Sicily! Two Sicilian Villages World’S Tiniest Opera House New Orleans for St

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Ambassador National Italian American Foundation Vol . 28, No.3 n Spring 2017 n www.niaf.org

NIAF 2017 Region of Honor: Sicily! Two Sicilian Villages World’s Tiniest Opera House New Orleans for St. Joseph’s Day DelGrosso’s Wild Ride COVER TYPE The Barbers of Sicily Note: if we can make this a little bigger than the other cover story lines, that would be good… NIAF 2017 Region of Honor: Sicily!

Two Sicilian Villages World’s Tiniest Opera House New Orleans for St. Joseph’s Day The Barbers of Sicily

DelGrosso’s Wild Ride

39497_Magazine.indd 1 3/2/17 3:47 PM Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 2 3/2/17 3:47 PM Ambassador The Publication of the National Italian American Foundation Vol . 28, No.3 n www.niaf.org CONTENTS

21 Features

21 Next Gen Italian Cuisine 32 Tale of Two Sicilian Towns How Two Young Italian American A Wayward Reporter Women Are Mixing It Up Explores the Beauty of Sicily in the Kitchen By Theresa M. Maggio 40 By Danielle DeSimone On the Cover: Announcing the NIAF Notes from Nonie 36 2017 Region of 24 An Altaring Experience A Handwritten History from Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. Honor: Sicily! Called Nothing Like Celebrating My Grandmother Chairman “The Cultural St. Joseph’s Day in New Orleans By Rachel Bicha John M. Viola By John M. Viola Crossroads of the President & Chief Mediterranean,” Operating Officer Regione Sicilia Don Oldenburg 40 Small Wonder Director of Publications 28 The Barbers of Sicily The World’s Tiniest Opera House idyllic nature, & Editor When a Trim and Shave By Frank Van Riper rugged panoramic Danielle DeSimone coast and charming Social Media Manager Mirrored Society & Assistant Editor ancient villages, all Story & Photography by AMBASSADOR Magazine Armando Rotoletti 44 Still Funny After All These Years overflowing with is published by the National th history, myth and Italian American Foundation The 25 Anniversary of (NIAF) “My Cousin Vinny” tradition, make this 1860 19th Street NW autonomous region Washington DC 20009 By Douglas J. Gladstone POSTMASTER: Sections of Italy one of today’s Send change of address to top destinations for NIAF, 1860 19th Street NW, Lettere 4 Washington DC 20009. Beyond the Sauce travelers. Look for Foundation Focus 9 48 The DelGrosso Family’s Wild Ride stories from and about © 2017 The National Italian NIAF On Location 11 the island of Sicily in American Foundation (NIAF). By Danielle DeSimone No portion of this magazine Bottega NIAF 12 this and upcoming may be reproduced without Paesani 14 issues of Ambassador. written permission from NIAF. Aglianico Then and Now Single issue price: $5.00 Ciao Italia 18 52 ISSN 1000-9999 Tasting the Wine of Ancient Cover photograph: Between The Pages 56 Roman Legionnaires Shutterstock Inc./ NIAF Cinema 60 1860 19th Street NW By Dick Rosano Roberto Lo Savio Washington, DC 20009 Al Momento 63 Tel. 202-387-0600 www.niaf.org On Sports 65 Design: Barbieri & Green, Inc. Pensieri 67 48 Printing: Mosaic 44 NIAF Insider 68 Crossword 72

39497_Magazine_X.indd 1 3/9/17 11:06 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 2 2 WWW.NIAF.ORG BETWEENFROM THETHE THE CHAIRMANCHAIRMAN PAGES Ambassador years hasprovided mewitharemarkable thepastfour as theFoundation’s chairman comesto anendinMarch. Serving chairman called “TheWonder oftheMediterranean.” visiting Italy’s islandregion that’s sometimes promising yearofcollaboratingwithand toa Region ofHonor!Sowelookforward have announcedthatSicilyistheNIAF2017 columns inthisissueofAmbassador, we paging through thefascinatingfeatures and discover from themagazine’s coverandwhile inApril.And,asyou’ll Public PolicyForum and ispreparing foraFrankJ.GuariniNIAF Leadership CouncilSummitinNewYork, on CapitolHill,heldanItalianAmerican American Congressional Delegation(IACD) welcomed newmembersoftheItalian the BigApple! leaders from theUnitedStatesandItalyin break bread withtoppoliticalandbusiness when NIAFleadership,members,andfriends each yearfortheFoundation—anevening springtimemarker evolved intoanimportant sold-out celebrationofourheritagehas City, onMarch 22.Thisincredible, always Renaissance-inspired landmarkinNewYork place atCipriani42ndStreet, theItalian of theNIAFNewYork Gala,whichtakes and energized! Italian AmericanFoundation—encouraged how we’re feelingthesedaysattheNational likenoneother.energizes That’s certainly a promising seasonthatencouragesand uptotheideathatspringishere. It’s warm change, I’msure mostofuscaneasily On afinalnote,mytenure asNIAF Besides theNewYork Gala,NIAFrecently ofthatcomeswithanticipation A bigpart No matterwhatyouthinkaboutclimate Notes The Chairman’s

its leadershipwillcontinueingoodhands. accomplished onmywatch,andIamthankful there. earthquakes recent destructive assists Italyintimesofneed,suchasthe the ItalianAmericancommunitygenerously establish ournationwidenetworkbywhich studentsandscholars;to to deserving capital; toprovide scholarshipsandgrants Italian Americaninterests inthenation’s program; toenhanceourrole inrepresenting ties withItaly, suchasourRegionofHonor strengthen ournation’s culturaland business to to steerNIAFinourunprecedented efforts for thatIwillalwaysbeprofoundly grateful. American communityIsodearlylove—and togivebacktheItalian opportunity means everything. commitment tosustainingourrichlegacy of ItalianAmericans,yourpassionate our grandchildren, foreachnewgeneration and culture. Forthesakeofourchildren and andprotect ourinvaluableheritage preserve to continueembraceNIAF’s missionto you workNIAFdoes.AndIurge important ofthe oneofyouforyoursupport and every On behalfofNIAF, Isincerely thankeach I amproud ofwhattheFoundationhas ithasbeenmyprivilege During myterm, NIAF Chairman Joseph V. DelRaso,

Michael J.Zarrelli Viola Vincent Charles Turano Louis E.Tosi Simeone George Hon. BasilM.Russo,Esq. Dr. JohnP. Rosa Joseph H.Moglia BevacquaMcbride Hon. Anita Joseph D.Lonardo, Esq. Gerard S.LaRocca Hon. JosephR.Guccione Frank Giordano Dr. AntonioGiordano Hon. MikeFerguson Daniel M.DiLella Joseph M.DellaRatta Paolo Catalfamo Linda R.Carlozzi,Esq. Nicholas R.Caiazzo,Esq. Maria Bartiromo Peter J.Arduini V.Robert Allegrini Board OfDirectors Salvatore J.Zizza Aileen Riotto-Sirey Francesco Nicotra Richard A.Grasso Mario J.Gabelli Matthew J.DiDomenicoSr. Board Emeriti Frank D.Stella Hon. FrankJ.Guarini Colangelo Jerry Dr. A.KennethCiongoli Emeriti Chairmen Jeno F. Paulucci Founding Chairman Ex-Officio Hon. DominicR.Massaro Historian J.Furia Arthur General Counsel Hon. CapriS.Cafaro Secretary E.Carlucci Robert Treasurer John F. Calvelli Kenneth J.Aspromonte Presidents Vice Executive John M.Viola Chief OperatingOfficer President And Salvatore M.Salibello DeStacyHarrison Hon. Patricia Gabriel A.Battista Chairs Vice Joseph V. DelRaso,Esq. Chairman 3/2/17 3:47 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 3 3/2/17 3:47 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 4 4 WWW.NIAF.ORG LETTERE earlyoninmyeducation!Graziemille! NIAF foryourgenerosity andsupport ment andcommercialization ofnewtherapies.Ijustwantedtothankyouallat cal SchoolinthelabofDr. RoxAnderson,where Ileadtheinvention,develop- Medi- with jointappointmentatMassachusettsGeneralHospitalandHarvard 2017 Forbes30UnderlistinHealthcare. Today, Iamaphysician-scientist NIAF ScholarshipStory Ambassador bassy, IamthrilledthatPopeFrancishasacopyofherpoetry! asyoureported. book,“TheShadesofTwilight,” whichwaspresented bytheVaticanpoetry Em- alltoread herbrilliantandinspirational and aproud ItalianAmerican,Iurge Asalong-timememberofNIAF has aglobalmembershipofwhichIampart. ItalianAmerican,ClementinaTheresa Sclafani.Hercauseforsainthood nary A SaintlyLife Phil Ellsworth/ESPNImages Reader Feedback Past IssuesareavailabletoNIAF membersonlineatNIAF’s website:www.niaf.org. To AdvertiseinAmbassador [email protected]. Letters maybepublishedand editedforlengthandclarity. Magazine, 186019thStreetNW, Washington, DC20009.Include yourfullnameandaddress. Letters [email protected] ormailedtoLetterstheEditor, Ambassador We Want toKnowWhatYou're Thinking! — NIAFScholarshipgranteewhowasjustrecognized onthe I amaformer — onthesaintlylifeofextraordi- article Thank youforyourwonderful Boston, Mass. Massachusetts GeneralHospital Wellman CenterforPhotomedicine Emilia Javorsky, MD,MPH Washington, D.C. Sodality fortheCauseofSainthoodClementinaTheresa Sclafani Executive Committee Gilda DelSignore Baby! Dick Vitale, be foundatDickVitaleOnline.com. onthegalaandwaystodonatecan formation Gala fundpediatriccancerresearch. More in- Valvano. Netproceeds from theDickVitale tion, inhonorofmygoodfriend,thelateJim andIraisemoneyfortheVFounda- Lorraine, thisyearlyfundraisingevent,mywife, With May 12,inSarasota,Fla.,attheRitzCarlton. Galawillbeheldon 12th AnnualDickVitale for pediatriccancerresearch. and loveofbasketball,aswellmypassion did areally excellentjobwritingaboutmylife — Please letyourreaders knowthatThe onme!DickRosano Thanks forthestory Lakewood Ranch,Fla. Dick Vitale

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Melanie Dunea / CPi Syndication NIAF_IALC_ad_rev_2.28.17.indd 1 do you want a New Yorkin Forum Leadership The NIAF-IALC VOICE Community? Italian American in the

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2/28/17 9:07AM do you want a in the VOICEItalian American Community? Want to engage with Italian Americans across the United States and shape NIAF’s future direction? Join The Italian American Leadership Council Visit www.niaf.org/Ialc

Interested in representing your local Italian The NIAF-IALC American community and becoming more involved Leadership Forum with NIAF? Become an IALC member and join NIAF’s Board of Directors and representatives from in New York Italy for the annual NIAF-IALC Leadership Forum, on Wednesday, March 22, from 2 - 4 p.m., at the New York Times Building in New York City. The summit provides an opportunity for IALC members to put their leadership commitment into action, discussing important issues pertaining to the Foundation, the Italian American community, and relations between the United States and Italy. To join the IALC and to reserve your place at the upcoming NIAF-IALC Leadership Forum, please contact Alex Benedetto at 202-939-3117 or [email protected].

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39497_Magazine.indd 8 3/2/17 3:47 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 9 E Sicily NIAFPresident By JohnM.Viola,

Alfio Finocchiaro / Shutterstock Inc. that havelefttheirmarkonherpeople,placesandcharac- gage theinnumerablecultures, bothancientandmodern, toen- thevisitoranincomparableopportunity cities affords conceived: here isthekeytoevery-thing.” putitthisway:“ItalywithoutSicilycannotbe Palermo, and statesmanJohannWolfgang vonGoethe,writingfrom Two centuriesearlier, philosopher, theGerman writer West, thelinkbetweenLatinworldandGreek.” Europe andAfrica,thegatewaybetweenEast describes theislandregion as“thesteppingstonebetween inSicily,” masterpiece “TheNormans JohnJuliusNorwich most avidtravelercanneverfullycomprehend. In his cultures, andameltingpotofmysteriesthateventhe island ofSicilyrepresents thepatrimonyofsomanyworld engaging, andfallingever-more-deeply inlovewith. and aplaceIhavespentgreat dealofmylifeexploring, grandfather,it isalsotheancestralregion ofmymaternal ofItaly,one ofthemostdistinctiveandcaptivatingparts a great dealtomeonapersonallevel. ductivity, anddestinationstocelebrate,butonethatmeans Foundation withanincomparablewealthofculture, pro- we are recognizing aregion thatnotonlyprovides the incredible regions inourancestralhomeland. Thisyear, andshared experienceswithsome robust partnerships at theFoundationisthatwe’vebeenabletobuildsuch nation andinItaly. myriad ofeventsandprograms wehostthroughout the andinspirationforthe asourpartner Honor) toserve NIAF RegionofHonor Introducing the2017 Agrigento, Sicily Greek Temple in Today, fieldsandsun-kissed thislandblessedwithfertile Sea,the oftheMediterranean Perched attheheart The 2017NIAFRegionofHonor, Sicily, isnotjust One ofmyproudest accomplishmentsinmytimehere (Regionof region ofItalyastheRegioned’Onore American Foundationhasrecognized aunique yearforthepastfiveyears,NationalItalian very Cappella Palatinain the PalazzoReale, in Palermo,Sicily

Greek metropolis ofSiracusa,from MessinaandCatania, around thenation. members andsupporters long celebrationwillinspire great interest amongourNIAF Italian Americancommunity, thatthisyear- andIamcertain percentages ofour25millionmember up oneofthelargest of thesespecialevents.Afterall,SicilianAmericansmake world,Ihopeyouwilljoinusforsome the Mediterranean ofyourheritagetothisislandatthecrossroads of all orpart people andtheirisland. Ifyou,ortheyoulove,trace the culture, cuisine,music,wineandspiritoftheSicilian end thisNovember3-5inWashington, D.C.,willhighlight York GalaonMarch 22,andour42 here intheUnited States,ourNew members andsupporters Voyage program inlabellaSicilia.Andforour ofDiscovery ences, includingourrenowned AmbassadorPeterF. Secchia incredible travelexperi- ian AmericanFoundationwilloffer to feelsomehow, ofthisexceptionalplace. at-once,apart ic heritage,”whichallowseventhemostinfrequent tourist ofthemselvestoSicily’sall havelentsomepart “kaleidoscop- Spaniards, French— Germans, Byzantines, Arabs,Normans, ter. Romans,Goths, Phoenicians,Greeks, Carthaginians, Andreas Zerndl / Shutterstock Inc. theentire world. have somuchtooffer nity tosee,asIdo,aspecial islandandaspecialpeoplethat in ourtripstoSicilythroughout thesummer, theopportu- Ambassador magazine,inour eventsandcelebrations, all ofyouintheNIAFfamily willfindhere inthepagesof for thisplaceisananswered prayer. Itismygreat hopethat what Ilovemostaboutitintheend. beunderstood entirely… never truly thatmightbe and older thatIhaverealized perhaps thisuniquelandcan stand asmuchofSicilyIcan.Itisonlyhavegotten toexperienceandunder-life seekingtheopportunity ofmy to RagussaandAgrigento,Ihavespentagreat part tothe From theancientArabmarketsofPalermo Over thecourseofupcomingyear, theNationalItal- toshare myimmensepassion For me,theopportunity nd GalaWeek- Anniversary

Ambassador

3/2/17 3:47 PM

9 WWW.NIAF.ORG FOUNDATION FOCUS 10 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 10 3/2/17 3:47 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 11 2000 andtheHillBusinessassociation. borhood knownasHill organization hood Centerwasopenedby theneigh- In October2015,theHillNeighbor- do yougo? When youneedsomeItalianculture,where by anyofthem one. You cannotgowrong bystopping space doesnotallowmetolistevery the neighborhood isalongoneand food. Thelistofgoodrestaurants in amazing years andtheyalsoserve that havebeeninbusinessformany Rigazzi’s are familyownedrestaurants LoRusso’s, Bartolino’s, Favazza’s and neighborhood restaurants? Are thereany“backintime,”authentic, come awaydisappointed. Guidos are allplacestogoandnot Cunetto’s, GianTony’s, Lorenzo’s and consistently goodfood.Brazzie’s, this neighborhood ifyoudonotserve great! You cannotstayinbusiness All oftherestaurants onTheHillare your city? What areyourfavoriteItalianrestaurantsin activities originatefrom there. stone oftheneighborhood andmany Ambrose CatholicChurch isthecorner- the placetogoforanythingItalian.St. Great restaurants andmarketsmakeit est pointinthecity, hencethename. as TheHill.Itislocatedatthehigh- The ItaliansectionofSt.Louisisknown What isthemostItalianpartofyourcity? in Italy Finding Louis neighborhoodorganizationHill2000,CharlieOldani,findsItalyinSt. more Italianintheirownhometowns. insiderinformationandleadyoutospecialplacesthatmakethemfeelalittle bers provide museums, most popularfestivals, Whether it’s thetopItalianrestaurants, Searching forItaly’s influencesinAmerica? inNIAFonLocation, thebestmarketsor ourmem-

Thisissue,

originated theGatewayCup more than the Giro Della Montagna,theracethat neighborhoods,different including Day andfeatures fourracesin Gateway CupbeginstheFriday ofLabor inItaly.bike races,apopularsport The Labor DayweekendinSt.Louismeans parking lot. front ofthechurch andinthechurch the kids.Thecelebrationisheldin food, drinks,andgamesridesfor Ambrose. There youcanfindmusic, LaFesta celebrationsponsored bySt. The firstSundayinMayistheannual your community? themostItaliandayofyearin What’s a mustforshopping. of winesandare themarketsthatare afinecollection ano’s. Theyalsocarry home—DiGregorio’s, Urzi’s andVivi- needed tomakeagreat Italianmealat borhood where youcanfind anything There are three shopsintheneigh- you gotogetthosehardfindingredients? To cookanauthenticItalianmeal,where do grandparents grew upthere. how lifewaswhentheirparents and tracing theirancestry, andfindout to viewtheoldpictures, findhelpwith dents ofTheHill.Theycancomein theresi- store, italsoserves import find aspecificrestaurant, bakery, or centerfortouristswhowantto service Notonlyisita pictures andartifacts. It isthe“Hillmuseum”withmanyold St. Louis Roman Korotkov/Shutterstock.com NIAFmemberandpresidentoftheSt. Louis, Mo.

should allfolloweventothis day. theirfamily.to support It’s alessonwe they workedhard andmadealiving owned. Lifewasdifficultatfirst, but thatthey suitcase, probably everything ue isofamanandwomanwithone a betterlifefortheirfamilies.Thestat- Italians whocametoAmericaseeking The neighborhood by wasstarted statue of“TheItalianImmigrants.” In front ofSt.Ambrose Church isthe American culture? cultural centersbasedonItalianor Any specialmonuments,museums,or thing sweet. andyoucanpickupsome- have coffee Hill. Someofthebakeriesthere also onThe way toworkatShaw’s Coffee bystoppingontheir their morning A lotofneighborhood residents start Where’s thebestmorningespressoserved? music playinganddrinksflowing. food,withItalian ing theirwonderful where you’llfindlocalrestaurants serv- Park, neighborhood andendsatBerra Day. withaparadethrough the Itstarts is heldontheSundaybefore Columbus The annualColumbusDaycelebration grow intotheweekendeventitistoday. Little didanyoneknowhowthiswould about theneighborhood hospitality. year,Every thebicyclistsandfanstalk cheer onridersfrom across thecountry. Thousands ofpeoplelinethestreets to 30 yearsago,onTheHillthatSunday. neighborhood, TheHill. St. Louis’LittleItaly Immigrants” statuein Charlie Oldaniat“TheItalian Ambassador

3/2/17 3:47 PM

11 WWW.NIAF.ORG NIAF ON LOCATION Great Designs, Borsa d’Arte Great Finds, The Sicily Bag is the perfect N accessory for your beach Great Products! days! Handcrafted by skilled

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Scent of Sicily Inspired by the scents and sights of Sicily, Baronessa Consuelo Cali is the mastermind behind Cali Cosmetics’ beauty and health products, made with finest ingredients, including olive oil, blood oranges, coffee and Malvasian grapes. Pictured from left to right: Lipari Candela, $36; Catania Diffuser, $42; Siracusa Diffuser, $42; Palermo Candela, $42; Stromboli Travel Tin, $14; Felicudi Hand and Body Moisturizer, $28; Basiluzzo Hand and Body Wash, $22; Salina Home and Body Fragrance, $28; Alicudi Candela di Soia, $48; Bagheria Candela di Soia, $48.

