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Mercer CountyMercer CountyMercer County

ItalianItalianItalian---American FestivalAmerican FestivalAmerican Festival

Volume 5 - No. 7 December 2014

Scenes from Italian-American Festival 2014 See more festival photos on page 5.

OLD

PHOTO

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Cav. John Scarpati, center, presents

scholarship to West Windsor Italian-

American Association members John

Prunetti and Richard Prunetti.

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2014

Cavalier John Scarpati

President

Thank you to all the volunteers

and sponsors, and all those who

have participated in this year’s

festival. The festival proved to be a

huge success despite the challenges posed by the new layout of the

event area. Many people expressed

to me their positive comments on

the new layout. In future years, the

changes will be more permanent as

construction continues at the park.

This year we were blessed with

great weather and were able to

enjoy the new park features includ-

ing two entrances, with many more

enhancements to follow. The festival

organization would like to see more

Italian and Italian-Americans to be

involved in the festival. If you would like to lend a hand and be part of this

venture, please call or e-mail me or

any of the other committee chairs.

Several of our local organizations

are now joining us for events at our

Italian-American Heritage Center, the

headquarters of the Mercer County

Italian-American Festival Associa-

tion. The association has supported

several other groups by awarding 12

scholarships to local schools and vari-

ous local organizations. At the heri-tage center, we’ve recently installed a

permanent monument honoring all

branches of the U.S. military. The

mass, celebrated at the Italian-

American Festival, is also dedicated

to all those who have served in the

U.S. armed forces.

This October, we have dedicated a

new statue of Christopher Columbus.

This is the only statue in Hamilton

Township dedicated to this famous explorer. There has been recent dis-

cussion about eliminating Columbus

Day as a holiday. I am deeply con-

cerned about this state of affairs.

We’re all familiar with the cheery

rhyme, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the

ocean blue,” but there was much risk

and hardship associated with this

undertaking. Actually, there was

more than one single trip to the New World. The first voyage took 71 days

to cross the Atlantic before land was

discovered. On his second voyage,

Columbus’ fleet included 17 vessels

and 1,500 people. Another 2 voyages

followed. We cannot allow the monu-

mental achievements of this great

figure to disappear. To all of you

reading this publication, I urge all

who wish to preserve Columbus Day

as a national day, please visit the fol-

lowing website: www.savecolumbusday.org. Feel free

to express your feelings about saving

this important holiday.

In closing, just as Columbus real-

ized the possibilities in discovering a

new land, we envision a better and

better festival through the help of all

the volunteers, organizations, and the

community of Mercer County.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a

healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!

Cav. John Scarpati,

MCIAFA President

Pictured in front row, Cav. John Scarpati, flanked by student scholarship recipi-

ents from left to right, Lea Abreu, Jessica Giordano, Melissa Rufano, and Madi-

son Uram. Back row, scholarship committee members Dr. Barbara Frascella,

Frank Bruno, scholarship recipient Christopher Eckhardt and scholarship commit-

tee person Tom Frascella.

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2014

Free Associate Membership & Volunteer Form Date___________________________________

Come join one of the largest and fasting growing Associations in Mercer County!

Membership is FREE and you will be put on our mailing list automatically. We just ask that you help promote our heritage and events.

If you would like to be activve, here are some of the activities you may want to participate in:

Please check box/boxes if interested:

Office Work Help with On-Site Operations at Festival Join a Committee

Help at Monthly Dinners Help at Other Events at MCIAF Center Vendor

50/50 On-site sales Columbus Day Parade Maintenance Help at MCIAF Center

Name:______________________________________ Address:___________________________________________

Occupation:_________________________________City:__________________State:_______Zip:_____________

Telephone: (home)_______________(work)_______________ (cell)_____________E-mail ___________________

FOR FOR MORE INFORMATION, WRITE OR CALL: Cav. John Scarpati, President

Mercer County Italian American Assoc., 2421 Liberty St. Hamilton, N.J. 08629 – phone 609-631-7544.

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Italian-American Heritage and Culture

Donations are tax deductible and are appreciated.

Website: www.italianamericanfestival.com email: buongiorno2000@optonline.net

Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association

If you would like to be active, here are some of the activities you may want to participate in:

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Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association

the flash mob and for ensuring the continuance of this new festival addition. We hope to see you all next year! On a somber note, the Festival Association was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of one of the studio's

owners who so selflessly helped to organize and whose studio participated in this year's flash mob. Madge

Simone, an area leader in the dance industry, passed away suddenly a few weeks after the festival. Our sincere

condolences go out to the Simone family of dance and to all who were impacted by her contribution to the per-forming arts industry over the years.

