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CLUB NEWS
ITALIAN AMERICAN DIGEST SUMMER 2018
Sons of Italy Enjoy Spring Raffle, St. Joseph Altar
by Linda Serio
The Sons of Italy got an unexpected donation that allowed us to have another spring raffle! Last year, member Dan McGrew— who is very talented in working with wood— surprised us with a cornhole board game in the colors of the Italian flag. It made for a very successful raffle— and this year Dan did it again! He created a beautiful Adirondack-style settee and donated it to the Club. The lucky winner will be selected at our June 9 Fish Fry. We greatly appreciate Dan’ s generosity in sharing his talents with the Club.
The Sons of Italy were well represented at the St. Joseph altar at St. Jude Catholic Church. Vita Gregorio and Dominick Digilormo spearheaded the preparation of traditional food that was served to a crowd of about 300. Patsy Wilson decorated the altar itself and served the children representing the Holy Family at the table. Volunteers Lynn Mandina, Anne Bennett, Claudette Digilormo and Sandra Vickers assisted with cooking and serving food. Lucille and J. A. Clark manned the donation box. Many other Sons of Italy members came to share in this annual event that is so dear to our heritage. Lynn Mandina and Cathy Gregorio— utilizing a recipe from family in Sicily— created the large fig pastries that were true works of art. All food, etc., was privately donated, and the entire collection of $ 2,500 was presented to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Many Club members have been traveling to the Bel Paese! Joseph and Mary Fertitta made a trip with son Joe Jr. and wife Patricia, enjoying the Cinque Terre and Portofino as well as Spain, France and Germany. Lynn Mandina and friends will visit Italy from north to south in July. Vita Gregorio, daughter Cathy, and other family members are headed to Sicily, where they will visit relatives in Salaparuta and Castelvetrano.
Linda Serio was in Florence, Italy, in March on a group coordinator convention with Go Ahead Tours. While visiting Rome on her own, she attended a Wednesday audience with Pope Francis. She also met with Katherine Wilson, author of the hilarious book The Motherin-Law Cure. As Linda’ s September tour will begin in Naples, she had been reading many stories about the city. After reading Elena Ferrante’ s
Photos courtesy of Linda Serio Above: Club members responsible for the St. Joseph altar at St. Jude Church included( l to r) Vita Gregorio, Dominick Digilormo, Patsy Wilson Sandra Vickers, and Lynn Mandina. Left: J. A. Clark and Lucille Cash-Clark collected $ 2,500 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the St. Joseph altar.
somber novels of the seedy side of Naples, she discovered American author Katherine Wilson on Amazon. com. Linda loved this laugh-outloud account of Ms. Wilson’ s life as a young American in Naples who ultimately married into a Neapolitan family. Linda even contacted Ms. Wilson, who now lives in Rome with her Neapolitan husband and children. Linda and Katherine met in Rome, exchanged many laughs together, and are now in regular contact. They hope to arrange a book-signing on Linda’ s upcoming tour.
The Sons of Italy welcome new member Donnie Richardson. Members celebrating the birth of grandbabies include Anthony and Kathy Gugliuzza, John and Lynn Manno, and Dr. Mike Acurio.
For information of the Sons of Italy Heritage Club, contact President Anthony Gugliuzza at( 985) 630-5857 or Vice President Joseph Fertitta at( 318) 458-4675.
Grandsons of Italy Celebrate 40 Years of St. Joseph Altar
The Grandsons of Italy held their 40th annual St. Joseph Altar on March 18 at Sacred Heart Church. Over 500 meals were served. The Holy Family was portrayed by Avery Claire Landess( Mary), granddaughter of Warren Berthelot; Riley Wilson( Jesus), grandson of Frank and Leah Arrigo; and Nickie Dimaio( Joseph), a charter member of the Grandsons of Italy.