Italian-American Social Club
Description
**** CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR CLUB’S CONTACT PAGE ****
All About Us
Benvenuti (Welcome) the Stone Creek Italian-American Social Club!
We are a fully chartered club here at Stone Creek, and we will continue to enjoy planned social events that foster friendship, fellowship, and a deeper knowledge of the rich heritage and culture of our common ancestry.
Come join us for Italian-American Movie nights, traditional holiday celebrations, a little bit of spontaneous dancing, music, a love of Vino, some great food, heartwarming storytelling, genealogy discussion, language, bocce events, local concerts, local festivals, day trips…. and many more.
** For Membership Information, Email us at scitalianculture@gmail.com and join in on the fun!
Membership is always open to ALL Stone Creek Residents
Monthly Membership Meetings for 2024
The Monthly Membership Meeting Days for 2024 (UPDATED):
“Usually Every 2nd Tuesday of the month @7pm – In the Ballroom”
Buon Giorno – Fall is Here & October is Italian-American Heritage Month
5 Interesting Facts about Italian Americans!
5 Ways Italians Changed American History
-
America’s name is Italian inspired
Amerigo Vespucci, who explored the east coast of South America between 1499 and 1502, is the source of the name “America.”
-
An Italian explorer discovered the New World
Christopher Columbus landed on various Caribbean islands that are now the Bahamas as well as the island later called Hispaniola.
-
An Italian first mapped the East coast
Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European to map the Atlantic coast of today’s United States.
-
The Declaration of Independence has Italian inspiration
Filippo Mazzei, a physician and promoter of liberty, was a close friend and confidant of Thomas Jefferson. He published a pamphlet containing the phrase “All men are by nature equally free and independent.”
-
The pope helped Italian immigrants
To assist immigrants in the U.S., Pope Leo XIII dispatched a contingent of priests and nuns. Among them was Sister Francesca Cabrini, who founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages.
————————————————————————————————————–
UPCOMING MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS –
** 2024 -Annual Holiday Dinner- Wed. Dec 18th @ 5 pm – Ballroom
NOTE: Your Club IDs are always required for scanning to help speed up attendance. If you have not picked yours up. Please request them from attendance monitor at the meeting. Thank You.
MEETINGS CALENDAR: 2024 Monthly Membership Meetings Calendar:
——————————————————————————–
Dec 10 Monthly Meeting has been CANCELED
WED, DEC 18 – Annual Holiday Dinner (final meeting & event for 2024)
KEY EVENTS –
Annual Holiday Dinner (final event of 2024) -Wed, December 18 2024- 5PM
Ballroom from 5-9:00 pm – Member Ticket will be required; Italian Food Catering by “Let’s Eat Fresh” Deli from downtown Ocala, Music, Raffles, and much more
Prices- $20/pp – 2024 Member | $37/pp – Member-Invited Guest
TICKET SALES Begin for the Annual Holiday Dinner event – Dates
Day #2 – Tues Nov19 – 10AM- 12noon at Ticket Tuesday at the Stonewater Club
Day #3 – Tues Nov 26 – 10AM-12noon at Ticket Tuesday at the Stonewater Club
Extra Day IF NEEDED –TBD-Day #4 – Tues Dec 3 [Final Sale Day]- 10AM- 12noon at Ticket Tuesday at the Stonewater Club
New 2024 Officer Board:
President – Mark Labadia
Vice President – Tony Serrano
Treasurer -Rick Casey
Secretary – Rane Wagner
We Thank and Congratulate Mark and Rane for volunteering their services to the club to fill these important open positions.
Website Administrator – Tony Serrano
Club Photographer – Elena Paynter
Sr. Culinary Consultant /EFC – Vicky Quigley
____________________
2024 CLUB MEMBERSHIPS
Your Memberships are important to us as we continue to grow in our 6th year !
Note: ANNUAL DUES $10 / PER PERSON (Our club dues year runs from Jan 1 – Dec 31)
Memberships are always open to every resident of Stone Creek, no matter what your nationality !
Renewal dues & New club memberships for 2025 will be accepted starting at the January 2025 monthly membership meetings and special dates.
We do ask that all renewal/new member dues be paid up by no later than March 1 of each year. We will always try to accommodate new resident membership requests throughout the year. The Italian-American Social Club is a member-based club. Our events are currently not open community-wide.
**Important Note: Participation in all major club events have a requirement that dues must have been paid up at least 1 month prior to that specific event. If not, admission for that event will be denied. Last date for any public dues collections will be August, so you must be a paid member by then to be approved for admission to attend the Sept, Oct or Dec club events}. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact Mark Labadia, President)
_________________________________________________
CLUB EXPRESS LINKS ===>
Click Here to view our Club Photo Album (via Flickr)
Click Here to view our Club Files [Minutes, Docs, Articles, Food] (via GOOGLE DRIVE)
________________________________________________________________
* IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO ALL MEMBERS *
CLUB INTEREST FOR the 2025 CARNIVAL VENEZIA CRUISE PLANNING —>
If you have any interest in joining this cruise group, please contact:
Carol Roviezzo – cac60june@yahoo.com
Happenings around “the Stone”
- **NEW ** A new Italian ristorante opened in Ocala! Franco’s ristorante opened in the location of the Ocala landmark site of Lorito’s . Franco, the new owner, was a previous co-owner of Francesco’s in Summerville. We look forward to continue some great Italian food closer to us in Ocala!
