One of the results of my rediscovery of my Italian Heritage during the last 15 years or so is the discovery of a host of academic studies, books and essays on Italian Americans, our history in this country, the differences of our experiences as immigrants than those of any other immigrant group, and the type and extent of the prejudice our ancestors faced when they arrived here. As most of you know I became involved in UNICO's Anti-Bias Committee as soon as I joined the organization in 2000. This was as a result of issues that were brought to my attention by people I knew and most especially by things that I experienced once I transferred on my then job as a state probation officer from Waterbury to Danbury. Much to my surprise, for the first time since I was a teenager I heard comments about Italians that made me feel like an alien, like I was different from other Americans. Indeed, the association of Italians to organized crime was only part of it, with comments like "Guido Hair" being thrown around at times. This all culminated with someone saying to another individual in my presence "he was Italian but he looked white." That was the final straw. I then began to do my own research. joined various Italian organizations, and read materials provided by the UNICO, the Sons of Italy, and the Italic Institute of New York. I also called a good friend of mine who is a Professor of History at Brown University to learn more about immigration to this country, most specifically Italian immigration and he told me two facts I never knew before: one, when Italians first started coming to this country in the late 1800's they were not considered part of the white race, and, two, the strict immigration laws that were passed by congress in the 1920's and signed by the president were aimed almost exclusively at Italians. I relate this to you not to give you a history lesson because I am certain many of you already know these facts and indeed probably know more than me. And I certainly don't have the time nor the space to discuss these issues. But I would like to encourage each of you to learn more about our heritage and history in America. I have many books on the subject most of which are eye opening. Some I've read in their entirety, others just a chapter here and there or

selected essays in an edited book of essays. Many of you know "Blood of My Blood" by the sociologist Richard Gambino which was written in 1973 but is still used today, and "La Storia" Five Centuries of the Italian American Experience from 1992. One other I would like to mention is a short book of essays that was published in 2010 under the title "Anti-Italianism, Essays on a Prejudice." We purchased this book for the Bronson Library in Waterbury. One of the editors is William J. Connell who holds the LaMotta Chair in Italian Studies at Seton Hall University. I believe if you read some of the essays in this book your thinking on the media's treatment of us will change. This is obviously something I am passionate about and since you are members of UNICO I know you are all proud Italian Americans. So as we go about our fundraising activities that are so much a part of UNICO, let us not forget to learn as much as we can about and defend our heritage at every opportunity.

~ Frank

Note from the President

Chapter Newsletter May 2012

CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

Inside this issue:

Note from President 1

Scholarship Dinner Info 2

Scholarship Recipients 2

Chapter Events 3

Fundraisers 3

Etc. 3

Slate of Officers 4

Page 2

Chapter Newsletter

Scholarship Dinner

Tuesday– May 22nd—6:00pm

La Bella Vista/Ponte Club

380 Farmwood Road—Waterbury

$30.00 per Person

There’s still time to make your reservation to attend!

Contact Dr. Carmine Paolino at 203.263.8250

2012 Scholarship Recipients

JENNA BOUFFARD [Holy Cross High School]

James V & Christine M Ingala Memorial Scholarship

JOHN EGAN [Holy Cross High School]

UNICO Achievement Scholarship

MELISSA FLAMMIA [Sacred Heart High School]

William V. Summa Memorial Scholarship

MICHAEL IANNIELLO [Holy Cross High School]

Dr. & Mrs. Bart DePetrillo Scholarship

TAYLOR MINITER [Kennedy High School]

Nicholas J. Parillo Memorial Scholarship

GINA PETRILLO [Kennedy High School]

Joseph Manganaro Memorial Scholarship

KASSANDRA PETROCELLI [Sacred Heart High School]

The Maiorano Family Scholarship

ADAM QUICQUARO [Holy Cross High School]

Charles S. Lanza Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Dinner Keynote Speaker

Dr. Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner is author,

speaker, and columnist for Fra Noi Magazine (Wisdom of the Italian

Sages). She is the producer and host of

“The Art of Living Well” radio show on WNHU 88.7FM, referred to by the New Haven Register as the hottest self-help

radio show in the state. Mautner holds a PhD in Educational/Cognitive

Psychology ,and specializes in self-help techniques. A former psychology

professor, Raeleen is a certified life coach, and the author of “Living la Dolce

Vita: Bring the Passion, Laughter, and Serenity of Italy into Your Daily Life” . A

total happiness make-over, Dolce Vita has been translated into several languages

and read by people throughout the world. She has also written articles for

Psychology Today, The Chicago Tribune, eDiets.com, Quirks Market Research, Fra Noi, and Italian America. Mautner ‘s work

has been mentioned in Family Circle Magazine, First, Seventeen, and Weight Watchers. She has appeared on national

radio and TV, and has given

presentations in the US And Italy.

