Vol. 53 ▪ Nos. 10-11 Washington D.C.
October-November 2014 $1.50
An Italian American Gazette of the Greater Washington D.C. Area
NIAF To Honor John Turturro, Daniel D'Aniello, Pino Cicala The 39th annual gala of the National Italian American Foundation, celebrating Italian American culture and heritage, will honor a number of prominent national and international leaders in the fields of business, entertainment, and communication. Noted actor, writer, and director John Turturro will receive the NIAF special achievement award in entertainment. Turturro, who is featured in the highly anticipated PBS documentary series, "The Italian Americans," will showcase the project before the thousands of gala attendees from here and abroad. Daniel D'Aniello, co-founder and chairman of the Carlyle Group, will receive the special achievement award in business. Founded in 1987 in Washington D.C., Carlyle has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful investment firms. Pino Cicala, well-known in the Washington D.C. Italian American community for his more than 50 years of communicating and disseminating news of interest to the community, will receive the special achievement award in community leadership. Cicala is the founder and editor of AMICO and Antenna Italia Radio-TV. David Cordani, president and chief executive officer of Cigna Corp., will be given the award for business and health. Cigna is a global health service company with 35,000 employees worldwide. The NIAF award in public service will go to Susan Molinari, vice president for public policy and government relations at Google, and Pasqualino Monti, president of the Port Authority of Rome Civitavecchia, will receive the award in international business. A special Italy-America friendship award will go to Fabrizio Francesco Vinaccia, a senior vice president for MBDA Italia S.p.A. Maria Bartiromo, Emmy award-winning news anchor, will co-host the dinner with actor and radio host Joe Piscopo. The gala takes place October 25 at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Columbus Day Celebrated in Washington
Columbus Day celebrations began with Mass on Sunday at Holy Rosary Church and continued with a program at the Columbus statue at the Church courtyard, where Fr. Ezio Marchetto, the Knights of Columbus, and others spoke about the explorer and the new worlds he opened up. The following day, Columbus Day, Washington D.C. officially honored Columbus with a ceremony at Columbus Plaza in front of Union Station. For the story and photos, see page 3.
L’America dei navigatori italiani di Generoso d’Agnese
L’Avventura iniziò il 3 agosto 1492 e trovò il suo acme a San Salvador il 12 ottobre dello stesso anno. Quel giorno Cristoforo Colombo iscrisse il suo nome nella storia. Ma non fu il solo italiano a lasciare importanti “scie” negli Oceani del Mondo e tracce nel Nuovo Continente. Il fratello Bartolomeo seguì con
passione la stessa vocazione marinara di Cristoforo e ottenuto il titolo di “Adelantado”, fondò la città di Santo Domingo. Nel 1510 re Ferdinando il cattolico affidò a Bartolomeo la colonizzazione del Veragua, dopo i fallimentari tentativi di Hojedo, e in tale veste egli si stava muovendo quando la morte lo colpì nel
INSIDE
Continued on page 9
Community News
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Leon Panetta Book 8
Italian Art at National Gallery 11
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
Fucsia Nissoli Fitzgerald Honored by Lido Civic Club
‟I promise to do my best to represent the values that unite us.”
►So far this year, 121,700
Hon. Fucsia Nissoli Fitzgerald, a member of Italy's Chamber of Deputies (the counterpart to our House of Representatives), was honored by the Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C. at its annual Italian American Congressional Delegation Reception held on Capitol Hill on September 18, 2014. Keynote remarks were delivered by Congressman William “Bill” Pascrell Jr., (D-NJ), co-chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, followed by remarks by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Lido Civic Club President, Francesco Isgro, presented Fucsia Nissoli Fitzgerald with the Lido Civic Club Friendship Award, "In recognition of Tom Stallone, Hon. Fucsia Nissoli Fitzgerald, Francesco Isgrò her contributions to the Italian-American community as an elected representative America. Thank you for the recognition (near Bergamo, Lombardy), she settled of Italians living in North and Central that you have given me. I promise to in the United States with her husband, do my best to deserve the honor and to Thomas Fitzgerald, more than 25 years America." ago. Before winning the election, Hon. In accepting the award, Nissoli said represent the values that unite us." Hon. Nissoli was elected to the Nissoli was heavily engaged with that she was "proud to be Italian and it is a great honor to be in the Italian Italian Parliament in February 2013. the Italian community, working on Parliament, representing Italians in Born and raised in Treviglio, Italy a number of projects promoting the Italian language and culture.
Lavoro: 51% giovani pronto ad emigrare all’estero La maggioranza dei giovani italiani (51 per cento) è pronta ad emigrare per motivi di lavoro. È quanto emerge da una analisi Coldiretti/Ixe’ in occasione della presentazione dal Rapporto Italiani nel Mondo 2014 della Fondazione Migrantes. Il motivo principale che spinge i
VOCE ITALIANA A sincere thanks to our dedicated volunteers, who help with the mailing of each issue of Voce Italiana: Joan Dodaro, Dina D'Avella, Maria Cascioli. Not on our mailing list? Please call Maria Fresco at 202-638-0165. For questions about Voce, please call Lucia Portanova, 202-638-0165.
giovani a lasciare l’Italia è - sottolinea la Coldiretti - il fatto che il 19 per cento consideri il Paese fermo in cui non si prendono mai decisioni, una percentuale del 18 per cento punta il dito sulle tasse e il 17 per cento chiama in causa la mancanza di lavor o a pari merito con la mancanza di meritocrazia. La percentuale di chi è disposto a lasciare il proprio Paese è più alta per gli under 35 anni maschi (57 per cento) rispetto ai giovani maschi alle giovani donne (45 per cento) e raggiunge il picco massimo del 59 per cento tra i 18-19 anni. La percentuale sale anche con il grado di istruzione e raggiunge il 55 per cento per i livelli alti. “In un Paese vecchio come l’Italia la prospettiva di abbandono evocata dalla maggioranza dei giovani italiani è una perdita di risorse insopportabile se si vuole tornare a crescere”, ha affermato il presidente della Coldiretti Roberto Moncalvo.
