Benvenuto International Club of Monza

April 2015

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Monza News

The Benvenuto International

Club of Monza

Editor
Melissa Saucedo

c/o Sporting Club Monza

338 938 6783

Viale Brianza 39

editor@benvenutomonza.com

20900 Monza (MI)

Assistant Editor

www.benvenutomonza.com

Gayna Clark

Webmaster
Irmi Sieber

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webmaster@benvenutomonza.com

Contact the editor

Members can also join the facebook group by searching Benvenuto International Club of Monza.

Cover photo: Abstract Spring

All other photos provided by Elda Elvedese, Cecilia Atzori and current Board members.

The Monza News is sponsored by Bolliger

ternational Movers
www.bolligerspa.com

1 April 2015 monza news

In-

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The deadline for the April Monza News is

May 4th, 2015

April theme will be

Benvenuto Club

Editor
e
h
t
m
o
r
f
Letter
The theme for this months issue was Inspiration and

Monza

NEWS
April
ADVERTISEMENTS....................................................3

from the impressive events that our club held this past
month, there is no denying that we are among some
very talented and inspirational women.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.4

It all seemed to kick off from Roses talk and Janus

yoga exercises, that we all performed from our chairs,
at the last coffee morning. Wow! Truly inspiring and
energizing. Its a good thing many of us were able to
use that energy for dancing at the always anticipated
W.A.R.M. dance and celebration.

FILM LIST....... .......................5

It doesnt stop there. Just a couple of weeks later, as

we were becoming anxious for the sun to return, we
had our International Spring Festival. What a massive
turnout and huge success! If you werent inspired by
the great dishes and desserts, theres truly no hope
for you!

ADVERTISEMENTS...............................11-16

Then we come full circle and back to our beloved flower. Our Rose and the exploration of mindfulness.
Even for those of us who were not able to attend, the
reverberation was felt.
I hope you enjoy this issue of our Monza News and
continue to be inspiring.

ANNOUNCEMENTS .5

ABSENTEE BALLOT....................................................5
PREVIOUS EVENTS ..........6-8
BOARD NOMINEES ..........................9-10

BOARD NOMINEES CONTINUED ....................17

RECIPE.........................................17
CALENDAR .......................18
MEMBERS ARTICLES........19-20
BIRTHDAYS..............................................................21
GROUP ACTIVITIES..................................................22
THE BOARD & CLUB RULES...............................23
BABYSITTERS & IMPORTANT INFO.........................29

Melissa Saucedo

ADVERTISEMENTS..................................................26

Quote of the month

We are deeply grateful to Bolliger

International Movers for the
continuous support for
our magazine production.

A woman is like a tea bag

you never know how strong she
is until she gets in hot water.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
April 2015 monza news 2

3 April 2015 monza news

letter from the president

Hello Ladies,

hope as many ladies who were here at the

beginning will come.....and of course it will
be a chance to put that special dress on. It
is at Villa 900 and tickets are now available. Ivan can also give you any information you might need.
It is that time of year when all the new
board members have been chosen or volunteered for next year 2015/16 and we wish
them well. Please read their biographies
later in the magazine and of course they
will not be able to do this without members
support and help. The club is run by ladies
who dedicate not only time but energy and
their full commitment so please offer help
when you can....
Please remember to leave food at the charity table and of course, Irmi is collecting
her High Quality clothes for the fashion
show in June.
So enjoy the weather, the daffodils and the
beautiful pink and white blossom and enjoy
the coffee morning....

Well I am writing this

April edition of the
Presidents letter absolutely exhausted having just returned home after the 2015 Spring International food
festival.
What a day! Even the threat of rain did not
put anyone off from coming and we had an
incredible turnout of over 200 people.
It is such a family event and the food as
usual was simply amazing. It is all thanks
to so many ladies who not only provide the
food but also their time to make this event
not only fun but successful. Thanks must go
to the wonderful Cecilia Atzori and Anna
Vincentini who worked so incredibly hard
to organise, co-ordinate with our lovely table co-ordinators and always with the aim
of raising as much money as possible for
our charities. We raised over 1800 euros
profit for charity so WELL DONE EVERYBODY....Cecilia says next year we might need
San Siro to hold us all.....
Janine Davies
I hope you have all had a great Easter time.
My family managed to visit Malta for the
first time.
We are also still skiing. Thanks to the
Sports Specialist shop having an end of season sale which attracted my son enough to
get him to part with his hard earned pocket
money in the form of a snowboard, my ski
season which I thought was behind me ,
now has been rejuvenated and involves
COFFEE MORNING
getting up early at weekends again to drive
2 hours to the high slopes to test his new
skills..
14 MAY
Please don't forget the party of the year is
just around the corner...May 16th is the
11 JUNE
25th celebration of Benvenuto Monza and
it will be a wonderful night. Lots of nice
food, music, entertainment and dancing. I

DATES

April 2015 monza news 4

Announcements
Every Monday at 15.00, 18.00 and 21.00
(Except where * 17.00
and 20.30).
www.monzacinema.it
For info: stubley@iol.it
Phone 039 671 359

The International
Church of Milan

Bible

DATE

FILM

20 APR

BLACK OR WHITE

27 APR

UNBROKEN

4 MAY

WILD

11 MAY

MR. TURNER

Study

at

Monza

Friday Mornings at 9:45. Would you like to learn

more about Gods word? Join us for womens Bible
study as we grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. We meet in members homes in Monza.
For more information, please call Claire Wroe at 039
327 775.

COME STUDY WITH US!

