houston loves the iccc italian · pdf filehouston loves the iccc italian festival . ......
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Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 1
Follow ICCC on The Voice of All Things Italian
Houston LOVES the ICCC Italian Festival
With beautiful weather,
a full Harvest Moon and
refreshing evening
breezes, thousands of
Houstonians became
"Italians for the
weekend” and filled up
on a delicious array of
events, contests, enter-
tainment and a full antipasto platter of Italian foods at the
spacious grounds of the University of St. Thomas for the
38th Annual Italian Cultural and Community Center’s
Houston Italian Festival.
"The festival was a BIG Success with thousands of festival
goers, a variety of entertainment - the traditional Pasta
Eating and Grape Stomping contests, the Bocce Ball
Tournament, a large display of 35 classic cars, original
sidewalk chalk art by high school students in the 10th
annual I Madonnari Art Show, large crowds in the many
Italian wine classes and tastings and more folks in the
Italian Craft Beer demos. All of the Little Chefs were
taught how to make pizza dough and pasta noodles. Our
menu included wine, beverages, and Italian foods from
handmade meat balls to chicken Marsala and stuffed
artichokes! There was something for everyone who came
to be "Italian for the weekend" right here in the heart of
Houston! We thank you for coming!" exclaimed Jo Ann
Pinkerton, Festival Chair. Continuing, Pinkerton noted,
"Since the Houston Press named the Houston Italian
Festival One of the Best Bets for the festival weekend, we
were extremely pleased, and the crowds here for the
weekend must have read the Press, because we were
crowded all weekend....even SOLD OUT of pizzas late
Saturday afternoon!"
A new addition to this year's festival was the
Photography Contest. The theme for this city-wide contest
for camera buffs 18 years and older was Italian Cultural
Influence in Texas. The winners of the Photo Contest
were: FIRST PLACE: Michael DeForke, Photo: Niels
Esperson Building, Italian Renaissance in 21st Century
Texas; SECOND PLACE: Felicia Barcelona, Photo: A Little
Italian Spice in the Heart of Texas; THIRD PLACE: Judith
Mixon, Photo: Terracotta and Lace. Sandy Timte, ICCC
Board Member, Coordinated the Photography Contest,
and her daughter, Julie Timte, served as Co-Coordinator.
With the festival
opening on Thursday night
from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.,
the first big event of the
annual festival was the
Italian Poker Tournament.
Phillip Cusimano, Taste of
Italy Coordinator, was the
"dealer" for the two-hour
Thursday night tourney.
Playing against two couples from Galveston, young Dalya
Alabbassi won the first prize of a over-night stay at the
Golden Nugget in Lake Charles along with a round of golf
the next day.. "What a great game! The four other poker
players were fun to compete against. Since the day of the
prize in December is my birthday, which will be a
wonderful way to spend my birthday for my husband and
A publication of the
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston
Volume XXIV,
Number 6 Holiday Edition
2016
ICCC Events page 1
a scuola ~ school page 5
a tavola ~ food page 6
in chiesa ~ faith page 8
in teatro ~ theater page 8
in piazza ~ public page 8
in Italia ~ Italy page 9
a casa ~ ICCC page 10
clubs & organizations page 12
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 2
me," she said accepting the winning certificate.
The first La Piccola
Cucina (Cooking for
Children) "featured a
3 year old girl" who
knew how to crack
the two eggs into the
flour mixture, stir the
small amount of
water into that
mixture, and then
begin to blend all of
the ingredients together with her tiny gloved (which was
way too large for her tiny hands) hands. Ready to take the
mixed dough to the machine to cut the dough into
long noodle strips, Lily was first in line and then "eager to
offer assistance to the older "Chefs"!
Comments posted by parents on social media
following several of the La Piccola Cucina classes in the
Taste of Italy Pavilion, "This cooking class was amazing and
SUPER fun for my kids!!!"
"They did pizza dough from scratch and when we
came home and baked it, it came out DELICIOUS!!! It
tasted exactly as the pizza from Italy ...recommend this
festival 100%!!!"
The winner of the 38th Annual Raffle is Jaime
Richardson, who is packing her bags for the first place
prize of a trip to Italy for two, donated by Trips2Italy.
Second place prize of Tour of 15 of Houston's Finest
Italian Restaurants was won by Harry Pinkerton (festival
volunteer), with third place of a 50" TV won by Rhonda
Carmody.