Noted Briefly...
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boat people have arrived in Italy, almost triple the amount for all of 2013. Among them were 10,500 unaccompanied minors, twice the number for last year. The largest groups of children come from Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia. ►What do Mr. Peanut, Mt. Rushmore, and Brooks Brothers have in common? All three exist because of Italians. The founder of Planters, the nut company whose mascot is Mr. Peanut, was Amedeo Obici, who started the company in 1906. Mt. Rushmore's lead sculptor was Italian immigrant Luigi Del Bianco. And Brooks Brothers is owned by Claudio Del Vecchio, an Italian billionaire who loved the venerable American institution and bought it in 2001. ►The iconic Moka Bialetti espresso coffee machine (the one with the mustachioed little man logo on it), is celebrating its 80th birthday. In its honor an exhibit of the machines and related posters, is being held at the Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome. The coffee machine was designed by engineer Alfonso Bialetti. ► Octogenarian Tony Bennett (born Anthony Dominick "Tony" Benedetto) recently achieved a milestone: the oldest singer to have a top-selling album. The album is Cheek to Cheek, recorded with another Italian American, Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta).
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
Columbus Day Celebrated in Washington D.C., and Across America
PARICK KORTEN
Fr. Ezio Marchetto delivers invocation.
Pino Cicala and Francesco Isgro present Lido Civic Club wreath at Columbus Plaza.
PARICK KORTEN
The debate across the nation about the merits of celebrating Columbus Day continues to gain force. The city of Seattle, Washington, for example, recently decided to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day, following the lead of several other localities. But even as the debate goes on, many states, cities, and municipalities across the country continued to hold their annual Columbus Day parades and other events in honor of the Italian explorer and founder of the New World. In Washington, D.C., the events began the day before Columbus Day, with a Mass at Holy Rosary Church, celebrated by Fr. Ezio Marchetto, and sponsored by the D.C. State Council Knights of Columbus, the Lido Civic Club of Washington D.C., and the Holy Rosary Parish. The Knights of Columbus Color Corps and Honor Guard, in their traditional formal attire, added pageantry to the service. The Holy Rosary Choir, directed by Maria Marigliano, led the congregation in singing religious and patriotic hymns. After the Mass, the congregation moved to the church courtyard, where the statue of a young Christopher Columbus has stood since 1992, when the Lido Civic Club donated it to the church in honor of the Quincentennial Anniversary of the discovery of America. The civil program included a welcome by Fr. Ezio and remarks by Lido Civic Club president Francesco Isgrò, by Ernest Boykin, Jr., State Deputy, D.C. Knights of Columbus, and Tom Hogan of the National Christopher Columbus Association. The event closed with the singing of the Salve Regina and America the Beautiful. On the following day, Columbus Day, the National Christopher Columbus Association and the National Park Service held its annual ceremony at the Columbus statue in front of Union Station. The U.S. Marine Band opened with a musical prelude, a posting of the colors, and singing of the national anthems of the United States, Italy, and Spain.
PARICK KORTEN
Even as the explorer and celebrations of his achievements become subject of national debate
Annual Columbus Day ceremony at Columbus Plaza in front of Union Station Fr. Ezio delivered the invocation and Tom Hogan, past president of the National Christopher Columbus Foundation, and Rebecca Karcher of the National Park Service, welcomed the crowd. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and the festivities were moved to the nearby Monocle restaurant, where speakers included Francesco Isgrò, Lido Civic Club
president; Simone Carta, Counselor at the Italian Embassy, and Enrique Sarda Valls, Consul General at the Embassy of Spain. The event closed with the announcement of the National Youth Columbus Day Contest winner, Anita Ramaswamy of Arizona. The contest was sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Italian American Foundation.
Presidential Proclamation Excerpts "When Christopher Columbus -- a son of Genoa, Italy -- set sail across the Atlantic, no one could imagine the profound and lasting impact he would have on the world...As dawn broke on October 12, 1492, Columbus’s crew set foot on a Caribbean island and changed the course of history. For much of Europe, this marked the discovery of the New World...Columbus’s historic voyage ushered in a new age, and the world has never been the same. In a new world, a Nation was born. A resolute people fought for democracy, liberty, and freedom from tyranny. They secured fundamental rights to expression, petition, and free exercise of religion and built a beacon of hope to people everywhere who cherish these ideals. His journey opened the door for generations of Italian immigrants who followed his path across an ocean in pursuit of the promise of America. Like Columbus, these immigrants and their descendants have shaped the place where they landed. Italian Americans have enriched our culture and strengthened our country. They have served with honor and distinction in our Armed Forces, and today, they embrace their rich heritage as leaders in our communities and pioneers of industry."
