NOVEMBER 2014 Visit us at: http://lancaster-italian-cultural-society.org The Newsletter of the Lancaster Italian Cultural Society L’Osservatore Lancastriano THIS IS THE EIGHTEENTH IN A SERIES President's Message ON THE REGIONS OF ITALY: VENETO Ciao Amici, Veneto (Venetia) is most known for its capital and largest city, Venice (Venezia). The region is the I hope you and your families had a wonderful and fifth most populous in Italy and for centuries it safe summer. “Dancing Under the Stars” and the ruled as one of the largest and wealthiest maritime LICS annual picnic were a lot of fun. It would be empires. great if more people would attend in the future. We also need to increase our membership. Perhaps Veneto is the 8th largest region and covers over you could invite a family member or a friend to 7,000 square miles of mountains, plains, coasts and join our society. hills. I am very pleased that 21 people are taking Italian The history of Veneto dates to the 1st millennium lessons. LICS is proud to have a teacher of BC and a people known as the Euganei. But, in Fiorella’s talent. Maybe someday we can have the 4th century, Greek influence entered and the meetings in Italian! Venetic culture began to grow. The Veneti allied with Rome as the Romans expanded and, during Our next General Meeting on November 9th will the Second Punic War, sent soldiers to fight with feature Fred Rodger, a well known artist, art the Romans against Hannibal. From that point on, educator and LICS member. He has been a speaker Roman influence increased among the Veneti for past LICS meetings which were well attended. people and, in 49 BC, Rome granted full So, register early to enjoy Fred’s presentation on citizenship to the Veneti. By the end of the 1st the Italian Renaissance. century AD, Latin became the official Venetic language. The Christmas Party will be held on December 14th at the Eden Resort. Christopher Roda, a Between the 2nd and 7th centuries AD, numerous 2013 PA Senior Idol winner, will be our featured barbarian invasions occurred in the region. By the performer. Chris will present a variety of middle of the 8th century, the Franks gained selections, including Opera, Italian and Christmas. control until the 10th century when Veneto We are also pleased to have LICS member, DJ became a part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the Tony Grochowski, who will play dance music interval, the city of Venice became an independent throughout the event. Let’s plan to get together and maritime Republic ruled by an elected leader extend a BUON NATALE E FELICE ANNO called the "Doge". In 1222, the second oldest NUOVO! university in Italy was founded in Padua (currently over 65,000 students) and, in the same place and time period, St. Anthony began his ministry. Sempre Amici, The Venetian Republic, as a commercial powerhouse, welcomed 1,100 years of influence in Charlie the Mediterranean and controlled much of the region extending its dominance to Crete and Cyprus. 1 Eventually, Venice's influence waned as Ottoman Regional industry is comprised of small and control of the eastern Mediterranean grew and medium sized businesses of food, wood, other sea routes to Asia were discovered. In furniture, leather, footwear, textiles and jewelry. 1797, Napoleon invaded and conquered the Electronics is emerging as a business. region, ending the 1,000 year Venetian Republic. After several territorial exchanges, Venice was re- Tourism, however, is a main economic resource. conquered by Napoleon and became a part of the A full 1/5 (60,000) of Italy's tourism is attracted Kingdom of Italy in 1806 under a French-Italian to Veneto to enjoy the many beaches (Lido in rule until 1815 when the Venetia region became a Venice, Jesolo and Caorle among others), the part of the Austrian Empire. Over the years, the world famous canals of Venice, the Romeo and Austrian government became very unpopular. Juliet balcony in Verona and the stunning beauty After the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 and some of the Dolomites mountain range among many international maneuvering, the Treaty of Vienna other sites. While there, tourists and locals as ceded the region to France which in turn ceded it well, get refreshed with a "spritz" or "spriseto", a back to Italy. If you think this is confusing, it is, refreshing drink of 1/3 sparkling Prosecco wine as was so much international politics during that and 2/3 Aperol, a purely Italian liqueur. Tiramisu, era. The 19th century witnessed the emigration of the delicious dessert everyone loves, originated much of the Venetian population due to severe from Veneto. economic conditions The region is also well known for its festivals. and inclusion The most famous is Carnevale in Venice which in two world is always celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash wars. Wednesday. Venice is well known for its famous canals. Today, the Verona