giugno / June 2022
1956 Fireboat Tommy relocated to
Fire Museum of Maryland
The Fire Museum of Maryland reports, "It finally happened! The fireboat Tommy, named after Little Italy resident and Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., has arrived at its new home." The Fire Museum, in Lutherville, Maryland, accepted the boat in pieces on a May morning at 3:15 a.m. Restoration has begun, yet will likely take several years before visitors will be able to step into the wheelhouse to learn about the vessel and maritime firefighting.
The 1956 Tommy was Baltimore City's first diesel-powered fireboat, and the most powerful one the city had owned, at 12,000 gallons of water per minute. After having served the city faithfully until 2007, the fireboat was decommissioned and sold for scrap, however, a significant portion was saved. The Fire Museum worked to transport the boat to the museum, believing it deserves to be resurrected and on permanent display.
"Baltimore's Italian community has been so supportive of the project," said Amy Landsman, the museum's Media Relations Director, "but our work isn't yet done, and fundraising is ongoing." (Photo courtesy Fire Museum of Maryland.)

Interested supporters of Tommy the fireboat can mail checks to:

Fire Museum of Maryland
1301-R York Road
Lutherville, Maryland 21093
(memo on check - "Tommy")

The museum welcomes new volunteers.
Call Steve or Paul at 410-321-7500.
Fairytales do come true - at any age
They say it's never too late for anything in life. Little Italy resident and native Baltimorean Sallie Mullen is a happy example of that. She met Peter Cole in Fall 2017 while staying at a friend's home in Umbria, Italy, they began dating in Spring 2019, and married April 30, 2022 on the outdoor terrace at Scarlett Place in Little Italy.

"Thanks to my parents’ intercession, the weather was absolutely perfect," said Mullen, "and the event was a special, fun party." Three members of Saint Leo's musical ministry played and sang, led by parishioner Sue Georg. (Sallie is a parishioner of Saint Leo's and a member of its musical group, The Misfits.) "My two brothers, Jim and Michael, gave me away in front of 97 guests. Joy abounded!"

Sallie is adjusting not only to being a first-time new bride at age 75; but she and Peter, 79, now live full-time in central Umbria, Italy. "Our newly built house [pictured] is in a small village of Ripaioli near Todi, a medieval hilltop town," says Mullen. "We spend our time socializing with friends and expats from many countries; day-tripping within Umbria and Toscana; visiting other parts of Italy; tending our 350 olive trees, herb garden, and fruit orchard [cherries, figs, pears, plums]; and hosting visitors from the states."

Mullen was born in the Northwood area of Baltimore and educated at Saint Matthew School, Notre Dame Prep, and Notre Dame of Maryland University where she majored in French and minored in Italian. Peter is from Devon, England.

From Piccola Italia to Italia ... auguri to the happy couple ... viva Italia!
Little Italy featured in Sicilian magazine
It takes a neighborhood
Bravo, Saint Leo's Church did it! After a two-year hiatus, the parish hosted a very successful Italian festival the first weekend of June - the traditional Feast of Saint Anthony, established 1904. A million thanks are extended to each of you who volunteered or attended, ultimately proving your commitment to the parish, the neighborhood, and our Italian heritage, in honor of our ancestors from Italy who formed Piccola Italia over a century ago - and for whom Saint Leo's was established. It definitely takes a neighborhood to plan an Italian festival - we proved tradition can continue!
A special shout out to volunteers from Apartment Services and Helping Up Mission who tirelessly set up, collected trash for two days, cleaned up, and broke down the festival. Please remember helpingupmission.org when considering a local organization to support. [Photos courtesy Rob Daniels.]
Little Italy events
BOOK READING
2 Italian Cousins, 2 Authors
Tuesday, June 21
5:30– 8:30 pm

Chiapparelli's Restaurant
237 S. High Street, Little Italy

Italian American cousins, Rosalia Scalia and Antoinette Scaffidi, will present book readings in their hometown neighborhood of Baltimore's Little Italy. Scalia will read a short story, Picking Cicoria, about a girl growing up in the city's Italian neighborhood, from her debut collection, Stumbling Toward Grace, published Fall 2021. Scaffidi will read from her new children's book, Not Down, Up Mommy! about Michael, a boy born with Down Syndrome, inspired by her nephew. Both books will be available for sale and signing. 

LAST CALL!
Honor your famiglia in
commemorative booklet
Host a Family
Remembrance page
This commemorative booklet will be created for the September 18th Little Italy Celebration. (You do NOT need to attend the event to host a page.) A portion of booklet revenue will be donated to St. Leo's.

Ideas for your family page:
  • Tell your story related to Little Italy.
  • Recall memories of Little Italy.
  • Write a message from your family.
  • Memorialize deceased family members.
  • Include photographs or vintage documents, such as ship ticket, passports, marriage certificate, etc.

Full page = $65
(up to 3 photos, 175 words)

Half page = $35
(1 photo, 80 words)
Blast from the past
Marsiglia Family circa 1927
submitted by Sandra Marsiglia Berry

"My grandparents, Vincent & Anna (Vinci) Marsiglia with five of their children. Left to right: Joseph Anthony, Vincent John (father), Virginia Josephine (baby), Carmelo Peter, Anna Josephine (mother), Salvatore (Sam) John, and Francis (Frank) Joseph. 
Vincent and Anna, both born in Cefalu, Sicily, separately immigrated to the United States with family members and were married at Saint Leo's Church in Little Italy on June 3, 1917. The family was living at 411 Colvin Street at the time of this photo and by 1950, had moved to 6925 Harford Road. My father, Peter Frank Marsiglia, was born in 1929. Baby Virginia, who appears to be approximately one year old, was born in 1926.My grandparents' first baby, Joseph, born in 1919, lived less than one year - he died of a heart condition."

Sandra manages the facebook group, Family Ties to Cefalu, Sicily, Italy
and reports it is doing well with 1,007 members.
 Include caption, people ID, location, approximate year, and your name.
Photos must be Little Italy or Italian immigrant-related.
from our email box
"I just wanted to tell you that the last edition of Neighborhood News was much appreciated! The story about Father Bernie and his benefactor - touching and beautiful! Then there was Maggi Ayd Reid's While in Rome, then the photo of the Lodge Foundation guys. Would you believe several of them were Little Leaguers on the league I helped form? I even recall some of their names!! Only problem I have is recalling the 'old neighborhood' and the good folks there is bittersweet."
~ Joe Pente in Florida

"The article [on Father Bernie's new kidney] is wonderful and I wish him many, many healthy and productive years ahead. He will be forever in my prayers. I feel a part of the Saint Leo's family thanks to you. My Adam [kidney donor] is a caring individual. Words cannot express how thankful I am for all the prayers many offered for these two individuals. God is good. He does listen."
~ Sincerely, Barbara in New Jersey

"I don't know Father Bernie but feel like I do through your newsletter. So glad to learn of this happy news!"
~ Deb Carson in Florida

"Thank you for the update on Father Bernie and a world of thanks to Adam, who will be remembered as I say my Rosary every day.Thank you, Jesus, for prayers answered."
~ Nancy Benizio Menefee in Maryland

"Thank you for all that you do."
~ Mark Dardozzi in Maryland
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