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014 Editor-in-Chief: Fr. Ezio Marchetto C.S. Executive Editor: Francesco Isgrò
Founded in 1960 An Italian American Gazette of the Greater Washington DC Area
Editorial Board: Pino Cicala, Enrico Davoli, Dona De Sanctis, Anna Isgrò, Gemma Puglisi, Fred Rotondaro Board of Trustees: Franco Nuschese, Stephanie Razzano, Beatrice Tierney
Voce Italiana
W
We Are Our History
hen we read or study history keep of the church, the music leaders, books, we follow the catechists, members of sodalities, development of past events through committees, associations and clubs, the names of important persons like the organizers and volunteers who Cesar, Napoleon, Washington, Pope were always ready to help and who, John Paul II and so on, or through many times, even took the initiative major events like the discovery of of making things happen. They North America, the first man on the literally number in the thousands. moon, World War II and the like. All contributed in so many ways to our daily history. History reports Without naming In several locations, the actions of important people; anyone in particular, I in the church and in it is recorded want to acknowledge Casa Italiana, there are plaques with according to the many individuals names of donors significant events and it is paced by who have been constantly who contributed to key discoveries. involved in the life of major construction or improvement projects Dr. Mary Elizabeth Holy Rosary. for our church and/ Brown is now writing an updated edition of the or Casa Italiana. Without forgetting history of our parish, completing the those, we should also celebrate and first edition of An Italian American remember the simple participation Community of Faith, Holy Rosary in of the individuals who came together Washington D.C. 19013-2003. The to serve, with great devotion, their book will continue to present our community and their church. Another remarkable element that history up to the Centennial that we I realized as I read the new draft celebrated last December 2013. As I read the draft of the new book chapters is that often involvement in recently, I realized how different our Holy Rosary’s life has extended from history is from most. Yes, of course, one generation to another, becoming we have ‘illustrious’ names and, a family affair that involved several besides our pastors, we have names generations. We can truly say that “we are of religious and civil authorities. But when we look at the people who our history” because, even though really helped our community grow, we can identify some key names we find that the real ‘movers’ were throughout our past, in the end it was the many individuals and often very ordinary people. Without naming anyone in families who wrote every single particular, I want to acknowledge page of our development over the the many individuals who were 100 years of Holy Rosary. And what constantly involved in Holy is remarkable is that the same is true Rosary’s life. From those who today, so that we can confidently prepared meals for the priest, to the say, “Our past is our prologue.” --Fr. Ezio Marchetto organizations that oversaw the up-
Serving in World War I
Voce Italiana readers remember their loved ones In response to our request for photos and memorabilia about World War I, Voce Italiana reader Anthony Morisi submitted pictures of his father, John Morisi (right), and his uncle Frank (bottom right), who served in the Italian Army during the War. Another uncle, Luigi Morisi, also served in the Italian forces, while a third uncle, Joseph Morisi, served in the U.S. Army during WWI. Voce Italiana reader Betty Kehoe's father, Giuseppe Santuliana (below), was a member of the Italian Alpine Brigade. Born in Ronca (Vincenza), he was 19 when the photo below was taken, before his departure to engage in the battles in the area of Asiago (Vincenza). Giuseppe immigrated to the United States in 1920, settling in the Boston, Mass. area.
Giuseppe Santuliana, a member of the Italian Alpine Brigade, at age 19
John Morisi (1899-1979)
Frank Morisi (1893-1968)
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Holy Rosary Church During World War I
WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL
by Mary Elizabeth Brown
The wonderfully interesting remembrances of relatives’ service in World War I (see page 4), may raise a question. What was going on at Holy Rosary Church at that time? After all, the parish was founded on the eve of the war. Unfortunately, many documents were lost because Holy Rosary moved twice in its early years, starting at 83 H Street in 1913, moving to 902 Eye in early 1914, and to 595 3rd in 1919. Father Nicholas De Carlo saved photographs, so we can see the Holy Thursday altar, the First Communion classes, and the Marian processions. But he had no place to save Sunday announcements, the precursors to Sunday bulletins, or his correspondence. (So, please keep those memoirs of family members serving in World War I coming! They are helping to recover an important part of Holy Rosary’s past.) Some of Holy Rosary’s records are at the Center for Migration Studies, along with records from other parishes. We can use one of those collections to get an idea of what World War I was like at Holy Rosary. The parish is Our Lady of Pompei in New York City, which was founded in 1892. Unlike Father De Carlo, the pastor, Father Antonio Demo was able to save many records documenting World War I.
During World War I, the federal government established “Administrations” for food, fuel, and other sectors of the economy. These administrations were supposed to make sure that both the military and civilians had adequate supplies. However, the administrations had few ways to communicate with civilians, as there was no Internet, television or radio, of course. One efficient way to reach civilians was to communicate with religious leaders; who would then spread the word among those who came to worship. Father Demo received form letters from the Food Administration asking him to preach on the importance of conservation. The Treasury Department let him know about opportunities for buying war bonds. The U.S. Army sought his assistance teaching English to Italian-speaking draftees. It was only to be expected that charities serving members of the Italian and American communities would send requests for assistance, but Father Demo was also asked to call his parishioners’ attention to the needs of the Armenians, Belgians, and other suffering people. His own parishioners also sought his assistance, asking for baptismal certificates to verify their age so they could enter the military, and writing from the front. It is likely that Father De Carlo
Holy Rosary Church altar boys lead procession along 3rd Street (1915) received the same form letters from the government and from charities. Given his reputation for dedication to his parishioners, it is also likely that Father De Carlo performed some of the same services for them. There were some important differences between Holy Rosary and Our Lady of Pompei. Pompei is in Greenwich Village in New York City; it celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1917. Father Demo had been in the parish some fifteen years when the war began, and was well connected to many neighborhood organizations with whom he could cooperate. Washington, D.C., is smaller than New York; Holy Rosary was a newer
Timeline of World War I Events: 1914 June 28, 1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo. July 28: Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
August 1-3: Russia, allied with Serbia, announces full mobilization of armed forces. Germany mobilizes armed forces and declares war on Russia. Germany declares war on France.
