BUON ANNO! - Welcome to Goozmo

January 2016
BUON ANNO!
There will not be a cultural event in the month of January,
but we plan to resume in February of 2016.
2015 CHRISTMAS PARTY Our annual party was fun and festive
despite a cold and snowy afternoon that turned NorthPark into the
North Pole! The large attendance enabled Suzanne Fasing to get
a unanimous approval of the amendments to the Bylaws. A
beautiful holiday buffet was followed by an entertaining gift
exchange. A special thanks to Vera Buffaloe, Veronica Goodrich,
and their committee whose hard work contributed to the success
of the event.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Happy New Year! Membership renewal cards are in the mail and we hope all
of you will join us for another interesting and fun year with the DAS. The board is busy planning cooking
classes, lectures, movies and parties.
Please review the card to be sure that all the information is correct. If you chose to renew using PayPal,
we still need the cards returned for our files. Language students should renew their memberships before
the start of classes. Thank you, Rhonda Hopkins, Membership Chairperson.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES, WINTER 2016 SESSION
Learn to speak Italian, “la bella lingua.” The Dante Alighieri Society will offer a 10-week winter session of
Italian language classes, beginning January 11, 2016, taught by experienced and talented bi-lingual
teachers. Classes include beginner and intermediate classes. Each class meets for 90 minutes, once a
week, at 3549 Navajo Street, Denver, in the parish offices of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Cost is $100
for members and $130 for non-members. New members are welcome to join the Dante Alighieri Society
when they register for classes. For more information, please contact the Education Chair Suzanne Fasing
at [email protected] or call 303-810-9042. The registration deadline for winter classes
is January 4, 2016. Students must register for classes through the website. Payment must be
received one week prior to the first night of class. It is critical that we receive registrations by the
January 4 deadline, in order to ensure that we sufficient teachers and classroom space. To register for
classes, visit the web site: http://www.dantealighieriofdenver.org/languageclasses.html
WINTER 2016 CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Beginner 1. Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, beginning Jan. 13, 2016 (Brunetti). In this class students with little
to no knowledge of Italian will to communicate in simple everyday situations. Students will study the basic
building blocks of the Italian language, including the alphabet, rules of pronunciation, basic syntax, and
grammatical structures. Topics include subject pronouns, definite and indefinite articles, regular verbs in the
present tense, and noun-adjective agreement. Required Text: The Italian Project 1a.
Beginner 2. Wednesdays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, beginning Jan. 13, 2016 (Brunetti). In this class students will build
upon their existing knowledge while incorporating new vocabulary and grammatical structures through
conversation, role plays, listening, reading and writing activities. Topics include irregular and modal verbs in
the present tense, articulated prepositions, and possessive adjectives. Required Text: The Italian Project
1a.
Beginner 3. Mondays, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, beginning Jan. 11, 2016 (Cozza). In this class, students will continue
their studies of basic grammatical structures while increasing their vocabulary through in-class readings,
listening activities, written assignments, and situational simulations. Topics include speaking about the past,
transitive vs. intransitive verbs, ordering in a restaurant, and the adverb “ci". Required Text: The Italian
Project 1a.
Beginner 4. Mondays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, beginning Jan. 11, 2016 (Brunetti). In this class students will continue
their studies of basic grammatical structures while increasing their vocabulary through in-class readings,
listening activities, written assignments and simulations. Topics include the past, future and future anterior
tenses. Required text: The Italian Project 1a.
Intermediate 1. This class will be offered in the Spring session beginning in March 2016.
Intermediate 2. Thursdays, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, beginning Jan. 14, 2016 (Brunetti). In this class, students will
continue to expand their studies of increasingly complex grammatical structures and vocabulary through
listening activities, role plays, readings, education videos and written assignments. Topics include direct
object pronouns, reflexive verbs and the impersonal form. Required Text: The Italian Project 1b.
Intermediate 3. This class will be offered in the Spring session beginning in March 2016.
Intermediate 4. Thursdays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, beginning Jan. 14, 2016 (Brunetti). In this class students will
continue to expand their vocabulary and understanding of more advanced grammatical concepts through
listening activities, role plays and cultural readings. The majority of this class will be conducted in Italian.
Topics include the present and past conditional tenses. Required Text: The Italian Project 1b.
COOKING CLASSES Please mark your calendar for February because
cooking classes will resume with Gisella Isidori, international food
consultant, who will lead classes on Saturday February 13 and 27, 2016. We
will prepare a complete dinner menu including antipasti, primo piatto,
insalata, secondo and dolce. The menu for Feb 13th will be special dishes for
feast of San Valentino; the menu on Feb 27th will be Easter dishes.
