Cent'anni awarded bestowed upon L'Italo-Americano. Lidia Bastianich Grand Marshall of 143rd Columbus Day parade
The Columbus Day Celebration Committee once again put on the biggest show of the year in San Francisco. This past weekend, the Italian Heritage Parade dazzled and entertained San Franciscans for the one hundred and forty- third time, on a beautiful, sunny day with the Blue Angels providing air cover above. Under the very capable leadership of Marilyn Bermani Baum, President of the Columbus Day Celebration Committee, Inc., the annual extravaganza wowed the crowds and reminded San Francisco of its rich and remarkable Italian heritage.
The celebration began in earnest on Saturday night with the annual Grand Ball in the Venetian Room at the historical Fairmont Hotel. It was there that the Italian social event of the year took place, once again flawlessly organized and executed by Barbara De Martini, long-time Grand Ball Chair, and officiated as always by the eloquent and entertaining Mistress of Ceremonies, Amy DeAmicis Wilton.
The evening began with beautiful renditions of both the American and Italian national anthems, sung by noted soprano Maria Fassio Pignati, who also happens to be the State President of the Order Sons of Italy in America. Then Cristoforo Colombo entered the room, played by Joseph Cervetto, Jr., carrying on a family tradition that his late father, Joseph Cervetto, Sr. kept alive for thirty years. Queen Isabella and her court were also in attendance, reenacting the conferral of knighthood upon the Genovese explorer by the Spanish Queen.
This year’s Queen Isabella was Nadia Giusti, who has been a member of the Court for seven years. She was crowned by outgoing Queen Isabella, Elisa Fanucchi. Looking on were the other members of the Queen’s Court: Princess Gianna (Giambalvo) Tesler, First Duchess Brandi (Zuffo) Allan, Second Duchess Mary Basile, Third Duchess Angelina Ragusa, Fourth Duchess Angela (Riccio) Silva, First Lady Francesca (Giannini) Dana, Maiden Gabriella Firpo, Crown Bearer Lucia Eva Martino, and Scroll Bearer Catherine “Coco” (Giannini) Dana.
Always with a watchful eye were two women who have been the caretakers and guardians of the ladies of the Court, Queen Mother Esther Bermani Schaukowich and Queen Mother Emerita Rae Mignola. As an honored guest, Kassandra Ferrante, the reigning Madonna Del Lume Queen, rounded out the royal roster.
After an invocation by Father John Itzaina, Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach, dinner was served, and the beautifully-appointed ballroom was ablaze with conversation, socializing and music. Following dinner, opening remarks were delivered by Consul General of Italy, the Honorable Fabrizio Marcelli. A special remembrance was presented by Stephen Leveroni in memory of his decades-long best friend and Chairman of the Columbus Day Celebration Committee, Donald A. Casper, who was tragically killed two months ago by a hit-and-run driver. The tribute was emotional and sad, but thanks to the eloquence of Mr. Leveroni, the mood of the evening was only raised, with warm feelings and uplifting memories of a man who lived his life in service to his City, his Church and his Italian Community.
The Grand Marshall of the 2011 Italian Heritage Parade was then presented with a special citation. Lidia Bastianich, chef, author, restaurateur, and host of the highly-acclaimed television cooking show, “Lidia’s Kitchen” spoke to the delight of the crowd, as she related stories of coming to America from Italy and her love of both Italian and Italian- American food.
The Military Grand Marshall of the parade then addressed the audience. Vice-Admiral Gerald R. Beaman, Commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, spoke of his time stationed in Naples, his love for San Francisco, and his affinity for Christopher Columbus. As a fellow well-traveled mariner, he expressed his secret desire to out-do Columbus. He told the audience that upon realizing that Columbus had sent three ships to America, he decided to one-up Columbus by sending five ships from the U.S. 3rd Fleet to San Francisco to mark the occasion.
