JULY/AUGUST 2005/Section A

Transcription

ITALIAN TIMES
THE
Published by the Italian Community Center
631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
www.ICCMilwaukee.com
VOL. 36, NO. 3
SEPTEMBER 2014
NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
MILWAUKEE, WI
Permit No. 5716
PASTE ADDRESS LABEL HERE.
– CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED –
Races for vice president and
directors-at-large in ICC election
Giuseppe Vella will be the new president
By Thomas Hemman
Times Editor
With the slate now finalized, it
can be reported with certainty that
Giuseppe Vella will become the
next president of the Italian
Community Center. Dave Spano
will replace the retiring Sam
Purpero as treasurer and Rose
Anne (Ceraso) Fritchie and Joanne
(Sanfilippo) Czubek will return to
their respective offices of secretary
and sergeant-at-arms.
What isn’t certain is who will be
the next vice president and who
will win one of the four, open direc-
tor-at-large seats.
Dean Cannestra is opposing
Pietro Tarantino for the right to
replace Vella in the vice presidency.
Ten individuals are running for
the director-at-large seats. They
are (in alphabetical order): Ralph
Busalacchi, Joe Campagna, Jr.,
37th Festa Italiana goes out with a blast
A spectacular pyrotechnics presentation by Bartolotta
Fireworks Company, Inc. delievered a colorful and
bombing end to the 37th annual Festa Italiana. Festa
was held July 18-20 on the Summerfest grounds.
Bartolotta has been presenting the fireworks shows
since the first Festa in 1978. Many more great photos
and reports from Festa appear in this issue. (Times
photo by Craig Schoenung)
Mario A. Carini, Ted Catalano,
Edward Ciano, Joe Jannazzo, Jr.,
Chuck Lazzaro, George Menos,
Henry Piano and Tony Zingale.
Not since the 2006 election have
10 individuals been in the race for
the four director seats.
In case you weren’t in attendance at the Aug. 7 general meeting when the election slate was
finalized, here’s what happened.
The Election Committee, composed
of Rosemary DeRubertis, chair,
Stephanie Guttuso, Bill Dickinson,
Sal Lo Coco and Ambrose Ciano
made these nominations:
• For President: Giuseppe “Joe”
Vella;
• For Vice President: Dean
Cannestra;
• For Treasurer: Dave Spano;
• For Secretary: Rose Anne
Ceraso-Fritchie;
• For Sergeant-at-Arms: Joanne
Czubek;
• For Directors-at-Large: Mario
A. Carini, Tony Zingale, Joe
Jannazzo and Chuck Lazzaro.
Members then had a chance to
make further nominations from the
floor. They offered no opponents for
president, treasurer, secretary and
sergeant-at-arms.
Members, however, did nominate the following:
• For Vice President: Pietro
Tarantino;
• For Directors-at-Large: Ted
Catalano, Henry Piano, George
Menos, Joe Campagna, Jr., Edward
Ciano and Ralph Busalacchi.
It should be noted that Karen
Dickinson was initially nominated
from the floor for vice president,
but she later withdrew. Bruno
Giacomantonio was also nominated
from the floor for a director-at-large
position, but he also withdrew.
The Election Committee has
confirmed that all the individuals
Please turn to page 7
ICC President Gina Spang reports on
successful Festa and what’s ahead for ICC
Dear Members,
I am happy to report that we
had a very successful Festa
Italiana 2014! The weather was
perfect, the grounds were busy, the
entertainment was a great mix of
old favorites and new acts, the
Mass with Father Tim was a special celebration, the new wine
selections and Regional focus were
well received, the food was terrific
and the fireworks were out of this
world.
Thank you to everyone who was
involved in the planning, those
who volunteered, vendors who participated, sponsors who generously
supported the event and our guests
who chose to spend time with us
over the weekend.
As we roll off of a successful
Festa, we must turn our attention
to the next fun event here at the
ICC. The Membership Committee
has been hard at work planning
our Casino Night which will take
place on Friday, Sept. 12. This is
sure to be a fun night and a good
time for all.
While we need to think about
the fun events here at the ICC, we
also need to think about the
upcoming election. Congratulations to Joe Vella, the next
President of the ICC and thank
you to each member who agreed to
run for the Board. This is an
important commitment and needs
to be taken seriously. The members will have a number of things
to think about and perhaps tough
decisions to make with this year’s
slate of candidates. I urge you to
take a moment to reflect on the
past few years and think about the
direction that the organization is
headed. While we have made considerable progress in improving
the operations and financial health
of the organization, there is much
Tutti Italiani!
The 37th annual
July 18, 19 & 20, 2014
GRAZIE MILLE A TUTTI
TO ALL WHO MADE
THE
FESTA GOLF CART
PROGRAM A SUCCESS!
GRAZIE TO OUR MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS WHO PARTICIPATED
Mike Albano
Joanne Czubek
Myron Koceja
Sam Purpero
Ralph Busalacchi
Rosemary DeRubertis
Marie Lieber
Gina Spang
Dean Cannestra
Rose Anne Fritchie
Tony Machi
Joe Vella
Mary Cannestra
Tom Hromadka
Joe Magestro
Rhiana Vella
Mario A. Carini
Bill Jennaro
Tony Piacentini
Tony Volpe
Christine Conley
Tim Kezman
Betty Puccio
Joe Zambito
GRAZIE TO ALL WHO SPONSORED OUR GOLF CARTS
Alliance Electrical Contractors
Gimbel Reilly Guerin & Brown, LLP
Law Firm
Angela Dentice, Attorney At Law
Roger Nelson
Sail Loft
Glorioso’s Italian Market
Angelo’s Pizza
Bartolotta Fireworks
Bell Ambulance, Jim Lombardo
Calypso Lemonade
Catch 22 Bar
Club Garibaldi
C.W. Purpero, Inc.
Cold Stone Creamery
Sal’s on Oakland, Barber & Stylist
Joe Magestro
in honor of my wife Virginia
Joe Reina
Reina International Auto/European Gelato
King Juice
Leader Towing & Transport, Inc.
Michael Tarnoff, Attorney At Law
National Recycling, Inc., Dave Doern
Sciortino’s Bakery
Small Animal Massage Therapy
Ron Wilke Agency
Staff Electric
St. Theresa Society
Pauline Cannestra, President
The Bubbler, LLC
Order Sons of Italy in America
Filippo Mazzei Lodge 2763
The Landing Food & Spirits
Palermo’s Pizza
Vollrath Associates, Inc.
Jessica Vollrath Huebner
DeAngelis Construction Co.
Divino Wine & Dine
Cannestra-Conley
Dubin & Balistreri Ltd. Law Offices
Everbrite, LLC
PAGE 2 – SEPTEMBER 2014
Pellmann Investments, LLC
Pompeii Exhibit & Vintage Photo Exhibit
WFA Staffing
Ziino, Germanotta, Knoll & Christiansen
Law Firm
Rally Packaging
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Feeling lucky? Come to the ICC’s
Casino Night on Friday, Sept. 12
Maximum of 300 entry tickets available for this
fund-raiser; non-gamblers have chances to win, too!
If you’ve never been in a casino,
the Italian Community Center is
giving you your chance to get a
taste of what it’s like to win big,
while keeping the risk small, and
all in a casino-like environment.
Alternately, if you’ve experienced
gambling fever and played in casinos, this is an opportunity to sharpen and practice your skills for not a
whole lot of money.
The ICC Membership Committee is very excited to sponsor and
offer an enjoyable night of make
believe gambling on Friday, Sept.
12. The Casino Night event will
give all attendees the opportunity
to use ‘fun’ chips to play a variety of
Vegas style games including
Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and
Hold’Em Poker.
Even gamblers, who just want to
have fun, will have chances to win
prizes.
Be one of 300 attendees
The evening is a fundraiser for
the ICC and is open to the general
public and, of course, ICC members, their families and friends.
“We would like to see as many people in attendance as possible, but
please note our attendance will be
to 300-person maximum,” said
Membership Committee Chairs Bill
and Karen Dickinson.
“To accommodate all the gaming
tables and accessories for the
evening while ensuring space to
roam around the room, we must
have a 300-person limit. So get
your reservations in early. Don’t be
left out in the cold,” the Dickinsons
said.
Here are the specifics so you can
start making your plans: The
Casino Night will be held in the
Festa Ballroom. It will run from 7
THE ITALIAN TIMES
631 E. Chicago St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916
(414) 223-2180
Published 11 times annually
Publisher . . . Italian Community Center
ICC President . . . . . . . . . . . Gina Spang
Newspaper Committee
Chairman . . . . . . . Rosemary DeRubertis
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman
Italian Page
Editor . . . . . . . Enrica Tarantino-Woytal
Advertising Sales
Manager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas Hemman
Advertising Sales
Representative . . . . . . Faye Ann Kessler
Editorial Contributors and Staff
Writers/Reporters . . . . , .Mario A. Carini
Angelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon
and Blaise DiPronio
Staff Photographers. . . . . . .Joe Spasiano,
and Tom Hemman
to 10 p.m. Entry tickets are $30 for
members and $35 for non-members. There is a reservation form in
this issue of The Italian Times
which can be used to send in paid
reservations by mail or you can call
the ICC office at 414-223-2180 and
pay with a credit card.
Don’t wait until the last minute
to make your reservations as it
makes planning for the event
extremely difficult. Gambling
equipment tables must be ordered
before Labor Day and not knowing
the approximate size of the crowd
makes that task very difficult, the
Dickinsons said.
There will be no advance tickets
issued. Attendees must check in at
the reservation desk on the night of
the event.
With the paid entry fee, each
person will receive two raffle tickets worth $100 each which are then
given to a table dealer in exchange
for playing chips to be used in gambling (in the amounts of $5, $25
and $100). When you leave a table
or when you quit playing, your
chips will be turned in for raffle
tickets which can be used for winning raffle prizes. The dealers will
round off your winnings to the
highest $100 value. The more chips
you win, the more opportunities at
winning raffle prizes. Additional
$100 tickets will be available for
purchase throughout the night
at seven for $5, 16 for $10 and 24
for $15. Complete and easy instructions will be provided all evening.
The gambling tables will be provided by Music on the Move along
with professional dealers who, if
necessary, will explain the rules of
play for the individual games.
They are trained to be patient and
friendly and they will make sure
that it will be an evening of fun for
all.
Among the raffle prizes will be:
• A large flat screen TV.
• Surround sound entertainment package.
• Hilton Hotel overnight package with $50 gift certificate to the
Milwaukee Chop House.
• Intercontinental Hotel overnight package with $100 gift certificate for Kil@wat Restaurant.
• A Green Bay Packers package.
• Theater tickets.
• Free one-month rental of a
Vespa scooter.
• Sports package.
A deejay will make the evening
even more fun. The deejay has
some surprises in store!
Non-gamblers can win
The committee members realize
that not all people are interested in
gambling, but everybody likes to
have fun. Everyone attending –
gambler or not – will receive two
raffle tickets. Non-gamblers are
encouraged to buy more raffle tickets to increase their chances to win
raffle prizes.
“This is going to be a fun night
for gamblers and non-gamblers, so
we encourage everyone to come and
help make this a huge, successful
fund-raiser,” the Dickinsons said.
Have dinner at La Scala
“We encourage all guests to
come to the ICC early and have
dinner at Cafe La Scala prior to hitting the gaming tables. La Scala
will be open throughout the
evening for everyone’s dining
desires. We’ll have alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages available
at two cash bars in the Festa
Ballroom,” said the Dickinsons.
Sponsors welcome
The Membership Committee
also wants to stree and promote a
great opportunity for both individual and corporate table sponsorships, Signs indicating this will be
placed on two or three large easels.
At this times, only the only table
sponsorships left are in the amount
of $110. We encourage your participation especially if you’re seeking a
tax benefit.
Karen Dickinson said she hopes
to have all sponsors lined up before
Labor Day.
Lastly, consider this article as a
call for any and all donations
whether in money or raffle prizes.
Money is the preferred option and
will be used to purchase prizes.
Any questions? Please contact
Karen or Bill Dickinson at
diskartcg@sbcglobal.net or call 414744-0937.
ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER
CASINO NIGHT ENTRY TICKETS ORDER FORM
Name(s) _____________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _________________________________________________
Phone _______________________________________________________
Email address _________________________________________________
ICC Members: No. of entry tickets ______ x $30.00/person = $___________
Non-Members: No of entry tickets ______ x $35.00/person = $___________
Mail this form with your full payment to: Italian Community Center, c/o
For advertising information, please call
(414) 223-2180 or send an e-mail to:
themman@italiancc.org.
Copyright 2014
The Italian Community Center, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
All advertisements must be in accordance
with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid advertisements are not to be interpreted as an
endorsement by the Italian Community
Center or its newspaper, The Italian Times.
In addition, the Newspaper Committee
reserves the right to reject ads based on editorial policy approved by the Board of
Directors of the Italian Community Center.
The Italian Community Center is a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee
Association of Commerce, Visit Milwaukee
and the Historic Third Ward Association.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Frankie Devalle, 7, built an Italian
flag from LEGOs blocks during his
visit to Festa. The LEGOs tent was
on the far north end of the
grounds in the Kids Activity Zone.
It was sponsored by American
Design Incorporated, HTNB and
NAWIC. Devalle is the grandson of
ICC members Sal and Antoinette
Carini. (Times photo by Tom
Hemman)
SEPTEMBER 2014 – PAGE 3
Celebrity chef/author Maria Liberati
stars in Festa’s Cucina Showcase
Celebrity chef/author Maria Liberati displayed her culinary skills all
three days of Festa Italiana. She also served as a judge in the “Golden
Spoon” cooking contest, an amateur cooking contest, held at the Cucina
Showcase. Liberati is working on a cooking program for the Public
Broadcasting System. (Times photo by Paul Inzeo)
Here are the 2014 Kids’
Pizza-Making champs
Festa Italiana crowned two champions in the Kids Pizza-Making Contest
on Sunday, July 20. The contest was again sponsored by Due Sorelli, a
Wisconsin manufacturer of Italian food products, including dry seasoning
blends. On the left is Alissa Lombardo, 8, of Grand Rapids, Mich., winner
of the 5 to 9 year-old division. On the right is Jon Blessing, 12, of Big Bend,
Wis., winner of the 10 to 17 year-old division. Each received a bagful of
prizes which included some of the Due Sorelli products that they used in
making their pizzas. Their pizzas were also baked in an oven and given to
the two to enjoy during their time at Festa. Both winners said they had
never put together a made-from-scratch pizza before. (Times photos by
Tom Hemman)
Tina Merwin
wins Festa’s 1st
Chef’s Choice
Recipe Contest
Kristine “Tina” Merwin of
Milwaukee captured first prize in
Festa Italiana’s first Chef’s Choice
Recipe Contest. Merwin prepared
her special recipe “Prosciutto
Double Cheese Calzones,” which
earned the favor of a celebrity
panel of judges. The contest was
held on the stage of the Cucina
Showcase, sponsored by Piggly
Wiggly on Sunday, July 20. Merwin
received a set of Rachael Ray
cookware, a bushel basket full of
Red Gold Tomato products and
Nutella products as the first prize
winner. (Times photo by Paul
Inzeo)
Festivals champion
recognized at
Festa’s opening
ceremony
Jeanyne Neumann, who was honored in May as the first “City of
Festivals Champion” by the United
Ethnic Festivals and community
leaders, was recognized at Festa
Italiana during the opening day
ceremony. Neumann, a 26-year
employee of Goodwill, has been
attending Milwaukee festivals for
40 years. United Ethnic Festivals
has provided her with tickets to
every day of each festival. Festa
Italiana is a member of United
Ethnic Festivals. Neumann was
also given gifts representative of
the respective fests during the
May ceremony on the Summerfest
grounds. She said Festa is one of
her favorite festivals. (Times photo
by Tom Hemman)
Interested in advertising with us?
Call 414-223-2801 or
email themman@italiancc.org
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Miller Lights repeat as
Festa bocce champs
By devouring 9.5 cannoli in
4 minutes, Tony Paulis wins
6th straight Festa eating title
Last year, they won the Festa Italiana bocce tournament championship in
the pouring rain. This year, the Miller Lights won the title on a beautiful,
sunny Sunday afternoon. With their trophies in hand are the players on
the Miller Lights. From the left: Dan Devine, Mike Kaczmarowski, Mike
Lange and Mark Catalano. The team also received a $500 check. In the
title match in this year’s 24-team field, the Miller Lights defeated The Big
Pallinos, 12-5. The Big Pallinos team earned a $300 check for finishing as
runner-up. The Miller Lights have won three of the last four Festa bocce
championships (2011, 2013 and 2014). Young Money, this year’s consolidation bracket champion, won the title outright in 2012. As consolidation
champs, Young Money was given a $200 check. The tournament has been
in existence since the first Festa in 1978. The sponsor of this year’s tournament was Catholic Financial Life. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Like the New York Yankees of the 1950s and the Green Bay Packers of the
1960s, it has almost become expected that Tony Paulis (far left) of
Milwaukee will win the Festa Italiana cannoli-eating championship. He
did for the sixth consecutive time on Saturday, July 19 when he devoured
9-1/2 full-size cannoli in just four minutes. His closest competitor, Tom
Carlson (far right), ate eight cannoli in the same time frame. Paulis has
won the title outright in 2009 and 2011 through 2014. Carlson, of Oakdale,
Minn., tied with Paulis in 2010. After winning this year’s championship,
Paulis convinced Cucina Showcase Manager Marie Lieber to down one
cannoli in competition fashion (seen here). The cannoli were provided by
Peter Sciortino’s Bakery. Paulis earned a $75 check, the official Festa cannoli-eating champion T-shirt and the inevitable bragging rights for another year. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)
Whether it’s soccer or futsal, FC Palermo
can’t be beat at Festa
In 2013, FC Palermo won the Festa Italiana soccer championship. This
year, they won the first-ever Festa futsal title. The futsal tournament, featuring eight area teams, was played on the sports court adjacent to the
T.J. Bartolotta Stage. The fast-paced action drew many enthusiastic spectators. FC Palermo, sponsored by Papa Luigi’s, defeated Zapopan, 6-5, in
the championship game. The team notched earlier victories over Azteca
United and Sport Club SC. FC Palermo is coached by Sal Carini, seen on
the far left. Sal Purpora, owner of Papa Luigi’s, is on the far right.
