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" L a G a z z e t t a d
' I T T O N A " - our online newsletter
Index - to go
directly to one of articles, click on the below-listed Index items:
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ITTONA Convention July 11-13, 2008
[sic: author "This time a weekend event!"]
in Solvay, New York State
A preview of the
Convention's events and more information will follow soon.
In the
meantime, just one person's view about the location:
"Excuse me
for this out-of-state, biased impression, but after having
inspected the location for two full days, can't say enough
to do it any justice! The almost New England-looking town of
Solvay, just outside of Syracuse, features the "Solvay
Tyrol Club". After passing through the beautiful town,
we pulled up to a nice looking and well-kept building,
rather large for a bar or even club, I thought. It reminded
me more of an older, three-story hotel with a restaurant
downstairs of some sort. Upon entering the building's first
floor we were pleasantly surprised at the location's
Trentino charm! The Province's major cities and their
respective coat-of-arms decoratively encircled us on the
walls. The windows were cleverly done like those in the
Trentino, only these looked not out, rather in! Quite
literally: the shutters were on the inside of their spacious
hall's windows and not outside, giving the feeling of not
being anywhere except home! There was a stage large enough
for performers or a small group of musicians, with of course
a bar toward the hall's back. The rest of the hall was
neatly filled with well-arranged chairs and tables. It
reminded me of some of my own fond memories of our Alpine
homeland's locales. That was only the beginning of our
amazement. Although there for business reasons (the club
presidents' meeting), we did have a chance to meet the
gracious locals who are successfully renowned locally for
their frequent polenta dinners. Downstairs from the main
hall, we passed by their incredible kitchen to their dining
room. There I watched the club's busy-bee cooks stirring the
hugest polenta pot I'd ever seen! And all the chickens
cooked with herbs and wine were just parts of the sights and
smell's like being home again. The locals are friendly: all
greeted, welcomed and chatted with me. And a few of course
dare ask if I'm Tyrolean and I simply answer, "Yes."
Although I consider myself Trentino, but it really doesn't
matter anyway, does it? Everything about the location
reminded me of being back in my heart's homeland, although
technically only my ancestors' place-of-birth."
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New Publication entitled Viola by Trentino Club
Member Barb Orr
Barb
took over five years to painstakingly recount the story of
her Trentino grandmother, Viola, from Coredo in the Val di
Non. In her own words: "She was born among the Dolomite
mountains where the histories of Italy and Austria
meet...This is where my grandmother's--Viola's--story
begins, of growing up amidst great love and the simple
beauty of a northern Italian village. The deep losses she
bore, the discovery of her abiding love for Gino and then
having to leave him, her family, her town to emigrate to
America with a man who was a virtual stranger to her.
It is the
story of strength and personal transcendence, of how beauty
enhances our lives, of the saving grace of deep love. It is
the chronicle of one woman who lived her life with an
earthly grace that touched in its own humble way the lives
of countless other. This is her story..."
Anyone
interested in ordering her book may do so by
clicking
here, or going to
www.lulu.com. |
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Featured Club: the Circolo Trentino di Sud
Alabama
In honor of our
Southern club members and their commendable efforts on
behalf of the Hurricane Katrina victims, as well as the
solidarity displayed by our various North American clubs'
contributions--both financial and material--to Sud Alabama's
tireless relief efforts, we would like to thank everyone on
behalf of ITTONA and Trentini nel Mondo. Our club president,
Ms. Patricia Bertagnolli, has prepared a slide presentation,
which will be shown and distributed at our July Convention
in New York. Here is "Trish's" story, along with a few
photos to not only show you the devastation, but also the
brighter side: how your contributions have indeed made
a difference!
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HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS
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by Patricia Bertagnolli, President of the Circolo
Trentino di Sud Alabama
"Living
in the
Southeastern U.S. in those states bordering the Gulf
of Mexico, we are used to being hit by hurricanes:
it’s just a fact of life. Those hit the hardest are
always helped by those of us that were either spared
or hit with minimal damage because you never know
when you will be the one needing help.
