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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)
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