06 - Triangle Italian American Heritage Association
06 - Triangle Italian American Heritage Association
06 - Triangle Italian American Heritage Association
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<strong>Triangle</strong> <strong>Italian</strong>-<strong>American</strong> <strong>Heritage</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
PO Box 20266<br />
Raleigh, NC 27619<br />
Newsletter<br />
January/ Gennaio 20<strong>06</strong><br />
Editor: Neal Caliendo<br />
(919) 846-2747<br />
nealcali@yahoo.com<br />
Officers:<br />
FRANK FERRARO, SR., President (919) 266-9358<br />
VINNY DORIA, Vice President (919) 266-6472<br />
VINCE CONZOLA, Treasurer (919) 254-0120<br />
JACK GIAMPORTONE, Secretary (919) 781-5580<br />
VICTOR CONONI, Sergeant-at-Arms (919) 782-2876<br />
AL CELLINI, Past President (919) 365-2209<br />
BOB VETRANO, Communications (919) 848-1846<br />
♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣<br />
Members at Large:<br />
TONY AIELLO (919) 554-4676<br />
MIKE KUHARCIK (919) 550-8317<br />
ROY CORDATO (919) 639-0970<br />
BOB CAPRIOLI (Alternate) (919) 554-1805<br />
♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣<br />
Other Committees:<br />
TONY AIELLO, Good & Welfare Chairman (919) 554-4676<br />
VICTOR CONONI, Membership Chairman (919) 782-2876<br />
BOB GIANNUZZI, Public Relations Chairman (919) 676-0082<br />
FRANK FERRARO, SR., Social Chairman (919)266-9358<br />
NEAL CALIENDO, Newsletter Chairman (919)846-2747<br />
PETER CARI, Newsletter Assistant (919)383-2460<br />
TONY ROMANO, Oxford Orphanage Fundraiser Co-Chairman (919) 388-1514<br />
RON LITTLE, Oxford Orphanage Fundraiser Co-Chairman (919)821-2770<br />
TONY AIELLO, Adopt-A-Hwy Chairman (919)554-4676<br />
VICTOR CONONI, Scholarship Chairman (919)782-2876<br />
♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣<br />
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:<br />
Dear TIAHA Brothers,<br />
When I look back on 2005 I say, “Whew!!!” When I look ahead to 20<strong>06</strong> I say, “Wow!!!”<br />
When you look back and reflect on it, 2005 was a pretty spectacular year for TIAHA. We were more than successful in all<br />
of our endeavors to raise money, no matter what the purpose, or who the final recipients of the funds were. It seems like<br />
we had some kind of affair, social event, project, gathering, of many kinds each and every month. I’d like to genuinely<br />
thank everyone who participated in any way, shape, or manner in all the good we, as an organization, accomplished this<br />
year:<br />
Adopt-A-Highway, Red Cross Blood Drive, Crab & Fishing Trip, Friday Night Poker, Day at the Races, TIAHA Golf<br />
Tournament (I know that I, for one, will never forget that day), Camp Shalom Pizza Fest, TIAHA Family Picnic, St.<br />
Joseph’s Church Clean and Paint, Lifetime Members Recognition, Team Italy Baseball Pig Roast and Ballgames at<br />
Durham Bulls Park, Wives and Significant Others Dinner Meeting, Board Installation Dinner, St. Raphael’s Carnival, Pot<br />
Luck Dinners, Monthly President’s Awards to Members in recognition of Extraordinary Service, The International<br />
Festival, Dinner Meeting at Joe Frangiosa’s House, Kids from local High School <strong>Italian</strong> Clubs participating in events,<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 1 of 16
<strong>Italian</strong> vs. Irish Softball Game, Oxford House Christmas, The Scholarship Raffle, and our very own<br />
www.theitalianclub.com web site.<br />
Just reading that last paragraph and you know why I say, “Whew!!” We did a bunch last year and it is all reflected upon<br />
you the Brothers of TIAHA. I truly believe that every one of our active members participated in at least three or more of<br />
the events listed above and that is more than gratifying because that’s what we are all about. As it says in our membership<br />
oath, “….I will socially and charitably offer my services to the community.” Well you, the members of TIAHA, have<br />
certainly lived up to that and I am proud to be your brother, and more than proud to have served as your President this year.<br />
And now the “Wow!!” It is my firm belief that we can excel even more in 20<strong>06</strong>. We saw a good growth in our<br />
membership and welcomed about a dozen new members this past year. I’d like to, at least, double that in 20<strong>06</strong>. I truly<br />
believe we, as members working together, can top last year’s success, and number of events, in every aspect of being a<br />
