthur Jul-1938Raccoli, Helen (Kriofske) Nov-1937Raciti, Concetiine (Adorato) Dec-1931Raciti, Frances (Dougherty) Nov-1937Raffaele, Rose (Gleason) Sep-1940Raffaeli, Theresa (Buzzanca) Mar-1926Ragio, William Jun-1936Rametta, Thomas Jul-1939Rampolla, Anna (Crapitto) Jul-1932Rampolla, Joseph Apr-1926Ranallo, Joseph Nov-1935Randazzo, Andrew Oct-1931Re, Pauline (Schmier) Dec-1933Reinerio, James Aug-1935Reno, Anthony Mar-1932Renteria, Rosario Aug-1933Renzaglia, Albino Nov-1937Renzoni, Lorraine (Zandi) Jun-1936Reppeto, John Dec-1927Restifo, Rose (Mirazola) Apr-1934Rezzo, Antonio May-1930Ricardi, Sadie (Reichman) Jun-1929Riccardi, Enrico Jul-1926Ricci, Leonard Dec-1936Ricciardi, Agnes (Crivello) Jul-1934Ricciardi, Andrew Jun-1926Ricciardi, Ignatius Nov-1937Ricciardi, Nathalie (Zielinski) Sep-1940Ricco, Jennie (Salani) Jun-1936Riccobuono, Louise (Crisci) Apr-1935Rigo, John Dec-1936Rimanelli John Nov-1929Rinaldi, Ralph Jul-1927Rinaldi, Ralph Jul-1927Rinaldi, Tony Apr-1929Rinaldi, Tony Apr-1929Riolo, Carl Apr-1938Rizzi, Anna (Gauger) Aug-1927Rizzo, Joseph Nov-1936Rizzo, Lucille (DaQuisto) Sep-1933Rizzo, Pauline (Dentice) Mar-1938Rochetti, Carmella (Kolp) Aug-1940Rodino, Florence (Stetter) Jun-1926Rodino, Florence (Stetter) Jun-1926Roggi, Edward Nov-1926Romano, Anthony Jun-1934Romano, Corinne (Long) May-1937Romano, Frances (Romano) Jul-1926Romano, John May-1933Romano, Lucille (Harmueller) Apr-1940Romano, Nick Jul-1926Romano, Pasquale May-1939

Name MarriedRomito, Frank Oct-1927Rondella, Peter Jun-1936Rondello, Gertrude (Janiszewski) Jan-1940Rossetti, Joseph Feb-1940Rossetti, Tessie (Meyers) Jul-1939Rossetto, Florence (Armand) Jun-1929Rossi, Bernice (Wright) Aug-1937Rossio, Rose (Gardetto) Sep-1928Rosso, Harold May-1935Rosso, James Jan-1939Rosso, Joseph Aug-1934Rosso, Sylvia (Schaefer) May-1936Ruano, Louis Mar-1927Ruatti, Millicent Jul-1940Ruffolo, Anthony Jun-1928Rugolo, Fortunato Oct-1939Russo, Carmela (Marino) Oct-1927Russo, Carmelo Apr-1926Russo, James Nov-1939Russo, Leonard May-1933Russo, Liboria (Famularo) Nov-1932Russo, Mariano Sep-1937Russo, Marie (Randazzo) Oct-1931Russo, Mary (Zarcone) Jul-1935Russo, Vincent Sep-1931Sabatinelli, Rose (Maglio) Mar-1940Sabatino, Santo Jul-1937Sabatino, Thomas Apr-1935Saccullo, Serafino Sep-1927Saggio Mary (Tusa) Feb-1929Saggio, Carmella (Corrao) Mar-1934Saggio, Charles Nov-1939Saggio, John Sep-1934Saggio, Mary (Balisteri) Nov-1936Saggio, Theodore Sep-1936Sagio, Rosie (Rozzario) May-1929Salamone, Angelo Jun-1927Salamone, Carmella (Pallaria) May-1926Salamone, William Jun-1940Salerno Concetta (Giuseppi) Aug-1931Salomone, Rita (Cifaldi) Nov-1929Salsa, Jennie (Fitzpatrick) May-1936Salsa, Margaret ( Gaspardo) Sep-1927Salsa, Sebastian Jul-1936Salvadori, Fred Nov-1934Salvo, Charles Mar-1935Salvo, Josephine (Camarda) Oct-1932Salvo, Theodore Sep-1939Salvo, Virginia (Salvo) Mar-1935Salza, John Sep-1940Salza, Nick Jul-1934Sammarco, Angeline (Devita) May-1937Sammarco, Margaret (Flemingo) Jun-1939Sampaolo, Salvatore Mar-1930San Felippo, Mary (Lococco) Dec-1927San Fillippo, Antonia (Drellos) Aug-1937Sandretto, Anna (Gallinatti) Apr-1937Sandretto, Erma (Segrin) Nov-1940Sandretto, Orlando Nov-1934Sanfelippo, Andrew Apr-1940Sanfelippo, Anna (Sanfelippo) Jul-1926Sanfelippo, Anthony J Jun-1940Sanfelippo, Dominico Jul-1937Sanfelippo, Ida (Gagliano) Apr-1931Sanfelippo, Lawrence Sep-1926Sanfelippo, Mario Oct-1939Sanfelippo, Pietro Jul-1926Sanfelippo, Salvatore Nov-1933Sanfellipo, Rose (Lombardo) Sep-1926Sanfilippe, Anthony Nov-1940Sanfilippo, Fred Feb-1932Sanfilippo, Joseph Aug-1940Sanfilippo, Josephine (Crivello) Jun-1940Sanfilippo, Lorenzo Sep-1937Sanfilippo, Santo May-1933Sanfilippo, Virginia (Garrella) Jun-1940Sanfillippo, Frances (Conte) Jul-1930Sanfillippo, James Oct-1929Sansone, Casmir Nov-1940Sansone, Frank Sep-1938Sansone, Michael Feb-1938Sansone, Rocco Apr-1929Sansone, Rosalie (Serio) Jul-1930Sansone, Rosaria (Caporal) Jul-1940Sansone, Rose (Serio) Sep-1929Santa Maria, Thomas Sep-1935

