Benvenuto
BENVENUTO
The Benvenuto Club of Milan welcomes English speaking women from all over the world.
The Club helps newcomers settle in Milan and fosters international fellowship through
its various activities. Benvenuto is non-profit, non-denominational and apolitical.
board members 2016-2017
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY
TREASURER
PUBLIC RELATIONS EVENTS
PUBLIC RELATIONS FUNDRAISING
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
NEWCOMERS DIRECTOR
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
BENVENUTO EDITOR
Fiona Betournay, [email protected]
Gail Snedeker, [email protected]
Ulrike Hachmoeller, [email protected]
vacant
Sarah Tarves, [email protected]
vacant
vacant
Vicki Schroeder, [email protected]
Eve Greenstein, [email protected]
Lisa Vejcik, [email protected]
Sule Bolgi, [email protected]
THE MAGAZINE TEAM
EDITOR
EDITORIAL TEAM EXECUTIVE
LAYOUT ARTISTS
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Sule Bolgi, [email protected]
Mirella Dicancro, [email protected]
Adrienne McCartney and Jean Di Sabatino
Annamaria Major, [email protected]
Simonetta Ronchetti Schiavo,
[email protected]
Contributors:
Eri H. Avecilla, Sule Bolgi, Fiona Betournay, Jean Chaloux,
Jean Di Sabatino, Nawal Felippone, Marina Leonelli, Stephanie Lewis,
Ester Mistò, Irma Rega, Lisa Vejcik, Judith Vinkesteijn
cover photo: Caryatid at Casa Campanini
web media
WEB MASTER Anne Marie Ellis, [email protected]
Find us on the web at:
www.benvenutomilano.net
Join us on Facebook:
facebook.com/Benvenuto Club of Milan
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IT59Q0200801600000103996605
Benvenuto Club of Milan
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Benvenuto is provided bona fide and is believed to be correct at the time of printing. Whilst every effort is taken prior to the acceptance of any and all
information, the editor, her entire staff and the Benvenuto officers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage incurred as a result of taking or not
taking action on the basis of the information published in any issue of Benvenuto. We recommend readers make necessary inquires before taking or not
taking any action that could put one at risk. The views expressed in this magazine are solely of the author of each article and are not necessarily shared by
the editor or by others on her staff. The editor accepts no responsibility for the contents of articles or advertisments.
2 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
Editor’s message
March is the month of Women; it is the month of Change.
With the coming of Spring, it is time to shake off the old in anticipation
of the future. In this issue, to rouse the mind and spirit from the grey
winter, we have a diverse collection of cultural activities and articles on
music and art, history and story telling and more. Underlining it all, we
also have a few articles related to health and wellbeing, a kind of
“rise and shine” for the body.
By word association, we can also look at the word itself, to “march,”
meaning to go forward, to walk with measured tread, to walk in a
deliberate manner; and the idioms, “on the march” signifying moving
ahead, progressing, advancing; and “to march on,” as perhaps in protest or
battle. March 8th is International Women’s Day - this year’s banner is
“Be Bold for Change.”
What will you change? What would you do to improve something in
your own life, that of another, and for women in general? Let the recent
Women’s Marches around the world spur you into action!
Closer to home, we have another opportunity for change. What you do to
help Benvenuto? Would you consider a position on the Benvenuto Board?
We have several positions available next year and there is no better time
to get involved with helping to sustain and improve the future of our club.
So stand up, take a listen to the stirring recommendations on our
Musical Remedy list … and March on for change!
Jean Di Sabatino
Guest Editor
The opposite of Benvenuto is
Arrivederci ...
And now it is time to say so to our cherished friend
and team member, Mirella Dicancro.
Mirella will be leaving the Benvenuto Club and Milan
at the end of the month. However, we are happy for
her and wish her all the best for her new life.
Mirella has been a valuable part of the club and the
magazine, giving very generously of her time and
energy to everything that she has undertaken, … and
always with gusto! Her interests are wide, she is an
intrepid traveler, and we at the magazine will miss her
keen eye and descriptive contributions of her unique
discoveries in Milan.
Mirella, we wish for you many wonderful new
adventures and discoveries in your new home, ...
grazie mille per tutto!
Few things matter. But saying
them isn’t easy.
Millions of words we have
expressed, I bet.
Countless glances, laughters,
tears, too.
Yet, they have no eloquence.
For you my friend the words
a wise man said:
“As you start to walk out
on the way, the way appears”.
And for me “the cure for pain
is in the pain”.
Affectionately,
Adrienne, Jean and Sule
Your friends at the Benvenuto Magazine
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 3 BENVENUTO’S GOLDEN SPONSORS
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
We are deeply grateful to The American International Medical Center (AIMC), our generous sponsor
for the Benvenuto Club website, and wish to thank Dr. William S. Freilich, director of the center, one of
Benvenuto’s long time friends, for the continuous support he has given to our club. The AIMC has been
serving the Milan expatriate community for many years and is held in the highest esteem by the Benvenuto
members. For a full description of the services they offer, please see their website:
www.aimclinic.it
We are deeply appreciative of Core Cocchini Relocation’s (CORE) loyal and generous support. For
years, CORE has co-sponsored the newcomer’s bags and the club’s yearly directory. In addition, CORE
has been the sole sponsor for the financing and production of various publications. We thank CORE.
www.cocchinirelocation.com
Benvenuto Magazine is published 10 times per year.
Deadline for submissions: the 15th of the previous month
To advertise, contact our Advertising Manager, Simonetta Ronchetti Schiavo:
mobile: 339 881 2472; email: [email protected]
Monthly contribution rates for display ads:
1 page - € 180, 1/2 page € 100, 1/4 page € 50
Classifieds: € 20
Discounts available for consecutive issues.
This magazine is printed by:
centro stampa
Buste e carte intestate • biglietti visita • depliants
volantini • adesivi • opuscoli • partecipazioni di nozze
Via De Amicis, 45 • 20123 Milano
Tel. 02.89404827 • Fax 02.89407943
[email protected]
www.centrostampadeamicis.it
4 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
President’s message
Spring has finally arrived and at the March Main Coffee we will be
holding the Spring Fair in aid of our Benvenuto Charities. This is the
second biggest fundraiser we have for the charities. We then give them
the money we have raised at the May Main Coffee, the Annual General
Business Meeting. There will be food, flowers and plants, books and other
things to buy. We will also be having the Silent Auction of the week in the
Vila Sol, kindly donated by the Edlmanns, as described on page 15.
Please help out by baking or cooking something to sell on the day, come
and buy flowers for your home or balcony but most of all just come and
participate. It is a lovely way to celebrate Spring!
Another way we are raising money for the charities is with the new
Benvenuto Recipe Book. Please send in your favourite recipes, from your
own country or maybe something you like to serve at a coffee or when you
have guests. Please send the recipes, preferably with a photo of yourself
as well, to Vicki Schroeder: [email protected]. In order to get it
prepared for the end of the Benvenuto year we need the recipes by the end
of March please.
In April there will be our annual Fashion Show at the Main Coffee on
April 11th. We are pleased that Mary Cuccu of Fashion Park will be
presenting her new collection using our Benvenuto members as models.
The models are already preparing for the red carpet runway so do come
along and support them and see the beautiful new styles.
Save the date:
March Main Coffee and
Spring Fair
Tuesday March 14th
April Main Coffee and
Fashion Show
Tuesday April 11th
I hope to see you at a Benvenuto event soon. As you can see further on
there is a lot on offer.
Fiona Betournay
Benvenuto Club on Facebook
Did you know we have a Facebook page? We have quite a few members
using it now but we would love to use it more. With the Facebook page we
can let each other know about current events in Milan, things happening
in the area, ask for advice about places to go. You can post photos, recipes,
news and anything you would like to share with other members. The
Benvenuto Club has a Facebook page that operates as a “Closed Group”.
This means that the only people who can use it or see the posts have to
make a request and be accepted by the Board, so you don’t have to worry
that anything you post will be seen outside the club.
If you’d like to join the Benvenuto Club’s Facebook group, you’ll find it at
the following link:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/249306521788953/
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 5 Regular meetings
14
TuESDAY
Main Coffee and
Spring Fair
NEIGHBOR to NEIGHBOR
Once-a-month informal meetings
of Benvenuto members living
within the same neighborhood
zone.
Sometimes these personally
hosted gatherings are held in
someone’s home, sometimes they
are hosted at a neighborhood
eatery.
Read about unique NtN meetings
and see the calendar for dates and
locations on the Neighbor to
Neighbor page 10.
DROP-IN COFFEE
date: Tuesday, March 14
time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
where: Circolo A. Volta, via Giuseppe Giusti 16
At the March Main Coffee we’ll be holding our annual Spring Fair.
Flowers, plants, jewellery, food and spring treats will be available for sale,
with proceeds benefitting our three charities.
Have a cappuccino with us at
the stylish Martini Bar at Dolce
& Gabbana. We meet every
Wednesday morning and all are
welcome.
time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
where: Corso Venezia 15
when: every Wednesday
We will also have a Silent Auction for a week-long stay at the enchanting
Vila Sol, a luxury villa in the Algarve region of Portugal. See the Charity
News page 15 for more information.
ALL-SORTS
Various groups meet for shared
hobbies and interests. There is
something for everyone! See
the list of groups and specific
information on the All Sorts
page 31.
6 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
New Activities for March
2
thursDAY
Bellotto and Canaletto. Amazement
and light
Exhibition curated by Bożena Anna Kowalczyk,
consisting of a hundred works of art including
paintings and sketches, on show at the Gallerie
d’Italia of Milan. Join us and feast your eyes in
discovering two grand masters of light and design.