social, charitable, and fraternal organization.<br />
It is coming to the time for you the members to select a new Board of Officers. It is time for some of you to step up and<br />
volunteer to be on the Board in a position where you can help us progress even further. We will select an election<br />
committee at this month’s meeting and will have elections in February and New Board Installation in March. This club<br />
belongs to all of us, but we will need a strong and dedicated Board to accomplish and exceed our goals. I know we can.<br />
And above everything else I have talked about or listed in this letter. I sure had a lot of fun. Thank you from the bottom of<br />
my heart.<br />
Fraternally yours,<br />
Frank<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 2 of 16
TIAHA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES<br />
Wednesday, December 21st, 2005 at Knights of Columbus, New Hope Road and Columbus Road, Raleigh, NC<br />
1. Tonight’s guests are:<br />
• Luigi Rigutto Has been in US for 39 years, in <strong>Triangle</strong> since 1966. He is from Frililli, Italy<br />
• Greg Torsone – Rochester, NY Came to Raleigh in 1991 and works for Proctor & Gamble. <strong>Heritage</strong> is<br />
LeFae, Italy<br />
2. Vin Doria is acting Secretary<br />
3. Minutes of last meeting accepted<br />
4. The whole Oxford (Masonic) Orphanage went extremely well thanks to a great team effort lead by John Colombo and<br />
Tony Romano<br />
5. We “passed the bucket” with John Bono in full Santa Claus regalia and collected a very good sum of money that will<br />
go into our general charity fund.<br />
6. Good and Welfare. Please keep the following in your thoughts and prayers<br />
• Jack Giamportone- Lost his Mom and her Sister in an automobile accident<br />
• Nick Guarino – Will be going for a brain scan to determine what is the cause of his pain and discomfort<br />
• Frank Palermo – Is doing well after surgery but still has a lot of recovery to go<br />
• Frank Ferra – Mother in Law is going for extensive medical testing<br />
•<br />
• Vin Lanzola was married<br />
• Joe Larotonda – His Daughter graduated from UNC<br />
7. Steve Laino and Ron Torsone were sworn in as new members<br />
8. A special Board vote had been taken and passed to provide Christmas Gifts to the Following<br />
• Ron Little- We will buy seven bikes for a group of related children who “were all dumped” at their<br />
Grandmother’s house. TIAHA will donate $200 and Ron and June Little are providing the additional<br />
$86 to make up the total cost<br />
• Frank Ferraro found the Gill House and bought a CD Player and $25 gift certificate for their one child<br />
who did not have any family to go home for Christmas to<br />
9. The January meeting will have a guest Speaker. He is Dominic Pulera who has written a number of books and essays<br />
on race and ethnic relations.<br />
• WIVES AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS ARE INVITED<br />
• We have also invited the Sons of Italy and have put out an open invitation to the High School <strong>Italian</strong> Clubs<br />
and will run a notice in the News and Observer<br />
• Bob Vetrano will cook----- HE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP<br />
10. HOLIDAY POT LUCK DINNER----SUNDAY JANUARY 22 ND AT ODDFELLOWS LODGE<br />
• 3:00 Start (Yes we will have TVs to watch Football playoff games)<br />
• Every individual person bring a $5 or less gift (It can be a gag gift or anything else) and please wrap<br />
it in Christmas paper.<br />
• Everyone bring a dish that will serve 6 people<br />
• A – F Main Course<br />
• G – M Dessert<br />
• N – Z Appetizer or Salad<br />
11. President’s Award for December to John Colombo and Tony Romano<br />
12. 50-50 was picked by Luigi and won by John Colombo<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 3 of 16
13. The Raffle Drawing was held and the winners are:<br />
• $75 Gift Certificate Dale Mancuso<br />
• $75 Gift Certificate Neal Caliendo<br />
• Apple iPod MP3 Player Jersey Mike<br />
• Apple iPod MP3 Player Vince Salvaggio<br />
• 30” Flat Screen TV Evelyn Clegg (Sold to her by Pat Cellini)<br />
• It looks like we made a good profit on the raffle which goes to our Scholarship and general<br />
Charity fund.<br />
A Man Gets One Wish<br />
A man walking along a California beach was deep in prayer. All of a sudden he said out loud,<br />