Knot Your Typical Bracelet Gioielli Dop pieces are 100-percent designed and handmade in Italy by passionate Italian craftsmen. Their bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, charms and more feature tasty traditional Italian delights, but also Chill in Style classic symbols of the Italian culture, like the famous Dolce & Gabbana has teamed Sicilian Trinacria (pictured). Bracelet: $54. up with Smeg for a special www.gioiellidop.com edition of their FAB28 iconic refrigerator. Together, they share backgrounds rooted in family with deep respect for tradition and the Made in Italy label. This year, they are offering only 10 limited-edition refrigerators for the U.S. market (100 worldwide). Each “Refrigerator of Art” features Sicilian decorations and motifs, and has been Balancing Act hand painted by a Sicilian Sempli is a contemporary design company artist. $34,000. www.smeg. that combines Italy’s style and elegance com/refrigerator-of-art-dol- with Swedish functionality for glassware, cegabbana-and-smeg/ lighting and bar accessories. Aerate your WWW.NIAF.ORG favorite Italian wine in this unique decanter, hand-blown from lead-free crystal. Vaso- Vino: $50. www.sempli.com

12 Ambassador

39497_Magazine_X.indd 12 3/9/17 11:06 PM Accessorize in Tradition Isola Bella tells the story of the symbols and colors Do you know of a of the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean BOTTEGA fantastic new product Sea with an exclusive line of jewelry made in Sicily. or design made in Italy The brand, founded in 2013 and inspired by Sicilian or of interest to Italian tradition, truly declares love of the Island. Carretto Americans? Contact Earrings with Semiprecious Stones: $170; Ace of NIAF [email protected]. Clubs Cufflinks: $138. www.isolabellagioielli.com

Head Turners Italy is known for its beautiful ceramics, and the Sicilian town of Caltagirone is the epicenter. Made there are Swim to Sicily the unusual planters shaped like human heads that you’ll see in towns throughout Sicily. The legend behind Ortigia is not only a small island in the historical center them goes back to the 10th century, during Sicily’s Arab rule, when a beautiful young Sicilian girl in the of Siracusa, it’s also a small, luxurious soap-and-scent Kalsa, the Arabic district of Palermo, fell in love with a Moor merchant. When she learned that he had a wife company offering a wide range of products, from and children in his native land, she snuck into his home while he was sleeping and chopped off his head. She creams and candles, to scarves and shampoos. All brought his head home as a way for him to stay with her forever, using it as a planter for her basil. When made in Sicily from the finest natural products, the locals noticed her plant flourishing, they commissioned local ceramic artisans to make vases resembling scents and designs have Sicily in mind. Swim Shorts in heads. Today, you can find varieties of ceramic head planters, but the traditional pair is pictured. Handmade Gattopardo Blu: $85. www.ortigiasicilia.com in Sicily, each planter is available in two sizes: $237 and $390. www.thatsarte.com

Public Affection Italian American Al Pisano kicked off his graphic- design career in New York creating logos for companies such as Burger King, Paul Masson and Colorful Creations Pepperidge Farm. A trip to Italy inspired him to try What was created by the iconic Italian cashmere his hand at sculpting and carving. He eventually brand Cruciani as a last-ditch effort to save the started his own company, Piazza Pisano Studio, company from debt ended up taking Italy and the specializing in home décor and gift items. All world by storm. Crisis averted. The unisex Cruciani WWW.NIAF.ORG products are made at his studio and factory in bracelet is made in Italy and comes in fun colors Miami, Fla. Show your Sicilian pride with the and shapes. Italian Flag Bracelet: $18; Spicy Trinacria plaque: $79.95. www.piazzapisano.com Bracelet: $18. www.crucianic.com

Ambassador 13

39497_Magazine_X.indd 13 3/9/17 11:06 PM Christine Rosen Photography NYC 39497_Magazine.indd 14 14 WWW.NIAF.ORG PAESANI [email protected]. documenting,emailMennitiat of agarden worth the authenticflavorssolovinglycared forbythegardeners. Italy. biodiversity, Thegoalisnotonlyto preserve butalso busy collectingseedsandfigtrees whose originstraceto and thatcanteachustolive“more lightly ontheearth.” how thatwaspasseddownfrom onegenerationtothenext American Gardens. To her, aknow- itisawaytopreserve submit 10forinclusionintheSmithsonian’s Archives of and She planstodocument100gardens across thecountry being planted,Mennitiseesthenextfiveyearsascrucial. gardener,” Mennitisays.“Itisawayoflife.” thathasmostlybeenlost. connection tofoodandtheearth Ambassador Send [email protected]. doing extraordinarythingsofinterestto ItalianAmericans.KnowsomeonewhoshouldbeinPaesani? Ambassador’s PaesanidepartmentprofilesinshortformthelivesofItalian Americans,Italiansandothers in today’s world. itsheritage;andtoprove itsrelevance garden; topreserve mission: topaytributethetraditionalItalianAmerican How Does Your GardenGrow? — SilviaDonati To contributetothesecollections,orifyouknow oftheproject’sAs part legacycollections,Mennitiis As fewerandclassicItalianAmericangardens are “Sustainability isnotanewconceptfortheItalian A passionategardener, Menniti’s venture wasinspired Menniti’s ItalianGarden Project hasathreefold Mary

Carter Harrington ied alifestyleofself-sufficiencyand World War IIimmigrants,heembod- Pa.Likemanypost- in Pittsburgh, of thehousewhere Mennitigrew up caring forhisgarden inthebackyard father, Antonio, whospenthours by herItalianimmigrantgrand-

Carter Harrington Western UnitedStates.” his free timeheenjoysexploring“thewondersofthe perb qualitycomingfrom themajormuseumsinworld.” Bellini, “asmall,jewel-likeexhibition,with11paintingsof su- Venetian Renaissancepainter, Giovanni on anexhibitionproject onhisfavorite the bestthatmarketcanoffer.” gives himthechancetotraveland“see he says,relates toacquisitions,which institution,” Gasparotto says. museum, itisaworldwidecultural his decisiontomoveLosAngelesworkattheGetty. incementing anexperiencethat,hesays,wascrucial Art, He wasalsoafellowatNewYork’s Metropolitan Museumof ofthe16 Italianart sively onnorthern has curatedseveralmajorexhibitions,andpublishedexten- Italianpaintingandsculpture. He through 18th-century to) nativeisaleadingfigure inthefieldofRenaissance Galleria EstenseinModena,theBassanodelGrappa(Vene- director ofthe quite impressive themselves:theformer works ofart. exhibitions,andacquire new standing collection,organize Davide Gasparotto’s jobistocare for themuseum’s out- of Art Work — SilviaDonati butalsoofwildnature, in As alovernotonlyofart, working Gasparotto iscurrently ofhisjob, The mostexcitingpart “The Gettyisnotonlyamajor An impressive task,butGasparotto’s credentials are As theGettyMuseum’s SeniorCuratorofPaintings, NIAF’s Persons ofInterest

to18 th centuries.

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Jessica Rinaldi / The Boston Globe NIAF’s Persons ofInterest 39497_Magazine.indd 15 investigatinggenetherapyforotherdiseases. who iscurrently early.therapy canhaltdamagetothebrainifstarted genesis forapromising newtherapy. Whilenotacure, this plishment.” Herworkintreating MLDinItaly provided the transplant. back tothechild,comparableabone-marrow andaduplicated“good”genewasgiven gene was“corrected” Through ageneticprocess inthelab,child’s defective her teamgavechildren afightingchancetolivefulllife. system,especiallyininfant children. central nervous braincellsandthe (MLD), ageneticdisorder thatharms research and treatment formetachromatic leukodystrophy pediatric gene-therapyprograms inthecountry. Children’s CancerandBloodDisorders Center—aleaderin therapy atDana-Farber/Boston the director (since2015)ofgene groundwork inItaly no in1998.After15yearsofgenetic degree from theUniversityofMila- tive chosethefieldofmedicineandreceived hermedical likeaDNAdoublehelix,theMilan,Italy,twists andturns na- The GoodDoctor Jr. Bartus — Robert www.danafarberbostonchildrens.org.Visit: “Gene therapyhasbecomereal medicine,” saysBiffi, Biffi believesthat“openingatrialismajoraccom- clinicaltrialsinApril2010Milan.Sheand Biffi started Dr. AlessandraBiffiwantedtobealawyer. Butaslife In Italy, Biffiwasattheforefront ingenetherapy , Biffiisnow

laugh andsmile.” “I lovewhatwedo,”saysSciara.“Ourshowsmakepeople to workatanAbbott&CostelloFanClubConvention. contest in1992.Thecontest’s sponsorsthenpaired them because hewasanunderdog.” “Irooted forhim are from theItalianProvince ofSalerno. tified withCostello,”saysSciara,whosefather’s relatives SundayonWPIX-TV. “Iiden- 1940s andearly‘50severy vaudeville andHollywoodcomedyteam’s moviesfrom the member, Sciara grew upwatchingtheclassic national Brotherhood of ElectricalWorkers to celebrateits75thanniversary. duo reenacted thetimelessskit“Who’s onFirst” Ceremonies inCooperstown,N.Y., thecomedy wantstosee‘Who’s onFirst?’” everyone foremost LouCostelloimpressionist “But inthecountry. oftheircomedyact. times aspart sketchhundreds of Costello’s UnionLoafer’s Bakery GilPalmer,and hispartner Abbott& haveperformed he doesn’t mind.The51-year-old Fairlawn,N.J.,resident, Who’s OnFirst? — DouglasJ.Gladstone www.heyabbott.com.Visit Twenty-five yearslater, thepairisstillloafingatwork. Sciara metPalmeratanAbbott&Costellolook-alike A third-generation electricianandInter- At the2013BaseballHallofFameInduction “It’s aniceroutine,” saysSciara,whoisregarded asthe Louis Sciaraissometimescalledaloaferatwork.But

Ambassador 3/2/17 3:48 PM 15 WWW.NIAF.ORG PAESANI 39497_Magazine.indd 16 16 WWW.NIAF.ORG PAESANI Ambassador other andcreate acommunity.” viaumbria.com. Visit experience thingsthemselvesandthenshare witheach wanted tobemore thanaretail store,” Billsays.“[Visitors] openings.“We andgallery dinners, communalbrunches, with cookingclasses,wineandbeertastings,themed here, along events withvisitingItalianchefsandartisans village allunderoneroof,” Suzysays. products, and heaven:oliveoils,truffle Italophile import in theUmbriaregion ofItaly. connections andnumerous food,wineandart farmhouse a travelandtourbusinesscentered ontheirspacious town neighborhood ofWashington, D.C.Theyalsorun Umbria,auniquestoreVia andrestaurant intheGeorge- theirinfatuationwithlabellavitainto couple hasturned LawSchool.Sincethen,the Florence withGeorgetown lifestyle” about20yearsagowhileonastudyabroad in Top ShelfUmbria — LisaFemia anddining spaces.Theyhost Upstairs are thegallery UmbriaisastoreVia likenoother. Theentranceisan Bill andSuzyMenard “fellinlovewiththeItalian equivalent ofalittleItalian the back.“Thisisbasically wine room andcaféare in with meatsandcheeses.A to thedelicountersloaded backdrop creates acolorful and bright,ceramicdishware linens hangfrom thewalls; on ceiling-highshelves;fine pastasare stacked gourmet NIAF’s Persons ofInterest conductors havebeenable toachievethis.” my ownorchestra,” Cheverinosays.“Very fewofuswomen originates inCastellammare delGolfoinSicily. everino, wholivesinFlorence, butwhoseItalianlineage music professor. great-grandfather apianist,composerand her maternal grandmotherwasanoperasinger; herpaternal Sorrento; Italian AmericanfatherandSouthAfricanmothermet in andClaudioAbbaddo. Mehli Mehta,JohnBarnett Orchestra totheSinfonia diFirenze. Herteachers include ed orchestras worldwide,from theLosAngelesMozart ductor ZubinMehtainFlorence, Italy. Shehasconduct- she received aFulbrightscholarshiptostudywithcon- conductingcompetitioninItaly.international In2004, In2001,she becamethefirstwomantowinan Hartford. music atUSC,andaMaster’s degree attheUniversityof aBachelor’s degreeship recipient,in Cheverinoearned something thatImustdo!” shesays,“Idecidedthisis forward,” statewide competition.“From thatday conducted herowncompositionina played pianoandflute.At14,she score. DebraCheverinoisaconductor. musicians inbringingtolifeamusical selves, settempo,create nuanceandharmony, anddirect Brava! — DonOldenburg Her future? “Mydream istobecomemusicdirector of fabric,”saysCh- of[Italians’] very “Music isapart As agirl,shedreamed ofstudyingmusicinItaly. Her A 1994NIAF-Pavarotti Scholar- she Growing upinCalifornia, Few musicianseversteptothepodium,silentthem-

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Giovanni Fortunato — Firenze Giovanni Fortunato — Firenze 39497_Magazine.indd 17 3/2/17 3:48 PM 170202 NIAF Amb28.3B.indd18 39497_Magazine_X2.indd 18 18 WWW.NIAF.ORG CIAO ITALIA Ambassador M Rosario Saporito,beganwhen hewas the fullcircle tripthatmygrandfather, that Ihavecomehome,completing and Joseph. Sicilians adore, alongwithSaintsLucy She isahugestarinthelitanyofsaints Rosalia are buriedonthemountain. Legend hasitthatthebonesofSaint and eachtime,itwasbreathtaking. had seenthisviewmanytimesbefore, view, seemingtoloomoutofthesea.I Borsellino Airport. nowknownasFalcone– Raisi airport, as webeganourapproach toPunta sight thatwouldunfoldbefore me as Iexpected.bracedmyselfforthe Whenever IaminSicily, Itellmyself Jagged MountPellegrinocameinto Sicily,to Palermo, wasjust y Alitaliaflightfrom Milan ISO PalermoStreetFoods Sicily Going Hometo

I noticedonthistripwashowmuch ofItaly.not considerSicilyapart What derstood bymanymainlanderswhodo culture again,onethatisstillnotun- the railroad. Rochester, N.Y., where heworkedfor in search ofabetterlife.He founditin in theearly1900s,tocomeAmerica 25 yearsoldandleftSicily, asmanydid For me,itfeltgoodtobeinthe

Yulia Grigoryeva / Shutterstock.com again. another day. for that’sdesserts—but anotherstory or cannoli,thequeenofallSicilian inabriochebun traditionally served foods, nothingsaysSicilylikegelato, sugar. fried inoilandcoatedcinnamon milk ricottaandbitsofchocolatethatis yeast-dough bunfilledwithsheep’s fresh ricottasheep’s milkcheese. in aroll withagenerous amountof cil’la meuza,cookedbeefspleenserved fried, aclearSicilianfavorite;orpani wrapped inparsleyleavesbefore being are soakedinwineandvinegar lambsthat fatty intestinesofnewborn traditional delicacieslikestigghiole,the to thedaysofArabicinfluence. chickpea fritters),afoodthatgoesback shops alongwithpanelle(crunchy prepared whileyouwaitatthelocalfry nature street foodsofSicily. Theseare best Ihadamission:tofindthe Palermo. of outdoor marketsintheoldquarter straight fortheVuccuria andCapo I grabbedmycameraandheaded ther wouldhavebeenpleased. .” Ithinkmygrandfa- una prenotazione host with:“SonoMariannaEsposito,ho the culture andgreeted thereservation Palmes, Iimmediatelyputmyselfinto back oftheircars,andpricklypears! baked semolinabread piledhighinthe sell roasting chestnuts,lumache,freshly speed. Inallthischaos,street vendors in andoutoftrafficatheart-stopping still thebestwaytogetaround, weaving rendous anditseemsthatthevespais to understand. Sicilian dialectisstillsodifficultforme improved theroads were, andhow maryannesposito.com at www.ciaoitalia.com andherFacebookpageat Family Classics,”andvisitherCiaoItalia website Mary AnnEsposito’s latestcookbook“CiaoItalia recipes, cookingdemonstrations,and more,see television's longest-runningcookingshow. Forthese Mary AnnEspositoisthehostofPBS’s CiaoItalia, When Ieatthem,amreally home After searching outthesetypicalstreet iris,arounded But definitelytry You justmightshyawayfrom other After settlingintomyspaciousroom, Once IgottotheGrandHoteldes cityishor-The trafficintoPalermo arancine (riceballs),oneofthesig-

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© Dedda71 (CC BY 3.0) Street vendorpanelleinSicily 4 to6cupsvegetableoil parsley ororegano (optional) 3 tablespoonsfinelychoppedfresh 3 cupswater 1 1 teaspoonfineseasalt 1 teaspoonbakingpowder 2½ cups(8ounces)chickpeaflour Ingredients Makes about32 ground chickpeas. golden brown friedfrittersmadefrom street foodlike corner—delicious good iscookingjustaround the Your nosetellsyouthatsomething traffic makeforfever-pitch activity. the hordes ofpeopleanddizzying and fountainsare everywhere, ornate Byzantine toBaroque. Beautiful pot ofarchitectural stylesfrom eyes are drawnatoncetoamelting experience forallthesenses.Your isan the kineticcityofPalermo Walking through thestreets of Chickpea Fritters Panelle pepper teaspoon coarselyground black

• • • • • • Directions cover theplatecompletelytorim. 9-inch round plates,makingsure to spread themixture thinlyoverfour spatula,divideand Using arubber There shouldbe32panelle. inhalf. Cuteachquarter quarters. them inhalflength-wise,theninto panelle ontopofeachotherandcut panelle awayfrom thedish.Stack edge ofeachplate.Carefully liftthe Run abutterknifearound theoutside These are besteatenhot. immediately.brown paperandserve nicely browned. Drainthemon oil to375ºF. thepanelleuntil Fry In adeepfryer, heatthevegetable minutes. Set theplatesasidetocoolfor23 the panfrom theheat. similar tomakingpolenta.Remove from thesidesofpan.Thisis thickens andbeginstomoveaway heat, whiskingconstantlyuntilit Cook themixture overmedium in theparsleyororegano. Stir ful toavoidlumpsfrom forming. with aheavy-dutywhisk,beingcare- Slowly stirinthewaterandblend theheat. and peppertogetheroff mix theflour, bakingpowder, salt In aheavy-duty, saucepan, 2quart

• • • • • Directions 4 cupscanolaorpeanutoilforfrying bread crumbs 2 cupsfinedry Salt totaste eggs 4 large ½ cupgratedPecorinocheese water in¼cupwarm threads dissolved 1 teaspoonsaffron 2½ cupschickenbroth 1 cuparboriorice Ingredients forAracine ½ cupfresh orfrozen peas grinding blackpepper salt totaste ¼ cupred wine plumtomatoes 2 cupscrushed 1 poundground beeforpork 1 teaspoondriedhot-pepperflakes ¼ cupmincedonion ¼ cupmincedcarrot ¼ cupmincedcelery 3 tablespoonsoliveoil Ingredients forRagùSauce Makes about12 to deepfrying. to makerisotto.Ithasheftstandup grain,starchy riceused arborio isashort attempt tomakethemwithregular rice; wonder theyare sogood!Donot and tomatoesfrom theSpanish.No from theGreeks, ragùfrom theFrench, from theArabs,sheep’s milkcheese foreign cultures—the riceandsaffron food thathaditsbeginningsinmany Arancine are traditionalSicilianstreet Sicilian RiceBalls Arancine Siciliane and bringtoaboil. and addthechickenbroth. Stirwell saucepan Pour thericeintoa2-quart days ahead. to taste.Thisstepcanbedone several Stir inthepeas.Addsaltandpepper should bethick,notwatery. low heatfor45minutes.Themixture ingredients well;cookovermedium wine andaddtothemeat;stir Combine thetomatoeswith Add themeatandbrown itwell. the hot-pepperflakes. onion untilthemixture softens.Stirin and pan andcookthecelery, carrot sauce Heat theoliveoilina2-quart

Ambassador

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19 WWW.NIAF.ORG CIAO ITALIA 39497_Magazine.indd 20 20 WWW.NIAF.ORG CIAO ITALIA Ambassador • • • • • • • • To assemblethericeballs. • • • or withouttomatosauceontheside. Drain themonabsorbentpaper. hotwith Serve the oiluntilnicelybrowned. thearancinein orheavy-dutypot.Fry a deepfryer Heat 4cupsofsunflowerorcanolaoilto375°Fin uncovered. Refrigerate severalhoursorovernight completely. tocover Coat theballsinbread crumbs Coat theballsinflour, thentheeggmixture. another shallowbowl. Beat theremaining twoeggswithaforkin Put theflourinashallowbowl. Set aside. of theragù.Closericearound thefilling. Fill theindentationwithagenerous tablespoon indentation inthecenterwithyourfinger. smallorange-sizeballs,thenmakean hand; form Grab about½cupofthericeinpalmyour Salt totaste.Letcool. theheat,stirin cheeseandtwoeggs. Off water totherice.Stirwell. threads andaddthesaffron Strain thesaffron covered untilalltheliquidhasevaporated. Lower theheatandallowricetocook,

Sicilian riceballs

John Hession 3/2/17 3:48 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 21 ITALIAN CUISINE NEXT Photo byKristinaGill Katie Parla’s cookbook. Nduja inCarrozza,from spicy sausagesandwich, Deep-fried mozzarellaand hometown immigrantsfrom Puglia, tight-knit communityofherfamily’s bythe young girl,shewassurrounded of hergrandmother’s recipes. Asa American whohasmadeacareer N.Y., Ragoisafirst-generationItalian nonna’s kitchen. kneading ofpastadoughinyour through thegentle school. It’s learned inculinary isn’t somethinglearned IN NONNAS’ tradition…in thekitchen andonline. other from Rome. Bothare breaking themoldof theItalianculinary from opposite sidesof theAtlantic—one from New Jersey, the young ItalianAmericanwomen are makinganamefor themselves In aculture where history andtradition are valued above allelse, two BY DANIELLE DESIMONE AMERICA andraisedinBrooklyn, Born For RossellaRago,Italiancooking COOKING LEGACY GEN

Rossella Rago

Ambassador Ambassador

3/2/17 3:48 PM John Cristino 21 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 22 22 WWW.NIAF.ORG

