GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of April 17, 2004 Meeting

Sgt.-at-Arms Greg Holzer called the meeting to order. President Joe Picarella led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A moment of silence followed for our deceased brothers and those in the services.

John Murgo pointed out a misspelled name in the minutes for March 20. The D’ was omitted in Gary D’Allessandro’s name in three places. Chris Lanieri motioned to accept the minutes for March 20. Jimmy D’Arrigo seconded it. The motion carried. The web sight is: http://leejpappas.com/goiia.htm (case sensitive, all lower case).

Sec. Bill Poleri reported that he omitted some of the committee members who planned the Senior Citizens Gala from the thank you on the meeting postcard because he didn’t know who was on the committee. Besides Chairman Mike Policare and member Leo Matranga who were thanked, other members were Jimmy D’Arrigo, John Murgo and Frankie Valentino, the latter was thanked for his role as an entertainer.

Treas. Tony di Milo read the financial report. Incomes from March 20th meeting were Luncheon, $216, and non-eaters, $5 for a total of $221. Luncheon expenses were $300 and gratuities, $5 for a loss of $84. Other incomes were 50/50 winnings, $22; Matranga’s 50/50 donation winnings, $22; Dues, $105, Tonia Caruso’s donation in memory of Brother Anthony Caruso, $100. Incomes from the Senior Citizens Gala were $216. Gala expenses were Caterer, $600, and Church donation, $50. The Gala cost the club $434. Balance is $3362.33. Vinny Raso motioned to accept. Chicky Russo seconded it. The motion carried.

Treas. di Milo announced that members should call Tonia Caruso and thank her for the wonderful gift.

He reported that Brother Roger Pisarra will have a triple or quadruple by-pass operation on Thursday.

OLD BUSINESS: Patsy Perriello praised the Senior Citizens’ Gala for how well it went and how grateful the recipients were. He said it was just a very nice party and we should do it again. Chicky Russo said it was worth every cent. Pres. Picarella said that many of the "girls" (senior citizen ladies) wanted to do it again and they would come and help us.

Steve Loyacano told of his conversation he had with his passenger. He joked with the lady about he being married and can’t fool around and she took it in stride, joking back. She was very alert and spry, he said. When he asked her age she quickly responded 97. Loyacano said he enjoyed the event as did the rest of the club volunteers. As Sec. Poleri said on the postcard the Gala was as much an enriching experience for the club members as it was an enjoyable and happy experience for the guests.

This led to a discussion on old age. Brother Joe Turcillo, a lung and heart specialist, explained that the chronological age should not be used for age. He said that the gray hair under the armpits is a better determinate of old age. To retard aging, he said you must exercise and take vitamins. He prefers walking to jogging because, he said, when you jog you could jog loose platelets which can cause a blockage in the heart. If you have a disease, like diabetes, you must keep it under control. He said his 98 year-old mother still works 10 hours a day and healthy both physically and mentally. Pres. Picarella added that he read an insurance report that three to five ounces of alcohol a day also retards aging. Dr. Turcillo recommends two ounces a day.

NEW BUSINESS: Sec. Poleri introduced guest, Bill Malin, explaining that last year when Masquers Club Harlequin, the late Brother Anthony Caruso, and its board were going to dissolve the Masquers due to lack of interest as a social club, Malin stepped forward and offered to make it a historical society.

Malin said he came here with the intention of inviting G.O.I.I.A. members to attend an April stage reading production called "Scenes from 40 Years of Masquers Plays," but due to scheduling problems the project was canceled. The program was to be presented in honor of Anthony Caruso, who headed the Masquers for more than 20 years. He said the project is being rescheduled for the fall.

He then spoke about the Masquers’ past and future, followed by questions and answers. Most of the questions came from G.O.I.I.A’s younger members who wanted to know if the Masquers are planning to get a place to meet. Anthony Garriga said that a lot of young people in the business would love to have a place like the Masquers. Malin answered with "it’s a possibility."

Perriello said he remembers when only actors could join the Masquers. Greg Holzer, former Masquer, explained that it was changed to admit anyone in show business. Holzer asked what happened to the bar and paintings. Malin said they are in the Hollywood Entertainment Museum as is the piano with all the stars names carved into it. Dax Litto, another younger member, also showed interested in the Masquers.

ANNOUNCEMENT - Frank La Marca announced that a classical music advisory board is being formed and he is recruiting anyone with a musical background and interest. The background doesn’t have to be in classical music. He said one of the objects is to bring the Rachmaninoff Piano Competition to the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The competition, which was held previously in LA, is held every three years. He explained that the board would sponsor singers during the off years. Loyacano said that La Marca was the sound engineer for the Olympics.

Leo Matranga donated his 50/50 $22 winnings from the March 20th meeting to the club.

Pres. Picarella announced that it is pretty sad that he has to tell the sergeant at arms to shut up.

He then adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on May 1 at the Villa Sorrento, followed by the May 15th meeting.

Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri