Merry Christmas to all, and a heartfelt thank you to all our past and present hosts, our sponsors, our patrons, thank you to our committee members and to all of you, members of Ciancia, who have so enthusiastically attended our events. After Thanksgiving, quintessential American holiday, which celebrates, free from religious attachments, the best qualities of this blessed land – hard work, opportunity, diversity, and gratitude for what has been provided by Mother Nature – assuming that you have managed to shed those extra pounds that suddenly appeared on your scale – Natale is the most charming, heartfelt and joyful holiday in Italy. Of course, America is second to none in its adorned celebrations. This year in particular it seems that the economies of these two countries are intertwined. Now, solving this crisis is going to take a realistic approach and neither one of our countries seems grasping it.
We know that this recession has hit hard so many families but, in a paradoxical way, America has never offered more opportunities, and not just material ones, but opportunities to grow and pay attention to our fellows. Italy is doing the same. People go out more. In fact, there may not be a better time to to gather around values that remain untouched by any recession because they are immaterial: the gift of friendship, our beloved ones, our health, our fortune, but also for the integrity, the dignity, the respect and compassion that leads our lives – all values without which we are heartless machines. As someone writes on the Sunday Times every year, I repeat, “may your holiday be blessed with the rewards of hard work, of breaking bread with family and friends new and old, and with an attitude of gratitude for the bounties the future will most definitely hold.”
This bulletin contains directions to our much-anticipated Christmas party. It takes place in Buckhead, on Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the fabulous house of Tito and Amy Mazzetta, long-time members and supporters of our club. This Festa di Natale is expected to be a sensational evening, from the amazing setting – the Mazzetta’s house is an enchanting mansion, filled with Italian art – to the amazing food prepared by some of our chef-patrons, to Christmas decorations, a raffle with amazing prizes, and a surprise opera performance we are featuring. It will be a memorable evening.
We want to thank you in advance for your participation and support, in the hope that you will be diligent in showing your support by contributing to the door fee and purchasing tickets to our raffle, as well as to bringing food or a bottle of Prosecco to this event. We would like to appeal to your holiday spirit and ask you for an additional, generous contribution. This is not charity. We are offering you some good value for your money. But, as Ciancia is rapidly reaching 1,500 members, our costs have grown proportionally, particularly with our website and interface e-mailer. Ciancia needs your help! Please, make sure that you purchase one or more raffle tickets at the door.
We have amazing gift baskets with all sorts of Italian goodies in addition to valuable Ciancia year-passes, gift certificates from our restauranteurs and sponsors, Panettone cakes, music, chocolates, and some superb wines! Most of the gift certificates come from famous Italian restaurants, and are the perfect way to treat yourself, your date or your loved ones to a special evening. Please, make sure that you purchase some raffle tickets. We need your contribution. We look forward to seeing you on Friday the 16th.
The Steering Committee
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY!
We need volunteers to bring covered dishes and wine as usual to our Xmas party. We will be providing a few bottles of wine and a number of dishes, but due to the complex preparation of our party our host will not be able to cook extensively. Since this event is taking place at a private home, you can bring any food you like, as long as it is ready to be consumed. We also need help at the door and help selling raffle tickets, then extracting the winning numbers and distributing the prices. We may also need some help at the end of the event to tidy up and put things back. If you can give us a hand, please contact immediately Giancarlo Pirrone at 404-456-4444. You will get it in for free and you will enjoy being part of our organization for one evening. It’s fun, prestigious and it is educational.
OUR EDITORIAL ON WORLD PEACE
If you are among those who think that Ciancia cannot contribute to world peace, think again. Expressing this heartfelt theme comes from our new editor, Alexandra Soares. You can read it in its entirety at: https://www.ciancia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=77
NEWS FROM OUR STEERING COMMITTEE
We would like to welcome Alexandra Salivia who is joining our editorial team, and Nelson Salivia who is going to assist us with our Internet interface. They are veteran members of our club and we have high expectations upon their service and contribution to our organization. We also thank Kathleen Layton and Beth Cope, for many years of wonderful and dedicated service within our committee.
WHO MAKES CIANCIA POSSIBLE?
Ciancia is brought to you by an outstanding Steering Committee of accomplished professionals, each one bringing to the table amazing experience in communication and event production. This is a team of volunteers, all strong believers in the great rewards of social interaction, curiosity, diversity and cultural engagement.
Here is our current roster:
Giancarlo Pirrone, president
Tony Pelliccia, event and door-reception coordinator
Marcia Briscoe, founder and constitution member
Kristi Hutchinson, IT technical services
Francesco Scordato, Facebook and Internet interface
Alexandra Salivia, our new editor
Nelson Salivia, IT technical services
Daniele Goffredo Gonzales, website design
We admit new committee members on a regular basis. If you think that you have the drive and the time to take over one of the numerous responsibilities, which make Ciancia possible, please step forward. You may contact us atagpirrone@mindspring.com . We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!
The Steering Committee