Fostering the Heritage of Abruzzo & Molise
The Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society of the Washington, D.C. area was established in June 2000 by a small group of Abruzzesi and Molisani (natives and descendants of immigrants) who eventually settled in the Washington, D.C. area.
Although the community of Italians and Italian-Americans in the Washington D.C. area is rather modest, it has a relatively large number of Abruzzesi and Molisani who recognized the need to foster the cultural heritage of these two regions specifically, as well as Italy broadly.
The Society welcomes anyone who has an interest in preserving and sharing in the rich traditions and values that are unique to Abruzzo, Molise, and to Italy in general to join!
[section]LATEST POSTS
Author Ronald G. Capalaces Describes Boyhood on the Home Front in World War II - Our annual wine-tasting, always one of our most popular programs, was a more freewheeling event this year. Held at Casa Italiana on November 19, 2023, the attendees not only tasted some wonderful wines from Abruzzo and Molise, they were also treated to a superb talk by the son-in-law of our board member, Frank Bonsiero.
Personal recollections of the Allied Liberation of Rome in June 1944 - Our annual wine-tasting, always one of our most popular programs, was a more freewheeling event this year. Held at Casa Italiana on November 19, 2023, the attendees not only tasted some wonderful wines from Abruzzo and Molise, they were also treated to a superb talk by the son-in-law of our board member, Frank Bonsiero.
Magician John Scarne: The Ultimate Card Shark - By Joseph “Sonny” Scafetta, Jr. John Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia was born on March 4, 1903, in Steubenville, Ohio. His parents, Fiorangelo and Maria, had emigrated from what was then called the Abruzzi region. When they became U.S. citizens, the family shortened its name to Scarne. They then moved to Fairview, New Jersey. John quit school after the eighth grade and learned from a local card shark how to cheat as a gambler. He also learned about crooked gambling devices, such as marked cards and loaded dice, at a nearby novelty store. However, his Roman Catholic mother dissuaded him from gambling and persuaded him instead to practice magic. John improved his skill at handling cards by learning and devising magical effects with cards. After much practice, he began earning money as a teen magician on the vaudeville circuit. After World War I ended in November 1918, Scarne befriended Harry Houdini (1874-1926) who taught the teen many tricks. Soon, Scarne had himself tied up with ropes, placed in a bag, and tossed off a bridge into a river. He quickly freed himself. Articles were written about this stunt in many newspapers and magazines. Soon, he was hired as an advisor by many companies to make demonstrations and to teach lessons so that employees learned to detect frauds. Gradually, he became an expert not only at magical effects but also at all kinds of games. When the United States entered World War II on December 8, 1941, he was too old at 38 for the draft. However, he was hired in 1942 as a consultant by the U.S. Army which sent him to bases around the world to teach soldiers how to detect card sharks and dice cheats. After World War II ended in August 1945, he published Scarne on Dice which was the first of 15 books that he wrote. He also co-authored 13 more books about games. His notoriety soon had him banned from all casinos in Las Vegas, except for the ones owned by Conrad Hilton who hired Scarne to assist him in identifying blackjack card counters and other cheats. The U.S. Senate created a Committee on Gambling and Organized Crime in 1951, and Scarne was called as “the nation’s outstanding gambling authority” to testify about the ways people are cheated. In 1952, Scarne invented Teeko, the first of three board games in which persons with good math skills won. He married Norma Kearney in early 1955 and a son was born to them before the end of the year. Scarne was so proud of becoming a father at 52 and of the success of his first game that he named his son, John Teeko Scarne. The couple had no more children. Scarne published his autobiography, The Odds Against Me, in 1966. In 1973 Scarne was the technical advisor for the movie The Sting, and doubled for Paul Newman’s hands in scenes involving deck switching and card manipulation. Scarne authored his last book, Scarne’s Guide to Casino Gambling, in 1978. He died in North Bergen, New Jersey, at 82 on July 7, 1985. Sources: (all accessed March 15, 2024) LaGumina et al., The Italian-American Experience: An Encyclopedia, at pages 579-580, Garland Publishing, Inc., 2000.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Scarne July/August 2024
