August 2015

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

First of all our Scholarship and Awards Event was a resounding success. Thank you to Al Marra (Scholarship

& Awards) and ALL of the volunteers for putting together this fine event. Congratulations to ALL of the

Winners. I cannot say the same for the Independence Day Celebration held on the 10th of July. We only had

55 members & guests show up to enjoy themselves. Chairman Tony Alfano along with too many members to

mention here really put a supreme effort to make this picnic a memorable one.

Please join us for the upcoming Labor Day Picnic. The picnic will be held on Labor Day, Monday September

3rd. More information will be presented in the September Newsletter. Tickets will now be going on sale for

the Columbus Day Dinner/Dance. See the article later in the newsletter more information.

I would like however to revive something that Past President Del Russo started. If somebody would like to

write something for front page of the newsletter, please submit it to me prior to the deadline, and I will review

and consider it.

Our Membership Drive is in full swing now. There is a lot of information later in issue so, please take your

time read through it.

Fraternally,

John Luizzi,

President, Roma Lodge #254

Website: www.roma254.org E-Mail: luizzi@verizon.net

LIBERTY EQUALITY FRATERNITY

Order Sons of Italy in America

Roma Lodge #254

3097 Magic Hallow Boulevard

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454

(757) 468-2029

Roma Lodge Council 2015 - 2016

President John Luizzi 490-6448

Vice President Anthony Alfano 803-9206

Past President John William Del RussoSr. 479-0240

Orator Peter Langlands 435-9269

Recording Sec. Albert Marra 301-8797

Financial Sec. Paula Terveer 481-1199

Treasurer James Novelli 426-1970

Trustees John Cutrone Patricia Davis

961-6245 301-3683

Joseph Bruney Mario Minervini

537-1141 426-2964

Thom Petrella

(703) 629-7046

Mistress of Ceremony Mistress of Ceremony

Dee Clark Angie Hughes

340-8537 499-8667

Guard

Janet Jones

434-9192

Lodge Chaplain Gerald Hyatt 436-0477

******************************************

=== MEMBERSHIP ===

Member count as of 14 April is now:

167 members - 147 regular and 21 social.

*************************************************

== Friday Night Meals == (See also Roma Lodge Weekly e-News for complete menu items)

All meals include salad, rolls, pasta, vegetable and

dessert.

Serving times:

Salad: 6:00 pm – Soup (when served): 6:15 pm

-- Main Course: 6:30 pm --

Aug 14 – TBD

Aug 28 – TBD - Birthday Night

*** The Friday Night Meal will be now down to two (2)

per month, the 2nd and the 4th Fridays. This will remain

in effect at least until October 1st. ***

*************************************************

Birthdays

And

Anniversaries

BIRTHDAYS Gigliola CASTO Joseph CASTO

Robert CLARK Doreen CUTRONE

Pat GRILLO Barbara HYATT

Anthony L. MONTAGNA III Don MARCARI

Dora PIERCE Daniel SENISI

Michelle SERRANO Mark SOCCIO

Frank SPEENEY

ANNIVERSARIES

Silverio & Maria D'AMICO (52nd)

Mario & Linda ESPOSITO

Albert & Adrienne MARRA (45th)

************************************************* Roma Lodge Schedule of Events

******************************

July – 27 General Assembly Meeting

August – 24 General Assembly Meeting

September - 7 Labor Day Picnic (Monday) John Del Russo

September -28 General Assembly Meeting

October – 10 Columbus Day Dinner/Dance

Pat Davis

October – 26 General Assembly Meeting

*************************************************

Culture Corner

HISTORY OF GELATO

HISTORY OF GELATO

Throughout history, humans have tried to create the coldest

and most refreshing desserts in our warm seasons,

simply by using water, flavors and, if possible, ice or

snow. There are many differing stories and beliefs

about where gelato and ice cream originated from. Here

are a few interesting theories...

• There is evidence that the Emperors of

China indulged in frozen delights made

from snow and ice flavored with fruit,

wine and honey, over 3000 years ago.

King Tang of Shang is believed to have

had over 90 'icemen' whose jobs were to

create frozen desserts made of

fermented buffalo and goat milk mixed

with rice - the first frozen dairy dessert

maybe?

• During the Roman Empire Emperor, Nero would send his

team of slaves into the mountains to find snow which would

be mixed with honey to form a sweet refreshing treat. He

would also add spices, leaves and fruit, creating an early

version of gelato.

• Marco Polo, the Italian explorer, discovered flavored ices on

his travels to the East and introduced it back to Europe where

it was called "Sorbetto" and was instantly popular with

wealthy folk.

