A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear members and friends:
My last message went out on the cusp of summer. This one reaches you as we head toward fall. I hope that the time in between has been an enjoyable and relaxing interval for you. We did not schedule a general meeting in July in view of our members’ summer vacations, travel to Italy, and family gatherings. However, a good number of us did get together on the 28th of that month at Osteria da Nino in Arlington, Virginia, where we had a great lunch and a very good time. Our society’s first intern, Julia Paola, was among those in attendance, as were her parents, which provided an unexpected treat. We held our annual Ferragosto picnic on Sunday, August 11, at Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, Virgina.
The park, a historic Civil War site, offered a great backdrop for members and guests who enjoyed food, drink, music and bocce ball. The turnout was good and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Mother Nature did her part by supplying gorgeous weather for the day. Next up on our schedule is our general meeting on September 22 at Casa Italiana. It is taking place on the same weekend as the 2019 Vespa Rally of Washington, D.C. and will offer a luncheon for rally participants who are not yet ready to depart Washington, who are anxious for a good meal, and who would like to meet AMHS members and friends. Our guest speaker will be Willy Meaux, Chair of the Vespa Committee of Washington, D.C. and an expert on the Vespa (among other things).
Willie will touch on the origins of the Vespa, its popularity throughout the world, and its iconic status as a symbol of Italian post-war culture. Our society is an official sponsor of the rally, and we will be part of the crespelle breakfast ceremony on Saturday morning honoring Corradino d’Ascanio, the Italian engineer (from Abruzzo) who designed the first Vespa in 1946. AMHS members and guests are welcome and invited to attend. There will also be a representative from the Italian Embassy present, as well as Panfilo D’Angelo, President of the Vespa Club of Sulmona, Abruzzo. We have also invited Mr. D’Angelo to attend our general meeting on Sunday, if his schedule permits. Our September meeting will also introduce the society’s 2018-2019 Scholarship winners to our members and guests.
The winners, Kathryn Donati and Francesca Minicozzi, will also each deliver brief remarks on their relationship with Italy, their interest in the Italian language and culture, their studies, and the importance of the scholarship to their academic pursuits. Regarding the rally weekend, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two other events. There will be a barbecue on Friday evening (5:30 to 7:30) at La Moto on Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, Va. It will feature “arrosticini abruzzesi” as well as drinks. On Saturday evening, at the Courtyard Marriott (901 L Street, NW), Tony Richards, a guitarist and recording artist who has maternal roots in Abruzzo, will perform from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
A limited number of tickets remain available (ticket cost is $25). It is my hope that many of you will attend our general meeting on Sunday, September 22. In addition, I encourage you to attend at least one of the Vespa Rally events on that weekend to support another organization promoting the Italian-American community in Washington, D.C. Finally, I want to mention that we have at least one opening on our Board of Directors. If you are looking for a chance to become more active in our organization and make a difference, this might be the right opportunity. If you are interested, please let me know or contact Maria D’Andrea-Yothers. Enjoy the fall and I’ll see you in September.
Best regards,
Ray LaVerghetta