AMHS NOTIZIARIO. The Gala of 2010 AMHS Celebrated the 10th Anniversary Honoring the Founders with Special Guest and Il Bel Canto.

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1 AMHS NOTIZIARIO The Official Newsletter of the Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society of the Washington, DC Area January 2011 Website: The Gala of 2010 AMHS Celebrated the 10th Anniversary Honoring the Founders with Special Guest and Il Bel Canto. AMHS President Richard DiBuono presents award to Fox TV s Sue Pompeani Palka NEXT SOCIETY EVENT - SUNDAY, January 30, at 1:00 p.m. in CASA ITALIANA Flyer enclosed. 1

2 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members and Friends/Cari Soci ed Amici: January 2011 the beginning of our Society s 11 th year and my second as your president. I come into this year not only with the same enthusiasm as I did a year ago but with gratitude for and pride in all that the Society accomplished in Not resting on our laurels, however, we already have begun to plan the Society meetings, social events and trips we will enjoy participating in this year. Although most of the planning and execution will be accomplished by the Officers and Chairs of our Standing Committees, there is a real need to involve more members of our Society. I hark back to my first message of last year: I want to remind all of you that our Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society is a nonprofit organization that relies totally on the volunteer efforts of you members to conduct our programs and functions. This year my goal is to regenerate involvement by a greater segment of our membership; we should not and cannot expect our officers and directors to do all the work needed to achieve success. I will be asking you to serve on or assist on at least one of the committees that carry out our work. Please, speak with me when you see me or phone me to volunteer to work on one of these committees: Programs, Membership, Publicity and Publications, Social Events, Hospitality, Travel, Genealogy, Scholarship, Fundraising. One of these must suit your interests and your talents. We begin this year with our general Society meeting at Casa Italiana on Sunday, 30 January. Please see the announcement flyer elsewhere in this Notiziario and send in your reservation. In addition to enjoying lunch and a presentation on the nature parks in Abruzzo, Italy, by Omero Sabatini, we will be acknowledging and thanking outgoing Directors Vince Ciccone, Kirsten Keppel, and Deno Reed for devoting their efforts to the Society for the past three years and welcoming three new members of the Board of Directors David Ciummo, Joe Grano and Nancy Hurst. Also, one of our two 2010 Society Scholarship winners, Adam Breiner, will attend and address the members. In closing I hope for and wish all of you a healthy and prosperous Cordiali saluti, Dick DiBuono JANUARY 30, 2011 SOCIETY MEETING By Ennio Di Tullio, VP Programs On Sunday, January 30, AMHS will hold its first general Society of 2011 at Casa Italiana Social Hall. The business meeting will consist of the induction of the newly elected members of the Board of Directors, David Ciummo, Nancy Hurst, and Joe Grano, and the recognition of the outgoing members, Vince Ciccone, Kirsten Keppel, and Deno Reed. Of great interest to our members will be immediate Past President and resident historian Omero Sabatini's presentation on the national parks of Abruzzo, with specific emphasis on the Parco Nazionale. Omero's lecture will be enhanced by a slide show, proving why Abruzzo is called "la regione verde d'europa" ("the green region of Europe"). Luncheon will be served; in keeping with the theme, there will be a "picnic" of antipasto, salumi, formaggi, pane, insalata, frutta, dolci, vino e café (appetizers, meats and cheeses, bread, fruit, dessert, wine and coffee). The cost is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. It is safe to say that everyone will have a wonderful time as we "travel" through the national parks of Abruzzo. We hope to see you there! RECENT SOCIETY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES The General Meeting November 21, Wine Tasting By Ennio Di Tullio On Sunday, November 21, at the bi-monthly meeting, AMHS held its annual wine tasting and elections. This popular event was attended by more than 100 eager participants, with a record number of 11 wine and spirit makers sharing their production for tasting. Casa Italiana Social Hall was filled with the true atmosphere of the pre- 2

3 Thanksgiving season as members and friends joined together to talk, feast, and taste the products of the winemakers. The Wine Makers The afternoon began with the serving of a delicious luncheon prepared by Rocco Caniglia of Mama Mia Restaurant. Elections were held to fill three vacating seats on the Board of Directors. By acclamation, David Ciummo, Joe Grano, and Nancy Hurst were elected to these positions (see elsewhere in the Notiziario for their biographies). THE GALA of AMHS CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY By Joann Novello On December 4, the Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society of the Washington, DC Area celebrated its tenth anniversary at its annual Christmas Gala held at Casa Italiana. It was a wonderful evening of looking back at ten year's worth of accomplishments, looking forward to an even more productive future, and enjoying the moment. Many members, including most of the founding members, as well as friends of AMHS, were on hand to commemorate the founding of the Society, which inaugurated its first meeting on June 11, The Society was happy to host representatives from the Italian Cultural Society, the Lido Civic Club, and the Italian Embassy as they honored us by their presence. AMHS was equally pleased to receive congratulatory messages from those unable to attend, including President Gianni Chiodi of Abruzzo, President Michele Iorio of Molise, Father Charles Zanoni, former pastor of Holy Rosary Church, and Giampaolo Cantini, currently Ambassador of Italy to Algeria, who was present at the very first AMHS meeting in his capacity as Consigliere at the Italian Embassy in Washington. Thanks Romeo for the wonderful presentation. Romeo Sabatini gave a very interesting presentation on the wines of Abruzzo and Molise. He pointed out, and the audience was proud to learn, that the wines produced by our two regions are up and coming among the finer Italian wines being exported to the United States. The afternoon concluded with the tasting and the presentations of thank you gifts to the winemakers who so generously offered to share the fruits of their labor. Everyone surely went home with a warm glow of enjoyment! The evening began with a cocktail hour, which allowed guests to mingle, share cameratismo, and sample the antipasti and bevande (including, of course, Montepulciano D'Abruzzo wine). The dignified yet warm Master of Ceremonies Deno Reed summoned everyone to their respective tables to stand for the presentation of the flags of the Republic of Italy and the United States of America and the playing of the two national anthems, in honor of the dual national heritages of our Society. President Dick DiBuono took the floor to welcome everyone to the festive occasion and to introduce the guest of honor, Sue Pompeani Palka, WTTG Fox 5 weather forecaster and fellow Abruzzese. As she spoke about the importance of and pride in her Italian heritage, Ms Palka won the hearts of the audience. She is a most gracious lady who was truly pleased to be with us. Her anecdotes about growing up Italian-American in Pennsylvania and about the thrill of her first visit to Italy to 3

