Santa Visits the Vittoria Lodge

Santa stopped to pay a visit to the Vittoria Lodge on Sunday, December 13th, where coincidentally lodge members and their children/grandchildren were enjoying a potluck dinner.   After a hearty meal and some quality time with Santa, members headed to the Italian American Cultural Center to participate in the Santa Lucia activities.  Here are some photos of Santa updating his list with some good boys and girls.

December 2009 Vittoria Lodge News

MEETINGS

There will be NO Auxiliary meetings in December, but the men’s lodge WILL have their meetings.

CHRISTMAS PARTY/POTLUCK
Our annual Children’s Christmas Party/Potluck will be Sunday, December 13th, starting at 12:00 noon. Santa will be there to visit the kids (12 years and under). Bring items for the potluck , the cakewalk, and St. Mary’s food pantry. Then the St. Lucia celebration will begin at 3:30 PM at the Cultural Center.

TEXAS HOLD’EM
Texas Hold’em will NOT be played in December nor January, but will continue in February.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HALL REMODELING
Demolition will begin on Sunday, Dec. 17th. Construction will begin Tuesday, Dec. 29th. A schedule will then be set. Volunteers can call Jim at 480-4777.

MEMORIAL MASS
We had a big turn-out for the memorial mass. A big THANK YOU to Fran Stefani who organized it and to Father Koch (AKA Father Kochalini) for officiating. Tina Battani also deserves a THANK YOU for organizing the coffee and donuts afterward.

MORE THANK YOUS…
THANK YOU to Bill Magnani for his help at the golf outing.
THANK YOU to Caseys and Don Lamberti for the coffee mugs that were given to each participant.
THANK YOU to Patricia Civitate for the excellent background history and tour of the Italian American Cultural Center.
THANK YOU to AJ Forneris for the light meal.

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS: Gloria Stefani, Rick Hutcheson, Squire Hutcheson

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS TO: Betty Bimbi (Dec 1), Lisa Smith (Dec 1), Norma Fousak (Dec 4), Fran Steffani (Dec 4), Tiffany Casey (Dec 11), Lupe Babcock (Dec 12), Cassandra Haller (Dec 19), Sarah Magnani (Dec 23), Tina Battani (Dec 28), Ronda Gentosi (Dec 31), Jessica Forneris, Tina Johnson, Peggy Rossi, Anita Schroeder, Julie Seamands

GET WELL WISHES TO: Betty Bimbi, Louis Butelli, Lenora Coe, Mary Tonini

SINCERE SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF Dena Johnson and Mary Sanger

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
December 6 — NO Texas Hold’Em
December 13 — noon – potluck – Santa – pinata – cakewalk – Lodge meetings
December 13 — Santa Lucia celebration 3:30 PM at the Cultural Center
January 17 — January meetings
February 14 — Texas Hold-em
February 21 — February meetings

1983 Annual Dinner Photos Posted

From the Vittoria Lodge archives, photos from the 1983 annual dinner are now available on the Vittoria Lodge Photo Album page.

Here are a few:

November 2009 Vittoria Lodge News

MEETINGS
Our November meetings will be November 15th at the IACC (Italian American Cultural Center) with the trustees’ meetings at 1:30 PM, and the regular meetings at 2 PM followed by a tour of the center and refreshments.  If you need a ride, be at the Vittoria Lodge by 1:00 PM.

TEXAS HOLD’EM
Texas Hold’em will be played the second Sunday every month through February, except January.  Open at noon and cards start at 1 PM.

CHRISTMAS PARTY/POTLUCK
Mark December 13th on your calendars for our annual Christmas children’s party and potluck.  It will start at noon followed by a visit from Santa and a cakewalk for ages 12 and under.  Bring a covered dish, salad, or dessert.  Bring items for the cakewalk.  This is open to all Lodge and Auxiliary members, their families, widows, and their families.  Come, have a good time watching the kids have fun with Santa and visiting with friends and family.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FROM AJ FORNERIS, VP
We had a tremendous response for the remodeling dance.  The dance was a very big success.  Over half of the members contributed and 43 members attended with over a 150 people coming through the door.  The hall will be closed January 1 for 30 days for remodeling.  Stop in and see, or better yet, stop in and we will put you to work.

