L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 10 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 L'Italo-Americano PORTLAND ITALIAN COMMUNITY T h e I t a l i a n B e n v e n u t i Club—formerly known as the Italian Business C l u b — f o r m e r l y k n o w n a s t h e I t a l i a n B u s i n e s s m e n ' s C l u b — h a s u n q u e s t i o n a b l y transformed and evolved over the past six decades. They are the oldest Italian heritage and culture organization in Portland. " A s s o m e o n e w h o ' s b e e n going to the meetings since I was a kid, I really appreciate how the club has evolved from a men-only club to an all inclu- sive social club. We've man- a g e d t o h a v e m o r e f u n n o w while maintaining the focus of benefitting our foundation," states the current IBC treasurer, John Gallucci. The IBC was officially estab- lished in Portland, Oregon in 1952. A year prior in 1951, as a response to the Po River flood in Italy, which killed 84 people and left 180,000 homeless, a group of local Italian business- men joined forces to raise funds in an emergency relief effort. "They wanted to do some- thing for the victims so they formed a group," states Guido LaCesa, current IBC president. T h i s r e l i e f e f f o r t b r o u g h t people together and sparked an idea. A.C. Cecchini, Chairman of the Flood Relief Fund and also owner of Portland's historic (now obsolete) Lido restaurant, j o i n e d f o r c e s w i t h C a r l o J . Sposito and together they for- m u l a t e d t h e p l a n t o s t a r t a n Italian organization that would h a v e a p e r m a n e n t p l a c e i n Portland. Their goal was to have this organization dedicated to c i v i c s e r v i c e a s w e l l a s t h e preservation and promotion of Italian culture. The IBC met this goal and then some. Over the years, they have taken leadership roles in sup- porting worthwhile causes both in the U.S. and abroad. They have been active supporters of t h e P o r t l a n d S y m p h o n y a n d Opera Association, the Oregon Zoo's Elephant Fund, OMSI, the Christie Foundation—a pio- neer in medical research and s e r v i c e — a n d t h e P o r t l a n d P o l i c e ' s S u n s h i n e D i v i s i o n , which provides food and cloth- ing relief to Portland families and individuals in need. The I B C h a s a l s o b e e n o f f e r i n g yearly scholarships to college students in the Italian Studies P r o g r a m a t P o r t l a n d S t a t e University. As well as civic service, over the years the IBC has welcomed notable guests from around the w o r l d . P o r t l a n d h a s g r e e t e d s u c h c e l e b r i t i e s a s , F r a n k S i n a t r a , R o c k y M a r c i a n o , Jimmy Durante, Rita Moreno, F r a n k i e V a l l i , a n d m a n y more. This organization has been meeting once a month in differ- ent Italian establishments in and around Portland for over sixty years. While they have stayed committed to the civic ideals that originally founded the club, inevitably the IBC (still a men- only organization in 2013) came t o r e a l i z e t h e y n e e d e d t o change. This decision brought with it the inclusion of women mem- b e r s . A n d t h e I B C w o m e n didn't waist any time. They ran for and were promptly elected to official positions on the IBC Board. Michelle Ordway is the current acting vice president and Theresa Rossetto Berney is the IBC's current secretary. Both of these women play a substantial role in the preserva- tion and promotion of Italian culture in Portland. Michelle has been the volun- t e e r c o o r d i n a t o r f o r F e s t a Italiana Portland for the past three years, a colossal undertak- ing as she coordinates around 250 volunteers for Portland's premier Italian event. A main f o c u s o f t h e F e s t a I t a l i a n a Association, which was estab- lished in 1991, is to promote and coordinate a cultural cele- bration annually (held in the later part of August) as a gift to the people of Portland so that they may share in the beauty of the Italian culture. "I feel it is an honor and a privilege to have been asked and elected IBC vice president as well as Festa Italiana volun- t e e r c o o r d i n a t o r a s i t h a s allowed me to meet so many wonderful people both Italian and non-Italian and bring forth w o n d e r f u l n e w a v e n u e s o f l e a r n i n g a b o u t m y heritage," states Michelle. "I typically have to start putting the feelers out in April to fill the 244 volunteer slots by the end of August, in time for the three day event." Theresa plans and organizes t h e C o l u m b u s D a y D i n n e r , which is Portland's oldest run- ning Italian heritage event. This event was originated by the IBC in 1954 and showcases an ele- gant evening. It begins w ith c o c k t a i l s a n d a n t i p a s t i , a n d i n c l u d e s , n o t a b l e s p e a k e r s , Italian food, and entertainment, as well as dancing and prizes. E i g h t y e a r s a g o t h e F e s t a Italiana Association took over the banquet and it continues to be an important event within the Italian community. This year's Columbus Day Dinner will be h e l d o n O c t o b e r 1 5 , a t t h e Portland Golf Club. For more on this event contact, Theresa at: columbusdayportland@gmail.com. One can now attest that in 2 0 1 6 t h e I B C i s c o n s i d e r e d more of a social group. This was especially made clear by the recent official name change t o t h e I t a l i a n B e n v e n u t i Club. Benvenuti—the Italian word for Welcome—is truly the m e s s a g e t h e I B C w a n t s t o send. And welcome you are to join the IBC at any of their upcom- ing cultural events. La Vendemmia is their next h ig h ly an ticip ated ev en t. La Vendemmia is a celebration of t h e g r a p e h a r v e s t w h i c h is observed every fall through- o u t I t a l y . T h i s c u l t u r a l tradition predates recorded his- tory. The 2016 La Vendemmia will benefit Scuola Italiana di P o r t l a n d — P o r t l a n d ' s o n l y Italian language school—and will be held at Ardiri Vineyards on September 17, from 6:30- 9 : 0 0 p m . T h e m e n u w i l l b o a s t p o r c h e t t a , p a s t a salad, panna cotta, gelato, and there will be a special winery tour and discussion by wine- m a k e r , J o h n C a m p a g n o . F o r more on La Vendemmia con- t a c t , B o b I a n n a c o n e a t : robert202@comcast.net. "We have hosted and will be hosting some great events that bring people together and cele- brate Italian culture in our com- munity," Guido LaCesa attests, "and regardless of the IBC's n e w - f o u n d i d e n t i t y , a n d t h e inevitable changes to come, the Italian Benvenuti Club contin- u e s t o b e a s t r o n g f o r c e i n Portland's Italian community. This organization will continue its commitment to the preserva- tion and promotion of Italian culture in Portland." Now is a fantastic time to c e l e b r a t e I t a l i a n c u l t u r e i n Portland. For more on the IBC please contact, Guido LaCesa at: oaktreelo@aol.com. The Italian Benvenuti Club TONYA RUSSO HAMILTON Guido LaCesa, Italian Benvenuti Club President and Theresa Rossetto Berney, IBC Secretary

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