Other events that took
place over the four days of
the festival included the
always popular “audience
participation” in the Grape
Stomps and the Pasta
Eating Contests held on
Saturday and Sunday. On
Saturday afternoon,
before the 1:30 start time,
each and every one of the 12 spots at the table for the
Pasta Eating Contest was filled! “I want to be in this
contest so I signed up early to be sure I was in it and I’m
going to beat them ALL!” stated Nathan Feldpausch.
When Margaret Bannon, Special Events Chair, announced
“Mangia! Mangia!” (Italian
for “Eat! Eat!”), all 12 of
the contestants began
eating a pound of pasta as
fast as they could.
Winners of this pasta
contest were: First Place:
Brandon Smith, “I would
do it again.” Second
Place: Nathan Feldpausch,
“I did NOT beat them all, but it was so much fun!” and
Third Place: Luke Rodgers said, “Sure, I’d do it again.
Thank you all for putting on this contest!” The Sunday
Pasta Eating Contest featured the winner of eight of the
past nine contests, Joe Sansone (the only one he lost was
to his brother, Bob, from San Antonio). Joe won again this
time beating Bob Talamini, son of the great Houston Oilers
football legend, Bob Talamini, who came in second and
third place went to Denzel Frazier.
The other audience participation contest that also brings
out big rooting sections and large crowds is the Annual
Grape Stomp contest. This event features a grape stomper
in the large barrel filled with cold grapes and a pitcher
holder who catches all the grape juice the partner
produces while the audience cheered “stomp those
grapes!” The winners of each of the three one-minute
rounds of stomping goes on to the final round. In the first
contest on Saturday, the winners were: First place: Steve
Nickerson / Mai Thoi, Second Place: Mike Petix / Tonya
Petix who had won two years ago, “We were driving down
the street and saw the festival sign and went. Then we
heard about the Grape Stomp and I entered…and WON!!!
Boy, just like today, it was really hot, but this is so much
fun.” Third Place: Mark O’Reilley / Terri Drabik-O’Reilley.
The Sunday Grape Stomp was a real challenge in all the
three rounds…with one round highlighted by the round
winner filling a pitcher up to the top!!! Finally, the Sunday
winners were: first place: Samantha Lai / Jeff Ceballos,
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 3
second place: Danny Martin/Pam Marks, and third place:
Kimberly Barrish / Shannon Hill.
Another popular contest
with audience partici-
pation that draws big
followers is the Annual
Bocce Tournament which
was held on Saturday with
24 teams. After a full day
of Bocce Balling, the
winning team for 2016 is
Forza Delfini, composed
of Dan Selvestri and Gregory Prioli. The exciting
Championship Round, the best out of three games, was
won by the Forza Delfini team in the last round by two
points.
Entertainment from
Friday night until Sunday
afternoon was offered by
the return by popular
demand of Italian tenor
Aaron Caruso, who always
brings the audience to a
standing ovation and fills
the dance floor with
those lured by his
romantic melodies. On Friday night with all the tables,
chairs and blankets filled with festival guests, Hit and Run,
Houston's Party Band, had the dance floor jumping. The
Fab Five, Houston's Beatles Band, had a major effect on
the crowd with the dancers following the band's musical
renditions of the 60's favorites.
On Sunday at 5 p.m. the
entire festival crowd
moved to the north side
of the UST grounds to be
part of the parade of
Classic Cars as they exited
the grounds. Many
comments expressed
delight at the parade:
"What a treat to see them
all!!", "OMG...I missed THAT one...so Grand!!", "I really like
that little bright blue Ford with the rumble seat!!"
"We received such grand comments about the tables
with the umbrellas out on the open space for friends and
family groups to gather. As we walked around on Friday
and Saturday evenings...with every table, chairs, and even
steps over-flowing with festival goers, it was so wonderful
to know that we had offered the kind of
entertainment, events, food and wine that make for
fun, family and friends. “Thank you Houston, for ‘being
Italian’ during the 38th Annual Houston Italian Festival,
see you next year!" stated Pinkerton.
I Madonnari Sidewalk Art Contest Winners:
1st Place - Jessica Cao, Westbury Christian
2nd Place - Lindsay Kim, Westbury Christian
3rd Place - Josh Hernandez, KIPP
Raffle:
1st Prize Jamie Richardson
2nd Prize Harry Pinkerton
3rd Prize Rhonda Carmody
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 4
“38 for 38” Campaign 2016
The Houston Italian Festival's 38 for 38
Fundraising Campaign kicked off in March with a
letter to all members and friends. As of October
10, 2016, we have received $10,197 from 127
members and friends, totaling 269 units of $38,
for an average of almost $81 per donation. We
sincerely thank all of our donors listed below for
your participation and continued support.