Zapopan made it to the title match by beating the Verdi Sport Club and
Cerveceros in the earlier rounds. Other teams in the tournament were
Inbounds FC and FC Palermo Due. The players on the Palermo team were
Tenzin Rampa, Scott Lorenz, Lorenzo Vicini, Bryce Boydm Choko Alvarez
and Brett Dietz. Please note: Players are not shown in the order they
appear here. The Italian Times was not able to obtain the correct order of
the players. Mike Palmisano, a past president of the Italian Community
Center, coordinated the tournament. (Times photo by Paul Inzeo)
Festa raffle winners drawn
Sunday, July 20 was a lucky day
for three people from southeastern
Wisconsin. A raffle ticket that each
purchased was drawn as a winner
of the 2014 Festa Italiana raffle.
The winners and the prizes they
won are identified here:
• 1st prize – $5,000 cash to Jane
Goode.
• 2nd prize – $1,000 cash to
Simon Peschong.
• 3rd prize – $500 cash to Kate
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Lazaro.
The raffle serves as a fund-raising activity for the Italian
Community Center, the nonprofit
organization that sponsors Festa
Italiana.
The winning tickets were drawn
before a large crowd at the Miller
Lite Stage before Bartolotta
Fireworks presented its closing
pyrotechnics show. Liz Ceraso
served a raffle chairperson.
The action was fast and furious in Festa’s first-ever futsal tournament.
This picture was taken during the championship game, which Palermo FC
won, 6-5, over Zaponan. Here, Palermo goalie Bryce Boyd makes a save on
a scoring attempt. (Times photo by Paul Inzeo)
ICC fall bocce leagues to
begin week of Sept. 8
Competition in the Italian
Community Center’s fall bocce
leagues will get underway the week
of Sept. 8. Teams in the senior citizens leagues play on either
Tuesday or Thursday afternoon.
Teams in mixed couples leagues
compete on either Monday or
Wednesday night.
Teams in each league play once
a week over an eight-week period.
If you’re interested in registering a team to play in a fall league,
here are a few things you need to
know. There are two sets of registration fees – one for those who are
not members of the ICC and one for
those who are ICC members. The
non-member registration fee is $40
per person per league season. A
discounted registration fee of $30
per person per league season is
offered to an ICC member. Each
team must consist of least four
players, with one player designated
as team captain. Each league is
interested in having eight teams,
which allows every team to compete each week of the season.
Team registration forms are
available from the league coordinators: Dan Conley (Monday night),
Anthony Gazzana (Tuesday afternoon), Tony Tarantino (Wednesday
night) and Anna Pitzo (Thursday
afternoon). The forms can also be
obtained by contacting Salina
Castro at 414/223-2180 or emailing
her at scastro@italianconference.com.
The forms must be submitted with
full payment for all players by
Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The fall championship playoffs
will take place on Monday, Nov. 10.
Courtyard Music Series heading into home
stretch, free concert series continues on
Tuesday and Thursday nights in September
Thomas Hemman
Times Editor
The 14th season of the Italian
Community Center’s free-admission Courtyard Music Series has
generated much enthusiasm,
according to Joe Campagna, Jr.,
coordinator of the summer concerts.
He’s betting that the extension of
the series into September on two of
the four weeknights will produce
much of the same excitement.
In September, the series is
showcasing some of the area’s
finest blues artists on Tuesday
night and four longtime favorites
on rock and roll Thursday night.
The Monday night jazz programs concluded on Aug. 25 with a
performance by Vivo (vocalist Pam
Duronio with Warren Wiegratz and
Tim Stemper).
This season, for the first time,
the ICC offered a variety of musical
genres on Wednesday nights. The
last of these performances was on
Aug. 27 when the Metropolitan
Opera National Council Singers
performed. Campagna reported
that the Wednesday programs,
which showcased everything from
opera to Broadway and pop to Las
Vegas-style shows, was a success,
resulting in larger crowds and
many first-time attendees.
International Autos Group
The series is sponsored by
International Autos Group, owned
by the Ralph Mauro family.
International Autos operates 11
dealership in Milwaukee and
Chicagoland area.
Campagna thanked International Autos and the Mauro family for their support.
Praise and recognition
He also praised the extraordinary talents of Tom Sorce and Kay
Sparling in putting together a lineup of great entertainment that
included some of the best musicians
and vocalists in the Midwest and
around the country. Sorce was
responsible for securing the majority of the talent while Sparling was
the talent coordinator for the six
opera evenings.
Campagna also acknowledged
Patrick Morgan, ICC Business
Manager, and his staff. “They
deserve much of the credit for helping to make each show a great
entertainment and dining experience for our audiences. The great
food, cold drinks, the excellent
entertainment and beautiful outdoor setting make the ICC the
place to be on summer nights,” he
said. The fact that the programs
are offered without a cover charge
and no drink minimum makes the
series unique, he added.
Food and bar service is available
throughout each show. The Cafe La
Scala menu offers appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, dinner entrees,
desserts, an extensive wine list and
an array of popular drinks until 10
p.m.
All the shows run from 6:30 to 9
p.m. and are open to the public and
go on rain or shine. If the weather
is inclement, the acts move indoors
to the Festa Ballroom. Ample free
parking is available in the lot south
of the building.
Advance reservations are suggested for these shows. You can
make yours by calling 414-2232185.
September shows
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – Greg Koch
with Leroy Airmaster. Guitar
master Greg Koch joins the mighty
Leroy Airmaster for an extra special night of blues. Koch has moved
beyond mere local hero status in
the upper Midwest and has become
an internationally renowned guitarist, session ace, top-selling guitar instructional book and DVD
Calendar of Events
August 26 – September, 2014
Tuesday, Aug. 26
• Courtyard Music Series: Bluesday Tuesday with The Bel-Airs, 6:30 p.m.
Details on all of the remaining Courtyard Music Series shows in this
issue.
• Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
• Courtyard Music Series: Variety Night featuring Metropolitan Opera
National Council Singers, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 16
• Courtyard Music Series: Bluesday Tuesday with Reverend Raven & The
Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, 6:30 p.m.
• Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
• Filippo Mazzei Lodge of Order Sons of Italy in America Council meeting,
6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 28
• Courtyard Music Series: Rock & Roll with Oldies But Goodies
Spectacular, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 18
• Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
• Courtyard Music Series: Rock & Roll with the Doo-Wop Daddies,
6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 1
• Labor Day. The offices of the Italian Community Center, Italian
Conference Center, Festa Italiana and The Italian Times as well as
Cafe La Scala will be closed.
Saturday, Sept. 20
• Italian Family History Club meeting, 10:30 a.m. Details in this issue.
• Fall semester begins for the Italian Community Center’s free Children’s
Italian class, 2 p.m. Details in this issue.
Friday, Aug. 29
• Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society social, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 19
• Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society social, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 2
• Courtyard Music Series: Bluesday Tuesday with Leroy Airmaster and
Greg Koch, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 23
• Courtyard Music Series: Bluesday Tuesday with The Jimmys, 6:30 p.m.
• Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 4
• Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.
• Italian Community Center general meeting, 6:30 p.m.
• Courtyard Music Series: Rock & Roll with Rick D’Amore’s Rockin’ Dance
Party, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
• Courtyard Music Series: Rock & Roll with the Larry Lynne Band,
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
• Pompeii Women’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 8
• Italian Community Center Culture Committee meeting, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
• Fall semester begins for Italian Community Center Italian II class,
5:30 p.m. Details in this issue.
• Courtyard Music Series: Bluesday Tuesday with Jim Liban Combo,
6:30 p.m.
• Pompeii Men’s Club Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
• Abruzzese Galileo Galilei Society meeting and spuntino, 7 p.m.
• Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.
• Fall semester begins for Italian Community Center Italian I class.
Details in this issue.
Thursday, Sept. 11
• Courtyard Music Series: Rock & Roll with the Oldies But Goodies
Spectacular, 6:30 p.m.
• Società Maschile M.S.S. Del Lume meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 12
• Italian Community Center Casino Night fund-raiser, 7 p.m. Details in
this issue.
Monday, Sept. 15
• Italian Community Center Finance & Personnel Committee meeting,
6 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
• Pompeii Women’s Club scholarship awards dinner, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 30
• Courtyard Music Series: Bluesday Tuesday with Altered Five, 6:30 p.m.
Daily and weekly classes and activities
• Bocce leagues. The fall league season begins the week of Sept. 8 with
couples’ leagues on Monday and Wednesday nights and seniors’ leagues
on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Details in this issue.
• Free Children’s Italian class. The fall semester of this free class for children, ages 6-12, begins its 8-week run on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.
Look for details and a registration form in this section.
• Italian classes for teens and adults. The fall semester of Italian classes
for teens and adults begins its 10-week run on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 5:30
p.m. (Italian I) and 7:30 p.m. (Italian II). Look for details and a registration form in this section.
• Tradizione Vivente, The Italian Dance Group of Milwaukee. This folk
dance group practices weekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the ICC. Visit
www.tradizionevivente.com for details. Ballate con noi! Dance with us!
• Members Room. Open to Italian Community Center members and their
guests, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday - Thursday and 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday
and Saturday.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Slate finalized for ICC election; races for
vice president and directors-at-large
from page 1
nominated meet the eligibility
requirements set forth in Article V,
Section 1 of the organization’s
bylaws. This section spells out all
the requirements and conditions for
candidacy and the holding of an
annual election.
Voting procedures
Under the procedures in Article
V, ballots must be mailed to all
members in good standing within
eight days following the September
general meeting. (That meeting
takes place on Thursday, Sept, 4).
The bylaws define a member in
good standing as anyone who
became a member or renewed a
membership at least 60 days prior
to the day when the election results
are to be announced. In terms of
this election, if you’ve been a member since at least Aug. 4, 2014, you
are eligible to vote and will receive
a ballot in the mail.
The Election Committee is in
charge of mailing out the ballots to
eligible voters.
Regarding the submission of ballots, the bylaws state: “All ballots
must be postmarked no later than
the Thursday preceding the
October general membership meeting. Ballots marked after that date
will be saved, but will not be
opened or counted.” The October
general meeting is Thursday, Oct.
2. Therefore, ballot envelopes must
be postmarked no later than Sept.
25, 2014 to be opened and counted.
Instructions for voting and
returning ballots will be included in
the mailing sent by the Election
Committee.
Election results will be
announced as part of the proceedings at the Oct. 2 general meeting.
The Election Committee and its
chosen group of volunteers will
hand count the ballots.
The newly elected officers will
serve for one year while the new
directors-at-large will fill two-year
terms. All terms begin officially on
Nov. 1.
About the uncontested officers
Giuseppe Vella will succeed
Gina Spang as President. Spang
has held the presidency the last
two years. Vella has been the vice
president over the same period. He
served as a director-at-large from
2010 to 2012.
A longtime ICC member, Vella
has participated as a volunteer and
donor in many of the activities
hosted by the organization. He has
been active in Festa Italiana, serv-
ing
on
the
Management
Committee, Advisory Committee
and Food Committee, the ICC
Finance Committee and assisted
various other committees.
Vella, his brother, Luigi, and his
sister, Maria Sali, have been the coowners of Peter Sciortino’s Bakery
on Brady Street in Milwaukee for
18 years.
Giuseppe and his wife, Rhiana,
were honored as Re and Regina
(King and Queen) of the Il Grande
Carnevale in 2010. Carnevale is the
organization’s pre-Lenten costume
and mask ball.
Their children, Salvatore, Maria
and Isabella, are actively involved
in the ICC and Festa.
Dave Spano is replacing the
retiring Sam Purpero as treasurer.
Purpero has served as treasurer
the last five years.
Both Spano and Purpero are
past presidents of the ICC. Spang
served as president from 20102012. He previously served as vice
president (2009-10), and four consecutive terms as treasurer (200304 through 2007-08). He has long
been involved as a member and
chairman of the organization’s
Finance Committee. He is currently
a member of the ICC’s Land
Development Committee.
Spano is the president and CEO
of Annex Wealth Management, an
investment firm.
Ceraso-Fritchie, a longtime
member of the organization, has
held the office of secretary for the
past 10 years. She has long been an
active volunteer for Festa Italiana,
In the most recent years, she has
served as manager of golf carts.
She is currently the president of
the Milwaukee Chapter UNICO
National. She is chairperson of the
ICC’s Avanti Committee and has
been on the committee that is
responsible for orchestrating
Carnevale.
Czubek first won the sergeantat-arms post in the 2010 election,
making her the first woman to hold
the position in the history of the
ICC. She previously served on the
Board as a director-at-large (19972002). She has a long history of volunteer involvement in the ICC and
with Festa. She has been co-chairperson of Carnevale the last seven
years and has chaired the
Membership Committee and the
Election Committee. She has volunteered for many events and has
been co-manager of Festa Signage
the last several years. For the last
19 years, she has served as Festa’s
Giuseppe Vella
Dave Spano
Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie
Joanne (Sanfilippo) Czubek
volunteer coordinator. She is currently a member of the Newspaper
Committee.
Spang will continue to serve on
the Board in the non-elective position of immediate past president.
Also continuing their service for
another year are directors Susie
Christiansen, Tony Piacentini, Liz
Ceraso and Pietro Tarantino,
although Tarantino would have to
surrender his directorship if he is
elected vice president.
Anna Pitzo, who has served as a
director for the last two years,
opted not to seek re-election.
Seeking your vote
As an informational service to
the ICC membership, The Italian
Times asked the two vice presiden-
tial candidates and the 10 competing for directors’ seats to complete
a questionnaire. Their comments
are presented here in the same
order as their names appear on the
official ballot.
A drawing for ballot positions
was conducted by the Election
Committee, in front of this
reporter, on Monday, Aug. 11.
The first name drawn for vice
president was Pietro Tarantino followed by Dean Cannestra. The
order of the names drawn in the
directors-at-large race were as follows: Mario A. Carini, Ted
Catalano, Ralph Busalacchi, Chuck
Lazzaro, George Menos, Henry
Piano, Tony Zingale, Edward
Ciano, Joe Campagna, Jr. and Joe
Jannazzo.
Statements of vice presidential candidates
Pietro Tarantino and Dean Cannestra
Pietro Tarantino
Self-employed
How have you been involved in
the ICC within the last five years?
• 26-year ICC member and
served on the Board as a Director
(1999-2001, 2002-2004), 20062008), 2008-2010, 2013-2015).
• Liaison to Italian Consulate in
Chicago and all Italian governmental agencies.
• Culture Committee member.
• Director of Italian classes.
• Former Newspaper Committee Chair.
If you are elected to the Board,
what you are going to do to help the
THE ITALIAN TIMES
organization?
ICC members worked extremely
hard to acquire our Center, and it
would be a shame to see it vanish
in thin air. THE ICC IS A COMMUNITY CENTER! Issues should
be brought to members for discussions, not having a select few make
the decisions for all. I’ll make positive differences in making necessary changes to bring back the
Center to its members, and make
positive relationships with the
board, committees, chairs and
members. I can create solutions
with an atmosphere of trust, cooperation and honest dialogue. With
Dean Cannestra
Owner/Manager,
Divino Wine & Dine
Restaurant and
Nessun Dorma Bar
& Restaurant
• Board of Directors, 2010-2014.
• Membership Committee
Chairman, 2011-2013.
• Festa Food committee, 20082014.
• Festa Steering Committee,
2012.
• Taste of Italy and Carnevale,
donor and volunteer.
organization?
The heart of a strong organization is its members. We all need to
be informed, heard and involved to
be successful.
Our President and Board have
much to consider concerning our
long-standing issues regarding
finances and possible land development. The wisdom and experience
of our founding members must be
considered, yet, we must be open to
new ideas to ensure the future of
our Center.
As your Vice President, I will
Vice presidential candidates’ statements continued
Pietro Tarantino’s statement
from page 7
the right people, we can make necessary changes to bring back the
Center to what it once was.
We need to re-establish relationships with Italian regions to provide cultural exhibits and entertainment for Festa and the Center
AT LOW COST.
I’LL PROVIDE FISCAL AND
FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY to
establish budgets for Festa and the
Center, to comply within our financial and economic environment.
Dismal
finances
require
ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY.
Dean Cannestra’s statement
from page 7
strive to create collaboration with
our membership and its directors
engaging in conversation to
exchange ideas and information.
I was born into a family steeped
in Italian tradition, whose dream it
was to have us all united in one
community. That dream was
accomplished. Let us create a new
dream to ensure our future. Will it
be easy? NO. Can it be done? YES,
by pulling together and moving forward.
We will not succeed with a fractured membership. We must be one
family.
Statements of the 10 candidates for
director-at-large seats
Mario A. Carini
Historian, researching the
history of Milwaukee’s
Italians since 1858.
• Historian, ICC.
• Contributor to The Italian
Times.
• Festa Steering Committee.
• Festa Pompeii and Photo
Exhibit Manager.
• Organized an exhibit with the
Milwaukee County Historical
Society on Milwaukee’s Italians
that was showcased for two years.
• Contributor of historical information on Milwaukee’s Italians to
writers across the nation.
organization?
As a past president of our organization, recent trends have been a
concern to me. My intention for
serving on the Board will be the
safeguarding of the ideals and principles which were in existence
when the ICC was founded in 1979.
