Coffee Mornings in the Clubroom
On the first Saturday of every month during the club year members meet from ten to twelve o'clock for a cup of coffee or tea and some delicious treats. The coffee mornings are always the perfect event to catch-up with friends and to meet new members!
At the same time the library is open to take out some books. We have a great selection!
Prosecco and Panettone
Instead of its monthly coffee morning, the Club organised Prosecco and Panettone Apero at the Ristorante & Lounge BLU on 7th January, 2023. This was a great success, with more than 60 members able to come.
Swiss Railways Operation Center Pollegio
The entire railway traffic of the Gotthard axis is controlled from the Southern Operations Center. In addition to the route from Arth-Goldau to the Italian border, the two base tunnels, Gotthard and Ceneri, are also monitored. An impressive tour by SBB staff left participants amazed at what and how this very busy railway traffic is managed.
Walks with Katy
9 February Winter walk from Minusio around the camping areas on the shore of Lago Maggiore, Drinks at L'Approdo restaurant
12 April Spring walk in the Bosco di Maia, Arcegno, Lunch at Grotto Mulin di Ciöss
31 October Autumn walk Ponte Capriasca and around Lake of Origlio, Lunch at Ristorante Origlio da Manu
Grotto Broggini, Losone - Opening Dinner
The Opening Dinner is one of the annual highlights of our club. This year, more than 50 enthusiastic members celebrated the start of the year's activities at Grotto Broggini in Losone. The menu featured the legendary spit-roasted chicken grilled over a wood fire. During the event, the departing secretary, Paula Merlini, and vice-president, Alan Morgantini, were bid farewell with thunderous applause and appropriate gifts for their years of service. The new club secretary, Christine Rossal, was introduced with applause.
Lecture "Antarctica" by Andreas Nüssel
Presentation by Andreas Nüssel, Managing Director of the shipping company Silversea. Fifty-five members listened attentively as he recounted his recent cruise to Antarctica. The lecture was overwhelming, as Andreas Nüssel conveyed it with a lot of passion to the audience. The photos and videos of this gigantic journey remain unforgettable for all participants. After the lecture, the Anglo-Swiss Club offered the attending members a generous aperitif.
Stella Chocolate Factory
Who doesn't love to indulge in chocolate? We did just that. A detailed tour of the chocolat Stelle factory in Giubiaso to learn what it takes to make good chocolate was an interesting experience. As a highlight of the tour, for which the visitors had to dress hygienically, participants were also tempted and pampered with chocolate.
Lecture Jill Mathis, Photographer
Photographer and journalist Jill Mathis gave a lecture about her international work. Jill Mathis grew up in Texas and studied photojournalism at the University of Texas in Austin. After leaving school, Jill began an internship in New York City and stayed in the city to become the full-time assistant to the world-renowned photographer Ralph Gibson. In 1996, she moved to Italy, where she lives with her husband, sculptor Valerio Tedeschi. Her main work since 1996 has been an extensive series titled "Paralleltext," where the fundamental basis finds its roundness, etymology. When she returned to her journalistic roots in 2008, Jill received a one-year assignment to document an area in Piedmont, which in 2009 led to a joint exhibition with Ralph Gibson in the annex of the Guggenheim in Vercelli, Italy.
The Sala Oro in La Palma au L ac was packed, and attendees conversed with the photographer at the end during the very generous aperitif offered by the club.
Visit of Rega Base, Locarno Airport
Revisited due to popular demand.
Members for Members - Lisa's "Everything is Better with Bubbles"
An entertaining & educational presentation on the fundamentals and different types of sparkling wine. Going over the basics of the different production methods of sparkling wines and a brief introduction to the most well-known versions of this special treat, traveling through 4 different wine-producing countries along the way. A tasting pleasure, accompanied by some tasty bites. A full-time resident of Ticino (Gerra Gambarogno) since 2002, Lisa is originally from the US where she served as a Captain in the US Army for 7 years after university followed by a career in the wine business working for Robert Mondavi Winery in Sales & Education. Today she continues her ties in the international wine trade, is a member of the Society of Wine Educators and holds certifications from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). She and her husband Frits are both members of the Anglo-Swiss Club.
Stefanie's Last Event as President - Eternity in an Hour by Victor and Maxim Vertunni
On May 30, the final event organized by the outgoing president of the club, Stefanie Bertoneri, took place. It was a recital with songs by William Shakespeare, Kabir Das, and William Blake, performed by artists Victor Vertunni, his son Maxim, and his wife Monia. The Sala Oro in La Palma was bursting with nearly 70 members. On the occasion of this event before the club's summer break, the outgoing president was honored by the board and club members for her four-year presidency, her variety of ideas, and her tireless commitment with enthusiastic applause.
Luci e Ombri - Fireworks on the Lago Maggiore
For once, we interrupted the Club’s summer break! The Hotel La Palma au Lac has extended an exclusive invitation to our club to view the fireworks from the upper terrace of the hotel, while enjoying a glass of wine or prosecco with a buffet table of nibbles and sweet treats.
Evening Cruise with Apero on the Katja Boat
On a beautiful evening in September, some 40 members found themselves luxuriating on a gentle cruise from Locarno towards the Brissago islands and back, to resume the autumn-winter activities for 2023/24.
Piano Recital performed by Christina Harnisch
37 members were privileged to hear renowned Swiss pianist Christina Harnisch play works by Polish composers Chopin, Maria Szymanowska, and Grazyna Bacewicz, French composers Cècile Chaminade and Debussy, and German composers Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, spanning more than two centuries. Christina Harnisch played the pieces with precision and fiery intensity, and introduced us to a number of previously unknown or unfairly neglected female composers, in particular the extraordinary talent of Cécile Chaminade, whose 'Valse-Caprice', Op 33, was a crowd favourite this evening. After the concert, the attendees enjoyed a generous aperitif as usual.
Salame Rapelli - Castello Montebello Bellinzona
We visited Montebello Castle in Bellinzona. After the castle tour, participants had the opportunity to make their own salami under the expert guidance of Rapelli's master butchers, which will be sent to each member after the maturation process is complete. Another highlight was a tasting of the diverse Ticinella charcuterie from Salame Rapelli in the castle courtyard.
Casino Bistro - Apero
Around 30 membrs join in on a lively conversation while enjoying a rich aperitif with a variety of finger foods.
Walserhaus Museum, Bosco Gurin
A visit to the Walser village of Bosco Gurin. A somewhat overcast sky at the start in Locarno did not dampen the good mood at all. Upon arrival in Bosco Gurin, at over 1500 meters above sea level, with temperatures at 0 degrees and light snowfall, all participants knew that winter had arrived. Francesca Pedrocchi from the Walserhaus Society guided the group through the village of Bosco Gurin with detailed explanations, and all participants were fascinated by the history of the Walser and their origins. The highlight of the day was a visit to the Walser Museum. Even though it was bitterly cold, this excursion, concluded with a lunch in Cevio, was a valuable experience.
Christmas Brunch - Honary Membership to Stefanie
At the beginning of December, the club celebrated its annual Christmas Brunch. This time at Ristorante "da Nani" Ascona. The numerous members enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere and there was a lot of laughter and discussion. On the occasion of this event, the resigning president, Stefanie Bertoneri Amrein, was presented with the honorary membership certificate to thunderous applause for her successful presidency, years of dedication and dynamism, also keeping the Club active throughout the difficult years of the pandemic.
