An audience of 70 recently decided that it would be fun to spend a chilly autumn day at a wonderful wine tasting in Casa Italiana. Not only did participants get to sample several delicious Italian wines, they also heard a talk about the wines from a local expert who brought the bottles from his own wine cellar.

The AMHS annual wine tasting, held November 17, 2024, featured a return visit by Zachary Casagrande, who was back by popular demand after giving a very well-received talk in November 2023. His love of — and appreciation for — Italian wine is readily evident.

Zach has an unusual background for a sommelier. A northern Virginia native, he received his doctor of dental surgery degree, magna cum laude, from the Medical College of Virginia, where he remains a professor in the Department of Orthodontics.

He founded Northern Virginia Orthodontics in 2008 with a vision to build the premier orthodontic practice in the northern Virginia area. Since then, he has opened six more locations including the nation’s first Invisalign Studio retail store. His business has been named the #1 Invisalign provider in North America. He lectures worldwide, speaking to doctors on technological advancements and treatment techniques.

He has years of experience with facial reconstruction and complex jaw surgery, and he is the team orthodontist for the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics.

His father-in-law Frank Bonsiero, a former AMHS board member, notes that Zach has always been generous with his time and resources, especially for charitable events, and is featured every week on the Invisalign commercials during the national Sunday broadcasts of NFL games. He is active in the community in the fight against pediatric cancer and in 2017, he started a nonprofit foundation dedicated to funding various cancer causes in our area.

Zach in turn praised his in-laws, particularly Frank’s wife Susan, who he said was an even better cook than his own Italian grandmother. What a bold statement!

He somehow managed to find the time to become a Level I Sommelier and build an extensive wine cellar at home. It was that wine which was selected and brought to Casa Italiana for the audience to taste. Among the wines were Prosecco, Falanghina, Chianti, Nero d’Avola, and Barolo. He called Barolo “the best of the best, one of the most classic wines on the planet.” But all the wines seemed to be crowd pleasers.

The wine tasting was preceded by a delicious lunch catered by A Modo Mio Italian Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia. Zach’s wife Gena passed out glasses of each of the wines to the audience, assisted by AMHS Board of Directors member Julie Finigan Dal Forno. The event ended with a fun pop quiz, which the audience aced.

A nice Sunday afternoon of good food, good wine, and good company was had by all!

The featured speaker for our meeting on Sunday. January 26, 2025, will be Stefano Scafetta who retired in November 2008 as the senior conservator of paintings at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, D.C. He was born in Formia in the region of Lazio, Italy, during World War II. When he was 15, he immigrated with his mother to New York City so that he could attend the Fiorello La Guardia High School of Music and Art for exceptionally talented students. After graduation, he earned a B.A. degree from Brooklyn College and then a M.A. degree in art history from Columbia University in New York.

Stefano Scafetta

When the Arno River overflowed its banks in 1966 and destroyed much art in Florence, Stefano was inspired to change his field of study from art history to art conservation. He began studying art conservation at the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University. To earn his conservation certificate, Stefano had internships in Rome and Brussels, one year each. he was then hired as a painting conservator in the Brooklyn Museum from 1972 to 1974. In November 1974, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he was employed by the SAAM as a laboratory supervisor and a conservator of paintings. He remained there for 34 years until his retirement. During his tenure there, he joined the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) as a Professional Associate and was later elected as a Fellow by its Learned Society. he is also a member of the International Institution for Conservation (IIC). Stefano still resides in downtown Washington.

At the beginning of his presentation, Stefano will show a 17-minute documentary about the flood and the “mud angels” who were young American students attending a Florida university. They worked in the effort to rescue damaged art. After showing the documentary, Stefano will discuss four of the many paintings which he restored during his 34-year tenure working inside the SAAM. In particular, he will discuss the conservation of “Columbus Before the Queen,” a historic painting done in 1841 by Peter Frederick Rothermel (1812-1895), the conservation of “Torre di Schiavi” (Tower of Slaves), a scenic painting done in 1865 by Thomas Hiram Hotchkiss (1834-1869), the conservation of a portrait of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler (1866-1937) done in 1893 by John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) who was born in Florence to American parents, and the conservation of a portrait of Don José Mas Ferrer done in 1795 by José Campeche (1751-1809). A question-and-answer period will follow.

To register for the January 26 meeting and luncheon, please click HERE.

