IACNSept2014 - Italian American Community Center

“Sharing a Past to Build a Future”

IACN

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ITALIAN AMERICAN Community News

Volume 22 Number 9 September 2014 Published monthly by the Italian American Community Center, Inc., Rochester, NY 14624

Homesteads for Hope Wins $10,000 in Ty Pennington Contest Vendemmia Celebrating the Grape Harvest Friday, September 19, 2014 Cash Bar/Appetizers 6:30pm Buffet-Style Dinner 7:30pm

Where to find it

Musical Entertainment by NOVAfeaturing Franco Ciffa

Membership News.........................3 Pagina Italiana ..............................4 Culture ...........................................5 Italian Cuisine ...............................6 IACC News ....................................7 Feature Stories.....10, 11, 12, 13, 14 IACC Calendar ...........................15

The Italian American Community News is the monthly publication of the Italian American Community Center 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY 14624-1128

Tel: (585) 594-8882 Fax: (585) 594-8506 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iaccrochester.org

Please become a Facebook friend of the Italian American Community Center!

$30 per person

From left: Homesteads for Hope Board of Directors: Luann Brown, Jeanne Ricigliano & Jennyrae Brongo The new local national recognition with Ty Pennington nonprofit Home- from hit TV show; Extreme Home Makesteads for Hope, a over, in a contest called the Ultimate Give Community Farm Back Challenge. With over 300 contesthat will serve tants competing for the grand prize of young adults with $50,000 and the celebrity’s help for the autism and devel- day, Homesteads for Hope placed 2nd opmental disabili- winning $10,000 towards their charity (Continued on page 11) ties has received

Inside Italy Pope Francis faces greatest challenge yet in Asia

IACC September Events 3 Karaoke 7 Pasta Dinner Fundraiser 10 Luncheon 10 Karaoke 17 IACC General Membership Meeting /Karaoke/ Networking Cocktail Party 18 Italian Cinema Night 19 Vendemmia 24 Luncheon 24 Karaoke Italian American Community Center

150 Frank DiMino Way Rochester, New York 14624-1128

Pope Francis has used his leadership to push for the Church to pay more attention to developing countries

David Willey Vatican correspondent, BBC News Pope Francis has used his leadership to push for the Church to pay more attention to developing countries. Exactly 17 months after his election in Rome as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, Pope Francis is NON-PROFIT shifting gear and turning his attention to Asia. US POSTAGE He begins the first of three - and perhaps four Paid long-distance trips to encourage his flock in Rochester, NY the continent that presents the Catholic Church Permit #909 with its greatest missionary challenge in the 21st century. Although only 3% of the world’s Catholics live in the planet’s most populous continent, more have been baptized in Asia this year than in Europe, according to Vatican statistics. (Continued on page 3)

Reservations by September 12 @594-8882 IACC 150 Frank DiMino Way Rochester, NY 14624

For Your Information IACC General Membership Meeting Paul V. Ciminelli,Esquire Serving individuals, families and business in the Rochester Community since 1987. Our trusted attorneys are committed to providing the highest level of professionalism in representing you. ◆ Probate, Wills, Estate Planning & Trusts ◆ Real Estate – Purchase & Sale ◆ Civil & Criminal Litigation & Appeals ◆ Personal Injury / Medical Malpractice ◆ Business Representation ◆ Powers of Attorney / Healthcare Proxies ◆ Life Care & Special Needs Planning

IACC OFFICE Errico Mannoni Banquet Director

421 PENBROOKE DRIVE, SUITE 2 • PENFIELD, NEW YORK 14526-2045

www.CiminelliLaw.com

IACN NEWS

Publisher - Joe Sirianni

Editor - Rosalba Pisaturo Pagina Italiana Editor - Joseph Capogreco Assistant Publisher/Editor, Graphic Designer/Sales - Deborah Ford Contributing Writers Angelo Coniglio Cathryn Calabria Deborah Ford Jeannine Guilyard Kristen Hess Cathy Labrozzi

Distribution

Ezio Bonanni Antonio DiMarco Deborah Ford

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 7:30 pm

Davide Lena Giovanna Bellia La Marca Edward Albert Maruggi Mike Mollica Jennifer Niejadlik John Ninfo Mary Amabile Palmer Rosalba Pisaturo

Cathryn Calabria Marketing Assistant

Frank Monte Vice President & Secretary Norman Provvidenza Treasurer

Paolo Ciaramaglia, Jr. Facilities Manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Deborah Ford Graphic Artist Office Assistant IACN Assistant Publisher Assistant Editor Sales Laurie Wilson Accountant Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Tel: 585-594-8882 Fax: 585-594-8506

Radio Italiana

Joseph Galante Frank Gasbarre Girolamo Pellegrino

Italian Carousel, WROC 950 AM Host Joseph Capogreco Sunday, 8:00am - 10:00am

Printed By Messenger Post Media

La Dolce Vita, WRUR 88.5 FM Host John Sebaste Saturday, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

IACN NEWS is published monthly by the Italian American Community Center, Inc. No articles and/or copy contained herein may be reproduced or reprinted in whole or part without express written permission of the publisher. IACN News does not assume responsibility for errors in advertisements, but will reprint without charge that part of an advertisement where an error occurs.

Sunday Music Festa, WGMC 90.1 FM Host Otto Bruno 12:00pm - 2:00pm

ITALIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY NEWS Subscription Form Subscription Rate: $25.00 per year News and Features for Upstate New York’s Italian American Communities. Published monthly by the Italian American Community Center of Rochester. Complete the form below and mail today. Name___________________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City_________________________State_____________Zip______________Phone #___________________

Fax credit card information to IACC at 585-594-8506

Credit Card #____________________________________________________Amount_______________ __MasterCard __Visa __Discover Exp. Date______________________ Signature______________________________________________________________________________ Checks payable to: Italian American Community News, 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY 14624 For more information call 585-594-8882. 2

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joseph Sirianni - President

Jerome Bartholomew Jack Battaglia Frank Ciardi Quintino DiCesare Dea Gasbarre Rosario LaDelfa Emilio Monti Girolamo Pellegrino Rosalba Pisaturo Dr. Anthony Ragusa Richard Santo

Editorial Policy and Deadlines Press Releases: Press releases should be mailed, please do not fax, To: Publisher/Editor, Italian American Community News, 150 Frank DiMino Way., Rochester, New York 14624. News: The IACN is pleased to accept unsolicited articles for review and possible publication. Articles are reviewed based on literary quality, appropriateness and timeliness of the subject matter. All items will be edited for length, content, and style. Send dated items by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Type if possible; include a day phone number. Opinions: The IACN will provide space for our readers to express their opinions. All letters must be signed and include a phone number. Unsigned letters will not be used. The IACN Editorial Board reserves the right to edit for space reasons. Mail letters to Publisher/Editor, Italian American Community News, 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, New York 14624. Advertising: All ad material must be received by the 10th of the month prior to publication. The editorial board reserves the right to reject ads that use stereotypical images in text and pictures that compromise the positive depiction of Italian Americans and other ethnic groups.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Italian American Community News is to publish a monthly newspaper that supports and promotes a positive image of Italian Americans, and provides information, news and activities of the Italian American Community.

Italian American Community News

150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY 14624 Tel: 585-594-8882 • Fax: 585-594-8506 Website: www.iaccrochester.org Email: [email protected] September 2014

Membership News Message from the President

IACC Welcomes New Members

Dear Members, I hope you have enjoyed your summer. The wet conditions made it seem to go by faster than usual, and now it is winding down. With the kids back to school and fall in the air, I hope that as a community we can focus more on supporting the Italian American Community Center. Your support is greatly appreciated and your expertise is very valuable to this organization. We need new and innovative ideas, so please call us at 594-8882 and let us know how you would like to get involved. The staff is available to answer your call until 5:00pm or please leave a message and someone will get back to you. New members have been appointed to the Board, so please join me in welcoming Quintino DiCesare, Dr. Anthony Ragusa and Richard Santo along with their knowledge and experience. It is up to me, the Board of Directors, and all of you members to make things happen! Several events are scheduled for this fall and we could use your help. Scheduled in the calendar we have the Pasta Dinner Fundraiser, the “Vendemmia” Festival, the “Sagra della Polenta”, the Christmas Gala, the Italian Cinema Nights and Art Exhibits. Our great appreciation goes to all the volunteers who work selflessly for the success of the Karaoke Nights, the Wednesday Luncheons and who offered their help during the Festa Italiana. Still, new ideas are always welcome and different events can always be planned. Our building is very beautiful and there are so many wonderful volunteers, just think what we could accomplish if we all worked together as a team. Errico Mannoni, the Director of Banquets and Events, is currently working with his marketing assistant Cathryn Calabria on marketing strategies for the IACC and banquet activities. In these times of modern technology, we all know that social networking and marketing are integral components for success. Errico and Cathryn are extremely friendly individuals who are open to your suggestions and support, they can be reached at 594-8882 x 105. There is a newly revamped website, so please visit us at www.iaccrochester.org. The future is Promoting Cultural Activities Building a Stronger Community Honoring the Legacy of Italian Immigration Strengthening Family Life Fostering Italian Pride

The Italian American Community Center President Joe Sirianni is pleased to announce the following new members who have joined.

Have a wonderful fall season! Joe Sirianni, IACC President

Inside Italy (Continued from page 1)

Pope Francis is spending five days in South Korea, where the number of Catholics has grown at a giddy rate over the past four decades. Their number has risen from 2% to an astonishing 11% of the population in a country where Buddhism is still strong and most young people profess no religion at all. Korean Catholics tend to be well educated and form a significant part of their country’s political elite. Pope Francis will beatify and pay homage to the memory of a group of Korean martyrs who died for their faith in the 18th Century. What distinguishes Catholicism in Korea from other Asian cultures is that Koreans did not wait for foreign missionaries to arrive before they began to convert. They formed their own church after learning of the foreign faith brought to China at the beginning of the 17th Century by the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci. He introduced Western cartography and mathematics to China and his gilded statue still stands proudly today in the compound of the Catholic cathedral in Beijing. Pope Francis is the first ever Jesuit to have been elected to the papacy, and he has always regretted that health reasons prevented him fulfilling his ambition to travel to Asia as a missionary after completing his priestly training in Argentina. After South Korea, he plans to visit Sri Lanka in January, and then to fly on to the Philippines, which has a Catholic majority, due to it once having been a Spanish colony. And I understand that a further trip to Japan is on the cards, even though only a minuscule 0.5% of Japanese are members of his church. In Seoul, the Pope will be meeting September 2014

several thousand young Catholics from 23 different Asian countries gathered for a Catholic Youth festival. The numbers will be far, far fewer than the millions who attended his triumphal visit to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in July 2013, his first foreign trip. But the significance of the South Korean event could transcend that mega-meeting. An invitation to North Korean Catholics (if indeed any exist today) to send a delegation to Seoul was rebuffed by Pyongyang, but members of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church are expected to turn up in force. Pope Francis took over his high office in the same week that the Chinese leader Xi Jinping took over as president in Beijing. The Pope sent Mr. Xi a personal message of congratulations and in return received a polite reply, despite the (for the Vatican) worrisome gap in official relations between the Catholic Church and China since the Communist takeover in 1950. On his way to Seoul, Pope Francis will fly over the airspace of Russia and China - and he is expected to send a courtesy telegram to both the Russian and the Chinese leaderships while over their territory, as has long been the custom during papal charter flights. Pope John Paul visited South Korea twice during the 1980s, but each time his plane avoided Chinese air space. No plans exist for a papal visit to the demilitarized zone which still separates the two Koreas 61 years after the stalemated end of the Korea War. But just as during his visit to the Holy Land earlier this year, Pope Francis will make a powerful appeal for peace and reconciliation at his final mass in Seoul Cathedral before he returns to Rome.

Paolo Polignone Margaret Allen

Stephanie Bischopin Renee Morgan

Let’s celebrate LA VENDEMMIA Rosalba Pisaturo The arrival of autumn is filled with meaning in many cultures; in Italy it is associated largely with the vendemmia – the grape harvest – that will go to make that year’s wine. The vendemmia is much

Letter to IACC Director of Banquets & Events, Errico Mannoni Keep them coming!!! Dear Errico, Hope all is well. I just wanted to thank you again for making our wedding reception so amazing. We have gotten so many complements! I Errico Mannoni have recommended you to so many people. Actually I think you will be hearing from one of them soon. A friend of mine just got engaged and I told him how amazing you and the Italian American Community Center is! I think they are waiting to finalize a date and then you will be hearing from him. Thanks again, Melissa

more than a mere agricultural event and entire villages dedicate their whole energies to it, so that life revolves around the grapes. The pickers are old farmers, young students trying to make a buck, (Continued on page 11)

A Message from Marketing Assistant Cathryn Calabria It is an honor to assist the staff, members, and volunteers of the Italian American Community Center with the process of revamping their marketing strategies currently in place; I’d like to first and Cathryn Calabria foremost thank you for that opportunity. Organizing and restructuring the process of booking and planning events are only the first steps in furthering the community’s positive outlook on the IACC. Errico and I are excited and motivated about marketing the banquets at the IACC, so that the community is not only aware, but intrigued to see the new changes by themselves! We are currently planning events to get more of the community involved (Continued on page 14)

MEMBER INCENTIVE BENEFITS AVAILABLE In order to claim this credit the member must be in good standing with the IACC and must provide a valid membership card to these participating business.

ABBOTT’S FROZEN CUSTARD 11 Canning St., Hilton, NY 14468 10% off your order BRONGO CONTRACTING AND SUPPLY 2548 Manitou Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 $5 off delivery

LEMONCELLO ITALIAN RESTAURANT & BAR 137 West Commercial Street, East Rochester, NY 14445 Free espresso or cappuccino with entrée or appetizer. SALON MODA BY ATTILIO 1530 Monroe Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 15% off services

BATTISTI’S HAIR SALON 2575 Chili Ave., Rochester, NY SAL’S BARBER SHOP 14624 3240 Chili Ave., Rochester, NY 10% off services 14624 15% off services COLOMBINI’S PIZZA & DELI 3193 Chili Ave WESTSIDE NEWS Rochester, NY 14624 Once a year $50 credit on advertising 10% off your order placed in the Suburban News or Hamlin-Clarkson Herald. In order to FIAMMA- Pizza e Vino 1308 Buffalo Rd, Rochester, NY redeem this credit, an advertiser must schedule at least a quarter-page ad 14624 for one week (or an eighth-page ad 15% off your order in our south edition) or schedule any size ad for a minimum of ten weeks. FAZOOLS 51 Market St., Brockport, NY 14624 All scheduled advertising must be placed through our office and cannot 10% off your bill be placed through an ad agency or any other source. GUIDA’S PIZZERIA 736 Elmgrove Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 10% off your order 3

Feature Stories Pagina Italiana Italian American Business and Economy Italian-Americans have served an important role in the economy of the United States, and have founded companies of great national prominence, such as Bank of America (by Amadeo Giannini in 1904), and many companies that have contributed to the local culture and character of U.S. cities, such as Petrini’s Markets (founded by Frank Petrini in 1935), among many others. Italian-Americans have also made important contributions to the growth of the U.S. economy through their business expertise. Italian Americans have served as CEO’s of numerous major corporations, such as the Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation by Lee Iacocca, IBM Corporation by Samuel Palmisano, Lucent Technologies by Patricia Russo, The New York Stock Exchange by Richard Grasso, Honeywell Incorporated by Michael Bonsignore and Intel by Paul Otellini.

Let’s Build Your Project (Left to right) • Valerie Gautieri Tidwell • Vito J. Gautieri, Jr. and son Vance • Vito J. Gautieri, Sr. • Michael A. Fasano • Victor J. Gautieri and son Nicholas

Together! Construction completed in 2008.

It was an honor for our company to build the Chapel for Olindo & Filomena DiFrancesco

Offices of V. J. Gautieri Constructors, Inc. with office space donated to the Boy Scouts and the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation.

