The Scales of La Scala The World on Stage in Milan
Becoming Birds (of passage) One Year in Genoa
PerchĂŠ Italiano?
The Many Reasons for Studying Italian
The Face of Defeat
Jim Valvano's Eleven Minutes of Immortality
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ITALIAN AMERICA
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WINTER 2018
VOL. XXIII No. I
Italian America
®
T h e O ff i c i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e O r d e r S o n s a n d D a u g h t e r s o f I t a l y i n A m e r i c a ®
Features
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PERCHÉ ITALIANO?
The Many Reasons for Studying Italian By Catherine Flumiani, Geena Ragozine, and Elliot Kelly
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BECOMING BIRDS (OF PASSAGE) One Year in Genoa By Jacqueline Jannotta
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THE SCALES OF LA SCALA The World on Stage in Milan By Peter J. Ognibene
IN THE FACE OF DEFEAT
Jim Valvano’s Eleven Minutes of Immortality By Miles Ryan Fisher
ON THE COVER: Inside the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. (posztos)
D e pa r t m e n t s 4 National News 5 Oggi in Italia 6 Regions 7 Mangia 8 Pagina Italiana
9 Our Story 13 Bulletin Board 14 Book Reviews 15 Speakers Bureau 26 OSDIA Nation
31 From the National 32 Foundation Focus 33 Fighting Stereotypes 34 Letters to the Editor 35 The Last Word 36 Piacere
Italian America is published by The Order Sons and daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) 219 E Street NE • Washington, DC 20002 • Phone: (202) 547-2900 • Web: www.osia.org Editor-in-Chief: Miles Ryan Fisher mfisher@osia.org Writers: Paul Salsini; Catherine Flumiani; Geena Ragozine; Elliot Kelly; Peter J. Ognibene; Jacqueline Jannotta; Miles Ryan Fisher Translator: Maria Goffman Proofreaders: Peggy Daino, Marlene Palazzo Graphic Designer: Diane Vincent To advertise: Contact Dave Bayard dave@bayard.com (973) 822-9275 or Laura Lemos laura@boja.com (973) 822-9274
Italian America Magazine is published by the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), the nation’s biggest and oldest organization for people of Italian heritage. To subscribe, see www.osia.org or call 1-800-552-6742. WINTER 2018
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National News
Italian American issues and events
Mount Rushmore’s Chief Carver Finally Gains Recognition On September 16, 2017, the National Park Service unveiled the plaque that honors Luigi Del Bianco, officially recognizing him as Chief Carver of Mount Rushmore. The ceremony, which took place at Mount Rushmore’s Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center Museum, was a culmination of 25 years of perseverance—the time it took Luigi’s grandson, Lou, to have his grandfather publicly recognized. In conjunction with this special moment, Lou released his new book—Out of Rushmore’s Shadow: The Luigi Del Bianco Story. The book recounts Lou’s experience uncovering his grandfather’s important past through historical documents that were tucked away in the Library of Congress. It then follows Lou’s journey as he fights for recognition of his grandfather’s rightful place in history.
Inside the book’s front cover is a quote from Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Immediate Past National President Daniel J. Longo, who offered his praise. “With all of Italy’s richness in culture and craftsmanship, Luigi Del Bianco serves as a prime example of what Italians have contributed to our great nation,” Longo’s quote says.
Barnes & Noble Founder Recognizes Italian-American Writers
Meatball Record Set in South Carolina
Serving as Grand Marshall to New York City’s 2017 Columbus Day Parade, Barnes & Noble Chairman and Founder Leonard Riggio took the opportunity to place the spotlight on Italian-American writers. He invited over 100 published Italian-American writers to take part in the parade. “I have long held the belief that ItalianAmerican writers have received little recognition for their contribution to America’s literary heritage,” Riggio said in a statement released prior to the parade. “This is my way of saying that our writers—our Italian-American authors—belong in the pantheon of cultural America.”
The Italian-American Club of Hilton Head (HHI Club) broke the Guinness World Record for “World’s Largest Meatball” at their Italian Heritage Festival in South Carolina. The HHI Club constructed a meatball weighing 1,707 lb. 8 oz.—nearly 600 pounds more than the previous record. Even Mike Janela, the Guinness certifier, was impressed. “They made sure there Central Auto Team was no doubt about Welcomes Alfa Romeo! the status of this record,” he said. BUY FOR JUST
Among the authors in attendance were Barnes & Noble staples David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, Lisa Scottoline, Gay Talese, and Adriana Trigiani. The parade was also attended by the likes of Andrew Cuomo, Tony Danza, and astronaut Mike Massimino.
Once the record was official and after festival attendees sampled it, the meatball was divided and delivered to Second Helpings, where it was served to over 400 in need.
Several others in attendance included many writers whose articles or books have appeared in Italian America magazine.
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ITALIAN AMERICA
Oggi in Italia
Italy’s news, politics and culture
25-Acre Agrofood Theme Park Opens in Bologna FICO Eataly World, a 25-acre agrofood theme park, opened in Bologna last November. The purpose of FICO, which stands for Fabbrica Italiana Contadina (Italian Farming Factory), is to acquaint consumers with the entire food production process. It has 40 places to exhibit how meat, fish, cheese, pasta, oil, beer, and confections are made and processed; 50 cooking classes and events (like wine-tasting) that occur daily; and 45 different places to eat and drink. The park has a working farm on site and even has—in true Willy Wonka-fashion—a building constructed entirely of edible chocolate. At over a million square feet, FICO Eataly dwarfs all other Eataly’s worldwide. Perhaps best of all, admission is free. FICO projects to host six million visitors annually, and with the many ways in which they can spend their money, FICO projects to gross nearly $100 million in annual profits.
Italian Surgeon to Attempt First Human Head Transplant Italian surgeon, Sergio Canavero, is planning to be the first to attempt a human head transplant. After having performed the procedure on corpses, Canavero reported that the procedure, which took 18 hours, successfully transplanted the head, attaching all the vital parts—including the spine, the esophagus, and the trachea. He is anticipating that the live operation will take at least 24 hours in a highly complex process that involves keeping the braindead patient alive while the healthy head (which will be temporarily stored in a state of deep hypothermia to prevent immediate death) is attached. The patient will then be kept in a druginduced coma during a recovery period. The procedure itself requires the work of dozens of surgeons and specialists, and is projected to cost $100 million. The procedure is also very controversial—an instance in which the medical field confronts moral ethics. The U.S. and Europe refuse to permit the surgery. “No American medical institute or center would pursue this,” Canavero said, “and there is no will by the U.S. government to support it.” This has left Canavero with few options, leading him to China, who is willing to host the surgery. While not openly supporting the procedure, several in the medical field have stated that past transplant procedures—such as limb and face—were controversial when they were first attempted. WINTER 2018 5 ITALIAN AMERICA
A worker slices ham inside Fico Eataly World. (pio3)
The First Electric Vespa Arrives This Spring Pisa-based Vespa maker Piaggio has unveiled the first electric Vespa: the Elettrica. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Elettrica will have a range of 60 miles. Recharging the battery will be as simple as plugging it into an ordinary outlet. In conjunction with releasing the Elettrica, Piaggio will also release a hybrid model—the Elettrica X—that utilizes a small gas engine for extra mileage. designed and managed by
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Regions of Italy
Italy’s Twenty Regions
Umbria
The Heart of Italy Umbria is a landlocked region in Italy and is the only region without a coastline that does not border another country. Its countryside is known to be ‘Picture Postcard’ Italy and has been dubbed “The Green Heart of Italy.” Umbria is divided into two provinces: Perugia (which covers two-thirds of the region) and Terni. Perugia is home to Baci, the chocolate “kisses” known worldwide, and hosts a chocolate festival every October. One of the most visited sites in the region is Perugia’s city of Assisi—the birthplace of Saint Francis and the place where he founded the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor (better known as the Franciscan Order). The Basilica of San Francesco, built on the “Hill of Paradise” adjacent to the city, holds the crypt where the saint’s remains are buried. It is not, however, the only famous basilica in town. The Basilica of Santa Clara stands in memory of Saint Clare, who founded the sister order of the Franciscans, called the Order of Poor Ladies (better known as the Order of Poor Clares).
(Tom Kelly)
Not to be outdone, the Province of Terni also boasts some picturesque attractions. A majestic site located just a few miles outside of the city of Terni is the Cascata delle Marmore. These waterfalls were created artificially by the Romans as a way to drain water from the Velino river. The falls are 540-feet high and are surrounded by strikingly verdant foliage. FUN FACT: What is believed to be the oldest olive tree in the world lives in Umbria—born 1,700 years ago! Though referred to as “The Green Heart of Italy” and situated in the center of the country, perhaps Umbria is truly the heart of Italy because it lays claim to Valentine’s Day. Umbrians say that the day originated from the Saint Valentine Basilica in Terni, where Saint Valentine had a garden of flowers that he’d give to visitors. As the legend goes, two visitors met at the garden, fell in love, and got married—a love story believed to be so epic that it inspired others to fall in love. Umbria Capital: Perugia Population: 890,000 (17th of the 20 regions) Size: 3,265 square miles (16th of the 20 regions) Provinces: Perugia Terni
Saint Valentine Basilica in Terni. (Flaviano Fabrizi) The small town of Tropea on the east coast of Calabria. (diegograndi) WINTER 2018
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ITALIAN AMERICA
Mangia!
from the italian cookbook
Farro Salad with Butternut Squash and Herbs Insalata invernale di farro
Limoncello and Mascarpone Parfaits Crema di mascarpone e limoncello
Ingredients
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for oiling and serving
Limoncello Syrup • ¼ cup sugar
• 2 cups (½-inch) diced butternut squash
Mousse • 3 large eggs, separated
• One 3-inch sprig fresh rosemary
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons limoncello
Eric Wolfinger
• One 8-ounce container of mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• Two 3-inch sprigs fresh thyme • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons limoncello Eric Wolfinger
• 1 ½ cups semi-pearled farro • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley • 2 ounces well-crumbled ricotta salata (about ½ cup) Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a half-sheet pan. Toss the butternut squash with the oil, rosemary, and thyme on the prepared baking sheet. Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the squash is roasted and tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the farro and return to a boil. Adjust the heat to medium and boil until the farro is tender, about 20 minutes. (Or longer for whole-grain farro, up to 45 minutes.) Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Let cool. Crumble the rosemary and thyme leaves off their stems onto the butternut squash and discard the stems. Mix the squash, farro, and parsley in a medium bowl. Mix in all but 2 tablespoons of the ricotta salata. Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved If you liked these recipes, ricotta salata, and serve at find more in Gabrielle Corso room temperature. and Debi Mazar’s Super Tuscan
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• Zest of ½ lemon • 9 Italian ladyfingers (savoiardi), each cut crosswise into quarters for 36 pieces total • 6 ounces fresh blueberries or raspberries (about 11/3 cups) • 6 sprigs fresh basil or mint (optional) To make the syrup: Bring 1/3 cup water and the sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Stir in the limoncello. To make the mousse: Beat the egg yolks and 2 tablespoons of the sugar together in a small bowl with a handheld electric mixer set on high speed (or use a whisk) until the mixture is thick and pale yellow, about 1 minute (or 2 minutes for the whisk). Using a rubber spatula, mash the mascarpone, limoncello, and lemon zest in a medium bowl until the cheese is smooth and free of lumps. Fold in the yolk mixture. Using clean beaters (or a clean whisk), whip the egg whites and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar together in a clean medium bowl just until soft, shiny peaks form. Stir in one-third of the whites into the mascarpone mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whites. Pour the cooled syrup into a shallow bowl. Place 6 wine glasses or glass dessert bowls on the work surface. For each parfait, quickly dip 3 ladyfinger quarters into the syrup, just to moisten them— do not soak. Spoon about 11/3 cup of the mousse into the glass and top with about 3 tablespoons of the berries. Repeat with the same amount of dipped ladyfingers, mousse, and berries. Cover each glass loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. To serve, top each glass with a sprig of basil and serve chilled.
