GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of June 28, 2003 Meeting

Sgt.at.Arms Greg Holzer called the meeting to order. President Joe Picarella announced that several members asked why we don't say a prayer of thanks before we eat. He explained that the food is served smorgasbord style and thus we don't all eat at the same time. In lieu of this, he will say a prayer of thanks after we have our moment of silence.

Pres. Picarella led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A moment of followed for our deceased and ailing brother brothers and those in the services. Pres. Picarella then gave a prayer of thanks.

This meeting was a makeup meeting for June 21's meeting, which was canceled so members could attend late Brother Jerry Amoroso's funeral. Brother Amoroso died on June 17.

Vito Giovannelli motioned to accept the minutes for June 7. Chris Lanieri seconded it. The motion carried. The web sight is: http://leepappas.com/goiia.htm (case sensitive, all lower case). Sec. Poleri passed out a copy of the thank you note from Tonia Caruso to members who hadn't received one earlier.

Treas. di Milo read the financial report. Incomes from May 7th meeting were: Luncheon, $324, and non-eaters, $10 for a total of $334. Luncheon expenses were $307 and gratuities, $5 for a gain of $22. Other incomes were 50/50 winnings, $27, and a donation from Tonia Caruso in memory of Jerry Amoroso, $50. The treasurer explained that Tonia Caruso presented the donation for the club to him at the funeral. Balance is $4116.10. Larry Mascari motioned to accept. Jimmy D'Arrigo seconded it. The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS - Pres. Picarella praised and thanked Steve Loyacano and Vinny Raso for their elegant speeches they gave at Amoroso's funeral. Both Loyacano and Raso earned high marks in the art of elocution.

di Milo questioned why there were nearly 30 members at the funeral and he was the only club member who went to the cemetery and later to the family's reception. Sec. Poleri said that the funeral home people screwed up by not putting funeral signs on the cars and by not announcing where the cemetery was after the services. John Murgo spoke for many members when he said that he went to the services to pay his respect, which he did. Pres. Picarella added that each member did what he felt was right.

The membership, led by Pres. Picarella and Past President Gary D'Allessandro, sang "Happy Birthday" to Al Molinaro, who turned 84 on June 24. Poleri announced that the event was listed in the newspaper's celebrities' birthday column.

Picarella adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on July 19 at the Villa Sorrento, followed by the August 2nd meeting.

Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri