“LA VOCE D’ ABRUZZO” February 2015 Volume 11, Issue 1 A Publication of the Federazione Abruzzese del Michigan CALENDAR OF EVENTS FADM MEMBERS COME TOGETHER February 3, 2015: FOR OUR PRESIDENT ENZO PAGLIA Gen. Membership Meeting IACS— 7:00 PM Prayers for Deb Paglia February 17, 2015: FADM Board Meeting IACS—7:00 PM On February 8 a large group of FADM members attended Mass at St. Kieran Catholic Church to pray together for Deb Paglia. This demonstration of affection and support is March 3, 2015: so typical of the special group of people who belong to our club! After Mass we joined Gen Membership Meeting IACS—7:00 PM the St. Kieran parishioners for coffee and donuts. A special thank you to Nellina Serraiocco, Anna DelVillano, and Gina Serraiocco for bringing cookies to share. March 17, 2015 FADM Board Meeting TBD—7:00 PM February 15, 2015: Bocce Tournament Venetian Club –12:30 PM March 7, 2015: FADM Annual Gala San Marino Club - 6:00 PM March 27, 2015 Miss Abruzzese Queen Pageant April 9, 2015: Gen. Membership Mtg. IACL—7:00 PM There were many other FADM members and friends present who left before the photos were taken April 16, 2015: FADM Board Meeting TBD—7:00 PM FADM Members Facilitating the Comities Election Process The Comities elections, which were cancelled in late 2014, have been reinstated for 2015. If you are an Italian citizen who is registered with AIRE, you have until March 17 to submit a request for ballot. The election is scheduled for April 17, 2015. FADM Members Tonino Corsetti and Antonio DiGiorgio have volunteered to be the representatives of the list of candidates. Davide DiCicco has volunteered to serve on the election committee. (continued on Page 6) MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Our monthly membership meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2014 at the Italian American Cultural Center located at 43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI, 48038. OOPS, CORNER: We are revising our Birthday and anniversary database. If your Birthday or Anniversary is not listed, we do not have it on file. Please email me or call me and I will add it to our database. Enzo Paglia 248-656-5052 or email at [email protected] . MEMBERSHIP: All memberships are valid for one year starting January 1 and ending December 31. If you have friends who would like to join, have them call our membership chairman or give us their name and address for a follow up mailing to invite them to join. Remember, we have also started the ―Friends of Abruzzo‖ program where non-Abruzzesi can join and enjoy some of the benefits of membership. If you have any questions or need further information, please call Susan DuBois-Reetz at 586-293-6507. See page 5 for renewal form. STEWARDHIP: Federation activities are fun, entertaining, and cultural. We look forward to enjoying the fellowship and, what else, the food everyone prepares for our fabulous potlucks and get togethers. We enjoy the videos, the music and the stories and histories of our family trees and ancestral homes in Italy. The events seem to flow together effortlessly. This is true because of the members who have joined in and become part of a committee to put an event together. Joining a committee is fun and rewarding. When you have the power of many the tasks are minor and the job is done with ease. When you renew your Membership for 2015 be sure to indicate which committee you are interested in and your phone number. The Chairman of the committee will call you for meetings. Remember, we can do more, we can do much, and we can do much more. All we need is everyone to do his or her part. TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR ITALIAN CLASSES: The FADM is again proud to sponsor our ―tuition Reimbursement Program‖ for members’ children under 18 years of age who successfully com- plete the requirements of the classes. The family must be in good standing for a one year period before they qualify for the program. MEMBER OF YEAR AWARD: Friday, February 13, 2015: Dead line for submitting your recommendation for our ―Member of the Year Award‖. Application can be found on line at our website www.fedabruzzo.org, or by contacting any Board member. The winning applicant will be decided by a vote of the Board of Directors and will be honored at our Annual Dinner Gala on Saturday, March 9, 2013. ANNUAL FADM DINNER GALA: Saturday, March 7, 2015: San Marino Banquet Center: Join us in celebrating our biggest and best night of the year, culminating in our Member of the Year Award. Dance the night away with the sounds of ―Eclipse‖ or enjoy the fellowship of your family and friends. Call Frank Serraiocco at 313-643 -2846 for information and reservations. Ticket are $70 for members, youth under 21 $35. 