Upcoming Club

Events
March
6 Simone Sala
10 Wine Tasting Dinner
13 - LimoncelloSmackdown
21 Pasta Cooking Class
2, 25 - Hunger Busters
4,11,18,25 - Pasta & WOW
6,13,20,27 - Cena
25 - Book Club
27 Easter Bake Sale
27 Toscana Cena
April
1,8,15,22,29 - Pasta & WOW
3 Good Friday CLOSED
10, 17 - Cena
11 Gina Stipo Dinner
5 - Easter Brunch
6, 22 - Hunger Busters
22 - Book Club
25 - Festa Primavera
29 Book Club
May
4, 27 Hunger Busters
6,13,20,27 - Pasta & WOW
1,8,15,22,29 - Cena
8 - Opera On Tap
10 - Mothers Day Brunch
22- Irish Cena
27 Book Club
June
3,10,17,24 - Pasta & WOW
6,12,19,26 - Cena
13 - Festa Italia / Bocce
Classic

Keep up to date
and subscribe to
our weekly
e-mail bulletin...
please visit our
website!

Notiziario Ufficiale del Circolo Italiano di Dallas Marzo 2015 Vol 36 Num 3

Crank Up The Distillery For Our

Third Limoncello Smackdown!
Our Second
Annual Limoncello
Smackdown was
a huge success!
The dining room
was filled; the
mood was electric;
the judges were
enthralled; and
the competition
was fierce. Eight
entrants competed
for the title King/
Queen Lemonhead, as Lynn Barnard defended her
crown, and in the end, yes, Lynn Barnard was recrowned Queen Lemonhead.
Come join us for our Third Limoncello Smackdown
after Cena on Friday, March 13, when we will once
again have a competition to determine who has the
best Limoncello.
In the interest of providing a level playing field for the
tasting, we ask that all entrants be clear lemon-based
liqueurs (no crema/creams or orange, mango, etc.
Well save those for another contest!). Also, Melissa
is providing a standard bottle for each entrant so that
the tasting is truly blind. Please contact Melissa and
obtain your bottle before the contest! (972) - 931-9167
or Melissa.Partin@ItalianClubDallas.org.
What will you win, should your Limoncello be judged
the best? The accolades of your ICD friends, the right
to say your liqueur is the best, and the title of King or
Queen Lemonhead. What more could you want?
Please let Melissa Partin, Melissa.Partin@
ItalianClubDallas.org, know if youd like to enter your
Limoncello in the Smackdown. It promises to be a fun
night for all!

When Life Hands You

Lemons, Make Some
Limoncello

Special Entertainment: March 6

Simone Sala Pianist

Simone Sala is an Italian pianist and composer whose

repertoire ranges from Classical to Latin Jazz without
disdain for the music of movies and singer-songwriters,
always rearranged in a very personal way.
Born in Bojano, a small town in the south of Italy
situated in Molise and growing up in a family wellknown for its long musical tradition, he started
studying music and piano at a young age. At 10 years
old he was admitted to the Conservatory L. Perosi of
Campobasso and obtained his first university degree
at just 20, graduating with the highest grades, praise
and honorable mention. He has won over 30 first
prizes over 15 years, at piano competitions throughout
the world, as well as winning the Merit Medal of
the Molise Region and the Honorific Medal of the
Presidency of the Italian Republic - reserved for young
people who have special merits in fields of culture and
arts.
Simone Sala has an intense concert schedule,
constantly performing throughout all Italy, as well as
in Spain, England, Czech Republic, Poland, United
States, South America and Thailand, as a soloist,
in chamber groups, and as a featured soloist with
prestigious European and non-European ensembles.
Come to Cena on March 6 and listen to the beautiful
music of Simone Sala. CDs of his music will also be
available for purchase. You can make reservations by
calling the Club at (972)-931-9167 or click here to
make reservations online.
Official Website: www.simonesala.com

