May 2015 issue

Festa Italiana is pleased toannounce its headline entertainersfor the 2015 festival to be stagedFriday, July 17 through Sunday,July 19 at Maier Festival Park. Theacts cover a wide range of enter-tainment expected to please fans of

Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, ‘50s-‘60s rock-and-roll, the disco-era BeeGees, Italian superstar ErosRamazzotti, Italian swing and tra-ditional, and the international rockband U2.

The acts include:

• Direct from Italy, Dove c’èMusica – The World’s #1 ErosRamazzotti Tribute Band.

• Stayin’ Alive – The World’s #1Tribute to the Bee Gees

• Louis Prima, Jr. & TheWitnesses

• The Bronx Wanderers• Henry Prego – Saluting

Sinatra.• Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms.• U2Zoo.“These are some of the world’s

most highly acclaimed tribute acts,”said Tim Kezman, FestaEntertainment Director. “Every oneof our headliners presents high-energy shows that result in thekind of experience that today’s con-cert-goers crave.”

This year, Festa is offering itsguests opportunities to see differ-ent headliners each night. “Havingdifferent headliners in the prime-time spots each night gives every-one opportunities to experiencemore of the outstanding entertain-ment we have this year,.” Kezmansaid.

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDMILWAUKEE, WIPermit No. 5716

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

www.ICCMilwaukee.comVOL. 36, NO. 11MAY 2015

– CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED –

PASTE ADDRESS LABEL HERE.

THEITALIAN TIMESItalian flag throwers coming to Festa

Sbandieratori dei Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini, a flag throwing troupefrom districts and villages in and around Florentine, Italy, will perform atFesta Italiana, July 17-19. on the Summerfest grounds.

The Italian Community Center hosted its annualSt. Joseph’s Day Luncheon on Mar. 19. The event,which is celebration of the stepfather of JesusChrist, was well attended. Here, Fr. MikeHammer is seen blessing the St. Joseph’s DayAltar with Holy Water. Fr. Mike is the director of

the Milwaukee Archdiocese AIDS Ministry and alongtime friend of the ICC. More photos and athank you letter from the St. Joseph’s DayLuncheon Chairperson Mary Winard can befound inside this issue. (Times photo by TomHemman)

St. Joseph’s Day celebrated at ICCwell attended luncheon

Did you getyour ‘Taste ofItaly’ at ICC?By the time you look at this

edition of The Italian Times, theItalian Community Center’s20th annual “A Taste of Italy”fund-raiser will have come andgone. Hopefully, you and yourfamily were there and indulgedin this Italian food-tastingextravaganza on Apr. 19.

The timing of the event pre-sented a conflict with our sched-uled printing time for this issue,requiring the editor to email itto the printer on Apr. 17.

Therefore, it was impossibleto provide a report or any photosfrom “A Taste of Italy.”However, we can assure youthat there will be a completereport with many photos in ournext issue, available on May 21.

By Times EditorTom Hemman

A group of Italian flag throwerswill perform at Festa Italiana 2015.Coming to Milwaukee for the July17-19 festival will be Sbandieratoridei Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini, atroupe from districts and villagesin and around Florence (Tuscany).

Sbandieratori dei Borghi eSestieri Fiorentini is one of themost acclaimed units in Italy.

The all-male troupe preservesthe chivalry and spirit of the flagthrowing units that originated inthe 11th century. Adding in the ele-ments of charm and athleticism toits military attention,Sbandieratori dei Borghi e SestieriFiorentini has captured wideacclaim throughout Europe and inprevious visits to the UnitedStates.

The troupe’s movements aredescribed as “precise” and demon-strate “pride and respect,” symbolicof the uniforms that they wear andthe flag that it carries.

Their name refers to the bondwith the city of Florence and thesurrounding area. Their costumesrecall the two factions of the citythat made up the army: the bluerepresents the noble families whilethe red is associated with the peas-ant population.

The typical formation of thegroup during a show includes flagthrowers, the captain accompany-ing the labarum, and the musicianswho include drummers and trum-peters. All movements of the gridand of the various exercises areguided by the rhythm of the drum,while the trumpets highlight vari-

Please turn to page 11

Festa’s headliners cover the full gamut ofpopular music with crowd pleasing appeal


THE ITALIAN TIMESPAGE 2 – MAY 2015

Catch ‘Spring Fever.’ It’s contagious, free andfun on Tuesday and Thursday nights at ICC

By Times EditorTom Hemman

Have you caught “the fever” yet?We’re talking about “Spring Fever”as in the Italian CommunityCenter’s “Spring Fever MusicFever” on Tuesday and Thursdaynights.

The series showcases local jazzor blues acts on Tuesday nightswhile good-time rock-and-rollbands take the stage on Thursdaynights. And, best of all, it’s avail-able with no cover charge and nodrink minimum.

Scores of people have alreadycaught “the fever,” and enjoyed it.The series started in early April.You still have chances to catch it asthese free Tuesday and Thursdaynight shows continue through May28.

All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. andend at 9 p.m. and are presented inthe Festa Ballroom. The staff ofCafe La Scala is on hand to takefood and drink orders beginning at5 p.m. Reservations can be made bycalling 414-223-2185.

“We’re encouraged by the atten-dance so far and looking forward tobigger crowds the rest of the way,”said Joe Campagna, Jr. series coor-dinator. “Our music director TomSorce has done a fantastic job coor-dinating the talent, making it pos-sible for people to enjoy jazz, bluesor rock and roll without a covercharge or drink minimum. Therearen’t many places I know of thatcan make that kind of offer.”

Campagna added that theartists not only present greatmusic, but great danceable music.A dance floor is set up for eachshow.

Who’s performing?Here’s the line-up for the rest of

the series.• Thursday, Apr. 30 – Tom

Anthony Group.• Tuesday, May 5 – Pete Sorce

with the Jeff Lebarge Band (jazz).• Thursday, May 7 – The

Classics (featuring “Guido” MikeSturino of the Doo-Wop Daddies.

• Tuesday, May 12 – AlexWilson Band (blues).

• Thursday, May 14 – No show.Private event.

• Tuesday, May 19 – AnitaStemper with Opus (jazz – CDrelease party).

• Thursday, May 21 – BobHirschi & Groove Theraphy.

• Tuesday, May 26 – LeroyAirmaster with Junior Brantley(blues).

• Thursday, May 28 – TomAnthony Group

Something about those actsThe Tom Anthony Group

presents a “Las Vegas-style” show,featuring the best of good-time rockand roll, pop and country. The vari-ety of song sung by Tom Anthony,backed by the expert musicianshipof Tom Sorce (guitar), Brian Ford(drums), Jim Sodke (keyboards),Mike Hetzel (piano) and LarryTresp (bass) results in a stellar“best of” series of popular musicfrom the 1950s to today. Thisreporter can testify that dancerslove the Tom Anthony Group. Thegroup remains one of the area’s

busiest summertime acts, perform-ing at numerous church festivals,the ICC’s Courtyard Music Series,and 10 consecutive day stint at theWisconsin State Fair (Aug. 1-10).

The Jeff Lebarge Band fea-turing Pete Sorce on vocals hasbeen called the “Midwest’s premierbig band.” The band performs at

music festivals, dances and concertseries, performing a variety of com-positions and arrangements fromStan Kenton and Woody Herman toBobby Darin and Brian Setzer.Pete Sorce has been singing sincehe was 8 years old. He was an origi-nal “American Idol,” performing

The rockin’ rhythm and blues band, Noyz Boys &Gyrlz, kicked off the Spring Fever Music Series at theItalian Community Center on Thursday, Apr. 2. That’sICC member Laura Easey-Jones (center) on vocals.

The series, which is offered with free admission andfree parking, is presented on most Tuesday andThursday nights in the Festa Ballroom. Showtime is6:30 p.m. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Festa Italiana is excited to hostits second annual “Chef’s ChoiceRecipe Contest,” taking place inthe Cucina Showcase on Sunday,July 19.

Does your recipe have what ittakes to bring home the GoldenSpoon Award?

Now through Monday, June 15,Festa Italiana is accepting Italianappetizer (“antipasti”) recipes tobe judged by local chefs andrestaurateurs in front of a liveaudience at Festa.

From the submissions, a FestaItaliana committee will select thetop five appetizer recipes based onthe following criteria:

• Ease in preparation.• Creativity.• “Appetizing” appearance.The top five recipe participants

will be notified by email that theirrecipe has been selected as afinalist.

Live judgingFinalists will be asked to pres-

ent their Italian appetizer in theCucina Showcase at 2 p.m. onSunday, July 19, to a panel of fivejudges (to be announced soon).Each judge will taste the fivedishes and evaluate each recipebased on taste, ease of prepara-tion, creativity and presentationin front of a live Cucina Showcaseaudience.

The contest will be led by alocal celebrity emcee, and eachparticipant will have a chance toexplain his or her appetizer and

why it deserves to win while thejudges taste each submission.

The winner will receive thesecond Golden Spoon Award,along with other food-relatedprizes. There will also be a run-ner-up prize and other food-relat-ed prizes.

Please submit your Italianappetizer recipe and a photo ofyour appetizer by mail or email byJune 15. Please note:Contestants must be 18 years ofage or older to be eligible to par-ticipate.

Here’s how to register by mail:Festa Recipe Contest, Attn.:Marie Lieber, Italian CommunityCenter, 631 E. Chicago St.,Milwaukee, WI 53202.

To register by email: Send yourrecipe and a photo to Marie Lieberat: [email protected]. Pleaseput “Recipe Contest” in the sub-ject line.

Please include the following inyour submissions:

• Cook’s name.• Cook’s email address.• Mailing address.• Phone number.• Recipe title or name.Your recipe should include: list

of ingredients, measurements, inorder of use including step-by-steppreparation and cooking direc-tions, if required. Also includeamount of servings and any otherdetails required.

Be sure to attach or include aphoto of your recipe.

Enter Festa’s second‘Chef’s ChoiceRecipe Contest’


The National Italian Invitat-ional (NII) Golf Tournament forCharities, through its trust, recent-ly presented a $1,000 donation tothe Italian Community Center,drawing the Tournament closer tocompleting a pledge it made to theICC.

“On behalf of the officers, direc-tors and members of the ICC, Iwant to thank the Tournament offi-cials making this donation,” saidGiuseppe Vella, ICC President. “Weappreciate their generosity and

renewed support of the ICC.”Several years ago, the NII Golf

Tournament for Charities made a$100,000 pledge to the ICC. Thelatest contribution brings the orga-nization’s total giving to about$92,000.

John Balistrieri, who served aspresident of the NII GolfTournament for Charities for 22years and is now the Chairman ofthe Board, said, “The original com-mitment to the ICC was madewhen Tony Machi was involved inthe Tournament, and we respectTony and wanted to honor his com-mitment. Our new president, JoeAlioto, has done an outstanding jobin following through on the desiresof Mr. Machi and making good on

the commitment.”The NII Golf Tournament for

Charities was established in 1958by a group of Italian Americanfriends in the Milwaukee area.Over the years, the tournament hasgrown and evolved into a full week-end of activities celebrating Italianheritage and family.

In 2001, Tournament officialsestablished the National ItalianCharitable Trust, a 501(c)3 entity,to receive contributions from theTournament and other charities.The Trust provides financial sup-port to various charitable causes.

2015 tournament weekendThis year’s tournament will take

place the weekend of July 31-Aug. 2

at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spain Lake Geneva. Among the weekendhighlights are an Italian street festi-val, moonlight bocce tournament, ascholarship and award banquet, aSunday Mass, lots of great Italianfood and, of course, golf. Full detailson the event can be found on the NIIGolf Tournament website,www.nationalitaliantournament.com.You may also call TournamentPresident, Joe Alioto at 414-771-7333.

Alioto said that, this year, thetournament, will present two$7,500 scholarships to students ofparochial schools and recognizeFrank L. Steeves, General Counseland Secretary of Emerson ElectricCo., headquartered in St. Louis,

THE ITALIAN TIMES MAY 2015 – PAGE 3

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

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

THE ITALIAN TIMES631 E. Chicago St.

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

Published 11 times annually

Publisher . . . Italian Community CenterICC President . . . . . . . . .Giuseppe VellaNewspaper CommitteeChairman . . . . . . . . . . . . Blaise DiPronioEditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas HemmanAdvertising SalesManager . . . . . . . . . . . .Thomas HemmanAdvertising SalesRepresentative . . . . . . Faye Ann KesslerEditorial Contributors and StaffWriters/Reporters . . . . , .Mario A. CariniAngelo Castronovo, Barbara Collignon

and Blaise DiPronioStaff Photographers. . . . . . .Joe Spasiano,

and Tom Hemman

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

Copyright 2015The Italian Community Center, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

A message from Giuseppe Vella,Italian Community Center President

Everything seems to be fallinginto place for our 38th annualFesta Italiana, July 17-19. Theentertainment lineup is set. Flagthrowers are coming from theProvince of Florence, Italy. Plansare shaping up for the SundayMass, the Cucina Showcase and thecultural exhibits.

Something we were excitedabout is that Festa is bringing backFREE CARNIVAL RIDES.

I want to thank Tim Kezman,our entertainment manager, for thetremendous job he has done puttingtogether our entertainment lineup.We are excited about the headlin-ers we have on board. We believethey will generate a significantamount of interest in our festival.

The flag throwers, Sbandieratoridei Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini,add an exciting element into oureffort to make Festa “Your Ticketto Italy.”

I want to acknowledge our FestaMass and Procession Committee forall the hard work they’ve done.

We’re pleased to have Fr. DomenicRoscioli of Kenosha as the main cel-ebrant of our Mass. We look for-ward to the participation of manyof our Italian societies in the pro-cession.

At the Cucina Showcase, the“Chef’s Choice Recipe Contest” isback for the second year, thealways amazing “Cannoli-EatingContest” is set for Saturday after-noon and the “Kids Pizza MakingContest” returns on Sunday after-noon. Look for details on theseevents in this issue and on the offi-cal Festa website:http://festaitaliana.com.

If you’re reading this messagebefore April 26th, you can still takeadvantage of our first “7 for $7”ticket special. Festa is offering $7admission tickets during a seven-day period in April, May and June.This is an online only offer. Visithttp://festaitaliana.com to orderyour tickets. The April “7 for $7”special ends on Saturday, Apr. 25.

The offer is also available May 18-24 and June 15-21.

Regular advance tickets for $10can be ordered online athttp://festitaliana.com. They will beavailable soon for purchase in per-son at the Italian CommunityCenter. Watch for details. Gateadmission during the festival willbe $13.

A Taste of ItalyBy the time you read this, our

20th annual “A Taste of Italy” willbe history. I want to thank our gen-eral chairperson Ann Romano, hercommittee and all the volunteerswho worked so hard at making thisevent a success. Ann does a won-derful job planning this event andworks tirelessly acquire donationsto ensure it is a wonderfully suc-cessful fund-raiser for our organiza-tion.

I want to thank all the societies,organizations and businesses thatdonated money and products to theTaste of Italy. Your donations areessential to the success.

Spring Fever Music SeriesOur Spring Fever Music Series

is underway and is bringing manypeople to the ICC on Tuesday andThursday nights. Joe Campagnaand Tom Sorce have put togetheran outstanding lineup. I encourageeveryone to check the schedule andattend these free shows. The CafeLa Scala staff is on hand to takeyour food and drink ordersthroughout the evening.

- Giuseppe VellaICC President

National Italian Invitational GolfTournament for Charities contributes

$1,000 to ICC as part of pledge



Stop in and try the new menu at Cafe La ScalaNew lunch buffet coming soon

Italian Community Center mem-bers and the general public areinvited to come to Cafe La Scalaand try the new menu for lunch ordinner. The new menu featuresseveral new sandwiches, three newentrèes, three new pizzas and addi-tions to the antipasti and saladofferings.

“Our new menu – while keepingto the theme of an Italian restau-rant – has added items that weexpect will broaden our appeal,”said Laurie Bisesi, BusinessManager.

“The new menu allows Cafe LaScala to continue to be a familyafforded restaurant,” said JimSchultz, Restaurant Manager.