Race Point Publishing Ambassador Rosella Rago’s newcookbook. Rossella Rago’s RicottaCheesecake Rossella Rago’s SeafoodBeatrice on hershowandguidethe viewers, she invitesvariousnonnasto appear to lifewithherwebisodes,in which only sheknows. kitchen, makingdinnerfrom arecipe grandmother bustlingaround awarm those childhoodmemoriesofa lives, shesays,someonetorekindle are cravinghavinganonnaintheir Americans, andevenItalophiles, successful. LatergenerationsofItalian “Cooking withNonna”isso the generations.” older, andyoulosesomuchbetween emigrated from Italyissadlygetting generation ofgrandmotherswho nonna,” Ragoexplains.“Thatwhole reconnect withitsheritage. American communitydesperateto from anItalian quickly andorganically of it.“CookingwithNonna”grew 10 yearslater, she’s gettingthehang she wasdoing,admits.Butnearly and Ragodidn’t really knowwhat of YouTube starswasstillanovelty, one ofthefirstguestsonhershow. for filming.Rago’s grandmotherwas professional, roll-away, stovetop island (cookingwithnonna.com), butalsoa not onlybuiltherawebsite as afamilyaffair. Rago’s father She namedit“CookingwithNonna.” herownonlinecookingshow.start grandmother’s sideinspired Ragoto the waysofItaliankitchenbyher cooking. Allofthoseyearslearning had originallyplanned,butrather passionwasn’t teaching,asshe true she says,thatledhertorecognize her experienced an“existentialcrisis,” world “doesn’t cooklikethis.”She did sherealize therest ofthe anything extraordinary.” of that,Ineverthoughtthatitwas byitand,because always surrounded ofourlives,”Ragosays.“Iwas part basement. her nonna,wholivedinfamily’s food. And,ofcourse,there wasalways her upbringingandloveofItalian Rago bringsthatfeelingback This iswhyRagobelieves “This isthelastgenerationof That was2008,whentheidea The cookingshowbegan Not untilRagowenttocollege “Cooking hasalwaysbeenabig on which hadaprofound effect that through cooking.” way thattheylove,andhow theyshow They are defined,Ragosays,“by the ofthekitchen. woman inthecorner more thanjustthestereotypic elderly these ladiesthrough mybook.” so itwasnicetofinallypayhomage of thefamiglia,and the cornerstone the Italianfamily,” saysRago.“Sheis recipes, aswelltheirlifestories. styles ofthewomenwhoprovided the reflecting theindividualcooking than 100recipes from 25nonnas, cookbook, whichincludesmore her own“CookingwithNonna” women whoinspired hertocreate introduced hertoacastofincredible American community. for hercontributionstotheItalian where shewillbehonored thisMarch to NIAF’s 2017NewYork SpringGala tours, where sheleadsguidedculinary of herfamily’s hometowninPuglia Hour RestaurantBattle,”totheshores winning) theFoodNetwork’s “24 on(and taken Ragofrom starring Rago says. make Italianculture sounique,” will loseallofthosetraditionsthat nonnas whiletheyare stillhere, we thingsfrom our and ifwedon’t learn we don’t recipes, documentcertain of cataloglong-losttraditions.“If publication onMarch 15)asasort in hernewcookbook(scheduledfor shared onRago’s website,aswell as grown toincludehundreds ofrecipes own grandmothersoncemade. “play detective”andfindrecipes their reaching outpersonallytoaskRago manyofthem media platforms, actively followRagoacross hersocial of thousandspeoplewhonow kitchen hasresonated withhundreds a side!” sauce orifit’s gravy—Iwon’t pick confidently. “Butdon’t askmeifit’s Rossellasays “Eggplant parmigiana,” recipes. of cookingonetheirsignature step-by-step, through the process Our nonnasare, afterall,far “The nonnaistheunsunghero of Most importantly, ithas “Cooking withNonna”has “Cooking withNonna”has This personallookintoanonna’s Her favoritedishtomake? 3/2/17 3:48 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 23 of Rome)andwasincreasingly sought from thecity speleology certification around thecity (withanarcheological tours her ownfoodandhistory in2008.Soon,Parlawasleading off about Romancuisine,andthingstook personal blog(katieparla.com/blog) school amatricianarecipes. onold- new restaurants makingariff pastries, shewasalsodelvingintothe old pasticceriemakingtraditional only wassheexploringthecentury- Roman foodandbeveragescene.Not entrenched herselfinthelocal own personalresearch, Parlahas University ofRome. Gastronomic Culture from the adegree inItalian before earning Atlantic, TheGuardian, andothers, Traveler, NationalGeographic,The as TheNewYork Times, CondeNast forpublicationssuch travel articles she beganwritingguidebooksand was notherstrong suit.Instead, there.” tospendtherest ofmylife urgency youngage,Ijustalwaysfeltthis very Parla sayswithouthesitation.“From a Why Rome?“Itwasinstantaneous,” Rome tobecomeanEnglishteacher. in hand,Parlapromptly movedto hospitality,” Parlasays. the wholeexperiencethatgoesinto just aboutproducing ameal.Ilike of eatingameal.“Forme,it’s not Italian food,buttheentire process she developedapassionnotjustfor up inherfather’s restaurant where blogging scenebystorm. and culture, andistakingthefood- writes aboutItaliancuisine,travel , Rome,where she of lacittàeterna lifestyle full-tiltasafull-timeresident was goingtolivethere.” realize, atage16,that,“Someday, I in highschoolare whatmadeher Latin andRomancivilizationclasses passion forItalianfood,shesaysher credits herfamily’s cookingforher been alifelongaffair. Althoughshe WHEN INROME She beganwritingonher Through thisdegree andher Parla soonrealized thatteaching degree history Yale Universityart A nativeofNewJersey, Parlagrew Today, Parlalivesherex-pat Katie Parla’s loveforItalyhas

Kristina Gill Rick Poon introducing therecipes that sheknowssowell, the streets ofRome Parla takesyouthrough it isakitchenguide,as bookas much ahistory an AncientCity.” Itisas Recipesfrom Forgotten Rome: Fresh Flavorsand cookbook, “Tasting published herfirst projects. much larger after tocollaborateon “Tasting Rome”cookbook Pizza RomanafromKatieParla’s Katie Parla Last year, Parla it. surrounds Roman cuisineandtheculture that by spreading thegospelofauthentic size andshape,Parla’s workstandsout oversaturated withfoodblogsofevery egg—to becomeahouseholdname. pancetta, andpecorinoromano, butno cousin thatcallsforguancialeor pasta allagricia—carbonara’s close continues totirelessly campaignfor Italian andAmerican.She to definethatdifficultlinebetween family inBasilicata,aswelllearn language skillstotrackdownher and given Parlathetime,expertise cuisine. Italian southern and writinghersecondbookon Parla isbackinRome,researching throughout theUnitedStatesin2016, ofpublishingthisbook.” rewarding part into Rome’s foodculture, isthemost that gap,andcreating amainline and thepeopleeatingit,sobridging between thepeoplemakingfood Parla says.“Ittakestimetobuildtrust diners becauseofalanguagebarrier,” able tocommunicatedirectly withthe mixologists ofRomewhoaren’t really give avoicetothechefs,bakersand writing thisbookwasbeingableto of world.“Myfavoritepart culinary a waytoconnectRomethelarger restaurants. of somethecity’s mostesteemed Manager andAssistantEditor. Danielle DeSimoneisNIAF’sSocial Media Katie Parla(aboveright)makingCacioePepe Katie Parla's2016Cookbook. is While theinternet Living inItalyforsolonghas After awhirlwindbooktour For Parla,writingthebookwas

Kristina Gill Ambassador

3/2/17 3:48 PM 23 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 24 24 WWW.NIAF.ORG NIAF President By JohnM.Viola Marching Club Photos byItalianAmerican Along theparaderoute Parade float.Above: Top: St.Joseph’s Day Ambassador Ambassador AN W Celebrating St. Joseph’s Day inNew Orleans which served as the center of celebratory visits visits as thecenterofcelebratory which served and symbolicfixingslikelemons andfavabeans— a rare abundance ofsweets,breads, specialfoods and buildinggiganticaltarsweighed downwith Joseph’s feastdaybybreaking withLentenausterity Giving thanks,SiciliansbegancelebratingSt. that haddevastatedtheisland’s foodsupplies. Sicilian peopleandbrought rainstoendadrought humble carpenteranswered theprayersof centuries. It’s saidthatinmedievaltimesthe Sicily, where St.Josephhasbeenapatron for tothosefrom Italians,andparticularly Southern a celebrationofmyown. that onlybecausetwodayslaterIwouldhave soda breads theirmothersmade.Isurvived in kellygreen andproudly presented lumpy my freckled, fair-skinned classmatesdressed felt more alienthanSt.Patrick’s Day, when Irish Americanenclave. State townwithnoItalianAmericans,alittle American familyendedupintheonlyGarden ing “ethnic compass.” Somehow, Italian mylarge suburbs, Ithinktheydidsowithoutafunction- St. Joseph’s Daymeansagreat dealto So, forthisItalianAmericankid,noday Brooklyn andrelocate totheNewJersey leave ourItalianAmericanenclavein hen myparents decidedwewould ALTARING

Marching Club, one of the largest ethnic ethnic Marching Club,oneofthelargest Sicilian. the townhasbecomeincreasingly andproudly Italians totheUnitedStates. Overthepastcentury, destination ofsometheearliestimmigration so totheItalianAmericancommunityas St. Joseph’s Parade. traditions—the rebuild oneofitsmostimportant looking tohelpthedevastatedcityofNewOrleans Sicilian AmericanMichaelBadalucco,whowas his friend,Emmyaward-winning actorandproud Katrina,Davidhadbeenapproached by Hurricane St. Joseph’s Day, Inthewakeof isnodifferent. Orleans, sharingitsincredible celebration of with theSicilianAmericancommunityinNew Avenue chefandfoodhistorian.Myrelationship call from myfriendDavidGreco, thefamedArthur Italian Americanadventures beginwithaphone indulging inthefamousSt.Joseph’s zeppole. family dinner, savoringtheonce-a-yeardelightof todress inred and celebratewitha opportunity family, inourIrishAmericanexile,relished the Italianimmigrants.My with millionsofSouthern with familyandfriends.

For the past 46 years, the Italian American For thepast46years,Italian American New Orleansisaspecialcity, andevenmore Thesedays,itseemslikemanyofmygreat These traditionsmadetheirwaytoourshores 3/2/17 3:48 PM EXPERIENCE AN ALTARING

39497_Magazine.indd 25 EXPERIENCE Orleans Riverside to assist as David’s sous chef Orleans Riversidetoassistas David’s souschef cateringkitchensoftheHiltonNew cavernous St. Joseph’s Day, intothe Istumbledbleary-eyed tojoinhim. found theopportunity adventure. Two yearsintomy timeatNIAF, I me tocomealongonthisonce-in-a-lifetime donations toward this feast,eachyearhebegged St. Joseph’s dish. pounds ofpastaconlesarde, atraditionalSicilian instead ofthespaghettiandmeatball,cooked500 David drove from theBronx toNewOrleansand, traditions.So,at his personalexpense, culinary from meat,aswellthewealthofSicilian ItalianLentenabstinences traditional Southern David, thenovelty-sizedpolpettarancounterto meatball, hesawaproblem hecouldsolve.To and theworld’s (inhisopinion,driest) largest 2,500SicilianAmericanguestsspaghetti serving lunchwouldbe thefestivalkick-off David learned with theSicilianAmericansofNewOrleans.When wasn’t lost,MichaelandDavid beganworking days offestivities.To makesure thistradition ofKatrinajeopardized thethree the aftermath of thesignature eventsintheCrescent City. But has grown itsSt.Joseph’s Daycelebrationintoone UnitedStates, inthesoutheastern organizations A little before 5 a.m., the morning before before A littlebefore 5a.m.,themorning While IhadhelpedDavidwithpersonal pounds of pasta is cooked perfectly al dente! aldente! pounds ofpastaiscookedperfectly aboutmakingsure 500 our culture wouldworry activity todoithimself.Only someonewhoreveres of to beblanched,Davidfliesintoatornado lefthispostandthepastaissupposed kitchen staff commander inhisprecision, whenoneof the Avenue.he donatedfrom Arthur Likeamilitary team toparboil500poundsoffresh spaghetti their markontheSicilianpalate. of themanycultures that,overcenturies,haveleft spices—delicately blendingthescentsandflavors salted sardines, raisins, pignolinuts,andcountless intoxicating aromas ofwildfennelgreens, onions, sauce lookedmore likeanindustrialtrough. pans suffice.Thegiganticmachineforcookingthe . Tocon lesarde makethatmuchfood,nopotsor from scratch,withalotoflove,500poundspasta ashebeganmaking, orders tothekitchenstaff than findinghimliningupingredients andsinging boundless energy, butnothingproved thatmore life. my experiencesof impressive andenjoyableculinary in whatwouldendupbeingoneofthemost We Atnoon,we worked allmorning. As thesaucecooked,Davidworkedwith order,In short thekitchenwasswimmingwith I’ve alwaysknownDavidtobeamanof parade convertible and DavidGrecointheir Above: JohnM.Viola Marching Club Photos byItalianAmerican American MarchingClub of theFeastDay;Italian Greco tossbeads;Queen John M.ViolaandDavid Clockwise fromtopleft: Ambassador 3/2/17 3:48 PM 25 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 26 26 26 WWW.NIAF.ORG Ambassador Ambassador Photo byJohnM.Viola the pastaconlesarde ren putfinaltoucheson actor-singer JamesDar Right: DavidGrecoand le sarde preparing thepastacon M. Viola and David Greco Top: NIAFPresidentJohn - predominantly ItalianAmerican churches imagine whatlayaheadonSt. Joseph’s Day itself. my headhitsthepillowthat night, Icouldonly of NewOrleansasoneits own. Bythetime completely welcomedintotheSiciliancommunity for animpromptu “ThatOldBlackMagic,”I’m singing anddancing.AfterIjoinLenaonstage community istogether, eatinganddrinking, red wine.Celebratingitspatron saint,theentire ofpastaandplasticcups heaping portions wrapping around theroom, wehandout playing “C’èlaluna”asweplatethedelicacy. Easy’s Siciliancommunity, Lenaandherbandare musician andpassionatememberoftheBig alive byhisdaughter, LenaPrima.Atalented New Orleanswhosesongsandpassionare kept favorite numbersbyLouisPrima,aproud sonof main course.I’mregaled bythejazzynotesofmy like allofNewOrleansisanxiouslyawaitingthe proudly celebratingSt.Joseph’s Day. Here, itfeels when myfamilyandIwere theonlypeople mebacktohowsmallIusedfeel transports andjackets,tricolored beadsandtrimmings, shirts to ensure thedish’s authenticity. year secret familyrecipe forthismomentevery Marching Club,whomakes themixture from a using come from one of the Sicilian ed: The50giantZiplocbagsofmudigaDavidis - bring outtheflavors.Theextracare iswarrant mixture, mudiga,needstobetoasted crumb abouthowthespecialSicilianbread- theory byDavid.Hehasa sauced andhand-charred thewaitingmasses.Allare beautifully to serve hoisted toourshouldersdozensoftrayspasta Many ItalianAmericanfamilies and thelineofeagerItalianAmericans With As weentered theballroom, theseaofred nonne of the flowers and hats, that scream Italian pride. The flowers andhats,thatscream Italianpride.The weighed downbythetricolorbeads,buttons, pressed, intheirtux,crispandperfectly everyone and green. There are thousandsofmarchers, seems tobeanentire citybedeckedinred, white bowtie andexitthehotel,I’mastoundedbywhat black tuxedo! and menare notallowedintheparadewithouta tenured clubmembershavepersonalizedchariots; ofItalianAmericanjoy.hour carnival Long- inamulti- in floats,through theFrench Quarter and honored guestsmaketheirway, onfootor Club, theirfamilies,celebrityGrandMarshalls of thecelebrations.MembersMarching to changeforthemainevent. backtothehotel without anap,butwe’re carted sweets. Bytheend,Ican’t imaginegoingfurther ofantipasti, pastas,fishesand multicourse affair sold toraisemoneyforthechurch. Lunchisa square inchcovered withtreats field long,every Thetableseemsasifitwerecarpentry. afootball mudiga, representing sawdustfrom St.Joseph’s of traditionalSiciliandelicacies,manytoppedwith around theblockofchurch toshare alunch fig cookies,todecoratethecity’s altar. largest foods, plusbakedtraditionalSiciliancucidati days before thefesta,familiesprepare their area’s SicilianAmericanchurch. For largest Metairie, aNewOrleanssuburbwiththe friends andIwenttoSt.JosephParishin Day, David,Michael,mynewMarching Club towns.So,onSt.Joseph’sand surrounding welcoming visitorsfrom alloverNewOrleans still puttogetherSt.Joseph’s altartables, As I straighten out my red-white-and-green As Istraightenoutmyred-white-and-green The St.Joseph’s DayParadeis theheart thousandsofguestslineup That morning, 3/2/17 3:48 PM

39497_Magazine.indd 27 dance floor where Marching Club members and dance floorwhere Marching Clubmembers and the It feelslikethousandsoftables surround tothehotelfor theGalaDinner.fades, wereturn member marching tokeeptheirtraditionsalive. the street tohugafriendorplantkisson afamily into car. fewfeet,westopassomeone runs Every the stringsoftricolorbeadswetossfrom the spectators linetheroute, handsoutstretched for dancing inthestreet. Hundreds ofthousands and-green blurofItalianmusic,andpeople in aparade?” should webehungry,” heasks,“justbecause we’re antipasto hevacuumsealedjustfortheday. “Why David takesoutabottleofwineandplate ourparadecar.convertible, True tohisnature, asaQueenofthefeast. serve the honorofhavingadaughterorgranddaughter about Imeetshares astory attractions; everyone of theFeastDay. Theyare oneofthecentral hierarchy ofQueensandMaidens fortheCourt a in their firstHolyCommunion,are arranged beautiful whitegownsanddaintygloveslikeit’s young girlsofthecommunity, alldressed in When the pandemonium of the parade When thepandemoniumof theparade isared-white- Our tripthrough theQuarter David andItakeaseatinthebackofanopen antipasto andwine. andmaybejoinusforsome our convertible, Feast, lookforDavidandme inthebackof you shouldn’t miss. And, ifyoumakeittothe people andtheirproud culture, it’s anevent you’re Sicilian,Italian,orjustaloverofgood heritage tovisitNewOrleansonMarch 19.If NIAF Gala). American calendar(withallrespect toour might bethemostspecialweekendofItalian bringing friendsandfamilytoshare whatIthink yearnow, unparalleled tradition.Igobackevery Orleans’ SicilianAmericancommunityandits byhowgoodIfeelaboutNew energized around myneckearlier. and-green feathered boaafellowmarcher tied haze ofsonganddance,twirlingthered-white- table hoppingtoshare foodeachhasbrought. breakout and,likeonebigfamily, peoplebegin When theceremonies are finished,tarantellas floor todancewiththeirfathersandgrandfathers. girls, beamingwithpride,are invitedtothedance honored guestsare introduced, before thelittle I tellanyonewhocares abouthisorher As Ilookbackonthatfirsttrip,I’m For me,thenightendsinChianti-induced Photo courtesyofDavidGreco parade John M.Violaatthe Above: NIAFPresident Photo byJohnM.Viola table inMetairie St. Joseph’s Dayaltar Top: Thegigantic Ambassador 3/2/17 3:48 PM 27 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 28 28 WWW.NIAF.ORG Ambassador barbers When a the of sicily Rotoletti andPhotography byArmando Story Trim Mirrored Society

and

Shave

told withoutspeaking. nonchalance, seenwithoutlooking, would becarefullycombedwithsly any rippleaffectingvillagelife setting ofSiciliansociability, where my eyeswasthemostauthentic being struckbyarevelation.Before member ifIevergotit,butrecall information forthestory. Ican’tre- Corleone. Iwentintoaskforsome across abarbershopinsquare Roman magazinewhenIcame fora working onacoverstory In spring1991,IwasinSicily 3/2/17 3:48 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 29 second handorpassedonfrom one were often equipment andfurniture little eyetoaesthetics;thematerials, and tere, withminimalistic furniture in common.Theinteriorswere aus- ticed howtheyallhadcharacteristics and thepeoplewhowentthere, Ino- barber shop,givenitsage,theowner, church, orthemainstreet. the communities,evenmore thanthe world thatsymbolisesthehubofall toms andchronicle ahighlysociable me closetorealities thatreflect cus- coast, allacross Sicily. Theybrought inlandandgoingtowards the starting barber shopsintownsandvillages, by instinctandchance,stopping driven 1993, andfollowedanitinerary over afewweeks,between1992and too late.Thephotoshootstookplace and longedtorecord before itwas well,beingSicilianmyself, knew very of traditionalSicilianessencewhichI film, catchingthatintangibletrace ence, Ihadtheideaoffixingtimeon Despite theuniquenessofeach From thisunexpectedexperi- even themostobscene. topic ofconversationwould be allowed, “decompression bubble”where any of agrarian societyandentering asort social conventionsofthestrictlylayered ulation wouldbeleavingbehindthe ofthisvisualhyperstim- marked effect and emotionaltension.Themost urges being fetishesonwhichtoproject one’s analmostliberatingfunctionby served leave nothingtotheimagination.They walls could,attimes,besoexplicitasto by ancientcustoms.Thephotosonthe eter from whichwomenwere leftout drawingaperim- men’s-only territory, They were asymbolmarkingthe were oftendrapedwitherotic pictures. cial interaction.Thosesimilarinteriors barber’s wasthehumancontact andso- the mostgratifyingexperienceat ing; but,mostofall,bythefactthat craftsorshepherd - devoted tofarming, towns, where mostofthepeoplewere economic environment ofthesmall out. completely worn generation tothenextuntiltheywere This sparseness was justified by the This sparsenesswasjustifiedbythe Ambassador 3/2/17 3:48 PM 29 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 30 30 WWW.NIAF.ORG Ambassador town, consolidatingmalebonding. the mostspacchiuso(attractive)placein thesalonin itself sotheatricallyturned display ofvariedhumanityexpressing sence ofwomenandtheentertaining where mencouldtakerefuge. Theab- ofneutralhaven resented somesort of matriarchy, thebarbershoprep- health, businessandpolitics. diagnoses were madeonmarriage, ofexistential sessions inwhichallsorts pist, directing ersatzpsychoanalytical of ceremonies toconfessorandthera- several roles thatrangedfrom master with thehost.Thebarbertookon that fostered friendshipandintimacy sure—created arelaxed atmosphere erotic plea- of implicitandinvoluntary sensual touchofthebarber—source through theshopandsoft logical benefitswere unquestionable. mundane, thatabarbershop’s psycho- an idealizedworld,detachedfrom the ofsuch few minutes,andbecomepart fora beauty ortheirspiritualenergy allowed peopletobewrappedintheir with suchcelebrities,ifonlyvisually, inspire conversations.Gettingintouch the “GoodPope”(JohnXXIII)would moral andspiritualinfluence,suchas dubious fame,butalsopeopleofgreat footballers, politiciansofmore orless and lowbrow, ofsacred andprofane. and idols,ameltingpotofhighbrow heroes iconography ofcontemporary also exhibitioncentres foravaried visual communication,buttheywere a pivotalrole inoraltraditionand epicentre ofpopularculture, playing en from anexclusively men’s world. tion’s lasttaboosthatprevented wom- better, likethefallofonetradi- barber shopsin25years,some forthe than justbeingaweeklyaestheticritual. chance todiscoverthemselvesrather would thusbecometosomearare and negativity. Stoppingbythe barber’s est thoughts,togetridofhissuffering way, motivated to search within his deep- look athimselfinanunusuallyobjective through whicheachcustomercould voyage toself-discovery, amagicobject The smellofcolognespreading aidedthis The great wallmirror In anagrariansocietywithtraces Show bizstars,models,famous Not onlywere barbershopsthe Many thingshavechangedin