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW AUXILIARY MEMBERS:
Angela Atkins, Lupe Babcock, Teresa Caracci, Patricia Civitate, Ronda Gentosi, Rosie Gibson, Marie Hutcheson, Antonia, Pasut,  Lisa Smith

Rosie Gibson won the door prize at the October Auxiliary meeting.

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS TO:
Diana Houge (Nov 8), Chris Sledge (Nov 12), Julie Willemsen (Nov 15), Julie Jennings (Nov 28), Jeanne Tazzioli (Nov 29), Valeria Mason, Jenny Stefani, Lori Vivone
 
GET WELL WISHES TO:
LeNora Coe, Bruno Isolini, Anita Schroeder

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
November 8  –  Texas Hold’em
November 15  –  November meetings at the Italian American Cultural Center
December 6  –  Texas Hold’em
December 13  — noon potluck followed by Christmas party & Santa Claus,
                               Lodge meeting follows the Christmas activities
December 13 — Santa Lucia celebration 3 PM at the Cultural Center
January 1  –  remodeling of the hall  –  CLOSED
January 17 — January meeting

Longtime Vittoria Lodge Member Joe Romitti Passes Away

Joe Romitti

The Vittoria Lodge extends its sympathy to the family of longtime member Joe Romitti.  Joseph John “Joe” Romitti, 88, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at the Madrid Home.

Joe was born on September 9, 1921 in Zook Spur, Iowa to Virginio and Assunta Milani Romitti. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army from 1942 until he was honorably discharged in 1946. During this time, he was an interpreter for the Italian Prisoners of War who were sent to various camps throughout the Midwest. On February 7, 1953, Joe married Dora Theresa Pagliai in Madrid, Iowa, and to this union three children were born, John, Mary and Paul.

Joe was employed as a production scheduler with John Deere Co. for nearly 35 years until his retirement. He was a member of the Ankeny Knights of Columbus Council 5038; Vittoria Lodge, Boy Scouts of America, Madrid VFW Post 5060, Madrid Garden Club and the Madrid Historical Society.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Dora Romitti of Madrid, three children, John S. (Kathy) Romitti and Mary C. Romitti both of Madrid and Dr. Paul A. (Roberta) Romitti of Marion, Iowa; and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Andrew and Lily. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, where a parish scripture service will begin at 7 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 2, at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, in Madrid, of which he was a member. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, south of Madrid.

Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Malachy’s Catholic Church or the Madrid Public Library.

October 2009 Vittoria Lodge News

MEETINGS
Our next meetings will be October 18th, with the trustees’ meetings at 1:30 PM, and the regular meetings at 2 PM.  A workday will start at the Lodge at 8 AM.

COAL MINERS EXHIBIT
A coal miners’ exhibit is being made in the Italian-American Cultural Center.  Bring your coal miners items, artifacts, pictures, and memorabilia to the October meeting.  Presentation will be made to the IACC at a later date.

TEXAS HOLD’EM
Texas Hold’em will be played Sunday, October 11th.  Lunch at noon and cards starting at 1 PM.

MEMORIAL MASS
Our Memorial Mass will be held Sunday, October 25th at 9 AM.  It will be followed by donuts and coffee.

DANCE
The Vittoria Lodge will be holding a fall dance on Sat., Oct. 17, from 7-11 PM. with the Crystal Blue Band playing.  Admission is $6.00 per person.  Proceeds go to the Vittorial Lodge remodelling fund.

HAPPY OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS TO:  Patricia Civitate (Oct 3), Lidia Stroud (Oct 15), Kim Magnani (Oct 22), Kathy Lickteig (Oct 25), Mary Rose Fugaccia (Oct 29), Mary Sanger,  Darlene Thompson

GET WELL WISHES TO:  Betty Bimbi, Louise Johnson

SINCERE SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF:  Richard Ballantini

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
October 11  –  Texas Hold’em
October 11  –  Columbus Day Dinner, Italian-American Cultural Center
October 12  –  Columbus Day Memorial Observance  11 AM, south lawn of the Capitol at the Christopher Columbus Monument
October 17  –  FALL DANCE with the Crystal Blue Band
October 18  –  October meetings
October 25  –  Memorial Mass 9 AM
November 15  –  November meetings
December 13  — Noon potluck followed with Christmas party & Santa Claus, followed by Lodge meeting
December 13 — Santa Lucia celebration 3 PM at the Cultural Center

As requested, recipe from the CornFeed picnic:

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BARS

1/2 cup oil
2 1/2 cups flour
1 stick margarine, room temp
4 Tablespoon cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs

Beat oil, margarine, vanilla, sugar and eggs unitl creamy.
Add dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk.
Stir in zucchini.
Mix well.
Pour into greased and floured jelly roll pan.