The International Church of Milan is a Bible
believing, non-denominational, English speaking
church for the whole family.
We are now meeting at Viale Toscana 46/8, 20089 Rozzano (MI)
each Sunday at 17:30. Weekly Bible studies for men/women/
students are available.
For more info please contact
Jim at 349 766 9678 or refer to our website
www.icm-milan.org

ABSENTEE BALLOT FORM

THE BENVENUTO INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF MONZA
BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2015 - 2016
The candidates for next years board are as listed below. The Nominating Committee will present these candidates
to the general membership at the April Coffee Morning.
Should there be no further nominations, these candidates will stand as presented and will be voted on at the April
Coffee Morning. If you are unable to attend the April Coffee Morning, but wish to vote, please send this
completed form to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee:
ANNA VICENTINI (fpusate @libero.com) before the May Coffee Morning.
POSITION
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Director
Newcomers Director
Special Activities Coordinator
Editor
Public Relation Director

5 April 2015 monza news

NOMINEE
Zizeth Maroun
Maria Teresa
Gambaro
Susan EdickGianferrara
Cecilia Atzori
Hana Da Ros
Audrey Garny
Ivana MenegardoDevelter
Cheryl Stockman
Chara Procaccini

YES

NO

Previous events

By Rachael Martin
Two ladies, both in
their eighties, are at
the hairdresser's. They sit there giggling and the
years dissolve. Tonight is their big
night and they want to look their
best. Meanwhile, a five year old is putting on her
party dress. A group of young girls, aged ten
and slightly older, are
getting ready to sing
and dance that night. All
across Monza, Brianza and as far as
Milan, women are putting on new outfits or raiding their wardrobes. Men are
being left previously prepared dinners
or being encouraged to have boys'
nights with their sons. The daughters are getting ready with
their mothers. No mummy, don't go!
Sorry, boys, mummy's going to a party
tonight. Women are getting in their cars,
texting each other - You ready yet? The
party is about to
begin.
Welcome
to
WARM Women
Appreciation Role Model a party for
women held by Julia Waters, and which
involved 130 women or thereabouts this
year. WARM is held every year at the time of International Women's Day and celebrates women of all ages and all nationalities. It is the focus of great preparation and excitment for many.
Plans have been made, rehearsals have taken place, caterers called and
music
organised.
It
seems everyone gets
excited about WARM.
The Sporting Club has
been suitably dressed:
beautiful pink paper lanterns hover above a sea of black
dresses and a Prosecco welcome.
All the tables have been named
after inspirational women. As is traditional,
the evening begins with the talent show. Women and girls sing, dance and play musical instruments. There
is zumba organised by Isabella Ranieri, Gayna and Rebecca
play piano and violin, a group of girls organised by Shae dance and sing, to name a few.
My personal highlight was a rendition of
Volare, a classic song dating back from the
1950s, sung by an Italian lady in her eighties.
She asked us to sing along with her. For the
Italian women, this was part of their history, for
those of us who have lived here for a while it
was a sentimental reminder of all we love

about Italy,
maybe
for
newcomers it
was just a
beautiful
song and a
beautiful
moment. Whatever the case, she touched
us, and reminded us all that we can and
will fly.
Dinner follows and then it's up on the dancefloor and the dancing begins. Firstly,
there's Julia's traditional soul train, where
women shimmy their
thing down the middle
of two lines of women. I love it because
our husbands aren't here and we can let
our hair down, a friend tells me. Of course it's a purely female
thing. You just wouldn't
get a group of middleaged men dancing in a
circle to the Spice Girls
and having the time of
their lives. Over to one side, there are three
generations
dancing:
mother, daughter and granddaughter,
which for me remains one of the lasting
images of the evening. Who knows what
these young girls will remember of tonight
far in the future. Happy memories and
good role models, I imagine, which is what
WARM is all about.
As a friend so beautifully said after: It was
just so great for us all to be together. I
wish we could do it every month. What
struck me was the way she said us, the
affection in her voice. Exactly. Here's to
us, here's to us all,
to each and every one of us, and Volare
is the song I hope
we'll all remember
and to which we
will all fly throughout the coming
year. And here's to
next year's WARM of course, and to
future celebrations of women.
Thank you Julia, Shae and all who helped them for making
such a wonderful evening possible.

April 2015 monza news 6

Previous events
Spring Festival 2015

My personal feelings

What a wondeful day!

Organizing this event was not

easy, we could not expect to
receive all of this multitude so
we really had to stay very
very close
Weather did
not help either but we all
had the chance to know
each other even better and
t h e
m a i n
target
of the fund raising was
fully achieved. Last but
not least, food and
wine were enough for
all!

One of those family days

Benvenuto organizes to
show us how cooking for
people is a great expression of generosity, soulfulness and peoples gathering.
We have been literally
overwhelmed by the
huge number of participants who attended the
event held in Agriturismo
La Camilla on the 22nd of
March. We were a party
of
207
people
composed by 161 adults
and 46 children

FUND Raising
W
e
were there for a very important reason. Spring Festival is mainly a charity event
and we can say it loud!
Thanks to the
table
coordinators,
food donors,
raffle participants andfood
eaters, we have been able to
raise the stunning amount of
1,851.
Special thanks
All this wouldnt have been
possible without our table coordinators and food donors
who managed to feed all. A
special thanks to our Top Guns
Marisa Riva Bonaventura who
managed to organize, in a
blink of an eye, the Italian table and the raffle
promoter Anna Vicentini.
7 April 2015 monza news

For next year, Ive already asked the quotation for San Siro stadium
Id
to

like
end
my
report
with
this
q u o t e :
Children
must
early
learn
the
beauty
of
generosity. They are taught
to give what they prize most,
that they may
taste the happiness
of
giving
(Charles
Alexander Eastman).
Kind regards,