Save the Date for

Gina Stipo Dinner on April 11!
W W W . I TA L I A N C L U B D A L L A S . O R G

Letter from the President

CIAO A TUTTI
Let me start by saying Grazie Mille to Paul DiCarlo for bringing one
of Jimmys wine tasting dinners to the Italian Club. The Sicilian Wine
Tasting Dinner was a great night and the 124 people attending would
agree a wonderful time was had by all. Grazie Mille Ancora Paul.
The aim of this months letter is to let you know what is happening with
the Club and our direction as we move forward in 2015.
First of all, I apologize for not catching the error we had in the financial
section for December. We did show a Profit of $3515, not a negative
as published. We are also showing a Profit in January $2103. These
are positive signs for our Club. There are 2 ways to generate revenue
for our Club: Membership paying fees, attending our cena, Pasta and
Pizza night, lunches, special events/Gala/cena and donations; the other
is outside revenue from donations and sponsors. All this revenue is
important because it keeps the Club going and growing.

INSIDE REVENUE
We have a full event calendar through June.
*In March we have the Limoncello Smackdown and hopefully your best
limoncello is ready to be tasted.
*There is a special REGIONAL CENA Under the Tuscan Sun theme
with a movie that night.
*In April we have 3 main events. A Cena recognizing our Past
Presidents, Gina Stipos special Cena, and Festa Primavera - our premier
Cena of the first half of 2015.
*In May we have our Mothers Day Brunch and Irish Cena
*In June specifically June 13 our Festa Italia /Bocce Classic

OUTSIDE REVENUE
The month of June has something we are excited about Festa Italia and
Bocce Classic.

After the Festa Italia committee weekly meeting we will send out
updates to keep everyone aware of our progress. One important
discussion at our weekly meetings will be volunteers to help and support
the Festa/Bocce Classic. Please feel free to contact the committee and
let us know what you can do to help at the Festa, from setting up bocce
courts or booths to baking for our Italian Club booth. It might be
helping with the booth selling drinks or sausage sandwiches. Whatever
you can do will be helpful for the events success. Of course finding a
sponsor(s) in your neighborhood to give $100 or more is a major key.
The Board is unanimously behind this Fund Raiser because the
combination of your support and outside revenues generated by
the committee will help the Club, the Special Olympics, and more
importantly, we will be supporting our Mission Statement and becoming
a stronger presence in the Dallas area.
Lets all focus on this Fund Raiser to make the FESTA ITALIA /
BOCCE CLASSIC the best event ever in our history. We believe this
could become a great annual event for the Club that can bring financial
stability to the Club. Its SUCCESS, however, will only be possible
through YOUR support.
We are looking forward to seeing you on June 13 at our first FESTA
ITALIA and BOCCE CLASSIC at the John Paul II sports complex.
Ken Venuso, President

Financials

January YTD

(end of Jan)
Revenue
28,639
28,639
Expenses
26,536
26,536
Profit (Loss)
2,103
2,103

First Jimmys Wine Tasting at ICD

This event is in the early stages. A committee has been formed and
started the process. This event, when supported by the membership,
with the committee finding outside sponsors and donations, can help us
achieve our Event Fund Raiser Goal of $30,000. We will run the event
while working with and supporting the Special Olympics. A portion of
the Festa Italia Fund Raising money will go to the Special Olympics.
Our Fund Raiser Goal is $30,000; however we believe we can go higher.
The KEYS are two fold; the Festa Italia committee acquiring corporate
sponsors and soliciting outside donations will be part of it. The second
part is to have each member partner with someone outside of the Club
and get them to be a sponsor. It could be a place where you shop, a place
you bring your car, or people like your insurance agent. When each
member takes on the role of sales person and finds at least 1 or more
sponsors to donate $100 or more, we can exceed Our Goal of $30,000
with 100 percent involvement from our entire membership base.
We are in the process of detailing our plans for the Festa Italia and Bocce
Classic. The site for the Festa Italia is John Paul II sports complex and
the date is June 13.

GREAT SICILIAN WINES...DINNER...

GREAT TIME
Join us for the NEXT Jimmys Wine Tasting Dinner on
March 10! Click here for reservations

Cooking Classes are Back!

Join Us as we Journey to Bella Toscana

Come join us for our first cooking class for 2015.

