{"id":6300,"date":"2020-01-02T14:12:13","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T19:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/floridanewsline.com\/Clone2\/?p=6300"},"modified":"2020-01-02T14:12:13","modified_gmt":"2020-01-02T19:12:13","slug":"italian-american-club-upholds-culture-and-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/floridanewsline.com\/Clone2\/mandarin\/italian-american-club-upholds-culture-and-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian American Club upholds culture and traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Martie Thompson
\n<\/span>editor@floridanewsline.com<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Italian-American Club of today was officially founded in 1951, but its roots as a social club celebrating arts, family, tradition, music and food \u2014 everything Italian \u2014 actually go back to the early 1920s. The original club, founded by a small group of immigrants, disbanded pretty quickly, but the American Italian Club of Jacksonville was founded in 1935 and consisted mostly of first generation Americans. During World War II, the club was again disbanded, but once the war was over, the present day club made its debut via formal charter. The club takes pride in being Jacksonville\u2019s oldest ethnic organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the early days, meetings were held at members\u2019 homes, restaurants and meeting halls. The Italian-American Club\u2019s first structure was a pavilion on the Southside that was eventually enclosed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy childhood revolved around club activities: picnics on the beach; socials in restaurants; parties at members’ homes,\u201d said club member Lucy Cortese. \u201cI recall potluck dinners at our first property, an open pavilion on Southside Boulevard, then a dirt road. Members brought their kids along and we enjoyed outdoor games while the dads played bocce and the ladies shared favorite recipes sprinkled with stories of the old country.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>Members continued to dream of a true clubhouse. But according to Cortese, when her mother discovered an opportunity to purchase property on Westberry Road, club members were unsure. \u201cWho would want to drive all the way to Mandarin?\u201d they asked. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing but orange groves out there.\u201d Eventually they were convinced and charter members pledged money to buy the land at 2838 Westberry Road and build the club\u2019s current facility in 1978.<\/span>
\n<\/span>The opening of the new building, with much pomp and ceremony, marked the realization of a dream, especially for the club\u2019s original members.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, the club is bustling with activity, including social events such as dinners, dances, and day trips. The club\u2019s famous Festa Italiana, a celebration of all things Italian and open to the community, is held each spring and fall. Tables are set up inside the club and decorated in the Italian colors of red, white and green. Along with music and an array of homemade baked goods, the atmosphere is decidedly festive. Spaghetti dinners \u201cto go,\u201d featuring homemade meatballs like mama used to make, are held most months as fundraisers for the club, which is all volunteer-run.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carlo and Ann Clemente have been club members for 15 years. They have served the club in many different capacities and are presently both on the board of directors; Carlo serves as board chairman.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe came to this area from out of state,\u201d Carlo Clemente said. \u201cAt the club, it feels like family. You can meet people and automatically have friends. And you don\u2019t have to be Italian. Anyone who appreciates Italian culture and food is welcome to join.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ann Clemente said that club is also available for rentals, fees from which go to help with the upkeep of the aging club building.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so thankful for the club,\u201d Ann Clemente said. \u201cEverybody gets along and we just enjoy coming together with people who share an appreciation of all things Italian.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Dore<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Mario Cortese, Italian American Club vice president and volunteer chef, preparing for the Festa Italiana.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Martie Thompson editor@floridanewsline.com The Italian-American Club of today was officially founded in 1951, but its roots as a social club celebrating arts, family, tradition, music and food \u2014 everything Italian \u2014 actually go back to the early 1920s. The original club, founded by a small group of immigrants, disbanded pretty quickly, but the American […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6272,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6300","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mandarin"},"yoast_head":"\nItalian American Club upholds culture and traditions - Florida NewsLine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mandarin NewsLineBy Martie Thompson editor@floridanewsline.com The Italian-American Club of today was officially founded in 1951, but its roots as a social club\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/floridanewsline.com\/Clone2\/mandarin\/italian-american-club-upholds-culture-and-traditions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Italian American Club upholds culture and traditions - 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