Names in BOLD are most recent donors.
List of donors current as of date of printing.
Stephen Aiosi Jim & Dee Avioli
Brad & Gayla Baker Dreck Baker Ron Baklarz
Barbara Barcelona Geralena "Gerry" Barone
Sarah Baskin Michelle Belco
Brenda & Michael Benigno Nicole Betters
Jim & Pat Boland Anna Caflisch
Giorgio Caflisch Ronald V. Caldarera
Sam & Frances Caliva Janice, Jessica & John M. Carrabba
Minette P. Carrabba Joanna Cavin
Eugene & Barbara Chiappetta Mary Choroszy
Dr. & Mrs. Philip L. Cimo Joyce Vento Coles
Barbara Corso The Dominic Cuccerre Family
Larry & Claire Cuccinello Philip Cusimano
Joseph D’Addesio, M.D. Shawn Davis
Joe & Virginia DeForke Jennifer & Melissa DeForke, Jennifer & Matt Corbett and
Tatum & James Corbett David DeVido & Rosemarie DeVido
Mario DiBlasi The DiFilippo Family
Diana DiMartino Vincent & Margie DiPuma
Louis & Elda Ditta
Cindy & James Duca Gloria Secontino Dulworth
Terri & Greg Ebel Cindy & Richard Edwards
Dr. Mike & Mrs. Fran (Molinari) Feltovich
Nick Ferrantino Bruce & Beverly Folts
David & Elaine Fontaine Barney Francescon
Edith "Ada" Francescon Deborah & Paolo Fronza
Tom Furlan Lara Longo Gaines
Joyce & Steve Galiette Joan & Michael Garofalo Ayn & Francisco Garza Pam & Mike Graham
Sandra Celli Harris Italian Cultural Center of Greater
Austin Gloria & Frank Kalman
Kathryn M. Kase Mac & Pat Landwehr
Sharon & Larry Lucarelli Mario & Virginia Lucchesi
John L. & Louise Maida Luke & Joan B. Mandola
The Original Marini's Empanadas House
Bernard & Linda Marino Vincent & Susan Marino
Nicholas Martino Jo Ann & Nuncio Martino John & Julie Mastroianni
Dr. Mary Katherine McMillan Alonzo & Carrie Ann Melchor
Griff & Donna Mercilliott Doug & Mitti Meyers
Signora Gymme Miele Pamela Miller
Ray & Maureen Miller Tony & Gloria Montalbano
Carol Jean Mulrain Barbara Munisteri
Carmen & Frank Nadolney Connie Cunzalo Nagle
Josie & Fred Nevill Diane Nizza
The Noca Family Margaret Norton
Robert R. & Phyllis Ancona Ottis
Dan & Mary Pagnano Joanna Palasota
Frank,Carolyn & Claire Panebianco Angelo Parrish
Farzan Parsinejad & Sara Passone Rodney Passow
The Pinkerton Family Frankie & Rosanne Pizzitola
Kay Plaisance Franco & Mary Posa
Victor Gustavo Priotto Mark Provenzano, M.D.
Frederick Ramundo Ribnick & Associates Jim & Pat Rigamonte
Kristi & Paul B. Robishaw Albert C. Romano
Emilia & Michael Rumore Joseph & Silvia Salanitro
Mary Anne Carrabba Samaniego Norman & Carolee Schenk Livia Bornigia & Carl Scott
John Bonno & Naomi Scott Stephen & Claudia Sims
The Sinacori Family The Stankovich Family
Michael Stein Friend of the ICCC Lana M. Sullivan
Sandra Gorka Timte Toby's Wholesale Ice
Trips2Italy Len Trombetta
Herman & Carol Vacca Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Vaccaro
Don & Diana Vandelinder Roy & Dominique Varner Mr. & Mrs. Leon Verdun
Judy Vieno John & JoAnn Vinson
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 5
Parla Italiano? Just in time for the holidays, do you know these words related to family in Italian? Find the words in the puzzle below.