Saturday, March 21 from 11:30 to 2:00pm
Location: The Italian Club of Dallas
Cost is $30.00 per attendee
Our friend, Chef Christian Manganaro, is excited to share a traditional
Sicilian pasta dish with all of us - Macherroni fatta di casa - and show us
how to make this incredible dish. Some of us had the pleasure of having
this pasta at the club for a cena night in January. It was delish!
You will learn how to make Maccheroni fatta di casa pasta from scratch,
including a tomato sauce. The more you make; the more you take home
Christian will serve the Maccheroni al sugo di pomodoro along with a glass
of wine for you to enjoy at the end of everyones hard work.
Reserve nowby calling 972-931-9167

Culinary Events
Wednesday ~ Pasta & Pizza Night: March 4, 11, 18, 25. Doors open 6
p.m. Every Wednesday evening features our fantastic antipasti bar and
one of several pasta or pizza selections for a great price. Add extras if the
mood suits you meat, seafood & veggies. Pasta or Pizza - Members $12
/ Non-Members $16; Antipasti Bar only - Members $8 / Non-Members
$12.
Call for reservations and large tables (972) 931-9167
or http://icdcena.eventbrite.com

Friday Cena Schedule & Pricing

Member Adult $20 / Non-Member Adult $28
Reservations are kindly requested as seating is often very limited.
March 6
***Raffle night

Come, visit and enjoy the company of friends with a

glass of wine while waiting for the delicious meal
Chef Gerard and Chef Christian have prepared for
our enjoyment.
Join us, you know you will enjoy a great meal

March 13
Limoncello
Smackdown

After a great meal prepared by our chefs,

Join this fun competition, sign up and bring your
homemade Limoncello and share it with the Italian
Club Family. You might become our next Queen or
King Lemonhead!

March 20
Guest Cena
*** Raffle night

Guest Cena, bring your friends, your neighbors, your

coworkers, its a great event to introduce them to our
treasured Italian Club of Dallas.

Tuscany: For you does that magical name evoke wine? Art and museums?
Magnificent landscapes? Classical literature? Romantic medieval hilltop
towns? Or maybe all of the above
While nothing can compare to an evening spent in Toscana, on Friday,
March 27, youll find the next-best thing at the Italian Club as we explore
the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home of such notables as
Petrarch, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo,
Amerigo Vespucci, and Puccini. And did you know that Toscana is also
the birthplace of todays standard Italian language? With the literary
masterpieces of Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, and Guicciardini
all written in the Tuscan dialect, it only made sense for this version of
Italian to be the one adopted for use throughout the Kingdom of Italy.
Regular Cena prices apply
This Cena will undoubtedly sell out quickly, so make your reservation
NOW through the EventBrite link at ItalianClubDallas.org and join us
March 27 and also view the movie Under the Tuscan Sun.

*** What a great time to regift those extra gifts that

you have no use for - bring them to the Club. They
might become someone else's treasures and make
them very happy. Your donations assist in increasing
the Club treasury. ***
March 27
Toscana Cena

This evening we will feature dishes from Tuscany,

wonderful recipes from Isola DElba and Livorno
Cena
Each Friday, we make special time to enjoy
(dinner) with famiglia e amici (family & friends)
Visit the Club for a delicious four-course menu,
enjoyed insieme (together).
Join us to savor the taste of authentic Italian dishes
from fresh ingredients & recipes old and new,
prepared by our Chef.
Share the joy of good food, good wine and good
company ~ Italian-style!
Weekly menu available via Club Mail. Reservations
recommended at (972) 931-9167) or online at
http://icdcena.eventbrite.com .

Save the Date for

Mothers Day
Brunch on May 10!

Attention All Club Members

We have a tremendous amount of history in our Club and many
wonderful members who donate their time and money to help spread our
Italian Culture and make this Club a place for all of us to come to enjoy
with our extended familyour membership.
Our purpose is to respect, honor and cherish our history and past
members who have helped build this Club. In addition, we also want
to acknowledge people from our current membership base. We have
many members who give their time and efforts to this Club freely and do
things for the Club, because they want to do it. The Club is like family;
if someone needs help we go over to their house and help out.
The Board selected 2 individuals for this month. We have an open door
policy on nominations, so anyone can nominate someone and give their
name to the Board.
Keep in mind there is no specific order or rules to go by here, its just a
simple criteria of saying GRAZIE MILLE to a member who helps make
this Club a better place for this month or since they have been a member.
Ken Venuso, President

Grazie Mille - Member Of The Month

This month we are recognizing a person not for all his past efforts but for
his continuous efforts he gives to our Club every week and month.

