Page 20 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 19-25, 2018

The 16th Annual F.I.O.R.E. Christmas Party

By The Las Vegas Roving (thru the Snow on a one-horse-

open sleigh) ReporterPhotos by David “Bananas”

(and chestnuts roasting on an open fire) Williams and Lorraine

(Sugar Plum Fairy) SardelliFlash Photography courtesy of

Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer’Twas 12 days before Christ-

mas and all thru Las Vegas, no one was dreaming of a Mid-Day Christmas Party, not a Pit Boss, a dealer or even a mouse. But, keeping up with tradition and irreverence, the avant-garde Non Club Club F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians Organizing Ridiculous Events) was already ahead of all other seasonal festivities.

For those attending a F.I.O.R.E. event for the first time it was, at the very least, a culture shock, if not baptism by fire. (These people take fun and ridiculous events se-riously.) Guests were invited to an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party but, I am sure, not prepared to see Hula Skirts, Dreidel shirts, yarmulkes and even Stars of David, but that was what they encountered. The initial shock was short lived and lost within the smiles, laughter, live music, camaraderie and the love that filled every corner of the Main

Room of the Italian American Club, decorated to the hilt for the season’s festivities.

Ambassador Nancy Hawthorne, walked uphill through the snow, both ways, at 8:37 a.m., to volun-teer her time to deck the halls of the Italian American Club’ stage. (Rumor has it that Nancy may have slept in the parking lot to be sure everything was done just right.) Silver and gold decorations adorned the stage where the Grammy Award winning, Gary Anderson Trio, made the jingle bells rock. Gary, along with Joe Darro and Jimmy Racey, became a quartet with the talent of Dr. George Ritter, as he joined the reindeer games.

A crowd of almost 9 scores and 7 dashed through the snow to be part of this 16 year holiday tradi-tion. As with all F.I.O.R.E. events, there was delicious Italian food and incredible entertainment. The room was graced with a number of performers and many of the singers took to the stage. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, but do you recall, direct from Mi-lano, Italy, Count Klaus Bellavittis, Patty Ascher, Bobby Mayo Jr., George Bugatti, Nelson Sardelli, Denise Rose, Paul Campanella, Vinny Adinolfi, and also Rosemary

Clooney, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Burle Ives, Roger Whittaker, Conway Twitty, among others were there in spirit.

While most F.I.O.R.E. Lun-cheons have a featured speaker, De-cember focuses on the merriment. However, there was a visit from

Santa Claus (president Richard Smith) and it was the icing on the Gingerbread house. What a great surprise to all.

To be a part of F.I.O.R.E. and their amazing events, you must be invited and endorsed by an existing member. Events are on the second

Thursday of every month and an RSVP is mandatory for every event. F.I.O.R.E will kick off 2019 with guest speaker, Frank Leone, on January 10th. If you have any real-ly cool friends who are F.I.O.R.E. members, you might finagle an invite.

Some of the F.I.O.R.E. Fun Seekers.

Nancy Hawthorne pleased with her decoration job.

A true Las Vegas Full House. Santa Claus and the Crupis. (Santa is the one in the middle).

“I saw Pat Cooper kissing Santa Claus.”

Larry, the Merry Mad Hatter.

Betty Corbo dances with Nelson Sardelli, and he doesn’t even drink. A few of the Ugly Sweaters Contestants... Every one was a winner.

Sam Wagmeister and Maxine Gaines. Oh, he will pay 30 years from now.

Neuro-Surgeon Dr. Ramsis Ghaly flies from Chicago for the FIORE meetings.

December 19-25, 2018 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 21

The 16th Annual F.I.O.R.E. Christmas Party

Keep your hands off my “goodies.”

Italians, Brazilians, Hungarians, Lebanese and Americans love Santa.David Adolph and Lorraine Sardelli.

The Kimples, the Schultz and Al Pacino.

Elf Photographer David Williams sells his camera and joins the fun.

Kate Zhong, Judy Coco, Lena and Ken Walther, backup singers for Linda Bateman-Gomez.

Count Klaus Bellavitis

Mariko and David Adolph, Gene and Angela Vitale.

Bobby Mayo Jr. and the F.I.O.R.E. Symphonic.

Lorraine, Nelson, Giovanna and Pietra Sardelli, Betty Corbo, Joey Benshimon surrounding Emily and Pat Cooper. Joe and Meegan Boiros

Page 22 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / December 19-25, 2018

The 16th Annual F.I.O.R.E. Christmas Party

George Bugatti sang his favorite Christmas song.

Patty Ascher sang Christmas songs Brazilian style.

Paul Campanella swung merrily thru the snow.

Bronx Wanderers star Vinny Adinolfi... nothing else needs to be said.

Brazil meets Japan. Sandra Czeisler and Mariko Adolph.

Maggi, Judge Donald Mosley, Jerry and Linda McCorkle and Annette Sanchez.

Frankie Chase, Dianna Stubbs, their guests and every lady present received chocolate and roses.

Inquisitive Lena Walther, Irene Albrecht, J.T. Miller and Susy Saline.

Next month’s speaker, Frank Leone with Mimi Williams, Judy Tarte and Suzy Saline.

Denise Rose always proves that great voices came in small packages. The Duke of Fremont Street holds court with Lee Costantino, Samatha Kolari, Vincent Palmieri, Iris Wang and Mike DeCilla.

Johnny Amato stands behind Chi, Sue and Felix (Cousin ITT) Silla.

December 19-25, 2018 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / Page 23

The 16th Annual F.I.O.R.E. Christmas Party

Miss Senior Golden Years USA Queen 2018, Terri Rogers with Alice and Tom Saitta.

Bill Burlew, Kaye Wade Hicks and Ken Walther.

Frankie Chase, smile, candy cane and roses.

Bart and Arlene Damele and their guest, Kay Sanderson.

Leon and Renee’ Patillo and Betty Smith.

Judy Coco and Cindy Joseph

Eileen Hayes and Las Vegas show producer, Jeff Kutash.

Phree Bartley and Tom CollinsJudy Platzer, Klaus Bellavitis and Meg Armstrong.

Hildi Viczko, Barbara Zucker, Marta and Eddie DeVries and Marshall Zucker.

Lesa and Chuck KnowlesKaren Christensen, Len Indelicato and Marie Carter.