COGNATO brother-in-law CUGINO cousin FIGLIA daughter FRATELLASTRO step/half brother FRATELLO brother GENERO son-in-law MATRIGNA step mother MOGLIE wife NIPOTI grandchildren/nephews/nieces NONNI grandparents NUORA daughter-in-law PATRIGNO step father SORELLA sister SORELLASTRA step/half sister SUOCERO father-in-law ZIA aunt
V O B F R Z C T S C M O Q I B
A N G I R T A M O W B T N K J
K C N Q E A I O R A O A W Z T
O P U J E S T N E N B N E H E
R N X G G Q F E L Q F G I Y Z
I K G B I A X A L R X O O I H
O T C I R N L S A L W C Y N V
E R O O R L O T S Z A O O N X
F T U P E T E N T K M S V O C
I N N R I L A G R Z D X T N B
G O O U L N E P A W J F K R R
L S O O I N J F S U O C E R O
I S J S E I L G O M Z I A V G
A B A R B K L P G C O Z H A D
N E O Z P M M L I G P I G P H
Upcoming MeetUps: December 7, 2016 and January 4, 2017
LA VOCE ITALIANA
Published six times a year in January, March, May, July,
September and November
by the
Italian Cultural & Community Center (ICCC) of Houston
located at 1101 Milford St,
Houston TX 77006.
La Voce Italiana is a benefit to ICCC members and is also
available by subscription for $15 per year. Please call 713-524-4222 ext 6 or email [email protected]
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 6
Italian Christmas Cookies
These colorful cloud-like cookies make a great Christmas
gift or can be left out for Babbo Natale along with a cup of
hot chocolate. They can be easily stacked into a cone
shaped like a Christmas tree too!
INGREDIENTS
Dough
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
Icing
2 cups shifted confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 teaspoons water
DIRECTIONS
Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs; add vanilla and then
dry ingredients.
Knead and add flour as needed to keep dough from
sticking to hands. Pinch off dough, roll in your hands to
form a log and then twirl into shape. Place on greased
cookie sheets.
Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.
Combine the next 3 ingredients until creamy.
Dip cookies into icing and sprinkle with trim. Place on wire
rack with wax paper on counter to collect the dripping
icing and sprinkles.
Seven Fishes? Try TWENTY-FOUR Treats!
Writer Katia Amore reflects on the traditions of her
Sicilian upbringing in Italy Magazine.
I keep coming across articles intensively debating
whether the Seven Fish Feast, where seven different fish-
based dishes are served on Christmas Eve, is an authentic
Italian or Italian-American tradition.
As an Italian, I must admit I hadn't heard about it until
eight years ago and most of my Italian friends haven't
either. Some of my Italian-American friends told me that
their families do not follow this tradition at all, while
others exclaimed 'Of course we eat seven different fish
courses on Christmas Eve, don't you know?! Aren't you
Italian too!'
I must confess that I do not find this debate
particularly interesting. Ultimately migrations inevitably
lead to such wonderful 'accidents'. It could be that a
particular group of Italians coming from a specific area of
Italy turned what was a local practice, or maybe even just
a family tradition, into something that became popular all
over the United States. As I keep stumbling across articles
about the Seven Fish Dinner, what I find most entertaining
is to speculate what would have happened if my family
had exported my grandmother's Christmas
tradition!
Forget the Seven Fishes,
you would have the Twenty-
four Treats Feast, yes 24
different things to eat on
Christmas Eve. I was born
and grew up in Modica, in
south-east Sicily, to a family
obsessed with food. 'Aren't
all Italians obsessed with
food?' you may ask....yes, of
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 7
course, but my grandparents belong to a minority of
'even-more-obsessed-about-food-than-usual-Italians' and
I think this says it all. It's no wonder I now run a cooking
school in my grandmother's house in the historical centre
of Modica.
Nonna Elvira's Christmas was an elaborate affair with
precise rituals. It started in early November with the
preparation of all sorts of nougats and she kept the pace
throughout by unveiling traditional biscuits and other
sweets regularly. She cooked for the family, her
friends, the neighborhood, the parish, the passersby and
if time and money allowed she would have cooked for all
of Sicily with passion and devotion. The regular stars of
the show were aranciata (a nougat of arab origin with
orange peel and honey), qubbayta (another arab style
nougat with sesame seeds and almonds), almond
croccante, torrone bianco, mustazzola (honey and must
biscuits), scorzette d'arancia zuccherate (sugar iced
orange peel) nucatuli (biscuits with a dry figs and nuts
fillings), 'mpanatigghi (Modica's special dessert with meat
and chocolate), viscotta ri miennula (almond biscuits) with
many other variations and treats making guest
appearances.
Amazing aromas invited you to follow the steps up to
the house which felt like it has abandoned its function of
family home and transformed instead into the best pastry
shop in the world. It was not uncommon to hear the
neighbours debating in Sicilian: 'Ronna Elvira sta faciennu
a qubbayta!' (Lady Elvira is making nougat!) 'No, vi
sbagghiati, chistu è ciauru ri meli, sta faciennu i
mustazzola!' (No, you are wrong, this smells like honey so
she is making mostaccioli!)
