Recallection on the week long stay of the treviso Delegation

Day 1. Saturday February 17th. The SSCA “Treviso Team” of five volunteers head out to Tampa International Airport to welcome and transport the delegation from the Province of Treviso, led by its president Leonardo Muraro, back to their hotel on Lido Key for their week long stay in Sarasota. We have an extensive agenda prepared to connect our new sister city to Sarasota at a cultural and commercial level. The Team has been tracking their airplane journey from Venezia, Italy via the Internet and cell phones, with much commentary from our communication and media specialist, Tom Halbert, as if we were following the re-entry of the space shuttle. Snow and postponements have slowed their arrival in Tampa.

The excitement is building and everyone is anxious to start on each or our assigned tasks and responsibilities for the week. Upon our arrival at the airport, we position ourselves in a receiving area displaying our white and orange Treviso flag so we will be recognized by our arriving guests. One crowd after another passes us by until, finally, one group emerges appearing to try to find their way and spots the flag. At that moment, they smile and, though very tired, they are energized by our welcome and we bond almost immediately as we leave for Sarasota.

Our motorcade of three cars stops by Paul Mattison’s place in downtown Sarasota at his gracious invitation for something to eat and drink and to welcome the delegation. It’s midnight and Paul’s place is getting ready to close, but he insists and asks his staff to stay a bit later. Later we escort the delegation to their hotel or to their home host.

Sunday. I decide to cancel the boat tour of Sarasota Bay as the weather is the coldest of the season, with high winds and choppy waters. Instead, we enjoy a reception in an Italian bar downtown and introduce the delegation to all the volunteers that have made this “twinning” between cities possible.

Later, we meet for brunch at the Sarasota Yacht Club where Mayor Fredd Atkins and several city commisioners welcome the delegation with speeches and recognitions. The Italians especially enjoy the brunch as it is a new form of dining for them. Afterward, the delegation plants a tree at City Island, commemorating the new Sarasota-Treviso Sister City relationship.

The Gulf Coast Italian Cultural Society on Siesta Key sponsors the evening dinner and there is great fesitivity and celebration of the delegation’s arrival.

Monday. The first day of our “work” week, we begin with the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Arts, where the delegation is ecorted through the museum by Dr. Wettenhall. On the way to the museum I receive a call from Jennifer, the marketing director of Mattison’s, asking if Domenico Longo, one of the visiting Italian chefs, and I would be prepared to give a brief interview with Sarasota’s ABC Channel 7 TV weatherman, John Scalzi in a couple of hours. I look at Domenico and ask him if He knows a recipe he can whip up on live TV in 5 mintues max. Domenico takes about 30 seconds to ponder my question and says “No problem.” We assure Jennifer we’ll be there then head out to pick up the required ingredients and kitchen tools for the show. At the studio, Mr. Scalzi interviews me in regard to my position with SSCA and our Treviso connection through the Asolo Theater. Thereafter, the cameras move to Domenico and I translate as he cooks his appetizer.

We catch up with the delegation at Dr. Polizzi’s house, where an intense singing and instrument playing is taking place along with a great display of food. We have some import issues, since the delegation had specially arranged for food and wines to arrive from the province of Treviso. One of the number one products (Radicchio di Treviso, a type of lettuce unique to Treviso) has not yet been delivered. After several calls, I am able to get a guarantee for delivery the very next day. A relief, since it’s need for the much anticipated dinner to be prepared this week by the delegation, featuring Treviso foods and dishes. The delegation next heads to the Ringling School of Arts where Dr. Larry Thompson assumes the lead.

Mary Ann and Robert Servian have arranged for the evening’s reception at the Renaissance. Navigating the heavy traffic has taken a toll on the schedule and the delegation is late returning to the hotel to prepare to attend the reception.When they finally arrive, I split the delegation and send most everyone but President Muraro to the reception and accompany the president, Chef Domenico and Marinella Fagaraz, chef- proprietor of Treviso’s Ristorante Casa Coste, to Flemings Restaurant for scheduled photo shoots with journalist, Judi Gallagher, of Sarasota’s Channels 6 and 21. [Author’s subsequent note: Flemings also later hosted the delegation and volunteers, which was a great way for the delegation to experience an American meal in style].

