GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA
Minutes of March 21, 2009 Meeting
Sgt.-at-Arms John Oliva called the meeting to order and Pres. Vinnie Corbo led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Jimmy D’Arrigo led the group in the prayer. Pres. Corbo conducted a moment of silence for our deceased and ill brothers, Peter Milano; our servicemen; D’Arrigo’s wife and Mauro Sardi’s grandson who are gravely ill, and John Murgo who is going into the hospital next week for surgery.
Murgo motioned that the minutes and the financial report be accepted without discussion to free time for the upcoming speaker. Ronnie La Barbera seconded it. The motion passed.
Treas. Tony di Milo presented a copy of the financial report for the Mar. 7th meeting to Sec. Bill Poleri, which read as follows: Members attending the luncheon were 35; Vitello’s Luncheon Tab, $490. Incomes were 50/50, $48; Carmine Marinelli donated $35 of $49 50/50 winnings to the dues fund; Man-of-the-Year reservations, $175; Vito Campanelli’s donation, $17.50, and Dues, $52.50.
NEW BUSINESS: Pres. Corbo asked members to postpone issues to a future meeting.
Corbo asked volunteers for the shut-in seniors’ luncheon to report to him. The luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 9, at St. Charles Parish Center.
OLD BUSINESS:Corbo asked for copies of photos of any club’s events for the web site.
SPEAKER PROGRAM:The president thanked Vice President Vinny Oliveri for his splendid letter promoting the upcoming speaker. He credited the letter for the large turnout of more than 45 members. He then called upon Oliveri to introduce the speaker.
Oliveri said Joan Del Monte was a graduate of Columbia University who taught college courses in mystery writing. He praised her for her earlier two books and announced that she will speak on her third book, "Mud Blood." He pointed out that she is the widow of the former club’s member, Bob Del Monte,
Ms. Del Monte opened her remarks by commenting on being here among such glorious men. She introduced her companions, Tonia Caruso, who is the widow of the former club’s member, Anthony Caruso, and Kathy Owens, her publicist.
She gave an enjoyable and humorous talk. She spoke of the town of Locke, which was formed by Chinese after their community burned down back in the earlier part of the twentieth century. Near by the new town was a large colony of Italian Americans. She mentioned the prejudice against both ethnic groups. She then read the introduction to her new book, which absorbed the membership. It was the quietest meeting. The subtitle of the book is "Murder in the Sacramento Delta." Afterwards many members purchased copies of her books.
Len Indelicato donated $40 of his $60 50/50 winnings to the club.
Pres Corbo adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be Apr. 4th at Vitello’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Apr. 18th meeting at Casa De Pizza, 16161 San Fernando Mission Blvd. at the corner of Woodley Ave. Submitted by Secretary Bill Poleri.
The directions to Casa De Pizza: Coming from the south take I-405 north and exit on SF Mission and head west to Woodley; also coming from the south on Rte. 170 (Hollywood Freeway), stay on it until it becomes I-5 north and exit at Rte. 118 west then exit at Sepulveda, from there go north to SF. Mission and then west to Woodley; coming from the east, take I-5 west until Sepulveda and then precede as above; coming from the west go east on Rte. 118 until Woodley where you exit and then go north to SF Mission; coming from the north, take I-405 south, exit at Rinaldi St. then go west to Woodley and then south to SF Mission.
P.S.: After the meeting, Brother Vito Campanelli recalled an incident about the late Anthony Caruso which took place back in the mid 40’s shortly after WWII. Campanelli, who was around 15 at the time, said that his friend was riding on a bicycle when he collided with a car. He was bleeding profusely. Caruso, who was in his car next to the accident, jumped out of his vehicle and rushed to the kid. He put pressure on the wound stopping the bleeding. Caruso kept the pressure on until the emergency help arrived. The EMT said the boy would have bled to death if Caruso hadn’t applied the pressure. Tonia Caruso later explained that when the boy’s bike collided with the car, the car’s protruding door handle went into the boy’s neck. Campanelli said the boy’s father, a mechanic, insisted that Caruso have all his car repairs done at his garage free of charge. Campanelli added that he and his friends used to go to the garage and with admiration pointed out Caruso, saying "there’s the movie star."
Directory Update:
Joe M. Cipriani
224 S. Detroit St.
Los Angeles CA 90036
(310) 279-6574
joecip25@hotmail.com
Joey Sorice
13412 Moorpark St.
S. Oaks CA 91423
(818) 231-5305 (H)
(818) 995-8151 (B)
joey@themeatballsofcomedy.com
Vito B. Campanelli’s email:
elpeaay@aol.com
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