Parra Bi-annual Newsletter of Arba Sicula: An International Organization that Promotes the Language and Culture of

Volume XXIX Number 2 Fall 2017 Arba Sicula’s 25th she ever took. Having received such Arba Sicula Takes accolades through the years, I always Anniversary Tour try to resist the tought that we ought Part in NIAF’s Gala to change the tour in a drastic way ur 25th consecutive tour of to encourage people to come back. in Washington, DC OSicily will depart on June 3 But the thought comes up against the and return to New York on June 15, reality that many people who have he National Italian Ameri- 2018. It’s hard to believe that we have come with us repeat the experience. Tcan Foundation (NIAF) is reached a quarter century of uninter- Many of them come back bringing the largest and most influential as- rupted tours, but upon reflection, the their children and their friends along sociation of Italian Americans in the fact that we have been able to conduct so they can feel the same experiences. United States. Based in Washington, these tours without interruption is in In addition I am cognizant of the old DC, the organization is an important itself a confirmation that the tours saw that if something is functioning political voice and every year, in ad- have been very successful. Their suc- dition to the numerous activities that cess is in fact the explanation for their it sponsors, NIAF holds a weekend longevity. If they had not been suc- Gala event that normally is attended cessful we would not have been able by representatives of the US govern- to continue doing them. ment, including many Presidents, So our next tour has to be designed members of the Supreme Court and to be as memorable, if not better than large corporations’ CEO, as well as all the others. That will not be an easy entertainers and actors whose names task because we truly try to make each end in a vowel. At the weekend Gala one as unforgettable. I received a note of Nov. 2-5, 2017, in addition to the other day from one of our mem- the many dignitaries, the President bers who participated in our second of Arba Sicula, Gaetano Cipolla, the tour 23 years ago and she said she still Vice President, Nino Provenzano, and Member of the Board and Life remembers that it was the best tour The Mosaics in Roger’s Room, Palermo. Member Michael Badalucco, were invited to make a presentation on Table of Contents Sicily. The NIAF event, which this year focused its attention on the Arba Sicula’s 25th Anniversary Tour...... 1 region of Sicily, turned out to be a Arba Sicula Takes Part in NIAF’s Gala in Washington, DC...... 1 great celebration of Sicelitude. Even President’s Message...... 2 the hotel, the Marriott Wardman Park Rosa, La cantatrice, at St. John’s University...... 3 Hotel, was decorated with images of Leonardo Sciascia’s Statue Unveiled in Hamilton, Ontario...... 5 Sicilian monuments and sights. The Frank Ingrasciotta Performs Blood Type Ragù at St. John’s University ...... 6 Arba Sicula’s Tour Twenty-four, by F. Anthony D’Alessandro...... 7 elevator doors in the main lobby were Sicilian Creativity: Mio’s Dolls ...... 11 completely covered with images of Lasting Love…Sicilian Style, by F. Anthony D’Alessandro...... 12 the mosaics from the Cappella Pala- Puisia Siciliana/Sicilian Poetry...... 14 tina and the decorations in Roger’s Book Reviews ...... 16 Room from the Norman Palace that 6000 Year Old Wine Discovered in Sicily...... 19 houses the Sicilian Parliament in Itinerary for Arba Sicula’s Tour 25...... 20 Continues on p. 4 Sicilia Parra 2 President’s Message

ince my last message I have been engaged in a number of activities to Spromote the objectives for which Arba Sicula was founded in 1979. Let me bring up to date. I travelled to Hamilton, Ontario this past September to attend the unveiling of a statue of Leonardo Sciascia in one of the main Sicilia Parra squares of Hamilton, a city that has more Racalmutesi living there than in is the official newsletter of the town of Racalmuto. The event was a wonderful example of how ARBA SICULA, Inc., an international manage to succeed once they leave the island. For them the Sicilian proverb organization promoting the language and “cu nesci, arrinesci” (whoever emigrates succeeds) seems to be most appropri- culture of Sicily. Unless otherwise indicated, unsigned ate. I was asked to say a few words about Arba Sicula and our goals during articles are by Gaetano Cipolla. the banquet that was filled with over 600 guests (see the article on p. 5 ). A www.arbasicula.org second event that was perhaps even more important for Arba Sicula was the three-day celebration of Sicily at the National Italian American Foundation’s Gala and Conference held in Washington DC on November 2 -5, to which EDITOR Arba Sicula was invited, not only to make a presentation but to have a booth Gaetano Cipolla to display our books and flag (see the article on p. 4). The event was attended by our Vice President Nino Provenzano and Michael Badalucco. I am pleased SUBSCRIPTIONS: Senior Citizens and Students $30 to say that we made many friends among the participants who heard our Regular subscriptions $35 presentation and saw our exhibit. We are grateful to Michael Badalucco and Outside US and Institutions $40 Nino Provenzano for making the connection with the President of NIAF, John M. Viola, who happens to be of Sicilian origin. This was an important exposure before a national audience that was estimated to be about 1200 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ARBA people, many of whom of Sicilian origin. SICULA and send them to our mailing Arba Sicula continued to provide interesting programs to its members. Two address: events were held in October and November. The first was the One-Man Show by Frank Ingrasciotta, Blood Type Ragù (See the article on p. 6) and the second was Arba Sicula / Gaetano Cipolla Rosa La Cantatrice, by Chiara Verzola who traveled to New York with Flavia Ripa P.O. Box 149 Mineola, NY 11501 to entertain us at St. John’s University (see the article on p. 3). I have also been working on two other important projects that will contribute greatly to the goal of promoting the in the world. As you know, the ARBA SICULA is a non-profit organi- continuing success of my Learn Sicilian/Mparamu lu sicilianu, which is already in its zation. All contributions and subscriptions second edition, has sparked interest not only in the United States (The University are tax deductible. of Pennsylvania is using it as textbook) but also abroad. Prof. Alfonso Campisi of All members of ARBA SICULA in the Université de la Manouba of Tunis adopted the book as well. I have decided good standing automatically receive Sicilia that an Italian version of the book, that is, a version addressing Italian speakers, Parra, Arba Sicula, as well as supplements would be a good investment, especially since the Sicilian Parliament passed a law published by the organization. Sicilia Parra that Sicilian should be taught in the public schools. So Professor Campisi and I is published twice a year, in the Spring and in the Winter. For information and to have been working to adapt Learn Sicilian /Mparamu lu sicilianu for Italian speak- submit materials for the newsletter, write to ers. The book is nearly finished and will be published in 2018. Once again it will Dr. Gaetano Cipolla at the address above. be people outside of Sicily who will be at the forefront of promoting the Sicilian Advertising rates for Sicilia Parra are language and Arba Sicula will be central to it, as we were when we published the as follows: first grammars of Sicilian (by J.K. Bonner and by J. Privitera) and the first Sicilian/ English and English/Sicilian dictionaries by Joseph Bellestri. Full page $250 Half page $125 Quarter Page $75 Business Card $45

