It is with sadness that our entire Board mourns the passing of our first President and active member MARIO DUMICIC. Mario was a good man who helped us aim high and achieve more than we ever hoped for.
IMAS Hunters Dinner 4-29-11
Press report
LBC, Lawrence Beach Club, Atlantic Beach, NY
Friends of IMAS joined our Board for a special menu prepared by Anthony Marusic, our newest chef and “harvester” of venison. The group was hosted by Anton Benvin and Dusanka Marusic at the welcoming Lawrence Beach Club on the shores of the Atlantic. They gathered to support IMAS who’s 2011 Goal of $30,000.00 to purchase an EKG machine for Cres and beds for Mali Losinj Ambulanta was met a little closer. The menu included a Croatian standard of venison and “palenta” just like “nona” used to make.
The night was made possible by the club’s gracious manager Bill and Cathy Rogynzky in memory of Peter Maracic and Luigi Benvin. Luigi, born in Zbisina, started a tradition over 30 years ago to gather his closest friends and family to a diner highlighting the “catch of the season.” His hunting buddies included cousin Anton Benvin and Marco Bunicci from Cres, of Woodmere, LI, NY. They first hunted venison in the upstate NY town of Stanford. The “semi-related” Peter Maracic joined them with his “catch” from Cuddebackville, NY, usually caught by his son-in-law Sime Marusic, the “Dalmatian-Indian.” Every winter they would invite family and friends to savor a meal prepared by Luigi’s brother in law John Zorovich at the Rockaway Hunting Club, in Lawrence, NY, who’s manager of 50 years, Nick Benvin, was Luigi’s brother.
Once IMAS was formed the hosts agreed to begin a new tradition in collecting donations to help its mission in supporting the health services of the Cres-Losinj islands. With the recent passing of both Peter and Luigi a new generation has stepped up to support IMAS. Peter’s grandson Anthony Marusic not only prepared the feast but also “harvested” the venison on the same land his grandfather left to the next generation of hunters. John Benvin, Luigi’s son, and his grandson little John, joined the celebration. Engaging the American born generation of Croatians can continue the link between distant lands, but shared memories and traditions. Helping those less fortunate and more in need makes us more human on this one earth.
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2011 IMAS Hunters Dinner