Houston LOVES the ICCC Italian · PDF fileHouston LOVES the ICCC Italian Festival . ... sidewalk chalk art by high school students in the 10. th. ... Boy, just like today, it

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


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,


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


“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


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 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


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!


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]


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.


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


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

[email protected]

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


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

http://www.ciaodiva.org/


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

[email protected]

Erika Myers, Programs and Event Coordinator

Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 7

[email protected]

Katia Coppi, Language School Coordinator

Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 2

[email protected]

Luisana Rios, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 4

[email protected]

Alessandra Pistone, Bookkeeping and Membership Manager

Phone: 713-524-4222 Ext. 6

[email protected]

Kevin & Keith Johnson, Maintenance & Operations

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It is published six times a year by the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston (ICCC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and delivered to ICCC members and subscribers throughout the U.S. and Italy. It is also distributed to locations throughout Houston for the general public to read and share. Each edition is also posted on our website www.ICCCHouston.com and remains available on-line for one year.

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2016 ICCC Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Mike Garofolo, with 2016 ICCC Board President Livia Bornigia and

2016 Christopher Columbus Award winner Joe Puccio.

2016 Festa Italiana Grape Stomp Contest Winners.


The ICCC thanks the following sponsors of La Voce Italiana! For information on sponsorships, email [email protected]

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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

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Documents

Houston LOVES the ICCC Italian · PDF fileHouston LOVES the ICCC Italian Festival . ... sidewalk chalk art by high school students in the 10. th. ... Boy, just like today, it