THE 2018 FERRAGOSTO PICNIC – FUN, FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP

By Albert Paolantonio, AMHS Board Member

Ferragosto 2018 was celebrated Sunday, August 18, for the second year at Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, Virginia from 3:00 - 7:00 PM. Approximately forty AMHS members, friends and family braved the very hot and cloudy conditions to celebrate with a wonderful picnic. Once again, we were joined by members of the Lucchesi nel Mondo-Toscana Club, the Passatempo Meetup group, and parishioners from Holy Rosary Church. Because of the weather conditions, there were not as many people as last year, but we were kept safe and dry under the pavilion.

We were treated to some delicious food prepared by some wonderful cooks. Edvige D'Andrea's sausage and peppers were a personal favorite among an abundant variety of Italian foods which were shared. There were also delicious pasta salads, cheeses, Italian salami, olives, and, it would be safe to say, no one left the picnic hungry! No picnic celebrating Italia and its traditions would be complete without vino. We enjoyed plenty of Rosso and Bianco with leftovers to share at our next function. Many thanks to Sam Yothers and Maria D’Andrea-Yothers for also making sure there was “birra Italiana” for those who preferred a cold beer or two on a hot day.

Because, eventually, the rains did arrive we were not able to play bocce this year, unfortunately. The thunder and lightning did provide us a nice backdrop under the pavilion to share the delicious food and talk about past and future trips to Italia. Some of our members who were not present are making new memories there now.

Many thanks to all of you who attended! Also, a special “grazie” for those who helped with set-up and tear-down. Fort Ward Park proved once again to be a perfect venue. Taking time out of our busy lives to laugh and celebrate together was truly a wonderful and memorable event. I will look forward to Ferragosto 2019. For the album of photos from the picnic, see https://photos.app.goo.gl/esBAYgKijxstWgux7