Sicilia Parra ISSN 8755-6987 Camera Ready Text by Legas

Prrofreading: Carole Heffley 3 Sicilia Parra Continues from p. 1 Rosa, la Cantatrice, diminished to date. Chiara Verzola was ably accompa- well, you should not not mess with it. So with Chiara Verzola nied by Flavia Ripa on the guitar, who our twenty fifth tour will be similar to the acted also as an interviewer posing preceding ones, with just enough changes and Flavia Ripa at St. question to Rosa. The exchange allowed to keep everyone’s interest. We will return John’s University Chiara/Rosa to react to some of the most to Cefalù again (we skipped it last year traumatic experiences of the singer’s life. in favor of Bagheria) because it is always ollowing the success of Frank She recounted her early life in Palermo a delightful excursion in a seaside town when she lived with her parents and her that is the most popular resort area in FIngrasciotta’s One Man Show Arba Sicula brought to New York two siblings in one room apartment and was Sicily after Taormina. And we will return exposed to things “children should not to Erice that we skipped in the previous talented entertainers/performers to present a show on the life and music of see”. These childhood reminiscences tour because we had a number of people were punctuated by iconic songs that who would not have been able to climb Rosa Balistreri, the iconic Sicilian folk singer whose work is still performed by gave the show continuity and provided to the center of town on the cobblestone pathos. Though Chiara’s voice and rendi- streets. And we will add a number of many singers twenty seven years after her death in Palermo at age 63. I am tion of the songs was more stylized than activities in collaboration with our local Rosa’s they were nonetheless quite ef- friends that contribute so much to the referring to Chiara Verzola who wrote, special character of the tours. We do not go to Sicily simply to see the marvelous sights, to admire the wondrous Greek temples and enjoy the spectacular nature; Chiara we go to Sicily to get in touch with the Verzola people of Sicily, and to get in touch with that part inside of us that harkens to com- Below: Flavia municate with its ancient roots. I like to Ripa say that our tour is basically a journey to the motherland, an inward journey of discovery. So if you are ready to embark on the next adventure, send me a deposit directed and choreographed her own to reserve a place fo you. I will be working fective in making a connection with the on the itinerary in the meantime and by performance of Rosa la cantatrice focus- ing on a few of Rosa’s iconic songs to audience and in eliciting an emotional the time this newsletter is printed we will response. The theatrical performance/ have the tour arrangements made. The punctuate the difficult life of the singer, struggling through poverty, violence and concert was greeted with much apprecia- price for the tour will remain the same tion by the members of Arba Sicula and as last year’s, even though the dollar is abusive relationships until she finally broke free of the environment where their guests. not as strong against the euro as it was. The concert was followed by the Look at the tentative itinerary on page she was born to become a well-loved interpreter of the Sicilian experience. usual refreshment. Arba Sicula is grate- 20, keeping in mind that some minor ad- ful to Joe DiPietro, President of the justments may be made before we take off She was helped by people like Nobel Prize winner for literature Dario Fo, Federation of Italian-American Associa- on June 3, 2018, and send me the deposit tions of Queens, for providing the audio to secure a place on this anniversary tour. Leonardo Sciascia, Renato Guttuso and poet Ignazio Buttitta who went on to equipment for this performance and for write the lyrics for some of helping to set it up. her songs, like the famous “Pirati a Palermu”, which was one of the songs that Chiara Verzola included Mr. Vincent Ciaramitaro, former in her program. Thanks owner of Joe’s of Avenue U in Brook- to the help of the liberal lyn, has developed a web site that intellectuals, Rosa began contains many of the recipes used in performing in theaters, the famous Focacceria Palermitana. recording her songs in sev- Check out his site at: eral albums and reached www.siciliancookingplus.com a popularity that has not Sicilia Parra 4

Continues from p. 1 Provenzano and to Sicily. But earlier in the day, Arba Sicula made a presenta- Palermo. Going down to the Sicilian tion that was well attended, focusing on Expo, people saw a large reproduction its objectives in promoting the Sicilian of Sicilian mosaics. Sicilian Flags were language and culture. Gaetano Cipolla everywhere and there was a dearth of spoke about the goals of the organization Sicilian products from olive oil to special and read part of his booklet What Makes sauces, from gelato siciliano to Tony De a Sicilian and then introduced Nino Nonno’s “Pupi Siciliani”, from Turitrip Provenzano and Michael Badalucco who (tours of Sicily organized by Turi) to recited in Sicilian and in English some “Cooking with Nonna” with Rossella of Nino’s poems. The session was intro- Rago. Arba Sicula had its own booth duced by the President of NIAF, John M. and displayed most of the books on Sic- Viola, who spoke of his Sicilian heritage ily published by Legas, including those and expressed his appreciation for Arba of Nino Provenzano who was present Sicula’s efforts to keep the Sicilian lan- to sign autographed copies of his three guage alive, saying also that he had pur- books including Footprints in the Snow/ chased two copies of professor Cipolla’s Learn Sicilian/Mparamu lu sicilianu. Mr. Viola’s appreciation of his heritage was unambiguously demonstrated when on the night of the Gala, while everyone else was wearing black tuxedoes, he showed up with a cream-colored jacket decorated with symbols of Sicily. It made quite an impression. Arba Sicula is very happy that NIAF chose Sicily as the theme for its 42nd Gala. It afforded the many Sicilians in the United States to take pride in their heritage. Arba Sicula’s efforts to shine a light on our beautiful island are be- ing recognized. Sicily will not remain the “best-kept secret,” much longer, as people are shown its true face. Pirati supra la nivi. Nino ran out of all his books and Arba Sicula and Legas did very well too. We had brought a whole carton of the last issue of the Arba Sicula journal and gave them gratis to the many people who stopped by our booth. But the special regard that the people of NIAF had for Arba Sicula was made evident when at the beginning of the Gala, before a crowd of 400-500 guests, one of the poems from Nino’s anthology was recited by Nino in Sicilian and by Michael Badalucco in Gaetano’s transla- tion. The poem was heard while large screens in the hall displayed beautiful images of Sicily, integrating them with the content of the poem. I attach a link Above: NIAF’s President, John M. Viola with Vincenzo Arcobelli; to the video so you can see for yourself: Middle: Nino Provenzano, Gaetano Cipolla and Michael Badalucco at the presentation; https://youtu.be/i7dBDJWuoLU Below: An old NYU college friend, Dr. Eliot Sorel, visited with Florence and Gaetano at It was a wonderful homage to Nino the Arba Sicula booth. 5 Sicilia Parra Leonardo Sciascia’s Statue Unveiled in Hamilton Ontario

e know that Sicilians are ev- Werywhere, so it was not that surprising to see about six hundred of them gathered in Hamilton, ONTARIO on September 22 for an event that began at 5:00 PM and did not end until mid- night. What was surprising was to see so many Sicilians hailing from the same town gathered in one place. The town in question was Racalmuto in the which established a “ge- mellaggio” with Hamilton many years The unveiling of Leonardo Sciascia’s statue in Immigration Square with master of ago because so many of its citizens had ceremony Charles Criminisi and dignitaries that included the Mayor of Hamilton. chosen the Canadian city as their resi- bronze statue of Leonardo Sciascia, the presented in full sometime in June while dence when they emigrated to Canada. well-known writer from Racalmuto, Charly Chiarelli spoke about his full Today there are thirty thousand people sculpted by Giuseppe Agnello, the same feature film which will be released soon. of Sicilian origin in Hamilton and artist who made the original statue that Trailers of their films were shown. Other there are more Racalmutesi there than stands in Racalmuto. The statue was speakers from the Sciascia Foundation in Racalmuto! It is not surprising also commissioned by the local citizens of spoke in Italian about Leonardo Sciascia that in one of the main squares known Hamilton not only to show pride in and the significance of his work. as “Immigration Square” of Hamilton one of their fellow townsmen but also The evening was very enjoyable. It to strengthen the ties between the Ra- was remarkable to experience such a calmutesi and their Canadian counter- parts. Thirteen people from Racalmuto traveled to Hamilton for the occasion, including the Vice Mayor and members of the town council and representatives of the Sciascia Foundation. Following the unveiling of the statue, the people moved to the building that was originally the railway station where immigrants arrived, which has now been converted to a civic center. Once the large crowd settled down, there were many speeches between the enter- tainment provided by local folk dance group and singers and by the organizers Baiardo and Cino, who acted as present- ers but also did a very funny rendition The statue sculpted by Giuseppe Agnello of the famous Abbot and Costello skit, is a replica of the statue that stands in “who’s on first” in Sicilian, which the Racalmuto. crowd clearly enjoyed. Baiardo also sincere appreciation of sicelitude, that there are statues commemorating some performed his song “Chi nni sacciu iu.” arises from knowing that you belong to Sicilian people who contributed to the Prof. Cipolla was invited to say a few a group with which you share beliefs, growth and development of the city. The words and he spoke briefly about Arba traditions and history. Joseph Baiardo event that I attended at the invitation of Sicula and its goals to save the Sicilian and Sam Cino as well as the other orga- the organizers of Sicilia Canta, Joseph language. Filmmaker Mark Spano spoke nizers of the event deserve our vote of Baiardo and Sam Cino, focused first on briefly about his documentary “Sicily: gratitude for the work they did to foster the unveiling of a replica of a life-size Land of Love and Strife” which will be the values of our heritage. Sicilia Parra 6 Frank Ingrasciotta Performs His One- Man-Show Blood Type Ragù At St. John’s University for the Second Time