4 seek familial connections in the small town of Ripa Fagnano Alto, near L'Aquila, resonated with her listeners, who gave Ms. Palka a standing ovation. President Di Buono presented her with an engraved award from the Society, marking her professional and personal achievements. Lucio D'Andrea, founder of AMHS and President Emeritus, addressed the crowd, thanking everyone for their support over the years in making his dream of the Society a reality, and receiving their thanks in return through resounding applause. Restaurant. As we enjoyed our dessert of Torta Abruzzese- Molisana, Romeo Sabatini, Scholarship Committee Chair, spoke of the importance to the Society of the combined AMHS/NIAF Scholarships, this year awarded to Adam Breiner and Laura Doran, neither of whom could be present due to prior personal and scholarly commitments. To mark the special anniversary, AMHS Board member Kirsten Keppel showcased a video that she produced of interviews with AMHS founders and members, underscoring their unique experiences. This is meant to be a preview of a more inclusive film highlighting the history of the Society and incorporating more reflections from members about their ties to one another, the Society and to Italy. The completed version will certainly be something to look forward to, as witnessed by the enthusiastic response at the Gala. Father Lydio Tomasi gave the Invocation, asking for continued blessings on the Society, as well as on the meal, and the delicious four course dinner was served by Tesoro The conclusion of the magnificent evening broke with the tradition of ballroom dancing for the Gala. Instead, Maestro Bruno Fusco presented Opera Night, with soprano Lisa Archibeque and tenor Paul McIlvaine, accompanied by pianist Stephen Brown. The three musicians entertained the audience with numerous selections, including "Cin Ci La'," "Memory," and the overture from Mamma Mia. The artists were well-received by the Gala attendees. As everyone left Casa Italiana after the festivities to face the frosty night air, they shared a warm, holiday glow and anticipated many, many more years of shared good times. 4

5 BIOGRAPHIES OF NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE AMHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Ciummo Joe Grano Nancy Hurst David has lived in Washington DC for 15 years and is active in the local Italian community. He was one of our charter members joining after attending organizational meetings in Retirement in 2006 capped his 30 years of federal employment for the US Army as program manager. He now spends much of his time pursuing his passion for Italian culture and improving his culinary skills. He has also been a student of Roberto Paolinelli, Italian Artistic Ceramics instructor at Casa Italiana for 9 years. David has an active interest in genealogy and claims his roots to Isernia, one of the two provinces of the region of Molise from where his father Giuseppe immigrated when he was quite young. His father married a "nice Italian girl" named Antonietta in Pittsburgh, Pa. where his brother Joe still lives. David is not a stranger to the Society having served as an interim Board member some 5 years ago. Joseph N. Grano was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and is a graduate of St. John's University Law School. He has lived in the Washington D.C for 33 years and has been quite active professionally and as a community activist. Among his notable accomplishments is being a crusader to save the historic Rhodes Tavern and other historical markers of the city. He has advocated the establishment of a sister city relationship between Rome and Washington D.C. and voting rights in Congress for the District of Columbia. His most fervent cause, however, was giving recognition to the Italian-born artist of the US Capitol, Constantino Brumidi, culminating with the granting of the Congressional Gold Medal to this artist. Presently, he is involved with the passage of a Congressional resolution honoring Galileo Galilei on the occasion of Galileo's first use of the telescope, and also urging Congress to pass a resolution honoring the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio. Annunziatina M. Cotticelli Hurst (Nancy) was born in Salerno. She has lived in England and France and now resides in Annandale Va. For the past eight years, she has been employed at Finmeccanica as assistant to the CEO and as office manager. Prior to Finmeccanica, she worked for Alemia and IRI in the same capacities. Nancy has been active in the Italian American Community and has been President of the Sons of Italy Lodge # 2522 for the past five years. She has a daughter, Francesca, who is pursuing her DMA in piano performance at the Catholic University of America. Her affinity to our Society is through her mother, whose roots are in Roccamandolfi, in the Molise region. 5

6 SIAM O UNA FAM IGLIA Bon voyage Angela Angela Pisoni, daughter of our Society member Candida Pisoni and granddaughter of Lucio and Edvige D'Andrea, is off to Sicily on January 25 for her spring semester to study Italian at the University of Catania. Angela is a Junior at Brandeis University in Boston, majoring in Psychology and has been studying Italian since enrolling at Brandeis We are delighted that she has absorbed our Italian cultural heritage growing up in a family setting that values that heritage and has passed it on to our children and grandchildren. Tanti auguri, Angela Nonna and Nonno D'Andrea brother, or her parents, slept in one of the two spare rooms I slept in while visiting my daughter last August. As President Obama said, may this country live up to little Christina's expectations of it. JOSEPH A. CIUMMO ( ) By Joann Novello AMHS offers condolences to David Ciummo on the death of his beloved father, Joseph A. Ciummo, on December 22, The elder Mr. Ciummo was born in 1920 in Acquaviva D'Isernia, Molise, and came to the United States with his mother in 1930 to join his father in Pittsburgh. He served in the Army in World War II, received his degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, where, while a graduate student and teacher, he met his wife, Antoinette Dabecco, who was one of the students in his French class. They were married until her death in Mr. Ciummo became a professor at the Community College of Allegheny County, where he rose to the position of Dean of Humanities, which he held until his retirement in Mr. Ciummo is also survived by his son Joseph. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family on their loss. From Omero Sabatini As the poet said, "No man is an island entire to itself... Therefore send not to know for whom the bell tolls (per chi suona la campana). It tolls for thee." Well, most of you must have heard of the nine-year old girl who was shot dead in Tucson, and was so eloquently eulogized by the President of the United States. The girl, Christina Green, was the granddaughter of Dallas Green, an almost legendary person in US baseball. It so happens that through my daughter Maria, who knows the Greens well, a couple of years ago Belinda and I had the privilege of being dinner guests of Mr.and Mrs. Dallas Green, at their home in nearby Conowingo, MD. And, this past October Christina, her parents and her younger brother spent a few days at Maria's home in Oakland, CA. So she and her AMHS MEMBERSHIP By Maria D Andrea, VP Membership 2011 Membership Renewal The 2011 membership renewal campaign is already underway. You will receive in the mail, by the end of this month, a membership renewal letter, which includes a form to make a gift membership, and a 2011 membership renewal card. I encourage you to renew your membership as soon as possible. As a reminder, AMHS membership guarantees receipt of our very popular AMHS Notiziario. I am very pleased to let you know that we now have 304 members! In addition to renewing your own membership, I encourage you to ask friends and family to join our thriving and vibrant Society. As always, we (the officers) are extremely grateful for your continued support of the Society s programs and activities. 6