I believe that there is a need for
balance and harmony within the
Board itself. Your support will be
greatly appreciated.
Pietro Tarantino
tions and understandings for the
future of the ICC could come into
play.
As the former owner of Catalano
Produce Company, I learned not
only to sell a product that I
believed in, but, more importantly,
how to adapt and move forward in
a sea of variability.
I’m proud of my Italian ethnicity
and am prepared to do my best to
help stabilize our Italian
Community Center for future generations.
Ted A. Catalano
Ralph A. Busalacchi
Quality Control, Huber
Groups
• Board of Directors.
• Festa Security Manager.
• Finance Committee.
Mario A. Carini
Ted A. Catalano
High School Math Teacher
in Milwaukee Public
Schools
• Served on the Festa Mass
Committee for the last 15 years,
managing the ushers and assisting
in all other areas.
organization?
I will begin by listening to the
ideas and suggestions of everyone
involved. I would then be able to
evaluate how well my own concep-
organization?
I have been a member of the
Italian Community Center for the
last 19 years. I have volunteered
for Festa Italiana the last 29 years.
I have the want and passion for the
greater success of the ICC and for
Festa Italiana.
Chuck A. Lazzaro
Retired, Wisconsin Air
National Guard. I was the
Airfield Manager.
• Volunteered at Festa Italiana
for over 30 years in the
Festa/Pompeii Men’s Club Tee
Shirt booth, in partnership with
the ICC.
• Volunteered at “A Taste of
Italy” for 15 years and other ICC
activities, most recently delivery of
Festa issue of The Italian Times.
organization?
The ICC is a great organization
to be a part of. My goal would be to
raise awareness to the community
of what a great place we have in
Milwaukee’s Third Ward.
I will strive to create a new era
of cooperation between the ICC and
the other Italian societies to work
toward common goals of keeping
the dream of a viable Italian
Community Center that everyone is
proud of and that everyone would
be proud to support. For example, if
the societies work together with the
ICC we could have events like a
Columbus Day dance that would
attract people from the community.
I will work to expand the ICC
footprint from not just a limited
membership, but a place that
would attract all kinds of people
from the Greater Milwaukee area. I
would like the ICC to be a place
that families want to join.
Dean Cannestra
Dad to 5 great kids and
Grandpa to 10 awesome
grandchildren.
• Chairman, Italian Community
Center Conference Board.
• Finance Committee, Italian
Community Center.
• Festa Steering Committee.
• Festa Executive Committee.
organization?
Going back to my Presidential
installation speech in 1993, I said
to all of you, “Ask not what the ICC
can do for you but, what can we do
for the ICC.” That quote is even
more important today than it was
then.
There are many reasons for the
dire financial situation that the
ICC is in today, and I believe I
must get more directly involved in
the decision making process as to
where we are headed, for today and
tomorrow. We must get back on the
right track fiscally, be more transparent and share more information
with our members.
We have to do more to bring our
members together and get them
involved in more fundraising activities in order to improve our financial position.
I am asking for your vote and
your help so we can roll up our
sleeves and get to work.
George Menos
Chuck Lazzaro
Ralph Busalacchi
George J. Menos, Sr.
Retired after being active
in sales-marketing and
advertising for over 45
years with AT&T and others. My pastime since
retirement has been as
Henry G. Piano
Self-employed Attorney
• Four years ago, I was
President of the ICC.
• In the past five years, I have
served as President of the ICC, on
the Finance and Land Development
Committees, the Board of
Directors, the Festa Steering
Continued on page 9
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Statements of the 10 candidates for
director-at-large seats
from page 9
Committee,
Fund
Raising
Chairman and Consulting Attorney
without compensation.
organization?
At this crucial time in our history, and more than ever before, we
need members of the Board of
Directors who clearly understand
our history and have the experience
to guide our Center in the difficult
economic conditions created by the
Recession and its aftermath. The
present conditions have motivated
four ex-Presidents to run for the
Board. Each one of us exPresidents brings the experience
and talent to help us through these
difficult times, and I urge their
election.
“I will provide to the Board of
Directors and Officers, legal and
financial advice on the development
of our land and share my more
than 56 years of experience in the
practice of law to make our Center
successful, expand our membership
rolls and promote transparency of
all actions taken by the Executive
Officers and the Board of Directors.
Henry Piano
Anthony M. Zingale
Retired. Worked for
Johnson Controls for 45
years.
• ICC Director-At-Large (201214).
• Festa Mass Committee member.
• Co-Chair, Thanksgiving
Dinner for the poor and homeless.
• Taste of Italy volunteer.
• Co-Chair, Festa Italiana
Volunteer Food Tent.
• Festa Steering Committee
member as ICC Board designate.
• Newspaper Committee member.
• Served last of several terms as
Sergeant-At-Arms in 2009-10 term.
organization?
I will be a positive influence for
Tony Zingale
THE ITALIAN TIMES
the ICC. All I do is for the good of
the ICC to serve and advance our
culture and heritage. I will be a
voice for the good of the ICC. I will
volunteer, as I have done in the
past and will do so for the advancement of the ICC. I will help on all
matters for the good of the Center.
I will be a good P.R. person as with
people who volunteer at Festa and
all occasions. I will attend all meetings of the ICC, especially all of the
officers and board meetings and the
general meetings.
* * *
Edward Ciano
Police Officer – City of
Milwaukee (1997 – present)
the ICC with the last five years?
• Second generation ICC member.
• Festa volunteer since 1981.
• Manager, Festa Drivers.
• Co-Chair, ICC Membership
Committee.
organization?
I will:
• Plan to reintroduce the Italian
Community Center to a generation
forgotten. Attract younger individuals and families to be involved.
• Be involved with the creation
of new and aggressive marketing
plans for the Conference Center
and restaurant to be competitive
with other neighborhood venues.
• Support the concept of an
‘intelligent’ membership card that
would automatically record discounts for members in La Scala and
save management costs with sales
inventory information.
• Work for understandable
financial reports that provide a
clear picture to the ICC members of
our money flow.
• Require timely financial
updates.
• Work to implement a clearer
understanding and more cohesive
working relationship with our
Conference Center.
Edward Ciano
Joe Campagna, Jr.
Financial Advisor,
Registered
Representative, Cyganiak
Planning, Inc.
• Have served on the Festa
Steering Committee for past 10
years.
• Started and coordinated the
ICC Courtyard Music Series for 14
years as a volunteer.
• Monitored the guest passes for
Festa Italiana – 3 years.
organization?
If elected to the Board, I will
work to improve communications to
the membership. Too often recently, members have been left in the
dark. We are at a critical time
regarding the building and
grounds. As a former investment
real estate broker, I can assist in
our efforts.
Festa Italiana needs to be fully
reviewed to make it more profitable
and return us to the BEST FESTIVAL we always enjoyed. As a past
and successful Festa Executive
Director, I have proven that this is
possible.
• Volunteer at Taste of Italy
organization?
My CEO recently put out an
article about honoring tradition
and embracing change. The ICC is
a great organization with a rich
history that honors the traditions
of our Italian heritage. I believe the
future of our Center is embodied in
honoring our great traditions, but
also embracing the needed changes
to create a Community Center that
will meet the needs of future generations.
Some areas I will focus on are
reaching out to the next generation
member, creating an ambassador
team to engage new members, finding ways to connect with the community, and finally work together
with membership to make sure our
mission and vision is specific, clear
and will drive engagement and
fundraising for the Center. To
become the organization of the
future, we must embrace the necessary changes to ensure we can honor
our rich traditions of the past.
Joe Campagna, Jr.
Joe Jannazzo, Jr.
Agency Manager, Greater
Milwaukee Region, COUNTRY Financial
• Festa Planning Committee
• Finance Committee
• Co-Manager – Festa Bank
• Membership Committee
• Outreach
Having dinner for up to 300 guests?
Joe Jannazzo, Jr.
Entertain them at the Italian Conference
Center’s
FESTA BALLROOM.
A gorgeous setting in which to enjoy great food!
The Italian Conference Center
in the Italian Community Center
631 E. Chicago St. (a block west of Summerfest)
Call David at 414/ 223-2800 to
reserve your party or meeting space at the ICC.
Visit: www.ItalianConference.com
Have something to sell this fall? Consider placing an ad in
The Italian Times? For ad size information and costs, call
414-223-2801 or send an email to themman@italiancc.org.
Bill Jennaro talks up Festa Italiana,
Milwaukee’s Italians in interview
with web portal, We the Italians
In an interview appearing on
the web portal We the Italians, Bill
Jennaro, a past president of the
Italian Community Center and
past chairman of Festa Italiana,
spoke about Milwaukee’s Italian
festival and its Italian community.
This year, Jennaro served as a
manager for Festa advertising, gondolas and the festival’s VIP Day for
persons with physical and mental
challenges.
We the Italians is a web portal
where everyone can share, promote, be informed and keep in
touch with anything regarding
Italy happening in the U.S. Every
kind of content can be found in its
repository, with videos and news,
meetings and resources, businesses
and events, festivals and associations telling who, where and when
to eat, watch, listen, read, sing,
talk, share, play, wear, drive,
drink, like and be Italian in every
single one of the 50 States.
We the Italians proclaims,
“Before us there wasn’t a website
dedicated to those who live in the
US and like Italian people, food,
art, culture, fashion, language,
music, cinema, sport, business, creativity; for those who want to meet
other people with the same passion
for Italy; for those who believe that
the union between Italy and the
U.S. is really the perfect storm, and
that’s the reason why our name
puts together the Italian people
with the American constitution.
Italy needs to be promoted by
the web, Italians are always
American people’s best friends, the
Italian American community has so
many things to express and share:
that’s why We the Italians is here
to stay!”
To subscribe to We The Italians,
go to www.wetheitalians.com. The
interview appearing below was
done by Umberto Mucci, the
founder and president of We The
Italians. It was posted shortly
before the beginning of this year’s
Festa Italiana (July 18-20, 2014).
* * *
Among the more than 300 festas
that every year celebrate Italy in
the U.S., a number that seems
impossible but instead is real,
today our interview will bring us to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Let’s face it,
this is not the first city that comes
to our mind when we think about
the American places of the Italian
emigration: and probably it isn’t
even in the top 10.
Still, every year a huge, impressive Festa Italiana shows with a
big success an incredible interest,
love and passion for Italy, something that we the Italians who live
in Italy wouldn’t imagine. This
year, the festa will be from July 18
toJ 20. We’ve talked about this
with Bill Jennaro, former chairperson of the Festa and now “just a
volunteer”, as he humbly said to us,
with a patience, a kindness and a
love for our country that you don’t
find every day.
Bill, thank you very much
for your time. Please tell us
something about Festa Italiana
in Milwaukee
Festa Italiana Milwaukee is a
celebration of Italian heritage and
culture and food, and it is located
on the beautiful shores of Lake
Michigan – one of the five great
lakes of the U.S. The location, the
Summerfest grounds, is a permanent facility where events are often
organized; the people who operate
the grounds are an organization
called Summerfest, very nice people: the director of the grounds is
half Italian, his mother was from
Calabria. He is a very nice man and
very helpful to us.
Each summer there are many
ethnic festivals in this facility:
Italian, Polish, German, Irish,
Mexican, Indian, Arab; plus a pride
festival, so eight festivals every
summer. The oldest is Festa
Italiana, first established almost 40
years ago, is the outgrowth of four
street festivals in the summer time
in Milwaukee. Each year there
would be these festivals in what’s
called the Italian district in
Milwaukee, the “Little Italy”: this
was the oldest neighborhood in the
city. People who came were not
only Italian people; people came
there because they enjoyed the culture, the food and the music.
Then, in the mid ‘50s, a major
urban renovation started, because
of expressway construction, right in
the middle of the Italian neighborhood: Italians displaced because of
the government’s acquisition of
their properties and their houses.
And so the festivals stopped, there
were no people living there anymore. People in Milwaukee, especially - but not only - of that area,
which as a political district was
called “third ward”, missed the festivals: and so came out the idea of
having a new bigger festival, on the
new Summerfest grounds which
were being developed on the lake
front. Italians came together and
made this happen, despite the loss
of an Italian neighborhood.
Both Italian organizations and
Italian individuals worked together. When it was announced nobody
knew if this idea would have been
successful, but it was: we have now
over 100.000 people attend each
year. The festival is a three-day
event.
The success of Festa Italiana led
other ethnic groups to consider a
similar event to celebrate their culture too. So the mayor of
Milwaukee, Henry Maier (he’d been
mayor for 28 years), of German heritage, called together all the
German associations: and there
was plenty of them, because
Germans are the first ethnic group
associated with the heritage of
Milwaukee, and actually of the
whole State of Wisconsin. So the
mayor pushed to have a German
festival, using these words: “If the
Italians can do it, we can do it”!
And so the next year a German festival was organized, and then a
Polish one, and then the others I
mentioned. But we the Italians
were the pioneers.
So, what happens during the
Festa?
We have 2,000 volunteers to
help us with everything that happens during the three days; we have
40 food and wine vendors, and five
different stages for music, Italian
and not: every year we try to have a
musical group from Italy. And, obviously, on Sunday we have a mass.
This year, we are excited about
bringing Patrizio Buanne from
Europe to headline our festival.
Bill Jennaro (center) the manager of gondola operations, is seen here with
gondoliers in a photo taken at Festa 2013. From the left: Sal Galioto,
Anthony Frigo, Jennaro, Tony Emmiti and Patrick Longo. (Times photo by
Tom Hemman)
We have a cultural exhibit area
dedicated every year to different
regional cultures of Italy, with costumes and traditions, handcrafts
and tourism: this year our guest
will be Lombardy. There is a bocce
tournament; there’s a parade, and
a stage which is completely dedicated to children. We have Italian
movies. We have a section dedicated to genealogy researches. And of
course, food and Italian cuisine
play a very important role during
the entire three days of the event.
We have a protected area right
on the water – called a lagoon - into
Lake Michigan and we have four
gondolas. We also have an exhibition about opera music, and another one with pictures of Italians who
came to Milwaukee long time ago,
which is a beautiful display. We
even have a replica of the Roman
Colosseo!
Every year, literally hundreds of festival and feasts celebrate Italy all over the United
States: either in big cities and
in small towns, in probably
every state there’s at least one
event like this. What’s the
meaning of this incredible
series of yearly events, with
always thousands and thousands of people, not necessarily
all of Italian heritage?
I have been in Italy a number of
times, and every time I go to Sicily.
I have seen festas throughout all of
Italy. It seems that every town has
its own festa. This has a lot to do
with religion: every room in my
house had a picture of San Rocco –
my mother’s Saint, she was from
Bari in Puglia, while my father was
from Sicily: every Italian immigrant did so, and was and still is
very proud about the adoration for
his or her saints, as a way to show
the love for their community: so
this is why there are many festivals
and feasts around the United
States like “Festa Italiana”. For the
Italians, even if they are gone from
Italy, Italy is not gone from them.
I also enjoy San Gennaro Feast
in the original Little Italy in New
York, because of my family name
which originally was Gennaro and
became Jennaro in 1921, when in a
commercial a painter who had to
write my grandfather’s family
name drew a G that seemed like a
J: from that point we were the only
Gennaro with a J.
What’s the story of the
Italian
emigration
in
Wisconsin?
The majority of Italian immigrants in Milwaukee had Sicilian
heritage, for instance in Kenosha,
not far from here, many came from
Calabria; but here in Milwaukee
there also was a group from the
Dolomites, in the very north of
Italy. This last group was representing a different kind of emigration: some of them already spoke
English, they had school education
and integrated faster and easier
than the others. Then they moved
and created a new district in
Milwaukee, called Bay View, on the
southeast shore of the city of
Milwaukee overlooking Lake
Michigan.
The Sicilians were mostly uneducated. They came in what was the
Irish district at that time, downtown Milwaukee, and the Irish
really didn’t like these Italian people, so different from them: they
wanted these Italians out, and did
nothing to hide this sentiment.
Still, in time what once was the
Irish district ended up being the
Italian district, Milwaukee’s Little
Italy.
But even if these two groups of
people, one from northern Italy and
the other from southern Italy, were
made by immigrants coming from
the same country who landed in the
same city, they didn’t speak to each
other. They were two separate
THE ITALIAN TIMES
New stars, legendary favorite entertain Festa crowds
International singing sensation Patrizio Buanne is seen here in one of his
two performances at Festa Italiana on the Pick n’ Save Stage. This was
Buanne’s first appearance at Festa. Large crowds attended both of his
shows. (Times photo by Craig Schoenung)
Las Vegas comedian, impressionist and singer Stephen Sorrentino made
an impressive debut at Festa Italiana. Sorrentino, who delivered a familystyle show, has been recognized three times by his peers as “Male
Impressionist of the Year.” (Times photo by Amber Knoll)
The Vince Chiarelli Band performed at Festa Italiana for the first time
and received many kind comments. Vince Chiarelli (on the right) also performed as a soloist at the wine tasting tents. (Times photo by Joe
Spasiano)
An opportunity to see the legendary accordionist Dick Contino perform at
Festa Italiana was one of the reasons why these ladies came from Chicago
to the festival. From the left: Lisa Nelson, Janice Parenti, Contino and
Nancy Letteri. (Times photo by Craig Schoenung)
Peter Carini, chef/owner of Carini’s La Conca d’Oro, prepared some of his
famous calamari for Festa guests. He told The Italian Times that it was a
good weekend for calamari sales. Carini’s La Conca d’Oro was one of 25
food vendors on the Festa grounds. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
THE ITALIAN TIMES
The Gri, Ugolini and Emmerich families from Highland Park, Ill. enjoyed
many of the Italian food delicacies that were available across the Festa
grounds. (Times photo by Paul Inzeo)
Anthony Rosero wins
2014 ‘Italian Idol’ title
After wooing the audience and a celebrity judging panel with his versions
of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and the Italian classic “Volare,”
Anthony Rosero (center) of West Allis, was awarded the 8th annual Festa
Italiana “Italian Idol” championship on Sunday, July 20. Second place
went to Tim Schmidt (far left) of Greenfield and third place to Jose Del
Valle of Milwaukee. Each received a trophy to take home. Rosero earned a
$500 prize. Schmidt garnered $300 and Del Valle was given $200. The contest was sponsored by WFA Assets Management and R&R Insurance.
