On September 1st, I left North Carolina for a week of Italian culture in Pennsylvania. Mia cugina (my cousin), Helene, was instrumental in planning the trip which included two lectures at Senior Centers, two bookstore author events, a night of Italian culture and food at the Pittston Memorial Library, and two Italian festivals.

 

During Labor Day Weekend, La Festa Italiana is Scranton’s annual homage to its Italian population. The three-day festival, in its 32nd year, attracts more than 200,000 to downtown Scranton’s historic Courthouse Square; and profits are donated to local charities. A large stage provided the setting for a variety of bands and entertainers; and the roads surrounding the Square were filled with vendors offering a variety of Italian foods, crafts, and displays. On Sunday, the Mass in Italian is so popular, the standing-room only service is televised.

 

The following weekend, the Felittese Festival in Old Forge pays tribute to Our Lady of Constantinople, the patron saint of Felitto, Italy (in the region of Campania). The annual event features a Mass and a procession of a statue of the saint; and proceeds from the festival are distributed to local churches and charities. The neighborhood event includes stage performances and Old Forge Pizza, a regional pizza, rectangular in shape with a slightly sweet sauce and mild cheese; sold as “red” or “white” in cuts, rather than slices, and trays instead of pies.

 

Old Forge is well known for its pizza, and the town has a large proportion of pizza restaurants in relation to its population. Five years ago, a group of restaurant owners formed an association and applied for a patent to name Old Forge the “Pizza Capital of the World.”

 

One highlight of my visit to Pennsylvania was the author night hosted by the Friends of the Pittston Memorial Library. A large crowd filled the room to capacity and I answered questions about Italian culture and Con Amore. At the end of the discussion, I was presented with a glass tomato and commemorative cup, souvenirs of the Pittston Tomato Festival. Members of the library prepared Italian food and provided beautiful fall decorations. Thank you, Brenda, Melissa, and the Friends of the Library for all your work and for a wonderful evening.

 

Old Forge Pizza
Arcaro & Genell
Best Pizza in Eastern U.S.

 

 

In case you didn’t know, next month – that’s tomorrow! – is Italian American Heritage Month. Here’s a partial list of dates and names of some of the accomplished Italians and Italian Americans who have significantly contributed to America:

 

October 1: The Italian Immigrant A day to honor every Italian who journeyed to America from Italy.
October 2: Amadeo Pietro Giannini Established the banking system in America.
October 3: Guglielmo Marconi Known as the Father of Radio for his experiments with long distance wireless transmissions.
October 4: Filippo Mazzei Supporter of American freedom during American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson’s inclusion of “all men are created equal” into the Declaration of Independence is a paraphrase of Mazzei’s “All men are by nature equally free and independent.”
October 5: Antonio Meucci Original holder of the patent for the forerunner of today’s telephone.
October 6: Joe DiMaggio “The Yankee Clipper” led the NY Yankees to nine World Championships.
October 7: Mario Lanza Renowned tenor and film star in the mid-1950s.
October 8: Ella T. Grasso First woman in America to become state governor in her own right.
October 9: Father Pietro Bandini Missionary for Native Americans. In 1898 established Tontitown, “a perfect example of colonization," in Arkansas.
October 10: Enrico Fermi Discovered radioactive elements that heralded the nuclear age.
October 11:Antonio Pasin Created Radio Flyer wagon.
October 12: Christopher Columbus Navigator that changed the world, opening trade routes and allowing immigration from Europe to the Americas.

 

For the entire list go to Thirty-One Days of Italians. Several pages have been added to the Web site including 2007 Quick Facts, ideas to Celebrate Italian American Heritage Month with Thirty-One Days of Italians, and a Sponsors and Supporters page. Last month, I was awarded a grant from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) in support of my work. Thank you, NIAF!

 

This newsletter is longer than usual, but I recently received this e-mail (twice) that I must share. Thanks, Linn and Helene.

 

Those of us of Italian background will relate to this, it is so true......

 

American kids: Move out when they're 18 with the full support of their parents. Italian kids: Move out when they're 28, having saved enough money for a house, and are two weeks away from getting married....unless there's room in the basement for the newlyweds.

 

American kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, and you sip coffee and chat. Italian kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the furniture.

 

American kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them, and it's usually only on special occasions. Italian kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads show up, unannounced on a Saturday morning at 8:00, and starts pruning the fruit trees. If there are no fruit trees, he'll plant some.

 

American kids: Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they need to have something done. Italian kids: Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad's or uncle's phone number to get it done...cash deal. Know what I mean??

 

American kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get only cake and coffee. No more. Italian kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get antipasto, wine, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad, bread, a cannoli, fruit, espresso, and a few after dinner drinks.

 

American kids: Will greet you with "Hello" or "Hi". Italian kids: Will give you a big hug, a kiss on your cheek, and a pat on your back.

 

American kids: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs. Italian kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

 

American kids: Have never seen you cry. Italian kids: Cry with you.

 

American kids: Borrow your stuff for a few days and then return it. Italian kids: Keep your stuff so long, they forget it's yours.

 

American kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave. Italian kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together.

 

American kids: Know few things about you. Italian kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

 

American kids: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft mushy white bread. Italian kids: Eat Genoa Salami and Provolone sandwiches on crusty Italian bread.

 

American kids: Are for a while. Italian kids: Are for life.

 

American kids: Like Rod Stewart, and Steve Tyrell. Italian kids: Worship Tony Bennett, and Sinatra

 

American kids: Think that being Italian is cool. Italian kids: Know that being Italian is cool.

 

American kids: Will ignore this. Italian kids: Will forward it.