July 31: After the general Austrian mobilization, more than 60,000 young Italians from the AustroHungarian Trentino are sent to battlefields.
August 4-6: Germany declares war on neutral Belgium and invades in a right-flanking move designed to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany. Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.
August 1: Italy declares neutrality.
August 26-30: "The Battle of the
Frontiers:" 27,000 French soldiers die in one day alone in an offensive thrust east of Paris, towards the German border. September 5-10: German army achieves its greatest victory of the war on the Eastern front against Russia at the Battle of Tennenberg. First Battle of the Marne halts German invasion in France. December 24: Unofficial Christmas Truce declared by soldiers in the trenches along the Western Front.
parish and had a smaller congregation at that time; and Father De Carlo had taken up his job more recently and was not involved in many neighborhood organizations. All of this reduced the likelihood that Holy Rosary would be involved in, for example, patriotic parades and other neighborhood activities, and thus the likelihood it would generate records. By World War II, Holy Rosary was a well-established parish with a large congregation that was active in many aspects of city life. When it comes to the centennial of World War II, Holy Rosary’s archives might be of more help than they are for World War I.
Note from the Editor:
Many thanks to readers for sending photos of loved ones who served in WWI. We will continue to run our series on the war's centennial during 2015, one hundred years after Italy entered the war on the side of the Allies. We welcome further photos for publication. Kindly send them in high resolution to Holy Rosary Church: 595 Third St., NW Washington, DC 20001 GINO MARINUCCI, C.P.A., P.C. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS “SINCE 1975 YOUR SMALL BUSINESS SPECIALIST” ACCOUNTING ● TAX PLANNING TAX PREPARATION ● SOFTWARE SUPPORT COMPLETE PAYROLL SERVICE (301) 942-2266 GINO MARINUCCI, C.P.A. ANTHONY MARINUCCI, C.P.A.
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
Trio Lennon Captivates Audiences At Casa Italiana, Embassy of Italy did the arrangements, readapting Beatles favorites to a symphonic structure while preserving the lyricism of the original songs. Molinelli, who is also a composer and conductor, wrote the arrangement for Con te partiro, the international hit sung by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Luca Marziali, violinist, is a regular guest violinist for prestigious orchestras in Italy and abroad, including the RAI, Italian National Symphonic Orchestra. Alessandro Culiani, cellist, has performed worldwide and recorded for
numerous prestigious labels. The Trio Lennon's performance at Casa Italiana and at the Italian Embassy included the Lennon/McCartney tunes Eleanor Rigby, Hey Jude, Come Together, and Yesterday. The renditions were creative, energetic and evocative, adding great dimension to the classic Beatles tunes. The event was organized by parishioner Armida Oradei, with the support of Fr. Ezio Marchetto and the Parish Council, which also organized the postconcert reception.
American U. Law School Forms Italian Club Trio Lennon: Luca Marziali, Alessandro Culiani, Roberto Molinelli Trio Lennon, a group of classical musicians who joined forces to infuse popular Beatles tunes with their own classical spin, performed at Casa Italiana and at the Italian Embassy during a recent Washington tour. Performing to packed halls, the group received standing ovations at both events. Founded in 1995, Trio Lennon is made up of renowned soloists from the
Le Marche region of Italy, who have performed with orchestras at halls from Milan's La Scala to Moscow's Tchaikovsky Hall. Popular Italian tenor Giuseppe Sabbatini has called the Trio Lennon, "A brilliant and impetuous ensemble that succeeds in uniting lyricism, passion and virtuosity." Roberto Molinelli, who plays viola,
Birthday Suprise for Fr. Ezio Marchetto
After the performance by the Trio Lennon at Casa Italiana, members of the Parish Council presented a surprise cake to Fr. Ezio, who was celebrating his birthday that day. The Trio Lennon spontaneously accompanied the audience in singing Happy Birthday to Fr. Ezio. The cake was later enjoyed by all.
The Italian-American Law Students Association (ITALSA) is the newest club this year at American University Washington College of Law. It is the first club at the Law School dedicated to sharing and honoring the contributions that Italians have made in law, politics, and academia. The club is open to all students of Italian descent, as well as any student interested in Italian culture and heritage. It is a club where students can share their experiences, educate themselves on the accomplishments of Italian-Americans, and celebrate the traditions that Italians left for future generations. The goal is to create lasting relation-
ships among the students, and between students and professionals in the Italian-American community. At its first official event, ITALSA will host Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero for a discussion and reception on October 27, 2014, at the Washington College of Law. The club is interested in collaborating with other Italian or Italian-American organizations in D.C. If you would like to collaborate, wish to hear more about events and information, or have any questions, please email Mara Vento, president of the Italian-American Law Students Association at: mara.vento@american.edu.
ITALSA Executive Board Mara Vento, Santo Scrimenti, and Rocco Dicicco, and club member Ashley Nickel with Trio Lennon member Roberto Molinelli (second from left)
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Robert Edsel, Monuments Men Author, Recognized by Copilas The National Council for the Promotion of Italian Language in American Schools (Copilas) recently held a dinner at Casa Italiana to honor Robert Edsel, author of Monuments Men, the book that was made into a recent movie by George Clooney, who wrote the screenplay, directed and starred in the movie. Daniel Stabile, president of Copilas and James Cocco, treasurer, organized the event, which included dinner, an award presentation, a stirring speech by Edsel, and a classical music program. Stabile presented Edsel with the Copilas Lifetime International Achievement Award for his work in illuminating the preservation of art and culture undertaken by the Monuments Men during
World War II. On receiving the award, Edsel, a former businessman, spoke movingly about his life-altering decision to move with his family to Florence, Italy. Awed by the city's art and architecture, he decided to devote himself to studying the arts. His research led him to the Monuments Men, a WWII team tasked to res-
COMMUNITY NEWS
cue art masterpieces from the Nazis and return them to their rightful owners. The evening included a musical program featuring the Holy Rosary Church Choir, directed by Maria Marigliano, who also performed operatic favorites, such as O Mio Babbino Caro.