Cecilia
Cimini

Atzori

Previous events
Mindfulness with Rose Cartolari by Meredith Cavalieri
This past month, I had the
pleasure of going to a talk
on Mindfulness by Executive Coach and Benvenuto
member, Rose Cartolari.
Rose began by defining
Mindfulness as a state of
active, open attention on
the present in which you
are aware of your thoughts and feelings, without
judging them good or bad. Instead of letting life pass
you by, it is living each moment fully and awakening to
the experience.
Next, she spoke about the neuroscience behind it and the common misconceptions. Rose used
slides to illustrate the concepts
and diagrams which helped clarify the information. As I'm more
of a visual learner, I really appreciated this!
Rose concluded with the ways
mindfulness can benefit us, such as
increased effectiveness, greater emotional balance, fewer stress related
illnesses and stronger whole brain
functioning. She also talked about with
ways to work mindfulness into our
every day lives.

ting with my kids. This can be a challenge when the

conversation is long and revolves around BMX bikes
and stunts, but while I was practicing mindfulness, I
felt more in tune with my son and felt a deeper understanding of what he was telling me. I hate to admit it,
but sometimes, when the kids are rambling on, I'm thinking about the grocery list, the day's activities, etc. It
was pleasant to fully connect with my child by being
mindful. I felt calmer and more relaxed because I
wasn't thinking about what came next and rushing life
along. I was living the moment.
For more information on mindfulness, check it out on
the web or speak with Rose.

Thanks, Rose
I would like to send my
Thanks to Rose Cartalori for
her talk on "mindfulness".
It was really fun and interesting and I am pleased so

many ladies turned up to make it a full house.

I found it very motivating and I have already taken her advice and
found that artwork even

Overall, I found the presentation both fascinating and

enlightening. Rose is an engaging and dynamic speaker. It was a fun way to spend the morning and learn
something new.

in the form of a Vintage

Since Rose's presentation, I've

tried to be more mindful. Recently I was in the Monza Park
and I concentrated intently on
the scene around me: the trees,
grass, path. My intense focus
didn't last long, but while it was
happening, I definitely felt a stronger connectedness to
my surroundings. It was a positive experience which
left me with a feeling of wellbeing. I plan to do this
again, ideally prolonging the duration of my concentration. Rose warned us that it takes time to build up the
ability to be mindful. The more you practice, the easier
it gets.

around me.

ladies colouring book

has changed the way I
think

about

thing

I know Rose can highly

recommend some reading materials should anybody want the websites and
book names. Please contact her or any member of the
board and we will help you.

I really look forward to another presentation on this

complex subject as Rose makes it fun and fascinating.....
Thanks, Janine

I've also attempted to be more mindful when interacApril 2015 monza news 8

Board Nominees
Zizeth Maroun President
I was born in Israel, and decided to come to Italy to study
Law. I am a very generous and outgoing person, and when
I decide to do
something I dedicate myself to it
completely. I consider myself
very professional and have
been able to start up different
businesses. I realize that my
biography is very short but I
think that says a lot, I prefer to
get right to the point of things. I
am also a person you can confide in, I will always be honest
and upfront in every situation,
and when possible I do what I
can to help others. My time is
very important to me. I spend a lot of time with my business
which leaves very little personal time, but the time I have
after work is with my two sons, and to cook and to socialize
with others.

Ivana Menegardo-Develter - Special Activities

My main passion besides my husband and my children is
music and singing. Music is a very important part of my life
and I am a member of a major choir in Milan (laverdi.org).
Music can heal a sad soul, and can certainly bring you into
harmony with the universe.
I live in Concorezzo where I am a
volunteer as an Italian
teacher
to foreign women who mostly come
from East
Europe, South America and Magreb. Listening to them
has awakened my curiosity, and I
enjoy learning about their
countries and their ways of living. I feel a
lot of empathy with them as I, too,
have experienced living far from my own family, far from
friends and my own culture.
I also read stories to elderly people twice a month, so I
like to browse through texts to find ones that will resonate
in their hearts.
My husband is presently
working in Switzerland, my
daughter lives in England and my son in France - so that
gives me the chance to travel a lot..
All these activities bring
fulfilment to my life, along with
learning experiences, and give me many happy moments.

9 April 2015 monza news

Maria Teresa GambaroVice President

My name is Maria
Teresa Gambaro and
I am very pleased
and honoured to apply for the position of
VicePresident of the
Monza
Benvenuto
Club.
I am Italian but consider myself
a
"citizen
of
the
world". I was born in Genova where I attended the German school from the first to the eighth grade.
This was my very first experience in an International
environment. My
family then moved to Geneva,
Switzerland, where I joined the International School
obtaining my International Baccalaureat. I spent several
years surrounded by students coming from 86 different
nations and I really appreciated and enjoyed the huge
exchange of cultures and mentalities that brought to
longlasting and strong friendships.

After a degree in languages (English, German and

French) I came back to Italy where I started working as
interpreter and executive secretary. I have been working for
20 years in multinational companies which gave me the
opportunity to remain connected with the wide world.
I am married to Bart and we have two children, Ludovica
(29) and Giacomo (26) who are now working respectively in
Italy and in London.
When we settled down in Monza, 20 years ago, I heard
about the Benvenuto Club but I couldn't apply having a
full day job and the family to take care of.
Some years ago I decided to shift to a free lance job
realizing after a while that I was missing my "international
habitat". Therefore, after a 5 year waiting list, I was very
happy to become a Benvenuto member.
As you can easily imagine I love travelling and getting to
know new countries and people.
I strongly believe in solidarity and I have always done
volounteer work in various organizations.
I also like music, reading, movies, skiing, swimming,
aquagym and Nordic Walking.
My slogan: if you smile at life, life will smile at you!

