On Saturday June 4th at the KCIC clubhouse we gathered to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the Italian Republic.

Lots of friends, old and new, enjoyed a social event, hearing about a bit of Italian history, discovering four regions of Italy, and chatting with new friends and members. 

The event was hosted by Marianna Pezzoli, member, volunteer and teacher of La Scuola Italiana and her daughter Matilde Arrigoni, Miss Kelowna Canadian Italian Club 2022, and a group of members of the club, who are students of La Scuola and who also participated in the Heritage program of the club. Thanks to Celine Dartant, Ignacio Salvati, Anna, Morgan and Elisa Iaconelli, Jenny and Susan White, Elena Pizzoleo and her boys. 

The crew prepared some amazing food from family recipes of the four different regions. For Lombardy we had Suppli di riso, crostata with homemade Jam made with Okanagan fruit, and Croccante.

For  Lazio we had Easter Cookies, Caciocavallo cheese and Canascioni Ciociari.

For Calabria we had Lemon Taralli 

​And finally for Puglia we had Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa and Focaccia pugliese.
The students shared their families stories and their link to Italy, as well as talking about food.

Buona Festa della Repubblica from Kelowna, and hope to see you all next year!!!!
Viva l'Italia, Viva il Canada!!!

Grazie to KCIC members Jason & Rosy Agostino of Mervyn’s The Body Shop who hosted the May 13 Spring Social.  

Guests were treated to a beautiful buffet dinner at the Clubhouse on Friday, May 13.  It was a great opportunity to open the doors for the first time to an evening event.  Guests enjoyed visiting old friends and making new ones!  We hope to continue to host more social evenings in the future. 

​KCIC members who may be interested in organizing or hosting a monthly social are asked to please contact President Rosann Nanci for more information kcicpresident@shaw.ca.

Our second Pasta Take Out event on May 6 was well received and allowed us to donate $200.00 to the Central Okanagan Family HUB. This much needed facility provides information, support, navigation, and outreach drop-in services for families.  

In addition, we delivered 25 hot pasta Take Out meals to the residents of JoeAnna’s House.  JoeAnna’s House provides accommodations for out-of-town families with loved ones receiving care at KGH.
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Grazie to our cooks Josie and Ricardo, the kitchen staff and the servers who helped with both Take Out events!  

(Copy and Image Provided by the Italian Chamber of Commerce - BC)
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The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Program financed by the European Union and coordinated in British Columbia by the EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada West & the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada-West will be with you every step of the way!
 
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For more info, please email  iccbc@iccbc.com or call 604.682.1410 M/F 9am to 5pm

The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club is proud to announce a donation of $5000.00 will be sent to the UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FUND - Ukrainian Canadian National Congress.

These funds were raised at the April 8  PASTA TAKE OUT Event.  A group of dedicated KCIC volunteers cooked 330 pasta and meatball dinners which were pre-sold online.  

THANK YOU - GRAZIE MILLE TO ALL THOSE WHO ORDERED A MEAL AND SUPPORTED THIS EVENT!!!
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We are excited to host our next PASTA TAKE OUT DINNER event on Friday, May 6.  
Watch our social media and website for online sale information coming soon!

Three donations have expanded our KCIC library

Mauro Chiocchetti approached the Consulate office about the possibility of getting books donated.  On Consular General Fabio Messineo's last visit he presented the library with a variety of books and posters.

Also, Angelo Massaro was a Phd student at UBCO for the past few years.  Before he headed back to Rome he presented us with a box full of books he used during his time here.

Finally, Paul Henriksen found our contact info on our website and asked us of we were interested in some old newspapers.  David Hawkins talked to him and we ended up with a collection of 1930s newspapers covering several major world events.

All these items will be available in the coming weeks.