Robert Edsel, Daniel Stabile
Cameristi della Scala: From Milan to D.C. Holy Rosary choir, directed by Maria Marigliani (center). Fr. Ezio is at right.
U.S. Marine Quartet at Casa Italiana
Francesco Manara, Cameristi della Scala solo violin The chamber orchestra, Cameristi della Scala performed at the Italian Embassy recently to an audience of more than 400. Their program, called The Seasons, included Antonio Vivaldi's famous Four Seasons, interspersed with Astor Piazzolla's Las cuatro Estaciones portenas. Francesco Manara was the solo violinist, accompanied by other violinists, viola players, cellists and a harpsicordist. The award-winning ensemble was formed in 1982 by musicians from the
orchestra of Teatro alla Scala in Milan and it has performed in halls worldwide. The group's repertoire includes the principal compositions for chamber orchestras from the 18th century to modern times, including lesser-known Italian instrumental pieces of the 19th century. The Cameristi's performance at the Italian Embassy was rewarded by a standing ovation. The next stop on their U.S. tour was Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The U.S. Marine Band Quartet performed at Casa Italiana recently, in a program sponsored by Holy Rosary Church/Casa Italiana, the Abruzzo Molise Heritage Society, the Lido Civic Club of Washington D.C., and Lucchesi nel Mondo-Tuscany Club. Proceeds from the wonderful event were donated to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
A Batch of New Books for Your Library
BOOKS
Leon Panetta, Emperor Augustus, and what made the ancient Romans laugh
Worthy Fights
by Leon Panetta and Jim Newton Penguin Press, 512 pp. Politics aside, perhaps the most interesting part of the new book by Leon Panetta, former director of the CIA and Secretary of Defense, is the first 23 pages. There, Panetta, the son of an Italian immigrant, describes his family, childhood, and upbringing. It could be the story of millions of Italian immigrants over the centuries. Panetta's father, Carmelo Panetta, arrived on Ellis Island in 1921, as a 23year old. He described his occupation as "peasant" and listed his total assets as $25. The young man had already fought in World War I in the Italian army; soon after, he left his homeland in search of opportunity. Carmelo worked in New York and Wyoming, before joining his brother
he writes, he still carries a rosary and attends Sunday mass. The chapter is full of touching moments that he spends with his Italian grandfather, who comes to live with the family and who, as an Italian national during World War II is ordered to leave Monterey for being "a threat" to the community. Eventually, the Panetta family buys acreage in Carmel Valley, and through hard work, make a good living. They, like many Italian immigrants, invest in their children by instilling in them a love of family and strong morals, and by providing them with a good education. The remainder of the book is a political memoir that takes a look at many of the defining figures and events of recent times. Panetta throws shots as he sees them, and we may or may not agree with him. But, the peek into his personal life is like a breath of fresh air.
Tony in California and finding a job as a cook. As he passed his 30th birthday, Carmelo thought about marrying. His search for a bride turned him back to his hometown, Gerace, in Calabria. Carmelo found his bride in a small nearby town, at church one Sunday: 18year old Carmelina Pochilo, daughter of a merchant marine. Together with his bride, the couple returned to the United States and made their way to Monterey, California. It was there that Leon was born in 1938, in a largely Italian-American community, known as "Spaghetti Hill." Before long, Carmelo, who always loved cooking, opened a restaurant called Carmelo's Cafe. The young Leon helped out by washing dishes, peeling potatoes, and such. Leon was sent to Catholic schools as a boy and often attended mass during the week and on Sundays. To this day,
Augustus: First Emperor of Rome
Laughter in Ancient Rome
by Adrian Goldsworthy Yale University Press, 624 pp.
On Joking, Tickling, and Cracking Up by Mary Beard University of California, 319 pp.
This rich piece of scholarship by historian and biographer Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Caesar: Life of a Colossus, is actually targeted to a broad audience, written as it is in clear and simple English. The hefty book includes maps, diagrams of Rome, genealogical trees, and numerous photos to enhance the rise and long rule of Rome's first emperor. The author presents the proven facts of the life of this important, controversial, and enigmatic historical figure. The reign of Augustus was a peaceful, prosperous time that some see as Rome's “Golden Age.� Goldsworthy charts the events of his rise to power, showing Augustus as a manipulative, second-rate military figure, but also as a confident, highly effective politician and a master of putting the right spin on his policies. While the book is largely a biography, Goldsworthy doesn't skimp on facts that position Augustus within his
A professor of classics at Cambridge University, Mary Beard argues in this scholarly and unusual book that the ancient Romans invented the joke. She goes further to say that Cicero was "the funniest man in the Roman world." The first part of the book is a fairly academic analysis of what constitutes humor and whether the ancients laughed and, if so, what they found funny. She also offers a comparison of Greek humor and Roman humor. The second half of the book is somewhat spicier, as Beard looks at the humor in passages by Cicero. The book is full of fascinating insights, such as her interpretation of the frescoes in Pompei. Beard believes they are a comical commentary on the rulers in Rome. She mentions the two Stoic philosophers who died of laughter "when they saw a donkey eating figs and drinking wine." Her explanation is that figs and wine were consumed by the
historical times. After his Caesar biography, one can say that Goldsworthy lives and breathes ancient Rome, and it shows in this latest tome: we get a thorough history of Rome and Augustus's place within it. The book is also well-timed, arriving as it does on the 2,000th anniversary of the death of Augustus, and a renewed interest in this ancient Roman.
aristocrats of the society and to see the lowly donkey eating and drinking them was against the social dictums. Beard does an exhaustive job of annotating and citing references in the hundreds of footnotes. As the Washington Post reviewer, John Domini (who has written a trilogy set in Naples), put it, the book "allows us to glimpse ourselves in the cracked mirror of a distant culture."