n the evening of October 14, O2017, before an enthusiastic audience of Arba Sicula members and their guests, Frank Ingrasciotta per- formed his One-Man-Show “Blood Type: Ragù”. This was the second time that Mr. Ingrasciotta has performed for the Arba Sicula members, some of whom may have seen the show the first time he came to St. John’s. The show, which has been performed many times in various venues Off Broadway in the Metropolitan area and elsewhere, was received by the audience with the same joy as the original performance: a credit to Mr. Ingrasciotta whose meticulous attention to detail and professionalism was evident throughout the performance that lasted almost two hours without in- terruption. It was a veritable tour de force, which delighted the audience that was ”Blood Type: Ragù”, which Mr. as manee cuott, the dying Sicilian grand- transported by Frank’s incredible energy Ingrasciotta wrote, is a monologue father whose face contorts into some on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The that incorporates vignettes from his incredible and believable shapes as he show was very funny, but it also had life as a Sicilian-American growing mouths incomprehensible words on his some reflective moments. It had what up in Brooklyn. It features over 20 death bed, the woman with the “coscie historians of Italian theatre have dubbed characters who have somehow touched aperte” (open thighs), and many others. “aceto italiano” (Italian vinegar) that can the author’s life. As would be expected The show interweaves moments of high turn a comedy into tragedy and viceversa from a good Sicilian from Mazara del comedic energy with poignant recollec- at any time. The delighted audience fol- Vallo, the family occupies a central role tions of some of the difficult junctures lowed Mr. Ingrasciotta in his journey in the show, with the mother’s having a in the author’s life, such as his parents’ through memory and understood. more important role in “Frankie’s” life, separation after 40 years of marriage, his followed by the father and then by an father’s death from a heart attack. assemblage of relatives and neighbors, The audience clearly understood whom Ingrasciotta evokes throughout what Ingrasciotta was talking about. the show changing voices and demeanor They obviously identified with his issues in a tour de force of pantomime. These and recognized them from their own twenty different characters take the stage experiences. through Ingrasciotta’s believable and ef- This was a most enjoyable evening for fective impersonations: from the “schetta the members of Arba Sicula. The audi- arraggiata” (the angry spinster) to Uncle ence continued to talk about the show Gaetanu who makes ricotta whose voice even as they enjoyed the abundant food seems to come out of a cavernous hole, and refreshments which, as always, fol- the father’s new woman who pronounces lows all events sponsored by Arba Sicula. mozzarella as muorz arèl, and manicotti 7 Sicilia Parra Arba Sicula’s Tour strangers; but by the time we flew home I am happy to note that despite our from Rome’s DaVinci Airport, we’d ambitious tour, I wasn’t “stanco morto “ Twenty-four become friends. again until our return flight to the USA. A mythical Shoeless Joe Jackson There was no room in our Arba Sicula F. Anthony D’Alessandro summoned baseball aficionados to a discovery days to permit the incursion Kansas farm. On a busy June morn, on of that tired feeling. s I thought about Arba Sicula’s the shores of Jamaica Bay, Dr. Gaetano We met our driver Mario. By the ATwenty Fourth Sicilian tour, Cipolla assembled those of us who’d end of our excursion, I’d concluded words from the movie, Field of Dreams yearned to see Sicily. When my wife that, based upon his driving mastery of echoed. “If you build it they will come.” Adele and I arrived at a Kennedy Airport pencil thin roads and his squeezing his Waiting to fly to my ancestral homeland, dressed up for its endless day, I grinned bus into parking spots in stingy streets I glanced around Kennedy’s bustling ear-to-ear realizing that I’d soon be twisted like rubber bands, he must have airport guessing which of the travelers stepping onto whiny jet plane heading shared Mario Andretti’s DNA. Mario’s scurrying nearby planned to visit Sicily. to Sicily. bus provided Diana a stage. Daily, she When Dr. Cipolla called for his band For years, I’d longed to leap the Big proved a captivating raconteur while of travelers, my brother and sister Sicil- Pond with this group to experience my describing the panorama unraveling ians intending to explore Persephone’s roots. A high school teaching schedule outside our bus windows. In the closing

The last day of the tour we visited Gaetano’s cousins, Rosetta and Peppino Giamboi for cocktails before going to the farewell dinner.

Isle stood up and circled the professore. that ended a month after this tour’s an- days of our journey, I realized that the They came. nual departure always blockaded this bus ride’s continual echoing laughter They came from all corners of the dream holiday. Retirement stepped in transformed long drives into pleasurable USA: the Empire State, Sunshine State, and rescued me. adventures. Golden State, Garden State, Bay State, After touching down in Sicily, our After our arrival at our first luxury Great Lakes State, Keystone State, old guide Diana, sporting a springy step, hotel, Dr. Cipolla mentioned that we Dominion State and others. Our group shepherded us toward our tour bus, were free to walk Palermo’s clattering ranged from 18 to 95 years of age. At noting my tottering pace, Diana asked, roads and explore this city dripping in Kennedy Airport, we assembled as “How are you?” “Stanco morto,” I said. history. Sicilia Parra 8

gesturing like a passionate Toscanini at the Met. We boarded the bus for Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. At that temple site, I heard multiple lecturers simulta- neously. I trudged toward those monu- ments to history. My mind wandered off again. Sitting on an ancient stone and staring at a burnt Temple of Juno, I wondered. Was the red I detected on columns the bloodstains of ancient Sicil- ians? Had Hannibal, in Houdini style, invaded this spot with his elephants? I saw my group moving and scrambled to catch up. In Syracuse, I hollered and howled at the human ear shaped Ear of Dionysius. I imagined Dionysius eavesdropping The group posing in the Greek Theater of Taormina with Etna in the background. on the plans of his prisoners. That site swelled with secrets. A lifetime chiacchiaruni, I limit stood surrounded by modified high rise Finally, I visited a church that I’d myself to describing only a small por- apartments that flaunted dripping wash dreamed of seeing for years, La Madonna tion of the wonders observed. While that formed a two-story curtain of wet Delle Lacrime. A miracle of Blessed walking to our restaurant for our arrival cloth. That drying scene did not distract, Mary’s tears inspired the construction dinner, Professor Cipolla lead us thru since the audience roared and appeared of a stirring teardrop church. Thanks to a noisy and whimsical street sprinkled to roll with non-stop laughter. the wealth of construction knowledge with vendors, singers, students and Sipping savory cappuccino on Day possessed by our fellow tourists, I sat in tourists. As I stepped up into our eatery Five’s delayed daybreak, I confessed to an ad hoc mini classroom in a Cathedral an epicurean scene massaged my eyes. friends about difficulties with stubborn corner learning how this architectural This quaint restaurant, smaller than Sicilian showers. They required an ex- marvel was built. my garage, plastered with library-like orcist, appearing possessed when they Our last few days were spent in the shelves sat blanketed by heaps of assorted twisted, turned, defied me and splashed shadow of the world’s most beautiful mouth-watering foods. We feasted on a and soaked several of my hotel rooms. I tiny hamlet of Taormina. Fortunately, we truly delightful dinner at the Casa del was not alone. A perceptive friend said, had access to that city and to its pebble Brodo Restaurant, sans soup. Parading “It’s hard to believe that a nation that populated beach below. I had shared back toward the Mario’s bus, some of produces Ferrari cannot Caster Salemi celebrated his 95th birthday at our farewell us joined the street celebrants strutting create obedient showers. dinner in Gaggi by dancing with Maria Santalesa and offering and boogieing. “ We chuckled.” a Sicilian cassata to the members of the tour. The next day, I stood mouth agape I questioned our admiring the magnificent architecture stop at the Stagnone La- of Palermo’s Cathedral. Afterward we goon Salt Works. Again, strolled thru Palermo’s City Hall where my skepticism proved we were treated like VIP’s by beaming wrong. Sure, I’d frivo- dignitaries. lously purchased enough Eventually, we motored to the storied salt to melt the ice from Guttusu Museum, home of Renato Gut- my January New York tusu, Sicily’s famed painter. I felt as if driveway. More relevant, I’d been transported within the pages of however, we stood cap- the famed Gattopardo novel. Immersed tivated by the septua- in gaudy grandeur, and surrounded genarian bard, Peppe by baronial grounds, I wondered how Genna, the poet of the many intrigues those pastoral gardens Salt Works. He recited and flaking walls witnessed. Later, we his memorized rhyme, attended the Sicilian play, “Un Dutturi dedicated to woman pi davvieru.” That outdoor playhouse while simultaneously 9 Sicilia Parra

despite some initial uptight behaviors, despite the fact that some of us were wounded by life, our friendships flour- ished as we discovered ourselves in Sicily. Gaetano, Florence and our fellow travelers melded us into an easygoing extended family similar to the essence of Persephone’s Isle. After our return to the US, I spoke with Caster. He wisely observed, “I miss the daily camaraderie that we shared each day of the tour.” Benedetto noted, “Our people were kind, sensitive, and respectful, we always felt that we were looking out for each other.” I told Adele, “I know that we’ll be visiting with a few friends from Arba Sicula Twenty-Four A few of the courageous members ho answered the challenge to reach the highest point this winter.” in the Greek Theater of Taormina. Hopefully, we’ll see some others returning for the Silver Anniversary a history with Taormina. Several rainy stained, sweaty and weary walls. We Arba Sicula’s Viaggio. Immediately, she seasons past, while at our Taormina hotel commandeered tables and revealed our hugged me as hard as a carpenter’s vice. my wife and I befriended opera legends. discoveries, impressions, and epiphanies. Velveteen voiced opera diva Francesca Caster and Benedetto proved prolific Patane invited us to watch her dress re- contributors to the discourse based upon hearsal of Turandot at the Greek Theater. their brilliant nearly 200 combined years Afterward, I realized that I enjoyed that of observing. As my dad used to say, Attenzioni: rich sampling of culture more than any “Facemu quattru chiacchiari.” football playoff game. I relished revisit- Scholarly swordplay always followed La spedizioni fora di li Stati Uniti divin- ing this paradiso called Taormina. pesce spada during our conversations on tau assai custusa. Si aviti un indirizzu elettronicu, mannatimillu accussì vi The tour’s final days treated us to a those lingering Sicilian summer days. pozzu mannari Arba Sicula e Sicilia stop at Dr. Cipolla’s softly murmuring TheProfessore and his sensitive and bril- Parra, in furmatu elettronicu (PDF) childhood stream followed by a few liant wife Florence, always accessible, tramiti la posta elettronica. Mannatimillu pleasant hours at his cousin’s estate. joined us and enthusiastically handled a stu indirizzu: [email protected] Both unique and familiar cuisine teased our avalanche of questions. Si prifiriti la copia cartacia, mannatimi our taste buds, while carrying wine or Despite our varied life experiences, l’abbunamentu di $40. soft drinks in each hand we strolled flowered grounds that deserved a place in horticultural magazines. We shared a Buy All Past Issues of Arba Sicula on a CD delightful afternoon with a native and most hospitable Sicilian family. What his is to let you know that we still have a number of CDs containing a treat! all theT 33 issues of the Arba Sicula journal, Throughout our journey, whenever published from 1979 to the present, in an we followed our leader Gaetano Cipolla, indexed and searchable PDF format that along with 95 year old World War Two everyone with access to a computer can read. hero Caster Salemi, and octogenarian Since we lowered the price to $50.00, some Benedetto Ciminata, videos of Olympic of our members have bought copies. We still gold medalist Pietro Minnea flashed have about thirty of them and I would like to across my mind. These men, despite sell them to make room for the updated CD senior status speedily led our expedi- I am planning to produce in the near future. tion, actually triggering the summer air The new CDs will include the two new issues of Arba Sicula published since we produced to shimmer. I felt that I weakly brought the CD plus an update index. So, if you want to have the history of Arba Sicula that up a slow-motion rear of our spirited won’t take up much shelf space buy the CD. The $50.00 price includes shipping and tour team. handling, too. To order your CD, send a check for $50.00 to: On several evenings, we sat next to Arba Sicula P. O. Box 149, Mineola,New York 11501 Sicilia Parra 10

In Memoriam life, generally reaching peaks I never GUIDARE - Driving guides imagined possible for an immigrant. offers tours and excursions in Sicily t is with sadness that I announce Therefore I say good bye to everyone with authorized guides or English- Ithe passing of two good members knowing that we will see each other in speaking drivers on of Arb Sicula: Mario A. Marano and the future.” Mercedes class S-E, minivans and Jennie Guarisco. His motto in life was “Sempre minibusses up to 16 seats. avanti”. In behalf of Arba Sicula, I ex- Call James Mazza Mario Mara- press our condolences to Mary, his wife phone : 3397748228 no passed away of many years. fax :Italy 1782233226 on August 16, email: sicilydriverandguide@ 2017. He was HOTMAIL.com was born in Aci- Jennie Lynn Guarisco was a partici- reale in 1944 and pant of one of the tour conducted by maintained con- Arba Sicula and she was joined by other tacts with the city members of the Guarisco family. That Attention: of his birth even year the tour was composed of people though he lived who became close friends and actually If you plan to move, in New Jersey. Mario was very active visited each other on several occasions. please be sure to send us in community affairs and was inducted In fact, even our guide Diana Mazza your new address. into the Italian American National Hall when she visited the United States in- If you have access to a computer, of fame. He was named Cavaliere della cluded a visit to New Orleans to have a send us your E-mail. Repubblica Italiana in December 2009 reunion with Jennie, Johanna Lynch and and was the recipient of many awards others who had been on the tour. Arba like the Golden Baton of the Garden Sicula mourns her passing. State Philharmonic Symphony Society Jennie Lynn Guarisco, 62, passed Angelo Coniglio, author of The and a few months before his death he peacefully on August, 21, 2017 among Lady of the Wheel, (Legas) is an ex- was made an Honorary Citizen of the family in her home in New Orleans, LA perienced genealogical researcher of City of Acireale, an honor that I am sure after a courageous three-year battle with Italian immigrants and records from he greatly appreciated. pancreatic cancer. their ancestral towns. He will answer Mario was especially helpful to Arba Jennie dedicated her time and talents many questions without charge, or Sicula when he arranged for the mem- to the New Orleans Saints organization provide paid services if you are inter- bers of the Arba Sicula tour to meet the for fifteen years leading up to and after ested. Contact him at genealogytips@ Mayor of Acireale on several occasions. the Superbowl XLIV victory as Execu- aol.com The Mayor and the Vice Mayor orga- tive Assistant to the Owner Mr. Tom nized a reception during which they Benson. To be in Jennie’s presence was to served everyone the ice cream for which feel unconditional love. So great it could not be contained; befittingly departed Arba Sicula’s the town is justly famous. 30th anniversary pin is still Knowing how ill he was he wrote and began her new life during the solar the following message published in eclipse, a rare, grand and unique mo- available. Send $ 6.00 to: Facebook: ment that stands in testimony of her. Arba Sicula “Dear friends of Facebook, near and For family and friends, she co-created a Post Office Box 149 world of love, strength and intent with far: when you read this note, I will have Mineola, New York 11501 left this world, going to what will be my triumphant resolve. So grateful to have place of rest. I charged my niece to post had Jennie in our lives we lovingly accept this message because she or Mary may this greatest gift and are left shadowed not be able to contact everyone here and in her greatness, humbled and honored. Attention: in Italy. I tried to live my life in the best way possible, placing my trust in my family, my friends and God. For years Has your subscription I have tried to fight against my illness expired? to the best of my knowledge, ability to Look at the address label on resist and courage. In the end the illness p. 20. won. I have few regrets mainly of leaving my wife alone. I think I have lived a good Please send your Dues! 11 Sicilia Parra Sicilian Creativity: affection. With time on her hands and as a true Mio’s Dolls Sicilian who cannot stand still for too long, she t is well established fact that Sicil- began to make dolls for Iians in addition to the qualities her grandchildren. As a attributed to them by Cicero— “an intel- clothes designer and as ligent race, but suspicious and endowed someone who uses the with a wonderful sense of humor”—are sewing machine with art- also talented and creative people who istry, it was not long be- have hands of gold, as the saying goes. fore she created a gallery They create all kinds of interesting objects of dolls that are amazing. that require skill, dedication, and a desire While they all start from to leave their mark on matter, shaping the same basic figure, it into the object that they can clearly each doll grows into a visualize in their mind’s eye. one of a kind personality I am not referring to the famous in which every piece of people that Sicily has produced through- her attire is coordinated out its 3000 years of history. I am talk- with the image the creator ing about people who create beautiful had in mind. Each doll objects just to express their creativity. I requires many days of can name a number of these Sicilians. And I am talking about another painstaking work involv- Filippo Bentivegna comes to mind, a Sicilian whose work I have come to ing many skills. The dolls’ hair must be self-taught artist who sculpted hundreds appreciate and admire. Her name is An- shaped appropriately, her clothes must of heads from boulders on his property toinette Romano known as Ninetta to reflect who she represents, and everything in Sciacca that became “The Enchanted her friends, and her passion is dolls. She makes dolls, she designs and makes their clothes, she styles their hair, she makes their shoes, she paints their faces and she poses them. She even colors their fingernails. She has developed a unique look for them and they are unmistak- ably recognizable as her work which goes under the name of Mio—the name her granddaughter called her when she was a baby. While the dolls are made from the same basic figure in terms of size and height, each one is really one of a kind, entirely manufactured by hand through meticulous attention to every detail. Each piece has a unique name which then determines the kind of treatment she will receive in terms of Castle,” an open air museum. I am her clothes and make up. thinking of a man who collects old olive Ninetta Romano developed her about her must ring true, as you can see trunks and shapes them into haunting hobby when she retired after running in the doll above dressed in a colorful human figures displayed in front of his a Wedding Gown Center in Brooklyn Sicilian costume. The dolls are really a house on the road to Francavilla (Mes- for 25 years. In her boutique, Ninetta labor of love and creativity. Ninetta has sina Province). These people did not personally fitted the gowns and made made so many of them that she needs to attend the Academy of Beaux Arts. Their all necessary alterations to make sure make room for the others who are still artistry comes from persistent learning that every detail was handled in a most in her head. The dolls can be purchased and adapting, from sweat and hard work, caring manner. The brides who were online at www.Etsy.com, for $129.00 from finding the right form that suits lucky enough to purchase a wedding each. Search for “Fashion Dolls by Mio” their imagination and a desire to create. gown from her still remember her with Sicilia Parra 12

