Westchester Times Tribune, The Town Report
July 26, 2007
The Generoso Pope Foundation, Benefactor of Westchester County
Italian Heritage Celebration at Kensico Dam Plaza
VALHALLA, NY – The Generoso Pope Foundation was the proud benefactor of the Italian Heritage Celebration Sunday sponsored by Westchester County Parks and the Antonio Meucci Lodge, Order Sons of Italy, White Plains. The festival was appropriately held at the Kensico Dam Plaza, home to the beautifully constructed stone dam built in 1915 by a predominantly Italian labor force. Thousands of Westchester residents flocked to the festival to enjoy Italian specialties such as zeppole, pasta, and ices and peruse the wares of vendors selling jewelry, clothing, and Italian flags.
Of particular note was the entertainment for the afternoon underwritten by the Generoso Pope Foundation, which included popular and traditional Italian music and dancing. Festival-goers gathered to hear the voices of Anthony Piranio, known as “The Little Boccelli” and Michael Castaldo, award winning songwriter and performing artist. There were also performances of Italian folk dances by the ensemble Coro D’Italia who even engaged the crowd, inviting the children to join them for one traditional dance.
CEO and President of the Generoso Pope Foundation, David Anthony Pope, attended the event himself, accompanied by Geoffrey Claroni, Director of Programming for the Foundation’s new Westchester Italian Cultural Center. Mr. Pope addressed the assemblage of festival-goers, saying, “It is my great pleasure to support events, such as this wonderful festival, that preserve and promote Italian culture in the community.” The Generoso Pope Foundation has given generously to health, educational, and community initiatives for generations; now, the Foundation hopes the new cultural center will be a venue for enriching and enlightening Italian cultural events for years to come. |