The classes will be held at Mt. Carmel Parish Hall between 9:00 and 12:00
noon. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. It will be
necessary to sign-up for the classes by contacting Vera Buffaloe at 303-4225757 or by email [email protected]. Checks may be sent to Vera Buffaloe 13778 W 62nd Drive, Arvada, CO
80004 or pay on-line at the Dante web site.
Space is limited to the first 15 who register. Please sign up by February 8th.
Rosette di pasta featured for the February 13 class.
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BENVENUTI: A warm welcome to our latest new members: Cathy Bodine of Denver, Jim Brunetti of
Denver, JoAnn and Burton Davis of Laramie, Wyoming, Micah Messenheimer of Denver, and Nicole
Rosmarino of Centennial.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Fundraising Committee under
the leadership of Susan Gurule, combined with the generosity of our Dante members, we have raised more
than $5000 for the Scholarship Fund. Since the 2016 scholarship applications will be going out in January,
this infusion of dollars will help the Society keep up with the increasing demand and cost for helping
deserving college students enhance their studies of the Italian culture. The annual Scholarship Luncheon
will be held on Sunday May 1, 2016 (details TBD) so save the date and plan now to help us honor our
awardees. Anyone who has been at this wonderful ceremony will tell you that it’s worth more than the price
of admission.
CONDOLENCES The Dante Society of Denver expresses deepest condolences to the family of our expresident Lee Ricciardi who passed away on December 22. A memorial services will be held in January. For
more details check the following website: www.cremationsocietyofco.com .
UPCOMING CULTURAL MEETINGS. The Society is planning a series of travel meetings. We are hoping
this will give you some ideas for your next trip!
In March we will feature: Sacred Journey to the Black Madonnas in Southern Italy and Sicily, presented by
Rosemary Czubj and Diane Magliolo. They both went on a pilgrimage to visit the shrines of ten Madonnas in
Italy. They traveled from Rome to the enchanted Sicily. At each shrine, there was the opportunity to connect
with the ancient Black Madonnas, their people, the archeological and cultural histories.
Join Rosemary and Diane to learn about the traditions of the Black Madonnas. See their beauty in their
photos and share the personal stories and connection with Italy and Sicily.
In April, we will feature traveling through Italy and staying in Abbeys and Monasteries - After a full and busy
day in Italy with many musei, piazze, and gelati, there is nothing more refreshing and comforting than going
back to your room for some rest to be ready for the next morning. How about if your room is in one of the
many monasteries and convents that offer accoglienza-hospitality?
Yes! Instead of staying in a hotel you can find one-of-a-kind accommodations run by nuns and monks in any
region you want to visit. Angel and Nivea have stayed in many of these places over the years in various
regions in Italy. They will be here on April 8th to share their experiences and to hear about yours.
We will continue with the travel theme in May too. We are cooking up some travel for May with Cooking and
Winery travel. More details to follow.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! Be sure to "like” us on Facebook so you're the first to know about upcoming
events. We will post pictures and activities as they arise. Lately our page has been visited by hundreds per
day. We have had several join the Dante Society and classes from viewing our page.
ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER We encourage members with internet access to forward your e-mail
address to Gianfranco Marcantonio [email protected]. Members with an e-mail address will receive the
Notiziario via e-mail which will include a link to the Dante web page.
www.dantealighieriofdenver.org/notiziario.htmp, where they can also access the newsletter. Members with no
e-mail address will receive a hard copy. Members with e-mail addresses who still prefer a hard copy of the
newsletter will continue to receive it, but they must notify Gianfranco at 303-494-3080.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Mario.
Past President Susan Gurule with her son
1. What region in Italy were your ancestors from? Have you ever been
there and what was your experience?
I’m Italian on my mother’s side. My grandfather, Francesco Giambalvo (later
changed to Giamarvo) was born in Busaquino, Sicily. I have not been to Sicily,
although I did spend a month in Italy in 2010, where I was fortunate enough to
spend a week in a cooking school located in a villa south of Florence. Sadly my
grandparents divorced before I was born and I never knew my grandfather. I
met him once at my mother’s funeral when I was sixteen. I continue to spend time researching my mother’s Italian
family and putting the pieces together. It is my hope to someday meet my Sicilian family.
2. When did your ancestors arrive in America, and where did they settle originally? Did they come right to
Colorado?
My grandfather arrived in America in 1903, having sailed out of Palermo, Sicily. He was eleven years old. My
great grandfather was recruited in Italy to come to America to work in the coal mines. The family settled in
Trinidad, Colorado. My grandfather joined his father working the mines in southern Colorado for forty-six years,
starting when he was fifteen years old. Other family members settled in New York.
