Heard in the Hive

The residence of Mr and Mrs Daniel Vella in Piermont, New York, was recently the venue of a ceremony attended by various dignitaries to honour the Prince of the Imperial House of Leopardi of Constantinople, Don Hugo-José Thomasi Tomassini-Paternò, and his consort, Donna Margherita-Andreana Caneparo-Carotti.

Mr Vella in recent years has been creating a historical museum at Piermont paying tribute to the Order of St John and to the history of Malta.

A portrait of the Prince and his wife, painted by Joseph Engerer of Nadur, was unveiled. Four-year-old Gabrielle Vella was helped by Marquis Don Antonio Caracciolo to pull the tassel; she is to be initiated as a page of the Imperial House later.

Engerer has also been painting portraits of the Presidents of Malta for La Cour Boucliers, Mr Vella's historical museum.

Some 120 dignitaries representing various orders of chivalry and Christian religions were hosted by Mr and Mrs Vella. Other guests included Walter Balzan, Malta's representative at the United Nations, and the mayor of Piermont, Edward H. Trayner.

An address of welcome to the distinguished couple was delivered by the master of ceremonies, Chev. Christian de Montfalcon.

The American flag was saluted by Rear Admiral J. Robert Lumley as the guests stood to attention while the American national anthem was played. A reception followed.

Later the Prince invested Mr Vella as a knight of the Ordine Imperiale della Corona Eracliana di Costantinopli, the insignia being blessed by Archbishop Herbert M. Groece.

Chev. Col. Wayne J. McGrath, prior of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, presented the prince with a ceremonial sword.

Chev. Vella in a speech of thanks described the occasion as a gesture towards ecumenism and one in a series of events he envisaged "to revive and maintain our historical and cultural roots and Christian values".

Pisani - Zammit

Married recently at St Mary's Old Church, Birkirkara, were Marisa Pisani, daughter of Mr and Mrs Saviour Pisani of Birkirkara, and Pierre Zammit, son of Mrs Vincenza Zammit and the late Joseph Zammit of Sliema.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Joe Vella, O.Carm, and witnessed by Franco Pisani, the bride's brother, and Charles Zammit, the groom's brother.

The duties of best man were carried out by Raymond Zammit and Chris Deguara.

The bride was attended by her sister, Sandra, as maid of honour and her niece, Stephanie Pisani, as flower-girl. Matthew Zammit was ring-bearer.

A reception was later held at Villa Mdina, Naxxar.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Paris.

Public officers celebrate

A group of 23 public officers from various ministries/departments were recently awarded the Diploma in Public Administration following a two-year course at the University of Malta.

To celebrate this occasion the group organised a dinner at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel, Paceville. Dr Edward Warrington, director of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), and his secretary Maryrose Pirotta were invited for the occasion.

The group thanked Dr Warrington for his unfailing support and guidance during the two years of the diploma course.

Hilda Schembri Memorial lecture

The Breast Care Support Group, in collaboration with the Health Promotion Department, recently organised a series of events to create greater awareness on breast disease, specifically targeting breast cancer.

The culmination was the Hilda Schembri Memorial lecture. The speakers, Mrs Shirley Fenech Imbroll and Mrs Elizabeth Vella, are the two nurses currently working at the Breast Clinic at St Luke's Hospital. They presented a description of the role of the breast care nurse as well as that of the Breast Clinic.

The Breast Care Support Group has been promoting the role of the breast care nurse for many years, having organised courses in Basic Breast Awareness for Health Care Professionals. Both nurses currently working in the breast clinic attended this course prior to taking on their specific role. In total, over 110 nurses have attended these courses.

The Breast Care Support Group also sponsored one of the two nurses to attend a conference abroad. The Group is a voluntary organisation, ready to support the Department of Health in the further development of the service being offered to women with breast disease, as well as continuing to offer help and support to women in need.

The group also saw Claudette Pace hand over to her successor Gloria Mizzi who is now the Breast Care Ambassador for 2002/2003.

