L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano SEATTLE ITALIAN COMMUNITY Nunzio was shot and killed d u r i n g a r o b b e r y a t t h e family grocery story. With a new wife, mother and sis- ters to support, her hus- band immediately took over t h e f a m i l y b u s i n e s s a n d established himself as a skilled butcher. Every day behind the meat counter, he could be spotted wearing his trademark apron, red- white-and-green striped suspenders, and a driving cap. In 1955, he opened a second store, Bernie and Boys, in Burien. As this year's Festa lun- cheon was wrapping up, a m e s s a g e f r o m J o a n n e Spino Marchese, Festa Ita- liana president, was read. "Festa proves that the heart of Italy is big and strong in Seattle," it said in part. Last year, Festa Italiana attract- ed 24,000 attendees; this year's event looks to be on target for a similar show- ing. Festa rings in a new fea- t u r e f o r 2 0 2 5 : a P r i m a Notte ("First Night") Party. With music provided by the RigaTones, ticketed festi- v a l - g o e r s w i l l f i l l t h e expanded Wine Garden on tion in the region, including the Seattle-Fidele Lodge of the Sons & Daughters of Italy in America and the W e s t S i d e C i v i c I t a l i a n Club. In 2018, around her 90 th birthday, Salle accom- panied 28 members of her family to Italy where they met Pope Francis. A lover of music, she played the cello as a child and for years served as a church organist. Her distinctive artwork uses old jewelry pieces, but- tons, seed pods, fir cones and other found objects. "Each is beautiful," Centioli noted. "Each is unique, and each tells a story." Salle donates the items to local organizations for auctions and fundraisers – and fol- lowing in this tradition, one of her artworks was auc- tioned off at the luncheon to support Festa Italiana. Even as a nonagenarian, Salle's sense of humor and l i v e l y p e r s o n a l i t y s h i n e through. Yet, as with any- o n e w h o l i v e s 9 0 - p l u s years, she's had her share of tragedies. After marrying Bernardo "Bernie" Salle in 1 9 5 1 , t h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r Bernie's 61-year-old father t h e p r e c e d i n g F r i d a y e v e n i n g t o k i c k - o f f t h e Festa weekend. During the weekend that follows, a robust schedule of musical groups will be f e a t u r e d . I n p a r t , t h e y include: Anthony "Nino" Lane Band from Salinas, California; long-time local favorite Tony LaStella and the Goombas; Seattle Man- d o l i n O r c h e s t r a ; F r a n k S i n a t r a - l i k e s o n g s t y l i s t D a n n y Q u i n t e r o ; a t r i o called Fortissimo featuring S e a t t l e ' s v e r s i o n o f T h e Three Tenors; and the Rob P o r c a r o B a n d . A n d w h o wants to miss the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band, a non-marching band that performs traditional Italian marches and excerpts from Italian operas. All perfor- mances are free and open to the public. Also on the schedule are a bocce tournament, Italian c a r s h o w , c h e f c o o k i n g demonstrations, and the ever-popular grape stomp. Plenty of food and drink vendors means Festa-goers w i l l n o t g o h u n g r y ! F o r more information, go to www.festaseattle.com. task. "All I have to do is say, Hey Steve!, and he'll be there in a flash to help," she said, "whether it be staffing the Festa Italiana wine and beer booth, working at the San Gennaro Festival, or p r o v i d i n g p a i n t i n g a n d l a n d s c a p i n g s u p p o r t a t Casa Italiana." This year marks the 35 th anniversary of the Centioli A w a r d ( n o a w a r d s w e r e given during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021). Gerard Centioli, son of Gill Centioli, was on hand to present the honors to 97- y e a r - o l d L u c y S a l l e i n recognition of her volun- teer support, generosity and community spirit. Salle is also a gifted artist, and one of her creations – a lav- ishly bejeweled map of Italy – hangs in a place of honor in Casa Italiana. Centioli quoted Lucy's own words to describe her: "Local girl does good." The m o t h e r o f s i x c h i l d r e n , Salle also has 19 grandchil- dren and 10 great grand- c h i l d r e n . H e r v o l u n t e e r work is legendary. She has held office in nearly every Italian American organiza- I t wouldn't be Sep- t e m b e r i n S e a t t l e without Festa Ita- liana . Now in its 38 th year, this pop- ular cultural extravaganza celebrates the history, art, cuisine, culture and music o f I t a l i a n s a n d I t a l i a n Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Always held the last weekend of September, this year's Festa Italiana dates are September 27 and 28. P r e c e d i n g t h e F e s t a weekend, Seattle's Italian American community turns out for two other special a c t i v i t i e s : a t r a d i t i o n a l Mass given in Italian and an awards luncheon spon- sored by the Italian Club of Seattle. The Mass is held at Our L a d y o f M o u n t V i r g i n Church, once at the heart of Seattle's original Italian neighborhood. More than a century old, the church, called St. Boniface at the time, celebrated its first Mass in Italian on Septem- ber 10, 1911. A few weeks later, it was renamed Our Lady of Mount Virgin in tribute to the famous Bene- dictine monastery of Mon- tevergine in southern Italy. This year's traditional Ital- ian Mass was held Septem- ber 13 and included a chil- dren's procession. The Seattle Yacht Club's Fireside Lounge, with its stunning view of its private marina, was the location for t h e s e a t e d l u n c h e o n o n S e p t e m b e r 5 . S o m e 1 0 0 guests turned out to cele- brate the two award win- ners: Steve Fontana, the Patricia De Laurenti Volun- teer of the Year, and Lucy Salle, who received the Gill Centioli Award. F e s t a I t a l i a n a b o a r d executive director Dennis Caldirola and Audrey Man- zanares, president of the Italian Club of Seattle, han- dled welcomes and intro- ductions. When introducing Steve Fontana to the crowd, Manzanares spoke of his willingness to take on any Left: Lucy Salle received the Gill Centioli Award, presented by Gill's son Gerard, at the Festa Italiana luncheon on September 5, 2025 (Photo: Rita Cipalla). Right: A colorful map of Italy, created by Lucy Salle using old jewelry and buttons, hangs in a place of honor in Seattle's Casa Italiana (Photo: Festa Italiana) "Local Girl Makes Good:" Lucy Salle receives Gill Centioli Award RITA CIPALLA

• Cover