2020 President’s Message

2020 has not been a normal year for any of us.  COVID-19 has curtailed social gatherings, especially gatherings where food and beverages are served.  Like many organizations, the Italian American Heritage Club was obliged to curtail most of our activities.  We held our January organizational meeting as usual and met for dinner meetings in February and March.  But, after that, everything changed.  No more dinner meetings, no Local Colors, and no Christmas dinner.  We held our annual outdoor Members Picnic in September and that was it.

Hopefully, we will soon be able to return to our normal annual schedule of activities, including:

*January Organizational Meeting at the Salem Senior Center with catered meal

*February and March dinner meetings at local restaurants

*April Local Colors and the Picnic Planning Meeting, at the Salem Senior Center with catered meal

*May Local Colors participation

*June Members Picnic

*July and August informal dinners at local restaurants

*September catered meal at the Salem Senior Center, to plan fall activities

*October and November dinner meetings at local restaurants

*December Christmas Dinner

Most meetings have been held on the second Sunday of the month, from 4 to 6 pm.  Our restaurants of choice have included Montano’s, Luigi’s and Mamma Maria’s.  We have also dined at Lydia’s Italian Kitchen and the Roanoker.  Meals at the Salem Senior Center have been catered by Lydia’s Italian Kitchen and Mamma Maria’s; often they are catered by a few members of the club.

Club Features

Here you’ll find messages from club leaders, articles of interest, and highlights of IAHC in the community.

Boccee

10.31.2021

Bocce history and demonstration for Local Colors 2021

Message from the President 2020

11.23.2020

2020 has not been a normal year for any of us.  COVID-19 has curtailed social gatherings, especially gatherings where food and beverages are served.  Like many organizations, the Italian American Heritage Club was obliged to curtail most of our activities.  We held our January organizational meeting as usual and met for dinner meetings in February and March.  But, after that, everything changed.  No more dinner meetings, no Local Colors, and no Christmas dinner.  We held our annual outdoor Members Picnic in September and that was it.

Hopefully, we will soon be able to return to our normal annual schedule of activities, including:

*January Organizational Meeting at the Salem Senior Center with catered meal

*February and March dinner meetings at local restaurants

*April Local Colors and the Picnic Planning Meeting, at the Salem Senior Center with catered meal

*May Local Colors participation

*June Members Picnic

*July and August informal dinners at local restaurants

*September catered meal at the Salem Senior Center, to plan fall activities

*October and November dinner meetings at local restaurants

*December Christmas Dinner

Most meetings have been held on the second Sunday of the month, from 4 to 6 pm.  Our restaurants of choice have included Montano’s, Luigi’s and Mamma Maria’s.  We have also dined at Lydia’s Italian Kitchen and the Roanoker.  Meals at the Salem Senior Center have been catered by Lydia’s Italian Kitchen and Mamma Maria’s; often they are catered by a few members of the club.

Cookbook

The Italian American Heritage Club published a cookbook in 2013.  It was the work of 13 ladies of the club who met together, assembled family recipes, tested and tasted them, learned from one another, and selected their favorite recipes to incorporate into the cookbook.  The 130-page cookbook includes selections of:  Appetizers and Beverages, Soups and Salads, Vegetables and Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Breads and Rolls, Desserts, Cookies and Candy, and some This and That’s.  The cookbook is available for sale at $15 each.

IAHC Cookbook Club, 2013


Welcome!

Welcome to our page. We hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming events and that you become an active part of our community. On this page, you’ll find monthly newsletter articles, upcoming events, and photos of past events, along with highlights of what our members are doing in the community.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or membership inquiries. We’re glad you’re here!

Membership Inquiries

If you’re interested in joining our club, email us at IAHCRoanoke@gmail.com. We’re excited to hear from you!

Our History

The group was begun in 1989 by Mary Wickland, whose desire was to bring together people of Italian/American descent. She served as the first president and was succeeded by Angie Drudi Harvey. The Club’s first Christmas Party was held at Scarlet’s restaurant in 1990, with forty in attendance.  Several of our founders continue as members today.

Over the years, we have enjoyed many pursuits: bocce, cooking club, recipe exchange, and language lessons to name few.  Our published cookbook with handed-down recipes is a delight to the palate. They have been kitchen tested incorporating preparation techniques from previous generations.

Proudly in 2013, we were the featured country in the Local Colors annual celebration of diversity.  It takes a village……and we have created one for all to enjoy.

Meetings

The Club often meets the second Sunday of the month.  Most meetings are held at the Salem Senior Citizens’ Center, 110 Union Street, Salem, VA  24153 at 4 pm. The meeting format usually includes a meal, a program, and a brief business meeting.  Throughout the year, we also dine out, and have an annual picnic and an enjoyable Christmas party.

At our meetings we host diverse guest speakers  on timely topics as well as to enhance our journey into our heritage.  Also, we have enjoyed programs on everything from Italian opera and marble sculpting in Italy to talks on drug interactions for seniors by pharmacists to hearing loss by an Audiometrist.

Membership

Membership in the club is open to all persons (18 years and older) of Italian Heritage, as well as spouses and family members. Our annual dues are a modest $10 per member.