Name MarriedSanta, James Jan-1937Santacroce, Salvatore Feb-1926Santi, August Jun-1940Santilli, Italo Aug-1937Santilli, Michael Jul-1935Santilli, Rose (Silvestri) Jan-1935Santo, Elizabeth (Varklick) Apr-1926Santo, James May-1930Santo, Julia (Trick) Jul-1930Santo, Margaret (Steinke) Oct-1928Santoro, Cono Oct-1928Santoro, Nick Jan-1932Santoro, Rosario Jun-1939Santoro, Sam Apr-1929Sanzone, Pavidenza (Madenti) Jun-1928Sapienza, Basile Sep-1936Sapienza, Salvatore Feb-1939Sara, Anthony Apr-1940Sara, Joseph Jun-1935Sara, Peter Oct-1940Sardella, Mary (Camillo) Oct-1928Sardella, Venerina (Porchetta) Sep-1940Sardina, Angeline (Herden) Jun-1936Sardina, Anthony Jun-1934Sardina, Frank Jun-1936Sardina, Gaetano Feb-1928Sardina, Jack Dec-1929Sardina, Jane (Sardina) Jun-1934Sardina, Mary (Turek) Sep-1940Sardina, Sarah (Barker) Jun-1937Sardina, Thomas Nov-1926Sardina, Thomas May-1928Sardino, Joseph Sep-1935Sarno, Dellarose (Heling) May-1927Sarno, Jelsomina (Jekel) Apr-1934Sartorio, Josephine (Corrao) Jun-1930Sassi, James Apr-1934Saterbo, Frances (Neven) Jul-1935Satina, Emilie (Hopp) May-1939Satori, Ludwing Oct-1926Savaglia, Donato May-1936Sberna, Caroline (Dragotta) Nov-1940Sberna, Charles Apr-1940Sberna, Charles B Aug-1939Sberna, Jack Jul-1929Sberna, Joseph Apr-1934Scafasci, Ione (Tamboli) Oct-1936Scaffidi, Carmelo May-1933Scaffidi, Mary (Greco) Oct-1935Scaffidi, Salvatore Feb-1926Scaffido, Carmella (Pintarro) Oct-1939Scaffido, Rose (Botic) May-1939Scaglione, Vincent Mar-1927Scaia, Arminia (Masconi) Feb-1928Scaia, Catherine (Grahek) Nov-1935Scala, Joseph Apr-1937Scalici, Ted Jun-1934Scalish (Scalici), Michael Jul-1930Scalish (Scalici), Nick Dec-1929Scalzo, Frank Jun-1926Scaniglia, Arthur Oct-1934Scardina, Giuseppe Jun-1931Scarpace, Frank Oct-1927Scarpace, John Sep-1938Scarpace, Mary (Brunetto) Nov-1927Scarpace, Ralph Nov-1937Scarpace, Vincent Sep-1926Scarpinato, Antonio Oct-1926Scarvaci, Cora (Dicristo) Oct-1937Scarvaci, John Oct-1939Schapira, Carl Jan-1926Schiavo, Louis Aug-1938Schiera, John Dec-1933Schiera, Joseph Jun-1940Schiero, Frances (Herman) Sep-1935Schiro, Josephine (Pecoraro) Jul-1940Schiro, Katherine (Miller) Nov-1937Sciano, James Sep-1938Sciano, Josephine (Ierevellino) Dec-1932Sciano, Michael Nov-1932Sciano, Philip Jul-1937Sciano, Tessie (Tralongo) Mar-1926Sciano, Tony Sep-1937Scifo, Pauline (Kopp) Jul-1940Scioli, Marianna (Norcia) Sep-1938Continued in the next issue of The Italian Times.

Italians married in Milwaukee: 1926-1940Part IX

Compiled by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center HistorianIntroductory Notes

The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1926-1940 includes the name of the individual married and the month and year the mar-riage took place.

Information contained in the Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1926-1940 was compiled by this researcher in January of 1993 andwill be featured in The Italian Times the next several months.

Reporting of the volume Milwaukee Marriage Index was obtained from the Milwaukee County Historical Society and copiesat the City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works are all copyrighted and an original copy is at the Library ofCongress in Washington, D.C. for all time.

Please keep in mind that these marriages were actualized only in the City of Milwaukee. Accordingly, if you were marriedoutside the city limits (e.g., Shorewood, West Allis, Cudahy), your name won’t appear in this listing. Names appearing here arelisted and spelled exactly as found in the marriage volumes. If you know of a relative who was married in Milwaukee during thetime period 1926-1941 and that relative’s name does not appear in these listings, please contact the Milwaukee County HistoricalSociety. Parts I and VIII of this series were published in past issues of The Italian Times.


