The connection and bond between families in Italy and America is a long historical tale - and continues to remain strong. To this day, many in our Italian American community travel to our motherland of Italy to walk the streets of relatives and visit with family who "never came over." Some of us still have parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles in Italy who periodically visit us in the U.S.A. to immerse briefly in our contemporary lives - and see the country where multitudes of Italian immigrants made their home in the
1850s-1900s.
New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. - certainly those are the 'must see' locales for any foreigner visiting America. For three September weeks, Will Matricciani was busy escorting his Italian cousin, Marco Angelozzi, 38, around the east coast sightseeing in those same cities, including Baltimore. So much to do, to show, to eat, to be proud of.
"But first, a stop at Saint Leo's Church in Little Italy. I had to bring him to where it all started," said Will, who grew up at 229 S. Exeter Street, next to Saint Leo's rectory. Will remains an active member of Baltimore's Italian American community today.
"Interestingly, my dad, Luigi, was the only one of his six siblings to come to America from Abruzzo," said Will. "I still have a lot of famiglia over there. Marco is the grandson of my Zia [aunt] Anna Matricciani - my dad's sister."
Although Marco now resides in Switzerland, he's a native of San Remo, Italy, near the French border. This was his first visit to America.
"He has never had a corned beef sandwich," said Will, "so I bought him one in New York City - where better to introduce him to one?!"
Will also took Marco to Philadelphia where they met up with Angelo Pizza [of Little Italy; he is Paula Manna's son] who owns a pizzeria, The Angelo Pizza, on 9th Street in South Philly's Little Italy district. "Of course," said Will, "We had to order the pizza called The Paulie!" [named after Paulie Manna - Paula's father and Angelo's grandfather].
Although the cousins walked around D.C. for three days, "We still didn't get to the zoo!" said Will. He even treated Marco to an experience at Cecil County Dragway where Will's friend, Tommy Gray, owns a race car. As well, the duo participated in a few car shows in Will's 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible. "Marco really enjoyed cruisin’ in a vintage muscle car," said Will, a huge car aficionado.
Other "first tastes" for Marco was a roast beef sandwich at the popular Chap's Pit Beef in Aberdeen, Maryland, and experiencing the art of eating steamed crabs at Conrad's Seafood Restaurant in Abingdon, where Denise & Joe Lancelotta are part owners. Joe's father, Ray Lancelotta, lived on the corner of Stiles and High Streets across from the house where the popular Little Italy Film Fest movies were projected 1999 through 2017.
"Yes, lots of Little Italy connections," said Will.
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Will Matricciani's cousin, Marco Angelozzi, visited America from Europe for three weeks where Will took him to South Philly (top left: Angelo Pizza of Little Italy, Will, Marco); to experience steamed crabs, and to a dragway (bottom right: Will, friend Tommy Gray, Marco). Inset photo: Marco and Will with Walt Witz (seated) in Saint Leo's Church.
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Maryland's Largest Italian Festival ...
un grande successo!
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Who said history is always something in the past? The premier event of the Galbani Maryland Italian Festival opened September 29 through October 1, 2023 in Harford County, Maryland, with almost 25,000 people in attendance. This was the largest Italian Heritage Festival in the state of Maryland in recent times.
Click on the youtube video above of Italians in Maryland, hosted by Nicolino Applauso, to meet the organizers, sponsors, and participants of this historic festival organized by the Society of Italian American Businessmen in Bel Air, Maryland, who had the vision more than eight years ago.
"It took this long to make it a reality!" said Elio Scaccio, event chair. "It was an overwhelming feeling I can’t quite describe. I hope this event will continue to bring Italians together from all over and I hope we lived up to Maryland‘s largest Italian festival!"
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And the Columbus Award goes to ... |
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Don Castronova (center) accepted the Columbus Award from OSDIA/Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America's Grand Lodge of Maryland for his contributions through the years to the organization and community. Don has helped form six Sons of Italy lodges, including Little Italy Lodge, and helped to start and plan the first Italian Festival in conjunction with Baltimore City. For 50 years, he has portrayed Christopher Columbus in Baltimore's Columbus Day parade and during other events hosted by local Italian American organizations. He has shared his artistic talents with other organizations and helped founded and lead an Italian folk dance group for over 35 years. BRAVO, DON!
The Castronovas said the event was filled with warmth and love. They felt honored that their family, cousins, and friends attended to share it with them. "It was a wonderful evening surrounded by those we love, and it will stay part of our memories forever."
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Little Italy Lodge news & events |
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LI LODGE WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE SEEKS 3 VOLUNTEERS
Flexible hours! Perfect for members who prefer volunteering from home using email and Internet. If interested in a post below or with questions, email Terri.
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Opportunity for 1 Volunteer Coordinator: One person needed to email members before events to invite sign up for servers, food runners, bartender, cashier, kitchen assistant, 50/50 raffle. This volunteer does NOT need to attend the events. You'll be provided with a list of upcoming events and what volunteers are needed for each.
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Opportunity for 2 Membership Committee Volunteers: Two people needed to help the Membership Committee research 2024 festivals around Baltimore City, and fees for booth space.
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2024 Dues: Time to renew your Lodge membership for 2024. Mail a $50 check payable to Little Italy Lodge #2286 to Teresa Lenzenweger, 6901 Mt. Vista Road, Kingsville MD 21087.
