Club News

A Message From Our President

I would like to thank all those people who worked so hard to make the 90th Anniversary of the Club/Malta Day event such a wonderful and enjoyable celebration. Special thanks goes to the Board of Directors. who were all involved in the planning of the event, as well as performing other duties related to the function, to the Planning Committee under the leadership of Mary Smith, to Debbie Scerri who entertained us with her beautiful voice and to Pauline and Richard Henderson who hosted Debbie while she was here. Thanks to Evelyn Simmons who made the nice photo collages, took a great number of photos at the gala and uploaded them onto the Club's web site. Thanks to Rita Goldberg and Mary Ann Milla who sold a great number of raffle tickets at the event. Thank you to Mary Smith, Betty Debattista, Jennifer Debattista, Karen Borg and Rose Borg for making the beautiful center pieces. Thanks to Jennifer Debattista for playing the message that the President of Malta sent to the Honorary Consul General Louis Vella. Thanks to Honorary Consul General Louis Vella who loaned us the American and the Maltese Flags stands. Thank you to Karen Borg who donated the invitation packets and also took care of the printing. Thanks to Barbara Fenech and her sister, Margie Belluomini, for donating the wine and to the others who made monetary donations. Thanks to Joe Debattista who coordinated the Color Guard and to the five gentlemen that carried the flags: Manuel Micallef, Joe Vella, Eddie Smith, Rich Henderson and George Borg. Thank you to those who brought food from Malta to make the Maltese Food baskets that were raffled. Thanks to all those who decorated the hall and cleared the hall after the event was finished and, of course, to the people that attended the function. We had people attending from Canada, Texas, Colorado, Nevada and from far away cities in California. Last but definitely not least, I would like to thank all those who helped in some way to make the celebration so wonderful. Thank You. I hope that I did not miss thanking anyone but, If I did, I apologize and please forgive me.

A letter from the Prime Minister was received, but unfortunately it did not arrive in time for the celebration. The secretary read it to those members who attended the September meeting.

I would like to thank Pauline Henderson, Carmen Micallef, Mary Ann Milla, Bart Borg and Joe Vella for accepting the nomination to be part of the Nominating Committee.

Don't forget, the Thunder Valley Casino Day Trip will be held on Saturday, November 2nd.

The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 27th, at 10:30 am.

Saħħa lil kulħadd
(Good-Bye to all),
Brian

Message from the Honorary Consul General of Malta, Louis Vella

Mr. Vella began his address by remarking that September, the last month of Summer, is quickly coming to an end while reminding everyone how important September is in Malta’s history. This year in particular, September started with a meeting of World leaders who congregated in Poland on September 1st in the town of Wielun where the invasion of Poland and the first day of WWII began 80 years ago to the day. The President of Malta HE Dr. George Vella and Vice President Mike Pence of the US were among the world leaders present.

In September, we also celebrate the National feast of Il-Vitorja. Besides the religious feasts celebrated in Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha and Xaghra, Gozo honoring Our Lady of Victories, il-Vitorja or Victory Day is a commemoration of the great victory of the Maltese people and the Knights of Malta over the Ottoman Empire in 1565. One of the most important and significant conflicts in the world, as it was known then. Towards the end of September, the Prime Minister of Malta addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York and later visited the Maltese communities both New York as well as in Toronto, Canada.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we also had our share of celebrations to commemorate Malta Day. The Maltese Club held a very enjoyable evening in San Mateo. We also had our annual raising of the Maltese Flag from the balcony of the office of the Mayor of San Francisco at City Hall. The Maltese Heritage organized a wonderful wine tour to Sonoma Valley in honor of Malta Day and we also received messages and well wishes on the occasion of Malta Day from the office of the President of Malta and the office of the Prime Minister.

On Tuesday October 8th the City of Millbrae, during its regular City Council meeting, will be presenting a Proclamation honoring Malta on the occasion of the 55th Anniversary of its Independence at 7:00 PM inside the Council Chambers at City Hall. All are welcome to attend.

Hon Consul Vella reminded us that if we know of anyone who might be interested in participating in a group to improve communication and relationship between the City of San Francisco and the City of Valletta, Malta to please contact him at 650-631-8200 or at malteseconsulate@yahoo.com Thank you to those who have already responded. Others are still welcomed.

Those Maltese and Maltese-Americans who are asking about Maltese passports, Hon Consul Vella told us that during the second weekend of February 2020, he will have a representative from the Embassy of Malta at his office to process new and renewal of Maltese passports.

Grazzi Ħafna

Always remember that, it is not what we take but what we give that make us rich.