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
Lido Civic Club to Honor Joe and Gracia Martore, Gene Dodaro The Lido Civic Club of Washington, D.C. will honor Gracia Martore, president and chief executive officer of Gannett Co., Inc., Joseph A. Martore, president and chief executive officer of CALIBRE Systems Inc., and Gene Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, at its 85th Anniversary Past Presidents Night Gala at the Italian Embassy on November 22, 2014. Gracia and Joe Martore will be honored as the Woman and Man of the Year. Gracia Martore became the head of Gannett in October 2011. She is also chairman and president of the Gannett Foundation, which supports non-profit activities in the communities served by Gannett. The Foundation invests in the future of the media industry, encourages employee giving, reacts to natural and other disasters, and contributes to a variety of charitable causes. Martore champions and actively participates in USA Weekend's annual Make A Difference Day, the nation’s largest day of community service.
Joe Martore joined CALIBRE in March 2004 as part of its acquisition of Strategic Management Initiatives, Inc., which he co-founded and served as president and chief executive officer. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Joe Martore serves as a principal consultant to the U.S. Army. He is a member of the MIT Engineering Systems Division Alumni Advisory Council, and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Professional Services Council, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Easter Seals Serving D.C., Md., and Va., and the Laurel Grove School Museum Association. Gene Dodaro will receive the Lido Civic Club National Public Service Award. As Comptroller General of the United States, he heads the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Often called the “congressional watchdog, ”the GAO investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. Gene Dodaro’s paternal grandfather immigrated to the
Entro la fine dell’anno si voterà in tutte le circoscrizioni consolari dove risiedono più di tremila cittadini italiani per eleggere i membri dei COMITES cioè dei Comitati Degli Italiani all'Estero. I membri dei COMITES restano in carica cinque anni e non percepiscono remunerazione per la loro attività.
Gene Dodaro, U.S. Comptroller General
United States from Calabria in 1906, to join his older brothers in the steel mills in Monessen, Pa. It was there that he met and married Gene Dodaro’s grandmother, an Italian-American who was born in Philadelphia. Gene Dodaro and his wife, Joan, are active members of Holy Rosary Church.
L’America dei navigatori italiani Segue dalla prima pagina
1514. Negli stessi anni Giovanni da Verrazzano arrivò sulle coste del Maine, del New Hampshire, del New England e del Canada. Nato nell’anno1485, secondo alcuni a Firenze, secondo altri a Lione, nel 1527 salpò con la nave Delphina e approdò presso l’attuale Cape Fear nel South Carolina. Nel 1528 il fiorentino approdò con bandiera francese in Florida per poi puntare verso sud, sulle coste del
Alessandro Malaspina
Darién, dove venne catturato, torturato e divorato dagli indigeni. Anche Caboto navigò sotto bandiera straniera. Nel 1497 salpò da Bristol con il Matthew, e soli diciotto uomini approdando un mese dopo sull’isola di Capo Bretone, toccando la Nuova Scozia, avvistando l’isola di Terranova. Sulla nuova terra scoperta Caboto piantò le bandiere inglese e pontificia. Secondo alcune fonti fu innalzata anche quella della Repubblica di Venezia. Due anni dopo salpò con il figlio Sebastiano, toccò il Labrador e costeggiò la Groenlandia meridionale, per non fare mai più ritorno in Inghilterra. Alessandro Malaspina fu più fortunato. Nato a Mulazzo, intraprese una prima circumnavigazione della Terra, toccando con la sua fregata Astrea Capo Horn, la costa del Perù, le isole Filippine. Al navigatore italiano il re spagnolo chiese di raccogliere tutte le notizie inerenti gli aspetti geografici delle terre spagnole e l’impresa non era
Gli Italiani residenti all'estero votano per eleggere i loro COMITES
Per ulteriori informazioni visitate il sito dell'Ambasciata Italiana a Washington D.C.: http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ costeggiandolo fino al Monte S.Elia, in Alaska; da anni si narrava di un passaggio marittimo situato nel NordOvest del continente e anche l’italiano cercò di risolvere l’enigma. Dopo settimane di inutile ricerca rinunciò all’impresa e tornò ad Acapulco, dirigendo le due imbarcazioni verso le isole Marianne, l’isola di S.Bartolomeo, la Nuova Olanda, le isole Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Mindanao, le isole degli Amici e ritornando verso le sponde americane (Lima, Buenos Aires) ed europee dopo 5 anni, 1 mese e 21 giorni di navigazione.