"Lord, grant me one wish."<br />
Suddenly the sky clouded above his head and in a booming voice the Lord said, "Because you<br />
have had the faith to ask, I will grant you one wish." The man said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii, so I<br />
can drive over anytime I want to."<br />
The Lord said, "Your request is very materialistic. Think of the logistics of that kind of<br />
undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it<br />
would take! I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little<br />
more time and think of another wish, a wish you think would honor and glorify me."<br />
The man thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, "Lord, I have been married and divorced<br />
four times. All of my wives said that I am uncaring and insensitive. I wish that I could understand<br />
women. I want to know how they feel inside, what they are thinking when they give me the silent<br />
treatment, why they cry, what they mean when they say "nothing" and how I can make a woman<br />
truly happy?"<br />
After a few minutes God said, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"<br />
Welcome to our newest members:<br />
Bruno Pagnani<br />
Emilio D'Arduini<br />
Ron Torsone<br />
Bob Cenfetelli<br />
Steven Laino<br />
Joe Larotonda<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 4 of 16
TIAHA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MINUTES<br />
Tuesday, January 3rd, 20<strong>06</strong> at Knights of Columbus, New Hope Road and Columbus Road, Raleigh, NC<br />
F Ferraro, V Conzola, R Cordato, V Cononi<br />
1. Good & Welfare: Guidelines were discussed as to what to send/provide in the event of a TIAHA brother’s sorrow<br />
or grief<br />
• Immediate Family (Spouse, Child, or Parent) $50 for flowers or donation to the charity/church as<br />
requested by the family<br />
• For all others we will send a card<br />
• Upon any member finding out about such a need, he should call a Board member who shall in turn<br />
notify the rest of the Board and Good & Welfare chairman so we may take appropriate action and<br />
notify all brothers<br />
2. We were profitable in all our fund raising and business endeavors this year. We have very positive balances in<br />
our treasury as well as all of our various “specific slush funds.”<br />
• International Festival - We made over $1500<br />
• St. Raphael’s- This was pure profit that went into our general treasury<br />
• Oxford House – We provided a great Christmas and still have a substantial amount in our treasury<br />
and slush fund at the Oxford house that we will be using throughout the year for a number of<br />
different events, etc.<br />
• Marino Scholarship- We have such a positive balance that the Board decided to raise this year’s<br />
Scholarship award to $1,000<br />
• Our general Charity fund allowed us to:<br />
a. buy the 7 bikes for needy family that Ron and June Little found,<br />
b. Provide a very nice gift for the Gill House<br />
c. And we still have money in the fund for other charitable events this year<br />
• Raffle- We made over $1,000 that will be split between the Scholarship and our General Charity<br />
Fund<br />
3. Vince Conzola reported that dues collections are going very well and that we are way ahead of last year’s pace.<br />
4. We must contact and charge people who have ads in the newsletter. Vince Conzola will send invoices and will<br />
call on Bob Giannuzzi to ram rod this effort.<br />
5. The Board approved the purchase of a small inexpensive copier that we can bring to meetings etc and will allow<br />
us to better distribute copies of important documents, etc.<br />
6. Jan. 18 th Meeting<br />
• Dominic Pulera is guest speaker<br />
• Bob V. is cooking baked ziti, salad, and sausage<br />
• Members will still pay for dinner but all other guests are free<br />
• We will have wine but will have someone to pour and collect money at $1.00 per glass<br />
• Vince C to contact Bob Giannizzi re the folks at Quail Hollow book store to see if they want to bring<br />
copies of Mr. Pulera’s books to sell<br />
• Frank F to e-mail Mr. Pulera regarding book signing, travel arrangements, directions, etc.<br />
7. Sunday Jan. 22 nd is Pot Luck dinner at 3:00. Each person to bring a $5 gift and food for six people<br />
• A – F Main Course<br />
• G – M Dessert<br />
• N – Z Appetizer or Salad<br />
8. We need an election committee for 20<strong>06</strong> Board. We are supposed to have elections in Feb and installation in<br />