3/2/17 3:48 PM

39497_Magazine.indd 31 than 20yearsago,becamemybook with thecustomersandfriendlychats. in real lifethrough weekenddrinks their socialnetworksare nowdisplayed vent sociabilityofthebarbershopsand guises, more elusive,lessset.Thefer- vanished butratherhastakenonnew past, thesenseofcommunityhasn’t despite theclear-cut contrastwiththe replaced byanothertypeofshow. But, showingmusicvideos. permanently schemes andtheubiquitousTVscreens minutest detail,totheinterior’s colour marketing strategiesplannedtothe image, inallitsaspects,rangingfrom ation. Thespotlightisnowcentred on ing light,fosteringwell-beingandrelax- andenvelop- rooms swathedinawarm a dreamlike place.Instead,wehave chiaroscuro thatmadethebarber’s atmospheres; thedimlightingand specialized professionalism. a demandformore reliable and improvements insanitation,satisfying Not to mention, there have been great This seriesofphotos,shotmore The showofhumanvarietyisthus What hasdisappeared? Thedusky from NIAF all a10% discount on (since members our For moreinformation,visit www.myitalianfamily.com, orcall1-888-472-0171 services 2007!) beneﬁt

Bring Do YouEverImagineYour

www.armandorotoletti.com.Visit: People”). (“Barbaresco area Langhe others) toItaly’swine-producing andPeople,”among and “Etna’sWine of Sicily,” “ConversationsinBiancavilla” small Sicilianvillages(inbooks“Barbers and sevenbooks.Theirtopicsrangefrom many photocollectionsandexhibitions, communitieshasledto ments ofmicro inculturalandsocialenviron- interest Vanity FairandTheSundayTimes. His dellaSera, nent publicationsasCorriere insuchpromi- whose workhasappeared Rotoletti isaphotographerandwriter then, nowandinthefuture. about barbershops—andsociety— behaviors, andstimulateconversation andnew regenerated intonewforms rather documentcustomsbefore they der tonostalgiaforoldcustoms,but I wantedthecameranottosurren- alteringtheisland. the modernization by barber shopsthenstillunaffected thelast research thatunearthed andanthropological to journalism “Barbers ofSicily,” ablendofpho- that inMessina,Sicily, Born Armando vision

• •

Obtain your Discover centuries with through us to to our manage life Italian research with

the of Dual Citizenship real information about your services application process. Italian history. onsite Ancestors? by working in Italy

roots

Ambassador Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM 31 WWW.NIAF.ORG I collect small Sicilian Mistretta towns. It is my joy to I woke at dawn in Mistretta, choose the town with the a medieval town of 5,000 people tiniest dot on a map and living 3,120 feet up in the Nebrodi go there. They are all Mountains, 56 miles east of Palermo. founded by Phoenicians, The birds chirped, the sun beamed as I walked out in the crisp April air to Greeks, Romans or Arabs explore its historic center. and set like gems in the Past the bank, bar and museum, I country or sea around got sucked into an alley and followed them. Some were once it uphill into an abandoned stone kingdoms of their own. village where the houses and the I go to watch people's paving stones were cut from the same A Wayward Reporter Explores lives in these unsung rock, the golden sandstone pietra the Beauty of Sicily places, and to enjoy dorata di Mistretta. Wandering, I found their hidden beauties pockets of life–a pot of red begonias, By Theresa M. Maggio whether roughshod or a woman pinning laundry to a line, a refined. Here's a peek at teenage boy running downhill beating on doors, yelling, “Pane!” He told me Mistretta photos by Riccardo Zingone two of them during one he delivered bread to the old ones Sicilian spring. Linosa photos by Theresa Maggio who never left. In Via Solitario, I met a solitary old man and asked him how the road got its name. “That's just the name they gave it,” he said, disconsolate. WWW.NIAF.ORG

32 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 32 3/2/17 3:49 PM “There used to be a family of five or and herds of cattle and swine, and now overgrown with vines. I saw the six in every house on this street.” manufactured woolen and leather insignia of a cobbler carved in a wall In 1921, nearly 15,000 people goods. A moneyed middle class arose behind the mother church but the lived in Mistretta but life changed with a taste for art to embellish their building was abandoned. My favorite when farming died. Now moss grew on new palazzi and churches, so artists sculpture was the dandy jutting the empty houses and grass between flocked to Mistretta. Their exuberant from a wall to uphold the balcony the pavers. At a belvedere on cliff-side burst of creativity turned the town above the barbershop, bare-chested, Via Rupe Saracena, I looked out over into an outdoor gallery of 500-year-old bodacious, arms folded coolly the red tile rooftops across the valley decorative stone. I know of no other behind his head, with his handlebar into the mountains of the regional town like it. My guide showed me the mustache and petit goatee. Parco dei Nebrodi, the greatest carved sandstone coats of arms. The I met the barber, Nicolo Rossini, expanse of protected land in Sicily. naked men and women burning in who was cutting a client's hair in his I walked downhill back to town bas-relief flames on the facade of the one-chair salon. He said that when and into the pro loco office, open by Church of the Souls in Purgatory. he bought the place he was thrilled then, to see what more I could learn Balcony corbels in the shapes of to discover something even better about Mistretta. Its vice president, monsters to scare off evil spirits. to him than the dapper man. He Gaetano Russo, a stone cutter and “People are still asking me to pointed up. On either side of the sculptor, gave me a tour of this city make these,” Russo said. sculpture were the bas relief symbols of decorative stone. He said a Danish Flanking the double doors to of the barbers' guild—scissor and builder was buying up the abandoned the Palazzo Scaduto's Gran Bar stand comb on one side, straight blade and houses to turn them into vacation the life-sized torsos of a man and a strop on the other. homes for fellow Danes. woman, shocking caryatids in the “This has been a barbershop for Mistretta has Roman roots buff. I saw a wine glass, emblem of 500 years!” he said, as he lifted the but flourished in the 1500s when the tavern-keeper's guild, carved smock from his customer's shoulders farmers raised 30,000 head of sheep, over the door to a medieval bistro, and brushed him off.

In Mistretta: Barber Nicolo Rossini, and sculptures seen on buildings in the town. WWW.NIAF.ORG

Ambassador 33

39497_Magazine.indd 33 3/2/17 3:49 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 34 34 WWW.NIAF.ORG Ambassador Lampedusa andgotlost,”my “They were probably headedto up onLinosa'sjaggedcoast. African refugee boatthathadcracked objectswere fragmentsofan curvy the Ishivered to learn abstract art. hungthere like hardwood forms kitchen wallpuzzledbythepolished cottage, Iunpackedandstared atthe umber.and burnt The rest ofthecoastisrock, allblack layeggs. tourists swimandseaturtles the onlysandonisland,where brown beachcalledCalaPozzolana, as wedrove awayhepointedoutthe scarce, itisillegaltowork two. because inSicily, where jobsare but theshopwasinhiswife'sname Paolo Tuccio isalsothetownbutcher, torent. the cottageIhadarranged to amanonthedockwhoowned crewman threw themooringrope Approaching Linosabysea two continents. Lampedusa andLinosaisonetownon African plate,80milesfrom Tunisia. island, lies26milessouthwestonthe Lampedusa, itswhitelimestonesister point oftheEuropean landmasswhile other. Itliesatthesouthernmost of thestreet andthevolcanoat cube villagewiththeseaatoneend volcano. seapoisedonthetipofa turquoise square miles,ajaggedblackislein peopleliveonitstwo hundred-thirty island 100milessouthofSicily. Four- Empedocle forLinosa,aPelagic at full moon,Iboarded theferry Linosa The peoplehadlikelydrowned. In myblue-huedcountry His sonSalvocollectedme,and a At sixthenextmorning, Most islandersliveinitscolored- One midnightinMayundera drought. “Ithasn'trainedsincelast nearly extinctonthisislandfamedfor atradenow the children offarmers, Mostare islanders becamefishermen. are deepanddangerous, hesaid;few slanted cementslip. tendingaboatonthe fisherman street. There ayoung ImetVincenzo, like diamondsattheendof was drawntotheriffledseasparkling borders framingwindowsanddoors.I orange withthickcontrastingcolor past housespink,periwinkleand impact withEuropean culture. about desperateAfricanrefugees' first filming “Terraferma,” hismovie Emanuele CrialesewasonLinosa shipwreck. HesaidtheItalianDirector peg coatrackhe'dmadefrom more landlord said,andshowedmethe The lentilcloud Pasquale Bonadonnaat89 Linosa isaseamountsoitswaters ReUmberto I walkeddownVia Tuccio gavemethenameofaman conditions. inneardesert survive on theisland. fodder. Nowthere isnotasingle cow cut thepaddlesofpricklypearsfor them thestrawfrom hismattress and with rosemary. Indrought, he'dfeed scented scrub, wild Mediterranean pure,” hesaid.Itscattlegrazedthe was prizedbecause“thebeef father's cattlewhenLinosa'sbeef He grew upbarefoot, tendinghis them becauseLinosahasnobees. zucchini andalsohand-pollinated said Vincenzo. October,” sixmonthswithoutadrop, sea is rough, the ferry cannotdock sea isrough, theferry beef, fresh waterandfuel.When the weather forhealthcare, groceries, andcalm now dependedontheferry six hoursfortherescue helicopter. attackwaiting who haddiedofaheart for anislanddoctor. Heknewaman high school,butmostofallhewished cinema, newsstand,gasstationand lamented thelackofasoccerfield, birthday, theisland'soldestman.He Pasquale Bonadonnaonhis89th hoping tomeethim,Imetinstead While Isatatthevillagefourcorners andthreshing byhand. harvesting who grew themandwouldsoonbe Smiling underaloadoflentils Linosa isfamedforlentils,which My landlord hand-watered his Once self-sufficient,theisland 3/2/17 3:49 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 35 said, “This is my last night on Linosa.” said, “ThisismylastnightonLinosa.” When Anna'sfatherbrought ittome,I its windows.Iordered thelentilsoup. windnow rattling the sirocco harvest at Anna's,theonlyrestaurant, with pink lentilsraineddown. andthe salmon- took thebrown chaff to theskywithpitchforks.Thewind tossingtheharvest the mentookturns Mazzarino pushedarototiller. Then pile oftwigstoloosenthebeans, instead ofdrivingadonkeyoverthe Atthethreshing ground, trucks. kilo parcels ontheirbackstowaiting in40- bundled intotarpsandcarried four mencollectedinarmloads, brown stalkswhich up toafieldofdry Linosa, conditionswere right.Iwalked the beans. butnot enough toblowawaythechaff delayed untilthewindblewjusthard was His lentilswere ripe,butharvest his motherwasheadedtothehospital. on,theMazaradelVallo,born while hewas his nicknamefrom theferry from theworld. and Linosaiscutoff To celebratemyfinalnight,Iate On myfifthandlastdayon Finally, ImetMazarino,whogot Find heratwww.theresamaggio.com. awaitsrepresentation. ofPalermo,” “Heart ofSicily.”Hidden Villages Hernewbook, and TheStoneBoudoir:Travels the through immigrants, istheauthorof“Mattanza Maggio,granddaughterofSicilian Theresa my soup. at Empedocle. wasstuck hesaid.Theferry morning,” “You're notgoinganywhere inthe And Ibitdownonalavastonein He leanedinwithawickedgrin. In thelentilharvestfields Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM 35 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 36 36 WWW.NIAF.ORG Ambassador Ambassador since 1957. has owned which she prayer book, personal open her Aurora holds notes from a handwritten history from my grapes for crushing. wineries canaccept the sugar content before a certain percentage of they willneedto have for ripeningthegrapes— weather isvery important soon begin…thewarm ripe andthecrushingwill The grapes are getting nonie Rachel Bicha grandmother

By RachelBicha her scrapbook. a setofpagesin Aurora looksover Rachel Bicha 3/2/17 3:49 PM Rachel Bicha 39497_Magazine.indd 37 pots andpans,ascattering of whisks stovetopcluttered with apartment—a inNonie’s childhood afternoons kitchen reminds meofmyown schedules andtelegrams. and bread boxes,train of butterchurns er-paced shegrew upon—aworld farm olis andsetmedownintheslow- ing, over-crowded, car-clogged metrop- letters pluckmefrom mytext-messag- baskets totheendofrow. Nonie’s thebranchesandheftingheavy off shakingfruit never spenttheafternoon ortheranksoffigtrees. I’ve terraces feast. chef, andsoitwasalwaysagreat now, comeandeat!’Well, shewasaNo.1 noonandsay,always calloutaround ‘Rest young).Also,mymotherwould we were a finger. really wasn’ttoobad(and Well, it was easytoletyourgrapeknifeslipandslice underagrapevine,andit snake wasresting sun, especiallywiththebees.Onceevena season: ofharvest about thestart us grandkids,continuesreminiscing asNonietoall known affectionately andmeditationsondailylife. history with storiesofherchildhood,family me letters,onceortwiceaweek,filled I didn’t expectthatshe’dbegin sending offrittataintheoven. with thewarmth withNonie,herkitchenfilled ternoons I realized howmuchImissedthoseaf- noon slippedintoevening.Incollege, biscotti, green teabythefireplace; andmaking from ourhouse;reading bookswith picking inthePippinorchards anhour have leftmecrispmemories—apple are rightaround thecorner. season— fall—and grapeharvesting remind methatthebeginningof block over, mygrandmother’s words ischiminga and anicecream truck through myflip-flops toburn starting Depression. Althoughtheblacktopis box andbacktothefalldaysof les heatwhere Istandbymymail- out ofthesearingOctoberLosAnge- on thebackofpostcard pullsme The mentionofhermother’s I haveneverseenthegrapevine It wasnoteasyworkingoutinthehot My Italiangrandmother, Aurora, Childhood autumnswithNonie The familiarshakypenmanship andmeatballsastheafter torte - Nonie was born theyoungest of Nonie wasborn childhood andourfamilyhistory. er—just likewhenyoulive it. life. Itwasalwaysallblended togeth- detailsofher totheeveryday history family transition from the“important” the significantandmundane,no baked, colored andread. loses,painted, mourned birthdays, like Idranktoomuchvino!),celebrated ofzig-zagwhenIwalk—looks cane (Isort don’t evenhaveabottleofwine),got eating salami–no,justkiddingbutI cramp. I’mtrippingoverboxesandonly letter,short becauseIhavemovingbrain themove—thiswillbea days togobefore (Fivemore moved toanewapartment seems tobeinperil), my memory—which success. NowIwillsendupprayersfor ered from it(IthankGodformymedical macular degeneration—andrecov- shots. Shewrote asshedeveloped the pastfewyearsinaseriesofsnap- life andreflections now, chronicling and Iwassafekeeping. time capsule,oneNoniewasbuilding gan tolookonthemasephemeraina andbackwards. Ibe- viewed forwards achronicle ofalife ofsorts, journal letters tokeepintouch.Theywere a They soonbecamemore thanjust poured in over the weeks and months. Ireadhistory. themkeenlyasthey alized howlittleIknewofmyfamily’s coming,however,letters started Ire- to havetheearslisten.Once MaybeIwastooyoung family history. rarely talkedaboutherselforour cookies. the lumpsofdoughwere soft,gooey for themtospread.” tells me.“Makesure you leaveroom work. “Thosewilldojustfine,”she ardly onthegreased cookiesheet. misshapen lumpsofdoughhaphaz- where I’veplopped the countertop, I’m barely tallenoughtoseeabove up, handsstickywithcookiedough. board. wooden pastry egg shells,anovalofflourdustonthe and measuringspoonsemptied Other letterslookback,toNonie’s There wasnodistinctionbetween Some lettersdetailNonie’s daily While Iwasgrowing up,Nonie Three rounds ofGoFishlater, Nonie’s kindglancechecksmy “Did Idoitright,Nonie?”pipe

vineyards inNorthernCalifornia,1946. Aurora andhertwosistersworkinginthefamily Nonie’s highschool graduation picture age 8,circa1935. first communion, Nonie’s Ambassador (circa 1945) 3/2/17 3:49 PM 37 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 38 38 WWW.NIAF.ORG been theirdaughter. tohave stranger alikeandIwasfortunate door wasalwaysopentofriendand working andGod-fearingpeople.Their first winter. that freezing andkeptthemfrom warm, newspapers. Itactuallykepttheplacequite to fillinallthecracksandholeswith Theyendeduphaving the placewarm. in thewalls,makingitimpossibletokeep allthecracksandcrevices blowing through wind The firstwintertheydiscovered cabin(usuallyahomeformales). a farm mom lovedtotellthisstory. oranythinglike that.My or “sweetheart” didn’tknowhowtosay“wife” here”—he for himself,andtwoeggs“forthislady came to take their order, two eggs he ordered advanced. Whenthewaiter still notvery toWindsor.head north HisEnglishwas leavingto before they stoppedforbreakfast life. married tobegintheir toWindsor would beoff a one-nighthoneymoon,andthenthey herthesameday.and married Theyhad totheCatholicchurch, whisked heroff traintrip, hercross-country off fresh grandmother.your great Hemethisbride enough moneytosendforhissweetheart, wagons, equipment,horseshoes,etc. as ablacksmith,sohewasabletorepair InItaly,farmhand. hehadbeenemployed County, inSonoma.Hewasemployedasa Windsor in Gate Bayandfinallyarrived theGolden to SanFrancisco,sailedacross inAmerica,hetookatrain he hadarrived land ofmilkandhoneyinAmerica.Once enough moneytobuyhispassagethe grandfather, together age30,gathered yourgreat cousin inCalifornia, Dear Rachel, from Italy. ofherparents’ arrival details thestory pression. Inonenotableletter, Nonie four kidsjustbefore theGreat De- Ambassador Nonie Love ya, hard- These twoancestorswere was Poor mama.Herfirsthomehere aftertheirhoneymoon, The morning After twoyearshehadfinallysaved his from On theglowingreports And now…well,I’mstillreading. books. only oneinthefamilywhoread at schoolIwashooked.believethe thelibrary to blendin.WhenIdiscovered soonspeakingenoughEnglish and Iwere duction toEnglishand[myothersister] - Shewasourintro English tobepromoted. enough firstgradesoshecouldlearn repeat to Englishatall.Myoldersisterhad years.Wein ourpre-school exposed weren’t py daysnotconnectedtotheoutsideworld!! havingaphone.Oh,thehap- can remember I until Iwas15,andevenolderbefore todo?Wewhat elsewasthere hadnoradio atune.So, me. [Mysister]couldn’tcarry yak andsing.Well, Iguessthatwasmostly Wemuch, yes….itwasn’ttoohard. would todoafterschool,butpretty have chores books from theschoollibrary: playing made-upgames,andreading intheorchards, figs andotherfruits pickinggrapes, spent theirafternoons Sheandhertwosisters family history. they are filledwithbitsandpiecesof not containsuchdetailedstories, Earlier years are not forgotten either.Earlier yearsare notforgotten at thekitchentable. Aurora kneadsbreaddough No booksorcrayonsevenpencils Just soyouknow, wedidn’talways Although mostofherlettersdo Karina Bicha kitchen sink. dishes ather Aurora washes 3/2/17 3:49 PM

Rachel Bicha 39497_Magazine.indd 39 Rachel andNonieatAurora’s 75thbirthdayparty, 2002. card tableinhercrampedliving the lawnmower. Settingup therickety for pennies,sotheywouldn’t catchin pebbles inthebackyard inexchange shared withNonie.Huntingfor reading andbaking,are moments earliest memories,evenasidefrom stories toheraswell.Manyofmy me stories,andasIgotolder, reading noons) sittingwithNonieassheread andafter evenings (andmornings in ours.Mychildhoodwasfilledwith family, butsure wasn’t theonlyreader Nonie wastheonlyreader inher - Follow heronInstagram@rachel_beak. planninghernextadventure. probably shop,she’s or bikingtoherfavoritecoffee between classes,studyinginthelibrary, Los Angeles,Calif.Ifshe’snotrunning Rachel Bichaisawriterandstudentin who Iam,andwhere I’mheaded. a bettersenseofwhere Icomefrom, States. Becauseofherletters,Ihave attended Englishasthey tolearn struggling have heard ofafewyoungchildren the villagesofNonie’s Italy. Iwouldn’t to I mightneverhavebeentransported andoverlap. intertwine someone else’s Ourlives backstory. pieceof someday beanimportant place, butwhatismundanetousmay we livedthem.Theyseemcommon- value ofourownstories.Afterall, and yellingoutwrong answers. refrigerator. Watching “Jeopardy!” from thelittlejarinher no cherry jigsaws. Eatingexactlyonemaraschi- room toassembleThomasKinkade Without mygrandmother’s Without letters, It’s easytounderestimate the in the United scuola diprimaintheUnited in 2016Rachel’s childhoodbackyard Rachel Bichawithhergrandmother, Aurora, Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM Karina Bicha 39 WWW.NIAF.ORG Davoli Mauro ©

At the highest point in the tiny Umbrian hill town of Monte Castello di Vibio sits an equally tiny gem of a theater, Il Teatro della Concordia. Lovingly preserved and open to all, it is the smallest opera house in the world— SMALL with all of 99 seats.