Kathi Adie - MCIAFA Special Events Coordinator and

Marilyn Hope - MCIAFA Flash Mob Chairperson

News on the Flash Mob

MCIAFA would like to thank the following dancing schools for orga-nizing and executing our best flash mob to date. Our festival guests

were surprised and delighted with the performances and antics of the

children who participated in this event. Thank you so much for provid-

ing such unique crowd-pleasing entertainment, one of the aspects that makes our festival stand out from all others. Our sincere thanks go out

to: The Ballet Studio – Director/Owner Lisa Zola-DeLibero & Compe-

tition Director Sherri Lynn DiStefano, Class Act – A Center for Dance – Director Maria Agabiti-Battista, The Rech Center for Performing Arts

– Director Kelly Rech-Astbury, Simone Dance Studio – Directors

Madge Alessi & Dena Frascella and Stewart Johnson Dance Academy – Directors Isobel Johnson and Kim Spolitino. Thank you so much for

all the long hours of time, practice and preparation everyone put into Members of the 2014 Flash Mob.

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Board Members and Office Assistance: Cav. John Scarpati Sr., President Frank Cirillo, Vice President Daniele Scarpati, Trustee Ed DiPolvere, Trustee Joe DiPaolo, Trustee Thomas Frascella, Trustee

Joe Urbano, Trustee Sally Van Fleet, Trustee and Admin. Asst. Nina VanDeleur, Trustee and Admin. Asst. Treasurer: Danielle Scarpati

Committee Chairs: Accounting/Admin Treasurer: Danielle Scarpati Admissions: Marilyn Hope, Chair; Bob Hope, Co-Chair Amusement Rides: Frank Cirillo, Chair; Joe Urbano,

Co-Chair Artwork: Bill Plank Attorneys: Thomas Frascella, Paul Donini Auditors: Pesauro, Levy & Palumbo PA Beer: Christine Scarpati, Chair; James Dabronzo, Co-Chair Bingo: Ken Rhodes, Chair; Dennis Bush, Co-Chair Bocce: Vito DePalo, Chair; Jonah Pascucci Building Maintenance: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair; John

Devlin, Lou Dorio Computer Tech: Richard Tuscano Jr. Cultural Court/Market Tent: John Prunetti, Chair; Jeff Prunetti, Co-Chair Cultural Programs: Cav. Gilda R. Baldassari, Chair; Marie Jantos, Cathy DiCostanzo, Co-Chairs Entertainment: Carl Carabelli, Chair; Ann Lennon, Co-Chair; Nina VanDeLeur, Asst. Co-Chair; Al Hutchins, MC Facebook: Barry Chiorello

Festival 50/50: Gino Melone, Chair; Marion Bolton, Karen Coate, Co-Chairs; Donna Povia, Rita Capone, Mgrs. Festival Layout Plans: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Ted Caruso, Bill Plank, Vic Russo Festival Photographers: Paul Donini, Bill Plank

Festival Signs: Ed DiPolvere, Chair; John Devlin, Lou Dorio, Co-Chairs Fireworks: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair

Food Vendors: Joe DiPaolo, Chair; Joan Burkholtz, Admin. Asst.; Rocco Riccio, Dave Tallone

Grounds Maintenance - Portable Lighting, Hauling, Restrooms, Cleanup,Trash & Waste Mgmt.: John Scarpati Jr., Chair; Herman Ramos, Co-Chair Honorary Festival Consultant: Anthony Massi Information Tent: Sally Van Fleet, Chair; Frieda Santillo, Co-Chair

Mass: Msgr. Innocenzi; Cathy DiCostanzo, Chair; Joe Pica, Ben Gioe, Co-Chairs; Anthony Chianese, George Dougherty, Procession/Music Memorabilia: Anthony Chianese, Chair; Sam Naro, Co-Chair Merchandising – In-House: TBA Military & Veterans/Special Events: Kathi Adie, Chair; John Adie, Co-Chair Military Medal of Honor: Dennis Bush, Chair

Off Site 50/50 Business Sales: Gino Melone, Chair; Joe Sensi, Co-Chair Parking: Wayne DeAngelo, Chair; Joe Povio, Co-Chair Petting Zoo: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair

Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2014

Photographers - In-House: Nina VanDeleur, Bill Plank, Barry Chiorello Pony Rides: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair Puppet Show: Carl Carabelli, Chair

Security: Joe Russo, Chair; John Devlin, Co-Chair: Jeff Zimmer, Lou Dorio Site Operations: Danielle Scarpati, Chair; Melissa Scarpati, Co-Chair Sponsorship & Marketing: Barry Chiorello, Chair Tables, Tents & Chairs: Cav. John Scarpati Sr., Chair Website Design: Mike Aregano; Sally Van Fleet, Nina Van DeLeur, Barry Chiorello, Editors