The Group meetings are held at the Cana Movement in Victoria, Gozo, on every first Wednesday of the month and at the Hospice Movement in Balzan, on every first Thursday.

For more information, contact Jackie on 2145-5472.

Director-general of UNESCO in Malta

The executive committee of the UNESCO Club (Malta) together with Professor Charles Farrugia, chairman of the Maltese National Commission for UNESCO, and other members of the Commission, recently met Mr Koichiro Matsuura, director-general of UNESCO, during his one-day visit to Malta.

Professor Farrugia spoke about the Commission's role, and Mr Anthony Pace, the Heritage Superintendent and a member of the Commission, gave a detailed report of the digital database of the Maltese heritage.

Albert V. Rutter, secretary of the Commission and chairman of UNESCO Club (Malta), spoke about the work of the club.

Mr Rutter said the club was very pleased to be associated with UNESCO and has been very active with its various activities in connection with UNESCO's aims and deals.

The UNESCO Club (Malta) is a founder member of the National Federation of UNESCO Clubs and has taken an active role in the first World Congress held in Tokyo in 1984.

Mr Rutter thanked Mr Matsuura for his brief and fruitful visit to Malta and assured him of the club's support at all times. He also expressed his appreciation to Professor Farrugia for the co-operation extended to the club.

Mr Matsuura thanked Mr Rutter for his long service to Unesco and expressed his appreciation for the various activities organised by the club.

Distinguished guests at Messina de Ville

The first Saturday of the New Year coincided with Dr Herbert Messina Ferrante's birthday, which was celebrated in style with a most entertaining party hosted by his wife Elizabeth and their son Edward, at Messina de Ville, their residence in Attard.

The party was attended by Malta's highest dignitaries, ecclesiastical authorities, Cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, friends and relations.

Elizabeth proved to be a most charming host and made everyone feel really at home. Among the distinguished guests were the President, Professor Guido de Marco, the Prime Minister and Mrs Eddie Fenech Adami, and Cabinet Ministers Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Dr and Mrs Louis Galea, Mr and Mrs John Dalli, Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Dr and Mrs Michael Refalo, Mr and Mrs Censu Galea, Mr Ninu Zammit, Dr and Mrs Tonio Borg, and Dr and Mrs Louis Deguara.

Also present were the Libyan Ambassador and Mrs Ali Mohammed Nagem, the Vicar-General Bishop Annetto Depasquale, Mr Justice Gino Camilleri, former Chief Justice, Professor and Mrs Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici, Dr and Mrs George Bonello Dupuis, Archbishop Emanuel Gerada, Mr Justice and Mrs Victor Caruana Colombo, Chevalier and Dame A. Zammit, Comm. and Mrs V. Licari, Baron and Baroness Carmel Apap Bologna Sceberras D'Amico Inguanez, Professor Godfrey Laferla, Mr and Mrs George Buttigieg, Dr and Mrs C. Azzopardi, Professor and Mrs Frederick Fenech, Dr Vincent Moran, mayors, local councillors and other personalities.

Kasco Trading Ltd Maltese distributor of IBM Paper

To celebrate its appointment as distributor for IBM Bulk and Inkjet Speciality paper, the Kasco team (of Kasco Trading Ltd), led by Keith Schembri, managing director of the company, were joined at the IT&T Fair by Loic Le Brun, brand manager, Business Papers, Tricom Group.

Mr Le Brun expressed his satisfaction at the professional way the IBM Bulk and Inkjet Speciality Paper was being managed in Malta. The success of the IBM Speciality Paper soft launch and the positive customer response indicate that locally IBM Paper will enjoy the success it enjoys all over Europe.