Read article in last month’s magazine for more
information.
time: 12:00-1:00 pm
venue: Gallerie d’Italia, Piazza della Scala 6
cost of guided tour in English: 13€ Benvenuto
members, 16€ for non-Benvenuto/guests
sign-ups: at Main Coffee or via e-mail to Lisa
Vejcik at [email protected]
8
Wine Tasting Seminar:
Uncovering Italy’s Hidden Gems
Although Italy is home to 20
unique wine regions, thousands
of grape varieties, and millions of
vineyards, it’s easy to stick with the
familiar when the time comes to
pick a bottle to drink. Think you’ve
tried them all?
This course, lead by sommelier
Michela Cimatoribus, will introduce wine lovers (and
their spouses) to Italian grape varietals that are less
familiar to the common oenophile, but equally as
pleasing to the palate!
All wines, including both white and red, will be paired
with a carefully-selected cheese, and water and bread
will be available throughout the presentation. No need
to take notes, because everyone will receive a copy
of the information we cover! Dinner as a group is an
option for those interested following the tasting (not
included in seminar).
time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
veue: Hallbar, via Paolo Sarpi 60
cost: 25 euro per person / 50 per couple
signups: for you (and your partner if attending) at MC
or by reaching out to Lisa Vejcik at [email protected]
16
wednesDAY
Love in the Avant-garde
Art & the city and Benvenuto Club invite
you to the heart of Milan’s Brera district
at Moleskine Café for a tribute to the
great WOMEN behind the “machos” of
MODERN ART. This will be a fun and
meaningful way to celebrate women’s
day! Join us for this informal art lecture
followed by a bubbly aperitivo! An evening
event open to members and their partners. Enjoy a glass of wine as
you listen to the art historian’s tale and presentation, stay for a second
glass, some finger food and some mingling after the talk is over.
time: 7-9 p.m.
venue: Moleskine Café, corso
Garibaldi 65
cost: 25 euros
thursdAY
OA Monthly Meeting
Professional photographer Yoshie
Nishikawa will talk to us about
“Japan, yesterday and today”.
time: 10-12 p.m.
venue: Circolo degli Ufficiali,
Palazzo Cusani, via del Carmine 8.
For more details see pages 11-13.
sign-ups: contact Serena at
[email protected]
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 7 New Activities for March
Italy’s Jewels of the 20th Century
Before viewing the world of a
present-day Italian jeweler (see
March 23 activity), we will be
taking a step back in time to the
scene of Italian jewelry production
in the 20th century, through an
exhibit fully dedicated to the
art of jewelry making and its
evolution throughout the 1900’s.
The exhibition features over
150 works of haute jewelry of
different kinds (some on display
for the first time): from tiaras,
traditional and belly necklaces,
bangles, bracelets and earrings to
precious brooches, all handmade
by Italian craftsmen. Throughout
the different sections that make
up the exhibition, from Liberty
to Art Déco up to modern times,
we will have the chance to admire
the changes in jewel design, birth
of the “made in Italy” success, and
the development of now worldfamous names such as Bulgari and
Pomellato.
time: 10 am (please arrive 15
minutes prior)
venue: Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Via
Manzoni 12
cost: 17 euro members/ 20 euro
non-members
sign-ups: at the March MC or by
emailing Lisa Vejcik at loafmane@
gmail.com
23
thursDAY
An Insider’s Look at Jewelry
Design in Milan
Jewelry has been an important facet of
human life for thousands of years. In
fact, one of the oldest artifacts ever discovered by archaeologists is a piece of
jewelry crafted from 100,000-year-old beads. Stories throughout the ages,
both real and imagined, teach us that jewelry has historically been used for
a variety of purposes: from reasons as simple as finishing an ensemble, to
functioning as an easy way to tell time, to serving as a easily-transportable
store of wealth, to providing a reminder of loved ones or ancestors.
Ultimately, in today’s modern age, jewelry is a way to express oneself.
In this visit to a local studio, we will learn about the fascinating world
of design that leverages diamonds, metals and precious stones, from
the perspective of designer and creator, Diana B. Having started as a
teenager, Diana fell in love with jewelry design while visiting a precious
stone distributor. Since then, she’s become a gem specialist and member
of the Diamond Stock Exchange of Milan. Whether her designs are cast
in gold or silver, Diana specializes in creating unique pieces. She focuses
on contemporary designs, often times repurposing clients’ old jewelry,
transforming them into new and one-of-a-kind pieces.
time: 2 pm
venue: Via del Piatti 4
cost: free; participation is limited to 15 people sign-ups: contact Anisa Vukovic ([email protected])
or sign up at the March Main Coffee
8 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
23
thursdAY
Italian Culture Group
We’ll be having a lecture on
“Milano and the Visconti
Dynasty”, by Irma Rega: how the
Visconti family assumed power
over Milano and became a dynasty
that lasted for 170 years, from
1277 until 1447. What influence
they had on the history of the
town and its territory. How and
why the family’s name disappeared
suddenly.
See page 14 for an introductory
article by Irma.
time: 10 am to 12
where: Palazzo Cusani, via Del
Carmine 8. Ring the bell and bring
your identity card.
27
MONDAY
© Petr Novák, Wikipedia
20
mondAY
Cooking Class
We’re going for a regional menu
from Trentino:
• rotolo patate e spinaci (potato and
spinach roll)
• spaetzli ai carciofi (spaetzli with
artichokes)
• strudel
All of this will be served with water
and wine.
time: 9:45 am - 1:00 pm
where: Atelier dei Sapori,
via Pinamonte da Vimercate 6
cost: € 25
sign-ups: at MC or with Anna
Rowsell, [email protected]
28
New Activities for March
TuesDAY
Manet & Modern Paris Exhibit with Serena
The Musée d’Orsay comes to Milan! This the newest way of seeing and the
is a great opportunity to travel in time
40 paintings on show by painters as
and peruse the exciting 19th century
diverse as Boldini, Cézanne, Degas,
panorama of Paris through the perceptive Fantin-Latour, Gauguin, Monet, Berthe
eye of the painter. The grand avenues
Morisot, Renoir, Signac and Tissot will
and sweeping perspectives created by
give us a tantalizing taste of this artistic
Baron Haussmann, the exciting fervor
revolution. Among them was a great
of the International Exhibitions, the
master; the very Manet in the title. He
great vibrancy of the steel and glass train was one of the first to approach the new
stations, the gaiety of the literary cafes… topic of modernity and was an example
Paris was developing into the legendary
to all. This exhibition presents 17 painted
Ville des Lumières and her artists were
masterpieces by this great icon of the
there to capture the social ramifications
era and 10 of his beautiful and insightful
that went with it. Impressionism was
drawings and watercolours. time: 10.15 am.
venue: Palazzo Reale
cost: 20 euro (BV) /
22 (non-BV) - includes
dedicated time slot,
booking, entrance ticket,
earphones & guided tour in
English. Maximum number
of participants: 18
sign-ups: please book
by March 12th at info@
artandthecity.it. Tickets
will have to be pre-paid at
March Main Coffee.
plan for these upcoming April activities...
5
wednesDAY
Art Lecture with Serena “Tamara de Lempicka”
time: Lecture begins at 15.30 venue: Hotel Bristol
cost: 19 euro (BV) / 21 (non-BV). Minimum of 15
people. Booking deadline April 2nd signups: please book your seat at March MC or write
to [email protected] no later than April 2nd.
The legendary Tamara was not a revolutionary painter
but she was the sublime embodiment of an era; her
sitters are modern and bold, their clothes and demeanor
the perfect match for the Great Gatsby years. Her
surfaces are luscious and her elegant women reflect the
social and cultural revolution of the roaring Twenties
yet her paintings are in tune with today’s contemporary
generation. She is “classically modern” indeed! 7
friDAY
Hike Through Marmitte dei Giganti Chiavenna, with its rich artistic, religious and
historical heritage due to commercial traffic through
the old road towards the Alpine passes, is the starting
point of this interesting itinerary that allows us to
visit the unique “Marmitte dei Giganti” and other
glacial phenomena. Today´s glaciers are just a modest
reminder of those that perodically covered the alpine
chain and all of Europe from 1 million years ago up
until about 10 thousand years ago. The Park contains
many traces of these ancient glaciations: ice-polished
and striated rock, erosion channels, shafts and
potholes. The path will also lead us to the spectacular
“Acquafraggia Waterfalls”.
time: we meet at 8am return at 7:40 pm
meeting place: Milano Centrale Train Station in
front of Rosso Pomodoro.
cost: 29 euro / 31 euro (BV Member/ non-member) This price assumes you are not a Trekking Italia member
and includes insurance and transportation. If you are
a Trekking Italia member, or are interested signing up,
please speak with Lisa Vejcik for information and pricing,
as members enjoy a reduced rate.
signups: please reserve your spot at the March MC or
by reaching out to Lisa Vejcik at [email protected]
Please see page 17 for more details. March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 9 Neighbor to Neighbor (NtN) Calendar
March is a wonderful month: Spring is coming, flowers are blooming, we desire to change our
wardrobe, to plan new excursions, to clean our homes from top to bottom! Let us try to find
something new to make our Benvenuto Club more attractive.
Loredana Mandelli, NTN Chairperson, tel: 02 8139540
neighborhood
co-ordinator
where
when
CENTER
Zone 1
Jean Di Sabatino
tel. 334 2226856
Vicki Schroeder
tel. 342 1999371
Home of
Eri Avecilla
338 3750152
Fri. March 17th
3,00 p.m. / 5,00 p.m.
LORETO
Zones 2/3
Nawal Felippone
tel. 349 0590286
Ernesta De Laurentis
tel. 02 6704038
Home of
Gudrun Herzog
Tel. 02 26144864
Tues. March 28th
10,30 a.m.
