Greetings from the President…
Saluti dal Presidente!

Benvenuti a Tutti! A warm welcome to everyone for joining us this year as the Festa Italiana Foundation (FIF) celebrates yet another Festa Italiana. It always seems like a daunting challenge at the start of each planning year to “make it all happen again.” Yet its successful completion is a great feeling of accomplishment, and it is an especially great honor to be the president of the FIF this year.

So how do we make Festa happen? We begin with a core planning committee which consists of approximately twelve people. Each has a specific task (recruiting volunteers, securing raffle prizes from the local community, securing vendors, etc.) and gives many generous hours of their time simply because they want to further our traditions and heritage for future generations. Volunteerism is a great thing, and it is just that which will produce more Festas for you and me.

This year, you will be treated to the culture of Molise. This southeastern region touching the Adriatic coast is a gem and you will learn much about it today as you roam the Casa Italiana. We invite you to stray “off the beaten path” when browsing. In doing so, you will find much more to delight your senses and further your knowledge. Take in a video presentation and experience the region at its best. Stop by the various vendors and tell them that you are happy that they are here. Don’t miss the various outdoor entertainers on the “Regione Molise Stage” and, by all means, take the chance at one of the many raffle prizes and silent auction items which provide the basis for the FIF to meet its expenses. We hope you are present for an exciting parade/drumming performance by Mastrogiurato, dressed in medieval costume visiting from Lanciano in the Abruzzo.

While you are here today don’t miss the opportunity to visit Holy Rosary Church! If you have never visited the church or “it’s been a long time” since your last visit, it doesn’t matter. The parishioners of this vibrant community welcome you with the only Italian mass in the area on Sundays. Also, please stop by and learn more about FIERI and the Italian Cultural Society. Together with Holy Rosary Church they form the Festa Italiana Foundation but, individually, they are great avenues for all ages to reconnect with each other and our shared heritage.

I extend my sincere thanks to my fellow board members and to all the volunteers that made this day possible. To the Lido Civic Club, the Abruzzo-Molise Heritage Society, and the many donors of our raffle prizes/silent auction items, I give my heartfelt thanks for believing in what we do – to preserve and promote the history, heritage, and culture of Italians and Italian-Americans for this and future generations.

Thank you for your continuing support of this worthwhile effort. We’ve done all we could to ensure that you come away with a most pleasurable experience. We hope you agree…

Saluti,

Ed Tersine, President (FIF 2010)