Lasting Love…Sicilian Style Scena tra putiaru e F. Anthony D'Alessandro clienti di Amedeo Re I gaped at a once buzzing store squatting on its mountaintop lair. I'd strolled here just five summers ago. Clienti: Rosa; Putiaru : Don Cicciu Rumors spread that for scores of years, this store, impeccably attired for its visitors, Rosa: Bon giornu, Don Cicciu! Quantu flourished beneath 's gun metal shadows. costa un paru di mutanni? Today, the building looked different, like a ghost town, Don Cicciu: Milli e tricientu liri, abandoned by humanity. Rosuzza! Droplets of tears fell from my brow and I began to tremble, Rosa: E sta cammisa riccamata, feeling bullied by the building's deteriorating, dress down appearance. quant’è? While walking up to the wide angled store window, Don Cicciu: Ottucientu liri, scia- its battered welcome sign appeared encircled by a jungle of masking, tuzzu miu! "Sorry, are closed" posters. Rosa: Va, finimula cu stu scherzu! I I squinted thru the tiny hand-sized gap between signs. priezzi sunu auti e vussia m’avi a fari nu I faced a clutter of cobwebs, noticed food- free scattered shelves, scuntu. overturned tables, three legged chairs in the barren landscape Don Cicciu: Siccomu mi fai geniu, that once housed a bustling business. Rosa mia, facimu accussì: i mutanni milli I smiled unexpectedly when images of two former bouncy, e cientu liri e a cammisa milli liri, picchì hand-holding, hard-working nonagenarians with goal post smiles, sì tu! and surprisingly bone crunching hugs made a cameo appearance Rosa: Va, va, Don Cicciu! Chi modu in the wilderness of my mind. esti chissu di trattari i cristiani? Nowadays, all seemed swept away by unrelenting cruelty of the calendar. Vossia mi isa a camisa e mi cala i My eyes drained again, goose bumps assailed my arms and I tasted salt. mutanni. Engaged, once again my mind retreated to my first visit. This grocery store then brimmed with children scampering like chipmunks, wearing ice cream on faces, while brassy adults chatted l ike an excited school chorus. Scene in a Clothing The laughter of children everywhere. A proud and seasoned woman in black defied her limp to reach out to custom- Store ers despite rude impediments that blockaded sound from whispering in her ears. by Amedeo Re A doting, stooped gentleman stutter-stepped by, placed a shaky claw-like hand on my shoulder while simultaneously staring at his wife with fervent eyes and an Customer: Rosa; Owner: Don Cicciu ear-to-ear grin. The man softly joined his spouse and said, "La me bedda mugghieri, sittanta Rosa: Good morning, Don Cicciu! How cincu anni (My beautiful wife, seventy five years)." much is this pair of panties? His pride regarding her beauty somehow sparkled across his craggy face. Don Cicciu: A thousand three hundred He clutched her hands, caressing and kissing each limp, gnarled, and tired finger. lire, my dear Rosy. They hugged; no half-hearted hugs here. Rosa: And this embroidered blouse, The essence of lasting love filled that grocery as the lazy moon blinked coyly how much? and slipped off to sleep among the clouds. Don Cicciu: Eight hundred lire, my Together they strolled thru their store greeting each and every customer with sweet Rosy. twinkling smiles. Rosa: Go on, let’s stop this game. The Suddenly, I felt jolted and bumped by a wide-bodied walker on that strip of prices are too high. You have to give me sidewalk that appeared no wider than an arm's length, outside the tattered store. a discount. Shaken from my reverie, I trudged on. Don Cicciu: Because I like you so much, My soul smiled joyfully, certain that this couple Rosy, let’s make a deal: the panties a now occupying my memories embarked on the next leg of their journey, thousand one hundred and the blouse arm-in-arm and heart-to-heart into something greater a thousand, but just because I like you! than either could ever imagine. Rosa: Go on, Don Cicciu! What way of treating customers is this? You’re raising my blouse and lowering my panties! 13 Sicilia Parra

Special Sale Arba Sicula and Legas are committed to the idea that books are the best way to share our Sicilian heri- tage with our children and grandchildren. With this in mind we continue to offer a 20% discount to our members. (SEE BOOKS page 19) Sicilia Parra 14

-Poi non ti vidu cchiù, chi ti nni pari? e chiddu infernu Puisia Siciliana Arrestu tristi d’intra u cori miu. -L’angilu to’, di mia ti sta a parrari di milli guerri mai Jorna pirduti nsignannuti quant’è a rannizza i Diu- arrisettati. di Teresa Riccobono Ma nta dd’istanti ô munnu fu mannatu E intantu lu mari Trasi un ciatu di gesiminu e mentri chi ieva avanti stu prugramma, mi abbrazza forti dâ finestra -Comu si chiama l’àngilu assignatu? e tuttu nsemmula Rispunni Diu:-û poi chiamari Mamma. e anchi li stiddi i vuci nescinu di lu scuru sunnu cu mmia. e scuppìanu comu muniti d’oro. Chiavi senza porta M’arriportanu lu tempu luntanu, di Alerx Caldiero Ma iu lu sacciu quannu ccu na corda ca ‘unn’aiu risettu e na pupidda ni sintevamu patruni di lu munnu Aiu na chiavi si a lu me latu e ddu’ ligna ca nun avi porta. tu un ci sì... eranu spati ppi battagghi ntra li linzola stinnuti ‘A tegnu chiusa ca svintuliavanu ntôn casciolu. Un celu di sira a li grida di vittoria. di Lidia Chiarelli Nun s’addumannava tannu Assimigghia a l’ossu adattamentu in sicilianu unn’è ca nascìa lu mari di n armali ca nun esisti chiù. di Marco Scalabrino era dintra a l’occhi di na jatta mistiriusa Ogni tantu o nta na pitruzza cilesti. â talìu. Era duci Ora ca l’occhi sunnu muti, lu ciauru di ddi siri ora câ vita è Viu na strata. quannu allungavanu senza cantu di cicali, Viu na casa. li pidatozzi nostri sulu li spirdi mi vennu a truvari li trazzeri nna li jardina di la stati e ccu li nocchi d’ossa C’è a scrivania tuppulianu â porta, ca fici me nannu. quannu li lampiuna ma iu rrestu s’addumavanu jesi jesi nta n’agnunidda Rapu u casciolu e ammattennu cu la luna e cu li stiddi vicinu ô fuculari, e ci trovu na chiavi. azzizzàvanu pènnuli di luci ntô me nidu di stiddi, supra li petri cuvi di li viola. nta la quieti Spiu: unn’è a porta? di li me jorna pirduti. Ma nuddu m’arrispunni. La vita appena tannu ncuminciata I dubbi di n’addevu Tegnu a chiavi parìa allèstiri si Orazio Minnella ntâ chianta dâ manu. sulu pi nuatri un celu fasesu di culura. N’addevu prontu a scinniri ntô munnu Ntuttuna, ci dissi ô Patri Eternu prioccupatu: sacciu unn’ajâ jiri. Fiuri senza numaru e fini -Dimmi comu haiu a vìviri ddà n funnu (sghiddi di ricordi luntani) senza ccu mi proteggi nta stu statu? Comu passu chi stiornu davanti ô specchiu, s’accùcchianu -Hai n angilu ccu tia sempri vicinu e si scùcchianu tutti li santi jorna n sintunia mi n’addugnu nna lu mulineddu stancu ca ti cuntrolla puru u pannulinu c’aiu l’occhi chiusi. di la menti. e poi, ti canta sempri a litania, Zagari Scrusciu ri ventu di Maria P. Badalucco nsignannuti i paroli e a camminari. di Maria Teresa de Sanctis -Si iu t’haiu a parrari comu fazzu? Si vicinu a chistu ciuri -Ntrizza li to manuzzi ppi priiari. Scrusciu ri ventu, chiuri l’occhi e poi l’adduri: -Sacciu ca l’omu è tintu e vilinazzu. scrusciu ri notti, di la to terra tu vidi lu suli. E l’amuri di la genti chi ti dici -Cu’ ti sta attagghiu sapi comu â fari scrusciu ri sogni di luntanu, semu sempri a tia vicinu pi tèniri lu tintu alla luntana, nta lu me cori. cu lu cori nta li manu rischiannu, puru di non chiù campari, e stu ciuri sicilianu. tinennuti ddà d’intra a na campana. Mi insunnu a ttia 15 Sicilia Parra