Board Nominees
Susan Edick Gianferrara Secretary
I am genuinely a nice
person and very easy
going and open minded.
One thing you may find
about me is that I am
also a very quiet person
(which makes me a very
good listener). I live my
life by the Golden
Rule Treat others the
way that you want to be
treated. I really enjoy
the Benvenuto Club, and think it is a great place for
people who are expats, or have experienced being an
expat, to get together and support one
another. We
all have different experiences, but in the end these experiences effect us all just about the same way.
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana USA. I have worked in
a few
different types of environments but one of my
favorite jobs was working with mentally disabled children
who lived on campus, the aim being to teach them the
skills they needed to have a better life. Some of my
favourite hobbies are reading, and watching movies. I
am also a mother of two, my son is 10 and my daughter 8
and they keep me fairly busy.
I remember one day when, as a child (I had to be around
12), I was out riding my bicycle and daydreaming,
thinking about my future love. Even at that time my mind
was open to the world of opportunities, and I remember
thinking to myself who knows maybe my future husband
is in another country. Years passed and the internet
was invented and I found it so interesting to talk to other
people online, but I was not the type of person to just sit
at the computer. When I was 16 and started driving, I
was out with my friends downtown, at the dance clubs, I
loved going out and partying! In my downtime I would get
online and chat with others. I downloaded a video chat
program and one day I saw this handsome man and
decided to say hello- never thinking for a moment that
this man would change my life completely. He lived here
in Italy, and it was he who first came to see me in the
States. We travelled back and forth for a few years until,
finally, I decided to come to Italy. I have now been here
for 11.5 years. I spent the first 8 years in Sicily and then
we decided to relocate to Monza; there were several
reasons but the major one was more opportunities for our
children. What a difference between North and South!

Hana Da Ros Membership

I was born in the Czech Republic,
moved in Italy in 1976, resident in
Monza, married, with two children,
After experiences in institutional
bodies of trade and international
tourism from 1996 I work as the
Director of the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Culture in
Milan, promoting the economic and
cultural exchange between Italy and the Czech Republic.
My choices and professional behavior are inspired by these
principals: be realistic, but ambitious,
believe in what you do and do only what you believe in.
I am a member and past president of the International
Soroptimist Club of Monza.
I love to travel, to read, to listen to the music and I am
interested in studying interculture relations

Audrey Garny New Comers Director

Im French, like my husband. We started expatriation in
2009. We enjoyed 3 years in South Carolina, USA, then we
lived for3 years in Finland and now we are in Italy. We
hope to stay for more than 3 years!
I have 3 children, Enzo - 12
years old, Amandine - 8
years old and Perrine, also
known as the Drama Queen,
4 years old. They are all at
the International School of
Monza and they love it!
When I was in France, I
worked for 10 years at an
energy cable company, in
R&D and in the Quality Department. I left my job when we moved abroad to be able
to help my children and my husband with this new
amazing life.
I was already involved in 2 associations in Finland:
treasurer of t he French school and of the French
Association.
Today Im taking care of my family and helping the ISM as
a class rep. Now, I will do my best as helping the
Benvenuto International Club of Monza
with the new
comers.

April 2015 monza news 10

HEALTH IN YOUR HANDS

SWING-MOVE-SMILE

GET FIT

The SMOVEY VibroSwing Advantages:

1.
2.

Activation of 97% muscle structure = fat burning

Vitalizes more than 100 million body cells

3.
4.

Strengthens connective tissue

Stimulates immune and digestive systems as well as metabolism

5.

Improves lymphatic system functioning = detoxification

RECOMMENDED FOR
BACK PAIN, OVERWEIGHT, STRESS AND TENSIONS

SMOVEY TRAINING WITH MAURO:

once/twice a week in the Monza Park Bar Cavriga
Tuesday from 11 to 12 am - Wednesday from 17 to 18 pm
Info: info.smovey@gmail.com; martinorenate@fastwebnet.it FB: Smovey Team Monza
Cell 339 8030880 - Renate Barzaghi Schwarz SMOVEY COACH

8030880

11 April 2015 monza news

PER UN MONDO SENZA FRONTIERE

April 2015 monza news 12

13 April 2015 monza news

WE ARE
ALL ABOUT
AWESOME
COFFEE,
GOOD CAKES
AND HAPPY
PEOPLE

TAKE ME WITH YOU

C
OFFEE HOUSE
VIALE UMBERTO PRIMO N.3 - MONZA - MB

INFO@COFFEE-HOUSE.IT
WWW. COFFEE-HOUSE.IT
WWW.COFFEE-HOUSE.NYC

I AM YOUR FREE COFFEE

April 2015 monza news 14

Fratelli Meroni
Furniture
V. le VALASSINA, 42, Lissone
Via COPERNICO, 39, Lissone

Fratelli Meroni is a Family

business, established since
1960. Come to view furniture for every room in your
house in our two showrooms. Many leading
brands sold including Scavolini, Dibiesse, Arflex,
Minacciolo, Jesse, Elica
and Bosch .

For further information call

Giovanni Meroni on 347 145
9748
(English spoken)

Discount for
Benvenuto
Members

15 April 2015 monza news

For the rest of this Benvenuto year BABYSITTING during coffee mornings is
FREE OF CHARGE.

Booking in advance is required.

Ivana Menegardo Develter
vicepresident@benvenutomonza.com

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE
INFORMATION:
www.benvenutomonza.com

YOGA
With Janu

In the traditional
sense, Yoga means
union. The union of
body, mind and spirit.

In my style of Yoga,
body and breath
move as one to unite
and purify body, mind
and spirit.
Through Asanas and
Pranayamas, Prana
(life-energy) is
brought into the body,
increasing vitality.
It takes a more
holistic approach to
your physical fitness.

Yoga helps in
developing a healthy
body, a concentrated
mind, joyous
emotions and
expanded
consciousness.

Yoga 1 (Gentle Class)

Day: Wednesday
Time:9.30am
Place: Sporting Club,
Monza.

Yoga 2(Dynamic Class)

Day: Wednesday
Time:10.45am
Place: Sporting Club
Monza.

