Published in The Heart of Lake County Magazine
By Alicia M. Taylor

“It’s like a park in the city,” says Gino Latessa, longtime President of the Wickliffe Italian-American Club. The building is surrounded by tall trees, lush green grass and careful landscaping. However, parks aren’t built overnight, and neither was the club. The facility that stands today is the direct result of the vision, heart, sweat and, most likely, tears of its members. We won’t dwell on the tears, though, since “real men don’t cry.” Especially not real Italian men.

FROM HOME PAGE > As an organization created for men of Italian descent and their sons, the club began meeting in 1932 in the front of Minadeo’s, a grocery store south of Euclid Avenue, and in the basement of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church. In 1933, the club received its corporate charter from the state of Ohio. Listed on the charter, the founding fathers of the club were Joe Pucella, David Marinelli and Joe Gallese. At this time, the by-laws for the club, including the requirement that members be citizens of the city of Wickliffe, were formed. Other current membership requirements include the following: men must apply for membership; be of Italian descent, 21 years of age or older; and must pay membership dues. The purpose of the club from its beginning until the present, is for Italian-American men to socialize and advance the Italian culture and heritage.

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In 1948, the club purchased a parcel of land at a sheriff’s sale that faced Euclid Avenue and extended north to Grand Boulevard. Following the purchase, the club sold part of the land to raise funds. Soon after, the members built an enclosed building for summer use that has been expanded over the years, and most recently renovated in 2003. Now known as the Club Room, the structure contains a kitchen, lobby area, bathrooms and a large, furnished meeting space. The Club Room holds the club’s monthly meetings and is available for public rental. In the past, the Club Room has been used for graduations, weddings, first communions and birthday parties.

In 1966, the club sold another portion of its land and used most of the proceeds to build a larger hall, which is known today as the Wickliffe Italian-American Party Center. The party center is leased to James Catering, a full-service catering company operated by James Piorkowski, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. Also available for rental, the recently remodeled party center can be used for such events as wedding receptions, baby showers and corporate parties. This year, as in past years, James Catering will be holding a fish fry every Friday during Lent between the hours of 4 pm and 8 pm. A non-Lenten menu will also be available.

Aside from the club room and the party center, the Wickliffe Italian-American Club’s facilities include six bocce ball courts, three of which are enclosed and heated; a sand volleyball court that was constructed in 2002; a forty-by-eighty pavilion; a playground; and a Piazza. A pavilion that was built by the members in 2004 and funded by sign advertising inside the structure covers the enclosed bocce ball courts. The club’s Piazza, which features a beautiful fountain and landscaping, is paved with memorial bricks that are purchased by members and engraved with the names of current of deceased family members. According to Latessa, “Members often come to the Piazza, sit by the fountain and reflect.” He adds, “If it wasn’t for the founding fathers getting this property, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

During 2006, the club plans to build a seventh bocce ball court and an addition to the Club Room that is expected to contain handicapped bathrooms and storage and office space. The grounds, including the bocce ball courts, pavilion, volleyball court and playground, are also available for public rental. What is amazing about the club’s extensive and well-built facility is the fact that the members have built most of it themselves. Latessa notes, “We’ve done a lot. We’re fortunate to have so many tradesmen as members.”

At this point, you might be wondering what this group of Italian men does with so many amenities, other than work hard to maintain them. To put it plainy, they use the heck out of them. On any given weekday, members can be found in the Club Room playing cards, cooking, eating, or watching a sports game on television. On certain weekdays, an Italian language class is held. Between May and October, some of the men participate in a bocce league. In addition to these activities, the club holds several large events, many of which attract quite a crowd. In May, the club holds an anniversary dinner and dance for its members and their families, and sponsors the Special Olympics on club grounds in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus. In June, the club holds a reverse raffle designed to raise money for scholarships that are granted to children of Italian descent who have resided in the City of Wickliffe, or have ancestors who have resided there. To date, the club has awarded over 100 scholarships. The next reverse raffle is scheduled for June 2, 2006.

During the summer, in addition to golf outings, the club has a number of steak cookouts, one of which draws about 300 people. In August, roughly 400 members and family enjoy a family picnic that begins with Catholic mass and continues throughout the day with music, games, and of course, good food. The biggest- and perhaps most prized – event held by the club is the Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce tournament. The admission-free tournament, which draws teams from New York, Michigan, Canada, Illinois, Florida, and other locations, is a three-day festival complete with music, children’s entertainment, food and souvenir vendors, beverages and prizes to the winning teams. This year’s Pat O’Brien Chevrolet Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce tournament is scheduled for Agust 25 – 27. The first place prize at the 2006 tournament will be $9,750. Prizes will also be given to teams ranking in second through twelfth place. In 2005, 78 teams participated in the tournament, which was organized by member Tony Continenza and approximately 100 volunteers. Parking for the 2006 tournament will be available on the club grounds and at a few local parking lots. A shuttle service will be running from the local lots.

Another successful event held by the club in September is the Seafood Fest. Historically, this themed event, organized by member Rick Continenza, has featured oysters, lobster, shrimp, clams, a 16-piece orchestra, and an ice sculpture of the boot of Italy. The event, held in the pavilion, has had Mardi Gras and nautical themes, among others, and has drawn between 400 and 450 members and guests. Also, in December, the club has a children’s Christmas party that Wickliffe Italian-American Club Ladies’ Auxiliary organizes. The Ladies’ Auxiliary, an off-shoot of the main club that is comprised of the men’s wives and family members, holds a card party each year to raise money to fund the Christmas party.

In addition to this plethora of activity, in 2003, the club established a youth organization to instill family values in young Italian Americans, as well as to perpetuate the club and Italian traditions and culture. To date, 35 families are involved in the youth organization, and activities have included a family campout, instructional bocce lessons, a pizza-making party and sledding at Alpine. Plans for the future include watching videos on Italy, learning the Italian language, and taking trips to Little Italy. Latessa excitedly notes, “I’m ecstatic about how the youth group is developing – they’re having fun, learning the Italian culture and language, and will hopefully keep this place going.”

So, how are all of these events accomplished? Latessa, who has been President of the club for 13 years, is the first to admit that he isn’t Superman. “It takes team work, and members are great in volunteering their time,” says Latessa. The club has formed a number of committees and has delegated responsibilities in order to run the more than successful events. The club’s current committees are responsible for entertainment, scholarships, bocce, the bocce tournament, grounds keeping and golf outings. The executive committee is comprised of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Financial Secretary. Respectively, Latessa, Dominic Olivo, Clarke Brassell, Peter Vitantonio, and Ralph Randall currently hold these positions. The executive committee officers are nominated every December. The club also has five board members and a club manager, Lornie otondo, who is responsible for the Club Room, grounds and rental bookings.

Clearly, members of the Wickliffe Italian-American Club value more than family, food, friends and fun – they hold tradition, heritage and legacy in high esteem. As the club nears its 75th anniversary, which will be celebrated with a parade and party, Latessa is encouraged by the club’s current standing and has much hope for its future. Reflecting on his term as president, Latessa says, “I enjoy seeing how far we’ve come in the last 13 or 14 years with all the improvements we’ve made to the facility and the feeling of camaraderie in the club. We love each other.” He adds, “I’m proud.”

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