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Volume 6 - No. 4 December 2016

Items in this issue...

Festival Highlights

See more photos on pages 4 and 5.

All photos courtesy of Jenni Romano

Join Now! Application Enclosed

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2016

Cavalier John Scarpati President

I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to all the board members, secretaries, office staff, every commit-tee, and the many volunteers who work behind the scenes for helping produce another successful festival. No contri-bution goes unnoticed, and everyone’s effort is important.

Of the upmost importance is for all of us to work together and make efficient use of the time during our monthly meet-ings. I’m going to emphasize that individ-uals must sit down and have face-to-face meetings to discuss concerns and prob-lems before each monthly meeting. E-mails and phone messages are fine, but face-to-face meetings are the most pro-ductive. If there is an issue that arises before a member meeting, please call it to my attention immediately. I want to know about problems and concerns just as much as you want answers and information. If we can work on most of the solution be-fore the meeting date, then it leaves more time to discuss final details and involve the membership in a more productive manner. The festival has grown to what it is today because I have spoken out aggres-sively and pushed for changes, improve-ments and opportunities of growth. There is truth in the old saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” Even now at 77, and with various health issues, I try to have the perseverance to make each festival better than the previous one. I can only do so much and need your help, ideas and suggestions.

I am hopeful that we can take the festi-val to the next level, starting with our membership drive. We cannot have an efficient base of operations without maintenance help, committee volunteers, office workers and group participation on special programs and activities. I refuse to use the word “can’t.” I always find a way to benefit our Italian-American Heritage Center. Everywhere I go, people come up to me and tell me what a festival we had this year – better than all the others. Great comments on the outstanding organiza-tion and festival layout are the result of the tireless hours and days of planning. I am calling for chairs and co-chairs, vol-unteers and community members to help contribute their efforts as well. Become a member. Let’s see and hear you. Make a commitment so that we can maintain the quality of the festival that the public has come to expect.

Cav. John Scarpati,

MCIAFA President

At a recent meeting, the annual donation was given to the Knights of Columbus, Council #6213. Pictured are, from left to right, Bob Hope, Admissions Co-Chair, Cav. John Scarpati, and Marilyn Hope, Admissions Chair.

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2016

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Board Members and Office Assistance: Cav. John Scarpati Sr., President Barry Chiorello, Asst. Coord. to the President Mike Rossetti, 2nd Vice President Frank Cirillo, Vice President Danielle Scarpati, Trustee Ed DiPolvere, Trustee Joe DiPaolo, Trustee Thomas Frascella, Trustee Gino Melone, Trustee Joe Urbano, Trustee Sally Van Fleet, Trustee and Admin. Asst. Nina VanDeleur, Trustee and Admin. Asst. Treasurer: Danielle Scarpati

Committee Chairs: Accounting/Admin. Treasurer: Danielle Scarpati Admissions: Mar ilyn Hope, Chair ; Bob Hope, Co-Chair Amusement Rides: Frank Cir illo, Chair ; Joe Urbano, Co-Chair Attorney: Thomas Frascella Auditors: Pesauro, Levy & Palumbo PA Beer/Wine: Chr istine Scarpati, Chair Bocce: Carmen Calderone, Chair ; Joe Passalacqua, Co-Chair Building Maintenance: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr ., Chair ; John Devlin, Lou Dorio Cultural Programs: Cav. Gilda R. Baldassar i, Chair ; Marie Jantos, Cathy DiCostanzo, Co-Chairs Entertainment: Cav. Car l Carabelli, Chair ; Ann Lennon, Co-Chair; Nina VanDeLeur, Asst. Co-Chair; Al Hutchins, MC Facebook: Barry Chiorello Festival 50/50: Gino Melone, Chair ; Mar ion Bolton, Karen Coate, Co-Chairs; Rita Capone, Mgr. Festival Layout Plans: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr ., Ted Caruso, Joe DiPaolo Festival Photographers: Bill Plank, Ken Ender ly Festival Signs: TBA Fireworks: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr ., Chair Food Vendors: Joe DiPaolo, Chair Grounds Maintenance - Portable Lighting, Hauling, Restrooms, Cleanup,Trash & Waste Mgmt.: John Scarpati Jr., Chair; Herman Ramos, Co-Chair Information Tent: Sally Van Fleet, Chair ; Fr ieda Santillo, Co-Chair Market Tent/Pavilion: Lauren Auletta, Chair ; Bob Valentino, Co-Chair Mass/Procession: Cathy DiCostanzo, Chair ; Joe Pica, Ben Gioe, Co-Chairs and members of the Neopolitan Society Membership: Gino Melone, Chair Memorabilia: Rocco Riccio, Chair ; J ack Scire, Co-Chair Merchandising – Sally Van Fleet, Chair Military & Veterans/Special Events: Kathi Adie, Chair ; John Adie, Co-Chair Military Medal of Honor: Dennis Bush, Chair Off Site 50/50 Business Sales: Gino Melone, Chair Parking: Wayne DeAngelo, Chair ; Joe Povio, Co-Chair Photographer - In-House: Nina VanDeleur Pony Rides: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr ., Chair Puppet Show: Cav. Car l Carabelli, Chair Security: Joe Russo, Chair ; John Devlin, Co-Chair: Lou Dorio Site Operations: Danielle Scarpati, Chair ; Melissa Scarpati, Co-Chair Sponsorship & Marketing: Barry Chiorello, Chair Tables, Tents & Chairs: Cav. John Scarpati Sr ., Chair

Website Design: Mike Aregano; Sally Van Fleet, Nina VanDeleur, Barry Chiorello, Editors

General Contacts: E-mail: buongiorno2000@optonline.net Website: www.italianamericanfestival.com Office Mail: MCIAFA, 2421 Liberty St., Hamilton, NJ 08629 Phone: 609-631-7544; Fax: 609-631-9116

Newsletter Staff: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Managing Editor Helene Plank, Graphic Designer Sally Van Fleet, Assistant Copy Editor Printed by Hermitage Press, Inc., Trenton, NJ

Columbus Day Parade/Gala Committee: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., President; Frank Bruno, Chair; Pat Bruno, Co-Chair

We thank all our volunteers

Serving on our Security Committee are pictured left to right: Co-Chair John Devlin, Lou Dorio and Chair Joe Russo.