Giovanni da Verrazzano certo di poco conto, viste le entità dei possedimenti. Malaspina ripartì con due corvette dal nome significativo (la Descubierta e l’Atrevida) che intrapresero un viaggio straordinario: toccata Montevideo, passarono per Rio del Plata, costeggiarono la Patagonia, attraversarono Capo Horn arrivando in Cile. Le corvette proseguirono poi verso il nord del Continente americano
Thomas V. Caruso
First Vice President - Global Wealth Management
Morgan Stanley 1775 I Street NW - Suite 200 Washington, DC 20006 Tel. 202-862-9129, Fax 202-862-9198 800-745-2451 Retirement planning • College savings plans Asset allocation strategies Comprehensive financial planning
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
FACES IN HISTORY
Soldier, Explorer, Trader, and Indian Ally: Enrico Tonti
Little-known Italian made U.S. expansion possible through the Louisiana Purchase
Enrico Tonti is little-mentioned in the history books, yet his contributions in exploring America were significant. Tonti was born in 1650 in Gaeta, near Naples, the first of 19 children. At age 18, he enrolled in the French Army, participating in seven campaigns. While fighting at Messina, Sicily, he was promoted to head a brigade of 20,000 men. At Libisso, during a Spanish attack, a grenade blew off his right hand. Tonti was fitted with an artificial metal hand, which he covered with a glove. Later, he would often wield the metal hand on unruly Indians. They came to believe he had supernatural powers and named him “Iron Hand.” After his military service, Tonti returned to Paris, where he caught the eye of French explorer La Salle, who was about to return to Canada. Tonti’s first task was to supervise the building of the first vessel to sail the Great Lakes. Built by a crew of 30 French, Flemish, and Italian men, the ship set sail in 1679 for Lake Michigan. In 1680, La Salle sent Tonti to the Illinois country to build Fort Crevecoeur (Heartbreak), and later to build a new and stronger fort upstream at Starved Rock. While Tonti went to inspect the new site, his crew plundered and deserted the ship, throwing unwanted gunpowder, weapons, and trade goods into the river. Tonti decided to go live in a hut among the Illinois Indians. But he was severely wounded while helping the Illinois fend off an Iroquois attack and was lucky to escape with his life. Shortly thereafter, La Sale arrived and the first historic exploration of the Mississippi soon began. The exploring party in six canoes entered the Mississippi from the Illinois River in February 1682 and reached the mouth of the Mississippi on the Gulf of Mexico in early April. A few days later, Tonti signed his name next to La Salle’s name on the document claiming the Mississippi Valley for France, with the name Louisiana. Tonti returned to the Illinois, and began a 20-year project: first building
Fort St. Louis overlooking the Illinois River and then maintaining it for the French. Tonti populated his fort with tribes of Illinois, Miamis, Chouauous, and other Indians who pledged allegiance to La Salle and the French king. Surrounded by Indian cabins and
Enrico Tonti teepees, it became a lively fur-trading post, populated by 20,000 people. He
established a canoe link with Montreal, taking furs there and bringing back supplies. Indians from as far as the Mexican border came to trade furs for blankets, muskets, gunpowder, knives, beads, paint, tools, bacon, bread, cooking utensils, even arrowheads. Prices were set on beaver skins: a red wool blanket cost six beavers. For nearly 20 years Tonti dominated the commerce of Illinois with his energy, experience, and force of character. Over the years, Tonti had become more Indian and less European. He adopted Indian customs and learned their language. The Indians held the “Iron Hand” in awe. In 1699, Tonti learned that Canadian explorer Pierre Lemoyne was going to found a colony at the Gulf of Mexico. Tonti set off for the sixth and last time to the Mississippi Delta, which he and La Salle had discovered 18 years earlier. Arriving at the Biloxi in 1700, Tonti's experience with the Mississippi made him valuable to Iberville in laying the foundation of Louisiana and in establishing a post at Mobile. Jesuit missionary Paul du Ru wrote
in his journal that in Biloxi, there was “a great uproar, lots of shouting, great rejoicing, M. de Tonti has come!” In 1704, a supply ship arrived from Havana with a cargo of provisions and marriageable women. But the ship also brought yellow fever., which killed many of the women and colonists. Tonti, too, was a victim, dying at age 64. In his pioneering book The Italians in America Before the Civil War (1934), Giovanni Schiavo calls Tonti, "the absolute ruler of the entire Mississippi Valley, which he dominated literally and figuratively with an iron hand...a trail blazer, who explored most of the south central United States, from Peoria to New Orleans and from Arkansas to Alabama.” The people of Arkansas, he wrote, call him the "Father of their State.” Schiavo concludes that Tonti made possible the establishment of the new colony of Louisiana, and as the pathfinder of the entire Mississippi Valley, made possible the expansion of the U.S. to double its size through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, one century after his death.