So, what’s new, you ask? Hereare the new sandwiches.

• Italian beef. Served a toastedsub roll brushed with garlic butter.The beef is thinly sliced and toppedwith sweet green peppers andcomes with a side of giardinara.

• Rueben. Thinly slice lean cornbeef, thousand island dressing andSwiss cheese, topped with sauer-kraut and served on grilled marblerye.

• Sicilian chicken sandwich.Chicken breast marinated in oliveoil and rolled in Italian breadcrumbs served on a toasted longroll with garlic butter and toppedwith sweet green peppers and aside of marinara.

• Chicken basil panini. Grilledchicken breast with provolonecheese, tomato, olive oil and freshbasil.

• Sicilian steak sandwich. Beeftenderloin marinated in olive oil,rolled in Italian bread crumbs, pan-fried, served on a grilled long rollwith garlic butter and topped withsweet green peppers and servedwith a side of marinara.

• Mushroom Swiss burger. Half-pound of lean ground beef, grilledto your liking, topped with freshmushrooms and Swiss cheese withlettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on

a butter top roll.All Cafe La Scala sandwiches

are served with your choice ofFrench fries, homemade Parmesanchips, a cup of soup or cottagecheese.

New to the dinner menu arethese entrees:

• Pasta alla Norma. Classicchunks of eggplant with dicedtomatoes, garlic and red sauce,tossed with cavatappi pasta andsprinkled with Parmesan and moz-zarella cheese. Served with garlictoast.

• Chicken and spinach Alfredo.Sliced grilled chicken with spinachand mushrooms, tossed with fettuc-cine in Cafe La Scala’s homemadecreamy Alfredo sauce.

• Sicilian steak. Sicilian breadedtenderloin steak topped withsautéed onions and peppers. Servedwith butter fettuccine and grilledasparagus.

Dinners are served with a housesalad or a cup of soup and Italianbread.

New to the pizza offerings:• La Scala pizza. A blend of

cheese with garlic, fresh basil, oliveoil, green peppers, onions andtomatoes.

• Alfredo pizza. Grilled chicken,spinach, mushrooms and therestaurant’s homemade Alfredosauce.

• Prosciutto pizza. Thinly slicedprosciutto, eggplant chunks, freshbasil and a base of garlic, onionsand tomatoes.

The antipasti and salad offer-ings now include:

• Arancini. Two lightly breadedrice balls, filled with meat, cheeseand peas and served with marinarasauce.

• Boneless Buffalo chickenstrips. Lightly breaded all whitemeat chicken strips in Buffalosauce and served with your choiceof ranch, bleu cheese or honey mus-tard sauce.

• Panzanella (Tuscany bread

salad). Mixed greens, chunks ofItalian bread, chopped Roma toma-toes, chopped cucumbers, choppedred onions, Italian olives, pepper-oncini, basil and Romano cheeseand tossed with Italian dressing.

Cafe La Scala continues to offerits popular weekday lunch buffetand its Friday fish fry specials.

Bisesi told The Italian Timesthat the weekday lunch buffetofferings will change soon. Cafe LaScala started its weekday lunch

buffet in early 2014, featuringsomething different each day. The“theme buffet” concept caught onquickly. The new lunch buffet willalso offer something different,wholesome and tasty each week-day, Bisesi said.

If you haven’t come in for thecurrent lunch buffet, she suggeststhat you act quickly. Here are thedaily themes: Monday – “Tex Mex,”Tuesday – “Pasta Abbondanza,”

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Treat your “mamma” to a spe-cial Mother’s Day treat by takingher and the rest of your “famiglia”to the Italian Community Centerfor an all-you-can-eat brunch.Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10.

Brunch prices are $24.95 foradults. For children, under theage of 12, the charge is $14.95 foreach child. Pre-paid reservationsare required.

The ICC is taking reservationson the half-hour starting at 10:30a.m. with the last reservationstaken for the seating at 2 p.m.Please call 414/223-2180 withyour credit card handy to reserveyour time and table. You can alsosign up for the brunch by stoppingin at the ICC reception desk onweekdays between 7 a.m. and 5p.m.

Business Manager LaurieBisesi said earliest time slots(between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30p.m.) generally fill the quickest,“so if you are interested in one ofthose slots, I suggest that you getyour reservations in early.”

The menu for this year’sbrunch is extensive. It includesblack pepper and garlic crustedprime rib; southern fried chicken;chicken cordon bleu; baked codwith lemon beurre blanc; roastedvegetable lasagna; cheese tortelli-ni; penne pasta; marinara sauce;Alfredo sauce; rice pilaf; greenbeans almondine; garden freshgreens; creamy Caesar dressing;farfalle pasta salad; seasonal fruitwith mint; Greek olive salad;antipasto; cottage cheese; babyred potato salad; omelettes made-to-order (including egg whites andEgg Beaters); applewood smokedbacon; peppered sausage; pan-cakes; lyonnaise potatoes; cheeseblintz with strawberry sauce;artisanal breads (assorted dinnerrolls, butter croissants, freshbread, bagels, danish andmuffins); homemade fruit pies;tortes; cannoli; tiramisu; Italiancookies; fruit juice, coffee, tea andmilk.

Free parking is available in thelot south of the building.

Make your Mother’sDay dining plans

at the ICC

Italian Community Center Historian Mario A. Carini met recently withMame Croze McCully, the new Executive Director of the MilwaukeeCounty Historical Society, to get acquainted and to discuss the collectionsof documents, memorabilia and photos that he has donated to the MCHSon behalf of the ICC. Carini said the collection is extensive and includesindividual documents such as passports and notifications from Italy andcollections of memorabilia from the early Italian societies and Our Lady ofPompeii Catholic Church, built in Milwaukee’s old Third Ward by Italianimmigrants. The collection includes photos and memorabilia from the late1800s to approximately 1950, he said. By donating these documents, pho-tos and memorabilia to the Historical Society, they are safeguarded andkeep the proud history and details of Milwaukee’s Italians alive for thebetterment of future generations to come. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

ICC Historian Carini meetswith new Historical SocietyExecutive Director McCully



Saturday, Apr. 25• Italian Family History Club meeting, 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 28•Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Apr. 29• Pompeii Women’s Club general meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Apr. 30• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. TomAnthony Group performing. Details in this issue.

Tuesday, May 5• Pompeii Men’s Club Board meeting, 6 p.m.• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. PeteSorce with Jeff Lebarge Band performing. Details in this issue.

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

Thursday, May 7• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. TheClassics performing. Details in this issue.

Sunday, May 10• Italian Community Center Mother’s Day brunch, 10;30 a.m.-2 p.m.Seating on the half-hour. Reservations required. Details in this issue.

Monday, May 11• Italian Community Center Finance Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. AlexWilson Band performing. Details in this issue.• Abruzzese Galilei Galileo Society meeting and spuntino, 7 p.m.•Milwaukee Chapter UNICO National meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 14• Italian Community Center Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 15• Abruzzese Galilei Galileo Society social, 6 p.m.

Monday, May 18• Italian Community Center spring bocce championship playoffs, 7 p.m.Details in this issue.

Tuesday, May 19• Italian Community Center Culture Committee, 6 p.m.•Milwaukee UNICO Scholarship & Awards dinner, 6 p.m. Details in this

issue.• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. AnitaStemper with Opus performing. Details in this issue.

Wednesday, May 20• Order Sons of Italy in America/Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee AreaLodge 2763 Board meeting, 6 p.m.

Thursday. May 21• Italian Community Center membership dinner, 5:30 p.m.• Italian Community Center general membership meeting, 6:30 p.m.• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. BobHirschi & Groove Therapy performing. Details in this issue.

Monday, May 25•Memorial Day. Italian Community Center closed in observance of theholiday.

Tuesday, May 26•Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO Board meeting, 6 p.m.• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. LeroyAirmaster with Junior Brantley performing. Details in this issue.Wednesday, May 27• Pompeii Women’s Club May Crowning ceremony and dinner, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 28• Italian Community Center Spring Fever Music Series, 6:30 p.m. TomAnthony Group performing. Details in this issue.

Daily and weekly classes and activities• Bocce leagues. The spring league its under way. The championshipplayoffs will be Monday, May 18.

• ICC’s free Children’s Italian class. The spring semester of the ICC’s freechildren’s Italian class is conducted on Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4p.m. through May 2. Children, ages 6-12, can be enrolled at any time dur-ing the semester.

• ICC’s Italian classes for teens and adults. The spring semester of theICC’s Italian I and Italian II classes are under way on Tuesday nightsthrough May 12. Enrollment is closed.

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

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

Calendar of EventsApril 25 – May 28, 2015

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Italian Golf Tournamentpresents $1,000 donationMo. Steeves received a jurist doc-torate degree from MarquetteUniversity and has a long historyof service as an attorney and as aparticipant in civic activities in theMilwaukee area.

Over the course of the years, theTournament has raised thousandsof dollars for numerous charitableand educational causes. Among therecipients have been Villa

Scalabrini, St. Francis Children’sCenter, St. Jude’s Research Center,the Joliet (Ill.) Catholic EducationFoundation and St. Joseph CatholicAcademy.

Scholarship amounts haveincreased from $5,000 to $7,500.The tournament has awarded 27scholarships so far.

Normally, two $7,500 scholar-ships are given to deserving stu-dents each year.

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

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

These donations were receivedbetween Mar. 10 and Apr. 9, 2015.

In memory of Earl RayWilliams, Sr.Joanne CzubekRosemary DeRubertis

In memory of Frank T. CrivelloSal Mussomeli

In memory of Colonel Rick EvansTony Machi

Rose CookPatricia Nielsen

In memory of Antonio “UncleTony” CianoTony Machi

In memory of Isadore Balistreriof San Diego, Calif.Kandis Chappell and Jack Balistreri

In memory of MargaritaBalistreri from her loving sonIsadore T. Balistreri (posthu-mously) of San Diego, Calif.Kandis Chappell and JackBalistreri

Contribution made on pledgeto building fundNational Italian Invitational GolfTournament for Charities

Thanks for your donationsto the Italian CommunityCenter building fund

from page 3

An appeal to Italian CommunityCenter members to support theorganization through its “AnnualDonor Society” has resulted in$20,161.37 in pledges as of Apr. 9,2015.

The ICC is asking its membersto contribute for the continuationand growth of the organizationwhich they cherish and love and allthat it has come to stand for sinceits founding in 1978.

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

The pledge form is reprinted inthis issue.

Categories of support are:$5,000 (gold category pledge),$2,500 (silver category pledge),

$1,000, $750, $500, $250, $150 orother amount. All donations arewelcomed and appreciated. Alldonors will be recognized in TheItalian Times. Contributions can bemade by check or credit card. As anoption, donors can contact the ICCoffice at 414-223-2180 to set up apayment plan.

So far, two gold category pledgeshave been made. Those came fromSam Purpero and Ebbie and JoeMangiamele. One silver categorydonation has been made, comingfrom Joseph John and RosePurpero Spang.

Listed below are the names ofthe members who made a commit-ment to the “Annual Donor Society”between Mar. 10 and Apr. 9, 2015:

• Betty L. Hermann• Joe and Virginia BesasieView the Annual Donors Society

brochure and form on page ?????

Annual Donors Society update


ICC’s free ‘Spring Fever Music Series’ continues onmost Tuesday and Thursday nights through May 28and winning the “Ted MackOriginal Amateur Hour.” A formermember of the Milwaukee band,Toll Free, Sorce delivers vocalsmade popular by the legends suchas Sinatra, Bennett, Sammy Davis,Jr. and others.

The Classics are a new groupin the ICC music series lineup butfeatures the familiar face of“Guido” (Mike Sturino) of Doo-WopDaddies fame. With that said,attendees of the May 7 show canexpect the best of the good-timerock and roll sounds of the ‘50s.‘60s and ‘70s. Expect the dancefloor to fill quickly for this show.

Alex Wilson Band is a 2013

WAMI winner for “Blues Band ofthe Year” and has received recogni-tion at the International BluesChallenge in Memphis, Tenn. AlexWilson grew up in a family of tal-ented musicians. Alex picked up aguitar at age 5 and never put itdown. His expertise in blues guitarplaying has given him opportuni-ties to perform with B.B. King, BigWalter Horton, Buddy Guy, Susan

Tedeschi, Stevie Ray Vaughn andothers. The band keeps a busy per-formance schedule. For moredetails, visit: alexwilson.com.

Anita Stemper with OPUShas been one of the Midwest’s mostpopular jazz fusion bands since the1970s. The May 19 performancewill serve as a party for the releaseof Stemper’s latest CD. JoiningAnita that night will be SteveLewandowski (guitar, band leader),Curt Hanrahan (sax), Jim Sodke(keyboards), Larry Tresp (bass) andBrian Ford (drums). Whethersinging with OPUS or her own trio,Anita Stemper keeps a busy per-formance schedule and works as acosmetologist.

Bob Hirschi & GrooveTherapy presents one of south-eastern Wisconsin’s hottest hornshows. The band covers the best inrock, soul, R&B, pop and more inthe style of the classic horn bands,from Chicago and Blood, Sweat &Tears to Sinatra, Billy Joel andStevie Wonder. Hirschi was one ofthe original vocalists in the OldiesBut Goodies Spectacular.

Leroy Airmaster with JuniorBrantley completes the Tuesdaynight shows. This well-traveledband was founded in the 1980s andestablished a solid Midwest follow-ing before breaking up. The bandwas regenerated in 2010 to contin-ue to perform its unique blend ofblues, jazz and rock music. Led bySteve Cohen on harmonica, theband has won numerous WAMIawards and other blues recogni-tions. Joining them for the May 26show will be premier pianist andvocalist Junior Brantley, who wasformerly with the FabulousThunderbirds and the JimmyVaughn Band and played with theiconic Milwaukee blues band ShortStuff in the 1970s.

Pete Sorce

By Times Editor Tom HemmanWhat could be better than

spending a warm, starry summernight in the Italian CommunityCenter’s beautiful courtyard enjoy-ing a great meal, your preferredbeverage and listening or dancingto groups performing your favoritemusic?

Starting the first week of June,the ICC is giving you the opportu-nity to do so as it presents its 16thannual Courtyard Music Series.

Just like the last 15 seasons, theseries is offered with no covercharge and no drink minimum. Thestaff of Cafe La Scala will be onhand to take food and beverageorders.

Shows will be presented onMonday through Thursday nightsuntil the end of August. Then, theschedule is consolidated into twonights – Tuesday and Thursday –in September. Each performancebegins at 6 p.m. and ends about 9p.m. In the event of inclementweather, the music is broughtindoors to the Festa Ballroom.

Through August, the series willfeature jazz groups on Monday,blues bands on Tuesday, a varietyof acts on Wednesday and good-time rock-and-roll and rhythm-and-blues bands on Thursday. InSeptember, blues bands will contin-ue to play on Tuesday night androck and roll bands on Thursdaynight.

“We know there are a lot of peo-ple who can’t wait to hear the newsabout the start of our CourtyardMusic Series,” said Joe Campagna,Jr., series coordinator. “It’s some-thing they look forward to, andwe’re proud to be able to present itonce again with no cover chargeand no drink minimum. We’reexpecting big crowds this summer.Our music director, Tom Sorce, hasdone an outstanding coordinatingthe artists and getting a variety ofentertainment to attract the youngand old.”

Sorce, a local music producerand expert guitarist, booked all butthree of the shows this summer. Asthis newspaper went to press, twoof those programs are expected tobe opera performances arranged by

Kay Sparling, a professional operasinger and founder of the SparlingConservatory of Music in Jefferson.

The 2015 Courtyard MusicSeries schedule appears follow.Like the past 14 seasons, there willbe no shows during Summerfest(June 24-July 4).

Monday night jazz• June 1 – Joe Zarcone Quartet.• June 8 – The Bel-Airs.• June 15 – Generation Gap.• June 22 – Frank DeMiles All-

Stars.• July 6 – Chris Mariani Band.• July 13 – Sandra Mandella

with Tom Sorce Band.• July 20 – Chris Hansen Band.• July 27 – Vivo.• Aug. 3 – Joanna Marie with

Ginni Smith, Pete Lang, Tom Sorceand Brian Ford.