is the site of a Roman amphitheater called region is the "Arena" which has been active since the 16th stable and century. Both cities are centers for Italian music enjoys and house many famous theaters and music halls. economic and social With its lakes, parks, mountains and famous prosperity. cities, Veneto is one of the most scenic and Veneto has a attractive regions of Italy. President who is often referred to as “Doge” to warmly remember tradition. The President governs with a regional council or parliament. It has 7 provinces, the most famous of which are: Venice, Padua and Verona. With a population of approximately NOTICE: 5 million, it is now beginning to grow after 20 TO OBTAIN MEMBERSHIP years of population decline. The government INFORMATION OR APPLICATION estimates that about 401,000, or 8.3% of the FORM, PLEASE CONTACT: population, are foreign born immigrants. The region is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic and boasts three Popes: Pius X, John XXIII and John ANITA BOMBERGER @ 569-2724 Paul I. The economy of the region has limited agriculture, mostly vegetables and fruits, but is an important wine-growing area producing Prosecco, Valpolicella and Soave. The region produces more bottles of wine than any other area in Italy. 2 MEMBERS CORNER Benvenuto! James and Stephany Lombardo on celebrating 50 years of marriage on September 12th. Welcome New Members: Condolences to: Andrea Accardi Linda and Paul Hilton and Family on the George & Dina Agadis & Family passing of her father, Albert Santivenere. Dulcey Antonucci & Dan Piombino & Family John & Susan Garofola Francesco and Mary Ellen Genoese on the Donna Robinson passing of his brother, Philip and mother, Denise Sater Mickina Genoese. Edward & Amy Soule Robert & Catherine VanTash Julia Weigle and Family on the passing of her mother, Izora Bowermaster. Get Well: Quirino Di Cola Traditions Passed On Joanna Pawlikowski Alfred DeLeo LICS member Dominic Russo pours one of 491 quarts of tomato puree in his annual Tomato Day Bravo: celebration in October. Sofia Grochowski graduated 8th grade from Dominic started making purée with his family Mark Twain School for the Gifted and Talented when he was a child over 50 years ago. In 1985, in Brooklyn, NY. She achieved a 4.0+ average he bought his own machine and, starting in 2008, and also received the highest science award and has made it into a day of festivities with his the Italian award. Sofia is the granddaughter of friend, Alessandro Casadei Della Chiesa. Tony and Jaye Grochowski. The day starts with the grinding of the tomatoes, Alessandro Russo was recently promoted to then cooking and putting the purée into the jars. It Adult Services Manager at the Lancaster Public ends with a dinner of pasta for all the helpers. Library. Dominic is teaching his son and grandson the Fred Rodger’s painting, “Bangin’ the Keys at process and tradition. Southern Market” will be exhibited during October at the Red Raven Art Co. It is part of This year, 491 quarts set a personal record for "Music for Everyone’s Keys" for the City Dominic. 'street scenes' project. Congratulations to: Makila Carello on the birth of her granddaughter, Naomi Mae, on September 11th. Clara Di Ilio who celebrated her 100th birthday on September 15th. James and Linda Kopf on celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on August 22nd. 3 2014 CALENDAR FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS (Subject to Change) Sunday, November 9th General Meeting/Featuring Fred Rodger Liederkranz th Sunday, December 14 Christmas Party Eden Resort Sunday, March 15, 2015 Election Meeting/Winter Picnic TBD BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETINGS--TUESDAYS, 6:30 PM AT ST. JOHN NEUMANN December 9 Lancaster Italian Cultural Society Officers Who really invented the telephone? President - Charles Criniti Antonio Meucci filed a patent caveat for a Phone: 898-0857 [email protected] telephone device in December, 1871. Patent caveats, according to law, were a "description of an invention, intended to be patented, lodged in Vice President - Frank Provanzo the patent office before the patent was applied for, Phone: 898-2503 [email protected] and operated as a bar to the issue of any patent to any other person regarding the same invention." Treasurer- David Ferruzza Caveats lasted one year and were renewable. Phone: 569-6909 [email protected] Patent caveats were much less costly than a full patent application and required a less detailed description of the invention. The U.S. Patent Secretary - Helen Ebersole Office would note the subject matter of the caveat Phone: 393-3663 [email protected] (no longer issued) and hold it in confidentiality. Newsletter Committee If within the year another inventor filed a patent James J. Lombardo, Editor application for a similar invention, the Patent Ann Marie Petrone Office notified the holder of the caveat, who then Karen J.