October 29, 2002
Jamaica, NY - St. John's University will be the host of the annual Celebration of New York City Italian Heritage and Culture Month for the Borough of Queens on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Marillac Terrace on the Queens campus. Helen Marshall, the Borough President, will preside at the event, which will be attended by more than 350 people. The event will include exhibits, music, light refreshments and a proclamation ceremony at which the Borough President will recognize Queens citizenry, who are active in Italian American activities.
"Mrs. Marshall is an ambassador of good will for all cultures and ethnic groups," said Joseph Sciame, event Coordinator and Vice-President for Community Relations at St. John's, and a long time member of the NYC-IHCM Committee. "We are fortunate to have her at the helm in our Borough, especially in supporting Italian Heritage and Culture Month."
Also at the event will be Cav. Louis Carnesecca, Chair of the Italian Cultural Center of St. John's University and longtime Men's Basketball Coach; Dr. Angelo Gimondo, NYC Chair for the IHCM Committee; and Daniele Bosio, the Honorable Deputy Consul of Italy to New York. Entertainment will be provided by Caterina Curatolo of FIERI, an Italian American organization of young people committed and proud of their heritage. As well, Giuseppe Taormina, singer and tenor, will provide a special recital of opera pieces following the proclamation ceremony. Entertainment following the ceremony will be provided by the famed Sicilian tenor Giuseppe Taormina, now a resident of Staten Island.
Coordinating the event, in addition to Mr. Sciame, are: Veronique LeMelle of the Borough President's Office; Jeff Gottlieb of the Central Queens Historical Association; Jamaica Estates resident Paul Agnello; Community Board #9 members Mary Ann Carey and Marie Turley; Gina Fazio of the Queens Borough Public Library; Angie Markham of the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens County; Tina Alfano, Joseph Mongitore and Jack Como of the NYC/IHCM Committee; and Carol Consulate of ConEdison. The event will be underwritten through contributions and its host, St. John's University. ConEdison will be a major sponsor for the event as well as the Office of State Senator Seraphin Maltese.
For further information regarding the IHCM event at St. John's University, please contact (718) 990-1941.