The Trentino club of Alabama is made up of many
families living in many different surrounding
states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and
Florida. So, we had some of our members living in
those states hit hardest by Katrina. Michelle Swink
(my 1st cousin) and her family lived in
New Orleans. They lost their house to the floods
and are now living in Tennessee (they are not
willing to go through another hurricane). Anna
Johnson (club member) lives in Mccomb, MS
(Mississippi). She and her husband suffered minimal
damage (downed trees). Every time I called to check
on her she was out working with the Red Cross to
help those with greater needs. Peter Bertagnolli
(my 1st Cousin) lives in Madison, MS. He
only received minor damage to his home and roof,
moreover refused all family and outside help. Alex
(my 1st cousin) and Lisa Bertagnolli
live in Ocean Springs, Ms. They received some major
roof damage. He also refused all help wanting only
help for his mom and sister. My aunt Chrissy lives
in Ocean Springs as does Sheila (my 1st
cousin) and Johnny Blair. Both families lost
everything. We (the Bertagnollis) collected
everything (clothes, pots, pans, food, money, gas,
etc) and went down right away to help.
These two families
were the families who received the money donated by
the Trentino clubs around the U.S. and Canada.
Everyone else refused any help. Like most people
who live in the South, there is always someone who
needs help more and people don’t want to accept the
help that someone else might need more. It will
take many years to repair the damage suffered to the
surrounding areas. Most have been changed forever.
Many little towns no longer exist. The majority of
the pictures you are seeing are from the town or
area where I live and it was not hit as hard as
most. The sad fact is many people still have no
homes and are living in tents. The month of June
started this year’s hurricane season.
In particular, we would like to thank the following
clubs and persons for their contributions, either
materially (e.g. in the form of "care packages") or
financially, for sending cash donations:
1. Trentini of New England
2. Circolo Trentino of Windsor & Detroit
3. Trentini Italians of Utah
4. Trentino Club Toronto
5. Trentino Club Toronto (Women’s Club)
6. Trentino Club Toronto
7. Associazione Trentina di Montreal
8. Tirolesi-Trentini Del Colorado
9. Trentini Cultural Club D’Alberta
10. Southern California Trentino Club
11. Trentino Alpine Club
12. Southern California Branch of The Trentino
Club
13. Joseph P. Hovan & Joseph A. Turri (on behalf of
the Circolo Trentino Pennsylvania Sudest) –
Harrisburg, PA" |
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EXTENSION: Law 379/2000 regarding
the acquisition of Italian citizenship - deadline: 2011
Applicable to all descendants of
Trentino origin (qualifying within the framework of the law),
which was due to expire on December 20, 2005, has been extended for
another 5 years, so the new deadline is 2011. For further
information, see Trentini nel Mondo's website:
http://www.trentininelmondo.it/conslegale_.aspx
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ITTONA
Convention in New York City
from July 3-5 - by Joan Tolotti O'Grady
"Well,
the dust has settled and the bills are paid. We now have
many memories of the 17th ITTONA Convention, and
what memories they are. This convention was very successful
in more ways than one. It brought together over 500 Tirolese
Trentini from two continents with even Mexico signing in
with donations of their wonderful Cetto wine. There
was fantastic wine, wonderful authentic Tirolean food and
foot-stomping music; all fitting very nicely into our theme
'La Storia Continua'. Representatives from all areas
of the Trentino and the United States, both political and
religious, were in attendance. The Coro [Chorus]
San Romedio came from Val di Non and performed for the
entire Convention as well as singing everywhere they went;
giving both a heart-wrenching and -warming performance of
the Ave Maria at Ground Zero. Hardened New Yorkers stopped
and were seen crying. All this set in the Greatest City in
the World, New York.