At a recent dedication of the newly-installed bocce court at Notre Dame High School, are pictured, l-r: Cav. John Scarpati, MCIAFA President; Sierra Hnatuiuk, Italian Club Past-President; Barry Breen, Notre Dame High School President; Gino Melone, MCIAFA Trustee; and David Maffei, Mayor of Lawrence Township.

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter

Festival Highlights

Photo courtesy of Jenni Romano

Photo courtesy of Jenni Romano

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Photo courtesy of Jenni Romano

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December 2016

Cultural Programs

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2016

Columbus Day Events

Pictured above are some of the MCIAFA officials and honorees from the Columbus Gala that was held on October 30, 2016 at Cedar Gardens. This photo features two honorees from this year, as well as 12 other past honorees who were pre-sent at the event. Pictured in the first row, from left to right are: Gino Melone, Pat Colavita, John Bencivengo, Gala Chair Frank Bruno, Cav. John Scarpati, Barbara Frascella, Cathy DiCostanzo, Rosa Spera-Gilmore, Don Tretola, Anthony Cara-belli, and Rich Tonti. In the second row, from left to right, are: 2016 Honoree Eugene Forconi, 2016 Honoree Angelo On-ofri, Wayne DeAngelo, Carl Carabelli and Glen Gilmore.

Pictured at left are, from left to right, Mercer County Surrogate Diane Gerof-sky, Cav. John Scarpati, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello & Free-holder Andrew Koontz

From left to right, are: Msgr. John Dermond, Frank Bruno, Chair, Eugene Forconi, Angelo Onofri, Cav. John Scarpati, Fr. Caesar Rubiano and Gino Melone, trustee.

Photo at right features is from the Flag-Raising Ceremony and features, l-r: Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede, Eugene Forconi, Angelo Onofri, Cav. John Scarpati, Frank Bruno, Cav. Gilda R. Baldassari, Professor Carlo Davoli and Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes.

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2016

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We invite you to JOIN the largest-growing organization as an associate member, of our Italian-American association.

Membership begins January 1st. The Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association was officially formed in the year 2000. See-ing the end of the only existing festival of Mercer County, The Feast of Lights in the Chambersburg section of Trenton, Cav. John Scarpati had a vision to continue the festival tradition in Mercer County. For the past 16 years the Annual Mercer County Italian-American Festival has grown to be one of the largest festivals in the State of New Jersey. In addition to the annual event, the association has dedicated itself to contributing to many local charities, in addition to the promotion on an ongoing basis of Italian heritage and culture, continuing the honor of Christopher Columbus with an annual ball and Italian flag-raising ceremony, and most important in-vesting in our children’s education by giving college scholarships throughout Mercer County schools. Here are some of the benefits you will receive with your associate membership: Quarterly full-color newsletter, detailing events of the festival association and other Italian-American local

news. One dollar off your daily admission to the annual festival. Discount on all festival association-sponsored events. 10% discount on all festival association merchandise. Annual membership card sent to you each year once your annual dues are paid. The ability to attend our monthly association meetings. Eligibility for consideration of a $500 scholarship for a graduating child or grandchild, college-bound, high

school student of a member in good standing. Membership in our association is on an annual basis from January 1st to December 31st of each calendar year for a donation of $30.00 per member. To join simply fill out the membership form below and mail to: MCIAFA, 2421 Liberty St., Hamilton, NJ 08629 with your 2017 dues payment payable to MCIAFA.

Name: _________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ___________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Previous/Current Occupation: _________________________________________________________________

You must be 18 or older to join. Make your $30.00 check payable to: MCIAFA

Cut and return bottom portion with payment.

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Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association Italian-American Heritage Center

2421 Liberty Street Hamilton, NJ 08629

Quarterly MCIAFA Newsletter Publication

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Trenton, NJ

Permit No. 312

After the yearly festival mass which is traditionally dedicated to the veterans of World War II, a statue depicting a WWII soldier coming to the aid of a fallen brother in arms was unveiled. The statue was sculpt-ed by Mr. Jerald Christofaro in the 1940’s, tearfully and lovingly handed over, and painstakingly restored by the Mercer County Italian-American Festival As-sociation. This statue honors the brave soldiers who fought for and won the greatest war in American his-tory and gives voice to the memory of more than 400,000 soldiers who never returned, thus enabling the rest of us to live around the world in freedom. The following Mercer County Italian-American WWII soldiers were honored and present:

Anthony Capriotti, Frank Cuili, Ray E. Dooling, Quinton C. Erkoboni, Patrick L. Galati, Walter P. Kramarz, Anthony W. Melchiondo, Frank J. Parese James W. Smith, William E Smith, Frank J. Uvegas and George S. Vitoritt

Certificates and gifts of appreciation were given by Cav. John Scarpati, President of MCIAFA and Kathi Adie, Chairperson of Military & Veterans/Special Events Committees.