T he music, the fashion, the fun. . . The Italian Cultural & Community Center’s ” Saluti da Torino” luncheon filled the River Oaks Country Club ballroom with frivolity and most things Italian including honoree Franco Valobra . Valobra is a native of Torino, which was the first capital of Italy.

It was a joyous midday affair with energy pulsating through the clutch of more than 300 celebrants. In many ways, it felt like the first event of the season with enthusiastic greetings and tales of summer adventures coursing through the throng. And it was a lively win for chairs Cheryl Arolfo Byington and Franelle Rogers and honorary chair Rosanette Cullen .

There were several highlights of the gathering beginning with a surprise serenade of two lively Italian songs, sung in Italian, b

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