At the beginning of December, she started to work on
the Presepe which, in an exceptional show of deference to
the festivity, was just as important to her as the
food. There is a grand piano in the house which became
the setting for the nativity scene. Those who have come to
my cooking school know what I am talking about since it
is still there in the same exact position in the living
room. Nonna Elvira plays Christmas carols on her grand
piano. She covered it with big pieces of cardboard to
create an even bigger surface and started setting all the
grottos up. My grandfather was in charge of collecting real
moss, branches of olive trees and citrus trees which were
added to the scene. Finally, she placed the terracotta
figurines her father, who was an artist, had made and
finished decorating with real mandarin, oranges and
lemons. This is one of my earliest memories, and everyone
in the family thinks back to Nonna Elvira's Presepe with
nostalgia. It was simply spectacular.
With two months of preparation and practice we
arrive at the grand moment. Christmas Eve dinner and the
tradition of eating 24 different things. A food advent
calendar if you will, compressed in a marathon session of
4-5 hours. Mpanate Natalizie - Christmas Traditional
Savoury Pies Now, if you are going to get to 24 things you
have to open up the menu considerably. So, unlike most
other parts of Italy, we did not limit it to just fish.
Everything was fair game! We started with a series of
antipasti which included incredible green olives from
Ragusa, fennel, dry sausage, roasted chickpeas, sautè
vegetables, a rich selection of Sicilian cheeses, and more.
Then came the traditional 'mpanate, a sort of savoury pie
with either baccalà (salt cod) and potatoes, or broccoli, or
spinach and fried fish. By now we were inevitably feeling
the strain so the next dishes had to up the ante and be
completely irresistible. The local winter classic, sausizza e
sinapu, sausage served with wild mustard (sinapis
arvensis) did just that. Fruit, dry fruit, nuts and sweets all
added up to reach the magical number TWENTYFOUR!
Now - pay attention. Not 23, not 25. It needs to be exactly
twenty four. My mother and my aunt keep saying this is a
local tradition, but other born and bred Modicani I asked
haven't got the faintest clue of what I am talking about. So
the real question is: is this a typical Sicilian Tradition, a
tradition of just Modica or my grandmother's ingenious
trick to make us eat even more food on Christmas Eve? In
the meantime I cannot stop thinking what it would have
been like if my family had migrated to America and spread
the Feast of 24 Delicacies to the rest of the world! Buon
Natale e Buon Appetito!
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 8
Mass and Pasta Lunch at ICCC
Bring the family to join us for Mass on the second
Sunday of each month at the ICCC. The Mass is said in
both Italian and English. All are welcome to this great
experience! Upcoming Masses are scheduled for:
Sunday, December 11 10:30
at the ICCC followed by $5 Pasta Lunch
Sunday, January 8, 10:30
at the ICCC followed by $5 Pasta Lunch
Contemporary Italian Film Series 2017
Perfetti Sconosciuti
ICCC
January 18 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Directed by Paolo Genovese, starring Giuseppe Battiston,
Anna Foglietta, Marco Giallini, Edoardo Leo, Valerio
Mastandrea, Alba Rohrwacher and Kasia Smutniak, Italian
with English subtitles (2016 release, 97 minutes).
Seven longtime friends get together for dinner. When
they decide to share with each other the content of every
text message, email, and phone call they receive, many
secrets start to unveil and the equilibrium trembles.
RSVP: [email protected]
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 9
Earthquakes Continue to Rattle Central Italy
CAMPI, Italy (Reuters) - Daylight revealed widespread
damage in central Italy on Thursday after strong
earthquakes overnight that caused panic and fear among
residents just two months after a quake nearby killed
hundreds.
No one was killed this time, but dozens of people
sustained minor injuries and about four others more
serious ones, Italy’s Civil Protection Agency said.
Italian Lawmaker Takes Aim at Vegan Parents
Reuters
ROME — If parliamentarian Elvira Savino has her way,
Italian parents who insist on a vegan diet for their children
will risk up to four years in jail. Savino, from the
conservative Forza Italia party, has put forward a law that
would hold parents legally responsible for feeding their
children on “a diet devoid of elements essential for
healthy and balanced growth,” according to its text.
“I have nothing against vegans or veganism as long as it is
a free choice by adults,” she told Reuters after she
presented the proposed law in the lower house Chamber
of Deputies. “I just find it absurd that some parents are
allowed to impose their will on children in an almost
fanatical, religious way, often without proper scientific
knowledge or medical consultation,” she said.