March<br />
9. All brothers who have paid dues need new membership cards. Frank to sign a bunch and forward to Vic C and<br />
Vince C for distribution<br />
10. Frank to put together a 20<strong>06</strong> Calendar<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 5 of 16
Following is a sample of what TIAHA is all about<br />
Frank presents CD Player and Gift Certificate<br />
to Jaquan Kennedy at The Gill House<br />
Masonic Home For Children Christmas Party<br />
Santa (John Bono) presenting gift at Masonic Home For Children<br />
Greetings from the North Pole, (Boy am I exhausted) we delivered 6 bicycles and one tricycle to seven kids that could not have been<br />
happier. All three of us (Randi, Ron, June (Little)) waited and waited for the guys to get up on Christmas Day and finally at about 9am we<br />
heard the YAHOO's from two doors down. I rushed out to take pictures of the kids that woke up first. Since Christmas, every afternoon<br />
when I get home they are all riding their new bikes. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the many Santas of TIAHA for making this a<br />
special Christmas.<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 6 of 16
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 7 of 16
The word pasta comes from the <strong>Italian</strong> word for paste, meaning a combination of flour and water. The term pasta has<br />
always been used on <strong>Italian</strong> restaurant menus to include all the various pasta offerings.<br />
The Pope set quality standards for pasta in the 13 th century.<br />
There are more than 600 pasta shapes world wide.<br />
On record, the Chinese have eaten pasta as early as 5 000 B.C.<br />
Tripolini ("little bows") were named to honour the <strong>Italian</strong> conquest of Tripoli in Libya.<br />
According to legend, noodles were first made by German bakers in the 13 th century. They molded dough into symbolic<br />
shapes, such as stars, swords and birds, which they then baked and served as bread.<br />
All pasta is made by essentially the same equipment using the same technology. Also, independent taste tests conducted<br />
by Consumer reports U.S. pasta was found superior to <strong>Italian</strong> imports.<br />
According to Harry Balzer (NPD Group, Chicago), consumers enjoy pasta for dinner more than 40<br />
times a year – approximately once a week.<br />
According to a Wall Street Journal article, pasta is actor Leonardo diCaprio’s favourite.<br />
Pasta existed for thousands of years before anybody ever thought of putting tomatoe<br />
sauce on it. Cortez, a Spanish explorer, brought tomatoes back to Europe from Mexico in<br />
1519. Even then, nearly 200 years passed before spaghetti served with tomatoe sauce<br />
made its way into <strong>Italian</strong> kitchens.<br />
Speaking of spaghetti … and meatballs: the<br />
<strong>Italian</strong>s only ate meat a few times a month.<br />
So, when they came to America, where<br />
meat was plentiful, they incorporated meat<br />
into their cooking more often, making<br />
meatballs an <strong>American</strong> invention.<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 8 of 16
MARK A. LA MANTIA<br />
ATTORNEY AT LAW*<br />
Telephone:<br />
Facsimile:<br />
(919) 676-5600 e-mail: (919) 676-6674<br />
mark@lamantialaw.com<br />
* and Certified Mediator - North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission<br />
LA MANTIA<br />
LAW OFFICES, P.C.<br />
Mailing Address<br />
Street Address<br />
P.O. Box 97695<br />
8341-101 Bandford Way<br />
Raleigh, North Carolina 27624 Raleigh, North Carolina 27615<br />
A General Practice Law Firm<br />
Concentrating in Business, Employment and Franchise Law and Litigation<br />
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution<br />
Telephone: (919) 676-5600<br />
website: www.lamantialaw.com<br />
====================================================================================<br />
TIAHA ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Because of the success of the raffle and other fund raising, this years Scholarship has been<br />
raised to $1,000 (In previous years it was $500 - $750). The requirements are that the<br />
applicant must be 1/8 <strong>Italian</strong>, submit an application with all associated and required<br />
information, and must be already attending, or as a High School Senior, accepted to, any<br />