BEN PARLAPIANO
Ben is well known for his presence when
the Club was started. He has served as
a president, he is a lifetime member, has
served on countless committees, especially
the Charity Outreach committee. and is a
great source on the Clubs By-Laws.
The thing that seems to stand out the
most about Ben is his consistency.
Regardless of his age he seems tireless.
He is at the Hunger Buster Charity twice
a month leading the ICD Volunteers in
making and packaging the sandwiches.
Ben attends many committee meetings. He may chair or assist or be a
guest at them. He is invited to board meetings. It doesnt matter which
meeting, he is glad to attend as a listener, a person to offer a suggestion,
give a comment, or offer his help volunteering his time to a charity or
event.
All of these efforts show his loyalty and concern for the Club and each
month trying to make a positive impact on our Club and its mission
statement.
We have many people each month doing so much for the Club, but this
month lets recognize Ben for his gracious and continuous efforts to the
Club. So next time we see, Ben lets thank him for his support to the
Italian Club.
GRAZIE MILLE, BEN

A Look Back Grazie Mille

As a Club that stands for Italian culture we have an obligation to honor
and cherish our past. We have a group of individuals who are known as
Founders, lifetime members or long time members.
They help establish and build the Club. They helped create what we have
today, a Club that is a place to enjoy being around friends and family and
the Italian Culture. It is up to our current and future members to learn from
our past and to remember what these individuals created, THE ITALIAN
CLUB OF DALLAS
Once again we are challenged to select someone who was there at the
beginning or an early stage of the Club but our aim is not to single one
person out because their contributions are greater than someone else. Our
focus is on honoring and cherishing people from our past but in no specific
order.
It is with pride we announce our Honoree this month of A LOOK BACK.

CARRIE HARRIS GRAZIE MILLE

Carrie has been a member going back to
when Roberto Agostini was president. At a
recent Cena, Roberto took the time to single
Carrie out and thank her for all her help
when the Club was in its beginning stages.
Like many members she helped at the
monthly Cena when it was off Keller
Springs. Whatever needed to be done,
members did and Carrie was right in with
that mix. One could sample some of her
baking at various events.
Carrie is well known for her involvement in our dance group, I Colori.
You may have seen her at the Club, at a Taste Of Addison, at the State Fair,
or at Central Market when they featured Italy dressed in an Italian Folk
costumes, dancing Italian Folk dances. She helps teach Italian Folk dances
with Maria Chobany. They even teach little children Italian folk dancing.
You can watch the Piccolo Colori learning how to dance on most Saturday
mornings at the Club.
Carrie and Maria were honored by the Club 3 years ago with the Special
Club award given at the Annual Columbus Day Gala for their efforts of
spreading the Italian Culture and Italian Clubs presence throughout Dallas
area and as far south as San Antonio through the I Colori dance group.
You may also have seen Carrie as a hostess when coming in to the Club on
a Cena or special event. If you havent a chance to sit next to Carrie at a
Cena you should try to find a time to do so. You will hear great stories of
her family coming to America. Her family came through Galveston, which
is very unusual especially when you are talking to most of our members at
the Club who had family or themselves who came through New York City
or other places along the east coast or through New Orleans or Montreal,
Canada.
Our Club members are a wonderful group and its members like Carrie
Harris, who help this Club to be a great place to enjoy some wine, eat some
wonderful Italian food and visit with family and friends.
GRAZIE MILLE CARRIE HARRIS

Save the Date for

Irish Cena on May 22!

Easter Bake Sale

Celebrate Easter at the Italian Club of Dallas

Our last Christmas Bake Sale was such a success that our members and
friends asked for more, more and more!!! We will have many Easter
cakes, cookies and desserts prepared by our Italian Club members and
by our bakery Chef Christian to help you celebrate Easter Italian Style.
These recipes have been handed down from generation to generation.
Why buy cakes and Italian specialties from your local supermarket when
you can serve the scrumptious baked goods made with love by our Italian
Club members?