V.J. Gautieri Constructors, Inc. 45 Liberty Street · P.O. Box 322 · Batavia, NY 14021-0322 Phone: 585-343-0852 · Fax: 585-343-4601 · Web Site: www.gautieri.com · e-mail: [email protected]

Workers

About two thirds of America’s Italian immigrants arrived during 1900-24. Having little formal education and industrial skills, approximately 80% became unskilled laborers heavily concentrated in the cities. The remaining 20% came with traditional Italian skills as: tailors; barbers; bricklayers; stonemasons; stone cutters; marble, tile and terrazzo workers; fisherman; musicians; singers; shoe makers; shoe repairers; cooks; bakers; carpenters; grape growers; wine makers; silk makers; dressmakers; and seamstresses. Others came to provide for the needs of the immigrant communities, notably doctors, dentists, midwives, lawyers, teachers, morticians, priests, nuns and brothers. Many of the skilled workers found work in their speciality, first in the Italian enclaves, and eventually in the broader society. Traditional skills were often passed down from father to son, and from mother to daughter. By the second-generation approximately 70% of the men had blue collar jobs, and the proportion was down to approximately 50% in the third generation, according to surveys in 1963. By 1990, according to the U.S. census, more than 65% of Italian Americans were employed as managerial, professional, or white-collar workers. In 1999, the median annual income of Italian-American families was $61,300, while the median annual income of all American families was $50,000.

(585) 343-0852

For any information regarding passports, pensions and documents, please call the Italian Vice Consul at (585) 594-8259 Tuesday and

Building Success Since 1954 Vito & Marjorie Gautieri are IACC Members

Mario Daniele Honorary Vice Consul of Italy

Wednesday from 9:00am until 2:00pm. Please call for an appointment.

Upstate New York's Most Respected Transportation Provider Rochester N.Y.’s largest and most diverse fleet.

Phone : (585) 533-9050

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September 2014

Culture Totò Rosalba Pisaturo

Luminarie

Davide Lena

Davide Lena is a Ph.D. student in Astrophysical Science and Technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he studies the co--evolution of galaxies and their nucler super- massive black holes. David is from Gioiosa Marea, in the province of Messina, Italy and enjoys writing about Sicily.

Luminarie Orde di clandestini cercano di raggiungere dall’Africa le coste siciliane. I più non li vogliono. Forse nessuno. Troppi se li prende il mare. Qualcuno ci scherza sopra e dice che, ripescandone i corpi, s’incontrano le sirene. Nel frattempo, nel mese di Settembre, ci si reca in pellegrinaggio a Tindari, dove si adora l’antica statua di una madonna nera. “Sei nera, ma bella” recita l’inno a questa madonna, racchiudendo nelle due lettere del “ma” tutto il pregiudizio riservato al colore della pelle. E’ una tradizione cristiana, il pellegrinaggio a Tindari, ma, fino a pochi decenni fa, la notte prima della festa s’accendevano le “luminarie”, i falò, come si faceva anticamente nei riti pagani. In questo mischiarsi di contraddizioni e conti che non tornano, c’è chi mi racconta dell’usanza perduta delle “luminarie”, uno degli innumerevoli tentativi d’esorcizzare la preistorica paura del buio e della morte. Pareva un sogno quando di sera fissavo il fuoco e le vampate grandi, grandissime! Mi sentivo una favilla anch’io, presa nel vortice, tra legna, fumo, vampa per poi sparire come stella nel cielo buio. Per due giorni s’andava in giro a cercare frasche, ginestre, sarmenti, stoppie di luppolo…quello che si trovava. Finalmente s’accendevano questi grandissimi falò, e noi, bambini, vi giravamo attorno buttandovi rami, legna e foglie. Immerse nel chiarore del fuoco danzante, le persone parevano diavoli. Sparivano nel fumo, nello scuro della notte e poi riapparivano altrove. Io gli spiriti maligni, “i cosi tinti”, come li chiamavano allora, me l’immaginavo così. La sera prima del Tindari, il sette Settembre, tutti accendevano i falò sulle colline circonstanti e lungo il torrente. Che parevano! Non riesco a dirtelo. Queste erano le luminarie. Le facevamo la notte prima delle feste, prima di Ferragosto, la notte di Natale, per Sant’Ignazio... A quell’epoca io ero bambino e di giorno raccoglievo olive, pascolavo la pecora e lavoravo la terra. Non sapevo molto. Ora che sono vecchio, quando sembra che sapere non mi serva più a nulla, so che l’usanza di accendere questi falò è molto antica. Anche mio nonno e il nonno di mio nonno li ricordavano. Ora so che, un tempo, non si accendevano per i santi, ma per l’orto, la campagna, la terra (era un’usanza pagana). Non so molto altro, eppure so che restano cose nascoste nel cuore che riemergono, inaspettate, quando si esce nel buio, di notte, nell’aria fresca, e si vede una piccola luce rossa, lontana lontana. C’è l’odore della legna che arde e pare d’essere tornato bambino, quando la campagna, sotto le stelle, s’accendeva e tutti uscivano dalle loro case. Pare di sentirli, gli amici, che chiamano per giocare…ma gli anni sono passati e solo questo resta delle luminarie: una favilla nel buio.

The Fall 2014 Film Series at the IACC begins on Thursday, September 18 with the showing of Siamo uomini o Caporali? a 1955 delightful comedy with Totò, Paolo Stoppa and Sylva Koscina, directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Born in Naples in 1898 as Antonio Principe De Curtis, Totò would become one of the most famous comedian in the history of Italian cinema and television. Not surprisingly, Italians refer to him as il principe della risata (The Prince of Laughter). Totò is widely considered one of the greatest Italian artists of the 20th century; as a comic actor, he is classified as an heir of the Commedia dell’Arte tradition and has been compared to such figures as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. While he gained his popularity as a comic and acclaimed actor, Totò

Siamo uomini o Caporali? dominated the culture of Italy between 1950 and 1970 as a singer, a songwriter and a poet. During the 1950s, he started to compose poetry, is best-known poem is probably A Livella, in which an arrogant rich man and a humble poor man meet after their deaths and discuss their differences. Totò as a songwriter is always remembered for “Malafemmena,” a classic of Italian popular music.

IACC Italian cinema Night 2014 FREE Admission Open to the Public Totò, Siamo Uomini O Caporali?) ((Are We Men Or Corporals?) (1955) Directed by Camillo Mastrocinque

Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 7:00 pm In Italian with English subtitles (92 min.) Totò explains to a doctor at the beginning of this film that there are only two types in the world - men who slave, raise families and are basically simple good men, and the Corporals of the world who make life difficult for regular guys. This is a good film of classic, sometimes obvious, satire and good old-fashioned slap-stick comedy. The ending is very realistic, however, regarding the fate of good men. The films of Toto are always fun to watch, and the comedy is excellent. While there are many Totò films, those with English subtitles are rare.

Ochi Chyornye (Dark Eyes)

(1987 )

Directed by Nikita Mikhalkov

Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 7:00 pm In Italian with English subtitles (118 min.)

La Leggenda di Al, John e Jack (The Legend of Al, John, and Jack) (2002) Directed by Aldo, Giacomo, Giovanni, Massimo Venier

Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 7:00pm In Italian with English subtitles (105 min.)

Donation for Refreshments Appreciated

HighFallsFilmFestival.com  |  Rochester,  NY  |  October  23-­‐26,  2014  

Documentary Film on Struggle for Emancipation, “We Weren't Given Anything for Free” (Non ci è stato regalato niente) to be Screened at High Falls Film Festival

 

  Rochester,  NY-­‐  August  13,  2014-­‐-­‐  High  Falls  Film  Festival  will  present  the   documentary  film,  “We  Weren't  Given  Anything  for  Free”  (Non  ci  è  stato  regalato   niente),  at  this  year’s  festival  this  fall  October  23-­‐26.       The  film  chronicles  the  story  of  a  lifelong  struggle  for  emancipation  that  began  with   the  battle  for  Italy’s  liberation  from  fascism.         For  festival  information  and  to  purchase  passes  visit   http://www.highfallsfilmfestival.com.     Laila  and  her  two  comrades,  Gina  “Sonia”  Moncigoli  and  Pierina  “Iva”  Bonilauri  talk   about  their  time  in  the  Resistenza  and  what  it  meant  to  them  and  many  other   women.     Annita  Malavasi  was  just  22  when  the  Germans  occupied  Italy,  their  former  allies,  in   1943.  As  a  partisan  in  the  Italian  resistance  named  'Laila',  she  moved  throughout  the   Apennines  with  and  between  fighting  units,  delivering  information,  transporting   weapons,  and  taking  part  in  battles.  She  spent  over  a  year  in  the  Apennines,  fighting   against  the  German  occupation.  At  the  same  time,  she  had  to  assert  herself  against   the  men  of  the  male-­‐dominated  Italian  society.  By  the  end  of  the  war,  Laila  had  risen   among  the  ranks  to  become  one  of  the  few  female  commanders  in  the  Italian   resistance.     September 2014