accredited institution of higher learning. The funds can go towards tuition, books, housing,<br />
or any other costs associated with education.<br />
There is an application in this newsletter so get them to your candidates ASAP. All<br />
applications must be in by April 15 th at the latest. The selection committee (Made up of<br />
TIAHA Board members and Academic Faculty/Educators in Wake County) will then review<br />
all applications, transcripts, etc. and we will announce this year’s recipient at our May<br />
meeting.<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 9 of 16
<strong>Italian</strong> <strong>American</strong> <strong>Heritage</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
Fostering the Growth of <strong>Italian</strong>-<strong>American</strong> <strong>Heritage</strong><br />
Through Service and Fellowship<br />
APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Academic year: 20<strong>06</strong> – 2007<br />
Deadline: April 15 th Notification: May 15 th<br />
Part I :<br />
Full Name : _________________________________________________________________<br />
Permanent Home Address : _____________________________________________________<br />
____________________________________________________<br />
Telephone Number : _____________________ Date of Birth : _____________________<br />
Name of parents/guardians : ____________________________________________________<br />
School you plan to attend or presently attend : ______________________________________<br />
Present or intended field of study : _______________________________________________<br />
Honors : ____________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________<br />
Other points of consideration, e.g. extracurricular activities, service, interests, sports, etc. :<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
Please provide a copy of your transcript (HS or college) and SAT/ACT scores (where applicable)<br />
to secure the completion of this application.<br />
Part II :<br />
Please provide an essay (500 words or less) for each of the following questions. Your answers<br />
should be on separate sheets of paper, typed and double-spaced.<br />
(1) What are your plans for the future, and what has been a significant experience in your past<br />
that has helped you decide this course of action for yourself?<br />
(2) How has your <strong>Italian</strong>-<strong>American</strong> heritage affected you, and what part will it play in your<br />
future?<br />
Signature of applicant : ______________________<br />
Date : ______________________<br />
Upon completion, this application plus any additional information should be mailed to:<br />
<strong>Triangle</strong> <strong>Italian</strong>-<strong>American</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
PO Box 20266, Raleigh, NC 27619<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 10 of 16
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Southern <strong>Italian</strong> Immigration<br />
By Nicola Colella<br />
Can you imagine what it was like to say goodbye to your family, your<br />
home and your friends? To leave for a strange country, not knowing the<br />
language, and with little or no money? Who would do such a thing?<br />
Why would anyone do something so drastic?<br />
The following is not "pretty story." It is however a TRUE STORY that<br />
ends well, and it needs to be told, and told again and again, lest future<br />
generations forget. It is the history of our families emigration to America....why they came and what it was like<br />
when they got here.<br />
Going to America<br />
Most <strong>Italian</strong> immigrants never planned to stay in the US permanently. There is even a special phrase that was<br />
coined for <strong>Italian</strong>s: "Birds of Passage" since their intent was to be migratory laborers. Even though about 75% of<br />
<strong>Italian</strong> immigrants were farmers in Italy, they did not wish to farm in the US (as it implied a permanence that<br />
did not figure in their plans). Instead, they headed for cities where labor was needed and wages were relatively<br />
high. Many <strong>Italian</strong> men left their wives and children behind because they expected to return (and many, many<br />
did). In any event, for many <strong>Italian</strong> immigrants, migration could not be interpreted as a rejection of Italy. In<br />
fact, it is a defense of the <strong>Italian</strong> way of life, for the money sent home helped to preserve the traditional order.<br />
