by Joy Metcalfe
(click images to enlarge)

MILLIE THE MAGNIFICENT!

It was a very special day last month for Millie the Magnificent.

That was the day, Monday, October 21, that Millie Zalesky celebrated her 100th birthday at a fantastic birthday party orchestrated by her son, Paul and his adorable wife, Devina, at the Vancouver Club.

Millie was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. After graduating high school, the pretty and intelligent young woman worked in different divisions of the Saskatchewan Parliament before deciding to expand her life skills by becoming a nurse. She sailed through the nursing program with ease and started her new career at Regina General. It was there that she met her forever husband, Steffan Zalesky.

Steffan was a top Royal Canadian Navy seaman who had contracted an acute infection; one which doctors deemed serious enough to operate on. Nurse Millie was there, at his side, keeping his spirits up during the operation and all through the long months of his recovery.

It was the beginning of their lifelong romance.

Once Steffan was rehabilitated and much stronger, the two lovebirds decided to marry. After he was honourably discharged from the Navy, they wed in 1949 and had two sons, Paul and Don.

Steffan was always interested in the car business and toured across the country seeking the ideal spot for his venture, while Millie nursed at several top hospitals across the country and looked after her boys. Her late son, Don — a very handsome fellow — became a top male model in New York and Europe. Meanwhile, Paul had met and married his beloved Devina, and they had two sons, Stefan and Mikhail. Paul, a car man in his own right, created and ran their very successful All West Insurance Company for more than 30 years.

After Millie's husband Steffan passed away, this feisty, fun, and engaging woman continued with her nursing career before retiring to enjoy life and concentrate on the arts, focusing on oil paintings.

At her 90th birthday party, she presented a breathtakingly beautiful box of cards, cards that she personally painted as gifts for her guests.

Bravo, Millie! May your dreams continue to flourish with love, laughter, and countless moments of joy! Happy Birthday! ...

THE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAY BANQUET

Speaking of parties, there was a lively and fun-filled evening at the Italian Cultural Centre last month as Marco Zanatta, the President of the Confratellanza Italo-Canadese Society, proudly presented the 120th Christopher Columbus Day Banquet.

This was chaired by Justin DeGenova, honouring the Italian-Canadian of the Year, celebrating those who exemplify the values and heritage of the Italian community. Their choice was heralded with great fanfare as jovial and hard-working Michael Cuccione stood to receive the coveted award.

Michael landed his first job in Canada in 1966 at the White Spot. He began there as a pot washer, graduated to dishwasher, and ended up as a top manager by the age of 18.

He left to join Burger King, eventually became top dog of their franchise operations. A true patriot, he was always on the lookout to help his countrymen with the language, finding jobs, homes and opportunities for them.

Sadly, his young nephew, eight-year-old Michael Cuccione, developed cancer. While under going treatments, he was inspired to create a foundation to help other young cancer victims. His uncle became the founder and president of the Michael Cuccione Foundation. Young Michael passed away about four years later.

Family, friends and supporters have successfully raised more than $30 million for childhood cancer research and the establishment of the Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program at B.C.'s Children's Hospital Institute.

Now in its 49th year, the Christopher Columbus Day banquet also awards scholarships to five Grade 12 students of Italian descent who are pursuing higher education.

Others on that long list of winning the Italian-Canadian of the Year include Tony Parsons, Bobby Lenarduzzi, Bruno Gerussi, Umberto Menghi, Michael Buble, Anna Terrana, Nat Bosa, the Hon. Frank Iacobucci and so many more ...

**From left to right: Ilaria Baldan, Mike Jobani, and Bianca Zanatta.**

A FASHION FORWARD CELEBRATION

Heralding the opening of Italian Design Week was the very modern and creative BFJ Designs on West Pender, offering the latest kitchen and closet ideas in a vast 4,000 square foot showcase, filled with unique, colourful, and modern cupboards, counter tops, closets, and hardware.

Mike Jobani, the managing director of BFJ, was a knowledgeable and gracious host, showing off the company's newest creations.

Spotted in the crowd was the Italian Consul General Paolo Miraglia Del Giudice, president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Canada West Celso Boscariol, the executive director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce Canada West Ilaria Baldan, the hosts of "Our City Tonight," Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins, and busy bee Bianca Zanatta, who'll host her annual ladies' luncheon at Umberto's on December 6.

Dozens of happy guests devoured the tasty treats provided by Giampaolo Posteraro and his catering company, Prosciutto And Friends. The bites were bound to attract the crowd as Gian Paolo happens to be the son of Pino Posteraro — whose multi award-winning Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill was recently sold. The question of the week is where will he relocate?

I’ve got the answer. The scoop is that Pino is leaving us to go off to Cabo San Lucas! ...The rest of my scoop is that the Top Table group have plans to move their always popular Cin Cin's on Robson (it's been there forever) in to Pino's space...

We'll just have to wait and see what happens...

MANY GALA GALA DOS AHEAD

It's a busy month ahead to report on the latest news from the magic of Dorothy Grant's new book, An Endless Thread, the Jack Webster Awards with guest star Ambassador Bob Rae, the Chinatown Foundation's Autumn Gala, the exciting Venetian Masquerade that winds up two weeks of all things Italian, the almost sold out PAFN Launch at the Bayshore with those dynamic hosts Wendy and Sergio Cocchia on November 28, the ultra posh Lanigan wedding, Bianca Zanatta's annual Ladies’ Christmas fundraising luncheon at Giardino's on Friday, December 6, plus so many more events, openings, Christmas parties, fundraisers and galas. Exciting happy times!!

Stay safe and well,...

Cheers, Joy