Most memorable for many of us will
be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
on Fifth Ave. in New York City. We marched from our hotel,
the Park Central, on Seventh Ave. and 55th Street
to the Cathedral with our club banners flying high. It was a
proud sight and a proud feeling for many of us. The Coro
San Romedio was there well prepared and magnificent in
their singing during the Mass. The banners were marched up
to the main altar and the Offertory gifts brought to the
altar by three generations of Trentini, which consisted of
wine, wheat, and La Stella Alpina [the Alpine Star].
The Archbishop of Trento, Luigi Bressan, celebrated the Mass
with nine other priests in attendance on the altar along
with two acolytes of Trentino descent. The Monsignor of St.
Patrick’s Cathedral spoke and welcomed us to the Cathedral.
All in all, we were made to feel very special and we left
with a renewed feeling of solidarity as Trentini.
We have received many congratulatory
notes from all over and all were most positive. The hotel
was centrally located, the food was fantastic, the music was
enjoyable, the people were so happy, the gifts and gift bags
were perfect and most of all, our commemorative cook
book/journal was a smash hit and still selling. The three
days flew by and everyone loved touring the city with all
its sights. The tours were most favorable to those who went
on them.
Our theme sessions held on Tuesday
of that week were all well attended with repeat performances
asked by many participants. Albert Zani’s presentation of "Our
Trentino Heritage" was most informative and he was
deluged with questions and requests for more. The film
formally presented by both the Provincia [Province]
of Trento and the Association Trentini nel Mondo,
Trentini Oggi, made its debut at the Convention with
more installments to follow in future years. Each club
received a copy of the DVD this fall. Ask for it at your
meetings. By the way, did anyone see the news report by RAI
television on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 about the Convention? We
did and we were indeed great as we were shown marching
through the streets of New York. Ask your local RAI station
for a copy.
As for me, all I can say is
THANK YOU to all of you. I am one proud Tirolean
lady.
Joan Tolotti O’Grady
Chairperson, 17th
ITTONA Convention"
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The book debuted at our July Convention in New York. To find
out more, either go to our "Publications"
page by clicking on the navigation button on the top
left-hand side, or
click here. Read
more about her father's inspiring biography in an
interview with Sylvia below. To order a copy, please
click on this link:
"Walk Brave, Walk Strong"
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Q:
What motivated you to share your father’s story?
A:
“Because all of my life, on Sunday there was always a
stream of visitors at our house. Papa would tell stories
about his life experiences, which amazed people. Back then,
I simply took these stories for granted. But, as I got
older, I realized that they were unique and shouldn’t be
lost. When he was 89, I asked him, ‘Papa, do you mind if
I sit down and tape record you?’ At first he was
reluctant, but then he finally consented. I neither wanted
to lose these stories, nor let his image be forgotten. His
life story was simply too good and amazing not to remain
after him. I wanted to preserve them. Then, after he died, I
had this feeling sitting on my chest that I had to write
them. I started taking things off the tape recorder. It took
me a long time with raising my six children and running a
business with about 1000 customers. After 13 years, I
finally thought ‘I’ve got to finish it!’ and gave
myself a time-limit of 70 days, never realizing that the day
I finished it was ‘coincidentally’ the Feast of Saint
Joseph! The manuscript was edited by an English Literature
professor, who loved it and gave me valuable suggestions. I
wanted the book to be done by Papa’s birthday and I did
finish it by then, which was July 20th. Upon
completing the book, that feeling hanging over me went away.
At first I sent it to publishers, who usually send back
postcards saying they’re not interested, but instead, they
wrote back and complimented the book, but still didn’t want
to publish it because it wasn’t written by anyone, either
well-known or famous. So, my husband and I self-published it
at the suggestion of Linda Schaeffer, a CNN photo
journalist, whom I met at a book signing.”
Q:
I've only finished two-thirds of your book, but am quite
impressed so far. The way you present your father is both
heroic and the quintessential gentleman. What were some of
his negative sides?
