February 2012 Auxiliary News

NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, FEBUARY 22, 2011
6:15 PM – Board        7:00 PM – Membership

We are starting off the new year right with a nice crowd at our meeting.  It is with great pleasure to announce our newest members: Yvonne Ceretti & Vickie Galeazzi they will be a nice addition to our SIAA family. Our door prize winners are:  Gina Vivone, Joyce Leto, & Nina Cimino.  Our prayers go out to Pat Civitate for a speedy recovery we miss you!

Lisa Vivone Cruchelow, President

MONTHLY MEETINGS

We meet the 4^th Tuesday of the month! Please note the dates below so you don’t miss out.  July, August, October, & November we will be meeting earlier.

1/24,  2/28,  3/27,  4/24,  5/22,  6/26,  7/17,  8/14,  9/25,   10/16,  11/13
No meeting in December. 

REMINDER:

Our dues are now due in January:  $20.00 for members under 65 and $10.00 for seniors 65 and older.  Make your checks out to SIAA and send your dues to:

SIAA Membership
8401 Blackstone
Johnston, IA 50131

**If you have an address change or marital status please let her know ASAP**

 **If dues aren’t paid by 3/1 you will be dropped as a member and will no longer get a news letter**

CHEER AND SYMPATHY

If you need a card sent out to one of our members contact Santina Punelli at 288-3123.

VALENTINE BOX FOR VICTIMS

I want to thank all of the ladies for all the gifts and gift cards and the SIA for the gift cards.  We had enough items donated that we made up two boxes.  I’m very proud of all of us for helping out in the community.  Thank you Jennifer Bertagnolli and the Ken Eaton foundation for giving us the opportunity to make up these boxes.

VARIETY CLUB TELETHON:

March 3 & 4 our time is Sunday 12:00am-2:00am and it is held downtown at Veterans Auditorium or whatever it’s called now.  We need to have 16 people and we have 9 people signed up so far.  Please call Lisa if you are interested in joining us.  We also want to start collecting donations, so start asking your friends and family if they would like to donate to this GREAT cause.  We will meet at Tumeas at 9:30pm for Canolis

SOCIAL COMMITTEE: 

We have a committee set up that will be in charge of setting up entertainment after our meetings and trip outings.  If you have any suggestions please let them know as soon as you can.  Chairperson Kari Tumea, along with Toni Olson, Gina Nelson, Maria Chiovaro, & GinaVivone.

FEBRUARY TREATS:

Thanks to the Board Members for our January treats.  February treats will be provided by: Jody Goode, Rose Huston, & Jody Carlino.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO…

Teresa Nigro 2/2, Marilyn Soda 2/6, Rose Marie Cunion 2/6, Vicki Vivone-Gizzi 2/7, Rosie Gibson 2/12, Gloria Stefani 2/14, Amy Piester 2/22, & Jennifer Bertagnolli 2/24.

ANNIVERSAY CONGRATULATION TO…

June & Sam Rizzuti 2/14 (58 years), Nanette & Chuck Cunningham 2/14 (12 years), Ronda & Rick Gentosi  2/15 (37 years), Donna & Gary Runge 2/15 (43 years),  and Lucrezia & Frank Fazio 2/24 (66 years)

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO YOU & YOUR FAMILIES

Benefit for Lil’ Charlie Punelli Raises Over $5,000

The Society of Italian Americans would like to thank everyone who attended, volunteered and participated in the “All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner” and silent auction held on Sunday, May 22, 2011  to help the Punelli family.

Over $5,000 was raised to help this family in need.  Lil’ Charlie Punelli was recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer, a disorder that occurs in approximately 1 out of 100,000 children.

This isn’t the first time that our club has done something to benefit the community and it surely won’t be the last.  Look for more events in the near future to benefit other causes in our community.

SIA Mourns the Loss of Long Time Member Dominic Rizzuti Sr.

Dominic Rizzuti

Long time SIA member Dominic Natale Rizzuti, Sr. 90, passed away March 24, 2011. Dominic was born December 22, 1920, in Terravechia, Italy. He was the son of Luigi and Catherine Rizzuti. He immigrated to the United States in 1937. He graduated from St. Anthony’s grade school. June 1, 1952, he married the love of his life, Kay DeCarlo, and from their union 6 beautiful children were born.

In April of 1951, Dominic opened the doors of Artistic Ornamental Iron Works. Dominic and his brother Sam worked together for many years, providing handmade rails for Des Moines and surrounding area residents. In 1996 Dominic & Sam proudly represented the state of Iowa in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian’s Sesquicentennial Conference as well as Iowa’s Folklife Conference displaying their craft. This was a highlight for Dominic, known by his business colleagues and friends as the “Iron Man”. He retired in 2008, and the business today is proudly owned by his 3 sons.