• Some believe that gelato was created in Italy by Bernardo

Buontalenti for Francesco de' Medici in 1565.

• Charles I of England claimed it was actually he who

invented ice cream. During his English reign, his cook was

sworn to secrecy and would not divulge the recipe until the

death of Charles.

GELATO IN ITALY

Italy has long been considered throughout the world as the

best place for ice cream. Many years ago, gelato was

created in the far North by the people of Dolomite and

in the far South by Sicilians. In Dolomite, the gelato

was made with milk, eggs, sugar, cream and natural

flavors. Snow was kept in underground storages during the

winter and when tourists visited Dolomite in the summer, the

sale of gelato was a major source of income for its people. In

the far South, gelato was lower in fat, water based, higher in

sugar content and was called 'Sorbetto'.

As the years passed, recipes have changed and been refined

and new techniques are used. The Italians, however, are still

very passionate about their gelato and sorbettos. In Palermo,

an ice-cream sandwich is often eaten on the run for breakfast.

And in the markets, vendors slice buns in half and plop a

scoop of gelato in the middle. In the summer months many

gelato shops in Italy (gelaterie) stay open until 1 a.m. or

even later.

INTERESTING ICE CREAM FACTS

• During World War II, pilots placed all the ingredients for

ice cream in the tail gunners’ cockpit. By the time the

pilot had landed, the freezing air and the planes vibration

had made a delicious bowl of ice cream!

• The waffle cone can also be traced back hundreds of years.

The first recording of cones being used for serving ice cream

was made in a 1888 cookbook.

• Before the invention of the waffle cone, ice cream was

either licked out of a small glass -- a 'penny lick' -- or taken

away wrapped in paper which was called a "hokey pokey".

"Hokey pokey" came from the Italian "ecco un poco" which

means "here is a little".

http://www.marinagelato.com/gelato.htm

**********************************************

Italian Memories by Cookie Curci

Part 1 of 3: Monument Personified Hope For Generation

Of Stalwart Immigrants

The Statue of Liberty stands 151 feet, 1 inch high and weighs

225 tons. The length of her right arm is 42 feet long, her hand

16 feet 5 inches long. Her facial features include a prominent

nose that measures 4 feet, 6 inches set between eyes 2 feet 6

inches in width. Standing on her concrete pedestal base, she

rises to a neighborhood of 305 feet. Under her huge feet are

broken shackles representing liberty's victory over tyranny.

Lady Liberty needs her mighty dimensions to hold a 23-foot-

high cement tablet in one hand; the "Torch of Freedom" high

above her head, in the other hand; and the hopes and dreams

of millions, upon million, of immigrants cradled in her

bosom.

The statue of Liberty was originally created by sculptor

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who christened his lovely lady,

"Liberty Enlightening The World." The statue was

dedicated to America on July 4, 1884. The Statue of

Liberty, as she would later be known, was finally completed

in 1886 and she's been welcoming travelers to our shore ever

since.

Between 1901 and 1910, nearly 9 million immigrants, from

all parts of theworld, came to this country. Like my

grandparents, many of these travelers came here from Italy

and settled in the Santa Clara Valley. Unfamiliar with the

language and customs of their new country, the hard-working

immigrants settled in to the poorer sections of town, often

taking jobs in industries in which poor conditions, low wages

and long hours prevailed.

Part 2 of 3: Stories of Streets Paved in Gold

Back in the old country, the young and naive immigrants had

been told wondrous stories of how the streets of America

were paved in gold. But when they got here, they discovered

three important things: First, the streets weren't paved in gold;

second, they weren't paved at all; and third, they were

expected to pave them!

The children and grandchildren of these immigrants share a

feeling of pride at their accomplishments. A thread that runs

through each of our lives, connecting one to the other through

the generations.

History tells us that millions of immigrants have come to

America and how they learned new trades and skills and

evolved new lives and careers for themselves. As youngsters

we all learned about the melting pot theory of American

immigration and population growth. From an official

population of some 5 million as of 1790, the first time a

census survey was undertaken in our nation, we have grown

to an estimated 248 million as of 1990, the last time a

decennial census was taken.

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island foundation, in New York

City, estimates that more than 12 million visitors have toured

the Ellis Island immigration museum since its opening on

Sept. 10, 1990. Authorities at the Statue of Liberty Ellis

Island foundation estimate that four in every 10 United States

residents have at least one forbear who immigrated through

Ellis Island. The Immigration and Naturalization Service in

Washington, D.C., reports that in 1996 (the last available

figures) 915,900 people immigrated legally to the United

States. My grandmother had an old saying.