A:
“Because of all that happened to him in his life, my
father appeared on the outside to be both stoic and stern.
In his younger life, he was indeed very serious. In contrast
to this was his giving nature to both people and the Church.
I think he carried deep grief within himself, making him
seem more severe than he really was. When he finally relaxed
into his American life, he became less disciplinary,
softening up over time. This is evidenced in my book by the
letter, which he wrote to us children in the later years of
his life, apologizing for his ‘sternness and disciplinary
nature'. He died 15 years ago when he was 92, and people
still talk
about him even now.”
Q:
I must admit that your book is also quite humbling to me:
all of the suffering that your father endured--not to
mention your whole family. How do you think your father
managed to keep such a positive attitude and outlook on
life?
A:
“There’s only one answer for that and it’s quite obvious:
his deep love for God! He had wanted to be a priest until he
met my mother. Just one example of his humble view of
himself:
He never ate sweets except on Sunday, even though he loved
these. Later on, he gave them up completely, even on Sunday.
When I asked him why, he replied ‘Sylvia, I never did
anything for God!’ When I told this to our pastor, he
answered in marvel, ‘If your father never did anything
for God, we’re all in big trouble!’ Papa never preached
anything, though; instead, he practiced it, by the way he
lived and what he said to people. He restored people’s faith
just by the way they saw him live. He did, however, have
just enough mischievousness in him to make him a real,
down-to-earth person.”
Q:
What do you think your father’s image was of the "American
Dream” and did he personally attain this, or like so many,
rather only achieve it vicariously through his children?
A:
“He came here for a better life. He wanted to leave all
the heartache. There was nothing to keep him over there due
to the conduct number five, which he received in school and
whose story I relate in my book. This would not have allowed
him to do anything except be a laborer in Italy. But, it was
also his American Dream that finally broke him. Also
mentioned in my book, after having arrived in the U.S., he
had a post-traumatic stress breakdown on top of everything
else, because of all he had gone through in the horrors of
WWI. Papa wasn't concerned at all about worldly goods.
Regarding us children, he wasn't material at all. He was
anxious to see us children okay and that our lives were
good. He only cared about the quality of our lives and
nothing else. He didn’t care about our ‘social advancement’.
Nonetheless, all of his children went to college. The oldest
son worked in the corporate world; three of my brothers and
my sister became teachers and I became an LPN [nurse]. My youngest
brother, Frank, became a successful chef. Frank didn’t seem
to be settled down and solid in his life and this had caused
my father great worry, so he was greatly relieved when Frank
finally got a job and settled down with a wife, family and
good job. Papa wasn’t at all concerned about either being
wealthy or successful, rather, that we were good people:
both prayerful and God-loving.”
Q:
Besides nursing, what is or was your profession?
A:
“I had a few others. I was always at home with our six
children, however, when I worked as Office Manager for our
company: within the lawn-care industry; our office was in
our home. I also did some newspaper reporting. Now I’m
‘retired’ and busier than ever.”
Q:
Of all the characters in your book, besides your father,
the one who impressed me the most was your Nonna
[grandmother]. I couldn’t help feeling her frustration and
oppression with great empathy. How do you believe she
endured this?
A:
“She had no other choice! Women had no other options back
then. For example, they weren’t allowed to sign any legal,
business papers. She had grown up with this mentality. She
was a very intelligent, strong and determined woman, who devoted herself to
her family. When she was able to later on, she bought the
property in Michigan, as recounted in my book. From this
wise investment, we are still benefiting today. She also
made sure her son went to medical school and that her
children had what they needed in life; she was very
protective of her family. As an only child, she inherited
her parents’ property and valuables, which she used for the
good of her children.”
Q:
And what
do you feel about the subsequent generations’ emancipation
and women’s rights today?