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Pagina Italiana Serrature d’amore
Per chi studia la nostra lingua
“Locks of Love”
Written by Paul Salsini Translated by Maria Goffman
Gabriella non poteva smettere di guardarlo. Teneva la mano sinistra in una direzione, poi un’altra, sollevando il quarto dito per prendere la luce nel piccolo caffè vicino a Ponte Vecchio. Lei praticamente pregava le persone di fermarsi e guardare. Nessuno lo ha fatto. Dopo una notte più romantica, Gabriella e Andrew si stavano godendo il loro quinto giorno a Firenze. Ieri, avevano visitato ogni negozio di gioielli sul ponte per selezionare un anello di fidanzamento. La maggior parte erano troppo costosi, e anche se il suo era il più piccolo di tutti in mostra, lo amava. “So che non volevi comprarlo,” disse Gabriella, “ma lo volevo veramente. Sembrava solo gridare: ‘Acquista! Acquista!’” “Sono felice che ti piaccia.” Gabriella infine mise la mano sul tavolo in modo da poter raccogliere i suoi cornetti. “Continuo a pensare al nostro matrimonio, Andrew,” disse. “Il villaggio ha questa antica chiesa, e il prete è così bello. Voglio chiamare mia sorella e dirle che può essere una delle mie damigelle d’onore. Voglio solo tre o quattro. Non voglio un grande matrimonio. Quando pensi che ci sposeremo, Andrew?” “Gabie, sai che ho ancora due anni prima di ottenere la mia laurea. Forse dopo?” “Così tanto?” “Dobbiamo aspettare finché noi abbiamo abbastanza soldi.” “Ma …” “E sai come i tuoi genitori si possono sentire a sposare un Americano.” “Ci torneranno.” “E continuano a dire che siamo troppo giovani.” “Giovane! Tu hai diciannove anni e io diciassette. Mamma aveva quindici anni quando si sposò. Non lo menziona mai.” Andrew aprì la zip del suo zaino. “Devo tornare indietro e fare qualche studio.” “Aspetta! Andrew, dobbiamo fare una cosa prima. Dobbiamo tornare a Ponte Vecchio e fare i lucchetti dell’amore.” “Lucchetti dell’amore?” Gabriella ha spiegato che era una tradizione per gli
The “locks of love” at Ponte Vecchio. amanti attaccare un lucchetto al cancello che circondava il busto di Benvenuto Cellini in mezzo al ponte. Poi si buttava la chiave nel fiume Arno. L’usanza è stata chiamata “Serrature d’amore.” “Perché lo fanno?” “Perché l’amore della coppia durerà per sempre! È vero!” “Gabie, suona superstizioso.” “No non lo è! Lo hanno fatto in Cina. La gente mette i lucchetti sulla Grande Muraglia. Non so dove hanno buttato la chiave. Comunque, possiamo acquistare un lucchetto da quel venditore alla fine del ponte. Dai!” C’era davvero un uomo che vendeva serrature. Hanno comprato una e Gabriella ha scritto le loro iniziali su di esso, “G.S. e A.T.” Tirò Andrew in mezzo al ponte. “Gabie,” sussurrò Andrew. “Quel segno dice che non possiamo farlo. Dice che c’è una multa di 50 euro. Non posso permetterlo!” “Oh, non ti preoccupare così tanto. Qui metto la serratura sul cancello, e tu butti la chiave nel fiume, ok?” Proprio come Gabriella attaccò la serratura, una guardia in uniforme si precipitò. “Hey! Stop! Adesso!” Gabriella si infilò le braccia di Andrew e lo baciò. “Hai buttato la chiave nel fiume, giusto?” “Devo andare a studiare. A dopo.” Andrew attraversò il ponte verso l’altro lato, la chiave che bruciava in tasca. Paul Salsini is the author of the six-volume A Tuscan Series. Maria Goffman is a retired teacher and the daughter of Italian immigrants from Calabria. She enjoys traveling to Italy and spending time with her family.
To read the English version, visit www.osia.org and sign in to access the digital copy of Italian America. WINTER 2018
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ITALIAN AMERICA
Pagina Italiana
Per chi studia la nostra lingua
Locks of Love by Paul Salsini
Gabriella couldn’t stop looking at it. She held her left hand in one direction, then another, lifting her fourth finger to catch the light in the small café near the Ponte Vecchio. She practically begged people to stop and look. No one did. After a most romantic night, Gabriella and Andrew were enjoying their fifth day in Florence. Yesterday, they had toured every jewelry shop on the bridge to select an engagement ring. Most were far too expensive, and even though hers was the smallest of any on display, she loved it. “I know you didn’t want to buy it,” Gabriella said, “but I really wanted it. It just seemed to cry out, ‘Buy me! Buy me!’” “I’m glad you like it.” Gabriella finally put her hand down on the table so she could pick up her cornetti. “I keep thinking about our wedding, Andrew,” she said. “The village has this ancient church, and the priest is so nice. I’m going to call my sister and tell her she can be one of my bridesmaids. I only want three or four. I don’t want a big wedding. When do you think we’ll get married, Andrew?” “Gabie, you know that I’ve still got two years before I get my degree. Maybe after that?” “That long?” “We have to wait until we have enough money.” “But…” “And you know how your parents feel about you marrying an American.” “They’ll come around.” “And they keep saying we’re too young.” “Young! You’re nineteen and I’m seventeen. Mama was fifteen when she got married. She never mentions that.” Andrew zipped up his backpack. “I should get back and do some studying.” “Wait! Andrew, we’ve got to do one thing first. We’ve got to go back to the Ponte Vecchio and do lucchetti dell’amore.” “Lucchetti dell’amore?”
The “locks of love” at Ponte Vecchio. Gabriella explained that it was a tradition for lovers to attach a padlock to the gate surrounding the bust of Benvenuto Cellini in the middle of the bridge. Then they threw the key into the Arno River. The custom was called the “Locks of Love.” “Why would they do that?” “Because then the couple’s love will last forever! It’s true!” “Gabie, that sounds superstitious.” “No, it’s not! They did it in China. People put padlocks on the Great Wall. I don’t know where they threw the key. Anyway, we can buy a padlock from that vendor at the end of the bridge. Come on!” There was indeed a man selling locks. They bought one and Gabriella wrote their initials on it, “G.S. and A.T.” She pulled Andrew to the middle of the bridge. “Gabie,” Andrew whispered. “That sign says we can’t do this. It says there’s a fine of 50 euros. I can’t afford that!” “Oh, don’t worry so much. Here, I’ll put the lock on the gate, and you throw the key in the river, OK?” Just as Gabriella attached the lock, a uniformed guard rushed up. “Hey! Stop! Adesso!” Gabriella flung herself into Andrew’s arms and kissed him. “You threw the key in the river, right?” “I have to go study. I’ll see you later.” Andrew ran across the bridge to the other side, the key burning in his pocket.
To read the English version, visit www.osia.org and sign in to access the digital copy of Italian America.
Our Story
Italian American history and culture
Saint Patrick was … Italian? Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of the most well-known saints in the world. His holiday is observed on what is thought to be the day of his death: March 17. People parade the streets wearing green, rivers and beer are dyed green, and what was once strictly a feast is now a celebration of music, food, and revelry. Many aren’t aware as they celebrate this festive holiday in tribute to Ireland that Saint Patrick was actually Italian. Born in the 5th century, Saint Patrick was born in the British Isles, though he was not of British descent. At the time, the Isles were occupied by the Romans. His father, Calpurnius, was a Christian deacon, and his grandfather, Potitus, was a Catholic priest (at that time, permitted to marry). It is thought that Saint Patrick’s family came from Roman aristocracy, though little is known of them. The only details of them and of Saint Patrick’s life come from just two texts—Confessio (Declaration) and Epistola (Letter to the soldiers of Coroticus)—both written in Latin by Saint Patrick. In those texts, Saint Patrick identified himself as “Patricius,” though many accounts consider his birth name to be Maewyn Succat. Saint Patrick’s association with Ireland began when he was 16 years old and taken from his home by Irish pirates. He was held captive for six years, a time that, according to his text, was crucial to his spiritual development. His time as a slave was spent as a shepherd, looking after animals. When he finally escaped, he boarded a ship and returned home, where he would have a vision a few years later.
The stained glass portrait of Saint Patrick at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Port Clinton, Ohio. (Nheyob) In the vision, Saint Patrick saw a man approaching him, coming from Ireland. His name was Victoricus and he was carrying letters, one of which he handed to Saint Patrick. The heading of the letter read: “The Voice of the Irish.” As Saint Patrick recounted in Confessio, “As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people … and they cried out, as with one voice: ‘We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.’” Saint Patrick followed the vision, returning to Ireland as a missionary. He baptized thousands and ordained priests, refusing to accept gifts offered to him for doing so. Legend has it that he used shamrocks (with three leaflets) to teach others about the Holy Trinity.