An Intimate Evening with International Recording Artist & Pianist

F E AT U R I NG

KILBOURN HALL EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC 26 GIBBS STREET, ROCHESTER, NY 14604 GET YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT

highfallsfilmfestival.com

5

Italian Cuisine Maine Wild Blueberry Pie September is one of my favorite months – the Kristen Hess, Food weather is getting Stylist/Photographer cooler, the leaves & Author of TheArt- are turning color, and the breezy fulGourmet.com nights remind us that summer is coming to an end with a bountiful harvest to come. I especially love the fruits and vegetables of late summer/early sall – especially Maine blueberries, which are primarily found in the down east areas of Bar Harbor where they grow wild. They are typically smaller than regular blueberries, giving them a high amount of antioxidants and other healthy nutrients, and have an intense sweet and tangy flavor. They also stay whole when you cook them, making them perfect for baking up a gorgeous berry pie. Although August is the peak season for picking them fresh, they can also be frozen (harvesters freeze them within 24 hours) so they are available year round – Wyman’s and Cascadian Farms are my favorite brands. In a recent cooking class (that was centered around classic summer foods

lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave dough that overhangs plate in place; refrigerate while preparing filling until dough is firm, about 30 minutes.

Wild Blueberry Filling of Maine, of course), we made a Wild Blueberry Pie with a gorgeous homemade piecrust that we cut fun holes on top for venting the filling. We used frozen berries and thickened them up with a little ground tapioca and apple pectin to create a juicy sliceable filling, that wasn’t too loose and runny. The secret to a crispy piecrust is plenty of super cold butter with a small amount of vegetable shortening to crisp it up, and a touch of vodka for texture, making the crust light and flaky. The pie was the perfect ending to our Maine-inspired menu of Lobster Rolls, Lobster Pie, Fish Chowda, Summer Corn Pudding and Seaside Slaw, with Blueberry Beer and some lovely cocktails of Tart

“Benvenuti a Tutti!” Authentic Italian

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Cherry and Blueberry Vodka Lemonade. I’m not sure I’m ready for summer to be over yet, but this recipe I’ll be making all year around. Next year? A trip to Maine is definitely in order!

Perfect Pie Dough 2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 ½ ounces), divided, plus more for work surface 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), cut into ¼ inch slices ½ cup vegetable shortening, cold, cut into 4 pieces ¼ cup vodka, cold ¼ cup cold water Process 1 ½ cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 (1 second) pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until a homogenous dough starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds; dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup of flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until it is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into 2 even balls and flatten each into a 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days. Remove 1 disk of dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to ¼ cup) work surface to a 12-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhand on each side. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently

6 cups fresh wild blueberries (about 30 ounces), if using frozen, cook but do not mash the berries, as described below 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated on large holes of box grater 2 teaspoons grated zest and 2 teaspoons of juice from 1 lemon ¾ cup sugar 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca, ground in a clean spice grinder Pinch table salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into ¼ inch pieces Egg wash; 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 400 F. Place 3 cups berries in medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Using potato masher, mash berries several times, to release juices. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and mashing occasionally, until about half of berries have broken down and mixture is thickened and reduce to half (about 1 ½ cups), for 8 minutes. Let cool slightly. Place grated apple in clean kitchen towel and wring dry. Transfer apple to large bowl. Add cooked berries, remaining 3 cups uncooked berries, lemon zest, juice, sugar, tapioca and salt, toss to combine. Transfer mixture to doughlined pie plate and scatter butter pieces over filling. Roll out second disk of dough on generously floured (up to ¼ cup) work surface to 11-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Using a 1 ¼-inch round biscuit cutter, cut round from center of dough. Cut another 6 rounds from dough, 1 ½ inches from edge of center hole and equally spaced around center hole. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll over pie, leaving at least ½-inch overhang on each side. Using kitchen shears, trim bottom layer of overhanging dough, leaving ½inch overhang. Fold dough under itself so that edge of fold is flush with outer rim of pie plate. Flute edges using thumb and forefinger or press with tines of fork to seal. Brush top and edges of pie with egg mixture. If dough is very soft, chill in freezer for 10 minutes. Place pie on heated baking sheet and bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F and continue to bake until juices bubble and crust is deep golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes longer. Transfer pie to wire rack; cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours. Cut into wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Makes 1 pie, serving 6 to 8.

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September 2014

IACC News Festa Italiana 2014

Enjoyed the Festa Italiana Cathy Labrozzi I wanted to let you know that my mother and I came to the Festa Italiana on Thursday, July 17, 2014. We had never been to the event before and wanted to check it out From left: Cathy and celebrate Labrozzi with her an evening of mother, Anne Blodgett mother- daughter-time together. When we first arrived we decided to check out the Italian cuisine. We had to try different things to truly participate in the Italian Festa. We started out with deep fried ravioli, a rice ball and the typical

Deborah Ford The Italian American Community Center (IACC) held its 14th Annual Festa Italiana on July 17, 18, and 19, 2014. The IACC Officers and Board of Directors would like to sincerely thank everyone involved, from the volunteers, to the community at large for attending this event. The Festa is one of the IACC’s biggest fundraisers. The goal is to raise revenue for the organization, promote Italian culture and have a fun and exciting “get together” while doing it. This year’s event was an experimental journey by partnering with promoters from Festa Italiana. New music, food vendors and new hours were put in place. The IACC event planners wanted to alleviate the need for as many volunteers this year by eliminating the “Cucina” kitchen and Café and other planning aspects of the Festival. Volunteers still were needed to assist with setup, the admission gates, the clean up, and they stepped up to the occasion. Thank you! Each day the Festa was open for lunch from 11:30am until 3:00pm for all 3 days, with free admission on Thursday and Friday. Vendors offered a number of culinary delights - Roncone’s Restaurant featured tripe; Chef Marcos, gnocchi; LDR Char Pit, steak sandwiches; Lugias, ice cream; Mama Napoli, arancini; Nick’s Imports and Meat Market, homemade Italian sausage sandwich; TC Concessions, fried dough; Tapas 177, calamari; Fiamma, pizza; and the sweets were provided by Gruttadauria’s Bakery, supporters of the very early Italian festivals in Rochester. For the first time the Festa began on Thursday and the Sunday hours were eliminated. That proved to be a successful change. More people attended Thursday this year then Sunday last year. Friday’s attendance was large and Saturday would have been larger if not for the unfortunate

change in the forecast. Rain put a damper on overall attendance that day, even though the tent was filled to capacity with the crowd enjoying the entertainment. Approximately 5,000 people attended the three day event which continued our mission of promoting and fostering Italian culture and traditions. A spirited bocce tournament in support of Camp Good Days was held on Saturday. The concept this year was to feature professional entertainment with high-end sound systems and lighting. With this commitment to quality entertainment, the vision is to grow the festival by expanding the acts (even the Jazz Festival had to start somewhere!). People will remember and come back next year to see more of this kind of entertainment. Eighteen original bands played in the West Tent from 4:00pm until midnight. Each evening the East Tent featured young local students singing opera arias. The popular earlier acts were Joe Scalissi, featuring an Evening with Dean Martin and Elio Scaccio, an international recording artist. At 9:30pm different bands rocked the crowds-The Coupe De’Villes, Goodness, and Shine. Gather all of your friends and join the party to celebrate the Italian American Culture next year on July 16, 17, 18, 2015. I’m sure more surprises will be waiting for everyone’s enjoyment.

Christopher Anthony Plantone Amalia Plantone On September 18, 2014 Christopher Anthony Plantone will celebrate his 18th birthday. He is the son of Alan and Joelle Plantone, and the grandson of IACC member Amalia and the late Cosmo Anthony Plantone of Greece, NY. We are proud of the smart, congenial, and handsome man he has become and his many accomplishments. In April, Chris received the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle Court of Honor. His entire family wishes him a blessed birthday and best wishes for a bright future. September 2014

Christopher A. Plantone at Eagle Ceremony with Godparents Phyllis Plantone and Alan Veet

Joe Scalissi with Anne Blodgett

First Place IACC Men’s Summer Bocce Team

festival favorite, Italian sausage with peppers and onions, (all were fabulously YUMMY). We noticed when we arrived that the large tent was setting up for some music so after we bought our trio of food we went into the tent, sat up front and enjoyed the most memorable concert from Joe Scalissi, the Dean Martin Impersonator. Boy was he fabulous! His performance brought back a lot of childhood memories for my mom. She can’t stop talking about his performance and raving about what a great entertainer he is. Even today she is still telling her friends about his performance. His dress, mannerisms and vocals are a true representation of Dean Martin! That whole evening we laughed, clapped and sang to all of Dean’s familiar songs, while we video taped memories and enjoyed our delicious Italian cuisine. The best part of the night was spending time with mom watching her truly enjoy herself. She had a smile on her face the whole time we were there. My mom enjoyed herself and loved Joe Scalissi’s performance so much that she came back again Friday evening with her sister and friend to enjoy more Italian cuisine and hear Dean Martin sing once again. Thank you Italian American Community Center for putting on such a wonderful event that allowed me to share memorable quality time with my mom.

