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OCTOBER PROGRAM - Author - Nora D'Ecclesis
Nora D'Ecclesis was born, raised, and educated in the Garden State, and holds New Jersey deeply in her heart.
As a resident of Millburn Township she attended public school there K-12. She is a graduate of Kean University of New Jersey both college and graduate school as a NJ State Scholar. Her early career was as an educator in the Millburn Township School System and after marriage she lived in Short Hills, where their son was raised. Nora also served on the Millburn Board of Education. The family moved to LA, California where her husband, a physician, became a traveling scholar from Rutgers Medical School to USC Medical School.
Nora D'Ecclesis is a distinguished, award winning historical fiction and non fiction author. Nora owns Renaissance Presentations,LLC which offers retreats with experts in meditation, equanimity, nature hikes, haiku and mindfulness. Through her books, expertise, and experiences, D'Ecclesis empowers her audience to live life more intently.
The Contessa's Legacy is an historical novel published in April, 2024 and the winner of several book awards including winning 2024 International Impact Award for best Historical Fiction, Firebird Book Award and American Fiction Finalist Award. It has stayed on the podium in #1,2,3 spots for the first four months since publication. The Contessa's Legacy was recently nominated for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award.
The Contessa’s Legacy is a novella by Nora D’Ecclesis. The book tells the story of a family living in Pompeii, Naples in 79 AD. It follows the lives of the family members as the ancestors eventually immigrate to America, including their relationships with each other, and their struggles to survive in a society that was not known for treating its citizens with compassion. The book explores themes of family, love, social justice, generational legacy and the impact of historical events on individuals and communities. The Contessa’s Legacy rejoices in the next generation and the perspective they bring to the world. It celebrates with gratitude and equanimity by looking back at all the generations of the family who were thankful for how far they had come as immigrants and as individuals. The ancient traditions enabled them to avoid the hedonic treadmill and rejoice in knowing that in the end the love they shared with humanity was everything. It is a journey of the joys and sorrows of generational legacy.
Editorial Review
The Contessa’s Legacy by Nora D’Ecclesis follows the story of different generations of an Italian family throughout two millennia. The book opens with the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which forced the surviving members of the Salacia family to leave Pompeii and start their lives anew in Naples. During the dawn of the twentieth century, a count inherited the Salacia Villa, which, after his death, was passed on to Contessa Angelina. However, Angelina had to seek her destiny in America as her life was in danger in Italy. Angelina and her grandchildren have a very different immigrant experience in America, with each passing generation becoming more and more progressive. As life’s struggles and unexpected tragedies continue, Angelina’s grandchildren do their best to ensure better lives for their children.
Nora D’Ecclesis paints a vivid portrait of a generational family saga that offers a window to see how each passing generation perceives the world differently than the previous one. The Contessa’s Legacy showcases the different facets of the American immigrant experience, each more distinct than the other. I’m amazed at how D’Ecclesis managed to tell the stories of people from multiple generations of an Italian-American family within such a limited word count. The author uses a minimalistic prose style and packs a lot into a fast-paced narrative to deliver an epic and engaging tale that celebrates the resilient nature of the human spirit. The characters are compelling, but this is primarily a theme-driven story and is all the more enjoyable for that. While Lydia’s fate might break your heart, Angelina’s story will inspire a broad range of readers. Highly recommended.
-Pikasho Deka ~ Reader's Favorite 5 Stars
Nora D'Ecclesis was born, raised, and educated in the Garden State, and holds New Jersey deeply in her heart.
As a resident of Millburn Township she attended public school there K-12. She is a graduate of Kean University of New Jersey both college and graduate school as a NJ State Scholar. Her early career was as an educator in the Millburn Township School System and after marriage she lived in Short Hills, where their son was raised. Nora also served on the Millburn Board of Education. The family moved to LA, California where her husband, a physician, became a traveling scholar from Rutgers Medical School to USC Medical School.
Nora D'Ecclesis is a distinguished, award winning historical fiction and non fiction author. Nora owns Renaissance Presentations,LLC which offers retreats with experts in meditation, equanimity, nature hikes, haiku and mindfulness. Through her books, expertise, and experiences, D'Ecclesis empowers her audience to live life more intently.
The Contessa's Legacy is an historical novel published in April, 2024 and the winner of several book awards including winning 2024 International Impact Award for best Historical Fiction, Firebird Book Award and American Fiction Finalist Award. It has stayed on the podium in #1,2,3 spots for the first four months since publication. The Contessa's Legacy was recently nominated for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award.