The World’s Tiniest Opera House By Frank Van Riper

WWW.NIAF.ORG Photos by © Goodman/Van Riper Photography 40 Ambassadorwonder

39497_Magazine.indd 40 3/2/17 3:49 PM wonder

© Mauro Davoli 39497_Magazine.indd 41 effort, completedin1892,combinesdecorativework effort, on thetheaterwhenhewas only14.Thefather-and-son later byhissonLuigi,who, amazingly, began working Cesare Agretti, and trompe l’oeil paintings,firstbyartist it tookdecadesforitstinyinteriortobedecoratedwith theater wasapointofprideinthesmallhilltown,though the goalsofFrench revolution. Immediately, the and brotherhood (hence“Concordia”) thatwentbeyond the cultural idealsoffreedom, equality reflect andsupport Nine wealthyUmbrianfamiliesfinancedthetheaterto andopenedin1808, duringtheNapoleonicwars. century world ofgilt,trompe l’oeilandred velvet. Judy, andIwalkedthrough whatseemedlikeaminiature again asrecorded ariasplayedwhilemywife, ings surfaced gant confinesofthe Teatro dellaConcordia, thosefeel- this touchstoneofItalianculture. trolux asslowly, inexorably, alastingbondwith Iformed voices anddramaticmusiceasilyoverpowered theElec- intheBronx. Thesoaring umed ourwalk-upapartment day, asmymother, Casullo,vacu- Carmella theformer Satur on theradiofrom theMetinNewYork Cityevery Inside theTeatro dellaConcordia The theaterwasbuiltatthebeginningof19th Decades later, asIstoodforthefirsttimeinele- As aboy, Iremember listeningtoopera, broadcast live Busseto, intheprovinceofParmaEmilia-Romagna The theater’s restoredceiling Ancient archinMonteCastellodiVibio - Center in 1966. On the rare times I accompanied my Center in1966.Ontherare timesIaccompaniedmy especially afteritmovedtoits luxuriousnewhomeatLincoln year forhernosebleedtickets totheMetropolitan Opera, remember), but mommadesure tosetasidemoneyevery Fenice inVenice, butinminiature. thatLaScalaisinMilan,or iseverything dia arguably Teatroat thefront ofitsbuilding.Inshort, dellaConcor rooms, andticketbooth—evenagrand staircase entrance classic bell-shapedfloorplan,proscenium stage,dressing of muchgranderEuropean andItaliantheaters.Ithasa is afaithfulreproduction, butonamuchsmallerscale, not justinEurope. However, onlyTeatro dellaConcordia spacesallover,There are farsmallerperformance and smallest theater, intheworldwasnotwithoutcontroversy. in overthefolds. withapussycatpeering with tent-liketapestry—complete upper-floor lobbymakingthe room lookasifitwere hung a captivatingandwhimsicaltreatment ofthewalls drop and depictingthetownofMonteCastellodiVibio, Italian greats likeDanteandGoldoni),apaintedback- birds, flowers),heraldicshieldsonthestalls(touting nymphs, on thetheater’s bell-shapedceiling(cherubs, My parents were farfrom rich(itwasaBronx walk-up, Claiming themantleofsmallestoperahouse,or dominates thesmalllowlandsvillage. Soragna’s medievalfortress Ambassador

- 3/2/17 3:49 PM www.castellidelducato.it 41 WWW.NIAF.ORG

39497_Magazine.indd 43 photography columnatwww.TalkingPhotography.com. ter.com and www.GVRphoto.com. You Frank’sonline canread raphy workshopsinVenice andUmbria,gotowww.veniceinwin - Venicetheir book,“Serenissima: inWinter,” andontheirphotog- on JudithGoodman.Forinformation partner and professional andauthorwhoworksin collaborationwithhiswife journalist needs. thing MonteCastellodiVibio a horde oftouristswieldingselfie-sticksisperhaps thelast andtheviewfrom thetopissplendid.Still, are gorgeous, is notonerous. Thewell-keptstonehousesandbuildings walking.Sinceitissuchasmallplace,thewalk and start have in-townparking.You parkatthebaseoftown Concordia isbycar, doesnoteven MonteCastellodiVibio even thatwouldbeastretch. date muchmore attentionbeyondatourbusortwo—and theater, nottomentionthetown,couldhardly accommo- (and alsocanberented forcivilweddings.)Infact,the recitals andplays its tinysize.Itregularly features concerts, traffic. in volumeorsquare footage.”Or, forthatmatter, infoot the documentaddedthat“civilizationisnotmeasured remarkable prescience, withtheirtown.”With portionate ing notedthatitscreators “madeitlittlesowouldbepro - Frank Van RiperisaWashington, D.C.-basedphotographer, A 19 While thebestwaytogetseeTeatro della Today, to thetheaterenjoyspopularityinproportion th century documentdescribingtheTeatro’s century open- Teatro dellaConcordia 1929 photoofthe Monte CastellodiVibio Street scenein Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM 43 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 44 44 WWW.NIAF.ORG Ambassador Legal Movies. on itslistofthe25Greatest ratedthefilmno.3 Journal American BarAssociation funniest movies.Andthe no. 83onitsall-timelistof Guild ofAmericarankedit role. In2015,theWriter’s Actress forher Supporting Academy Award forBest who wouldgoontowinan unknownperformer largely the filmcareer ofathen Picture, anditlaunched Funniest ActorinaMotion American ComedyAward for The filmwonitsstaran inspiration forscenesthatultimately the GulfCoast.Theroad tripprovided sissippi andAlabama,then down Orleans, Launerdrove through Mis- RentingacarinNew murder charges. to defendhisinnocentcousinfacing Alabama travel toasmalltowninrural Brooklyn girlfriend,MonaLisaVito, Gambini,andhissassy,Vincent classy, a brash,untriedNewYork attorney, comedyinwhich brated courtroom researching thescriptforthiscele- thought itwas“un-releasable.” hopes forthefilm,andatonepoint Launer, didn’t initiallyhavehigh its screenwriter andproducer, Dale “My CousinVinny,” itisironic that thismonthoftherelease of versary into Launer putgreat effort As fanscelebratethe25thanni-

says actorRalphMacchiowho played funny,”foremost, it’s justsovery, very how funnyitwasandsawwhat worked.” mine thatIwasabletogetasenseof until Iwatcheditwithsomefriendsof people,” heexplains.“Butitwasonly viewed andwellreceived bysomany the wayithadplayedoutinmyhead. disappointed. Thefilmdidn’t playout get thedailiesonvideotapeandIwas was good,”Launersays.“It’s justthatI’d written andproduced somethingthat enced ascreech owl’s call.” “unearthly on themenu;andheactuallyexperi- the restaurants where heatehadgrits er’s cargotstuckinthemud; allof found theirwayintothefilm:Laun- By DouglasJ.Gladstone A S Photo by Chris Credendino film’s courtroomscenes in Monticello,Ga.,siteofthe Beechum CountyCourthouse Others knewsooner. “Firstand “I mean,I’mhappyit’s wellre- “It wasn’t thatIdidn’t thinkIhad fter till The 25 A ll th

MY COUSINVINNY of Anniversary F

hese that’s acredit toDale’s script.” has withstoodthetestoftime. And crafted fish-out-of-watercomedy that town, we’veallbeenthere.” night bythetraincomingthrough the or thescenewhere isawokenat Vinny in thewrong placeatthewrong time, power. Whetherit’s twokidswhoare people, whichhelpsexplainitsstaying the film“resonates inaweird wayto viewing,” Macchiosays,addingthat oneach gets more cleverandsmarter popular oncabletelevision. American comedywhichgrew more success to“thefactthatit’s aniconic ofthefilm’sattributes atleastpart cousin andoneofthedefendants.He Gambini,Vinny’s young William Macchio callsit“abeautifully timebecauseit every “It paysoff unny

Y ears

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Photo by Chris Credendino 39497_Magazine.indd 45 Photo by Chris Credendino “My CousinVinny”wasset. where thecrimescenein convenience storeinMonticello,Ga., The actualSac-O-Suds Hunter wrote thatthefilm“allows In hisBaltimore Sunreview, Stephen were hilarious. ning performances forthisarticle. interviewed neither ofwhomwere availabletobe winner MarisaTomei (MonaLisa)— andOscar es ofJoePesci(Vinny) - success tothe“fantastic”performanc away from whathewasusedto.” wasworlds that standsoutis…Vinny ing pains,”Whitfieldsays.“Thething I experiencedmyownshare ofgrow- and whenImovedouttoLosAngeles, film’s appeal.“Iamfrom Brooklyn, out-of-water themewascentraltothe ley Rothenstein,agrees thatthefish- Gambini’sWilliam co-defendant,Stan- Jonathan LynndirectingRalphMacchio Critics agreed theiraward-win- Whitfield alsoattributesthefilm’s Mitchell Whitfield,whoplayed

the thingsthatwedidalot is thathe a real beautifulvoice”and“one of Tomei notedthatPesci“actually has series, “Watch WhatHappensLive,” fortheBravo rolling. Inan interview lationship whenthecamerasweren’t interplay wasfueledbytheirgreat re- one-upmanship,” andtheirdeftcomic ship wasoneof“friendly, playful when theyare anythingbut.” andthoughttobeairheads dervalued Italian Americangirls,sooftenun- the spunkandnativeintelligenceof just hercomicedgebutfor“having Inquirer, praisesMonaLisafornot the filmcriticforThePhiladelphia for Tomei, Rickey, Carrie formerly siderable comictalentsexplode.”As Pesci enoughroom tolethiscon- Courtesy of Jonathan Lynn “My CousinVinny”directorJonathanLynnwithJoePesciandMarisaTomei ontheset Launer saystheduo’s relation- son University in 2016. In it, Vinny son Universityin2016.Init, Vinny Lecture hegaveatFairleighDickin - scenes attheannualBrendan Byrne edly referenced one ofthefilm’s for theDistrictofNewJersey,- report procedures.” court becauseitaddresses the country has playedinlawschoolsallaround ranking.“It proud ofitsABAJournal for itsauthenticity. praised bylawyers film isnevertheless cell wouldnotoccurinreal life,the Vinny’s visittothedefendants’prison pointed outthatdefenselawyer in thelegalworld.Whilecriticshave sing standards ontheset.” would playtheguitarandwe Paul Fishman, the U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman,theU.S.Attorney “Lawyers loveit,”saysLauner, accolades The filmalsoearned Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM 45 WWW.NIAF.ORG 39497_Magazine.indd 46

46 Courtesy of Jonathan Lynn WWW.NIAF.ORG cans have been portrayed as mobsters, asmobsters, cans havebeenportrayed established, ItaliansandItalian Ameri- bright. can menare notvery negative stereotype thatItalian Ameri- be funny, [but]itreinforces theold Voice Coalition,says“themoviemay ItalianAmericanOne organization president andfounderoftheanti-bias reasonable doubt.Dr. MannyAlfano, some ItalianAmericangroups have cross examinationisterrific.” for 15yearsusingthatbecausehis ence: “Ihavetaughttrialtechniques Were thesemagicgrits?” where elseonthefaceofEarth? a gritfasterinyourkitchenthanany- believe thatboilingwatersoaksinto ing world20minutes....Are weto points out,“ittakestheentire grit-eat- Vinny his gritsinfiveminutesand,as since thewitnessclaimedhecooked says thetimelinedoesn’t matchup, cooking grits. killed—because hehadjuststarted ofthetimeclerkwas was certain says hesawthemurder occurandhe questions aprosecution witnesswho as thejudge with actorFredGwynne Director JonathanLynn Ambassador “From the time Hollywood was “From thetime Hollywoodwas While lawyersembracethemovie, toldhisaudi- Fishman reportedly In hiscross examination,Vinny

Austin Pendleton, public defender. Jonathan Lynn who playsthe on setwith

how brilliant an attorney Vinny is Vinny how brilliantanattorney grace is,intheend,movie shows “It’s afineline,”hesays.“Thesaving could thinkthemovieisdisparaging. Justice, understandshowAlfano ca’s NationalCommissiononSocial Order oftheSons ItalyinAmeri- out, becausehereally wasastutterer.” And Austinwasupsetwhenhefound the publicdefenderwhostuttered. … way AustinPendletonportrayed copied onaletterobjectingtothe Stuttering Association:“Iwasblind remembers camefrom theNational only negativereaction tothefilmhe Italian Americans.”Headdsthatthe to we didorsaidwasderogatory as well:“…Idon’t believeanything they dotherightthing.” but theyare intelligent,persistentand are heroes. Theymaybebluecollar disagrees: andLisa “Nonsense.Vinny that showusforwhowereally are.” onlyreasonable depictions portrayals, We are notaskingforcandy-coated fewpositiveroles. is thatthere are very he saysinanemail.“Whattroubles us andbimbos,” bums, bigots,buffoons Courtesy of Jonathan Lynn Louis Gallo,vicepresident ofthe Ralph Macchiodefendsthefilm The film’s Lynn director Jonathan Ralph Macchio Ambassador Magazine. intheFall2015issueof appeared JusticeSamuelAlito Court Supreme onAssociate these pages.Hiscoverstory contributorto J. Gladstoneisafrequent Douglas Bianco andMountRushmore,” ofLuigiDel Himself: TheUntoldStory aNichefor The authorof“Carving movie. A very funnymovie.” movie. Avery says Credendino. “That’s allitis,a bythemovie,” friends are offended of myname.NeitherInorany sage aboutItalianAmericansatall. think thefilmsendswrong mes- water premise firsthand.Hedoesn’t he understandsthefilm’s fish-out-of- A transplantedNewYorker, hesays filmlocationsforhisblog. “Vinny” wasshot.Hehasvisitedseveral Vinny” where thecrimescenein“MyCousin convenience store, inMonticello,Ga., dendino hasvisitedtheSac-O-Suds gives themoviesuchendlessappeal.” ofthestereotypes iswhat portrayal would havedefinitelybeenlost.The played theirroles straight,thehumor about automechanics.Ifbothleads and howknowledgeableMonaLisais Helga Esteb / Shutterstock Inc. Marisa Tomei “Please, Ihaveavowelattheend businessmanChrisCre- Georgia

lev radin / Shutterstock Inc. Joe Pesci

3/2/17 3:49 PM Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock Inc. Diversity Ads2015_Ambassador1/28/152:31PMPage1 For moreinformationonCUNYandemploymentopportunities, pleasevisitwww.cuny.jobs. technical, andstudentservicesareasaswellfaculty positionsinmanyacademicdisciplines. and speakmorethan100languages.Employmentopportunities spanawiderangeofbusiness, City dedicatedtoservingmorethan540,000students whohailfrommorethan205countries Become partofavibrantandtalentedcommunity of facultyandstaff at 24collegesinNewYork We arecommitted toenhancingourdiverseacademiccommunitybyactivelyencouragingpeoplewith disabilities,minorities,vete At CUNY, Italian Americansarealsoincludedamongourprotectedgroups.Allqualifiedapplicantswillreceive considerationfo welcomes you to consider a career in New York City at RISING CUNY The nation’s premierurbanpublicuniversity The CityUniversityofNewYork. discriminated againstonthebasisofanylegally protectedcategory. r employmentandwillnotbe rans, andwomentoapply. Diversity Ads 2015_Ambassador 1/28/15 2:31 PM Page 1 CUNY RISING

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39497_Magazine.indd 47 3/2/17 3:49 PM The Yo-Yo ride is aptly named Danielle DeSimone

Beyond the The DelGrosso Family’s Wild Ride Sauce By Danielle DeSimone

ost people know ing the values, traditions the name DelGros- and dedication to family Mso as synonymous handed down from past with fine Italian pasta generations and passing it Danielle DeSimone sauce. But, unless you’re along to the next. In fact, from central Pennsylvania, today, the business is run by you may not know the four generations of the fam- same DelGrosso family has ily who still work hard to owned and operated its assure success—but manage own amusement park since to have fun doing it! 1946. The DelGrosso legacy The oldest, major is a long one, dating back family-owned manufacturer to the early 1900’s, when a WWW.NIAF.ORG of pasta sauce in the United large influx of Italian immi- States, DelGrosso has built a grants arrived on America’s business empire by embrac- shores. Like most Italian Enter DelGrosso’s new Laguna 48 Ambassador Splash Water Park here!

39497_Magazine.indd 48 3/2/17 3:49 PM Danielle DeSimone 39497_Magazine.indd 49 And, since the DelGrossos, And, sincetheDelGrossos, building. was inadifferent so smallthattheirkitchen inared-brick cabin property back oftheamusementpark family ofninelivednearthe in thefamilybusiness.The many ofwhomstillwork Murph hadsevenchildren— park patrons. popular Italiandishesto their continued toserve down theroad, where they an amusementparkjust their caféandpurchased DelGrosso couplesold the restaurant. extra jarsafterdiningat customers brought home sauce wassopopularthat mother, Marianna.The sauce recipe from Murph’s the passed-downtomato dueto ti intown,”largely known as“thebestspaghet- whatsoonbecame serving Café indowntownAltoona, Murph openedDelGrosso rest ispasta-lovers’history. town ofAltoona,andthe Pennsylvania small, rural, (“Fred”) DelGrosso inthe a mannamedFerdinand called “Murph”)married Mafalda (affectionately love: ayoungwomannamed stories, thisonebeginswith It wasn’t easy. Fred and Three yearslater, the In 1943,Fred and

Danielle DeSimone central Pennsylvania.Today, came ahouseholdnamein “DelGrosso” quicklybe- off. paid and theteameffort family expandeditsfactory, days. Inthe1950s, typically working10-hour the children pitchingin, sauce commercially, with canning theirowntomato sos beganmakingand park kitchen,theDelGros- rides andconcessionstands. thepark’s ents inrunning working, assistingtheirpar weren’t playing, theywere backyard. Whenthey own, rollercoaster-filled amusement park—their wildthrough the running dren spenttheirchildhoods found room togive.” the park.“Buttheyalways ment Park,saidrecently at of theDelGrosso Amuse- Carl DelGrosso, president really didn’t havemuch,” local parish. orphans andpriestsfrom the the tinyhouse,takingin people squeezedinto point more than11 need, atone ing thosein of help- a habit had then, even From the cramped From thecramped The DelGrosso chil- “Mygrandparents - than itoncewas,thesmall the parkismuchlarger Although Sauce Factory. Park, andtheDelGrosso ian-themed LagunaWater Amusement Park,theItal- include theDelGrosso 1940’s hasexpandedto amusement parkinthe just asmall,humblefamily even seeit. ers canbeheard before you music from theroller coast- children andthewhirling where delightedsquealsof just outsideofTipton, Pa., along thatstretch ofland cept fortheburstoflife have sincequieted—ex- these rolling RustBelthills railroad business, century booming withturn-of-the- to MurphandFred. Once wouldbeunrecognizable ry ment parkandsaucefacto- nationwide. labels are recognized DelGrosso classic its And, whatwasonce Nowadays, theamuse-

family photo Below: Vintage1970sDelGrosso Below Left:Murph’s Kitchen Splash WaterPark. Above: TheLazyRiveratLaguna the food.True to the tree-lined park. at diately feelcomfortable you can’t helpbutimme- guests bytheirfirstnames, park employeesgreeting an antiquecarousel, tothe with smallchildren riding From families everywhere. feel isstill town carnival Courtesy of the DelGrosso family And ofcourse,there’s

Ambassador Chocolate Taste Panel of CaliforniaatDavis of theMars-University chocolate asamember Orietta Gianjoriotasting

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49 WWW.NIAF.ORG Left: An early photo of Fred and Murph at their sauce factory. Right: Aunt Mary Ann Crider and Michael DelGrosso, vice president of Global Sales & Marketing at DelGrosso Foods. Below: The DelGrosso Sauce Factory today Danielle DeSimone Courtesy of the DelGrosso family tradition, the DelGrossos criticism here and there with have incorporated their her personal adage, “If it’s family sauce and recipes the truth, you can say it!” into all of the food menus Aunt Mary Ann has her here. Amusement parks quieter moments as well, are not normally remem- such as when she hands half bered for their stellar of her uneaten sandwich food, but DelGrosso’s is. to a park guest she doesn’t Park guests enjoy every- know saying, “Here, I’m not Danielle DeSimone thing from homemade going to finish this, do you made with fresh ingredients ers and carnival rides, and meatballs smothered in want it?” Or when she quietly and with an emphasis on food stands with incredible the DelGrosso signature approaches park guests who quality and flavor. meatballs and Italian sand- Aunt Mary Ann’s Sunday look like they might “need a Meanwhile, the DelGros- wiches. It is a family place Marinara sauce to fusilli little extra help” and offers sos remain close-knit. Most that has contributed to a twirled in Uncle Joe’s Vod- free strips of tickets to rides, of the family members work, tight-knit community here. ka Celebration sauce. just as her father famously or have worked, in the park There is no better Behind the kiosk win- did before her. or the factory at some point evidence of this than the dows of Murph’s Kitchen, Italian American during their lives. It’s almost park’s Spaghetti Wednes- one of the park’s 14 eater- traditions live and breathe a rite of passage for teenage days, the weekly, moderate- ies and snack bars, located here—not just in the food DelGrossos to work conces- ly priced, pasta specials the near the Kiddie Carousel, passed down and shared sion stands or ride-ticket DelGrossos serve from mid- the Gift Shop, and the Rock with others, but in the counters. They all still come June to mid-August, which Star and Paratrooper rides, generosity and sense of together on Sundays for a attract hundreds of locals. is a bustling kitchen where community. family meal, and the Feast of The line can some- a crew chops vegetables, Across East Pleasant the Seven Fishes continues times be hours-long, but stirs bubbling sauces, and Valley Boulevard is the Del- to be a crowd favorite. the wait is worth it. Not builds stacked sandwiches Grossos’ newest attraction: When asked whether only do guests get to dig like an assembly line. Even the expanded and renovated younger generations of the into a dish of DelGrosso’s the potato salad here is Laguna Splash Water Park DelGrosso family will carry homemade recipes with special, made with Murph’s where you can slip down a on the traditions of the park, their signature sauces, they secret recipe, and eaten Venetian gondola slide, run Carl DelGrosso smiled. come together, sitting on with a cult-like reverence. under a 25-foot-tall leaning “When you grow up from long, extended benches, Obviously, Murph’s Tower of Pisa fountain, or the ground level and you see pausing in their busy lives Kitchen is named after cruise along the River Lazio. the amount of work that is to dine across the table the DelGrosso matriarch, It’s America’s only Ital- put into building a place like from family, friends, neigh- Murph, so it seems appropri- ian-themed water park! this by your grandparents, bors or strangers, sharing ate that everything cooking Here, too, is all of and then your parents, and a meal filled with raucous, there now falls under the DelGrosso’s delicious Italian you’ve seen their vision and joyful conversation. It’s watchful eye of Aunt Mary American food, with region- the risks that they took to Italian American culture at Ann herself, a self-pro- al influences evident in the build it,” he said, “You’re its best. It’s a legacy the La claimed “retired working hoagies, and sausage and far more invested in mak- Famiglia DelGrosso’s Ital- woman” and Murph’s peppers. And, next door, ing sure the place survives ian ancestors would have daughter. She exudes a cer- the sauce factory continues because you don’t want all of been proud of. tain Old World charm as she to churn out the old family their hard work to fail.” WWW.NIAF.ORG fusses around the kitchen, recipes into, on average, The DelGrosso Amuse- Danielle DeSimone is NIAF’s inspecting the Bolognese 240,000-270,000 polished ment Park is more than just Social Media Manager and sauce, offering constructive jars daily, even meatballs, all a collection of roller coast- Assistant Editor.