Tontitown, Arkansas: The Scalabrinian Connection Fr. Pietro Bandini, a Scalabrinian Missionary, is remembered in Arkansas for the 1898 founding of Tontitown, in the northwest corner of the state. He named the town after Enrico Tonti, who had established the first European settlement in Arkansas in 1686. Bandini, born in 1852, in Forli (Romagna), became a Scalabrinian priest and, moving to New York, set up a benevolent society to help Italian immigrants there. Eventually, he assisted 20,000 of his countrymen in finding housing and employment. Bandini believed that by placing Italian immigrants in the interior of the U.S., on land similar to their homeland, they could prosper and become productive. He requested to become the chaplain for a colony of Italian immigrants being enlisted by a wealthy
New York industrialist to work on his 800 acres of farmland for sale. Forty Arkansas plantation, Sunnyside. families from Sunnyside soon arrived, The first group arrived in New and thus Tontitown was born. Orleans in 1895, and continued to Arkansas. Bandini arrived in 1897 at Sunnyside with a second group of Italian immigrants traveling from New York. At the plantation, the news was not good: 125 members of the original Italian families had died of malaria. A few families with enough money returned to Italy. Poverty forced the rest to remain, and they turned to Bandini for survival. He realized that Sunnyside was not the place for his people. Bandini had previously traveled through the Ozark Plateau, finding land similar to the immigrants'' homeland: 1,500-foot elevations, a good climate, and passable soil. In 1898, Bandini returned to northwest Arkansas, where he found Fr. Pietro Bandini
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
From Neoclassicism to Futurism: Italian Prints and Drawings
ARTS AND SCIENCE
The National Gallery recognizes the importance and richness of this period A new exhibition dedicated to Italian art from 1800 to 1925 and titled From Neoclassicism to Futurism: Italian Prints and Drawings, is on view at the National Gallery of Art, West Building until February 1, 2015. The art dates from the first stirrings of nationalism in the late 1700s, through the unification of Italy in 1861, and to the country's descent into fascism in 1925. Art critics say the works of this era have been overshadowed by the extraordinary art produced from the Roman times to the baroque period. Works of Italian art after the 18th century have been neglected in favor of the more consistent artistic development in countries like France. The National Gallery recognizes the importance and richness of this period through this exhibition and introduces this little-known period to the public. The show consists of 70 prints, drawings and illustrated books from the nearly 200 acquired by the museum in
Giacomo Balla, Ti, Ta, To, 1918
Carlo Bossoli, Balaklava, 1857 recent years. The pieces are separated into three sections. The first includes traditional styles of the first half of the 19th century, featuring engravings and neoclassical compositions. The second section shows the em-
brace of romantic ideals, emphasizing naturalism and individual expression. The third section is devoted to critical precursors of modernism, to futurism, and figures of early modern Italian art, such as Giorgio Morandi.
Galileo Turns 450: The Exploration of the Universe A series of events focus on the Italian scientist and inventor A series of events around Washington D.C. commemorate the 450th anniversary of Galileo Galilei. Organized by the Italian Embassy and the Georgetown University Italian Research Institute, the events focus on the theme of innovation and scientific research. On November 3 at 10 a.m., an open workshop at the Italian Embassy will feature a panel discussion on Galileo's contributions to scientific method, and the first laser ranging and its development. Panelists include Prof. Franco Cervelli of the University of Pisa, Dr. Giuseppe Bianco of the Italian Space Agency, and Dr. Simone Dell'Agnello of INFN. On November 18 at 6:30 p.m., also at the Italian Embassy, a play will be presented by James Reston about Galileo's trial by inquisition. On December 2 at 5:30 p.m., a conference will be held at Georgetown
will talk about Galileo and the development of natural philosophy. The events will conclude on December 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Italian Embassy with a conference featuring Dr.Adam Riess, 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics, and Dr. Massimo Stiavelli of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. They will discuss telescopes and the evolution of astronomy since the time of Galileo. The programs coincide with the celebration of Italy's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which concludes at the end of 2014. For more information about the Galileo series of events, go to: italianinstitute.college.georgetown.edu
University's Intercultural Center Auditorium, featuring Prof. C. Rubbia, the 1984 Nobel Laureate in Physics, who
The exhibit illustrates the number of styles and the multiple places in which the artists worked -- Turin, Rome, Naples, Milan, Florence -- as well as the eccentricity of many of the artists of the time, factors that distinguish this period of Italian art from what was happening elsewhere in Europe.
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Washington D.C., October-November 2014
MARK YOUR CALENDAR October
CASA ITALIANA SOCIOCULTURAL CENTER WASHINGTON, DC PRESENTS COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION 2014
18, 2014. Songs from Sanremo Festivals. Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center at 7:00 p.m. October 24-25, 2014. NIAF 39th anniversary gala weekend. October 26, 2014. Polenta Dinner at Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center. November 2, 2014. Messa per I Caduti in Guerra con rappresentanti dell’Ambasciata e le forze armate Italiane (10:30 Mass). November 9, 2014. Fr. Donanzan Breakfast after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. November 15 and 16. Mercatino delle DIVE at Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center.
November
22, 2014. Lido Civic Club 85th Anniversary Past Presidents' Night Gala at Italian Embassy. November 23, 2014. AMHS General Society Meeting – AMHS Porchetta Lunch and Wine Tasting, 1:00 p.m., Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center. November 30, 2014. “We Got Talent” Arts and Crafts fair at Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center.
December 13, 2014. Lessons and carols at Holy Rosary Church and Casa Italiana Cultural Center.
Premio Internazionale della Cultura - Arti - Artigianato
Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center 595 Third St., NW Washington, DC 20001 Dinner from il Canale Restaurant Tickets $45.00 under 14 years old $30 For reservations please call 301-654-5218 or 202-638-0165
The Lido Civic Club of Washington D.C. 1929-2014 Our 85th Year
Metropolitan Washington’s Premier Italian-American Business and Professional Men’s Organization
Francesco Isgrò, Esq., President Ross Vincenti, Esq., Vice President John DeZinno, Treasurer Paul Zambrotta, Secretary Louis J. Scalfari, Public Affairs Giuseppe Argiolas, Sergeant at Arms “To the end that American citizens of Italian descent or origin and their families may find a welcome and ready entrance into the social, civil and community life of Washington, D.C., and thus be helped in forming acquaintances and taking part in the activities of community life which leads to contentment and tends to make the new member more valuable to himself, his employer and his community; to perpetuate the bond of friendship and good will which has always existed between the American and Italian peoples....” (From the Preamble to the 1929 Lido Club Constitution)
www.lidocivicclub.com