Tradition and ritual play a strong role in Italian culture, especially

during celebrations such as Easter, the Christian holiday celebrating the
Resurrection of Jesus Christ. While food is certainly a main attraction
at every Italian celebration, because Easter is the end of the traditional
deprivations of the Lenten season, food plays an especially big role in the
celebration of Pasqua both in Italy and at the Italian Club of Dallas.

Visit the Club on Friday, March 27, starting at 11 am until we sell out.
There also will be available for sale some other Italian specialties like
trays of Lasagna and Manicotti.
Raffle tickets will be sold for an extravagant Easter Egg donated by Paul
di Carlo from Jimmys Food Store, 4901 Bryan St. Dallas, TX, 75206

Come celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 5, with your Italian Club family
and friends and feast on our creative gourmet menu.
The price for brunch is $25 for members, $32 for guests and children
(6-12) are $9. Doors open at 11:15 . There will be two seatings for
brunch, the first at 11:30 am and the second at 1:00 pm. Reservations
are requested. Please call the Club at 972-931-9167 or make your
reservations on-line by clicking here.

$5.00 per ticket

Save the Date for

Festa Primavera on April 25th!
RISOTTO WITH PEAR AND GORGONZOLA CHEESE
Ingredients (per 4 servings)
lb. Carnaroli rice
1 oz onion
3 cups vegetable stock
1 oz butter
1 oz. grated Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese
extra virgin olive oil to taste
salt and pepper to taste
3 oz Gorgonzola cheese

Sauce
clove of garlic
2 sprigs marjoram
2 cups vegetable stock
extra virgin olive oil to taste
salt and pepper to taste
3 pears

Directions
TO MAKE THE SAUCE
Peel the pears and cut into small pieces. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Wash the marjoram and pull off the leaves. Place a frying pan
over medium heat. Add the oil and, once hot, add the pear. Saut for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the
garlic and marjoram. Cover with the broth and cook until the pears are soft. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the pears cool, then
puree the pan contents using a blender. Adjust the salt and pepper and keep the sauce warm until serving.
TO MAKE THE RISOTTO
Peel and chop the onion. Place a pot over medium heat. Add the oil and, once hot, add the onion. Cook slowly so that it doesnt brown.
Add the rice and toast it for a couple of minutes or until it becomes transparent. Add a pinch of salt. Add a couple ladlefuls of broth to
the rice. Once most of the liquid has evaporated, add more broth. The rice should take about 16 to 18 minutes to cook, depending on
its quality. When al dente, remove the pot from the heat and add half the Gorgonzola and butter, cut into pieces. Stir and cover. Let
rest for two minutes. Then add the remaining Gorgonzola and Parmiggiano Reggiano. Stir until creamy. Pour the pear sauce into the
bottom of the individual bowls and spoon the risotto on top.

Benvenuta Massimilla
Please welcome new member Massimilla Pialorsi-Lewis, who, immediately upon
joining our Club, volunteered to help at Hunger Busters, one of ICDs primary
charitable outreaches. And it was providential that Massimilla did offer her
help in that for one reason or another a number of our first Monday volunteers
were unable to attend Hunger Busters that day. Nonetheless, in addition to
Massimilla, Carmine and Julie Nittolo and Dee Mellett with their hard work
were able to prepare the bagged meals for students at the Dallas Independent
School District schools. Many thanks to you four - Carmine, Julie, Dee and
Massimilla - you really saved the day.
Perhaps you might follow Massimillas example and volunteer for our Charitable
Outreach. Other volunteer opportunities, in addition to Hunger Busters, can be
made available given a sufficient number of Italian Club volunteers. Contact me
to offer your services and maybe a suggestion for a favorite charity or two that
could use our volunteers.
Ben Parlapiano Chair, Charitable Outreach
benparlapiano@sbcglobal.net
Home Phone (972) 699-0243
Cell (214) 478-6103

New Members
We would like to give a hearty
welcome to our new members:
Eminio Lalli, Rody Cox, Dannielle
Rice and Timothy J. Mullally
New members Eminio and Amelia Lalli (fore ground) are enjoying the ICD
Valentine Days Cena while dining with ICD President Ken Venuso and his
wife Jan (right side). Benvenuti Eminio and Amelia