• Aug 10 – Jack Grassel and JillJensen with special guest JohnnyPadilla.

• Aug. 17 – Chanel Le Meauxand Dapper Cads.

• Aug. 24 – Anita Stemper withTom Sorce Band.

• Aug. 31 – Janet Planet Group.

Tuesday Bluesday• June 2 – Blue Disciples.• June 9 – Alex Wilson Band.• June 16 – Billy Flynn Band.• June 23 – Reverend Raven &

The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.• July 7 – Junior Brantley with

Leroy Airmaster.• July 14 – Altered Five.• July 21 – Reverend Raven &

The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.• July 28 – Jim Liban’s Third

Coast Blues Collective.• Aug. 4 – Denny Geyer with

Leroy Airmaster.• Aug. 11 – Tweed Funk.• Aug. 18 – Reverend Raven &

The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.• Aug. 25 – Jim Liban’s Third

Coast Blues Collective.• Sept. 1 – Greg Koch with

Leroy Airmaster.• Sept. 8 – Rockin’ Johnny.• Sept. 15 – Reverend Raven &

The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.• Sept. 22 – Jim Liban’s Third

Coast Blues Collective.• Sept. 29 – Nick Moss and

Friends.

Wednesday variety night• June 3 – Siempre Flamenco.• June 10 – Tom Anthony

Group.• June 17 – Pete Sorce with Jeff

Lebarge Big Band.• July 8 – “The Best of Country”

with Jayne Taylor and GeoffLandon.

• July 15 – Tom Anthony Group.• July 22 – Paul Spencer Band.• July 29 – Soprano Kay

Sparling, Tenor Joe Graziano andGuests.

• Aug. 5 – Pete Sorce with JeffLebarge Big Band.

• Aug. 12 – Metropolitan OperaNational Council Singers.

• Aug. 19 – Vivo.• Aug. 26 – Tom Anthony

Group.

Thursday nights rock and roll• June 4 – Oldies But Goodies

Spectacular.• June 11 – Rick D’Amore’s

Rockin’ Dance Party.• June 18 – Oldies But Goodies

Spectacular.• July 9 – Oldies But Goodies

Spectacular.• July 16 – Rick D’Amore’s

Rockin’ Dance Party.• July 23 – Oldies But Goodies

Spectacular.• July 30 – Bob Hirschi and

Groove Therapy.• Aug. 6 – Oldies But Goodies

Spectacular.• Aug. 13 – The Ricochettes.• Aug. 20 – Oldies But Goodies

Spectacular.• Aug. 27 – Hat Trick.• Sept. 3 – Doo-Wop Daddies.• Sept. 10 – Bob Hirschi and

Groove Therapy.• Sept. 17 – Valerie B. and Noyz

Boyz & Gyrlz.• Sept. 24 – Larry Lynne Band.The entertain schedule is sub-

ject to change.

Free parking for the series isavailable in the lot south of thebuilding. The ICC does not allowpeople to carry in their own foodand beverages. Look for more infor-mation on the series and the artistsin upcoming issues of The ItalianTimes and on the ICC’s website,www.ICCMilwaukee.com.

Think summer! ICC announcesCourtyard Music Series schedule

Tom Anthony

Anita Stemper

Have something to sell that mightinterest readers of The Italian Times?Let them know about it with an ad inour next issue. For costs and ad sizes,

call 414-223-2180 or [email protected].

from page 2


Gina Santagati recognized byMilwaukeeBusiness Journal as ‘40 Under 40’ award recipientThe Italian Times readers may

recall that this year’s Carnevalereigning couple was King andQueen Joe and Ann Zambito. Itappears that 2015 is continuing tobe a banner year for the Zambitofamily as their daughter, GinaSantagati, was honored by theMilwaukee Business Journal’s “40Under 40” award program as one ofthe area’s up and coming youngprofessionals under 40.

The award is given to those

young professionals who are mak-ing an impact in our community.More than 270 were nominated butonly 40 were chosen, and Santagatiwas one of these select and welldeserving few. The awards werepresented in late February.

Santagati is the director ofmajor gifts and strategic donormarkets at United Way of GreaterMilwaukee and Waukesha County.She manages seven so-called “affin-ity groups.” These are targeted

donor bases that include high-leveldonors, industry professionals andmillennials. Also included arewomen through the Women’sLeadership Council where, underher management, the donor baseshave grown significantly as theywent from 300 members in 2002 to

nearly 3,000 at present. ThisCouncil alone has accounted for$100 million in donations.

Santagati’s first interactionswith United Way came about whenshe ran the former MidwestAirlines’ workplace giving cam-paign while she was employedthere. This exposure to UnitedWay, and thus fully understandingwhat they did and stood for, led toher joining them in 2006 startingas a leader in fundraising for pro-fessional groups such as account-ants, lawyers and financial man-agers. It is expected that she willcontinue to make invaluableinroads within the area’s profes-sional circles and other communityleaders.

Like her parents, Santagati hasbeen active in the ICC as a memberand a volunteer at Festa Italiana.

“The ICC is proud of our Gina’saccomplishments, and it wishes hercontinued success and buona fortu-na.” said ICC President GiuseppeVella. “May she continue to have apositive and substantial impact onour community and thus make it abetter place to live, work and raisea family. Grazie Gina.”– Submitted by Blaise DiPronioGina Santagati

This past February, theMilwaukee Business Journal hon-ored a major sponsor and supporterof the Italian Community Centerand Festa Italiana, Joe Bartolotta,the prominent owner of theBartolotta Restaurants. As most ofThe Italian Times readers mayknow, Bartolotta is the son of oneof the founding fathers of the ICC,T.J. Bartolotta.

Joe Bartolotta was recognizedby the said Business Journal in1996 as a “40 Under 40” winner,similar to Gina Santagati as indi-cated elsewhere in this issue. Thisyear, he was further honored bythem by being inducted into the 40Under 40 Hall of Fame as a pastUnder 40 winner who went on to

accomplish “amazing things andmake Milwaukee a better place tolive and work.” He has been one ofthe most successful restaurantoperators in the Milwaukee areafor many years since opening hisfirst restaurant in 1993 with hisbrother, Paul.

“Joe’s parents, T.J. and Beverly,have passed on but we are surethey are looking down on their sonwith much pride and admiration,”said ICC President Giuseppe Vella.“We at the ICC share in that prideand also congratulate him for thisand his many other well-deservedhonors and wish him only the bestin the future.”– Submitted by Blaise DiPronio

The Milwaukee BusinessJournal named longtime FestaItaliana sponsor WFA Staffing awinner of its coveted CompanyAward – Medium category. Theaward was presented in lateFebruary.

WFA Staffing was first estab-lished in 1991 as a full-servicestaffing agency. It was purchasedin 2005 by its President TomKrist, Vice-President FredD’Amato and CFO Todd Strehlow.

“WFA has been a supporter,contributor and sponsor of Festafor many years for which we aremost grateful, and we now, alongwith the Business Journal, honorthem for their achievements andwish them continued success inthe future and, of course, an ongo-ing relationship with our organi-zation,” said ICC President/FestaGeneral Chair Giuseppe Vella.

– Submitted byBlaise DiPronio

Joe Bartolotta

Joe Bartolotta inductedin Business Journal’s 40Under 40 Hall of Fame

Longtime Festa sponsor,WFA Staffing honored by

Business Journal

The Italian Timesinvites your input

Don’t throw away your oldhigh school yearbooks or othermemorabilia. If you attended ahigh school in Milwaukee Countyor surrounding counties, ItalianCommunity Center HistorianMario A. Carini is interested inusing the yearbooks and otherhigh school memorabilia for fur-thering his research on localItalian Americans.

Carini will deposit the year-books and memorabilia at the

Milwaukee County HistoricalSociety after he completes hisresearch.

“These can be yearbooks andmemorabilia from public, Catholicor private high schools,” Carinisaid.

Yearbooks and memorabiliacan be dropped off at the receptiondesk in the main office of the ICC.Please include a note with yourname and phone number so Cariniknows who made the donation.

ICC Historian Carini wantsyour high school yearbooksand other memorabilia

The Italian Times is extendingan invitation to our readers to sub-mit articles and/or suggestions fornews stories for future publicationin our printed and online edition.

The Newspaper Committee andEditor Tom Hemman have devel-oped a series of guidelines torevamp the publication’s editorialpresentation with a concerted effortbeing made to make it more cur-rent, relevant and reader friendly.

We welcome interested individu-als to submit articles and/or sug-gestions for news stories to EditorTom Hemman at [email protected]. You may also con-tact Newspaper Committee ChairBlaise DiPronio at 262-679-4351.Articles can be submitted inEnglish or Italian.

The following criteria has beenestablished for news articles:

1). Must be relevant, newswor-thy, pertaining to and of interest tothe Italian American community.

2). Can be current, developing,historical or anecdotal.

3). Must be of original contentand authorship.

4). If not original, copyright andauthorship permission must begranted in writing and proper cred-it must be given.

5). Cannot be of a politicalnature or content.

6). Cannot jeopardize the ItalianCommunity Center’s bulk mail sta-tus. Guidelines are established inUnited States Postal ServicePublication 417.

7). Cannot promote products orservices better suited to paid adver-tising.

8). Must be limited to 300 wordsor less. Any article exceeding the300-word limit will be rejectedunless the writer is granted a pre-determined waiver based on merit.A writer can appeal the word limitto the editor and the NewspaperCommittee. The final decision isthat of the editor and the commit-tee.

8). Must be electronically sub-mitted (i.e., email) as a Word docu-ment to [email protected].

9). Articles submitted in Italian



I’m puzzled. Am I readingThe Italian Times or what?If you enjoy trivia, Jeopardy, crosswords and wasting a little bit of time, try out our new

crossword puzzle feature. You will need to know a little about the ICC, Italy, Milwaukee andwho knows what else in order to come up with the answers, which are actually very easy-onceyou think about them. Give it a try and let us know what you think. The answers will be givenin our next issue but, if you can’t wait, you can email Blaise DiPronio at [email protected] orcall him at 262-679-4351.Have fun and visit us often.

Try CafeLa Scala’snew menu

from page 4Wednesday – “Southwest BBQ,”Thursday – “Italian,” and Friday –“Fish Fry.”

Cafe La Scala is open Mondaythrough Saturday. Hours for lunchare: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for lunch.Dinner hours are 5 – 9 p.m.,Monday through Thursday; 4:30 –10 p.m., Friday; and 5 – 10 p.m.,Saturday. For reservations, call414-223-2185.

The complete menu can beviewed on the restaurant’s website,www.LaScala.com. Cafe La Scalaalso serves wine, beer, cocktailsand a variety of soft drinks, coffeeand espresso.

People attending the concertsthat are part of the ICC’s “SpringFever” Music Series on mostTuesday and Thursday nights canenjoy the complete Cafe La Scalamenu as the staff serves guests inboth the restaurant and the FestaBallroom where the shows takeplace. Look for a separate articleon the music series.

Pro cyclists totake part inGiro d’Italia,May 9-31

The 98th edition of the Girod’Italia, a series long distance roadbicycle races for professionalcyclists, will be held May 9-31 inparts of northern and central Italy.It is part of the Grand Tours ofEurope and the Union CyclisteInternationale World Ranking cal-endar.

The 2015 of Giro d’Italia getsunderway in San Lorenzo al Mare(Liguria region) on Saturday, May9 with 17.6-kilometer (10.9-mile)team time trial and concludes inMilan (Lombardia) on Sunday,May 31 with a 185-kilometer (115-mile) flat stage (flat surface) race.

Individual and team awardswill be given out after the finale.Winners are determined through acomplicated points system involv-ing each stage of the race. Themost points are awarded to cyclistsin the Cima Coppi, the race’s peakelevation. At the 2,178-meter ele-vation, cyclists are riding on theunpaved Celle delle Finestre(Piemonte).

Giro d’Italia includes manychallenging routes across northernand central Italy virtually everyday between May 9 and May 31.May 19 is the lone rest day forcyclists. The longest route is 263-km (161-mi.) starting in Grossetto(Tuscany) and ending in Fiuggi(Lazio). There are seven flat sur-face routes and 12 very demandingmountain routes.

Last year, a total of 198 ridersfrom 22 teams entered the 21-stagerace, which was won by ColombianNairo Quintana of the MovistarTeam team. The second and thirdplaces were taken by ColombianRigoberto Urán and Italian FabioAru, respectively.

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‘Father Dom’ Roscioli topreside over Festa MassThe Festa Italiana Mass and

Procession Committee is pleased toannounce that Father DomenicRoscioli of Kenosha will be theMain Celebrant of the 38th annualFesta Mass on Sunday, July 19.

The Mass will be take place inthe Marcus Amphitheater at 11a.m.

“Father Dom,” as he is known tomany, is a priest on a mission, hav-ing worked for years as an activistfor social justice in inner cityneighborhoods, volunteering at acamp for children with cancer andother life threatening illnesses andas founder of “Holy Spirits, LLC.”

A complete story on Father Domwill appear in the July/AugustFesta Italiana issue of The ItalianTimes.

Following Mass, a procession ofreligious societies, patron saintsand Italian organizations will com-mence, stopping at a stage on thefar north end of the festivalgrounds. Here, the Benediction willoccur, and the service will come toa close.

“We encourage everyone to par-ticipate in the Festa Mass and pro-cession,” said co-chairs Sal Lo Cocoand Sister Marie Louise Balistrieri.“The Mass and procession are theessence of the Italian feast broughtto our country by our forefathersand mothers. No Festa would becomplete without this religious cel-ebration.”

The Mass and ProcessionCommittee welcomes members ofthe deaf community to partake ofthe celebration as well. An inter-preter will be on hand throughoutthe service. Deaf community mem-bers should let an usher know if

they want to be seated near theinterpreter.

Fr. Domenic Roscioli

By Anna Marie Filipiak,The Festa Italiana Mass &

Procession Committee welcomesand invites singers to join theirvoices to this year’s FestaChoir. The choir will be rehears-ing at St. Sebastian CatholicChurch, 5400 W. WashingtonBlvd., Milwaukee. Rehearsals willlast 90 minutes, and music will beprovided.

Some hymns will be sung inItalian and Latin, but no previousknowledge of either language isnecessary as language coaching isprovided. The mixed choir is opento all voice parts – soprano, alto,tenor and bass. No auditions arenecessary. However, previous

choral experience is recommended.Maestro Michael Kamenski

requests that singers participatein at least four rehearsals sched-uled in early to mid-July. Specificdates and times will be providedin the June issue of The ItalianTimes.

The Mass, which is the heartof Festa Italiana, will be held onSunday, July 19 at 11 a.m. in theMarcus Amphitheater.

To register to sing withthe Festa Choir, please contactthe director, Michael Kamenski,by e-mail at [email protected] (please use“FESTA CHOIR” in the subjectline) or by phone at 414-453-1928.

Seeking singers forFesta Mass Choir

Festa Italiana officials are urg-ing people who come to the festivalon July 19 for the Sunday Mass tobring along nonperishable fooditems for donation to the HungerTask Force. The goal this year is tocollect 10,000 pounds in donations,said Giuseppe Vella, ItalianCommunity Center President andFesta General Chair.

The Hunger Task Force will becollecting these items near theentrance to the Mass, just outsidethe South Gate.

Last year, 7,125 pounds was col-lected for the Hunger Task Forcebefore the Festa Mass.

“I want to encourage all of our

ICC members and all of our Festavolunteers to join the public inmaking these nonperishable fooddonations and help us to achieveour goal of 10,000 pounds,” Vellasaid.

The Hunger Task Force’s aim isto prevent hunger and malnutri-tion by providing food to people inneed in today and promoting socialpolicies to achieve a hunger freecommunity tomorrow.

Festa first started teaming upwith the Hunger Task Force in2009. That year, about 1,000pounds of food was donated. Eachyear, the total donation has goneup.

