A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear members and friends:
By the time you read this message, summer weather will have already arrived and you may have already enjoyed a summer break or two. As you know, our Society takes no breaks in the summer, remaining active even during the hot, muggy months. Please see below for some recent and planned events.
On May 20th, AMHS officers and Board members attended a Memorial Mass for Judge Magistrate Giovanni Falcone at Holy Rosary Church. Judge Falcone was an Italian Magistrate who specialized in prosecuting the Sicilian Mafia and was assassinated by that criminal organization in May of 1992. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Italian Embassy’s Legal Expert and Advisor Judge Romina Incutti delivered some insightful and moving remarks, putting Judge Falcone’s work in an international perspective and highlighting the worldwide recognition of his dedication and sacrifice. Following the Mass, the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center hosted a reception that was jointly sponsored by the AMHS and other organizations, including the Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C., the Sons of Italy International Lodge, Italians in D/C., the Italian Cultural Society of Washington, D.C. and Holy Rosary Church.
Our Society joined with multiple organizations in the area to celebrate Italy’s National Day on June 9th. Participating along with the AMHS were the National Italian American Foundation; the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, George Washington lodge; the Church of the Nativity’s Italian Heritage and Cultural Society; and the Italian Heritage Society of St. Mary of Sorrows Church. The idea of course was to recognize Italy’s National Day and Republic Day, but it was also an effort to build a stronger sense of solidarity among the members of the Italian American community in the metropolitan area. AMHS Scholarship winner Gianluca Nigro served as the event’s emcee, while Piero’s Corner Ristorante Italiano furnished good food and Oscar Bartoli provided excellent entertainment.
On June 10th, the Society held its third General Assembly meeting of the year at Casa Italiana. The meeting featured Dr. Thomas A. Guglielmo, a professor at George Washington University, who spoke on the subject of immigration, in particular Italian immigration to America. Those fortunate enough to attend likely made many connections to related topics in the news today. Prior to Professor Gugliemo’s talk, members and friends enjoyed an excellent lunch catered by Osteria da Nino.
As we look ahead to later in the summer, there will be additional entertaining programs. On July 22, the Society will hold its fourth meeting of the year, also at Casa Italiana. The guest speaker will be AMHS member Mike De Bonis, who is the congressional reporter for the Washington Post. It’s a safe bet that Mike’s talk will be of great interest to many of our members. Also on the program agenda will be the participation of one our 2017-2018 scholarship winners, Ben Abeles, who will express some thoughts on the meaning and importance of the AMHS scholarship for his studies and for him personally. Please check out the article in this edition of the Notiziario for additional details on the July meeting.
Just a little later in the summer, on August 12, our Society will host the annual Ferragosto picnic. It will take place at Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, Virginia. The event is free to AMHS members, their families and friends. Last year the event was a big success and all who attended really enjoyed themselves. So mark your calendars and plan to attend.
On the evening of September 8th, the Society will host a unique cultural event at Casa Italiana. Two superb artists from Abruzzo – a pianist and a Soprano vocalist – will perform a selection of operatic arias and chamber music written by the well-known composer from Abruzzo, Francesco Paolo Tozzi. A reception will follow the concert. For additional details, see the article on the event in this edition of the Notiziario.
Finally, several months later, a different sort of event will occur. The terms of office of three of the Society’s Executive Committee members will expire. A Nominating Committee has been formed to find their replacements. Should any of the Nominating Committee members approach you about serving on the Board, please at least give it some thought. If no one approaches you and you think that you might be interested in becoming a little more active, please let any of the officers know. The strength and vitality of an organization is not measured only by its balance sheet or by its membership rolls, but also by the number and diversity of members willing to get involved in the tasks of keeping the organization active and moving forward.
I hope that everyone enjoys the summer and I look forward to seeing you at some of the upcoming events.
Ray LaVerghetta