Friday Yoga(Free Spirit)

Day: Friday
Time:10.00am
Place: Academy Dance
& Fitness, Lissone.

Also available for individual/group lessons in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Choose the type that suits you best and enjoy the journey of transformation which begins on the
mat as you move into your first yoga posture!
Call/email for more info, or to book for a free trial class!
Janu Soner, Mobile: 348.261.0278 email: janusoner@hotmail.com
April 2015 monza news 16

Board Nominees cont.

Cecilia Atzori Cimini Treasurer
My name is Cecilia Atzori Cimini and I was born in Rome
just a couple of years ago.

I am both sunny and a warrior.

I live my life with joy, energy, passion and temperance.
I love art, photography, technology, animals, zumba, tennis and
ski.
I have a
Masters in Management and Corporate Governance after having achieved the
degree in
Economics at the
L.U.I.S.S. University in Rome.

Chiara Praccini Public Relations

I am Chiara, an half Italian and half Finnish girl. I was born
in Italy but I lived 9 years in Finland where I finally got my
second nationality.
I moved back to Italy 3,5 years ago and decided to study
Pharmacy. Concerning my hobbies, I do yoga, love dogs
and like to learn new languages.
I am really glad to start to cooperate with you actively since
I am an open-minded and easy going person who likes to
interact with people from different countries.
Hope to be a good co-worker with you all!

My life in Milan started in

1994 with a fun-tastic job experience , as a Buyer, in METRO
Cash & Carry, the biggest wholesaler in the world.
During this experience, until December 2011, I had the
chance to travel throughout Italy and Europe.
I got married in 2002 and in 2005 my beautiful daughter
Sofia arrived. She is 10 years old and attends the ISM
school in Vedano.
When we moved to Vedano in 2012, after 7 different cities
in
the last 10 years, I go t to know many mums
of
Benvenuto Club. That really helped me to settle in a blink
of an eye.

I am happy to take on this role with enthusiasm and to contribute to the development of the Benvenuto Club ideals
and reward the keen members of their precious help.

Recipe
Cucumber, Avocado and Feta Salad
Yield: Serves 4-6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
You only need 5 ingredients to make this simple salad!
Ingredients:
1 large seedless cucumber, chopped
3 large avocados, pit removed and chopped

Directions:

Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1. In a large bowl, combine cucumber, avocado, lemon juice, feta, and dill. Gently stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Serve.

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill

Note: this salad is best the day it is made

Salt and black pepper, to taste

17 April 2015 monza news

Calendar

April 2015
Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 Coffee Morning

17

18 15:30 Discovering Leonardo da

Vinci. Pinacoteca.

19

20

21 10:00 Newcomers Coffee at

Stefania
Aliprandis

22

23 11:00 Lombardy Art at

Palazzo Reale

24

25 Shop for dress

for Benvenuto
dinner/dance!

26

27

28 Lunch together
TBD

29

30

May 2015
Sun

Mon

10 Pick out fits to

donate for Catwalk
show!

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

12 Dont forget
canned goods for
charity on Thurs!

13

14 Coffee Morning

15

16 25th Anniv
Party at Villa 900

17

18

19

20

21 Trip to Bergamo with Ester.

Details tba

22

23

24

25

26 Lunch together
TBD

27

28

29

30

31

Please note that if you are unable to attend a Special Activity for which you have paid, a
minimum
of 48 hours notice is required for
cancellation but a refund cannot always be guaranteed.
April 2015 monza news 18

Members Articles
Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz (awarded the Nobel
Prize for Literature in1988) was the Reading Group book for
March. Palace Walk is a street.

YVONNE EL MASRI

When a lady of our group asked if I would

suggest something by an Egyptian author
I proposed the first book of Mahfouz's
trilogy, but I was rather sceptical. To talk
to friends about Egypt, its traditions, culture and ways of life is one thing, but to
read an author like Mahfouz who describes Egyptian society in depth is another.
Although I know the condition of women
in Egypt and how normal it is in certain walks of life, it remains light years away from the intellect of the occidental
way of thinking. I was very dubious about how it would be
received by my fellow readers, and therefore gave them an
insight into what they would be reading because there was a
possibility they would give up at the beginning of the book. I
was absolutely thrilled to bits and overjoyed when I discovered how much the book was liked, and even that some had
the intention of reading the other two books.
The book Palace Walk is the first of a trilogy entitled Cairo
Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988. He is considered one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature who covered themes of existentialism. The trilogy depicts the lives of three generations of
different families in Cairo from World War I until after the
1952 military coup that overthrew King Farouk.
I heartily recommend it to anyone who wishes to read it,
keeping in mind what I previously said.

ELISABETTA BUSCEMI
Following Yvonne's recommendation we read "Palace walk",
the first volume of The Cairo Trilogy", by Naguib Mahfouz.
She remembered enjoying the novel when she was young
and considered it worth reading. And it definitely is. The novel written by Egyptian Nobel prize winner Mahfouz leads us
into the lives of al-Sayyid's patriarchal family members, their
relationships, their aspirations, hopes, and fears against the
restless years of English colonization in Egypt.
We are presented with the master of the family, tyrannical
yet fascinating, with his obedient wife whose love keeps the
household united and proves stronger than everything, with
their sons and daughters, whose hearts the novelist so
keenly and affectionately discloses to us with deep psychological insight. And through Mahfouz's pen Cairo comes to
life with its shops, mosques, alleys evoked so vividly that
you almost "feel" them.
The novel is superbly written with the deep love for a country
and respect for its millennial traditions that only great books
can render.
A splendid accomplishment.

BARBARA DE SAVORGNANI

Our discussion led to much talk about Egypt, its history, customs & relation to the Arab world. We raised the question:
Are Egyptians Arabs? The answer is NO not necessarily first came the Copts then invasions brought the Arabs, so
they are and they are not! I suggest you google are
Egyptians Arabs? for a fuller answer.