Some pediatricians advise against feeding children on a
vegan diet, which they say can lack sufficient nutrition.
Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or poultry and vegans
also do not eat animal products such as eggs and dairy
foods.
The law proposes jail sentences of a year for raising a child
on a vegan diet, up to four years if the child develops a
permanent health problem and up to seven years if the
child dies as a result. It would apply to children under 16
and penalties would increase by a year if the child is under
three.
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 10
Savino, 39, who has a seven-year-old son and who eats
meat “but not too much,” said she proposed the law after
being shocked by several recent incidents in Italy. Last
month in the northern city of Milan, doctors determined
that a one-year-old boy who was taken to a hospital had
the weight of a three-month-old because of a vegan diet.
In 2015, an Italian court ordered a divorced mother to
stop raising her 12-year-old son on a vegan diet after the
boy’s father filed a complaint that it was stunting his
growth. “If even only one child ends up in a hospital
because of this behavior, I feel we have to protect them
all,” said Savino, noting that she believes pediatricians
should be obliged to report vegan parents to authorities
just as they would if they noticed signs of physical abuse
on a child.
Dear friends,
As we approach the holiday season, I have been reflecting on gratitude and community. I would like to say thank you, first and foremost, to all of you for being a part of Festa Italiana 2016. Thanks to your help and sacrifice, we were very successful! I am so proud to say that, once again, our community brought the beauty of Italian culture to Houston. Whether you were volunteering in one of the many booths, helping run the bocce tournament or the grape stomp, or simply walking around and enjoying everything that Festa had to offer, thank you! We simply could not have done it without your support. I would also like to give a special shout out of immense gratitude to the Festa committee—they worked all year to bring us such a great event and they will start again soon, with the planning for Festa Italiana 2017.
Inside Milford House, as well, the rhythm hasn’t slowed down. After a fun and creepy Halloween party, we were honored to co-sponsor with the Italian Consulate the “Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo” (the Week of Italian Language in the World). The evening included lectures by Marina Mocci, Cultural Attaché for the Consulate and by our beloved Sandra Celli-Harris, Chair of the Cultural Committee of the Board. These interesting and informative presentations were followed by two fabulous documentaries celebrating Italian fashion and
design. ICCC continues to highlight the tremendous influence of Italian culture in the world with a lecture (at Bellaire High School) by Dr. Stefano Sdringola on the role of diet in preventing and avoiding heart disease and a tribute evening to Ettore Scola to be held at the ICCC historic Milford House.
Before the year closes out, we will bring you, also, more cooking classes for adults, a special holiday edition of La Piccola Cucina, a delicious wine tasting and pairing focusing on the Piedmont region, the return of Commissario Montalbano and, of course, our much awaited Christmas Party. Again, I cannot help but reflect on community and gratitude. As 2016 closes, I am so thankful and honored that I could serve you as president of the board this year. We accomplished much together, starting with the wonderful additions and changes to our ICCC staff, who work steadily and dynamically to bring you even more cultural events and classes. Thanks to their efforts and to those of the marketing committee, we have a comprehensive marketing plan, which has helped us to dramatically increase our visibility in various media outlets and in the community at large. Milford House is looking better than ever, also, thanks to your donations and the efforts of the Property Committee. This is just a small sample of the many successes we have had in 2016 and we are not going to stop. We thank you for your continued support and loyalty now and in the future.
One final note: as we prepare for the joy of the holiday season, disastrous earthquakes continue to shake Italy and bring fear and desolation to so many. I ask that you keep in your prayers our beautiful country and its inhabitants. My deep gratitude extends to all those that have sent help to the affected areas. We have partnered with our friends at NIAF and will continue to do so.
Thank you, again, for a wonderful year and a wonderful community.
Have a blessed holiday,
Livia Bornigia, President ICCC
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 11
Benvenuti . . . New ICCC Members!
