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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 .