Namedropper, 8/23/09

TERRY BONIFANTI

UNICO Celebrates District Governors

The excellent two-year term of outgoing UNICO PA II District Governor Chip Calabro and the election of incoming District Governor Dr. Felix DeSio were celebrated at a district governor's meeting at the Crystal Lake Hotel.

Chip, from the Carbondale chapter, and Felix, from the Sayre chapter, were, and are, the governor in charge of those and the Scranton chapters on the national level. The district governor is the highest-ranking national officer in the district.

Other past district governors of PA II from Carbondale, Sayre and Scranton on hand for the event were past national president Al Dante Jr., Glenn Pettinato, UNICO National second vice president, and Dr. Peter Pettinato, National Foundation trustee; and Joseph Carachilo, Thomas Morreale, Peter Noto, Thomas Palumbo, Pat Yanni and Ralph Yanuzzi.

Photo caption: Gathering at a UNICO's district governor's meeting celebrating outgoing PA II District Governor Chip Calabro, and incoming District Governor Dr. Felix DeSio, are, seated from left: Thomas Morreale, Pat Yanni and Glenn Pettinato. Standing: Al Dante Jr., Dr. Peter Pettinato, Peter Noto, Dr. DeSio, Joseph Carachilo, Mr. Calabro, Ralph Yanuzzi and Thomas Palumbo. UNICO national officers thank outgoing District Governor Chip Calabro for his service. From left: Glenn Pettinato, second vice president; Mr. Calabro and Dr. Peter Pettinato, National Foundation trustee.

The Times-Tribune, Monday 01/28/2008

Namedropper by TERRY BONIFANTI

In C’dale, UNICANs learn about the Y

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn filled the members of Carbondale’s UNICO Chapter in on the YMCA.

The pastor of the Pioneer City’s St. Rose of Lima Church also is a board member of the Carbondale YMCA. As guest speaker at the UNCIANs January meeting, Monsignor Quinn reported on the progress of the fundraising efforts for the Y’s planned upgrading.

“As of January, the Carbondale area has pledged approximately $5 million for the $8.2 million project,” Glenn Pettinato reports from Monsignor Quinn’s meeting, adding that Carbondale UNICO pledged $10,000 last year to the program.

“With several large grants pending, the project should reach fruition before the end of the year,” he said.

Among the UNICANs attending Monsignor Quinn’s presentation were Glenn, who is a national third vice president; Gerry Arnese, Carbondale chapter president; Chip Calabro, PA II District governor; Bob Leo Sr., past president; Dr. Peter Pettinato, a National Foundation member; Terri Pettinato and Lucas Pollits, a past president.

News Article:

Scranton Times, 11/27/2007

By TERRY BONIFANTI

Carbondale Unicans march in New York

An enthusiastic group of members of the Carbondale chapter of UNICO were marching through the streets of New York City recently.

The group, including Joe Bonomo, Chip Calabro, Chip Calabro Jr., Joe Carachilo, Mike Dobrosky, Tom Gatto, Don Gibbs, Tom Gratzula, Joe Masco, Terri Pettinato and Richie Ruggiero, participated in the Columbus Day Parade.

Terri was the only woman walking the entire parade route.

The fun began on the bus ride to the Big Apple. It “was delightful,” Vito Solazzo reported. “The group particularly enjoyed hearing stories about Ritchie Ruggiero’s military service at the Pentagon.”

After marching the 43 blocks down Fifth Avenue, the exhausted contingent boarded their bus and enjoyed a scenic ride to Little Italy.

“Prior to dinner, they relaxed at an outdoor restaurant congratulating themselves on their stamina to walk a long distance outdoors in warm weather,” according to Vito.

The group enjoyed a gourmet dinner at an Italian restaurant before boarding the bus for the return trip home.

“Tom Gatto noted that Joe Carachilo, who had many laughs on the inbound ride, was the first person to fall asleep on the trip home. Tom was uncertain if the long walk or the wine at dinner caused Joe to fall asleep,” Vito reported.

The entire day was so enjoyable, the Carbondale residents vowed to march in the next year’s parade, he added.