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ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 9
Promoting the Italian Language in the United States By Catherine Flumiani
Promoting the Italian language is a top priority for Italy. Our beautiful idiom spans art and culture and, increasingly so today, cutting-edge technology, scientific research, and social sciences. Many “Made in Italy” companies abroad use Italian to enhance the quality and beauty of their products—which shows that the Italian language itself is increasingly considered, particularly in the United States, a key component of the “Italian way of life.” The U.S. counts over 230,000 people studying Italian, including about 150,000 in the school system (K-12). Over half of these students benefit from the financial support that Italy provides to over 800 schools for the introduction of Italian language courses and its teachers. The inclusion of Italian in the curriculum of U.S. schools, particularly in Middle and High Schools, was made possible by agreements signed between U.S. local authorities and the Education Offices in our diplomatic-consular network in the U.S. This growing interest in studying Italian, combined with the support of Italian-American associations and private partners, was pivotal in the College Board’s decision to re-introduce the Advanced Placement Italian Language and Culture Exam in 2012. This year, over 2,500 AP Italian exams were taken, enabling students to earn credits at universities throughout the United States and worldwide. It also facilitates students’ access to the Italian university system. Students wishing to study in Italy and enroll in university courses taught in Italian are required
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to successfully take the AP Italian Language and Culture exam, together with two other AP exams. Last year, about 325,000 college students packed their bags and took off for a foreign country for a semester of studying abroad in fields as wide as Art, Sociology, Architecture, Physics, and Engineering. More than ten percent of them (about 35,000 students) chose Italy, making Italy the second-most popular study abroad destination and the most popular among all countries whose native tongue is not English (the top destination is the United Kingdom). These figures were reported by the Institute of International Education last November. Italy’s goal is to further increase the number of young students taking the AP Italian exam and to encourage continuation of their studies at a university level, by choosing a major or minor in Italian. Learning Italian offers many professional opportunities, from the world of teaching to the world of business. With a country such as Italy, one of the most important economies in Europe and the Mediterranean, there are many opportunities in the future. The National Observatory of the Italian language, presided over by Ambassador of Italy to the United States Armando Varricchio, plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. The Observatory includes representatives from the most important Italian-American organizations, including the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America, university departments of Italian, associations of Italian-language teachers, and non-profit organizations that promote the Italian language. Among the Observatory’s priorities are to support— with incentives—teacher training programs, to offer scholarships to the most deserving students and teachers, and to promote an in-depth information campaign through its partners and the USSpeaksItalian website (www.USSpeaksItalian.org). Catherine Flumiani is the Minister Counselor for Consular and Social Affairs at the Embassy of Italy. She arrived in Washington D.C. in August 2016 and has previously served in Jordan, Germany, and Brussels as well as at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rome, Italy. ITALIAN AMERICA
Ogni Giorno, Il Duomo A Spring Semester in Florence With Geena Ragozine
Last spring, Geena Ragozine was one of the many students who studied abroad in Italy. The city she chose was Florence. Currently a senior at Susquehanna University and member of Sons & Daughters of Italy Susquehanna University Lodge #2993, she is majoring in Biology with the goal of pursuing a nursing career prior to earning a Master’s degree in Anesthesia to become a nurse anesthetist. Originally from Monmouth County, New Jersey, Geena is Italian on both sides of her family. Her grandparents on her father’s side were first-generation, emigrating from a village outside of Rome.
Why did you choose to study abroad in Italy as opposed to other places like Australia or Spain?
Celebrating Italian heritage above the Ponte Vecchio. I loved how passionate they are about their food, and how everything needs to be fresh every single day. Without their food, I don’t think their family relationships would be as close. Our professors would emphasize that their families would make the food together and sit down as a family. That was one of the biggest things in Italy—that they would sit down every single night and eat together no matter what type of schedule they had for that day.
How did studying abroad in Italy change you?
It changed me in the way where I don’t really worry as much anymore. Going abroad, I was definitely a Type A personality about getting my schoolwork done and following a plan. When I was there, I was more lenient on following a plan and it allowed me to appreciate everything more rather than getting things done just to get them done. I’m more of a relaxed person now. I notice that this fall semester was one of my hardest semesters, but I managed not to stress a lot, and Italy Geena overlooking Florence really helped me with that.
My university requires students to go abroad for at least two weeks, but I chose a whole semester because I wanted to get the whole experience of where I was going. I knew right off the bat that I wanted to go to Italy because I’d never been and it’s where my family came from. My parents came and visited me, and it was an awesome experience to share with them. That was a big factor in wanting to go there, and I knew from day one of freshman year it was where I wanted to go.
Were you fluent in Italian before going to Italy? How much did your Italian improve while living there? How much would it benefit a student to speak Italian prior to studying abroad?
I could understand it more than I could formulate sentences. Grammatically, it improved. But it would be a huge help to speak Italian before studying abroad. I had Rosetta Stone before I went, and I didn’t use it. I wish I could go back and tell myself to use it because that would have been a really big help.
What made you fall in love with Italy?
Just walking outside my apartment and looking around at all the sites. The thing that I loved the most was the Duomo. I would walk by it every day and it still wouldn’t get old. WINTER 2018 11 ITALIAN AMERICA
What were some of your favorite cities that you visited in Italy and why?
One of my favorite parts of Italy was the Amalfi Coast. It’s like straight out of a magazine, and my cousin just got married there in August. I also got to see Cortina (Veneto region), also one of my favorite places. It was a little village in the middle of the Dolomites.
What would you say to any college or high school students who are going to study abroad in Italy?
Go there with no expectations that everything is going to go the way you planned. My best friend and I were abroad together and our motto was “Figure it out.” Really live and take in every single day because it goes by so fast. Try to get everything in while you’re there. You think it’s a long time—one semester—but it’s not at all. I could have spent a whole year there. ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 11
Why High School Students Choose to Study Italian By Elliot Kelly
Italian is the four th most studied language in the world, behind English, French, and Spanish. In the United States, it is estimated that there are over one million students enrolled in Italian language courses. According to the Modern Language Association, most years Italian is the fastest growing European language in the U.S.
Which one of the following contributed most to your decision to take Italian? (Choose only one) Heritage 28.2% Love of Italian Food/Culture 20.2% Past/Future Travel 12.2% Other 10.8% Friends 9.5% Class/Teacher Reputation 8.5% Parents 5.3% Future Employment Opportunities 3.8% AP Option 0.7% No Answer 0.6% 2,085 total responses
This fact surprised me and made me wonder if there is a link between ethnic identity and language study. Is the growing interest in Italian in America fueled mainly by Italian-American students? If not, who are the students that choose Italian and why do they elect to study it? To answer these questions, I created a survey examining motivations for studying Italian. Over the course of about a month, I surveyed over 2,000 Italian language students ranging from elementary through high school. Some of the results may surprise you. For starters, 51% of students learning Italian nationwide do not have Italian ancestry. Of the survey respondents, 29% were Hispanic or Latino and 6% were Asian—the large Hispanic presence mostly attributed to the similarities between the Italian and Spanish languages. A large number of respondents said they took Italian because it closely resembled Spanish. While prior knowledge of Spanish attracted many students to Italian, others wanted to learn Italian because it was an alternative to the “normal” school languages (French, German, and Spanish). One respondent noted, “I think it is special to take a language that the majority of my school does not take. I want to be different from all my other friends taking Spanish or French.” Among non-Italian Americans, 32% stated that the primary motivation for taking Italian was “love for Italian food and culture or past/future travel.” Indeed, research WINTER 2018
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by the National Restaurant Association reveals that Italian food consistently and repeatedly leads in popularity among American diners.
Another interesting finding in the survey is that males are more likely to select heritage as their primary motivation for taking Italian, while females are much more likely to choose past/future travel or love of Italian food and culture as their primary incentives. Few students were motivated to take Italian because it would help them with their future careers. Perhaps this is why the survey showed that over 20% of students said their parents did not agree with their decision to take Italian. Thirteen percent of students indicated that they may use Italian in a future job but only four percent indicated that a future job was their greatest motivator in studying Italian. The open-ended questions and comments section of the survey prompted some interesting responses. Some cited very specific goals to “sing Dean Martin songs” or to “learn more about designer clothing and automobiles” or to “read Dante’s Divine Comedy.” Through this survey, it was clear that language has significance beyond the meaning of its words. It also carries the culture of its home with it. One respondent stated his reason for learning Italian was because “it’s in my blood, it’s the language of my parents, it’s who I am. I feel more at home listening to Italian, then I ever would listening to English.” But perhaps one respondent put it best with four simple words: “It’s a beautiful language.” Elliot Kelly is a senior at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, where he studied Italian for four years. His maternal grandparents emigrated from Milano and Torino.
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Congratulazioni, Steven! Congratulations to Steven Craig, winner of the Sons & Daughters of Italy Do You Know Your Roots contest that was held in honor of Italian American Heritage Month. Steven—who recently published his travel book Italy: Travel and Adventures—was randomly selected from all the atlarge members (ALM) who joined, gifted, or renewed their Sons & Daugthers of Italy membership in October. Steven is choosing the My Italian Family “Living Relatives” Research Project, which will locate his Italian relatives living in Italy. Look for Steven’s results in Italian America’s Summer 2018 issue. Special thanks to Bianca Ottone from My Italian Family for donating the research package.
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Steven with his wife, Rachel, in Montepulciano. To find out more about your own roots, visit www. myitalianfamily.com. Remember that all OSDIA members can receive a 10% discount from My Italian Family.
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The Sons of Italy®
Book Club
A DEATH IN TUSCANY By Dick Rosano
A myster y that weaves through the vineyards of Tuscany, Dick Rosano’s A Death in Tuscany opens with narrator Phil Trantino’s return to Italy from the United States following the death of his grandfather. His grandfather, Filippo, died in an accident at his vineyard—Castello dei Trantini—leaving Phil to inherit the property. While Phil struggles with the idea of uprooting his American life in order to supervise the vineyard, two family members approach him with the unfounded claim that his grandfather’s death was no accident.
Memorable Quote: “If you make good wine, you’ll have lots of friends.”
As Phil investigates this possibility, he begins finding reasons to prolong his stay in Italy—and perhaps remain indefinitely. Meanwhile, the mystery progresses at a faster pace the deeper you get into the novel, and the answers that arise are unexpected though hinted at throughout the novel. While the mystery advances the storyline, much of the novel feels much like a walk through Tuscan life. From wine and cheese to sports cars and beautiful landscapes, A Death in Tuscany transports you to the region famous for producing Chianti from its Sangiovese grape. In Rosano’s hands, the novel is sculpted by a writer with an expertise in wine, and this comes through quite clearly. By setting his novel against the backdrop of wine country, he is able to journey into winery operations and the processes that go into largescale production, including the daily toil of harvesting the grapes. The balance between mystery and culture—with an emphasis on wine culture—makes A Death in Tuscany a novel that should be savored with a glass of wine at your side.