19 April 2015 monza news

The story in the book centers around the family of Ahmad, a

wealthy middle class shopkeeper.. Ahmad, the husband, is 2
personalities - at home, a tyrant - stern, severe, & harsh to
the extreme with all the family members, but at night he
goes out - wining & dining with his friends, carousing, indulging his enormous sexual appetite. Instead his wife, Amina,
and 2 daughters are, on his orders, confined to the home,
completely cut off from the outside world which they see
through latticed windows & know only through the reports of
the 3 sons. These three women are totally isolated from the
everyday world, but they have a hungry curiosity and avidly
learn of the outside world through the three boys. This
point led to lots of discussion did these ladies expect more
from life? Did they chafe under the restrictions? In any case
we soon discovered that their lot is not that of others, other
wives and daughters do go out.
All the family members are afraid of the father & it comes as
a great shock to 2 of the boys when they see their father in
his other personality in different circumstances. I found the
raging sexual appetite and the attitude to women of both the
father and the first son quite astounding giving support to
many of the things we hear of in present day times.
The book was easy to read - a few problems at the beginning with the names, but the descriptions etc are wonderful.
And although Amina cowers before her husband how
much is fear and how much keeping the peace? She
knows him well and on many occasions manipulates him to
get what she wants, without putting herself out on a limb.
Isnt that a story we all know?
It is a good read now to Books 2 and 3.

Members Articles
Tea and Inspiration
by Rachael Martin
There has been a lot of talk about tea this month. Firstly,
Anna Vincentini hosted an amazing high tea in the morning, all home-baked and complete with carrot cake topped
with marzipan carrots I believe. I couldn't attend but stand
in awe, especially of the carrot cake. Then it was tea parties once more in preparation for the Spring Fair. More tea,
vicar? Of course, although this is one of those moments I
feel it's a pity I never really learned to bake well, and despite a nice new kitchen to mark the end of the baby food
years (read mess), there's no sign of it happening yet. And
so it came to the Spring Fair and I found myself lacking
somewhat in the baking department, although my fellow
countrywomen came up trumps as usual and the vicar got
his cucumber and egg mayonnaise sandwiches. I spent the
night before preparing food but mainly dreaming about
what I was going to eat and what I hoped everyone else
would be making. The Asian table featured high on the list.
Stomach first, culinary skills second.
I love the Spring Fair, I really do. It's one of those great
Benvenuto family days where you get together with all your
fellow countrywomen and celebrate the best of your country's gastronomic offerings along with everybody else's and
just enjoy spending time with each other and everybody
else. My husband enjoys the Spring Fair, my boys enjoy
the Spring Fair, and this year was special because my dad
was here and he got to enjoy it too.
But back to the tea. Back in Yorkshire, tea was not necessarily the sophisticated high tea affair many of us associate it with. That came later, when my mother and her
friends were older and it was all Victoria sponges and china
cups and tea plates, all with matching tea pot, milk jug, sugar bowl and lace covers. Of course it was really an excuse
for a get together, and my mother certainly knew how to set
the scene. She was an excellent baker who enjoyed baking
and spent time doing so with her children and grandchildren. I can still taste her mince pies, and one day I keep
promising myself I shall learn how to make quiche like she
did. Nevertheless for tea parties and certainly for family
events, she often took a more practical approach and preferred to call in two equally excellent bakers from church
who made heavenly lemon cake filled with home-made
lemon curd and covered in lemon icing. There was always
a coffee cake too and home made scones with whipped
cream and strawberry jam.
Whilst afternoon teas as an event were rare when I was a
girl, cakes were not. I have my maternal greatgrandmother's recipe book in handwriting belonging to both
my great grandmother and grandmother, and complete
with the traditional pound cake. You need a pound of everything: butter, sugar, flour and numerous eggs as the cake
was big and so were the families. Fruit cakes were made,
rich and fruity and often laced with brandy at Christmas,
and although my grandma moved up north to Yorkshire
and lived alongside her in-laws for many years, the Christmas cake recipe was always her mother's. Then there were
buns (what we call cupcakes); always buns for tea, at birthday parties and in tupperware boxes on days out.
Yet tea has nothing to do with cakes or teacups. Tea is
the thing that was yelled through the door as me and my
brother ran in the house. Mum, what's for tea? which
means dinner in Yorkshire or up north as anyone from
the south of England will say - and takes place at five
o'clock. That will always be tea for me: fishfinger and chips,
corned beef hash, shepherd's pie, ham sandwiches in white bread with butter, and later on lasagne made with green
pasta, chicken kiev and Chinese stir fries cooked out of a
Marks and Spencer cookbook which was considered very
exotic at the time it came out.

Maybe when we have our own children we return to our

childhoods as our own point of reference and remember
happy times that we wish to replicate for our own children.
Of course time is a rose-tinted lens and memory allows us
to take what we deem important and ignore the rest. Thus
our past continues to feed our present in spite of how different the form of our lives may be now.

There were walks down the fields past the blackberry

bushes, stopping to see the horses and going to dance on
the fairy stone. I run on ahead and a blond-haired chubby
face belonging to a sturdily built toddler follows behind me.
Later the walks take place amidst the hills of the Yorkshire
Dales from a caravan in a wet field as I make up stories
and stride out ahead. The rest came later, but the seed of
inspiration was already sown.

