NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The date of the next meeting will be determined at a later date. 

Membership Information here

Most recent newsletter available here

CIAO recognizes Dr. Anthony Fauci as our

"Christopher Columbus Honoree 2021"

in absentia

The Cultural Italian American Organization is proud to recognize Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as the  honoree for the 2021 Christopher Columbus Testimonial Dinner. CIAO Board members unanimously agreed to honor Dr. Fauci in absentia. Dr. Fauci was sent a letter, along with a plaque expressing the appreciation of CIAO for the pride of our Italian ancestry. The plaque reads as follows: “The Cultural Italian American Organization (CIAO) of Auburn, New York, on the commemoration of the Christopher Columbus Day celebration, proudly extends the Honoree of the Year recognition to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, for his immeasurable dedication in the medical/research field, and for caring for the well-being of the American citizenry. Grazie di vero cuore!” CIAO is proud to recognize a national hero in the medical sector for caring for his countrymen.

Pictured below holding the plaque are the respective youngest and oldest members of CIAO, John J. Elice and Gina Mironti.

2021 Columbus Day Flag Raising

Below are photos from the 2021 Columbus Day Flag Raising at Memorial City Hall in Auburn, New York. Pictured in photo 1 is CIAO member Paul Saltarello and John Elice, Jr., preparing to raise the flag.

Picture 4 in the top row is Tony Tesoro, Tony Gucciarrdi, John Elice, Jr., Paul Saltarello and Dick Paulino. The last photo includes member John Deterlizzi, from Florida.

Columbus Day Ceremony at the Christopher Columbus Statute

in Syracuse, New York

and luncheon 

October 11, 2021

BOCCE NEWS!!

Congratulations to 2021 Bocce Summer League winners:

Vandelay Industries!

Check out the final bocce scores on our Bocce page, here.

CIAO was pleased to once again be able to have a summer Bocce League, after the cancellation of the 2020 league due to covid. Bocce co-chairs Sam Vitale and Joe Divietro scheduled the eight teams with weekly games held at the town of Owasco Bocce Court. The League Championship Game was held on Wednesday, July 28, and team Vandelay Industries were the winners. Members of the winning team Gary Salvage, Peggy Salvage, Jim Salvage and Beth Salvage are pictured receiving their trophies at the Bocce League dinner at Lascas.

In the spirit of their motto “Cultura e Caritas” (Culture and Charity), The Cultural Italian American Organization of Auburn extended their assistance to a fundraiser for the South Salem Church of the Nazarene, in Salem, Oregon.

CIAO members Paolo and Anna Saltarello traveled to visit and assist son Joe (a west coast CIAO member), his family, and members of the South Salem Nazarene Church, to prepare and serve a traditional Pasta Dinner for a fundraiser to support the church’s youth program to provide scholarships to a Christian summer camp. Maria Saltarello Lentini personally baked three different types of homemade Italian cookies (totaling 550 cookies) which were brought to Oregon and served with the pasta dinner.

The event took place on Sunday, June 6, 2021, with about 150 dinners served, and over $2,000 was raised. Food was prepared by CIAO members Paolo and Anna Saltarello; Joe Saltarello, his wife Heidi, his children, Anthony and Tessa; and Joe’s brother Mario Saltarello.

After the church event, the Saltarello family delivered the remaining cooked pasta dinners to a local homeless camp at a Salem park.

Pastor Aaron Middleton expressed thanks and appreciation for the effort of all who prepared and provided support for the event, saying, “An amazing time was had by all, as the authentic Italian dinner was served. The smiling faces and the servants’ hearts put this meal over the top. This will definitely be happening again at South Salem Church of the Nazarene.”

Membership Dues

Annual dues are payable in January every year. Dues are as follows:

Individual - $25.00

Couple - $40.00

 Please keep your membershp current and mail a check to:

C.I.A.O.

144 Genesee Street, Suite 102-240

Auburn, New York 13021

CIAO SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER

CIAO spreads holiday cheer! Earlier this week, Dr. John Ryan coordinated the delivery of Panettone to all Nursing Stations at Auburn Community Hospital. Thank you to all frontline workers from CIAO! Buon Natale! CIAO members were met at the door to hand off the holiday packages for delivery to nursing stations in the hospital.

Pictured are Pam Harvey, Dr. Ryan and Paolo Saltarello preparing the panettone for delivery, with photography and additional help by Anna Saltarello. Delivery to the hospital included Dr. Ryan, Paul Saltarello, Tony Gucciardi and photographer Felix Mucedola.

Petition to keep the

Columbus Monument in Syracuse, NY

The link below will take you to a page where you can sign a petition to keep the Columbus Monument in Syracuse. New York. 

Pettition to Keep Columbus Monument in Syracuse, NY

CIAO Gives Back to the Community

Congratulations to SIxth Annual Christopher Columbus

Recognition Dinner Honoree

Melina Carnicelli

"C.I.A.O.", the Cultural Italian American Organization, was formed to promote and enhance Italian American Heritage and Culture in Cayuga County, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York state.C.I.A.O.'s motto is culture and caritas (charity) and to recognize Italian American achievements in our community.

We have grown and hosted several successful events since our first official meeting in June, 2014. We will continue to host different traditional events during the year ahead, and invite you to join our group!

We are also on Facebook; Like our page below for updates.