Italian American Digest Winter Digest 2018 | Page 10

CLUB NEWS PAGE 10 WINTER 2018 Italian American Digest For the Elenians, Fashion Is One of Their Passions A s passions go, they come from deep within and burst at the chance of a good cause. The Elenians did just that at their annual Fall Fashion Show in the Southern Yacht Club’s East Wing Dining By Faith Peperone (formerly Magnolia School) of Jefferson and Wish to Fish Loui- siana of Lacombe were on hand to give us a little insight into their organizations. All were moved and some brought to tears as Danica Williams, founder and president of Wish to Fish, insisted that Magnolia client Stacy Seruntine be awarded a chance-of-a-lifetime, chartered fish- ing trip. The Elenian Club raised funds by offering a 50/50 raffle, with all prizes graciously contributed by Elenian members. As a true Elenian Rose, 50/50 winner Mrs. Mary Lynn Rob- erts contributed back her winnings to the charities. Left: Stacy Seruntine, Jennifer Hebert, and immediate Past President Robin Hummel, the executive director of Magnolia Room on September 15. Dillards’ children, junior, and adult fall fash- ions were shown with style by 14 Elenian Club members, including two debutantes and three ladies in waiting. The Elenian Club is an energetic, philanthropic group of women who are Italian by blood or marriage. An- other of our passions is fundraising, and Elenian President Lisa Ingraham chose two to benefit for the year. Both Magnolia Community Services Lisa Ingraham, Elenian Club president and fashion show chair, and Danica Williams, founder and president of Wish to Fish Louisiana I Seated left to right: Elizabeth Manshel, com- mittee member; Lisa Ingraham, president; and Marie Villafranco, committee member. Standing behind them are Betty Deshotel, Robin Hummel and Paula Mahne, who were all integral to the success of the Elenian Club Fashion Show. In authentic Italian style, locally grown Sicilian squash/gourds called cucuzza were given as door prizes to end a fantastic and very memorable luncheon. The weather was beautiful and offered views of sailboats, large and small, of the West End Marina on Lake Pontchartrain. The next event for the Elenians will be the Ballo Di Natale, which formally presents the club’s next generation of members, on Decem- ber 1st, and all are invited to attend a fabulous evening of entertainment by The Jerry Embree Band. Please email [email protected] for information about presenting a debutante or lady in waiting or becoming a member of the Elenian Club, which is going on its fourth generation at 85 years young. Cefalutana: Tradizioni Familiari By Rose Brocato What traditions do you cel- ebrate in your family? Tradi- tions are important and dif- ferent in every family. Some are celebrated only during the holidays, but some are prac- ticed all year long. We must continue to share our family traditions with the younger generations, especially if they have been passed down from our Italian ancestors. The city of Cefalù has a very important tradition in August every year to com- memorate the town’s patron saint, Jesu Salvatore. There is a big festival with a holy pro- cession through the cobbled stone streets of Cefalù. Then on the last night of the festi- val, the people gather near the sea and play a game called “Ntinna a mari.” The Cefalu- tana Society also practices this tradition every August right here in New Orleans, with a mass and lunch. Cefalù comes alive dur- ing the holidays, especially