|
Recap of November's Meeting
Mille grazie to our very own club president, Gene Mariani, for
his interesting and informative presentation on Italy During World War
I, which described the fighting between the Italian and Austrian troops
in the high Alps and Dolomites. Italy entered World War I on May 23, 1915
and the Italian troops literally fought uphill against the larger and better
equipped forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who were entrenched above
them in the mountains. After the crushing defeat at Caporetto in November
1917, Italian troops fought back meter by meter and ultimately snatched
victory from defeat with their great victory at the battle of Vittorio
Veneto, which on November 4, 1918 brought about the surrender of Austria.
The blood of 700,000 men was the price Italy paid, but it was war in which
the Italian people believed. For this, Italy received the Trentino, the
Alto Adige, and Triest from Austria. With these regions, the formation
of the country as we know it today was essentially completed. Gene also
displayed photos and other memorabilia from some of the ancestors of members
of the Italian Club who served in the Italian military during the war.
The presentation was quite a lesson in history, and brought a new level
of understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Italian
people during World War I.
Il Perfetto Uomo Del Rinascimento
Il Cortegiano di Baldassare Castiglione, che tanta diffusione
ebbe nell' Europa del tempo, è il manuale delle belle maniere del
gentiluomo di corte del Cinquecento; ecco come il perfetto uomo di corte
dovrebbe essere:
" Voglio adunque che questo notro Cortegiano sia nato nobile e
di generosa famiglia ... che la principale e vera professione sua debba
essere quella delle arme ... che egli sia di bona disposizione e de' membri
ben formato, e mostri forza e leggerezza e disinvoltura, e sappia di tutti
gli esercizi che ad omo di guerra s'appartengono ... che in questo si comprende
la prudenza,
bontà, fortezza e temperanza d'animo, e tutte l'altre condizioni
che a cosi onorato nome si convengono.
Che nelle lettere sia più che mediocremente erudito ... e non
solamente della lingua latina, ma ancor della greca abbia cognizione ...
sia versato nei poeti e non meno negli oratori ed istorici, ed ancor esercitato
nello scrivere versi e prosa, massimamente in questa nostra lingua volgare.
Io non mi contento del Cortegiano, s'egli non è ancor musico
e non sa disegnare, ed aver cognizione dell'arte propria del dipingere."
(wow - Does Castiglione Expect A Lot - Or What??)
______________________________
la Legge Di Murphy
Se Qualcosa Può Andare Male, Lo Farà!
Le Cose Vengono Danneggiate In Proporzione Al Loro Valore.
Quando Piove, Diluvia.
Tutto Va Male Nello Stesso Tempo.
Se Un Esperimento Funziona, Qualcosa è Andato Male!
la Probabilità Che Qualche Cosa Accada è
Inversamente Proporzionale Alla Sua Desiderabilità!
|
L'Angolo Del Presidente
by Gene Mariani
Pronta Guarigione
We learned at the meeting last Wednesday that Dr. Charles Barrale
had been in the hospital for surgery. Josephine informs us that he has
been discharged and is now resting at home. Ciao Carlo - e tanti auguri
di pronta guarigione.
Perrone Named Co-chairman
It was great news indeed when Peter Puleo announced that Professor
Anthony Perrone will serve with him as Co-Chairman of the Program Committee.
The team of Pete and Tony augurs well for the continuation of interesting,
informative, and important programs. Grazie mille Peter e Tony - per tutto
il vostro aiuto.
January Program
A Chance To Meet And To Talk
For the past year, our regular meetings have focused on the dinner followed
by the program presentations. It has been Club policy to spend a minimum
of time on administrative or "business" details other than to
vote on new membership applications and to make certain critical announcements.
We believe that this is a good approach - but at the same time we feel
that it is important that occasionally during the year we have a chance
to relax a bit and have some free discussion of issues members feel may
be important to the future of the Club.
The January meeting will be devoted entirely, other than for a brief
ceremony to install Marie Wehrle as a new director, to an open forum
to gather and discuss ideas and comments concerning how we can continue
to improve the Club. It will not be a formal meeting - e.g. no motions
will be accepted, no votes taken, and no decisions made. If anyone has
any topics that they would like to propose for discussion, please contact
Gene Mariani at 352-5484 or by e-mail to emariani@aol.com. We will
report further on this in our next issue of La Rondine.
Congratulations To
Mary Anne Sansone
The Club wishes to extend its congratulations to Mary Anne Sansone,
wife of member Anthony Sansone, on being appointed to the Grand
Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy
Sepulchre of Jerusalem. This is truly an exceptional honor in that she
is the first woman to be so designated in the Western Hemisphere. The history
of this knightly order dates to the time of the crusades when it was specifically
charged with the responsibility of care and protection of the Tomb of Christ.
In 1988, Pope Leo XIII opened the order to women, naming them Ladies of
the Holy Sepulchre. Today the organization provides financial support for
Christian institutions in the Holy Land and the Magisterium meets twice
yearly in Rome to oversee these efforts.
Thanks To John Cavalini
Member John Cavalini went to a great deal of trouble to obtain the audio
cassettes of the Italian World War I songs that were played at the November
meeting. In addition, John provided and set-up the cassette player. Molte
grazie, Giovanni - e speriamo che potremo suonarle all'un altro convegno
presto.
|