keeping you safe inside a shielding bell.” I dream of you Sicilian Poetry “But then I won’t be seeing you, and that and of our hellish will make me sad inside my soul.” thousand wars Lost Days “Your angel will be talking about me, never resolved. by Teresa Riccobono about the greatness of the Lord.” But as the child was ready to descend, Meanwhile the sea The breath of jasmine enters he asked the Lord: “What is my angel’s embraces me with force through the window name? and even the stars and all together The Lord replied to him, “Just call him are here with me. the voices emerge out of the darkness Mother.” and burst like golden coins. But I know They take me back in time that I won’t feel at peace to when with a little rope Doorless Key if you are not and with a little doll we felt we were by Alex Caldiero lying beside me… mistresses of the universe and when two wooden sticks I have a key were swords waging battles that has no door. An Evening Sky between sheets hanging out to dry by Lidia Chiarelli billowing in the wind I keep it locked echoing our screams of victory. inside a drawer. The perfume of those nights We did not ask then was sweet where the sea was born, It resembles the bone when it was inside the eyes of an extinct animal. our footsteps invented long trecks of a mysterious cat in the gardens of summer or in a little bluish stone. Now and then Now that the eyes are silent, I look at it. When now that life is the street lamps were kindled without cicadas’ song, I see a street. and competing with the moon and the only the ghosts come visit me. I see a house. stars, They knock at my door formed parabolae of lights with bony knuckles, There’s the writing desk upon the dark stones of the paths. but I remain my grandfather built. in my own little corner, Life in my nest of stars, I open the draw had just begun then in the quietude and find a key. seemed to reveal to us alone of my lost days. a sky of unreal hues I ask: Where’s the door? But no one answers. Innumerable images The Doubts of a Child shards of distant memories by Orazio Minnella I hold the key that today in the palm of my hand recompose and break apart A child who was about to come down in the tired kaleidoscope to earth Suddenly, of the mind. was worried as he said to the Eternal I know where I must go. Father: “Tell me, how am I to survive down there As I pass Zagari without someone who can protect me?” in front of a mirror, by Maria P. Badalucco “You have an angel who will stay with you forever. He will always be with you. I notice If you stand near to this flower, He’ll even change your diaper and will my eyes are closed. close your eyes and smell the perfume, sing, you will see the sun of your homeland teaching you how to speak and how to and the love of the people that says walk.” The Noise of Wind from far away. we are always by your side “If I should need to talk to you, what will by Maria Teresa De Sanctis with our hearts in our hands I do?” “Join your little hands in prayer. and this Sicilian flower I know that man is evil and quite mean. Noise of wind The one who stands by you knows how to noise of night keep noise of dreams the evil people far away from you, inside my heart. risking at times grave injuries or death Sicilia Parra 16

Book Reviews sound. There were also many people buy- ing and selling goods from street to street: Memories of a Kid from Castellammare del fishermen, often barefoot as they just got off Golfo, Sicily by Calogero Cascio, 2011. their boats, 'abbanniavanu ' (used to cry out in a kind of singing way) "Aiu pisci few years ago Giuseppe Tur- pigghiati r'ora!" (I have fresh fish!), or Ariciano sent me a book entitled people selling eyeglasses "Occhiali fine p'a Memories of a Kid from Castellammare vista! C'e ' l'occhiala '!' ' (Fine eyeglasses! del Golfo, Sicily by Calogero Cascio, The eyeglass vendor is here!) and there was and as is my habit I looked at it and put a man selling newspaper, at times yell- it aside, hoping to be able to read it in ing "Articoli di Castellammare!" He was the future. Unfortunately, time passes known as "Scimia" (Monkey). Speaking and I can’t catch up with all the things of Scimia, in town we also happened to that deserve my attention. I recently have someone nicknamed "Tarzan". We had the chance not only to look at the had people sharpening knives and scissors, book carefully but to read it. My original people fixing chairs, a "stagnataru " (tin- impression that Calogero Cascio had smith) who tin-plated frying pans, and we written reminiscences of his growing up even had a renowned dish surgeon that oc- mare del Golfo, Sicily" is a wonderful casionally came around to breathe new life in Castellammare del Golfo that would narration of the author's memories, be of interest only to his family and into broken dishes and rejuvenate cracked that span from his early childhood and ones. Of course, the "Annumina vinturi" friends was definitely off the mark. In emigration to the United States, to his reading the narrative of how things were (fortune-tellers) could also be seen from return visits to his native town. When time to time. I remember one who had a as Calogero was growing up we come to I first read his manuscript, I became realize what a great transformation has parrot in a cage trained to pick up small so emotionally involved that I felt as cards with its beak. The card it picked for occurred in Sicily in the last sixty years. though his stories were part of my life The town of Castellammare which had me said I am going to live until the age of as well. The memories of his town, his 85. Or was it 86? Then it picked the same, 24,000 inhabitants had been reduced grandparents, his relatives and trades are 13,000 in 2011 when Calogero first exact card for two other kids. That bird interlaced with his anecdotes, pictures, didn't have a honest face. 85 or 86? Now wrote his reminiscences. I am sure that proverbs, religious songs, and idioms the number has been reduced even more I don't know when exactly I am supposed —all in a Sicilian dialect—that makes to start worrying. today. The changes that he describes, the the entire experience a joyful reading. introduction of electricity, gas for cook- It would have been a shame if this Joseph Cacibauda, Not for Self: A Sicil- ing, telephones. Radio and Television, book, which was initially written for his automobiles, have occurred throughout ian Life and death un Marion, a Novel, immediate family, was not shared with a Mineola, NY: Legas $16.00, 2017. Sicily altering the way of life everywhere. larger audience. For this reason, I invited The greatest loss of all seems to be the Calogero to have his book published. Reviewed by Laura Newman* break up of the extended families that The book's contents will renew the child- once held Sicilians together. The interac- hood experiences of many immigrants ake Valenti’s cause of death: By tion with the town’s people has also been as well as provide all those of Sicilian reduced radically. Seeing a large group of Jgunshot wounds by the hands of origin with insight on the lives of their Cliff H. Justifiable Homicide. men sitting outside their favorite caffè is own ancestors. very rare now and youngsters do not play The whole of a life compressed into With a touch of simplicity and love, two sentences. in the streets as once they did. Calogero’s the author dedicates the book to his words, for those of us of a certain age, Author Joseph L. Cacibauda came grandchildren "for making it easy for me across this death certificate while re- bring back memories we have forgotten, to remember that despite everything, it's but for the new generations they must searching for a different novel. Jake still a wonderful life” Valenti was his distant cousin, an im- seem like ancient history. Joseph Turri- Giuseppe Turriciano ciano, wrote the following comment on migrant from Sicily, coming to America the book and I am glad to reprint it as in the early 1900’s. Perhaps if the death “The noise of Via Zingaro” was listed as natural causes, Cacibauda well as an excerpt of Calogero’s own nar- Via Zingaro could be quite noisy aside rative about “The noise of Via Zingaro”, would have moved on with his research. from my father's hammers and anvils. Oc- But there was something about gunshot one of the streets of Castellammare that casionally there was music too: street singers gives the flavor of how things were then. wounds and the word justifiable that passing by or a man with a street piano sent him searching for Jake. "Memories of a Kid from Castellam- (on wheels) with a particularly haunting 17 Sicilia Parra

This is the second trilingual book that members of Arba Sicula will receive gratis. The first wasSimenzi di l’arma / Soul Seeds / Semi dell’anima. We are happy to publish Gaetano Cipolla’s comment on the book that will be sent shortly to all members in good standing.