Sometimes taking a leap of faith — to Italy — is the best choice you can make in your life. At the beginning of 2022, I was at a crossroads as my Bachelor’s program was coming to an end, and I was not certain of my next steps. One of my Italian professors and my cousin in Italy both questioned my rush to apply for Master’s programs. They said, “Well, why don’t you just move to Italy for a bit?” After pondering their suggestion for a few days, I realized I could remain in Italy while applying for my dual citizenship via jure sanguinis. With that, the decision was made. About six months later, shortly after my 22nd birthday, I packed one giant suitcase and moved to Torino.

Making an indefinite, transatlantic move solo was a daunting prospect. Thankfully, I had family in the area whom I had grown up visiting, so I knew I would not be completely on my own. Before arriving, I was fortunate enough to find housing through a very kind woman who remains my landlady and friend two and a half years later. Then came my next challenge: navigating the complex system of Italian bureaucracy. One of Italy’s lesser-known claims to fame is its never-ending mazes of red tape. On multiple occasions, I found myself running across the city to address matters that could have been easily handled via email, but I digress. This became part of the “slow life” I would learn to accept — and even embrace. During this time, I joined an expats group on Facebook and found immense support from others navigating life and careers in Italy. Through this group, I made lifelong friendships that became invaluable as I adjusted to my new life. After a roller coaster nine-month process filled with waiting, unanswered questions, and more blind faith, I was formally recognized as an Italian citizen!

So, what next? While I was awaiting the decision on my citizenship, I began exploring the option of completing my Master’s in Italy rather than returning to the U.S. I applied and was accepted to the University of Torino, where I am currently in my final semester, hoping to graduate this November. Here, I have made more friends from across Italy and around the globe. They have become another integral part of my support system and have taught me so much in our short time together. Since I had studied Italian for eight years prior to my move, I committed myself to taking the C1 fluency exam — a goal I achieved thanks to my Italian teachers, friends, and my father, who began teaching me the language in our basement when I was preparing for my high school entrance exam. Now, it is time to write my thesis and make more choices about where my life will head, but this time my support system and dual citizenship opens a ton of unique opportunities that I would not have dreamed of pursuing had I not taken that leap of faith.

By no means has this journey been easy. There were times when I questioned whether I had made the right choice or wondered what my life would have looked like if I had stayed in the U.S. But one thing I never question is that my move to Italy was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I am so thankful to everyone who has helped to push me along the way. It really does take a village — una famiglia — and I am so fortunate to have found mine here.

As my 11 years of organizing programs for the AMHS came to an end on December 31, 2024, I thought our members might be interested in seeing an overview of the programs we have had.  In planning the programs, I always looked to further the educational, cultural, and social goals of the Society, and in the process, I was fortunate to meet many wonderful speakers, many of whom I most likely would not otherwise have met.  Of course, I had important assistance along the way, especially from Maria D’Andrea-Yothers, Peter Bell, Lynn Sorbara, Maria Marigliano, and Julie Finigan Dal Forno.  It was always a team effort! And of course, many thanks to all those who helped in so many ways and to our AMHS members and guests who supported our programs over the past 11 years.

For a quick trip down memory lane, here is the list of our programs.

AMHS Events Held at Casa Italiana in Recent Years
Selected AMHS Luncheon Programs

2024
Roman coin expert Michael Markowitz on the history of Roman coins and the legacy of Roman coins on American coinage (January 2024)

New York sculptor John Belardo on the legacy of the six immigrant Piccirillo brothers who carved the Lincoln Monument and the stone lions of the New York Public Library, among their masterpieces (May 2024)

Italian sculptor and art teacher David Prete on his career in metalsmithing, jewelry making, public sculptures, and innovative 3D printing (September 2024)

2023
Nobel Prize winner Dr. John Mather on his experience as the chief scientist in charge of the James Webb Space Telescope project (January 2023)

Daniel Piazza (AMHS member), chief curator of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, on the history of Italian stamps and the Italian postal service (June 2023)

Carmine Vittoria on his book “Once Upon a Hill” about two Italian immigrants from a small town near Naples. Their lives in the United States took very different paths. Also, his book “Hidden in Plain Sight” about the internment camps during World War II in remote areas of southern Italy. He grew up in a small town near Naples and is a retired quantum physics professor. (September 2023) (Note: There was a brief performance by Giorgio Consolati, AMHS music scholarship winner, who played the flute with piano accompaniment and who is studying for his doctorate at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.