Festa needs your help tocollect 10,000 pounds of

food for Hunger Task ForcePriests, deacons, brothersand Eucharistic ministers arecordially invited to participate inthe Festa Italiana Mass onSunday, July 21, at 11 a.m. inthe Marcus Amphitheater.Priests are invited to concele-brate and deacons to vest. Theprincipal celebrant will be Fr.Domenic Rosicioli of Kenosha.

Members of the clergy andlaypeople interested in partici-pating are asked to contactTheresa Ciofani at 414-303-0772or email [email protected].

Free parking and admissionto the festival will be provided.

Call put out toclergy and layministers

No matter your size or cannoli-eating history, everyone 18 years orolder is welcome to register for achance to compete in the 2015Festa Italiana Cannoli-EatingContest.

Simply visit the CucinaShowcase on Saturday, July 18, toenter your name into the drawing.If you are selected as one of the 10participants, get ready to chowdown as many cannoli as you canin four minutes. Aside from brag-ging rights, the winner will receiveprize money as well as the officialFesta cannoli-eating champion T-shirt.

Registration information andofficial contest time will beannounced soon. Watch for detailsin The Italian Times and on theofficial Festa Italiana 2015 website,http://festaitaliana.com.

Once again, Peter SciortinoBakery is the official sponsor of thecannoli-eating contest.

Championship showdownFor the first time in cannoli-eat-

ing contest history, Festa is bring-ing its two biggest cannoli-eatingstars together to face off in a stom-ach-to-stomach battle of champi-ons.

Let’s meet the contenders. Inone corner is the five-time winnerand reigning champion, AnthonyPaulis of Milwaukee. Paulis hascannoli-eating down to an art form– and he has the victory belt to

prove it. As he looks to break hisprevious record of nine full-sizecannoli, rumor has it that his train-ing regimen and steady diet ofSciortino’s cannoli has alreadybegun. Can he be topped in 2015?

If anyone has a chance at takingdown Paulis, it is Minnesota’s TomMcCarten. With a solid trackrecord of second place finishes onhis cannoli-eating resume and onetie for the championship withPaulis, McCarten has his sights seton winning it all. Will he be suc-cessful or will he return to theViking state un-victorious?

Don’t miss this epic battle in theCucina Showcase. Official contesttime will be announced soon.

Tony Paulis, defending champ,with Marie Lieber, Cucina Show-case Manager. (Times photo by JoeSpasiano)

Festa Italiana invites all chil-dren in the age groups of 5 to 9 and10 to 17 to participate in the fifthannual “Kids Pizza MakingContest.”

The contest is a fun way for chil-dren to create fresh, made-from-scratch pizza and compete for prizebaskets in front of a live crowd atthe Cucina Showcase on Sunday,July 19.

Winners in each age group willreceive a basket filled with foodie-

inspired prizes.Registration information and

official contest times will beannounced soon. Watch for detailsin The Italian Times or visit theofficial Festa Italiana 2015 website,http://festaitaliana.com. The informa-tion on the website will be underthe Cucina Showcase link.

Last year’s winners were AlissaLombardo, 8, of Grand Rapids,Mich. and Jon Blessing, 12, of BigBend, Wis.

Calling all future chefs:Enter Festa’s Kids Pizza

Making Contest

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

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

ITALIAN CONFERENCE CENTERLOCATED AT THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER

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

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

Maybe you can becomeFesta’s 2015 Cannoli-

Eating Contest champion?

“Eros Ramazzotti has been thebiggest recording artist in Italy andmost of Europe the last 20 years,”said Giuseppe Vella, ItalianCommunity Center President andFesta 2015 General Chair. “Hispopularity in Italy and Hispanicparts of the world can be comparedto Bon Jovi and maybe BruceSpringsteen in the U.S.A. He haswon several World Music Awards.Dove c’è Musica, from Milan, bringsthe experience of being at an ErosRamazzotti concert. When you seethem perform at Festa, you willunderstand why they are theworld’s number one ErosRamazzotti tribute band. We’reglad to have them in our lineup.”

Headliners for the openingnight, Friday, July 17, will beMilwaukee-based U2Zoo, with itssalute to the international supergroup U2, and Louis Prima, Jr. &The Witnesses, led by the son ofthe late king of swing.

Saturday night’s headliners willbe Ray Massa’s EuroRhythmsand The Bronx Wanderers.

Headlining on Sunday night willbe Stayin’ Alive – The World’s #1Tribute to the Bee Gees and,direct from Italy, Dove c’è Musica– The World’s #1 ErosRamazzotti Tribute Band.

In celebration of the 100th birth-day of Frank Sinatra, Festa hassigned Henry Prego, who has gar-nered wide acclaim for his spot-ontribute. Prego has evening showsFriday and Saturday plus a mati-nee performance on Sunday.

While Festa is showcasing dif-ferent headliners each night, mostof these acts will also have “mati-nee” shows. For the complete enter-tainment schedule, visitwww.festaitaliana.com/entertainment/.

U2ZooU2Zoo has headlined many of

the largest festivals and corporateevents around the world. Theband’s high energy and professionalfocus bring to life the complete U2concert catalogue from rare fanfavorites to world-famous hits,including “Pride (In the Name ofLove),” “With or Without You,” and“Mysterious Ways.” Listening toU2Zoo’s electrical performance willtransport you to the concerts andlegendary anthems that haverocked stadiums around the world,earning U2 the reputation as one ofthe greatest rock bands of all time.This passion has given U2Zoo theopportunity to perform next to clas-sic bands, including Huey Lewis,Styx, Cheap Trick, Steve Winwood,The Yardbirds, Peter Frampton

and Blue Oyster Cult.Visit the U2ZOO official web-

site: (http://www.u2zoo.com/.)Listen to U2Zoo:(http://youtu.be/GgHodCvQ9x8).

Louis Prima, Jr.& The Witnesses

Hailed as “The new crown princeof swing,” Louis Prima, Jr. andhis band, The Witnesses, returnto Festa, bringing the modernswing sound of Prima into the 21stcentury. However, Prima, Jr. andcompany are not content to sit onthe legacy they so compassionatelyprotect. Louis Prima, Jr. and theband bring new energy and a cur-rent attitude to the masses with“The Wildest Show” this side of the‘60s! Since their breakout perform-ance at the New Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival, the group hasperformed everywhere from Seattleto Palermo, from casino showroomsto festivals and from “AccessHollywood Live” to PBS. Energeticand over-the-top, Louis Prima, Jr.& The Witnesses continue the ever-changing musical journey thatPrima, Sr. began in the ‘30s. A newlegend is born, and it will blow youaway!

Visit the group’s website:(http://louisprimajr.com). Fans canlisten to Louis Prima & TheWitnesses at(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY6CjtbD3806YaYmxoCrHgg).

Ray Massa’s EuroRhythmsOne of the most consistently

sought after musical variety acts,Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms havedazzled audiences from coast tocoast in the U.S., Canada andmany cities in Italy. A premierItalian American show band, thegroup has been acclaimed for itsunique ability to captivate both theyounger “pop culture” audience, aswell as traditional fans of Italianand swing music. Led by RayMassa, EuroRhythms is comprisedof six vocalists, all of Italian her-itage, and complimented by therhythms of the accordion, organ,trombone, trumpet, guitar, key-board, percussions and more. Thegroup’s popularity is attributed totheir unique arrangement of songsfrom Italy’s current pop charts suchas “Mai Più Sola,” as well as greatItalian hits of all styles, including“A Chi,” “Tu Vuò fà L’americano”and “That’s Amore.”

Visit their official website:(http://www.eurorhythms.com/).

Listen to Ray Massa’sE u r o R h y t h m s :(http://www.eurorhythms.com/video.htm).

The Bronx WanderersA father and two sons living the

American rock ‘n’ roll dream: thatis The Bronx Wanderers.Captivating fans across the coun-try, this returning Festa favoritedelivers the best of America’s rock‘n’ roll songbook, from the first gen-eration right through the music oftoday. One part “oldies,” two partsrock ‘n’ roll, The Bronx Wandererseffortlessly create the perfect levelof synergy between the generationsof the music, the family and therockin’ band that pulls it all togeth-er. United by their passion forgreat music, former gold-recordproducer Yo’ Vinny along with sonsVinny “The Kid” and Nicky “Stix”form the heart and soul of thispitch perfect band that delivers anon-stop barrage of hit after hit.When the 20-year-olds in the crowdare jumping right alongside the 70-year-olds, you know it’s no ordinaryconcert!

You can visit The BronxWanderers official website:(http://thebronxwanderers.com/).You can listen to the group:(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4rLYvA-mTbDsuZXCqqAUg).

Stayin’ AliveHailed as The World’s #1

Tribute to the Bee Gees, Stayin’Alive truly brings the Bee Geesexperience to life. Taking the audi-ence on a journey from traditionalBee Gees’ songs like “To LoveSomebody,” to the disco era withhits including “Stayin’ Alive” “JiveTalkin’,” the authentic look andfalsetto vocals of this world-classproduction re-live the memories ofthe ‘70s.

The vocal match of ToddSharman, Tony Mattina andJoseph Janisse to the Gibb brotherscreates all the magic of seeing theBee Gees live and in concert.Stayin’ Alive captures a full historyof Bee Gees’ music, including“Night Fever,” “How Deep Is YourLove,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “IStarted a Joke,” “Fanny (Be Tenderwith My Love)” and many othergreat hits.

With the looks, stage presenceand talent to prove it, this six-piecegroup is the quintessential tributeband to the Bee Gees. See for your-


Festa’s headliners cover the full gamut ofpopular music with crowd pleasing appeal

Louis Prima Jr.and the Witnesses

from page 1

Continued on page 9


self at Festa Italiana what the NewYork Times calls “amazing” andfans say sounds “just like the realthing.”

Visit their official website:(http://www.stayinalivetribute.com/stayinalivetribute/HOME.html)

Listen to Stayin’ Alive – TheWorld’s #1 Tribute to the Bee Gees:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtMnP1upXGs).

Dove c’è MusicaExperience all the excitement of

an Eros Ramazzotti show withDove c’è Musica’s tribute per-formance at Festa Italiana. Directfrom Italy and named after one ofEros’ top-selling albums, Dove c’èMusica (“Where There is Music”),this group promises to make audi-ences feel like they are in thestands at one of Eros’ amazingworld tours.

From humble beginnings in aRoman suburb, Eros Ramazzottirose to international superstardomand worldwide commercial successwith his unique voice, catchymelodies and passionate, mid-tempo ballads rooted in soft rock.Since the release of his first albumin 1985, the international rockerhas sold over 60 million records,gained fans around the world andperformed duets with legendaryartists including Cher, TinaTurner, Andrea Bocelli, LucianoPavarotti and Ricky Martin.

As Eros embarks on the “ErosRamazzotti World Tour” in 2015,fans don’t have to travel to Europeto see his show. Dove c’è Musicabrings the best of Eros Ramazzottiright to Milwaukee. Enjoy Eros’greatest chart-topping hits thathave filled amphitheaters around

the world, including “Adesso Tu,”“Una Storia Importante,” “TerraPromessa” and “Un Angelo DistesoAl Sole.” With extraordinary simi-larity to a real Eros show, Dove c’èMusica will also perform some ofEros’ most famous duets, including“Cose Della Vita” with Tina Turnerand “I Belong to You” recorded withAnastacia.

Visit the group’s official website(http://www.erostributeband.com/band/)

Listen to Dove c’è Musica –Tribute to Eros Ramazzotti:(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9sSBdLlWIM6n7Ot44qrYDQ).

Henry PregoRevisit the halcyon days of the

swinging ’60s and the Sands HotelCopa Room with Henry PregoSings Frank Sinatra! CelebratingSinatra’s 100th birthday in 2015,Henry Prego creates a perfect blendof the classics, introducing a newgeneration to Sinatra’s timelessmusic while appealing to long-timelisteners. Experience vintageSinatra charm with timeless hits,including “Come Fly With Me,”“Strangers in the Night,” “NewYork, New York” and “My Way.”

Capturing the same poise, ele-gance and comedic persona forwhich “The Chairman of the Board”was well known, Henry Prego hasstarred in all of the most criticallyacclaimed Rat Pack productionsaround the world, including LasVegas and London’s West End.Accompanied by a 12-piece orches-tra lending full-blown back-up,Prego not only resembles the latesinger with his bright-eyed, tuxedo-clad appearance, his vocal talentand mannerisms are spot on. Anambassador for the Sinatra song-

book, the Grammy-nominatedPrego is a true talent in his ownright and his performance is onenot-to-be-missed at Festa Italiana.

Visit his official website(http://henrypregoshow.com/Home.

html) Listen to Henry Prego Sings

Sinatra: (https://vimeo.com/90393656).The complete Festa Italiana

entertainment lineup on the Festawebsite: www.festaitaliana.com.

from page 8

Dove c’è Musica: Tribute to Eros Ramazzotti

Henry Prego

If you missed your first chanceto take advantage of FestaItaliana’s “$7 for 7 Days SpringFever” online ticket deal in April,you have two more chances – theweek of May 18-24 and the week ofJune 15-21.

The “$7 for 7 Days” ticket pro-motion is available online only at

http://festaitaliana.com. Pleaseclick on the Ticket tab to purchaseyour tickets.

By purchasing the $7 onlineadmission ticket, you can get intoFesta for nearly half of the gateadmission price.

Tickets at the gate will be $13.

Two more chances to getFesta’s ‘$7 for 7 Days’online ticket deal

Italian flag throwerscoming to Festa

ous movements. All of the move-ments are in unison. The launchesand banner exchange are reminis-cent of the time of danger when aflag thrower passed the banner toanother in order to prevent it fromfalling into enemy hands.

Highlighted also in the show areindividual members of the troupe,who display their skills by perform-ing gymnastic-style maneuvers andhurling two or more flags at thesame time.

The show concludes with achoral exercise with music andflags that represent a time of victo-ry celebration.

While competing and perform-ing throughout Italy, Sbandieratoridei Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini hasreceived high marks during its per-formances in Denver, Colo. in 2014and in Segovia, Spain in 2009.

History of flag throwingDuring the 11th and 12th centu-

ry throughout Europe but mainlyin central and northern Italy, manymunicipalities fought for independ-ence for political and economicneeds and cultural survival.Neighboring municipalities oftenbattled each other to keep controlof territories and political suprema-cy.

During the battles, flag throw-ers accompanied the army and theflag had several functions. It wasthe element of recognition for thetroops since the soldiers had nouniform identification and also wasa useful tool for communicationbetween the army units. The flagwas also the symbol of civic pride.The flag thrower had the duty todefend it and keep the enemy fromseizing it. During the Renaissanceera, the flag was used as an ele-ment of celebration during reli-gious and civil holidays and thechoreography of the flag throwerswas added to the spectacle.


ICC carries on Sicilian tradition ofhonoring St. Joseph on his feast day

with 140 guestsThe St. Joseph’s Day luncheon,

presented by the ItalianCommunity Center on Thursday,Mar. 19, was a huge success andappropriate celebration of the feastday recognizing the stepfather ofJesus Christ, according to the 140people in attendance.

The blessings of the splendid St.Joseph’s altar, the guests in atten-dance and the bags of bread andfruit given to all were administeredby Father Mike Hammer, our guestspeaker. Fr. Mike is the director ofAIDS Minstry for the Milwaukee

Archdiocese and a longtime friendof the ICC.

Fr. Mike was introduced by ICCPresident Giuseppe Vella, who gavea very warm welcoming speech.Thank you, Joe, for your presence.

Kudos to Business ManagerLaurie Bisesi for her ever-readyassistance and to her crew and toICC chefs Roberto Garcia andGustavo Teran for their prepara-tion of the meatless and tastefulItalian/Sicilian meal.

Thanks to the past ICC presi-dents in attendance as well as theofficers and members of our Italiansocieties and clubs. Especially

appreciated are the two tablesreserved by La Società di Giuseppe,demonstrating their continued sup-port through the direction of JohnBalistrieri and their PresidentBruce Dentice.

Thank you to Rose Spang for herincreased support by doubling herguest reservations.