- **NEW ** A new Italian Deli opens in downtown Ocala!
“Let’s Eat Fresh” deli offers Ocala residents a refreshing take on Italian specialties, but unfortunately, a scarce area amenity here. I sampled some products at the deli and I would rate it “worth a try”, stop in. They have fresh Boars Head cold cuts, delicious Ready to eat traditional Italian dishes for (“Grab & Go”) lunches & dinners, sandwiches, soups, pastas, salads, baked goods, pastries, and many canned and jar food imports from Italy. A unique twist is that they offer many healthy choices for Vegan and Vegetarian folks as well.
Located at 801 S.Magnolia Ave, Ocala FL 34475 tel. 352-299-5233
<Recommendation by Tony Serrano>
_____________________________________________________________
2025 Scheduled Events
Stay Tuned for new events ! Dates to be scheduled
List of Events We Already Enjoyed in 2024:
- St. Joseph’s Table Celebration – WED MAR 13 – 6PM BALLROOM
- *NEW*Our First Italian Language Seminar with new member Domenico Dicanio – April 14-May 28
- Cinema Italia Movie Night #1 – WED MAY 8th – 6PM – BALLROOM
- Bocce Bash2 – SAT MAY 18 – PAVILION
- Cinema Italia Movie Night #2 – WED AUG 21 – 6PM – BALLROOM
- Tombola (Italian Bingo) Night – TUE SEPT 10 – BALLROOM
- Italian-American Heritage Festival – WED OCT 16 – BALLROOM
- History of Tarantella , Dance demonstration & Membership participation – TUES NOV 12 – BALLROOM
Full Official Roster for Officer Team – 2024
President – Mark Labadia *
Vice President – Tony Serrano
Treasurer – Rick Casey
Secretary – Rane Wagner *
Website Content Coordinator – Tony Serrano
* New officer position for 2024
__________________________________________
Club News & Events
CURRENT NEWS
Notable Upcoming Club Events – Local Ocala Events
Stay tuned.
Books, Movies, TV, Food, & Other Interesting Info
BOOKS
The club is pleased to announce our new Italian-American books & CDs “Lending Circle”. Members will be able to check out and borrow some terrific books and music CDs for your enjoyment. If you should have any interesting titles that you would like to borrow, or contribute to our list, please email Tony at scitalianculture@gmail.com .
- * “Sabina” by C. DeMelo (Amazon)
- “An Italian Girl in Brooklyn” by Santa Montefiore (paperback-Amazon)
- Stone Creek’s own newest Novelist, member M.E. Saladino’s Book “The Love Letter Ghost“ is in the Reunion Center Library for borrowing. A great read! Also available on Amazon.
TV – Notable Italian-American MOVIES & TV Series
MOVIES-
- ** NEW** Movie – 2 Scoops of Italy- (2024) (Hallmark Channel) – June 22 2024
Link–https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/two-scoops-of-italy
Modern rom-com showing great views around Italy. Also you learn something about making Gelato.
- ** NEW ** Movie – Made in Italy-(2020) – Netflix
TV SERIES –
- ** NEW ** TV Series – Il Paradiso Delle Signore (Ladies Paradise) – PBS VIP – An engaging series (4 seasons) chronicling the intense, fast-paced business of the Milan fashion world, in Italian w/ english subtitles. The story of a young, ambitious Sicilian girl’s rise from a poor family to the heights of the Milano fashion world. High-power acting and great character development.
- ** NEW ** TV Series – The Lions of Sicily (I Leoni Di Sicilia)- (2023) – HULU – Intense drama that follows the Calabrian-born Florio family where brothers Paolo and Ignazio emigrate to Palermo, Sicily to turn a small shop into a flourishing business activity that becomes an economic empire, but the arrival of a strong and intelligent woman disrupts the entire family’s life. A moving saga of wealth, ambition, family loyalty & romance.
- ** NEW ** TV Series – Stanley Tucci announces his return to TV. Stanley Tucci will be hosting a new 10-part series on NatGeo channel titled “Heart of Italy”. He explores 10 regions of Italy in depth. Filming has started; release date to be announced. Stay tuned !
Link- https://www.bhg.com/stanley-tucci-heart-of-italy-8425721
- TV Series – “From Scratch” (Netflix) is a well-acted, moving, and heartwarming love story (of course with cooking involved) set in southern Italy. Hear the language spoken during the whole movie!