See next page to contact the author for a book signing. WINTER 2018
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WINTER 2018 Selections
AMERICAN CICERO: Mario Cuomo and the Defense of American Liberalism By Saladin Ambar
Perhaps the political figure most famous for not running for President, Mario Cuomo was one of the few politicians who stood up for the little guy. Cuomo, himself, hailed from Queens, where his father was a grocer and gave him a sense of moral grounding that he carried with him into the miasma of American politics. He spurned gifts of any kind (including meals) and spoke his mind while at the same time respecting all parties. Saladin Ambar’s American Cicero dives into Cuomo’s New Deal liberalism as the only real opposition of 1980s Reaganism and Reagan’s religiously driven policies that reflected staunch Social Darwinist beliefs. He was also the only option for the liberal party to retain its core values, and without him, it shifted toward more conservative values with the moderate Bill Clinton, a politician who Cuomo believed to be slick and disingenuous. American Cicero follows Cuomo’s life, from his early experiences facing ethnic prejudice (he was not able to get an interview on Wall Street because he was Italian) to his rise in politics as three-term Governor of New York. While Ambar focuses on Cuomo’s policies, exceptional speeches, and deeply held beliefs, he nevertheless must focus on the two elections in which Cuomo did not run: the 1988 and 1992 Presidential elections. The calls for his candidacy were loud and clear (the Washington Post had a “Cuomo Watch”) until the very final seconds when Cuomo announced he would not be running. American Cicero’s effect is to make you feel the disappointment that accompanied the announcement, one that oddly reflects the disappointment that is so pervasive today toward American politicians.
DID YOU KNOW? In reaction to being associated with the Mafia simply because he was Italian, Cuomo once said, “If it’s a price I pay for being Italian American, then being Italian American is well worth the price.” ITALIAN AMERICA
On The Bookshelf Books by and about Italian Americans
A Sweeping Series Set in Stunning Tuscany
An epic narrative spanning each decade from WWII to the 1990s by award-winning author
PAUL SALSINI www.ATuscanSeries.com
www.amazon.com
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Sons & Daughters of Italy Speakers Bureau Need a speaker for your club meeting or a special event? Contact these experts directly. Some may require travel expenses and/or honorariums. For more speakers see: www.osia.org at “Culture & History.” To apply as a speaker, contact Miles Fisher at mfisher@osia.org • MARYLAND Author Dick Rosano speaks on wine, food, travel, and Italian culture. He has written longrunning columns in the Washington Post, Wine News, and Wine Enthusiast. He is the author of six novels, including his recent one—A Death in Tuscany—reviewed on the previous page of this issue. Book signing. Contact: (240) 888-8877 Email: dickrosano@gmail.com Website: www.dickrosanobooks.com Will also travel to: Anywhere in the U.S. • MARYLAND Author Anna Lucarello Foultz speaks about Two Steps Forward, A Memoir, which is about her life as a first-generation Italian American. She has been the recipient of several awards, including the Americana Award from the Ocean City Lodge #2474, presented to her at their Columbus Gala. At 91 years old, she is
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the oldest active and most decorated Girl Scout. She was also a World War II pin-up girl. Book signing. Contact: (410) 641-7667 Website: www.twostepsforwardmemoir.com Will also travel to: Anywhere in the U.S. • PENNSYLVANIA Author Josephine B. Pasquarello speaks about several subjects, including growing up Italian, single-parenting, dealing with sudden death, large Italian family traditions, and how mob violence affects the families left behind. Her recent book, Love & Loyalty, is set in Philadelphia during the 1950s and 1960s and is about her mother, who raised 12 children after her husband was murdered. Book signing. Contact: (267) 441-0997 Email: josephinebpasquarello@gmail.com Website: www.josephinebpasquarello.com Will travel to: Anywhere in the U.S. ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 15
By Jacqueline Jannotta
“At least she’s half-Italian,” my grandmother proclaimed, referring to the woman—my mother—who was to marry her only son. Never mind that my mother’s “half” was northern Italian, it was still within the national borders and would be acceptable to the boisterous Abruzzese-Molisano clan she was marrying into. Hearing this story as a child conveyed the message loud and clear: “Watered-down Italian blood is still okay.” And even louder: “Being Italian must be something worth holding on to.”
My girls have relished the story of their great-grandfather, Ciro, walking all the way to France as a boy to catch a boat to America. And how he later went back to Italy to find a wife, before returning to Chicago to build their life together. They’ve also read letters to their great-grandmother, Mary, sent from her family in Liguria, anticipating her promised return. It was a promise she couldn’t keep. But as these ancestors retreat further into the past, their stories fade and their essence becomes less tangible.
Fast forward a few decades, and here I am raising my half-Jewish daughters. They both bear my husband’s surname (Rothenberg), and their most celebrated link to their Italian heritage is a Christmas ravioli tradition. As a mother tasked with weaving the strands of family history into the next generation, what am I to do?
Sure, we can all sing the hymns of Sinatra or watch the movies of DeNiro. But I refuse to let my daughters’ Italian-American identity diminish to a gesticulating stereotype born from a mythical land of meatballs and Chianti. So, what better way to strengthen the Italian threads of their genetic
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tapestry than to move to il bel paese (the beautiful country) for a year! After jumping through countless hoops to secure a visa and rent our house, we leaped across the same pond my ancestors did over a century ago. Our possessions: a few suitcases, a mish-mash of Italian vocabulary words, and the names of ancestral villages scattered across the country. Our landing spot: Genoa, Italy. “Why Genoa?” The question followed us all over Italy. It offered an ideal balance of urban and coastal, complete with a train station and airport. Its maze-like medieval beauty hid plenty of jewels for us to discover throughout our year—without the crowds of Florence or Rome. That a great-grandmother’s hometown is nestled in nearby hills made Genoa the perfect choice. ITALIAN ITALIANAMERICA AMERICA
much beloved tacos after repeated attempts to recreate them using a local flat bread and mystery cheese. And one time when we got our hands on a jar of bonafide peanut butter, we assembled the classic PB&J for the girls and their classmate, Emanuele. Our children devoured them with delight, while poor seven-year-old Emanuele politely tried to hide his horror as he choked down the che schifo (yuck!) mush. The author in Genoa with her husband (Nick) and daughters (Téa, left, and Chiara). We enrolled our 2nd and 5th grade girls in a local public school and proceeded to become gli americani, attracting curious sidelong glances on a regular basis. Aside from a discernible exuberance, we blended right in—until we opened our mouths, that is. Our thick accents and bumbling speech gave us away every time. While awaiting our permesso di soggiorno (the legal means to stay in Italy) we endured minor “newbie” struggles. Birds of Passage
During the mass migration of the late 1800s through the early 1900s, many European peasant immigrants never intended to stay in the United States. Known as “birds of passage,” these immigrants planned to work in America and save enough money to live comfortably in their native country. Though figures vary, about half of Italian immigrants did just that. The moniker also refers to the migratory behavior, particularly of Italians, who voyaged to and from their homeland while building a nest in America. Whether they went back to Italy to find a spouse or see family, they ultimately settled in the United States. WINTER 2018 17 ITALIAN AMERICA
Within a few months we learned the ropes in our new city. We could navigate public transportation and worked around the lengthy midday
We threw up our hands at using a bidet, but we pushed ourselves to master the assertive art of demanding the freshest focaccia behind the counter (hand gestures included). We managed to deal with some grumpy vendors; but we also managed to make some friends. Yet on the much-anticipated day we earned our permesso, we still couldn’t escape our odd outsider status. The questura officer was puzzled. “Why on earth do you want to come here to our country when so many of us want to go to your country?” As we got into our “Italian” rhythm, we started to wonder the same thing. We had no problem getting used to the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean from the vertical city of Genoa. But trudging up its steep hills—and to our fifth floor, noelevator flat—left us a different kind of breathless. And to be sure, we delighted in foregoing certain modern-day conveniences, such as owning a car. But hand-washing dishes on a daily basis or battling vertigo to hang laundry out our window—not so much. Because ethnic food in Italy is in large part … Italian … we managed to suppress our cravings for other types of foreign cuisine. We gave up on our
Even daily chores like hanging laundry out to dry are picture-worthy in Italy! store closures and other inconveniences. But some obstacles proved more challenging. What would have been a simple task back home required a small army of friends contacting pharmacies in nearby countries so I could find a medicine for my daughter not sold in Italy (thank God for the Vatican drug store). To this day I’m still mystified as to how Vodafone calculates the fees for its cell phone customers. And the rumors you’ve heard about Italian bureaucracy— they’re all true. ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 17
The capital of the Liguria region, Genoa is the sixth-largest city in Italy and boasts the country’s busiest port. (ExFlow) Despite the frustrations of our adopted homeland, we relished in its delights. We dove deep to understand regional foods. We learned the difference between Grana Padana cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano. We now get why pesto Genovese actually tastes better with the rolled trofie as opposed to any other pasta shape. Weekend trips thrilled to no end. Whether we sipped wine in Tuscany or drank in the stunning vistas of Sardinia or the Dolomites, Italy started to feel like home. Our toes tripped less over the centuries-old cobblestones beneath our feet, and our tongues started to trip less over the melodic Italian rolling R’s. It gave me envious joy that within only a few months my daughters had greater ease with Ital-
ian than I did, despite my decades of studying the language. Touring iconic spots like Venice, Verona, or Pisa never disappointed, but they were hardly a match for our trips to my ancestral town. Because now we could actually converse with residents and forge a deeper connection with our family and its Italian origins. No longer would we be tourists passing through with an awkward smile and a camera. Instead, as descendants of those who left to pursue the opportunities that America offered, we belonged in a different way. For the distant kin we met, we served as living reminders that the trek was vast, history is forged by many paths, and not everyone can return home.
For me, these visits stirred up a confusion of mixed identity. Ironically, I never felt more American than I did during our year in Italy. And in exploring the various branches and villages in my family tree, my “Italianness” actually became less clear. Despite its ancient past, Italy is a young country still defined by localismo. As a nation, she is hard to pin down. So to define the ethnic part of me, I was as much Genovese or Bardigiana as I was Italian. And my roots in Abruzzo and Molise barely reached beyond the precise hilltop villages that birthed my great-grandparents. If I figured in my father’s DNA results, I could even consider myself a tiny bit Jewish. So, despite my grandmother’s
Chiara (right) and Téa enjoy the warm waters of the Ligurian Sea. WINTER 2018
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stand at my deepest core the message I received as a young girl: There is something special about being Italian. Yet it has little to do with Italian blood. Though I’ll never know the reason my great-grandparents didn’t return to their mother country for good, I do know why it never stopped calling them. Italy enchants. Piazza De Ferrari, the main square in Genoa. (Garsya) proclamations about being “Italian,” how definitively could I be anything? My kids are even more patchwork than I am. And growing up in today’s fluid and profoundly connected world means there’s no predicting how they’ll identify. But I already know that giving them this year in Italy has shaped them forever. Not only do they have another language, but they can view the world through another lens. What else did our time in Italy give us? A year of being “outsiders” gave
us a slight idea of what it’s like to be an immigrant. Only now can we feel a palpable empathy for immigrants today who struggle to become part of the American fabric, no matter where they’re from. And walking in our ancestors’ shoes, however reversed it was, gave us a deeper sense of why they left their villages. It was as much to escape poverty as it was to break away from the way things had always been done. But most of all, today I under-
Its spell endures generations and defies challenges. It’s why food, music, and family lore alone can’t tell the story. It’s why we rearranged our lives for a yearlong adventure there. And it’s why we’ll keep going back for years to come. Jacqueline Jannotta currently lives in Portland, Oregon, and is completing a book on how to create a successful year abroad. She can be reached at www. jannotta.com
Tips for Spending a Year in Italy When going for a visa, be tenacious. Unless you have dual citizenship, only determination will see you through the process. It will be tempting to give up at times. Remove any expectation of a yearlong holiday.Taking a vacation is much easier. Build “ambassador” relationships in advance.Whether such contacts are distant relatives, friends of friends, expats or natives, they can give you the scoop and keep you motivated when challenges arise. Learn Italian! Once there, get involved in the community.Volunteer at a school or church. Say “yes” to invitations. Go with it and grow with it.