PORTA ROMANA/
SAN DONATO
Zones 4/5
Rosella Damiani Spinelli
tel: 334 7958326
Laura Cafagna
tel. 02 36552791
Cafè Vista Darsena
Fri. March 24th
10,30 a.m.
WASHINGTON/FRUA/
NAVIGLI
Zone 6
Marianne Schuck
tel: 02 58112217
Marilena Ciolina
tel. 02 4882746
Please call Coordinator
Fri. March 31st
11,00 a.m.
BUONARROTI/
SAN SIRO
Zone 7
Marta Zanotto
tel. 02 48704454
Alessandra Felicetta
tel. 02 90390526
Home of
Gloria Luongo De Ausen
[email protected]
Tues. March 28th
12,00 noon
FIERA/SEMPIONE
Zones 8/9
Lois Elaine Heckman
tel. 02 39265910
Giuliana Anni
tel. 02 4984057
Giuliana Anni
Tel. 024984057
Wed. March 22nd
4,00 p.m./6,00 p.m.
MILANO DUE
Bruna Laviani
tel. 02 26419798
Janet Pinci
Claire Franchitti
Residenza Idra
Tel. 346 2757958
Tues. March 21st
10,30 a.m.
SAN FELICE
Fiona Betournay
tel. 02 84944519
Anne Marie Ellis
tel. 02 5560 0377
Bar Cocotte Jolie
San Felice
Thurs. March 23rd
7,00 p.m. Aperitivo
10 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
Orientals Abroad (OA) News
C
ongratulations to
Benvenuto member,
Irma Rega, for her interesting
and successful talk on amusing
stories in Chinese literature,
blended with Chinese history
and reciting some beautiful
poems translated into English.
Many thanks also to
Ms. Yoshie Nishikawa,
Japanese photographer, for
conducting a nice group of
Benvenuto members visiting
her exhibition on Tuesday
afternoon at Bocconi Art
Gallery. Yoshie explained to
us the emotions behind every
photograph she had taken,
some dating back more than
25 years. To Yoshie, taking a
picture is a ‘philosophy of life’.
A couple of weeks ago, I had
approached Yoshie, proposing
that she speak to us about her
country, Japan. It all depended
on her travelling and work
schedule. A couple of days ago,
she confirmed her acceptance.
After the exhibit, over a cup of
tea at the university cafeteria,
we discussed the project and
talked about some aspects of
her life in Milan. So, I am now
happy to give you all relevant
details.
Our members who
have been with Orientals
Abroad for many years
“JAPAN, YESTERDAY AND TODAY”
Our speaker will tackle some features of her country,
time permitting, including education, culture, values,
customs, traditions, and beliefs.
Date and time: March 16 from 10-12.30 p.m. There’s
half an hour to socialize while enjoying a coffee/tea/
brioche. Contribution: €3,00 payable at Main Coffee.
Talk starts at 10.45.
Venue: Palazzo Cusani, via del Carmine 8, MM 2
Lanza stop, then tram 14 one stop, plus a short walk,
otherwise MM 1 Cordusio stop, then tram 12 two
stops and a short walk. Please remember to sign up at
Main Coffee or to email your name to maria.tieghi@
gmail.com or [email protected] two
days before event. A List of Participants is always
available at Cusani check-in, however, your ID could be
useful if requested..
Lunch: at 1.00 p.m. at TAYO restaurant, viale Monza
23, MM 1 Loreto stop and a short walk.
Cost: There are various menus. Each will pay what she
orders, prices ranging from €10-€18. If you have to
leave early, please pay at the counter before leaving.
Here below, please find a bio on Yoshie Nishikawa
and a brief history of Japan. Happy reading.
Before closing, O.A. Board members Maria Tieghi
and Maria Angela Corbetta join me in wishing each
Benvenuto member ‘happy 8th of March Day’, Looking
forward to seeing you at as many Club events as you’re
able to join, many thanks for your friendship and kind
collaboration.
Nawal Felippone
now will recall the various
Japanese cultural events
we have organized, among
others: Kimono costume
demonstration, furoshiki
- an ancient Japanese craft
of gift wrapping, visiting
Crespi Bonsai museum and
garden, organizing Japanese
cooking lessons at Benvenuto
members’ homes, to mention
a few…. What we missed
was presenting the country,
Japan, its history, culture,
traditions. So, here’s our
chance to get first hand
information from Yoshie
Nishikawa, professional
photographer.
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March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 11 8757(AW)DonovanRussell_Advert.indd 1
14/1/15 10:23:11
OA News
Japan Yesterday and Today – known also as
Il Sol Levante
Nawal Felippone
I
’d like to give you a brief summary of the
country’s history, starting with a introduction
to “Shinto, the religion of nature-worship, emperor
worship, and purity”. It is the immemorial indigenous
religion of Japan, its chronology dating back to 660
B.C. It “represents the distinctive religious genius
of Japan from the very beginnings of its history”.
It has contributed to the political theory and the
national stability of its adherents. The belief in the
divine origin of the land and government of Japan
and in the perpetual duration of the monarchy has
been steadfastly fostered in the mind of Japan by its
national religion. “According to its sacred scriptures,
the islands of Japan were the first divine creation, and
the first Mikado (Emperor) was a literal descendant to
earth from the Sun-goddess in heaven”. Historically,
Shinto has furnished the vital religious basis for the
oldest reigning dynasty in the world.
Buddhism, which originated in India, was
introduced to Japan in the 6th. Century via China and
Korea. Many Buddhist temples were constructed in
Japan, the most important Horyuji Temple near Nara
and Shitennoji Temple in Osaka.
Another important period was 1603-1867, following
a struggle for power, Tokugawa Leyasu emerged as
the most powerful statesman. He established his
Shogunate government with its capital in Edo (present
day Tokyo), controlled feudal lords, adopted a policy
of isolation, banned international trade except for
Nagasaki where there was a small colony of Dutch
and Chinese tradesmen. For the next two centuries,
Japan lived isolated from the outside world, with its
own feudal system of Samurai, farmers, craftsmen
and merchants. Kabuki theatre and festivals were
the popular entertainment for the masses, while
woodblock printmaking, silk for kimonos and
lacquerware became symbols for merchant class
‘nouveau riche’.
Historical Background:
Since its foundation, Japan has known several
periods in its history where the capital was moved
from one town to another. In the Heian Period,
794-1185, the capital moved to Heiank-Yo (present
day Kyoto). It was an era of prosperity and peace,
introducing new ideas and practices of art from
outside Japan, mainly China, modifying them to
become uniquely Japanese.
Even Chinese characters were modified and used to
create a new Japanese writing, thus allowing for the
blossoming of Japanese literature and poetry. The Tale
of Genji, the world’s first major novel and the Pillow
Book, were both written by women.
The Kama Kura Period, 1185-1333
A military government was established by Yoritomo,
head of the Genji clan, followed by 700 years of
Shogunate rule and the ascendancy of the warrior
caste, known as “Samurai” who followed a Spartan
life style according to the tenets of Zen Buddhism
introduced in Japan in 1190. They had an important
influence on art and literature.
12 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
Himeji Castle ©JNTO
By mid 19th. century, there was a challenge to the
feudal system. In 1853, Commodore Perry of the
U.S. Navy sailed his fleet to the port of Uraga, near
Edo, eventually forcing the shogun to enter a trade
agreement with the U.S. Other ports were opened to
trade. This sudden encounter with the West and its
advanced technology contributed to the downfall of
the Tokugawa shogunate and sparked Japan’s desire
to catch up with the outside world. It was only in
l868 that Emperor Meji returned to power, moved
his government from Kyoto to Tokyo, transforming
the feudal society into an industrialized nation. This
transformation took only a few decades, Western
culture and influence flowed into Japan at a raid pace,
including Western dress, food, architecture, industry
and other fields.
Following World War II, Japan adopted a democratic
constitution, stipulating that sovereign power resided
OA News
with the people, denouncing war, and guaranteeing
human rights as eternal and inviolable.
In 1964, Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympic Games,
broadcasting to the world that Japan was indeed a
modern, industrialized nation.
Among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites I would
name: the Buddhist Monument in the Horyu-ji area,
Historic Monuments of ancient Kyoto, the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial, Himeji Castle.
A brief bio on Yoshie Nishikawa:
Born in Sapporo, Japan
in 1959, after graduating
the University of Arts
Ootani, Sapporo, in 1982
she left for San Francisco
to specialize in Fine Arts
of Photography at San
Francisco Academy of Art
College. Her career as a
photographer started in
1983, working between
Tokyo, New York and
London. Not satisfied and
disappointed with the
publishing conditions in
Japan, Yoshie decided to
move to Milan where she
worked in publicity and
fashion and her work was
published by the most
important news agencies.
She alternated her work
between photography and
research, still travelling
between Milan, London,
Paris and Tokyo.
Her latest personal
exhibit organized by MIA
Photo Fair at BAG (Bocconi
Art Gallery) closed on
February 22nd. On show,
were 28 photographs
(only a part of her work)
where Yoshie explores
her uncommon sense of
beauty, as it evolved in the
course of over 30 years of
her life divided between
Japan and Italy. The
pictures belong to seven
different series ranging
from flowers to the sky,
from water to dolls, where
it is possible to admire the
author’s unusual poetical
photographic sensitivity,
which we as spectators had
the privilege of listening
to in Yoshie’s detailed
explanation.
While talking to Yoshie,
she expressed some of her
personal interests: She
likes to go to the movies,
enjoys films by Visconti,
Fellini – classical films. She
enjoys cooking Japanese
specialties, but appreciates
Italian and international
food in general. She was
keen on travelling when
she was ‘young’, and has
been to Mexico, India,
Hong Kong, as a tourist.
She still travels twice a
year to Japan to visit her
family and for work as well.