2022
Carla Gambescia on lesser-known aspects of Italian culture followed by a trivia game. She is an expert on Italian culture who has hiked and biked all 20 regions of Italy, and is the author of “La Dolce Vita University” (March 2022)

Amy Riolo, noted chef, author, and TV personality, with a panel of Italian chefs, food experts, and entrepreneurs, to discuss the Mediterranean diet and why Italian cuisine is healthy (May 2022)

Dr. Eric Denker, senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art for 40 years, on four important Venetian Renaissance artists (September 2022)

(Fewer programs due to Covid pandemic)

2021
Steven Livengood, chief visitor guide of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, on Constantino Brumidi and the Italian connection to the U.S. Capitol (October 2021)

(Fewer programs due to Covid pandemic)

2020
Paul Paolicelli, author and documentary film maker, on “how Italians changed America,” and how Italians eventually became accepted in American culture and society (January 2020)

(Fewer programs due to Covid pandemic)

2019
Anna Harwell Celenza, Georgetown University professor, on “Jazz Italian style” and on how jazz went from New Orleans to fascist Italy to Frank Sinatra (January 2019)

Carmine Vittoria on his book “Bitter Chicory, Sweet Espresso” describing his difficult boyhood as a shepherd during World War II in Avella, a town near Naples. He is a retired physics professor and an award-winning bocce player (June 2019)

Vespa Roduno honoring Abruzzese inventor of the Vespa, Corradino D’Ascanio. and talk by Willy Meaux, former AMHS member, on the Vespa’s origins and popularity (September 2019)

2018
Sara Gay Forden on her book “House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed” which was made into a movie directed by Ridley Scott and starring Lady Gaga (January 2018)

Mike DeBonis, AMHS member, on his journalism career. As a Washington Post congressional reporter, he gave an inside look at covering Washington politics and his travels to Abruzzo (July 2018)

2017
Embassy First Counselor Catherine Flumiani on the beauty of the Italian language and promoting the Italian language as a part of Italy’s rich heritage (January 2017)

Ceil Lucas, a sociolinguist, author, and Italian teacher at the Casa Italian Language School, on her genealogical book “How I Got Here: A Memoir” (March 2017)

Thomas Gugliemo, George Washington University professor, on the history of Italian immigration and his book “White on Arrival” on race and ethnicity (June 2017)

Katherine Wilson, author of “Only in Naples: Lessons in Food & Famiglia from My Italian Mother-in-Law,” her life story about going to Naples, marrying a Neapolitan man, and then falling in love with her mother-in-law (July 2017)

2016
Geologist Barry Centini on Italian volcanoes and how the geology of Italy affected its history (January 2016)

Military Attache Colonel Rodolfo Sganga on the Italian Army, with a PowerPoint presentation on its combat and peacekeeping activities in Afghanistan (March 2016)

Carla Kosciuszko, a professor of Italian art, on the significance of Etruscan civilization on ancient Italy (May 2016)

Laura Benedetti, professor at Georgetown University’s Department of Italian Studies, on her book “Un paese di carte” (A country of paper) about three generations of women who went from Abruzzo to the United States (September 2016)

2015
Major Elio Manes on the Bersaglieri who are elite Italian solders (January 2015)

Paul Paolicelli on his book “Under the Southern Sun” on how Italians changed the United States and his three years in Italy researching origins of Italian immigration from southern Italy. He is an author, documentary film maker, and former news director of NBC-TV Channel 4 in Washington, D.C.) (March 2015)

Tyler Anbinder, George Washington University professor, on the history of Italian immigration and his book “Five Points” on Italian immigration to New York City (May 2015)

Songs and Food of Naples, including showing of the film “Cuore Napolitano” (Neapolitan Heart) (September 2015)

2014
Roberto Severino, AMHS member and chairman emeritus of the Georgetown University Department of Italian Studies, on controversial Abruzzese poet Gabriele D’Annunzio (January 2014)

Nobel Prize winner Dr. John Mather on his experience as the 2006 physics winner for the Big Bang theory. He was a colleague of AMHS member Joe Novello and later he gave a personal tour of Goddard Space Flight Center to 12 attendees. (March 2014).

