Last Saturday, I attended an event celebrating 100 years of a social club.
What’s a social club?
An organization that brings together individuals together with a common bond.

This one is called St. Ambrogio Society. Sometimes referred by its members as “the club.”
It was founded 100 years ago by immigrants and families of immigrants from Ferentino, Italy. Over the years the society has clung to its roots but has also opened its membership from once only allowing those with Roman or Ferrentino heritage and then to only those of Italian descent to now where membership is open to non-Italians.

It’s a place where members can come and enjoy each other’s company. I’ve likened it to a celebration of family, friends and fun. The comradery, banter, arguing and back to laughter is an everyday experience. The club also sponsors events, charity fundraisers, family gatherings, and of course has very active bocce leagues.

At the banquet, over 150 guests gathered to celebrate, listen to speakers talk of their families heritage and reminisce. There was laughter, catching up with friends and dancing. We even had a guest fly in from Arizona for the event.

A hundred years is a long time. It’s also amazing to see that whole families have continued the membership taking after their parents and grandparents. I did an quick experiment at the dinner when I asked each table to add up the years of membership of the guests seated. The amounts ranged from 37 total years to over 200! With the 150 plus guests, we had well over 1000 years of membership. A thousand years of memories gathered in one room!

The hall where we gathered to have dinner was actually the Americanization Hall originally located a few blocks away at St. Anthony of Padua church. It was used to teach Italian immigrants the English language so they could better assimilate into American society. The club purchased the building and moved it from the church to its present location pulled by horses over logs!

I’ve been a member of the club for over 30 years.
I was very happy to be a part of the 100 year celebration and a small part of the thousands of years of memories.

To the banquet committee members who planned, decorated, arranged for the food a hearty congratulations on a job very well done!

To all my fellow members, a simple toast.

Cent’ anni!
Salute a Santa Ambrogio!

ciao
JT