Photo by Nino Cusanno

From left: Vincent Carfagna, Jim Logsdon, Vittorio Bisciotti and Joe Figliomeni

The Italian Civic League of Rochester 74th Columbus Day Luncheon The Italian Civic League was founded in 1932. The Monroe County Legislature designated the Italian Civic League as the organization to represent the Italian American community of Rochester in celebrating Columbus Day. As in the past, the Italian Civic League will organize the 74th annual banquet in honor of Cristoforo Colombo with a luncheon in observance of Columbus Day on Monday, October 13 at the Diplomat Banquet Center, 1956 Lyell Ave. The Ceremony will begin at 11:00am with the raising of the flags. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon. Master of Ceremonies is Charles Schiano; Guest Speaker, Senator Michael Nozzolio; Lifetime-Achievement Award Honoree, John L. Di Marco; Outstanding Citizen Award Honoree, Gerry Pellegrino; Italian Civic League Past President Award Honoree, Frank Coriddi. The Italian Civic League will award two $1000 scholarships to Emily Andrews and Deanna Palma. This year’s celebration will be sponsored by the Italian American Community Center. Luncheon ticket donations are $20.00 per person and can be reserved in advance by contacting President Quintino Di Cesare at 247-6601. $25.00 if purchased at the door. 7

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September 2014

Check out what makes our system superior! September 2014

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Feature Stories

Lamoni Lab Jennifer Niejadlik Years ago Cher had the hit song “If I Could Turn Back Time.” Those lyrics could not be more true when it comes to women in this day and age. Everyone wants to be young, and capture that youthful glow, especially celebrities. Hollywood is the place to look for the best anti-aging trends. Where else can you find 50 plus year old women that look like timeless beauties such as Demi Moore, or Sharon Stone? Lamoni Lab is a unique skin care company in Italy. Based in Rome, the company has been quietly making a name for itself internationally for its anti-aging formulations. The Ozee line features products created through pharmaceutical research. The interesting thing is that it’s main component is snail secretion. Yes that slimy stuff from snails. But proponents for this technology say it is truly the best. Snail slime is commer-

cially obtained from the common garden snail species which produces a secretion rich in proteins of high and low molecular acids and antioxidants. The secretion of the snail supposedly has a double function when applied to human skin: on one hand it is claimed to stimulate the formation of collagen, elastin and dermal components that repair the signs of aging and, second, it minimizes the damage generated by free radicals that are responsible for premature skin aging. If celebrities are using it, and it appears to be working, than of course who wouldn’t want to try to turn back time for themselves!

PASTA DINNER FUNDRAISER 16th Annual

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Vito Marcantonio Memorial On the magnificently sunny day of August 9, 2014, The Vito Marcantonio Forum sponsored a 60th Anniversary Commemoration in honor of their hero at his gravesite in the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. Professor Gerard Meyer author of Vito Marcantonio: Radical Politician, 1902-1954, spoke with passion about Marcantonio and his extraordinary achievements for his constituents of East Harlem, the then largest enclave of Italian Immigrants, but a district which also included a large Puerto Rican and a growing black population, all of whom were faithfully served by this seven term Congressman who fought valiantly for human rights. A poem by Gil Fagiani was movingly read by LuLu LoLo Pascale, playwright/ Actor and daughter of East Harlem activists Pete and Rose Pascale, and one of his speeches was very effectively dramatized by the talented Roberto Ragone, a leading member of the Vito Marcantonio Forum, who vividly brought his words to life. New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito addressed the audience, spoke about Marcantonio’s progressive legacy, and presented a Proclamation Honoring Vito Marcantonio and the Vito Marcantonio Forum which stated in part: “Whereas Marcantonio is a masterful role model and frame of reference for leadership and coalition building useful for confronting the issues during his time and issues we face today such as Civil Rights Integration and Labor Rights and Equality of Opportunity for Economic Independence and sustainability for the poor and middle class; Therefore, be it known, that The Vito Marcantonio Forum is convinced that the life and work of Vito Marcantonio have been unfairly ignored and present to people today guidelines for Progressive Politics that promises significant gains for a more genuinely democratic United States; and Therefore be it resolved, that State Senator Jose M. Serrano with pride honors the contribution of Representative

Vito Marcantonio and his Giovanna Bellia benefit to New La Marca York City, the United States, and the World along with the efforts of the Vito Marcantonio Forum to honor the Congressman’s memory on the 60th Anniversary of his Death on August 9, 2014.” Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz has established Saturday, August 9, 2014 as “Vito Marcantonio Day” in the Bronx. New York State Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez of East Harlem who sponsored another Proclamation praised Marcantonio for standing up for all people and for ably representing them in Washington. Actor Troy Hodges effectively presented a very articulate interpretation of the eulogy delivered by Paul Robeson upon his death. LuLu LoLo gave the audience her invaluable personal memories as she presented a dramatization of Marcantonio’s life. Remembered as a principled, successful progressive politician who fought for his constituents with vigor and confidence, he was an advocate of civil rights, civil liberties, labor unions, and affordable public housing. He supported social security and unemployment legislation for what was later called a “living wage” standard. He introduced anti-lynching and anti–poll tax bills annually for a decade before it became a current topic of concern. He also opposed the House Un-American Activities Committee, red baiting, and antisemitism, and he was the lone member of Congress to object to the intervention in the civil war of Korea. His tombstone like that of his mentor Fiorello La Guardia, which stands just behind his, and true to the nature of each man, are unadorned stating only their names and two words: MARCANTONIO CONGRESSMAN DEFENDER OF HUMAN RIGHTS (sculpture of a little flower) La Guardia Statesman Humanitarian

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P.O. Box 17438 Rochester, NY 14617

September 2014

Feature Stories

Verdicchio Mike Mollica Near the heartland of Italy, neighboring the famed Umbria region and the Adriatic, and a short hop to the legendary Toscana region, you will find the charming, quaint and smallest of all Italian regions… Le Marche. Seemingly undisturbed and not overrun with the tourism enjoyed by Toscana and Umbria, Le Marche is all that is unspoiled and true to Italian culture. With picturesque beaches like Senigallia, and storybook cities such as Urbino and Corinaldo, it’s a wonder it doesn’t attract more tourists, but when you consider Le Marche’s superstar neighbors (Umbria only more recently), it really isn’t surprising at all. As summer draws to a close, it seems appropriate to beat that late season heat with one of Italy’s most famous white wines. Verdicchio is a crisp, dry white that is thought to be native to the Le Marche region, and is almost exclusively grown there today. The Verdicchio grape is very temperamental to changes in climate, which is why it is grown only in a relatively constrained geography in Italy. It has been said that Verdicchio mutates easily into a subclone of the original fruit, and perhaps for this reason, quality is all over the board with this wine varietal. There are no lack of poor, inexpensive and flat representations of Verdicchio to be found in Italy and the U.S., but if you

focus on the correct D.O.C. regions, and for well under $20 in many cases, you will certainly be treated to some blockbuster white wine that pairs so well with the seafood of its terroir. Verdicchio comes in two distinct incarnations, the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (the biggest production, softer, rounder, and most easily found in the U.S.) and the Verdicchio di Matelica (which is a sharper, more floral version grown closer to Umbria). The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi D.O.C, considered the jewel of the region, springs from limestone soils, channeling much minerality into the body of the wine. This D.O.C. calls for a minimum of 85% Verdicchio with Trebbiano and Malvasia permitted to fill in the remaining ratios of wine. In addition to the dry still version, both a sparkling spumante and sweet passito style are also produced in that zone.