2015 ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL USA Come join us for the 11th edition of the Italian Film Festival USA. Enjoy contemporary award winning films, meet and mingle with Italian film directors, and have a wonderful experience. Be a part of this cinematic adventure along with thousands of people in other participating jajor cities like Boulder, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Memphis, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. All films will be shown in original language with English subtitles. IACS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The deadline for scholarship application submission is May 31, 2015. The scholarship application can be downloaded from the FADM website http://fedabruzzo.org., or contact Sandy Tornberg to request an application: [email protected], or 586-907-6631. IN MEMORIUM: Angelo Pasqualone FADM Member and longtime Gagliano Aterno Club member Angelo Pasqualone passed away on January 28, 2015 at the age of 87. Angelo was the beloved husband of 58 years to Ann and devoted father of Anthony (Josefina) and Susan. He was the dear brother of Louis (Maria Luisa). Angelo was the cherished grandfather of Caitlin, Ian, Angelica, Amelia, Gregory, Sophia, Elizabeth, and Christopher, and great-grandfather of Emma Ann. Our sincerest condolences to his family. Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Abruzzo Culture EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS FADM Christmas Party On December 14,2014, the Federazione Abruzzese del Michigan, The Gagliano Aterno Club, and Club Pacentro held a joint Christmas party at Mirage Banquets. Members had a chance to catch up with family and friends. Of course, for all the children the highlight of the day was the arrival of the Abruzzese Santa Claus bearing gifts for all! Annabella Reetz checking out Santa's nose! Mariella, Americo, Doug, and Renata Simone Steve Lucci won a raffle prize Doreen and Pete Fuciarelli with their grandson Nico Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Abruzzo Culture Time to Make the Sausage! By Sandra Tornberg Once again Chris and Rosanne Pelino opened their home to family and paesani to perpetuate an annual sausage making tradition that has continued for more than twenty-five years. This year they came from as far away as Pennsylvania, Virginia, and LaSalle, Ontario to participate. Three thousand pounds of pork meat were turned into 1,100 salami, 1,300 pounds of sausage, 700 pounds of prosiuttini, 5 prosciutti, and 25 pounds of salt pork. Preparations started early in the week of January 12, when seasoning packets were made and the casings were washed. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday three generations of Abruzzese families converged to chop, grind, and season the meat, and turn it into the finished products, following the recipes that came from the town of Barisciano in the province of l’Aquila. From left: Chris. Rosanne, and Christopher Pelino Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Abruzzo Culture JANUARY 01/01: Lelio D’Aristotile 01/08: Antonia De Angelis 01/21: Amelia Serraiocco 01/01: Thomas Salvati 01/09: Elio Bucciarelli 01/22: Lawrence Duffield 01/02: Dr. Louisa DiLorenzo 01/13: Frank Serraiocco Jr. 01/23: Theresa Di Giorgio 01/02: Brando Simone 01/13: Alyssa Vanderziel 01/24: Concetta Morelli 01/03: Judith Decapite 01/14: Joe Amicangelo 01/24: Gino Di Carlo 01/03: Steven Serraiocco 01/15: Marianne Burchi 01/25: Sophia Jones 01/04: Nick Colonnesi 01/15: Margret Ann Coccia 01/25: Isabella Serraiocco 01/04: Pierino DiVirgilio 01/15: Amelia VanWick 01/26: Dr. Michael Bucci 01/04: Ferdinando Ulisse 01/15: Dominic VanWick 01/26: Mary Bucciarelli 01/05: Rose Goddard 01/17: Antonio Del Villano 01/27: Angelina Karas 01/08: Denise Cicchelli 01/19: Catherine Calvano-Goddard 01/28: Allesia Risi 01/08: Sarah Corsetti 01/19: Miranda Manzo 01/29: Mary Marzolo 01/08: Mary Lou Buchierri 01/19: Kevin Marchi 01/30: Carmine Volpe JANUARY FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 02/05: Bellonia Zaccagnini 02/10: Giuseppe D’Aristotile 02/13: Ivo Cicchitti - Feb 13 02/23: John Zaccagnini 02/25: Janet Lanlois Di Tomasso 02/26: Mirella Pellini 02/28: Sandra Fuciarelli From left: From left: Gino DiCarlo, Lelio D’Aristotile, Elio Bucciarelli, Bellonia Zaccagnini and John Zaccagnini Mary Bucciarelli and Pierino DiVirgilio JANUARY 01/13: Nick and Aoife Salvati 01/24: Romano and Orazia Congratulations to Angelo and Frances Di Cesare D’Onofrio celebrating 73 years of marriage! On February 14th. FEBRUARY FADM members and Galiano 02/06: Enrici and Berardina D’Onofirio 02/14: Angelo and Frances Di Cesare Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Abruzzo Culture FADM Members Facilitating the Comites Election Process (continued from cover page) The “DOMANDA DI ISCRIZIONE NELL’ELENCO ELETTORALE PER LE ELEZIONI DEL COMITES” is enclosed. It can be re- turned to the office of the Consolato d’Italia in Detroit in person or by mail.