When asked if she likes any
particular program on TV,
she simply replied with a
smile: ‘I don’t have a TV’.
With modern technology,
the PC and internet are
enough for Yoshie.
You’ll see in the
magazine’s BV Faces page,
a photo with Yoshie on
the right of the OA group
taken at the Shangrila
restaurant.
References:
• The World’s Living Religions by
Robert Ernest Hume, PhD, D. Theol.
(A very interesting book to read which
I cherish from my university years.)
• Japanese Castles by Lee Langley,
Matsue, (Home of Lafcadio Hearn, an
Irish Greek expat who lived there with
his Japanese wife. Lee describes his
visit to some of the unexpected lovely
Japanese castles.)
• Japan National Tourism
Organization (historical
background)
NEW ITALIAN COURSES
L’italiano in città
Real Italian for your everyday Milanese life
Twice a week, in the morning
Lessons in school and in the city
Club di conversazione
Weekly conversation classes
Once a week
More speaking practice
Our Italian Courses:
Group and private courses
Morning and evening
courses
Personalised programmes
In-Company training
Small international groups
Our School:
Great qualified and
experienced teachers
Excellent facilities and
great location
Free WiFi and computer lab
A local school with
international standards
International House Milan
02 8057825
[email protected]
www.ihmilano.com
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 13 italian culture group march lecture:
Milano and the Visconti Dynasty
Coat of arms of the House of
Visconti, on the Arch-bishops’
palace in Piazza Duomo, Milan
© Giovanni Dall’Orto
Irma Rega
T
he end of the period called the “ Communes” or
“Free Towns” was the result of a deep change
in politics and power. Milano was no longer the same
after the battle of Legnano in 1162. The consequences
have been important also for the history of Italy.
Milano was like a different town, a new town - more
rich, more powerful and more restless than ever.
Twenty years later, a glorious event took place - the
son of the Emperor Henrico was married in Milano
and during the ceremony, appeared the first Visconti,
Uberto Visconti, mayor of Milano.
Exceptionally busy at the same time, Milano always
struggled and was jealous about rights and privileges.
Nevertheless, most important was the everlasting
need for the extension of its territory.
Considering the struggle with the Emperors and
“Expats’ service for expats”
Let us help you relocate to Italy:
Our multilingual staff will enable you and your family
to settle in quickly.
HOUSING
Apartments, villas and offices in Milan, Como, Monza,
Arese, Varese, Milano 2, Milano 3, Turin and Rome.
DOCUMENTS
We will assist you in cutting through red tape to secure
driver’s license (courses in English), visas, permit to stay,
residency permit, fiscal code, utilities, etc.
ORIENTATION
Schools, language lessions etc.
Our agents cover the national territory as well as
London, Paris and Ireland.
Piazza della Repubblica 12, 20124 Milano
Tel: 02 2951 2793 Fax: 02 2951 3075
E-mail: [email protected]
www.cocchinirelocation.com
its own government, Milano slowly became a town
with a “Signore”, that is to say a Lord, and he was a
Visconti, Ottone Visconti, Signore of Milano in 1277.
It is typical of Milano that he was also archbishop of
Milano!
The Visconti Dynasty lasted 170 years. Some of
them were beloved, others almost hated. They had ups
and downs more than any other dynasty in Italy. I will
tell you the facts and you can judge. One must consider
that their position was particular in governing one of
the most important towns of Europe. Obviously they
also had more ambitions.
At the end of the XIV century, Gian Galeazzo Visconti
became the first Duke of Milano in 1395. Finally!
He showed off with his exceptional gothic cathedral
and with the marriage of his daughter, Valentina ….
influencing the future of Milano and Italy.
The Dynasty had a most unusual end after the death
of Filippo Maria Visconti in 1447. Besides, people had
not seen him, not even during important events, for
15 years. The angry Milanese population was so badly
excited that it was impossible to hold a decent funeral.
Quiz
Gudrun’s Who was Valerie Hunter Gordon?
□ The daughter of and heir to the Gordon Gin empire
□ The first Scots woman to become an astronaut
□ A mountain climber
□ A four star Michelin chef
□ The inventor of the first disposable nappie
See answer on page 27.
Gudrun’s Quiz is kindly provided by Jean Chaloux this month.
14 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
Charity News
CHARITY APPLICATIONS OPEN
for the Benvenuto year 2017/18
Now is the time of year to propose charities for the next Benvenuto Year that begins in July.
The criteria for a charity to meet are set out in the Policies and Practices manual and are summarised as below
•Support for a charity involves both monetary
The deadline for proposals is March 31st.
•Selected charities must permit and promote
Charities are chosen by the Charity Selection
Committee which consists of 5 members.
and volunteer support
active participation of Club members in their
activities
•Organizations that are presented must be nonprofit, community service type organizations
•Charities selected should serve the Milan
community and represent diverse service areas
•Keep in mind that Benvenuto is a non-political
and non-denominational organization
•Each application must include the name of a
Benvenuto Club member who is willing to be the
charity liaison
•Proposals must be in writing and in English
Existing charities must re-submit their documentation
via their liaison members if they want to be eligible to
the selection process.
If you have questions or would like to propose a new
charity, or re-submit, please contact Sule Bolgi, sbolgi@
yahoo.com
Thank you for your support of this important aspect
of the Benvenuto Club.
The Benvenuto Club of Milan presents Vila Sol!
Vila Sol is an enchanting luxury villa in the Algarve region of Portugal. For the Spring Fair
during our March Main Coffee we are going to auction a week-long stay, with proceeds going
to our three charities.
• Luxury 5 bedroom (each with ensuite bath)
Connections: Vila Sol is a 2,5 hours drive from
Lisbon Airport (daily connections from Milan) or 20
min. drive From Faro Airport, or 2,5 hrs drive from
Seville, Spain
villa on Vila Sol Golf and Hotel Resort, in
Vilmoura Portugal
• available for a week (except July-August, to
be agreed with owners)
• Would suit family holiday or golfers
(max.10 people)
• Modern kitchen; large outdoor barbeque;
games room with table tennis, pool table
and table football
• separate laundry room; roof terrace;
satellite TV; air conditioning
• large basement TV/cinema room; study;
lounge
• internal courtyard with fountain; garden
• pool (12 x 6 metres) which can be heated on
request and payment of supplement
• maid service bi-weekly
• a mere ‘lob wedge’ from the 10th green and
300 yards from clubhouse.
Offer expires on 31 December 2017.
Minimum starting bid is 1500 euro.
For further information contact Fiona
Betournay at [email protected]
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 15 Health and Happiness, Step by Step
Lisa Vejcik
For details of
our hike with
Trekking Italia,
see page 9.
T
his past July, my husband and I planned
our first trip to the Alto Adige region
of Italy, to hike the Dolomites. With so many
visit-worthy regions, provinces, and cities
to choose from in the country, it’s a wonder
we ever fell upon the small city of Santa
Maddelena, nestled within the Funes Valley.
To add to what I like to call the “analysis
paralysis” that comes with deciding where
to go, this was a last-minute endeavor, and
the locations in this particular region go by
a number of names. This is in thanks to the
complex history of territory agreements (and
disagreements) between Italy, Germany and
Austria since the World War I.
This trip took place three months after we
first moved to Milan. Trying our best to seize
the amazing opportunity we were handed
in living abroad, almost all our free time
to this point was filled with weekend-long
trips all over the country. In addition to our
non-stop schedule, my husband and I were
adjusting to our new work environments
(his being an Italian manufacturing plant
office, mine being our guest bedroom), and
we were both trying to find our strides living
in a new city, far away from close friends and
16 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
family. I think, subconsciously, we knew we
needed some “nature therapy” and time to
decompress.
The town was small, but the surroundings
were striking. With its winding roads
enveloped in steep hills of farmland and
grazing animals, the scene was set to a
soundtrack of running streams, tractor
engines and church bells. I can still smell the
land. The bed and breakfast we stayed at was
about a kilometer from the main trailhead,
and so, with a small pack, our dog, and our
normal gym shoes, we set out first thing
Saturday morning to conquer the Dolomites!
Due to a combination of a misleading map
and us not having a clue how to read the signs
(probably more the latter than the former),
we got lost within the first couple hours.
My husband and I are planners, and rarely
get turned around, so usually, this would
be a frustrating situation. However, when
in the middle of the woods, during the day,
it’s almost a blessing. You stop focusing on
the destination and concentrate on where
you are and what you see. I’m sure if it had
taken us into the night to figure things out, it
would have gotten to us, but we soon ran into
another couple hiking, who showed us which
direction they were heading (up, of course),
citing a fantastic view and “refugio” at the top.
With that, and the simple mention to look out
for wild strawberries along the way, we had all
the reinvigoration we needed to continue on
our trek.
The views at the top were more fantastic
than promised, and the food was more
nourishing (and delicious) than we could
have hoped for. The strawberries were
most plentiful along the steepest stretches,
keeping me appreciative the entire way up,
as if planted there by purpose. We saw goats,
waterfalls, streams and other happy people
all along the way, and had the perfect amount
of solitude in which to reflect. The entire
way, we were simply putting one foot in front
of the other, breathing in, breathing out,
concentrating on the journey, because really,
we had no idea how far ahead the destination
was, or how great it would be.
John Muir once said that, “In every walk
with nature, one receives far more than he
seeks.” Whether walking with nature is a
means to physical or mental health, visual
stimulation, silence and solitude and time to
reflect, or an emotional release, I always end
up returning “home” more fulfilled than I set
out to be. That hike was everything I needed
at the time, but didn’t realize on a conscious
level. We both think of it fondly, and agree it
may be our favorite trip so far, despite it being
one of many spectacular views we’ve seen.
