RECENT SOCIETY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES RECENT SOCIETY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

THOUSANDS ENJOY VILLA ROSA FESTIVAL

This year’s Villa Rosa Festival was a resounding success as thousands of Italians, Italian-Americans and friends came out to the popular annual festival in Mitchellville, Maryland. Maybe it was the beautiful sunny weather, or maybe it was the delicious food and plentiful wine.

Or else the music of the two bands which took turns playing—The Nowhere Men with their Motown Sound and the i-Talians playing familiar songs which brought back fond memories for many. Whatever the reason, the festival’s organizers have reason to be pleased. Under the leadership of Darlene DiBattista, her team and the many volunteers did an outstanding job.

Of course to pull this off took months of planning, and thankfully everything went smoothly. And we could hardly have asked for better weather, which was a big relief to all. The crowd was estimated at over 3,000 people and many of those who came to the festival on September 11, 2016, came with their family and friends. It was good to see everyone having a great time—from the kinds on the pony rides to the adults (and some kids) singing and dancing along with the bands to songs such as Earth Wind and Fire’s “September”.

But first, there was an outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Ezio Marchetto, the pastor of Holy Rosary Church. Since the festival was held on the 15th anniversary of 9/11, there was a moment of silence during the Mass. At the end of the Mass, the Italian and American national anthems were sung, and then Maria Marigliano, the Holy Rosary choir director and AMHS member, sang an Italian lament in memory of the victims of 9/11. Afterwards, there was of course the food, provided by numerous vendors - delicious sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches from A.

Litteri, red sauce made by Trattoria Sorrento of Bethesda, bakery items from H&S Bakery, gelato from Dolci Gelati, ice from Apollo Ice, and beer and water from Bozick Distributors. Entertainment included pony rides, a windjammer slide, and face painting, balloon sculptures, and a clown. At the wine and Society booth, many members, including Peter Bell, Luciana Caleb, Jeff Clark, Maria D’Andrea-Yothers, Elisa DiClemente, Ennio DiTullio, Helen Free, Albert Paolantonio, and Sarah Scott, helped with the sale of wine and AMHS merchandise, and information about AMHS and the regions of Abruzzo and Molise.

Several festival attendees expressed interested in our events and some people also commented that they liked the Notiziario—always good to hear!! Nearby, AMHS member Joe Lupo provided information about the classes at the Casa Italiana Language School, which he directs. Joe answered questions and handed out literature describing the classes which are offered at several levels. Also, AMHS past president Omero Sabatini set up a table under a nearby tree to sell his book, a translation of “I Promessi Sposi,” with a big poster in front showing Pope Francis with a personal quote stating he had read “I Promessi Sposi” three times and it was on his desk for a fourth reading. A big thank you to Darlene and her team and to all the volunteers and vendors for making the festival such a success, which made a net profit of $21,102.18!