"The purpose of this organization is to promote the heritage, culture and traditions of Italian-Americans through social, educational and recreational events. The organization shall also advance the educational development of Italian-American youth by generating and distributing funds for collegiate scholarships."
September Club Meeting
Our next meeting is Wednesday September 27th at 6:30 PM at the Solon Community Center.
The monthly meetings are back to stay! We will hold them the last Wednesday of every month (except November and December) moving forward. Put it on your calendar.
Please note some important changes in start time and location for the meeting. We are back at the Community Center!! We will start at 6:30.
Annual Dues
If you haven't paid your dues please bring your check for $100 to this month's meeting. Thank you!
Christmas Card Coloring Contest
Gentleman, it's time again for the 3rd Annual Christmas Card coloring contest. There will be copies at the meeting and available to download (below).
4,5,&6 year olds will be coloring the Elf in a Box.
7,8,&9 year olds will be coloring Bells with Merry Christmas.
10,11,&12 year olds will be coloring the Bells and Ribbons.
In the last 2 years the participation has been a little disappointing. This is set on a timeline to get colored, judged, printed and mailed. Every year I come to kid's Christmas party and see about 50 kids. I cannot believe only 10 kids color. So please take these home and hand them out. We need these back preferably at the October Meeting. Also try and stay away from glitter, it just does not reproduce well. I will always make an effort to me and pickup entries until Nov. 10th.
Once again we are going take on the Wickliffe Italian-American Club in a friendly day of bocce. It happens Saturday, October 7th, at the Wickliffe location. It's a fun day with bocce and plenty of food. Who knows, maybe this is the year we win? If you want to play contact Jim D'Orazio.
Columbus Day Parade
Once again the Club will march, pass out beads and maybe have a glass of wine. Well, no maybe about the wine. A really fun day. Hope to see you all on October 9th. More details to follow.
Stag Raffle.
We are moving to a new location this year but it will be the same great event. This always sells out so talk to Mark Bertolone now to save your spot. November 17th will be a fun night. You can count on it!
Christmas Card Coloring Contest.
A great opportunity to have your kids, or grandkids, to "design" this year's Club Christmas Card. Ron Lanci will have the details at next month's meeting.
Brett Neff has been elected Man of the year for 2023.
This past Saturday at the Solon Italian Club Foundation Reverse Raffle & Dinner Dance, we announced the 2023-2024 Man Of The Year Award.
Please help congratulate this year’s winner, none other than our current Club President, Brett Neff!
Last year’s recipient, Phil Carbone, crowned Brett with the award.
A picture of past MOTY in the crowd were gathered for a photo op as well!
Election Season
We welcome the next year's officers and Trustees. Last month Brett Neff was reelected President. Sam Merolla was reelected as Vice President. Ron Carbone and Phil Zito were elected as Trustees. Congratulations to all!
Ron and Phil are replacing Mark Cancasi and Anthony D'Angelo on the Board. We'd like to thank Mark and Anthony for their hard work. They did a great job.
If you haven't paid your dues please bring your check for $100 to this month's meeting. Thank you!
Buon Compleanno!
Best wishes to the following members who celebrate birthdays in the month of September:
9/6 Keith Coleman
9/13 Marty Tabone
9/14 Paul Lepri
9/14 Brett Neff
9/16 Paul Episcopo
9/20 Jason Vespucci
9/20 John J. Zito
9/21 Vince Indriolo
9/25 Frank E. Restifo
9/25 Mark Ventura, Sr.
9/28 Frank Gambosi
Solon Times Prints Article Celebrating 50 Year Anniversary
Meet club member Jim D’Orazio. Jim joined the Club in 2000 and has been an active member. Jim is currently a Trustee and he manages the Club’s communications. Jim has hosted a Steak and Stogie night and helped with many Club events. He enjoys playing in the Golf Outing every year and attending the Stag Raffle. And he heads a bocce team that’s going to make the playoffs someday. He says, “I really enjoy our events but my favorite might be attending the monthly meetings. It’s great to see everyone, the conversations are fun and the food is really good.” He says, “The Club is one of the best organizations I have ever joined. Great people that have become good friends. Great commitment to community with our scholarship program. I’m honored to be a member.”
Jim’s mother, Rosa, came to America in 1948 from Montenerodomo in Abruzzi. His father’s parents also came from there in 1894. Jim’s father, Fred, grew up in Little Italy and was a member of the ISDA and the Little Italy Retirees. Jim is retired from teaching marketing at Cleveland State. He has been married to Margaret for 43 years. They have three boys. Anthony and Maria live in Columbus. Mike and Callie live in South Euclid. Brian and Megan live in Minneapolis with their sons Remy and Aiden. Jim says, “I’m proud of my boys. They have grown to be good men. And I’m sure your grandkids are cute. They might be as cute as mine. But no kids are cuter than those little boys.” Apparently Jim is happy with those grandkids.
The Club wants to thank Jim for all he has done for the Club.
Columbus Day Parade
The Columbus Day Parade was held on October 11th. The Club was well represented and everyone had a great time. One of the best days of the year.
Bocce Season a Big Success
The playoffs were August 24th and they were exciting. Badda Bocce defeated Team DiCarro to win Tuesday night and Italia 76 defeated Slo Your Role to win Thursday night. Badda Bocce won the Championship by defeating Italia 76.
Congratulations to Tom Smith, Chris Stallano, Bill Sobonya, Vince Indriolo on being the 2021 Bocce Champions!
CLUB PHOTOS
Badda Bocce. 2021 Champions
Winners of the Man of the Year Award. Photo by Michael Steinberg
The D'Orazio all cleaned up.
The Boys with Grandma Rosie
Hey where's Donny
Great turnout of people readyto go.
The kitchen crew does have fun.
Upcoming Events:
We hope to see you all soon!
If you haven't paid yet please don't forget to bring your membership dues of $100 to next week's meeting. If you can't make the meeting just drop a check in the mail. You can send your check, made out for $100 to the Solon Italian Club, to:
