Bocce courts under construction
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Bravo, Little Italy is getting new bocce courts! These well-loved
and popular courts on Stiles Street are being refurbished
after having seen hundreds of bocce games and
tournaments throughout the decades.
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How did this project evolve?
The bocce courts were built in 1993 on behalf of the Little Italy Community Organization (LICO) for the community, and enjoyed by its senior residents, led by the late
Joe Scalia
. The Little Italy Bocce Leagues (Tuesday & Wednesday) began soon after and grew from six teams to its current 32. During the past 26 years, the courts have been used for local and national tournaments. LICO and the Little Italy Bocce League (LIBL) assist with the annual bocce tournaments held during Saint Leo's summer Italian Festivals; the tournament draws hundreds of people into the courts to play and spectate. The almost constant use of the courts has taken its toll, naturally; during the last 10 years LICO & LIBL have worked diligently to rebuild them. Both the Department of Recreation & Parks and Baltimore City Government have assisted and a budget was approved in 2018 to completely rebuild the courts.
Who is doing the construction? What exactly will be done?
Flannigan Construction Company was commissioned for the project to do a complete overhaul. The two courts will be moved to the right about two feet; a walkway will be added to the side against the brick wall; and a drainage system installed under the courts. As well, the required handicap accessibility ramp will be installed where the trees were; new benches of composite weatherproof material will be added, along with canopies and string lighting.
When will the courts be complete? Will spring leagues play?
The estimated completion date is late May to early June - everyone is praying for good weather! It is hopeful the spring league will play, although it may be a shortened season. Bocce players and residents are excited to see the finished product!
(Information provided by
Giovanna Blattermann
and
Fran Blattermann
)
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STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FLAG HOUSE
in Little Italy will host its annual Flag Day
Friday, June 14
. FREE tours will be offered along with the official unveiling of the preservation work to the historic house. Take a look at the early days of the museum and the first measures to save the Flag House.
Museum opens 10 am
Tours 10-11 am & 1-4 pm
Formal Program 12 pm
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MUGS' SPACE TO REOPEN:
The former Fawn Confectionery was a fixture of Little Italy for seven decades. Marion "Mugs" Mugavero (pictured in his famous phone booth), the son of Italian immigrants, opened his corner store in 1947, which became a neighborhood hangout for kids in the 1950s & '60s. They dubbed it "Mugs' Corner." The space was refurbished in 2013 by Mugs' son,
Greg Mugavero
, who operated it briefly as Mugs' Italian Bistro. Mugs died in 2015 but lives on in our hearts.
Read story >>>
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Saint Leo's annual
MOTHER'S DAY
MASS & PROCESSION
honors The Blessed Mother as the parish's First Holy Communicants crown her statue and lead the procession through the streets. Join in for this lovely event, hosted by Sodality of Our Lady of St. Leo's Church.
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ST. LEO'S ITALIAN FESTIVALS
are rapidly approaching and it's never too early to begin staffing the booths. If you'd like to work the June 1-2 festival,
email Volunteer Coordinator Wanda Daniels
to indicate
which day and shift you prefer.
High school students
are welcome, too, and can earn service hours for volunteering.
Choose your shift for
Saturday, June 1:
- 11 am - 8 pm
- 11 am - 3:30 pm
- 3:30 - 8 pm
Or choose your shift for
Sunday, June 2:
- 10:30 am - 7 pm
- 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
- 2:30 - 7 pm
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- MUSTANG ALLEY'S BOWLING BISTRO will close in June on the second floor of the historic Tack Factory building in Little Italy. Owners said they weren't able to renegotiate its lease. [What is the Tack Factory? Read about its history in BLAST FROM THE PAST in this issue.]
- SWEET LOUIE'S, a new hair salon and coffee house in the heart of Little Italy at 245 Albemarle Street, opens May 1 by owner and founder, Pamela Needleman, a Little Italy resident. Pamela announces this "with joy and excitement" and invites you to "experience this unique and fun new adventure." She named the new business after her dog, Louie, who is well-known around the neighborhood.
- The 21st annual KINETIC SCULPTURE RACE on Saturday, May 4 will pass through Little Italy twice. The race starts and finishes from the American Visionary Art Museum. It will move along President Street towards Fleet Street approximately 10:30-10:45 am and again along Eastern Avenue approximately 3:30-3:45 pm.
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Saturday & Sunday
June 1 & 2, 2019
Feast of Saint Anthony
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Saturday & Sunday
August 17 & 18, 2019
Feast of Saint Gabriele
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INTERESTED IN HOSTING A FESTIVAL BOOTH?
Businesses and individuals offering cash-n-carry products for sale (Italian-related preferred, but others accepted upon approval) are invited to participate in Saint Leo's summer Italian festivals - do one fest or do both! Hours are Saturday 12-8 pm and Sunday 11am-7 pm. Booth size is 10x10 for a $300 donation to Saint Leo Church. Click button for an application.
Also,
FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIPS
are offered;
email Rob Daniels at Saint Leo's
.
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The
Little Italy Madonarri Arts Festival
will welcome 50 local and international
artists from Italy, South America, Japan, and around the U.S. as they literally
paint the streets
with exquisite traditional and 3D art masterpieces! Besides art, expect:
- Continuous live music onstage
- Rooftop Beatles concert
- Street performers
- Children’s Chalk Center
- Art Market
- Al fresco dining at most Little Italy restaurants
Last fall, 30,000 people attended! Sponsorship opportunities are available, including painting your corporate logo
in a key intersection.
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History of Little Italy book available
during June 1-2 Italian Festival
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SYNOPSIS:
Before outdoor films, mouth watering cuisine and the spectacle of bocce brought thousands of visitors to its streets, Baltimore’s Little Italy was a haven for generations of immigrants. With Saint Leo’s Church at its heart, The Neighborhood is a place where lifelong friendships are forged and nicknames are serious business. The community still celebrates the Feast of Saint Anthony Italian Festival in tribute to the saint who was credited with saving the neighborhood from the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. As sons went to the front during both world wars, families pulled together during the hard times. With memories of beloved local figures like Marion “Mugs” Mugavero and artist Tony DeSales, interviews with lifelong locals and a few classic recipes, author Suzanna Rosa Molino creates a spirited history of this enduring Italian community.
"You covered all the bases ... personal touches, accuracy and everything else that blends a historic and personal tale as a very touching adventure."
~ Joe Pente
"My 90-year-old father has been reading the book since it arrived.
All he keeps saying is, 'This is a wonderful book. Thank you for getting
this for me.' He said it's like going back to his youth."
~ Bruno Conticello
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LINA hosts Progressive Dinner
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Little Italy Neighborhood Association
(LINA) hosted its first Little Italy Progressive Dinner April 28 with a turnout of 57 happy diners. The group met at
Chiapparelli's
for its popular salad; walked to
Germano's Piattini
for fresh homemade
tagliatelle
; then onto
La Tavola
for Chef Carlo's special
pesce
. The evening finished with dessert at where else?
Vaccaro's
Italian Pastry Shop.
(top photo - "Cin-Cin" at Chip's!)
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Neighbors cheer at Germano's
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Maureen Sutherland Weiser
, a Little Italy resident, enjoys the main course at La Tavola
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Enjoying dessert at Vaccaro's
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What is the Tack Factory in Little Italy?
This building on the corner of 1300 Bank Street and Central Avenue shows up on records in 1858, believed first to be built as a school in the middle of the Civil War, but needed in 1863 as the Union Relief Association, a resting place for wounded Confederate soldiers and prisoners to be fed and housed before being moved to Philadelphia hospitals by railroad. Two Holland brothers from Connecticut founded the Tack Factory in 1897, formally named the Holland Manufacturing Company. The plant, which employed mostly Italians from the neighborhood, manufactured brads, nails, tacks, staples and fasteners, upholstery and rugs, as well as fasteners needed to hold together skins of major-league baseballs during the stitching process.
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2019 EVENTS
Sat-Sun, May 25-26
15th Anniversary Party
Simpatico celebrates its anniversary over Memorial Day weekend with a special
wine & food tasting!
Friday, August 23
Italian Wine & Opera Dinner Scossa Restaurant & Lounge
Saturday, October 12
10th Annual
Italian Wine & Food Celebration Columbus Weekend
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A Little Piece of Italy
in the Heart of
St. Michaels, Maryland
Italian Wine, Liqueurs, Spirits, Food, Ceramics & more ...
all imported from Italy!
New shipment just arrived!
Antipasti
from Marche, Italy along with beautiful ceramics
Complimentary
wine, Limoncello &
food tasting daily!
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104-106 Railroad Ave. ~ St. Michaels, Maryland
410-745-0345
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"I am a former Little Italy resident (1949-1958) as were all of my family and my mother's family (Marinelli). I now live in retirement in Vasto (Abruzzo) Italy, the birthplace of my maternal grandparents, Marzia DiCintio and Michele Marinelli. I am writing to you just to underscore the importance of the Feast of St. Joseph which is also Father's Day here in Italy. The feast day not only celebrates fathers, but it also is associated with the feast of food which includes the very popular
zeppole,
a Father's Day traditional pastry."
~ Tony Mileto
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SCENES FROM VASTO, ITALY, region of ABRUZZO
Courtesy Tony Mileto
(above)
Bagnante, an iconic bronze sculpture of
a female bather which is a very popular monument;
(below)
Vasto viewed from the promenade in Vasto Marina;
and overlooking the beach from town.
Tony said Vasto residents have possible family connections between them
and Baltimore's Italian community with these names:
Tana, Manna, Molino, Menna, Esposito, Carozza, Marchesani, D'Adamo, Dalesandro.
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Share a photo of YOU in Italy!
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Promotion Center for Little Italy
EDITOR:
Director & Founder
EDITORIAL ADVISOR:
Ray Alcaraz
Co-Founder & President
Promotion Center for Little Italy, Baltimore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization established in 2010 with a mission to promote Little Italy's events, community organizations, history and Italian heritage.
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STAY CONNECTED TO LITTLE ITALY
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