Tuesday. Today the delegation meets the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce board of directors, splitting into groups with a counterpart from the Chamber and a translator. Meanwhile, the chefs are hard at work in preparing the feast of their traditional Treviso foods offerings.

Lunch is casual and relaxing at the Salty Dog Cafe, which the delegation enjoys immensely. The water and sunshine are starting to look much more like Sarasota. But, enough of the relaxing. We are back at city hall for a brief official welcome by the mayor and commisioners.

In the evening, the delegation arrives at the historic Asolo theater with the Italian Consul General of Miami, for the official reception and signing of the Sister Cities documents. Approximatly 220 people attend this historic event.

The Key Chorale sings “Il Nabuco” in their opening performance, grabbing the attention of all the attendees. The Sarasota opera presents “la ci darem la mano” with a great mezzo soprano and a bass-baritone. An excellent performance by the Asolo Repertory follows, after which the official signing by Mayor Atkins, Treviso President Leonardo Muraro, SSCA President William Wallance, and me, SSCA City Director for Treviso Mirco Chiodi, is held. The ceremonies concluded with dinner at the adjacent Treviso Restaurant and acknowledgments of all the major players who have worked to make this “Gemelaggio” a reality.


Wednsday. Some of the delegation visit Mote Marine and Chef Domenico prepares a dish at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion. Lunch features sturgeon from the farm of Mote Marine, providing a natural topic of conversation after spending the morning there.

Later, we visit a Sarasota branch of a Treviso-based company, Breton USA and enjoy a visit to Piero Rivolta’s home for a reception and tour of his magnificent sailboat.

Meanwhile, the Mattison Steakhouse on Longboat Key is a very busy place with everyone preparing for the representation of “Provincia di Treviso” through presentation of the region’s food and wine. The event is attended by the delegation, city commissioners, SSCA members and the media.

The staff at Mattison’s excels in their service and hospitality and everyone is absolutely delighted by the unique dinner presentation. Providing her unique insights throughout dinner is Susanna Wriston-Delucia, who initiated efforts to develop Treviso as a Sister City 5 years ago and promised me she would return when I promised to carry on the work she had started. Giuliana Meneghetti_(Province of Treviso Cerimonial coordinator)_ has prepared a gift for all participants, a bag colorfully decorated with the province’s logo and filled with literature about Treviso and its products, a special pasta, cheese, and a bottle of Prosecco for everyone to take home.

Thursday. We visit the Military Academy and watch them perform the flag raising, then sing the US national anthem, followed by the Italian, in Italian by children of Italians at the school.

A visit to Sarasota Middle School is next, also led by Carla Puppinato, and the delegation fields questions by the students of Mr. Schemeck’s class. And then to Riverview High School, to be welcomed by Principal Linda Nook and teacher, Bridget Coughlin.

After a gift exchange at the Federal Building between Mayor Atkins and President Muraro, and a book signing by Dr. Joe Polizzi for his recent work, “Andrea Palladio,” dinner is hosted by Gianrico Filippetto of Breton USA at the Mediterraneo Restaurant. The volunteers and delegation has become quite a family after sharing all these meals and activities together.

Friday. Departure. It is very emotional for everyone, but we are satisfied that we will continue the Citizen Diplomacy we have begun this week through the wonderful relationships we have formed. We all look forward to putting the ideas we have discussed into action.


Mirco Chiodi

Province of Treviso Week Long Celebration

The Province of Treviso, Italy will become Sarasota’s sixth Sister City when the official delegation from Treviso arrives on Saturday, February 17 to kick-off a full week of events and discussions with Sarasota cultural and educational institutions, government agencies and businesses.

Treviso is a province in the Veneto region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Treviso, one of 95 municipalities in the province. The province is replete with the amenities of the 21st century, situated within beautifully preserved renaissance settings just northwest of Venice and the Adriatic. It is noted for cultural, historical, gastronomical, manufacturing, agricultural, and ecological highlights and being the home of the original Asolo Theatre.

The key event during the week will be the Gala Reception and official ceremony at the Historic Asolo Theatre at the John & Mabel Ringling Museum Visitors Center beginning at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 20. Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins and Province of Treviso President Leonardo Muraro will sign the documents that will make the Province of Treviso Sarasota’s sixth Sister City to begin the Ringling’s Festival dell’Arte Italiana.

The new Sarasota Sister City partnership with the Province of Treviso is sponsored by the Gulf Coast Italian Culture Society. The signing will culminate a six year “courtship” between the Treviso and Sarasota designed to ensure a long-time, productive relationship for the future, Sarasota Sister Cities Association President Bill Wallace noted.

Visiting Province President Muraro during his visit will be introduced to Sarasota and focus on interests of Strategic Planning, Highway Planning & Maintenance, Administrative Effectiveness, and International Relations.

He will be accompanied by five provincial council members including:
· Franco Conte with interests in Urban Planning, and Program Implementation;
· Ubaldo Fanton with interests Environmental Policy, Ecology, Land Use, Geology, Coordination of the Cerletti College of Oenology Sant’Artemio Project;
· Carla Puppinato with interests in Educational Planning and Evaluation;
· Alessio De Mitri; Council member
· Marco Scolese ;Council member

Others accompanying the official delegation are Giuliana Meneghetti, Province Chef of Protocol; Marinella Fagaraz, Chef and proprietor of Casa Coste Restaurant in Treviso, and Domenico Longo, Chef of Casa Coste Restaurant.

In addition to the gala reception, ceremony and dinner at the Historic Asolo Theatre, the John & Mable Museum have created seven additional Festival dell’Arte Italiana public productions at the Historic Asolo Theatre for Treviso Week.

Many other events and culinary treats are open to the public, most with reservations in advance required. Details on each event and reservation or ticket requirements can be viewed on the Sarasota Sister Cities web site www.sarasotasistercities.org

The new relationship is expected to result in enhancing Treviso’s “Marca Nobilissima” marketing campaign which includes bringing the foods and wines of Treviso here to begin a new business relationship. Also anticipated are “exchanges” with Treviso’s cultural society (music, art, drama, and dance); its civic society (boy and girl scouts, service clubs); its sports teams and its educational institutions. The province is an agricultural market and industrial center. Manufactures include machinery, chemicals, metal products, ceramics, jewelry and construction materials.
Treviso is a bustling, prosperous capital of Treviso Province and center in the northern Veneto. It seems to have changed little from its early days as a medieval market town and staunch ally to Venice. Much of the city had to be rebuilt after severe World War II damage, but it was done well. Treviso remains picturesque, with canals, old houses, narrow winding streets, and fortifications of the 16th and 17th cent. Of special note are the 16th century cathedral and the municipal museum, whose rich holdings include paintings by Paris Bordone, born (1500) in Treviso.
Sister Cites initiatives began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to -people program under the National League of Cities as a citizen diplomacy outreach. He envisaged persons and organizations in individual U.S. cities interacting on a one-to-one basis with their peers in foreign cities and nations, believing that such personal relationships would lessen the chance of future world conflicts.

The rapidly growing program became the non-profit Sister Cities International in 1967. Even before that, in 1963, Sarasota residents had already established the Sarasota Sister Cities Association and formed a relationship with Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, now in emeritus status. Since then, official relationships have been forged with Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Perpignan, France; Vladimir, Russia; Tel Mond, Israel; and Dunfermline, Scotland. In addition, Sarasota has completed initial agreements with Siming District, Xiamen, China to become the first Asian Sister City.

The official mission of Sarasota Sister Cities Association, Inc. (SSCA) is to foster international relationships between Sarasota and cities that have similar interests by creating exchanges in areas of culture, education, tourism, business and government. SSCA's objective is to develop respect, understanding and cooperation through citizen diplomacy, while working outside the realm of government, but with its support, to facilitate common goals.
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Signing ceremony of the agreement (Gemelaggio) between the City of Sarasota and the Province of Treviso (Italy), at the Historic Asolo Theatre, Sarasota, February 20th, 2007.

The signing ceremony at the sound of "Nabuco" by the Key Chorale.

From left: sarasota Mayor Fredd "G" Atkins, presdient of SSCA William Wallace, President of the Treviso's Province Leonardo Muraro, SCCA Treviso Director Mirco Chiodi.

Treviso team new meeting schedule

Ciao a tutti!

The delegation came and went, a BIG thank you to all the volunteers in the Treviso Team for supporting the agenda with their time and effort, it did turn out a great week and a memorable one.

Now, the ceremony of signing the agreement between the city of Sarasota and the Province of Treviso has been accomplished, it is then time to get to work, and elaborate from the points of interest that the delegation discussed during thier various meetings.

Education, tourism, nanotechnolgies, furniture, food and wine products of the Province of Treviso, to name the most important, are the topics to develop.

We have all agreed at the March 6th meeting to regroup our schedule of lunch meetings to be held each month onthe first and third Tuesdays, still at ESCA, still 11:30 to 12:30.

Grazie e a presto.

Sarasota sister Cities, Treviso Director
Mirco Chiodi
941-350-1250

Sarasota Sister Cities – Treviso Weekly 11:30 a.m. Meetingon February 13, 2007 at ESCA Restaurant

Attendance:
1. Tony Fiocco – Treviso Vice-Director
2. Magdalena J. Picardi – Treasurer / Secretary / Organizational Committee
3. Tom Halbert – Sarasota Sister Cities Vice President, PR & Communications
4. Joe Polizzi – Events, Initiatives & PR Committee
5. Alexandra De Stefanis – Cultural Committee
6. Lisa Brecher – Events , Initiatives & PR Committee
7. Beatrice Jones – Business & Environmental Committee
8. Dianne Brin – Events, Initiatives & PR Committee
9. Bill Wallace – Sarasota Sister Cities Association - President
10. Gayle Maxey – Sarasota Sister Cities Association - Lunch & Event Coordinator
11. Frank Cerullo – “Gulf Coast Italian Cultural Society” – Guest
12. Ed Rudd – Guest

Follow-Up This Meeting:
o Recap on the delegation Itinerary and any changes that were made.
o Designing Banner
o “Photo210” personnel contributions
o Tree planting ceremony

*Mirco and Angel could not make it to the meeting today; they are wrapping up some last minute arraignments so Tony will head up the meeting this morning.
*More changes have been made to the itinerary. These were discussed and explained.
*At the new Tree Planting ceremony a plaque was supposed to be presented, however the plaque would not be ready in time for the event so a laminated documents with the likeness of the plaque will be the substitute.
*New Itinerary will be made with the updates and sent to all volunteers either via E-mail, Fax or Mail.
*The photography company “Photo210” has volunteered some of their staff to assist in our photography efforts. They will be present at many of the events and will create 1 master album afterwards for us free of charge. For all interested and obtaining a photo for their own personal collection, “Photo210” will post the photos on their website, which you can order for a minimal fee. We thank Bill Dillard and Shannon Murphy of “Photo210” for their most generous gift. It’ is much appreciated.

**Thank you everyone for all your efforts so far and in all that is to come. I wish us all luck and know this will be a wonderful and memorable week with the Italian Delegation!**

Follow-Up Next Meeting:
o There won’t be a meeting next week.




Long-Term Projects:
o Sister Cities Discount Card for local Sarasota Shops, Restaurants, and Activity Centers – The same would go for our Sister Cities.
o Sister Cities Convention at Robarts Arena – Multiple booths for each of the countries to show: Food, Clothing, Jewelry etc.
o Local Treviso Clothing and Jewelry Fashion Show in Sarasota
o Set up a tour of Treviso for tourists and one for Business trips. Local places to stay eat, shop etc.
o T.V. show following winners of our raffle ticket fundraiser. They will travel to Treviso, Italy and stay with farmers on an “agriturism” vineyard, contributing to and experience their daily routine.