Kasco Trading Ltd, the sole Maltese distributor for IBM Paper, was established in 1995 and since then it has grown to become the largest paper supplier on the island.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements: January 13-19

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives members of the board of the World Federation of the Deaf at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Dr Ivan Fsadni, High Commissioner of Malta in Canberra, and is presented with a copy of the publication authored by Dr Claudia Sagona, entitled The Archeology of Punic Malta.
Noon The President receives Fr Mark Montebello, director of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, accompanied by the committee members.
12.45 p.m. The President receives Mr Ives de Barro, Ambassador of Malta to Tunisia.
5.30 The President receives Chevalier Maurice Mizzi, chairman of Volksbank Ltd, accompanied by the board of directors.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President receives honorary consuls-general and honorary consuls in Malta at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President addresses parish priests participating in the annual live-in at the Seminary, Tal-Virtù, Rabat.
Noon The President receives Mr Giovanni Buttigieg, national co-ordinator of the Euro-Med Youth Action programme, and is presented with the annual report.
6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco preside over a Malta Community Chest Fund board meeting at San Anton Palace, Attard.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives Mr Martin Scicluna, president of Din l-Art Helwa, and is presented with a publication entitled Heritage Saved at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives the chairman and committee members of the Association of Libyans Resident in Malta.
Noon The President receives Mr Carm Lino Spiteri, chairman of Malta Desalination Services Ltd, and is presented with a donation in aid of the MCCF.
6 p.m. The President receives Dr Joseph Cassar, Ambassador of Malta to Russia.

Thursday
10 a.m. The President pays an official visit to Senglea.
6 p.m. The President receives Mr Maurice Zarb Adami, chairman of Maltacom, at the Palace, Valletta.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives Mr Luzius Wildhaber, president of the European Court of Human Rights, at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President receives participants of a seminar organised by the European Youth People's Party.
1.30 for 1.45 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a luncheon in honour of Mr Luzius Wildhaber at San Anton Palace.
7 The President attends a reception hosted by the Association of Local Councils on the occasion of its 10th anniversary at the New Dolmen Hotel, Bugibba.

For your diary

Car Boot Sales in aid of the Vittoriosa Stars Football Club are being held every Sunday at the football ground, Vittoriosa (Il-Fortini), all day. Parking no problem.

A Card Party in aid of the Girl Guides Association will be held at the Imperial Hotel on Wednesday at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Laura Pace on 9948-9797.

Lions Club Mdina is holding a card party at the Union Club, Sliema, on Thursday from 10 a.m. For more details phone 2137-4979 or 2141-5041.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, is organising a coffee morning/tombola on Thursday at 9.30 a.m. at the Best Western Les Lapins Hotel, Ta' Xbiex. Tickets at Lm1.20 each may be obtained by phoning the centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

Ward U Zghar is organising a karaoke night on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Carolina Hotel, Bugibba.

YANA is meeting at O'Connors Irish Pub, Bugibba, on Saturday at 9 p.m.

The Singles Social Circle is holding a get-together at Beachaven, Xemxija, on Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets are at Lm1.25. One guest, who must be booked, may be brought along. Bookings by Thursday.

The Society for Investigating the Credibility of Extraordinary Claims (SICEC) is holding a lecture by David Pace, preceded by a video documentary, on Thursday, January 23, at the Youth Travel Circle, 227, Merchants Street, Valletta. The group meets at 6.30 p.m. and the activity starts at 7.

A concert of sacred music is being organised by the organising committee of the Exultate Domino Choir on the occasion of the 1,700th anniversary of the martrydom of St George, at St George's parish church, Qormi, on Friday, January 24, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 25, at 7.30 p.m. Entrance is free.

The Park of Friendship is once again celebrating Founders' Day with a gala dinner at the Casino Maltese, Valletta, on Saturday, February 22, at 8 for 8.30 p.m. Tickets are at Lm12.50 and will include a welcome drink and canapés.

Seating will be at round tables of 10. This event is being sponsored by the Casino Maltese, Island Caterers and Marsovin Ltd.

Bookings are to be received and accepted by Monday, February 17.

For more information, phone Ms Roberta Borg on 2163-6526 or e-mail her at RobertaB@razzett.org or Mrs Patricia Jack on tel/fax: 2167-4681.