GENERALLY SPEAKING: Brookyn marchers salute Columbus

October 19, 2011 Theodore W. General
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BROOKLYN MARCHERS SALUTE COLUMBUS

Under bright sunny skies and summer-like warm weather, the 30thannual Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade kicked off on 18th Avenue, alsoknown as Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard.

Several years ago, the Federation of Italian AmericanOrganizations (FIAO), sponsor of the parade, prevailed upon thecity to co-name the parade route with the Italian spelling ofColumbus’ name.

The Color Guard and Junior ROTC Cadets from Theodore RooseveltHigh School led the parade, followed by the James Madison HighSchool Marching Band, and then Fort Hamilton High School’s MarchingBand and its Army Junior ROTC Cadets.

One of the sharpest and most attractive-looking bands was theall-female marching contingent from Manhattan’s Mother Cabrini HighSchool which played a Walt Disney favorite, It’s a Small WorldAfter All. Other musical units included Bishop Kearney High SchoolBand and Dyker Heights Junior High School Band.

Also in the line of march were two costumed dancing lions fromthe United Chinese Association, and a unit of the 14th RegimentRedlegged Devils, re-enactors who fired several volleys fromtheir trusty muskets.

FIAO Vice President Carlo Scissura did hisusually superb job as parade commentator as he mentioned all theparticipating groups as they passed in front of the reviewinggrandstand at 84th Street.

Elected officials who marched or were on the reviewing standwere City Comptroller John LiuMarty GoldenMichaelGrimmVinnie Gentile andAssemblymember Peter Abbate. FIAO ChairpersonJack Spatola proudly introduced his charming newgrandson, Michael Anthony

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Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitzhosted a big celebration for Italian-American Heritage Month in thecourtroom and rotunda of Borough Hall. Carlo Scissura, senioradvisor to the Beep, emceed the program.

Soprano Cristina Fontanelli sang theStar-Spangled Banner, and tenor Carlo Laurilellasang Italy’s national anthem. The invocation was delivered byMonsignor Jamie Gigantiello

Guest speaker was Natalia QuintavalleSal CalabreseThomas Fariello;Lutheran Medical Center Senior Vice President RosanneRaso and former State Assemblymember FrankSeddio

Among the many guests were Jack Spatola, FrankNaccaratoDiane Picucci, KarinaCostantinoDominick RecchiaAlec Brook–KrasnyHomeReporter and Spectator Co-Publisher JoshSchnepsJoseph BovaMarneeElias–PaviaBettyAnn Canizio and Linda Lupia.

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NYPD Officer Susan Porcello

Porcello told the gathering that all the major parts of newercars are engraved with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN),except for the windows. One of the public services her precinctoffers is the etching of the VIN on car windows. As further crimedeterrents, she also engraves a personal ID number on devices suchas laptops, PDAs and bicycles, and does free home securityinspections upon request.

For more information call 718-439-3455.

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Jack LaTorreFrank Strafaci will be the guest speaker at thesociety’s October 19 meeting, 7:30 p.m., at the Shore Hillcommunity room, 91st Street and Shore Road.

Strafaci will discuss the history of wills, deeds and relateddocuments from ancient Roman times to the present. He will alsorelate how important these legal documents are today. Societymeetings are open to the general public.

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A nice mini-cruise around New York Harbor was sponsored byLutheran Medical Center’s Services for Older Adults. Severalpassengers hailed from the Bay Ridge AARP Chapter #3630 and theOvington Chapter #5550, including Bay Ridge AARP PresidentPeter Killen and Ovington AARP Vice PresidentVincent Bocchino.

Also aboard were Frank LombardoPatricia Killen; past Bay RidgeHistorical Society President Peter Scarpa andKassenbrock Scholarship Fund Trustee MaryBocchino.

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