The ICCC wishes to welcome the following new members
and invite them to stay fully engaged with all of the wonderful
programs and events which the ICCC has to offer. For
information on joining – contact
Alessandra Pistone, Bookkeeping and Membership Manager Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 6
Mr. Roberto Amici Mrs. Satrina Amodei and Family
Ms. Patricia Ayala Mr. and Mrs. Scott Calabrese
Mr. Marcello Canducci and Family Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cervassi
Dr. Joseph D'Addesio Ms. Patricia DeScioli
Ms. Barbara Duganier and Family Ms. Jessica Einstein
Mr. and Mrs. Renato Facio Mr. Mark Ferbert and Mr. Neil Eguis
Ms. Jenna Froehlich Ms. Alyssa Johnston
Ms. Tracy Lalasz Mr. Antonio Landi and Mrs. Mart Sharits
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laronga Mr. and Mrs. Michael Maddi
Ms. Melissa Mariano Mr. Raymond Marino
Mr. Samuel Mendicino Ms. Joanne Moschella
Mrs. Debra Norris Mr. David Scott Pack
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Paine Ms. Maria Elena Parada
Ms. Nathalie Paterno Ms. Paula Peralta
Ms. Andrea Perdomo Mr. Anthony Randazzo
Mr. Greg Ravizzini and Mrs. Lucia Martini Mr. Robert Rizzetto Mr. Steven Sawyer Ms. Mary Stewart Mr. Piero Taliente
Mr. Vincent Todaro Mrs. Karan Valenti and Mr. Leonard Pizalate
Mrs. Ramona Valenti and Family
Italy in America Association
President: Joe Salanitro
Reporter: Bianca Cunningham
This summer, member Anne Jenkins suggested to
president Joe Salanitro that IIAA should observe the very
Italian holiday of Ferragosto. So, on Saturday, August 27,
2016, about 22 of us met from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Deerfield
subdivision clubhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Dick Huiras, along
with Dan and Edwina Klepac were guests of the president.
It was a wonderful gathering.
There was, of course, a lot of super-delicious food.
One Quinoa salad in particular was mentioned as
“outstanding,” however no one claimed to be its proud
chef. After enjoying many such delicacies, it was time for
a movie; a delightful Italian comedy called Pranzo di
Ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch). It was most appropriate
for our celebration.
With a healthy dose of nostalgia, we met on
September 18th at the Milford House to celebrate 50
years of the Italy in America Association. About 54
members attended with 17 invited guests and two of our
guests included Mr. and Mrs. Doug Meyers.
One highlight of the evening was a presentation by
Cavaliere Achille Arcidiacano, a founder of IIAA. He spoke
eloquently about the group’s history, named the other
founding members, and told charming stories about each
of them.
Maruska Mayo, for example, was from Venice. There,
she often spent time with her grandparents. One day at
the Piazza San Marco, Maruska and her grandfather found
seats at one of the café bars. He ordered an expresso for
himself and a “gelatino per la bambina,” a small ice cream
for the little girl. As she was enjoying the treat, Maruska
noticed that the ice cream dishes on nearby tables were
much larger than hers. She asked, “We have only a small
ice cream and an espresso for you. Does this mean we are
poor?” Her grandfather replied, “Poor? Look all around
you at these majestic building and this beautiful piazza! All
of this belongs to you and me.” He waved his hand toward
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 12
some tourists strolling by. “People come from all over the
world just to see our piazza and take a few pictures.”
Cavaliere Arcidiacano also spoke about his own
experiences, first as a student at the University of
Houston. In those days, he recalled, Houston had very
little to offer in the way of culture and good restaurants.
We all laughed when he said, “In the 1950s and 60s, if you
wanted a good cup of espresso, you had to go to Dallas.”
Thank you Cavaliere Arcidiacono for sharing your
memories.
David Fontaine and his lovely wife Elaine brought
memories of their own by putting together a wonderful
slide presentation of past IIAA events. Well done, David
and Elaine, grazie!
Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant catered the delicious
dinner. Thank you to president Joe Salanitro, treasurer
Gener Chiappetta, Betty Donellan, Mike Marshall, Len
Trombetta and Gail Gent, who worked long hours to make
our 50th anniversary celebration such a success. IIAA
Organization and Membership Directories and our
signature potholders were given to attendees as
mementoes of this occasion.
Daughters of Italian Heritage President: Mary McMillan
Reporter: Jamie Russo
The Daughters (DoIH) have been busy for several
months preparing for the 38th annual Italian Festival
which was held at the University of St. Thomas on October
13-16.
Because the members of the DoIH are pro-active, they
lovingly take over the responsibility of making home-made
food items for the festival. Our member, Linda Marino,
chaired, along with her husband, board-member Bernard
Marino, the Italian cookies for festival – six different
cookies, totaling 5,000, were mixed, rolled, baked, glazed
and boxed. Next came our making meatballs weekend,
chaired by Carrie Ann Melchor, which saw a group of over
60 people mixing, scooping, rolling, baking and boxing
14,570 meatballs. Those meatballs were used with the
pasta served at the festival and at the Meatball Sandwich
booth that the Daughters continue to sponsor each year.
