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 n Vol . 28, No.3 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 36 Notes from Nonie 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. 48 Beyond the Sauce travelers. Look for Foundation Focus 9 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 1860 19th Street NW Cinema 60 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 Chairman PAGES Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq. Vice Chairs CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN THE Gabriel A. Battista Hon. Patricia De Stacy Harrison THE THE The Chairman’s Salvatore M. Salibello President And FROM Chief Operating Officer BETWEEN FROM Notes John M. Viola Executive Vice Presidents Kenneth J. Aspromonte John F. Calvelli No matter what you think about climate opportunity to give back to the Italian Treasurer change, I’m sure most of us can easily American community I so dearly love—and Robert E. Carlucci warm up to the idea that spring is here. It’s for that I will always be profoundly grateful. Secretary a promising season that encourages and During my term, it has been my privilege Hon. Capri S. Cafaro energizes like none other. That’s certainly to steer NIAF in our unprecedented efforts to General Counsel Arthur J. Furia how we’re feeling these days at the National strengthen our nation’s cultural and business Historian Italian American Foundation—encouraged ties with Italy, such as our Region of Honor Hon. Dominic R. Massaro and energized! program; to enhance our role in representing Ex-Officio A big part of that comes with anticipation Italian American interests in the nation’s Founding Chairman of the NIAF New York Gala, which takes capital; to provide scholarships and grants Jeno F. Paulucci place at Cipriani 42nd Street, the Italian to deserving students and scholars; and to Chairmen Emeriti Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli Renaissance-inspired landmark in New York establish our nationwide network by which Jerry Colangelo City, on March 22. This incredible, always the Italian American community generously Hon. Frank J. Guarini Frank D. Stella sold-out celebration of our heritage has assists Italy in times of need, such as the Board Emeriti evolved into an important springtime marker recent destructive earthquakes there. Matthew J. DiDomenico Sr. each year for the Foundation—an evening I am proud of what the Foundation has Mario J. Gabelli Richard A. Grasso when NIAF leadership, members, and friends accomplished on my watch, and I am thankful Francesco Nicotra break bread with top political and business its leadership will continue in good hands. Aileen Riotto-Sirey Salvatore J. Zizza leaders from the United States and Italy in On behalf of NIAF, I sincerely thank each Board Of Directors the Big Apple! and every one of you for your support of the Robert V. Allegrini Besides the New York Gala, NIAF recently important work NIAF does. And I urge you Peter J. Arduini Maria Bartiromo welcomed new members of the Italian to continue to embrace NIAF’s mission to Nicholas R. Caiazzo, Esq. Linda R. Carlozzi, Esq. American Congressional Delegation (IACD) preserve and protect our invaluable heritage Paolo Catalfamo on Capitol Hill, held an Italian American and culture. For the sake of our children and Joseph M. Della Ratta Daniel M. DiLella Leadership Council Summit in New York, our grandchildren, for each new generation Hon. Mike Ferguson and is preparing for a Frank J. Guarini NIAF of Italian Americans, your passionate Dr. Antonio Giordano Frank Giordano Public Policy Forum in April. And, as you’ll commitment to sustaining our rich legacy Hon. Joseph R. Guccione Gerard S. LaRocca discover from the magazine’s cover and while means everything. Joseph D. Lonardo, Esq. paging through the fascinating features and Hon. Anita Bevacqua Mcbride columns in this issue of Ambassador, we Joseph H. Moglia Dr. John P. Rosa have announced that Sicily is the NIAF 2017 Hon. Basil M. Russo, Esq. Region of Honor! So we look forward to a George Simeone Louis E. Tosi promising year of collaborating with and Charles Turano visiting Italy’s island region that’s sometimes Joseph V. Del Raso, Vincent Viola Michael J. Zarrelli called “The Wonder of the Mediterranean.” NIAF Chairman On a final note, my tenure as NIAF chairman comes to an end in March. Serving as the Foundation’s chairman the past four WWW.NIAF.ORG years has provided me with a remarkable 2 Ambassador 39497_Magazine.indd 2 3/2/17 3:47 PM 39497_Magazine.indd 3 3/2/17 3:47 PM Reader Feedback do you want a Dick Vitale, Baby! Thanks for the story on me! Dick Rosano did a really excellent job writing about my life in the and love of basketball, as well as my passion LETTERE for pediatric cancer research. VOICE Please let your readers know that The 12th Annual Dick Vitale Gala will be held on Italian American May 12, in Sarasota, Fla., at the Ritz Carlton. With this yearly fundraising event, my wife, Lorraine, and I raise money for the V Founda- Syndication Community? tion, in honor of my good friend, the late Jim CPi Valvano. Net proceeds from the Dick Vitale / Gala fund pediatric cancer research. More in- Dunea Want to engage with Italian formation on the gala and ways to donate can be found at DickVitaleOnline.com. Melanie Americans across the United States — Dick Vitale Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images and shape NIAF’s future direction? NIAF Scholarship Story I am a former NIAF Scholarship grantee who was just recognized on the Join The 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare. Today, I am a physician-scientist with joint appointment at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medi- cal School in the lab of Dr. Rox Anderson, where I lead the invention, develop- Italian ment and commercialization of new therapies. I just wanted to thank you all at NIAF for your generosity and support early on in my education! Grazie mille! American — Emilia Javorsky, MD, MPH Ltd. Wellman Center for Photomedicine Massachusetts General Hospital Imports Leadership VIAS Boston, Mass. of A Saintly Life Courtesy Council Thank you for your wonderful article on the saintly life of the extraordi- Barolo Bonanza nary Italian American, Clementina Theresa Sclafani. Her cause for sainthood Visit www.niaf.org/Ialc Who knew controversy ferments has a global membership of which I am a part. As a long-time member of NIAF in the greatest of Italy’s wines? Salute and a proud Italian American, I urge all to read her brilliant and inspirational to your story and tasting notes telling poetry book, “The Shades of Twilight,” which was presented by the Vatican Em- the difference in old- and new-style bassy, as you reported. I am thrilled that Pope Francis has a copy of her poetry! Interested in representing your local Italian Barolo! The NIAF-IALC — Gilda Del Signore American community and becoming more involved — John Rossi Executive Committee with NIAF? Become an IALC member and join New York, N.Y.