3 local Italian artists—Antonio Bianchini, an AMHS member, on mosaics; Raffaele DeGregorio on painting: and Roberto Paolinelli on ceramics (July 2014)

Paul Paolicelli, author and former TV news producer, on his life-changing experience living in southern Italy and researching his family roots as described in his book “Dances with Luigi” (September 2014)

Other AMHS Programs at Casa Italiana:
Ensemble Sangineto concert with a trio of Italian singers and musicians who performed traditional songs of the 20 regions of Italy (October 2023)

Annual wine-tasting events every November, usually with participation by Washington Winemakers. The event suspended for 2020-2021 because of the Covid pandemic. Level I Sommelier Zachary Casagrande was the speaker in 2023 and 2024

Exhibit of World War II items brought here by Italian immigrants, such as flat irons, coffee makers, and shoes made from sliced tire treads with leather laces, the type made by our late AMHS member Nick Ferrante

Louis Aldo DeSanti, my father and an AMHS member, on his book “The U.S. and Mussolini” based on the captured papers of Mussolini which he translated himself (June 2012)

Zampognari playing the shepherd’s bagpipes while strolling among the audience
Various musical and social events, often with music by Sergio Fresco on accordion and vocals.

AMHS off-site programs
Author Ronald Capalaces on his book “When All the Men Were Gone” about his World War II memories at the Pines of Florence restaurant in Washington, DC (July 2024)

John Michael Howard, Licensed Professional Counselor, give a Power Point presentation virtually on the book “How to Live to 100” by Dr. Michael Howard due to the Covid pandemic (January 2021)

Joseph Scafetta Jr., AMHS director and former Little League all-star, on five pro baseball players with roots in Abruzzo, as discussed in “Baseball Italian Style” by Lawrence Baldassaro, presented on Zoom due to the Covid pandemic (September 2020)

Kirsten Keppel, an AMHS member, on her documentary film “Ringraziamenti: The Saint Joseph’s Day Table Tradition” shown at Alfio’s La Trattoria in Maryland (March 2019)

Maria D’Andrea-Yothers, AMHS former president, on the transumanza and trattori which are shepherds’ trails through Abruzzo and Molise, at Carmine’s restaurant in DC (September 2018)

Diane Welland, nutritionist and food writer, on how pasta came to the United States and why pasta is good for you at Carmine’s restaurant in DC (April 2018)

Dr. Lynn Sorbara, AMHS former vice president/membership, on new cancer treatments, her specialty at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at Carmine’s restaurant in DC (September 2017)

Domenica Marchetti, an AMHS member, Washington Post food writer, and Abruzzo culinary trip organizer, on a “virtual tour of Abruzzo” and its culinary traditions, at Carmine’s restaurant in DC (May 2017)

Bells of Agnone, on the famous bell foundry in Molise at Alfio’s La Trattoria in Maryland
Dante’s “Divine Comedy” at the Portofino restaurant in Arlington, VA

The AMHS was founded in the year 2000. Since that time, many loyal members have made significant contributions to sustain the Society and help it grow. As the AMHS approaches the 25th anniversary of its founding, the officers and Board want to begin acknowledging the many efforts and dedication of some of its longtime members, starting with the D’Andrea family. Most of us know that Lucio D’Andrea was a key figure in founding our organization. He was its first President and continues to serve on the Executive Committee as President Emeritus. In addition, he has represented the Society in numerous fora and has been an important point of contact for the AMHS in both the local Italian-American community and even abroad in Italy. In addition, his wife Edvige has provided him with steady assistance and support over the years. Moreover, their daughter, Maria D’Andrea-Yothers, has been a strong AMHS leader and advocate from the very start of the Society. She served as its President for five years and has played a leading role in nearly every possible capacity: fundraising; hospitality; web management and social media; nominating committee chair; Programs; Publications and Publicity; and more. Maria has likely worn more hats and carried out more functions effectively than any other member.

In considering how best to acknowledge these many contributions of the D’Andrea family, the AMHS looked to the scholarship program as perhaps the ideal vehicle for conveying its recognition and gratitude. The scholarships provide an annual and lasting means of acknowledging, both internally and outside the organization, the D’Andrea family’s numerous contributions to virtually every aspect of the AMHS. Accordingly, the Society will add the D’Andrea name to one of its two annual scholarships. With this gesture, we take the first step in recognizing those longtime members whose commitment and work built the Society and then supported it for close to 25 years.

January/February 2025