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George Ott has been a professional genealogist in Salt Lake City for more than 42 years. After his graduation from Colorado State University in 1974, he moved to Salt Lake City and worked as a genealogist for Genealogical Services Inc. until 1980. In 1979, he was a member of the founding board of the Association of Professional Genealogists. During the 1980s, he was the genealogist for the Dickerson-Winn Foundation. From 1990 to 2005, he owned Heritage Consulting and Services. George’s research areas are the United States and Italy, and he has taken five research trips to Italy. George is a popular public speaker and is the author of the Genealogical Research Guide to Sicily. Starting in March 2011, George became a senior genealogist and operations manager for AncestryProGenealogists, a division of Ancestry. com. During his time with Ancestry, George, along with client work, has been a tree director for many episodes of TLC’s Who Do You Think You Are?
What do you do as a professional genealogist? People hire us to use our expertise in history and record-keeping to help them document their family history. We can confirm lineage by getting the proper documentation and following it step-by-step back on a family line. We also do local history research to make those ancestors come alive by finding out what they were doing at that time in history. What is the first step OSIA members can take to begin discovering their family history? The most important thing that people tend to forget is that a lot of the history is already in their possession—they just need to gather it. They need to go through old boxes and start compiling any records that they have. Look for old baptismal cards, old funeral cards, and old photographs. Then they should contact the oldest members of their family to preserve stories. A lot of people wait too long to do that. They need to start as early as possible.
Join Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America ® on:
Sicilian Ancestry Tour: Palermo to Taormina October 29–November 8, 2018 Starting from $3,659* goaheadtours.com/osdia
your world Explore
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Spectacular landscapes, enduring culture, mouthwatering flavors—experience the best of Sicily on this one-of-a-kind trip, created with Ancestry. You’ll journey from Palermo to Syracuse and Taormina, uncovering pieces of your genealogy along the way. As you gain new perspective on the place your ancestors came from, the country just might start to feel like home to you, too. *Prices are per person, before flights, and based on double occupancy. All prices and itineraries are subject to change. To view Go Ahead’s complete Terms & Conditions, visit goaheadtours.com/terms.
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How is travel beneficial for people who are seeking out their heritage? With the Ancestry tours, we’ll help people before they go, providing information about the towns they’re from and whether they have cousins there. They can visit the region or possibly the village their ancestors came from and walk the same streets. Many of the civil records (birth, marriage, etc.) even give the exact home address, so they conceivably could walk up to the house that their ancestors lived in and have a truly personal experience with their family history.
Discover your heritage as you walk through some of Sicily’s most charming locations. All OSIA members going on this Sicilian Ancestry tour will receive an AncestryDNA kit. What will this test tell them? They need to look at two parts of the test’s results. The first part is their ethnicity percentage estimate. Many Italians are surprised to learn that they have other ethnicities in their results. Those ethnicities can go back more than a thousand years. Especially in the Mediterranean area, you might get a mixture of North Africa, Spain, and the Iberian Peninsula, as well as a lot of other cultures. The second part is to look at the list of cousin matches. They will have first-cousin matches, second-cousin matches, and third- and fourth-cousin matches. If they look at their cousins’ trees, they can see where the matching surnames are. That way, they can discover common second-great-grandparents or great-grandparents. Or, they might not know where the match is, but they can see some of the towns these people are coming from and get an idea of where they’re from in Italy. How can OSIA members use their AncestryDNA kit results to start unlocking their family story? With the cousin matches, all of a sudden, they’re going to find these second or third cousins that they didn’t know before, and those cousins will have a perspective on the family history that’s totally different. They have descendants who have different stories. By contacting those cousin matches, they can unlock a lot of information, since they’re getting input from different family lines.
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How can travelers use their expert Ancestry Genealogist as a resource during the tour? Everybody who’s on the tour is going to get a minimum of five hours of research on their family history from an AncestryProGenealogists expert before we go. My job is to know everybody’s history on the tour and, while we’re there, to make it come alive. The tour director is not a family historian, so my job is to help them understand, from a family history and an historical standpoint, what their ancestors experienced and what their lives were like.
Come back a Sicilian chef after you experience how to cook like a local in a tour-included cooking lesson. As an active member of the OSIA, why should people who are interested in their heritage consider traveling on this unique Go Ahead tour? This really is a unique experience. Not only can someone go on a tour with a tour director who has an outstanding general history background, but they’re also with genealogists who can make the places they visit come alive with stories of their own ancestry. We also have extra oneday or two-day side tours where we can take them directly to the towns where their ancestors lived. And through our research ahead of time, we can see if they have cousins in those towns that they can meet. The chance to discover new ties to the past while forming bonds with previously unknown relatives is a rare opportunity, and one that should not be missed. ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 21
of La Scala The Scales
Th e World on Stage i n Milan
(Lars Nilse)
By Peter J. Ognibene
Opera! Even the word is Italian. Though the ancient Greeks were among the first to put words and music on stage, the blending of drama, story, and song became an art form all its own in Renaissance Italy. Unlike the improvisational plays of commedia dell’arte, which had their moneyed patrons but were also performed in public, the earliest operatic works were strictly for the elite. Take Iacopo Peri’s Euridice, the first opera for which a score still remains. He composed it in 1600 to honor the marriage of King Henri IV of France and Maria de’ Medici of the rich and powerful Florentine dynasty. Attendance at its premiere was limited to the two families, their court, and courtiers. Over time, the works of Peri and other composers of his day, notably Claudio Monteverdi, reached a broader audience. In 1637, the first public opera house opened in Venice. By the end of the century, there were eleven in Venice alone. Opera soon spread to other cities in Italy, including Milan.
Opera Takes Hold in Milan The 17th century came to an end with Milan under the rule of King Carlos II of Spain. Following his death in 1700, the French took over his territories in northern Italy, only to lose them in 1706 to Austria. Milan would remain under Austrian rule until 1796, when Napoleon made a grand entrance with a killer entourage. Milan can date its rise as a force in the world of opera to 1717 and the opening of Teatro Regio Ducal. In 1770, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, then just fourteen, conducted WINTER 2018
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the premiere of his opera, Mitridate, re di Ponto. One year later, as the theater prepared to premiere Mozart’s Ascanio in Alba, an Austrian newspaper provided this dispatch: Milan, 15 September. Everything is lively here on account of the grand and expensive preparations for the forthcoming wedding of his Royal Highness Archduke Ferdinand [Karl Anton Joseph Johann Stanislaus] to the Princess [Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d’Este] of Modena…. Each day three hundred persons will dine at court…. A part of the race course will be converted into a gallery, covered with interlaced boughs of verdant trees, and beautifully lighted, and underneath 150 poor maidens, to be married the same day to 150 similar young men, and given dowries by the royal bridal couple, will dine and celebrate their weddings. Two fountains will flow with wine instead of water, various orchestras with musicians will perform, and, finally, a Serenade, entitled Ascanio in Alba, by Abbate Parini and set to music by Herr Mozart, will be performed. To underwrite the high costs of bringing operas to the stage, opera houses have always needed wealthy backers. They, in turn, establish the milieu that makes the house itself an important gathering place. In 1773, Charles Burney, an English writer visiting Milan, captured the atmosphere at Teatro Regio Ducal: The theatre here is very large and splendid; it has five rows of boxes on each side, one hundred in each row; and parallel to these runs a broad gallery…. Across the gallery of communication is a complete room to every box, with a fireplace in it, and all conveniences of refreshments and ITALIAN AMERICA
original house that burned with the church of Santa Maria alla Scala, which once stood on the site of the new theater. Its inaugural opera was L’Europa riconosciuta by Antonio Salieri who, depending upon which historians you choose to believe, was either a devious backstabbing opponent of his contemporary Mozart or among his strongest advocates amid the fiercely competitive opera scene in 18th century Vienna.
La facciata del Teatro alla Scala (1852) by Angelo Inganni (1807-1880).
cards. In the fourth row is a pharo table [for gambling], on each side of the house, which is used during the performance of the opera. There is in the front a very large box, as big as a common London dining-room, set apart for the Duke of Modena, governor of Milan, and the Principessa Ereditaria, his daughter…. The noise here during the performance was abominable, except while two or three airs and a duet were singing, with which every one was in raptures: at the end of the duet, the applause continued with unremitting violence till the performers returned to sing it again, which is here the way of encoring a favourite air. The music and gambling, the seeing and being seen, all came to an end in February 1776 when the theater caught fire and burned to the ground during the festivities surrounding Carnival.
The Curtain Rises at La Scala August 3, 1778, marked the opening of Nuovo Regio Ducal Teatro alla Scala. Its elongated name combined the
With the arrival of the bel canto operas of Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, and Vincenzo Bellini in the early decades of the 19th century, La Scala gained renown and became a familiar stop for writers making grand tours through Europe. In 1840, Mary Shelley, the English author of Frankenstein, visited La Scala and found its patrons adept at mixing business and pleasure and, on occasion, listening to the music: At the Opera they were giving Otto Nicolai’s Templario. Unfortunately, as is well known, the theatre of La Scala serves, not only as the universal drawing-room for all the society of Milan, but every sort of trading transaction, from horsedealing to stock-jobbing, is carried on in the pit; so that brief and far between are the snatches of melody one can catch. The year before Shelley’s visit, La Scala premiered Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio, the first opera by Giuseppe Verdi, then 26. He was working on his second opera, Un giorno di regno, when Margherita Barezzi, his wife of three years, died of encephalitis in June 1840. Verdi sat amid the orchestra during the opera’s premiere that September and heard the audience whistling and making other discordant sounds. La Scala canceled the
EXPERT ITALIAN VACATION PLANNING, CUSTOMIZED FOR YOU. myitaliandestination.com (Georgios Tsichlis)
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remaining performances, and Verdi came away, he would later write, with anger toward a “public [who] treated badly the opera of a poor, ill young man, who was under enormous time pressure and whose heart was tormented by horrible misfortune. All this was well known, but there was no holding back their discourtesy.” With the loss of his wife, Verdi declared he would never write again, but two years later, in March 1842, La Scala premiered Verdi’s Nabucco—the original title, Nabucodonosor, did not dance lightly on the Italian tongue. Two more Verdi operas premiered at La Scala: I Lombardi alla prima crociata (1843) and Giovanna d’Arco (1845). Soon thereafter, Italy’s most successful young composer and its most prominent opera house fell out over matters artistic and financial. His next premiere, Simon Boccanegra, would not be staged there until 1881, and it was not purely a first, having premiered in 1857 at La Fenice in Venice before undergoing a latter-day libretto transplant at the capable hands of Arrigo Boito. With Boito providing the words, Verdi would write his final operas, Otello (1887) and Falstaff (1893), both of which premiered at La Scala.
