Frank Nechvatal
The March meeting was a fun night with games of trivia and list of cities. Treats were provided by the club, along with our usual coffee and ice water. Officers for the next two years were elected at this meeting, and they are President Frank Nechvatal, Vice President Lisa Romero, Secretary Treva Christenson, and Treasurer Charlotte Wiard. Charlotte gave a report on her committee’s work on proposed activities for the future. The membership was reminded that our April Patio Party was moved back to Thursday, April 16, at 5 p.m. on the patio. The club will provide fried and baked chicken, potato salad, and baked beans. Members are asked to bring salads and desserts. Since we are on the patio, members may bring their own beverages, including beer or wine.
This month we will explore the region of Tuscany. Tuscany is located on the west coast of Italy and just north of the middle of the country. This region is known for its landscapes, artistic legacy, and its culture. Tuscany produces wines, such as Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, and Brunelio di Montalcino. Having a strong linguistic and cultural identity, it is sometimes considered “a nation within a nation.”
Tuscany today is a popular tourist destination. The main tourist spots are Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Versila, Maremma, and Chianti. Tuscany is divided into nine provinces and metropolitan cities: Arezzo, the City of Florence, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa and Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena. The cuisine of this area is based on simplicity. Central to the dishes, one finds legumes, bread, cheese, vegetables, mushrooms, Leccino, and Frantoio olives. Beef of the best quality comes from the Chiana Valley used for Florentine steak. The indigenous Cinta Senese breed of pork is also produced. Wine is a common product of Tuscany. Chianti is probably the most well known.
Until next time, Ciao