NOTIZIARIO

December 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Buon Natale! As we look forward to the upcoming Christmas holiday, enjoying the celebration of the season, we invariably look back on the past year. When I reflect on 2024, I recall the successes, the changes, and the losses the Dante Alighieri Society has experienced. Our successes were many, including growing our membership, another Italian Heritage Month of note, enlightening cultural programs, expanded language classes, tasty culinary experiences, and fun social gatherings. As for changes, with the help of people who understand our unique market, we have embarked on a journey to increasingly spread the word about our Italian organization. Finally, with much sadness we mourn the loss of one of the founding members of the Society. Gianfranco Marcantonio was, and always will be, a cornerstone of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver.

I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all our members who support our efforts to stay true to our mission statement: “….to share and celebrate the richness of the Italian culture and language with the community”. I want to say a very special “Thank You” to my Board members who have supported not only my efforts as president but, more importantly, your interests as members of the Dante Alighieri Society. With this kind of support, I look forward to an even greater 2025.

Finally, I want to wish all of you a most Blessed Christmas! May you experience the love and joy of family and friends that is so precious at this time of year. Che Dio benedica

Grazie, John Giardino

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November 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Remember the old TV ad, “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile!”? How about the iconic phrase “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto!”? Unfortunately for Oldsmobile, their campaign didn’t produce the results they hoped for, finally halting production in 2004. In contrast, Dorothy, with help from her “new” friends, figured things out and safely “got back” to Kansas. The Wizard of Oz, which came out in 1939, has since become a movie classic.

In October of 2025, the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary! Unlike Oldsmobile, your Society is still producing cultural programs, Italian language classes, college scholarships, culinary classes, and social events. As happened in Wizard, guidance from its dedicated leaders and members, the Dante Alighieri Society has found its way to becoming a true classic in the realm of Italian organizations.

At November’s Annual Meeting, membership will hear reports on the state of the organization. Additionally, those in attendance will elect the next officers to the Board of Directors. The people who have agreed to run have shown the dedication and passion necessary to ensure the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver will change and grow appropriately in order to continue providing those things which have made it the premier Italian cultural organization. Please attend this special meeting to show your support for your leaders, or even consider running for a leadership position yourself. Hope to see you there.

Grazie, John Giardino

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October 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Now is the time for all good Italians, Italian wannabes, Italophiles, or anyone who appreciates and wants to experience a bit of Italian culture to attend the events being offered during Italian Heritage Month. Listed here in this issue is the list of activities to check out. There’s fun, food, film, and friends awaiting. For more detailed information check out our website. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Grazie, John Giardino

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August 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

My wife and I recently took our three youngest grandchildren to New York City, wanting them to experience the vibrance, chaos and history of arguably the most famous city in the world. In a few short days we walked the Brooklyn Bridge, saw the Statue of Liberty, visited the 911 Memorial, walked through Central Park, toured the Tenement Museum, awed at Times Square, and more. More included the obligatory tour of Little Italy. Though this iconic part of lower Manhattan is shrinking, it still retains the flavor of its namesake, Italy. Wandering down the bustling streets brought back memories of North Denver when I was growing up - three of four Italian restaurants in walking distance, three Italian markets nearby, the fresh fruit and vegetable truck that came by Nanie’s house in the morning, and of course, the church, Mt. Carmel. While Our Lady is still there, the neighborhood has become a weird mixture of the traditional and the neo-modern. Over the years I’ve heard rumblings of a “Little Italy” in the downtown Denver area, but nothing so far. It would be wonderful if that ever happened but, in the meantime, let’s do everything we can to hold on to the culture and the language we know and love. The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver is committed to that purpose. We’ll always welcome your collaboration in doing so.

Grazie, John Giardino

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July 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Summer officially arrived at 2:51 MDT on June 20th.  School’s out, people are going on vacation, the weather is getting warmer, you know, the normal summer stuff.  While we had an enlightening cultural meeting in June, the Society has decided to take the month of July off.  Rather than doing our own program, we will be supporting Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s annual celebration and bazaar. We’d like to invite everyone to participate in this meaningful and fun weekend. Then, on August 11, we will be having our Annual Members Summer Picnic. Beyond that, we’re well into planning for Italian Heritage Month in October, looking at other Italian organizations to host their events in conjunction with the month-long celebration.  As always, we’re here for you so don’t hesitate to let us know what more we might be able to do to “share and celebrate the richness of the Italina culture and language with the entire community”.

