Vermont Italian Cultural Association
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2019 Events

IIn addition to special events during the year we continue to schedule an Epifania (Epiphany) dinner in January, monthy Sunday afternoon coffees at local restaurants, monthy Amici luncheons, and occasional Italian films at the Essex library. In summer we have monthly bocce socials at the Burlington bocce courts and members and friends can come and learn and/or play bocce.
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November
Scopa


On Sunday afternoon November 17,  twenty-two VICA members joined together at the Ridgewood Clubhouse in South Burlington to learn how to play Italy’s most popular card game “Scopa”.  Most players were new to the game but fortunately some experienced players joined to guide the group in playing and scoring.  Everyone had the opportunity to play and a good time was had by all. 
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July
Rock of Ages tour


On Friday. July 26th, VICA members visited the Rock of Ages granite quarry, factory, and museum in Barre. . The Visitor center had a video,a little gift shop and an exhibit showing examples of the different monuments they produce.  Then we walked across the driveway to their factory. They had a viewing platform where we looked at the men carving the stones and moving the huge stones around. After that we drove up to the quarry. We had two guides telling about what we were seeing. The incredible equipment,the way the workers were getting the enormous chunks from the cliff wall,and how they got the stones done to the factory.
One of the guides had worked for 35 years at Rock of Ages.He was very knowledgeable about the techniques,as well as some insights into working conditions,salaries,safety regulations and training. 
After the tour,some of us went into Barre for lunch,some went to the Hope Cemetery and some went to other adventures. 
It was a beautiful day to learn and see how the early immigrants from Italy found a way to use their talents. 
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March​
Urban Renewal Talk

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VICA member John Varricchione gave a presentation on the neighborhood of the Burlington Mall in the early 1960s before urban renewal had a major impact on that area.  Burlington officials saw it as a major step forward but it came to be seen as a major loss. John Varricchione grew up in the Italian section and gave a vivid description of life there at that time.  About 35 VICA members enjoyed his presentation and the hospitality of the Charlotte Senior Center.

February
Excavating in Tuscany

UVM Senior Hayley Malloy spent her summer in Tuscany excavating the remains of a twelfth century church at a site in Altopascio, about ten miles from Lucca, under the auspices of the Archaeological Field School Pozzeveri. The goal was to reconstruct the settlement’s evolution throughout the Early Middle Ages, to learn of the settlement’s trade routes and community outreaches by examining material goods such as iron ore, pottery, marble, coins, and other artifacts. Hayley received a grant from the Vermont Italian Cultural Association to participate in this project.

On February 22nd she gave a presentation, Tales from the Middle Ages, on her experience.  About 40 VICA members attended and thoroughly enjoyed her wonderful presentation after which she graciously answered all our questions.



January
Cutural Heritage and Venice


 On January 28th VICA and the Italian Program of the Department of Romance Languages and Linguistics at UVM co-sponsored  a talk by Andrew Nucatola, an independent scholar and a recipient of a VICA Scholarship. In his talk, entitled "Cultural Heritage and Venice, Italy in the 21st Century", Andrew shared insight towards his ongoing efforts with the Venetian Heritage Foundation in the development of a sustainable tourism plan for the burdened city and its dwellers.