Also appreciated is the coopera-tion of ICC office staff ConstanceJones, Lola Castro, ShamyraHampton and Italian Times editorTom Hemman.

We appreciated and enjoyed thememorable Italian music providedby pianist John Puchner.

A big thank you to JoanneCzubek for the very beautifully dec-orated St. Joseph’s altar as well asa side table on which St. JosephHoly cards, provided by T.H.Stemper Company, were placedand cash offerings were received inthe amount of $146. The moneywas presented to Father TimKitzke to help feed the hungrythrough Three Holy Women Parish.

As always, thanks to the volun-teers who filled the bags of breadand fruit: Ann Skoczynski, NinaCarini, Rosemary Joecks, andAnn’s granddaughters, MeganSkoczynski and London Egebrecht.Additionally, thanks to MaryPecoraro and RosemaryDeRubertis, who were on hand tohelp when needed.

Monetary donations werereceived from the following:Milwaukee Ladies of UNICO,Pompeii Men’s Club, PompeiiWomen’s Club, Milwaukee ChapterUNICO National, Colleen Berry,Pauline Cannestra, Anna Pitzo andRose Spang.

Tanti grazie a tutti! May St.Joseph bless all of us!

– Submitted byMary Winard

St. Joseph’s DayLuncheon Chair

Joanne Czubek (left) prepared a beautifully decorated St. Joseph’s Day Altar.

Volunteer John Puchner pro-vided music for the celebra-tion.

ICC President Giuseppe Vellawelcomed the attendees to theluncheon.

Chairperson Mary Winard is seen here with the volunteers whoprepared the bags of blessed bread and fruit given to each guest atthe St. Joseph’s Day luncheon to take home. From the left: MeganSkoczynski and London Egebrecht (grandchildren of AnnSkoczynski), Mary Winard, Ann Skoczynski, Nina Carini andRosemary Joecks.

Times photosby Tom

Hemman

St. Rita honoredin Cascia, Italy

May 21-22Cascia (Umbria), Italy hold its

Saint Rita’s Procession and CandleFestival on May 23 and 24. The eventstarts with a torch-lit procession whichcommemorates St. Rita. Thousand ofsmall oil lamps on buildings and inmeadows along the valley of the CornoRiver are lit at sunset.

The following morning, a processionsets out from Roccaporena, the birth-place of St. Rita, and joins a historicalprocession at Cascia, which recalls theimportant episodes of the life of St.Rita of Cascia. This procession has itsorigin in the pilgrimages undertakencenturies ago to pay homage to St.Rita.


At the present time, there aretwo payment options available toyou should you choose a 2-yearmembership or a 3-year member-ship.

1. You may pay each Januaryfor the duration of your 3-year or2-year membership. As an showof good faith, you must sign thestatement at the bottom of thenew application (that appears onthe next page).

2. You may pay for your full3-year or 2-year membership bythe end of the first year – in 4quarterly payments.**

** If a member pre-pays for

a 2-year or 3-year membership,and passes away or moves out ofstate, the remainder of theirmembership dues will be donatedto the Italian Community Centerin the member’s name.

Pro Rated AmountYou may have received a bill

for a smaller amount of money.This dues payment doesn’t relateto the new dues program, butrather, is a transitional amountthat is intended to return every-one to a January to JanuaryMembership. You are not beingcharged an additional amount.

COMMITMENT MEMBERSHIPPAYMENT OPTIONS

The March 19th celebration honoring the Foster Father of Jesus Christattracted 140 people.

DVDs of MPTVprogram onMilwaukee’s

Italians availableat ICC

A limited number of DVDs ofthe Milwaukee Public Television(MPTV) documentary “StoriaItaliana Milwaukee” are availablefor purchase at the ItalianCommunity Center. The cost is$15.

The DVD must be purchased inperson at the office reception desk.Since only a limited number ofDVDs have been made available tothe ICC, orders cannot be accepted.

The one-hour documentary“Storia Italiana Milwaukee” wasbroadcast in late February onChannel 10 as part of the nationalPublic Broadcasting System’sseries special “Italian Americans.”

The premiere screening of“Storia Italiana Milwaukee” wasshown at the ICC on Feb. 4 beforea capacity audience.

Italian Timeslooking for

volunteer writersto help withFesta issue

Tom Hemman, editor of TheItalian Times, is looking for indi-viduals to help write some of thearticles that will appear in eitherthe June 2015 issue and theJuly/August 2015 Festa Italianaedition.

Persons with solid writing skillsand/or a basic understanding of thenewspaper reporting principlesshould contact Hemman at [email protected] or call 414-223-2801.

These are voluntary positions,but offer individuals opportunitiesto get the stories they write pub-lished with their byline, which maybe valuable when they seek futureemployment in journalism, publicrelations, marketing or generalwriting fields.

“We can also assure writers thatthey will receive tickets for FestaItaliana, July 17-19, on theSummerfest grounds,” Hemmansaid.

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Milwaukee Chapter UNICO Nationalto present Rose Purpero Spang with2015 “Person of the Year” Award

The Milwaukee Ladies ofUNICO will present the 2015 StarAward to Maria LoRicco at theUNICO Scholarship and AwardsDinner on Tuesday, May 19, at theItalian Community Center.

The Star Award was establishedin 1995 to honor an outstandingmember for her dedication to theorganization.

Maria has been a member of theLadies of UNICO for more than 20years and has provided her knowl-edge in financial matters on theBudget and Audit Committee withMaria Gazzana and the lateMarian Romberger and as the orga-nization’s treasurer, a position shestill holds today.

Maria has volunteered at FestaItaliana, the ICC’s “A Taste ofItaly” and for the Ladies of UNICOFashion Show, the organization’sannual fund-raiser. Her volun-teerism goes back to 1993 when sheassisted at the food booth at theHoliday Folk Fair.

“We are proud to have Maria asan active member and volunteer.She is a deserving recipient of thisaward,” said Catherine Kelly,Milwaukee Ladies of UNICOPresident.

Recipients of the Star Award thelast fours have been the

Castrovinci sisters MaryCastrovinci, Nancy Oberleitner andCarmen Schlotthauer (2011), RoseEmanuele (2012), AngelaProchazka (2013) and Edith Brown(2014).

The Milwaukee ChapterUNICO National and theMilwaukee Ladies of UNICOinvite the public to attend theannual UNICO Scholarship andAwards Dinner on Tuesday, May19 at the Italian CommunityCenter, 631 E. Chicago St.,Milwaukee.

The event will begin with asocial hour at 5 p.m., followed bydinner at 6 p.m. and the awardspresentations an hour later.

The cost has been set at $40per person. Pre-paid reservationsare required. These reservationscan be made by sending a check ormoney order to Mary Winard,10900 W. Bluemound Rd., Apt.105, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Thedinner entrée of either a broiledwhitefish or stuffed pork tender-loin must be designated for eachguest. For further information,contact Winard at 414-453-8484or Sophia Michalovitz at 414-731-7693.

The Milwaukee UNICO schol-arship program has awarded

more than $1 million in scholar-ships over the past 79 years.

Both organizations are expect-ed to announce the 2015 scholar-ship recipients later this month.Information on the recipients andtheir awards will appear in thenext issue of The Italian Times.

In addition to scholarships,both organizations will presentindividual awards at the May 19event. The Milwaukee ChapterUNICO National has chosen RosePurpero Spang to receive its“Person of the Year Award.” TheMilwaukee Ladies of UNICO haveselected Maria LoRicco as therecipient of its “Star Award.”Separate stories on both of theseawards and their recipientsappear in this issue.

The Milwaukee ChapterUNICO National is celebrating 84years in existence in 2015. TheLadies of UNICO celebrates it52th anniversary as an independ-ent civic and service organizationthis year.

Public invited toUNICO Scholarship

and Awards Dinner onTuesday, May 19

Rose E. Spang Purpero has beenchosen by the Milwaukee Chapterof UNICO to receive its 2015“Person of the Year” Award. Thepresentation will be made at theUNICO Scholarship and AwardsDinner on Tuesday, May 19, at theItalian Community Center.

Rose has a long history of serv-ice in the Italian American commu-nity and the community-at-large.“Throughout her life, Rose hasexemplified the UNICO motto of‘Service above Self’.” said RoseAnne Fritchie, Milwaukee ChapterUNICO National President.

A first generation ItalianAmerican, Rose was one of five chil-dren born to the late Charles andRosalia Purpero. Rose was raised inMilwaukee’s old Third Ward, whichwas the hub of the city’s Italiancommunity during that time.

She went on to receive a bache-lor’s degree from Alverno Collegeand a master’s degree from

Marquette University in 1958, Rosewas a 1958 UNICO scholarshiprecipient.

Rose has made a difference inthe Milwaukee community throughher volunteerism. She has heldpositions on boards and committeeswith Alverno College, of which sheis a former trustee.

She served on the ICC Boardand has chaired and/or served onvarious committees.

Rose is one of the founders of theannual Circle of Women fundrais-ing event with the YWCA.

She has been honored withnumerous awards fromNorthwestern Mutual Life, includ-ing being recognized twice with theNML Community Service Award(1996 and 2011) for her involve-ment with the YWCA and work forAlverno College. On her behalf,NML donated $10,000 to each ofthose organizations.

Other awards that Rose has

received were from AlvernoCollege, the Marian Center and theThurgood Marshall ScholarshipLeadership Award in 2005.

In 1980, Rose and her siblingsdeveloped the Charles and RosaliaPurpero Endowment ScholarshipFund in honor of their parents’name at Alverno College. Funds todate have grown from the initialendowment and have provided 71women with scholarships.

Prior to her long and very suc-cessful association withNorthwestern Mutual, where shehas been recognized for outstand-ing service to the company andcommunity, she was a MilwaukeePublic Schools’ teacher. Rose wasalso the Associate Director ofMental Health for MilwaukeeCounty for five years.

During this illustrious career,Rose was married to Joseph Spang,a civil engineer. They have fourchildren and several grandchildren.Rose enjoys sports, internationaltravel, reading and Italian cooking. Rose E. SpangMaria LoRicco to

receive UNICOLadies’ Star Award

Maria LoRicco

The Pompeii Women’s Clubmonthly dinner meeting onWednesday, Mar. 25 at the ItalianCommunity Center was hosted bymembers Pauline Cannestra, PeggyZoet and Mary Winard.

President Pat Consolazionecalled Colleen Berry to the podiumand thanked her for her dedicatedservice as a board member as she isstepping down. Dolores Buttitta isalso departing as a board member

but could not be in attendance forthe meeting. Consolazione statedthat she appreciated both Berry’sand Buttitta’s service and that theywill be missed. Over the last fewyears, Berry has also been instru-mental in providing 600 PompeiiWomen’s Club Palm SundayBreakfast Buffet flyers for theThree Holy Women Parish to insertin the Sunday bulletin.

Consolazione also asked Mary

Pecoraro and Mary Winard to comeforward for presentations ofimpressive plaques recognizingtheir many years of service. MaryPecoraro, who has been a memberfor more than 25 years, servedtwice as president and in the posi-tions of vice president recordingsecretary and as a board member.She has been involved in the club’sannual Palm Sunday event. MaryWinard has been a member for 27

years and has served as president,vice president, corresponding secre-tary, as a board member and publicrelations chair for more than 20years. She initiated the first basketraffle at the club’s first PalmSunday Breakfast. Both ladies areleaving the club’s Board ofDirectors this year.

Berry, Pecoraro and Winardwere also presented with a beauti-

Four longtime members recognized atPompeii Women’s Club March meeting

Continued on page 15

The Pompeii Men’s Club and theBadgerland Striders are teamingup to sponsor their 33rd annualSuper Run/Walk on Wednesday,June 10 in Lake Park. This is a 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) run or walk.

The start time is 7 p.m.Pre-registration forms are avail-

able at several Milwaukee arearunning stores. They also can bedownloaded from the BadgerlandStriders website:www.badgerlandstriders.org/home.htm. Race day registrationwill begin at 5 p.m. in Lake Park’sPavilion and will continue until6:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $25 ($35 afterJune 1). The fee entitles each par-ticipant to receive the following:

• Entry to the event.• A shirt.• Fruit juice, fresh fruit, beer.• An entry for a prize drawing.Trophies will be given out to the

top finishers in various race/walkcategories.

As always, the Pompeii Men willbe serving Italian sausage sand-wiches at a nominal cost.

The event has averaged 800 par-

ticipants and has become known asone of Milwaukee’s premierrun/walks.

“The race’s image and loyal fol-lowing has been solidified becauseof the beauty of the location, superbpost race refreshments, and thecommitted efforts of more than 100volunteers who make the race dayactivities proceed smoothly andefficiently,” said Tony Baudo,Pompeii Men’s Club President.

ful wrist corsage, and all threewere totally unaware that thesepresentations were going to takeplace.

The meeting ended with aprayer by Spiritual Director PhyllisTravia.

Pauline Cannestra used a dou-

ble deck of cards for a drawing ofmonetary door prizes and palmplants with a spring theme, deco-rated by Peggy Zoet.

It was an enjoyable evening forall.

Submitted byMary Winard

Public Relations Chair


Four longtime membersrecognized at PompeiiWomen’s Club meeting

The Pompeii Women’s Clubinvites everyone to its annual MayCrowning event on Wednesday,May 27 at 6 p.m., at the ItalianCommunity Center.

Dinner choices are Sicilianchicken or broiled whitefish. Thecost is $25 per person. Dinner willbe served at 6:30 p.m. Interested

parties are asked to call PompeiiWomen’s Club President PatConsolazione at 262-786-3984 orsend her a check in the appropriateamount and made payable to thePompeii Women’s Club with thenames of the people attending. Heraddress is 18501 Follett Dr.,Brookfield, WI 53045. The reser-

vation deadline is Sunday, May 24.We would be delighted to see

you there.Our May Crowning event is a

traditional ceremony honoring theVirgin Mary as the Queen of May.

– Submitted byMary Winard

Public Relations Chair

Pompeii Women to celebrate MayCrowning, public invited to attend

from page 14

Pompeii Men co-sponsoringSuper Run/Walk on June 10

Welcomenew ICCmembers!The following people became

members of the ItalianCommunity Center betweenFeb. 9 and Mar. 9, 2015.Benvenuti! (Welcome!)Carol L. Schott of WaukeshaPatricia Scaffidi of Cudahy

should also include an accurateparaphrased English translation.

10). Every submission is subjectto editorial review, editing, dead-line restrictions and space avail-ability in the newspaper.

11). We reserve the right toreject an article for publication inthe newspaper and on the ICCwebsite.

Over the next few months, weplan on giving you a partial list ofpotential subjects for articles. Thelist begins this month.

1). Tutorials on how to playbocce, scopa, briscola and tombolaand their rules and regulations.

2). Recipe box with recipes fromItaly, hand-me-downs, memberspecialties, local Italian restau-rants and bakeries.

3). Reviews of Italian connectedmovies, music, books, art, displays,exhibitions and so on.

4). Sports clubs’ news for soccer,bicycling, skiing, etc.

5). Auto and motorcycle clubnews featuring Italian vehicles.

6). Italian clubs in the manyschools teaching Italian, reportingtheir activities and fun things.

7). Awards, promotions andaccolades given to members.

8). Upcoming events, entertain-ment, dinners, dances and otheractivities.

9). Profiles on donors, membersand volunteers.

10). Births, weddings, gradua-tions and obituaries.

The ItalianTimes invitesyour input

from page 7

By Blaise DiPronioWho isn’t familiar with

Frankenstein? – Mary Shelley’sfirst novel, which evolved into themonster movie franchise of renown.What if I told you that she wasinspired by what was known inbiology as the practice of galvinismwhich describes the contraction of amuscle being stimulated by an elec-tric current. “It’s alive! It’s alive!”remember?

This article isn’t really aboutShelley and her creation. It’s aboutLuigi Galvani, who I hereby desig-nate as the Italian who inspiredFrankenstein.