Emma
by Melissa Saucedo
Im delighted to say that Im easily inspired. A little sun,
a brisk walk in the park, being near the sea, music, the
smell of lavender, I think you get the picture. The problem for me is the inevitable question: Now what?
Ive never really known what to do with this inspiration.
In fact, one of the three following would occur: 1. I would
eat something I should not be eating. 2. I would start
another project and leave it to gather dust near my desk.
3. The inspiration just eventually disappeared or was replaced by some new feeling of inspiration.
Oh well, so is life.
However, a few weeks ago something very special happened.
My nine-year-old daughter Emma was participating in
the girls 800 meter run for her athletics group that was
held in Monza park. Hundreds of children were participating and you could feel the nervous energy in the air.
Emma was excited. Shes a very strong runner and had
been waiting for this moment for months.
Just before the race, she noticed a teammate was not
feeling well. The whistlle blew. Emma did not take off like
a shot. Instead, she stayed at her side and encouraged
her during the entire race with positive feedback. They
came in third to last. Emma did not finish first, but she
won.
This is where my inspiration goes. This is my inspiration. This is Emma.

April 2015 monza news 20

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Date

Name

APR 19

Chiara SCUDELETTI

APR 19

Date

Name

MAY 2

Pauline O'CONNORSORMANI

MAY 3

Irmi SIEBER

MAY 17

Katrien STRAGIER

Sandra PIERINI

APR 20

Margarita VALVERDE

APR 24

Maria GRISOLIA

APR 29

Ginny JU

MEMBERS CLASSES
Contact Details

Information

Class and Times

Venue

Janu Soner
Cell: 3482610278
Home: 0392305215
janusoner@hotmail.com

Get strong, flexible, focused, balanced and in

shape with YOGA, a more
holistic
approach to
your physical fitness.

Yoga 1 (Gentle Yoga)

Wednesday 9.30am

Sporting Club

Call/email for more info or

to book for a free trial
class!
Isabella Ranieri
Info: 333 6921877
Isabella.ranieri@alice.it

Rachael Martin
Cell: 338 5213 716

Yoga 2 (Dynamic Yoga)

Wednesday 11am
Friday Yoga (Free Spirit)
Friday 10am

Academy Dance and Fitness,

Via F Cavallotti, 18, Lissone
As above

PLACES AVAILABLE!!!
Dancer and Zumba instructor.

Zumba classes every TuesFri mornings 10:00 11:00

Come and join us for a

fun fitness party that will
get you moving and healthy! Zumba! Let it move
you!!!

@NG DANCE school

Via Schiaparelli 6
Villasanta

Mother-tongue English
teacher with experience
in all levels and ages.

To be arranged

To be arranged

ONE TO ONE and

GROUP ENGLISH/
ITALIAN CLASSES
adults, children and
teenagers

to be confirmed

Monza area

rachael_martin@yahoo.co
m

Diana Testa
338 9788281
diana_testa@hotmail.it

If you are a Benvenuto member and you wish to advertise your private classes, please contact the editor.
The monthly contribution is Euro %.00

21 April 2015 monza news

GROUP ACTIVITIES
Activity

Contacts

Tel & email

Meets

Venue

Cost

BOOK CLUB
ONE

Barbara de
Savorgnani

039 200 6664

333 4931 018
barbianne@fastwebnet.it

3rd Thursday every

month,
10:00 to 12:00

Cindy Brizzis home

Annual book
cost 15

BOOK CLUB
TWO

Anne Stubley

039 671 359

stubley@iol.it

Usually 1st Tuesday

every month, 10:00 to Anne Stubleys home
12:00

Annual book
cost 20

READING
GROUP

Anne Stubley

039 671 359

Stubley@iol.it

Once a month
14:00 to 16:00

Members home or at a
bar

free

WRITING
GROUP

Anna Bodini

Twice a month

Usually at the Sporting

Club

Free

Every Tuesday
From 16:30

Cold/rainy weather: Crivi

Free
Bar, Vedano al Lambro.
Sunny days: SantAndrea
Park (exact location tbc)

PARENTS &
TODDLERS

Anna: 039 608 2896

annamurabitobodini@yahoo.com

Rachel Hawes racheljhawes@yahoo.co.uk

MOMS NIGHT
Gayna Clark
OUT

gaynaclark@hotmail.com

Once a month

Different restaurants

MONZA
WALKERS

Cindy Brizzi

039 321 284

cindy@brizzifamily.com

Every Monday,
9:15

Bar Cavriga, Monza Park

No charge

FRENCH
SPEAKING
GROUP

Ivana Menegar- 039 647 962

do-Develter
Ivanamenegardo @yahoo.fr

La renconte avec les

francophones est
mensuelle.

n/a

n/a

ENGLISH
SPEAKING
GROUP

Laura Panzeri

039 6064 698

Laura_rol_818@hotmail.com

Giovanna Ca- 039 382 048

sati
casatigiov@tiscali.it

MONDAY EN039 671 359

Anne Stubley
Stubley@iol.it
GLISH MOVIE

Thur of Coffee morning immediately after Sporting Club please conFree

meeting, and Thur 2 tact Giovanna Casati
weeks later at 14:30
Every Monday aftern/a
noon

n/a

GERMAN
SPEAKING
GROUP

Ute Pastorelli
Wiechern
Ursula Accordino

Ute: 039 367 397

ute.wiechern@teletu.it
Ursula: 039 920 5461
cicciono.uschi@alice.it

Every 1st and 3rd

Thursday
15:00 to 17:00

Sporting Club Lounge

Free

LANGUAGE
EXCHANGE

Marisa
Cerizzi

039 249 6967

Every Wednesday,
10:00 to 12:00

Sporting Club

Free

First Thursday of the

month - please contact before

La Camilla, Vimercate

Free

NEIGHBORAnna Bodini & Anna: 039 608 2896

HOOD NETGabriella Ma- Gabriella: 039 685 0808
WORK Vimerpelli
gabriella.mapelli@live.com
cate

