By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Melanie Matrascia is a proud sixth generation Floridian. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), she said her great great grandparents and great grandparents were Florida pioneers who helped establish north Florida. She was born right here in Jacksonville in St. Vincent’s (now Ascension) Hospital in Riverside. As a child, her father moved the family to Dade County when it became necessary for him to find work. She grew up there and met her husband and had children before returning to north Florida about 10 years ago, once her husband retired from the Miami Dade Fire Department, where he was a paramedic. She and Mike have been married for 52 years. They have a daughter and a son and five grandchildren. Melanie currently serves as the president of the Italian American Club in Mandarin and Mike serves as treasurer.
Q: How did you meet your husband?
A: Mike and I have known each other since second grade. We started dating when I was 16 and he was 15; we were married when I was 18 and he was 17. He needed a notarized letter from his mother to get married, but even that wasn’t enough in Florida unless there were “special circumstances” … and there were no “special circumstances!” So we were married in Dothan, Alabama and spent our honeymoon there as well.
Q: Did you work outside the home?
A: I did some secretarial work when we were first married, but was fortunate to be able to quit and stay home and raise our children. Once they were older, I took a job with Princess Cruises. I worked the “meet and greet” at the hotel for cruise guests. One perk was we were able to go on one free cruise per year and Mike and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary on the original Love Boat from the television show. We also celebrated our 25th anniversary aboard the Crown Princess.
Q: How did you become involved with the Italian American Club?
A: When we moved up here, my husband was newly retired and said he didn’t know what to do with himself. I recalled a friend who was the president of the Italian Club of Hialeah and I wondered if we had such a club here. I found the Italian American Club in Mandarin and we joined in 2017 because I wanted my husband to meet people. After being a member for a year, I ran for the office of president and was elected. I’m the first woman president of the club.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a member of the Italian American Club?
A: Everyone at the club is very social. I like mixing with people, meeting new people and learning their stories. This is an all volunteer club and everyone works very hard on our fundraisers that we need to help keep up with the club building. Our monthly Spaghetti to Go meals (which are on hiatus for the summer until Sept. 29) are very popular and, along with dues and rentals of our club building, allow us to maintain the club and offer social activities for members. We have Bingo and trips to the Alhambra. The end of the year is very busy for us, as we have a Halloween party, a Christmas party and a New Year’s Eve party. Also, our monthly general meetings each have a fun theme; this month’s is a Hawaiian luau.
Q: How does one become a member?
A: We are always looking for new members who want to socialize and help with the club. You don’t have to be Italian! Just call the club (904- 586-2700) or visit our website.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: My husband and I both enjoy bowling and I like to grow orchids. I even have an orchid house.
[Editor’s note: Visit https://iacofjacksonville.com for more information about the Italian American Club.]
Photo courtesy Melanie Matrascia
Melanie and Mike Matrascia.