Memorable events sometimesoccur in the same time period, andtwo such events happened to me asI sat down to write this month’scolumn. One of them was an oper-atic milestone of great importance,namely the premiere of GiuseppeVerdi’s monumental masterpieceAida, which debuted on ChristmasEve 1871 at the Cairo Opera.Earlier that year, on October

8th, a major disaster took place inthe United States, sadly it was thegreat Chicago Fire, which tragical-ly killed some 300 people,destroyed more than three squaremiles of city structures and leftmore than 100,000 residentshomeless.Two important events within

months of each other: one, anartistic triumph, the other a blazeof such proportions that it left a

city and the nation reeling from itsimpact.For Verdi, it was a transition

between his middle and late peri-ods, and the opera is noteworthyfor its stunning orchestral andharmonic richness and greatchoral scenes. Contrary to popularbelief, Aida was not written to cel-ebrate the opening of the SuezCanal.Regarding the conflagration, it

was widely thought the fire wascaused by a cow kicking over alantern in a barn owned byCatherine and Patrick O’Leary. Asit turned out, it was a story writ-ten as a joke by Michael Ahern, areporter for the old ChicagoRepublican.Chicago’s predominate use of

wood as a building material plus adrought and strong winds were

believed to be prime factors in thedestructive spread of the fire.Cited also was the misdirection offirefighting forces when they weresent to the wrong location.Broadcast opera is well under

way at the Metropolitan Operathis month, and it should be notedthat the Met’s first radio transmis-sion of opera took place onChristmas Eve 1931 withHumperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.This work is back on the radioschedule the first week of January.Also in the current broadcast

schedule, listeners are enjoying LeNozze di Figaro, La Traviata andDie Meistersinger. And interesting-ly, operatic characters come inmany guises, with some from reallife such as a number of novelists,poets and playwrights. There’sGiovanni Bocaccio in Von Suppe’s

Bocaccio, Lord Byron in Banfield’sLord Byron’s Love Letters, MiguelCervantes in Strauss’ DasSpitzenrouch der Kongin, AndreaChenier in the same opera, andVoltaire in Bernstein’s Candide.Quotable quote: “God bless us

everyone.” – Charles Dickens

Opera Topicsby Angelo Castronovo

Sigmund Freud said, “Poets aremasters of us ordinary men inknowledge of the mind, becausethey drink at streams which wehave not yet made accessible to sci-ence.” He also wrote, “EverywhereI go I find that a poet has beenthere before me.”One wonders what he would

have said of Giacomo TaldegardoFrancesco di Sales Saverio PietroLeopardi (June 29, 1798 – June 14,1837) and his poems. Leopardilived an unusual life growing up inRecanati, a village in the ultra con-servative Papal States, under therigorous religious discipline of hismother.Leopardi’s father was a gambler

who lost much of the family’s for-tune and his mother attempted torestore the family’s fortune by sav-ing money. Leopardi, nevertheless,did enjoy a happy childhood andwrote about sharing it with his sib-lings in “Le Ricordanze”.Frail and probably suffering

from Pott’s disease or tuberculousspondylitis, a rare form of tubercu-losis caused by the invasion ofMycobacterium tuberculosis intothe spinal vertebrae, Leopardi wastutored in the family tradition bypriests. Extremely studious, helearned to read Latin, Greek andHebrew and tried on his own tolearn as much as he could betweenthe ages of 12 and 19. This stu-diousness and his fragile healthprevented him from enjoying a nor-mal active childhood. Studying con-stantly as he did was probably alsoa way to escape mentally, at least,the rigid environment of his familyhome.When he was 20, he tried to

escape the oppressive atmosphereof the family palazzo but wascaught and returned home. Hisfamily members then monitoredhim constantly and his relationshipwith them and with his father inparticular deteriorated. He waslater allowed to live in Rome withhis uncle, but he became disillu-sioned with life there, nursed anunrequited love for his cousin and,as his health declined, so did hisbelief in justice, love and heroism.In 1828, he was offered a profes-

sorship in Bonn or Berlin, but poorhealth required he refuse and hereturned to Recanati. He did man-age to live independently inFlorence from 1830 to 1832 and

later in Naples near his friendAntonio Ranieri. The climate thereoffered health benefits. He diedduring the cholera epidemic of 1837at only 38 years of age, perhaps ofpulmonary edema. He was buriedin the atrium of the church of SanVitale at Fuorigrotta. In 1939, histomb, moved to the ParcoVirgiliano, was declared a nationalmonument.Leopardi was an atheist

inspired, no doubt, by experienceand his extensive knowledge ofClassicism and the Enlightenment.His poetry is Romantic in the liter-ary sense. In light of his healthstruggles, disillusionment in lifeand love and a thwarted academiccareer, his life can be seen asstormy. Some of that is reflected inthis poem; however, there is a cer-tain happiness reflected in the ordi-nary aspects of life to which healludes in the quiet that follows astorm. Make what you will of thelast lines, which are permeatedwith a certain bitterness.(In this translation, for the sake

of greater readability, I’ve dis-pensed with the convention of capi-talizing the first word of each lineand taken liberties with punctua-tion.)

LA QUIETE DOPO LATEMPESTABy Giacomo LeopardiPassata è la tempesta:Odo augelli far festa, e la gallina,Tornata in su la via,Che ripete il suo verso. Ecco ilserenoRompe là da ponente, allamontagna;Sgombrarsi la campagna,E chiaro nella valle il fiume appare.Ogni cor si rallegra, in ogni latoRisorge il romorioTorna il lavoro usato.L’artigiano a mirar l’umido cielo,Con l’opra in man cantando,Fassi in su l’uscio; a provaVien fuor la femminetta a còrdell’acquaDella novella piova;E l’erbaiuol rinnovaDi sentiero in sentieroIl grido giornaliero.Ecco il Sol che ritorna, ecco sorridePer li poggi e le ville. Apre i balconi,Apre terrazzi e logge la famiglia:E, dalla via corrente, odi lontanoTintinnio di sonagli; il carro strideDel passegger che il suo cammin

ripiglia.

