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13769_NIAF_Cov 8/30/12 11:12 AM Page 1 Ambassador The Publication of the National Italian American Foundation Vol. 24, No. 1 I Fall 2012 I www.niaf.org ANNIVERSARY 37 GALA PREVIEW 2012 NIAF Region of Honor—Calabria Columbus Discovered What? Debunking an Ellis Island Myth Bestselling Novelist David Baldacci Ads to Olives—Villa Cappelli Washington, DC 2009-5501 DC Washington, 1860 19th Street NW Street 19th 1860 NIAF 13769_NIAF_Cov 8/30/12 10:42 AM Page 2 THE CHRYSLER !"" LUXURY SERIES THIRTY ONE WOOD GRAINED, MESH GRILLED, LEATHER TRIMMED MILES PER GALLON. NAPPA LE ATHER SE ATS. HAN D ST ITCHING. REA L WO OD. THE CHRYSLER !"" HAS ALL THE FEATURES YO U’D EXPECT I N A LUXURY C AR. ADD IN THE CHARACTER, CONVICTION AND WORK ETHIC YOU’D EXPECT FROM DETROIT, LIKE AN EFFICIENT $%SPEED TRANSMISSION, AND YOU HAVE OUR FIR ST F ULLY APP OINTED LUXURY VE HICLE TH AT G ETS !& H WY M PG. THAT’S H OW D ETROIT D OES LUXURY. CHRYSLER .CO M ! " " V6 RWD with optional 8-speed automatic: EPA est. 31 hwy MPG. Features may vary. Optional features and authentic Chrysler accessories by Mopar. Chrysler and Imported from Detroit are trademarks of Chrysler Group LLC. 13769_NIAF_Text_NIAF Amb 17.4c 8/30/12 10:31 AM Page 1 AmbassadorThe Publication of the National Italian American Foundation Vol. 24, No. 1 I www.niaf.org Features On the Cover: Not only is Calabria one of Italy’s idyllic coastal regions, it is also NIAF’s Region of Honor at the 37th Anniversary Gala and throughout 2013. Pictured is the ancient Aragonese castle on Isola di Capo Rizzuto on Calabria’s Ionian coast. “Ellis Island Changed Our Name” Paul Cappelli Finds Home 13 The myth refuses to die, 39 Going from the art of persua- but lots of facts debunk this sion to the art of pressing olives, longstanding misperception. a Madison Avenue mogul trades By Aliza Giammatteo Manhattan for Terlizzi. By Marco R. della Cava Italian Heritage in Focus 18 Photographer Frank Van Riper Behind the Books with David Baldacci and his workshop students 47 An interview with bestselling view Italy through a camera lens. novelist about writing his latest By Frank Van Riper thriller and being Italian American Sections Discovering Christopher Columbus By Don Oldenburg 23 Unlikely coincidences some- Lettere . .4 times forge what we know as Making a Difference: Dino Privitera Foundation Focus . .6 history. just ask the “Admi- 51 Working pro bono, the ral of the Seas.” Philadelphia attorney, an Ciao Italia . .9 By Roberto Severino immigrant and son of immigrants NIAF News . .29 from Italy, changed history for America’s political refugees. Books . .45 By Sally Friedman On Film . .55 Opinion . .59 On Sports . .61 Crossword . .64 AMBASSADOR Magazine is published quarterly by © 2012 The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written 1860 19th Street NW, Washington DC 20009. permission from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). POSTMASTER: Send change of address to NIAF, 1860 19th Street NW, Washington DC 20009. NIAF — 1860 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Jerry Colangelo, Chairman Tel. (202) 387-0600, Fax. (202) 387-0800, www.niaf.org John Viola, Chief Operating Officer Five Dollars Designed by Barbieri & Green, Inc. Don Oldenburg, Editor Printed by Mosaic. Elissa Ruffino, Director of Communications ISSN 1000-9999 13769_NIAF_Text_NIAF Amb 17.4c 8/30/12 10:31 AM Page 2 From the NIAF Chairman If your summer has been anything like mine, ington, D.C. Our annual Gala Weekend is the you’ve been hot and busy. For me, that hasn’t nation’s premier Italian American cultural event. only meant preparing our Gold Medal-winning This year’s new and invigorated format, presti- U.S. Men’s Basketball Team for the London gious honorees and notable guests from around Olympics. NIAF has been busier than ever as well. the world, promise to make this one of the best You probably heard about the success of ever. And we’ll also formally announce NIAF’s NIAF’s East Coast Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street Region of Honor—Calabria—at the Gala! in April, where we unveiled a new and stream- Among the highlights in this issue is a timely lined gala concept that made for an unforget- and ironic history of Christopher Columbus; a table evening. Just before that, in March, we compelling article about one of the biggest held a nostalgia-filled Frank Sinatra Tribute myths about Ellis Island; and a photo-packed Show featuring Tom Dreesen at the Wigwam story about seeing Italy through the lens of a Golf Resort, followed the next morning by the camera. And, don’t miss bestselling novelist Second Annual Chairman’s Golf Invitational … David Baldacci talking about his Italian roots in a perfect day in the sun! In June, NIAF’s West the Books section. Coast Gala at the Fairmont San Francisco turned into a grand evening celebrating our So, as you’re paging