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Lately some of you have mentioned to me that you have seen a TV show or commercial or
a movie or play in which Italians are depicted in a very offensive way: as criminals, organized
crime figures, racists, and/or uneducated slobs. There is a long history of Hollywood and
indeed all media indulging in this type of stereotyping of Italians. Indeed, Thomas Edison
who invented film produced a number of one reel short films starting what later became
the film industry. One of the first he made was a short which became one of the first crime
dramas. In it the police seize a man who is a professional pickpocket. Who is he? An Italian
immigrant of course or as the characters in the film call him, "the Dago." So as you can see
right as the first wave of Italian immigrants were arriving in this country, our ancestors
were being slurred with the aura of criminality which continues to this day.
One of UNICO National’s committees is the Anti-Bias Committee of which I am the Vice -
Chair. We respond to any offensive portrayal we learn of via email, telephone and letters
to the offending parties requesting that they cease and desist. In addition to UNICO, the
Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, the Italian American One Voice Coalition and
numerous other Italian organizations around the country have
protested these portrayals. The Italian American One voice
Coalition was founded by Dr. Manny Alfano a longtime UNICO
member from New Jersey. This organization has many UNICANS as
members and along with UNICO National, many individual Chapters
have also joined to support its mission. At our last Board Meeting
we voted to have our Chapter also join One Voice.
However, we cannot fight these insults alone. We need every
concerned person of Italian descent to get involved. Speak up when you see something
insulting; let me or our committee know about something you've seen or heard especially if
it is in the popular media or even in our own community. We will take it from there. No
other racial, ethnic or religious group puts up with these type of insults. Why should we?
I'll speak more about this at our next dinner meeting on the 24th. Hope to see you there.
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT FRANK TRAVISANO
Wate
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November Dinner Meeting
Our November Dinner Meeting will take place on Tuesday,
November 24th at Juniper’s Restaurant in Middlebury at 6:30pm. Cost for dinner is $25.00 which includes one complimentary glass of
wine. Feel free to bring a friend as we welcome our guest speaker, Jonathan Draper from the OLLI Program at UCONN-Waterbury.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is an academic cooperative that provides older adults with opportunities for intellectual development, cultural
stimulation and social interaction. Programming is centered around classes developed and taught by members who volunteer their time to share their knowledge and experience with other members. The OLLI program also sponsors special events featuring noted authors, scholars and
experts in respected professional fields.
Chapter Newsletter
November 2015
“Service Above Self”
www.waterburyUNICO.com
www.facebook.com/WaterburyUNICO
It’s the holiday season and the bells are ringing…...this time at
Town Plot IGA on Fairfield Avenue in Waterbury!! On Saturday,
December 12th from 10am—4pm, 2 volunteers are needed for
each 1-hour shift to ring the bell for Salvation Army!!! If you’re
interested, send an email to [email protected] or
sign-up at our next meeting. Another “feel good” event that you
don’t want to miss!! Dress warm and spread the holiday cheer!!!
RING THE BELL FOR SALVATION ARMY
WARC CHRISTMAS PARTY
Volunteers are needed to help serve pizza and ice
cream to the program participants at the Annual
WARC Christmas Party. The party takes place on
Sunday, December 6th from Noon—4pm at the
WARC Gymnasium located in the old Anderson
School on 1929 East Main Street in Waterbury. This
is one of our favorite community events!! If you want to be part of an experience that will swell your heart
and put you in the holiday spirit…..then be sure to
join us for all or part of the afternoon. Excellent
opportunity to bring your family members to help.
Let us know you’re coming by sending an email to
[email protected] or tell us at our
Dinner Meeting. Thank you!!!
PS—Please try to wear your UNICO Shirt, Santa Hat and dancing shoes!!! Check out the
movie “Passione” available on
DVD & Netflix for a
look at the musical
roots & traditions of
Naples!
Page 2 WATERBURY CHAPTER OF UNICO NATIONAL
BAKE-LESS FUNDRAISER
Be on the lookout for a letter from Fran
Durante, Bake-less Fundraiser Chair,
asking all members to participate in this
new fundraiser. Instead of running a
bake sale, send a donation in the amount it would have cost to bake/buy a cake or
pie or cookies! Please make checks payable to Waterbury UNICO and indicate
“bakeless fundraiser” in the memo line. So get cookin’ and send your donation to our
PO Box or bring to next meeting. It’s easy as pie! (smile)
PENNIES FOR ST. VINCENT DEPAUL
Keep bringing your pennies and loose change to all meetings
and event. Chairperson Dianne Minardo has already rolled
almost $40 worth of coins and is ready for more! All funds
will be donated directly to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of
Waterbury.
CHAPTER CHRISTMAS PARTY
Join us on Thursday, December 10th
for our Annual Chapter Christmas
Party! The dinner will be held at
Verdi Restaurant located at
Western Hills Golf Course on Park
Road in Waterbury. Cost per
person is $30 for a fantastic dinner and a complimentary glass of wine.