50 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 50 3/2/17 3:49 PM The Product: Here at Cibo Italia we specialize in Italian deli meats and Prosciutto Italiano is one of many we import direct from Italy. Prosciutto Italiano is An Italian made prosciutto that rivals in quality the famous DOP brands that are made in Italy but with a much better value. It’s a gluten free, all natural product packed with good protein! Made with no artificial ingredients; it’s just top quality pork meat, Mediterranean Sea Salt and fresh Italian air. As a major US importer of Prosciutto Italiano we carry whole form that is perfect for deli and also pre-sliced packages, convenient for all types of retail markets.

The Market: Prosciutto products are trending upwards and appearing more and more at the dinner table, as snacks and in parties all over the world. Prosciutto Italiano has endless cooking options and the market availability is growing and growing. Cibo Italia has recognized this trend and provides the food service Industry, retailer and wholesalers with multiple products that can fit any customer. Our services include a state of the art facility that can provide pre-sliced packages in vacuum and gas packed trays in all sizes, plus private branding with your label. We can handle any size order and deliver anywhere in the world. Currently Prosciutto Italiano is being distributed in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CiboItaliaLLC

39497_Magazine.indd 51 3/2/17 3:49 PM THEN NOW Tasting the Wine of Ancient Roman Legionnaires

AglianicoAglianicoBy Dick Rosano & Terredora of

Terredora Di Paolo Courtesy

vineyard in Montefalcione Vini in Campania Farnese

The scene would be appropriate for the cinematic genius of Francis Ford Coppola. A Roman commander stands on a slight rise at the edge of a field. He stares off toward the sun that has touched the horizon, lighting the sky and pastures in the distance in an

orange blaze. He turns slowly on his heel The Acerenza Cathedral in Basilicata about 55 miles to face his legions of war-weary troops southeast from Vigneti del Vulture encamped on the outskirts of the Imperial City.

All are tired from the march, but boar that he smells roasting over the all are invigorated by the prospect of fire pits. marching into Rome the next morn- “Ellenico,” the commander says, ing bearing the captured combat flags identifying a wine that was intro- of a conquered enemy. Rome will duced to southern Italy by the Greeks reward them; Caesar will be pleased. centuries before. “The best should be The commander casts a satisfied served to these brave legions.” glance at the soldiers drifting be- Ellenico was well known in WWW.NIAF.ORG tween lighted campfires. He tells the ancient Rome. It was considered one lieutenant who approaches him to of the best wines of the Empire, and serve the men some wine to go with it traveled with the Roman armies 52 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 52 3/2/17 3:49 PM Farnese Vini Courtesy of Terredora 39497_Magazine.indd 53 recognition is awarded toAglianicodel merit. Inthecaseofthisgrape, DOC the plonk—deserves than country the pointthatnearlyanywine—other tion ofItalianwineshasprogressed to still meritshonor, mostoftheproduc- distinction and,whilesuchanaward achieving DOCstatuswasamarkof Inpastdecades, Italian government. setbythe according tothestrict rules recognize Aglianicoasasuperiorwine, orDOC, inazione diOrigineControllata, labyrinth ofItalianregulations. locality ofthegrapevinesand ico delVulture, dependingonthe simple monikerAglianicotoAglian- under avarietyofnames,from the Molise andLazio.Ithitsthemarket of thisvarietalcanbefoundPuglia, icata, althoughsomesmallvineyards Italy, principallyCampaniaandBasil- throughout centralandsouthern ancient legionnaires bestowedonit. theaccoladesthat still deserves keted intheUnitedStates,thiselixir from it.Andwhileonlylightlymar- of thegrapeandwinethatismade treasure iscalledAglianico,thename the vine. ers more than500yearsearlierwith culture thataccompaniedthoseinvad- history, connectingtotheHellenic on themarch. Thenametagsittoits Farnese Vini The cellarsatinBasilicata The Italianwinelaws,calledDenom- Aglianico grapesare grown Today, ancientRome’s vinous

vintage conditions,andaging. selection,vineyard practices, fruit the standard DOClevel,including quality thatraisesthesebottlesabove DOCG, basedonavintage-specific del Taburno—can alsobeawarded del Vulture Superiore andAglianico The twomentionedabove—Aglianico nizes additionalAglianico-basedwines. adding theword “guaranteed,”recog- e Garantita,orDOCG,whichisDOC del Taburno (from Benevento). Vulture (from Potenza) andAglianico tivation, notjustthevarietal in indicate thewinemaker’s creative mo- names—namesthat these proprietary on tastingnotesbelow. Byadding product, ascanbeseeninthesection namestothefinished proprietary to grow, someproducers are affixing as itsreputation forqualitycontinues sought bythewinecognoscenti.And, from commonstores, itiseagerly and whileitremains slightlyhidden the UnitedStatesforabout40years, more thanoutweighsthecost. es alsoattendthiswine,butthereward for tonight’s dinnertable.Higherpric- Taurasi ismadebothforthecellarand intense ripenessandboldflavors, high percentage ofAglianico. With blend ofgrapeswhichemphasizesa the wineisbottledasTaurasi, aDOCG Denominazione diOrigineControllata Aglianico hasbeenmarketedin The mosttalked-aboutversionof the tasting,atCerequiovineyards, Michele Chiarlo,makerofthe2011 Damilano BaroloCerequioin in theheartofBarolo,Italy

Re Manfredi. 1999 Terre DegliSveviAglianicodelVulture Label ofanexceptionalAglianicowine—the Paolo wineryinCampania dino wineryandco-founderofTerredora di Daniela MastroberardinofromMastroberar- Farnese Vini Basilicata del Vulturein key atVigneti Wine cellar Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM Courtesy of Terredora Frederick Wildman and Sons. Ltd. 53 WWW.NIAF.ORG Tasting Notes the bottle—they are following the wisdom of the wine world: The more Vigneti del Vulture 2014 Pipoli specific the region and name, the Aglianico del Vulture ($17) more individualistic the wine is ex- Elegant approach, fine yet evident tannins, soft mouthfeel, focus on pected to be. Higher prices follow the blackberry and mocha flavors. same formula. Score: 91 (Empson) You may find a rosé wine called Aglianico del Taburno. It should Donato d’Angelo 2012 Calice not be confused with the DOCG red Aglianico del Vulture ($23) It comes across as closed at first, noted above, but it might prove an but the aromas open slowly with interesting discovery. If you stumble floral highlights; mouthfeel is lightly across a bottle, try it! tannic, with concentrated fruit, and chewy mouthfeel. Score: 90 (Vias)

Dick Rosano is a wine, food and travel Nativ 2013 Aglianico ($23) writer whose columns have appeared This is a hearty wine from start to fin- here in Ambassador magazine, as well as ish. The scent of black fruit and cof- The Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast, fee open quickly, followed by flavors and other national magazines. He is the of blackcurrants and blackberries, held aloft by hints of brown spice “Each wine has a hidden soul. author of the three mysteries set in Italy: and smoke. Score: 90 (Montcalm) “The Secret of Altamura: Nazi Crimes, Italian Treasures,” “Tuscan Blood” and Re Manfredi 2012 Aglianico You will search it out with great “Hunting Truffles,” as well as a history del Vulture ($35) book “Wine Heritage” on the influence of Aromas and flavors of blackberry, raspberry, anise, and tobacco eﬀort and ﬁnd it only with love.” Italian-Americans on wine. smoke; a finish that is beautifully finessed. Score: 92 (Wildman) Italo Cescon Vini Terredora di Paolo Terredora di Paolo 2010 2014 Aglianico ($18) Taurasi Fatica Cantadina ($36) Farnese This wine is fragrant and forward, Tangy and fruity, this wine is a nice with intense flavors of raspberry combination of raspberry, cherry and cherry, with supple tannins and and allspice. Score: 90 a velvety smooth finish. Score: 89 (Vias) Despite its relative obscurity on the American market, there are many Terredora di Paolo 2009 Aglianico wines to choose from in Pago del Fusi Aglianico ($56) our stores. In addition to the wines With medium ruby red color and a reviewed above, others to look for light approach on the palate, this include Macarico, Bisceglia, San wine features soft fruit flavors of Martino, Tormaresca, Feudo di San cherry and blueberry, with cinna- Gregorio, and Paternoster, to name mon accents on an elegant frame. just a few. Aglianico grape vines at Score: 92 Vigneti del Vulture in Basilicata

You may encounter a grape called Aglianicone, Aglianico has many names. Ellenico is the which appears not to be directly related to popularly considered original name dating to Aglianico and has been scientifically proven ancient times. Some theories say the name to not be a clonal variation of Aglianico. It is comes from Apulianicum, the Roman name for assumed by some ampelographers (botanists all of southern Italy; or from Falernium, which who specialize in identification of grapevines) the Romans attached to the wine once they that the two grapes might be related by abandoned the Greek moniker. parentage—which may explain why it is occa- Today, there are white wines called Falerno, sionally referred to as Aglianico Bastardo. produced from a grape called Falanghina, not Both grapes are grown in Campania, but the red grape that the Romans were referring Imported exclusively by: Aglianicone produces fruit inferior in character to. Yeah, unraveling the evolution of names Bacco Wine & Spirit and flavor profile to Aglianico. Don’t worry requires an advanced degree in linguistics. WWW.NIAF.ORG about getting them mixed up though, at least Lancaster, PA not in the States. Aglianicone’s poor reputation Vini Tel (717) 393-3535

means that little or none of it leaves Italy. Aglianico grapes Farnese www.baccowineandspirit.com

54 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 54 3/2/17 7:31 PM “Each wine has a hidden soul. You will search it out with great eﬀort and ﬁnd it only with love.” Italo Cescon

Imported exclusively by: Bacco Wine & Spirit Lancaster, PA Tel (717) 393-3535 www.baccowineandspirit.com

39497_Magazine.indd 55 3/2/17 3:49 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 56 56 WWW.NIAF.ORG BETWEEN THE PAGES Ambassador Ambassador if youneedtoreach forabookandreading light…. experience restlessness andsleeplessnessinspring,soditto fever.” pages.Somepeoplealso Notbadforturning “springinyourstep”alsoknownas alertness—the an increase inliveliness,energy, optimism,excitement, otherwise: onourmindssuggest us thatspring’s positiveeffects there are somanyotherthingstodo.But,sciencetells time tosettledownwithagoodbookwhensuddenly seems counterintuitivetosuggestthatspringisagood anewleaseoflife,it ofspringtimetrumpeting arrival The For instance,research hasfound thatmostpeoplefeel mirror, andthebudding winterintherearview With

Spring Reader Italian American

garden. sun, andseedyourliterary andmore creative andmentallyreceptive. feeling smarter andexpands“cognitivestyle,”asin improves memory hours outdoorsonclear, sunnydaysmeasurably warm, uplifts moodandmakesusmentallysharper. days ofsunshineaftermonthswintry, gloomycaptivity hours ofdarkness.Plus,studiesshowthatseeinglonger balanceof12hoursdaylightand achieves perfect equinox, first dayofspring,alsoknownasthevernal Benvenuti primavera!Andbuonalettura! Seasonal takeaway:Bringabookoutside,sitinthe Finally, thatspendinglonger onestudydetermined Purely logistical,springbringslongerdays.The Moltrasio, LakeComo,1987 photographed atVillaFontanelle, Santo, DonatellaandGianniVersace; © ArchivioAlfaCastaldi

3/2/17 3:49 PM

39497_Magazine.indd 57

{ © VERSACE by Donatella Versace with Maria Luisa Frisa and Stefano Tonchi; Rizzoli New York, 2016. shot bysomeofthetopphotographers the factthatmanyofthesephotos were creep closerto thepage.Addtothat fashion montagesthatmake youreyes high-concept andhigh-effect, bizarre; campaigns, stunning,sensualand rock stars;pastVersace advertising- pal celebritiesandVersace-clothed andbackstage;Versace-on runways family; ofbeautiful,sulkyskinnymodels Versace archives—photos oftheVersace pickedfrom the photography cherry pages filledwithfascinating,first-class the more spellboundbyits288glossy the worldofhautecouture, you’llbeall might expect. that muchofavisualfeast.Asyou Versace, andthat’s becausethisis legendary, Italianfashionbrand ofthegloballyrenowned, history to appreciate thiscoffeetable-book’s Rizzoli; 288pages;$95hardcover Ingrid Sischy Contribution byTim Blanksand Maria LuisaFrisaandStefanoTonchi Written byDonatellaVersace, Versace

rhythm offashion. driving thebeatinglobal,cutting-edge antiquity, intoicons, transformed were familiar,unconsciously from dignified key,and theGreek almost appropriated a wayofbeing.Itssymbols,theMedusa trious thatitbecamesynonymouswith Versace, andillus- anamesopowerful Of course,ifyou’re nostrangerto You neednotbeafashionista

andinsightful intothe informative proves well-written, the narrative don’t expectobjectivity. Indeed,while that otherswrote therest—though perspective atVersace, it makessense Donatella yearsandhercreative died lastApril. friend androck legendPrince,who the openingdedicationtoherclose onlyoneofits“articles,” byline adorns Luisa Frisa,amongotherfriends,her University ofVenice professor Maria in-Chief StefanoTonchi andIUAV collaboration withWmagazineEditor- on thecover. Whileshewrote itin and hernamewiththetitle“Versace” Versace’s book.Ithasonlyherimage president, SantoVersace.) and Donatella’s brother, thecompany’s and founderGianniVersace, andhis NIAF hashonored Versace designer in 1997.(Fulldisclosure: inthepast, house followingherbrother’s death andimpactonthefashion emergence Versace years,andDonatellaVersace’s empire, specificallythepost-Gianni oftheVersacefocuses onthestory not countingcaptions.Mostofthat vision are 20orsopagesoftext, optics here are socaptivating. Weber, andyoucanunderstandwhythe PennandBruce Steven MeiseltoIrving of ourtimes,from Richard Avedon and Fall/Winter 2012-2013CollectionshowattheHotelRitz,inParis. Donatella VersacebackstagewithmodelsfortheAtelier But giventhatitchronicles the Donatella In fact,thisistruly Scattered intothismonographic

Versacestars who’veworn beautifully and KateMoss.Andthere are the Gisele Bündchen,LindaEvangelista Christy Turlington, NaomiCampbell, to useinadcampaigns,including Donatellaloved stunning supermodels faces besidesDonatella’s includethe and acigarette. Otheridentifiable inside ofhernaked,exceptforaring of them,includingthefirstphoto white, withDonatellainaboutathird some 250,bothcolorandblack objects andpeople.”True, but…. brand thatcametodefineandidentify ofatrailblazing archetypal journey instance, refers tothebookas“the Theintroduction,this industry. for pretentiousness you’dexpectfrom some oftheseparagraphsringthe house underDonatella’s reign, evolution oftheVersace fashion image.” their ownunforgettable It iswithclothingthatouricons create andtechnology.and connectswithart culture. Itspeaksthelanguageof rock, ofpop dedication: “Fashionispart and DemiMoore. SelenaGomez,KendellJenner Berry, Angelina Jolie,JessicaChastain,Halle Madonna, JenniferLopez,LadyGaga, including CharlizeTheron, Beyoncé, innovative andglamorous designs— and illustrate,pageafterpage,these Back totheremarkable photos— As Donatellawritesinher — DonOldenburg © StefanoGuindani/SGP Ambassador

3/2/17 3:49 PM 57 WWW.NIAF.ORG BETWEEN THE PAGES 39497_Magazine.indd 58 58 WWW.NIAF.ORG BETWEEN THE PAGES movements ofnations. people,ratherthanthe ofwaronordinary the effects for thoseinterested inWorld War IIfictionthatexplores during World War arefreshing read II,butthisoneoffers much higher. There havebeenmanynovelssetinItaly the stakesoftheiractionsandwaritselfbecome relationship grows from oneofhappenstancetolove, of warandcharacterdevelopment.AsCenzoGiulia’s but thenovel’s strength comesfrom itsexcellentbalance Venice tothepalacesofSalòwith captivatingstorytelling, Ambassador Smith takesthereader from themuddyshores of Cruz { resistance movement. Fascists, andtheItalian games betweenGermans, entangles himinpolitical herinsuddenly than turn Giulia from theNazisrather Cenzo’s decisiontohide lagoon, andrescues her. Giulia floatinginVenice’s of ayoungJewishgirlnamed Cenzo, whofindsthebody of aVenetian fisherman, follows thelife Smith’s story for itsinhabitants.Cruz life difficultanddangerous control, making German but Venice remains under Venice,” thewarisending, War II.In“TheGirlfrom occupied Venice inWorld set againstthebackdrop of world ofhistoricfiction, writing anddelvesintothe from hisusualmystery author makesadeparture most recent novel,the 305 pages;$27hardcover Simon &Schuster Smith Cruz By Martin The Girlfrom Venice

out ofthesearchlight’s range. quickly tosteertheFatima andhemoved approached, gunboatasit the German therhythmicheard thudof and coiledonhis.Thenhe and thewayherlegoverlapped ofherbody,of herface,thepress drink ofwater. Hefelttheheat but heheldthekisslikealong expected hertopushhimaway, her waistandkissedher. He Cenzo slippedhishandaround

Smith’s Cruz In Martin

—Danielle DeSimone

{ Sicilian Maine, withgelatithatmix Maineblueberries, from aMassachusetts-based Molisano.Endwithdolciin Italiancheeses Hampshire. Choosehandmade southern New the placethatbrought thefirstpizza tosouthern old vintagemachinesinConnecticut. Addsecondifrom godmother ofGloucester.” Pickuppastamadeon60-year- tomato- garlic-and-basilsaucemadebythemayor, or“the in Vermont. ContinuetoMassachusettssamplefresh withasecret lunganega sausageantipastorecipe trip. Start NewEngland road inspired ItalianAmericanculinary Globe PequotPress; 232pages;$22.95paperback By JohnF. Carafoli History, Traditions &Memories Great ItalianAmericanFoodinNewEngland: insightful andempoweringbook. “Spaceman” from LongIsland,N.Y. Awonderful, ridetothecosmosthanksanAmerican a literary with grippingwriting. torepair Hubble,hedescribesintenserepairs flight, trying and thelasthumantoworkinsideHubble.On’09 ’09 mission,hewasthefirstpersontotweetfrom space of humility. duringthe Orbiting350milesabovetheEarth theHubbleSpaceTelescopeto service are vividwithdoses flights andspacewalking(totaloffour)in20022009 sense ofbeingthere. traveling at17,500milesperhour—hegivesthereader a his NASA“family,” hetellsall.Training, spacewalkingand at ColumbiaUniversityandMITtohiscamaraderiewith with tech-speakyetstillrevealing. From hiscollegedays stylethat’sinspiring voyagewithadown-to-earth easy his begins.Massiminonarrates team andthejourney adventurers, andIwasanawkward kid.” Iwasn’t. Theywere fearless because theywere everything ofthereason Iidolizedastronauts was book that“part 2104. Why“unlikely”inthetitle?Massiminoadmitshis Massimino recounts hisNASAastronaut career from 1996- toUnlocktheSecrets oftheUniverse,”Mike Journey Crown Archetype; 336pages; $28hardcover By MikeMassimino Unlock theSecrets oftheUniverse to Spaceman: AnAstronaut’s UnlikelyJourney { Community iswhatthisbookabout. get tospacewasjoinNASA… andnow,got tospacehere andatthatpointtheonlywayto inhowpeople ofspacetravel.Iwasinterested ed inthereality inthefantasyofspacetravel.Iwasinterest- I wasn’tinterested

Imagine asix-state,five-spread, oftenfour-generation- tospace,buthere’s Most peoplewillneverjourney describinghisshuttle Massimino’s giftedstorytelling attemptin1996,hejoinedtheNASA On hisfourth In hismemoir“Spaceman:AnAstronaut’s Unlikely