The Contessa’s Legacy is a novella by Nora D’Ecclesis. The book tells the story of a family living in Pompeii, Naples in 79 AD. It follows the lives of the family members as the ancestors eventually immigrate to America, including their relationships with each other, and their struggles to survive in a society that was not known for treating its citizens with compassion. The book explores themes of family, love, social justice, generational legacy and the impact of historical events on individuals and communities. The Contessa’s Legacy rejoices in the next generation and the perspective they bring to the world. It celebrates with gratitude and equanimity by looking back at all the generations of the family who were thankful for how far they had come as immigrants and as individuals. The ancient traditions enabled them to avoid the hedonic treadmill and rejoice in knowing that in the end the love they shared with humanity was everything. It is a journey of the joys and sorrows of generational legacy.
Editorial Review
The Contessa’s Legacy by Nora D’Ecclesis follows the story of different generations of an Italian family throughout two millennia. The book opens with the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which forced the surviving members of the Salacia family to leave Pompeii and start their lives anew in Naples. During the dawn of the twentieth century, a count inherited the Salacia Villa, which, after his death, was passed on to Contessa Angelina. However, Angelina had to seek her destiny in America as her life was in danger in Italy. Angelina and her grandchildren have a very different immigrant experience in America, with each passing generation becoming more and more progressive. As life’s struggles and unexpected tragedies continue, Angelina’s grandchildren do their best to ensure better lives for their children.
Nora D’Ecclesis paints a vivid portrait of a generational family saga that offers a window to see how each passing generation perceives the world differently than the previous one. The Contessa’s Legacy showcases the different facets of the American immigrant experience, each more distinct than the other. I’m amazed at how D’Ecclesis managed to tell the stories of people from multiple generations of an Italian-American family within such a limited word count. The author uses a minimalistic prose style and packs a lot into a fast-paced narrative to deliver an epic and engaging tale that celebrates the resilient nature of the human spirit. The characters are compelling, but this is primarily a theme-driven story and is all the more enjoyable for that. While Lydia’s fate might break your heart, Angelina’s story will inspire a broad range of readers. Highly recommended.
-Pikasho Deka ~ Reader's Favorite 5 Stars
Past Meeting Programs
June 2024 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2024 - Graeme Olsen, Italian American influence on Doo Wop
April 2024 - Cav. Dr. Gilda Battaglia Rorro Baldassari
March 2024 - Ray Guarini, History of St. Joseph's day and St. Joseph's Day Table
February 2024 - Rosemarie DiFillipo, Carnevale in Venice and Viareggio
January 2024 - Italian Trivia Night
November 2023 - Vic Graziani and Laura Ryan, Italian Wine Tasting
October 2023 - Mike De Sapio, Fresh Mozzarella making demonstration
September 2023 - Dr. Corrado Altomare, Shroud of Turin
June 2023 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2023 - Josephine Pasquarello, Author
April 2023 - Thor Giese, Archaeologist
March 2023 - Alessandra Aiello, Chef
February 2023 - Joseph Cocco, Artist
January 2023 - Italian Trivia night
November 2022 - Jonathan and Nina White, Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse
September 2022 - Stephanie Longo, Italian American Historian - Italians of Northeast PA
June 2022 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2022 - Bill Muzychko, Bill's Figs
April 2022 - John Viola and Patrick O'Boyle - the Italian American Podcast
March 2022 - Dr. William Connell
February 2022 - Vittorio Vettori, Italian Wines
November 2021 - Mike De Lucia, Author
September 2021 - Joseph Coco, Artist
June 2021 - Annual Scholarship Awards Night
May 2021 - Anthony Scialla - "Tony Mangia" Social Media Personality
April 2021 - Elena Chiaravallo, Olive Oil
March 2021 - Alessandra Aiello, Food is Love
February 2021 - Mike De Sapio, Italian Dual Citizenship
January 2021 - Angela Franco, The Table Manners Coach
February 2020 - Arturo Spinetti, Singer
January 2020 - Sal De Sapio, Constantino Brumidi - the Michelangelo of America
November 2019 - Joe Quagliano and Mark Cardillo, Italian American Baseball Foundation
October 2019 - Constance Kyriacos and Paula Phillips, Folk Dancers and Singers
September 2019 - Gary Dee, Singer/Entertainer
June 2019 - Annual Scholarship Awards Night
May 2019 - Joe Mannino, Italian Bakery and Espresso Bar
April 2019 - Annual Foundation Gala honoring Paul and Norma Santella
March 2019 - Mary Lou and Jerome Bongiorno, Producers
February 2019 - Mike DeLucia: Author, Teacher
January 2019 - Dr. Ottavio Balena
November 2018 - Ray Guarini, Italian Enclaves
October 2018 - Salvatore DeSapio
September 2018 - Silvio Laccetti
June 2018 - Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2018- Luisa LoCasio Matarazo
April 2018 - 4th Annual Spring Gala
March 2018 - Robert D'Ambola
February 2018 - John Basilone Foundation
January 2018 - Italian Heritage Trivia Night
November 2017 - Dr. Ottavio Balena, Cultural Comparative Geography of Italy's Provinces.