Rather than seeking permanent homes, they desired an opportunity to work for (relatively) high wages in the<br />
city and save enough money to return to a better life in Italy. Very commendable considering the difficult<br />
conditions that characterized life in southern Italy in those times. These conditions were a result of many<br />
different factors.<br />
The History<br />
The vast majority of immigration came from the former Independent and Sovereign State of southern Italy, the<br />
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It included all continental southern Italy from Abruzzi, to Calabria and Puglia, and<br />
Sicily. It was occupied in 1860, without a declaration of war, by the northern Piedmontese Kingdom ruled by the<br />
House of Savoy (Kingdom of Sardinia). A ten-year bloody civil war followed, and, as a result, about one million<br />
people, Neapolitans and Sicilians, were murdered by the <strong>Italian</strong> Army of occupation. The National Treasury of<br />
the Two Sicilies was robbed and appropriated by the invaders. Even machines<br />
from Neapolitan factories were moved to the North. Severe economic depression<br />
followed.<br />
( Above paragraph and map courtesy of: Associazione Culturale Due Sicilie )<br />
Although southern Italy's troubles can be attributed to exploitation by their own<br />
people, I don't believe it is fair (or historically accurate) to attribute all the<br />
suffering to northern <strong>Italian</strong>s alone. In fact, for centuries in all of Italy the entire<br />
peninsula was divided into feuding states, with foreign powers often ruling one<br />
or several states. In this chaotic situation, the feudal system ruled the economic<br />
system. Specifically, the feudal system allowed hereditary land possession to<br />
determine one's political power and social status, so many poor <strong>Italian</strong>s had<br />
almost no opportunity to improve their lives. But it is true, that southern <strong>Italian</strong>s<br />
suffered more hardships than those in the North. The <strong>Italian</strong> government was<br />
dominated by northerners, and southerners were hurt by high taxes and high<br />
protective tariffs on northern industrial goods. Additionally, much of southern<br />
Italy's problems can be attributed to it's lack of coal and iron ore which was<br />
needed by industry; extreme scarcity of cultivatable land, soil erosion,<br />
deforestation, and overpopulation. For the North, their higher level of industrialism meant less poverty and<br />
agricultural difficulties. On top of all of that, several natural disasters rocked southern Italy during the early<br />
20th century: Mt. Vesuvius erupted burying an entire town near Naples, Mt. Etna's eruption, the 1908<br />
earthquake and tidal wave that swept through the Strait of Messina, which killed more than 100,000 people in<br />
the city of Messina alone.<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 12 of 16
Ellis Island<br />
(The following text is from "The World's Work"<br />
written in 1902)<br />
I welcomed Florio Vincenzo when he came over to become<br />
one of us. He had no doubts of the future for he wooed the<br />
Goddess of Good Fortune boldly. Florio is fourteen; he<br />
came from Palermo. He traveled light. When he opened his<br />
cheap paper valise, it was apparently empty, save for a pair<br />
of discredited and disreputable old shoes. Florio bowed,<br />
cap in hand, and his white teeth flashed as he smiled<br />
suavely:<br />
There was an odor that an old inspector knew. He picked<br />
up one of the shoes and extracted from it, after some<br />
manipulation, a creased and crumpled hunk of Bolog na sausage. The other shoe was stuffed with a soft, sticky<br />
and aggressively fragrant mass of <strong>Italian</strong> cheese. These articles and a sum of <strong>Italian</strong> money equivalent to about<br />
$1.80, and the clothes he stood in, formed the basis on which Florio expected to rear his fortune.<br />
Pietro Viarilli was gray-haired, round-shouldered, and weazened. He, too, had come make his fortune. His<br />
impedimenta consisted of one padlocked canvas valise lined with paper and containing two striped cotton<br />
shirts, one neckerchief of yellow silk blue flowers and edges, one black hat (soiled and worn), one waistcoat, two<br />
pairs of woolen hose of gay design, one suit of underwear, one pint of olive oil and about half a peck of hard<br />