7 New Members A warm welcome to our newest members: Luciana Caleb, Fidelma Giancone, Germana Miner, Professor Dominick Salvatore, Gino (Luigi) Salvi, and Domenico & Victoria Savini. Vallecupa, all of which are within about 2 miles of Fagnano Alto. Ripa (which in Italian means bank of a river) is located within the Velino-Sirente Regional Park on a hill overlooking the Aterno River valley, at an altitude of about 2300 feet and is about 12.5 miles from the provincial capital of L Aquila. Birthdays and Anniversaries The following members will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in January and February. Buon compleanno, buon anniversario e Auguri! Birthdays Pasquale Pagliaro and Jeffrey Petrino, January 2; Carmela Ventresca, January 4; Delores Caniglia, January 5; Mike Del Borrello, Maria Ragan, and Victoria Savini, January 7; Emma Di Tullio and Marilisa Perron, January 8; Bernard Renzy III, January 20; Diane Pasquino, January 12; Bob Hudson, January 15; Cristian De Ritis, Brad Plebani and Rod Ragan, January 17; Monica Reed, January 18; Frank Del Borrello, January 19; John Villilo, January 20; Lillian DeRitis-Dwyer, January 21; Bess Di Tullio, January 24; Margherita Amatucci, January 26; Mary Fusco Kitsos and Mark Pagliaro, January 27; Dr. Angela Puglisi, January 28; Giuseppe Ciccarello, January 30; Mauro Chiaverini, Robert Di Tullio and Dora Marinucci, February 2; Janet Marmura, February 3; Giuseppe Conte, February 4; Amy Antonelli, Angelina Burwinkle and David DeAngelis, February 6; Carmen Ciccone and Gayle Miller, February 8; Louis Sacchetti, February 9; Stephen Carrier and Mark Lino, February 10; Sabatino Mazziotti, February 12; Elisa DiClemente, February 18; Lana Nardella, February 19; Antonio Ceresini, February 20; Frank Cunningham, February 21; Emanuele De Marco, Gino Marinucci and John Tengler, February 22; Diana Del Grosso and Joe Marchegiani, February 23; Concettina Hudson, February 24; Giuseppe Mastrangelo and Domencio Savini, February 28. The houses are built with stones and mortar and many still retain the traditional design with the stables (now modernized into kitchens and/or garages) on the ground floor and living quarters upstairs. There are two main churches: the church of St. Anthony the Abbot, partially destroyed in the earthquake of the XVI century, containing frescoes from the XVI century; and the church of St. Rocco dug in the rock above the dwellings, containing a XV century terracotta statue of the Madonna and Baby Jesus. St. Rocco is the Patron Saint of Ripa and the Patron's feast is celebrated on the 16 th of August. Anniversaries Gaspare & Dolores Tirabassi, January 1; Ennio & Emma Di Tullio, January 5; Mary Fusco Kitsos, January 21; Camillo & Gina Damiano, January 24; Joseph & Anna-Marie Scavetti, January 25; Giuseppe & Loretta Pitarelli, February 2; Antonio & Liliana Ceresini, February 8; Bruno & Joanne Fusco, February 14. FROM THE REGIONAL CORNER Sent by Romeo Sabatini Ripa di Fagnano Alto, Province of L Aquila, Abruzzo Ripa is a subdivision of the municipality of Fagnano Alto in the province of L Aquila. Ripa is about one mile from Fagnano Alto, of which it is part, together with other nine subdivisions: Campana, Castello, Colle, Corbellino, Frascara, Opi, Pedicciano, Termine and The Ripa subdivision, with only about one hundred permanent residents, is known for its cold winters and short summers; nevertheless, it is visited by many tourists during the weekends and during the summer months, among whom are many who emigrated to Belgium, Canada, and the United States. Tourist sites in Ripa and other subdivisions of Fagnano Alto: Ripa 7

8 Castello Opi Church of St. Anthony. Church of St. Vittorino. Church of St. Rocco, built in the mountain rocks. Ruins of the ancient fortified town, with the tower, the entrance with the drawbridge, and secondary access doors. Remnants of fortified walls from the epoch of the Vestini (VI century BC), an ancient Italic tribe. Ruins of the Church of St. Mary, of the XVI century. Medieval fountain. Benedictine Church of St. Massimo. Termine Church of St. Charles. Corbellino Ruins of the Church and Convent of St. Sebastian, from the XVI and XVII centuries. Campana Church of St John the Baptist, of the XVIII century. Ancient mill on the Aterno River. Pedicciano Church of St. Lucy. Agricultural terraces built of stones in the vicinity of dwellings. Sources: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Tourist Guide "Parco Regionale Sirente - Velino", Edizioni Amaltea, Ripa di Fagnano Alto, Provincia di L Aquila, Abruzzo Ripa è una frazione del comune di Fagnano Alto (AQ). La frazione dista 1,90 chilometri dal medesimo comune di Fagnano Alto cui essa appartiene insieme alle frazioni di Campana, Castello, Colle, Corbellino, Frascara, Opi, Pedicciano, Termine e Vallecupa. Posto all'interno del parco regionale del Velino-Sirente, su un colle che dà lo sguardo al fiume Aterno, Ripa è a circa 752 metri dal livello del mare e a circa 20 km dal capoluogo L'Aquila. Sorge su un colle a picco sulla valle dal quale nominata Ripa, nome la cui origine si attribuirebbe all'estrema parte della terra, che sovrasta l'acqua, specialmente la sponda, il margine d'un fiume. Le sue case sono costruite con malta e pietra e rispettano ancora l'impianto originale con le stalle al piano terra e le abitazioni al primo piano. Si contano due siti religiosi: la chiesa di S. Antonio Abate, che ha subito un crollo parziale nel terremoto dell'aquila del XVI secolo, con all'interno affreschi del 1533, 1559 e 1562; la chiesa di S. Rocco, scavata nella roccia in cima alla frazione, con all'interno Madonna in terracotta con Bambino del XV secolo. Il patrono è S. Rocco e si festeggia il 16 agosto. Caratterizzato da inverni rigidi e brevi estati, ha una popolazione stanziale di circa cento unità, accoglie altresì numerosi turisti durante i weekend e durante i mesi estivi, fra i quali gli emigrati in Belgio, Canada, e Stati Uniti. Da visitare a Ripa e le altre frazioni di Fagnano Alto: Ripa Castello Opi Chiesa di S. Antonio. Chiesa di S. Vittorino. Chiesa rupestre di S. Rocco. Resti del borgo fortificato con la torre, la porta di accesso con ponte levatoio e porte secondarie. Resti di una cinta fortificata risalente all epoca dei Vestini (VI secolo ac). Ruderi della Chiesa di S. Maria del XVI secolo. Fontana medievale. Chiesa Benedettina di S. Massimo. Termine Chiesa di S. Carlo. Corbellino Ruderi della Chiesa e Convento di S. Sebastiano dei secoli XVI e XVII. Campana Chiesa di S. Giovanni Evangelista del XVIII secolo. Antico mulino nei pressi del fiume Aterno. Pedicciano Chiesa di S. Lucia. Strutture rurali di terrazzamenti con pietre a secco nei pressi dell'abitato. Da Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera. Testi tratti dalla guida turistica "Parco Regionale Sirente - Velino", Edizioni Amaltea, Ielsi, Province of Campobasso, Molise Ielsi (also called Jelsi in earlier documents) is a comune (municipality) located about 23 km southeast of Campobasso. In 2005, it had a population of about 1,900 in an area of 28.5 km². The mainly agricultural population of Ielsi reached its peak in the 1950s, but has been greatly reduced by emigration, especially towards Canada, the USA, Australia and other European countries. The town is built on a rock over the Carapello stream, a tributary of the Tappino River. The main products of the mostly hilly land are durum wheat, olive oil known for its low acidity, wines of the Macchione and S.Martino localities, sausages and cheeses. 8