Wine: Danielle Scarpati, Chair; Christine Scarpati, Co-Chair

Columbus Day Parade/Ball Committee: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., President; Frank Bruno, Chair; Gino Melone, MC; Pat Colavita, MC Backup; Thomas Frascella, Treasurer, Pat Bruno, Office Assistant

Newsletter Staff: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Managing Editor Helene Plank, Graphic Designer Bill Plank, Copy Editor

Sally Van Fleet, Assistant Copy Editor Printed by Hermitage Press, Inc., Trenton, NJ

General Contacts: E-mail: buongiorno2000@optonline.net

Website: www.italianamericanfestival.com

Office Mail: MCIAFA, 2421 Liberty St.,

Hamilton, NJ 08629 Phone: 609-631-7544; Fax: 609-631-9116

MCIAFA's Military & Veterans Committee would

like to express our sincere appreciation to the follow-

ing businesses who, over the years, have graciously and consistently provided their goods to the veterans

organizations represented at the festival each year.

We would like to sincerely thank International Pro-

duce, Inc., Bagels and Beyond and Villa Mannino

Ristorante and Pizzeria for their dedication to these

veterans organizations.

We would also like to thank the vendors at this

year’s festival who selflessly donated food to the

87th SFS Military Working Dog Unit who per-

formed at this year’s festival exhibiting these mag-

nificent creatures. Our thanks go to Pinnochio’s Café (through MCIAFA), Mama Rosa’s, Italian Peoples

Bakery, Maddalena’s Cheesecake, Risoldi’s Market,

Chip Stix, Gyros to Go and Pennsylvania Dutch Fun-

nel Cakes.

Many thanks to all who helped the Association

show our appreciation for the sacrifices and courage

of the brave men and women who serve our great

nation. Kathi Wargo Adie

MCIAFA Military & Veterans Committee Chairperson

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2014

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Photo Left to Right: Gino Melone, Co-Chair of the Italian-American Festi-

val Association; Emily Epstein, President of Mercer Pet Rescue; Joe

Schmeltz, President of Friends of the Mercer County Parks; Dana Panacek,

Vice President, Mercer Pet Rescue; “Ace” of Mercer Pet Rescue (available

for adoption); Cynthia Vandenberg, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank; Kevin Bannon, Executive Director of the Mercer County Park Commission;

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler; John Scarpati, President, Italian-

American Festival Association; Cathy DiCostanzo, Mercer County Sunshine

Foundation; Frank Cirillo, Vice President, Italian-American Festival Asso-

ciation; and Joseph Urbano, Trustee, Italian-American Festival Association.

Missing from photo: Marion Bolton, Co-Chair of the Italian-American Festi-

val Association.

Mercer County Italian American Festival

President and Founder, Cav. John Scar-

pati (right), presents Mercer County

Sheriff, Jack Kemler, with a Certificate

of Appreciation for Mr. Kemler's dona-tion to the festival association. Mr. Kem-

ler was the winner of the 2014 Super

50/50. The donation funds are earmarked

for the Boys’ and Girls’ Town of Italy.

Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler, winner of the Mercer County Italian American

Festival’s Super 50/50, donated the proceeds to local and regional charities to satisfy

compliance requirements. The charitable beneficiaries sharing the prize monies are —

Pet Rescue of Mercer, The Yale-New Haven Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (in

memory of his late grandson Vincent Jacovino), The Mercer Street Friends – Food

Bank, The ALS Association (on behalf of Lieutenant Ed DeAngelo of the Ewing Town-

ship

Police Department), The Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association, The

Friends of Mercer County Parks, and The Mercer County Sunshine Foundation.

Super 50/50 Winner Donates

All Proceeds to Local Charities

Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2014

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Italian-American Festival Newsletter December 2014

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October Events Celebrated

October brought many MCIAFA events. Clock-wise from top left: Columbus Gala honorees

Cathi DiCostanzo and Msgr. Innocenzi, with Gino

Melone, Tom Frascella, Frank Bruno, Pat Co-

lavita and Cav. John Scarpati;, the crowd at the Columbus statue dedication ceremony; Columbus

Day Committee Chair Frank Bruno, left, with

Cav. John Scarpati at right; the feast following the statue dedication; member John Devlin, left, with

Cav. John Scarpati showing the cake for the cele-

bration; and the Christopher Columbus statue.

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Mercer County Italian-American Festival

Association

Italian-American Heritage Center

2421 Liberty Street

Hamilton, NJ 08629

Quarterly MCIAFA Newsletter Publication

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Trenton, NJ

Permit No. 312

From all of us at the Mercer County

Italian-American Festival Association,

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Buon Natale!

Buon Anno!