UNICO events offer relief from winter doldrums in Rehoboth

REHOBOTH BEACH — Several recent fund-raising events hosted by UNICO Delaware promoted Italian culture and aided area charities while offering respite from the winter doldrums.
On Jan. 17, the film “Il Postino” was shown in Italian with English subtitles in a screening at St. Edmond Church that also featured pizza, popcorn and other treats.
The annual Pasta Challenge on Feb. 21 highlighted four competitors vying for monetary prizes: Denise DiSabatino Allen, Mary Cappelli, Pam Notarangelo and George Scarpelli. Cappelli won first prize and Scarpelli won second prize. While the votes were being tallied, attendees enjoyed a covered dish buffet and a lively Italian trivia game — with English-Italian themes — presented by president Ed Mason.
The second annual Carnevale hosted by the Delmarva Chapter was held at the Salt Pond Community Center in Bethany Beach on March 2. A delicious Italian buffet along with music and song by local artist Vince Varrassi contributed to the evening of delightful fellowship and nostalgia.
Before welcoming spring, UNICO honored St. Joseph with the traditional St. Joseph’s Table, on March 19, inviting food pantries and shelters to take non-perishable food and “Blessed Bread” to those in need. The Blessing of the Bread (il Pane di San Giuseppe) took place after the 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Edmond Church. IAH
For more information about UNICO Delaware and upcoming programs, contact unicodelawaredistrict1@gmail.com, unico.org, or the UNICO Rehoboth Area website.

UNICO National announces scholarships for 2019

These scholarships are available (most applications due April 15):
For high-school seniors:
Four scholarships each valued at $6,000. Students should apply for all four offerings.
For students initiating graduate studies:
The Sgt. John Basilone Memorial Scholarship
For those pursuing a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy degree:
Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship
For those currently attending a nursing program:
Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarship
For those currently in a college or a graduate school:
The Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship
The DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship (application deadline was March 1)
The Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship
The Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies
The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship
The Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science
The Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship
The Maria and Paolo Alessio Southern Italy Scholarship
The Inserra Scholarships
For students attending the California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Arizona, Tucson:
The Eleanor and Anthony DeFrancis Scholarship Fund for Natural Sciences. IAH
For additional information and applications for these scholarships please contact the UNICO National website or unicodelawaredistrict1@gmail.com