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The Carovillese Club in Akron will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a sold-out gala.Founded in 1925, the club began as a mutual aid society for immigrants from Carovilli, Italy.The club maintains traditions, preserves heritage and serves pasta every Tuesday.
“Cent’anni!”
That’s what Italians say when giving a toast.
It means “100 years.” May you live 100 years.
Those clinking glasses worked like a charm in Akron. The Carovillese Club on North Hill will celebrate its centennial with a black-tie gala Sept. 20.
The private club at 570 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave. is a lasting tribute to when the neighborhood was known as “Little Italy.” A century ago, Italian Americans represented the largest immigrant group in the city. Nearly 4,000 lived here at the time — and most settled on North Hill.
Carovillese Club founded in 1925
Hundreds hailed from Carovilli, a small village in the mountains of central Italy, and found refuge in each other’s company after coming to America.
On Sept. 27, 1925, a group of men founded La Societa di Mutuo Soccorso Carovillese, a mutual aid society and social organization.
“Back in the ’20s when all the guys would immigrate from Italy, it was a place they could go,” explained Bruno Ricchiuti, 39, membership secretary, past president and past trustee. “There was social membership. If there were hard times or somebody got sick, they could provide that mutual aid.”
Carlo Mandrone served as the club’s first president. Surnames of charter members included Carano, Cardarelli, Cinocca, Conti, Crano, DeFrange, DiDomenico, Fabrizio, Falasca, Flasca, Lalli, LaRocca, Lastoria, Mattioli, Paolucci, Pagano, Pappano, Parisi, Peroli, Ricchiuti, Ricilli, Rossi, Scarpitti, Silvestri and Testa. A women’s auxiliary formed a decade later.
Clubhouse dedicated in 1941
After meeting in an old bar for several years, the club broke ground on its current home in 1940. Members dedicated the building July 20, 1941, with the raising of an American flag, a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of American and Italian songs. The Rev. Salvatore Marino of St. Anthony’s Church delivered the invocation.
The club boasted hundreds of members by the 1950s. More than 5,000 people gathered at Carovillese picnics at Roma Park on Medina Road in Bath Township.
As descendants of immigrants assimilated into Akron culture or moved away, membership gradually declined over the decades. So did the need for a mutual aid society.
“It’s kind of turned more into a heritage preservation club now,” Ricchiuti said.
Akron is still home to the largest Carovillese community outside of Italy, according to the group.
The club has maintained traditions including the Feast of Santo Stefano, a July tribute to St. Stefano del Lupo, the patron saint of Carovilli, who lived in the late 1200s or early 1300s. There is also La Salsicciata, a sausage dinner dance held every February. Members enjoy playing bocce and competing in tournaments on the club’s courts.
Pasta dinner every Tuesday
Generations of Akron residents have feasted on the Carovillese Club’s weekly pasta dinners. Spaghetti, rigatoni and ravioli meals — $11 for adults and $7.50 for children — are served to the public from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays. The meals include salad, bread and butter and two meatballs. Visitors can dine in or order carryout at 330-929-6767.
“Every Tuesday!” Ricchiuti said.
The club has more than 140 members. Most are 65 or older, but there has been a recent influx of younger men.
“We just swore in four at our last meeting,” he said.
The society is always looking for new members.
For $5 a year, anyone 21 or older can become a secondary member. Primary membership is open to people from Carovilli, descended from Carovilli or married into the family. Only primary members can hold official positions in the organization.
Black-tie gala is sold out
Tickets for the 100th anniversary gala sold out in July. Ricchiuti, chairman of the event, said around 300 will attend the gathering. Vaccaro’s Trattoria will cater the event with an after party provided by Dontino’s, Cafe Arnone, Rocco’s Pizza, Emidio’s and Grape and Granary.
“We’ve got people coming in from all over,” he said.
That includes a delegation of 14 from Italy. Representatives from Carovilli will present a special proclamation.
The program also will include special proclamations from Mayor Shammas Malik, Ward 2 Councilman Phil Lombardo and Summit County Councilman John N. Schmidt.
“Cent’anni!” will be the toast of the evening.
The next morning will be solemn. Club members will attend a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21 at St. Anthony’s Church at 83 Mosser Place in Akron. The service will honor the Carovillese Club’s centennial and pay tribute to deceased members.
“We are so fortunate to still have our club standing strong after 100 years,” Ricchiuti said.
Here’s to another century.
“Duecento anni!”
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com
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