Past Presidents Night 2010 - Our 80th Anniversary
On January 16, 2010, the Lido Civic Club of Washington, DC celebrated its 80th anniversary at its annual Past Presidents’ Night. The black tie gala event was held at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.
This year, the Club honored race car driver Mario Andretti with a Special Lifetime Achievement Award and S. Joseph Bruno as Lido Civic Club “Man of the Year”.
The Gala Event
The evening began with a silent auction and cocktails accompanied by a string quartet. Dinner was catered by Café Milano and music was provided by the band Sidney. Over 450 guests enjoyed the dinner and evening’s events in the beautiful Italian Embassy indoor piazza. The Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were John Salamone and former OECD Ambassador Connie Morella. The Invocation was given by Lido member and Holy Rosary Church Pastor, Fr. Lydio Tomasi. Greetings from the Republic of Italy to our Club and congratulatory remarks about the evening’s two honorees were given on behalf of the Italian Ambassador by Sig. Cristiano Maggipinto, the First Counselor at the Embassy.
The Podium was then turned over to the 2010 honorary dinner chairman John Salamone who promptly held a live auction - for an opportunity to drive alongside Mario Andretti. Both the Man of the Year Joe Bruno and Club member Rocco DelMonaco, Jr. were determined to win. When the bidding reached $10,500, John Salamone decided to give both persevering bidders a winning nod. John followed this up with another auction to drive a race car at the Andretti Racing School.
After the dinner, Ambassador Constance Morella along with Father Phil DeRea, a close friend of Mario’s, introduced Mr. Andretti. After a short film on his exceptional life and accomplishments, Ambassador Morella and
Father Phil presented Mr Andretti with our Special Lifetime Achievement award. In attendance were Mr. Andretti’s family, his lovely wife Dee Ann, his son Jeffery and daughter Barbra.
Ambassador Morella next introduced Joe Bruno’s daughters, Francesca and Cinzia. The two young women spoke of their pride in their father’s accomplishments and told of the importance to their father of his Italian heritage. A short video on the life and accomplishments of S. Joseph Bruno was aired. Ambassador Morella and Lido Member, Anthony Cantalupo then introduced Joe Bruno and presented him with the Lido Civic Club “Man of the Year” Award.
The closing invocation was given by Lido member and long-time friend of Mario Andretti, Fr. Philip DeRea, MSC Director of Development for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
The evening concluded with music and dancing provided by Sidney.