October 2017 - Dr. William Connell
September 2017 - Susan LangSapora
June 2017 - Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2016 - Richard Muti
April 2017 - 3rd Annual Gala
March 2017 - Richard Stillman
February 2017 - Andrea' Cassar
January 2017 - Kevin Corcoran
November 2016 - Don Mammato
September 2016 - Anthony Rose
June 2016 - Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2016 - Lou Pompillo
April 2016 - Russ Martone
February 2016 - Kevin Corcoran
January 2016 - Mark Drabich
November 2015 - Chef Christine Ayers
October 2015 - Heritage Night – What is Your Ancestry or Ascendena?
September 2015 - Joseph DeFranco, Author
June 2015 - Jerry Castaldo, Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2015 - Dr. William J. Connell
April 2015 - John Richetta, Musician
February 2015 - Joseph R. Pucciatti & Sandra Milstein-Pucciatti, Founders of Boheme Opera NJ
January 2015 - Dr. Ottavio Balena, Italian History
November 2014 - Carol Barbieri
October 2014 - Chef Christine Ayers, Grand Colonial
September 2014 - Dr. Mary Ann Re, Director of the Coccia Institute
June 2014 - Lou Pompilio, Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2014 - Rosary Scacciaferro Gilheany, Author
April 2014 - Arthur J. Femenella, Stained Glass Artisan
March 2014 - Giuseppe Luisi, Banfi Vintners
February 2014 - Sal and Michael DeSapio, Viaggi Italiani
January 2014 - Catherine Sprague, Pianist, Author
November 2013 - Bill Deni, Sal and Michael DeSapio: Italian Travels
October 2013 - Sam Faiello: Public Relations Professional, Novelist
September 2013 - Andre' DiMino: A National Leader of the Italian American Community
June 2013 - Carmen Jon: Singer, Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night
May 2013 - Charles Haas: Titanic Historian
April 2013 - Mike Manella,
March 2013 - Al Notabartolo: Engineer, Brick-Oven Pizza Guru
February 2013 - Anthony Del Aversano: Entrepreneur, Author: "It's Gravy, not Sauce!"
January 2013 - Donna Arold: Inn Keeper, Entrepreneur
November 2012 - Andrea Dente: Search & Rescue Dog Trainer/Handler
October 2012 - Santi Buscemi: Author, Translator, Professor
September 2012 - Mark Di Ionno: Award-winning Columnist
Update 04-16-2013: Star-Ledger Columnist Mark Di Ionno named a Pulitzer Finalist
June 2012 - Introducing Honorary Members: Carmen S. Paterniti and Sal Lazzarroti;
Scholarship Awards Night
May 2012 - Dr. Mary Ann Re: Receives Special Honor
April 2012 - Barbara-Jo Cruczek: Trumpeter
March 2012 - Marlene Iaciofano: Gourmet Getaways
February 2012 - Donna Longo Reynolds: Herbalist
January 2012 - AnnaMarie Prinsloo: Manager at Livingston Farms
November 2011 - Andrea Barbaria: Italian Consul
June 2011 - Bob Marino: Singer/Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night
May 2011 - Vicki Vasilopoulos: Director/Producer
April 2011 - Jonathan Yalenti of Benfatto Coffee
March 2011 - Dr. Felice Caldarella: MD, FACE, MDE, FACP
February 2011 - Guy DeSapio: Author, Poet: "I Have His Letters Still"
June 2010 - Dan Torrone, aka "Dr. D"; Scholarship Awards Night
May 2010 - John Paolini: Paolini Cast Stone, Inc.