Staying healthy
Judith Vinkesteijn
S
pring is coming and I think that is the right time
to come in shape. When the weather is getting
nicer and the days are longer it is the time to go
outside, move a bit more and get rid of some unhealthy
habits.
Here are my top tips to do just that.
 Start moving. Go to the gym, but don’t go alone. If
you make an appointment to meet someone there,
the chances are bigger that you really are going.
 If you don’t want to go to the gym or you think you
don’t have time to go for a run in the park make
moving a habit in your everyday life. Take the stairs
instead of the elevator. Walk to your work or the
drop-in coffee instead of taking the bus. If you
think that is a bit too far, just start with walking
one stop, and the next week two stops.
 Try to build some muscles. With more muscles your
metabolism goes up (you use more energy for the
same things you are doing) and your bones grow
stronger.
 You don’t have to go to the gym for these kind of
workouts, you can just exercise at home with water
bottles or your own body as weights. Look on the
internet for some ideas.
During the hike with Trekking Italia on
Friday, April 7, we will be traversing the
beautiful Marmitte dei Giganti Park, or “Park
of Giant Kettles”, a name that pays homage
to the glaciers that have covered the Alps
for millennia. We start in Chiavenna, which
has a rich artistic, religious and historical
heritage due to the voyages it has supported
through towards the Alpine passes. Along
the way, we will also find spectacular views
of the Aquafraggia Waterfalls. We will cover
an ascent of 200 m and a descent of the same,
in total, trekking four hours (not including
breaks). Everyone has the option of bringing
their own lunch, or stopping at a “crotto”
or typical restaurant in the area. Things to
bring include: daily backpack, trekking boots/
socks, sunglasses/hat, comfortable clothes,
rain jacket, 1L of water, an identity card, and
your lunch (if you’re bringing). Please don’t
hesitate to reach out with any questions - I
look forward to seeing you there!
 Try to eat healthier. Don’t go on a diet or follow
the hype you can find in magazines and on the
internet. Eat more vegetables, more fruit and drink
lots of water. You can make these choices also in
restaurants.
 Be aware that a salad is not always the most healthy
choice. The dressing, the cheese, the croutons all
add up the number of calories.
 Don’t drink alcohol every day. Alcohol is just a lot of
“empty” calories.
 Write down three things you are grateful for every
night. People who do this are healthier then people
who don’t.
I think most of these tips sound very familiar, but try
them, and really try the last one. You will benefit in a
short time.
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 17 Here comes the sun:
say hello to Vitamin D
Sule Bolgi
W
hen the flowers on my balcony start to bloom it’s spring. That shy Bergenia
cordifolia, also known as “Sassifraghi” in Italian, and those miniature daffodils all
talk to me the same way: Get out and enjoy the sun!
Indeed, direct sunlight on your skin is the best and most effective way to create Vitamin D
which is necessary for bone and muscular health but also for our immunity and defense.
Global data* suggests that winter months in the Northern hemisphere cause vitamin
D deficiency; this seasonal low might explain higher flu break-outs and seasonal
depression. In younger women Vitamin D deficiency often manifests itself in fatigue. In
advanced age and with darker skin, your need for Vitamin D increases.
How to fill up your reserves:
Exposing arms and legs to strong sun for 5 to 30
minutes between 11 am and 3 pm is usually enough
to meet the daily requirements of most light-skinned
people. People with darker skin may need a little more
time. You may consider supplementing with fish oil capsules
containing Omega-3 fatty acids or by consuming
wild-caught oily fish on a regular basis such as salmon,
mackerel, herring and sardines. Red meat and eggs are
also good Vitamin D sources.
The only way to know if you actually need to take a
vitamin D supplement is to have your blood levels
measured but on the other hand it is good to know
that you cannot overdose on vitamin D from sunlight.
At the end of the day, vitamin D is highly important.
Correcting a deficiency is simple, cheap and can have
immense health benefits.
References:
authoritynutrition.com/vitamin-d-deficiencysymptoms
* www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068797/
18 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
We are pleased to welcome
Denise Addona
Denise joins us from Canada. Her husband’s
assignment brings her to Milan.
Denise lives in Zone 8-9 Fiera-Sempione and
her e-mail is [email protected]
Denise likes crocheting and she has
volunteered already to donate a few of her
beautiful creations to be sold at our upcoming
Spring Fair!
Thank you Denise!
Mens sana in corpore sano
Marina Leonelli
I
n our image-saturated culture we mostly associate
health with the state and appearance of our bodies.
We worry about our physical condition and our culture
has a devotion to body image that has many of the
features of traditional religion, including beliefs,
images, myths, rituals, and moral codes that teach us
to define our value and purpose through the pursuit
of a “better” (read: young, thin, beautiful) body. Yet we
should not forget the other aspects of our health: our
mental wellness.
The Roman poet Giovenale in the first century
AD defined health as “Mens sana in corpore sano”: a
healthy mind in a healthy body.
The WHO (World HealthOrganization) definition of
health is:
Progetto ITACA has been active for over 20 years
as a volunteer association that operates all over Italy
with the aim of helping individuals and their families
affected by mental health problems. The association also offers a mental health helpline
for individuals and their families in dealing with
depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders
and psychosis. ITACA volunteers also visit schools to educate
adolescents on mental health.
Help us spread the word and share this number:
the service is in Italian, completely free of charge, and
active all over Italy.
“Health is a state of complete
physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity”
One in four people in the world will be affected by
mental or neurological disorders at some point in their
lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from
such conditions, placing mental disorders among the
leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.
Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of
people with a known mental disorder never seek help
from a health professional. Stigma, discrimination
and neglect prevent care and treatment from reaching
people with mental disorders, says the World Health
Organization (WHO).
Suicide accounts for 17.6% of all deaths among
young adults aged 15-29 in high-income countries. It is
ranked the second leading cause of death globally and
in Europe among this age group, following road traffic
accidents.
Despite the chronic and long-term nature of some
mental disorders, with the proper treatment people
suffering from mental disorders can live productive
lives and be a vital part of their communities. But
many never seek help or do not have access to the
help they need. Unfortunately, misunderstanding
and stigma surrounding mental ill health are
widespread. We have no problem telling our friends
we have an appointment with the cardiologist or the
gynaecologist, but we are ashamed to say we need to
see a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. And yet most
mental disorders can be treated effectively. The public
health system is sometimes difficult to navigate and
often cannot treat everyone as soon as needed.
Numero Verde ad estensione nazionale specifico
per la psichiatria con particolare attenzione
a chi soffre di depressione, ansia, attacchi di panico,
disturbi alimentari, psicosi e ai loro familiari.
Dal lunedi a venerdi dalle 9 alle 22.30
e la domenica dalle 15.30 alle 19.
Informazioni, consigli e indicazioni per:
• Superare l’ignoranza sulla malattia e i pregiudizi sui
farmaci idonei a curarla.
• Indirizzare a una cura appropriata e a una diagnosi
corretta per migliorare la propria qualità di vita.
• Aiutare con discrezione e competenza a stabilire il
rapporto con le strutture sanitarie.
Conforto e solidarietà per:
• Cambiare il rapporto con la sofferenza.
• Rompere insieme la barriera di silenzio,
d’isolamento e di senso di colpa che spesso
accompagna questo stato di forte disagio.
Individuazione di difficoltà e bisogni:
• Progetto Itaca attiva iniziative di supporto alle
persone con disagio psichico e sostegno alle
loro famiglie in collaborazione con le strutture
pubbliche.
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 19 but I find the information confusing when trying
to identify specific nutrients like calcium. I found
an article that sited a study published in 2014, by
dietary researcher Jennifer Di Noia, Ph.D of William
Paterson University. She quantified 47 fruits and
vegetables in terms of their “nutritional density,” or
ratio of key nutrients per 100 calories. Some of the
nutrients considered were fiber, protein, calcium, iron,
potassium, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K. This
point system is useful to identify “powerhouse fruits
and vegetables” (PFV). I have been able to find many of
these PFV’s at the top of the list here in Italy:
Crescione or Watercress (100), Chinese Cabbage (not
clear if this is Bok Choy or Napa Cabbage) (92), Bietola
da costa or Beet greens (87), Spinach (86), Chicory (73),
Leaf Lettuce (71), Parsley (66), Endive (60), Tarassaco
or Dandelion greens (46), Red Pepper (41), Rucola or
Arugula (38), Broccoli (35), Zucca or Pumpkin (34),
Brussel Sprout (32), Cavolfiore or Cauliflower (25).
Cavolfiore/Cauliflower
Here are some of my new Italian “friends”:
Agretti / Friar’s Beard (Salsola soda)
An herbaceous plant with long thin leaves, it is given
the nickname “Barba di Frate.” It is harvested in the
spring and has a grassy, slightly salty, crunchy texture,
similar to Samphire. It can be served in salad, boiled
until the leaves just soften or chopped up for torte
salate/quiche and omelettes. It is rich in fiber and
calcium.
Agretti/Friar’s Beard
Healthy vegetables,
old friends and new
Jean Di Sabatino,
text and photos
F
or health and enviornmental reasons, I have
been including more plants into our daily diet.
Since moving to Italy, I have been learning the Italian
names for many of the vegetables I know and love as
well as getting acquainted with the Italian vegetables
that I don’t know before they disappear for the
season. A friend recently took me to the Mercato di
via Fauchè, a few blocks from Arco della Pace and
identified some of them for me.
Most leafy green vegetables are a good source of fiber,
vitamins A, C and K, as well as various other nutrients,
20 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
Bietola da costa/ Beet greens (Beta vulgaris)
Bietola da costa is the leafy top of beets, with red stems
and dark green leaves, not to be confused with Red
Chard. In creative hands, it can make a colorful dish - I
recently had a beautiful plate of pink rigatoni topped
with a serving of beet greens in a restaurant here. I
often saute these lightly with a bit of garlic and oil.