3. If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be, and why?
Compassionate is how I would describe myself. As long as I can remember I’ve felt a connection with people. Of
course my family is my primary focus, but I frequently extend myself to help, provide for and give to people who
are in need of some assistance. I feel I’ve had a fortune life and am willing to give a hand to someone who needs
it. The statement “But for the grace of God, go I” is never too far out of mind.
4. Who was most influential to you growing up, and why?
My mother was the most influential person in my life. What an incredible woman she was! And, what an incredible
role model she was for me and my two sisters. She was the credit manager at Montgomery Ward in Trinidad. I
believe she is the reason I have such a strong work ethic today as well as my sense of compassion and
generosity. I remember one Christmas as a child, when my mother told us that a family in our neighborhood
wasn’t going to have much of a Christmas. She asked if we’d each be willing to give up a gift so that they could
have something. We did and my mom packed up food to take to them. To this day I am grateful to her for the
awareness to look beyond myself. And, by the way, she was quite the fashionista and had great taste in clothing.
Another person who influenced me was my grandmother on my father’s side. She lived down the block from us
and was a wonderful cook. She’d no sooner finish breakfast and start cooking lunch. There was always something
on the stove or in the oven, and her rolls were incredible right out of the oven and served with butter. Yum! I’m
sure my love of cooking came from my grandma Gurule.
5. Tell us a little about you, employment, family, interests and so on.
I was born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado and have lived here my entire life excluding two and a half years spent
in California. I have two sisters, three children, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter, with all of whom I
am very actively involved. I retired in 2005 from Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television
and Radio Artists aka SAG/AFTRA. I started out as an Administrative Assistant and worked my way up to District
Executive Director. It is my hope to someday have my own coffee shop.
My favorite pastime is cooking, although reading is a close second. I enjoy getting together with a group of
neighbors for coffee a couple of times a month and periodically do some entertaining. I also have friends I’ve
enjoyed for decades with whom I try to keep up.
6. How would you like to be remembered?
First and foremost I’d like to be remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother. After that, seriously, I’d like to
be remembered as a feminist/activist. Over the years I have been involved with organizations promoting women’s
rights, employee rights, political issues, the homeless, civic and ethnic groups.
7. What attracted you about joining the Dante Alighieri Society?
I was dating John DiPentino, who was a member. I attended a number of meetings with him and felt like it was an
organization I’d like to be a part of and to learn more about the Italian heritage, customs and language. The part
about the heritage and customs is coming along; the language, not so much.
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NOTIZIE DALL'ITALIA Cucinando ritrovo la mia infanzia in Istria.
Star della cucina regionale italiana negli Stati Uniti, in un incontro al Padiglione USA di Expo Milano 2015,
Lidia Bastianich ha parlato del suo rapporto con il cibo d’Italia e d’AmericHo cominciato a cucinare quando
ho capito che non avrei più rivisto la mia casa in Istria”.
Lidia Bastianich racconta la sua vita e carriera con parole
semplici e intense. Simbolo della cucina regionale italiana
negli USA, chef e star della televisione americana, martedì 7
luglio è stata ospite del Padiglione USA di Expo Milano 2015
per parlare del suo rapporto con le culture gastronomiche
d’Italia e d’America.
Rispondendo alle domande di Dorothy Cann Hamilton,
Presidente degli Amici del Padiglione USA, la Bastianich ha
regalato al pubblico la storia del sogno americano di una
doppia emigrante, prima dalla ex Yugoslavia all’Italia, e poi
negli Stati Uniti. In qualità di Ambassador di WE-Women for
Expo, ha anche dato il suo contributo su come una donna
possa conciliare famiglia e lavoro.
Nata a Pola quando la città era italiana, Lidia Bastianich trascorre buona parte dell’infanzia dalla nonna, in
campagna. Hanno l’orto con le galline, i maiali e una capretta. Lidia è una bambina e assorbe tutto: ricette,
ingredienti e ricordi. “Il mio gusto si creò in quegli anni - racconta - da allora cercai sempre di ritrovare quei
sapori puri, come quelli della ricotta e dell’olio d’oliva”.
Poi i cambiamenti della Storia la portano via, prima in Italia come profuga e poi in America come
emigrante. Parte coi genitori, scappando. E una volta lontano dalla casa dell’infanzia capisce che se vorrà
rivivere quei momenti dovrà ricrearne i sapori. E così decide di imparare a cucinare, iniziando in famiglia
un percorso che la porterà al successo.
Quando la famiglia Bastianich si stabilisce a New York alla fine degli anni Cinquanta, Lidia è ancora
ragazzina: “Era divertente il cibo americano! Gli Stati Uniti erano pieni di energia e voglia di fare”, ricorda. “A
casa però si mangiava italiano. In realtà all’epoca la vera cucina italiana era sconosciuta in America, c’era
una cucina italo-americana che aveva più a che fare con gli Stati Uniti che con l’Italia, come gli spaghetti con
le polpette, che comunque mi piacevano molto”.