Former columnist for America Oggi and The Italian Tribune, Dr. Mautner–a dual citizen of both the US and Italy— has a

special passion for helping people discover the psychological and physical benefits of traditional Italian lifestyle principles. On these pages , she hopes you will find useful ideas, insights and

information to uplift your life. None of the postings, of course, are meant to be a

substitute for professional help. Mautner’s upcoming book, due out in the Spring of

2013 and published by HCI is called “Lemons into Limoncello”. This beautiful

work will help ease recovery and renewal for readers who are going through loss,

change,or transition–with the zest of

simple Italian pleasures.

www.raeleenmautner.com

JOHN A. SALERNO, M.D.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

573-0300

60 WESTWOOD AVE

WATERBURY,CT 06708

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Tim Clark, Realtor Cell-203-592-5201

timmclark@optimum.net

Proud to be a member of Waterbury UNICO

90 Years of “ Service Above Self ”

UNICO NATIONAL

The Largest Italian-American Service Organization

“Service Above Self ”

Questions or comments about the newsletter?

Want information included in the next newsletter?

Care to receive the newsletter electronically?

Contact Don Mancuso at Mancuso11@gmail.com or 203.910.3437

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

www.unico.org

Waterbury Chapter of UNICO National

Check out our website– www.waterburyunico.com

Monthly Meeting Schedule (Sept-June)

Board of Directors – 2nd Tuesday 6:30 pm - Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall

Regular Dinner Meeting– 4th Tuesday - 6:30pm - Juniper’s Restaurant

Page 3

May 2012

Etc….

Final meetings

of the season!

Board Meeting

June 12th– 6:30p

Church Hall of Our

Lady of Lourdes

Regular Meeting

June 26th– 6:30pm

Juniper’s

Restaurant

[Installation of Officers

will take place. More

info to come!]

Best of Luck to

Francine Nido as

she seeks election

to her 2nd term as

UNICO National

Secretary!

National Convention

August 8th—12th

Marco Island, FL

[Learn more at

www.unico.org]

90th Birthday

Celebration

October 21st

The Aqua Turf Club

[Detailed info will be

distributed in June]

Get Your Clubs Ready!!!!! The Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 11th at Crestbrook Golf Club in

Watertown. Cost per golfer is $125 which includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch & dinner. Sponsorship opportunities available starting at just $75!!! We also need volunteers & raffle

donations. Contact Bob Rinaldi at 203-753-4061 for more info on how you can join us for a day in the sun on the links!

*Remember—We rely on these proceeds for the bulk of our scholarships. Your support is appreciated and greatly needed!

GET YOUR DUCK DAY RAFFLE TICKETS!!

FINAL DAY TO PURCHASE DUCKS WILL BE AT OUR SCHOLARSHIP DINNER MEETING!

PLEASE BRING YOUR RETURNS THAT EVENING AND TAKE A CHANCE TO

WIN ONE OF 50 PRIZES AND HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR UNICO.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT FRANCINE AT 203.510.0276

Did you get it right? No one submitted their guess for last month’s

UNICAN which was PDG Peter Ciullo.

Due to the lack of participation—this interactive contest is being

discontinued.

PDG CT-I - Danny Capozzi

Bridgeport Chapter

PDG CT-III—Chuck Greenwald

Glastonbury Chapter

Waterbury - Birthdplace of UNICO

We’re On The Web!

www.waterburyunico.com

Waterbury Chapter of UNICO National—PO Box 933-Waterbury, CT 06702

Waterbury Chapter of UNICO National * 2012-2013 Proposed Slate of Officers

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Financial Secretary

Sergeant At Arms

Chaplain*

Historian*

PDG Dr. Joanne D'Angelo

Don Mancuso

Linda Lanza

Joan Pesce-Veneziano

Dianne Minardo

Tim Clark

Fr. Ronald Ferraro

Tom Buzzelli Delegates

Tom Buzzelli

Frank Travisano

James Petrauskas

Joan Pesce-Veneziano

Alternate Delegates Bianca Daniels

Dr. Martin DeSomma

PDG Peter Ciullo

Bob Rinaldi

Board of Directors** Dr. Joanne D’Angelo; Don Mancuso; Linda Lanza; Joan Pesce-Veneziano; Dianne Minardo; Tim Clark

Tom Buzzelli; PDG Peter Ciullo; Bianca Daniels; Dr. Martin DeSomma; James Petrauskas; Bob Rinaldi;

Frank Travisano

Toni Beccia; Frank DePaola; Fran Donnaruma, Esq.; PDG Francine J. Nido; Dr. Carmine Paolino

*-Not an Elected Position

**- Consists of Officers, Delegates, Alternate Delegates, Immediate Past President & 5 Additional Members

Elections will take place at our Scholarship Dinner.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to serve.