Jr. Bartus —Robert 3/2/17 3:49 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 59 Amendment’sthemselves were strippedof;tothe Fourth where theirsonswere defendingthe freedoms thatthey installations, prevented parents from visitingmilitary displayed uponrequest; tothetravel prohibitions that un-naturalized immigrants. mistreated its disturbing waytheFederalgovernment of anti-ItaliansentimentinAmerica,heexaminesthe “Branded,” DiStasinotonlychronicles theantecedents during theperiodbefore andduringWorld War II.In were forced toregister asaliensofenemynationalities more troubling thantheway694,000Italianimmigrants { Sanniti Publications;312pages;$22.95paperback By Lawrence DiStasi During World War II Branded; HowItalianImmigrantsBecame'Enemies' their roots. book isalsoalifelinetoItalianAmericanscuriousabout food. AlovenotetohisCapeCodvillageofSagamore, the “solace andfoundation”inmemoriesexperiencesof Carafolifoundhis a youngerbrother andfathersurvived. When hewasyoung,afire ravagedhisfamily’s home.Only immigrants totheirgreat-grandchildren. region’s food,spanning storiesfrom first-generation historical,linguisticandsurprisingaboutthe everything “Great ItalianAmericanFoodinNewEngland”explores testamenttoItalianAmericantraditions, farm-to-table farms. from localdairy pistachios, andGhirardelli chocolatewithmilkandcream ished, hadinfactbeenreversed. same lesson:withwar, theirrights asAmericanshadvan- the aliensintheUnitedStateswouldlearn resident permanent thanonemillion In thedaysandmonthstocome,more

From thepink identificationcards thathadtobe isperhaps history No chapterinourcountry's John Carafoli’s oeuvre reflects hispersonal resilience. ethnography, oralhistories, part culinary part Part

— KristenKeppel man’s confrontation withwar. drawn from thewords. Afascinatingpoemaboutone footnotes, there’s plentyofthought-provoking imagery and theEnglishtranslation ontheoppositepage,with words: yetpowerful straightforward with intheItalianarmy withtrench warfare struggles His poeticlines,from 1916-1917,documenthisinner toItalyin1916. andreturned for hisnativecountry immigrated toAmericain1901,butfeltacallingfight andSturdevant translateditintoEnglish. psychiatry) Ciccone, MD,(Giuseppe’s grandsonandaprofessor of in2012,J.Richard poem waswritteninItalian;starting from theUnitedStatestoItalyvisithim.Theoriginal Ciccone Sturdevant, intheearly1970swhenshetraveled from “shellshock,” knowntodayasPTSD. suffering traumatic experienceduringWWIandhispossible history, thepagesofthisbookbringtolifeCiccone’s to theBible,Dante’s “DivineComedy,” mythologyand Soldier’s references Saga,”byGiuseppe Ciccone.With the basisforbook“Through theCircles ofHell:A emotional anguishattheItalianFront duringWWIis By GiuseppeCiccone { We goingtohelpourmotherland. were allgoingtowar. wewere It istrue; To ourbelovedItaly. atourhomeland, We hadallarrived

Through theCircles ofHell:ASoldier’sSaga (Whatshame!)." American citizens.Chevergogna! Andtheywerein mymemory. suchgoodandproud of myPapaandMammawailingisetcheddeeply Asoneeyewitnessrecalls, "theimage overzealousness. are oftenfirst-handtestimoniestogovernment work.Thesenarratives that makesthissuchapowerful with second-andthird-generation familymembers scholarly book. of families,“Branded”isameticulouslyresearched, Coast; totheforced evacuationsandinternments residing alongtheWestwere imposedonfishermen totherestrictions that homes andseizeproperty; routine circumvention thatgave licensetosearch photographsoftheoriginalpoemononepage With The fightingwaseverywhere. There wasnoshelterfrom death. Where Plutostokesthefires. It waslikethedepthsofhell intheCalabriaregion in1887,Ciccone Born Ciccone gavehismanuscripttodaughter, Tina toexpress his An Italiansoldierusingpoetry

However, interviews itisDiStasi'sheart-wrenching Jr. Bartus — Robert — DouglasGladstone Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM 59 WWW.NIAF.ORG BETWEEN THE PAGES 39497_Magazine.indd 60 60 WWW.NIAF.ORG CINEMA Ambassador In thesummerof1943, Director DinoRisi’s Time Capsules Neorealist

a decade,transformedItaly’s narratives. morethan lasted little which Italian Neorealism, cinema. the most influential periodsintheentirehistory ofthe crew members,manyhavingfledFascist Italy, ledto oneof shortage ofequipment, filmstock andexperiencedcast and took to thestreets. Their flight, a embarkeduponwith That Italy’s bythewar. iswhen people displaced filmmakers the backdropforarefugee camp, housingthousandsof filmmaking industry. thedamagedlots became Afterward, studios, ofCinecittà’s thecenterofItaly’sthe shuttering ledto the controversialAlliedbombingraidsonRome A Museum Film Catherine SpaakandVittorioGassmaninascenefrom"IlSorpasso" Retrospective of Modern Art

atNew

By MariaGarcia York’s 3/2/17 3:49 PM

Museum ofModernArt A FilmRetrospectiveatNewYork’s Catherine SpaakandVittorioGassmaninascenefrom"IlSorpasso" 39497_Magazine.indd 61 "I mostri".1963.Italy. DirectedbyDinoRisi curated alessimpressive festivalofthe December 2016,thesamepartnership Antonio Pietrangeli(1919-1968).In of an excellentretrospective ofthework that promotes Italianfilm,organized ofCulture agency ofItaly’s Ministry andLuceCinecittà,astate-owned Art “Divorce ItalianStyle”(1961). Street” (1958)andPietro Germi’s Monicello’s “BigDealonMadonna latter beganwithsuchfilmsasMario dubbed “commediaal’Italiana.”The Neorealism, gavewaytotheeranow ” orrose-colored rosa to as“neorealisma riod thatsomecriticssnidelyreferred nia Sandrelli. Abrieftransitionalpe- Gassman, SilvanaManganoandStefa- up-and-coming actors,suchasVittorio litical critique,butwithwell-knownor veneer ofNeorealism’s socialand po- releasing comediesanddramaswitha began state-funded filmindustry Totò,starring the“princeoflaughter.” ed byAmericancomedies,andmovies in Italyatthetimeofitsrelease, best- flops. DeSica’s filmtookeighthplace Bicycle Thief”(1948),were boxoffice deSica’s(1945) andVittorio “The ing Rossellini’s “Rome,OpenCity” ly, movies,includ- theserevolutionary with non-professional actors.Ironical- real events,were usuallyaccomplished films theyproduced, oftenbasedon and impoverishedbywar. Thefeature working-class Italians,manyhomeless the livesoforphanedchildren and commedia al’Italianawriter-director In 2015,theMuseumofModern By theearly1950s,Italy’s Movie-makers begantochronicle

and “ilGaucho”(1965),whichpokes romance; and torekindle awartime formeaningfulwork partisan former cult Life”(1958),aboutthequestofa FrancaValeria;the wonderful “ADiffi- young andslenderSophiaLoren and avery (1955), adramaco-starring breakout film“TheSignofVenus” screened atMoMAwere thedirector’s custom repairs toimageandsound. latest 4Ktechnology, whichallowsfor masterpiece wasrestored withthevery ception is“ilSorpasso”(1962).Risi’s time capsules.Oneoutstandingex- scrutiny,to modern Risi’s are mostly like Pietrangeli,whosefilmsholdup Dino Risi’s workisacaseinpoint. Un- is moviesthatare historicalartifacts. discriminate tooclosely. Theresult mostcuratorstendnotto preserve, rapidly, giventhechoiceofwhatto andstoragechanges preservation nology thataidsinfilmrestoration, ing backto1927.Becausethetech- over 100,000moviesandphotosdat- to digitizeitsarchives, whichcontain of a2012initiativebyLuceCinecittà events were covered byAmbassador.) (Allthree tress’s great performances. newly restored printsoftheiconicac- spanned theseeras,andthatincluded screen thefilmsofAnnaMagnanithat coln CenterintheSpringof2016to withtheFilmSocietyofLin- partnered al’Italiania eras.LuceCinecittàalso andcommedia rosa of theneorealisma of themostsuccessfulwriter-directors films ofDinoRisi(1917-2008),one Among theother16features These retrospectives are theresult

shy student(Jean-LouisTrintignant), who insinuateshimselfinto thelifeofa the Italianpsyche.Amiddle-aged guy ters, revealing thedarkundersideof explores theattractionofsuchcharac- yet theepitomeofmalebravado.Risi films—narcissistic andirresponsible, ring malecharacterinsomanyItalian therecur- GassmanasBruno, Vittorio ly describestheplot.“IlSorpasso”stars more accurate- tion, “TheOvertaking,” “The EasyLife,”butitsliteraltransla- movie. Thefilmwasreleased here as androad so,” aclassicmale-queststory story. rosa neorealisma appreciate, couchedastheyare ina audiencesto are difficultformodern Life,” intendedasasocialcritique, as Sordi’s characterin“ADifficult depictions ofmenbroken bywar, such Risi’s recurring ning performance.) thy onlyforAlPacino’s Oscar-win- Brest’sMartin 1992remake, notewor- women andstalksthem.(Itinspired officer“smells” instance, ablindarmy Risi’s “ScentofaWoman” (1974),for somecriticism.In have garnered gender biasesthat,inAmerica,would 1970s are markedbyrace,classand they were made,eventhoseofthe primarily reflect Italianlifeatthetime sadness ortragedy, butbecausethey tradition, hiscomediesare tingedwith Inthecommediaal’Italiana structure. tangents thatweakenthefilm’s prised oflongueursandnarrative oftencom- hand, are lesseffective, through hisworkasablackmarketeer. have arelationship withawoman who compensatesforhisinabilityto Sordi, isamammone,ormama’s boy, post-war capitalist,playedbyAlberto “The SignofVenus,” forexample,a depth toItalianmoviestereotypes. In acterization. Thattalentlendsunusual mother, thatgavehimagiftforchar- inal profession, chosentopleasehis filmmaker. Itisundoubtedlyhisorig- chiatrist before becomingafull-time and 35mmformats. were screened intheiroriginal16mm weeks aftertheendofWorld War II, manyfilmedjust shorts, documentary In addition,Risi’s newlydiscovered good-natured funatthefilmindustry. This isnotthecasein“ilSorpas- Risi’s screenplays, ontheother Risiwasapsy- The Milano-born Ambassador

3/2/17 3:49 PM

61 WWW.NIAF.ORG CINEMA 39497_Magazine.indd 62 62 WWW.NIAF.ORG CINEMA Ambassador his manyimperfections. onSordi’s character,ferred despite “A DifficultLife,”inthedignitycon- in view ismostobviouslyarticulated ian people’s enduringhumanity. This ofSocialism,andtheItal- born largely the neorealist milk.”Thatlattewas Italian filmmakers:“We alldrankof on hisworkisapparent. this sensetheinfluenceofNeorealism for theirsnapshotsofItalianlife;in ans ofanystripecanmineRisi’s films contribution toscreen acting.Histori- appreciate Italy’s uncelebrated largely to representsoeuvre anopportunity Tognazzi andFrancaValeri, sohis Sordi, CatherineSpaak,Ugo Alberto Gassman,NinoManfredi,ing Vittorio media al’Italiana’s bestactors,includ- ence andsardonic humor. be reveling inthecharacter’s irrever- the sametimethataudiencemay self-centeredness at ofBruno’s effect ical eye,Risiillustratesthedeleterious hisclin- and psychologicalperil.With ing himintoriskyphysicalbehavior lead- Roberto, also“overtakes” Bruno Risisaidof In a1979interview, Risi workedwithnearlyallofcom-

visages andregional accentsofNeo- donment. Insteadoftheimperfect who inmid-liferegretted thataban- lovers abandonedthem,andmen raising theirchildalonebecause romances, or pregnant from wartime ters drawnfrom real life—women absurd, backward glances. moment. Adjectivestodescribeitare tion issimplylavita,lifelivedinthe ian sensibility, celebra- whatdeserves “lives ofquietdesperation.”IntheItal- DavidThoreau describedas Henry the end,thoughtheydonotleadwhat or poverty, donotalwaystriumphin bywarorbadluck were interrupted protagonists, mostlymenwhoselives Yet, itmayalsolieinthefactthathis ofwar,the memory wantedtolaugh. by thefactthatItalians,burdened by commedia al’Italiana,maybeexplained ly’s and rosa postwarera,inneorealisma work. Risi’s success,andhisriseinIta- These twofilmsalsorepresent hisbest Difficult Life”as“closetomyheart.” resembles methemost,”and“The named “ilSorpasso”asthefilm“that Risi’s earlyappeallayincharac- Risi In thatsame1979interview,

"La fabbricadelDuomo". promoters, andbelongstonoera. categorization ofscholarsandfilm great movies,“ilSorpasso”defiesthe Likeall get thatlavitaiseverything. invite chaosintotheirlives—andfor- is aboutwhathappenswhenpeople Gassman. Sordi orVittorio Alberto selves represented bySophiaLoren or realist “actors,”audiencessawthem- mariagarciawrites.com. herwebsiteat published thisSpring.Visit EncounterwiththeBeast,”was The Hero’s Her book,“CinematicQuestsforIdentity: andCineaste. International Film Journal in alsoappearregularly articles feature and Ambassador magazine.Herreviews author, contributorto writerandfrequent Maria Garcia isaNewYork City-based It “Il Sorpasso”isthedeparture. 1949. Italy. DirectedbyDinoRisi 3/2/17 3:49 PM

Photo courtesy of Marchesi Antinori 39497_Magazine.indd 63 Photo courtesy of Marchesi Antinori T magnificent arch knownasthe“Resur- tocreate a in theearly16thcentury ence, commissionedLucaDella Robbia 15 the Renaissance.Apiece,indeed. who wantedtobringhomeapieceof centuries byAmericanstravelingtoItaly collected inthelate-19thandearly-20th in bronze andmarble,were widely works,andhissculptures terracotta get there? LucadellaRobbia’s exquisite Museum sincetheearly1900s.How’dit going dates backbefore 14 winemaking Antinorifamily, which Alessandro Antinori,ofthefamous before itssecrets were lostforever. pered forgenerationsoveracentury family workshopinFlorence pros- sons.TheDellaRobbia own artistic della Robbia,whopasseditontohis nique withhisnephew, Andrea artist Botticelli. Lucashared thesecret tech- andSandrolikes ofLeonardo daVinci company sinceitincludedthecreative bad ofthe15thcentury—not artists made himoneofthemostinnovative colors overcenturies.Thetechnique glazing techniquethatretained true invented amiraculousterracotta th- mastersculptorwho century the See, LucaDellaRobbiawasa goes,Niccolò and As thestory home ative obscurityatTheBrooklyn rection ofChrist”arch satinrel- his incredible, two-ton,“Resur-

Della Robbia exhibition th inFlor- century

back totheRenaissanceperiod in us Ittransports steeped inhistory. ri estate. an architectural arch from the Antino- workintheexhibitionis 4. Thelargest Antinori andonexhibitthrough June byMarchese ence,” sponsored inpart ing withColorinRenaissanceFlor- icent exhibition“DellaRobbia:Sculpt- Washington, D.C.,openedthemagnif- in ofArt, when theNationalGallery Della Robbia. launched thefirstU.S.exhibiteverof alongside choiceloansfrom Italy. That from Americancollections, borrowed generations oftheDellaRobbiafamily, sculptures created byseveral terracotta showofglazed unveiled awonderful Boston when theMuseumofFineArts crest intobothcorners. Robbia sculptedtheAntinorifamily andDella is depictedintheartwork, rection ofChrist.”OnetheAntinoris 1469-1529/30); ItalianRenaissance;glazedterracotta. “Resurrection ofChrist”(beforeconservation);ca1520-1524;GiovannidellaRobbia(Italian,Florentine, “The DellaRobbiaexhibition is 5, againtoFebruary Fast forward toAugust2016, Fast forward Museum ofArt Lent bytheMetropolitan Andrea dellaRobbia; ca. 1475;Glazedterracotta; Right: “Prudence”; in August of FineArtsBoston exhibit attheMuseum Renaissance Florence” Sculpting withColorin at the“DellaRobbia: Left: AlessiaAntinori

Courtesy, MuseumofFineArts,Boston says AlessiaAntinori,the26 as theywere almost500yearsago,” Florence. Thecolorsare asvividtoday going home. the AntinoriDellaRobbiaarch willbe MuseuminFlorence. Bargello the AntinoriDellaRobbiaarch tothe in late2017orearly2018,willlend pleased thattheBrooklyn Museum, of Art.” now ondisplayattheNationalGallery splendor. We are sopleasedthatitis of thispiecetorestore ittoitsoriginal theyear-longsupported conservation It’s anamazingpiece!Myfamily nection tooneofthemasterpieces…. winemakers. still ranksamongtheworld’s elite tion oftheAntinorifamilythattoday ropolitan MuseumofArt,Purchase,JosephPulitzer Bequest,1921 Top Right:Courtesy, MuseumofFineArts,Boston;*LentbytheMet- In otherwords, inthemoment, Italy’s Antinorifamilyisespecially “My familyhasapersonalcon- — DonOldenburg Ambassador th genera- 3/2/17 3:49 PM 63 WWW.NIAF.ORG AL MOMENTO 39497_Magazine.indd 64 3/2/17 3:49 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 65 F By Wayne Randazzo Richard PitinoCreating HisOwnShot Like Son Like Father, years asanassistantattopprograms, includingthree on to makethisthingsuccessful.” winner,” Pitinosays.“Thoseare thekindsofkidsweneed but hewantedtostayrighthere inMinnesotaand builda theground. Gophers off hashelpedgetthe presence offreshman AmirCoffey wins.The including apairofhard-fought overtime conference foes.Thisyear, theysplittheirfirst12games, Last year, Minnesotamanagedjusttwowinsagainst it’s easytooverlooktheprogress thattheteamhasmade. team—the NCAA’s topconferences—in thecountry. men’s basketballcoachofanyPowerFiveconference 34, stillholdsthedistinctionofbeingyoungesthead doesn’t takeanythingforgranted. just ashard. Hebelievesinhisteamjustasmuch,andhe my kidsorsomethingaboutthenextgame.” “I’m usuallythinkingaboutwhere Imight havetobring toliveupmyfather’s name,”hesays. I’m goingtotry famous father. his daythinkingabouthowhe’s goingtosizeupwithhis the NewYork KnicksandBostonCeltics. and hehasguidedtwooftheNBA’s moststoriedfranchises, Four seventimes,hehaswontwonationalchampionships, nearly 1,000winsasaheadcoach.HehasbeentotheFinal Basketball Association(NBA),theelderPitinohasamassed Fame in2013. induction intotheNaismithMemorialBasketballHallof hasalready beencementedwith in basketballhistory head coachattheUniversityofLouisville,buthisplace after all.RickPitino,Richard’s father, isstill anactive Pitino knowswhatawinner lookslike.Hespentfive “Amir couldhavegonetoahigherprofile school, through theBigTenAs theGopherstrudge schedule, Now inhisthird seasoninDinkytown,Pitino,atage Pitino’s alotlikehisfatherin manyways.Heworks andthinkabouthow “I don’t wakeupinthemorning Despite allofthat,Richard Pitinousesuplittleof Between thecollegiatelevelandNational on hisname.Richard isthesonofbasketballroyalty coach Richard Pitino,itwouldbeeasytojustrely or UniversityofMinnesotamen’s basketballhead

Fall 2016issueofAmbassador. fortheNewYorkLife,” aboutbeingradiobroadcaster Mets,inthe Big Ten Network. Readhisfirst-personcolumn,“ADayinMy televisionplay-by-playannouncerforESPNand also afreelance show hostandfill-inplay-by-play announceronWOR-AM.He’s Wayne RandazzoistheNewYork andpostgame Metspregame Williams Arena Richard Pitino,headcoachofMen’s BasketballattheUniversityofMinnesota, the future ofthefamilyname. finally puthisstamponthefuture oftheprogram—and to rebuild. That’s somethingit’s doingnowasPitinocan record forMinnesota,buttheteamdidn’t haveachance Methodist University.Southern The25winswere aschool Brown’s Mustangsof Tournament (NIT),beatingLarry squad won25gamesandthe2014NationalInvitation replace longtimeNCAAbasketballcoach Tubby Smith. the UniversityofMinnesotacamecallingtohire Pitinoto wet (heledFIUtoitsfirstwinningrecord in13years), Universitytogethisfeet coach atFloridaInternational to thetitleofheadcoach.Afteraone-yearstopas NBA’s OklahomaCityThunder). headcoachforthe assisting BillyDonovan(currently two seasonsawayfrom dad,attheUniversityofFlorida, the benchatLouisvillealongsidehisfather. Healsohad Year one atMinnesotawasnoproblem. Pitino’s It wasthoseexperiencesthathelpedfasttrackhim Ambassador 3/2/17 3:49 PM TonyTheTiger (CC-BY-SA-3.0) 65 WWW.NIAF.ORG ON SPORTS Celebrating Our Heritage Building Our Future

JOIN NIAF TODAY! I would like to join NIAF $25 Student (under age 24) $250 Patron $2,500 The Italian Give The Gift Of Membership! $50 Associate $500 Council American Leadership NIAF offers several levels of support $125 Sustaining $1,000 BusinessCouncil Council to accommodate all contributors. Membership includes a subscription to ______Name Spouse’s Name Ambassador magazine plus other benefits. ______Address Join NIAF today, or help ______friends and family join. City State Zip ______Call 202-387-0600, Email Home Phone Business Phone email [email protected], Mastercard Visa American Express visit www.niaf.org/membership, ______or fill out and send this form. Credit Card Number Expiration Date ______Name (as it appears on card) ______Signature Make checks payable to “The NIAF” and mail to The National Italian American Foundation 1860 19th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20009-5501 202-387-0600

