Beneath the majestic chandeliers at Russo’s on the Bay, more than 330 guests gathered for the 53rd Anniversary Grand Gala of the Castellammare del Golfo Social Club USA – Brooklyn on Sunday, November 9, 2025. What unfolded was a living mosaic of memory, migration, and shared humanity, each person a thread in an ever-expanding weave connecting Brooklyn to the Mediterranean shores of Sicily.
Led by President Antonino Barrone the anniversary reflected on legacy, love and the enduring bond between Castellammare del Golfo and its American community, one strengthened by tradition, shared memory, and a collective commitment to keeping Sicilian heritage alive in New York.
The afternoon celebration featured entertainment by DJ RSE, a raffle with two airline tickets, and a program recognizing outstanding individuals for their service to the community. The Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, IHCC-NY, the organization responsible for establishing Italian Culture Month in New York 49 years ago, presented its commemorative poster to the Mayor and VIP’s, FIAO IL Centro awarded Scholarships to two deserving students and congressman Colton and Zhuang office recognized the contributions of the club with Proclamations.
Mayor Giuseppe Fausto, visiting from Castellammare del Golfo for the third consecutive year, reflected on the living bridge between Sicily and New York.
“My mission began even before my election as mayor,” he said in a La Media New York exclusive. “I have always wanted to establish a strong bond with the extraordinary Castellammarese community here in the United States. Each visit deepens this connection.”
Mayor Fausto shared the intense days he had in the states. It was an “honor to meet the Boston community thanks to Michael Colomba, a precious native of Castellammare who has lived here in the United States for decades. I even attended the book presentation by Nino Provenzano, our highly appreciated poet who has also been living here in the United States for many years.”
During his address, Mayor Fausto spoke warmly of the hospitality he experienced, “Every time I come here, I feel the same emotions — affection, pride, gratitude.” His voice carrying across the ballroom in Italian: “Un abbraccio affettuoso dell’intera comunità Castellammarese. Siete ambasciatori della nostra storia, della nostra cultura e dei nostri valori nel mondo. Con riconoscenza e stima, grazie. This translates as “You are ambassadors of our history, our culture, and our values in the world. With recognition and high regard, thank you.” Mayor Fausto recalled the guidance of his late aunt, who once told him to attend the Dinner Dance instead of Columbus Day: “ She said, “Go to the Dinner Dancing, because immigrants care about that night. They wait for it all year. She was right. Tonight I see so many faces filled with joy, and I am moved.”
Joining the mayor from Sicily was Rosaria Vitale, President of Kernos, a Sicilian cultural association dedicated to research and territorial promotion. She was accompanied by her husband, Nicola Tamburello. In a La Media New York exclusive she explains, “We study and share the history of Castellammare del Golfo, not just with tourists, but with Castellammaresi themselves. Being here, I didn’t feel like I was in America. I felt like I was in Castellammare del Golfo, among friends who carry our identity with love and pride.” She concluded passionately: “Our fantastic history begins from Segesta, from the classical Segesta, the city was built by the Elymians, and we continue to promote our history up to today. That’s what’s important: to always make Castellammare del Golfo known, a true gem in the Mediterranean.”
Among the distinguished guests, Assemblyman Bill Colton of Brooklyn reflected on the shared experiences of immigrant families that continue to define New York’s mosaic. “Brooklyn is a district of immigrants.” Colton said in a La Media New York exclusive. Speaking of the interconnectedness between cultures within the Brooklyn community, he expressed the similarities between the Italian and Chinese sharing they are “two different worlds united through family and food. What strikes me is how the values are the same: faith, work, and family. Whether I’m at a Chinese social club or an Italian one, I see the same traditions, community, respect for elders, and the wish for a better life for our children. When you bring all these cultures together - Italian, Chinese, Irish, Russian, Spanish, and get them working together, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish. That’s the beauty of New York.”
Standing beside him, Joyce Xie, representing Councilwoman Susan Zhang of District 43 in Brooklyn echoed his sentiment: “Our communities may speak different languages, but our hearts beat the same. As immigrant families, we work hard so that the next generation can have a better future. Family and faith drive success, and tonight we celebrate those values together.” She added, “Being here, I see how much our cultures mirror one another, the importance of respect, hard work, and education. That’s how we build bridges across generations and across communities.”
Through its 53 years, the Castellammare del Golfo Social Club has done more than host gatherings, it has woven a living lineage of humanity. It stands as proof that identity is not confined to geography but carried in the heart, the table, and the embrace. It has been the birthplace of many organizations including the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Brooklyn, FIAO, known today as IL Centro. Awards of distinction were presented to community leaders including Jack Spatola, Man of the Year, and Nancy Sottile, Humanitarian Award, for their decades of work servicing the Italian community of Brooklyn at FIAO and establishing the community center at IL Centro. Salvatore Bosco amongst the honorees received the Service Award, whose work exemplifies dedication in the Italian-American community.
As the event came to a close, in a La Media New York exclusive, Damiano Palazzolo, newly elected Chairman of the Castellamare Club of Brooklyn shared, “It is a very active, very glorious club thanks to our ancestors. We try every day to carry forward our Sicilian traditions, our language, our identity, our warmth. Being Sicilian abroad is an honor. This is how we remain connected to home.” He continued with emotion, “When our mayor came this year, it wasn’t just an official visit. It was like family returning home. And this summer, when I was in Castellammare, as a club we were honored by the mayor for the traditions and culture we maintain in a foreign land. I cannot even describe the emotions I felt when friends and people I met, told me, "Ah, I see the photos on Facebook of the Castellammare club, congratulations, well done." But why we do this you may ask? Because we want to firmly preserve our traditions and culture as we know them, our Sicilian language, which is the most important thing. The affection we received made us feel we had never left. This is what we work for: love, memory, and belonging.”
