La Gazzetta Italiana 2013 Volume 20 | Page 2

From the Editor & Publisher INSIDE | DECEMBER 2013 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 21, Issue 20 (ISSN 1930-4358) is published monthly for $20 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] PM GRAPHICS, Printer Thank you to the fantastic ALTA HOUSE VOLUNTEERS for labeling the paper each month. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michele Alonzo Brunella Barbati Reale Minischetti Pamela Dorazio Dean Kelly Lombardo Dominic Tropiano Michael Milano Peter D'Attoma Aliza Giammatteo Tony Marotta Margie Longano Miklas Serena Scaiola Stephen N. Fliegel 03 The Editor Speak 03 Note from the Publisher 04 News from the Consulate 05 News from Italy 05 Local News 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. A Portrait of Sabatino History on a Square Inch 18 People Anyway you Slice It/ Panera Bread Success! And Still Champion 18 19 Gifford & Jacobs Perform Concert at Playhouse Sq, Sergio Cammariere Giving Tree 20 Entertainment 06 Local News Classifieds Entertainment On Tour with Patrizio Buanne The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland The Movie Lobster Fra Diavolo 06 Remembering The Neapolitan Presepio is Art Form 21 Anthony J. 'Tony' Troliio Jr. 06 Web Review Christmas shopping with the Touch of a Button Christmas in Cleveland Then and Now Feature 24 Photo Exhibit 29 Food & Wine Christmas Ravioli 30 Food & Wine The Feast of the Seven Fishes Feature A special Christmas Found in War-Torn Italy Traditional Abruzze Christmas Dinner 13 History & Culture Nocino Sicilian Christmas Desserts 12 22 Feature 31 32 Paul Sciria Managing Editor Celebration of the Patrons of the Arts 08 Events in Italy 10 Feature 11 History & Culture A Madonna and Child Christmas Markets in Italy CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EXHIBIT Marcello Mellino 17 People From the Desk of Paul Sciria Kids Corner Club Newsletters What I count among my treasured family Christmas memories are my many seasons selling Christmas trees. My entree into the world of falling needles happened long, long ago. My uncle Joe bought Balsam trees in “Big Italy” at the openair market near the food terminal. We lined these trees of all sizes and shapes in front of the plate glass windows at his Porky’s Barbecue at E. 93rd and Harvard. It was a win-win situation for me. I made a few bucks selling trees, and I ate for free. Much later, with that experience under my belt, I became involved in the real world of hawking Christmas trees, as I had learned from one of the best. Joe Londrico not only had a full-blown retail tree business near Lakeview Cemetery, he also wholesaled trees brought in from his property in Michigan. He convinced me to set up at the YMCA on Mayfield Road in A Christmas Season in Italy 14 Lyndhurst. My sons did the muscle work. They created a literal forest of different trees. The pines, balsams and firs seemingly stood at attention under the direction of the most expensive, majestic Fraser firs. In the glow of lights, with the sounds of both Christmas carols and OSU music in the background, and breathtaking view of towering trees, I, in my scarlet and gray sweats had the best darn trees in the land. All OSU fans were welcomed and given discounts. However, this courtesy was not extended to those who supported the maize and blue of that team up north. The Plain Dealer got wind of my creative marketing ways – and I made the papers. The article featured the antics of a Buckeye alum who was a retired t.v./radio reporter turned Christmas tree salesman. My sales scored like only the Buckeyes can! There was more. A couple of later seasons included selling trees at Dante DiFiore’s fenced-in South Euclid property. There was very little green space and plenty of concrete cover, so the trees were stacked on palettes. However, I had a problem with inventory. Every morning the count didn’t jibe with the closingtime number. Like an investigative reporter, HY