TOPPING:
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over batter in pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

2009 Polenta Meal

A large group of Vittoria Lodge members and their families met on September 20 to share a polenta meal.   Although the polenta production got off to a slow start, there were eventually too many cooks in the kitchen and plenty of polenta toppings and desserts to be served.  In the end, everyone enjoyed great food, wonderful conversations, and left with a belly full of warm polenta.

For more photos from the polenta meal, visit the Vittoria Lodge Photo Album page.

As promised, Teresa Caracci is happy to share the recipe for the Lemon Almond Cake that quickly disappeared. See below or click here for an Adobe pdf version for printing.

Lemon Almond Cake

1 package lemon cake mix
1 cup almond paste
1 cup sugar

Mix cake mix according to directions. Mix almond paste and sugar together to a cornmeal consistency. In a greased 9 X 13-inch pan, pour half the cake mix and then half of the almond paste/sugar mixture. Add the rest of the cake mix, and then top with the rest of the almond paste/sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve as is.

Teresa buys her almond paste in Pella, but she says that you can buy Solo brand almond paste at most of the groceries in Des Moines.

2009 Corn Feed Photos

The annual Vittoria Lodge Corn Feed was held on August 30, 2009. Although it was a rather cool day for August, the weather didn’t deter a large group from attending. The lodge furnished the hot dogs, brats, beverages, and plenty of Iowa sweet corn, while the attendees brought a variety of side dishes, desserts, and wine.

Thanks to Judy Grant for contributing photos of the event.  Click here for the complete photo album.

2006-2008 Annual Dinner Photos

Photos from the 2006 – 2008 Annual Vittoria Lodge Dinner are now available on Picassa online.   You may access them by clicking here or on the photos below.

2006 Dinner

2007 Dinner

2008 Dinner

September 2009 Update

NEXT MEETINGS AND ANNUAL POLENTA PARTY
Our next meetings will be September 20th, with the Lodge and Auxiliary trustees’ meetings at 1:30 PM, and the regular meetings at 2 PM.  It will be followed by our annual polenta party.  Bring your favorite go-with items or dessert to share.  It will start at approximately 3 PM.  This is open to all Lodge and Auxiliary members, their families, widows, and their families.

GOLF OUTING
The Golf Outing will be held Sunday, September 27, at Ballard Country Club.  Be there at 8:30 AM to sign-up with tee-off at 9 AM.  Cost is $25 which includes dinner.

MEMORIAL MASS
Our Memorial Mass will be held Sunday, October 25th at 9 AM.  It will be followed by donuts and coffee.

DANCE
The Vittoria Lodge will be holding a fall dance on Sat., Oct. 17, from 7-11 PM. with the Crystal Blue Band playing.  Admission is $6.00 per person.  Proceeds will go to the Vittorial Lodge remodelling fund.

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS TO:
Mary Tonini (9/20), Jennifer Field (9/27), Phyllis Forneris (9/27), Donna Ballantini, Maria Campbell, Rose Chiodo, Mary Gianni, Fay Lenzini, Olga Nizzi

SINCERE SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF:
Michael Battani

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
September 20 — September meeting followed by annual Polenta Party
September 27 — Golf Outing at Ballard
October 11  –   Columbus Day Dinner, Italian-American Cultural Center
October 12  –   Columbus Day Memorial Observance  11 AM, south lawn
                         of the Capitol at the Christopher Columbus Monument
October 17  –  FALL DANCE with the Crystal Blue Band
October 18  –  October meetings       
October 25  –  Memorial Mass 9 AM
November 15  –  November meetings