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Weathering Storms In 1889, La Scala premiered Edgar by Giacomo Puccini, then just 30. The opera proved a failure, and though Puccini tried for years to revive it, he eventually gave up. Some years later, he sent a copy of the score to a friend and scrawled across the title page: “E Dio ti GuARdi da quest’opera!” (And God protect you from this opera!) Undaunted by his early setbacks, Puccini persevered and went on to write operas that continue to engage and enthrall audiences worldwide: Manon Lescaut (1893), La Bohème (1896), Tosca Though Giacomo Puccini’s opera, (1900), and Madama But- Edgar, failed at La Scala, his later works proved popular and are terfly (1904). La Scala would still performed there and at opera premiere his final opera, Tuhouses worldwide. randot (1926), two years after Puccini, long a heavy smoker, died of throat cancer. Though La Scala brought many good and great operas to the stage, high operating costs coupled with rising social concerns led to a crippling financial crisis in 1897. L’Italia del Popolo, a newspaper critical of Milan’s elite, provided this summation of the situation: While the city is taking on new debts, and preparing to impose new taxes … while there are not enough schools, and many of them are unhealthy, while far too many children do not get enough to eat to benefit from school, the subsidy to La Scala is going to be continued so that the box-holders will have one more place to spend their winter evenings, their ladies an excuse to show off their décolletage, so Sonzogno can carry out his dubious experiments there, or Ricordi can play tyrant when he’s in charge, or boycott it when he can’t get his hand into its pocket! A good use, for God’s sake, of the city’s money! Unwilling to continue enriching Edoardo Sonzogno and Giulio Ricordi, the music publishers who dominated the hiring of impresarios and often determined which operas were staged at La Scala, Milan’s city council voted to abolish the subsidy. In response, on December 26, 1897, the traditional opening night of the opera season, La Scala posted on its main door a black-bordered card resembling a death notice:
“Closed due to the death of artistic feeling, civic dignity, common sense.” ITALIAN AMERICA
The “death” of La Scala sparked the Visconti family and other wealthy Milanese to establish a private foundation to resurrect it. That led to its reopening the following year on December 26, 1898, with Arturo Toscanini its principal conductor. Though he would conduct at opera houses and concert halls worldwide, Toscanini remained connected with La Scala for the rest of his life.
In 2002, La Scala closed again, this time to bring the stage and its machinery into the 21st century. When La Scala reopened in 2004, the season began with the opera that inaugurated the house in 1778 but had not been staged there since: Antonio Salieri’s L’Europa riconosciuta. Peter J. Ognibene has authored two books and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. This is his seventh feature article for Italian America magazine. Contact him at pjognibene@gmail.com
Arturo Toscanini became the principal conductor of La Scala in 1898, when it reopened after a year-long financial crisis, and was at the podium again in 1946 for its first postwar concert.
Aerial bombing during World War II destroyed the auditorium at La Scala. When it reopened in 1946, Toscanini—then seventy-nine—conducted a concert before a packed house. Amplifiers in the street drew thousands more Milanese to revel in the music of Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini. Though opera flourished anew in Milan, the stage itself remained an artifact of the 19th century. It lacked the modern machinery of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and theaters elsewhere to store stage sets and move them into place between acts. In 1999, speaking to a reporter for Opera News, Paolo Arcà, then La Scala’s Artistic Director, mused about the Allied bombs that destroyed the auditorium but missed the stage: If only your American bombs had hit the stage! Instead, they had to rebuild the auditorium. They kept the stage, which was absolutely undamaged. That was a disaster. Now we must rebuild the stage, which is too old-fashioned.
In Search of Tickets to La Scala? Try This! If you go to La Scala’s website (http://www.teatroallascala. org/) to purchase tickets for an upcoming opera, you may find few available, especially for the more popular Italian works. Those that are available often top $200. But as my wife and I discovered when we were in Milan, you can get tickets for La Scala if you are willing to stand in line for two relatively brief periods. Here’s how it works: As one o’clock approaches on days when there is an evening performance, a line will begin forming under the portico adjacent to the Evening Box Office to the left of the main entrance to La Scala. At the top of the hour, one or two individuals with badges that indicate their membership in a group called L’Accordo will go to the front of the line and begin taking names. They will ask for identification, so make sure to have your passport handy. After putting your name on the list, they will assign you a number and tell you when to return. Later that afternoon—typically five o’clock—you will line up a second time, this time by number. After confirming your identity with your passport, you will be allowed to enter the box office to purchase one of the 140 tickets made available through this process. The price? We paid just $15. Though our seats were in the highest reaches of the hall with only a partial view of the stage, we heard every note of Mozart’s The Magic Flute perfectly.
Allied bombs during World War II destroyed the auditorium at La Scala. WINTER 2018 25 ITALIAN AMERICA
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OSDIA Nation
OSDIA LODGES AT WORK
Pennsylvania
new jersey
Last summer, West Shore Lodge #2651 (Mechanicsburg) member Georgeann Maguire served as the “American Ambassador” at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial site in Nettuno, Italy. She led a ceremony to honor our fallen military with a beautiful wreath donated by the lodge. Thanks to a generous donation by Rep. Greg Rothman and the help of the Lions youth baseball team, she was able to place 300 Pennsylvania flags on the graves of the Pennsylvania soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines who lost their lives in World War II.
On Columbus Day, Morris County Lodge #2561 received a Proclamation from the Mayor of Parsippany and a Key to the City. The lodge was recognized by Mayor James R. Barberio for “their generosity and tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for fellow citizens and fulfilling the needs of local charities” and “the contributions they have made and all that they have done out of deep love for their Italian heritage.” Charities that the lodge has supported include Jersey Battered Women’s Service, Cooley’s Anemia, the Valerie Fund, and the churches of St. Peter and St. Ann, and Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School Scholarships.
This visit has generated interest in forming an “adopt a soldier” program where citizens of Italy will visit the site to honor our fallen heroes. Georgeann shared the mission of Pittsburgh resident, Tony Lonero, to honor the unknown soldiers with Christmas wreaths for their graves. A donation of $18.66 for each wreath can be made through the following website: www.adrianafiori.com/
Georgeann and the Lions baseball team in front of the Brothers in Arms statue at the Sicily-Rome American Military Cemetery, where Pope Francis later celebrated Mass on November 2.
connecticut The Grand Lodge of Connecticut hosted its First Annual Columbus Luncheon on November 5. At the luncheon, one member from each Filial Lodge was presented with the Meritorious Member Award. Over 270 people were in attendance to support and thank these honorees for their years of dedicated service to the Order. The luncheon was also graced with a visit from Christopher Columbus (played by N. Haven Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge #2805 member Matt Gill) and Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro (played by Waterbury Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge #2878 member Phil Maiorano), who read his Inaugural Address from 1905. In Memoriam Roberto (Bob) Joseph Della Donna, Grand Lodge President (1989 – 1993) WINTER 2018
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Grand Lodge of Connecticut: Recipients of the Meritorious Member Award (L. to R.): Anne Bartlett, Dorothy Lewis, Mario Pellegrino, Marie Iannazzi, Nathan Vestal, Elizabeth Panza, Ginny Ciochetti, and Katherine Gasparini (seated). Missing from the photo is Joan Wasielak.
“We support our local charities all year round,” Lodge President Joseph Jannarone, Jr. stated. “As our fundraising events conclude, we look to disburse funds where they are needed most.” He pointed to the lodge’s success as the product of a combined effort. “You are only as good as the people around you,” he said.
Lodge First Vice President Lou Amato holds the key to the city, presented by Mayor James R. Barberio (right).
ITALIAN AMERICA
OSDIA Nation
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Arizona
Members of Scottsdale Lodge #2335 volunteered to make pizzas as part of the Friday afternoon pizzaiolo at St. Vincent De Paul Society in Phoenix. Each was assigned a task: rolling and flipping dough in the air, spreading sauce and toppings, and slicing hot pizzas fresh from the 650 degree ovens.
They made over 400 pizzas that were placed on racks to be distributed to homeless veterans in the community on that Friday evening.
Joan Coccioli spreads some mozzarella on one of four hundred pizzas.
Standing (L. to R.) are Peg Boettger, Vic Santoro, Joan Coccioli, Barbara Veltri, and Vince Antico. Seated is Bonnie Blase.
massachusetts
rhode island
On September 30, 2017, the Massimo d’Azeglio Lodge #760 of Braintree celebrated their 100th anniversary at their lodge hall—doing so in grand style! The evening was dedicated to the lodge’s three founding members: L. Pietro Magazu, Antonio Argentino, and Giovanne Marsico. A sea of purple decorated the room, including beautiful hydrangeas and commemorative glass mugs with purple trim and a Sons of Italy logo.
In November, Rhode Island State President Don Angelo presented a Charter to Rhode Island’s newest lodge: The Amerigo Vespucci Lodge #2995 of East Greenwich. “I am very excited about adding a new lodge to our state, and we all look forward to helping our newest lodge get established,” President Angelo said. “I am also impressed with the enthusiasm shown by all the founding members. Lodge President Gregory Acciardo has some aggressive plans and has hopes of growing the lodge to 100 members in the near future.”
Marta Googins, past president of the Braintree Ladies Lodge #1422, welcomed everyone and, after the Italian and American National Anthems were played, introduced Lodge President Joseph M. Picardi, Jr., who gave a warm welcome to the 225 guests. He introduced Father Harrington, who gave the invocation, and Lodge Vice President Bob Cappello, who followed with a toast. The evening began with an antipasto display followed by an osso bucco dinner. Complimentary bottles of wine along with assorted pastries and a three-tier anniversary cake rounded out the dinner. After dinner, the Mayor of Braintree offered remarks that recognized the $375,000 that the lodge has given to the community and to scholarships in the past 20 years. President Picardi introduced the guest speaker of the evening, State President Anthony Sestito, who gave a very heartfelt speech. Dancing followed, topping off a wonderful evening!
President Angelo (center) presents the Charter to President of The Amerigo Vespucci Lodge #2995 Gregory Acciardo (left).