The KCIC was pleased to host our FRIST event at the Clubhouse on Saturday, March 19.  On the eve of our 56th Anniversary, we welcomed dott. Fabio Messineo and his family.  There were greetings on behalf of KCIC President, Rosann Nanci as well as dott. Messineo.
Members in attendance were treated to a beautiful reception with food prepared and presented by our amazing cooking staff!!
Many smiling faces from guests who were excited to once again enter the hall and see friends.
It has been a long two years of closure, we look forward to more events in the near future.
Special thank you to all our amazing volunteers and to photographers: Jane Rampone and Patricia Rantucci.

- Italian Consular General - Vancouver, dott. Fabio Messineo

Dott. Messineo will be visiting us at the clubhouse on March 19, 2022.

The KCIC invites all members to a reception from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.  This in-person event will be an opportunity to visit with the Consular and ask any questions related to his position with the Italian Consulate.  

To attend the reception, you must pre-register online by clicking the button below. Only KCIC members with an event ticket will be permitted entry.  There is no charge to attend the event. 

​The KCIC Endemic Safety Plan will be in place (click to read our Safety Plan)
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The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club is proud to name our communication publication THE GRAPEVINE once again.

The very first Grapevine newsletter was produced and mailed to members via Canada Post on March 1, 1975.  The cost of a Canadian stamp was .06!

Past President Giuseppe (Joe) Iafrancesco and his wife Bianca have collected and preserved many of the original newsletters since the start.

We thank Mrs. Iafrancesco who has generously allowed us access to these copies to share with our members.  These documents are a priceless treasure of our club’s history, made available for us to enjoy. 
We will continue to share the past 47 years of “The Grapevine” with you through our social media and on our new webpage “The Grapevine.”
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We would like to acknowledge Clara Poitras, Bianca (Russo) Iafrancesco, Erza Rampone, Lina (Russo) Cuglietta and Pina Scinicariello for editing the very first Grapevine on March 1, 1975.

by Elvia Picco

Fare una passeggiata: to take a short walk purely for pleasure. An Italian way to spend the early evening or anytime to get outside to reconnect with family, neighbours and friends.

Walking and hiking gives me enormous pleasure, momentum and enables me to step outside the everyday routine. It is a cost effective and green activity. Spending time outdoors teaches one to respect the earth and nature. We are privileged and fortunate to live in such an abundant and diverse ecosystem in Kelowna and Canada. 
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In Italy, la passeggiata tradition is an evening ritual of a gentle and slow stroll through the main streets of the city or town, usually in the pedestrian zones. Strollers work their way to the centro storico (historic centre) or if nearby il lungomare (by the sea). 

You can see people of all generations walking or sitting on a bench along the route.  Maybe some friends have made plans to walk and then have a drink or apperativo together to catch up on the day’s events. 
People of all ages take part in the socialization of la passeggiata. Young children, babies, senior members in the community and pets. Everybody takes it in and all see each other. 

There are many health benefits to organizing una passegiatta with a friend, family members or even to stroll on your own. The aim is to get outside daily, enjoy the fresh air and take notice of what is going on in your neighbourhood or local park. 

The goal of walking and or hiking are to keep your mind and body moving especially when you feel challenged or may not be up for partaking in any activity. At this point in my life, I focus on taking good care of myself, staying healthy and appreciating my overall mobility. 

I have learned that you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically to get into the daily routine of walking or hiking. It takes a determined mind set, commitment, planning, go-power and mostly motivation. As the saying goes, “if it is to be, then it is up to me”. 

Spring is almost here, I can feel it. I encourage you to connect with a friend, neighbour or family members to plan and celebrate la tua passegiatta together.

Walking for 30 - 60 minutes or more each day at a moderate pace can help you: 
• Feel good. 
• Increase your fitness, strengthen your bones, muscles and joints. 
• Have more energy and release stress. 
• Breath fresh air and increase lung capacity
• Feel more relaxed. 
• Sleep better. 

Resource: 
Provided is a link I visit to get information on being active and healthy. There is helpful information to motivate and keep us moving.  

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthy-eating-physical-activity/being-active