9 Brief History- Not far from present-day Ielsi rose the ancient Samnite town of Romulea, as shown by archeological excavations of tombs and the presence of an Italic temple dating back to the 4th century BC. According to some historians, the name of the town is derived from gelso (mulberry) due to the mulberry orchards that beautify the countryside; others claim that the name derives from elci (holm oaks) that at one time covered the countryside. The town was called Gittia in Longobard times (7th Century), then became Gelzi in the 17th century, and finally Ielsi (or Jelsi). With the fall of the Roman Empire, Ielsi came under the domain of the Longobards, and in the XI century was conquered by the Normans. The first feudal lord was Bertrando from Belmonte in 1269, later on the fiefdom passed to the Carafa family. Around 1550 the Carafa family sold the fiefdom to the Pavesio family, although less than 100 years later, Ielsi became again property of the Carafas. The last proprietor, Luigi Carafa, Duke of Ielsi, died in The ducal palace, residence of the Carafas, was built in 1517 by the de Pinabellis family, on the grounds of the ancient baronial palace. Badly damaged by the 1805 earthquake, it was rebuilt in Of Interest to the Tourist - The Valiante Palace dominates the highest point of town along the main street. The palace is dedicated to Andrea Valiante ( ), a local hero who opposed the Bourbon regime and was a member of the Carboneria Italian patriot movement. This palace is a typical example of a fortified residency of the XVIII century. Rosebushes adorn the main street of the village and the square in front of the Town Hall with its majestic clock tower and the impressive Fountain of the Dolphins. A little more than a kilometer from the village is the Shrine dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie with the annexed Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Here is an oasis of peaceful tranquillity and spirituality in a landscape rich with green spaces and cool natural water springs. Deeply bound to agriculture, the people of Ielsi celebrate the annual Wheat Festival (La Sagra del Grano) held on July 26th honoring St. Anne who is credited in saving Ielsi from total destruction during the earthquake of July 26th The Sagra consist of a parade of traglie (big carts adorned exclusively with ears of wheat) representing scenes of rural life, through the streets of the village also decorated with festoons and wreaths of wheat ears. In the olden days, the carts were drawn by oxen and had skid-like sleds instead of wheels. A typical winter dish of Ielsi is the panatella, a tasty mixture of vegetables seasoned with chopped pancetta and corn bread cooked under u seste (a metal pan covered with ashes and lighted coals on the hearth and used like an oven). Among the characteristic cakes from the region are the peccellati at Easter and the calzoni on March 19 (St. Joseph's Day) made of puff pastry stuffed with mashed chickpeas and honey. What to see: Palace of Duke Carafa, built in 1517 on the remains of an ancient medieval castle. Church of Sant'Andrea, rebuilt after the 1805 earthquake. Casa D'Amico, on whose facade is an ancient bas-relief and a Roman tombstone in honor of Caius Neratius. Valiante Castle, in the highest point of town, built in 1807, in Napoleonic style. Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, founded in the 14th century by Franciscan Friars. Remains of an Italic temple in the area called "Cupa." Remains of Romulea, ancient Samnite town. Website: 9

