GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA

Minutes of March 15, 2003 Meeting

President Joe Picarella called the meeting to order and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. A moment of silence followed for our deceased and ailing brothers and those that left for the service.

Leo Matranga motioned to accept the minutes for March 1. Vinny Oliver seconded it. The motion carried. Sec. Bill Poleri reminded everyone that there are five Saturdays in March therefore the next meeting will be on April 5, three weeks hence and not two. There should be no need to call and ask when is the next meeting. The web sight is: http://leejpappas.com/goiia.htm (case sensitive, all lower case).

Treasurer di Milo read the financial report. Incomes from March 1st meeting were: Luncheon, $360, and non-eaters, $20 for a total of $380. Luncheon expenses were $340 and gratuities, $5 for a gain of $35. Other incomes were: Shirts/Caps, $140; 50/50, $26, and Carmine Baffo’s donation of his 50/50 winnings, $26. Expenses were: Postages, $36.74, and Executive Board Luncheon (checking out a new meeting place), $47.03. The general balance is $5457.39. Baffo motioned to accept. Vito Giovannellli seconded it. The motion carried.

di Milo explained that the club got the Villa Sorrento to serve both cannoli and ice cream again but the cost to the club was raised to $11 a person regardless of whether he eats or doesn’t, with the $300 guarantee agreement remaining in tack.

The treasurer reported an incident at the last meeting when a member used the F-word as the session was breaking up. It was heard in the front of the restaurant upsetting some patrons. The owner, Antonio Tolino, was so mad that he demanded the name of the person who used such language. di Milo asked the membership to watch their language since the restaurant is also open to the public during the meetings.

OLD BUSINESS: di Milo announced that so far, there are 33 reservations, including comps, for the dinner for the Girls, (Rachel Paciolla and Caroline Davis), the former owners of the Villa Sorrento, which will be held on Sunday, March 23 at Charlie G’s, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. He urged members to get their reservations in now, asking those planning to attend to mail their checks to him. Chicky Russo urged members to attend the dinner.

NEW BUSINESS – Pres. Picarella issued a decree that the club would honor any member who enters his 90th year with a dinner. He pointed out that Brother Mickey Grasso would be 89 in September, thus entering his 90th year. Grasso received an ovation. The president announced that the dinner would be held next year in February or March.

Vinny Oliver, who brought a small French flag to the meeting, motioned to burn it. Jerry Amoroso seconded it. Pres. Picarella and Vice Pres. Steve Loyacano spoke in favor of the motion. The motion carried. Afterward, Carmine Baffo wanted to be on record that he opposed burning the flag because he opposes the act of burning any country’s flag. The flag was burned out in the parking lot after the meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENT – di Milo said he spoke to Tonia Caruso this morning and she reported that Anthony Caruso is home and doing well. She added that he would be attending meetings in the near future.

The treasurer also announced that Brother Mike Ardizone was called back into the service.

Pres. Picarella welcomed Mike Policare and John Murgo, two past members who had rejoined today.

Larry Mascari again took pictures of members to be used on the web site and in the phone directory.

President Picarella adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. on April 5 at the Villa Sorrento, followed by the April 19th meeting.

Submitted by Sec. Bill Poleri

Additions to the Phone Directory: