March 2025
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Last month I talked about the fact that October 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver. Plans are currently underway for not only the commemoration of this landmark date but also a rededication to the mission of the Society, to “share and celebrate the richness of the Italian culture and language with the entire community”. Plan now to join with the Dante Alighieri Society and other members of the Denver Italian community at large, to be a part of the celebration. We’ll keep you updated on details as planning moves forward.
I was recently introduced to a concept I’ve never heard of before, the “third place”. Ray Oldenburg, an American sociologist, created this term to describe the places outside of the home (the first place) and the workplace (the second place) where people go to converse with others and connect with their community. I strongly suspect that the founders of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver found their “third place” when establishing and then maintaining this very important and relevant organization. And I know that many of us, including myself, have found the DAS to be their “third place” as well. I would hope that every member, whether active or not, might give some consideration to making the Dante Alighieri Society your “third place” where you can become an integral part of sharing and celebrating the richness of the Italian culture and language with each other and with the entire community.
Grazie, John Giardino
SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY IN ITALY 2025-2026
We will again be awarding scholarships to university students planning to study in Italy in the coming year. If you or a student you know might be a candidate for a scholarship, please look for more information and application forms on our website:
DONNE DI MERITO AWARDS
This year’s winners of the Donne di Merito awards are Joannie Vellotta Flynn and Regina Adducci. The award is given annually to women who have made contributions to the promotion, maintenance, and preservation of Italian culture. Recipents can be either living or deceased. Joannie Flynn is honored for her many years of sevice to Italian organizations. Regina Adducci was a Denver artist best known for her religious stain glass and mosaic artwork. The awards will be presented at the spring luncheon
CREMONA: the Torrazzo, nougat and Stradivari.
By John Giardino
po river mouth Cremona may not be a big city, but it's a great one. It's known for its culture, music and of course the city's pride and joy: its violins. Not forgetting the local specialities, starting with mustard. The identity of Cremona is enriched by the rich and diverse architecture and historical heritage. Around every corner you can see traces of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, both sacred and profane, rural traditions and tempting treats like the famous Cremonese nougat.
2024 Bravo! Awards & Gala
The Bravo! Awards & Gala is open to anyone interested in celebrating the Italian American lifestyle, culture and the outstanding accomplishments of Italian Americans in Colorado. The event is a great opportunity to connect and network with the Italian American community in a fun, celebratory environment.
The Bravo! Awards & Gala includes:
- Red carpet welcome
- Open bar serving Italian wine and beer
- Appetizers
- Delicious dinner buffet
- Dessert bar
- Dancing to live music from Funk Knuf
- Raffle to benefit Caruso Family Charities
- Bravo! Awards Ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, March 08, 5:30pm - 10pm
Visit the Bravo Awards Website
MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
STRADIVARIUS VIOLINS: The Sweetest Sound You’ve Never Heard!
In anticipation of the Quartetto di Cremona and Basil Vendryes, Viola concert being hosted by the Friends of Chamber Music on April 9, 2025, John Giardino, Dante Alighieri Society president, will enlighten attendees on the history, construction, and status of this classical instrument known to aficionados as the “Strad”. You might be surprised by what you learn about this world-renowned violin that made Cremona famous.
The Dante Alighieri Society will provide beverages and dessert.
WHEN: Friday, March 14, 7:30pm
COST: Free and open to the public. No registration required.
LOCATION: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall
ADDRESS: 3549 Navajo Street, Denver CO 80211
For more information on the Quartetto di Cremona concert
ST. JOSEPH’S TABLE
This year a St. Joseph's dinner will be held in the Servite Hall of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on March 15 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and on March 16 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. A free-will donation for the poor will be accepted. If you would like to volunteer for the St. Joseph's dinner by baking cookies and/or helping to serve the dinner, please contact Barb Pietrafeso at 303-358-5708.
Here's a brief history of St. Joseph's Table: The St. Joseph's Altar is a Sicilian tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. During a lengthy famine, the community prayed to St. Joseph to intercede for them. Their prayers were answered as a rain filled the dry wells and streams and gave birth to crops. These poor farmers and fishermen wanted to pay homage to St. Joseph for answering their prayers. An altar was constructed and precious foods that were common to them became elaborately decorated feasts. Here in Denver, the tradition was celebrated for the first time in 1977 in the home of Mary and Al Rotola. The following year, the St. Joseph's Table was held for the first time at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Denver, March 19, 1978 and has continued ever since.
SAVE THE DATE: May 4, 2025
Please plan now to join us for our annual Awards Luncheon where we will honor the winners of this year’s Donne di Merito Award and present our 2025 scholarships to deserving college students who plan to study in Italy. This celebration marks the 40th anniversary of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver and our signature scholarship program. The event will take place on May 4, 2025, at the Mount Vernon Canyon Club Colorado and will feature a plated luncheon followed by the awards presentation. We urge you to register now and visit our website for more information about our scholarship program.
“The sad souls of those who lived without blame and without praise.”
―
TIPS ON ITALY by Tonya Clement
Get Lost in Italy: The Joy of Unplanned Adventures
One of the most rewarding experiences in Italy is getting lost. While it’s easy to follow well-known tourist paths and visit famous landmarks, some of the country’s most unforgettable moments happen when you stray from the beaten track. Italy’s beauty isn’t just in its grand monuments, but in the hidden corners of its cities and countryside. By letting go of your itinerary and wandering aimlessly through narrow streets or quiet villages, you'll discover the true soul of Italy—places that aren’t in guidebooks but are filled with local charm and untold stories.
In cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice, it’s easy to be swept away by the crowds and major attractions, but getting lost allows you to see these places from a different perspective. You may stumble upon a charming trattoria tucked away in a side street, where the menu isn’t in English and the food tastes like it’s made from generations of family recipes. Or, you could wander through a maze of Venetian canals, where the hustle of tourists fades, and you find yourself in a peaceful, almost surreal setting, watching a gondola drift by.
In smaller towns or rural regions, getting lost becomes even more magical. Imagine wandering through the Tuscan hills and discovering a small vineyard where the winemaker invites you in for a tasting, or taking an unplanned detour down a coastal path in Cinque Terre and finding a quiet beach away from the crowds. The joy of these spontaneous moments—the unplanned conversations with locals or the serendipitous discovery of a breathtaking view—create lasting memories. So, leave the map behind, embrace the unknown, and let the adventure unfold as you explore Italy beyond its well-known sights.
SCOLARSHIP RECIPIENT - FLORENCE ITALY
This past summer spent in Florence, Italy, was eye-opening and inspiring. I am grateful for your support and the scholarship as it allowed me to visit Italy and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With Lorenzo de' Medici, I was able to take an Italy language course and take field trips around the city to get to know Florence better. Through these field trips and walks around the city, I was able to admire the architecture and appreciate the history of Florence and Italy. It was inspiring how history is treasured and how in Florence you get to see a perfect blend of historical and modern aspects that make Florence a uniquely beautiful place.
~ Jocelyn B. | Undergraduate Student
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
It's that time of year again. Membership in the Dante Alighieri Society runs from January through December so 2025 renewal cards have been mailed. Please make any corrections on the card before mailing it back with your payment. If you would like to renew and pay online, you can do so easily on our website.
Language students: You can renew and pay for your 2025 membership online when you register for the March classes.
TRAVEL REFLECTIONS BLOG
Travel Reflections, our community blog that celebrates your captivating travel stories! This is your chance to transport readers to the enchanting corners of Italy through your experiences. Whether you've uncovered a hidden gem in Sicily or wandered the scenic vineyards of Tuscany, we want to hear your unique tales.
Ready to contribute? It’s easy! Just fill out our simple online form and let your unique stories weave a vibrant tapestry of Italy’s culture. Don’t miss the chance to spark curiosity and inspire others—submit your story today and celebrate the magic of travel with our community!
DANTE GLOBAL - A BENEFIT FOR OUR MEMBERS
The Dante Alighieri Society is a worldwide organization with chapters in 60 countries. Members of our local chapter will soon have access to Dante Global which offers information on numerous cultural experiences and a variety of Italian language classes including in-person classes in five Italian cities.
The website www.dante.global will give you an overview of Dante Global. In order to sign in to the site it will be necessary for you to fill out a form and receive a numbered card from The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver. In the near future we will have the form posted on our website along with our new branding.
ITALIAN COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Use this link to view community-wide events by Italian organizations in the Denver metro area
The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver exists to share and celebrate
the richness of the Italian culture and language with the entire community.