10 Ielsi, Provincia di Campobasso, Molise Ielsi è un paese di circa 2000 abitanti, in provincia di Campobasso, da cui dista circa 23 Km. Nel 2005 contava circa 1900 abitanti in un area di 28.5 km². La popolazione di Ielsi, principalmente agricola, raggiunse un massimo negli anni 50, ma poi soffrí un calo notevole dovuto all emigrazione, specialmente verso il Canada, gli Stati Uniti, l Australia, ed altri paesi europei. Il paese è ubicato su uno sperone di calcareo a trapiombo sul fiume Carapelle. L'andamento del suolo è caratterizzato dal rilievo tipico collinare con altitudine media di 500 metri. Il territorio comunale e' attraversato dalla fiumara Carapelle, affluente di destra del fiume Tappino. La zona si distingue per la produzione di grano, olio d oliva a bassa aciditá, i vini Macchione e S.Martino, e tipici salumi e formaggi. Cenni Storici - Nelle vicinanze, a circa un km dal centro di Ielsi moderna, sorgeva l antica citta sannita di Romulea, come costatato da scavi archeologici e la presenza di un tempio Italico del IV secolo ac. Con la caduta dell Impero Romano, Ielsi divenne dominio Longobardo, poi conquistato dai Normanni nel XI secolo. Il primo Signore feudatario fu Bertrando di Belmonte nel 1269, più in lá il feudo passò alla famiglia Carafa. Verso il 1550, i Carafa venderono il feudo alla famiglia Pavesio. Sullo scorcio del secolo, Ielsi tornò poi in dominio dei Carafa. Ultimo titolare, Luigi Carafa duca di Ielsi, morì nel Il palazzo ducale, già dei Carafa, fu costruito nel 1517 dalla famiglia de Pinabellis sull'area occupata dall'antico castello baronale, e poi restaurato verso il 1840 dei danni subiti in causa del terremoto del Di interesse al turista - Il centro storico del paese, di stampo medioevale, a pianta quasi ellittica, racchiude gli edifici di interesse architettonico più antichi; in largo Chiesa madre si affacciano la chiesa Madre di S. Andrea Apostolo (XI sec.), il Palazzo Ducale dei Carafa (XVI sec.) e la Cappella della SS. Annunziata (XIII sec.). Nel resto del paese si potranno apprezzare: il palazzo Valiante (un esempio di residenza fortificata del 1700), la casa Pinabello, il palazzo Civico, la fontana dei delfini ed a pochi chilometri dal centro abitato il convento dei Frati Francescani ed il Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie. Inoltre nella circostante campagna si apprezza la bellezza incontaminata dei querceti, dei pittoreschi laghetti collinari, delle limpide e fresche acque delle numerose sorgenti e delle tipiche abitazioni contadine (masserie). Chiesa di S. Andrea, ricostruita dopo il terremoto del Casa D Amico, con un bassorilievo dell epoca romana, e una lapide dedicata a Caius Neratius. Il Castello Valiante, di stile napoleonico, nel punto più alto della cittadina, costruito nel Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie, fondato nel 14esimo secolo dai frati Francescani. Ruderi di un tempio italico nella zona di Cupa. Ruderi di Romulea, antica cittadina sannita. SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO ROME By Gilda Del Signore Nothing in the story of Rome is ordinary. The quote that all roads lead to Rome should be "all roads begin in Rome". Mine commenced on November 15th with the Archdiocese trip to be with our Cardinal-elect Donald W.Wuerl's pilgrims. Guido Adelfio, president of Bethesda Travel, skillfully arranged all the accommodations and masses; Our Holy Father blessed the huge crowd of pilgrims on Wednesday. There were groups with all 24-cardinal-elects; the other American was Cardinal-elect Burke from St. Louis. In addition to mass in St. Peter's, we also celebrated mass at St. Paul, Fuori le Mura, St. Peter in Chains, Subiaco, visited the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, San Giovanni Laterano and Santa Maria Maggiore. On Saturday was the Consistory at St. Peter's Basilica with the Holy Father. Later we were received at reception at North American College honoring the two American Cardinals. On Sunday, was the Mass & Bestowal of New Cardinal Rings at St Peters with the Holy Father, followed by the Angelus and Papal blessing in Piazza San Pietro. Il popolo di Ielsi celebra la Sagra del grano il 26 luglio in onore di S. Anna, la quale secondo la leggenda, salvò il paese da distruzione totale nel terremoto del 26 luglio La sagra consiste di una sfilata di traglie (grossi carri adornati con spighe di grano) che rappresentano scene di vita contadina, e attraversano le vie principali del villaggio, anch esse adornate con festoni e corone di spighe di grano. Da visitare: Palazzo Ducale dei Carafa, costruito nel 1517 sui ruderi di un antico castello medioevale 10

11 We had marvelous tour guides and delicious food every day - a lot of walking, too. Our closing reception and Gala Dinner was held at Hotel Villa Pamphili. It was sad to leave Rome, as I felt such a strong presence of Our Lord everywhere we went. A total of about 400 people from Washington and Pittsburgh attended. signs were already up advertising this big, new store named Gentlemen Loser. It s around the corner from the Wimpy Bar. Teatro Massimo in Palermo. I have been to Italy many times, also studied and worked for NAT0 in the north. My other visits was usually with my relatives from Sulmona and Le Marche (My mother's area), but this trip was like no other. Thank you dear Lord for allowing me to participate. ADVENTURES IN LA BELLA SICILIA By Nancy DeSanti November is a beautiful time to visit Sicily the weather is sunny in the 70 o s, orange trees and various types of cactus are blooming all over, tourist crowds are fewer and discounts are plentiful. I found this out when I visited La Bella Sicilia In November 2010 with a group of National Italian-American Foundation (NIAF) members. We started out in western Sicily, beginning in the capital city of Palermo, and worked our way east across the island. We found out that Palermo and its environs are home to about one-fifth of Sicily s population of 5 million. While in Palermo, we stayed at the beautiful Centrale Palace Hotel in the heart of the city. Fortuitously, on our very first night, there was a religious procession of the Madonna which passed in front of our hotel, complete with a marching band, doves released into the air, bronze foil confetti, and a soprano signing the Ave Maria from a nearby balcony. All the while, we could smell chestnuts roasting nearby. It turned out the hotel was very centrally located only about a 5-minute walk to the famous Teatro Massimo. We learned that this beautiful Opera House is the third-largest in Europe (after Paris and Vienna). On the nearby avenues lined with palm trees, there are some beautiful shops, including every luxury store from Cartier to Louis Vuitton, as well as some very nice, more reasonably priced leather goods shops, jewelry stores and department stores along the Via Roma. Nearby, we saw a new men s store getting ready to open, the On a day trip to the Trapani area, we passed the seaside town of Castellammare del Golfo and stopped in Erice, the home of beautiful medieval watch towers and castles as well as the home of an ultra-modern physics research lab. We stopped for lunch inside a windmill near Trapani, and on the way back to Palermo, while driving down the road near the sea after a light rainfall, we saw a beautiful rainbow a huge rainbow arched across the sky from sea to land which we appeared to drive through. It was an enchanting sight!! After leaving Palermo, we drove eastward past Enna across the island to our next destination, Giardini-Naxos, where from our hotel balconies, we could see Mt. Etna on one side and the Ionian Sea on the other side, with the twinkling lights of Calabria visible at nighttime across the sea. The luxurious hotel, Sant Alphio Garden Hotel and Spa, where some of us had stayed previously, had beautiful gardens and swimming pool with statues, and the area is a popular summer resort. Next, we drove down the coast to Catania, the second-largest city in Sicily which we learned was the home of the first university in Sicily (which opened in 1434) and now is a technology hub known as the European Silicon Valley. It boasts an airport that reportedly is the thirdbusiest airport in Italy after Rome s Fiumicino and Milan s Malpensa. We toured the beautiful city center amd saw the Teatro Bellini honoring the great Catanian composer Vincenzo Bellini and we visited the nearby street market/pescheria, not far from the sea but also close to the city center. There were so many fish of every description, and the fish were so fresh you could see the gleam in their eye. Men carried big slabs of meat almost as big as they were. Fresh fruits were everywhere, including prickly pears, kiwis and huge lemons and limes. As in Palermo, fruit vendors sold giant lemons known as cedro (citron) which are lightly peeled, cut into wedges and sprinkled with sea salt, somehow resulting in a delicious sweet taste. While we were wandering around the market, one of the fishmongers (who knew our guide) playfully chased us around with a live eel in his hand and took the umbrella out of our guide s hands to lead us around the market. 11