Translated in English it goes something like this: "It doesn't

matter where you start out in life; it's where you finish that

counts." My grandparents lived their lives by that belief. My

grandfather worked his way up from delivery boy in a local

meat market to become the store

proprietor. After learning all about the meat market business

he saved enough money to purchase his own shop. With hard

work and determination he went on to become a successful

businessman.

Part 3 of 3: Give Me Your Tired, Poor and

Huddled Masses

My grandfather never spoke much about his early days in

America, or the long ship ride over the ocean, but he often

mentioned the awesome feeling he experienced as a young

boy when his steamer ship from Naples, Italy, approached

Ellis Island. The moment was engraved in his memory. He

recalled the almost eerie silence that fell over the ship; how

his papa, who he had never seen cry, was now weeping

openly as Lady Liberty came into view, embracing his wife

and three children with uncontrollable joy.

My grandmother and her two young siblings came to

America as orphans. After losing their parents to influenza,

the young trio pooled their resources and boarded a ship for

America. To them, the sight of the grand, historic, lady meant

hope for a new and better life. The grand statue had come to

embody the spirit of their new land--exemplifying hope and

prosperity.

Whenever I asked my grandmother where she found the

courage to take that voyage of a lifetime, she would

invariably say, in her native Italian: "A ship is safe in port,

but that's not where a ship was meant to be." She was right of

course. A ship is meant to challenge the elements, ride the

high seas and risk being sunk. Desire alone just doesn't cut it.

Tales of our immigrant ancestors are repeated again and again

across America. From father to son, from grandmother to

grandchild, we keep the legacy alive with every story told,

with every memory recalled. It is their spirit of adventure that

grounds us to this country and it is that same spirit that gives

us our wings.

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

On the plaque of the Statue of Liberty is the poem, "The

Great Colossus" written by Emma Lazarus. The following

words from that poem hung proudly framed on the wall of my

grandparents' home throughout their lifetime:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses

yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming

shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my

lamp beside the golden door!"

Copyright © 1998-2006 Anthony Parente. All rights reserved.

http://italiansrus.com

*************************************************

Favorite Italian Summer Desserts From Kyle Phillips

Ah, Dessert. In summer, and especially when it's hot, it

should be light and refreshing, and if at all possible cool.

Cold even. A peach in lightly chilled wine, macedonia (see

below), gelato... All treats to bring the meal to a refreshing

close or provide relief late on a hot day.

Gelato, or Ice Cream What could be more refreshing on a hot day than a brimming

bowl (or cone) of ice cream? Crema (vanilla), chocolate,

lemon, yogurt, watermelon.. I love them all! Especially when

drizzled with fruit syrup, which is also perfect for making

Italian ices.

Macedonia di Frutta Or, home-made fruit cocktail. You'll want a variety of

perfectly ripe fruit -- strawberries, raspberries, peaches,

grapes, apricots, kiwifruit, pears, apples, grapes, and

whatever else comes to mind, e.g. mangos or bananas. Peel

what needs peeling, chop all into bite-sized pieces, and mix in

a bowl with sugar and lemon juice (or wine if you prefer) to

taste. Chill for an hour in the refrigerator, and enjoy!

Zuccotto A zuccotto is a delightful combination of cake and ice cream,

that gains verve from just a slight drizzle of liqueur. It's quite

refreshing, elegant, and perfect for a when company comes

calling.

Elisabetta's Tiramisu

A properly made tiramisu is much lighter than one might

expect, and when lightly chilled will have everyone at the

table clamoring for more.

A Fresh Fruit Bavarese A Bavarese is a Bavarian Cream, but this doesn't mean that

they're not popular in Italy. This recipe simply calls for fruit,

leaving the choice of what kind to you, and as a result is

extraordinarily variable: Cherries in June, peaches and

raspberries in August...

Panna Cotta Panna Cotta translates as "cooked cream," and if you think it

sounds simple you're right. However, it's also light, and

delightfully tasty, especially if served with a wild berry fruit

sauce (or chocolate syrup).

Crunchy Ice Cream Pie, or Torta Croccante al Gelato A rich -- nay, libidenous, even, ice cream pie with a crunchy

chocolate cookie crumb crust. The perfect summer pie!

Fig and Peach Cake, or Torta di Fichi e Pesche This is a tasty Piemontese recipe that will be perfect in late

summer, when figs and peaches are at their ripest, and

temperatures begin to fall off in the evening.

Hazelnut Cake, or Torta di Nocciole Hazelnuts are astonishingly delicate, and make for delightful

cakes. This is extraordinarily airy, and perfect with a scoop or

two of gelato.