(Times photo by Tom Hemman)
La Grande Parata
della Festa Italiana
Opera takes center stage
at Festa Italiana
Mezzo soprano Jillian Bruss (left) and soprano Sarah Lewis Jones were
among the vocalists who performed in the Dominic H. Frinzi Memorial
Opera tent at Festa Italiana. Bruss and company performed on Saturday,
July 19. (Times photo by Joe Spasiano)
Photo, right: One of the privileges of being members of the Italian
Community Center’s Royalty as selected for the 2014 celebration of Il Grande
Carnevale (pre-Lenten ball), is that you get to participate in La Grande
Parata (The Grand Parade) at Festa Italiana. Nonno and Nonna Charlie and
Doris Evans (on left) and Re and Regina Dan and Christine Conley rode in
style in a horse-drawn carriage. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Photo below: Festa’s Pinocchio
mobile was filled with children
and some adults for the parade
ICC President
Gina Spang
reports . . .
from page 1
more work to do. Examine the candidates carefully and think about
how each candidate will help the
organization in a positive way. Will
they help move the ICC forward,
maintain status quo or move us
backward? One of the unique
things about the ICC is the fact
that we are a member led organization. We elect our leaders and
expect them to make decisions in
the best interest of the members
and the organization. Think about
which candidates will take the job
seriously and who will make the
best decisions on your behalf as
you cast your votes in this year’s
election.
Finally, I still have a little work
to do before I leave office. One of
the things this administration has
been working on is the disposition
of our property. We will begin more
detailed discussions on this at our
next general membership meeting
on Thursday, Sept. 4. Be sure to
attend to get an update on what is
under consideration and voice your
thoughts on the various options.
I look forward to seeing you at
the upcoming General Membership
meeting as well as Casino night.
– Gina M. Spang
ICC President
Festa General Chair
held on Saturday and Sunday. The
mobile, designed and built by
Italian Community Center member
Cosmo Carini, has been a popular
feature of Festa since 2009. The
mobile’s panels tell the original
story of The Adventures of
Pinocchio by Italian author Carlo
Collodi. (Times photo by Joe
Spasiano)
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Festa Italiana’s Fine Arts tent
again featured a variety of artisans and authors of Italian
descent. Here’s Valorie Schleicher,
who has long served as manager of
the tent. In this photo, she is displaying some of her ceramic
works. (Times photo by Tom
Hemman)
Two of Festa Italiana’s gondolas, filled with passengers, passed in the lagoon as our photographer caught
this photo. The gondolier steering the front vessel is
Volunteer Angelo Bellacera sold calia and semenza and the popular “Holy
Italian Bear” from a display at the front of Festa’s Regional tent. This
year, the northern Italian region of Lombardia (Lombardy) was saluted in
photos, displays and merchandise in the regional tent. Bellarcera, who
worked all three days of Festa, said many people stopped by to buy the
calia, semenza and Italian bear and that he had a great time volunteering.
Paul Reyes and Julie Murnane of Chicago viewed the biographies of
numerous Italian and Italian American stars of film, television and stage
in the Cinema Tent. Each biography (accompanied with a photo of the
star) is prepared by a group of volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to making the Cinema Tent an informative place to visit. (Times photo
by Craig Schoenung)
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Tony Emmiti. The other was guided by Salvatore
Galioto. Both gentlemen have served as gondoliers
since Festa 2012. (Times photo by Paul Inzeo)
NIAF official on hand at
Festa to promote 2015 PBS
series on Italian Americans
Elissa Ruffino (far right), Director of Communications for the National
Italian American Foundation, was on hand at Festa Italiana to promote a
major four-hour television event entitled “The Italian Americans” that
will premiere on the national Public Broadcasting System (Channel 10 in
Milwaukee) in February 2015. NIAF is one of the series’ sponsors.
Narrated by acclaimed actor Stanley Tucci, “The Italian Americans” examines the distinctive qualities of this immigrant group’s experience, and
how over time these qualities have shaped and challenged America.
Moving chronologically through history from the mid 19th century to
present day, this series focuses on the unique history of Italian Americans
– the push-pull of balancing Italian traditions with American ideals and
sensibilities. Seen here with Ruffino are Festa Italiana managers Ann
Zambito, Betty Puccio and Joe Zambito. Channel 10 is producing a documentary on Milwaukee’s Italian community to coincide with the national
PBS series. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Festa guests took advantage of opportunities to view Italian films and
travelogues in the Cinema Tent in Heritage Square. The films and travelogues were shown throughout each of the three days of the festival.
(Times photo by Craig Schoenung)
The Festa Choir: An ongoing expression
of music, song and tradition
By Blaise DiPronio
Growing up Catholic meant
many things to many people.
Between the strict tenets, memorizing Catechism and confronting the
Confessional, there wasn’t much
“fun” to be had. But there was one
Church function that was exhilarating, rewarding and worth looking forward to: the Sunday High
Mass. It was usually standing room
only, all wearing their Sunday best
and the church fragrant with the
sweet blend of flowers, incense and
perfume. And then there was the
choir!
The men and women sang in
booming, unearthly voices up and
down the musical scale. They were
unseen, above us in a loft where
they could have been angels for all
we knew. They sang in English,
Latin and Italian and suddenly the
sullen and mundane Mass came to
life and exploded in song.
Fast forward to 2001 and a
chance meeting between a
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Italian instructor and a local
Catholic parish choir director with
Mass Committee members and the
seed for a Festa Italiana Mass
Choir was planted. It bloomed in
2008 when Professor Marisa GattiTaylor joined the Festa Italiana
Mass and Procession Committee as
its music liaison. The professor
accepted gladly and almost at once
contacted the St. Sebastian Parish
Choir Director Michael Kamenski,
who then also joined them and
thus formed the founding nucleus
of the Festa Italiana Choir.
Festa Italiana was initially
founded as a resurgence of and continuation of the traditional church
festivals of the defunct and razed
Pompeii Church and an Italian
church festival meant plenty of
hymns and songs. Prior to 2008,
the Festa Mass was already full of
pageantry, varas and rituals. It
was and is the centerpiece heart
and soul of the tradition filled festival. Singing at the High Mass had
been provided by a changing
ensemble and assortment of local
parish choirs and/or singing groups
and a sprinkling of a professional
or talented amateur singer here
The Festa Choir with mandolinists with director
Michael Kamenski performing at the 2014 Mass.
and there- but never a choir it
could call its own. The newly
formed 2008 Festa Italiana Choir
was built around the St. Sebastian
Choir led by Maestro Kamenski
with other singers soon joining in
with some that came from as far
away as Sheboygan, Wis. and
Rockford, Ill.
The immediate challenge was, of
course, the language barrier of
Italian hymns to be sung by nonItalian speaking singers. But with
the help of Professor Gatti-Taylor’s
daughter Olivia’s translation of
Italian lyrics into English versions
and Michael Kamenski’s rich musical arrangements, the songs came
alive with sound, devotion and tradition. Their work, along with the
singers and local musicians, continued beyond the first year. New ‘old’
songs in Latin, Italian and English
were researched and found by
Professor Gatti-Taylor and added
to the repertoire. More singers also
joined the group as the choir’s reputation spread.
By 2010, The Festa Italiana
Choir was sounding, in the words of
Gatti-Taylor: “very good.” In fact,
visiting Archbishop Claudio Celli
from the Roman Curia, the presider
at that year’s Festa Mass, at first
criticized the choir for favoring old
hymns and not “moving forward”
with the times. But after hearing
the choir, he was visibly moved and
then praised it in his homily by
recalling hearing and learning
their hymns while on his mother’s
knee.
The Festa Italiana Choir’s progression and mastery of their
artistry continued into 2011 when
it was decided to record a CD. With
the collaboration of Professor GattiTaylor’s husband, Dr. Steven M.
Taylor and the Director of Liturgy
and Music at St. Sebastian’s
Church, Mike Kamenski, the CD,
titled Inni e Canti (Hymns and
Songs) was recorded by the choir at
St. Sebastian’s Church. The CD
features 15 rare Italian hymns.
They were fully translated by the
above-mentioned Olivia Gatti
Taylor Kopitzke who, it should be
noted, is also an award-winning
poet. The CD was a labor of love for
all involved. A love for music, song
and tradition. The CD is still available at www.inniecanti.com.
In 2012, a harmonious “miracle”
of sorts was accomplished at the
Festa Mass when its choir joined
the circa 40-member Coro
Polifonico Flegreo from Naples,
Festa Mass & Procession Committee
thanks sponsors and donors
The Festa Italiana Mass &
Procession Committee wishes to
thank this year’s sponsors –
Catholic Financial Life and
Harder Funeral Home, James T.
Guardalabene – as well as all
those who made donations for the
religious celebration on Sunday,
July 20.
This year, a total of $2,750 in
donations was received.
“Everyone on our committee
appreciates and values the
tremendous support of our sponsors and our donors,” said Vivian
Balistreri and Sal Lo Coco, committee co-chairs. “Their involvement helps Festa Italiana carry on
the essence of the Mass.”
The committee chairs also
expressed their gratitude to the
following for their donations that
helped defray the costs associated
with the Mass.
• Rose Purpero Spang
• Anna Pitzo
• Sal and Antonette Lo Coco
• Gordon and Bernice Boucher
• Thomas and Marcia Nardelli
• Thomas J. Spera
• Joseph and Santa D’Amato
• Joseph and Anna Zambito
• Anthony and Barbara Lupo
• Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO,
Inc.
• Frank and Maria Zingale
• John and Jean DiMotto
• James A. Albanese
• Ryan and Fran Blaubach
• Anthony and Adeline Zingale
• Pompeii Men’s Club
• Società Maschile Maria S.S.
Del Lume
• Pompeii Women’s Club
These memorial donations were
made in memory of the following
individuals.
• John J. Tarantino, in memory
of Angelina Tarantino.
• Shannon Drezek, in memory
of Edward Stoecker, Angelina
Corrao Stoecker and Sam Corrao.
• AnnaMarie and Deacon Tom
Filipiak, in memory of Joseph M.
Filipiak.
• Thomas and Barbara
Balistreri, in memory of Tony and
Mary Balistreri.
• Sal and Antonette Lo Coco, in
memory of Joseph and Maria Lo
Coco.
• Robert J. Bartelt, in memory
of Irvin and Mabel Bartelt and
Hattie Kuether.
• Joseph and Christina Ziino,
in memory of Joseph Ziino, Sr.
• Lucretia Lo Coco, in memory
of Vincent Lo Coco.
• Lucretia Lo Coco, in memory
of Dominic and Marion Carini.
• Ray and Carol Martinez, in
memory of Joseph and Sarah
Martinez.
• Joseph and Jane Leto, in
memory of Vincent and Josie Leto.
• Caputo Family, in memory of
Cono Caputo.
• Vincenzo and Vivian
Balistreri, in memory of Gaetano
Vicini.
Italy. The two choirs sang without
rehearsal and they held the crowd
in awe and inspiration and much
praise was voiced afterwards
including comments such as: “close
to heaven”, “phenomenon” and
“miracle.” Quite an accomplishment in such a short time.
In the ensuing years, more
songs have been added and, in
2014, the orchestral accompaniment, usually consisting of brass
instruments and violin, was
enhanced by the addition of seven
mandolins from the Milwaukee
Mandolin Orchestra.
The choir, which now numbers
about 50, welcomes new members.
Dr. Marisa Gatti-Taylor will no
longer be involved in the day to day
activities of the choir, because she
is stepping down from the
Committee after seven years, but it
is expected that the Festa Italiana
Choir will continue to flourish
under the leadership and guidance
of the Festa Italiana Mass and
Procession Committee and Maestro
Michael Kamenski, and of course,
with the participation of the wonderful and hard working singers
who contribute their time, energy,
and talents and the gifts of song
and music so cherished by the community. Grazie a tutti.
Listed below are the members of
the 2014 Festa Choir.
Sopranos: Judi Adamski,
Jackie Briski, Nena Castillo,
Denise Cifaldi, AnnaMarie Filipiak,
Marisa Gatti-Taylor, Barbara Gay,
Jan Gilgenbach, Hailey Gurgul,
Donna Johnson, Marilyn Jozwik,
Elizabeth
Kubat,
Deborah
Mamerow, Carol Nelson, Andrea
Phelps, Carol Redding, Sally
Schwarz, Maggie Sherwin, Debra
Stark, Mary Anne Stephens, Kim
Terek, Rita Tutkowski and
Kathleen Wojcik.
Altos: Roxi Bluhm, Jody
Brzycki, Linda Faust, Julia
Galligan, Jean Kittelson, Mary
Kremer, Aimee-Leigh Lerret, Anna
Mary Look, Donna Peterson,
Annalisa
Ragatz,
Kathleen
Redmond, Sheri Rick, Judy
Stankewicz and Peg Tagliavia.
Tenors: Tom Adamski, Greg
Balestrieri, Louis Galluzzi, Jr.,
Steve Mueller, Steve Ragatz, Lisa
Scaffidi, Jeff Schumacher and
Frank Wozniak.
Basses: Jeffery Emmerich,
William Gilgenbach, D. Alec
Kopitzke, Ray Kremer, John J.
Schmitt, Mark Sherwin, Delbert
Slowik and Steven M. Taylor.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Many thanks to all the religious participants
from the Festa Mass & Procession Committee
The Festa Italiana Mass and
Procession Committee wishes to
express its gratitude to the priests
and deacons who participated in
the Festa Mass and Procession celebrated on Sunday, July 20. We celebrated the Most Reverend
Timothy Kitzke’s 25th anniversary
of ordination and the 400th year of
the order of St. Camillus.
Many of the religious have faithfully accepted the committee’s invitation year after year to assist at
the Festa Mass, the annual liturgical celebration described by the late
Dominic Frinzi, past president of
the Italian Community Center, as
the “crown jewel of Festa Italiana.”
In appreciation for their presence and assistance, we are publishing their names. Please pray for
them that they may continue to
dedicate themselves to the People
of God they have been called to
serve.
Priests
Our principle celebrant, Very
Reverend Timothy Kitzke; Rev.
Robert Anello, M.S. A., PhD.,
Missionaries of the Holy Apostle;
Fr. Mike Hammer, Catholic AIDS
Ministry;, Fr. Jim Deshotels S.J.
St. Louis, Mo;, Rev. Gerald Regan,
Jesuit Community at St. Camillus;
Fr. Pedro Tramontin, MI from the
Formation House of St. Camillus;
Rev. George Mangiaricina, OCD,
St. Florian Parish; Rev. Edward
Griesemer, Priests of the Sacred
Heart, Franklin; Rev. Glen Powers
of St. Francis Seminary; Fr.
Leandro Blanco, St. Camillus; Fr.
Richard O’Donnell, MI St.
Camillus; Rev. Dick Mirsberger,
retired; Fr. Fred Brenk S.J. Arrupe,
House Jesuit Community; Fr.
Domenic Roscioli; Rev. Thomas F.
Wittliff, retired, and Brother Mario
Crivello St. Camillus.
Deacons
William Banach, the Basilica of
St. Josaphat; Mark Jansen, Holy
Angels,
West
Bend;
Don
Borkowski, St. Jude Milwaukee;
John Champagne, St. Benedict
Milwaukee; Rob Goodman, Three
Holy Women Milwaukee; Tom
Filipiak, St. Bruno, Dousman; Walt
Henry, Immaculate Heart of Mary,
West Allis; Eric Sewell, St.
Sebastian/St. Lucy, Racine; Leon
Zalewski, St. Stephen, Milwaukee.
Servers
Tony Crivello and Salvatore
Vella.
Jennaro talks up
Festa with We The
Italians web portal
from page 13
colonies, and have been for many,
many years.
How about the actual presence of Italians in Milwaukee
and in the whole State, either
Italian Americans or Italians
born in Italy and now working
or studying there? Are there
many of them, and who are
they?
Well, the migration stopped
after the half of the ‘20s, because of
the quota system introduced by the
U.S. After that, the numbers went
considerably down. So Milwaukee
does have a good Italian American
community, made by the sons and
daughters and grandchildren of
those who came here at the beginning of the last century: we are the
successful generation, who had the
possibility to have a better life
thanks to the sacrifices of those
who came at the beginning of the
20th century, until the mid ‘20s.
And besides, many, many Italians
who passed from here, then moved
to other places in the United
States, or elsewhere.
But there are not a lot of newcomers recently arrived from Italy,
not at all. There are a few professors, doctors: it’s a completely different kind of emigration, either for
the number of those who came
here, and for their education and
skill.
Wisconsin is just next to
Minnesota, where recently the
Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to rename
Columbus Day to Indigenous
Peoples Day. Do you think that
this is something that could
one day happen in Wisconsin,
too? What’s your thought about
this?
A lot of bad things happened to
Native Americans, at the hands of
THE ITALIAN TIMES
the non-native Americans, whoever
they were: and very, very few of
them were Italians. The Italians
were the explorers, but not the conquerors. So whoever is trying to put
this on Columbus’ shoulders and
blame him for everything is not
doing a right thing, because blaming the wrong man is not justice at
all.
So, I don’t know if this is something that could happen here in
Wisconsin, too. It may, but I don’t
know. We do have a state holiday
to celebrate Christopher Columbus:
actually my grandfather, my mother’s father, was one of those who
were there when the state holiday
was appointed by the Governor of
that time. We do have a large
Native American community, in
Wisconsin, because Andrew
Jackson, when he was President,
moved a lot of native American
people from New York and
Pennsylvania to the Midwest: but I
don’t know if there has been a tentative plan to do so here as in
Minneapolis.
