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Looking for home hosts for our February 17th Aperitivos!

Click here to express your interest: Home Host Survey

By attending a club event you give your express permission to use any photo taken for club promotion and communication purposes.

Happy Holiday Wishes!

What a treat to see so many members dressed in their holiday attire at the Poinsettia Ball.  It was an elegant evening of appetizers, cocktails, signature drinks, a fabulous dinner, a special dessert and a beautifully decorated Ball Room.

Donna Strand, again this year, sponsored the table centerpieces, so one member from each table was able to take the centerpiece home to add some festive décor to their house. Every attendee also took home a reindeer ornament, a gift from the Club.

We were treated to entertainment by the Rhythm Edition, who always does such a great job of providing a variety of dance turns, and of course, Ken Minichiello and Gloria Robles did their holiday dance together.

The Poinsettia Ball Committee did an excellent job of making sure the “Royal Reindeer” was front and center throughout the evening and we are thankful for their efforts.

Visit our Poinsettia Ball photo album, on our Club website.  If you have photos to add, kindly send them to webmaster@pciacaz.org

We are appreciative of all our members who throughout the year support our many activities and are grateful for all the members who have volunteered to be on a Committee in 2025, or who “Chaired” an event, hosted an Aperitivo, provided snacks, sold raffle tickets, helped with wine at our meetings, or set-up and clean up, when needed.

The Italian American Club strives to be purposeful, offering a variety of activities.  We are welcoming and inclusive, while ensuring that our Italian heritage is an integral part of Club events.

From all of the Executive Board, we wish you a joyous, healthy and safe holiday.  We wish you wonderful memories with your family and friends and Happy New Year.

We look forward to seeing all of you at our January 14, 2026, Meeting, which will be held in the EAGLES NEST BALL ROOM at 7:00 p.m.  (Please register to attend on our Club website). Come enjoy some good Italian socializing and few interesting games of Italian Trivia. There will be snacks, wine, and prizes, what a great way to “kick off the New Year!

Platinum Sponsors

Our Club is privileged to have the support of major event sponsors who make a major contribution to supporting our activities. This year's sponsor is Donna Strand. Email: dmstrand711@aol.com

About Us:

The PebbleCreek Italian American Club provides an opportunity for any and all community residents to learn about Italian traditions, history and customs.

Many Italian traditions and customs are learned and experienced through planned social activities and functions throughout the year. Highlighted by our annual “must attend event, the Poinsettia Ball held in early December. Our monthly meetings consist of a short business meeting followed by an “After Social” where members get together for the purpose of visiting with each other and, at the same time, enjoying some wine, dessert and coffee in a relaxed environment.

Events:

The PCIAC Events and Communications Committees proudly announce these calendar events for our coming year. The events are made public on a rolling 90-day basis to help with your calendar planning. The goal is to make these events fun, and at the same time, create interest and increase participation from our General Membership.

Ken Minichiello
President
President@pciacaz.org
(419) 356-4010

David Carnevale
Webmaster
Webmaster@pciacaz.org
(858) 335-3799

Recent Club Events

Autumn and Fall Aperitivos

Both the Autumn and the Fall Aperitivos are behind us. A very big thank you to Shoray Wolf and Kay Skripka who chaired these two events. I would also like to thank all of the members who were kind enough to open their homes to host. Approximately 100 members were able to be a part of these opportunities to meet, greet and make new friends.

The Club will be hosting two Spring Aperitivos in 2026, and I encourage members who have not participated previously to offer to host or plan to attend our Spring “Cocktail Parties”.

Shelly Carnevale
Director,Social Committee

The Swim's Aperitivo

The Carnevale's Aperitivo

The Cushing's Aperitivo

KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY IS "IN THE BOOKS"

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Italian American Club celebrated the 151st Kentucky Derby. The Derby winner was Sovereignty and Journalism took second place. Seven Club Members took home prize money by winning a raffle based on having correctly selecting the horses for Win, Place and Show. The Mint Juleps flowed and the Southern picnic buffet was delicious!

Before the race, members were treated to speeches and videos that outlined the event's storied history, famous people, red roses and of course hats! Everyone dressed in their Derby finest including straw hats, seersucker clothing and piles and piles of toile, flowers and feathers! Rosemary Holmes won for best ladies hat and Alex Potapoff won for best mens hat.

After the Derby, there was a "surprise" ... Speeches and videos about the famous Italian horse race ... The Palio! Tables selected Contrade flags and were led in a merry parade around the room by Bob "Mario Manicotti" Marchese!

