|
Il Circolo,
the Italian
Cultural
Society of
the Palm
Beaches,
held its 34th
Anniversary
Annual Gala,
Serata
Veneziana,
at the
Breakers on
March 21,
2010. The
Venetian
Room was
decorated in
colorful
masks with a
gondola
adorning the
stage
entrance.
Guests were
greeted by
President
Paul Finizio
and
Chairpersons
Barbara
Ciongoli and
Lexye Aversa,
then
proceeded to
the
bountiful
display of
Italian
antipasti to
accompnay
their
cocktails in
the
Mediterranean
Room while
accordianist,
Tony Mecca,
played
familiar
folk songs.
The Italian
and American
national
anthems were
sung by Lou
Galterio to
open the
festivities
and
following
was an
invocation
by Bishop
Mulvee, a
personal
friend of
honoree,
Louis Freeh.
Greetings
and thanks
were
expressed to
special
donors
Carroll
Carpenter,
Robert and
Bernadette
Buccini,
Finizio and
Finizio,
John and
Jana Scarpa,
Leo and
Kathryn
Vecellio,
Marcello
Fiorentino,
Don and
Angie Seta,
Herme de
Wyman Miro,
John
Goodman,
Lois Pope
and Ed
Walson.
Madelyn
Savarick
underwrote
the opera
interlude
which
included
young
soprano,
Madison
Marie
McIntosh
accompanied
by pianist,
Dominic
Raffa and
tenor,
Carlos de
Antonis.
Plaques of
recognition
were
awarded to
Man-of-the-Year
2010, Louis
Freeh and
Honorary
Chairman,
Robert
Silvani,
commending
them for the
admirable
model they
portray as
Italian
Americans.
The
Honorable
Louis Freeh
responded
with
gratitude
and praise
for Il
Circolo
whose
mission is
to preserve
and promote
that Italian
culture his
mother
instilled in
him.
The evening
continued
with dinner
and dancing
to the Gino
De Marco
Orchestra
and ended
with special
raffle
prizes,
including
stays in
Italy, and
goody bags
of Colavita
pasta,
EucaVanni
tomato sauce
and other
gifts for
all guests.
“This was
the best
yet!”, was
heard by
departing
guests.
Written by
Sally
Valenti
|