through the magazine, shared heritage and honoring individuals who do yourself a favor and renew your membership make all Italian Americans proud. and encourage family and friends to join NIAF! And now’s the time to register for the Anniver- FROM THE NIAF CHAIRMAN Since then, NIAF has also launched the Italian sary Gala in October (visit www.niaf.org). By American Relief Fund. Inspired by the tragedy attending and sponsoring the gala, you’re help- and destruction caused by the Emilia Romagna ing NIAF fulfill its mission to promote the earthquakes in May, this is a coordinated effort achievements and preserve the heritage of Italian rallying support of all individuals, institutions and Americans, enhance relations between the organizations in the Italian American community United States and Italy, and serve as the voice for to provide immediate response when natural Italian Americans in the nation’s capital. We can’t catastrophes and other disasters occur in Italy. do it alone. Thanks for your generous support. The initiative’s goal is to collect $250,000 in aid for Italy by later this month, so please consider making a donation now. For more information, visit www.italianamericanrelief.org. These events are featured in the magazine’s NIAF News section, along with a must-see preview of NIAF’s 37th Annual Gala Weekend, October Jerry Colangelo, NIAF Chairman 12-13, 2012, at The Washington Hilton, in Wash- Chairman Treasurer Chairman Emeriti *Jeffrey M. Capaccio Joseph D. Lonardo, Esq. Jerry Colangelo Gabriel A. Battista Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli Linda R. Carlozzi, Esq. Giacomo Marini Hon. Frank J. Guarini Robert E. Carlucci Hon. Anita Bevacqua Vice Chairs Secretary Frank D. Stella * Paolo Catalfamo McBride Joseph M. Della Ratta John F. Calvelli Robert S. Cuillo Joseph Moglia Hon. Louis J. Freeh Board Emeriti Giuliana DePandi-Rancic General Peter Pace, Hon. Patricia de Stacy Harrison General Counsel Mario J. Gabelli John A. DePasquale USMC (Ret.) Vincent Viola Arthur J. Furia Richard A. Grasso Joseph DePinto Julian Rizzuto Salvatore J. Zizza *Matthew J. DiDomenico, Sr. John F. Scarpa President Historian Hon. Mike Ferguson Peter Striano Joseph V. Del Raso Hon. Dominic R. Massaro Board of Directors William C. Freda Mark Valente III Ex-officio *Robert V. Allegrini Enrico Gaglioti Executive Vice Presidents Peter J. Arduini Dr. Antonio Giordano Chief Operating Officer Hon. Marie L. Garibaldi Founding Chairman *Kenneth J. Aspromonte Frank Giordano John M. Viola Dr. John P. Rosa Jeno F. Paulucci Maria Bartiromo Kenneth G. Langone Salvatore M. Salibello Hon. Capri S. Cafaro Gerard S. LaRocca *NIAF Regional Vice President WWW.NIAF.ORG 2 AmbassadorAmbassador 13769_NIAF_Text_NIAF Amb 17.4c 8/30/12 10:31 AM Page 3 NIAF : YOUR HERITAGE GOING FORWARD JOIN NIAF TODAY! GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP! NIAF offers several levels of support to accommodate all contributors. Membership join NIAF today, or help friends and family join. Call 202-387-0600, email informa- I would like to join NIAF as: $25 Student (under age 24) $45 Associate NIAF National Council Network Membership Levels: $250 Silver $1,000 Gold $2,500 Platinum Name: ___________________________________________________________________ / 8046 4 Name: ___________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Email: ______________ Home Phone:____________ Business Phone: _____________ Billing Information: Mastercard Visa American Express Credit card Number: _____________________ Expiration Date: __________________ Name (as it appears on card): ________________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to9 % 69 = < ; : and mail to the address below. 1860 19th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20009-5501 202-387-0600 13769_NIAF_Text_NIAF Amb 17.4c 8/30/12 10:31 AM Page 4 Reader Feedback Speaking of Italian Visit to NIAF’s I read Roberto Severino’s article, “Speaking of Headquarters Italian,” in the Spring 2012 Ambassador with a great Dear Editor – deal of interest. The reason being that I have been My name is taking informal Italian language courses for a few Walter Borla, a years. His article explains to me why I have so much resident of difficulty with the language. Idioms are the most diffi- Helper, Utah, a cult. first-generation For example, “Se canto non porto la croce.” The Italian American. literal translation is: “If I sing I cannot carry the I have served as cross.” The idiomatic translation is: “I cannot do two LETTERE secretary of our things at once.” It is one of my favorite idioms Italian-American because of my last name, and I cannot sing. lodge, Stella D’America, in my hometown for 62 My romance with the years. Our lodge is affiliated with the Columbian standard Italian Federation of Italian-American Societies. I served language was inspired by as national president of the federation for 16 years, my eldest grandson.