Ciao, Tutti
Summer is underway and there are several wonderful events planned over the next few months.
But looking back on the month of June, we held four successful and culturally significant gatherings.
The Holy Rosary Italian Street Festival’s annual event was on June 13th and 14th. It was a great opportunity for us to interact with the community, as we once again hosted a booth on both evenings.
We revamped our merchandise, featuring the theme of La Cucina e la Tavola, with a large assortment of items on hand that were sourced directly from Tuscan markets and other Italian places.
Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted with the booth! It’s a big endeavor and takes many helping hands to pull it off.
On June 19th, we collaborated with corporate members, Joe and Kathy Lazzara, owners of Joe’s Butcher Shop in Carmel, for a superb wine tasting and food pairing. The Piemonte region was the focus, and it was a lovely, elegant, and educational evening. Plus, it sold out! Thanks to Vice President Susan Lew for all the planning.
On June 22nd, Matt Iaria once again organized our annual Golf Outing, with 120 participants, raffle items, and a celebratory dinner afterwards held at Primo Banquet Hall. The funds raised during this event support our scholarship program. See the article in this newsletter.
On June 29th, my husband, Lloyd Brooks, and I hosted the first of two planned New Member Gatherings this year. While summer vacations precluded some from coming, we had a good turnout, nice Italian fare, and it was a fun opportunity to meet other members and become more engaged with the Society.
Another new member event will take place later this year.
It is so important that we increase our membership this year, including individuals, families, and businesses. Do you have a family member or friend who might enjoy receiving a gift membership?
Do it for the memory of your Italian ancestor. Or to pass the legacy on to your children and grandchildren. Do it to promote your entrepreneurial endeavors. Do it to keep our rituals and traditions vibrant. It’s easy to join and requires a very small financial investment to support our large mission.
www.italianheritage.org/membership
Coming Up this Summer:
August 13th – Italian Dinner at Cortona’s in Fortville.
August 24th – IHSI Lecture Series: “Down in the Delta: Race Relations between African and Italian Americans in Mississippi, 1880-1940” by Charlene J. Fletcher, Ph.D. at the Glendale Library, at 2:00 p.m. Always free and open to the public.
September 14th: Italian POW Chapel in the Meadow Mass at Camp Atterbury. Learn about the significance of this event in this issue.
In addition, Bocce continues in summer with that league beginning the week of July 21/22 and ending the week of August 25/26, with the tournament held on Saturday, Augusts 30th. Contact Vince DeFabis to join. The two courts and picnic benches are located at Edna Lacy Park across from Holy Rosary, on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Spectators are always welcome!
Advanced Italian Saturdays continue at the Carmel Library, led by Board Member Francesco Vetrini. 11:00 a.m. See the website for details.
Monthly Book Club: Selections are listed on our website and information on how to join in.
Also in this issue:
Corporate Member Spotlight:
Enjoy this issue’s conversazione with Chris Marra, owner of Angelo’s Italian Market, where you will learn how four generations of Italians inspire this entrepreneurial family business.
Carol Faenzi
President
