NYAROC Winter Party 2020

 

 End of an Era  NYAROC 2010 - 2020

Another year has come and gone and NYAROC finds itself at a crossroads with the 2020 Holiday Party. With the membership growing thanks to the reintroduction of the marque, many new faces have been welcomed into the fold. So much so that name tags are now a requirement.  In addition, Dr. Dino Pappous announced that he was stepping down as President at the Fall Dinner Party in 2019, after 10 long and productive years, and that his successor would be announced tonight.  As usual, the hospitality was provided by Lynn and George Pezold, who for the umpteenth time have welcomed the NYAROC group into their home.  

This year's gathering welcomed 5 new members  and they were greeted by the usual warm and welcoming NYAROC  group.  Some traveled from as far as Hoboken, New Jersey and Hartford, Connecticut to attend. The gathering of friends and NYAROC members was further enhanced by Alan Elton's apparel and merchandise raffle which added a new twist this year.  Thanks to Dan Goldman, a live auction was part of the action with two Alfa jackets being auctioned off. 

With George Pezold calling the meeting to order and with  Casa d' Pezold filled to the brim, the outgoing President took the stage one last time to thank all of the current and former Directors of the Club that served with him.  The gathering included NYAROC BOD alumni such as Lou Grasso, Frank Gesualdo, Frank Sapienza, Frank Como, Griff DeNoyels, Joel Belser,  and the current BOD members such as Vic Cerami, George GT Linton, Harry Nicolaidis, Vincent Lambroia, Alan Elton, Frank Intintoli, and current NYAROC Chairpersons Dan Goldman, Phil Jacobs and Dan deGiovine, all there to salute the outgoing President.  A thoughtful and generous gift certificate to Rothmann's Steakhouse was provided by "Breakfast Club" members and the BOD provided a beautiful Formula 1 Alfa Romeo Racing Jacket to Dino as a thank you for time served.  Standing next to Dino, there to lead the club forward was incoming President Dr. Anthony Intintoli and incoming Vice President Mr. Mike Bange.  Finally, as the torch was passed, the comic relief was provided by Zoe Pappous as she rushed the stage to thank Anthony and Mike for taking over leadership of the club.

A fabulous candlelight dinner catered by Tutto Pazzo followed in the un-electrified historic dining room of Fannie Brice, now the Casa d' Pezold.

It was a monumental evening for the club as we looked back on 10 years of progress, the growth of the club from LIAROC to NYAROC, the development and expansion of the Dr. Robert Cess Stony Brook Concorso, the production of one of the best, and the most financially successful National Convention ever (Alfamiglia Nordest 2015), the expansion of on line merchandising through the club web site,  the remembrance of friends and members that are no longer with us, and mostly, the anticipation for further growth of NYAROC under new leadership that will continue to grow the NYAROC brand.

NYAROC annual Fall Awards Dinner - 2019

Saturday, November 23, 2019, NYAROC held its annual Fall Awards Dinner at the fabulous Douglaston Club. The venue, food and staff were, as usual, top shelf. We had a very good turnout of club members with a number traveling to Long Island from Connecticut and all reportedly had a great time. 

President Dino opened announcing that he will be stepping down at the next holiday party meeting. At that time his successor will be introduced. After more than ten years serving as club president his announcement was met with a loud groan and protest from the members. Dino was and is a very popular, personable and tireless leader. He will be greatly missed, but he promised to stay active and serve as a club director.

NYAROC Board of Directors awards were presented as follows: 

Serpent to Bert Wong for his many contributions and service as club Director.

And two Quadrifoglio awards presented recognizing Tom Carren and Rob Rizzo for their many years of support including volunteering at club events.

- Vic Cerami

Robert D. Cess Concorso d'Eleganza - 2019

Thanks to all for a very nice day today at the Bob Cess Concorso event, hosted by the Italian studies Dept. with much assistance from Jo Fusco and Vinny. Great people, cars and weather!

And again a great MC job by our president Dino with very nice Alfa specific awards given.  The after lunch at Savino's was again also excellent, many thanks to ken.

Thanks to Chris Cannizzaro for the photos

NYAROC Summer BBQ 2019

With perfect weather, new Alfas and returning founding members, this event can only be regarded as a total success.

Thanks to Burt Wong for the great photos

Italian Festival Cultural Showcase

New York State Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America
Italian Festival Cultural Showcase
at the Smithtown Historical Society

A wide range of Alfa Romeo cars represented the New York Alfa Romeo owners club at the Italian Festival in Smithtown, on June 29th.  Hosted by The Culture and Heritage Italian Fair 2019,  the Alfisti provided a  taste of the Italian “Biscione”  from the classic Spider Graduate up to the modern and most recent offerings, the Giulia and Stelvio. Other classic Alfas included the GTV coupe and the unforgettable Alfa 164 S. As a mascot, there was also a Fiat X1 Bertone.

   “We really thank the NYS Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy for having us today” said the members of the local Alfa Romeo Club at the Frank Brush Barn. “We really enjoyed answering  the visitors questions and introducing our Alfa Romeos to the audience”.

- text by Lory & Ricky Dalla Rosa / photos by Michael Laurie