SUN LAKES ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB MEETING – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024
Meeting called to order by President Steve Ambroso at 6:00 pm.
After a welcome by Steve, the Board was introduced to the membership.
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Diane Keneally
Secretary and Treasurer Reports were both accepted and seconded.
Signup Sheets for Volunteers to help on Committees were left on the tables. Help is needed for Christmas Raffle, Website, and Decoration Committee. Kay Hawkes spoke about the success in the past of our Christmas Basket Raffle and how the donations helped the Club to donate to our Charities, Neighbors Who Care and STAR Animal Rescue. Ways to donate, other than creating baskets, by Zelle or
checks were also explained.
Dinner was served at 6:15.
May survey results were shared by Steve, with Potluck and Bocce ball at Sisk Park being the top choice. Italian wedding and the Great Italian Bakeoff were second and third choices.
Steve also explained future events planned for our meetings.
Albert McCabe then showed the new website on the screen, explaining each heading and how to maneuver the website. This was very helpful to all as it brings our Club into the present and makes reservations and payments more streamlined. Albert offered his help to anyone who had difficulty with the website or Zelle payments.
Italian Trivia – there were two games played. The table with the highest score wins $5 each. There was a playoff of three winning tables in the first game which was won by a playoff question. In the second game a table won with 10 out of 12 answers.
50/50 Raffle Drawing winners of $110 each was won by Dan Halloran and Don Crookston.
Steve concluded the night with reminders of our next meeting of November 14, 2024.
Payment for dinner and reservations will be due by November 7th.
Reminder to turn in name tags with strings tucked in.
Respectfully Submitted by Diane Keneally, Secretary
Sun Lakes Italian American Meeting Minutes – Thursday May 2, 2024
Meeting called to order by President -Steve Ambroso at 5:55pm
SUMMARY of past year: 164 paid members / 85% Zelle & pre-payment by check
October- Interactive Italian Trivia table competition
November-Keith & Darlene Pyeatt from Mesa Mormon Temple talk Italian Genealogy
December-Christmas Party with AZ Opera Singers & Super Raffle
January-Susan Hagberg with Free Spirit Travel Agency /Italy trips
February-Traditional Italian Wedding dress up with DJ
March- Potluck at Sisk Park with Bocce ball Tournament
April- Steve Foss talks about his father shot down over Italy in WWII
May-Italian Food Trivia & Bake-Off Dessert Competition
Surveys on each table…fill out by checking off Top 5 (no ranking needed)
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation: Albert McCabe
Dinner 6:00pm
Committee Reports:
Secretary report approved by Len Rosati, Seconded by Carrie Bonello
Treasurer Report approved by Monte Bonello seconded by Carrie Bonello
Initiation of new Board members:
Kay Hawkes —Vice President, 2-year term
Diane Keneally—Secretary, 2-year term
Joanne LaSalle—Treasurer, taking over for Donna Penna who resigned, 1 year term remaining
Flower presentation to Donna Penna / Acknowledge JoAnn Jones-Hamm & Donna Haugland
Italian Bake-Off Competition Judges: Monty Bonello/Mary Lonneman/Dan McCabe
Contestants: Mary Faber, Vanessa Crookston, Ann Donato, Donna Wisyanski, Carol Torres, Assunta Iudiciani, Sharra Mastroianni
1st Place Winner of $100: Assunta Iudiciani with Panettone
2nd place winner of $50: Donna Wisyanski with Italian Rum Cake
Every contestant received a commemorative certificate
Italian Food Trivia: There were enough desserts to be sampled by all members.
50/50 winners of $59 each: Kara Robbins, Rich Bruno, Diane Keneally, Lilian Goldsmith
Reminders: Turn in Name Tags / Watch for summer email / newsletter & Splash
See you in October!
Meeting Adjourned at 8:00pm
Respectfully submitted by Kay Hawkes
Secretary’s Minutes
Call to order at 5:55pm by President Steve Ambroso
JoAnn Belack from the Events Committee presented on:
- Charity Committee and how charities were selected
- San Tan Animal Rescue
- Neighbors Who Care
(A big thank you to The Charity Committee members for their due diligence and hard work selecting the right fit for our club!
Great Italian Bake Off Contest
Judges: Monte Bonello, Marry Lonneman, Dan McCabe
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Pastor Steve Foss of Sun Lakes First Baptist Church
Secretary and Treasurer Reports were both accepted and seconded
Elections of new Board Members:
Kay Hawkes elected as Vice President – 2 year term
Diane Keneally elected as Secretary – 2 year term
Joanne LaSalle replacing Donna Penna as Treasurer as
Donna, resigned – 1 year remaining on term
It was announced that SLIAC is looking for someone(s) to take over the newsletter this fall from Donna Haugland
Event Speaker: Pastor Steve Foss relayed the fascinating story of his Airman father being shot over a small village in Italy in World War II, and no less than 8 Italian families worked undercover to get him safely to Allied land. Pastor Steve has books available on this remarkable story for a “love donation”.
His contact info is:
Email: [email protected] Phone # (602) 376-1321
Bake Off Contestants chosen by random draw—12 people entered and the 8 chosen were:
Jacquie Ruffino-Platt
Mary Faber
Vanessa Crookston
Anne Donato
Donna Wisyanski
Carol Torres
Assunta Iudiciani
Sharra Mastroianni
50/50 Raffle Drawing winners of $73 each were:
Sandy Fogarty, Arlene Boni and Janet Livoti
Steve concluded the night with reminders that our last meeting before we break for summer is next month, May 2024, and while the Italian desserts are being judged an Italian Food Trivia game will be played with the winning tables getting sample the desserts.
Reminder to turn in name tags with strings tucked in.
Respectfully submitted by: Kay Hawkes, Secretary