With a "graceful waltz," Donna Balzano and Mario Patrizio were the winners of the mirror ball trophy when members of the Italian American Cultural Club held their own version of "Dancing With The Stars."
St. Florian Hall in Wintersville was transformed into a stage complete with judges, dancers, stars and announcers.
It was part of the club's June 11 meeting, but the contest began May 14 when six couples, after several practices, danced pair by pair and demonstrated their talents doing the cha cha, the tarantella, the twist, the jive and the waltz. The judges commented and voted. Assunta Olivieri was the head judge and was joined by Carolyn Klonowski, Lou Gentile, Lucia Scaffidi, Lou Almonte and Theresa Coppa.
The membership then voted for their favorite couples. Three couples with the highest number of votes returned for the June finale. In addition to Balzano and Patrizio, the other two top couples were Nicky Bressler and Mary Grace Scaffidi and Camillo Pittera and Deena Riley.
Dancers also included John Balzano and Maria Settepanella, Todd Piergallini and Kristy Seditz and Michael Zinno and Donna Shalvis.
On Italian television, the dancing show is called "Ballondo Con le Stella."
The business part of the meeting included several announcements, including that the annual picnic will be held Sept. 2 at the Smithfield home of Ray and Lucille Piergallini.
Michele Fabbro asked for volunteers to sell wrist bands at the Wheeling Italian Festival which is scheduled for July 27-29.
Meetings for Campo Italiano also were announced as was the Dean Martin Festival.
