Opening Night: Italian Immigrants in Westerly
2025-10-01 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Westerly Library, 44 Broad St, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us in the Hoxie Gallery for the Opening Night of the exhibit “Italian Immigrants in Westerly: Their Stories“

The evening will feature history, Italian music, and refreshments.

Can’t make Opening Night? The exhibit will be on display for the entire month of October!

This event is presented in partnership with the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park. It is free and open to the public.

Italian Immigrants in Westerly: Their Stories
2025-10-02 - 2025-11-01 | Westerly Library, 44 Broad St, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
In celebration of the Dante Society of Westerly’s 50th anniversary, we are proud to present an exhibit entitled “Italian Immigrants in Westerly: Their Stories”

This exhibit, hosted in the Hoxie Gallery at the Westerly Library, features the immigration histories of many of Westerly’s prominent Italian families, the hardships they endured, and their ultimate triumphs. Many of these families are responsible for making Westerly what it is today.
On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, join us in the Hoxie Gallery, from 5 – 7 PM, for the exhibit’s Opening Night and an evening of history, Italian music, and refreshments.

Can’t make Opening Night? The exhibit will be on display for the entire month of October!

This event is presented in partnership with the Westerly Library and Wilcox Park.
The exhibit is free and open to the public.

2025 50th Anniversary Gala
2025-10-03 18:00 - 20:30 | The Haversham House, 336 Post Rd., Westerly, RI, 02891
The Dante Society of Westerly will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a Gala on October 3.
Music by Arthur Migliazza.

Person of the Year
As part of the Gala, the Society honors four of the original 16 charter members of the society:
Edward Gradilone
Robert Liguori
Mary Matos
Elizabeth McFarland Santoro

Ticket Information
There are two options for purchasing tickets:
» Individual tickets, are sold out. with open seating, may be purchased at $100 per ticket, either online (as e-tickets) or at the Chamber of Commerce (for paper tickets),
» Table Packages are sold out. A table package, which includes 8 tickets plus a reserved table and a full page advertisement in the Event Program is available for $1,000, and available for purchase online or via email request.

» Individual paper tickets may be purchased at the Westerly Chamber of Commerce

Located at 1 Chamber Way, Westerly RI
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9 to 5; Friday 9 to 4; Phone 401-596-7761
$100/ticket Cash or Check (NO credit cards)
The chamber cannot hold/reserve or mail tickets – pick up only
There are a limited number left
Tickets no longer available

» Individual e-tickets may be purchased online –Tickets no longer available

$100/ticket (Credit Cards only) – using the button at the bottom of this section (“ONLINE PURCHASE ( … )“)
after clicking on the link, select the purchase option (ticket), and enter the names of the people (including yourself) for whom you are buying tickets.
Select the number of tickets (it must agree with the number of names listed) and continue on to the payment

» a Table Package NO LONGER AVAILABLE may be purchased online for $1000 using the button at the bottom of this section (“ONLINE PURCHASE ( … )”)

The package includes 8 tickets, a reserved table, and a full page add in the Event Program
After clicking on the link, select the purchase option (table package), and enter the name you wish to use for the reserved table.
The default for a table purchase is 1; continue on to the payment
We will contact you to discuss your preferred content and placement in the Event Program

Online Purchase (Only Tickets Are Available)

Event Program
The Event Program contains brief biographies and photos of the honorees. Space is NO LONGER AVAILABLE available in the Event Program for congratulation messages and/or advertisements. Pricing is $250 for a full page; $125 for a half page; $50 for a quarter page; and $25 for an eighth of a page. A link for online purchases will be available shortly. For additional information, click on the “CONTACT” button in the main menu of this page, select the Category “Brochure Content Questions or Comment”, and complete your request.
To purchase space, use the button below to select the size you desire and to pay by credit card. You will be contacted to discuss your content.

Purchase Program Space

Menu
The meal is buffet style. The buffet will include: Assorted Appetizers, Salad, Baked Haddock, Chicken Marsala, a Prime Rib Carving Station, Coffee and a Plated Dessert.

2025 Italian Snacking with Anna Francese Gass
2025-10-19 16:00 | The United Theater, 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
As part of the UNITED Table series, the UNITED and The Dante Society present a special talk, screening, and book-signing with Westerly native Anna Francese Gass celebrating her 2024 cookbook, “Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day,” and her new television series “Instant Italian with Anna Gass” which launched in March on FYI.

The UNITED Table series is a culinary entertainment series presented to celebrate the food we eat and the creative, hardworking people who take the care and thought in preparing and presenting that food, preserving its history, and filling our lives with the tastes, smells, and experiences that bring people together. Through conversations, tastings, book talks, food fests, and screenings from the culinary cineverse, The UNITED Table invites you to pull up a chair. Bon appetite!.
More information and tickets are available online at
https://unitedtheatre.org/

2025 Fall Italian Classes
2025-10-27 - 2025-10-30 | Westerly Senior Center, 39 State St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
The Dante Society of Westerly is sponsoring a new series of Italian lessons this fall.

The courses will be taught by Gayle Restivo, certified Italian language teacher and Dante Society Member.
All classes will be held at the Westerly Senior Center, State Street.
Each class meets once per week beginning the week of October 27th, 2025.

Beginner 1 – Thu 5:30-7pm
Beginner 2 – Thu 7-8:30pm
Intermediate – Mon 6:30-8pm
Advanced Intermediate – Tue 6:30-8pm

Classes are open to the public.
Prior registration is required.
Five student minimum per class is necessary.

To register please contact Gayle Restivo at
gaylerestivo@yahoo.it

Cost for 6 week session:
$150 per student
($120 for current Dante members)
(Payment due at the first class: cash or check)

2025 An evening with Consul General Arnaldo Minuti
2025-11-07 18:30 | The United Theater, 5 Canal St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
An evening with Consul General Arnaldo Minuti of the Italian Consulate in Boston
As part of the Dante Society of Westerly’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, we welcome Consul General Minuti who will discuss the Italian American relations and the importance of Italian Immigration to the US, especially in the early and mid 20th century.

Consul General Minuti is a career diplomat who has previously served as the Head of the Office for International Cooperation against Global Threats and Counterterrorism of the Directorate General for Political Affairs and Security at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA). He has served at the Embassy of Italy in Ethiopia and was Consul of Italy in Canada for the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. He was Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Italy in Mexico City and was appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to UNESCO in Paris. In 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Counselor of Embassy. He is Lieutenant of the Carabinieri Corps (of the reserve) and is Knight of the Italian Republic.

There will be a public reception following Consul General Minuti’s remarks.
The talk and reception afterwards are free and open to the public but prior registration is required.
Please register by November 1. Register (free) at the United Theatre’s web site using the button “TICKETS” near the bottom of this link: UnitedTheatre

General Membership Meeting November 2025
2025-11-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Westerly Senior Center, 39 State St., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
This is the Fourth and final of the four members’ business meeting for 2025.
The general agenda is:

Call Meeting to Order
Opening Statement by the President of the Society
Approval of Minutes of the September meeting – (see link to the index near the bottom of this page)
New member Introduction
Committee Reports
Upcoming Events & Programs
Other new items

The full agenda can be found in the Index of Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
This meeting will be held at the Senior Center.

Members are reminded that the bylaws require attendance at a minimum of 50% of membership meetings as well as participation and support in society activities.
The remaining meetings this year are scheduled for June 12, September 11, and November 13.

Please review the minutes from the previous meeting (June 2025) prior to attending the meeting.
The minutes from the previous meeting and, when available, the agenda for this meeting may be found using this link: Index of Agendas & Minutes