Borragine /Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borragine is a dark green leafy plant, covered with
whitish, bristly down. For this reason it is often eaten
cooked, and can be found in recipes from Liguria and
Campania. Eaten raw, it is said to taste like cucumber,
but I found it is slightly sweet when I recently cooked
them.
Cicoria/Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Cicoria is a strange looking vegetable with long, wide
stems and a bit of dandelion shaped leaf at the top.
The first time I bought it was on impulse, after seeing
the woman in front of me buy it at our market. I
did not know what to do with it other than saute it
lightly with olive oil and garlic. My husband was not
impressed and I think now it would have been better to
have asked the woman for a recipe.
Puntarelle/Cicoria di Catalogna is a type of chicory
where small bud heads grow at the base of a tight
cluster, with long dandelion shaped leaves. It is most
often eaten raw in insalata di puntarelle, a dish from
the regions of Lazio and Campania. The bud heads
are cut lengthwise into thin slices, soaked in ice water
until they curl and served with a dressing of anchovies,
garlic, oil, and vinegar – the bitterness of the puntarelle
standing up to the pungent anchiovy.
Radicchio Rosso di Treviso is another relative of
chicory from the provinces of Treviso, Padua and
Venice. It is a product of a forced growing method,
where the plants are harvested early with their taproot,
set in tanks of water with no light and allowed to grow
for another 2-3 weeks. The lack of light forces the plant
to grow long leaves and the lack of cholorophyll, gives
the stems their strong white color. A friend showed me
how to eat this radicchio grilled by slicing the clumps
lenghtwise to highlight the curled red tips, brushing
with olive oil and grilling until slightly tender.
Cime di rapa/Rapini (Brassica rapa)
This plant comes from southern Italy in the regions
of Lazio, Campania and Puglia and is harvested in
the autumn and winter. Relative of the broccoli and
cauliflower family, the inflorescences or flowers of the
plant are eaten along with its leaves. My favorite way to
eat cime di rapa is in a pasta dish called orecchiette con
cime di rapa, a traditional dish from Puglia.
Puntarelle/
Cicoria di Catalogna
Tarassaco/
Dandelion greens
Radicchio Rosso di Treviso
Borragine/Borage
Cicoria
Bietola da costa/
Beet Greens
Tarassaco/Dandelion greens (Taraxacum officinale)
The dandelion, native to Europe and Asia, has
naturalized and is considered a weed in residential
gardens and crop fields in most of North America.
However, as a PFV, they also have great nutritional
value and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked. I found
it slightly bitter, without the nuttiness of Rucola or
Arugula. It has more iron and calcium than spinach
and has large amounts of beta-carotene.
Keep an eye out for these greens at your weekly
market as they come into season or look for them on
restaurant menus. There are many sources online
including organic or “bio” home delivery services like
Bio Express and Cortilia … or perhaps some of you
can share a favorite recipe, by sending them to Vicki
Schroeder before the end of March for publication in
the Benvenuto Cookbook!
References:
“Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables, Ranked in Order of Nutrition”
www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/powerhouse-fruitsvegetables_n_5446498.html
HealthCentre: Nutrizionisti professionisti in sicurezza alimentare:
www.healthcentre.it/servizi/nutrizione/tabelle-di-composzione-deglialimenti-indice/verdure-e-ortaggi/
Cime di rapa/Rapini
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 21 Montepulciano
(photo by
Adrian Michael,
CC BY-SA 3.0)
My Experience of Language Immersion
in Montepulciano, Toscana
Eri Haruguchi
Avecilla
A
s a trailing spouse of an American
diplomat, I always feel that it is
important for me to learn the language of
the country where we are assigned. I often
feel that it is even more necessary for me to
do so than my husband, who can rely on his
local staff when he needs to. It is because we
spouses are the ones who get around town to
do shopping and to go on errands on our own
and have to speak at least a survival level of
language to get things done. I am sure that
most of our Benvenuto Club members can
relate to this.
U.S. diplomats usually receive the foreign
language training prior to their new overseas
assignment. Although I took a 2-month Italian
language course back in Washington, DC,
almost 5 months had passed since the last
day of my class when we arrived at Milan in
mid-August. I realized that I could not even
carry on simple conversations with a guard
or “portinaio” at our apartment building. I
recognized the urgent need to take Italian
lessons and made a decision to do a total
immersion alone for 2 weeks outside Milan,
which I thought would be the most effective
way to learn the language for the short period
of time.
One of my husband’s colleagues
recommended a school in Montepulciano,
Tuscany. I am ashamed to say, I had never
heard of Montepulciano before, as my
knowledge of Tuscany is what I got from a
22 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
couple American movies. Then, the moment
I visited the school’s website, I became
intrigued by its location: a small school
situated in the heart of a medieval town. I
went on further reading about the school
and found out that the class size is relatively
small, has a homey atmosphere and the
demographics of the students is diverse,
including quite a good number of middleaged people like myself. I instinctively knew
that I would be comfortable learning in this
school. In retrospect, my first impression on
the school didn’t change until the last day of
my class and I don’t have any regret choosing
this school.
Montepulciano is a medieval and
Renaissance town in the Province of Siena in
southern Tuscany. It is located on the hilltop
with steep cobble stone streets, old churches,
palazzo and piazza. If you are a wine lover,
the name of Montepulciano should be really
familiar. Vineyards on surrounding rolling
hills produce one of the best Italian red
wines, “Nobile di Montepulciano”. I strongly
recommend going there by car. I believe you
can get the most from and enjoy Tuscany’s
beauty to the fullest by car, as well as have easy
access to surrounding medieval towns.
My husband decided to tag along with
me to spend the weekend before my class
started. We arrived at Montepulciano on
Saturday, so that we could explore the town
before attending a “Welcome Aperitivo” on
Sunday evening. It gave us opportunities to
get to know teachers and mingle with other
new and existing students. It was great
seeing the diversity of students; there was a
group of American college students on the
study semester program from Kennesaw
University, one of the schools partner schools,
and many semi-retirees and retirees who
have abundance of time and resource. Some
retirees are repeat students who are fascinated
by the charm and beauty of Tuscany and
return to school every year. They usually
rent an apartment nearby in town or couples
usually stay at an “agriturismo” or “farm-stay”
in the surrounding area. The orientation
was conducted essentially in Italian with a
minimum assistance in English. The students’
learning experience already started from this
moment.
On Monday, the regular placement test
and the following interview were arranged
for new students. I didn’t perform on the
test as well as I should have, due to lack of
practice for a few months, the grammar
taught in the class I’d already learned and I
was slightly concerned whether I would be
able to learn enough. Contrary to my initial
concern, I felt that the level of the class was
appropriate to me because each student has
different strengths and weaknesses and we
all had similar proficiency. The administrator,
also a teacher with 30-years of experience,
determined the students’ class placement and
was proven to have a profound knowledge of
our ability. Having said that, there was some
flexibility; they shuffled in the middle of the
week a few students who appeared to have
lower motivation level and performed poorly,
when one of students in the class mentioned
that they were lowering class morale. The size
of the class is usually made up of between 5
and 9, subject to change weekly. It was a good
mix of university students and middle-aged
students like myself.
For the language course, there are various
options for group, private, and intensive
classes with meetings in the morning and
afternoon. The group course is taught by
two teachers, who take turns teaching the
classes. One of the teachers had strength
in grammar and never used or let us use
English in the class. I think that this direct
method is very effective except for classes for
total beginners. The other teacher was fun
and energetic with a big smile. She was very
good at motivating students. In my opinion,
group lessons were well structured.
Private lessons are custom-made language
course catering to individual students’ needs.
Both of my teachers focused on the area I
would like to improve, fluency in my case,
by using the material on my interest such
as Italian society and music. Homework was
also assigned daily in both group and private
lessons. My favorite time of the day was late
afternoon when I did my homework with a
glass of Tuscan red wine at the local cafe. I
never got tired of viewing the green rolling
hills.
The school also offers 2 or 3-day miniculture courses on art, history, wine, cooking
and others that require at least an elementary
knowledge of the Italian language. The school
can organize afternoon activities on weekdays
like trips to surrounding medieval towns and
hiking. I could take advantage of only one
activity since I didn’t have much free time in
the afternoon.
My favorite time of the day was late afternoon
when I did my homework with a glass of Tuscan
red wine at the local cafe. I never got tired of
viewing the green rolling hills.
The school can arrange student’s
accommodation upon request. The majority
of the students stay at apartments. However,
I took a home-stay option, a room with half
board in a family home within 5-minute walk
from school. My landlord, was a widow of
a local firefighter in her 70’s and prepared
breakfast and authentic Tuscan dinner. Since
my Italian was limited and she is not highly
motivated to teach me the language and she
is clearly not an Italian teacher, we exchanged
a few conversations and watched her favorite
American dramas dubbed in Italian on TV.
On the dinner table, a bottle of table wine
was always offered. Pasta like Pici, a Tuscan
specialty, with ragu sauce that she spent all
day to cook and meat or fish was served. It
was a perfect way to get familiar with Tuscan
cuisine. If you are alone and would rather have
this type of social experience, I recommend a
home-stay option.
It was a wonderful experience to get away
from the modern city and immerse myself in
the life and culture of Tuscany. I feel fortunate
to have had the opportunity to live for a short
time, in a medieval town, in the home of an
old Tuscan woman and study the beautiful
language of Italy.
