Cellini Lodge #2206 is a social and philanthropic organization. Founded in September 1968, Cellini is part of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA). We are headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York and have a membership of over 350 men and women.
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January 2019 Cari Fratelli e Sorelle di Cellini, The portal is closing on 2018 and opening for 2019. Cellini Lodge #2206 will be entering its 51st year and I will be ending my term in March. I am grateful to all those who assisted me to keep Cellini going forward: Sempre Avanti. We accomplished many good things this year and we need to keep the momentum going into 2019 and the new administration. I would like to thank Alfonso and the Nominating Committee for your objective efforts and await the report on nominations and delegates. We sold all our calendars; thank you to all those who purchased the $30 state lottery calendars. Accolades to Juliette Milazzo who stepped up last minute and got us to the 65 that the Grand Lodge sent us. The 2nd food drive at the December general meeting was just as successful as the November one. Again, we donated 20 bags of food, this time to the Social Ministry of Holy Spirit Church. According to Joan Marchiselli the Pastor, Fr. Grieco was very pleased – thanks Joan and those that helped and of course all members that donated. December presented an interesting 2nd week: on 12/8 I attended the Mass of Investiture at the Church of St. Jean Baptiste in New York City and saw our State 1st Vice President, Anthony Naccarato and then an old friend be invested into the knighthood (Cavaliere) in the Order of Merit of the House of Savoy. Also, moving up was past State President Thom Lupo who became a Knight Officer and lastly Joseph Sciame who makes our lodge proud. The State and National Past President moved high up in the ranks to Knight Grand Cross (Cavaliere di Gran Croce). I discuss this for many reasons including, this is culture and heritage in its present form. Here I saw Prince Emanuel Filiberto, the grandson of the last King of Italy. And later met him at a dinner. How did that happen? Well in the spirit of Fraternity, Cav. Naccarato (as I was leaving the church) asked if I would like to come to the Ballo di Savoia as he had an extra seat. I find this humbling yet inspiring that filial lodges can be so kind to each other. So, I went home, quickly rented a tux and was introduced by Cavaliere di Gran Croce Sciame to the Prince. It was a wonderful night at the Metropolitan Club and I even met another royal guest, Queen Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Now as I said earlier it was an interesting week. When the night was over and I got home in the wee hours I needed to remove the tux and be ready in a few hours to put on a red suit as 12/9 was the Children’s Christmas Party and they had to meet with another very important person: Santa Claus! Watching these kids smile (with some crying as a long white bead and red suit can be intimidating) made Santa smile. Great job Amanda Mulea and Alfonso Squillante along with her committee. As year starts the new membership card goes live (see my note inside). Please make sure you pay your dues asap if you hadn’t because they were due on 1/1/19 – thanks. To start the year, don’t forget anyone can write articles, send pictures or ask for an acknowledgement etc; if the editor can get it in the issue, he will. I coordinated and went to the District II (Nassau County) President’s Christmas Party on 12/17 enjoying food, wine, music and bonding with the filial lodges; we had a great time using the Rocky Marciano Lodge #2226’s hall and had Santa pay a visit. As District II Chair, I was proud to coordinate a happy occasion with just about every DII lodge being represented. Expecting a great time at our own Cellini Christmas Party on 12/21(writing this on 12/18) – a time to mingle and to make new friends. Coming January 11 is Pasta Night. And on January 26 Cellini will be hosting the Winter Plenary session.
Quando l’amico chiede, non v’è domani. – When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow. God Bless you and your family, God Bless our ancestors and heritage and God Bless America! Health, Happiness and Prosperity Mark A. Ventimiglia Cellini Lodge #2206 – President 2017-19 As I am finishing this month’s message on August 20, I am saddened by the news of the Italian bridge tragedy on Tuesday, August 14. Reading articles and seeing pictures, it is amazing that more didn’t perish when an almost 700-foot section of the bridge fell 150 feet to the area below. That that this bridge was known to be ‘in trouble’ is disconcerting. As of 8/19, at least 43 people have died, many more injured and at least 600 families displaced in the aftermath of the Morandi Bridge collapse in Genoa. Please pray for the families of our friends/family in Italy during this trying time. On a happier note, September 29 is the actual date of our 50th golden anniversary. Happy Birthday Cellini! I am sure a lot have seen the lodge grow and go through good and tough times, especially brother Joe Sciame who is the only active member from 1968. As I write, the Feast hasn’t yet taken place, just the start of the setup, but it will be over when you receive this newsletter. I hope with all the hard work it will be called a success – I will report on the Feast at the general meeting and in the October newsletter. On August 9, I hosted, at Marcus Christ Hall in New Hyde Park, the ceremonial crowning of the new Nassau County (District II of the Grand Lodge of NY) King and Queen: Connie Mulé and Alexander Marchiselli of Cellini Lodge. Cellini members and respective grandmothers, Connie Ciccione and Joan Marchiselli were ecstatic along with their families. We are doubly proud of the King and Queen as they represent both Cellini Lodge and District II. The autumnal equinox is the astronomical start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. This year it occurs at 9:54 pm on September 22. It will already be September 23 in Italy, a special day this year, as Francesco Forgione (Padre Pio) will be remembered and celebrated. The Capuchin friar died 50 years ago on 9/23 (six days before our Cellini Lodge opened its doors) of a heart attack at age 81 in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. Today he is venerated as a saint of the Catholic church. Never forget 9-11; 17 years later and I think solemnly about all of us; and friends and relatives hurt, disheartened or gone: the changes hate can bring.
The Feast “thank you” will be on September 21 at Clinton Martin Park and our critique will be at the Jericho Turnpike office on Monday, September 24. Answer to August newsletter question: Luigi Galvani was an Italian physician, physicist, biologist and philosopher, who discovered animal electricity. He is the pioneer in bioelectromagnetics. His studies were a great influence on author Mary Shelley and perhaps her not completely fictitious Frankenstein. His name lives on in the word galvanize – ‘shock into action’. Quando l’amico chiede, non v’è domani. – When a friend asks, there is no tomorrow. God Bless you and your family, God Bless our ancestors and heritage and God Bless America! Always Forward,
Mark A. Ventimiglia Cellini Lodge #2206 – President 2017-19 In Errata In August message, last name Capazzo should have been Capasso for Phyllis Capasso. Also in August message, last name Hghes should have been Hughes for Val Hughes. |
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