April 2010 - Vincenzo Sagari: Vias Imports
March 2010 - Spencer Peck: Coinage of the Roman Republic
February 2010 - Carl Carabelli: President, Italian American National Hall of Fame
May 2009 - Dan Torrone, aka "Dr. D"
April 2009 - Sam Faiello:- The Rocky Road to a Novel
March 2009 - Tenor James Valenti
November 2008 - Wines from Italy
June 2006 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2006 - Greg Napolitan: Chainsaw Artist
April 2006 - Anthony Carabelli, Jr.: Director and Public Relations for NJ State Italian Commission
March 2006 - What Does it Mean to be a Second or Third Generation Italian-American?
February 2006 - Biography of Bishop John Smith
January 2006 - NJ's Treasure Trove of Italian and Italian-American History
November 2005 - Our Own Sal Megna!
October 2005 - Teresa D'Errico of Colavita, USA
June 2024 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2024 - Graeme Olsen, Italian American influence on Doo Wop
April 2024 - Cav. Dr. Gilda Battaglia Rorro Baldassari
March 2024 - Ray Guarini, History of St. Joseph's day and St. Joseph's Day Table
February 2024 - Rosemarie DiFillipo, Carnevale in Venice and Viareggio
January 2024 - Italian Trivia Night
November 2023 - Vic Graziani and Laura Ryan, Italian Wine Tasting
October 2023 - Mike De Sapio, Fresh Mozzarella making demonstration
September 2023 - Dr. Corrado Altomare, Shroud of Turin
June 2023 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2023 - Josephine Pasquarello, Author
April 2023 - Thor Giese, Archaeologist
March 2023 - Alessandra Aiello, Chef
February 2023 - Joseph Cocco, Artist
January 2023 - Italian Trivia night
November 2022 - Jonathan and Nina White, Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse
September 2022 - Stephanie Longo, Italian American Historian - Italians of Northeast PA
June 2022 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2022 - Bill Muzychko, Bill's Figs
April 2022 - John Viola and Patrick O'Boyle - the Italian American Podcast
March 2022 - Dr. William Connell
February 2022 - Vittorio Vettori, Italian Wines
November 2021 - Mike De Lucia, Author
September 2021 - Joseph Coco, Artist
June 2021 - Annual Scholarship Awards Night
May 2021 - Anthony Scialla - "Tony Mangia" Social Media Personality
April 2021 - Elena Chiaravallo, Olive Oil
March 2021 - Alessandra Aiello, Food is Love
February 2021 - Mike De Sapio, Italian Dual Citizenship
January 2021 - Angela Franco, The Table Manners Coach
February 2020 - Arturo Spinetti, Singer
January 2020 - Sal De Sapio, Constantino Brumidi - the Michelangelo of America
November 2019 - Joe Quagliano and Mark Cardillo, Italian American Baseball Foundation
October 2019 - Constance Kyriacos and Paula Phillips, Folk Dancers and Singers
September 2019 - Gary Dee, Singer/Entertainer
June 2019 - Annual Scholarship Awards Night
May 2019 - Joe Mannino, Italian Bakery and Espresso Bar
April 2019 - Annual Foundation Gala honoring Paul and Norma Santella
March 2019 - Mary Lou and Jerome Bongiorno, Producers
February 2019 - Mike DeLucia: Author, Teacher
January 2019 - Dr. Ottavio Balena
November 2018 - Ray Guarini, Italian Enclaves
October 2018 - Salvatore DeSapio
September 2018 - Silvio Laccetti
June 2018 - Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2018- Luisa LoCasio Matarazo
April 2018 - 4th Annual Spring Gala
March 2018 - Robert D'Ambola
February 2018 - John Basilone Foundation
January 2018 - Italian Heritage Trivia Night
November 2017 - Dr. Ottavio Balena, Cultural Comparative Geography of Italy's Provinces.
October 2017 - Dr. William Connell
September 2017 - Susan LangSapora
June 2017 - Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2016 - Richard Muti
April 2017 - 3rd Annual Gala
March 2017 - Richard Stillman
February 2017 - Andrea' Cassar
January 2017 - Kevin Corcoran
November 2016 - Don Mammato
September 2016 - Anthony Rose
June 2016 - Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2016 - Lou Pompillo
April 2016 - Russ Martone
February 2016 - Kevin Corcoran
January 2016 - Mark Drabich
November 2015 - Chef Christine Ayers
October 2015 - Heritage Night – What is Your Ancestry or Ascendena?