A Fresh Fruit Crostata Last, but certainly not least, a fresh fruit crostata, a disk of

shortbread spread with crema pasticcera and decorated with

freshly cut fruit. Properly made, these are extremely elegant,

and well suited to important occasions -- even weddings. If

you instead want something homier and have some jam or

marmalade, you'll also find instructions for making a jam

crostata.

©2007 About, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights

reserved.

http://italianfood.about.com/od/favoriterecipes/tp/aa071106.htm

************************************************* Roma Lodge 2015 Awards Dinner,

June 26, 2015

More than 70 Roma Lodge members, relatives and

friends attended a special gala dinner the evening of Friday,

June 26 to salute the 2015 scholarship winners and recipients

of Roma Lodge achievement awards. President John Luizzi

welcomed all attendees. His first order of business was to

present two college scholarships: The Catherine Toscano

Kastenbaum Memorial Scholarship to Sophia Miroulis,

granddaughter of Norma Castellano; and a Roma Lodge

Scholarship to Kathryn Novelli, granddaughter of Helen

and Jim Novelli. Both scholarship recipients addressed the

assembly to thank them and talk about their college careers.

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

Scholarship Committee chair Al Marra thanked the

members of his Committee – Judy Goodman, Adrienne

Marra, and Immacolata Pellegrino – for their hard work

reviewing applications. He also recognized the many

members of Roma Lodge who donated scholarship funds:

Russ Cerro, the Teator’s, the Amante’s, Pat Davis, Norma

Castellano, the Pellegrino’s, Vince Barresi, the Grillo’s, Ione

Langlands, and Peter Langlands.

Al Marra and John Luizzi next presented the Roma

Lodge achievement awards, which, by custom, were not

made public until that night. Awards Chair Marra recognized

the work of his Committee members – Peter Langlands, John

Del Russo, Russ Cerro, Mario Canu, and Ellie Bove – as well

as volunteers who decorated the lodge for the event: Sonja

and John Konlande, Adrienne Marra, John Luizzi, Flo and

Tony Alfano, John Del Russo, Sarah and Bernie Galante, and

Ellie Bove.

Certificate of Merit Awards

The first category of awards, were the Certificates of

Merit. These are awarded to members who have distinguished

themselves by significant contributions to the lodge over the

past year. This year’s awardees were: the Scholarship

Committee, Judy Goodman, Immacolata Pellegrino, and

Adrienne Marra; the Financial Committee, Paula Terveer

and Jim Novelli; the Roma Lodge attorney, Don Marcari;

and one of our newest but very active members, Patricia

Davis.

Meritorious Awards

The second awards category, Meritorious Awards,

recognize members who have clearly distinguished

themselves by significant and continuous contributions to the

lodge over the past year. There was one award this year, to

John Del Russo, Sr., our past president, who has worked

tirelessly to support the lodge in many innovative and

creative ways.

Giovanni Minutolo Award

This is the most prestigious award the lodge makes.

The Minutolo Award is given to the person who has

contributed the most time and talent to the lodge in the past

year. In a break with tradition, the Committee reached a

consensus in making a dual award this year to two people

who have worked side by side for the betterment of Roma

Lodge and all its activities. President John Luizzi presented

the Minutolo Award and read the text of the award citation to

Janet Jones and JP “Gus” Godsey.

Fiorello H. La Guardia Award

The La Guardia Award goes to the person who has

contributed the most to the Italian Community of our area or

who has brought honor and credit to our heritage. Again, in

the consensus decision of the Awards Committee, this year’s

La Guardia award was presented to Roma Lodge President

John Luizzi for exemplifying all that is good in Italians and

Italian-Americans by his special service to the community

and his constant devotion to his family.

It is anticipated that next year’s awards and scholarship

dinner will again be held at the lodge in connection with the

last Friday meal in the month of June. All Roma Lodge

members are encouraged to work towards the goals

associated with the achievement awards.

Thank – You Al Marra

*************************************************

Columbus Day Celebration A celebration for Italian heritage. We welcome all ROMA

Lodge members, guest and visitors to this event scheduled for

October 10th at the ROMA Lodge, 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

We are offering the ROMA Lodge members an opportunity

to purchase tickets on an Early Bird Sale.

Early Bird Sale begins July 27th to September 10st for $25

per person

After September 10th to October 1st, tickets go on sale for

$30 per person; after that tickets are going to be $35 up to the

event and at the door, if seating is available.

You may select the table of your choice, once you purchase

your tickets. Tickets will be available on July 27th at the next

ROMA Lodge Meeting, beginning at 6 PM. You may also

purchase your tickets at any of the ROMA Lodge Friday

Night Meals. Additional days will be made available for

ticket sales, announce in the weekly e-news or by contacting

Patricia Davis at 301-3683. Additional persons will be

available to sale tickets and posted at the lodge or weekly e-

news.