Deadline set
for October
issue of The
Italian Times
All advertising copy, news
stories and photos for publication in the October 2014 issue of
The Italian Times must be submitted to the editor no later
than Monday, Sept. 8.
All materials can be emailed
to editor Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org, sent to The
Italian Times, 631 E. Chicago
St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
The Very Rev. Timothy L. Kitzke (center) led the celebration of the 2014
Festa Italiana Mass in the Marcus Amphitheater on Sunday, July 20.
Kitzke celebrated the 25th anniversary of his priesthood in May and has
served as chaplain of the Italian Community Center for 14 years. With
Father Mike Michalski, Father Kitzke is co-pastor of the parishes of Old
St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, SS Peter and Paul and Three
Holy Women. The backdrop for the Festa Mass is a replica of the altar of
Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church, which was built by and served
Milwaukee’s Italian community from 1904 until its demolition in October
1967. The artists who designed the backdrop were Gaetano Vicini and
John Yanke. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Several members of the Società Maschile Maria S.S. Del Lume dutifully
carried their vada in the Festa Italiana procession. This picture was taken
at the start of the procession, outside the Marcus Amphitheater, where the
Festa Mass was held. The young boy standing on the vada is Emanuele
Guerrero. He has been battling a serious health problem. His mother,
Anna Guerrero-Treviso prays to the Madonna daily for his well being.
(Times photo by Joe Spasiano)
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A couple of days before the start of Festa Italiana, Rick Seri (left) and
Troy Halverson were among a group of volunteers who put up the bocce
court rails. It’s not an easy job as the rails are heavy and the ground surface isn’t perfectly flat in most instances. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
About the only time these volunteers weren’t working to set up equipment
(i.e., tables, chairs, signage) on the Festa grounds was when they took a
break for lunch. Our photographer caught them at the end of their lunch
break. From the left Danny Pankow, Luke Sherbondy, manager Roslyn
(Besasie) Radke, Tyler Hromadka, Colton Sherbondy and Sarabeth
Pankow. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Festa Italiana is always in need of young volunteers. Three who came
forth this year were (l-r) Vinny and Joey Stoll of Mequon and Natalia
Olivier of Minnapolis, Minn. They worked for Ann Zambito in the cinema
tent. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
These volunteers helped to put up the 1,750 vintage Italian American photos that were on display at Festa Italiana in the tent shared with the
Pompeii sacred art exhibit. The group includes (l-r): Frances Carini, Peter
Carini, Rosemary Strzelec and Lordes Carini. The Carinis traveled here
from Redwood City, Calif. Rosemary lives in Ocala, Fla. and regularly
helps her brother and exhibit manager Mario A. Carini coordinate the displays in the tent. Mario is the Italian Community Center’s Historian.
Young volunteers Rosalie Giamo, Exie Lambert and Brett Long worked in
one of the raffle ticket sales booths at Festa. The raffle serves as a fundraising activity for the Italian Community Center, Festa’s host organization. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Interested in getting your message out to the readers of The Italian
Times? Consider placing an ad in our next issue. Get the details
on ad sizes and costs by calling 414-223-2801 or sending
an email to Tom Hemman at themman@italiancc.org.
Virtually every question that Festa guests had were answered by these
volunteers in the Mid-Gate information booth. From the left: Amy Charon,
Melvin Charon, manager Marie Schwindt, Sandy Alioto, Trish Wimer and
Kathy Swoboda. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Photo on left: One of the most hectic places to work during the festival can
be the Festa Italiana office, especially on the opening day. This picture
was taken in the late afternoon on the second day of the three-day event.
Seated, l-r: Jenny McNutt and Office Manager Gina Manning. Standing:
Janie Camillo, Lynn Sobye, Senior Administrative Assistant Constance
Jones, George Manning, Joanne Czubek and Business Manager Patrick
Morgan. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
Volunteers (l-r) Emily Salm,
Stefania Lannone and Antonette
LoCoco staffed the espresso bar
located in the Italian cinema tent.
As you can see, they had a lot more
than espresso available. M(Times
photo by Tom Hemman)
Festa has several longtime dedicated volunteers who don’t seek
recognition but certainly deserve
it. Among them is Craig Lieber
(seen here), who volunteers for the
set-up and take down of Festa displays and at the Cucina Showcase
during the festival. Among his setup duties were helping put up the
Venetian bell tower and setting up
everything needed to convert the
shell-covered stage into the Cucina
Showcase. (Times photo by Tom
Hemman)
As has happened often in the past,
Linda Kopacka celebrated her
birthday while working as one of
the volunteers in the busy radio
control trailer at Festa Italiana.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Courtyard Music Series heading into home
stretch, free concert series continues on
Tuesday and Thursday nights in September
from page 6
star, magazine columnist, radio
personality, comedian and indemand worldwide guitar clinician
for Fender Musical Instruments
and Hal Leonard Publishing. In the
1980s, Leroy Airmaster was the
dominant blues band in a vibrant
live blues music scene in southeastern Wisconsin. The group performed constantly, and released
four well-received recordings and
won numerous WAMI awards for
best blues group. The members of
the most popular version of the
group reformed in 2010, and continue to perform their unique blend
of blues jazz and rock music. Not
content to rehash classic blues
licks, Steve Cohen (harmonica) and Bill Stone’s (guitar) solo
styles rely heavily on a jazz
approach, but never lose the gutsy
blues framework that made the
band so popular.
Thursday, Sept. 4 – Rick
D’Amore’s Rockin’ Dance Party.
Versatile vocalist Rick D’Amore has
been performing for more than 45
years. For many years, he performed regularly in nightclubs and
supper clubs. Joining D’Amore for
this show will be Rob Chalifaux on
bass, Tim Sardina on drums, and
Peter D’Amore on lead guitar and
vocalist. Peter is Rick’s son and has
had is own successful recording and
performing career. Expect to hear
the best of Elvis Presley, Dion
Dimucci, Dion & The Belmonts,
Roy Orbison and many of the other
hitmakers of the rock and roll era.
They might even throw in a little
Sinatra, Martin and Tom Jones.
Their show is sure to please people
of all ages.
Tuesday, Sept. 9 – Jim Liban
Jim Liban on far right, playing the
harmonica. (Times photo)
Combo. Singer, songwriter and
stellar harmonica player Jim Liban
was known throughout the
Midwest in the 1970s as the leader
of Short Stuff, the innovative
Milwaukee-based ensemble that
pioneered the blues and rock sound
later identified with bands like the
Fabulous Thunderbirds and Stevie
Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble.
Over the years, Liban has achieved
an international cult status as one
of the foremost post-war blues harmonica stylists and many of his
original songs have been recorded
by national blues artists like
Johnny Winter and Lonnie Brooks.
Thursday, Sept. 11 – Oldies
But Goodies Spectacular. This
will be the last performance of this
Courtyard Music season for the
Oldies But Goodies Spectacular.
The multi-talented band was
formed by vocalist Kim Marie over
20 years ago after she completed
seven years in Las Vegas and a gig
for Chevrolet at New York City’s
Lincoln Center and in various cities
around the country. Kim Marie
said her goal, in forming the band,
was to gather the most talented
Milwaukee area musicians from
bands popular in the 1960s and
regenerate the nostalgic feel of the
‘60s rock and roll era in Milwaukee.
Joining Kim Marie today are vocalists Tony Clementi and Chuck
Travis, keyboardist Brian Lorde,
drummer Bruce Cole, lead guitarist
Tom Sorce, bass guitarist Bob
Sanders, saxophonist Mike Miller,
trombonist Jay Allison and trumpeter Mike Betts.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Reverend
Raven & The Chain Smokin’
Altar Boys. Since completing a
weeklong gig in Edmonton, Canada
in late April, Reverend Raven and
company have been performing at
clubs in North Dakota, Minnesota,
Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska,
Oklahoma, Florida and across
Wisconsin. The group has won
numerous WAMI awards. Band
members are Reverend Raven (guitar and vocals), P.T. Pedersen
(bass), Bobby Lee Sellers (drums
and vocals), Danny Moore (piano
and organ) and Big Al Groth (saxophone). Visit www.ravenreverend.com.
The band kicked off the Tuesday
Bluesday shows on June 3 before a
huge crowd and an equally large
crowd for its last engagement on
July 29.
Thursday, Sept. 18 – DooWop Daddies. One of Milwaukee’s
longest running rock and roll show
bands – the Doo-Wop Daddies –
come back to the ICC for a first and
only performance in this summer’s
Courtyard Music Series. The DooWop Daddies capture the demanding styles of doo-wop music with
unsurpassed excellence. That’s only
the beginning. The Daddies don’t
merely recreate the classic genre
but have redefined it and made it
their own 21st century doo-wop.
The group’s live shows attain that
ideal unity of masterful performance and entertainment. Combining elements of vintage and cutting
edge musical technologies, the
Daddies produce an exciting theatrical show that remains faithful
to the doo-wop style.
Tuesday, Sept. 23 – The
Jimmys. This group won five
Madison Area Music Awards in
2013 including “Artist of the Year”
and “Blues Performer of the Year.”
The Jimmys includes Jimmy
Voegeli (keyboardist), Darren
Sterud (brass intrumentalist) and
Peterson Ross (woodwind intrumentalist), who have all been honored individually in 2013. The
group has had gigs across
Wisconsin and Illinois this summer. Visit: www.thejimmys.net for
more information.
Thursday, Sept. 25 – Larry
Lynne Band. Closing out the
Thursday night portion of the
Courtyard Music Series will be
Milwaukee’s “Godfather of Rock
and Roll,” Larry Lynne and his
band. The band promises a unique
variety show that consists of rock,
country-rock, blues and classic
favorites from the ‘50s, ‘60s and
‘70s to today’s hits and novelty
music with a touch of comedy. The
Larry Lynne Band has been together since 2009. In the 1960s Larry
Lynne was the leader of The
Skunks, a local band, that released
the song “Elvira” in 1965, long
before the Oak Ridge Boys made it
a #1 hit. The Skunks followed up
with the singles “I Recommend
Her,” which made Billboard’s Hot
100, “Little Angels” and “Doin’
Nothing,” which were regional hits.
For more information on the band,
visit www.larrylynne.com.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 – Altered
Five. Bringing the 2014 Courtyard
Music Series to a close will be
Altered Five, a rockin’ rhythm and
blues band. This will be their first
performance at the ICC. The quintet formed in 2002 and quickly
gained a reputation for its innovative arrangements and distinctive
sound. Altered Five is more than a
cover band, having released two
CDs – “Gotta Earn It” and
“Bluesified” – featuring original
material. The band played at
Summerfest on July 1 and the
Wisconsin State Fair on Aug. 2. For
more details on this group, visit
www.alteredfive.com.
Nancy Sinatra
Doo-Wop Daddies
Altered Five
Larry Lynne Band
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Thanks for your donations to the Italian
Community Center building fund
The officers and directors of the
Italian Community Center wish to
thank and acknowledge all those
who pledged, fulfilled a pledge or
contributed to the building fund.
To obtain information on how to
make a donation, please call 414223-2808. The following donations
were received between June 9 and
Aug. 8, 2014.
In memory of Mary Dolce
Mary Ann Maglio
Frances Firle
In memory of Joe Scaffidi
Mary Ann Maglio
Leon J. & Angela Glowacki
In memory of Ralph Gillingham
Angela Prochazka
In memory of Donald Behling
Angela Prochazka
Bill & Rita Jennaro
In memory of Trudy L. Maniaci
Tony Machi
George & Judy Menos
John & Lois Menos
Gino A. Dentice
Jimmy & Linda Spataro
Ted & Rosemary Glorioso
In memory of Mary Franke
Bill & Rita Jennaro
In memory of Joseph Frinzi
Rena Glorioso
Lorenzo Vicini
Joseph & Patricia Frinzi
In memory of Peter Pizzino
Tony Machi
In memory of Lenny Sorce
George & Judy Menos
Tony Machi
In memory of Jack Foti
George & Judy Menos
In memory of Pete Dundon
Mario A. Carini
Magaret M. Carini
ICC requests members’ cell phone numbers
and e-mail addresses
By Susie Christiansen
Social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as e-mail
and cell phone texting, are currently the most common methods of communicating for people. Using those avenues, we want to develop a way to reach out to our
membership to inform you about upcoming events organized by the Italian
Community Center, such as Il Grande Carnevale, A Taste of Italy and Festa
Italiana.
We can even email you a copy of The Italian Times.
When the ICC hosts wine tastings, musical events and cooking classes, it
would be helpful to everyone involved to be able to send an e-mail blast or a cell
phone text blast to ICC members and as many non-members as possible. Right
now, committee chairs and event planners here don’t always know what advertising options are available to them and how to reach out to you. Without spending
a ton of money, we just aren’t sure how to let the people out there know about
upcoming events at the ICC.
ICC members can be placed on an e-mail list and a cell phone list when they
sign up for or renew their membership. Our application includes a place for your
e-mail address and cell phone number.
Our membership contact list is extremely private, and we will continue to
keep it that way. We do not distribute our address, phone or e-mail lists to anyone. Rest assured your contact information will be retained by the ICC and only
the ICC, and you will only be sent messages on a limited basis.
We simply want to inform you. We want to tell you about the fantastic events,
activities and ethnic experiences that the Italian Community Center has to offer.
These are the other options available for submitting your cell phone number
and e-mail address:
1. Our website: www.iccmilwaukee.com – use the Contact Us Form (the last
tab on the site).
2. By e-mail: susie@iccmilwaukee.com.
3. Call Constance Jones at the ICC – 414-223-2808.
Bill & Rita Jennaro
In memory of Margaret Ann
Glorioso
Mario A. Carini
Margaret M. Carini
Tony Machi
Sal Mussomeli & Daughters
Dave & Jeannie Doern
George & Judy Menos
Mary Winard
John Coffaro
Mary Ann Maglio
Joseph & Rose Spang
James & Marie Schwindt
Anna Pitzo
In memory of Giuseppa
Orlando
In memory of Lucille Purpero
Mario A. Carini
Margaret M. Carini
Tony Machi
George & Judy Menos
Ron & JoAnne Czubek
Sam Dickman, Sr.
Sam Dickman, Jr.
John Coffaro
Frank & Nina Galioto
Mary Ann Maglio
Sal Mussomeli
Joseph & Rose Spang
Bill & Rita Jennaro
George & Gina Manning
Ron & Constance Jones
George & Aggie Collura
Dave & Jeannie Doern
Dave Doern II & Debbie Hastings
Isidore & Mary Pecoraro
Jason & Michelle Sedovic
Joan Kirby
Carl J. & Janis M. Muccio
Joseph & Marie Gazzana
Craig & Marie Lieber
Anthony & Barbara Lupo
Mary Rose Vicini
Ann Romano
James & Marie Schwindt
Jon Amato
Rose Emanuele
Carl & Judy Lemminger
Anna Pitzo
Terri Cefalu
Joseph & Anna Lazzaro
Courtyard Music Series
Hosted by: Italian Conference Center
Tuesday and Thursday nights, Sept. 2 – Sept. 30, 2014
Casino Night
Hosted by the Italian Community Center
Membership Committee
Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 - 7 p.m.
ICC Election Results announced
at October General Membership Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014 – 6:30 p.m.
Nonno & Nonna Dinner
Hosted by the Membership Committee
Saturday, Nov, 8 – 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy dinner with Nonno and Nonna
at ICC on Saturday, Nov. 8
The Italian Community Center
Membership Committee invites
both members and non-members to
enjoy dinner with Nonno and
Nonna (Grandpa and Grandma).
The Nonno and Nonna dinner is
scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8
starting with a social hour at 5:30
p.m. The social hour will take place
in the galleria. Dinner will be
served in the Pompeii Grand
Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.
“This will be a family event with
a relaxed atmosphere,” said Bill
and Karen Dickinson, Membership
Committee Co-Chairs. “Remember
when every Sunday was dinner
with grandma and grandpa. That’s
the kind of dinner we want everyone to enjoy on November 8th.”
The Dickinsons told The Italian
Times that the dinner will feature
spedini with manicotti, Italian vegetable medley, salad, bread and
butter, desserts and coffee, tea, iced
tea or milk.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
“A good share of the food is
donated by the Membership
Committee to ensure that this
event is a successful fund-raiser,”
they said.
The cost has been set at $20 per
person. However, each ICC member can attend for the discounted
price of $15. Children, under the
age of 10, are welcome at a cost of
$8 per child.
The Sicilian Serenaders – Tom
and Ted Pappalardo and Peter
Balistreri – will be entertaining
guests. Charlie Evans, the 2014
Nonno, will also sing a few songs,
There will be a raffle held that
night with tickets available at $2
each or three for $5.
All nonno and nonna in attendance are being asked to wear the
medallions they received when they
served as members of the
Carnevale Royalty.
Look for more information on
this special evening in upcoming
issues of The Italian Times.
ICCʼS Nonno and Nonna Dinner
Reservations Form
Name(s) ____________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _______________________________________________
Email address _______________________________________________
Phone number _______________________________________________
No, of ICC members _______ x $15.00 per person = $_______________
No. of non-members _______ x $20.00 per person = $______________
No. of children ___________ x $ 8.00 per child = $_________________
Total amount enclosed: $______________________________________
Checks/money orders are payable to: Italian Commiunity Center. Send
your payment to: ICC. c/o Nonno and Nonna Dinner, 631 E. Chicago
St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Payments must be received by Friday, Oct.
31. 2014.
ICC volunteers
Free children’s
seeking donations for Italian class to begin
Thanksgiving dinner
Sept. 20 at ICC
for less fortunate
Tony Lupo, chairman of the
annual Thanksgiving dinner for
the less fortunate that is organized
and staffed by Italian Community
Center volunteers, announced that
donations are being collected for
the 2014 meal.
