All Ages in Braintree Celebrate with Italian Feast and Opera

Mangia!

With that one word of advice, more than 90 people enjoyed the “Italian Feast” fund-raiser, sponsored by the Council on Aging Associates of Braintree.

Those in attendance, aged 10 to 85+, had the opportunity to be “pampered” by chair massage, reflexology, Reiki, manicuring, or temporary henna tattoos while
waiting for the dinner to start.

Beautiful, young Catrina Boncaldo serenaded the diners with an array of Italian opera and classical favorites. The feast began with individual antipasto, featuring thin slices of Calabrese sopressata, artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, black and green olives, and mozzarella cheese.

As Rachael Ray would say, “Yum!”

Additional dishes consisted of “little ears” pasta with sauce, Chicken Marsala, peas with sautéed onions and mushrooms, and roasted rosemary potatoes. Dessert consisted of an array of delicious pastries from Fratelli’s Bakery of Quincy.

Cooking up a storm in the newly-renovated kitchen were Dominic Candelieri, Bob Cuoco, Jim Randolph, and Ginny Polio. Volunteers assisting with the event: Mary Cirignano, Jack Ryan, Veronica Eranio, Elsie LeVangie, Della Mele, Katie Polio, and Victoria Polio.

Braintree Department of Elder Affairs Director Sharmila Biswas and Services Coordinator Terry Jarrett pitched in to help with all of the details.

Visiting with the attendees were Congressman Stephen Lynch and Mayor Joseph Sullivan. Braintree Town Councilors Hank Joyce, Lee Dingee, and John Mullaney also enjoyed the dinner.

The COA Associates happily announced that this fund-raiser brought in just over $750, which will help to replenish their coffers, which were depleted on the $100K kitchen renovation project.

For those who enjoyed the feast, it would not be a surprise to learn that the Italian word “ciao” is pronounced “chow”!

–Virginia Polio