Luigi Galvani was born inBologna in 1737. After abandoninghis plans to take religious vows, hewent on to become a physician,physicist, philosopher and, it couldbe said, a kind of electrician, as hetook an interest in the nascent(coming into existence, from theItalian nascere or to be born) fieldof medical electricity.

As with most discoveries, there’salways a legend and the one involv-ing Galvani says that, while he wasskinning a frog, a scalpel that hadbeen somehow charged with staticelectricity inadvertently touched anexposed sciatic nerve and the frog’s

leg kicked up as if “It’s alive!” Thismade Galvani the first to delve intothe connection between electricityand animation (from the Italiananima or soul and, thus, to give asoul or life to).

Galvani went to coin the termanimal electricity which describesthe force that activates the musclesof a specimen’s or, as was to beenvisioned by Shelley, DoctorFrankenstein’s cadaver. This cameto be known as galvinism. Today’sbiological studies of the galvaniceffect is called electrophysiologyand no longer galvinism. The termgave rise to: the adjective galvanicwhich denotes shocking, startlingand energizing; the galvatic cell asfound in household and car batter-ies; the verb galvanize or startle orstimulate; the process of galvaniza-tion or the coating of metal withzinc. So you should now be able tocharacterize reading this article asa galvanic experience, right?

As an aside, Galvani’s peer anda kind of scientific adversary,Alessandro Volta (of electric voltsfame) repeated and checked

Galvani’s experiments which led tothe invention of the battery butthat will be another story.

In her journals, Mary Shelleymade specific mention of havingread Galvani’s reports on his inves-tigations as they had been part ofher summer reading list which pre-ceded her entering a ghost storywriting contest and the resultantFrankenstein novel. In conjunctionwith these investigations, in 1803,Galvani’s nephew and editor of hisnotes, Giovanni Aldini, performed afamous public demonstration of theeffect of the electro-stimulationtechnique of his uncle on the limbsof an executed criminal’s cadaver.The still corpse quivered, musclescontorted and a hand raised. MaryShelley was only five year’s old atthe time but here’s what she wrotein chapter 5 of her famous book:

“By the… half extinguishedlight, I saw the dull yellow eye ofthe creature open…and a convul-sive motion agitated its limbs.”Scream at your discretion here andblame Luigi Galvani.


“HOLY ITALIAN BEAR” ORDER FORM

Name __________________________________________________

Phone __________________________________________________

Number of Holy Italian Bears ordered ____ @ $10.00 each = $______

Checks are payable to Italian Community Center, Inc. Mail this orderform with your full payment to: ICC, c/o Italian Bears, 631 E. ChicagoSt., Milwaukee, WI 53202-6916. You will be called when your order isready for pick-up.

Based on numerous requests,the Italian Community CenterCulture Committee is offering peo-ple a second chance to get a “HolyItalian Bear.”

If you don’t know what a “HolyItalian Bear is, here’s a description:He has a halo on one foot and theItalian flag on the other foot. Themap of Italy decorates his chest. Heis a real bargain at $10.

The “Holy Italian Bear” was ini-tially sold in the regional exhibittent at Festa Italiana in 2014.Christina Ziino, a member of theCulture Committee, said the cud-dly, stuffed bear sold out quickly.Since then, many requests havecome in for more.

To order the “Holy Italian Bear,”please use the order form accompa-nying this article. All orders can bepicked up at the front desk of theICC. You will receive a phone callwhen your order is ready for pick-

up. Make checks payable for theICC. Note “Bears.”

ICC offering anotherchance to get your‘Holy Italian Bear’

There is a “cultural revolution”occurring at Lalumiere Hall on thecampus of Marquette University,and Italian Instructor GiordanaKaftan is leading it.

Ms. Kaftan has been teachingat Marquette since 2002 and hasbeen head of the Italian programsince 2006. She has been workingon expanding her classes beyondthe Foreign Languages andLiteratures Department to co-teach interdisciplinary classeswith professors from differentdepartments and colleges. Besidesfocusing on two entry-level coursesfor new students of the language,Kaftan has two intermediate levelcourses and two upper level ones.The upper level classes aredesigned to teach Italian throughItalian films that deal with impor-

tant political and cultural aspectsof Italy.

“I teach a class of Italian litera-ture in translation, dealing withthe difficult issue of Italy’s unifica-tion and consequent emigration toAmerica. In the future, I hope toincrease the number of classes ofItalian literary and cultural stud-ies” said Kaftan. “I already havecontacted Professor Jean Grow inAdvertisement to possibly co-teacha class on Italian fashion and thebusiness of advertisement, in thefuture. Similarly, I have madeplans with Professor PamNettleton, from Journalism, tohopefully co-teach a class on jour-nalism and the Italian diaspora,focusing especially on Milwaukee.The other Italian instructor, Ms.Pessarelli, teaches a class on how

Italian food is actually made andshapes the nation. The possibilitiesto bring the rich Italian cultureand literature to Marquette stu-dents are really infinite.”

Her goals for the future are toreach out and connect more withthe local community like this col-laboration with The Italian Times.

“We want to develop more of arelationship with the rest of theItalian community in Milwaukee.We are off to a good start, and wehope to continue to do so in thefuture.” said Kaftan.

“There have been a lot ofchanges in the College of Arts andScience. One of them has been toeliminate the Core Requirementsfor the College. This will negative-ly affect the teaching of foreignlanguages since only few depart-

ments will require their studentsto take them. I will have tochange my curriculum, but thatmay not be a bad thing because Iam going to present a proposal toadd more classes of Italian literaryand cultural studies which areinterdisciplinary by nature.”

Ms. Kaftan is excited for whatthe future holds and will beexpecting even more strides to bemade in the near future.

“I want to see the number ofstudents taking upper level cours-es increase and have new classesthat would excite and interest stu-dents. The future may be bright,after all.”

– Submitted byBrendan Ploen

Marquette University

A shocking discovery in Italy

Italian at Marquette University

Cap in the cupBy Blaise DiPronio

Let’s start with the roots andsee what grows. Our Italian rootword for the day is capo whosemost definitive translation is head– from which we get the Englishcaptain (head of soldiers), capitol(head building housing Congress),capital (head city), capacity(head/top amount) and so on. Andin Italian, we get cappuccio (cap orhood) and its diminutive, cappucci-no (little cap or little hood) as theseclothing items sit on the head.

So how do we go from smallheadgear to a cup of a coffee bever-age?

In English, the word capuchin isderived from an offshoot order ofFranciscan friars known as theOrder of Friars Minor Capuchin. Itshould be obvious that name comesfrom cappuccini (plural of …ino) asit describes the robes with hoodedand pointed head covers worn bythe friars. (A Capuchin is also aspecies of small monkeys whoresemble the friars and thus, soaptly named). And now we finallyget to our famous Italian coffeedrink.

A cappuccino is prepared withespresso (refers to the fast/expressspeed of brewing and not itsstrength) coffee, hot milk and

steamed milk foam. It is called cap-puccino for two reasons: 1- Whenthe white milk is added to theblack coffee, it blends into a lightbrown shade which is a perfectmatch for the color of the habits(robes) worn by the Capuchin fri-ars. 2- Then, after the foamed milkis poured on top of the liquid andits container is pulled away fromthe cup, the top of the foam in thecup forms into the shape of a small,pointed hood resembling our littlecappuccino headgear as explainedabove.

As an aside and to show howmuch useless trivia I know, theCapuchins should be distinguishedfrom a local order of friars thatserve at our Holy Hill Church inHubertus. They are known as theDiscalced Carmelites. Discalcedcomes the Italian/Latin dis (with-out) and calze (socks). Thus, with-out socks, and, in fact, the friarsare barefooted and wear sandals inorder to connote the footwear of thepoor they initially served. Amazingstuff.

So, this summer, while sitting ata café, wearing sandals and sippingon a cappuccino, for a briefmoment, what are you going tothink about?


Milwaukees Italians whoserved in the U.S. Militaryduring World War II – Part I

Researched and written by Mario A. Carini,Italian Community Center Historian

The information presented here was researched and copyrighted as ahistorical record of the men and women of Italian descent who lived inthe City of Milwaukee and served in the United States Military duringWorld War II.

The information recorded and documented by this researcher fromrecords kept at the Milwaukee County Historical Society and the City ofMilwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau. These works were copyrightedin 2004 and an original copy has been placed in the repository at theUnited States Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The research was secured from City of Milwaukee Directories 1941,1942 and 1944-45. No directory was published in 1943. The years 1944and 1945 were combined into one directory. Please keep in mind that thelisting includes only those men and women who lived in the City ofMilwaukee and served in the U.S. Milwaukee during World War II (1941-1945). If someone lived outside the city limits (i.e., Bayside, River Hills,Fox Point, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Wauwatosa, West Milwaukee,West Allis, Cudahy, St. Francis, Franklin, Oak Creek or SouthMilwaukee or one of the other Milwaukee County municipalities thatexisted at that time), those names won’t appear in this listing.

Name Branch AddressAlaimo, John, Jr. Army 628 E. Detroit St.Alioto, Frank, Jr. Army 924 E. Lane PlaceBalistreri, Tony Army 426 N. Jackson St.Basile, Michael Army 1504 N. Warren St.Ballanti, Anthony Army 626 E. Clybourn St.Biancuzzo, Joseph Army 2375 N. Booth St.Bondi, Jack Army 3504 W. Branting LaneBova, Nick Army 922 E. LyonBruno, Joseph Army 1450 N. HumboldtBruno, Paul B. Army 1918 S. 31st St.Buscaglia, Christopher Army physician 2222 N. TeutoniaCampanelli, Nick Army 830 E. BradyCappelletti, Frank Army 1718 N. 32rd St.Caravello, Joe Army 207 N. 3rd St.Carrao, Mike Army 3354 N. CambridgeCicerello, Joseph Army 1020 E. PleasantCinquemani, Nick Army 3420 S. ClementCiurro, Frank Army 1684 N. CassColla, Sebastian Army 1817 N. 2nd St.Collura, Carmelo Army 2005 W. OrchardDeGaetano, Joe Army 1557 N. WarrenDeLorenzo, Frank Navy 555 W. RockDePetro, Louis Army 1327 W. OrchardDighera, Domenic Army 742 E. HomerDiMotto, Mike Army 1438 S. 5th St.DiPazza, Mike Army 1680 N. Jackson St.Emanuele, Costantino Army 1426 N. Jackson St.Endrizzi, Charles Army 926 W. LloydEndrizzi, Marino Army 2138 N. 23rd St.Endrizzi, Martino Army 2138 N. 23rd St.Farina, Mario Army 2809 S. LoganFabina, Nick Army 726 W. GalenaFerrara, Frank Army 613 E. LloydFerrara, George Army 613 E. LloydFerrari, Ed Army 216 E. GarfieldFerrari, Gaeto Army 216 E. Garfield

Figarino, Joe Army 1436 N. MilwaukeeGagliano, Anthony Army 2650 N. 5th St.Gaglione, Philip Army 1668 N. Van BurenGiaimo, Anthony Army 408 N. Van BurenGigante, John Army 2346 N. RichardsGigante, Tommy Army 2346 N. RichardsGinocchio, Louis Army 3110 N. PierceGuida, Domenic Army 424 E. LyonGuzzonatto, Edward Army 1915 N. 12th St.LaMora, James, Jr. Army 321 E. OklahomaLanza, Charles, Jr. Army 442 N. Van BurenLeone, Nick Army 2675 N. BoothLetizia, James V. Navy 8761 W. AdlerLiBrizzi, Tom Army 915 E. KawauneeLubrano, Anthony, Jr. Army 943 N. Van BurenMaglio, Rocco Army 218 N. JeffersonMarchetti, Fred Army 2464 S. WentworthMarinello, Angelo Army 2072 S. 36th St.Marini, Robert Army 2411 N. OaklandMastaglio, Walter Army 1439 N. 31st St.Mastrogiovanni, Salvatore Army 520 E. ChicagoMazza, Sam Army 622 N. CassMazzarello, Tom Army 1531 N. JacksonMegna, Vince Army 1859 N. CambridgeMilella, Philip Army 6625 W. St. Paul Ave.Ninfo, Louis Army 105 W. BurleighNovara, Albert Navy 219 N. 38th St.Olivetti, Paul Army 3810 N. 6th St.Orlando, George, Jr. Army 1732 N. 16th St.Palma, Harry Army 4801 W. HowardPatti, Angelo Army 1027 E. HamiltonPecoraro, Charles Army 446 N. 28th St.Pica, George Army 2006 E. MorganPicciolo, Quenten Army 1507 N. CassPiraino, Joseph Army 1679 N. CassPizzino, Anthony Army 1665 N. Van BurenQuartana, Phil Army 226 N. MilwaukeeRamponi, George Army 828 E. LinusSandrone, Carmello Navy 2118 N. 39th St.Sanfilippo, John Army 3130 W. JuneauSapienza, Bill Army 3128 W. WisconsinSberna, Blaise Army 2458 N. DousmanSchiro, John Army 3109 W. GarfieldSirna, Sam Navy 1506 N. WarrenSorce, Jack Army 1653 N. FranklinSorce, Joe Army 4436 N. 26th St.Spicuzza, Frank Army 1915 S. 28th St.Spinella, Anthony Army 3735 W. ScottSpingola, Peter Navy 710 E. ClybournTarantino, Frank Army 2312 N. WeilTorti, Basil Army 1532 W. CapitolTizzano, Tony Coast Guard 1600 N. Lincoln MemorialTrinitaboli, Albert Army 908 E. KewauneeVenci, Joe, Jr. Army 1528 N. AstorZappia, Domenic Navy 1635 N. HumboldtZingara, Carmelo Army 724 E. Pearson

Source: Wright’s Milwaukee City Directory, 1941, WrightDirectory Co., Milwaukee.

Blaise DiPronioThere are exotic cars in the

world, and then, there are Ferrarisand the many superlative adjec-tives associated with them, toomany to list here, but you aficiona-dos know which ones I mean.

In 2013, Ferrari unveiled its lat-est evolution of its flagship super-car with the debut of what was,presumably, aptly named: LaFerrari. But this story is not abouthorsepower, design and the colorred. Rather, it’s about what’s in aname and a declarative article. OurJuliet said a rose by any othername would smell as sweet, butwhat other sweet name would yougive a Ferrari. So, the companydecided that there was no othername befitting a Ferrari otherthan, what else?…Ferrari. Andrightly so.

When the supercar’s name wasdisclosed, the media, the car writ-ers and the car enthusiasts had afield day. Many disparaging innu-endos and smarmy comments weremade about the “La” (“The” inItalian) in La Ferrari, and therehas been no let up, only a reducedrate of insults.

So let’s get this apparent mysti-fying (only to the unknowing) orabsurd use of an erroneously per-ceived lowly declarative articlecleared up and explained once andfor all. Yes, “la” means “the” but inItaly, the use of “la” also signifiesmuch more. In essence, it is used tosubstantivise (to give someone orsomething great importance oresteem) whatever name, noun orthing that follows. “La” compli-ments the names of the illustrious,the famous and the unique, such as

in: La Scala (Opera), La Pietá(Sculpture), La Gioconda (MonaLisa in Art) and La Loren (Film). Itis the equivalent of saying: “TheEpitome”, The finest, TheUnequaled or The Unsurpassed- ofwhat follows.

“La Ferrari” as a car modelname should now make sensewhile, for the same reasons, “LaChevrolet”’ should not. Its namealone connotes all the countlessadulatory adjectives that have beenused to describe it. In English, it’ssimilar to when the person who ispointed to one on the streetexclaims: “That’s the Ferrari?” Thisis a good example of the Englishparallel of using “the” in the “la”fashion, but it sounds so much bet-ter in Italian, musical note and all,and it signifies so much more.

Oh, you said you wanted to buy

one? Unfortunately, only 499 werebuilt at a price of approximately$1.7 million each, and they sold outa long time ago and, to whom, youask? Well, it suffices to say that itshould explain why the world’slargest indoor theme park, FerrariWorld, was built in Abu Dhabi inthe United Arab Republic and notin Wisconsin Dells.

