SUN LAKES ITALIAN CLUB MEETING MINUTES – THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2025
What a beautiful day for a picnic! There were 60 members attending the Club picnic at Sisk Park in Cottonwood Sunday, the 2nd of March.
The Bocce Ball tournament had 32 members competing for first place. The tournament started at 10:00 am. Congratulations to the first place team, winners of a bottle of wine each were:
John Terranova
Dan Halloran
Sandy Fogarty
Tom Gartner
Food was served at 12 noon to hungry competitors and members.
Buddy Meola and Diane Keneally manned the barbecue while Albert McCabe served the peppers and onions, sausages and rolls. Steve and Linda, with help from members, set up the tables ready for all the spectacular Italian and American side dishes and desserts.
Music was supplied by Ray Ficek, the Sun Lakes Bocce Ball Coordinator. We were serenaded by “Old Blue Eyes,” Frank Sinatra, along with songs from the 40’s and 50’s.
What a feast! Thank you to all who brought those delicious dishes and desserts.
Hope to see everyone there next year.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Keneally
Secretary
SUN LAKES ITALIAN CLUB MEETING MINUTES – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Our Second Annual Italian Wedding Night was a huge success, with 128 paid reservations for dinner.
Happy Hour was from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, while the DJ played current tunes.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Carolyn McCorkle presented the Invocation.
Dinner was served at 6:00 pm.
6:45: Joann Belack explained Italian wedding traditions, and upcoming Sisk Park Picnic on March 2nd, with desserts being pre-cut this year, and bringing our attention to the signup sheet on each table. The Bocce Ball signup sheet was also placed on each table.
The Secretary and Treasurer reports were both approved and seconded.
Steve discussed the Club’s purchase of the Quickbooks Program that will manage finances and tax preparation.
Kaye Hawkes thanked Steve for his dedicated time and work to make our Club a success, also thanking the Oakwood staff and introduced new members.
Steve explained that elections of President, Treasurer and Sergeant at Arms will be held at the April meeting, with their Installation at the May meeting.
Steve Ambroso, President, Joanne LaSalle, Treasurer and Buddy Meola, Sergeant at Arms, all agreed to continue in their positions for the next two years.
Steve asked if anyone else would be interested in a Board Position to please contact him.
Music and dancing followed dinner with the DJ teaching us the Tarantella and played a ‘shoe’ game with couples. The Anniversary Dance brought married couples to the dance floor with Mary Ann and Lou Sacco, married 65 years, being honored.
The 50/50 tickets, sold by Buddy Meola and Diane Keneally, were $10 each, with half of the proceeds going to the winner of the BOOSTA bag, a tradition at Italian weddings.
A total of $1,060 was received and $530 was won by Janice Hood, a new member.
Rick Miller and David Herbes each won a gift basket.
Reminders that our picnic at Sisk Park in Palo Verde is on Sunday, March 2, 2025. RSVP’s are not needed for the picnic and food will be served at 12 noon, after the Bocce Ball tournament.
Steve asked for members to please turn in their name tags with the strings tucked in.
8:00 : “Goodnitght Sweetheart” played by the DJ ended the meeting.
SUN LAKES ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB MEETING MINUTES – THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025
5:00 to 6:15 Happy Hour
6:15 p.m. Call to Order by President, Steve Ambroso
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Bruce McCorkle
Dinner Served at 6:15 pm with 109 paid reservations
50-50 Raffle sales by Dale Davenport and Diane Keneally
In addition to the 50-50, six bottles of wine were donated by Ethica Wines
Winners – 3 winners of $80.00 each: Don Crookson, Rick Miller and Arlene Boni
6 winners of Ethica Wine: Marianne Canales, Betty Reagan, Anne Cerami, Rose Moira, Mary Kay Davenport and Larry LaSalle.
Introduction of New Members – Linda McCabe – 12 new members and 4 guests.
Secretary and Treasurer Reports were both approved and seconded.
Joanne LaSalle spoke about the club wanting to purchase the QuickBooks accounting program and how it would help the Club to manage finances and tax preparation. The Club is to vote at the February meeting.
Steve reported that Board Elections for President, Treasurer and Sergeant-At-Arms will be in April and anyone who would like to run for these offices, please contact him.
JoAnn Belack reported on the February Italian Wedding theme, encouraging members to dress accordingly and even wear their wedding attire for a fun-filled evening with DJ and dancing.
Guest Speaker: Giovanni Triscornia from Ethica Wines, explained the wines his company represents and offered discounted prices to be purchased and delivered to Oakwood Country Club.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 pm with a reminder to turn in the name tags and information that in March we will have our potluck picnic in Sisk Park with the Club furnishing the sausage and peppers.
SUN LAKES ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB MEETING – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024
The Clubhouse was opened at 4:45 for members to arrive early for Happy Hour and to look over the 39 items for this year’s Holiday raffle.
The meeting was called to order by President Steve Ambroso at 6:00 pm.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Donna Wysanski presented the Invocation.
Dinner was served at 6:15 pm, with 111 paid reservations.
Steve then reviewed the survey of the regions in Italy where family members came from. There were 17 regions out of 20 represented.
The Secretary and Treasurer reports were both approved and accepted.
Kay Hawkes, Vice President, introduced the new members and gave special thanks to the Board Members and those who work behind the scenes to make our Club great: Albert McCabe, Website; John Livoti, Photography; Linda McCabe, Reservations and Confirmations; Buddy Meola and Diane Keneally, Raffle Tickets, and especially to Patty Pannullo and Joann Belack, Entertainment Committee, for their efforts in finding the entertainment tonight and raffle presentation.
Thank you also to the many members who donated baskets and items for the raffle.
At 7:00 pm, the East Valley Harmonizers Barbershop Chorus entertained us with Holiday songs along with a few familiar 50’s and 60’s tunes.
Our next meeting is Thursday, January 9th, 2025. Please reserve by January 2nd and pay either by Zelle or check.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Keneally, Secretary
SUN LAKES ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB MEETING – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024
The meeting was called to order by President Steve Ambroso at 6:00 pm., welcoming everyone with the news that attendance tonight was at an all time high with 114 paid dinners and 151 members of our Club.
Survey sheets were placed on each table asking that the members would write the city or region in Italy that their families immigrated from. The results will be shared at the December dinner.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Albert McCabe gave the Invocation.
Dinner was served at 6:05 pm.
The Secretary and Treasurer’s reports were both approved and accepted.
Linda McCabe stated there were 44 new members and asked that those present would please stand and be acknowledged.
Joann Belack then spoke about our December Holiday Raffle, thanking those that donated.
Albert McCabe then showed the new website, www.iacsunlakes.com, explaining where information on the club could be found and how to reserve for the dinner and pay either by Zelle or check to Joanne LaSalle, Treasurer.
Albert then opened the new Stories tab and shared the story of sisters Assunta Iudiciani and Anna Maria Milne, including pictures of them as children, also showing their mother’s cookies and cake recipes on the Recipes tab. In the future the club hopes to include more stories of our members and their family memories.
It was Italian Comedy night with YouTube clips of comedians Frank Lotito, Sebastian Manascalco, Greg Vacariello, Larry Notto and Frank Spadone. Many laughs and chuckles were heard among the tables as these comedians brought to our memories familiar personalities and incidents of our upbringing.
50/50 Winners of $85 each was Arlene Boni, Lori Regni and John Caravella.
Our December meeting will be December 10th and notices will be in the Splash or NextDoor.
Please RSVP and pay by check or Zelle before the deadline of December 3rd, as there will be no paying at the door.
Reminder to turn in name tags with the string rolled up inside the name tag.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Keneally
Secretary
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