A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends/Cari Soci ed Amici, 2 I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer and now, reality sets in. Back to work and back to school! As you know, AMHS remained quite active over the summer, beginning with the June 1 Silent Auction. This was followed by a very successful general Society meeting on July 27, featuring three local artists, and our Ferragosto picnic on August 17. You can read more about these events elsewhere in the Notizario. I am very excited that this month, AMHS will bring you two very interesting programs: 1) on Sunday, September 21, AMHS, along with Holy Rosary Church/Casa Italiana, The Lido Civic Club, and the Lucchesi nel Mondo-Tuscany Club, will co-sponsor the program “The Italian Legacy in the Development and Growth of the United States Marine Band”, with a performance by the United States Marine String Quartet. The presentation will focus on the contributions of two prominent Italians, Francisco (Frances) Maria Scala, an Italian immigrant from Naples who was the 14th Director of the Marine Band, and Francesco Fanciulli, from Porto San Stefano, director of the Marine Band from 1892-1897. (I heard this presentation, with the musical accompaniment, in January at the former parish church of my parents; thank you to my father, Lucio, for working with me and with Father Marchetto to bring this program to Casa Italiana, for the larger community to enjoy, and for the support of the other two sponsoring organizations; and 2) on Sunday, September 28, our general Society meeting will introduce us to the works of the author Paul Paolicelli, who has written two books about his quest to find his family’s roots in Southern Italy. Please be sure to read more about these programs in the Notiziario. I wish to take the opportunity to notify you that Lourdes Tinajero has agreed to serve on the AMHS Board of Directors, to fill the term of office vacated by Kirsten Keppel. Kirsten recently resigned due to work and other related issues. Lourdes, who will serve through December 31, 2015, has been a strong supporter of AMHS and has already hit the ground running, so to speak, by expressing her willingness to serve on several standing committees. Thank you Lourdes! In closing, I wish to thank all of you for your continued support. There is so much to be thankful for, especially the enthusiasm I see from our membership, friends and guests, to continue to be a part of our vibrant and growing family. I look forward to seeing you on September 21 and September 28. Cordiali saluti, Maria D’Andrea