News of Members and Friends

of the Italian Club
We are saddened to hear that Mary Ann Websters father, William
Webster, passed away peacefully the evening of March 4th. She and
her Mother Lydia Webster were with him. There will be a viewing
March 9th, Monday evening at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 2500
State Hwy 66 East, Rockwall, from 6 pm until 9 pm. The funeral
services will be Tuesday at the Funeral Home above on Tuesday
morning March 10th at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made to The Humane Society of Dallas County, 2719 Manor Way,
Dallas, 75235 or Alzheimers Association of Greater Dallas, 4144
N. Central Expressway, #750, Dallas, 75204. Mary Ann has been a
valued member of the Club for many years and we are sorry for the
familys loss.
Camille Manginelli had heart surgery recently and is recovering.
Joe, her husband, continues his dialysis treatment. He has had this
for 8 years. The Manginellis date there membership since the early
80s and are close in heart to many of us long time members. Their
granddaughters were our first two children who danced with I
Piccoli Colori.
Rose Adams is recovering from heart surgery also. She and Lou live
in the Flower Mound area.
Maria and Andrew Chobanys daughter, Larissa, has weathered
the blizzards in the Northeast. She has been working on her
Masters degree in Dance Therapy.
Please call me or email me with news about members and their
families.
Carrie Pollinzi Harris
972-242-8283
marcar32@verizon.net

Make our family, your family

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rate applies unless cancelled by customer. Offer ends 11/9/14. U-verse:
Promotional pricing applies to service rates only and excludes taxes,
equipment fees and other charges including a $49 service activation fee,
city video cost recovery fees, where applicable, and a Broadcast TV surcharge. Credit restrictions may apply. Pricing, programming and features
subject to change at any time without notice.

Italian Traditional Dance

For those new to the Italian Club of Dallas, we have an Italian traditional
dance group that has been dancing since the early eighties. Maria
Chobany and Carrie Harris are two of the original members and
currently serve as co-directors. Other Italian Club members who have
been with the group for 10 to 25 years are Marguerite Buccino, Bill
Lombardi, Andrew Chobany, Shannon Salloum, and Frank DiSimone.
A childrens group was also formed and perform independently, as well as
with the adults. We are proud that through the years we have learned and
enjoy traditional dances from each of the 20 regions of Italy.
We belong, through the Italian Club, to the Italian Folk Art Federation
of America, a national consortium of Italian groups like ours and which
sponsors national workshops with instructors and artists from Italy
and the U.S. In turn IFAFA is a member of the Federazione Italiana
di Tradizioni di Popolari in Rome, Italy. Other sources of dances are
obtained from Folk Dances, Costumes and Customs of Italy, by Cav.
Elba Farabegoli Gurzau, videos of Italian performing groups in Italy, and
performances of Italian dance groups on YouTube.
We have also been fortunate in the past to have a guest Italian dance
research specialist and teacher, Federica Calvina Prina, from Genoa, Italy,
provide a workshop for our group at the Italian Club. She is also the
author of Traditional Italian Dances instruction book, published in Milan
and with a music CD by Italian musicians Beppe and Filippo Gambetta,
Carlo Aonzo, et al.
Our costume sources include il Costume Popolare in Italia by Emma
Calderini, published in Milano. Our costumes are made possible by
generous donations by many Italian Club members, especially DiCarlo/
Jimmys Food Store, Gala, Mascolo, Mungioli, and Scala families.
Costumes have been created with the help of several Italian Club of
Dallas members, Central Falls Co., and Dallas seamstress Susie Thennes.
In the past 34 years the groups have performed in many local and state
international or Italian festivals; at many area universities, libraries, malls,
and corporations; annually at the State Fair of Texas/Texas Cultural
Partnership Heritage Day, Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio; and
numerous area Italian and international festivals in Texas and Oklahoma
City, Hot Springs Italian Film Festival, and Henderson State University
in Arkansas; and most notably at the 1994 World Cup Opening
Ceremonies at the Cotton Bowl with the King and Queen of Spain in the
audience! We are anticipating dancing at the Texas Folklife Festival in
June.
The group has been featured in several articles with photos through the
years in The Dallas Morning News and an article and photo in Viltis, a
former national folk dance magazine.