Cash bar. Festivities start at 6pm
with Cocktails/Cheese & Crackers
and 7pm for Dinner Buffet with
entertainment provided by Ralph
Belvedere. Come ready to sing
because as Buddy the Elf says— “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is
singing loud for all to hear.”
Our “Party Planner”, Dr. Carmine Paolino, is asking all UNICANS to bring a
package of diapers [sizes 3-6 preferred] and baby wipes that evening for donation
to the Diaper Bank operated by Catholic Charities of Waterbury.
Advanced registration is required so please reply no later than December 2nd.
The party is open to all Members, Families and Friends….spread the word—the
more the merrier!!! You can send payment [Checks payable to Waterbury
UNICO] to our PO Box or bring to our next meeting. If you have any questions,
contact Dr. Paolino at 203.217.4401.
Be sure to
listen to
Andrea
Bocelli’s new
CD entitled
“Cinema”,
featuring his
version of
songs from
your favorite
movies!
Page 3 NOVEMBER 2015
BAKE-LESS FUNDRAISER
MEMORIAL MASS
Thank you to everyone who participated in our
Memorial Mass for Deceased Members of UNICO.
While the attendance of members was small (10 in Mass and 12 at the Reception) the
intent was large. Chairs Bianca Daniels & Lou Gelada & Committee did a great job
organizing and promoting the day. Plans for next year are already underway and the
date will be released soon so that more of us (especially those with ties/relations to
deceased UNICANS) can be in attendance.
ITALIAN HERITAGE
As part of their Fall Lecture Series, the Italian Resource Center
and the Library of Central CT State University welcomes
Professor Mario Mignone. He will lecture on the publication by
the Library of Congress: “Explores, Emigrants, Citizens”.
Thursday, December 10th at 3:00pm in the Library
Classroom—Third Floor of the Burritt Library at CCSU located
at 1516 Stanley Street in New Britain. Refreshments will be served.
Waterbury Chapter of UNICO National
PO Box 933 Waterbury, CT 06721
Waterbury—The Birthplace of UNICO
CT/MA Meet the President
Sunday—November 22nd
The Elks Club—Torrington
Noon—$45
November Dinner Meeting
Tuesday—November 24th
Juniper’s Restaurant—Middlebury
6:30pm—$25
Christmas Open House
Friday—December 4th
National Office—Fairfield, NJ
Noon—7:00pm
Board Meetings
2nd Tuesday of Every Month
[12/8, 1/12, 2/9, 3/8, 4/12, 5/10, 6/14]
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall
6:45pm
Chapter Christmas Party
Thursday—December 10th
Verdi Restaurant—Waterbury
6:00pm—$30
January Dinner Meeting
CT-I District Meeting
Tuesday—January 26th
Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall
6:30pm—Price TBD
Italian Corned Beef Dinner
Wednesday—March 9th
5:00pm—7:30pm
Location & Price TBD
National Day of
Community Service
Saturday—April 23rd
Time & Location TBA
Scholarship Dinner
Tuesday—May 24th
La Bella Vista
6:00pm—$35
Save the Date!!!
founded by Gerard J. Somma in 1939 with customers nationwide & overseas
located on Scott Road since 1957
www.sommatool.com
Manufacturers of tooling
for the Precision Turned Parts Industry
109 Scott Road Waterbury, CT 06705
JOHN A. SALERNO, M.D.
INTERNAL MEDICINE
573-0300
60 WESTWOOD AVE
WATERBURY,CT 06708
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
Tim Clark, Realtor Cell-203-592-5201
Proud to be a member of Waterbury UNICO
94 Years of “ Service Above Self ”
The Largest Italian-American Service Organization
Founded in Waterbury, CT 1922
SUPPORT OUR
SPONSORS
Integral Psychiatric Services
203-430-0315
Adver�se your
business with us
Monthly Meeting Schedule (Sept-June) Board of Directors – 2nd Tuesday 6:45 pm - Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall
Regular Dinner Meeting– 4th Tuesday - 6:30 pm - Juniper’s Restaurant
Want informa�on included in the next newsle�er? Care to receive the newsle�er electronically?
Contact us at [email protected]
Memorial Section
Waterbury Chapter of UNICO National Check out our website
www.waterburyunico.com
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WaterburyUnico
Contact us at [email protected]
In Loving Memory to our parents:
Charles and Louise Gerace
Ralph and Lillian Santopietro
~ With love from Bob &Marilyn
In Memory of my Grandparents:
Giovanni “John” and Theresa Meoni Gelada
Giocondino and Amelia Fusco D’Amico Santopietro
~With Love, your grandson, Louis C. Gelada Jr.
In Memory of my parents:
William and Dora Samela
~From Bianca Daniels