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE!

Z Z A A T A R E ERATA ERATA AZZ AZZ

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2012 Bucci Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi ($19) For me, the excitement of tasting a new wine always begins with the color. This

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particular wine has a bright golden straw color in the glass. On the nose, it offers up complex aromatics like citrus, fig and almond. Tons of acid on the palate, crisp and fresh, with melon, green apple and a strong mineral finish. Just the slightest

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note of vanilla rounds it all out, from its brief time spent in oak. Considered by many as the best wine for fish in Europe, Verdicchio should be served chilled and is an inseparable companion of all fish based dishes such as brodetto (fish soup), antipasti ai frutti di mare (hors d’oeuvres of mixed fish), risotto alla marinara (a delicious fish based rice), grilled and fried fish and all white meats. It also stands well on its own as a refreshing aperitivo on during the warm summer months.

Homesteads for Hope (Continued from page 1) efforts. The organization celebrated this win at the IACC August 1 with a “Capital Campaign Kickoff” Event. “The prize money will be utilized as the foundation to match donations and grants to use towards a capital campaign to raise funds to purchase their forever homestead” says Jennyrae Brongo, Founder and IACC Member. The farm that the organization wishes to purchase is the beautiful canal side farm located on Manitou Rd. that is owned by the founder’s great uncle. “This property has endless opportunities to give back to the community, it needs to be kept a farm and not be made into another housing track” she explains. The purchase of the farm would include a 4,000 sq. ft. historic estate house to be utilized as a ADL (Activities of Daily Living) house to teach young adults to be sustainable living on their own including cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene skills. The large main barn would be renovated into a “Vocational Sustainability Center” which would include a General Store, Farm to Table Café and Community Classroom. This Center would be an open to the public integrated site, so our young adults with disabilities can learn to interact with

the community as well as support acceptance and awareness of such disabilities. The property is a total of 55 acres but what they need is 10 acres that include the house and barns to start their initial services and programs. The additional canal side acres would be farmed and the future plan is to create a 20 acre residential village on the property so we can offer housing for all needs. Jennyrae states that housing for people with developmental disabilities is an absolute epidemic across the nation and in our own backyards we have thousands that need a home of their own for when parents can no longer take care of their adult disabled children. “My family has suffered and no one should have to live like this, Homesteads for Hope will pave the way for a financially sustainable and meaningful lifestyle for our people with developmental disabilities offering a one of a kind place to live, learn and grow” says Jennyrae. She is asking for the community to support her in this effort by donating to save the farm to serve our most vulnerable citizens. Donations are tax deductible and more information can be found at www. homesteadsforhope.org.

Vendemmia (continued from page 3)

Z Z A A T A R E S ERATA AZZ SSERATA AZZ at the IACC at the IACCmber 22, 2014 atrdthe IACC ove N , y a u t a S Saturday, November 22,M2014 P 2014 Saturday, November :0022, 7 7:00PM 7:00PM the Senses with

NOVA featuring Franco Ciffa

tourists who wish to share the experience, for reatSenses A Tthe s, of the landowners. The work drelatives o A Treat for with o and F t e m r u o G f o g in n e v E Gourmet is fairly hard (and very sticky!), and long ght of lelithe dfor a CanEvening A Treat Senses with a Candlelight Foods, days under the Mediterranean late summer ic s u M g Jazz in th o o S sun take a toll on your energies, but when Soothing Jazz Music a Candlelight Evening of Gourmet Foods, s a nighttime falls the workers collect around m ro A t asan Ple nd Aromas aJazz campfires to chat, tell their stories, finish and Pleasant Soothing Music up the previous year’s wine and have a e te it m jolly time before heading to bed where om and PleasantbyAromas C on ti the IACC Educa

they will enjoy a good night’s sleep. The rites of the vendemmia have something ancestral about them. In Italy, Sponsored by the IACC Education Committee aetano Scollo G d an people have been cultivating vines for o ur at is P ba al to Benefit Local Musicians Organizers: Rosalba and Gaetano Scollo Ros izers: anPisaturo OrgYoung w the past three millennia, and collecting llo Fo to n io Informat More Information toe Follow Mor the grapes has always been the same Organizers: Rosalba Pisaturo and Gaetano Scollo work. It can’t be done with machines, so the workers today do exactly what More Information to Follow the inhabitants of the Greek colonies in southern Italy did when Rome was still just a small provincial town in Italy,

nsored Sponsored by S the Education Committee Musicians poIACC it Young Local BenefMusicians to Local to Benefit Young

September 2014

centuries before turning into the greatest empire in human history. On Friday, September 19th, the IACC will celebrate the grape harvest with an evening of good food, music and fun. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with a cash bar and appetizers. At 7:30pm a Buffet Style dinner with Antipasto Caprese, Penne with Meat Sauce, Pesto Sauce, or Alfredo Sauce, Chicken Saltimbocca with sweet potatoes and green beans, and Eggplant Parmigiana. The meal will end with fresh grapes, lemon ice with mint candies, sweets and coffee. NOVA featuring Franco Ciffa will entertain the guests until midnight playing American and Italian favorites. Reservations are $30.00 per person and should be made by Friday, September 12. Hope you all join us for a great evening! 11

Feature Stories

Edward Albert Maruggi Ph. D.

Edward Albert Maruggi is a diverse writer and researcher and has been a monthly contributor to the IACN newspaper for the past 10 years. He has authored 12 books, 4 about Italians and is currently researching the American life of Reverend Joseph Biggio, the Rochester area’s first known Italian immigrant. Contact him at [email protected].

Limoncello: A Brief History If you have ever eaten at an Italian restaurant in Italy or elsewhere, you have probably had an after dinner drink of Limoncello: a citrus-based lemon liqueur that is served well chilled. It is one of the most popular liqueurs in Italy and through the years has become popular in most countries around the world. Limoncello, this uniquely Italian alcoholic drink, is the delicious result of a process that involves several lemon rinds, its essential oils, sugar and alcohol that are allowed to macerate for a period of several months. Its origins are mostly of folklore and a matter of debate. Limoncello has long been associated with the Amalfi coast, but was first trademarked in 1988. Its roots go back many centuries, however. Some historians say fishermen drank limoncello to fight the cold against

medieval invasions while others claim that friars created it in their monasteries or that it was invented by wealthy Amalfi area families in the early 1900s. The true origin of limoncello may never be determined. In truth, however, at the beginning of the last century, Vincenza Canale, owner of a hotel on the island of Capri, was the first to offer limoncello, derived from the

Caprian word “limonillo”, to her guests. Later, her descendants formed the Limoncello di Capri in 1988, the first company to patent and use the word “Limoncello.” Continuing the old family tradition, they now produce the “Limoncello di Capri” which is made by the cold infusion of the peel of lemons of Sorrento. In order to preserve the original product and prevent imitations, the limoncello produced in the Sorrento, Capri, and Ischia area is now designated as IGB (Protected Geographical Indication) zone which means that it is produced totally in accordance with a strict technically approved process, without the addition of coloring, stabilizers or flavorings. The so-called “femminiello ovale sorrentino” is the giant lemon of the Sorrento Peninsula. The thick, juicy skin of this fruit is the source of the aromatic oils

that give the alcoholic infusion its unique color and unmistakable aroma. They are grown in the area that includes the towns of Vico Equense and Massa Lubrense, as well as on the island of Capri. Harvesting takes place between February and October when they are hand picked. The Sorrento lemons are characterized by an elliptical shape, medium-large in size with a greenish yellow color. These lemons are purchased directly from farms that have passed the selection process - first when they fruit is being picked, and later in the production plant during the peeling procedure. Many, many people claim to make the very best limoncello at home. Who’s to argue that point? I’ve had homemade limoncello that some of my friends have made. A pleasant, lemony, sweet and tart, alcoholic flavor. What a treat!

Impetigo What is impetigo? It is a bacterial infection normally seen in the warm-hot months that causes sores that can break open, ooze fluid and develop a yellow-brown crust. Sores most often appear around the mouth and nose but can appear anywhere on the body. Impetigo is the most common skin infection in children but, can also be seen in adults. It is contagious and can be spread through close contact by sharing towels, sheets, clothening, toys or other items. Scratching can also spread this skin disease to other parts of the body. Dr. Victor J. Rotoli What causes impetigine? This disease is caused by streptococcus or staphilococcus bacteria. Often this bacteria enters the body where the skin has already been irritated or injured because of skin infections such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, burns or cuts. Impetigo can also develop in completely healthy skin. What are the symptoms? - located around the nose or mouth. The sore begins as a small, red spot. Sores are not painful but, itchy. - sores ooze fluid and look crusty, with a honey, brown aspect. - they increase in size and number. How is impetigo diagnosed? An expert dermatologist will be able to diagnose impetigine and a lab exam will help identify the bacteris.