Guests were treated to a video of a Palio de Siena and the table that selected the winning horse/contrada were all given prizes AND once again were paraded around the room led by "Mario".

There was a lot of good socializing and member camaraderie throughout the afternoon!

A big thanks to the Derby "Dream Team": Bob Marchese & Kay Skripka, Sy Rosenthal & Judy Freidman, Jay & Sally Ward, Marchello & Sherrie Caputi, Mary Ann Fusco, Cheryl Neel, David & Shelly Carnevale (Committee Chairperson)

The Derby Photo Album is here: Kentucky Derby Party

The April 17 Putt ‘n’ Eat Event was a Huge Success

Despite the windy day, from start to finish, the afternoon ran smoothly, and the efforts of the Event Committee were front and center. The course was amazing, fun and challenging.

The camaraderie among the 60 golfers was terrific with more seasoned putters assisting newcomers to the game.

The Chianti Room dinner tables had the perfect blend of Italian and American golf themed centerpieces, and a table favor was available to all attendees. Everyone enjoyed an Italian Buffett with All-American Apple Pie for dessert.

A big thank you to the Event Committee and all the volunteers! Want more details? More … See photo album? … Photos

Italian American Club’s Silver Anniversary Celebration

The PebbleCreek Italian American Club (PCIAC) celebrated its 25^th Silver Anniversary at Tuscany Ballroom March 12th. 155 members enjoyed a cocktail-attire served dinner and were regaled with their club’s storied past. The first meeting in 2000 numbered 71 members, and original member Jane Cook Biggs read that meeting’s minutes. Over the years, objectives have remained true: learning what extraordinary impact Italian history and culture have had on the world, plus you don’t have to be Italian to join. With monthly meetings and many events, members have grown closer to neighbors living in PebbleCreek, enjoying events and camaraderie for 25 years. Membership today stands closer to 300 ... Silver Anniversary Celebration Article ... 25th Jubilee Silver Anniversary Event Photos

Fun at the Spring Training Game!

By: Ken Minichiello

Members of the Italian American Club had a great time at the Cleveland Guardians vs. Diamondbacks baseball game at Goodyear Ballpark…... in spite of a somewhat cool night.

The event was held at the Party Patio and, upon the arrival of club members, each were welcomed with a bag of Peanuts and a box of Cracker Jacks to start the fun activities. Members were then expected to play a lively game of “Fun Watching Baseball” that is played simultaneously with the actual baseball game…...a chance to “play” along with the pros! The game is played with “Play Cards” in which each member received cards with specific events such as “stolen base,” “batter hits a double,” etc. that occur during a baseball game. As the baseball game progressed, members were soon competing with each other for the coveted prizes awarded during the innings and at the end of the “Play Card” game.

Even though the competition was fierce, everyone was somehow able to win an Ed’s Dog prize that included a hot dog, fries & drink. However, only eight members were fortunate to win the coveted prize of a Monopoly 10X lottery ticket at the end of the “Play Card” game…… Unfortunately, no big lottery winners but still it was a whole lot of “Fun Watching Baseball” for all!

February Membership Meeting Valentine

February 12 meeting celebrated Valentine’s Day with the first “That’s Italian” minute by Sylvana Smidt. St. Valentino, martyred Feb 14, 269AD in Umbria, Italy, is the namesake for our current St. Valentine’s Day. After our short business meeting, wine stewards Joe Witherup and Bill Frustaglia kept glasses filled, Vic Leo and Keith Martino sold 50/50 tix, and delicious refreshments from Lynn Havens, Laurie Biagini, Dottie Palamara and Suzette De Salvo graced the tables. Then, the Pebble Rock Band led a “Name that Tune” contest with prizes given out. See you next month. Photos

Members Do-si-do and Allemande Grand at January 8^th Meeting

Grab your partner! Dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls all had a great time. Do-si-do and Allemande were just two of the moves square dance caller Griff taught us at our January 8th meeting, resulting in partners having a grand time in squares of four couples. Meeting also included desserts thanks to Mary Ann Fusco, Susan Sands, and their committee, decorations courtesy of Kay Skripka, Teri Schoephoester and Sally Ward, wine courtesy of realtor Donna Strand, poured by Joe Witherup and Steve Fafoglia and 50-50 raffle by Vic Leo and Keith Martino ... Yee-hah! ... More ... Membership Meeting Photos