Inside This Issue

• Fieri Boston Wine Tasting and Networking Event at Vinalia

• New England Regional VP Report

• Mangia: Recipes Courtesy of All Things Sicilian

• Preview of Prince Street
  

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Fieri Boston Wine Tasting and Networking Event at Vinalia

By: David Spada

On Thursday October 27, 2005 Fieri Boston hosted a Wine Tasting to celebrate Italian American Heritage Month. The Wine Tasting was held at Vinalia in Downtown Crossing.

Guests were treated to a presentation of Italian Wines from various regions of Italy. Each wine was perfectly matched with an appropriate appetizer by the folks at Vinalia. It was both a fun filled and educational evening for all those who attended. Guests had ample time to socialize and network throughout the evening. Said Italian Heritage Month Committee Vice President Rina Crugnale “This was a nice event with great wine, great food, and a great turnout!”.

Proceeds from the event went to the Fieri- Boston scholarship fund.

This event was so popular, that many of the participants already asked about the next networking event. “Boston is such a vibrant city and events such as this are very appealing to our dynamic population of young professionals. Since our first wine tasting sold out so quickly, Fieri Boston is pleased to present, as part of our programming, quarterly “tastings” of various Italian foods and beverages at different locations across the City” responded Maria Di Stefano, Fieri Boston President.

Please visit the website to view more pictures from Fieri Boston's Wine Tasting.

New England Regional VP Report

By: Bob Yantosca

Dear FIERI Boston Members,

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some of the happenings in FIERI International since Convention this past June. Even though only a short time has elapsed, there has been a flurry of activity on both the International and Chapter levels.

(1) On Saturday, November 12th, FIERI International held its 1st Alumni Outreach event in New York. This event was planned as a way to reconnect with many of the New York area former FIERI members who have since “graduated” out of the organization. It is important for us as FIERI members to engage our Alumni, because these are people who can act as mentors, and who can help us take the organization to the next level. The highlight of the Alumni Outreach Event was a performance by opera singer Michael Amante.

(2) A FIERI International Executive Board (IEB) meeting/teleconference has been scheduled for the weekend of November 18th. In between the biennial conventions, IEB meetings are held to conduct the official business of FIERI International. The FIERI International Executive Board consists of the International President (Paul Raschilla), VP (Sal Di Stefano), Treasurer (Lou Storino), and Secretary (Lisa Pastore), plus Regional Vice Presidents and FIERI Chapter presidents.

(3) In August 2005, 15 members and guests of FIERI Boston participated in a trip to Providence RI with the Pirandello Lyceum, OSIA Renaissance Lodge, and Sts. Cosmas & Damian Society. The trip included a tour of Historic Federal Hill (i.e. Providence’s Little Italy), and a lunchtime lecture by Joseph Muratore, author of The Italian-Americans of Rhode Island. Each of the participating organizations received a Commendation from Mayor David Cicciline of Providence RI (who is Italian-American). There was also ample free time for shopping for Italian food, wine, and other delicacies. Before returning home, we witnessed the spectacular WaterFire sculpture all along the Providence River. It was a great way to spend a summer Saturday and we hope to be able to partner with these groups again to return to Providence next year.

(4) I am happy to report that there is increasing interest in FIERI in the Providence area. I hope to be able to bring some kind of “Introduction to FIERI” reception to Providence relatively soon (although probably not until after the holidays). A committee has been formed to investigate the feasibility of establishing a FIERI chapter in Providence. I am looking forward to working together with FIERI Boston members Sam Brusco and Mike Izzo (who now reside in the Providence area) on our Providence committee. Furthermore, we have made contact with some folks in Rhode Island who had tried to start a FIERI chapter there some years before. So things are moving right along with regards to Rhode Island.

Thank you for your continued support of FIERI Boston and FIERI International. Sempre Avanti, Sempre Fieri!

Mille Grazie,
Bob Yantosca
New England Regional VP
FIERI International
Neregvp@fieri.org

Mangia: Recipes Courtesy of All Things Sicilian

All Things Sicilian Cooking Classes Featuring Chef Mark Stout of Palmer’s Restaurant

December 18th:

Piatti per Ogni Giorno
Minestrone Soup Caesar Salad Chicken Marsala with Asparagus, Artichokes, and Cherry tomatoes

Classes cost $15 each for one hour. Price includes written recipes, a generous sampling of prepared dishes and a 20% discount on all non-sale items in the store. Class size is limited so reserve now!

All Things Sicilian
4 Union St.
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 686-7667
1-800-Go-Sicily
www.allthingssicilian.com

Panzanella

• 3 cups day old Italian bread
• 2 large ripe tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• ½ cup diced red onion
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh basil
• Salt and Pepper

Cut bread into 1 inch cubes, season and toast in oven at 400. In a large mixing bowl combine all of the ingredients except for the oil and vinegar. In another bowl combine oil and vinegar to make the dressing. Drizzle over salad and serve. Garnish with basil leaves.

SICILIAN TRADITIONS

In Sicily the Sicilians fast from December 23rd at sunset to the December 24th at sunset. They then have a great Yule log which is kindled. After prayers and songs are done around the Presepio or crib the feast begins. The foods that might be served are eels and larks, boiled pasta, fish, sweet bread and Torrone a type of nougat. The children are visited by La Befana on January 6. She was said to have been so busy cleaning her house that she missed out on going with the three wise men to Bethlehem. She was also considered to be a witch. Children hang up their stockings so that she will fill them with toys and gifts.

Editors Note:

All Things Sicilian has generously offered a 20% discount to Fieri Boston Members at any of their locations. Please see the coupon at the end of the newsletter.

On behalf of Fieri Boston we thank All Things Sicilian for their support!

www.allthingssicilian.com

Preview of Prince Street

By: Doreen Giammarco

Jim Gabriel, a local filmmaker and screenplay writer was our guest speaker at the October membership meeting. Jim has worked in Massachusetts for 30 years in broadcast television, documentaries, corporate film and video. His father came from a small town in Rome called Arce and his mother was born in America of parents from a small town in Abruzzo called Vittorito.

Jim spoke about his first screenplay entitled Prince Street, a fictitious account of a young Italian- American, Paul Rossi, an up and coming architect who struggles with his Italian identity as well as the small town mentality, but comes to fully embrace it all in the end. It takes place in the present day North End. Paul Rossi, grew up in an apartment on Prince Street in the North End of Boston where his family still resides. Paul moved out of the North End to begin his new career and new life by thinking he could find success by leaving his past behind. It is a coming of age story of a young man who finds success and self acceptance by appreciating his Italian culture. The story is a bittersweet tale of family ties, trials and tribulations, one that many Italian- Americans and people from all cultures can relate to. Prince Street also contains some autobiographical elements such as Jim’s personal struggle with his cultural identity and family ties as a young adult.

Jim also led the group in a discussion of how important his Italian culture is to him and that we should truly appreciate it and strive to preserve it. It was a perfect topic of discussion for Italian Heritage month. Jim is currently working with the main producer of Moody Independent (formerly Moody Street Pictures) Mark Donadio to produce the film. Mark Dondio has also produced ten or so feature films including Next Stop Wonderland. If you would like to read a pdf file of Prince Street please email Doreen at culture @fieri-boston.org. We also plan to have a book club discussion of this screenplay in February, where Jim Gabriel will also be present. Jim is also working on a second screenplay called, “Love Is”. So stay tuned, there is more to come!