History

History of Club ItaloAmericano of Greater Green Bay Club ItaloAmericano of Greater Green Bay was founded in 1994 by Riccardo Paterni, a young man from Lucca, Italy, who was working on his Master’s Degree at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. The club, originally christened Club ItalianoAmericano, started with a founding core of about a dozen people. They set to work to bring in others who had a passion for Italy, its heritage and way of life. By 2019, when the club celebrated its 25th anniversary, it had grown to 135 members. Throughout its history, the club has endeavored to share Italian culture with the community. Members convinced the city of Green Bay to build bocce courts at Colburn Park. For years, the club participated in Green Bay’s International Bayfest and its Holiday Parade. Currently, the club partners with the Green Bay Film Society to present two Italian-language films each year in conjunction with the Neville Public Museum’s International Film Series. Recognizing the need to teach future generations about Italy, its language, and its culture, club members worked for a number of years to establish Italian as a language choice in the Green Bay Area Public School District. This goal was reached in 2008, when the first Italian language class was offered at Preble High School. Thanks to the continuing efforts of the club, Italian language classes were available to Green Bay high school students for many years.

Among the many events sponsored by Club ItaloAmericano over the years, one of the most popular has been the annual Musicale, an evening of live, usually operatic, music performed by local artists. The first Musicale was spearheaded by John “Giovanni” Contratto in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth. Another popular event is the Cena di Natale, a multi-course Christmas dinner featuring an Italian menu and offering members and guests the chance to socialize and celebrate the holiday season. Other annual events have included Carnevale celebrations, summer bocce games and passeggiate (slow walks), and a Spaghetti Dinner to observe Italian Heritage Month (October). Since its inception, Club ItaloAmericano has put out a newsletter for it members. The first year, the newsletter was called Volere e Potere, and was written by Riccardo Paterni. From 1996 to 1998, Tony Galt and Pete and Marlene Feira put out the newsletter under the name Circolo Italiano di Green Bay. The name was changed to Green Bay ItalianoAmericano Newsletter in 1998. In 2000, when the name of the club was changed to Club ItaloAmericano, the name of the newsletter became Club ItaloAmericano Newsletter. Following Tony Galt’s illness and death, the Feiras continued to produce the newsletter until 2007, when Riccardo Paterno resumed the job. In 2009, Richard “Riccardo” Daley took over. That year, the club logo was designed, and a contest was held to formally rename the newsletter. The winning name, Il Piccolo Giornale, was submitted by Chris Wagner. Paul Marino became the newsletter editor in 2011. Riccardo Paterni arranged club activities and meetings from 1994 to 1996. Pete and Marlene Feira took over in 1996 and led the club until 2007, when the club was restructured. Mike Hovis served as President of the Board of Directors from 2007 to 2009, during which time the club’s original By-Laws were adopted. Richard Gollnick served as President of the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2013. L. V. Teofilo held this position from 2014 to 2021, followed by Richard “Riccardo” Daley in 2022. The current president, Mary Prisco, was elected in 2023. In 2018, the club Board of Directors created an award in honor of founding members Pete and Marlene Feira. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals or organizations that promote Italian heritage and the club’s objectives in the greater Green Bay area to an exceptional extent. The Pete and Marlene Feira Founders Award was presented for the first time in 2019 to John “Giovanni” Contratto. Since the award was not given in 2020, two recipients were named in 2021: Paul Marino, and Lenora Rhyner. Fatima and Merlin Baenen received the award in 2022. During the height of the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic, the club modified its summer events so they could be held entirely outdoors. In the colder months, the club transitioned to online events, which not only kept members safe, but allowed those living outside of the Green Bay area to easily participate. In late 2021, the club was able to hold in-person events again. As long as Italy and italianismo hold a place in people’s hearts and imaginations, Club ItaloAmericano expects to attract new members who will celebrate all things Italian and keep the club moving into the future.