A Tribute to Memorial Day

On Monday, the 26th of May 2014 celebrations were held across the nation in recognition for the freedom of America protected daily by those that serve in the military with honor to the men and women who lost their lives serving the country’s armed forces.  Now that the parades, bbqs, and festivals have come and gone let us pay tribute each day to commemorate the men and women and the families of those that have died in war or military action in service of The USA.  The magnitude of appreciation the people of our country have for the armed forces of America was depicted with traditional acts, American flags decorated gravestones for lost soldiers in national cemeteries.

Memorial Day Weekend denotes the kickoff to summer often marked with beach trips, boat or sport outings and picnics to welcome the outdoor season. Festivals are filled with food associated with summer from grilled corn on the cob to fruits at their peak ripeness, truly the time of year that a foodie reigns.  Frozen desserts get a heightened awareness as the temperatures rise, the sunshine becomes standard and people crave a treat to cool down.

Custom gelato cake by Pino Gelato 

The significance of Memorial Day is never to be out shined by the parties and seasonal fun ahead, the utmost order is to honor the heroes of America.  The summer does present the busiest season for gelato, welcomed is the time of year to Scoop Some Happiness to the many customers to be served over the next few months.  Pino Gelato offers a military discount; to the men and women who are serving or have served our country, thank you.

How did you celebrate Memorial Day 2014?

Happiness and Literacy

"We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once," Friedrich Nietzsche.  The celebrated German philosopher has provided words to live by in multiple renowned quotes, the above can be applied true of literacy as well.  In recognition for September as International Literacy Month the author’s quote has a true sentiment when altered to profess the joy of reading, “… on which we have not read or been read to at least once”, I believe Nietzsche would agree. 

The future of reading and literacy should be bound to celebration promoting literacy through favorite authors, books, and community events to aid in improvement.  A fantastic program to become a volunteer tutor for students and adults with low literacy skills, this month serves as an excellent reminder to share reading with family, friends, and the community.  The National Book Festival is held on the National Mall in Washington DC by the Library of Congress, with a previous theme “Celebrating the joys of reading aloud” that resonates with our passion for literacy.  Either idea can be recreated in even the smallest of towns, promote literacy and revel in the imagination stirring in the young mind of a child, or in the advancement in workplace of the low-literate adult having progress.

As a company that gives back interaction with our local, national, and world communities’ start with being literate.  Gelato is here to come and enjoy in an authentic Italian experience, a place to convene in happiness as a family.   In this month of International Literacy, let us try to make the same experience of reading, aloud in happiness to children, to educate ourselves further, or to teach others, share the focus of spreading literacy in a compassionate way.

In September appropriately marks festivals in Italy celebrating the birthday of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Re-read that for starters! What is your favorite classic book or play? 

For more information the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization supplies facts and actions regarding global literacy. UNESCO is at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas.

Regata Storica

Regal, captivating, and classic was this past Sunday Regata Storica.  While plenty of events and parties for the holiday weekend occurred here stateside certainly none with the level of grandeur at the Historical Regatta in Venice, Italy.  Fortunate travelers were those with canal views seeing the sophisticated event, held annually the first Sunday of September (1st September for 2013).

From Jacapo de Barbari View of Venice, 

the first visual image of a regatta circa 1500 credit: regatastoricavenezia.it

The most drawing festival of the Venetian year, the regatta series dates back to 1315 when Giovanni Soranzo created the races through the cities now famous canals to allow contenders to vie for the most able of the oarsmen.  The commencement is marked by a parade celebrating the welcome of Caterina Cornaro, The Queen of Cyprus who relinquished her throne in favor of Venice.  Fleets of 16^th century-style boats with period dress gondoliers float the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials through the Grand Canal, unforgettable color and significations of the influential past hold share in the glorious parade.  

The actual races are divided into four by age and type of craft.  The best known and most exhilarating of these is the “Campioni su Gondolini” race, small sporting gondolas that soar down to the “machina”, a stunning floating stage located in front of Ca’ Foscari palace that doubles as the finish line. 

2013 Regata Storica photo by, Mirco Toffolo, Venezia Marketing & Eventi

Click the link for his full 2013 album

Travel to Italy in late-August- September may be the finest time of year to venture to Venice.  Undoubtedly, the refined Regata Storica envelopes thousands of tourists and engages all locals with a truly mesmerizing and meaningful maritime experience.  

Have you ever been to (or partaken in) a regatta? Where?

The 70th Venice Film Festival

Luxury, stars, and honor capture the city host to the world’s oldest film festival.  Set for starting on August 28, 2013 at Palazzo del Cinema is the 70^th Venice Film Festival.  Painstakingly beautiful, this is Venice when it sizzles. 

Palazzo del Cinema

 

The famous Venetian film festival takes place on The Lido, the main land barrier between Venice and the open sea, the most gorgeous beach annually full of Hollywood’s finest.  Venice is taken over not only by Hollywood, but global film industry elite as well.  There is historically on of the most prestigious awards in film to be given to top award, The Golden Lion ( Leone d’Oro).  This year there are 21, often limit pushing, films competing. 

Venice 70 –Future Reloaded will encapsulate highlights from films over the festival lifespan to be directed by Alberto Barbera.  Beyond the films, anticipated moments, and the stunning location the Venetian film festival largely promotes the newest digital technologies and progression in all parts in the art of film making.  Venice is a culture the world wide film industry can relate to of beauty, appreciation of time, and set apart from the rest. 

 

Traveling to beautiful Italy is one of the most decadent trips of a lifetime.  Going to Venice during the annual film festival, undoubtedly has made top billing on many bucket lists.  The Lido at this peak moment every year is incandescent, it is unimaginable anywhere else could shine as bright. 

Sweet Celebration this 4th of July!

Sweeten up the celebration this Independence Day!  The Fourth of July has approached rapidly this year, it is time to slow down and honor our nation with family and friends in a traditional backyard gathering.  Widespread heat waves throughout The USA call on us to cool down guests with frozen treats this Thursday.  Gelato flag cake, yes please.

 Pino Gelato Flag Cake!

Keeping guests cool in a simple atmosphere is a combination perfect for serving up frosty drinks, ice-cold dessert, and a tremendous avenue to showcase the holiday’s symbolic colors red, white, and blue.  Offer guests homemade lemonade and iced tea with a scoop of lemon sorbetto and fresh mint leaves.  To promote the color scheme offer fresh or frozen blue berries and raspberries to up the ante in the frozen drinks.  Another amazing festive option is to incorporate this great fizzy, fruit float drink using a more decadent route by topping with vanilla gelato (the straws are awesome).  Simple, refreshing, and fun, exactly what the 4^th of July exudes.

Photo: Jennifer Davick, Prop Styling: Amy Burke, Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Start the day with a local parade or festival to truly immerse into the honoring of our country.  There is something very American about celebrating with neighbors and members of the community, to be a part of it.  Once gathered in the backyard, keep the menu simple with grilled entrees and classic side dishes.  For dessert a gelato flag cake provides the perfect holiday showcase while satisfying the sweet tooth in all.  Serving quarts of gelato and sorbetto is another fuss-free route to take to beat the heat in a tasty way.  Gelato on stand-by for topping pies (a la mode) is also a huge favorite, as well as an American staple. Cool desserts covered!

Host or partake in a sweet party to celebrate Independence Day, just follow these tips to be sure to keep cool.  Happy Fourth of July!

Awesome compilation of fireworks!