bread biscuits. Until his arrival the list included a quart of Vesuvian wine of the rich purple hue one may buy in<br />
cheap cafes in Naples. Carelessly Pietro had slung his valise from his shoulder, and had smashed his bottle,<br />
drenching his store of biscuits. He and his companions had munched them greedily until the supply was<br />
exhausted.<br />
Money Brought by the Immigrants<br />
At the examination the immigrants are asked to show their money. Some craftily fail to show it all; others<br />
willingly display their whole petty hoardings. The money is carefully counted, and, after a record has been taken,<br />
restored to them. Later, they are asked if they wish any money changed. Many refuse for fear of being cheated;<br />
others stop before the busy money-changers' booth at the end of the long examination room.<br />
Last year the 388,931 immigrants showed $5,490,080, an average of $14.12 The French led all the others with<br />
an average of $39.37. The Hebrews stood at the foot of the list bringing on an average $8.58. The Germans<br />
followed the French with an average of $31.14. The other nationalities stood in the list as follows:<br />
Race Average per Capita<br />
<strong>Italian</strong>s(Northern) $23.53<br />
Bohemian and Moravian $22.78<br />
Scandinavian $18.16<br />
Irish $17.10<br />
Ar menian $15.75<br />
Croation and Dalmation $ 15.54<br />
Greek $15.10<br />
Slovak $12.31 Magyar $10.96<br />
<strong>Italian</strong>(Southern) $8.67<br />
Roughly speaking, the North-of-Europe people make better citizens than those from the South of Europe. The<br />
better class go to the country and the worst to the cities. Greeks are considered about the least desirable of all;<br />
the <strong>Italian</strong>s from the southern portion of the peninsula also make poor citizens; but those from the northern<br />
part of Italy rank with the Swiss and other desirable nationalities.<br />
At Work<br />
In an open ditch, red and raw under a broiling sun, sixty-five <strong>Italian</strong> immigrants, stripped to the necessities,<br />
toiled silently with shovel and pick. A hard-faced, red-necked man, their taskmaster, walked up and down the<br />
trench, and wherever he stopped the men worked with feverish speed. Temporarily, at least, this will be the fate<br />
of thousands of the other immigrants who flowed in through Ellis Island in this year's spring flood, the greatest<br />
in twenty years.<br />
These Greeks and the Southern <strong>Italian</strong>s, however, who live by selling fruit from the push carts in the city streets,<br />
earn considerable sums of money. An old <strong>Italian</strong> was detained at Ellis Island, preparatory to being deported<br />
because he had arrived here penniless. He sent for his son, a push-cart man, who had been in this country just<br />
one year. The boy (he was not more than twenty) brought his book showing deposits aggregating $250. This<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 13 of 16
money represented the sum he had saved. He impressed upon the inspectors his ability to support his father,<br />
and the old man was admitted. The boy said his expenses were about $7.00 a week, and that he did not work for<br />
a padrone, but was an independent merchant.(End of text from "The World's Work" written in 1902)<br />
Life In A New World<br />
And so... to America we came, hundreds upon hundreds of thousands until we were more than four million. We<br />
faced overwhelming prejudice, poverty and the isolation of being in a strange and unfriendly country. The<br />
majority came to the US when they were very young with high hopes for a better future for themselves and their<br />
families. They found that not only were the streets not paved with gold but that they were expected to pave<br />
them. We soon discovered that we were here to do the dirty work that nobody else wanted to do. We came to a<br />
place that considered us and treated us as less than equal. (Read the comments written above.) We were<br />
regarded as low class, stupid and inferior.<br />
We had to learn how to hide our foreignness. We had to learn how to fit in and to adapt and so we did. However,<br />
we still held our heads high and we were still proud of where we came from and of who we were. The<br />
mainstream of society tried to humbled us, but we refused to believe that they were better than us and we<br />