Heritage_Ad_1916.indd 1 9/28/16 2:05 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 66 3/2/17 3:49 PM Heritage_Ad_1916.indd 1 Celebrating Our Heritage Ambassador JOIN NIAF TODAY! Membership includes asubscription to Give The Gift Membership! Of NIAF offers levels of several support to accommodate contributors. all visit www.niaf.org/membership, magazine plus other benefits. or out fill and form. this send email [email protected], Join NIAF today, or help andfriends family join. 202-387-0600, Call

Building Our Future Signature ______Name (asit appears on card) ______Street1860 19th NWWashington, D.C. 20009-5501202-387-0600 The National Italian American Foundation Make checks payable NIAF” to “The and Credit Card Number ______City ______Address ______Name ______to like joinI would NIAF Email ______Mastercard $125Sustaining $50Associate $25Student

Home State Spouse’s (under age 24)

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American Express BusinessCouncil $1,000 $500Council $250Patron

mail Phone to

Business Name $2,500 The Italian

Council Leadership American Date Zip

Phone

9/28/16 2:05PM 39497_Magazine.indd 67 and aware ofour role astheItalian nation’scapital?” Italian AmericanMuseumhere in the significant done tocreate atruly of ourcommunity, “Whatcanbe times I’vebeenaskedbyamember Ican’t countthenumberof truth, the ItalianAmericancommunity. In toeven betterserve our headquarters investmentintransforming concerted wemadea gift inNIAF’s history), J.MastrobuonoVictoria (thelargest received abequestfrom theestateof So, in2010,whenourFoundation do more withsuchaspecialplace. many atNIAFhavefeltthatwecould welcoming homeforourFoundation, past 20-someyearsasaproud and these D.C. Althoughithasserved ofWashington,Circle intheheart ofDupont since 1994,sitsjustoff Building, whichNIAFhascalledhome Headquarters. NIAF Centerweare buildingatthe Learning J.MastrobuonoMuseum andVictoria thecore ofthenewNIAF has formed recent months,thistrove ofobjects and ItalianAmericanexperience.In oftheItalian thattellthestory artifacts curated collectionofover2,000 You see,myhoard isactuallyacarefully putting togetherafantasticcollection. andItaly traveling around thecountry and Ihavespentthemajorityofmylife and great-grandson ofantiquedealers, realize isthatIamtheson,grandson, as ahoarder. Whatthey’vefailedto office, wouldprobably diagnoseme home, orsetfootinmycluttered NIAFPresident By JohnM.Viola, History Italian American Exhibiting NIAF Museum Recognizing thisglaringabsence, The AmbassadorPeterF. Secchia Most peoplewho’vevisitedmy

from itsfounding in1975. National ItalianAmericanFoundation ofthe space inourfoyertellsthestory from 1860totoday. Aspecial interactive oftheItalianAmerican story artifacts interactive exhibitspacestohouse the SecchiaBuildingcreated two new generation! experience from theperspectiveofa are tellingtheItalianAmerican invaluable workexperience,they andgaining American history Italian people are notonlylearning professional curator, theseyoung guests whovisituseachyear. with thethousandsofmembersand their takeonourcommunity’s history community tojoinNIAFandshare foryoungpeopleinour opportunity hiring oneperson,wecouldcreate an venture, werealized that,insteadof to findanidealcuratorforthisnew the Museum’s exhibits.Asweset out the itemswehaveacquired anddesign to findyoungstudent-scholarscurate Italian AmericanMuseumFellowship what ourexperiencehasbeen. national discourseonwhoweare and Americans tocontributethe a centralizedresource forallItalian Italian Americanstory, andtocreate of ourpeopletotellthecomplete personal stories,andoralhistories repository, collectingthememorabilia, simple: useourbuildingasacentral Theideawas here atheadquarters. to establishtheNIAFMuseum 2014, ourBoard ofDirectors voted American voiceinWashington, in A 2014interiorremodeling of Under thetutelageofavolunteer Last year, welaunched theNIAF

Americans ofItaliandescent. and protect theheritageof25million promote topreserve, exciting journey history, andultimatelyjoinusonthis and appreciate theirplaceinour It’s ourhopethatyouwillenjoythem pieces wemaintainatheadquarters. see represents atinysamplingofthe to comevisitus.Thecollectionyou’ll of usall. now helptotellthestory that telltheirfamilystories—andwill visits, havesentuspersonalheirlooms and countlessguests,followingtheir already contributedpersonalartifacts, have Lena PrimaandFrancoHarris, Italian Americancommunity, suchas Gala Weekend. Famousnamesfrom Italiana duringour41stAnniversary planned atamobileexhibitExpo visitors afirstglimpseofwhatwehave Fellows gavehundreds ofenthusiastic OurMuseum visitors atheadquarters. have beenanunprecedented hitwith the past42years. archives thatNIAFhasacquired over miles ofbooksandextensivedigital audio-visual resources andcatalogue make availablethousandsofhours Centerwillassembleand Learning which canbeaddedtoourrepository. Americans torecord theirownstories boothforItalian an onsitememory with American oralhistory—along electronic databaseforItalian Center—an American Memory designated fortheNIAFItalian small museumwithanarea already for asignificantexpansionofour If you’re inWashington, besure So far, theMuseum’s earlystages J.MastrobuonoThe Victoria In theyearstocome,weplan

Ambassador

Don Oldenburg

3/2/17 3:49 PM 67 WWW.NIAF.ORG PENSIERI PRESIDENZIALI Insider The 2017 NIAF Leadership Retreat Photos by Don Oldenburg

Washington, D.C. – At the fourth- members and continued development annual NIAF Leadership Retreat, mem- of the NIAF Italian American Museum. bers of the NIAF Board of Directors, the Thursday evening, after a full day Italian American Leadership Council of work, Retreat participants enjoyed (IALC), and NIAF staff converged on the a casual and delectable dinner at DelGiudice Nation’s Capital, at NIAF Headquarters at award-winning chef and restaurateur Andy the Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Building, Luigi Diotaiuti’s new and acclaimed con- January 12-13, for two days of meeting, temporary Italian restaurant Aperto, in workshops, socializing and fine dining, to downtown Washington. A longtime friend plan the Foundation’s upcoming year. and supporter of NIAF, Chef Luigi and Discussions and decision-making his staff served house-cured duck-breast Arriving at NIAF Headquarters for the Retreat: kicked off on early that Thursday morn- prosciutto and artisan cheeses, tagliata (top) IALC member Giulio Gianturco with NIAF ing for Board members and Executive (Tuscan-style ribeye) and house-cured Director of Programs Gabriella Mileti and NIAF Officers with a working breakfast that Lamb Chops Scottadito, among other Chief Financial Officer John P. Della Fave; and lead into an Organizational Update exceptional dishes and Italian wines. (above) NIAF Vice Chairs Gabriel A. Battista and session and an Executive Committee After two productive days, the IALC member Anthony DiSandro. meeting. Following lunch, Board and Retreat sessions adjourned in early-af- IALC members joined staffers in work- ternoon on Friday to allow participants to ing sessions that discussed major 2017 escape the city for the airport and train NIAF events and initiatives, from the New station ahead of the usual Friday rush— Oldenburg

Don York Spring Gala (March 22) and the and before the early arrivals for the fol- Anniversary Gala (November 3-4) to new lowing week’s Presidential Inauguration. programs for young professional NIAF

Chef Luigi Diotaiuti welcomes NIAF Board member Basil Russo and wife Patricia Russo (far left) and NIAF President John M. Dinner at Aperto: (above) NIAF Viola (left) to his Regional Event Planner Andrea new D.C. restaurant Bartlett, IALC member Tom Gentile, Aperto. IALC member Giulio Gianturco and NIAF Public Policy Manager Lisa Femia; (top left) During the Retreat planning NIAF Vice Chair sessions: (right) IALC members Patricia de Stacy Lawrence Purpuro and Joe Harrison and NIAF Cosentino with NIAF Board Board Member member Basil Russo; and (below) Mike Zarelli; (left) NIAF Webmaster and Network Abruzzo and Molise Services Administrator Chris Heritage Society Korin (on right) and NIAF Finance Treasurer Peter Manager Xavier Atizol Bell and Mary Ellen Cosentino with IALC members Joe Cosentino and Sam Vitale; and (bottom)

WWW.NIAF.ORG IALC member and Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society President Maria D’Andrea- Yothers and IALC member Anthony DiSandro. 68 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 68 3/2/17 3:49 PM Insider Feast of the Seven Fishes Reception on Capitol Hill On December 12, NIAF hosted a Christmas reception on Capitol Hill celebrating the Italian American Christmas Eve tradition of the “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” Held in conjunction with the Italian American Congressional Staff Association, the reception welcomed young professionals working on and off Capitol Hill, and members of the NIAF community. Italian wines accompanied seven different seafood finger foods, and guests left with bags of pasta as a Christmas gift from the Foundation. — Lisa Femia NIAF Congressional Fellows Amanda Coker, Sarah Meo and Adrianna Tomasello with NIAF Public Policy Manager Lisa Femia (in front)

(Right) NIAF Public Policy Manager Lisa Femia welcomes guests to NIAF’s Christmas reception on Capitol Hill; (left) The buffet included seafood and fish pasta dishes, eggrolls and other finger foods.

White Truffle Auction in Philadelphia

On November 13, Enoteca Regionale Piemon- tese Cavour and Regione Piemonte hosted the World Alba White Truffle Auction that took place simultaneously at the Union League in Philadelphia and at the Grinzane Cavour Castle in Piemonte, Italy. As guests here savored a gourmet luncheon at the Union League, the largest event in the world dedicated to the prized Alba White Truffle took place in a unique international competition among cuisine experts, renown chefs, entrepreneurs and philan- thropists, bidding to win extraordinary auction lots of truffles and wines from Barolo and Barbaresco, with a portion of the $60,000 raised in the United States NIAF Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso and wife Dolores Del Raso, donated to NIAF. The prize item that had bids flying Ambassador Armando Varricchio and wife Micaela Barbagallo, singer worldwide via live satellite was a 1,170 gram (more Deana Martin, and NIAF Board member Frank Giordano and wife Dottie than 2.5 pounds) Alba White truffle won with a bid Giordano at the truffle luncheon and auction. of $105,000 Euros by Beijing chef and restaurateur Dong Zhenxiang. “We are overwhelmed by the tremendous

response to the auction…,” said NIAF Chairman Photography Joseph V. Del Raso, who attended the auction

luncheon. “We are happy that we were able to raise Bachrach money through luncheon tickets and the auction to by Some of the white truffle

support the wonderful work of NIAF.” Photos and wine lots on display Also attending was Italy’s Ambassador to for auction (top); while the United States Armando Varricchio, and NIAF potential bidders took a Board member Frank Giordano, who the next week Executive Sous Chef Denny closer look (middle); and WWW.NIAF.ORG attended a dinner with Del Raso and their wives at Santiago presents one of the guests dined on pasta the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., where the prized truffles up for auction with shaved Alba white chef used truffles from the auction. The Union League in Philadelphia to Dolores Del Raso. truffles.

Ambassador 69

39497_Magazine.indd 69 3/2/17 3:50 PM Insider

On December 14, NIAF’s annual Christmas Open House once again Christmas Open House combined the spirit of the season with the tradition and taste of Italy as more at than 300 invited guests celebrated

an evening of music, food, open bar, Photos by Don Oldenburg Christmas décor and rousing karaoke. Besides NIAF officers and Board members, many foundation members and friends, as well as Italy’s Ambassador to the United States Armando Varric- chio, were on hand. And, once again, Warrior Catering provided a bounty of Italian appetizers and dishes!

NIAF Public Policy Manager Lisa Femia welcomes NIAF President John M. Viola and Italy’s Ambassador Robert Donofrio and Katie Valianti-Collins with arriving guests. to the United States Armando Varricchio Samantha and David Chandler

Elena Valeriote and David Mazaheri James Henderson and Lisa Comento NIAF Congressional Fellows Sarah Meo, Adrianna Tomasello and Amanda Coker with NIAF Board member Anita Bevacqua McBride, co-chair of the Foundation’s Education and Grants Committee

Jackson Tovar, Nicole Valente Carabiniere Bramati Luigi with Enzo Bruni Radio Kings Orchestra's Robin and Rick Gordon and Stefan Lapcevich

Italy’s Ambassador to the United States Armando Varricchio (center) and other guests at the holiday buffet table WWW.NIAF.ORG

Macarena Dagnino, Lara Gabriele and Karaoke is a Christmas Open House Faride Zahirpour tradition at NIAF Headquarters!

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39497_Magazine.indd 70 3/2/17 3:50 PM MARK YOUR Calendar NIAF is offering the following special events in the coming months. For more information, visit niaf.org.

MARCH 2017 APRIL 2017 Italian American Leadership NIAF-Frank J. Guarini Council (IALC) Summit Public Policy Forum Date: March 22 Date: TBD Time: 2 - 4:00 p.m. Time: 12 - 1:30 p.m. NIAF President John Viola Location: Pepper, Hamilton LLP, Location: TBD addresses the guests, alongside New York Offices, 620 Eighth Ave., Contact: Jerry Jones at NIAF Board member Anita Bevac- qua McBride and NIAF Vice Chair 37th Floor, New York, N.Y.l 202-939-3102 or [email protected] Contact: Alex Benedetto at Gabriel A. Battista NOVEMBER 2017 202-939-3119 or Right: Mark Letenzi, Larry Pugliese NIAF 42nd Anniversary Awards and Jason Perezzo [email protected] Gala Weekend NIAF New York Spring Gala Date: November 3 and 4 Date: March 22 Location: The Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Left: Andrea DeFelice and Jason Melton Time: 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception; 7:30 p.m. Dinner Contact: Jerry Jones at Below, left to right: Roger Cochetti and Location: Cipriani 42nd Street, 202-939-3102 or [email protected] Ginger Ingalls; Joe Moeller, Anita Bizzotto and 110 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. Larry Pugliese; Buddy Vagnoni, Adriana Bar- Contact: Jerry Jones at bieri and Frank Van Riper; Guests are sent 202-939-3102 or [email protected] home with gifts of Nutella, Ferrero Roche chocolates and Bauli Panettone

Long Island Students Tour NIAF HQ On Friday, February 24, NIAF hosted a group of 39 students from the Italian Club at Lindenhurst High School, in Lindenhurst, N.Y., that was on a two-day excursion to the nation’s capital. But, as the Club’s advisor John Rossillo explained, the usual tourist sites in Washington, D.C., weren’t the Club’s primary focus. “The idea of the trip was to see the Italian Embas- sy, and what it does, and to see what NIAF does," he Oldenburg said, “…and then we’ll also see the nation’s capital.” Don

While at NIAF Headquarters, NIAF President John by M. Viola addressed the group and introduced them Photos to some of the artifacts in the NIAF Italian American Clockwise from above: Museum exhibition. The students also received NIAF Italian Club students arriving gift bags and watched a brief preview segment of the at NIAF Headquarters; PBS film “The Italian Americans.” NIAF President John M. Viola Following the NIAF stop, the group was heading welcoming the students; to Georgetown University to tour the campus, and and with Lindenhurst High take in some of the famous monuments after dark. School Italian Club advisor

But what they were equally excited about was on the and students. WWW.NIAF.ORG way back to the South Shore of Long Island, they were stopping in Baltimore’s Little Italy for dinner.

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7 8

9 BEHIND 10 11

CROSSWORD THE SCENES 12 13

IN CINEMA 14 15

16 17

20 21 22

Festival by

23 Javier Palma Loren De by by Leon J. Radomile 24

www.leonradomile.com Brian Tarantino

ACROSS 20 First female to direct a motion picture (“Big,” 1988) You may also have heard of her father. Archives, Quentin

5 The first woman nominated for an Academy Award for that grossed over $100 million, along with “A League 13 Formed a production company with Dino De Laurentiis NIAF by directing “Seven Beauties.” Also known for directing of Their Own.” Her brother was also a major TV to produce a number of major films, including Fellini’s 2.0),

such films as “Love and Anarchy” and “Swept Away.” director and writer. Birth surname was Masciarelli. “La Strada,” and “The Nights of Cabiria,” both Valenti BY-ND

7 He persuaded Dino De Laurentiis to build a movie 22 Highly regarded writer and film director who brought winners of Best Foreign Language Film Oscars. (CC Jack studio in Wilmington, N.C. A studio executive, he later Shakespeare and grand opera to the masses. His Husband of Sophia Loren.

became president of EUE Screen Gems Studios in film version of “Romeo and Juliet” received an Oscar 17 Of Sicilian heritage, his movies have garnered 80 Awards

1984. Largest such facility east of California. nomination and had huge financial success. Academy Award nominations. Of those, 20 were DelGiudice, Peabody

8 Responsible for instituting the film-rating system 23 Director, producer and writer whose career spanned Oscar winners. Simply put, he is widely regarded Andy by which protects and informs the public on the content 40 years. Known for his psychological thrillers and as one of the most significant and influential The of films. A past president of the Motion Picture suspense filled crime films. Among his successes are: filmmakers in cinema history. by

Association of America. “Carrie” and “Mission: Impossible.” 18 “The Deer Hunter” received nine Oscar nominations Brothers 9 Filmmaker and screenwriter best known for directing 24 Four of his movies won Oscars as Best Foreign and won five, including best picture. Its director won Scorsese Russo

such movies as “Harry Potter,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” Language Film. One of them, “Two Women,” based two of them for co-writing and directing. Who was he? Martin

and “Home Alone.” He also wrote “Gremlins,” “The on the novel by Alberto Moravia, won Sophia Loren 19 Cofounder of Jersey Films. The production company is 2.5), 3.0),

Goonies” and “Young Sherlock Holmes.” an Oscar for her performance. known for films such as “Pulp Fiction.” Actor, director BY-SA (CC

10 Composed and arranged scores for more than 400 and producer, he gained prominence for his TV BY-SA

film and television productions. He received an DOWN character Louie De Palma on “Taxi.” (CC Honorary Academy Award Oscar in 2007. 1 Best known for his work and contributions to the first 21 Italian film director, producer and screenwriter, Siren-Com Strecker 12 Dynamic team directs Marvel Comic superhero films. two X-Men movies. Also produced “Transformers” for credited as the inventor of the “Spaghetti Western.” by They are collectively known by their last name. DreamWorks and Paramount. Think Clint Eastwood. Olivier

2 He has produced and written for such shows as Coppola

14 Actor and film director has starred and supported by

“The Rockford Files,” and “Northern Exposure.” Best

SOLUTION Sofia Zeffirelli Franco a bevy of successful films and TV deries including: 22

Leone Sergio

known for his critically acclaimed HBO drama, “The 21

“Reservoir Dogs,” “Desperado,” “The Sopranos,” “ Marshall

Morricone

Vito De Danny

19 siebbi,

Garry & Penny

Fargo,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Big Lebowski.” Sopranos.” What is David Chase’s Italian surname? 20

by Cimino Michael

18 Ennio

Cinecittà

15 This filmmaker and screenwriter is famous for his 3 This screenwriter and film producer won an Oscar 18

Scorsese Martin 17

Lucchesi Gary

nonlinear storylines, excessive violence, ensemble (“Gladiator”) for Best Original Screenplay in 2001. 16 2.0),

Ponti Carlo 13 Buscemi

Tarantino Quentin

casting and movie soundtracks primarily containing His best known screenplays include “King Arthur,” 15 BY Copolla Sofia 11

Buscemi Steve

14 (CC

“Gladiator,” “Amistad” and “Jumpin’ Jack.” Steve

Broccoli Albert songs and score pieces from the 1960s to the 1980s. 6

Joe &

4 His film “The Last Emperor” won nine Academy Anthony Bertolucci Bernardo

16 A San Francisco native, he is the president of Lake- 4

Brothers, Russo The 12

Franzoni David

shore Entertainment. Worked with Clint Eastwood to Awards in 1987, including Best Movie, Best Director, 3

Morricone Ennio 10 Yushenkov,

Guadalajara

Cesare De David

produce the 2004 Oscar Winning Best Picture “Million and Best Adapted Screen Play. 2

en Columbus Chris 9

DeSanto Tom

6 He was the producer of all but one of the first 17 1 Alexey Valenti Jack Dollar Baby.” This esteemed CEO is also president of 8

Cine

James Bond movies. DOWN de Jr. Capra Frank the Producers Guild of America. 7

WWW.NIAF.ORG

Sica De Vittorio 24

Wertmüller Lina 18 Italy’s largest film studio complex founded in 1937 11 A director, she also received an Academy 5

Zeffirelli

ACROSS DePalma Brian and has been dubbed Hollywood on the Tiber. The HBO Award for Best Original Screenplay for the 23 Internacional series “Rome” was filmed there from 2004-2007. comedy-drama “Lost in Translation” in 2003. Franco

72 Ambassador

39497_Magazine.indd 72 3/2/17 3:50 PM Franco Zeffirelli by Alexey Yushenkov, Steve Buscemi by siebbi, Sofia Coppola by Siren-Com (CC BY-SA 2.5), Russo Brothers by Andy DelGiudice, Jack Valenti by NIAF Archives, Brian De Palma by Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara (CC BY 2.0), Ennio Morricone by Olivier Strecker (CC BY-SA 3.0), Martin Scorsese by The Peabody Awards (CC BY-ND 2.0), Quentin Tarantino by Loren Javier 39497_Magazine.indd 3 © 2016 First Data Corporation. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks, service marks and trade names referenced in this material are the property of their respective owners. respective their of property the are material this in referenced names trade and marks service trademarks, All Reserved. Rights All Corporation. Data First 2016 Connected C ommerce World for a FirstData.com more value to your business. experiences to your customers anddrive across theglobe,helpingyou deliver better be conducted more securely andintelligently Our innovative solutionsenablecommerce to generation technology insideandout. an experienced leader thatknows next- easy task. Itmakes senseto partner with Guiding your businessinto thefuture isno 225106 2016.10225106 AmbassadorAd 3/2/17 3:50 PM Ambassador National Italian American Foundation 1860 19th Street NW Washington, DC 20009-5501

202-387-0600

www.cibo-italia.com

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