Short Term Projects:
o Guest speaker for Riverview High School “Italian Language Program”
o Showing of the artwork from the children of Treviso
o Treviso Delegation coming for signing
o Quilt show/exchange with the Sarasota Amish and the quilters of Treviso.
o Organ (musical instrument) event between Treviso and the Oslo Theater.

Sarasota Sister Cities – Treviso Weekly 11:30 a.m. Meetingon February 6, 2007 at ESCA Restaurant

Attendance: 1. Mirco Chiodi – Treviso Director 2. Tony Fiocco – Treviso Vice-Director 3. Magdalena J. Picardi – Treasurer / Secretary / Organizational Committee 4. Gianrico Filippetto – Treasurer 5. Joe Polizzi – Events, Initiatives & PR Committee 6. Carol Arroyo – Cultural Committee 7. Alexandra De Stefanis – Cultural Committee 8. Lisa Brecher – Events , Initiatives & PR Committee 9. Stefania Orofino – Cultural Committee 10. Suzanne Dameron – Electronic Media / Business & Environmental Committee 11. Bill Wallace – Sarasota Sister Cities Association - President 12. Hope Brynes – Sarasota Sister Cities Association – Foreign Events 13. Mary Palmer – “Gulf Coast Italian Culture Society” – Guest 14. Frank Cerullo – “Gulf Coast Italian Cultural Society” – Guest 15. Ed Rudd – Guest 16. Anamaria Tosolini – Guest 17. Giuseppe Tosolini – Guest 18. Pavel Kapic – Guest 19. Alyssia Lazin-Kapic – Guest

Follow-Up This Meeting: o Recap on the delegation Itinerary and any changes that were made. o Sarasota Sister Cities gathering at ESCA o RSVP for other events on the itinerary that are open to members.

*Mirco makes the announcement that Sarasota Sister Cities will be having a gather at ESCA on February 12, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. which will be open to all it’s member and their guests and even the public. *E-mail blasts will be sent out shortly by Tom Halbert for the remaining delegation events that will be open for RSVP. *Please know that the volunteer appreciation event at Americano on Sunday, February 18th at 10:30 is completely underwritten by Breton USA and is open to all volunteers and their guests. (Come on people…Free Food!J) *We are hoping that all members attending the Gala on Tuesday, February 20th at 6:30 p.m. will be willing to act as hosts and hostesses to all attendees, and spread the word of Sister Cities concept. *After we have successfully completed the week of delegation itinerary, we will continue to hold regular meetings and start the long term and short term project ideas that have been proposed by different members during our meetings and build on the outcome of the visit of the delegation from Treviso lead by its President. *A secondary meeting will be held tomorrow from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lisa Brecher’s office in an effort to consolidate all new incoming information. *In preparation for all volunteers, Magdalena will add addresses of all locations to the delegation itinerary. *Patti Dembs, our co-secretary, has informed us that she will be getting married shortly and thusly will not be able to assist or attend in the delegation itinerary for the time being. Patti has been a wonderful help to us all and her assistance has been much appreciated. We wish her all the best with her coming nuptials. Congratulations Patti! Great Job Magdalena for your continue support!! Mirco

Follow-Up Next Meeting: o Updates made during the secondary meeting.

Long-Term Projects: o Sister Cities Discount Card for local Sarasota Shops, Restaurants, and Activity Centers – The same would go for our Sister Cities. o Sister Cities Convention at Robarts Arena – Multiple booths for each of the countries to show: Food, Clothing, Jewelry etc. o Local Treviso Clothing and Jewelry Fashion Show in Sarasota o Set up a tour of Treviso for tourists and one for Business trips. Local places to stay eat, shop etc. o T.V. show following winners of our raffle ticket fundraiser. They will travel to Treviso, Italy and stay with farmers on an “agriturism” vineyard, contributing to and experience their daily routine.

Short Term Projects: o Guest speaker for Riverview High School “Italian Language Program” o Showing of the artwork from the children of Treviso o Treviso Delegation coming for signing o Quilt show/exchange with the Sarasota Amish and the quilters of Treviso. o Organ (musical instrument) event between Treviso and the Oslo Theater.