refused to be treated as inferior. We learned to speak English, we found jobs, we started our own businesses. We<br />
joined unions and we even formed our own unions. We bought our own homes and we succeeded in spite of the<br />
prejudice, discrimination, and less than friendly welcome we received in the US.<br />
We stuck together and even managed to preserve the <strong>Italian</strong> way of life back in Italy by sending home a great<br />
deal of money. In the US, <strong>Italian</strong>s mobilized to preserve their culture. In <strong>Italian</strong> neighborhoods, <strong>Italian</strong> shops<br />
and other businesses sprung up. <strong>Italian</strong>s made it a habit to buy from other <strong>Italian</strong>s. We kept the money in the<br />
community and we prospered. I remember my father would never buy from a 'mericano' (<strong>American</strong>) if he could<br />
by it from an <strong>Italian</strong>. <strong>Italian</strong>-<strong>American</strong> newspapers were published in major cities, immigrant-aid and fraternal<br />
societies were formed --i.e., Sons of Italy etc. All of this greatly helped the continuously arriving immigrants who<br />
in addition to the strong <strong>Italian</strong> work ethic, brought dance, music and food! In fact, <strong>Italian</strong> food is now a staple<br />
of the <strong>American</strong> diet.<br />
Little Italy New York City Circa 1905<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 14 of 16
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:<br />
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS:<br />
Jack Giamportone lost his mom and her sister in<br />
an automobile accident.<br />
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:<br />
NONE THIS MONTH<br />
Nick Guarino has been diagnosed with a tumor<br />
behind one of his eyes.<br />
Frank Palermo is recovering from surgery.<br />
Frank Ferraro’s mother-in-law, Mary Metzger,<br />
will be undergoing extensive medical tests.<br />
Bill Macario has been admitted to the rehab<br />
section of Cary Health & Rehab on Tryon Road<br />
Dale Mancuso's wife, Lorraine is having back<br />
surgery Jan. 16th at Rex Hospital<br />
Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.<br />
BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:<br />
M EMBERS<br />
Chris Palmisano<br />
Vince Salvaggio<br />
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS<br />
Vickie Christofaro<br />
Rosa D’Arduini<br />
Ann Marie Doria<br />
Carole Frangiosa<br />
Sherry Salvaggio<br />
EDITOR:<br />
I s something newsworthy?<br />
Let us know, send it to<br />
Neal Caliendo: nealcali@yahoo.com<br />
CONGR ATULATIONS<br />
Joe Larotonda’s daughter graduated from UNC.<br />
If you know of an illness, birth, death, marriage, etc., of<br />
a TIAHA member or member’s family, please contact:<br />
Neal Caliendo: nealcali@yahoo.com<br />
(919)846-2747<br />
and/or<br />
Tony Aiello: taiello1@nc.rr.com<br />
(919)554-4676<br />
If your e-mail and/or home address changes, please<br />
notify Vince Conzola, at (919) 878-7976,<br />
conzola@us.ibm.com .<br />
The deadline for submitting input to the newsletter<br />
is the second Wednesday of the month.<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 15 of 16
<strong>Triangle</strong> <strong>Italian</strong>-<strong>American</strong> <strong>Heritage</strong> <strong>Association</strong><br />
P.O. Box 20266, Raleigh, North Carolina 27619<br />
TIAHA UPCOMING EVENTS<br />
**************************************************************************************<br />
December 21st (Wednesday), 6:30 PM - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Knights of Columbus, New Hope<br />
and Columbus Roads, Raleigh.<br />
January 3rd (Tuesday), 6:30 PM – EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING: Knights of Columbus, New Hope and<br />
Columbus Roads, Raleigh.<br />
January 18th (Wednesday), 6:30 PM - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Knights of Columbus, New Hope<br />
and Columbus Roads, Raleigh.<br />
January 22nd (Sunday), 3:00 PM – POT LUCK DINNER Odd Fellows Lodge, 7805 Six Forks Road, Raleigh<br />
February 7th (Tuesday), 6:30 PM – EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING: Knights of Columbus, New Hope and<br />
Columbus Roads, Raleigh.<br />
February 15th (Wednesday), 6:30 PM - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Knights of Columbus, New Hope<br />
and Columbus Roads, Raleigh.<br />
January 20<strong>06</strong> Page 16 of 16