12 Catania s patron saint is the 3rd-century martyr Sant Agata, and we learned that for 3 days in February, the city has a grand procession carrying the image of the saint encrusted with diamonds and emeralds. The statue is pulled by a crowd using a rope to pull the special carriage with the statue of the saint throughout the city streets. Greek amphitheater is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, due to its well-preserved state and the beauty of its surroundings. Our final day trip was to Mt. Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. We were surprised to learn that it has over 200 active craters that could erupt at any given time. Yet the top of the 10,000-foot mountain is covered with snow, and there are a couple of ski lifts available for the adventurous. As we drove up Mt. Etna to the 6,000-footplus level, the balmy 70 temperature suddenly dropped to about 30 and the winds were very strong. We were up in the clouds by this point, and the hard, pockmarked lava all over on the ground gave the surroundings the surreal look of a lunar landscape. Then 20 minutes later after descending the volcano, we were back in the balmy sunny weather with the flowers and cactus blooming, which we learned attract a certain type of bee known for its special honey (the products made from the honey of these bees is known locally as oro d Etna ). Afterwards, we drank a toast to the mighty volcano with the local specialty known as Fuoco dell Etna. Catania Piazza Duomo Monumento dell Elefante. Next, we took a day trip to the mountain town of Savoca not far from Messina. Savoca s claim to fame is that the town is where the scenes of Sicily shown in The Godfather movies were actually filmed. The church where Michael Corleone married Apollonia in the movie has a plaque commemorating the filming. We learned that the town s priest actually played the role of the priest in the movie, but he insisted that since no real marriage was taking place, the wedding scenes should be filmed outside the church, and they were. Some couples in our group enjoyed having their pictures taken in front of the church. We also learned that Director Francis Ford Coppola plowed some of money the films made back into the town and he spruced up some of its buildings and streets. On another day trip, we left Catania driving down roads lined with orange trees and bougainvilla until we came to the city of Ragusa which is built on a limestone hill between two valleys. We learned that the city was badly damaged by a big earthquake so that it now consists of a new, modern quarter (Ragusa Superiore) and an older part (Ragusa Ibla) which is quite beautiful. We visited a church in the old city and as we happened to descend the church steps exactly at noontime, the bells played the Ave Maria. A nearby shopkeeper invited us inside to taste the delicious chocolates made in nearby Modica and also to taste the wonderful Sicilian wines such as the famous Zibibbo, which we found out derives from a formula known in the Middle Ages using grapes partially fermented in the sun. We also tried an intriguing liqueur made from prickly pears. Towards the end of our stay, we traveled to Taormina, a charming city a short bus ride away from Giardini-Naxos that has been a favorite of foreign travelers over the centuries. Taormina is known for its ancient Greek amphiteater as well as its seaside parnoramas and elegrant shops and restaurants. The Mount Etna s crater. Of course along the way we savored the delicious Sicilian cuisine, including panella (chickpea cakes), the wonderful fresh fish (especially swordfish and tuna), many varieties of egglant dishes, and sweets such as buccellato (a fig/raisin/date/nut cake). All in all, it was a trip to remember and cherish!! (Note: The NIAF trip for 2011 is to Lombardia and its famous lakes. Details are available at LETTER FROM Fr. FRANCIS TISO, FROM HIS NEW PARISH IN FORNELLI, ISERNIA, MOLISE. Dear Friends, This week is a busy one for all of us, but even to take a moment to write a letter to update you on a few of the things that I am bringing to Christmas this year is a tiny Sabbath of the Heart on this day, which happens to be the Winter Solstice. 12

13 In the parish of San Michele at Fornelli, it was possible to create some new summer programs for children and youth: a school of art, some music lessons, and a soccer tournament. I was unable to interest the parishioners in a tour of the Romanesque churches of Molise and Abruzzo, but in June I was able to visit quite a few of these miraculously preserved jewels of an earlier era in which the language of symbolism was far richer than ours today. To celebrate the end of summer, I took an old-fashioned grown-up vacation on the island of Corfu on the Greek side of the Adriatic: dowdy, charming hotel; Venetian forts; beaches; shops; an esplanade worthy of Hercule Poirot. Then back to work for the feast of our patron saints, St. Peter Martyr and St. Domenico of Sora during which, in addition to masses, processions and confessions, I also lent a hand at the barbecue grill to raise some of the money to pay for the fireworks, popular singer, lights and general carrying on. This garnered me quite a few popularity points with young adults in town, who had never seen a priest flipping sausages on a grill before. The catechetical year has been off to a lively start with help from the Diocesan Office of Youth. A number of our teenagers are involved on the diocesan level, and have brought some vitality to the youth programs as well as to the Altar Servers. The latter are currently absorbed in the study of a book on liturgical ceremonies that I bought while in Rome in early November, authored by the Master of Ceremonies of the Cathedral of Bologna. Hard to believe, but the guys are really into ceremonies with remarkable intensity. It also gives the older boys a chance to boss the younger ones! They are quite ecstatic about incense, by the way. A few girls have dared to venture into this risky terrain it will be interesting to see if they make the team (oh yes, the uniform with the two red stripes is a big deal for these guys). Last night we had the middle school crew in to upgrade the presepio, which got a new river, some additional snow on the mountains, and a few new figurines that had been neglected last year in the general paint job that we did on the collection inherited from the past. I had my annual retreat last week at Sant Anselmo, the great academic abbey in Rome for the Benedictine Order. It was an opportunity to set aside house and parish details, to pray and to do some research on the ideas of Raimundo Panikkar (distinguished theologian recently deceased) whose book on monasticism Blessed Simplicity: The Monk as Universal Archetype (Seabury 1982) started with a conference in Massachusetts back in I am also putting together my essays on interreligious dialogue for a new book. This year saw the publication of my long-awaited masterpiece Liberation in One Lifetime: Biographies and Teachings of Milarepa, which has been selling at the rate of about one a week in various parts of the world. In February, I will be offering a short course (Feb. 1-17) at the Tibetan Center in Bloomington, Indiana on this book and other Tibetological research. Another big deal of 2010, in November the US Conference of Catholic Bishops approved by a huge majority the Agreement on Baptism that I helped draft with Lydia Veliko, the ecumenical officer of the United Church of Christ. The document has already been accepted by the Presbyterian Church USA. Approval by the USCCB will undoubtedly bring in the other Reformed denominations that are on the dialogue (7 th Round ) on Baptism and Eucharist. What makes the Agreement unusual is that it is not a dialogue report (although there is an accompanying theological study of baptism authored by the dialogue partners), it is a piece of actual binding legislation. It means that we have stepped beyond conversations among experts to touch the life of Christians in the pews with a document that recognizes baptism with flowing water and using the formula from Matthew 28: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is the first time in 42 years of official ecumenical dialogue in the US that a law of this kind has been negotiated and passed. This means that other such agreements will become more possible and that other churches may be willing to sign on to this mutual recognition of baptism. Returning home from my retreat, I was struck by the beauty of the landscape of the Molise in winter. We had a storm of ice and snow that covered the hillsides and the mountains with robes of ermine and crystal. As I drove from Colle Croce to Fornelli, I thought: The Word of God, through whom all things were made, has singled us out for preferential love, building us this amazing world, ruling it from the within of all things, continually designing and sustaining it with the breath of Holy Wisdom. This same Word of God has entered our flesh and blood history as a tiny Child, born in the silence of the night, before the gaze of awe of angels and shepherds. The same Word of God gives us His body and blood as Eucharist and asks us to walk in His ways, living a Eucharistic life. Seeking the love of the Divine Word, we are invited to reverence all of creation, from within, with our minds and imagination. Finding that love we find ourselves and are moved to silent adoration, which is inseparable from the contemplation that is our true and final purpose. May you be blessed in this new year with many Sabbaths of the heart, and contemplation that flows like a brook beneath the ice of winter. With love and prayers, Fr. Francis Tiso Fr. Tiso in the study of his house in Colle Croce, Isernia 13