Dominic's Immigration Passport, 1937

Dominic is survived by his wife, Kay of 58 years. His children, Kathryn (Dave) Gimer, of Iowa Falls, Loretta Rizzuti of Des Moines, Louis (Jackie) of Norwalk, Dominic Jr. of Des Moines, Rocco (Melissa) of Panora and Regina(Keith) Honke of Atlantic, Ia. 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. His brother, Sam (June) Rizzuti of Des Moines. Nieces Linda (Mark) Hagen of Napierville, IL, Pam (Jeff) Baker of West Des Moines, Lisa (Robert) Eads of Richardson, TX and nephew Sam Rizzuti of Urbandale.

Dominic truly enjoyed his family, friends and work. He was devoted to the success of everyone and everything that entered his life. He loved having family dinners, picnics, watching his grandchildren during their dance recitals, and their many sports activities. Dominic loved to dance with his wife. Kay remembers just this morning that it was like dancing in a dream. Dominic loved traveling, which included cruises, trips to Italy and family vacations.

Kay and Dominic Rizzutti at their Wedding, 1952

Dominic was a proud member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Society of Italian Americans which allowed Dominic to be active throughout his Italian-American community and hold his heritage close to his heart. Dominic told many stories of his years in Italy as a young boy and about immigrating to America. He was very proud of the obstacles that the Italian immigrants overcame while carving their American Dream: a family that loved and adored him, a business that defined him, and friends that respected him. When Dominic spoke, you could not help but listen to his strong proud American voice with its charismatic Italian accent.

A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2011, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, with burial following at Glendale Cemetery. A visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 6 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church or Ramsey Village.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

SIA Sponsors St. Joseph’s Altar

The Society of Italian Americans was proud to sponsor an Altar again this year at the St. Joseph Celebration held March 18th and 19th at the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa.  Your support and attendance at the celebration was  greatly appreciated.

For pictures from this year’s event, click here.

SIA Member Richard Barsetti Passes Away

Richard Barsetti

SIA member Richard J. Barsetti, 60, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2011.

He was born August 26, 1950 in Des Moines, to Lawrence and Daisy Barsetti. Richard graduated from Dowling Catholic High School and later went on to follow the family tradition as a cement mason. He was currently employed at Speck USA, and had previously worked for Weitz, Taylor Ball, and Design Builders. Richard married the love of his life Mari Lynn Anderson of State Center, Iowa on March 22, 1980. He was well known for his sense of humor, his contagious giggle, and his deep love for his family, friends and God. Richard was also a  member of Operating Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 21.

Richard is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mari Lynn; daughter, Rikki Lynn of Des Moines; his son, John and Becca Barsetti and grandson, Bryce and soon to be Baby Barsetti of Geilenkirchen, Germany; sisters: Marilyn Agey, Joann Smith, Judy Swartzbaugh, and Mary Jo (Dave) Barsetti Nerland; sister-in-law, Susanna Barsetti; brother-in-law, George Malsam; his twin brother, Robert (Kathy) Barsetti; brothers: Joe (Rita), David (Joy), and Pete (Linda) Mazza; honorary sister, Sandy Patterson; honorary brother, Scott Stacy; as well as a host of beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry; and sister, Carolyn Malsam.

Our club expresses our sincere condolences to the Barsetti family.

SIA Christmas Party Photos

On December 18, 2010, the SIA and Auxiliary held their annual Christmas party at the club hall.  There was a great turnout again this year.  Thanks to the Gentosi family for providing their homemade wine at the event!  The following day, Santa made a visit to the club hall to visit with all the children.

Below are some pictures from the party and Santa’s visit, courtesy of Lisa Vivone Cruchelow.  If you have any other photos to share, please email them to jeff@siadm.com.

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SIA Members Attend Dinner with Culture

On Sunday, November 7, 2010, several members of the Society of Italian Americans and auxiliary attended a “Dinner with Culture” event at the Italian American Cultural Center of Iowa. A presentation on Christmas in Italy was presented by the cultural center, folowed by a delicious dinner prepared by Tony Lemmo of Cafe di Scala. Below are photos from the event.

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Pictures from the SIA Auxiliary’s Christmas in October

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SIA Auxiliary at Jasper Winery

In July, the SIA Auxiliary visited the Jasper Winery in Des Moines.  Here are some photos from their outing:

SIA Auxiliary Answers the Call

The women of the Society of Italian Americans Auxiliary stayed up into the wee small hours of the morning to answer calls at the 2010 Variety Club Telethon.   Fourteen women (and a couple of men) handled the phone calls during the prestigious midnight – 2 AM shift on March 7th.   Besides helping a worthy cause, they all had a blast!