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Indiana Travel Guide
Indy's Italian Heritage
Merle Discovers A Lot Of Italy In Indianapolis
Indiana
was my destination as I "Air Tranned" to Indianapolis and then
whisked off to the Omni Severin Hotel in the downtown area. I
keep finding a taste of Italy wherever I seem to travel. I had
first come across an organization called the
Italian Heritage Society of Indiana,
a non-profit organization, established in 1993, as an offshoot
of the Columbus '92 Commission for the State of Indiana, which
worked tediously for three years so that the State of Indiana
could participate in our nation's year-long celebration of the
500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' Discovery of America.
The enthusiasm of the project brought together a variety of people with family roots from all parts of Italy. More than six hundred persons of Italian descent and many non-Italian friends who have a fondness for the Italian culture and its arts contributed to the establishment of this Society. Since its foundation, the Society has continued to offer its members many enjoyable activities and opportunities for fellowship.
There
is a canal connected
with the
White River State Park,
the perfect opportunity
for a ride on a gondola,
which are old, open, black and made of wood. Jeff Hutson is the owner
of
Old World Gondoliers.
What's
different about this one
is that you don't get to
hear a tour of Indy or
the houses, but Jeff or
any of the other
gondoliers singing live
and without any music
aka acapella. One is
asked to turn off their
cellphones and simply
enjoy the serenading.
Many folks have
delivered marriage
proposals onboard.
I briefly met up with Ralph Tambasco, the President of the Italian organization and V.P. Joe Giacoletti before my gondola ride. And, Joe presented me with a book from Author, Carol Faenzi, who wrote The Stonecutter's Aria. Carol, a former resident of NYC moved to Indy and is now a member of the society. The Stonecutter’s Aria focuses on her heritage of family in Italy that worked in the stone cutting industry, bringing their trade to the United States.
One of the upcoming events in Indy celebrates the arts as The Italian Heritage Society of presents the Giuseppe Verdi Choir of Mantova Italy under the direction of maestro Giuliano Vicenzi at the end of August at the Indiana Landmarks Center, located at 340 West Michigan Street in Indianapolis. This group will be performing for the first time in the US in New York and Indianapolis.
By Merle Exit
Plan Your Trip
Learn more about Indy's Italian Heritage
To discover more about the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana go to their website at www.italianheritage.org.
To enjoy a gondola ride with the Old World Gondoliers while in Indianapolis visit www.4gondola.com.
Getting around town to visit attractions and restaurants, as well as events is easy with help from the Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau at at www.visitindy.com.
Also visit Indianapolis Downtown Inc. at www.indydt.com for more events and news for your trip.
Social Networks -
- FaceBook - Italian Heritage Society of Indiana - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=60215294440
- Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau - http://visitindy.com/#connect_facebook
- Twitter - Indianapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau - http://visitindy.com/#connect_twitter
- Indianapolis Downtown Inc - http://www.twitter.com/IndyDT
About The Author
Learn more about Merle Exit
Humorous
Adventures With Merle - For Journalist and
Photographer, Merle Exit, life traveling
with her friends Esther & Eunice is always a
humorous adventure. As a comedian, Merle finds
laughter around every corner on her travels.
And, she never misses an photo opportunity with
Esther and Eunice. Join Merle Exit, comedienne,
journalist and radio personality, on her
"journey of destinations" on
www.merleswhirls.com where you'll find links
to her blog site and radio show.
Follow this link to view current features by this author --->