The Columbus Citizens Foundation has invited the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW), Staten Island Network, to present its program on the history of Carnevale at a Feb. 21 networking cocktail party for foundation members and members of NOIAW in the foundation's Manhattan townhouse at 8 East 69th St.
The non-profit Columbus Citizens Foundation, which organizes Manhattan's annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, is committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement.

Its invitation to the Island group resulted from the latter's enjoyable and informative presentation, "Behind the Mask: A History of Carnevale," last year at the Old Bermuda Inn, Charleston, which included a slide show and personal remembrances by members who had experienced the celebration in Italy as both children and adults.

A small committee from the Island National Organization of Italian American Women Network, including MaryRose Barranco Morris, Rosetta Palmeri, Donna Nastasi and Joan Migliori, will conduct the program on the 21st, which will explore the music and history of Italy's celebrated pre-Lenten winter festival.

Carnevale is distinguished by masquerade balls and parades, among a variety of other entertainments. An important component of the festival is the elaborate maschere, or masks, created for the occasion, the most richly embellished of which appear along the parade route and at the numerous costume balls in Venice, where the Carnevale celebration is thought to have originated 850 years ago in Piazza San Marco.

"Because Carnevale is a joyous celebration of life, during the reception NOIAW's National President and Chair Betty Santangelo will make a special presentation to Rev. Terry Troia, who brings joy, hope and happiness to so many people," reported Dr. Barranco Morris, who chairs the two-year-old Island group.

Rev. Troia, executive director of Project Hospitality, will be honored for her recent tireless efforts on behalf of the several hundreds of Staten Islanders who are dealing with the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Sandy, according to Dr. Barranco Morris.

The National Organization of Italian American Women is committed to preserving Italian heritage, language and culture by promoting and supporting the advancement of women of Italian ancestry. The organization serves its members through cultural programs like "Behind the Mask" and by supporting young women through scholarships, mentoring and international cultural exchange programs.

To learn more about the national and local network, call Clarissa Caprio at 212-642-2003 or contact her at NOIAW@NOIAW.org or visit the website at www.NOIAW.org.