We are currently in need of more dancersboth adults and children. We

would like to see more of our members join us and enjoy this wonderful
expression of our Italian culture. If you can count to eight, we can
teach you to dance! Please contact one of us if you would like more
information.
We practice with the childrens group and adult group on Saturday
mornings at the Italian Club: Adults at 11:30 a.m. and children at 12::30
p.m.
Carrie Pollinzi Harris 972-242-8283
Mary Miletta Chobany 972-235-4920

March Book Club News

Learn more about the true identity of
the Mona Lisa, and what was behind
her mysterious smile through the
Book Clubs March selection Mona
Lisa: A Life Discovered by Dianne
Hales. The author researched the life
of Leonardo Da Vincis model, Lisa
Gherardini, and created a colorful
picture of what her life must have
been like in Renaissance Florence.
She tracked down Gherardinis
present day descendants to fill in
missing details about those pieces of
the enigmatic models life that history
has obscured. Join us at 7 p.m. on
Wednesday, March 25.
If you would like more information about the Book Club, please contact
the Coordinator, Norma Iacovo at 214-724-4832, or niacovo@tnsk.com.

Festa Italia on
June 13th! Watch for
details and
volunteer to help!

Italian Culture: Identity

The Italians identify first with their village, this is known as
Campanilismo - that area visible from the bell tower of the church in
their village. Campanile meaning bell tower.
But first and foremost Italians give priority to themselves, then their
families, the village, province, region, and finally the country.

ITALIAN CULTURE TRADITIONS: THE ITALY FOOD

CULTURE
The principle reason why many visit Italy is for the food. And who can
blame them! The dining has to be among the best, if not the best, in the
world.
Italian Breakfast: Many a tourist has walked tummy grumbling out of
their hotels in the morning. Italians are not big on the most important
meal of the day. Breakfast in Italy is usually a croissant and an espresso.
Luckily for some of us most Italian hotels are catching on and now serve
plenty of cereals, yogurt, fruit, cold meats and bacon and eggs.
Lunch and Supper: (Tea and dinner) The menu is usually the same for
both and depending where you are in Italy the main meal could be either
lunch or supper.
Meals are made up of antipasto - starters, then primo - a pasta or rice
dish, secondo - the main meal, usually white or red meat. (Remember
vegetables, fries and salads must be ordered separately.) After that comes
cheeses, breads and salami and /or other cured meats. Lastly is dolce
- sweets, which can be desserts or fruits. And finally an espresso (not a
Cappuccino) or a liqueur (like Amaretto).
Table etiquette: As in most countries you start with the outside cutlery
and move your way in after each course. Napkins are on the right and
bread will be on the left.
Napkins are placed on the lap and forearms (not elbows) should rest on
the table, not on the lap (as in Anglo-Saxon fashion).
Word of warning: If you do get invited to lunch with some Italian friends,
do expect a few courses. Go easy on trying to impress the host by eating
gigantic pasta proportions (for which you will be heartily encouraged)
rather pace yourself for the food assault thats about to follow! (It
happened to me once, say no more.)

ITALIAN CULTURE TRADITIONS: FESTIVALS

The Italy food culture is celebrated by what can only be described as diet
busting Italian food festivals. Bring it on.
In Rome it feels like a food festival every weekend. If money belts are
supposed to be buckled tighter nobody mentioned that to the Romans.
Oil, gold and property mortgages may drop and fluctuate but restaurants
in Rome are doing a brisker trade than ever!
Most food festivals, or should I rather say, more food festivals happen in
summer. In Rome and Lazio (amongst others):

Amatrice in Rieti celebrate Amatriciana. The full name is Sagra

degli spaghetti allAmatriciana. The 30th and 31st August. They
celebrate their Amatriciana pasta - fried bacon and tomato sauce.

Ariccia in Castelli Romani (just outside Rome) celebrate Sagra della

Porchetta in the 1st week of September. There is a youth festival
with music and good food (good prices).