La vita di Lidia Bastianich è fatta di lavoro e famiglia, tenute insieme dalla passione. Ristoratrice e
chef, autrice di libri di cucina, conduttrice televisiva famosa in tutta America, ma anche madre di due
figli e nonna di cinque nipoti. E in più una laurea in biologia. Simbolo del sogno americano, lei
sostiene di essere stata fortunata e di aver semplicemente fatto ciò che le piaceva, seguendo i consigli del
suo pediatra che le spiegò che “i figli vogliono vivere in una famiglia in cui i genitori siano felici”.
Parlando del suo rapporto con le culture americana e italiana dice: “Dell’Italia apprezzo la creatività e il
gusto per i piaceri della vita, dall’America ho imparato la cultura del marketing e della condivisione”.
A seguirla nella sua passione per la cucina, il figlio Joe Bastianich, anche lui chef, grande comunicatore
e Ambassador di Expo Milano 2015.
Lidia Bastianich è anche Ambassador di WE-Women for Expo e, alla domanda se da donna sia stato difficile
raggiungere i suoi risultati risponde: “È un po’ complicato quando hai dei figli, ma io consiglio di porsi
soprattutto come professionista, senza temere il confronto con gli uomini”. (ItalPlanet News).
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PAROLE RITROVATE: Banchiere.
La banca era un ripiano di legno su cui nella Firenze del Trecento si
tenevano gli scambi di denaro; ne era proprietario il banchiere, che su di
essa esponeva le monete. Nei secoli successivi i banchieri italiani (e
toscani in particolare) finanziarono le imprese dei più importanti sovrani
d’Europa: per questo il termine banchiere oggi è presente in varie forme
nelle lingue di gran parte del continente. Ebbene sì: anche le parole
possono essere prestate. Anche se, di solito, non se ne pretende la
restituzione.
( a cura di Alessandro Masi, dal supplemento Sette del Corriere della Sera)
Italian culture and history: The Italy of Faith
As the heart of one of the world's most significant religions, Italy has
always been a destination for those who have made their faith a way of
life and who wish to explore the roots of a world that has produced art,
architecture, and objects of inestimable value.
Italy is a land of pilgrimage - one of the foremost in the world - and is
home to countless places of devotion and worship.
Italian traditions: Scenes in Verona of the International Festival
of the Nativity
The Arena of Verona is home to a selection of the most beautiful
nativity scenes in the world, and works of art inspired by the theme of
the Nativity. For the thirty-second consecutive year the Arena di
Verona is home to the International Festival of the Nativity, a unique
event with no competitors in the world. The event consists of a rich
display of nativity scenes and works of art inspired by the theme of
the Nativity, from museums, collections, crèche teachers and
enthusiasts around the world and, for this, it offers a picture of the
complete artistic intercontinental tradition of the nativity scene.
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WEBSITES TO VISIT IF INTERESTED IN ITALIAN CULTURE
Societa' Dante Alighieri di Roma - Sede Centrale, http://www.dantealighieri-roma.it
Dante Alighieri Society of Denver, Colorado - http://www.dantealighieriofdenver.org
Dante Alighieri Society of Pueblo: http://www.dantealighieriofpueblo.org
DAS of Denver in Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dante-Alighieri-Society-ofDenver/153670041417079.
News from Italy - http://video.sky.it/news/diretta.
Italian art - http://www.arte.it/.
Italy news in English - http://www.thelocal.it/.
Travel and Events - http://www.i-italy.org/.
The World of Dante - The stud
y and teaching of the Divine Comedy, http://www.worldofdante.org.
Events in Colorado's Italian-American community - http://www.italianamericanheritage.com/index.html.
Web site for TG5 (Mediaset) Notizie dall'Italia - http://www.mediasetitalia.com/nazioni/colorado.shtml.
US Citizenship - http://www.uscitizenship.info/italian-american-history-and-culture/.
Contemporary art and culture - (Arte e cultura contemporanea), www.artwireless.it.
First Web TV on Italian language and culture - www.alma.tv.
Italian American Museum - http://www.ItalianAmericanMuseum.org.
Radio Italia - http://www.radioitalia.it/player.php.
Stations based in Italy as well as international stations - www.italiansinfonia.com/stations.htm.
Wikipedia's list of Italian radio stations - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_radio_stations_in_Italy.
2016 Calendar
Cultural Meetings
Events
Classes
February 12
March 11
April 8
May 13
Language - Begin January 11, 2016
Cooking - February 13
Cooking - February 27
May 1 - Scholarship Banquet
More Christmas 2015 Photos
.
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