Si rallegra ogni core.Si dolce, si graditaQuand’è, com’or, la vita?Quando con tanto amoreL’uomo a’ suoi studi intende?O torna all’opre? O cosa novaimprende?Quando de’ mali suoi men siricorda?Piacer figlio d’affanno;Gioia vana, ch’è fruttoDel passato timore, onde si scosseE paventò la morteChi la vita abborria;Onde in lungo tormento,Fredde, tacite, smorte,Sudàr le genti e palpitàr, vedendoMossi alle nostre offeseFolgori, nembi e vento.

O natura cortese,Son questi i doni tuoi,Questi i diletti sonoChe tu porgi ai mortali. Uscir dipenaÈ diletto fra noi.Pene tu spargi a larga mano; ilduoloSpontaneo sorge: e di piacer, queltantoChe per mostro e miracolo talvoltaNasce d’affanno, è gran guadagno.UmanaProle cara agli eterni! Assai feliceSe respirar ti liceD’alcun dolor: beataSe te d’ogni dolor morte risana.

THE QUIET AFTER THE STORMTranslation by Roberto Ciampi

The storm has passed:I hear the birds rejoice; and the hen,returned to the road,takes up her verses. Here’s theserene skybreaking in the west, into the moun-tain:The countryside clears;bright appears the stream in thevalley.Every heart cheers; on every sidesounds reverberate,the usual work resumes.The workman stares at the waterysky,with his work in hand he sings,appears in the doorway; rushingoutside,the young lady goes to collect waterfrom the new rain;The vendor takes up again,from lane to lane,

his daily cry.The sun returns and smilesacross the hills and the villas.The servants open terraces and bal-conies:and, on the main street, from afarone hearsthe tinkling of the bells, the creak-ing carriageof the traveler who resumes hisjourney.-Every heart is cheered.Whenever, as now, is lifeso pleasant and so dear?When, with so much love,does man keep at his work?Or resume it? Or take on new tasks?When is he less mindful of his trou-bles?Pleasure is the son of pain!O vain joy, fruitof past fears, which shookthe man who abhorred life,but dreaded death!With which people, in endlessagony,cold, and silent and pale,sweating and pining, seeingthe lightning, clouds, and winds,about to hurt us.

O courteous nature!These are your gifts to us,these the delightsyou give to mortals!Escaping from pain, is our delight.You scatter sorrows with a generoushand;grief spontaneously arises;and that which by some monster ormiracleis born of pain, is a precious gain ofpleasure!O human race, so dear to the gods!Be happy if you are granted anyrelief!Be blessed when Deathreleases you from grief!

L’Angolo del PoetaPrepared by Barbara Collignon

Caro Presidente Azzia,Le scrivo la presente per

comunicarLe la grande emozione ditutti gli italiani ma anche di tuttala città di Brisbane per la visita delPresidente del Consiglio italianoMatteo Renzi in occasione del G20.Perché qui a Brisbane la gente èimpazzita per l’Italia.Tutta la città era davanti al

televisore per vedere l’arrivo delPresidente Renzi con la moglieall’aeroporto. Ad attenderlol’Ambasciatore d’Italia in AustraliaDott. Pierfrancesco Zazo con la

moglie e vari rappresentanti delGoverno dello Stato del Queens-land.Il sindaco di Brisbane ha persino

dichiarato il 14 novembre giornatadi festa per godere dell’entusiasmoe dell’atmosfera elettrizzante che sirespirava in occasione dell’evento,anche tra i cittadini australiani.8000 i partecipanti e oltre 5000poliziotti per la sicurezza.Io come Presidente del

Com.It.Es Qld ho aspettato conemozione l’evento ma non mi èstato possibile avvicinarlo.

In compenso, la domenica del 16,durante la Santa Messa in unachiesa a New Farm, frequentata danumerosi siciliani, la mia mammaAntonina Stagnitti, emigrata dapiù di 50 anni da Castiglione diSicilia, dopo aver letto la primalettura, ha avuto modo di conoscerela Signora Agnese Renzi, moglie delPresidente del Consiglio, presentealla celebrazione, che alla fine hagentilmente salutato tutti e si ècomplimentata con lei per lalettura. Tutta la parrocchia si ècommossa.

Io nel frattempo mi trovavo aSydney, dove ho partecipano aduna cena insieme al PresidenteRenzi, ero emozionatissima. Circa490 invitati, tutti italianiprovenienti da varie cittàaustraliane. Tra i numerosi ospiti ilSenatore Francesco Giacobbe, l’OnComm. Santo Santoro ed irappresentanti del governoAustraliano.

Una serata per meindimenticabile. Il SenatoreGiacobbe mi ha presentato ilPresidente Renzi con cui ho avutoun cordiale colloquio di circa 10minuti. E’stato gentile, mi hachiesto da che parte d’Italia ero

originaria, il perché mi trovassi inAustralia. Ed io, orgogliosissimaSiciliana, ho raccontato la storiadei miei genitori che lasciarono illoro paese Castiglione di Sicilia pervenire in Australia. Mi ha parlatoaltresì di Catania e della Sicilia, miha augurato un “in bocca a lupo”sia per il lavoro in banca che comePresidente dei Comites.