Montefiascone (Viterbo) has a BIG and widely praised wine festival,

dedicated to a white wine called Est, Est, Est!

A Cardinal named Johannes de Fuch was sent by King Henry V to

mark the best cellars with the words Est - IT IS!. Apparently the
cardinal was so impressed with the wines from Montefiascone he marked
Est, Est, Est on the taverns, whats more, after having done the wines
thorough justice he was later buried in the graveyard of San Flaviano
Montefiascone.

ITALIAN CULTURE TRADITIONS: ITALIAN RELIGION

Almost all Italians are baptized but perhaps only 40% are practicing
Catholics. About 85% of Italian Religion is accounted for by the
Catholic faith. The remainder of Italian religion is made up of Muslims,
Protestants, Jehovahs witnesses, Jews and Buddhists. Freedom of worship
is written into the Italian Constitution.
The Roman Pantheon was the first building in Italy (and perhaps in the
whole world?) dedicated to the people of Rome to freely practice their
religion/spirituality.
The general audience given by the pope is usually every Wednesday
morning at 11am in St Peters square or the Papal Audience Chamber.
Tickets are free but you need to book. Fax the Prefettura della Casa
Pontificia at fax.06 6988 5863.
There are also blessings from the library window at noon on Sundays.

ITALIAN CULTURE TRADITIONS: CARNIVALS AND

CELEBRATED HOLIDAYS IN ITALY
There are many celebrated holidays in Italy separate from the official
National holidays.
In the ancient Roman Empire at one stage there were 182 celebrated
holidays in Italy and Rome!
Today in the smaller towns of Italy you can find the most colorful
carnivals.
Tufara in Molise re-enact the sacrificing/burning of a figure called
Carnevale a huge straw puppet and a metaphor for all the sins of the
population.
Nocera Tirinese in Calabria still practice medieval rituals and at Easter a
few devotees flagellate themselves.
Spring is a time of rejuvenation and many towns throughout Italy
celebrate with free theatrical shows of music and dance.
At Cocullo in Abruzzo they even celebrate with many snakes around the
statue of St. Dominic the Abbot who is the protector of snake bites.
In Siena they celebrate the Palio, arguably the most famous festival in
Italy. On the 2nd July and 16th August bareback jockeys race around the
main square of Siena in races with no holds barred.
In Rome at Easter you have the famous marching of the cross from the
Roman Coliseum to the Palatine on Good Friday.
(source: romeitaly.com)

We Need You
A quick glance at the Italian Club Dallas Calendar makes it clear that
ours is a very active organization. But as a 501(3) (c) non-profit, we dont
have the luxury of hiring outside help to provide all the services and plan
and produce the events we offer.
Instead, we rely on YOU - our Members - to step up, jump in, and
volunteer to help make our Club a place everyone wants to visit.
And volunteering is THE BEST WAY to meet other Members, have an
effect on the Club, make friends, and just have fun! Whether you prefer
helping out one of our charitable partners, planning or decorating for an
event, writing articles for Il Cicerone or ClubMail...theres always room
for more hands. Just let us know what youd like to do, and send an email
to Barbie.gumin@tx.rr.com.

ICD Board
of
Directors

Mailing Address:
ost ffice ox allas, Texas

Clubhouse
14865 Inwood Rd.
Addison

Ken Venuso - President

Carole Strippoli - Vice President
Barbie Gumin - Secretary
Joan Seley - Treasurer
Paul DiCarlo
Al DeMarzo
Francesca Barone

The Mission Statement of the Italian Club of Dallas

To explore, preserve, and promote Italian culture, language, history, and traditions; perform charitable works; and foster
social interaction within the community.

La Missione del Circolo Italiano di Dallas

Conoscere, conservare e diffondere la cultura Italiana, la lingua, la storia e le tradizioni; fare opere benefiche; promuovere i
rapporti sociali all'interno della comunit.

Did You Know?

Readers of Il Cicerone can click anywhere
in the Upcoming Club Events column (see
highlighted area below) of our monthly
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any ICD event right then. Give it a try ~ this
feature is available already!
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NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING PUBLICATION;

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT CICARTICLES@ITALIANCLUBDALLAS.ORG

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