Forty CIAO members and guests celebrated St. Joseph's Day at St. Joseph's Church Hall in Fredonia. An altar displayed a statue of St. Joseph adorned with breads in the shape of staffs and crosses. Around the base of the altar, fresh flowers, traditional foods of olives, oranges, fava beans, and staffs of wheat and wine were placed.
President Sam Crisanti welcomed everyone and spoke of the history of St. Joseph Day celebrations and related his family traditions of the day.
Father Charles Zadora of St. Joseph Church gave a special blessing. Those in attendance were served the first course of oranges, olives, fresh fennel and special St. Joseph bread by board members, followed by lentils and linguine. Members were treated to traditional foods of fried eggplant, cauliflower, zucchini, dandelion greens, green beans, asparagus, burdocks, and fish. Some of the other dishes included an olive and potato salad, olive salad, broccoli and carrots, fava beans and peas. Pasta dishes consisted of meatless sauce and pasta con le sarde with the special topping of modica in place of grating cheese.
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Father Charles Zadora gives the blessing.
Everyone waited anxiously for the desserts. Traditional desserts of spfingi, cannoli, and honey buds along with pineapple dessert, cream puffs, a cake decorated with fruit in the colors of the Italian flag, and ricotta cookies were enjoyed by all.
Future plans of CIAO and trips to Italy and Sicily were discussed. Members thanked those who helped to prepare many of the fried dishes and helped to make the day such a great success. Thanks are extended to Sam and Sally Crisanti, Geri Sagaliani, Nance Ortolano, Chiara DeSanti and Carol Kuell.