14 Cari Connazionali, MESSAGGIO DELL AMBASCIATORE D ITALIA, H.E. GIULIO TERZI DI SANT AGATA Desidero formulare a voi e ai vostri cari gli auguri di un sereno Natale e di un felice e prospero E' un messaggio augurale destinato a tutta l'italia che vive, lavora e studia negli Stati Uniti. Insieme agli italiani d'america, al Presidente e ai Consiglieri del COMITES e ai parlamentari italiani eletti nella nostra circoscrizione, i miei auguri vanno anche a tutti gli americani di origine italiana e a chi conosce il nostro Paese, apprezza la nostra cultura e condivide quei valori che l'italia rappresenta nel mondo e che tradizionalmente ci legano agli Stati Uniti d'america. Un anno fa avevo espresso un auspicio, ed un impegno: che l'insegnamento dell'italiano si diffondesse ancora di più nelle aule scolastiche americane. Il 2010 è stato un anno eccezionale per la nostra lingua: in crescita nelle scuole e nelle università, l'italiano tornerà da settembre prossimo tra le materie dell'advanced Placement Program, per le quali sono previsti crediti universitari. E' stata un'"impresa" non facile, fortemente voluta dal Governo italiano e resa possibile grazie al sostegno delle principali associazioni italo-americane e di importanti società italiane. Il 2010 dell'italia negli Stati Uniti è stato ricco di soddisfazioni per molti altri motivi. Vorrei anzitutto ricordare l'accoglienza che le massime Autorità americane hanno riservato al Presidente della Repubblica, ai numerosi membri di Governo e Parlamento che si sono recati negli Stati Uniti in visita ufficiale o di lavoro. In ognuna di queste occasioni è stata riaffermata la forte alleanza e la grande amicizia tra i nostri due Paesi. Un patrimonio comune che il Presidente Obama, nel proclama per il Columbus Day, ha definito "l'incalcolabile contributo degli italo-americani, la cui determinazione, il cui duro lavoro e leadership hanno fatto tanto per costruire la forza della nostra nazione". Si tratta di un rapporto rafforzato da una ricca storia comune e da valori ideali come quelli trasmessi, prima ancora che l'italia fosse unita, da illuministi come Gaetano Filangeri e Filippo Mazzei, e riflessi nella Costituzione degli Stati Uniti d'america. Da questi valori comuni sono motivati 4000 uomini e donne italiane in uniforme che operano oggi fianco a fianco con i militari americani in Afghanistan. Come in Afghanistan, su tutti i molteplici e più impegnativi aspetti della situazione internazionale (che toccano la vita di ognuno di noi) vi è totale sintonia tra Italia e Stati Uniti, nel quadro di un rapporto atlantico che mantiene un'assoluta centralità. Le relazioni economiche hanno ripreso, dopo la flessione determinata dalla crisi finanziaria, la loro consueta dinamicità. Vi è sempre più "tricolore" nella presenza imprenditoriale straniera negli Stati Uniti: l'accordo Fiat-Chrysler e lo sbarco della "500" sul mercato americano sono uno dei tanti aspetti più visibili della nostra presenza negli USA, che è capillare in moltissimi settori, della produzione industriali, dei servizi e della ricerca. Finmeccanica impiega dipendenti negli USA; Fincantieri è presente con un importante complesso in Wisconsin; Eni ha un'affermata presenza produttiva e di ricerca; Enel è conosciuta dal pubblico americano per la sua leadership nella produzione di energie rinnovabili; Italcementi ha inaugurato un grande cementificio in West Virginia; Nerviano ha sottoscritto un accordo di sviluppo industriale con il colosso farmaceutico Pfizer. Queste e tantissime altre sono le "eccellenze italiane" di cui possono essere orgogliosi gli Italiani d'america, compresi i ricercatori - italiani o di origine italiana- che secondo la National Science Foundation operano negli USA e i 70 fisici delle università italiane impiegati nel Fermilab, il più grande acceleratore di particelle degli USA. Dicembre non è solo tempo di bilanci. E' un'occasione per guardare al futuro con fiducia e impegno. Vorrei perciò formulare quest'anno un augurio speciale per la ricorrenza che unisce tutti gli italiani: nel 2011, il 17 marzo, ricorre il 150mo anniversario dell'unità d'italia. Gli italiani che vivono negli Stati Uniti onoreranno questa data insieme agli americani che conoscono e apprezzano il nostro Paese, la sua formidabile cultura, il patrimonio ricchissimo di valori, il suo esempio di liberta e la sua storia risorgimentale e repubblicana. Il Presidente Obama ha ricordato questo anniversario nel suo proclama del 12 ottobre scorso per il Columbus Day. Con 150 stiamo attuando un denso programma di celebrazioni in tutte le principali città americane sotto l'alto Patronato del Presidente della Repubblica: grandi mostre nei più importanti musei americani; rassegne cinematografiche; convegni sul pensiero e l'opera di grandi personalità italiane e americane. Siamo consapevoli che la nostra storia ci permette di guardare al futuro con la forza di un grande popolo e di un Paese apprezzato e influente a livello globale. Auguri a tutti voi e alle vostre famiglie! 14