April 2015 monza news 22

BOARD
benvenuto monza

President
Janine Davies

Ivana Menegardo-Develter

331 54 24 443
president@benvenutomonza.com

338 53 54 240
vicepresident@benvenutomonza.com

Sushil Penuti
039324083 / 3409168552

Zizeth Maroun

secretary@benvenutomonza.com

320 31 43 665
treasurer@benvenutomonza.com

Secretary

Treasurer

Eleonora Litta Durban

347 22 44 927

Julia Waters-DeZordi

Membership @benvenutomonza.com

338 23 97 850
specialactivities@
benvenutomonza.com

Membership

Special Activities

Anna Vicentini
348 87 12 329

Newcomers

publicrelations@

newcomers@
benvenutomonza.com

Public Relations
Melissa Saucedo
3389386783
editor@benvenutomonza.com

Susan Edick-Gianferrara
392 16 05 714

benvenutomonza.com

Editor

Vice President

Charity Co-Chair:
Marina Lambrechts

Honorary Members:
Barbara De Savorgnani

CLUB RULES
The Benvenuto International Club of Monza
welcomes English-speaking women from all over the world and
fosters international fellowship through its various
activities.
A monthly Coffee Morning is the Clubs principal social function.
The Club is non-profit, non-denominational and a-political.
English shall be the official language of the Club. All work performed by the Board and its committees is done on a voluntary
basis.

Membership:
The membership year runs from September through June of the
following year. The Membership Fee for current members is
due and payable no later than the October Coffee Morning of
each year. A full years Membership Fee is payable by new
members until February at which time new members pay one
-half of the Membership Fee. For any questions about membership contact the Membership Director.

Name Badges:
Name badges are supplied to each member to be worn at each
Coffee Morning. If Members forget their name badge they will
be required to pay a fine.

23 April 2015 monza news

Guests:
Members are welcome to bring a guest to one Coffee Morning
to introduce potential members to the Club. The same guest is
only allowed to attend two Coffee Mornings and the Christmas
meeting per year. The Guest Fee is 4. All guests will be given a
nametag to wear during the meeting.

Commercial Sales, Logo, Directory, Members Services:

No commercial sales are permitted at Club functions and neither the Benvenuto Club logo nor the membership
directory
is to be used for any commercial purposes. For a contribution,
members providing goods and services are
invited to post
advertisements in the Monza News.

Babysitting during coffee mornings:

Children are not allowed in the big hall in the Sporting Club
where the monthly meetings are held. This is due to the Insurance and the requirements of the Sporting club itself.
Babysitting is offered during coffee mornings, please contact
Ivana (vicepresident@benvenutomonza.com) to book Baby
Sitting. For the
moment this service is free of charge if you
book in advance.

April 2015 monza news 24

Telephone

Service
Emergency Service Ambulance
(Pronto Soccorso) - www.118milano.it

118

National Police (Carabineri)

112

Local Police

113

Fire Brigade (Vigili del fuoco)

115

Forest Fire (Incendio boschivo)

1515

Car Breakdown Assistance

(Soccorso stradale)

116

Emergency Doctors (Medici Volanti)

7733

In Case of a night-time health

problem that is not serious
enough for the Hospital Emergency room service, but needs
to be attended to quickly, call:
Emergency Public Health Services
Guardia Medica Natl Call Number: 840 500 092
Recommendation*:
Listen to the recording (in Italian) and wait for an operator on the line.
If you dont speak Italian, ask for someone who speaks
English.
Provide all of your personal information: name, address,
telephone number and the description of your illness.
Ask if there is a doctor who speaks English or your language.
They will have a doctor call you back in the next hour
(usually faster). The doctor will tell you, if they need to
make a house visit or if you should to go to the nearest
GUARDIA MEDICA. They will give you the address of
the closest one to your location.
Visits usually free of charge. House visits may be different.
This service usually works very well for a quick diagnosis or to resolve a problem, and to obtain a prescription
to go to the pharmacy.

BABYSITTERS
From

Name

Language

Telephone

Transport

Carate Brianza

Camilla Riva

EN

036 299 3953 or 338 459 8262

Own

Cosetta Riva

IT, GER, EN

362 993 953 or 335 620 2887

Own

Albiate

Erica Callisaya Vela

IT, EN, ES

320 481 3559

Own

Lissone

Sujanika Elvitigalage Dona

IT, EN, ES

338 4735 895

Own

Macherio

Sara Valtorta

IT

338 247 5082

Own

Monza

Giorgette Savy

IT, FR, EN

039 380 816

Own

Daphne D'Amato

IT, EN, Dutch

346 628 1605

Own

Mileth Hernandez

IT, ES

327 291 5270

Own

Stefania Candurra

IT

347 645 0884

Wendy Hodgson

IT, EN

3407969829

Own

Giulia Milan

IT, EN, FR

3392071971

Claudia Ghilardi

IT, EN

3803458183

Francesca Barzaghi

IT, GER, EN

333 678 1489

Josy Arcaya

IT, ES, EN

329 073 3910

Sylvia Malnati

IT, FR

348 244 2570

Own

Genevieve Sumiller

EN

3884426131

Elizabeth Sabado

IT, EN

3450121809

Own

Maria Castro

IT, EN

3896488867

Own

Arianna D'Onofrio

IT, EN,Greek

0392496666, or 3468336219

No

Vedano al Lambro

Disclamer: This list of babysitters have been produced for information purposes only and the club takes no responsibility for the qualifications of
these babysitters. However, all these names have been provided by members who have used their services.

25 April 2015 monza news

Cof
.
s
e
k
ee and
a
c
n
a
c
i
Amer
No ideas for your party? Looking for something special to share with your family?
Visit our store in Monza, in via Monti e Tognetti 15: Burgers Family
prepares every day the best hand made cakes, muffins, cupcakes and much more.
Try the difference and take at home our wonderful cakes and pastries.
via Monti e Tognetti, 15 - 20900 Monza (MB)

Tel. 039 896 2184

Follow us
April 2015 monza news 26

27 April 2015 monza news