Lo abbiamo ascoltato per quasiun ora, ha toccato tanti temi sulpassato, sull’oggi e sul domanidell’Italia e dell’Australia.

E stata una bellissima serata,densa di emozioni….a tal punto checredo che mio nonno sarebbe statoorgoglioso che sua nipote abbiaconosciuto il Presidente delConsiglio. Perché mio nonno e gliitaliani della sua età ma anche glialtri hanno trapiantato l’amore e lastima per gli italiani. Oggi tuttal’Australia fa il tifo per gli italiani el’Italia.Caro Presidente, sperando che

mi scusi per gli sbagli, Le inviotanti saluti da Brisbane.

Mariangela StagnittiRelationship Manager

CommonwealthBank of Australia

THE ITALIAN TIMES

LA PAGINA ITALIANAa cura di Enrica Tarantino-Woytal

PAGINA 20 – GENNAIO 2015

Sicilia Mondo - Emblematica la voglia di Italia in Australia dallalettera di Mariangela Stagnitti, Presidente dei Comites di Brisbane edelegata di Sicilia Mondo, dove tra l’altro la lingua italiana è la piùstudiata nel sistema scolastico australiano dopo quella giapponese

Fuori dai confini nazionali c’èuna forte domanda di Italia.Forse pochi sanno che nel mondo cisono 250 milioni di italici, traitaliani che sono emigrati odiscendenti o coloro che amanol’italiano, persone che siidentificano o che si sentono affiniall’Italia per cultura, lingua, stiledi vita, musica, arte, letteratura,etc. 80 milioni di italiani traoriundi, naturalizzati odiscendenti, seconda diasporamondiale dopo quella cinese. 4milioni e mezzo con cittadinanza epassaporto italiano. Infinel’associazionismo regionalediffuso in tutte le parti del mondo.La lingua italiana è la quarta nelmondo.Su questo scenario italico senza

confini geografici, ha avuto luogo aFirenze la 2 giorni di confrontodegli Stati Generali per lapromozione della lingua e dellacultura italiana nel mondo sultema “L’italiano nel mondo checambia”, organizzata dal Ministerodegli Esteri e della CooperazioneInternazionale, in collaborazionecon il Ministero della Istruzione,Università e Ricerca e delMinistero dei Beni e delle AttivitàCulturali e del Turismo.I lavori sono stati aperti dal

Sottosegretario agli Esteri MarioGiro, il quale ha affermato chel’iniziativa vuole essere l’occasioneper approfondire le strategie didiffusione dell’italiano all’estero efare il punto sulle nuove sfide daaffrontare.Studiosi, ricercatori, esperti

nella materia sociale, docentiuniversitari, burocrati ministeriali,esponenti del mondo artistico eculturale italiano si sono alternatisui tavoli delle discussionitematiche, strategie di diffusionedella lingua italiana nel mondo,nelle due tavole rotonde suitalofonia e prospettive in Italia edall’estero.Il Sottosegretario Giro ha

preannunziato che gli StatiGenerali restano convocati insiemead un nuovo gruppo in via dicostituzione per appuntamenti everifiche di quanto realizzato al2015 e al 2016.Nel documento conclusivo sonoindicate le linee normative, di

indirizzo politico e gestionale,progettualizzate per la promozionedella lingua e cultura italiana,attraverso l’abbraccio di tutti gliitalofoni del mondo con l’obiettivodi dare risposta alla domanda dilingua e cultura che viene da fuori,ridare immagine, crescitaeconomica e turismo internazionaleal Paese Italia. Fare sistema.Negli atti del Convegno nonmancano i riferimenti allecomunità italiane.Ma poco si dice sul loro

coinvolgimento e partecipazione esul ruolo della rappresentanza:Comites, CGIE e sulla ragnateladell’associazionismo regionaleitaliano diffuso in tutte le parti delmondo, collegata con le Regioni diappartenenza attraverso leggi estrumenti operativi come leConsulte regionali. Le Regioni,infatti, hanno la delega sullaemigrazione.Si tratta di una infinità di

associazioni, circoli, clubs,aggregazioni e centri culturalipiccoli e grandi, legate tra lorodalla identità regionale chesvolgono una intensa attività dirapporti, relazioni e contatti tra diloro e le altre realtà regionalipresenti nel territorio. Unagalassia in movimento.Per tutte le aggregazioni, la

lingua, unitamente alla culturaitaliana, è fattore indiscusso diriaggregazione e di unità nei qualii connazionali si ritrovano e siriconoscono, riscoprendo l’orgogliodella appartenenza italiana maidismessa.

Un patrimonio immaterialestraordinario che è risorsa dallepotenzialità incalcolabili.

Siamo convinti che chiamare incausa, e possibilmente respons-abilizzare le comunità italiane,significherebbe allargare a livellodi base la iniziativa promozionalenelle società di insediamento, nellaquotidianità, nel lavoro.

Nessuno meglio di chi la parlapuò diffondere una lingua. Lostimolo al suo uso è promozionevera.

In questa direzione, l’apportodiventa importante alla iniziativadegli Stati Generali.

Sicilia Mondo – Stati Generaliper la promozione della linguae della cultura italiana nelmondo. Il dopo incontro

Mi premuro informarTi che ilConsiglio dei Ministri haapprovato un provvedimentod’urgenza che posticipa al 17aprile 2015 la data di voto perl’elezione dei componenti deiComitati degli italiani all’estero,inizialmente prevista per il 19dicembre. Di conseguenza iltermine ultimo per l’iscrizionedegli elettori è stato spostato al 18marzo 2015.