The dinner will once again be
held at the Open Door Cafe, a meal
site at St. John’s Cathedral
Catholic Church in downtown
Milwaukee on Sunday, Nov. 16
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Anyone wishing to make a donation for the food purchased for this
complete Thanksgiving-style feast
is asked to submit a check, payable
to the ICC. Donations can be
mailed to the ICC, 631 E. Chicago
St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Please
list on the memo line of your
check that this donation is for
the “Thanksgiving Meal.” This
will insure that your donation is
properly credited for the dinner.
Envelopes should be directed to the
attention of Salina Castro. Salina
will also be taking donations at the
ICC reception desk.
Lupo and fellow volunteers will
be accepting donations at the ICC’s
general membership meetings on
Sept. 4, Oct. 2 and Nov. 6.
This annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate has been
going on since the late 1970s. It
was organized initially by the
Mario Bartolotta and others who
were part of a group known as the
“Ragione Club. Tony Lupo took
over the chairmanship after the
death of Bob Cefalu.
Lupo said people who be
shocked to see how many of the
attendees come to dinner are homeless parents with their children.
The fall semester of a free weekly series of Italian classes for children between the ages of 6 and 12
will begin Saturday, Sept. 20, at
the Italian Community Center. The
class, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m.,
will continue for eight weeks, with
the final session on Nov. 8.
The course is intended to provide children with an introduction
to the Italian language and the culture of Italy. Besides learning some
basic words and the Italian alphabet, the children also make drawings for holiday and special occasions and receive a snack during
each Saturday session.
The instructor is Enrica
Tarantino Woytal, who also leads
the ICC’s Italian classes for teens
and adults. She was honored by
WisItalia as Wisconsin’s 2009
“Italian Teacher of the Year.”
Tarantino Woytal has been leading
the children’s class at ICC since the
early 1980s. Over the years, several hundred youngsters have participated in the free class.
To register for the spring semester, please complete the form
accompanying this article and mail
it to: Children’s Italian Course, c/o
ICC, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.
Since there is no enrollment fee,
parents can also register their children in person any time during the
semester.
For further information, contact
the ICC office at 414/223-2180, or
Enrica Tarantino Woytal or Pietro
Tarantino at 414/481-0170, or via
email at enricaw@aol.com.
Free Children's Italian Course Registration Form
(For children ages 6-12)
at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee
Parent(s) Name ________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________
City _______________________ State _______ Zip ___________
Phone No.: ______________ Email_________________________
Children's Names & Ages: _______________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Send this form to: Children's Italian Course, c/o ICC,
631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916.
ICC’s Italian classes
being offered for adults
and teens starting Sept. 9
Christina Craig
College Counseling
Full-service college counseling services for
high school students in the Milwaukee area.
10 years experience
Former Marquette University Admissions
Counselor
Expert on the college application essay
Contact Christina –
ChristinaCraigCollege@gmail.com
414-539-3555
This fall, the Italian Community
Center will offer an introductory
class (Italian I) as well as an
Italian II class, both starting
Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Both courses will be held on 10
consecutive Tuesday nights, with
the final classes on Nov. 11.
Instructor Enrica Tarantino
Woytal described Italian I as being
for those who want an introduction
to the language and the culture of
Italy. The introductory course will
run from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.
The Italian II course will begin
at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7:15 p.m.
“Italian II is ideal for those who
have completed our introductory
course and are ready to learn more
about the language and culture of
Italy,” Tarantino Woytal said.
Enrollment is open to ICC members and the general public. There
is a limit of 25 students per class.
The fee for each course is $100 for
an ICC member and $110 for a
non-member. The fee does not
include the course textbook.
The Italian III course is not
being offered this semester.
To register, complete the form
accompanying this article. Checks
or money orders are payable to the
Italian Community Center.
Registration will be accepted up to
the start of the Sept. 9 classes if
the enrollment limit has not been
reached.
Registration form for
Italian I course & Italian II course
Name(s) ___________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________
Phone No. ___________________Email _________________________________
I am (we are) enrolling in:
Italian I course Number of persons enrolling.
Italian II course Number of persons enrolling.
Course fee: ICC Member - $100.00; Non-Member - $110.00
Make payment to: Italian Community Center, and send to: ICC, c/o Italian Class,
631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202-5916. Enrollment in each class is limited to the first 25 students who send in this registration form with full payment.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Spotlight on Cultural Arts
Opera Topics by Angelo Castronovo
Tenors anyone? This was the title on a recording some years ago that featured among other
opera stars Richard Tucker and Mandy
Patinkin. Patinkin was one of the original cast
stars of Evita and lately of the TV drama
Criminal Minds.
Among the more illustrious of the tenor breed
was Jean de Reszke, who was aristocratic, handsome and endearing to audiences and critics
alike. De Reszke’s brother, Eduard, was no less
popular and distinguished and ranked among
the great bass-baritones of the era. But, we were
speaking about tenors. And no list would be complete without the names of Francesco Tamagno,
Giovanni Battista Rubini, castrato John
Braham, Manuel Garcia, who created the role of
Almaviva in Rossini’s Barber of Seville, and the
highly respected Giovanni Ansani, who also
taught singing.
We’ve hardly stratched the surface with this
partial list and must not forget Adolph Nourrit,
who was described as “the greatest singing actor
among all dramatic tenors.” Nourrit encountered
great difficulties with the differences between
the French and Italian styles and their tech-
niques and whose fragile mental state heightened his anxieties and contributed to his early
death. He had the distinction of having created
the role of Arnold in Rossini’s William Tell.
There was also Gilbert-Louis Duprez and
Enrico Tamberlik and, the tenor known simply
by first name, Mario (his full name was Giovanni
Matteo de Candia). The list continues with the
stentorian voiced Francesco Tamagno and, later
on, Giacomo Lauri-Volpe, Francesco DeLucia,
Italo Campanini and Enrico Caruso. DeLucia
sang at Caruso’s funeral in 1921. It was the
same year that tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano was
born. Caruso was, of course, known as the first
superstar of the gramaphone era.
Placido Domingo is still singing and now
directing. Luciano Pavarotti is gone after a
charmed career that was ended by cancer.
Returning to Jean de Reszke momentarily, I
point out that he was considered a superstar by
conductors and impresarios. Audiences received
him as a dashing, romantic figure and he dazzled the opera world with his ability to sing the
lyric French and Italian repertoire, as well as
the dramatic Wagnerian works.
L’Angolo del poeta
Also on the list must be
counted
Giovanni
Zenatello and the mellifluous tones of Jussi
Bjorling. My personal
favorite, Beniamino Gigli.
Gigli of the sweet voice
who could also sing
declamatory roles such as
Andrea Chenier.
We’ve missed some
names to be sure, but, not
on purpose. To give them
their due there was Tito
Schipa, Franco Corelli and
today’s sensations Ben
Heppner, Jonas Kaufman and Juan Diego
Flores.
Did you know Queen Victoria was so interested in opera that she had a singing teacher
named Francesco Paulo Tosti? Tosti was the
great composer of many wonderful songs including Ideale.
Quotable quote: We know what we are, but not
what we might be. – William Shakespeare.
Prepared by Barbara Collignon
The birds that inhabit and frequent
our neighborhoods and gardens,
whether in Italy or here in Wisconsin,
delight us with their beauty, graceful
flight and song. We enjoy feeding them
and sheltering them, observing their
courtship and nesting rituals. They
inspire, console. Their song wakes us in
the morning and announces the arrival
of a tranquil evening. Their presence is
a gift.
Umberto Saba, born Umberto Poli
in Trieste (Austro-Hungary) on Mar. 9,
1883, was a novelist and poet, a participant of the movement in poetry called
“crepuscolarismo” or “twilight school”.
This movement, spurred by the influence of European Decadence, expressed
disillusionment with the times and
reflected nostalgia, a taste for simple
things, a tendency to a direct,
unadorned style. It was an important
movement resulting in Italian poetry’s
return to simple language and simple
subjects.
Saba’s mother was Felicita Rochele
Coën. His father, a Christian who converted to Judaism in order to marry his
pregnant fiancée, abandoned his faith
and his wife and unborn son soon after
the wedding. Saba was raised by his
wet nurse and mother.
His first volume of poetry was published under the pseudonym Saba in
1910. This, his nom de plume for 18
years, became his official legal name in
1928. Because of his Jewish heritage,
Saba fled Trieste in 1943 and moved to
Florence. There the anti-Jewish laws
obliged him to move to 11 hiding places
over the next 12 months to avoid deportation.
During his life, he studied violin,
German and Latin, worked as a customs agent, served in an infantry unit
based in Salerno, worked as secretary
and nightclub manager and wrote a
play. In 1912, public readings of his
poetry were poorly received and he
began to have problems with depression. In 1915 he wrote for Mussolini’s
newspaper, “Il popolo d’Italia” but was
drafted shortly thereafter. He never did
see active service however because of
depression. At one point, he was hospitalized for addiction to opium, having
been given injectable opium during his
treatment for depression. He became
proprietor of an antiquarian bookstore,
enjoying the travel that position
required. He found solace in keeping
birds as pets.
The first edition of his book
“Songbook” in 1921 grew in subsequent
editions until it contained over 400
poems spanning 50 years.
In 1946, he was awarded the
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Viareggio Prize. At age 70 in 1950, the
University of Rome awarded him an
honorary doctorate degree. He died at
age 74 nine months after receiving an
award from the Lincean Academy and
a year after the death of his wife. His
works show a deep knowledge of
Hebrew and the Jewish dialect of
Trieste.
In his later years, he demonstrated
a keen interest and affection for birds.
The two poems that follow show his
appreciation for these delicate creatures.
Uccelli
L’alata genia
che adoro ce n’è al mondo tanta!varia d’usi e costumi,
ebbra di vita,
si sveglia
e canta.
– By Umberto Saba
Birds
The winged species
that I love –
there are so many of them in the world!
–
differ in customs and traditions.
Intoxicated with life,
they wake up
and sing.
– Translated by Barbara Collignon and
Roberto Ciampi
Colombi
Alle curve rotaie
che discendono
acqua azzurra piovana un sorso
chiedono
un refrigerio nell’arsura.
Gravi,
alle giovani note,
alla mia sera,
che li ho vicini,
e ascolto quella musica d’ali
alla finestra
guardo la loro vita famigliare,
bella,
le loro lotte fratricide,
ingenue;
Come vaghe creature a me li lego
con l’offerta che so grata.
La tesa mano è richiamo
a tutti i voli;
rosse zampine vi si apprendono;
colori di arcobaleno si spiegano,
Oh, ai miei portino bene,
a me, nella dimora
oggi
per pochi sparsi chicci di grano
turco
diventata la casa degli angeli.
– By Umberto Saba
Pigeons
At sloping tracks and ruts
they ask for a sip of the blue rainwater,
a cooling relief from the dry air.
Seriously,
upon hearing the young notes,
during my evening
when I have them near,
and I listen to the music of wings
at the window,
I observe their family life,
beautiful;
their fratricidal squabbles,
naïve.
To such enigmatic creatures I bond
with the offering I know is appreciated.
My outstretched hand calls attention
to all in flight;
red claws grasp unto it;
colors of the rainbow unfurl.
Oh, to me and mine may they bring a
blessing.
Today, my home,
in exchange for a few scattered kernels
of corn,
has become the home of the angels.
– Translated by Collignon and Ciampi
His language is indeed simple but
by being “simple”, it tends to pose challenges to the translator. Collignon and
Ciampi collaborated on the translations, hoping to achieve an interpretation that conveys meaning better than
a more literal translation would allow.
Collignon entitled her poem “Birds
of Pray” intending to make a pun on
“Birds of Prey”… something that unfortunately gets lost in translation.
Birds of Pray
Congregations of sparrows
commune on the path
while councils of ravens,
priestly in black,
scold and denounce them,
lamenting their lack
of asking permission
to walk on the grass.
Robins in vestments
draped red on their chests
chirp scripture in Avian
while bluebirds with crests
claim repentance, forgiveness
for robbing the nests
of their neighbors the nesters
whom they think are pests.
The pigeons are scrambling
for manna and dew
and mourning doves murmur
their rosaries and coo
about angels and flying
and miracles, too,
they all have been studying
while perched in dove school.
– By Barbara Collignon
Uccelli di preghieri
Congregazioni di passeri
si radunano nel sentiero
mentre dei corvi in consiglio
in nero sacerdotale
li rimproverano e li accusano
lamentando la loro mancanza
per non aver chiesto permesso
di camminare sull’erba
Pettirossi con i paramenti sacri
coperti di rosso sul petto
cinguettano le scritture in aviario
mentre uccellini blu con le creste
chiedono pentimento, perdono
per aver rubato i nidi
dei loro vicini costruttori
che loro ritengono dei seccatori
I piccioni lottano
per la manna e la rugiada
le colombe in lamento bisbigliano
il rosario, e tubano
degli angeli, del volo
e dei miracoli pure
tutte hanno studiato,
appollaiate, alla scuola per colombe.
– Translated by Roberto Ciampi
IN THE KNOW . . .
News About I.C.C. Members
Nick Smith, Sanfilippo’s
grandson, plays key role
on Concordia University
football team
Nick Smith, the grandson of
longtime Italian Community
Center members John and
Antoinette Sanfilippo, is playing a
key role in the success of the
Concordia University (Mequon)
football team.
The 6 ft. 4 in. 360 lb. Smith
plays first-string left guard for the
Falcons, who finished the 2013 season with an 8-3 record, including a
6-0 Northern Athletics Collegiate
Conference record.
Smith was recently named second team pre-season All-American
and has been interviewed by the
Minnesota Vikings and Dallas
Cowboys of the National Football
League.
He is the son of Les and Julie
Smith and has a sister named
Melissa.
In the event a pro football career
doesn’t pan out, Smith, who graduates this year, is majoring in computer science and has been offered
a position with the West Allis
Police Department.
Nick Smith displays the ring he
and his team received for winning
the 2013 Northern Athletics
College Conference football championship. (Times photo by Tom
Hemman)
George Collura retires
for third time . . . and
this time it’s official!
Italian Community Center
member George Collura announced
that he is officially retired. That is,
after retiring first from the
Wisconsin Gas Company in 1990,
then twice from Student Bus
Company.
George, who is celebrating his
87th birthday on Aug. 29, was born
in Milwaukee near Water and Lyon
Streets. He was raised in the 3rd
Ward and graduated from St. Gall’s
Catholic School.
After attending high school, he
enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June
1945 and was discharged in
November 1947.
He started working for the
Milwaukee Gas Light Company in
June 1948. The company later
became Wisconsin Gas Company
and years later, became We
Energies.
After retiring in 1990 from
Wisconsin Gas, George worked for
a while as a parking lot attendant
at lots owned and operated by Paul
and Patsy Iannelli in the
Downtown Milwaukee area.
Then, in October 1992, George
decided to become a school bus
driver. He drove for Student Bus
Company until he announced his
retirement in December 2013. After
the first of the year, the company
asked him to return as a limitedtime replacement driver. That plan
worked until spring when suddenly
George was back to driving the
school bus on a much more regular
basis. After completing the school
year in June, George proclaimed
that he is officially retired, and this
time, there’s no coming back!
Besides being a longtime member of the ICC, George is also a
longtime member of the Pompeii
Men’s Club, having served the
organization as president from
1992-94 and, for about 15 years, as
sergeant-at-arms. He is also a
member of La Società San
Giuseppe and the Filippo Mazzei
Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in
America.
The ICC honored George and his
wife, Aggie, as the Nonno and
Nonna (Royal Grandparents) of Il
Grande Carnevale in 2011. George
had previously served as Il Vescovo
(Bishop) of the pre-Lenten costume
and mask ball.
Zingale granddaughter
working with children
with disabilities
Here’s George Collura with his wife Aggie.
Maria Zingale, granddaughter of longtime Italian Community Center
members and volunteers Tony and Lena Zingale, was part of an adult
supervisors group that watched over children with disabilities at the
annual Wings of Love event at the ICC on July 24. Maria is the adult in the
dark shirt on the far right side of this photo. She worked for the
Milwaukee Public Schools’ Club Recreation Program. The Wings of Love is
a nonprofit organization that hosts outings and special event for children
and adults with limited physical, developmental and emotional abilities.
The July event has been held at the ICC for several years. (Times photo by
Tom Hemman)
ICC Historian Carini wants your high
school yearbooks and other memorabilia
Don’t throw away your old high school yearbooks or other memorabilia. If you attended a high school in Milwaukee County or surrounding
counties, Italian Community Center Historian Mario A. Carini is interested in using the yearbooks and other high school memorabilia for furthering his research on local Italian Americans.
Carini will deposit the yearbooks and memorabilia at the Milwaukee
County Historical Society after he completes his research.
“These can be yearbooks and memorabilia from public, Catholic or private high schools,” Carini said.
Yearbooks and memorabilia can be dropped off at the reception desk
in the main office of the ICC. Please include a note with your name and
phone number so Carini knows who made the donation.
Welcome new Italian
Community
Center members!
The following people became members of the Italian Community
Center between June 9 and Aug. 8, 2014. Benvenuti! (Welcome!)
Janet Habiger of Cudahy
Wendy Pribbanow of Shorewood
Kenneth Pakulski of Big Bend
Michael Braden of Milwaukee
Sandra Kelly and children Nicole Kelly-Saladana of Milwaukee
Todd Michalek of South Milwaukee
Joseph Olla of Milwaukee
Katy Vandenberg of Wauwatosa
Janet Stenlund of Shorewood
Lorraine Tognarelli of Antioch, IL
Kathy Swoboda of Milwaukee
John & Cathy Poole and (children Anthony, Megan, Ryan, Erin
of Greendale
Joyce Cupertino of Milwaukee
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Lucille Purpero, wife of past ICC President
Sam Purpero, passes away at age 79
Lucille Antionette (Vehar)
Purpero, the wife of Sam Purpero, a
past president of the Italian
Community Center and the organization’s longtime treasurer, died
peacefully on Friday, Aug. 1 at the
age of 79.
