JULY 2007
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I am just back from the convention which is always like a big family reunion. The entire week end is spent with people that you have known for many years but do not see very often. A big Italian family!
Congratulations to our new state president, Josephine Nunnenkamp, who we know will do a wonderful job and to Omero Sabatini who was elected a state trustee. Our lodge will be well-represented the next two years. Paul Agosta is chairperson of the Arbitration Committee and Gene LaColla is an alternate. Our own Nicole Agosta, a student at George Mason University, was the recipient of the David Scafetta Scholarship. Congratulations, Nicole.
The IHL was the recipient of a 3rd place Merit Point Award which is based on the promptness of per capita reporting, charitable contributions, submission of articles, etc. over the past two years. We also received this award in 2005. Three state recognition awards were handed out to Paul Agosta, Joe La Marca and an unnamed person. Come to the picnic to find out who it is.
National trustee and Past State President Kathy Drummond spent two years planning the convention along with Jo Nunnenkamp. It is a very big undertaking and even though there were many frustrations for them, it was a wonderful experience. THANK YOU!!!
This convention was very informative, fast moving and lots of fun. I want to thank all the delegates who gave up their week end to attend: John and Laura Asiello, Tony and Marge Finocchiaro, Paul and Susan Agosta, Omero Sabatini, Gene LaColla, Joe La Marca, Gene Swann and Bob Maida. We were one of the few lodges that had the allotted number of delegates present. The emphasis on the future of the lodges is to initiate more family opportunities and to try to draw in younger members. Scholarships and the teaching of the Italian language in the schools need to be stressed more.
(President’s Message Continued on Page 5)
ITALIAN HERITAGE LODGE 2517 - OFFICERS
President Dot Saia Lodge Trustees
703 978 8499 Janine Andriole -- Bob Maida
Vice-President Joe LaMarca Joe Ganci -- Phil Traina
703 475 6962 Yolanda Pelosi
Imm Past President Omero Sabatini Master/Mistress of Ceremonies
703 931 5054 John Dovel
Orator Frank Marcinkowski Sr. Ivana Ganci
703 323 8447 Sentinel – Victor Haburchak
Recording Secy Dolores Marcinkowski Membership Chair:
703 323 8447 Bob Maida ()
Financial Secy Jo Lowe Members on the Grand Lodge
703 449 0682 Jo Vidiri Nunnenkamp – President
Treasurer Gene LaColla 703 893 4270
703 246 9464 Omero Sabatini, Trustee (703 931 5054)
La Bandiera Editor:
Paul Alligood, 703 848 1758 - , 1908 Youngblood St., McLean, Va. 22101
Visit our lodge website at WWW.ITALIANHERITAGELODGE.ORG (upper case added for emphasis – not required on the address line). Check the website for breaking news between newsletter editions.
FUTURE LODGE EVENTS
July 4 Fairfax Parade Check website for time
July 15 Lodge Picnic 1:00-5:00 At K of C
No July Council Meeting
August Winery Trip Time and Place TBA
August 15 Council Meeting 7:00PM Fairfax Library
NEW STATE OFFICERS
President Josephine Nunnenkamp Trustees: Jim Cocco
1st Vice President Mario Minervini Omero Sabatini
2nd Vice President Marie Siebeking Audreenia DeFranks
Orator Lou Moschetto John Gossner
Recording Sec Mary Ann Moschetto Susan Yungbluth
Financial Sec Bob Mason Mary Ann Canale
Treasurer Carmen DeFranks Polly Moroni
LODGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOLUNTEERS are needed at 9:00AM to help set up for the picnic on July 15. If you can help, please let John Asiello know at 703 321 7840.
The LUNCH BUNCH will meet Wednesday, July 25, at noon at Paradiso Italian Restaurant, 6124 Franconia Rd., Alexandria. Come one come all! Reservations to Joe Saia by July 23 (703 978 8499). $16.00 includes beverages, tax and tip.
An IHL web site demo will be one of many optional activities available to interested members at the lodge picnic on July 15.
The Italian Cultural Society of Washington holds its social meetings at 3PM on Sundays at the Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. You can call the Society for further details at 301 656 2797.
The Festa Italiana of Washington, D. C. will be held Sunday, July 8 at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 595 3rd St., N. W. The hours are 11:30 A. M. to 5:30 P. M., and the featured region this year is Emilia-Romagna.
Check the website, italianheritagelodge.org. It now has pictures and is updated frequently.
JULY BIRTHDAYS
Corinne Marasco July 2 Mary Jane Baron July 15
Joseph Fuschino July 4 Diana De Stefano July 20
Gene Swann July 5 Ann Lipton July 25
JULY ANNIVERSARIES
Paul & Rosalie Alligood July 12
Giulio & Martha Porta July 20
Augustine & Joyce Taormino July 22
Frank & Lorane Malerba July 24
LODGE CLEANUP
In August, we will give the Knights of Columbus hall where we hold our lodge meetings a major cleaning, and we will need help from as many hands as possible since many hands make for light work. We will strip the floor, wash windows, clean walls, clean the stove and kitchen and much more. The date and time is to be determined so call Joe Saia (703 978 8499) or John Asiello (703 321 7840) to get your name on the list to help.
CONCERNS AND PRAYERS
Millie Malm
Marge Finocchiaro
Tricia Marcinkowski
We express our sympathy to John Dovel on the death of his father. Also to Jerry and Louise Coretti of the George Washington Lodge on the death of Louise’s brother, Ed Aquilio, of Bell America Lodge who was involved in a fatal car accident while attending the convention.
FAIRFAX COUNTY ELLIS ISLAND TRIP
The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering a motor coach trip to the U. S. Immigration Center on Ellis Island and the observatory inside the Statue of Liberty on Friday, August 24, 2007 departing around 6:30 A. M. and returning around 11:00 P. M. The $95 fee includes motor coach, admission and ferry. See the June 2007 Parktakes magazine or call 703 222 4664 for more information, including various county departure and arrival locations.
INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Wednesday Morning, July 4, 2007, downtown Fairfax City, Virginia
Why just watch a parade when you can be in it? You, your family, friends, and neighbors, regardless if Italian heritage, are most welcome to join your fellow lodge members as we walk proudly behind our banner down the streets of Fairfax City this Fourth of July. For general information about the parade, see http://www.fairfaxva.gov/specialevents/IDC/DayParade.asp For specifics on exactly where and when to meet with our lodge to participate, watch your email and/or www.italianheritagelodge.org for a future announcement. If you do not have computer access and would like information about how to participate in the parade, please contact Joe La Marca at 703 475 6962.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE LEARNING GROUP MEETING
The next meeting of our combined Italian language conversation group will be at 6PM on Saturday, July 21, at the home of Paul and Rosalie Alligood. As always, all are welcome regardless of Italian language proficiency. Please contact Betsy Mignani, , 703 830 7699, and let her know which food item you plan to bring for the meal. Directions to the meeting site can be provided.
LODGE PICNIC JULY 15
The lodge will hold its annual picnic on the grounds of the KofC from 1:00 to 5:00 Sunday, July 15. This event takes the place of the regular lodge meeting held the second Saturday of each month. For planning purposes, John Asiello would like a head count in advance of those coming and some VOLUNTEERS to help set up at 9:00AM. Come enjoy the fun, food and games (test your bocce skills). Here are the details:
Date: Sunday, July 15
Time: 1:00 to 5:00PM
Place: KofC grounds, St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Fairfax
Menu: Sausage, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers with all the trimmings
Pasta Salad and Antipasto Salad
Green Bean Salad
Baked Beans
Indoor air conditioned dining available
Beverages: Beer, Wine, Iced Tea, Soda and Bottled Water
Dessert: Watermelon
Cost: $10 per adult, $3 per child age 7 to 12, total cost not to exceed $25 per family in same household.
BOWLING
Check the website for our next bowling event at BowlAmerica at Fairfax Circle or contact Joe La Marca at 703 475 6962 or e-mail Joe at .
All bowlers and non-bowlers are welcome. This is bowling together for fun, not competition. Bring the kids and grandkids.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
The hospitality room was a huge success. John Asiello and Joe Saia did a great job of setting up and stocking the bar with the help of the Italia Mia Lodge. George Washington came thru with tons of food with a little help from us. Many KUDOS to Lee Petta who spent the day attending the platters so nicely and keeping the food trays refilled. She did all this on a very small countertop with no running water available. Thank goodness for paper towels and plastic gloves. She even helped with cleanup. A job well done, Lee. KUDOS also to Art and Gloria Moscatello, Janine Andriole, Kendra Swann, Omero Sabatini, Gene LaColla and John and Laura Asiello for the contributions of food and money. Paul Agosta, Phil Traina and Bob Maida were there until the very end – working, not playing. Bob brought his boom box and camera and soon became the official convention photographer.
I will talk a little more next month about some of the ideas that were brought up to improve the outreach of the lodges. Remember to fly the flag on the 4th. God Bless America.
Dot
I AM AN ITALIAN AMERICAN
.
”I am an Italian American.
My roots are deep in an ancient soil drenched by the Mediterranean sun,
and watered by pure streams from snow capped mountains.
I am enriched by thousands of years of culture.
My hands are those of the mason, the artist, the man of the soil.
My thoughts have been recorded in the annals of Rome, the poetry of Virgil,
the creations of Dante, and the philosophy of Benedetto Croce.
I am an Italian American and from my ancient world,
I first spanned the seas to the new world.
I am Cristoforo Colombo.
I am Giovanni Caboto
known in American history as John Cabot, discoverer of the
mainland of North America.
I am Amerigo Vespucci,
who gave my name to the new world, America.
First to sail on the Great Lakes in 1679, founder of the territory that
became the State of Illinois, colonizer of Louisiana and Arkansas,
I am Enrico Tonti.
I am Filippo Mazzei,
friend of Thomas Jefferson and my thesis on the equality
of man was written into the Bill of Rights.
I am William Paca,
signer of the Declaration of Independence.
I am an Italian American,
I financed the Northwest Expedition of George Rogers Clark and
accompanied him through the lands that would become Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
I am Colonel Francesco Vigo.
I mapped the Pacific from Mexico to Alaska and to the Philippines.
I am Alessandro Malaspina
I am Giacomo Beltrami,
discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River in 1823.
I created the Dome of the United States Capitol. They called
me the Michelangelo of America.
I am Constantino Brumidi.
In 1904, I founded in San Francisco, the Bank of Italy now know as the
Bank of America, the largest financial institution in the world.
I am A.P. Giannini.
I am Enrico Fermi,
father of nuclear science in America.
First enlisted man to win the medal of Honor in World War II,
I am John Basilone of New Jersey.
I am an Italian American. I am the million strong who served in
America's armies and the tens of thousands whose names are enshrined
in military cemeteries from Guadalcanal to the Rhine.
I am the steel maker in Pittsburgh, the grower in the Imperial Valley of
California, the textile designer in Manhattan, the movie maker in Hollywood,
the home maker and the breadwinner in 10,000 communities.
I am an American without stint or reservation, loving this land as only one who
understands history, its agonies and its triumphs can love it and serve it.
I will not be told that my contribution is any less nor my role not as
worthy as that of any other American.
I will stand in support of this nation's freedom and promise against all foes.
My heritage has dedicated me to this nation.
I am proud of my full heritage, and I shall remain worthy of it.
I Am An Italian American.”
Angelo Bianchi, Esq