CARNEVALE 2015: LOVE IS IN THE AIR, ITALIAN STYLE
On Saturday, February 14, 2015, 104 adults and 21 children who are members and friends of the Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society and The Lucchesi nel Mondo-Tuscany Club donned costumes and brought their “love game” to the 2015 celebration of Carnevale. This year’s theme was “Love Italian Style”, which led itself to all kinds of creativity for costumes (as did the fact that Carnevale fell on Valentine’s Day).
\This year we were especially grateful to have the Murray family with us - 32 family members including parents, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren – all of whom are related to Victoria Maffioli, a former Vice President of the Lucchesi Club. Our costume judges for the evening were Father Ezio Marchetto, AMHS member Elisa DiClemente, and Lucchesi Club member Mary McManmon. Given the theme, there were so many excellent costumes, the judging was not easy!
The following persons won, by category: Most Original, Osvaldo & Ann Barsi (Cappuccino & Gelato); Best Couple, Federica Marchese & Thomas Hartmann (Don Camillo & Peppone); Best Group, Roger Pedri, Julia Barsi, and Clara Pedri (That's Amore); Best Overall, Larry Mansuetti & Annella Auer (Romeo & Juliette); and Best Kids, Matteo Brewer (Hershey's Kiss). We had a lucrative 50/50 drawing, which was won by AMHS member Lynn Sorbara, who donated her earnings of $262 to the AMHS Annual Scholarship Fund. (Thank you Lynn!).
AMHS is thankful to many people who dedicated their time and energy to planning this incredibly successful and fun event, and to those who set up, helped during the event, and helped with clean-up: from AMHS, Samira BadawiKleibrink, Peter Bell, Eileen & John Verna, and myself; from The Lucchesi Club, Osvaldo and Ann Barsi, Karen and Bill Berl, Mariangela DiPietri and her grandson, Matteo Brewer, Silvana & Vincent Cipriani, Tricia Maltagliati, Mary & Robert McManmon, and Jen Zettyl; and Carrie Schneider, Kristine Gilzean, and Nassi.
We also wish to thank the many individuals and companies who provided their services for the evening: Piero’s Corner Ristorante Italiano for the sumptuous meal of appetizers, pasta, and chicken; desserts by Dolci Gelati and Sweet Pearlz Cheesecakes; photography by Tom Marks; music by DJ Mike Takacs of Events Entertainment; Gina Lenhart for the Love Italian Style photo booth; and Trish DiPietri Brewer, Mariangela DiPietri, Peter Bell, and Tricia Maltagliati for the costume prizes. This issue of the Notiziario includes only a handful of photos from the event.
To see more – and to see how very fun this event was for all ages – check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/abruzzomoliseheritagesociety/phot os_stream?ref=page_internal. AMHS and the Lucchesi Club will be surveying members who attended this year’s event, to get feedback to help with our planning of future Carnevales. It is my express hope that, should we partner with The Lucchesi Club next year, AMHS will once again support and participate in this festive and fun event.