Lucille and Sam would have celebrated their 58th wedding
anniversary on Aug. 11. Both were
charter members of the ICC, an
organization that Sam played an
essential role in organizing in the
late 1970s.
In addition to Sam, Lucille is
survived by her five daughters
Catherine (Phil) Roszak, Susan
(Mike) Oszuscik, Margaret (Tim)
Kezman, Mary (John) Nordstrom
and Christina Purpero (Glenn
Michael) and her son Phillip. She
was “Grandma Lu” to Thomas
(Cadie), Brian, Matthew and Laura
Roszak; Michael and Stacy
Oszuscik; Steven and Jennifer
Kezman; Salvatore, Alena and
Andrew Purpero; and Zachary and
Madeline Nordstrom. In addition,
Lucille is survived by her greatgrandchildren Carson and Reagan
Roszak and many other relatives
and friends.
Lucille was born Jan. 4, 1935.
She had the distinction of being the
first baby girl born in Powhatan
Point, Ohio. Her parents were
Mary and Tony Vehar. Tony, a coal
miner, passed away before Lucille
turned two. Her mother later met
an Italian man, Filameno, and they
eventually married and the family
came to Milwaukee when Lucille
was five years old.
Lucille grew up in Milwaukee’s
First Ward and graduated in the
class of 1953 with honors from
Lincoln High School, where she
met Sam, the love of her life and
devoted husband.
Sam and Lucille were married
on Aug. 11, 1956.
According to the Purpero family,
Lucille was a devoted wife, mother
and grandmother. “She was the
heart and soul of her family. They
said she was very proud of her family and showed her love in many
ways, including making the best
spaghetti and meatball dinners.
She was the best gift-giver, always
remembering every special occasion
and made the holidays special. She
was the best to talk to with understanding and humor and was
always there for her entire family.”
The family suggests memorials
Italian Community Center
member Thomas Consolazione was
selected with 62 Korean War veterans and 23 World War II veterans
to participate on the Honor Flight
to Washington, D.C. on Saturday,
June 7.
Tom, who was a printer in the
U.S. Army, was recognized for his
three years of service in Korea. His
military-acquired skills in map
printing and color skills led him to
a lifelong career as a lithographer.
He was accompanied on the flight
by his son, Philip.
The
Honor
Flight
Network Program was started in
Ohio in 2005 by a physician’s assistant named Earl Morse, who met
many veterans in his practice. He
soon realized that many of them
dreamt of visiting their memorials
in Washington D.C. As a result of
their advancing age, physical and
mental disabilities and lack of
financial resources, this dream was
proving to be hopeless for many.
But these were the men and
women who had forfeited their
youth, put their plans and ambitions on hold and sacrificed their
well being in service to their country and fellow citizens. Their
memorials in Washington were the
nation’s way of giving a welldeserved thanks and honoring
their service and, for some, their
ultimate sacrifice. Morse’s concern
came to fruition and the Honor
Flight Program began and it grew
beyond all expectations including
the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight
in Wisconsin begun by Joe Dean
and his ever-growing band of volunteers.
Upon the return trip to
Milwaukee, the Honor Flight was
welcomed by several Honor Guards
and the Milwaukee Police Bagpipe
Band. More than 40 members of
Tom’s Balistreri and Consolazione
families were on hand.
Tom and his wife, Pat, are charter members of the ICC. Tom
served as ICC Secretary in the
early years of the organization. He
is a past Festa beer captain and a
past president and member of the
Pompeii Men’s Club and member of
the Filippo Mazzei Lodge of the
Order Sons of Italy in America.
Here’s Tom Consolazione with his son, Philip.
to the Italian Community Center.
Tom Consolazione goes on Honor Flight
Members: Please
notify ICC of a
change of address
Any member of the Italian
Community Center who has a change
of address is asked to notify the ICC
promptly so that mailings from the
Center are sent to the correct address.
Since the ICC uses nonprofit bulk
rates to mail The Italian Times, the
United States Postal Service is entitled
to charge a fee (57¢) for each newspaper that is returned to the ICC and
deemed undeliverable due to an incorrect address.
Even if you are temporarily away
from your permanent residence and
are not receiving mail at that address,
you need to notify the ICC of your temporary address so that your newspaper
can be delivered to that address and so
that the ICC is not charged 57¢ for
each failed attempt to deliver the publication to your permanent residence.
“We’ve had a number of members
who have gone to Florida or another
warm weather location for the winter
and these people did not supply us
with their temporary change of
address; hence their newspaper was
returned to the ICC with the service
fee due for each newspaper,” Editor
Tom Hemman said.
Nonprofit bulk rate mail is not forwarded to a new address, which means
those members who neglect to inform
the ICC of their change of address will
not receive the newspaper.
Please send change of address information to: Italian Community Center,
631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI
53202-5916 or email Constance Jones
at cjones@italianconference.com or call
her at 414/223-2808.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Lucille A. Purpero
BREAKFAST IS SERVED!
Cafe La Scala is now serving breakfast.
Monday – Saturday, 6 a.m.-11 a.m.
Friata (Italian-style omelee) • Breakfast Sandwiches • French Toast
Three Egg Omelee • Two Eggs, any style • Much More!
Cafe La Scala at the Italian Community Center
631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee
FREE PARKING • (414) 223-2185
www.LaScalaMilwaukee.com
Italian Society and Club News
OSIA Golf Outing turns into family event
On Sunday June 22, OSIA held
its annual golf tournament at the
Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
located in Lake Geneva. After several days of inclement weather
accompanied by 8.2 inches of rain,
the members of the Filippo Mazzei
Greater Milwaukee Lodge were
blessed with sunshine and good
friends for their fund-raising event.
The grills and ovens were fired
up early to host the golfers who
began arriving at 9 a.m. The air
was filled with the aroma of Italian
sausage and peppers donated by
Vince Carini, along with slices of
pizza donated by Palermo’s. Italian
flags and banners, provided by the
Director of Golf and Events, Dave
Hallenbeck, were displayed at the
entrance of the registration pavilion welcoming everyone to the outing.
At 1 p.m., men and women
golfers alike were given their final
instructions and were escorted to
their prospective tee boxes. All golf
carts were sent out with a cooler
filled with ice and free beer compliments of Aldo Madrigano from Beer
Capitol and Stinky Gringo
Margaritas compliments of Mike
Amidzik from Pizza Man.
Each hole displayed a sign naming the individual sponsor(s) who
donated to the event. Several donations were made by numerous businesses including his and hers
Vespas by Reina International
Autos, which were offered as a
prize for anyone who could make a
hole in one on the designated hole.
While golfers were out on the
course, non-golfers, family members and guests enjoyed the resort,
swimming and laying at the pool or
just hanging out in the clubhouse
playing cards. After a fun-filled
day of golf and activities, all participants gathered in the Evergreen
Room for the banquet dinner. The
Sicilian Serenaders filled the room
with Italian music and waiters
walked around serving hors d’oeuvres which was then followed by a
full traditional Sunday Italian dinner feast.
Filippo Mazzei’s guest speaker,
sportswriter for the Milwaukee
Journal/Sentinel and member of
OSIA, Gary D’Amato, took the
podium and shared his stories
about the U.S. Open and his experience in Sochi with the 2014 Winter
Olympics. Also in attendance was
OSIA National President Anthony
J. Baratta. Following introductions and speeches numerous items
were raffled including a $350 cash
prize. All participants left, some
left with prizes, but everyone left
with smiles of this memorable
event.
The Grand Geneva Resort
offered a special room rate for
guests who wished to spend the
night. Many guests took advantage
of the offer and relaxed later in the
evening around the fire pit while
conversing with each other under
the stars reflecting on the day’s
activities. Still together as family
early Monday morning, members
met for breakfast and talked over
coffee before checking out of the
resort.
Many thanks go out to everyone
who participated in this 2014
fundraiser. It was more than just a
golf outing, it was a family event,
which included men women and
children. A special thank you to the
chairman of the golf committee,
Vince Carini, who donated many
hours in order to make this outing
a success. Carini took Filippo
Mazzei’s annual outing to a new
level, his generosity came from his
heart. To him, this event was about
family and making sure priorities
were focused not on himself, but for
the cause that these fundraisers
are intended.
Filippo Mazzei President Joseph
Emanuele stated that they had
approximately 80 golfers plus
guests who participated in this
year’s outing and has already
booked the Grand Geneva Resort
for next year. The Filippo Mazzei
Greater Milwaukee Lodge invites
everyone to attend this family outing and to mark their calendars for
June 28, 2015.
By Rose Marie De Michele
Festa Italiana 2014 VIP Day
found the Filippo Mazzei Greater
Milwaukee Area Lodge 2763 Order
of the Sons of Italy in America welcoming the young bocce players of
North Suburban Special Olympics
Team Wisconsin.
Our Joe Palmisano arranged the
tournament with Linda Brothen,
allowing these young folks to enjoy
bocce at Festa.
Brothen is a 25-year veteran
of working with Special Olympics
and an agency manager. She spoke
of how there are nearly 48 Special
Olympics
bocce
teams
in
Wisconsin. Coming to Festa and
playing bocce for fun and practice
delighted this group. Brothen has
been a bocce coach for more than
15 years.
Brothen spoke of how happy the
kids are to play bocce. It is a simple
fun game for them and enables
them to break barriers and be
physically active. In addition, they
learn life skills, be in competitions
and acquire discipline.
Our President Joseph Emanuele
thanked Palmisano and our Filippo
Mazzei Lodge members for making
this happen. Our lodge is working
hard to have a truly unique Special
Olympics bocce event in the years
to come.
Palmisano told The Italian
Times that he is exploring the possibilities of having a national
Special Olympics bocce tournament
at Festa in the near future.
For more information on all
Mazzei Lodge and OSIA events,
please
visit
our
website:
www.sonsofitalymilwaukee.org.
Filippo Mazzei Lodge/OSIA
hosts bocce tournament for
Special Olympics kids
Get your message across to
readers of The Italian Times
with an ad in our next issue. For
ad sizes and costs, please call
414-223-2801 or send an email
to: themman@italiancc.org.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Answering the family history questions
we were asked at Festa Italiana
By George Koleas
Members of the Italian Family History Club, also known as Pursuing
Our Italian Names Together, Chapter 22 and the Milwaukee County
Genealogical Society had a display about Italian genealogy in Lombardia
and other parts of Italy at Festa Italiana. Our members were very busy
answering questions of visitors. The following is a brief sampling of the
questions of visitors and the answers we provided.
What do you do?
On May 4, 1998, a group of founding members started our chapter and
held our first meeting at the Italian Community Center’s restaurant. At
the meeting we created our purpose statement. It is as follows:
• To promote the study and preservation of Italian family history.
• To offer those of Italian heritage an opportunity to meet in person and
share information about Italian genealogical research.
• To assist those searching their Italian ancestry by sharing Italian
genealogical research experience.
We are people, just like you, who are researching their Italian families.
We meet four times a year at the Italian Community Center to share information, discuss new developments and sources of information and to help
one another. We welcome anyone with an interest in Italian family history.
I am going to Italy soon and I want to meet family members.
Without research, you cannot be sure that the person with the same surname as yours is related. You can take an educated guess and try to make
contact with someone with the same surname. The first step is to see if
there is anyone with the same surname as you in the town you are visiting.
To do this, you can see a distribution of your surname in Italy by entering
your surname at: http://gens.labo.net/it/cognomi/genera.html. You can then
use the Italian White pages at http://www.paginebianche.it/index_en.html
to obtain a name address and phone number. You can call or write to them.
When you arrive in your ancestor’s village, you can simply ask if anyone
knows the family you are seeking. However unlikely, this has actually
worked for some of our members.
How do I obtain a birth or marriage or death certificate from Italy?
You can write to your family’s Comune. Many Comune have websites.
Using Google, enter the Comune name. You can learn about Italian civil
vital records and see translated samples of records at:
https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Italy_Civil_Registration-_Vital_Records. If
you are going to write to Italy the Italian Letter generators at these sites
will be helpful. http://www.circolocalabrese.org/resources/letters/index.asp
, http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/pearlsofwisdom/Davids_form_letters.html .
If and when you get a reply, translated Italian birth, marriage and death
are
available
at:
http://www.terminirecords
imerese.org:80/ItDocTranslations.htm Different styles and types are available.
Two great books on the Italian records are Italian Genealogical Records:
How to Use Italian Civil, Ecclesiastical & Other Records in Family History
Research by Trafford R Cole published by Ancestry Publishing (September
1, 1995) ISBN-10: 0916489582 ISBN-13: 978-0916489588 and Finding
Italian
Roots:
The
Complete
Guide
to
Americans
by John Philip Colletta published by Genealogical Publishing Company; 2
edition (July 2003) ISBN-10: 0806317418, ISBN-13: 978-0806317410
How do I find my Nonno’s or Nonna’s arrival record?
If your Nonno or Nonna came through Ellis Island,
www.ellisislandrecords.org offers a free search after registration (also free)
for arrival records. If you have trouble finding the record, one of the most
helpful sites for locating arrival records is located at http://stevemorse.org/.
Select the “Gold Form” to search the Ellis Island database. Enter what
information you know. Ships manifests may contain a variety of useful
information. For passenger arrivals to New York before Ellis Island opened
go to http://www.castlegarden.org/
How do I find where a relative died or where they were buried?
If they are buried in a Catholic cemetery in the Milwaukee area, you can
check the burial records at http://www.cemeteries.org/home.asp . Families
are typically buried together or nearby. This site allows you to search for
nearby burials. Burial records will have dates of death, but also birth
dates or birth years. You can also go to the cemetery office to ask for this
information.
This article lists a number of websites. Not all records are digitized.
Many organizations are working very hard to digitize records. But doing
this takes time and money and will take many, many years to accomplish.
Pompeii Women’s Club to
award three scholarships
at Sept. 24 dinner
The Pompeii Women’s Club
will kick-off its fall schedule of
activities with its Scholarship
Awards Dinner on Wednesday,
Sept. 24 at the Italian Community
Center with dinner served at 6:30
p.m.
Scholarship Committee CoChairpersons are Lucy Sorce and
Carla San Felippo.
The club’s scholarships are
given to various schools to use for
students. At the club’s June picnic
meeting, Lucy announced the
names of the three schools favored
THE ITALIAN TIMES
by the members to secure the
scholarships. They are: St.
Colletta, Mary Queen of Peace
and St. Matthias. Each school will
receive a check in the amount of
$1,000.
As always, guests are welcome
to attend our Sept. 24 scholarship
dinner. Please call Lucy at 262293-9109 to make reservations
and for more information.
– Submitted by
Mary Winard
Publicity Chair
You may also need to visit or write to libraries, government offices and
archives and other places.
How do I learn about Italian genealogy?
To learn about Italian Genealogy, go to www.familysearch.org. This is a
free site. There is a login page where you can set up a free account and
start to record and preserve your family history, but this is not required to
view the information on the site. At the very top of the page is the word
“Search”. This will provide a pull down menu. Select “Wiki”. In the box
“New to Genealogy?” click on “more research help” in the box. Select
“Learning and How to’s”. Select “By country”, then select “Italy”. A list of
articles about Italy will appear. The Mormon Church, the parent of this
website, is in the process of digitizing the considerable store of records that
it has microfilmed throughout Italy and the world. You can return to the
home page selecting “Search” and use this site to search for records about
your family. Return to this site again and again, as more records are constantly being digitized and added.
Members of the Italian Family History Club have used these and other
methods to find their families. They can help you by telling you what they
have done and show you how to get started to create your family history.
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Italian
Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, starting at 10:30 a.m.
and concluding at noon. Please mark your calendar for our last meeting in
2014 on Saturday, Nov. 8, also at the ICC.
Please feel free to bring guests. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me, George Koleas, by e-mail at
GeorgeJK676@wi.rr.com or by calling 262-251-7216 after 7 p.m.
Sezione Italiane
Bocelli, restyling
completo del sito
A pensieri, riflessioni e racconti di
Andrea Bocelli è dedicata la nuova
sezione ‘Diario’ del suo sito
(www.andreabocelli.com), appena
rinnovato. Oltre al restyling grafico e
funzionale che consente la fruizione da
qualsiasi dispositivo mobile con
maggiore velocità di navigazione, il
portale è stato arricchito di nuovi
contenuti: ampliate le aree riservate ai
tour, alla discografia e alla carriera del
tenore con notizie e materiali ancora
inediti, e implementata la sezione per
non vedenti.
Capodanno a Napoli con
Gigi D’Alessio
Gigi d’Alessio sarà in concerto la notte del 31 dicembre in piazza Plebiscito a
Napoli. L’evento, gratuito, è stato annunciato dal cantante partenopeo alla
presenza del sindaco di Napoli Luigi de Magistris, del direttore di Rtl News Luigi
Tornari e dal vice direttore di Canale 5 Marco Costa.
Gianni Morandi ‘finanziere
ad honorem’
Gianni Morandi finanziere ad honorem. Oggi infatti, alla presenza dei
vertici delle Fiamme Gialle bolognesi, il presidente della sezione emilianoromagnola dell’Associazione Nazionale Finanzieri d’Italia (Anfi), Ermanno
Gelsi, ha consegnato al cantante l’attestato di “socio benemerito”. La
cerimonia al Comando Regionale. Le Fiamme Gialle in questo modo hanno
ringraziato Morandi “per la sua grande e costante sensibilità a favore degli
eventi comunicativi e benefici promossi dalla GdF”.