Tuesday, November 14
General Members Meeting
Special Presentation: Life of Father Capodanno
All members welcome. Special presentation by Vice Admiral Stephen Stanley, U.S. Navy, retired, on the history of the life and years of service of Father Capodanno (1929-1967), U.S. Navy chaplain posthumously awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroism administering to wounded and dying U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. Stanley will brief the audience on the progress of Capodanno's cause for canonization which has cleared the first phase. Homemade cold cuts will be served (suggested donation $5-10). Cash bar.
Friday Night Dinners (5-8pm) are a popular highlight of our Italian American community. On the first and third Fridays of the month, the Lodge serves delicious Italian cuisine. A perfect way to unwind on TGIF! Featured menu specials are $14 to $17, plus other menu items and dessert offered. Cash bar.
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Friday, November 17 - with music. Menu special lasagna. Music feature - Chris Montcalmo on guitar.
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Friday, December 1 - with Christmas Tree Lighting. Menu special Chicken Marsala. Join the Little Italy community for a Christmas tree lighting on the bocce courts. Help trim the tree at 6pm; tree is lit 7:30pm with Christmas music and complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn.
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Friday, December 15 - with Children's Christmas Party. Bring the kids/grandkids to this Pizza Party! Bring along a gift for each child for Santa to give out.
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Italian Traditions, American Dreams |
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September's monthly meeting of the Little Italy Lodge featured Italian Traditions, American Dreams, a presentation by Lorraine Haddock from the Carmel S. Morina Lodge in Paulsboro, New Jersey. Lorraine delighted over 30 members and guests with an exhibit of decorative linens, embroidery, needlepoint, dolls, clothing, and other handmade crafts made by her mother and grandmother. She demonstrated how her grandmother fetched water in Italy at the turn of the 20th century as she gave an account of her family’s origins. During the social hour, Lorraine also did a book signing for two of her children's books The Duck Without a Quack and Bella Figlia della Mamma.
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Along the neighborhood streets ... |
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MORE TREES PLEASE - The Little Italy Neighborhood Association (LINA) arranged for Baltimore Tree Trust to install fresh trees along Bank & Trinity Streets, just one project of many as the group focuses on aesthetics, safety, and other neighborhood issues in Little Italy. Learn more about LINA.
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PARISHIONERS & CLERGY HONOR VETERANS - Father Bernie Carman, pastor of Saint Leo's Church, with the assistance of Deacon Doug Kendzierski, blesses the plaques of names of servicemen from Little Italy who fought in various wars. The lists of troops are etched on the War Memorial Wall located on the corner of the church building. The Veteran’s Day weekend event November 12 was followed by the singing of America the Beautiful and playing of Taps. The powerful sound of a Taps bugler is a call to remember those who gave their lives in the service of the United States of America. The melody was rearranged and used during the Civil War as a call for "lights out."
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Anna Brotto, an Italian immigrant from Sicily and lifelong resident of Little Italy, began working at Casa di Pasta in Little Italy in 1972 and stayed for 32 years. She's pictured here in a framed ad hanging in her kitchen handling sheets of dough; and (inset) today in her Little Italy home making espresso. Casa di Pasta is still open in the neighborhood on Albemarle Street, owned and operated by the Velleggia family. It features fresh homemade pasta of every variety and serves wholesale and retail customers.
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Include caption, people ID, location, approximate year, and your name.
Photos must be Little Italy or Italian immigrant-related.
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"Thank you! Nice edition … a lot going on."
~ Anita Riley
"Nice Little Italy newsletter. Great job, as always - I mean that. It is so nice to read, you have some great graphics, and - it's useful! Thanks again."
~ Regards, Albert Marra
"Nice layout. It looks great! Thanks for all the information."
~ Bill Siciliano
"I always look forward to the Promotion Center's news update. When I started streaming down the page [September issue] and saw my parents' photos, I stopped in shock. I just stared ... I miss them greatly!
Whatever I have done - and do - is because of them. Helping was the way they brought us up. It was their backing and support that allowed us to proudly love and promote our neighborhood, Little Italy. Whether it was a delegation of Italian officials: military, governmental, judicial, or patients and their companions who needed assistance while receiving medical treatment at Johns Hopkins, they never said 'No.' The door was always open.
After World War II when many of those newly immigrant families and others were leaving Little Italy, my parents, my sister Rosalinda, and I, selected to remain. My heartfelt thanks to you all, especially Rosalinda, who kept this published story and photos from me."
~ Elia Mannetta, lifelong resident
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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Friday, December 1
7-10 pm
- Food (Little Italy restaurants)
- Live music by Charm City Band
- Small Tree Lighting
- Inside & outside former Germano's Trattoria - corner High & Fawn Streets
Sponsored and hosted by some neighborhood restaurants, businesses and residents, and LINA / Little Italy Neighborhood Association.
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a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
established 2010
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Annual Expenses
- $1,221 - Constant Contact email marketing account (hosts Little Italy's email list; produces this newsletter)
- $ 504 - Host domain name promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org
- $ 74 - Email addresses @promotioncenterforlittleitaly.org
- $ 153 - Rental of Pitney Bowes postage meter
- $ 200 - Dues for memberships in Italian organizations
- $1,300 - Miscellaneous expenses, booklet ads, donations in support of various Little Italy organizations
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EDITOR
Director & Co-founder
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EDITORIAL ADVISOR
Co-founder
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