‘La’ story of La Ferrari

I ciclisti professionali sipreparano per la loropartecipazione sul giro d’Italia chequest’anno occorrerá a Maggio 9fino al 31. Il giro é una serie dicorse stradale a lunga distanza peri professionisti di biciclette di tuttoil mondo. Il giro avrá luogonell’Italia Settentrionale eCentrale. La gara é parte deigrandi giri della classe mondialedel Unione CiclismoInternazionale.

Il giro di 2015 incomincia a SanLorenzo al Mare(nella Liguria) aSabato, Maggio 9 e concluderá aMilano(nella Lombardia) aDomenica, Maggio 31 con una corsadi 185 chilometri a tappa piana.

I premi saranno conferiti perpersona e per squadra. Dopo lafinale, i vincitori sarannodeterminati attraverso un sistemadi valutazione a punteggio un pócomplicato siccome sono assegnatiper ogni fase della corsa. Il maggiornumero dei punti saranno premiatia i ciclisti nella Cima Coppi- ilpunto piú elevato della corsa. A2,178 metri, i ciclisti si troverannosulla sterrata Celle delleFinestre(in Piemonte).

Ogni giorno, il giro é pieno dipercorsi ardui attraverso il centro enord Italia e l’unico giorno di riposoper tutti i ciclisti sará Maggio 19.La via piú lunga é quella di 263chilometri che inizia aGrossetto(nella Toscana)e terminaa Fiuggi(nel Lazio). I percorsihanno una combinazione di stradedi pianure e montagne .L’annoscorso a questa corsa di 21 fasi cihanno partecipato 22 squadrecomprese di 198 ciclisti. La corsa fuvinta dal Colombiano NairoQuintana della squadra MovistarTeam. Il secondo e terzo postifurono vinti dal ColombianoRigoberto Urán e l’Italiano FabioAru rispettivamente.

THE ITALIAN TIMES

La Pagina Italiana

PAGINA 18 – MAGGIO 2015

The Italian Times harecentemente contattato ilprofessore Patrick Rumbledell’Universita di Wisconsin-Madison per parlare del progettoInternational Learning Communitylanguage program. ProfessorRumble é molto conosciuto per isuoi studi del cinema e letteraturaItaliana. Il professore é statocontento di parlare con noi diquesto nuovo programma per quellistudenti che vivono all’universitá estudiano lingue estere.

Un learning community é inessenza tante stanze messe insiemeper imparare una lingua inparticolare. Così gli studenti sonoimmerse in questa lingua nuovache stanno studiando. Una diqueste comunitá si chiama PiazzaItalia o pure Casa Italiana e sitrova al quarto piano delRichardson in Adams Hall, alle rivedel lago Mendota. ProfessorRumble dice che questo tipo diprogramma d’immersione offre alstudente un’immersione intensiva enon solo per la lingua Italiana maanche per la cultura Italiana.

Un studente dottorato é il capodella comunitá iniziando

conversazioni in Italiano con istudenti e assistendo i professoricon i studenti che abitano nellacomunitá con i corsi d’Italiano evarie attivitá sulla cultura Italianacome film, cene, letture, ed ospitidel programma d’Italiano.

Piazza Italia porta la lingua e lacultura Italiana ai studenti di unagrande università attraversolezioni di cucina di varie regionid’Italia, film e tante altre attivitátutto quanto é seguito parlandosolo la lingua Italiana. I studentivivono la dolce vita senza mailasciare Wisconsin.

Questo programma di vivere incombinazione con i corsi di linguaItaliana e con lo studio all’estero inItalia, offre tante opportunitá astudenti interessati all’Italiano chevogliono una carriera ineducazione, affari internazionale,arte, ingegneria, scienza etecnologia, e diplomazia e politicainternazionale. The Italian Timesringrazia il Professor Rumble el’Universitá di Wisconsin-Madisonper l ’informazione fornita perquest’articolo.

– Italian version byMelinda Reina

Piazza Italia a Madison?

The Italian Times recently con-tacted Professor Patrick Rumble ofthe University of Wisconsin-Madison in order to discuss itsInternational Learning Communitylanguage program. ProfessorRumble is well noted for his studiesof Italian Cinema and 20thCentury Literature. He was veryinformed about this latest type ofstudent housing especially withinthe Italian Studies context at theuniversity and also very excitedabout sharing the information withour Italian-American community.

A learning community is, inessence, a cluster of rooms devotedto a specific language immersionenvironment. One of these is thePiazza Italia or Italian House onthe 4th floor of Richardson inAdams Hall on the shores of LakeMendota. Professor Rumble indi-cates that this type of immersionprogram offers a hands on, intenseexperience not only in the Italianlanguage, but it also exposes thestudent to the culture associatedwith it.

An Italian graduate studentserves as the resident house fellow,facilitating conversation in Italianand also assisting a faculty mem-ber with a credited course onItalian culture. This allows stu-dents to practice their languageskills with native speakers andother students like them. Studentsstudying Italian will find a collegialatmosphere at Piazza Italia and itsmany diverse activities. It featuresspecial Italian-oriented program-ming such as films, lectures, cur-rent events and regular meals“all’Italiana” with guests from theItalian program.

Piazza Italia is a way to bringthe culture and language of Italy toresidence hall life in a major uni-versity. On top of learning Italian,the students are learning how tocook regional Italian cuisine, arewatching Italian films and areengaging in group activities all thewhile speaking Italian thusimproving their language skills andknowledge of Italian culture and, ineffect, getting a taste of the dolce

vita without ever leavingWisconsin.

The Italian immersion programat UW’s Piazza Italia, when com-bined with the Italian languagecourses and optional study-abroadprograms in Italy, offers excitingoptions to the student interested inItalian with an eye to a career ineducation, international business,art, engineering, science/technology,diplomacy, international affairs andon and on.

For facilitating this article, TheItalian Times thanks ProfessorRumble for the interview and theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madisonfor use of its internet content.

– Submitted by Blaise DiPronio

Piazza Italia in Madison?

Il Grande Concorsodi Ricette

É vero che tutti gli Italianisanno cucinare? Allora bisognaprendere parte nel SecondoConcorso Annuale della RicettaScelta del Cuoco che occorrerádurante la Festa Italiana del 2015a Domenica, Luglio 19 alla CucinaShowcase.

Da ora fino a Lunedí, Giugno 15,Festa Italiana sta accettandoricette di Antipasti Italiani e quellescelte come spiegato quá sarannogiudicate da cuochi e ristoratorilocali davanti alla folla durante laFesta. Dalle ricette ricevute, ilcomitato della Festa sceglierá lecinque piú migliore usando questocriterio:

• Facilitá di preparazione.• Creatività.• Appetitositá.Questi cinque vincitori saranno

notificati per email.I cuochi scelti dovranno

presentare il loro antipasto agligiudici Domenica, Luglio 19 alle2:00 PM e durante la presentazione

possono spiegare perché meritanovincere mentre i giudiciassaggeranno il loro prodotto. Ilvincitore sará premiato colCucchiaio d’Oro e altri premi.

Ecco le regole:• Devi avere 18 anni.• Devi mandare la ricetta scritta

con una foto del antipasto stesso.• Puoi usare email o la posta

stradale.Devi includere:• Il tuo nome.• Il tuo indirizzo email.• Il tuo indirizzo postale.• Il tuo numero di telefono• Il nome o titolo della ricetta.Manda tutto a Marie Lieber a

[email protected] o Festa RecipeContest Attn.: Marie Lieber, ICC,631 E. Chicago St. Milwaukee WI53202.

La ricetta deve includere tuttigli elementi di ricette: daingredienti, misure, preparazione ecome cuocere, ecc..

Buona Fortuna e Buon Appetito!

In Centro della Communita’Italiana di Milwaukee partecipaalla comune gioia per il meritatoriconoscimento di MontalbanoElicona a “Borgo dei Borghi 2015”,attributo dalla trasmissione di RaiTre “Alle falde del Kilimangiaro”,dopo un’accanita competizione allaquale hanno partecipato 40 comuniitaliani, ridotti a 20 dal televoto. Ifinalisti, uno per ciascuna regione,si sono poi sfidati con il webvoting.

Una vittoria che ha avuto largoeco tra tutti i siciliani, anche fuoridalla Sicilia, riaccendendo isentimenti di amore e di orgogliomai dismessi.Montalbano Elicona, è un piccolocomune in provincia di Messina con2500 abitanti, a 900 m. dialtitudine, con vista mozzafiato cheguarda il mare e le isole Eolie maanche l’imponenza dell’Etna.

E’ un antico borgo che portaancora le sue tracce medievali maanche i segni di una storia anticaricca di culture, leggende etradizioni.

Di origine ellenica, mostra isegni del periodo bizantino edarabo.

Tra i vecchi ruderi, Federico IIdi Svevia fece erigere un castello.

Poi ricostruito da Federico IId’Aragona come residenza estivareale. Ancora oggi metaprivilegiata di storici e turistiprovenienti da tutto il mondo.

Ricchissima la presenza diChiese antiche risalenti all’XI, XIIe XIII secolo, anch’esse mete divisitatori. Tra queste spicca laChiesa Madre dedicata al patronoSan Nicola.

Intense e ricche le tradizionireligiose, molte tramandate e diorigini antiche. Ricordiamo laprocessione del Venerdì Santo equella del presepe vivente a Natale.

Frequentato il Museo storicofotografico Eugenio Belfiore.Montalbano, con i suoi dintorni, èricca di cultura e fascinomisterioso. Conosciutissimi iMegaliti di Argimusco, enormiblocchi di granito che si ergonoverso il cielo, da tempo oggetto dileggende, curiosità e storie antiche.Una vera Stohenenge italiana.

Famosa infine la straordinariaospitalità dei montalbanesi e latradizionale arte culinaria diprodotti tipici del luogo.

Montalbano Elicona ha meritatoveramente di essere il “Borgo deiBorghi 2015” più bello d’Italia.

Montalbano Elicona (Messina) vinceil Titolo: ‘Borgo dei Borghi 2015’

Impressioni sul Girod’Italia 2015

Calendimaggiocelebrato 7 - 10 MaggioIl festival annuale, Calendimaggio,

sarà celebrato in Assisi (Umbria),Italia, giovedì a domenica, maggio 7-10. Dedicata a San Francesco, ilfestival è detto essere “unaspettacolare rievocazione di costumimedievali e rinascimentali e la vita.”

Le celebrazioni prevedono gareprendendo la forma di spettacoliteatrali, concerti, canzoni e cori, danze,processioni, tiro con l’arco, balestra,sbandieratori.

I concorsi per il palio (corsa dicavalli) tra due quartieri della città, laMagnifica Parte de Sotto eMonterinaldo nobilissima prosapiaParte de Sopra.

Le attività del festival specchiodella rivalità del 1300 tra i fiumi eNepis famiglie per la supremazia, cheandavano in un periodo di inimiciziaper due secoli.

THE ITALIAN TIMES MAGGIO 2015 – PAGINA 19

YourSpecial

OccasionDeserves

OurSpecial

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

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

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

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

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

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

in the Historic Third Ward

Il Palio di FerraraIl Palio di Ferrara, una storica

palio (corsa di cavalli), che risale al1279, si svolgerà domenica 31maggio a Ferrara, città nellaregione Emilia Romagna in Italia.Molti credono che questa è la piùantica corsa di cavalli nel mondo.

Ci sono sfilate, sbandieratoriconcorsi e molte altre attività ognifine settimana di maggio per lacorsa dei cavalli, tra cui unaprocessione di un castello con piùdi 1.000 persone in costumirinascimentali il sabato sera delweekend di gara.

Il palio, in Piazza Ariostea, èuna competizione tra le ottoContrade (quartieri dellaparrocchia) a conquistare ilprezioso drappo dedicato a SanGiorgio, il patrono di Ferrrara.

Roma 2,769esimo

compleanno èl’21 aprile

C’è prova archeologica dioccupazione umana del territorio diRoma da almeno 14.000 anni fa.Roma la storia recente, tuttavia, èancora avvolta nella leggenda.Secondo la tradizione romana, lacittà fu fondata da Romolo il 21Aprile, 753 a.c.

Si dice che Romolo e suo fratellogemello, Remo, discendenti deiprofughi della mitica città di Troia,ha deciso di costruire una gloriosacittà. Dopo un argomento, Romolouccise Remo e subito dopo la cittàdopo lui.

I visitatori di Roma sulla suanascita ufficiale data vengonotrattati, per feste, concerti e eventispeciali come il gladiatoreprocessioni e i fuochi d’artificio sulfiume Tevere.

Sagra diSant’Efisiocelebrata inSardegna

1° maggio segna l’inizio dellaSagra di Sant’Efisio a Cagliari epaesi limitrofi nella regioneSardegna. Il festival onora il santomartire che, secondo la leggenda,salvò la città dalla peste nel 1652.Si tratta di una delle più grandi epiù colorato feste religiose delmondo, della durata di quattrogiorni e che copre diverse cittànelle vicinanze di Cagliari.

Ogni 1° maggio, la statua diSant’Efisio viene trasportato su un17Â° secolo placcato oro pullmanda buoi dalla chiesa di Stampace, ilsito dove il santo fu tenutoprigioniero prima fu decapitato nel303. Il pullman è accompagnatadal “fa le veci”, che indossanocappelli superiore nero e code, eriprodurre la musica sul“launeddas” (tradizionale sardatubi).

La statua passa attraverso leaiuole, viali alberati di Cagliari ViaRoma (il rituale è chiamato “saramadura”) e viene accolto dasirene del porto le navi. Laprocessione poi viaggi intorno algolfo di Cagliari attraverso le cittàdi La Maddalena, Su Loi, Sarroch,Villa San Pietro e Pula, piccolefeste con i propri costumitradizionali. La processione a Nora,dove Sant’Efisio è stato ucciso.

Il 4 maggio, la statua comincia afare il suo ritorno a Cagliari,guidati da fedeli di torce.


There is a “cultural revolution”occurring at Lalumiere Hall on thecampus of Marquette University,and Italian Instructor GiordanaKaftan is leading it.

Ms. Kaftan has been teachingat Marquette since 2002 and hasbeen head of the Italian programsince 2006. She has been workingon expanding her classes beyondthe Foreign Languages andLiteratures Department to co-teach interdisciplinary classeswith professors from differentdepartments and colleges. Besidesfocusing on two entry-level coursesfor new students of the language,Kaftan has two intermediate levelcourses and two upper level ones.The upper level classes aredesigned to teach Italian throughItalian films that deal with impor-

tant political and cultural aspectsof Italy.

“I teach a class of Italian litera-ture in translation, dealing withthe difficult issue of Italy’s unifica-tion and consequent emigration toAmerica. In the future, I hope toincrease the number of classes ofItalian literary and cultural stud-ies” said Kaftan. “I already havecontacted Professor Jean Grow inAdvertisement to possibly co-teacha class on Italian fashion and thebusiness of advertisement, in thefuture. Similarly, I have madeplans with Professor PamNettleton, from Journalism, tohopefully co-teach a class on jour-nalism and the Italian diaspora,focusing especially on Milwaukee.The other Italian instructor, Ms.Pessarelli, teaches a class on how

Italian food is actually made andshapes the nation. The possibilitiesto bring the rich Italian cultureand literature to Marquette stu-dents are really infinite.”

Her goals for the future are toreach out and connect more withthe local community like this col-laboration with The Italian Times.

“We want to develop more of arelationship with the rest of theItalian community in Milwaukee.We are off to a good start, and wehope to continue to do so in thefuture.” said Kaftan.

“There have been a lot ofchanges in the College of Arts andScience. One of them has been toeliminate the Core Requirementsfor the College. This will negative-ly affect the teaching of foreignlanguages since only few depart-

ments will require their studentsto take them. I will have tochange my curriculum, but thatmay not be a bad thing because Iam going to present a proposal toadd more classes of Italian literaryand cultural studies which areinterdisciplinary by nature.”

Ms. Kaftan is excited for whatthe future holds and will beexpecting even more strides to bemade in the near future.

“I want to see the number ofstudents taking upper level cours-es increase and have new classesthat would excite and interest stu-dents. The future may be bright,after all.”