Graduation
with teacher,
Ms. Costanza
edited by
Jean Di Sabatino
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 23 Musical Remedy 2
The March ‘Pinch-Me-Please’
Stephanie
Lewis
I
f you’re anything like me, you’ll be
already asking yourself what happened
to January and February this year and, more
importantly, where were you at the time! Don’t fret however. The March ‘PinchMe-Please’ is here to allay those time/space
perplexities, remove the uncertainties
of existence and to remind you with a
metaphorical musical pinch that life can be
concrete despite living on a suspended planet
in an ever-expanding universe. Enjoy!
Pinch-Me-Please 1
Funeral of Amenhotep III from Philip Glass’
opera Akhnaten.
Powerful drums and a primitive chorus
enhancing arguably the most concrete aspect
of life to be found. I am, of course, referring
to death!
Pinch-Me-Please 2
Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron
Copeland
With its comforting, dare I say it democratic
title and solid, strong theme, this’ll remind
you to set your feet firmly on the ground.
Pinch-Me-Please 3
Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner
Ah, the comforting touch of terrifying Norse
women to frightened you into a new, if
slightly belated, 2017 you! Pinch-Me-Please 4
Bach’s Magnificat in D major
Busy, strong and full of optimism, a perfect
match for Benvenuto members!
stephanie’s Pick
Pinch-Me-Please 5
Want to enjoy some music in the company of
Benvenuto members? This is an open invite to join
the ladies of the Benvenuto All Sorts Group “Milanese
Musical Musings” on their next concert outings. We’re
meeting up in the auditorium foyer or bar half an hour
before the concert. Partners, children and other guests
are welcome. (Please buy your own tickets ahead of
time or at the door.)
Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint 1
This is actually just a test to see who can
resist minimalist, hypnotic strains without
returning to the January/February, ‘where
was I?’ vacuum. Good luck!
MCTEE & BERLIOZ
Sun. March 19 (4 p.m. - Auditorium di Milano)
http://laverdi.org/it/events/2017/mctee-berlioz
Every so often, Stephanie holds Milanese
Musical Musings, which through interactive
activities like discussion, practical activities
and concert-going, give participants a deeper
understanding of music.
If you’d like to participate or just want to
find out more, then write to Stephanie at
[email protected].
OPERA DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG
Wed. April 5 (6 p.m. - Teatro alla Scala)
www.teatroallascala.org/en/season/2016-2017/
opera/die-meistersinger-von-nurnberg.html
BACK TO THE FUTURE (film viewing with live
orchestra)
Wed. April 26 (8.30 p.m. - Auditorium di Milano)
http://laverdi.org/it/events/2017/ritorno-al-futuro
For more information, contact Stephanis Lewis,
[email protected]
24 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
ON THE
PEDESTAL
Ester Mistò
I
was born in Burma, now
Myanmar. A little village
on the delta of a majestic river:
l’Ayeyarwady. Brown, black. A
maelstrom of water, trash, mire,
lumber, foliage, soil, lianas and
animal carcasses. The river crosses
it entirely, from north to south. My
country, I mean.
My parents sent me to study in a
little monastery, far from home. A
monk. Twenty five children. An old
woman. Some stray dogs.
We slept together within the
sanctuary. About twenty little
braided straw mats, reclined on the
ground, in the first hall, getting in
on the right.
On one side, the hall that served
as a school, with an old coffer to
contain a few books frayed by
the time; on the another side, a
little pantry with spices, some
casseroles and food even less, only
that donated by some farmers. The
wealthier.
When washed, our clothes,
orange, yellow and purple lengths
of clothes faded in the sun, were
hung onto the palm trees and to
the teak poles of the old temple.
One of the most antique of the
country. The sun dried them and a
great joy reverberated around us.
For the most part of the year,
during the rainy season, we lived,
abandoned by the rest of the world.
Only a few pirogues could reach
us. But none did. Sometimes a
few, to ingratiate themselves with
the benign spirits and to donate
to us, the necessary food to avoid
starvation.
I grew up, praying. A little school
knowledge and a lot of prayers.
When I was young, I meditated,
not to feel the hunger pangs and
the mice rattle that scrabbled the
wood, rich with woodworm.
Growing up, many children
went on their way. The monk and
the old woman died. While, I have
continued to stay there. Together
with the stray dogs. I could not
abandon those decrepit poles. And
the new children needed someone.
People from nearby villages
arrived more and more often to ask
for an opinion and to pray with me.
I loved that place. Its loneliness for
most of the year. The bright red of
the sunsets. The silence. And the
water that quietly licked the stone
base of the temple.
One morning, praying, I died.
I knew that all the country cried.
Not only the nearby villages.
They have made statues of me.
In chalk, in stone and in wood.
They needed to have me near. I
don’t understand them. I don’t
understand them now, and I didn’t
understand them before.
I found myself in a thousand
statues, in this
statue, and I look
at the world, the
others, outside of
this chalk, on this
pedestal.
I always loved
my monastery, the
peace, the river and
the green around.
On the contrary,
I found myself on
shelves, bazaars
and in antique
shops. Bartered, sold, exchanged,
venerated, packed, turned upside
down, forgotten. Moved from
one village to another, from one
hand to another, from one country
to another one. In Thailand, in
Laos, in Myanmar, in Cambodia,
in Vietnam and around again, an
eternal wandering.
One day, on an old dusty shelf,
a woman saw me. A Westerner.
She took me gently into her hands
and looked at me for an infinite
amount of time. She was looking
for something in my eyes. She was
looking for the solution, the secret,
a trick, exactly like all those people
that came to the shrine to pray,
close to me, within the temple.
She told me to wait for her. She
would return. She would search
for me and she would find me. One
day. And she would take me home
with her. One day.
And she did it. After many
years. She passed through all
those countries and, sailing on a
majestic river, brown and black, a
maelstrom of water, between trash,
mire, lumber, foliage, soil, lianas
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 25 and animal carcasses, she found
me again in a small fishing village.
The same as many years before.
In the same poky little room, on
the top of an old cabinet, behind
other monks and Buddha statues,
between swords and clay pots,
veiled by cobwebs of many seasons,
one followed after the other.
At the beginning, she didn’t
see me. She quickly wandered
through the store. She scanned
all the corners. She passed all the
bookcases, she overturned leather
and newspaper.
Then, her mate helped her. He
showed her another place. He
pointed her a corner. Hidden.
Inconspicuous.
She asked me, if I wanted to
accompany her.
We left for a faraway country.
Hers. I never thought the world was
so big.
She put me in a niche. She
revealed to me all her secrets, her
hopes, her fears. She told me her
wishes. She cried and laughed. She
exposed herself.
Now that she is stronger and
the most hidden of her desires is
coming true, I will have to begin
again my journey. She doesn’t need
me anymore.
And maybe someone should
remind her that I’m only a statue.
This tale was first published
in the Italian anthology “Ti
parlerò di me…”, edited by
Max Luciani, Edizioni Nuove
Scritture, 2008, from the
question: “Objects have a
soul?”
This English version edited by
Jean Di Sabatino
Nawal’s Pick
For the new theatrical season of 2016/2017, Palketto
Stage is offering us, in English mother tongue, a very
interesting event as per details here below.
Palketto Stage is producing plays for a very young
audience, mainly Italian High School students and
their young English mother tongue actors are very
succesfully catering to the differing levels of lingustic
abilities of their audience. 20 seats have been reserved
for us, so members who are interested and appreciate
theatrical performances and musicals, are kindly
requested to confirm soonest.
HAMLET will rock you, a musical adaptation of
William Shakespeare’s tragedy
date: Thursday, March 30
meet-up: at 10:30, play starts at 11.30 a.m.
venue: Teatro Nuovo, San Babila (new location)
cost: €13,00
Please sign up at Main Coffee or by e-mail: nawal_
[email protected] or [email protected]
26 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
I write theatrical scripts for
passion, short stories for
fun and art books for work.
I am a wife, a writer, an art
curator with the passion for
photography, painting and
interior design (well, maybe
I am more a declutterer of
cellars, a dauber of rooms and
an un-professional organizer
than other…). After all, I am a
normal woman!
www.estermisto.it
Quiz
Gudrun’s an sw e r
Valerie Gordon Hunter
Special thanks to Jean Chaloux for
writing this month’s Gudrun’s Quiz.
We invite all of you to tell us about
an extraordinary, remarkable
woman that you may know by
writing and submitting a story to
[email protected]
V
alerie Gordon Hunter invented the first disposable
nappie or diaper in the UK in the days long before
Pampers existed. It was 1948; she had three small children
and Valerie was tired of washing the cloth nappies made of
toweling and muslin then in use. She was sure a disposable
alternative had to exist and went looking for one but found
none. So she invented it.
She was born in 1921 into a family of inventors: her
grandfather (Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti) designed the
world’s first modern power station; her father expanded
the family business into manufacturing radios, TVs and
early postwar computing, transmitting the family vision
of using technology to improve daily life and if you have an
unfulfilled need perhaps you can invent a solution.
What she invented was a two-part system: a waterproof
outer garment which held a disposable inner pad. The
pad was made of cellulose wadding and cotton wool and
was biodegradable. The outer garment was adjustable and
made out of recycled parachute nylon, a by-product of the
war. The first models were trial and error, made on her
home sewing machine for her own children but family and
friends soon begged her to make them for them. She did
and sold more than 500 of them. In 1949 she received a
patent for her invention. And with help from her father
found a manufacturer.
Of course there was early resistance to her invention.
Some doctors thought the product detrimental to babys’
skin and a public generally adverse to throw-aways, but
this was overcome and Boots began selling her product,
now called “Paddi” in their branches in 1950: 72,000
sold in 1950, 250,000 in 1951. In 1952 the product was
featured in the Mothercraft Exhibition, the Ideal Home
Exhibition and named by the BBC as one of the six most
innovative products of the year. By 1960 sales had reached
6 million. Then Procter and Gamble introduced Pampers
in 1961, which was an all-in-one product that was cheaper
(although not biodegradable).