Massimo d’Azeglio Lodge #760: Massachusetts Grand Lodge members with Braintree Men’s Lodge President Joseph Picardi, Jr. (in purple), and his wife, Debbie (on his left). (Photo Courtesy of Lisa Czech) WINTER 2018 27 ITALIAN AMERICA
Have you or your lodge done something remarkable that makes a difference to your community or promotes our heritage and Italian studies? If so, send details including your lodge’s name/number, a brief write-up, and digital photos of 300 dpi to Editor Miles Fisher at mfisher@osia.org
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Jim Valvano hobbled onto the stage in Madison Square Garden. Honored with the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage & Humanitarian Award at the first-ever ESPY Awards, he didn’t have much time left. Tumors spread throughout his body due to a rare glandular cancer called metastatic adenocarcinoma. Doctors weren’t able to detect its origin, something that at that time occurred in only two percent of all cancer cases. Jim’s condition was terminal, but that night, all he needed was eleven minutes.
(Photo Courtesy of Roger Winstead)`
The middle child of Rocco and Angelina Valvano, Jim was born in Queens, New York, during the postwar baby boom in 1946. He grew up a three-sport athlete, going on to play point guard at Rutgers University. It was at his alma mater that he got his start coaching basketball, head coaching the freshman team and assisting the varsity. He ascended the coaching ranks, moving on to positions at Johns Hopkins University, University of Connecticut, Bucknell University, and Iona University before arriving at North Carolina State University as head coach of the Wolfpack. As a head coach, Jim became known for his passionate style, a very animated and effusive approach that was in part a product of his Italian upbringing. Just three years into coaching the Wolfpack, he became part of one of college basketWINTER WINTER 2018 2018 28 28
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ball’s most magical moments when his team went up against the University of Houston in the 1983 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The University of Houston, a heavy favorite led by future NBA Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, was up by one point with seconds remaining when the Wolfpack inbounded the ball for one final chance.
"There are 86,400 seconds in a day. It’s up to you to decide what to do with them.”
- Jim Valvano
Guar d Der eck Whittenburg launched the shot from several feet behind the three point line, and as it fell short of the rim, Forward Lorenzo Charles caught it and dunked the ball just as time expired. Jim scrambled down the court, arms open, eager to embrace—and in this moment, Jim became the essence of the NCAA’s March Madness whose footage is replayed to this day. Less than ten years after that mo(Photo Courtesy of Roger Winstead) ment, at the age of 46, Jim faced his greatest opponent when he was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma. The cancer was so aggressive that it soon became apparent: this was an opponent he wouldn’t be able to overcome. But Jim didn’t give up. In a wheelchair, weak from the chemotherapy treatments, Jim somehow made it to the ESPY Awards. Fellow broadcaster Dick Vitale gave him an emotional introduction, then helped him up from his seat and onto the stage. The audience
During a nationally televised game in which N.C. State was taking on the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, Jim walked over and sat down on the scorer’s table while one of his players shot two free throws. He started talking to UNLV’s Assistant Athletic Director, Joyce Aschenbrenner.The phone on the scorer’s table began to ring, the broadcasting team wondering what was going on. Soon, the referees walked over to see what Jim was disputing. He told them everything was fine, there was no dispute. So the referees told him to go back to his bench, and he complied.
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Later,Aschenbrenner said that he’d been asking her questions about her childhood, finding out that she’d grown up in Pittsburgh. As Jim went back toward his bench, he turned back to her. “Just wanted to make sure your mother back in Pittsburgh got to see you on national television.” Reflecting on that day, Aschen-
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brenner said, “The Rebels won that game by six, but my mother became a big Jim Valvano fan.” ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 29
was moved to tears, seeing Jim sick and drained of energy. What he then showed everyone was the Jim everyone knew. He began his speech by quipping, “That’s the lowest I’ve seen Dick Vitale since the Detroit Pistons’ owner told him he should go into broadcasting.”
and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special. He continued his speech, one that would last for eleven minutes—long for an acceptance speech at an awards presentation. In a sense, once he’d managed to take the stage, he had all the time in the world.
With that, Jim embarked on one of the most inspirational speeches a coach has ever given. One that wasn’t about winning or losing. One That screen is flashing up there 30 seconds that wasn’t concerned with a final score. One (Photo Courtesy of Roger Winstead) like I care about that screen right now, huh? that wasn’t interested in glory. “Time is very I got tumors all over my body. I’m worried precious to me,” Jim said, “I don’t know how much I about some guy in the back going, “30 seconds?” You got a have left, and I have some things that I would like to say. lot, hey va fa Napoli, buddy. You got a lot. Hopefully, at the end, I will have said something that will In another sense, time was running out. So Jim revealed be important to other people, too.” to the audience and viewers that with the help of ESPN— Jim then offered words still repeated to this day: the sports television network he’d broadcasted for—he was When people say to me how do you get through life or each launching The V Foundation for Cancer Research, an orday, it’s the same thing. To me, there are three things we all ganization dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. Its motto should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. was taken from a phrase he’d spoken just two weeks prior in Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number a speech commemorating the ten-year anniversary of N.C. two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number State’s 1983 NCAA championship. Don’t give up, he said. three is you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be Don’t ever give up. happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, With the limited time Jim had left, he was determined
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to battle to the last second. “Cancer can take away all my physical abilities,” he said in concluding his speech. “It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.” Less than two months later, Jim died. His foundation, however, flourished. Funded by generous donors, its endowment grew to the point that it became self-supporting—allowing 100% of its donations to go directly to cancer research. Since it was established on the night Jim gave his historic speech 25 years ago, the V Foundation has awarded over $170 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Its goal is to bring that total to $200 million by the year 2020. The V Foundation continues to breathe life into Jim’s final words, words filled with his relentless passion. Yet as enduring as his words still are, it’s the work of his Foundation that proves the genius behind the true message he left us with: Victory can be achieved even in the face of certain defeat. To view Jim Valvano’s full speech, visit www.osia.org
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Miles Ryan Fisher is the Editor-in-Chief of Italian America magazine. Contact him at mfisher@osia.org ITALIAN AMERICA
From the National
WHAT NATIONAL DOES FOR YOU
From the President’s Desk
By Vera Ferrara Girolami
Felice Anno Nuovo! I hope you all had a joyous Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Serving as your National President for the past four and a half months has found me counting the blessings that accompany this office. Communication is one of my priorities. The staff at the National Office communicates with me almost daily. I thank them for the superb job they continue to do. Information is regularly exchanged between the five Vice Presidents and myself. The Financial Officers and Jeff Drake keep me informed as to budget and any financial matters. They are all to be commended for their decisiveness and willingness to help at a moment’s notice. With Robert Ferrito, New York Grand Lodge President, and Tony Sestito, Massachusetts Grand Lodge President, we have started conference calls on a monthly basis with all of the State and Subordinate Lodge Presidents. We are finding that this is an excellent avenue for discussing pertinent issues and concerns. This is a great way for them to get to know each other and find out we all face the same issues.
A very successful youth summit was held the last weekend of October. We had hoped for more participation, but the eleven that attended enjoyed the Washington sights, toured the Capitol and the Supreme Court, watched Italian movies, and President Vera Ferrara Girolami played Italian Sco- with Ambassador Armando Varricchio at the Italian Embassy. pa. Unfortunately, Chairperson Kathy Drummond fell the first day and fractured her hip. We wish her well as she recovers from her mishap and thank her and Co-Chair Carolyn Reres for all the work they did to make this summit a success. I had an amazing visit at the Italian Embassy in Washington with Ambassador Armando Varricchio and Catherine Flumiani, Minister Counselor for Consular and Social Affairs. Over a cup of espresso we talked about several issues, including how we can get Italian language into our classrooms and find instructors to teach Italian in high schools and colleges. We had a wonderful visit! We are still struggling across the country with Columbus Day issues. As Italian Americans, we must continue to celebrate the rich cultural history of our forefathers. A gifted and intrepid sea captain, Christopher Columbus preceded them. His voyages marked the end of isolation between the Western Hemisphere and the rest of the world. Very special thanks to National CSJ President, Kevin Caira, New York CSJ Chair John Fratta, California CSJ Chair, Tony Ricevuto, and all others who continue to demand that no one can take our history and our culture from us! I look forward to seeing many of you at our Winter Plenary Session in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 26-28, 2018!
The Youth Summit students with OSDIA officers in front of OSIDA’s National Office in Washington, D.C. WINTER 2018 31 ITALIAN AMERICA
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®
The Sons of Italy Foundation
®
HELPING THOSE IN NEED
A Tribute to Our Heritage
By Joseph DiTrapani, President
It’s in the spirit of giving that the SIF was founded back in 1959. Nearly six decades later, it continues to exemplify this spirit. For this Christmas season, I want to share with you the wonderful donations that the Sons of Italy Foundation made this past fall when it was my pleasure to present substantial contributions to our national charities. $142,483 to Cooley’s Anemia Foundation $107,673 to Alzheimer’s Association $71,283 to Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism As with any foundation dedicated to such important causes, the SIF was able to donate these impressive amounts only through the cumulative efforts. Of OSDIA Grand Lodges and Filial Lodges. Of individual members and individual donors. Of anybody who encouraged others to give as well. As we look into this next year and the upcoming NELA Gala, we can already see more giving on the horizon. In the coming months, several promising students will receive substantial SIF scholarships to help them pursue higher education. And the SIF will once again be making a large contribution to Help Our Military Heroes. Both
of these causes are reasons to continue feeling pride in our efforts and the way we have improved the lives of others through the SIF’s charitable work. Additionally, the SIF will be deciding on an earthquake relief project, where the $250,000 that was raised over the past year and a half will be donated.
SIF President Joseph DiTrapani (right) presents the donation to Alzheimer’s Association President & CEO Harry Johns and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan at the Rita Hayworth Gala.
Lastly, I want to express my wholehearted gratitude at the trend I’ve seen developing on Facebook. For their birthdays, many members have—in lieu of gifts—asked their family and friends to make contributions to the Sons of Italy Foundation. What a wonderful way to promote the giving spirit not just during the Christmas season, but all year long as well. If this is something you are interested in doing and would like help setting up the fundraiser on Facebook, please contact our National Office at 202-547-2900 or noffice@osia.org. I look forward to 2018 as another year in which the SIF will continue its mission to make the world a better place, and I hope you join us to be a part of our worthy causes.
Save the Date Sons of Italy Foundation's 30th Annual
(L. to R.) OSDIA Cooley’s Anemia Chair Joseph Rondinelli, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation National President Anthony J. Viola, SIF President Joseph DiTrapani, OSDIA National First Vice President Nancy Di Fiore Quinn, and Grand Lodge of New York State President Robert Ferrito. WINTER 2018
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National Education & Leadership Awards Gala May 24, 2018 Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center National Harbor, Maryland Visit www.osia.org for updates and announcements.
