The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club is pleased to announce two special donations made recently.

The New Vintage Theatre was the recipient of a $400.00 donation by the KCIC.  These funds were raised at the recent "So I Married A Mangiacake" performed by Actor-Comedian Guido Cocomello at the Mary Irwin Theatre.  The New Vintage Theatre is a group of professional artists who bring new, innovative contemporary theatre to Kelowna.  

On Sunday November 27th, KCIC hosted over 150 members and their families at St. Pius Hall for the much-anticipated return of our Family Christmas Party. 

Everyone enjoyed great company, and a delicious pasta buffet lunch. Thanks to Chef Josie Guerini and her kitchen crew (Rita Conroy, Susanne (Guido) DiFabrizio, Maria Torriero,  Gerry Petretta and Magdelena and Maria Monna)  who worked so hard for 3 days making meatballs and sauce!

The Catarattas (Darrell Scriver, Nick and Filomema) entertained us as they led us in some singalongs of favorite Christmas carols, followed by our resident crooner "Gino" who sang a few songs in Italian. What Christmas party would not be complete if Santa and Mrs. Claus didn't stop by? The kids were able to get their wish lists in early and take a photo with him.

Mille Grazie to our generous community donors: Pharmasave Glenmore, White Spot and Montana's BBQ & Bar who provided gifts for the kids as well as door prizes. 

Thank you to our committee: Rhonda Ewen, Elena Tostenson, Jill Hotchkiss, Mary Wooldridge, Patricia Rantucci and the over 30 other volunteers who helped organize, cook, decorate, clean up or just help wherever needed to make this event so successful. 

Thank you to all the KCIC members and their families who came out to join us. We wish you and all your families a Happy Holiday Season and look forward to seeing you again next year!

Buon Natale!
Rhonda Ewen, Committee Chair

Each year the KCIC gives a bursary of $750 to a student in the Kelowna area.  The criteria for this bursary is a membership history of at least 5 years by a parent of Italian descent.  

As our membership fees are only $25 per adult per year, this is a great way to give your child a chance at receiving a $750 bursary towards their post-secondary education.

The winner’s name is not revealed until graduation day, and is a wonderful surprise for the student.

Keep your memberships current, and please remind your graduating child to apply through the COBSS application forms available at each school.

If you have any questions about the bursary, please contact Mary Bazzana through the KCIC email - kcic@shaw.ca.

Mauro Chiocchetti, our honourary consular agent in Kelowna, sent us this message:

(Italian)

Dopo più di due anni di restrizioni dovute al Covid, mi sto preparando per richiedere formalmente al Consolato di Vancouver di mandare in missione a Kelowna un addetto dell'ufficio passaporti per raccogliere le domande di rilascio del passaporto.

Se siete ancora interessati o conosciete qualche altro italiano che é interessato alla richiesta del passaporto, fatemelo sapere al più presto possibile.

(English)

After more than two years of Covid restrictions, I am sending a formal request to the Italian Consulate in Vancouver to sent to Kelowna a representative of the passport office to process applications for passport renewal. 

If you are interested, or you know of some other Italian Citizen who is interested, please let me know as soon as possible. 

You can email Mauro at chiocchetti76@yahoo.it

A general election in Italy has been called in Italy for September 25th.

Those of you that are registered with AIRE (Registry of Italians living abroad) might choose to vote by mail or can travel to Italy on your expanse and vote in your Municipality.

If you choose to go to Italy, you will have to inform the Consulate General in Vancouver by July 31st by filing the attached form.

For more information please refer to the attached press release by the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs. 

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.
​ 
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 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!