We had a lot of good recommendations for the dinner, and as

you know it is impossible to meet all the request, but we

promise you a fabulous dinner, entertainment and evening.

A number of volunteers signed up for the event, but we could

always use more help. If anyone knows of a photographer

(we are searching for the Filipino gentleman, who took

pictures at the event and provided the photos on the spot), for

individual purchases, please let us know. You may contact

Patricia Davis or Albert Marra, if you are interested in

volunteering. We currently have 22 wonderful members to

volunteer. All are welcome to help!

We are hoping to have all the details of the event finalized as

soon as possible, then publicized in the E-News and

September Newsletter. Please join us in the wonderful

Columbus Day Celebration.

*****************************

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

I want to thank everyone for volunteering to help with the

Columbus Day Celebration. If you are available on July

27th after the ROMA Lodge meeting, we will have a short

meeting for the Columbus Day Event. We are looking at

some options for the cook, entertainment, guest speaker, and

a few other things. Your input is extremely valuable, so

please help out by submitting your suggestions by July 25th

for;

1) The menu, and provide a little description of the dish. (A

few suggestions were made the other evening and we should

explore those ideas more, so please put those suggestions in

writing for me to present)

2) How you would like to have the food served. (Sit down

dinner, part served and main meal on service line, etc.)

3) Any specific interest in volunteering. (Setting up for the

dinner, decorating, helping prep some of the food items,

introductions, ticket sales, gift basket ticket sales, getting

donations for the gift basket, MC for the event, etc.)

4) Any ideas you have for the event (entertainment, schedule,

etc.)

I will have a basic budget prepared, with estimated set cost.

We are not out to make money, but we should do our best to

at least break even.

If you have a bottle of wine, or something you would like to

donate for the raffle basket….please, start bringing the items

in. My neighbor donated a basket and I have a bottle of wine

to start the basket (s) off to a good start. The sooner we get

the basket(s) together, the sooner we start selling tickets. An

idea: sell tickets ahead of the event and outside of the lodge,

we might want to think about selling tickets and person

doesn’t have to be present to win (at least one of the baskets,

which might be for a donation to scholarship, or charity

organization helping people). I believe donating at least one

basket raffle is for a good cause and in the faith of our

organization.

It will take all of us to make something really great happen,

your volunteering is appreciated…THANK YOU!!!!

*********************************************

Lodge Notes

If any member (who does not have E-mail capabilities), and

desires to be kept in “the loop” for any type of emergent

lodge news (i.e.: meal cancellations, members passing away,

etc.), please call at 490-6448 and I will ensure that you are

called with any relevant lodge news.

Sick & Welfare

If any member hears of another Roma Lodge member being

sick or going into the hospital or any other significant event

that may befall any of our members or a member of their

family, please call our Sick & Welfare Chairwoman Lola

Musarra at 389-5653, and Assistant Sick & Welfare

Chairwoman Maria D'Amico at 427-9197. They will ensure

that these members get rendered the proper respect and/or

visitation from other lodge members who might otherwise be

unaware of their situation. Thank you.

Roma Lodge Weekly E-News

To better keep you informed of emergent Lodge news, we

offer our members a weekly e-mail news service. Since April

2009, we have been providing this service to our members.

Join in and send your e-mail address along with your name

to: luizzi@verizon.net

Roma Lodge is not responsible for any typographical

errors or omissions in the newsletter

NOTE: The deadline for newsletter articles

Is the 2nd Monday of every month.

If you would like to receive this, please use the following My E-Mail - luizzi@verizon.net

EDITOR-IN-CHARGE : John Luizzi

*************************************************

***EXTRA***

Independence Day Celebration

Here is just a short summary of the event.

This is by no means the final report that is still complied. As

everybody knows we held this event on a Friday Night to

allow our Members to be with family on the actual 4th of July

Holiday. Chairman Tony Alfano his wife Flo, Pat Davis, Al

Marra, Joe Bondi, Janet Jones, and myself, we pitched in.

We bought the food, supplies, cleaned and decorated the hall.

There were several more volunteers the night of the event.

Though we only had 55 members & guests attend everybody

had a wonderful time and definitely had more than a enough

to eat. When it came time to clean the hall after the event was

over it was like old times again. Everybody pitched in, and

the clean-up was done in no time at all.

20 Week Club Dinner/Dance

Once again this function has fallen by the wayside. We need

to decide whether go ahead with it and play catch up with the

ticket sales or just cancel it now. This will be discussed at the

next General Assembly Meeting.