Il provvedimento si è resonecessario a seguito di unaverifica sull’esito deludente delleiscrizioni richieste agli aventidiritto, soprattutto dovuto allaristrettezza dei tempi incalendario.

La notizia dello slittamento delvoto è stata accolta consoddisfazione anche da SiciliaMondo che ha apprezzato la

decisione presa dal Governoritenendola un atto di sensibilitàdemocratica nei confronti dellanumerosa collettività italianaresidente all’estero.Viene così superato il

malumore molto diffuso tra iconnazionali e create, nello stessotempo, le condizioni per una piùlarga partecipazione al voto.E’ chiaro che adesso occorre

non allentare l’impegno dellanostra struttura ma coglierel’occasione del rinvio perintensificare ulteriormentel’azione di adesione alla elezionedei Comites, primario presidiodella rappresentanza italiana nelmondo.Gradirei, pertanto, notizie

sulle iniziative in programma perl’ulteriore sensibilizzazione invista del nuovo appuntamento del17 aprile 2015.

Sicilia Mondo: Comunicazione aiPresidenti ed alla struttura sulrinvio elettorale dei Comites

La crisi economica toglie ilrespiro, soprattutto con l’avventodel Natale. In Sicilia si prova acombatterla con i mercatini inpiazza. Dalle periferie alla città imercatini sono affollati e sonol’occasione per curiosare traprodotti tipici locali, ma anche ideeregalo. E soprattutto tra luci eprofumo di caldarroste respiral’aria di Natale.E’ prevista per oggi alle ore

17,30 l’apertura del “Primomercatino di Natale” promosso da

Impresa di Sicilia, con il patrociniodella VI circoscrizione, negli spaziesterni della settecentesca VillaCastelnuovo in viale del Fante 66 aPalermo. Oggi taglio del nastroanche per la “Mostradell’Artigianato Siciliano”presso ilSalone degli Specchi e lungo ilcolonnato esterno del TeatroPoliteama di Palermo.In tutti i mercatini della Sicilia

si cerca di favorire la vendita deiprodotti locali e soprattuttorivalutare l’artigianato.

Nei mercatini locali per unoshopping anti-crisi in Sicilia

Victory K-8 has had quite aspectacular autumn, including avisit from His Excellency, ClaudioBisogniero, the Italian Ambassadorto the United States.Maestro Kaftan’s K4 kinder-

garten students are working hardin math. They are counting, recog-nizing shapes and patterns andlearning how to make sets of num-bers. Everyday, the students do acalendar in Italian. They are alsohaving Italian books read to them,and they enjoy watching Italianshows like Mickey Mouse (Topolino

in Italian).Maestra Sabrina and Mrs.

Brunnelli’s K5 kindergarten classhas a sister classroom in Italy. Thestudents have spoken to each otheron Skype. The Victory kinder-garteners sang an Italian song totheir new friends in Italy, and theItalian students sang “Jingle Bells”and “Happy Birthday” in English tothe Victory school kindergartenstudents. K5 students are countinganimated ants to learn their ordi-nal numbers. Maestra Sabrina isteaching the students about Italian

culture, colors, numbers and how togreet one another.Maestra Zizzo’s and Maestra

LaGrutta’s first graders are learn-ing all about Italian traditions.Another focus in first grade hasbeen Italian vocabulary related to

the human body, seasons and col-ors.Maestra Bozano and Maestra

Robertson’s second graders arehard at work. In math, studentshave been adding and subtracting

THE ITALIAN TIMES GENNAIO 2015 – PAGINA 21

Papa Francesco ha acceso conun tablet, dal suo studio inVaticano, l’albero di Natale piùgrande del mondo, una strutturacon circa mille luci (nel Guinnessdei primati) sulla parete delMonte Ingino, alle spalle diGubbio. Lo aveva fatto anche

Benedetto XVI nel 2011.“Vogliamo che la luce di Cristo siain noi” - ha detto -. “Se voi avetequalcosa di oscuro nell’anima,chiedete perdono al Signore: è unabella opportunità, questa delNatale, per rendere pulital’anima.

PALERMO - Un gruppo dianimalisti ieri sera ha chiamatopolizia e vigili urbani e ha fattosospendere il secondo spettacolo delcirco Sandra Orfei che si trova neipressi del centro commercialeForum a Brancaccio, a Palermo. Glianimalisti della Lida (Lega italianaper i diritta degli animali) hannoiniziato a tempestare i centralini dipolizia e vigili urbani per segnalareche anche senza autorizzazione sistavano tenendo gli spettacoli sottoil tendone.«Avevamo letto che il Comune

non aveva dato le autorizzazioni aicirchi che ci sono in città - diceAlessandra Musso dell’organizzazi-one animalista - Abbiamo chiestosolo il rispetto della legalità».

Gli agenti sono arrivati e hannoverificato che la struttura nonaveva i permessi.«Martedì tutto sarà risolto -

spiega l’avvocato Antony De Lisiche assiste le compagnie dei circhi -Venerdì si è tenuto un incontrochiarificatore e tutto verràverbalizzato martedì».Probabilmente quindi il circo in

questione entro martedì sarà inregola con i permessi, ma non èdetto che per la struttura iproblemi finiranno, visto la la Lidadi Palermo ha organizzato proprioper martedì un sit-in informativo edi protesta davanti al circo permostrare alla gente alcuni videosull’addestramento degli animalinei circhi.

