Sunday’s Our Lady of Grace Church 8th Annual Primavera was without questions, dozens of smiling people concurred, the Roman Catholic Parish’s all-time best food and wine tasting experience.
So much so, in fact, people like Jack Fandetti said, “There should be more of these kinds of events; it’s a great way for people to learn about businesses in our town.”
Fandetti, who has enjoyed other OLG social events, went as far as proposing a toast to the people at his table – namely Cheryl Fandetti, Inez Fandetti, Bill Hunter, Sue Hunter and Maureen Rotondo – and assessing “what a well-organized event we have here today.”
Perhaps Rev. Peter J. Gower, OLG’s pastor who flew back and forth to Florida last weekend for a family member’s college graduation and arrived amid the classic celebration, best summed up the unique vendor and people-filled Primavera.
“This celebration was a success,” Father Gower said with a special smile on his face. “Over 300 people were part of this event; it was a daunting endeavor to put it all together. I have so many people to thank but to mention all of them would be equally daunting.”
Suddenly, the popular priest smiled while emphasizing, “Yet, I must mention Joe and Joan Andreozzi for organizing a great fundraiser that was supportive of our faith community. Primavera brought so many people together in all sorts of interesting ways.”
As Father Gower noted in his usual heartfelt way, Primavera afforded people of the Johnston to mingle with its mayor, listen to TV personality Mike Montecalvo, hear music from a famed accordionist and enjoy the fare from a number of vendors in the community.
“People were able to get together and socialize with one another,” Father Gower added. “They spent time with our oldest member, Emma Pezza, 106, who acted as our great grand marshal. This Primavera offered a great opportunity to socialize and really get to know people in our parish family.”
Sunday’s Primavera was so special that the organizing committee provided Pezza and her family with an elaborate table setting, replete with linens and napkins, china and sterling silverware.
Mayor Joseph Polisena, who like other folks was ecstatic with the tremendous turnout and extraordinary organization, further enhanced the 8th Annual Primavera by presenting Grand Marshal Pezza with a Town of Johnston Official Commendation.
Polisena presented Pezza with the prestigious honor for serving as grand marshal and congratulated the 106-year-old popular parishioner who he noted was born back on March 20, 1911.
“Be it hereby known to all that the Mayor’s Office and the Town of Johnston, R.I., hereby offer most sincere congratulations and happy birthday for being the most senior parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Church,” Polisena read, in part. “It is always an honor to recognize special occasions for our citizens and I would like to express the hope for your continued health and well being now and in the years to come.”
Almost instantly, the standing room only crowd offered Grand Marshal Pezza a thunderous round of applause before resuming their caloric cruise around Fioretti Hall was filled with well-placed vendors who offered samples of every kind of Italian food – as well as some sweet stuff – imaginable.
“All our events here at Our Lady of Grace are tried and tested,” Father Gower said while accepting well-wishes from a host of people. “But I am well aware that it’s hard work. I am humbled by the enthusiasm that so many deliver making everything we do successful. The truth is that we are successful because I am surrounded by a staff that always says yes, no matter how daunting the task.”
The planning and presentation that went into OLG’s 8th Annual Primavera, folks like volunteers Joe Grasso, Arnie Vecchione, Lou Mansolillo and Joe Quartino all offered, “It was probably overwhelming at times planning this event. Every vendor station was fantastic and the fun, food and fellowship here today are unmatched.”
Thus, Father Gower concluded, saying, “We cannot neglect to be grateful for the financial benefits of such an event. After all expenses have been paid, about $12,000 will be deposited into the church account to help in operating a parish that reaches out to over 1,200 parishioners.”
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