Wonderful AMHS Programs Planned for Near Future
Although we may not be able to offer you our regular programs, including our popular annual wine-tasting in November, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, rest assured that we are planning some wonderful programs for you for early next year.Meanwhile, we won’t be able to hold an in-person luncheon meeting on September 20, 2020, to hear a talk by one of our AMHS board members, Joseph (Sonny) Scafetta, Jr. on the subject of Italian American pro baseball players with Abruzzese roots. But the good news is that Sonny will be giving his talk online, in uniform, with an excellent PowerPoint presentation. Stay tuned for more details.
November 15, 2020
Wine Tasting
And since Casa Italiana will very likely not be open in time for our scheduled November 15, 2020 meeting, we are going ahead with planning a virtual wine tasting. More details to follow on that event, too.
AMHS’ 20th Anniversary Celebration
And, since we had to postpone our June 2020 celebration of AMHS’ 20th anniversary, we plan to reschedule the event next year, when we will host a wonderful free gathering for all our members. So hopefully we will all “weather the storm” as we look forward to better times. Andrà tutto bene! ❚
January 2021
A Showing of the Documentary
“My Italian Secret” And if all goes well, our first meeting of 2021 at the end of January, when we hope to meet at Casa Italiana, will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day by showing a documentary, “My Italian Secret,” telling the untold stories of how during World War II, as many as 80 percent of Italian Jews were rescued by people (including many priests and nuns) who had the courage to save their neighbors. The film was made by a foundation named “Italy and the Holocaust.” We anticipate having commentary about the film by one of the Foundation’s experts.
March 2021
Carla Gambescia
on “Italian Geniuses and Colorful Personalities” Then in March 2021, we hope to reschedule the talk by Carla Gambescia that was canceled at the last minute in March 2020. Carla, an author and expert on Italian culture, has promised to make her talk fun and interactive. Hetopic, “Italian Geniuses and Colorful Personalities,” will be an entertaining and engaging Q & A exploring some of Italy’s most interesting and influential geniuses and most colorful personalities.
May 2021
Guest Speaker Steven Livengood
And in May 2021, we hope to schedule a talk with the late Joe Grano’s mentor — Steven Livengood, the Chief Guide and leader of VIP and specialized tours for the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Of course, many of us remember Joe as an ardent supporter of the gold medal for the magnificent Italian artist of the Capitol, Constantino Brumidi. Steven has visited Casa Italiana with Joe and he said he would be “honored” to give us a talk on Brumidi and also share his recent research on the Italian connection to the Statue of Freedom on the Dome of the Capitol, among other things.