– Submitted byBrendan Ploen

Marquette University

Italian at Marquette University

Regina (Jeanne) F. Weiss, alongtime member of the ItalianCommunity Center, has estab-lished a $2,000 scholarship that isavailable for a female student plan-ning to attend Alverno College thisfall.

Applicants for the Regina F.Weiss Scholarship must be mathmajors or education majors plan-ning to be a math teacher. Firstpriority preference will be given toa student of Italian descent withdemonstrated financial need, andgood academic standing in accor-dance with specific criteria estab-lished by Alverno College.

The scholarship may be used fortuition, room and board, books, feesor equipment needed for course-work. This is a one-time scholar-ship.

Weiss graduated from Alvernoin 1959. She was an educationmajor with a mathematics empha-sis. She taught algebra, geometryand trigonometry to middle andsecond school students. She was anactive financial contributor to theschool and part of the college’s“Silver Circle” group of contribu-tors.

Weiss grew up in Milwaukee’sold Third Ward, the daughter of

Sicilian parents, Rocco Alberti andLena Ventrano. She was the firstAmerican-born member of her fam-ily to complete college with a bach-elor’s degree. She taught highschool students in McHenry, Ill., atSt. Mary’s Academy in Milwaukee,in Oak Creek and in New Berlin.Teaching and mentoring was herpassion while raising four children.

For more information about thescholarship, please visit:www.alverno.edu/scholarship/.

Reina Weiss establishesscholarship at Alverno

Regina Weiss

Kirsten Thompson, Manager of Humanity Department, Milwaukee PublicLibrary, met recently with Italian Community Center Historian Mario A.Carini to get an overview of the ICC’s historical collections, including thevintage Italian American photos. Thompson is exploring possibilities forlibrary exhibit. (Times photo by Tom Hemman)

Milwaukee Public Libraryexpresses interest in ICC’s

historical collections

Opera TopicsBy Angelo Castronovo

Sopranos anyone? They are themainstay of so many works, and,thus many operas bear the majorfemale characters’ names such asTurandot, Tosca, Aida, Isolde,Arabella, Dinorah, Fedora andGiovanna D’Arco- to give someprominent examples.

Well known sopranos have dom-inated the stages of opera throughthe years and have also been thefavorites of opera lovers fordecades. Among them are: RosaPonselle, Renata Tebaldi, JoannaGadski, Elizabeth Rethberg, LilyPons, Amelita Galli-Gurci, MarjorieLawrence, Maria Callas, VictoriaDe Los Angeles, Lotte Lehman andLicia Albanese –naming just a few.

Some of my particular favoriteswere Albanese, De Los Angeles andTebaldi. Albanese passed away lastyear at the age of 105. She was oneof conductor Arturo Toscanini’sfavorites and was beloved by audi-ences around the world. She sangher first Violetta in Verdi’s LaTraviata in December 1942 in abroadcast from the MetropolitanOpera, and her subsequent reper-toire, although dominated by Verdiheroines, was quite varied. But itwas her Traviata performance thatcommanded the most unrestrainedadmiration according to the report-ing in Opera News magazine of thetime. Albanese would practicallyown the role for the next 20 yearsat the Met. Opera News said”…Seldom has the interpretation ofa single artist so penetrated theconsciousness of so large a pub-lic…” In addition to her vocalaccomplishments, she was astaunch supporter of the old MetHouse well before the companymoved to the Lincoln Center.

On a personal note, I’m happy toreport that I had the pleasure andprivilege of attending severaloperas at the old house in my earlydays in New York. Although theywere not performances byAlbanese, they did include a supe-rior presentation of Mascagni’sCavalleria Rusticana featuringRichard Tucker.

I also want to mention RenataTebaldi, who was regarded bymany as one of the great Italiansopranos of the second half of the20th century. Her name was alsoclosely associated with Toscanini,and she was chosen by him in 1946to debut at the reopening of Milan’sLa Scala opera house after WorldWar II. According to one writer,she led the Italian wing of the Metand London Records in richness oftone and lushness that was hard todescribe.

Quotable quote: The true workof art is but a shadow of the divineperfection. – Michelangelo.

May 1 marks the beginning ofthe Sagra di Sant’Efisio in Cagliariand neighboring towns in theItalian region of Sardinia. The fes-tival honors the martyred saintwho, according to legend, saved thecity from a plague in 1652. It is oneof the largest and most colorfulreligious festivals in the world,lasting four days and covering sev-eral towns in the vicinity ofCagliari.

Every May 1, the statue ofSant’Efisio is carried on a 17th cen-tury gold-plated coach drawn by

oxen from the church in Stampace,the site where the saint was keptprisoner before he was beheaded in303. The coach is accompanied bythe “Guardiania,” who wear blacktop hats and tails, and play themusic on “launeddas” (traditionalSardinian pipes).

The statue passes through theflower-lined streets of Cagliari’sVia Roma (the ritual is called “saramadura”) and is greeted bysirens of the port’s ships. The pro-cession then travels around the

Continued on page 21

Sagra di Sant’Efisiocelebrated in Sardinia

Ugo Foscolo (1778-1827) is afavorite Italian poet whose workanticipated Romantic sensibilityeven though the period of ItalianRomanticism did not officiallybegin until 1816. Romanticism waspopular throughout Europe andreached its peak between 1800 and1850. This period coincides in partwith the Victorian era, which actu-ally lasted twice as long as theRomantic period.

Often, having some knowledgeof mythology and symbolism, espe-cially the symbolism of flowers,helps us understand and betterappreciate poetry. In this poem byFoscolo, there’s an allusion to theThree Graces and the myrtleflower.

The Graces were daughters ofZeus, the King of the gods and theOceanid Eurynome. They wereAglaia, the Grace that symbolizedBeauty, Euphrosyne, the Grace ofDelight, and Thalia, the Grace ofBlossom. According to Greek poetPindar, these enchanting goddesseswere created to fill the world withpleasant moments and goodwill.Usually the Graces attended to theGreek goddess of Beauty,Aphrodite, and her companionEros, and loved dancing around ina circle to Apollo‘s divine music,together with the Nymphs and theMuses. The Three Graces inFoscolo’s poems represent threebeautiful women whom he lovedand regarded as muses: EleonoraNencini, Cornelia Martinetti andMaddalena Bignami represent theart of music, poetry and dance andlike their counterparts in mytholo-gy, inspire great harmony in thehearts of men.

In this poem, Foscolo addressesthe Graces and attempts to recallthe era of the sacred dancer andher sweetness. However, he isunable to capture her, and she dis-appears among the whiteness ofthe myrtle flower.

Myrtle often appears as gifts tonewlyweds or in a bride’s bouquet.It symbolizes marriage and love,respect for the goddess of love(Venus) and also death and rebirth.

Nymphs are associated with themyrtle tree. When Kate marriedPrince William, her bouquet heldmyrtle flowers that came fromplants growing in the garden ofQueen Victoria!

Foscolo’s poem is followed by anonliteral interpretation.

DanzatriceSpesso per l’altre età, se l’idioma D’Italia correrà puro a’ nepoti, (È vostro, e voi, deh ! lo serbate, oGrazie !) Tento ritrar ne’ versi miei la sacra Danzatrice, men bella allor chesiede, men di te bella, o gentil sonatrice, Men amabil di te quando favelli, O nutrice dell’api. Ma se danza, Vedila ! tutta l’armonia del suono Scorre dal suo bel corpo, e dalsorriso Della sua bocca; e un moto, un atto,un vezzo Manda agli sguardi venustàimprovvisa. E chi pianger la può? Mentre aritrarla Pongo industre lo sguardo, eccom’elude, E le carole che lente disegna

Affretta rapidissima, e s’invola Sorvolando su’ fiori; appena veggio Il vel fuggente biancheggiar fra’mirti.– Di Ugo Foscolo

The DancerOften for the sake of other eras, ifthe language of Italy runs pure to its descen-dants,(It’s your language, and yours, eh!Guard it, O Graces!) I try to recall in my verses thesacred dancer, less beautiful than the one seated, , less beautiful than you, fair musi-cian, less sweet than you when you sing, O honey, food of the bees. But if shedances, watch her! all harmony of sound flows from her beautiful body, andfrom the smile of her mouth; and a single move-ment, a single gesture, a single charm sends sudden pul-chritude to those gazing. And who can help but weep? Whileportraying her, however I try, there, she eludes me, and the dances that slowly she

designs hasten swiftly away, and fly overand above the flowers; and now all I see of this dance is the fleeting veil that fades intowhite among the myrtle.– Translated by Barbara Collignon


L’Angolo del PoetaBy Barbara Collignon

Gulf of Cagliari through the townsof La Maddalena, Su Loi, Sarroch,Villa San Pietro and Pula, whichhold small festivals featuring theirown traditional costumes. The pro-cession ends in Nora, whereSant’Efisio was killed.

On May 4, the statue starts tomake its way back to Cagliari,guided by the faithful carryingtorches.

Sagra diSant’Efisio

from page 20

Deadline set forJune issue of TheItalian Times

All advertising copy, news storiesand photos for publication in theJune 2015 issue of The ItalianTimes must be submitted to theeditor no later than Thursday, May7.

All materials can be emailed toeditor Tom Hemman at [email protected], sent to TheItalian Times, 631 E. Chicago St.,Milwaukee, WI 53202. For furtherinformation, call 414-223-2189.


ICC presents fun-filled Carnevale diPasqua for children

Credit for the fun and eventful party that children experienced onSaturday, Mar. 28 goes to these volunteers with the Easter Bunny. Backrow, left to right: Liz Ceraso, Mary Anne Ceraso-Alioto, Rose Anne Ceraso-Fritchie, John Alioto, Gianna Songstad, Susie Christiansen and MauraHogan. Front: Andy Vila, Avery Butler, the Easter Bunny (a.k.a., SamAlioto) and Jenna Hamdan. (Photo provided by the Ceraso family)

After measuring Ethan’s head, volunteerSusie Christiansen created a very amazingballoon hat for him.

Sophia attempted to plant herflower balloon.

Brothers Benedetto and Jack Riccio were the winners of the two guessingcontests at Carnevale di Pasqua. Benedetto submitted the closest guess onthe number of jellybeans in the plastic egg seen in his left hand and Jacksubmitted the closest guess on the number of peeps in the plastic egg he isholding.

The Italian Conference Centerstaff prepared and serviced a kid-tested, mother-approved lunchbuffet. Here’s Francesca with theplate of food she decided to eat.

Children were able to create theirown ice cream sundae. Here’sLucca in the process of making histasty treat.

Theodore sure seemed proud of hisice cream sundae creation.

Every youngster was also given achance to decorate his or her ownEaster cookie. Ethan showed ourphotographer his amazing artisticskills here.

Children designed stylish Easter headgear and picture frames at the artsand crafts table. Here are Skylrae and Franceca at work

Times photo by Tom Hemmanexcept where indicated.

Emily displayed her fancy Easterbunny head band.


Here’s one of the youngest children in attendance with the Easter Bunny.She seemed to enjoy seeing him.The Easter Bunny led children on a musical parade around the Festa

Ballroom.

She seemed happy to meet the Easter Bunny.

There were lots of carnival-style games for children to play. Win or lose,everyone received a prize.

Children were blindfolded to playpin the tail on the Easter bunny.

Three-year old Lucas had a good aim and sunk a bean bag in one of theopenings.

Apply conventional wisdom when planning your nextbusiness convention. Hold it at the

Italian Conference CenterThe Italian Conference Center offers . . .• More than 22,000 sq. ft.of convention space.• Professional planning &catering services• Handicap access.• Ample, free parking.• 7 day a weekavailability.• Easy access to freewayand downtown.To coordinate your convention plans, Italian Conference Centercall David or Kim Marie at the Italian Community Centerat (414) 223-2800 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukeeor visit www.ItalianConference.com A block west of Summerfest


The difficulty of gaining duerecognition for Italian American whowas chief carver of Mt. Rushmore

By Douglas GladstoneIt is an 862-mile drive from

Milwaukee to the Mount RushmoreNational Memorial in Keystone,S.D. If you’re taking I-94 west-bound to I-90, you can do the trip injust under 13 hours. There’s no wayto do the trip faster – just as todate – there hasn’t been a way tobridge the gap that exists betweenthe United States Department ofthe Interior’s National Park Service(NPS) and the family of the lateLuigi Del Bianco.

Del Bianco was the obscureimmigrant from the Province ofPordenone in Italy, who served asthe chief carver of MountRushmore from 1933 through 1940.You read that right. An immigrantto these shores was the chief carveron what is widely considered to beone of the world’s most renownedsculptures. If you didn’t know that,you’re not alone. That’s because theNPS does not recognize Del Biancoas the chief carver.

Tasked with giving the fourpresidential faces their “refinementof expression” by no less thanRushmore sculptor and designerGutzon Borglum himself, DelBianco is specifically referred to asthe chief carver by Borglum in aJuly 30, 1935 letter written by himthat you can find in the ManuscriptDivision of the Library of Congress.

“I have seen the letter in whichBorglum refers to Del Bianco aschief carver,” Maureen McGeeBallinger of the NPS, told DenisHamill of the New York Daily Newslast October. “But I consider

Gutzon Borglum to be the chiefcarver.”

And Del Bianco? He was justone of the workers under Borglumsays the NPS.

The policy of the Parks Serviceis that all 400 individuals whoworked at the monument from1927 through 1941 receive thesame credit, irrespective of theirjobs. While that’s very egalitarian,it also presupposes that the manwho operated the elevator lift wasas important as Del Bianco.

The Parks Service is clearly

dropping the ball here. They couldbe telling this great narrative aboutan Italian American immigrantwho in 1929 became a citizen ofthis country who is the chief carveron what is arguably the most iconiclandmark in this nation. Since theagency has long been a proponentof multiculturalism and pluralism,such a position would be in keepingwith their own mission.

Instead, the NPS continues torecognize only Borglum for hiswork at the monument. Nobody isattempting to take anything awayfrom Gutzon Borglum. Therewouldn’t be a Mount Rushmorewithout him. But imagine the39,000 individuals in MilwaukeeCounty, not to mention the 203,000people in Wisconsin, who identifyas Italian Americans who wouldpuff up their chests with pride ifthey found out that one of their fel-low landsmen was at long last rec-ognized by the federal governmentas Mount Rushmore’s chief carver!

Imagine what pride that wouldengender among the 18 millionItalian Americans in this country!

It wouldn’t even cost the UnitedStates of America any money.Luigi’s 52-year-old grandson, Lou,a children’s performer who is a five-time winner of the Parent’s ChoiceAward, says he would personallypay to put a plaque somewhere onthe grounds of the memorial out ofhis own pocket.

In West Hollywood, Calif.,Luigi’s sole surviving child, his 69-year-old daughter, Gloria, justlaments the situation. As happenswith all of us, she is getting olderwith each passing day. And shewonders whether or not the recog-nition she has long sought willoccur in her lifetime. “I’m not ready

to call it a slap in the face yet,” shesays. “But I’m pretty close.”

Is it a slap in the face? OnlyInterior Secretary Sally Jewell andMidwestern Parks AdministratorPatty Trapp know for sure.

Meanwhile, with every dashedhope, false promise and unan-swered communication that dividebetween the Del Bianco family andthe government just keeps growingand growing.

Editor’s note: Douglas J.Gladstone is the author of “Carvinga Niche for Himself; The UntoldStory of Luigi Del Bianco andMount Rushmore” (BordigheraPress; April 2014).

In this rare photograph suppliedby Gutzon Borglum’s granddaugh-ter, Robin Borglum Carter, LuigiDel Bianco is shown working onAbraham Lincoln’s left eye. (Photocourtesy of Borglum Archives)

Author Douglas Gladstone

631 E. Chicago St.Milwaukee, WI

Call David or Kim Marieat 414-223-2800 or visitItalianConference.com

TThhee PPeerrffeeccttEEnnddiinnggBring your wedding dayto a successful close.Gather your familiesand friends where theambiance is special, thefood is exceptional andthe staff is attentive toyour every need.

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May 2015 issue