arolyn Kleefeld’s poetry is not CWordsworthian in nature. It is not emotion recollected in tranquility. Indeed, it is entirely the opposite, for the emotions Carolyn experiences are quintessentially risky, extreme, chal- lenging and dangerous. In the poem “Hunger of the Wilds,” for example, she appeals to her lover to come to her The 1920’s were turbulent times in with the primeval and untamed hunger in this exhibition contain many visual America. Jake settled in Marion, Illinois, of the species. The metaphors she uses clues that echo the concepts expressed lured by the promise of work in the coal to describe the passion she seeks in her in the poems. While I do not think that mines and the hope of purchasing farm- lover are imbued with the extreme op- they were made as a visual support for ing land. He lived in a time of conflict: posites of Eros and Thanatos, love and the poems, it is evident that they were unions against mine owners, prohibition death, for the lightning that strikes its born out of the same frame of mind. sidestepped by bootleggers, morality beloved tree destroys it, as does the One example will suffice. The painting espoused and enforced by the Ku Klux volcano that singes the earth with its entitled Eros and Aphrodite is placed on Klan. It was not a clear cut line between quivering caresses. She seeks to be loved the page facing the poem “Hunger of hoodlum and innocent. with the hunger of the wilds to reach a the Wilds,” establishing some points Not for Self is a highly researched higher plane of emotion, to soar into a of contact between text and painting. historical dig into the cross-fire of ide- realm that humans are not allowed to The two figures who are locked in an ologies, greed, and anti-immigrant senti- enter without jeopardizing their safety. incandescent embrace can be viewed as ments. It is the personalized story of an To reach that moment of supreme a reference to the “volcano / that erupts America that enticed immigrant labor enjoyment that can be considered an with molten fire—, / singeing the earth with a glossy vision for a better future. anagnorisis, a supreme revelation of / with quivering caresses.” Look at Eros. For Jake this vision ended in his murder. the mysteries of life, she is willing to His face is contorted in the ecstasy of But was he an innocent? expose herself to all kinds of dangers, the consummation, his eyes are looking With Not for Self, it’s as if Cacibauda even death. Carolyn is well aware of inwardly more than they are focused on has taken a series of sepia photographs the dangers that her search for the ab- Aphrodite, while his right arm, painted of the past, colorized them and brought solute involves. Nevertheless, she does with the color of the flames that shoot them to unforgettable life. Historical not give up. In the poem “Have Mercy, out of his head—which is surely a vi- fiction at it’s best. Eros,” she acknowledges that unbridled sual representation of the hunger of the passion can be destructive: “The void wilds— nearly encircles the body of his * Laura Newman is a Reno, Nevada seems to mock me / for I have become beloved, whose face shows the beginning writer. Her book Parallel to Paradise, a collec- / a wild creature / gripped by the leash / phase of her abandoning herself to the tion of short stories about drug addiction and of a feverish passion, / eagerly awaiting sway of the senses. Her mouth is opened, relationships, has won a number of literary / our next encounter”. The only hint of and her passion is just beginning to flare awards. She is currently working on a new her frailty comes when she begs Eros to as the flames shooting out of her head book, Tourettes of the Heart. have mercy on her. Hers is basically a demonstrate. Her eye though is still search for the absolute that you can see wide open, almost in disbelief as she Carolyn Mary Kleefeld, Lu baciu divinu at every level. She seeks to transcend her contemplates the transformation that is / The Divine Kiss / Il bacio divino, Legas peculiar time and place to become one occurring in her. & Cross-Cultural Communications, 96 with all the creatures of the earth and While it is not easy to translate pages, $20.00 to synchronize her emotions with the Kleefeld’s images into a logical narra- rhythm of the stars. tive that makes sense in the light of Reviewed by Gaetano Cipolla The paintings that were included reason—because those images seem to Sicilia Parra 18 emerge out of unfathomable depths— isle of hope / sanctuary of best therapy.” they do convey through a combination (Cathy’s cancer is now in temporary of colors and shapes deep emotions that remission.) In another, “A Fruit Market can be understood in their raw power at Puzzle in the Waiting Room,” Amato a visceral, semiconscious level, which is captures the feel of a room of strangers, basically what great art does: it connects gathered, passing the time, while they with the unspoken and unspeakable in or a family member await treatment. the secret language of the species. After noticing a child’s farm-scene puzzle’s “big brown barn [and] green Joseph A. Amato, Diagnostics: Poetics of garden,” of many colorful vegetables, Time (Bordighera Press), 2014 Amato observes: “Out of words, / We kill time watching / A mother and daughter Reviewed by Dana Yost kill time. / We wait for the red and white cell count / Of hematology, / Hoping in a ate in his writing career, Joseph higher mercy— / A diagnosis predicting / LA. Amato has become a prolific A quick healing.” Other poems are set poet. His new book, Diagnostics: Poetics in the outdoors, where he finds joy in of Time (Bordighera Press), is his third memory (“At Aunt Mabel’s Cottage,”) published collection of poetry since often-moving volume. The poems are ac- and hope in the present (“Wake Up, 2014. cessible and well-crafted: often concise, Spring Will Come”). Many explore An academic historian by training with well-deployed but not excessive use death and dying through Amato’s and profession, Amato has written, of alliteration and end rhyme, and ample memories and influences of his parents, sometimes with a co-author, twenty- in meaning and metaphor. Emotions grandparents, other relatives (“Uncle nine prose books—intellectual histories, from joy to grief; childhood memories; Sam’s Fly,” a plaintive “O God, Where personal history, local history. In many family love; faith; and courage in the is My Brother?” among them.).The last of those works, death, dying and seri- face of suffering and difficult diagnoses section of poems build around prayer ous illness have never been far from the give these poems meditative strength and and religious thought as Amato, a devout page, if not directly on it. In fact, one of personal relevance. Catholic, seeks assurances in his faith. his earliest history books, from 1985, is When a writer seeks to make poetry In a prose final section, Amato de- simply called Death Book. of death and dying, he risks produc- velops a lengthy essay on diagnosis, In that book he said there is much ing a book full of unruly emotions: where he writes about the cures and about death that could not be explained, wide-open angst, tear-filled concern, relief provided by modern medicine, in and he deliberately stopped short of fist-shaking contempt at medicine and which he sees “unprecedented” hope. “establish[ing] a thesis of death.” But God. There is, certainly, a fair amount But since this book is a collection of with the new poetry collection, he takes of emotional openness in Diagnostics, in- poetry, one of his poems should have a deeper plunge. He aims to “make cluding Amato’s admiration for Cathy’s the last word. These are the final lines poetry and prayer the gathering of the strength. Anger over the diagnosis and from “Give Yourself to Medicine:” living and the dead.” The book becomes at failing, ailing bodies in general, some- Again travel free from the kingdom a sort of diagnostic procedure itself, ex- times shows. But, largely, the book’s of symptoms, / From the recurrence ploring and seeking to explain not only declarations of emotions are restrained, a of omens, / To a place not clouded by illness and dying, but how we live with reflection of Amato’s decision to lean on worry, anxiety, and augury, / Ambigu- the processes and emotions of aging, his study and writing discipline—to rein ity and equivocation, / To a distinct illness, and dying. himself in and let writing Diagnostics landscape of fresh running waters, / The catalyst for Diagnosis was a become an outlet for some of his worry High grassy knolls, / In light winds, shattering cancer diagnosis received by and fear. That leads to better poetry, with / Under open skies / With eyes enrap- Amato’s wife of fifty years, Cathy. In emotions revealed through the work tured, / Riding the tips of balancing response to that news, Amato studied itself: images and settings, metaphors and gliding wings. the different meanings of diagnostics and specific characterizations. and especially medical diagnostics, and The middle of the book contains a mined his extensive academic learning fine series of poems about Cathy and as well as the rich ethnic-immigrant her treatment. A sequence of four poems heritage of his family. follows the Amatos on long drives to the The result is a serious work. A grace- Mayo Clinic—drives that themselves ful, attentive, thoughtful, prayerful, can bring up the “dark and somber,” but nevertheless lead them the Mayo, “our 19 Sicilia Parra