Grazie, John Giardino

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June 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Thanks to a group of Italians and Italophiles, next year we’ll be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the chartering of the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver. Their foresight and leadership continues to ensure that the Society maintains and carries out its mission. Sadly, we recently lost one of our founding members, Gianfranco Marcantonio. With his passing, we have lost not only a patriarch but also a historian who dedicated much of his time to keeping, cataloging and sharing the history of the Dante Alighieri Society. In his honor, in honor of all the founders who went before him, and for those who are still with us, we will continue to “share and celebrate the richness of the Italian culture with the entire community”.

Grazie, John Giardino

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‍May 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Love all things Italian? Have new, innovative ideas?
Enjoy decision making? Comfortable working with others?
Have we got a job for you! No experience necessary, we train!
Apply Today!!

Seriously, I’m serious! The Dante Alighieri Society of Denver has been around since 1985 and we plan to be here far into the future. Times have changed and we’re working to change with them. Not only do times change, but leadership changes as well. In the past we’ve had to seek out people to fill the ranks of the board of directors. But I’m hoping that, with the new tack on which the Society is embarking, interested and excited people like you will come forward, wanting to be an important part of our unique, and growing organization. I’d be happy to visit with anyone who is interested or has questions about the “job”. I can always be reached via the DAS website.

Grazie, John Giardino 

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‍April 2024

‍PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Technically speaking, the vernal equinox, which occurred on March 19 this year, is the moment when the sun crosses over the celestial equator. In layman’s terms it’s simply the first day of spring in our part of the globe. What’s so special about this day, other than the fact that it signals the official end (sic) of winter? Spring! - just hearing the word elicits thoughts of new growth, new life, a bright and colorful regeneration of our wintered world. Regeneration is not just limited to nature though. It can and does happen everywhere. Over the past few months, the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver has considered ways in which it can regenerate itself into an organization that provides more substance to a larger and more diverse audience who desires to experience the Italian culture. We are looking at possible changes in programs, times, places, media presence, outreach, working with the other Italian organizations, etc. Rest assured that when you do see changes in the future, whatever they are, we will always hold true to our mission, “to share and celebrate the richness of the Italian culture and language with the entire community”. I’d love to hear what you’d like to see this “spring”!

Grazie, John Giardino

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March 2024

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I recently attended a gathering of leaders from several Denver area Italian organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to compile a calendar of each group’s activities, meetings, etc. to share with the entire Italian community. From talking to those at the meeting, it was clear that almost every organization is struggling to attract and retain new members, especially those who might be interested in taking on leadership roles. Not surprisingly, there was the acknowledgment that we can no longer remain in our respective silos but must begin to work together if we are going to continue our roles. In this issue of the Notiziario, you will find the calendar that was created that evening (see page 7). We will post the updated calendar monthly to keep you informed of not only what’s happening in the Dante Alighieri Society but what other clubs are doing. Promoting any and all activities will hopefully spark new interest in our common goal, as our Dante Alighieri Society Mission Statement says, “to share and celebrate the richness of the Italian culture and language with the entire community”.

Grazie, John Giardino.

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February 2024

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Did you know that the first Italians arrived in Denver in the 1870’s? Many came directly from Italy, leaving behind their poverty-stricken country in search of the land of opportunity. Instead, they found more poverty and discrimination. Having brought with them their own culture, food, style and more, they survived and flourished. Today we know that, despite its grim beginnings, the Italian community had, and continues to have, a significant impact on Denver and its culture. In 1985, the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver was chartered and today still “exists to share and celebrate the richness of the Italian culture and language with the entire community”. To learn more about Italian history, culture, and its influence, please join us as we spread the word about all things Italian. Grazie!

Grazie, John Giardino.

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