La Gazzetta Italiana 14 | 15 | 16 Weddings | Page 2

From the Editor & A Message from the Publisher LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA w w w. l a g a z ze t t a i t a l i a n a .co m Volume 22, Issue 5 (ISSN 1930-4358) is published (print) monthly for $20 per year or published (digital) monthly for $30 per year by PAS Publishing Company 12510 Mayfield Rd. • Cleveland, OH 44106 phone: [phone] • fax: [phone] POSTMASTER:  Send address changes to: LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA, 12510 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106 Periodicals postage at Hudson, OH and additional mailing offices. PAUL SCIRIA, Managing Editor For advertising inquiries and article suggestions about local events and news: 6723 Larchmont Dr. • Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 phone: [phone] • fax: [phone] • email: [email protected] ANGIE SPITALIERI, Publisher For inquiries about subscriptions, advertising and general operations: phone: [phone] • fax: [phone] • email: [email protected] DOMINIC SPITALIERI, Designer email: [email protected] INSIDE | MAY 2014 The Editor Speaks: A Message from the Publisher (3) A Message from the Publisher: Calendar of Events (4) News from the Consulate: Current News from Italy (4) News from Italy: Helpful Wedding Planning Websites (5) Book Review: The Other Mothers on Mother's Day (5) Economy: CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EXHIBIT Marcello Mellino All advertisements must be in accordance with the rules and requirements as determined by editorial policy. Paid political advertisements are not to be interpreted as an endorsement by LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA. The newspaper reserves the right to reject ads based on the paper’s editorial policy. While LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA makes every effort to maintain accuracy, the information contained within this publication may contain errors or omissions. To the extent permitted by applicable law, LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials in this publication. JUNE Preview The June edition of La Gazzetta Italiana is dedicated to Travel in the United States and Italy. Along with travel we also will be looking at all the local festivals and the World Cup. If you are in charge of a festival please send all the information to me at the below email so I can publicize it in our June calendar and on our website. Please submit all letters to the editor to Angie Spitalieri at ­2 [email protected]. If your company would like to place an ad in our upcoming issue, please contact Paul Sciria at 440-461-9836. All advertisements must be submitted by May 15. For more information on becoming a distributor, please call Angie Spitalieri, publisher, at aspitalieri@lagazzettaitaliana. com or by calling 216-421-1536. Springtime and Renewed Growth in the US (6) Italy's Most Popular Churches for Weddings (10) Cotin Sposa (11) A Variety of Best-In-Class Venues (11) The Ancient Ritual of the Tarantella (11) Italian Wedding Meal (11) Let Them Eat Cake (12) Weddings at Gervasi Vineyard (12) A Basic Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring (13) Anteprima moda Italiana (13) Planning your Perfect Ceremony (14) Italy's Most Famous Wedding (14) Thank you to the fantastic ALTA HOUSE VOLUNTEERS for labeling the paper each month. Peter D'Attoma Aliza Giammatteo Tony Marotta Margie Longano Miklas Serena Scaiola Stephen N. Fliegel Lee Laurino Angela Yuko A Celebration of the Power of Italian-American Women (5) On Stage with Tengo Familgia! (5) St.Rocco Centennial Events 2014 (6) Local News: Web Review: PM GRAPHICS, Printer Brunella Barbati Reale Minischetti Pamela Dorazio Dean Ben Lariccia Michael Milano Andrea Fox Michele Alonzo Malone Ryan From the Desk of Paul Sciria (3) From the Desk of Paul Sciria Feature: Events in Italy: Current Events from Italy (8) Notizie Dall'Italia (15) Cotin Sposa (16) Happy Mother's Day! (16) Mother's Day (16) Joseph Carabelli: The Father of Little Italy (17) Paul Sciria Managing Editor I like to believe that cinema history’s most memorable wedding scenes appeared in the 1972 movie classic, “The Godfather.” The most basic and key objective in the storyline was to establish that in Italy, nothing is more important than family (la famiglia); and a daughter’s wedding day reinforces that identity. The first of two scenes in movie is the outdoor wedding reception of mob boss, Vito Corleone’s daughter on Staten Island. The film opens with an elaborate outdoor wedding reception, which takes place against the backdrop of traditional songs, A Message from the Publisher dancing and a gigantic wedding cake. Italian weddings typically overflow with homemade wine, food, family, friends and music, and the Corleone wedding was no exception. An opening grabber in the movie is the Sicilian wedding folksong favorite “Chen a luna mezza mare” (The Moon is in the Middle of the Sea/Lazy Mary) sung by mamma Corleone and Don Stracci. Every Italian wedding I’ve attended has featured this song along with the “busta” (money envelope). However, I’m not sure if this tradition continues at the more formal weddings of today. The Corleone wedding featured pop star Johnny Fontane (Al Martino) singing a couple of songs. Years ago, I was invited to a lavish wedding at the downtown Cleveland Statler Hotel, and Louie Prima was the surprise entertainer. More typical of an old country wedding, that of Michael Corleone (Al Pacin