A:
“I think that women’s rights and emancipation finally came
to the dignity and respect God intended for women, but then
SOME women went way too
far, to the point of some neglecting their families for
their careers, upon the false premise of feeling ‘menial’ by
‘not being--at least career-wise or materially—fulfilled’.
What many don’t realize is that being both a truly
successful wife and mother, you are indeed the most
successful woman in the world! That said, even though my
father was an ‘Old-Country’ father, he always helped his
wife at home, scrubbing the floors before she
even got up in the morning, before he went to work, cooking
Sunday dinner for her, washing windows etc.”
Q:
Did your
family ever express any regrets about having immigrated to
the U.S.?
A:
“I asked
my father,
‘Papa why did you ever come to the USA? It’s so beautiful
over there in Cloz.’ And he responded, ‘Beautiful
yes, but the living was poor.’ I never heard any of them
say they wanted to return. Papa only returned once to see
his parents before they died. Mama visited once also,
traveling with relatives.”
Q:
What about during WWII; was your family forced, like
mine, to become U.S. citizens?
A:
“No, my dad became a US citizen five years after he had
come to this country. My mother was already American,
because she had been born in Pennsylvania during my
grandparents’ short stay there; they later came back
permanently.”
Q:
What do you feel is the main message of both your
father’s story and your book?
A:
“Ooh--I never thought about that before... [laughing,
then pausing] let me think...hum... The spirit of man;
yes, the spirit of a man! I just wrote about who my father
was on the inside. When I finished the book, I knew Papa’s
story would give men a sense of their own dignity and worth;
a sense of victory over life's hardships. Men do indeed love
the book, but so do women and even young people. Older
people especially appreciate both the memories it stirs up
in them and the faith-life of my father.”
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"Twinning" Exchange Proposal
between North American High School and/or College/University and
Trentino School
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Proposal by Chiara Pasquini, Educator
A Trentino "Liceo"
or Lyceum is seeking a co-operation between a North American
counterpart. For further information, go to our "Education"
page, or
click here.
Letter from our North-American Consultore: Rosemarie Viola
RE:
The Conference of Consultori
Dear Presidents,
This past November I attended the Conference of
Consultori which this year was held in conjunction with the
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the
Associazione Trentini nel Mondo. The anniversary celebration took
place prior to the conference, November 10 and 11, and all of the
consultori were invited to participate. I will not go into detail
about the celebrations because Trentini nel Mondo has written
extensively about it in its publication and on its website. I must
say however that the celebrations were conducted in the usual grand
Trentino style. The program consisted mainly of speeches, the
presentation of two books and a film on the history, legacy and
future goals of the associazione which were produced and published
for the occasion. The crowning event was the high mass on Sunday
which was concelebrated by the archbishop of Trento Mons. Luigi
Bressan, Father Effrem of San Francisco and a host of priests and
monks from around the world. After the mass everyone processed
through the streets of Trento with club banners flying to Palazzo
Geremia for the unveiling inauguration of the bronze bust of Father
Bonificio Bolognani. It was a very dignified and moving ceremony.
Eugene Pellegrini gave a speech that I was proud to translate and we
were both overcome with emotion to see this project finally
realized. We can all be proud of the beautiful gift that we gave to
the city of Trento in remembrance of Father Bony and of the Trentino
emigrants of North America.
The Conference of Consultori took place from
November 12 -15. Assessore Iva Berasi presided over the meetings.
Dr. Carlo Basani, General Director of the Office of Emigration, and
all of the Consultori were present as were the representatives of
both Trentino emigrant associations [Associazione Trentini nel Mondo
and Unione delle Famiglie Trentine all’Estero]. This year the usual
format for the meetings was changed. All Consultori were required to
submit their reports several weeks before the conference so that
everyone would be familiar with their content and only those issues
that needed clarification or discussion would be addressed. As it
turned out the issues were many particularly with regard to the
projects of solidarity that the Province has undertaken in South
America and the eastern European countries and much of the time was
spent on these concerns.