PALERMO - A causadell’acquazzone che si è abbattutosu Palermo si è allagato l’ingressoper le ambulanze del prontosoccorso dell’ospedale Civico diPalermo realizzato da pochi giorni.In questo momento i pazienti in

ambulanza sono dirottati negli altriospedali in attesa di cercare dirimediare al disservizio eprosciugare l’acqua che ristagnanel viale.«L’acqua che non è defluita

attraverso il sistema fognario delComune è finita dentro il nuovoingresso del Pronto Soccorso. Legriglie che erano state installatenon hanno retto alla mole di acquache è venuta giù da via Ughetti.Alla luce di quanto successoprenderemo nuovi accorgimenti. Èchiaro che gli interventi devono

essere eseguiti in sinergia con ilComune», dice Giovanni Miglioredirettore generale dell’aziendaospedaliera Arnas Civico diPalermo.

Intanto, vigili del fuoco in azionecon le idrovore in diverse strade emagazzini, allagati a causa di unacquazzone. I pompieri sonointervenuti in via Messina Marine,a Mondello e nella zona diPartanna Mondello e in PiazzaIndipendenza.

Decine e decine le telefonate allasala operativa della casermaCaramanna da diverse zone dellacittà. Sotto osservazione isottopassi in viale RegioneSiciliana, che nel corso degli ultimitemporali si erano allagatibloccando la circolazione.

MALTEMPO A PALERMONuovo ingresso pronto soccorsova sott’acqua, dirottati pazienti

Papa ha acceso alberoNatale da Guinness

Mille luci su Gubbio, festa‘occasione perdono e pulizia anima’

Circo senza permesso:animalisti fanno

sospendere lo spettacolo

Report from Victory School’s ItalianImmersion Program



Member pledges to “Annual Donor Society”more than triple since last report

pre-Lenten costume and mask ballon Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015.Contributions can be made bycheck or credit card. As an option,donors can contact the ICC office at414-223-2180 to set up a paymentplan.So far, two gold category

pledges have been made. Thosecame from Sam Purpero andEbbie and Joe Mangiamele .One silver category donationhas been made, coming fromJoseph John and Rose PurperoSpang.“I want to remind our members

that all donations to the ICC, a501c.3 corporation, are tax-deductible,” Vella said. “Withincome tax season approaching, adonation to the ICC before year’send would unquestionably work toyour advantage.”

Listed below are the names ofthe members who made a commit-ment to the “Annual Donor Society”through Dec. 1, 2014:

• RoseMarie DeMichele• Michele R. Butz• William and Rita Jennaro• Leonard and Marlene Widen• Joe Manone

• Vincenza and Vincent Vitale• David and Jeannie Doern• Gordon and Bernice Boucher• Joseph and Virginia Magestro• Gerald and Judith Perona• Keith Gross• Jerry W. Hermann• Maurine and Nick DeLeo• Anthony and Barbara Lupo• Margaret Mary Carini• Mary L. Herro• Joe and Carole Casamento• Joseph and Diane Barbieri• Peter and Mille Gustin• Santa L. Mazza• Gaetano Canzoneri• Wayne Kitzerow and Sheila

Vivi• Vincent and Lucretia Lo Coco• Joseph Charles Spang• Joseph John and Rose Purpero

Spang (Silver Pledge)• Sam Purpero (Gold Pledge)• David C. Shaw• Otto and Joan Satula• Rosario and Josephine Spella• Gwen Wood• Sandy M. Powers• Bob Mari Ann Larsen• Frank and Betty Fugarino, Sr.• Anna L. Pitzo• Joseph and Jane Vento• Donald and Frances Tollefson• Grace M. Elliott• Theodore F. Mazza• Michael N. Balistreri• Edward and Edith Brown• Kenneth H. Pakulski• Ebbie and Joe Mangiamele

(Gold Pledge)• Joseph J., Jr. and Christine

Ziino• Tony and Lena Zingale

from page 4

numbers up to 20 in Italian andcounting to 100 and sometimes to1,000 in Italian. The class spenttime learning vocabulary such as:“Ringraziamento,” and “Pellegrini,nave, e tacchino.” Recently, stu-dents wrote a spontaneous “poesia”in Italian. Students are nowfocused on language and culturerelated to the “Citta!” In “Scienza,”students have been studying thewater cycle and what happens inthe different states of water.Students are studying water andland conservation and materialproperties of the earth.

Maestra Laurenzi’s thirdgraders are looking for heroes.Students are learning about whatit means to be a hero. They wereinspired by a little girl namedRachel and a vet named Nick in thearticle, “Helping a Hero”. If a littlethird grader can help out anAmerican hero, then so canMaestra Laurenzi’s third graders.The class is on a mission. They areinviting you to join them to collecttoiletries for the Homeless Vets inMilwaukee. Please contact MaestraLaurenzi at 414-304-6701 for a listof the toiletries that are acceptablefor the vets.The focus of Maestra Enrica’s

fourth graders is the learning ofItalian so that they can have con-tent-based lessons. Right now, theyare working on building sentencesand reading in Italian.

The fifth and sixth graders inMaestro Falsetti’s classroom visitedJones Island Water TreatmentPlant, and they learned about howwater is cleaned and used in theCity of Milwaukee. Afterwards,they worked with Ms. Sylvia Pienefrom the Haggerty Art Museum tocompare how water is used todayand how the ancient Romans usedwater. The students researchedRoman baths and acqueducts.Then, a real life Centurion from theRoman Legion visited the entireschool. Mrs. Peine’s husband, a his-torical re-enactor, brought in propsand information about Romanbaths to bring context and to makethe experience alive for students.