TEL: 340-6200 288 Exchange Blvd Rochester, NY 14608

Please come see us in Cornhill Landing

Karaoke at Center Café Karaoke DJ Sal DeSantis with Riccardo Radiccia Every Wednesday 7:30pm - 11pm HAPPY HOUR 7:30-8:30pm “Home of the Original Italian American Idol”

Center Café is located- Italian American Community Center 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY 585-594-8882

Weekly Dinner Specials Open to the Public- No Cover Charge Union Place Plaza 380 South Union Street

Spencerport, NY 14559

JOHN J. PISATURO ATTORNEY AT LAW

Telephone (585) 352-8818 Fax (585) 352-3948 12

Hours: 9-5pm By Appointment September 2014

Feature Stories

Angelo Coniglio

Coniglio is the author of the book The Lady of the Wheel, inspired by his Sicilian research. Order the paperback at amzn.to/racalmuto or the e-book at bit.ly/LadyOfTheWheelKindle Coniglio’s web page at bit.ly/AFCGen, has helpul hints on genealogic research. If you have genealogy questions, or would like him to lecture to your club or group, e-mail him at [email protected].

In Search of Our Ancestry Ancestry.com Recent columns have reviewed the free genealogy research website of the Mormon church, https://familysearch. org/ (familysearch). The most recognized subscription genealogy site is www.Ancestry.com (Ancestry). Ancestry may be considered expensive by many beginning researchers; however, the service does offer free 14-day trials. It is also available for free at many public libraries, and at most Mormon FamilySearch Centers (FSCs). Many features seen on familysearch may also be found on Ancestry. These include images of many Italian and Sicilian civil birth, marriage and death records. Ancestry, however, has records from some ancestral towns that familysearch does not, while familysearch has church baptism and marriage records for US cities, which Ancestry doesn’t (as yet). Both sites have extensive images of US Federal Census records and access to manifests of passenger ships that brought immigrants to the US. If a searched name on familysearch yields information on a ship’s manifest, that site simply transfers you to www.ellisisland.org to see the document’s image, while the same search on Ancestry will produce the actual image, and further it can be downloaded and printed. In my experience, Ancestry is more user-friendly and more intuitive in its use than familysearch. I find that familysearch also tends to steer the user to its ‘Family Tree’ function, which I believe is the least helpful to new researchers. Ancestry also has family tree options, for which it encourages the use of its site as well as its associated software Family Tree Maker. However it’s not as bold as familysearch is with the latter’s ‘Family Tree’ function. Generally, it’s a good idea to use both of these sites in concert. What you don’t find on one, you may find on another. Images may be clearer on one than on the other, or it may be simpler to make copies. You may find that due to indexing errors on either site, a name search on, say, the 1930 US Federal Census on familysearch fails to find your relative, while a search of the same census on Ancestry gives the results

you wanted. Or vice versa! Ancestry, like familysearch, has online instructional videos. Though they are not as extensive and are not grouped by nation, subject, etc., they too can be very helpful. Included are such titles as ‘Coming to America – Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors’, and ‘Polish Ancestry’; or ‘Irish Ancestry’; or ‘Finding Females in Your Family Tree’; as well as ‘Forward Thinking – Tracing the Children of Your Ancestors and Their Children.’ This latter video shows that there is much more to genealogical research than just finding one’s direct ancestors. Those ancestors had siblings, who had children, and their descendants are your relatives. This video explains how to identify them. Like familysearch, Ancestry has options to allow searching by an individual’s name for certain records, such as US Federal Censuses and New York State Censuses. But unlike familysearch, when you do so on Ancestry, many sources can be viewed in their original format, rather than in the transcribed version. In some instances, selecting “View Image” on familysearch will simply transfer the user directly to Ancestry, and to see the record you must log on there, as a paid user, or from a library or FSC that allows access. As with many genealogy sites, Ancestry is continually tweaking its functions and adding to the already vast array of information it holds. For example, for most towns in two Sicilian provinces, Caltanissetta and Agrigento, it has on-line images of civil records of birth, marriage banns, marriages, and deaths, and has yearly indices for the records that facilitate finding a particular document. familysearch has the same on-line records; however the indices are not separately listed, making navigation more difficult there. To see if your ancestral province or town’s records are on Ancestry, click its “Search” tab and select “Card Catalog”, then type in the name of the location. Records are added frequently and randomly, and I can’t include a complete, up-to-date list here.

DiPonzio Funeral Home, Inc.

Financial Tips for the Elderly It seems that every day I read or listen to a piece about the financial challenges of the “Sandwich Generation”, including middle aged Americans who have to provide financial support, or at least help with their finances, for aging parents, who are living longer, at the same time that they are being asked to provide financial support for adult children, who are struggling in a difficult economy. As a result, I think it is time to cover some tips on finances for the elderly. Those of us who are getting older, as well as their families, need to start thinking about and addressing these areas as early as possible. My personal experience is that you can never start too early, although getting started can often involve some difficult conversations. Everyone needs to be open, constructive and non-judgmental, and if you are getting older, don’t hesitate to be the one to get the process started. When my parents started getting older, we were fortunate to have a family team in place – an attorney, my sister, who is a social worker, and her husband, a CPA who had been doing our parents taxes for years. Depending upon their finances, you may need a similar team and a financial advisor. Nevertheless, here are some of the best tips that I have used, read or heard in the past: Durable Powers of Attorney, with the right person designated, are critical to put in place before it is too late. These can be fully discussed and executed when wills, also critical, are signed or updated. In some cases it may be appropriate to have a family member listed on some bank and other accounts, but remember, most identity theft is by family members, and everyone should be “comfortable” with the family member that is added to those accounts, who, just like the person holding the power of attorney, must embrace the fact that they are a “fiduciary.” All aspects of the elderly person’s finances need to be reviewed, inventoried, organized and documented. A helpful starting point, if one exists, is the questionnaire they may have filled out in connection with any financial planning or the execution of their will. Even though my parents were pretty organized and on top of their finances, I spent many weekends going through their filing cabinets, reviewing files, confirming paid bills and assets, asking questions, throwing out old items and creating new current and per-

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Medicaid and Pre-Need Counseling Members of the IACC Dominic A. DiPonzio Christopher B. DiPonzio Joseph D. DiPonzio

219 Spencerport Road 429-6700 (Across from St. Theodore’s Church)

John Ninfo tinent files and a written inventory of all aspects of their finances. Today that may require you to go through their computer files also. Make sure that a free credit report is obtained from each credit agency every 12 months (one agency every 4 months) at www.annualcreditreport.com. Recent reports have highlighted that many people have debts in collection that did not know about, especially the elderly for medical expenses. When allowed to, or when there is a real concern, adult children should periodically review bill paying procedures, whether manual or automatic with the bank. Critical things like a mortgage or rent and insurance premiums might best be handled by automatic payments. Speaking of insurance, if an elderly person is driving too long, put an end to it, and if they have assets, make sure they have an excess liability umbrella rider. Review whether an elderly relative is paying for things they don’t need or use – do they still need that more extensive cable or cellphone plan? Be aware that counterfeit prescription drugs purchased on the internet are a growing problem, and work with their doctor on possible generic drugs. I have never understood why everyone doesn’t buy generic Ibuprofen, which is “shockingly” cheaper than the name brand. Charitable donations are often very important to the elderly, so don’t try to eliminate them. Agree to set a budget, based in large part on past giving, and that if it is going to be exceeded, there needs to be a further discussion. Unfortunately they are targets for scams, especially at times of natural or other disasters, and especially by telemarketers. Make sure to get them added to the national Do Not Call Registry, www.donotcall.gov, and for any telemarketing calls, I remember my mother’s unique way of dealing with them, which you should feel free to use. It was written out on a card by the phone, and it went something like this: If you are selling something, press 1; if you are looking for a donation, press 2; for anything else, please hang up and don’t call again. Open conversation, cooperation, organization, flexibility and an early proactive start can eliminate much of the stress on every one when the challenges of dealing with the finances of the elderly start to present themselves.

