VISIT US ON-LINE AT - The Italian Club of Tampa
VISIT US ON-LINE AT - The Italian Club of Tampa
VISIT US ON-LINE AT - The Italian Club of Tampa
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JULY/AUG<strong>US</strong>T 2004<br />
Friends Of<br />
L’Unione <strong>Italian</strong>a<br />
We extend a special thanks to the following supporters for their specific commitment to help the <strong>Club</strong>’s Newsletter.<br />
Please join as a Friend <strong>of</strong> L’Unione <strong>Italian</strong>a now! Call the <strong>of</strong>fice for information.<br />
Ruben & Yuyi Alfaras<br />
Joe & Dora Caltagirone<br />
Philip & Jennie Caltagirone<br />
Grace S. Campisi<br />
Dr. & Mrs. Felix M. Cannella<br />
Felix M. Cannella, Jr.<br />
A. Nicole Capitano<br />
Frank David & Cristiana Capitano<br />
Joseph & Gilda Capitano<br />
Joseph, Jr. & Michelle Capitano<br />
Nick & Angie Capitano<br />
Nina & Rosario Ciccarello<br />
Violet Conte<br />
Laura DeLucia<br />
Tom & Anna Maria DiCesare<br />
Nick DiMaggio<br />
Victor & Mercedes DiMaio<br />
William J. Ferlita, Sr.<br />
Jennifer A. Fisch<br />
Dr. & Mrs. Angelo L. Greco<br />
Dan Iovino<br />
Frank F. Megna<br />
Rose P. Midulla<br />
Rosalie Nocilla<br />
Carol Olive<br />
Maria Leto Pasetti<br />
Violet Verroca Rodriguez<br />
Jim & Linda Taggart<br />
Stephanie M. Cannella-vanBelzen<br />
Peter & Margo Valenti<br />
First National Bank<br />
<strong>Italian</strong>s in Alabama<br />
More than 100 years ago, a<br />
colony <strong>of</strong> <strong>Italian</strong> farmers and<br />
laborers arrived in a heavily<br />
wooded area in Alabama that<br />
they named “Daphne”. <strong>The</strong><br />
colonists were in awe <strong>of</strong> the<br />
beautiful trees and flowers that<br />
grew wild in the area. So they<br />
named the area Daphne who<br />
was the beautiful woman that<br />
that the Greek god Zeus turned<br />
into a laurel tree.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se immigrants did not go<br />
directly to this area from Italy.<br />
Most were in the Midwest<br />
working in cities and on farms,<br />
when they were lured to south<br />
Alabama by Alessandro<br />
Mastro-Valerio, an <strong>Italian</strong> who<br />
bought large parcels <strong>of</strong> land<br />
around Daphne. He <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
property to other <strong>Italian</strong>s who<br />
came to farm the rich land selling<br />
it to them for $1 an acre. He<br />
believed that the <strong>Italian</strong>s could live<br />
better in this environment than in<br />
the cities <strong>of</strong> the Midwest. <strong>The</strong><br />
industrious <strong>Italian</strong>s cleared the<br />
land and started crops and cattle<br />
farms that continue today. Later<br />
they established sawmills, shops,<br />
cotton gins and restaurants.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y also held on to their heritage<br />
by passing on the customs and<br />
religion <strong>of</strong> the old country. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
formed a mutual aid society much<br />
like <strong>Tampa</strong>’s <strong>Italian</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, known<br />
as the Progressive <strong>Italian</strong> Society.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Society aided immigrants in<br />
their acclimation to the new<br />
country and established a<br />
PAGE 22<br />
cemetery. In conjunction with the<br />
local church, they annually<br />
sponsored Festa <strong>Italian</strong>a, serving<br />
family recipes handed down for<br />
generations.<br />
When heritage is important, <strong>Italian</strong><br />
traditions can survive even in the<br />
Deep South.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Alabama Great Seal
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