Three awards were presented at the Grand Ball. The newly-renamed “Donald A. Casper Italian Heritage Award” is given each year to recognize a person within the organization itself. It was presented this year to Linda Toschi- Chambers in recognition of her stellar work over the years promoting Italian heritage, and for her tireless efforts to gain sponsorships to keep the parade going. Her work included the securing of the sponsorship of Bank of America, the major sponsor of the Italian Heritage Parade.
The “Christopher Columbus Award,” given to a member of the community at large, who exemplifies a lifetime of dedication to promoting Italian heritage, was awarded to Karen Raccanello. A long-time teacher at Marin Catholic High School, Karen established the Italian language program, which for decades has helped high school students learn and appreciate the language, culture and heritage of Italy. It is fitting that this particular award was bestowed upon Ms. Raccanello, as she was only able to establish and fund the program through the generosity of the Cristoforo Colombo Club of Marin County, and its Founder and President, George Silvestri.
The final award of the evening was the “Cent’ Anni Award.” The award is presented not annually, but only on rare occasions. It is awarded to a business or organization that has served the Italian Community for over one hundred years.
This year, the coveted award was bestowed upon L’Italo- Americano newspaper, which has been serving the Italian-American Community by publishing every week without fail for over a century. The award was presented by Nickolas Marinelli, who sits on the Board of Directors of the Columbus Day Celebration Committee. Accepting the award on behalf of the newspaper was the publisher of L’Italo- Americano, Comendatore Robert Barbera, who flew up from Los Angeles especially for the presentation.
Following the official program, the gentlemen who were present loosened their black ties, the women let down their hair, and everybody enjoyed hours of dancing and good, old-fashioned Italian celebrating.
Miraculously, the following morning everybody was up at the crack of dawn preparing for the parade itself. At exactly 12:30, parade director Larry Barsetti gave the order, and the incredibly well planned and flawlessly executed Italian Heritage Parade began as it has done every year since the year 1869.
The weather was spectacular (especially for usually-foggy San Francisco), and the streets were lined with crowds of people who came from throughout the state and across the nation to be part of the oldest Columbus Day parade in the nation’s history.
Needless to say, they were not disappointed, as float after float, and band after band delighted the crowds. The parade ended at the grandstand set up across from Saints Peter and Paul Church, where announcers Stephen Leveroni and Amy DeAmicis Wilton—who took up her new role as “person in the street”— announced each parade entry to the assembled multitude. As the car representing Cent’Anni Award winner L’Italo-Americano stopped at the grandstand, Mr. Leveroni reminded everyone of the lifetime dedication and contributions of former Board Member and L’Italo-Americano journalist Eve Sodo, who for many years was the heart and soul of the Italian press in San Francisco.
The day concluded at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, for the club’s annual banquet in honor of Christopher Columbus, Queen Isabella and her Court. Club president and former owner of the U.S. Restaurant Alberto Cipollina welcomed everybody, and co-chairmen Guido Perego and Joseph Figone presented an entertaining and beautiful evening for everyone who attended. The most impressive man of the evening was rarely seen, however. Chef Paul Alioto, General Manager of the Club prepared an incredible dinner, prepared and served by the most professional staff in town. With all the restaurants and banquet facilities in San Francisco, it is rare to find a person as talented, professional and humble as Paul Alioto.
The final event of the three-day celebration was a comparatively quiet affair. The Consul General of Italy, the Honorable Fabrizio Marcelli and his charming wife Carol Marcelli hosted a reception at the Italian Consulate on Monday evening. There, the Queen’s Court and their families were received one at a time by the Consul General and Signora Marcelli, who exchanged pleasantries with the Court and posed for pictures, flanked by two carabinieri in full ceremonial dress. Charlie Farruggia once again served as official photographer for the festivities as he has done for decades.
Signora Marcelli then invited everyone to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared by La Forchetta Catering. It was a relaxing and comfortable affair, and the perfect conclusion to a whirlwind weekend.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of community leaders and volunteers alike, the Italian- American Community once again showed San Francisco and the world what could be accomplished when Italians work together.
Nickolas Marinelli
Contributor