15 Scholarship Recipients 2010 AMHS wishes to thank the National Italian American Foundation for the Matching Funds of $2500 for this year s Scholarships. Adam Breiner Gaithersburg High School, Gaithersburg, MD Attending University of Delaware. Hometown: Gaithersburg, Maryland. Laura Doran University of Maryland, College Park, MD Major Course of Study: Architecture and Italian Language. Hometown: Davidsonville, MD Dear Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society, I would like to formally thank you for the scholarship that you have given me for the following school year. My family is paying for my brother as well for me to go to college, and the financial aid you have given me through this AMHS/NIAF scholarship will greatly help my parents and me to shoulder the burden that currently rests with us. My mother immigrated from a poor town in Italy to the United States, and as a result she has always valued education as a very necessary aspect of life, so this scholarship is valued by us as extremely important as it will allow me to further my education while alleviating the debt that has an unfortunate tendency to follow attending college. Once at School, I intend to continue to study the Italian language; thank you for helping to give me this opportunity to further my education, as well as the means to do so. Sincerely, Adam Breiner Dear Scholarship Donor, I am honored to be the recipient of the 2010 Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society Scholarship. Your generosity will enable me to study abroad in Italy in the upcoming year. In the early 1900s my great grandparents came to the United States in the hopes of providing a better future for their families. Their hard work and sacrifice have given me the opportunity to grow up in an environment in which academics could be a primary focus. This Fall, I will be a Senior in the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. As an architecture major, I hope to use my degree to refurbish and redesign historic buildings in the nation s capital. When I graduate in May, I will also have completed a minor in Italian Language and Culture. I began the study of Italian three years ago with the hope of eventually being able to travel to Italy to both study architecture and visit my relatives who continue to reside in Abruzzo and Basilicata. Thank you again for your generosity. I am honored to be recognized as an AMHS/NIAF scholarship recipient. Sincerely, Laura Doran CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION HONORING PALLADIO AMHS offers its congratulations to Joe Grano, Board Member and Chair of the Constantino Brumidi Society, on his successful effort to have Congress recognize the contribution of Italian architect Andrea Palladio to the American building environment. On December 6, 2010, with the support of 50 members of Congress, 30 organizations, including AMHS, and the Ambassador of Italy to the US, Congress passed the Resolution honoring Palladio. As Grano said, "Andrea Palladio is the most influential architect in history and the country he most influenced is the United States. I am extremely proud and delighted that our Congress has acknowledged our country's immense debt to Palladio and inferentially our debt to Italy in cultural matters. There is no doubt that Palladio is one of the key luminaries of Western Civilization and it is inspiring to know that Congress found the time, even with its busy schedule of weighty matters to attend to, to acknowledge that heritage." it is with pride as Italian-Americans that we include the full resolution in the Notiziario. 15

16 One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the fifth day of January, two thousand and ten. Concurrent Resolution Whereas 2008 was the 500th anniversary of the birth year of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio; Whereas Andrea Palladio was born Andrea di Pietro in Padua on November 30, 1508; Whereas Palladio, born of humble origins, apprenticed as a stonemason in his early life; Whereas under the patronage of Count Giangiorgio Trissino ( ), Palladio studied architecture, engineering, topography, and military science in his mid-twenties; Whereas in 1540, Count Trissino renamed him `Palladio', a reference to the wisdom of Pallas Athena, as well as the Italian form of the name of the Roman writer of the fourth century, Rutilius Taurus Aemilianus Palladius; Whereas Palladio's designs for public works, churches, mansions, and villas rank among the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Italian Renaissance; Whereas Palladio's surviving buildings are collectively included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; Whereas Palladio's treatise, `The Four Books of Architecture', ranks as the most influential publication on architecture ever produced and has shaped much of the architectural image of Western civilization; Whereas `The Four Books of Architecture' has served as a primary source for classical design for many architects and builders in the United States from colonial times to the present; Whereas Thomas Jefferson called Palladio's `The Four Books of Architecture' the `Bible' for architectural practice, and employed Palladio's principles in establishing lasting standards for public architecture in the United States and in constructing his own masterpiece, Monticello; Whereas our Nation's most iconic buildings, including the United States Capitol Building and the White House, reflect the influence of Palladio's architecture through the Anglo-Palladian movement, which flourished in the 18th century; Whereas Palladio's pioneering reconstruction and restoration drawings of ancient Roman temples in `The Four Books of Architecture' provided inspiration for many of the great American classical edifices of the 19th and 20th centuries, in the period known as the American Renaissance; Whereas the American Renaissance marked the high point of the classical tradition and enriched the United States from coast to coast with countless architectural works of timeless dignity and beauty, including the John A. Wilson Building, the seat of government of the District of Columbia; Whereas the American architectural monuments inspired both directly and indirectly by the writings, illustrations, and designs of Palladio form a proud and priceless part of our Nation's cultural heritage; and Whereas organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, and many other entities have been celebrating this special 500-year anniversary, including the Italian National Committee for Andrea Palladio 500, the Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura Andrea Palladio, the Palladium Musicum, Inc., the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, as well as other Italian and Italian American cultural organizations, such as the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc., and the Italian Cultural Society of Washington, DC, Inc., with a wide variety of public programs, publications, symposia, proclamation ceremonies, and salutes to the genius and legacy of Palladio: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-- (1) recognizes the 500th anniversary of Andrea Palladio's birth year; (2) recognizes his tremendous influence on architecture in the United States; and (3) expresses its gratitude for the enhancement his life and career has bestowed upon the Nation's built environment. 16

17 The Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society Of the Washington, DC Area Website: abruzzomoliseheritagesociety.org LUNCH/MEETING WHEN: SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2011 TIME: 1:00 p.m. SUBJECT: PRICE: $12.00 members and $15.00 non members Casa Italiana 595 Third St. N.W. Washington, D.C. Scenes of the Parco Nazionale D Abruzzo. PROGRAM: Abruzzo is la Regione Verde D Europa, "the Green Region of Europe, and is famous for its National Parks: Parco Nazionale d Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, Parco Nazionale della Maiella and Parco Regionale del Sirente-Velino. Our own Immediate Past President, Omero Sabatini, will give a presentation on the Parco Nazionale d Abruzzo and an overview of the other parks. You should not miss this, as it is an opportunity to learn more about our region. Pescasseroli, a picturesque town at the heart of the Park. The presentation will be preceded by a lunch, or shall we say, "a picnic in the park?" For information call: Joe Novello, ; Ennio Di Tullio ; Dick DiBuono, FRIENDS ARE WELCOME! cut cut Reservation for AMHS Meeting on Sunday, January 30, 2011 Please make check to AMHS; send to AMHS, c/o Joseph Novello, 7035 Hunter Lane, Hyattsville, MD NAME: Phone: Number of people: Check amount: 17

18 Wine Tasting Sunday, November 21,

19 Wine Tasting-Sunday, November 21,

20 AMHS Gala Saturday, Dicember 4,