ITALIAN AMERICA
®
The Commission for Social Justice
fighting defamation
The CSJ Perspective By Kevin Caira, President
As we move forward in 2018 and we continue our fight to preserve Columbus Day, I want to begin by thanking all who have donated their time and money to support this cause. I am proud to report that a number of OSIA members and Italian America readers responded to the fall issue by sending in the “Save Columbus Day” donation slip with contributions ranging from $10 to $100. With the monthly conference calls that the State and Subordinate Lodge Presidents now have, we will use these not simply to exchange ideas and share successful strategies for preserving Columbus Day, but we will also be using them to unite all lodges—from state to filial—in this mission. It is my hope that through a united front, we will be able to give each other support and guidance when it is needed. And we will have a stronger voice! In addition to Columbus Day, I’d like to bring another very important issue to everyone’s attention. Last March, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of CA (with co-sponsors Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. of NJ and Rep. Michael E. Capuano of MA) introduced two Congressional Bills of importance to our Italian heritage. The bills concern the internment of Italians and Italian Americans during World War II.
The first bill (H.R. 1706) “authorize(s) the Department of Education to provide grants for public awareness education programs on the history of the treatment of Italian Americans during World War II.” It also states that “in awarding grants … the Secretary shall give priority to Italian American historical and cultural organizations.” This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for consideration. The second bill (H.R. 1707) declares that Congress, on behalf of the nation, “apologize(s) for the treatment of Italian Americans during World War II” and acknowledges “violations of the(ir) basic civil liberties and constitutional rights.” This bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice for consideration. We need to take action! Contact the representative of your district and let him/her know that these bills should be brought from the committees to the floor! You can view these bills by visiting www.Congress.gov and typing the bill number into the search box. Felice Anno Nuovo to you all!
YES! I would like to help preserve Columbus Day and save Columbus statues across the country. Please accept my tax-deductible donation to support the Commission for Social Justice’s mission. Charge my credit card for the total amount of: Type: AMEX / MC / VISA
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Card number Name on card Billing Address My check for the total amount of $ is enclosed. (Please make check payable to the “Commission for Social Justice”) Frank DeSantis presents Joe Buscaino with
the Certificate of Appreciation from the OSDIA Mail to: Commission for Social Justice Supreme Lodge.
219 E Street NE Washington, DC 20002
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Letters to the Editor I just wanted to say thank you once again. My dad received the Sons of Italy shirts you sent him. My mom actually got to them first from the mail and saved them for my dad’s birthday, which was kind of a downer this year. His birthday is on September 10—the day we got hit by Hurricane Irma—and the following day was my parents’ 65th anniversary. They were stuck in a total stranger’s house (their house in Cape Coral was in the area that had to be evacuated at the last minute, and they went with their next door neighbor to the next city north of us). They got back home a few days later to no power and had no power until September 23, but they never complained. It was not a great time for any of us, but my dad was THRILLED to get the Sons of Italy shirts you sent, even more so during this scary time. We are all safe here, the majority of Cape Coral now has power restored, and we are so grateful to the people who helped us, you included.You managed to put a smile on the faces of people who had been put through a lot, and although you probably don’t even realize it, you helped our family make this storm a little more bearable Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Karen Aversa Cape Coral, Florida Corrections for Fall 2017 issue High Profile (page 2) Mike Sofia’s father was a barber, not a farmer. Pictured are his great-grandparents, Maurizio and Nella. Book Reviews (page 14) Newton (not Newtown) is the area outside of Boston. Turning Wine Into Welch (page 28) The 18th Amendment established the prohibition of alcoholic beverages. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote!
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ITALIAN AMERICA
Italian America®
Italian America Magazine is produced by the national headquarters of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America®, 219 E Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 202/547-2900. Email: nationaloffice@osia.org Editor-in-Chief Miles Ryan Fisher Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant Adam Jacobs Director of Programming & Operations Carly Jerome Project Coordinator Katie Vivian Italian America® is the official publication of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA), the largest and longest-established organization of American men and women of Italian heritage. Italian America provides timely information about OSDIA, while reporting on individuals, institutions, issues, and events of current or historical significance in the Italian-American community nationwide. Italian America (ISSN: 1089-5043, USPS: 015-735) is published quarterly in the winter, spring, summer and fall by OSDIA, 219 E St. NE, Washington, DC 20002. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. ©2015 Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any method without permission of the editor is prohibited. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily imply an opinion on the part of the officers, employees, or members of OSDIA. Mention of a product or service in advertisements or text does not mean that it has been tested, approved or endorsed by OSDIA, the Commission for Social Justice, or the Sons of Italy Foundation. Italian America accepts query letters and letters to the editor. Please do not send unsolicited manuscripts. Italian America assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Annual subscriptions are $20, which are included in dues for OSDIA members. Single copies are $4.95 each.OSDIA MEMBERS: Please send address changes to your local lodge. Do not contact the OSDIA National Office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Italian America, 219 E St. NE, Washington, DC 20002. Subscriptions are available through the OSDIA National Office, 219 E Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. OSDIA membership information is available at (800) 552-OSDIA or at www. OSDIA.org. Archives are maintained at the Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn. Printing by Printing Solutions Inc., Sterling, Va. To advertise: Contact Dave Bayard at dave@boja.com (973) 822-9274 or Laura Lemos at laura@boja.com (973) 822-9274. Also see www.osia.org for advertising rates, specs, demographics, etc. WINTER 2018 35 ITALIAN AMERICA
By Miles Ryan Fisher Editor-in-Chief, Italian America Magazine
Part I of II Last fall, the Antonio Gatto Lodge #2459 of Laurel, Maryland, invited me to be a guest speaker at their monthly meeting. They asked me to speak about Italian America magazine, and rather than talking about the basic process of the magazine, I decided to tell the story of how I came to be its Editor-in-Chief. The story has, in many ways, lived—and continues to live—a life of its own. A story of heritage. A story of individual passions that interlocked. A story that shows how a grandfather’s past can lead to a grandson’s future. Back when I was enrolled in Johns Hopkins University’s Masters in Writing program, my professor gave us an assignment to interview and write a profile on any individual of our choice. At first, I didn’t know whom to choose—the assignment being so open-ended. Then I thought, ‘Of course.’ My grandfather had flown 73 missions, including “flying the hump” in the Himalayas during World War II. He’d enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps prior to Pearl Harbor, and he left with stories I’d listened to since I was very young. Many of them I’d heard more than once, Captain Joseph F. Daino and each time he told them, it was as if he were still sitting in the cockpit of his P-47 fighter plane. As if he was not only my grandfather telling me a story—he was Captain Joseph Francis Daino reliving them. While writing the profile for this assignment, I saw that Italian America magazine was searching for a new editor as the current editor, Dona De Sanctis, was retiring after a decade of overseeing the magazine. In researching the position, I noticed that the magazine also accepted freelance submissions. So I submitted the first few paragraphs of the profile to Dona and also told her that I’d applied for the position. She enjoyed the beginning of the profile so much that she told me to forward my cover letter and resume. She was then instrumental in having me succeed her as the magazine’s editor. During my first two months in the position, I shadowed Dona as she oversaw her final issue: Italian America’s Spring 2015 issue, which featured my grandfather’s story as its cover story. When it ran, a writer of a local newspaper called Prime Times in Ithaca, New York, (where my grandfather lived since he was a child) read it. Discovering that Ithaca had a decorated World War II pilot in its own backyard, the writer then profiled him in a story that gained such local popularity, his newspaper had to run a reprint! (To be continued in Spring 2018 issue) ITALIAN AMERICA WINTER 2018 35
Piacere!
PLEASED TO MEET YOU, KATE
Kate DiCamillo Kate is the beloved author of many books for children, including Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux, both of which received Newbery Medals. Her most recent middle-grade novel, Raymie Nightingale, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and a National Book Award Finalist. She is also the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, a Newbery Honor Book; The Tiger Rising, a National Book Award Finalist; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a #1 New York Times bestseller; and the Mercy Watson series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. She is the co-author with Allison McGhee of the Bink and Gollie series, illustrated by Tony Fucile. A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature with more than 22 million books in print worldwide, Kate DiCamillo lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Your debut novel, Because of WinnDixie, became such a success.What was your reaction to that success and to its winning several awards? It’s been 17 years since Because of Winn-Dixie was published; and truthfully, I’m still surprised, still amazed and still grateful. What attracted you to writing for young readers? I read a novel for kids called The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. It was such a funny book, and so warm, and yet it talked about big and important and hard things. And I thought—I want to try and write a book like this. I’ve been trying ever since.
You talk about questioning your talent as an aspiring writer. What was the moment that you came closest to giving up and how did you manage to persevere? Tell us a bit about your Italian background. Did it I came closest to giving up before I even started. What factor into your being born in Philadelphia? I mean by that is that I got it into my head when I was in My father’s father was a shoemaker who came over from college that I wanted to be a writer. And I spent almost a Italy when he was a teenager. He ended up in Altoona, decade telling everyone I was a writer and reading books Pennsylvania, which was where my father was raised. My on writing and dreaming about being a writer—and not father went to the University of Pennsylvania—that’s how writing. I didn’t actually sit down and start to do the work Philadelphia entered into the picture. I love Philadelphia. until I was 30 years old. And at that point, I thought: I remember going to the markets in South Philly with I’ve found what I want to do. I’m not going to give up. my father on Saturday mornings to get cheese and meat. I just won’t. Everybody was talking in Italian. And the pizza slices If a person walked up to you in a bookstore and were divine. asked you to recommend one book – just one book What was it like to grow up in Clermont, Florida – what would you tell them to read and why? (a half-hour from Disneyworld!)? Hoo boy. That’s hard. That’s impossible. But here, let We moved to Clermont in 1969—before Disney existed. me give you this copy of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web—a Clermont was a sleepy little town built around citrusbook about friendship, and hope and death, and rebirthgrowing. By the time I was college-age, Disney was up and -and loving the world. running, and I worked there (at EPCOT Center) on and off for a lot of my youth. I wore a blue polyester spacesuit. What are some of your favorite quotes from other writers (dead or alive)? Did you know that you wanted to become a writer E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web: when you, yourself, were young? “Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will I didn’t know that I wanted to be a writer when I was melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and a kid. I loved to read, and I thought that books were the most magical things in the world, but I never thought sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. that people made them. It took me a long time to figure All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to out that the magic of bookmaking was something I could enjoy, Wilbur—this lovely world, these precious days . . .” be a part of. WINTER 2018
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ITALIAN AMERICA
Current designs include... TEAM TEAM vs GRAVY SAUCE
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ITALIAN AMERICA
The New York Times Bestseller from the Author of The Shoemaker’s Wife
Adriana Trigiani
“Trigiani’s boisterous, maddening, devoted Italian clan will have you wishing they’d adopt you too.” —People “A delightfully retro read . . . Kiss Carlo may be just what we need, a warmhearted romp that’s a welcome escape.” —USA Today
Now in Paperback Also Available:
For a signed bookplate, email Adrianaasst@aol.com. @AdrianaTrigiani WINTER 2018
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ITALIAN AMERICA