His Excellency, ClaudioBisogniero, the Italian Ambassadorto the United States, visitedVictory K8 along with theConsulate General of Chicago,Adriano Monti. His Excellencyspent an hour with the Italianteam before heading to theMilwaukee Art Museum to see,“Five Hundred Years of ItalianArt”. After viewing the exhibit, HisExcellency reconnected with theItalian teachers from VictorySchool at the Italian Community

Center where a beautiful receptionwas held in honor of theAmbassador. The Ambassador gavean inspirational speech to commu-nity members, reflecting on thegreat value of an Italian elemen-

tary program and how it wouldhelp students in the future tostrengthen their education, careerand life work.

– Submitted byAnnette Robertson

Report from Victory’s Italian programfrom page 21


The most important date on theItalian calendar in January isEpiphany, falling on Jan. 6 eachyear. Epiphany is a Christian fes-tival commemorating the manifes-tation of Christ to the Gentiles inthe persons of the Magi (the ThreeWise Men).While in many countries, peo-

ple exchange gifts at Christmas,

for centuries in Italy, the giftexchange occurred on theEpiphany, and, in many house-holds across Italy that practice isstill followed today.Children hang stockings the

night before Epiphany in hopes ofgetting gifts from La Befana, thekind witch, who, according toItalian folklore, declined an oppor-

tunity to travel to Bethlehem withthe Three Wise Men to see theBaby Jesus. To make amends forthe mistake she realized shemade, Befana decided she woulddeliver presents every year to goodchildren.Many churches across Italy

present live nativities onEpiphany.

Celebrating Epiphany in ItalyHHaavvee ssoommeetthhiinngg ttoo sseellll tthhaatt

wwoouulldd bbee ooff iinntteerreesstt ttoo rreeaaddeerrss

ooff TThhee IIttaalliiaann TTiimmeess?? WWhhyy nnoott

ppuutt iitt iinn aann aadd iinn oouurr nneexxtt iissssuuee??

FFoorr ddeettaaiillss oonn aadd ssiizzeess aanndd

ccoossttss,, pplleeaassee ccaallll 441144--222233--22880011

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YourSpecial

OccasionDeserves

OurSpecial

Attention.Whether you're planning significant family functions -- reunions, christenings,quinceañera, bridal or baby showers, or you're faced with organizing a last-minute event,such as a funeral luncheon . . .

Or you want the perfect setting for a wedding reception or engagement or weddingrehearsal dinner, or your company is looking for an ideal location for a business or socialgathering . . .

the Italian Conference Center is your answer.Our Catering Director will work closely with you to make sure that every detail that goesinto a successful event is planned. And the food at the ICC! Ah, the food. Your guests willshower you with compliments after they've eaten the delicious meals prepared by our out-standing chefs and served by our friendly and efficient wait staff.

Everything you need for a successful event is ready and waiting at the Italian ConferenceCenter. For assistance in scheduling and planning your event, call David or Gina at . . .

414-223-2800 or visit: www.ItalianConference.com

In the Italian Community Center631 E. Chicago St., MilwaukeeFree parking • Handicapped accessibleMinutes from downtown and freeway access

in the Historic Third Ward

ICC decoratedfor holidayseason

On a brisky November day,Anthony Harris (left) and RobertoOquendo of the Italian ConferenceCenter staff put up manyChristmas trees and other festivedecorations in the ItalianCommunity Center’s courtyard.Various Italian societies and clubsalso put of Christmas trees andholiday displays. Everyone is invit-ed to come to the ICC to see theholiday displays in and around thebuilding. (Times photo by TomHemman)

Italian skiresorts flourishin January

While January is off-seasonfor most tourist destinations inItaly, the ski resorts in thenorthern part of the countryflourish.Italy is internationally known

for its world-class ski slopes andits great mountains that remaincovered with snow during thewinter months. The famousDolomites are generally themost popular for those who likewinter sports.The Dolomites are a moun-

tain range located in northeast-ern Italy. It is a part of SouthernLimestone Alps and extendsfrom the River Adige in the westto the Piave Valley (Pieve diCadore) in the east. The north-ern and southern borders aredefined by the Puster Valley andthe Sugana Valley (Val Sugana).The Dolomites are nearly equal-ly shared between the provincesof Belluno, South Tyrol andTrentino.The Dolomites are listed as a

UNESCO (United NationsEducational, Scientific, andCultural Organization) WorldHeritage Site and are character-ized by their dozens of high,snow covered mountain peaks.Several highly acclaimed skiresorts are located in the area.Some of the most famous arelocated in Alleghe, Auronzo,Falcade, Urtijei and Arabba.

January weatheracross Italy

Traveling in Italy in January isoften a mixed bag. The weather can bedreary, cold, wet and gray. Parts ofItaly do get covered in blankets offluffy, white snow while other parts getinundated with fog and rain.

The mountains that line the borderof northern Italy tend to be the coldestareas of Italy, but the January snow-falls produce some of Europe’s best ski-ing and snowboarding conditions. In allof Italy’s mountainous areas (and thereare many beyond the northernregions), the weather is generally cold-er and snowier than the rest of thecountry.

Since the Italian peninsula is sonarrow, the coastal climate extendsquite a ways inland on both sides;meaning even if you’re as far inland asRome, for instance, you’re more likelyto get rain during the winter thansnow.During January, there is quite a

range of temperatures across Italy. Asa general rule of thumb, these are thetemperature ranges:• Northern Italy: 25º-45º

Fahrenheit.• Central Italy: 40º-55º Fahrenheit.• Southern Italy (including Sicily):

50º-60º Fahrenheit.

January 2015 issue

Documents

Transcript of January 2015 issue