September 2015 - Joseph DeFranco, Author
June 2015 - Jerry Castaldo, Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2015 - Dr. William J. Connell
April 2015 - John Richetta, Musician
February 2015 - Joseph R. Pucciatti & Sandra Milstein-Pucciatti, Founders of Boheme Opera NJ
January 2015 - Dr. Ottavio Balena, Italian History
November 2014 - Carol Barbieri
October 2014 - Chef Christine Ayers, Grand Colonial
September 2014 - Dr. Mary Ann Re, Director of the Coccia Institute
June 2014 - Lou Pompilio, Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night!
May 2014 - Rosary Scacciaferro Gilheany, Author
April 2014 - Arthur J. Femenella, Stained Glass Artisan
March 2014 - Giuseppe Luisi, Banfi Vintners
February 2014 - Sal and Michael DeSapio, Viaggi Italiani
January 2014 - Catherine Sprague, Pianist, Author
November 2013 - Bill Deni, Sal and Michael DeSapio: Italian Travels
October 2013 - Sam Faiello: Public Relations Professional, Novelist
September 2013 - Andre' DiMino: A National Leader of the Italian American Community
June 2013 - Carmen Jon: Singer, Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night
May 2013 - Charles Haas: Titanic Historian
April 2013 - Mike Manella,
March 2013 - Al Notabartolo: Engineer, Brick-Oven Pizza Guru
February 2013 - Anthony Del Aversano: Entrepreneur, Author: "It's Gravy, not Sauce!"
January 2013 - Donna Arold: Inn Keeper, Entrepreneur
November 2012 - Andrea Dente: Search & Rescue Dog Trainer/Handler
October 2012 - Santi Buscemi: Author, Translator, Professor
September 2012 - Mark Di Ionno: Award-winning Columnist
Update 04-16-2013: Star-Ledger Columnist Mark Di Ionno named a Pulitzer Finalist
June 2012 - Introducing Honorary Members: Carmen S. Paterniti and Sal Lazzarroti;
Scholarship Awards Night
May 2012 - Dr. Mary Ann Re: Receives Special Honor
April 2012 - Barbara-Jo Cruczek: Trumpeter
March 2012 - Marlene Iaciofano: Gourmet Getaways
February 2012 - Donna Longo Reynolds: Herbalist
January 2012 - AnnaMarie Prinsloo: Manager at Livingston Farms
November 2011 - Andrea Barbaria: Italian Consul
June 2011 - Bob Marino: Singer/Entertainer; Scholarship Awards Night
May 2011 - Vicki Vasilopoulos: Director/Producer
April 2011 - Jonathan Yalenti of Benfatto Coffee
March 2011 - Dr. Felice Caldarella: MD, FACE, MDE, FACP
February 2011 - Guy DeSapio: Author, Poet: "I Have His Letters Still"
June 2010 - Dan Torrone, aka "Dr. D"; Scholarship Awards Night
May 2010 - John Paolini: Paolini Cast Stone, Inc.
April 2010 - Vincenzo Sagari: Vias Imports
March 2010 - Spencer Peck: Coinage of the Roman Republic
February 2010 - Carl Carabelli: President, Italian American National Hall of Fame
May 2009 - Dan Torrone, aka "Dr. D"
April 2009 - Sam Faiello:- The Rocky Road to a Novel
March 2009 - Tenor James Valenti
November 2008 - Wines from Italy
June 2006 - Scholarship Awards Night
May 2006 - Greg Napolitan: Chainsaw Artist
April 2006 - Anthony Carabelli, Jr.: Director and Public Relations for NJ State Italian Commission
March 2006 - What Does it Mean to be a Second or Third Generation Italian-American?
February 2006 - Biography of Bishop John Smith
January 2006 - NJ's Treasure Trove of Italian and Italian-American History
November 2005 - Our Own Sal Megna!
October 2005 - Teresa D'Errico of Colavita, USA
About our logo
During Sal Lazzarotti's tenure as President of the IAHC, he skillfully created our Club logo. If you look closely, not only does it contain the Italian and American flag colors, it also contains the letters "I" and "A" further denoting pride for our Italian and American heritages. )
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Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County PO Box 2466 Flemington, NJ 08822 |
Keeping our Pride, Celebrating our Culture, Remembering our Past