Mangia: Columbian Lawyers Association honors its Italian heritage at Sunday Dinner

October 27, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

From left: Opera singer Douglas Jabara was joined by jurists Steven Bamundo, Hon. Wayne P. Saitta, Hon. Mark Partnow, Hon. David B. Vaughan and many others not pictured throughout the night. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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The Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn managed to pack more than 100 lawyers and judges into Ponto Vecchio restaurant in Bay Ridge for its annual Italian Heritage Night and Sunday Dinner on Monday.

“One of my favorite cultural traditions from when I was a very young girl was Sunday dinner,” said RoseAnn C. Branda, president of the Columbian Lawyers Association. “It’s not only about the food, it’s about sitting around the table and sharing your life with the people you love.”

The annual tradition brought together not only the Columbian Lawyers, but also many members of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, the Catholic Lawyers Guild and the Brooklyn Bar Association.

“This is a wonderful tradition started several years ago,” said Arthur Aidala, president of the Brooklyn Bar Association. “If there is anything that brings people together, [it] is good food, good beverages and good song. That is all contained within the Columbian Lawyers Association, and I just want to congratulate and thank them for putting this together.”

Guests at the dinner were treated to many foods that are featured in traditional Italian Sunday meals, including baked clams, antipasto, rigatoni with fresh ragu sauce, meatballs, sausage, chicken scarpariello, salmon oregante and many other Italian favorites.

Opera singers Douglas Jabara and Carla Wesby provided the entertainment for the evening. They were joined by judges and lawyers who performed some of their favorite Italian opera songs as well.

Before the evening ended, Branda made a point to thank Lucy DiSalvo for her efforts in putting the event together, as well as Bruno Codispoti, who helped with the music.