The Brook House Supports Italian Culture and the Italian American Community Center

The Fedele Family

September 2014

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Feature Stories

Piazza Anfiteatro Lucca

Lucca

Mary Amabile Palmer

When we first traveled to Italy either by ourselves or in a group, Lucca was not included. Nor was it widely known by many American/Italian tourists. I don’t know when Michelin Guide Book (the Bible of travel guides) first included it in their excellent guide, but it has given Lucca its highest rating of three stars, and all of a sudden everyone heard of Lucca and wanted to go there. Such was the case with us. Ancient Lucca, in the Tuscanny region, boasts a rich heritage of palaces, churches and even its squares and streets which have remained unscathed by the passage of time and contemporary developments.

The population of Lucca is about 90,000. It is so captivating a medieval city that once you visit it, you feel compelled to announce its glorious setting and beauty to the world. Lucca was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. It has retained its Roman military camp plan with “two principal streets perpendicular to one another.” It became an independent commune in the 12th Century and during the Middle Ages, narrow alleys and lovely squares were added. By the 14th century it enjoyed a great period of prosperity and prestige. It was during that period that its finest religious and secular buildings

(Continued from page 3)

tasks, I am efficient and effective, with an uncanny attention to detail. I recently (May, 2014) graduated from Alfred State College with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, coupled with a supplemental Associates Degree in Marketing. During my studies, I retained a tremendous amount of knowledge in these two fields. That knowledge, coupled with my work experience, makes me a valuable piece of the puzzle when it comes to event planning and marketing for a business. I can ensure you that my communication and organizational skills will be an asset to The Italian American Community Center. I am looking forward to meeting more people who are involved with the IACC!

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Italian cinema rolled out the Red Carpet this summer for Italy’s youngsters. From the Giffoni and Bimbi Belli film festivals to the Cinecittà World theme park, Italian children and teens Jeannine Guilyard are experiencing the resurgence of Italian cinema. Founded in 1971, The Giffoni International Film Festival is the largest children’s film festival in Europe. It is held in July in Giffoni Valle Piana, a small town located in the southern region of Campania. It’s just like any other film festival with screenings, discussions and events. The only difference is the films are more streamlined to a younger audience. The festival celebrates international cinema. This year, American actor, Lea Michele graced Giffoni’s signature blue carpet. The popular “Glee” star, who is close to her Neapolitan origins, was a huge hit at the festival and talked with fans about the last season of her show, which will air in Italy on the Sky television network. Now in its eighth year, the Bimbi Belli film festival highlights new productions in Italy which show the challenges facing Italy’s current generation. The festival is organized by Rome’s beloved actor/director, Nanni Moretti and is held every year in July at his theater, the Nuovo Sacher, which is located in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. This year, the lineup included “La mafia uccide solo d’estate” by Pierfrancesco Diliberto, “Zoran - Il mio nipote scemo” by Matteo Oleotto, “Spaghetti Story” by Ciro De Caro and “Smetto quando voglio” by Sydney Sibilia; all great stories made by young filmmakers about the challenges facing

“Glee” star, Lea Michele at the Giffoni International Film Festival their generation. On July 24th, Italy unveiled its theme park dedicated to cinema: Cinecittà World. The park’s attractions and rides are inspired by the iconic films made at Rome’s Cinecittà studios as well as other film genres, like the spaghetti western and action-adventure. The park will transmit soundtracks from popular composers such as Academy Award-winner Ennio Morricone, who is known for his beautiful film scores on Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in the West” and Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Malèna” and “Cinema paradiso.” Famed production designer, Dante Ferretti designed several of the park’s stages, including a re-creation of 1920’s Manhattan, which visitors will see upon entering the park. Located in the Castelli Romani, not far from the actual Cinecittà studios, Italian officials are hoping the park will become a major tourist attraction, and help the economic crisis facing the country.

Member GIA Alumni Assn.

RESETTING • DIAMONDS • GOLD • WATCHES • APPRAISALS

Sylvia Paglia Anthony Paglia Adriana Paglia

in Foro, situated on the site of the Roman Forum, with its fine Romanesque interior, a painting of a Madonna by Andrea Della Robbia, and a brilliantly colored painting by Filippino Lippi, is a must on your list of sites to visit. Lovely gardens surround the 17th century Villa Pfanner. Born in Lucca, the house in which Giacomo Puccini’s lived has been turned into a museum. There is a Puccini Opera Festival every year during July or August when special praise and honors are bestowed upon this great artist. Lucca also boasts a film festival, jazz concerts and other fun events.

Italy’s Youth Embracing Cinema

Cathryn Calabria and aware of the new changes. One goal we share is to implement more member events, to give back to the members and volunteers of the IACC. We are asking for any and all suggestions from members, the community, and volunteers, on what type of event YOU would like! Specifically, what type of event would you like to attend once a month for members only? What about an event once a month for the community? I have a respectable amount of experience in Marketing and Event planning. Additionally, I have been employed at two different companies as a Wedding & Events Planner and Coordinator. I am aware of many aspects that involve the behind the scenes planning, as well as the actual production. When completing

were built. In 1550 the town became an important agricultural center. Villas sprung up on the countryside and the town was encircled with ramparts. While the walls have lost their military importance, they remain intact and a 2.5 mile path atop the walls are used by walkers and bikers. Located in the heart of Lucca’s historical center, the Piazza dell’Amphitheatro is housed inside the Roman Amphitheatre, and traces of it can still be seen in the Piazza. Lucca’s old town is full of charm and atmosphere. Its magnificent Duomo di San Martino was built in the 11th century. The majestic Church of St. Michele

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Your AC & Automotive Specialist September 2014

2014 Calendar of Events

Plan your event at the IACC... ... and experience the best. Accommodating up to 270 guests in the our Ballroom for an unforgettable event.

Call Errico @ (585) 594-8882 x 105 ITALIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY 14624 Fax (585) 594-8506

Wedding Special $500 off Reserve your 2015 wedding date before Dec 1, 2014 for party of 150 or more and receive $500 off

$500 is taken off buffet prior to any added beverage/liquor package, NY State Tax or gratuity

For Your Convenience, Please Cut Out and Save or Send Your E-Mail Address to [email protected] to Receive Event Info

SEPTEMBER 3 Karaoke 7 Pasta Dinner Fundraiser 10 Luncheon 10 Karaoke 17 IACC General Membership Meeting/ Karaoke/Networking Cocktail Party 18 Italian Cinema Night 19 Vendemmia 24 Luncheon 24 Karaoke OCTOBER 1 Karaoke 8 Luncheon 8 Karaoke 15 IACC General Membership Meeting /Karaoke 16 Italian Cinema Night 21 Pier 6 Wrestling 22 Luncheon 22 Karaoke 24 Sagra della Polenta 29 Karaoke

NOVEMBER 5 Luncheon 5 Karaoke 9 President’s Veterans/Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 12 Karaoke 19 Luncheon 19 IACC General Membership Meeting /Karaoke 20 Italian Cinema Night 22 Serata Jazz 23 Pier 6 Wrestling 26 Karaoke DECEMBER 3 Luncheon 3 Karaoke 6 Christmas Gala 10 Karaoke 12 St. Lucy 14 Brunch with Santa 17 Luncheon 17 IACC General Membership Meeting /Karaoke 31 New Years Eve Party

The Italian Community Center cordially invites you to our

Networking Cocktail Party Wednesday LUNCHEON at the IACC

September 10, 24 12:00noon Fine Italian Specialties Fresh Ingredients

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 in The Grand Ballroom at the IACC

Reservations appreciated @ 594-8882 at least 2 days in advance for 4 or more people

Reservations Required by Sept 10 at (585) 594-8882 x 105 4:00pm-8:00pm 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY 14624 Join us fo an evening of networking, cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres. Bring your co-workers, family, friends and business cards! Call Errico at (585) 594-8882 x 105 to RSVP today.

Join us on Facebook! “Like” The Grand Ballroom at the IACC fan page in order to network, to hear about our upcoming events, and to see the different weddings and events held at the Italian American Community Center! See you soon, Errico Mannoni Banquet Director and Special Events

Cathryn Calabria, Marketing Assistant

ITALIAN AMERICA COMMUNITY CENTER 150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester, NY

(585) 594-8882

September 2014

15

Feature Stories

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September 2014