Dear Readers,
As September is the month in which we celebrate Labor Day I thought I would focus on the diversity of ways Italians and Italian Americans enrich their communities by spotlighting those unselfish and often unsung “heroes” of Italian American organizations throughout the U.S.A.... The Volunteers. To the celebrations we go, we enjoy, we look, we eat, but who is standing there stirring the huge cauldron of polenta, inhaling the smoke from the sausages on the grill for our “salsiccia” sandwiches, helping set up, or deep frying the calamari?
The Festa Volunteers... In nearly every state there are Italian religious festas, some launched over 100 years ago, such as the Feast of Maria SS Lauretana, one of the most elaborate patron saint festivals in the Chicago area, begun in 1900 by a group of “paesani” from Altavilla Milicia, a small mountain town 12 miles from Palermo on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
This festival is usually held over Labor Day weekend in Berwyn and as the traditional carro passes by, two young “angels” float above the one ton flower bedecked Vara carried by Festival Volunteers. In New York there is the century old festa of San Paolino di Nola celebrated in Brooklyn in honor of Saint Paolino and his heroic act of sacrifice in the ancient city of Nola, near Naples. In this annual celebration a 12 -piece brass band weaves through the neighborhood playing joyous Italian folk songs while a five-ton, five- story, sixty-five foot high, hand-sculpted tower is carried on the shoulders of 125 men, all Festa Volunteers.
In California there are an “abbondanza” of Italian Ame- rican organizations sponsoring Italian-themed celebrations, but this year marks the 142nd Annual San Fransisco Italian Heritage Parade (also known as the Columbus Day Celebration) on October 10, 2010.
It is the oldest Italian American parade in the U.S.A. The parade showcases marching bands, drill teams, elaborate floats, festive entertainers and local celebrities. Winding its way from Fisherman’s Wharf through North Beach, this time- honored traditions is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
This community event is sponsored by the Columbus Day Celebration organization, which in these challenging economic times could use a little extra support in the form of donated raffle items or club donors and sponsors. (Call Linda Toschi-Chambers at 415.317.3758 for more information). The Columbus Day Celebration Group are all volunteers.
In Boston it is the dedication of V olunteers in the North End that continues to make their “Little Italy” one of the most vibrant in the U.S. I first visited the North End in 1976, the year our country was celebrating its Bicentennial and my godson Anthony Cannistraci married his fiancee, the lovely Loretta Costanzo, of Boston. While following “The Freedom Trail” to the Old North Church of “one if by land, two if by sea” fame, I followed the spray-painted sidewalk freedom footsteps right to some of the best cannoli and gelato I had ever tasted, and discovered the North End!
Today my godson, whose wed- ding I attended nearly 35 years ago is overjoyed because his son Peter and wife Melinda will soon make him and Loretta “nonni.” His daughter Angela, a recent college graduate, just purchased a condo off Hanover Street, in the Italian stronghold of Boston’s North End. Tony is always there helping remodel and having a morning cappuccino, enjoying the authentic cuisine and hanging out with the old-timers.
There are over 150 Italian restaurants and bakeries, as well as a strong religious presence there. Angie’s condo is directly across the street from Maria SS Della Cava Chapel near St. Leonard’s church and around the corner from Saint Agrippina Di Mineo Sicilia Society, the society in the North End that manages the building and was founded in 1914. Also, there is a shrine on the side of Angie’s building called “All Saints Way”, created and maintained by Peter Baldasare, the building’s superintendent, displaying over a hundred saints.
This helps my godson, Anthony sleep better at night, knowing his daughter’s safety is in the hands of ethereal rather than earthly bodyguards. Now, “grazie” to my godson Anthony “Tony” Cannistraci, I can share this info on Boston’s beautiful and historic North End in part with you: “When our daughter Angela purchased a condo in the North End off of famed Hanover Street, it turned out to be an enjoyable opportunity for me, having retired in January 2010.
Together with my contractor Giuliano Asci (a native born Italian) we worked, mingled with the Italian community and enjoyed eating extended meals to accommodate our North End “Dolce Vita.” During the summer there are Italian Feasts every weekend and volunteers help make each festa a splendid memory for visitors.
Building superintendent Peter Baldasare, now 65, born and raised in the North End and the creator of “All Saints Way” has been supporting the North End through his continuous community service for decades. Book yourself to Boston next summer as there is nothing like the North End, located in the heart of Boston, near the water-front, Boston’s sports venues - Fenway Park and TD Garden, and numerous historic sites. It is safe, even late at night where there are numerous restaurant, pastry shop, and cafe patrons still waiting in line to enjoy a party of the senses in this ever-increasing vibrant community. Visit Boston’s North End soon and “Mille Grazie” to all of our volunteers!