SICILIAN BOOKS SALE 6000 Year Old Wine Arba Sicula Members get a 20% discount Discovered in Sicily J. Cacibauda, Not for Self: A Sicilian Life and Death in Marion (a novel)...... $16 M.N. Zagarella, The Poetry of M.N. Zagarella, (trilingual Sicilian/Italian/English)...... $16 e have always known that Sic- B. Lino, The Taste of Tradition, A Collection of My Sicilian Family’s Recipes,...... $18 ily, which occupies a central An Italian Synphony, the Autobiography of Rosina San Paolo, in English...... $16 W J. Corso, A Sicilian-American Comedy, a novel (in English) 232 pp...... $15 position in the Mediterranean, has been G. Meli, The Poetry of Giovanni Meli, bilingual Anthology, trans. by G. Cipolla, 356 pp. $24 inhabited since prehistoric times. Thanks Luigi Capuana, The Dragons’ Nest, (in English) trans by M. Cocuzza and J. Farrell, 148 pp. $16 to the archeolgoists who are unearthing L. Calio, Journey to the Heart Waters, 80 pp...... $12 more information every day, we know G. Cipolla, Siciliana: Studies on the Sicilian Ethos and Literature, 288 pp...... $18 more about the Sikans, the Elimians, and A. Dieli, Sicilian Proverbs/Proverbi siciliani 148 pp...... $12 C. De Luso, Remember Me Young, Sicilian Life Beyond the Veil, 152 pp...... $16 the Siculi who came after them, but not N. De Vita, The Poetry of Nino De Vita, 188 pp. trilingual...... $16 much is known about those who were P. Carbone, The Poet Sings For All, 90 pp. trilingual...... $12 in Sicily before them. Apparently, how- C. Puleo, The Children of Aeolus, short stories in English, 170 pp...... $16 ever, the people who lived there before R. Armburster, Three Marias, a Sicilian Story, a novel (in English) 318 pp...... $18 G. Cipolla, Learn Sicilian/Mparamu lu sicilianu, DVD only- (E-Book) computer needed $25 recorded history knew how to make G. Cipolla, Learn Sicilian/Mparamu lu sicilianu Revised, 336 pages, with one DVD ...... $32 wine. Recently a team of archeologists S. Di Marco, L’aranciu amaru e àutri puisii (bilingual poetry) 254 pp...... $16 from the University of South Florida G. Pitrè, The King of Love and Other Fairy Tales, bilingual 174 pp...... $14 carried out a test on an ancient jar found Santostefano, First to Last Picking: Sicilians in America, 320 pp...... $18 on Mount Cronio, near Sciacca, which G. Quatriglio, Sicily: Island of Myths, transl by F. Russo and G. Cipolla, 112 pp...... $12 V. Ancona, Malidittu la lingua/Damned Language, with 2 CDs, 212 pp...... $20 contained traces of wine dating back F. Lanza, Sicilian Mimes, in English, trans. by G. Cipolla 144 pp...... $12 to 6000 years ago. The finding shines a A. Provenzano, Tornu/The Return, (bilingual poems), 165 pp...... $16 new light on the history of wine-making E. Rao, Sicilian Palimpsest: The Language of Castroreale, 152 pp...... $14 in Italy. The oldest Italian wine residue J. Cacibauda, After Laughing, Comes Crying, a novel in English 154 pp...... $14 G.& J. Summerfield, Remembering Sicily, short stories and poems 154 pp...... $14 found up to that point had been in a D. Tempio, Poems and Fables, trans. by G Summerfield, 88 pp...... $12 winepress near Cagliari, the capital of C. De Caro, Sicily the Trampled Paradise, Revisited II Ed.138 pp...... $14 Sardinia. Those residues were estimated G. Pilati, Sicilian Women, trans. by A. Fragola 90 pp...... $12 to be 3000 years old. Thus, the Sicilian F. Gatto, The Scent of Jasmine, 136 pp...... $15 wine was twice as old as the Sardinian D. Gestri, Time Takes no Time, (a novel) 148 pp...... $15 A. Veneziano, Ninety Love Octaves, (Sicilian/English) 126 pp...... $12 wine. This finding does not come as a C. DeCaro, Sebastiano: A Sicilian Legacy 248 pp...... $15 surprise to Sicilians who have always J. Privitera, Sicilian: the Oldest Romance Language, 96 pp...... $12 believed that their island had a special C. Lombardo, Altavilla Sicily: Memories of a Happy Childhood, 160 pp...... $14 relationship with wine and with oil, as G. Meli, Don Chisciotti and Sanciu Panza, trans. by G. Cipolla, 318 pp...... $18 D. Eannello, Sicily: Where Love Is, 228 pp...... $14 they were considered gifts from the gods: J. K. Bonner, Introduction to Sicilian Grammar, 224 pp. plus G. Cipolla’s wine was a gift from the God Dionysus The Sounds of Sicilian: A Pronunciation Guide, with CD...... $28 whom the Romans eventually called R. Menighetti & F. Nicastro, History of Autonomous Sicily, 348 pp...... $18 R. Porcelli, A Sicilian Shakespeare: a Sicilian/English Edition of his sonnets 100 pp...... $ 8 L. Bonaffini, Dialect Poetry of Southern Italy, (Trilingual) 514 pp...... $32 G. Basile, through History and Legend, 48 pp...... $ 6 J. Vitiello, Labyrinths and Volcanoes: Windings through Sicily, 120 pp...... $12 O. Claypole, Sicilian Erotica, (bilingual anthology) 196 pp...... $12 G. Quatriglio, A Thousand Years in Sicily: from the Arabs to the Bourbons. 230 pp...... $16 A. Provenzano, Vinissi ... I’d Love to Come ... (Sicilian/English) 176 pp...... $16 H. Barbera, Medieval Sicily: the First Absolute State (in English),152 pp...... $12 The Poetry of Nino Martoglio (bilingual) trans. by G. Cipolla, 304 pp...... $10 G. Cipolla, What Italy Has Given to the World (in English) 32 pp...... $ 4 Ancient jars used to transport oil and G. Cipolla, What Makes a Sicilian? (in English) 32 pp...... $ 4 wine. NY State Residents, please add 8.65% ______add $4.00 for first and .50 cents per each additional book for P. & H. ______Bacchus, and the olive tree was a gift Total ______from Athena. But this discovery pushes Name______Address______City, State and Zip Code ______the date of the first wine-making in Sicily further back into history to 3000 years Please send checks to: Legas, P.O. Box 149, Mineola, NY 11501 before the arrival of the Greeks. The first Greeks arrived in Naxos (Giardini/ Taormina area) in 735 BC. Sicilia Parra 20 ARBA SICULA Department of Languages and Literatures NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION St. John’s University U.S. POSTAGE 8000 Utopia Parkway PAID Queens, New York 11439 JAMAICA, NY PERMIT NO 52

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Arba Sicula’s Tour 25 Itinerary. June 3 to June 15, 2018 This is the itinerary I propose for our 25th anniversary tour of Sicily. We may make minor changes to the itinerary in the coming weeks. The price for the tour remains: $3,500 and includes airfare, airport taxes and fuel surcharge, four-star hotels, Deluxe transporta- tion, and all meals, except lunches. Some hotels are not confirmed. The single supplement is $450.00 which can be avoided if you share a room with someone. Please send a non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person to Arba Sicula, P. O. Box 149, Mineola, New York 11501. Full payment is due on April 1, 2017. You can reach prof. Cipolla at [email protected]

June 3 - Sunday DAY 1 - Departure from J. F. Kennedy Airport, New York on Alitalia AZ609, 4:50 PM. Arrive Rome 6:30 AM. June 4- Monday DAY 2 - Connect with AZ1785 in Rome at 10:00 AM, arrive in Palermo at 11:10 AM. Transfer to Hotel Excelsior. Afternoon free to rest. Welcome dinner at La Casa del Brodo Restaurant. June 5- Tuesday DAY 3 - Morning guided tour of Palermo that includes the Cathedral, the Norman Palace, and other important sights. In the afternoon, we will visit Monreale. For dinner we will travel to Santa Flavia for dinner with local members of Arba Sicula. June 6- Wednesday DAY 4 - We will drive to Cefalù in the morning and we will visit the beautiful cathedral as well as the Museo Mandralisca. After lunch we will return to Palermo and we will have dinner at our hotel. June 7- Thursday DAY 5 - Palermo to Marsala. We will stop forcassatelle in Castellammare del Golfo and then proceed to Erice. You will be free to have lunch on your own in this charming medieval city. Then we will visit the salt pans in Marsala before going to our hotel, the Baglio Oneto. Before dinner we will have a wine tasting at the hotel, and enjoy dinner with some of our local friends. June 8- Friday DAY 6 -Marsala to Agrigento via Sciacca. We will have lunch by the beach in Porto Empedocle and proceed to Agri- gento’s Valley of the Temples. Before dinner we will be entertained by the oldest Folk group in Sicily: the Vald’Akragas group at our Hotel Della Valle. June 9- Saturday DAY 7- After breakfast we will drive to Ragusa via Naro. We will stop for lunch in Naro and proceed to Ragusa where we will visit the baroque town before settling into our Hotel Mediterraneo. Reception with local authorities. Dinner at hotel. June 10- Sunday DAY 8 - After breakfast we will drive to Siracusa. We will visit Modica on the way and have lunch at a famous trat- toria. We will proceed to Palazzolo Acreide to visit the town and afterwards we will drive to Siracusa where we will be entertained by our friend Salvo Bottaro and company after dinner at the hotel. June 11 - Monday DAY 9 - We will visit the archeological area of Siracusa in the morning and move down to the island of Ortygia where we will have lunch. We will visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle lagrime and attend a performance at the Greek Theatre at night, followed by a pizza party. We will see a Greek tragedy. June 12- Tuesday DAY 10 - Morning drive to . Visit the Cathedral, the Via Etnea, the Bellini Opera House. Lunch on your own. After lunch we will proceed to Giardini-Naxos by way of Acicastello, Acireale where we will stop for an ice cream. We will proceed to our hotel and relax at the pool. The Caesar Palace Hotel will be our hotel for the remaining 3 nights. Buffet dinner at the hotel. June 13- Wednesday Day 11- A short morning drive to Taormina to visit the Greek-Roman theatre, free time for shopping and lunch. We then return to our hotel for relaxation at the pool or the beach. Dinner in our hotel. June 14- Thursday DAY 12 - Morning free to do shopping. In the afternoon we will drive to Francavilla di Sicilia for cocktails and then to our Restaurant for the farewell dinner. June 15- Friday DAY 13 - Transfer to Catania. The return flight is on Alitalia AZ1710, at10:20 am, arriving in Rome at 11:40 AM, connecting with Alitalia 610 to New York at 2:45 PM. It will arrive in New York’s J. F. Kennedy Airport at 6:20 PM of the same day.