And, the last food item the Daughters prepared for the
festival was the making of over 6,000 stuffed artichoke
hearts, chaired by member, Cathleen Timmerman. And,
as all of this came to a conclusion, most of our 70+
members worked the 3-1/2 day successful festival.
Member, Pam Walters, chairs the November 13th
Mass at the ICCC which is sponsored by the DoIH. Many
will be in attendance honoring and/or remembering their
loved ones. December brings one of our long-time
outreach projects, chaired by Julia Nicastro, which is very
dear to us when we make and deliver 150 beautiful 10-
item Christmas baskets for the San Jose Clinic.
Finally, to end our busy year, we will celebrate with a
Feliz Navidad Christmas. This celebration will also include
the installation of the 2017 DoIH officers.
We welcome our newest member, Sarah Farrow, who,
along with her husband, helped make cookies, meatballs
and artichoke hearts, and who worked the festival.
Since its inception in 1999, the Daughters of Italian
Heritage has proven to be a pro-active group of ladies
who love to get together and who are always looking for
other pro-active women to join their ranks. So, if you love
making new friends, supporting the ICCC, along with other
community needs, and laughing a lot, go to
www.ciaodiva.org, or come to one of our meetings on the
second Wednesday of the month (except July, October,
and December) at 7:00 PM at the ICCC.
Charity Guild of Saint Joseph President: Gerry Barone
Reporter: Marylyn Colonnetta
On September 15, 2016 we held our first meeting at
Rosa Restaurant to begin making plans for our 115th Altar
at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Memorial Park. Past
presidents from 1988 on will be honored at the
Altar. Marylyn Colonnetta gave the cookbook
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston www.iccchouston.com La Voce Italiana Holiday Edition 2016 P a g e | 13
report. Gerry Barone announced our Altar will be held on
March 5, 2017.
Pat Libero and Dorothy Piazza will give lessons on the
beautiful fig pieces that adorn our Altar. Gerry will send
announcements to all clubs stating the dates of these
classes.
We have taken orders for our delicious fig cookies for
the Christmas season. Thank you very much for
supporting this fund raiser. This helps buy baking supplies
for the cookies.
Amiketos
Jo Anne Neslage, President
Marylyn Colonnetta Reporter
After a leisurely summer we had our first meeting
after the break at Ciao Bello. Our hostesses were Jo Ann
Martino and Caroline Matranga. Committees were eager
to give reports of our fall upcoming events. Rose Marie
Schiro reported the fall social will be our traditional but
trip to Lake Charles on October 23. Cynthia announced
our Members Christmas Party would be at Damian's on
December 1. JoAnna Montalbana won the money pot.
Our October meeting was held at Christie's Seafood
Restaurant. Our hostesses were Rosemarie Schiro and
Bernadine Falco.
Updated committee reports were given by Rosemarie
Schiro and Cynthia Marks. Bernadine Falco announced
the Christmas Social would be at Carmelo's Restaurant on
Memorial Drive. Minnette Carrabba announced the
charities for this year will be Camp Hope and M.D.
Anderson Children Art Project. The money pot was won
by Josie Matranga.
Our members are excited and eager to have a busy
holiday season.
ICCC STAFF DIRECTORY
Ray Miller, Executive Director
Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 3
Erika Myers, Programs and Event Coordinator
Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 7
Katia Coppi, Language School Coordinator
Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 2
Luisana Rios, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 4
Alessandra Pistone, Bookkeeping and Membership Manager
Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 6
Kevin & Keith Johnson, Maintenance & Operations
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2016 ICCC Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Mike Garofolo, with 2016 ICCC Board President Livia Bornigia and
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2016 Board of Directors
Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston
Officers
Livia Bornigia President
Frank Panebianco Vice President
Julie Mastroianni Treasurer
John Marion Carrabba Assistant Treasurer
Bernard Marino Secretary
Sandra (Sandy) Timte Assistant Secretary
Board of Directors
Dolores (Dee) Avioli
Gerry Barone
Tommaso De Poi
Margie DiPuma
Jack Fassetta
Sandra Celli Harris
Jo Ann Pinkerton
Joanna Palasota Past President
Beviamo International Jack M. Fassetta
Founder jac k fa sset t a@b evi am ointe rnat io nal .c om
1684 0 C lay Ro d. # 104 Ho ust o n, TX 770 84 Of f i ce : 83 2 -9 06- 610 3 www.b ev ia m o.c o m Ce l l : 7 13 - 494 -92 62