Ciao, Tutti!

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Society’s newsletter.

You will notice some new content that will become regular features going forward, such as:

Corporate Member Spotlight:

Each edition will focus on one of our Corporate Members, as a way to familiarize you with their respective businesses. We appreciate their financial support for our organization, and we encourage you to consider doing business with them.

So, enjoy this issue’s conversazione with Mary Grace Pennella, Stillpoint Chiropractor. Mary Grace was the Italian Heritage Society’s first woman president.

We have included a list of new individuals and family members. In June, we will be putting on a fun gathering for them to get acquainted with each other, our Board Members, and our Society’s 2025 events. More details on that will be coming soon.

Here is the link to officially become a member:

www.italianheritage.org/membership 

I’d like to recognize one of our volunteers, Christina Molinari, who is now serving as Editor of our newsletter. Christina has been working with Board Member Sharon Smith on the PR committee for many months now, and taking on the Editor role is no easy task. Grazie Mille, Christina.

I hope you were able to take in one of the films at the Italian Film Fest. Our Society is and has been a sponsor of this national festival for several years.

Our second lecture of the year on Genetic Genealogy drew a good crowd on the last Sunday of March, given the popularity of this subject. We thank Susan Lew, Cultural Chair and Vice President for bringing this expert from Ft. Wayne, Kate Penney Howard, to Indianapolis to deliver this fascinating talk.

I saw more than a few of our members at the Indianapolis Opera’s 50th Anniversary Gala and Concert. It is a testament to the leadership of the Opera that this concert brought together world-class performers to sing so many well-loved arias and accompanied by the Opera Chorus and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, it was an emotionally powerful evening.

The Bocce League is gearing up for its Spring season. Teams play every Monday and Tuesday evening starting the first week of May. Contact Vince DeFabis to join or just come out with snacks and beverages to watch the action.

Upcoming events include our Golf Tournament on June 22nd, which benefits our Scholarship fund. Contact Matt Iaria to join in this fun outing, which includes dinner and prizes.

There are many events planned that will take us through the Summer, including Summer Kids Camps, the Chapel in the Meadow event, Italian conversation opportunities, and much more.

The Holy Rosary Festival, one of the most popular in the City of Indianapolis, returns on June 13th and 14th. The Italian Heritage Society will be there hosting a booth, as we have done for many years. If you have any interest in volunteering, please send me an email at [email protected] 

Whether you are a bocce player, golfer, wine and food lover, Italian language lover, or just like to hang out with your fellow members for fun and conversation, there is an activity coming up for you!

Carol Faenzi

President