FOOD-
Italian Recipe(s) of the Month
Pasta Calabrese alla Bomba (Spicy)
Spicy, traditional southern italian pasta dish
See the Documents section tab below for recipe (“Calabrese Bomba Pasta”)
Orange Cranberry Biscotti
Amazingly popular cookie with zingy orange flavor and tang dried cranberries. Great for dunking in your morning coffee !
Link –> https://www.marcellinaincucina.com/orange-almond-cookies/#recipe
Chicken Pizzaiola
A very popular southern Italian dish consisting of tender chicken breast simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce and topped with gooey cheese. Easy to prepare, simple ingredients.
Link–> https://www.marcellinaincucina.com/chicken-pizzaiola/
Chicken Valdostana
Another Great Italian Chicken Dish – if you never heard of this dish, it’s really excellent, and pretty easy to make for a crowd!
Link–> https://www.sipandfeast.com/chicken-valdostana-recipe/
Italian style Lentil Soup
A New Years Tradition in many Italian-American Families
Link==>https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/italian-lentil-soup/#recipe
Italian-American Beef Bracciole –
Based on a great, traditional, southern Italian meat dish to accompany your pasta
Link=>
“Marry Me” Creamy Chicken Meatballs
A delicious twist on meatballs, served in a creamy sauce.
See documents section for recipe .
Vegetable Stuffed Eggplant Rolls (Vegetarian)
A wonderfully healthy, meatless recipe featuring one of nature’s most versatile & delicious vegetable, the famous eggplant (Melanzane). Eggplants are virtually a staple food in Italy, with many, many creative variations in flavor. A fresh new take on eggplant for those who love them. Try it !Link–>
https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/grilled-eggplant-rolls/#recipe
Italian Stuffed Artichokes – Sicilian Style (Carciofoli)
The traditional preparation method for the most delicious style of stuffed artichoke.Link–>
https://orderisda.org/culture/food-wine/stuffed-artichokes/
Delicious Ricotta Zeppoles (fritters)
Fry up these delectable Zeppoles using creamy Ricotta and a fantastic array of Italian sytle ingredients. Link to Recipe –>
Italian Rainbow Cookies
Did you ever want to try your hand at making these delicious, classic italian cookies ? Here is a great recipe! Good Luck! Link–>
https://orderisda.org/culture/food-wine/recipes-panna-cotta-italian-rainbow-cookies/
ARTICLES of interest
- Article – **NEW ** – Baseball in Italy – A fast-growing Interest ! – An interesting article about how a 13yr old is spurring interest in the great American sport.
- Article – “Venetians Struggle to Prevent Tourist Takeover” – A thoughtful piece about how Venice is coping with the constant uncontrolled growth of tourism in their beautiful city. <Article contributed by Patricia Gizzi> See the full article in the document section of the website (below)
- Article – “Sicily, The City of Secrets” – Interesting article about the many historical sights around Siragusa, Sicily. <Article contributed by Patricia Gizzi> See the full article in the document section of the website (below)
- Article – “The Pioneering Scientist who Explained Contagious Diseases”- Article about yet another “unknown” Italian scientist, Agostino Bassi, from the early 19th century whose groundbreaking work opened up medical science to understand how contagious disease was being spread. <Article contributed by Patricia Gizzi> See the full article in the document section of the website (below)
Our signature Club Logo Polo Golf Shirts (Red):
If you would like to purchase one of our great-looking Red club golf shirts, you can email us, and they are also available to view and order at Mitchell’s graphics, right here in Ocala. Price is approx $20.
** We hope to arrange for bulk shirt purchases for members in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned for more information on this. If you have an interest in purchasing, contact Tony at acserrano53@gmail.com
Recap of 2023 key Events > What we did in 2023
- Annual Holiday Party – 2023 – December 18, 2023
Food catered by Francesco’s of Summerfield. Many Thanks to all of our wonderful club volunteers who helped make the party a big success.
- 2nd Annual Italian-American Heritage Festival at the Pavilion – held on Mon Oct 24
A beautiful October Monday afternoon on Oct 24 with some great, freshly made real Italian food, terrific music provided by our resident DJ, the terrific Dave Kinney, and even some dancing!
- 2nd Club Italian Bingo (Tombola) Afternoon was held on Sat Oct 15
Our first-afternoon Italian-style bingo game was enjoyed by many members, with 4 lucky winners.
- Italian-American Movie Night –
The wonderful, light-hearted young romance comedy, “Little Italy” was screened for over 30+ members
STAY TUNED} Feedback from members was tremendously positive, so we hope to schedule another game later in the year.
*** Special Section Below Reserved for Website Administrator Only ***
REQUEST – Club AV equipment (AVL team)
REQUEST -Club Event date request for facility reservation (Lifestyle)
REQUEST – Club website calendar update request (Comm team)
**************************************