Stromboli: flusso lavico
in diminuzione
“Situazione stabile: il flusso lavico è in diminuzione evidente”. Lo dice il sindaco
di Lipari Marco Giorgianni che da qualche giorno si è trasferito a Stromboli per
seguire insieme ai tecnici della Protezione civile l’evolversi dell’eruzione del vulcano
che da 24 ore ha ridotto la sua attività.
Palermo, bimbo disabile dal Papa:
al via una gara di solidarietà
Una grandissima gara di solidarietà
per aiutare Rosario Giambrone, la
moglie Monica Di Maria e il figlio
disabile a raggiungere Roma per
l’incontro con il Papa. In poche ore ieri
sono arrivati a Ditelo a Rgs una
valanga di mail e sms per sostenere la
famiglia che è stata invitata da Papa
Francesco commosso dalla lettera
ricevuta dalla signora Di Maria. Come
lei stessa ha raccontato in
trasmissione, nei mesi scorsi aveva
scritto al Santo Padre raccontandogli la
sua drammatica storia. Monica vive nel
quartiere Sperone a Palermo. Ha un
figlio disabile, costretto a vivere su una
sedia a rotelle.
In moltissimi hanno risposto
all’appello lanciato ieri sul Giornale di
Sicilia e hanno chiesto come poterli
sostenere. Tra loro c’è anche la «Livia
Onlus», l’associazione che promuove
costantemente iniziative di solidarietà,
assistenza sociale e socio-sanitaria,
beneficenza, tutela dei diritti dei
bambini e degli indigenti. D’intesa con
Monica Di Maria, è possibile aiutare la
famiglia
attraverso
il
sito
www.liviamorello.it andando sulla
sezione «Livia onlus» e cliccando su
“Come aderire”: scelta la formula di
pagamento si puo’ fare il versamento.
Importante è scrivere la causale:
“Incontro con il Papa.”
Italians married in Milwaukee: 1926-1940
Part V
Compiled by Mario A. Carini, Italian Community Center Historian
Introductory Notes
The Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1926-1940 includes the name of the individual married and the month and year the marriage took place.
Information contained in the Milwaukee Marriage Index: 1926-1940 was compiled by this researcher in January of 1993 and
will 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 copies
at the City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works are all copyrighted and an original copy is at the Library of
Congress 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 married
outside the city limits (e.g., Shorewood, West Allis, Cudahy), your name won’t appear in this listing. Names appearing here are
listed and spelled exactly as found in the marriage volumes. If you know of a relative who was married in Milwaukee during the
time period 1926-1941 and that relative’s name does not appear in these listings, please contact the Milwaukee County Historical
Society. Parts I and IV of this series were published in past issues of The Italian Times.
Name
DeNatale, Frances (Vento)
Denesi, Margaret (Clark)
DeNicola, John
Dentice, Antoinette (Cicerello)
Dentice, Frank
Dentice, Joseph
Dentice, Mary (Lembo)
Dentice, Peter
Dentice, Rosalie (Jens)
Dentice, Rose (Myszkowski)
Dentice, Rose (Zampana)
Dentice, Santo
Dentice, Thomas
Dentice, Tony
Dentici, Antonia (Alioto)
Dentici, Elio
Dentici, Joseph
DePalma, Anthony
DePasquale, Devine (Sabourin)
DePaulis, Florence (Thomas)
DePaulis, Margaret (Kempke)
DePetro, John
DePetro, Mary (Badiske)
DePetro, Sadie (Albergo)
Dequardo, Patrick
Dequardo, Samuel
DeSalvo, Mary (Castronova)
Destefano, August B
Destefano, August J
DeStefano, Genevieve (Travis)
DeStefano, Vivian (Gust)
Devita, Manrico
Di Iorio, Helen (Smaniotto)
Di Maggio, Tilla (Crimi)
DiBacco, Tom
DiBenedetto, Carmella (LaBarbera)
DiBenedetto, Giuseppe
DiCarlo, Joseph
Dicrispino, Charles
Dicristo, Anthony
Dicristo, Joseph
Dicristo, Thomas
DiGiovanni, Luigi
DiGiovanni, Sam
DiGoetani, Aladin
Diliberti, Phillip
Diliberti, Rosario
Dilorio, Joseph
Dimaggio, Joseph
Dimaggio, Salvatore
DiMeo, Phillip
DiNicola, James
Dionizi, Anna (Sery)
Dionizi, Mary (Zibell)
Dionizi, Pauline (Krier)
Diorio, Carmen
Diorio, Michael
Disalvo, Mamie (DeLuisa)
Disalvo, Pauline (Castronovo)
DiStefano, Angelina (Pecoraro)
DiStefano, Josephine (Sansone)
DiTrapani, Antonia (Torcivia)
DiTrapani, John
DiTrapani, Josephine (Agrusa)
Dolfine, Quentin
Domenica, Magestro (Sberna)
Dondero, Catherine (Sorgi)
Dondero, Louis
Dragotta, Concettina (Daehn)
Dragotta, Filippa (Pietro)
Dragotta, Joseph
Dragotta, Stephana (Scarpace)
Dragotta, Thomas
Dranga, Helen (Conti)
Dranga, Marion (Crivello)
Eannelli, Anthony
Eannelli, Paul
Eannelli, Theresa M (Corbi)
Emanuele, Anthony R
Endrizzi, Ann (Roth)
Endrizzi, Caroline (Jaszczenski)
Endrizzi, Guido Jr
Endrizzi, Henry
Endrizzi, Louis
Endrizzi, Louis C
Endrizzi, Marie (Stokes)
Married
Oct-1927
Jan-1930
Jan-1933
Oct-1938
Mar-1938
Sep-1940
Oct-1927
Aug-1927
Feb-1939
Apr-1937
Sep-1927
Aug-1929
May-1931
Jun-1931
Oct-1933
Oct-1929
Mar-1930
Sep-1937
Aug-1936
Jun-1934
Sep-1936
Mar-1938
Jul-1932
Nov-1934
Aug-1928
Jul-1937
Jul-1936
Sep-1932
Mar-1930
Jun-1940
Apr-1931
Aug-1935
Nov-1928
Dec-1926
Dec-1927
Sep-1928
Dec-1930
Sep-1934
Jun-1933
Nov-1940
Aug-1931
Oct-1937
Apr-1930
Jun-1934
Jul-1929
Sep-1940
Nov-1936
Apr-1926
Jun-1929
Jul-1927
May-1937
Jul-1933
Sep-1935
Sep-1930
Oct-1935
Aug-1937
Oct-1936
Jun-1936
Jun-1927
May-1930
Nov-1940
Oct-1928
Apr-1934
Dec-1929
Nov-1931
Apr-1934
Aug-1940
Jun-1937
Dec-1940
May-1931
Nov-1940
Sep-1938
Oct-1929
May-1928
Jul-1938
Jun-1935
Sep-1926
Jun-1932
Oct-1935
Sep-1938
Jul-1935
Oct-1934
Apr-1940
May-1934
Jul-1929
Jun-1927
Name
Endrizzi, Rose (Hoffmann)
Endrizzi, Rose (Mendini)
Endrizzi, Velia (Sericati)
Endrizzi, Victor
Enea, Casper
Enea, Rocco
Enrico, John
Erato, Clara (Vinci)
Erato, Deloris (Ernst)
Ermi, Aldona (McMaster)
Ermi, Antonietta (Savaglia)
Ermi, Antoniette (Marchi)
Ermi, Dominic
Ermi, Ella (Plath)
Ermi, Rose (Storniolo)
Erni, Anna (Mueller)
Erni, Virginia (Meisener)
Erno, Lester
Faesi, Erwin
Faesi, Ruth (Gutknecht)
Faillaci, Ben
Faillaci, Josephine (Ferrito)
Faillaci, Millie (Scrarpinato)
Faino, Frances (Fischer)
Falconero, Frank
Falconero, Joe
Falconero, Peter
Faludi, Frank
Faludi, Helen (Mahas)
Faludi, Mary (Turk)
Famularo, Joseph
Famularo, Tony Jr
Fanello, Robert E
Fantelli, Louis
Fantelli, Lydia (Pinterics)
Faranda, Anthony
Faranda, Anthony
Faranda, Jean (Emmer)
Farano, Filomeno
Farchione, Anthony
Farchione, Francis
Farchione, Mary (Marinello)
Farina, Arthur
Farina, Grace (Torcivia)
Farina, Rosalie (Tomasello)
Farina, Theresa (Vema)
Farino, Dorothy (Clementi)
Farino, Ella (Edwards)
Farino, Florence (Macaluso Jr)
Farino, Louise (Storm)
Farino, Rose (Ciurro)
Farino, Vita (Higbee)
Farlazzo, Anthony
Fassero, Frank
Fattita, John
Favero, Angelo
Fazio, Angelo Jr
Fazio, Josephine (Soper)
Fedrizzi, Lydia (Tanel)
Fedrizzi, Mary (Florek)
Ferracin, Angeline (Taramelli)
Ferrante, Alex
Ferrara, Joseph
Ferrara, Rose (Fare)
Ferrara, Salvatore
Ferrari, Adiane (Ehrhordt)
Ferrari, Albert
Ferraro, Thema (Mateo)
Ferrero, Alex
Ferri, Elda (Pedrotti)
Ferrito, Domenico
Ferro, Lester
Ferruzzi, John
Figerino, Antonio
Filippo, Santa (Ingurgio)
Filitti, Florence (Wagner)
Fimiano, John
Fiorani, Arnold
Fiorani, Attilio
Fiore, Anton
Fiorina, Mary (Pawluk)
Fisco, John
Fisco, Mallina (Carlson)
Fitchette, Alice (Iraci)
Flaminio, Albert
Flaminio, Arthur
Married
Nov-1931
Feb-1934
Sep-1938
May-1939
Sep-1934
Jun-1930
Nov-1939
Jun-1933
May-1939
Mar-1934
May-1936
Feb-1938
Jul-1937
Apr-1937
Mar-1930
Dec-1928
Dec-1931
Jul-1937
May-1932
Jun-1927
Apr-1926
Dec-1926
Oct-1926
Jun-1929
May-1940
Aug-1934
Apr-1940
Nov-1935
Jul-1934
Apr-1931
Nov-1932
Jun-1940
May-1934
May-1930
Aug-1939
May-1929
Aug-1936
Oct-1934
Oct-1939
Oct-1939
Aug-1937
Apr-1930
Sep-1940
Dec-1929
Dec-1934
Sep-1929
Sep-1937
Jun-1940
Nov-1934
Jul-1937
Jul-1936
Jan-1938
Jun-1940
Jul-1934
Sep-1935
Sep-1938
Apr-1938
Sep-1940
Nov-1932
Nov-1939
Nov-1933
Jan-1939
Oct-1926
Jan-1926
Jul-1929
Aug-1935
Sep-1938
May-1935
Jun-1934
Nov-1935
Dec-1926
Nov-1928
Nov-1934
Mar-1932
Sep-1940
Dec-1930
Aug-1938
Jun-1940
Sep-1936
Oct-1927
Feb-1939
Apr-1929
Sep-1940
Sep-1938
Aug-1927
Oct-1927
Name
Married
Fortino, Charles
Nov-1927
Foti, Angelo
Sep-1933
Jan-1926
Foti, Domenica (Berte)
Foti, Frank S
Jun-1935
Foti, John
Nov-1936
Foti, Joseph
Apr-1937
Foti, Joseph S
Oct-1940
Foti, Josephine (Bruno)
Oct-1927
Foti, Lorrine (Foti)
Jul-1939
Foti, Margaret (Berte)
Dec-1934
Foti, Mary (Quartana)
Jan-1929
Jun-1935
Foti, Mary Ann (Foti)
Foti, Pasquale
Nov-1937
Foti, Pasquale
Jul-1939
Foti, Petra (Foti)
Jul-1939
Foti, Salvatore
Jul-1939
Foti, Santo
Mar-1933
Foti, Stephen
Feb-1934
Foti, Steve
Aug-1937
Foti, Vincenza (Eannelli)
Sep-1926
Foto, Salvatore
Nov-1932
Fracchiolla, Frank
Apr-1932
Franceschetti, Ada (Cerni)
Nov-1936
Franceschetti, Albina (Magolski)
Jan-1929
Francesco, Mary (Margese)
May-1927
Franchino, Charles
Oct-1935
Francisco, Florence (Brinker)
Jun-1937
Oct-1932
Francisco, Herold
Francisco, James
Dec-1936
Franco, Elbiea (Delangelo)
Oct-1932
Francolucci, Guido
Mar-1939
Fratto, Angeline (Williamson)
May-1938
Fratto, Rose (Petta)
Jun-1940
Fregapane, Sarina (Sapienza)
Sep-1936
Fricano, Alfred
Aug-1927
Fricano, Nicolo
Apr-1926
Fricano, Rose (Carini)
Sep-1927
Fricano, Salvatore
Nov-1929
Frittito, Isadore
Oct-1940
Fucarino, Nick
Sep-1929
Fucile, Angeline (Madushcha)
Jun-1933
Fucile, Hilda (Buccarelli)
Jan-1930
Fucile, Molly (Phillips)
Aug-1936
Fucile, Savino
May-1935
Fucile, Tessie (Pestka)
Feb-1936
Fuggiasco, Madelene (Theurer)
Jun-1935
Fugiasco, Carlo
Oct-1929
Fugiasco, James
Jan-1939
Fugiasco, John
Sep-1938
Fuso, Theresa (Ringel)
Jul-1940
Fusso, John
May-1932
Fusso, Rose (Bakos)
Jun-1940
Gabardi, Alex
Jul-1927
Gabriele, Angelo
May-1931
Gabrielli, Joseph
Apr-1930
Gacicia, Lena (Scaffidi)
Feb-1926
Gaginella, Helen (Weinstock)
Oct-1939
Gagliano, Angeline (Maglio)
Jun-1936
Gagliano, Angeline A (Palmisano)
Nov-1939
Gagliano, Ann (Schiera)
Dec-1933
Gagliano, Anna (Czarnyszka)
Jun-1934
Gagliano, Anthony
Sep-1939
Gagliano, Betty (DeGeorge)
Feb-1928
Gagliano, Giovanni
Jun-1934
Gagliano, Grace (Gasparetti)
Apr-1935
Gagliano, Joseph
Apr-1938
Gagliano, Josephine (Farlazzo)
Jun-1940
Gagliano, Mary (Alexandax)
Oct-1940
Gagliano, Mary (Volpe)
Apr-1934
Gagliano, Minnie (Hill)
Jan-1937
Gagliano, Nancy (Eilers)
Feb-1935
Gagliano, Nicholas
Sep-1938
Gagliano, Regina (Gilman)
Apr-1940
Gagliano, Salvatore
Jan-1932
Gagliano, Santo
Apr-1931
Gagliano, Santo C
Nov-1931
Gagliano, Steve
Dec-1937
Gagliano, Theresa (Kosir)
Jun-1937
Gagliano, Vincent
Apr-1936
Gaio, Lilliana (Lemoine)
Oct-1934
Galdabini, Eugene
Nov-1939
Galioto, Ignazio
Aug-1928
Galioto, Vito
Jun-1940
Gallinatti, Dominic
Apr-1937
Gallo, Andrew
May-1939
Continued in the next issue of The Italian Times.
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Pompeii Sacred Art and Vintage Photo exhibit
is one of the reasons Festa is so special
The Italian Serenaders – John Carini (left) and Ron Erskine – performed
in the Pompeii Sacred Art tent, where many of the treasures from Our
Lady of Pompeii Church were displayed. The church was built by
Milwaukee’s early Italians and served the community from 1904 to 1967.
The Italian Serenaders were among the festival’s strolling musicians.
In the vintage Italian American photo exhibit, Karen Gersonde, a longtime
volunteer for the Festa Patrol and a proud Bay View Italian, found a family photo from the mid 1950s when she was just an infant. Seen with her in
the photo are her parents, Fausta (DeCesari) and Albin Gierzycki and her
brother, Glenn. Festa’s vintage photo exhibit had 1,750 photos on display.
Festa hosts Special Olympics bocce
tournament on opening day
Joe Palmisano (third from left) and members of the
Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Area Lodge 2763 of
the Order Sons of Italy are seen here with the Special
Olympians who played in a VIP Day tournament at
Festa Italiana on July 18. The Mazzei Lodge tradition-
ally organizes, hosts and provides the volunteers for
this event. Palmisano told The Italian Times, he is hoping to get a national Special Olympics bocce tournament to be playd at Festa in the near future. (Times
photo by Tom Hemman)
Referee from
the Ukraine
Futsal, like soccer, is an international game. Festa’s futsal tournament had a referee, who works
internationally. On the left is
Mikola Zhemandak from the
Ukraine, who accepted an invitation from Mike Palmisano (center),
tournament manager, to come to
Festa. On the right is Don
Dorschner, a Wisconsin high
school and amateur soccer leagues
referee for over 30 years. (Times
photo by Paul Inzeo)
Mayor Barrett named
honorary ‘Gran Maresciallo’
at opening day ceremony
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (center) was named the honorary “Gran
Maresciallo” (Grand Marshal) for the opening day of the 37th annual Festa
Italiana by Gina Spang (right) during the opening day ceremony on the
Pick n’ Save Stage. Spang is the president of the Italian Community
Center and served as general chair of Festa 2014. On the left is Giuseppe
Vella, vice president of the ICC. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)
THE ITALIAN TIMES
Festa’s fearless Roman gladiators Matt Militello of Waterford and Joe
Noto of Milwaukee found a competitor for a sword-fighting challenge in
Milwaukeean Sandy Rainer. (Times photo by Craig Schoenung)
La Grande Parata
della Festa Italiana
Generously Sponsored by:
Serving the community since 1985
THE ITALIAN TIMES

JULY/AUGUST 2005/Section A

Transcription

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