Order of business
General discussion on Consultori reports.
As in years past the Consultori reports show
that the trentini in Australia, North America and Western Europe are
mainly concerned with maintaining and promoting their Trentino
heritage. For the most part the Trentini in these areas are dealing
with the same types of issues with which we in the United States are
confronted, namely the aging of our clubs’ members, and the lack of
interest on the part of our youth to participate in club activities.
The reports also show that economic conditions in Brazil, Chile and
Argentina are gradually improving and that the most pressing issues
still concern the dire economic conditions in Paraguay, Uruguay, and
the Baltic countries.
Analysis of the activities that were realized
by the Province by Consultori, and by the Associations.
Ciro Russo the Province of Trento’s project
manager in South America gave an extensive report on the status of
the projects [45] that the Province has undertaken in South America.
He stated that there is no new need for interventions in the area of
production. He proposed that the Province should focus on
implementing formative courses that teach people specific skills and
on courses that teach people how to work together. The Consultore
from the Baltic countries stressed that all kinds of projects that
will provide opportunities for the people in that poor and
devastated area are needed. It impressed me and saddened me to hear
that in many areas of those countries all of the youth leave to find
work elsewhere and only the elderly and the very young remain in the
area.
Examination of the Provincial Law on Emigration
“legge provincial 3 novembre 2000, n.12”.
The proposed changes to the law “legge
provincial 3 novembre 2000, n.12” that I discussed in last year’s
report were passed and became effective on December 28, 2008. These
changes modify the criteria, [article 2], that are applied for the
Province’s interventions in favor of Trentino emigrants abroad. To
this end the Province considers “Trentino emigrant” those persons
who were born or have resided in the Province of Trento for at least
10 uninterrupted years prior to the date of emigration and reside
permanently in a foreign country, their spouses, if not legally
separated, their descendants and their spouses who are living
abroad. Article 11 was also changed to modify the criteria for the
distribution of the Province’s interventions of solidarity. In order
to receive solidarity benefits from the Province the Trentino
emigrant described in article2 must have emigrated before December
31, 1970. These benefits may also be distributed to the spouse, if
not legally separated, their descendants [up to the great, great,
grandchild] and their spouses if not legally separated. For those
persons seeking to repatriate definitely in Trentino the Province’s
contribution is now limited to the emigrant described in article 11
the spouse, if not legally separated, the children and grandchildren
and their spouses, if not legally separated.
Budget
The Province’s budget for emigration will most
likely remain the same as last year although as you can see by the
changes that were made to the law great efforts are being made to
contain expenses.
Youth
The World Youth Congress that was scheduled to
take place in 2008 has been cancelled. It seems that these events
have not produced the results anticipated. Instead the Province will
host a youth conference in February 2008. The Province together with
TnM will select thirty “young people” from around the world to
participate in the conference, three of whom will be from North
America.
Language and education.
All of the scholarships that the Province has
offered in previous years are still in effect as is the youth
exchange program. Scholarships for the online ICON language degree
course however are no longer offered [only 2 people actually
finished]. The scholarships for ICON online language courses for
beginners, middle and advanced levels are available and everyone is
encouraged to take advantage of them.
Proposals
The proposal that I made to the Province that
they accept Declarations of Trentino Origin authenticated by a
Notary Public was approved.
The proposal that I made to the Province and to
Trentini nel Mondo that they send me their mailing list so that we
may reach out to those Trentini who may not know of a club’s
existence in their area was also approved. Hopefully they will
actually send it. I will continue to remind them.
I believe that I covered everything of
importance to US Trentini. If you have any questions or concerns
please contact me.
Best regards to you and your family and to the
members of your club for a very happy, healthy and prosperous New
Year.
Rosemarie Viola
Consultore USA
P.S. I know that some clubs have new
presidents. If that is true in your club please send me the contact
information for the new president.
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