Valerie Hunter Gordon went on to have six children in
all and she continued to experiment and invent, inspired
by reducing the drudgery in household work. Her living
room became a laboratory and her husband and children
were constantly involved. Perhaps one of her most notable
products after Paddi was Nikini, one of the first modern
sanitary towels or pads for women, which actually earned
her more royalties than Paddi. In 1959 she also designed
the family’s high tech home.
She died in October 2016 at 94 and is described by those
who knew her as pragmatic, insightful, with a wicked
sense of humour.
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 27 Benvenuto
Board
Positions
Below is a brief description of our vacant Board positions for the next
Benvenuto year starting in July.
All positions are preferably team jobs and every board member is free and
encouraged to make their own team. The board member would be the
only one entitled to a participatory vote for board decisions but the team
is free to plan and supervise activities together.
Please consider volunteering to help us make our little community thrive
and not just survive!
The Vice President
The Treasurer
Performs the duties of the president in her absence.
Her major responsibility is the managing of the
Main Coffee, including front-desk management,
seating/table arrangements and therefore is
responsible for dealing with Circolo Volta. Works
closely with the Neighbor to Neighbor Chairperson
and the Newcomers Director when setting up the
calendar of events for the summer months.
Organizational skills, people skills are highly functional in this role since you are expected to provide the
smooth functioning of the Main Coffee event by communicating all logistical and technical requirements to
Circolo Volta.
Currently: Gail Snedeker
Is responsible for the issuing of a monthly financial
statement at Board meetings, overseeing the budget,
the collection and allocation of funds.
Also presents two annual budget reports in
September and February.
Together with the president countersigns checks
and financial documents.
Liaises with the accountant and arranges for outside
review of the books at the end of the year.
Currently: vacant
The Secretary
Serves on the Board and takes minutes of the Board
meetings.
Prepares the monthly Agenda before the meeting
and presents it at the meeting.
Writes all official letters on behalf of the club,
like invitations, greeting cards, thank you notes to
speakers, members etc.
Orders and maintains club stationery, office
supplies.
Updates and distributes Policies and Practices
Manual.
Updates and monitors club insurance policy with
insurance dealer.
Updates all club property.
Currently: Ulrike Hachmoeller
28 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
THE Membership
Director
Is responsible for membership renewals, keeping
membership data accurate, up-to-date and safe.
Helps produce the annual membership directory
and provides sign-in sheets for members at Main
Coffees. Provides Board members, Neighbor to
Neighbor Chairperson and Zone Coordinators with the
membership data.
People skills and organizational skills are highly
functional in this role.
Currently: Vicki Schroeder
THE Newcomers Director
Being the first contact for many prospective members,
she welcomes, orientates and signs up new members at
Main Coffee and alternatively at Drop-In Coffee.
Actively monitors and communicates with
prospective members via e-mail.
Provides each newcomer with a member’s badge
and keeps newcomers application forms up-to-date
and safe and shares that information with various
Board members and the magazine,in order to
introduce newcomers to the membership. Provides an
informative newcomers package.
Strong people skills and team-building skills in
order to maintain a continuous presence at various
coffee events such as Main Coffee and Drop-In Coffee
are highly functional for this post.
Currently: Eve Greenstein
The Community Services
Director
Is a key figure responsible for the Selection and
Coordination of the charities supported by the Club.
She works closely with the liason member that every
supported charity needs to have within the Club.
The organization of the yearly Christmas Bazaar
and Spring Fair, fundraising events, raffles are all
among her key responsibilities.
Establishing close ties with the charities, enabling
volunteers to get in contact with the charities and
providing information about charities in the magazine
are among her duties.
Strong people skills, organizational skills and Italian language skills will be helpful in this role.
Currently: vacant
The Editor
Produces the Club’s monthly Benvenuto Magazine
with a team of her choice assuring that it reflects
membership interests, provides accurate and relevant
information in accordance with the Club policies and
procedures and avoids commercialism.
Makes sure that members contribute with texts and
photographs and manages the timely edition of the
magazine by dealing with the printer.
She works closely with the Advertising Manager
who is responsible for obtaining and maintaining
adverts, classifieds and other contributions towards
the magazine. She also coordinates the activities of
the Distribution Manager, who is responsible for the
mailing lists and postage of the magazines via courier or post to the Club sponsors, a limited number of
members and distribution points.
Currently: Sule Bolgi
THE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR EVENTS MANAGEMENT
The PR Director’s external communication duties
include managing the Club’s relationship with the
English-and Italian speaking communities. This
involves contacting schools, churches, consulates,
support groups and keeping them informed of our
presence, the resources we have and what we offer
newly arrived women in the community.
She also may contact public and private agencies in
Milan seeking to raise the level of the community’s
awareness of the Club. This is achieved by, but not
limited to utilising the club’s publications.
Her internal communication duties involve looking
at our image as perceived by the membership. She may
use questionnaires for this aim.
She also liases with Subgroups and All-Sorts to
ensure that all Benvenuto groups are aware of current
Policies & Practices and enforces them when necessary.
She is responsible for collecting annual reports from
subgroups and provide continuous updates in time
for the President’s annual report to the Club and for
accurate representation in the Benvenuto Magazine.
Traditionally the yearly fashion show is organized
by the PR Director.
Currently: Sarah Tarves
THE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORFUNDRAISing AND SPONSORSHIP
The PR Fundraiser Director coordinates all solicitation
for funds/sponsorship with which the Benvenuto Club
and any Subgroups are involved. This control is set up
to avoid duplication of approaches to businesses or
organisations in the community. All solicitations are
reported monthly to the Board.
The PR Directors and Community Services Director
together coordinate solicitations for the yearly Bazaar
and the Club.
With the approval of the Board they may organize
Volunteer or Sponsor Luncheons.
The Public Relations Director positions help other
Board members as needed with public relations issues.
Currently: vacant
Classifieds
Have something to sell
- bike, car, house?
Take out a Benvenuto Club
Magazine classified ad!
This space costs
only €20 per month.
Special discounts apply
for consecutive issues.
Reach all of our members
and get your
Spring Cleaning done!
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 29 Faces of Benvenuto
Center zone Carnival Coffee
at Gigliola’s home
The lady in the center wearing the Japanese dress
is the photographer Yoshie Nishikawa, who kindly
accompanied our Benvenuto group during the visit to
her exhibit
Affordable Art Fair with former Benvenuto member
Deborah Doyle (left)
Porta Romana NtN Coffee
BABY WELCOME
OA lunch - 9 women from 9 countries: Austria, France,
Lebanon, Peru, Japan, Corea, China, Hungary, Italy
30 Benvenuto Magazine March 2017
A very warm welcome to
Johnston Livingston Veca
- born October 14, 2016
and wishing all the best to parents
Grace Evans & Gian Alberto Veca
All Sorts Groups
All current special interest groups featured below are free of membership fees and therefore are
called all sorts groups:
Garden Group
Burraco - Italian Card Game
We are 5 members strong and would love to welcome
new members to our group!
Players meet every Wednesday from 3-6pm at
Passerini Pasticceria, on the corner of Via Spadari and
Via Cantù
Contact: Pia Dolci [email protected] or Nawal Felippone
[email protected] 349 0590 286
Contact: Beatrice Vigliani [email protected]
Milanese Musical Musings
italian culture GROUP
A series of meetings where the basics in music,
listening and understanding are uncovered through
listening,
discussion,
analysis, practical
fun and concertgoing.
Meet-up every 4th Thursday of the month at Circolo
Ufficiali.
Contact:
Stephanie Lewis,
knowhowmusic@
gmail.com
Contact: Bianca dal Bianco [email protected]
Choir
The choir meets up regularly with a teacher to learn a
variety of styles of songs. Singing together is great fun
so do come and join us!
Contact: Maria Dikacz Tieghi [email protected]
Orientals Abroad
Moms and Tots
Benvenuto members exploring Asian cultures
All attendees pay 3 euros for coffee and brioche
at their monthly Main meeting - every 3rd Thursday
at Circolo Ufficiali.
Moms and babies of Benvenuto meet and play weekly
at members’ homes or at Parco Sempione if the
weather allows.
Contact: Amal Salvatore [email protected] or
Nawal Felippone [email protected]
Language Exchange
We are an international group of Benvenuto members,
meeting regularly every Monday afternoon from 3:30
to 5:30pm at the Villa Necchi Caffeteria in Via Mozart
10. Our aim is to exchange points of view on various
topics using both English and Italian. We strongly
encourage newcomers of English mother-tongue to
join us.
Contact: Hannah Roberts [email protected].
Mahjong for Fun
Mahjong is a game that originated in China. We play
for fun, it is a few hours to relax in good company.
Beginners and experienced players are welcome or, just
come and watch to see if it’s for you! We play mainly on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, morning or afternoon.
Contact: Jo Young, [email protected] or
Judith Vinkesteijn, [email protected]
Contact: Luisa De Crescenzo Dassi
[email protected]
Central Book Club
Meets once a month, usually every 1st Tuesday
Contact: Betty Manfre 02 3311476
March 2017 Benvenuto Magazine 31 A look at some of last
year’s magazine covers
If you are missing any back issues of the magazine, it is
not too late to ask for your copy... they will be available
at the check-in desk of the Main Coffee

Blessed Veronica of Binasco

Carnevale - Hotel Aquila

Ocak 2015 Belletmen Listesi

brochure 06 03 2015 - ettoreunsorrisoperlafrica.it

The Prioress - onlineCORTESclassroom

conosciamo le scuole dell`infanzia

Grammar worksheet 1 - Eli La Spiga Edizioni

S. Luciani - aiac akademeia

master rivista 2010 ok

Scarica un esempio - Zanichelli online per la scuola