Bussi sul Tirino - By Nancy DeSanti Province of Pescara, Region of Abruzzo The beautiful, small town of Bussi sul Tirino is situated in the province of Pescara. It has approximately 2,471 inhabitants, known as Bussesi.Located on the Tirino river, Bussi lies on the southern boundary of the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park. In the past, agriculture was the main activity in the village due to the abundance of water and fertile soil. At the beginning of the 20th century, the industrialization of Val Pescara fostered the creation of many industries, which are still active in the area.The original settlement dates to around 1000, during the age of castles. The first mention of Bussi was in 1200, when it was among the areas controlled by the monastery of San Benedetto in Perillis. It was later a fief of the descendants of Berardo da Rajano, the Pignatelli, the Cantelmo, the Pietropaoli, and the Medici families.The name “Bussi” seems to derive from the name of the boxwood plant, which was very common in the area during the Italic and Roman periods. The Buxio castle, then Bussio, is first mentioned in 1111 as the outer boundary of the territory of the Abbey of San Clemente in Casauria.However, the history of the municipality dates back even further, to the Lombard era. In fact, outside the town, the Lombard tower of Sutrium still stands today, having served as a fortified outpost used to monitor the valley and enemy movements.Bussi sul Tirino’s territory offers numerous natural attractions. As mentioned above, the town is bordered by the Tirino river, which originates from the Campo Imperatore water system and winds its way for 25 kilometers through three springs in the Capestrano area. Along its route, the river is fed by other small springs.The climate is typically mountainous, with cold temperatures in winter and abundant rainfall in spring. During the summer, the town comes to life with events such as the Tirino Festival, which celebrates the river and local traditions.Today it is known as a canoe spot with some of Europe’s clearest waters upstream to Capestrano.Now the town is becoming known for its summertime blues and jazz concerts, collectively called “Bussinjazz.” Last year L’Associazione Bussinjazz was formed in memory of Mario Bucci, who has been called the best-known exponent of jazz in Abruzzo. What to See Important Dates Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussi_sul_Tirino https://www.italyheritage.com/regions/abruzzo/pescara/bussi.htm https://terredamare.com/comuni/bussi-sul-tirino Italiano Tradotto da Ennio Di Tullio Provincia di Pescara, Regione Abruzzo La bellissima cittadina di Bussi sul Tirino si trova in provincia di Pescara. Ha circa 2.471 abitanti, detti Bussesi. Situato sul fiume Tirino, Bussi si trova al confine meridionale del Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso-Laga. In passato l’agricoltura era l’attività principale del paese perche dell’abbondanza di acqua e di terreno fertile. Agli inizi del XX secolo, l’industrializzazione della Val Pescara favorì la creazione di numerose industrie, tuttora presenti nella zona. L’insediamento originario risale intorno all’anno Mille, nell’epoca dei castelli. La prima menzione di Bussi risale al 1200, quando era tra i territori controllati dal monastero di San Benedetto in Perillis. Successivamente, fu feudo dei discendenti di Berardo da Rajano, dei Pignatelli, dei Cantelmo, dei Pietropaoli, e dei Medici. Il nome “Bussi” sembra derivare dal nome della pianta del bosso, molto diffusa nella zona in epoca italica e romana. Il castello di Buxio, poi Bussio, è citato per la prima volta nel 1111 come confine esterno del territorio dell’Abbazia di San Clemente in Casauria. Pero, la storia del comune risale ancora più lontano, all’epoca longobarda. Fuori dall’abitato, infatti, si trova ancora oggi la torre longobarda di Sutrium, che fungeva da avamposto fortificato utilizzato per monitorare la valle e i movimenti nemici. Il territorio di Bussi sul Tirino offre numerose attrattive naturali. Come detto sopra, il paese è confinato per il fiume Tirino, che nasce dal sistema idrico di Campo Imperatore e si snoda per 25 chilometri attraverso tre sorgenti nel territorio di Capestrano. Lungo il suo percorso, il fiume è alimentato da altre piccole sorgenti. Il clima è tipicamente montano, con temperature fredde in inverno e abbondanti precipitazioni in primavera. Durante l’estate, il paese si anima con eventi come il Festival del Tirino, che celebra il fiume e le tradizioni locali. Oggi è conosciuto come un punto per le canoe con alcune delle acque più limpide d’Europa a monte di Capestrano. Ora la città sta diventando famosa per i suoi concerti estivi di blues e jazz, collettivamente chiamati “Bussinjazz”. Lo scorso anno è nata L’Associazione Bussinjazz in memoria di Mario Bucci, definito l’esponente più noto del jazz abruzzese. Attrazioni del luogo: Date da ricordare: July/August 2024
Siamo Una Famiglia - AMHS members and friends enjoyed an evening at Nationals Park for the annual Italian Heritage Night on June 18 to see the Washington Nationals take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (Alas, the Nats lost 5-0). All attendees received a special jersey for the event. Pictured are (left to right) AMHS Treasurer Peter Bell, President Chris Renneker, 2nd VP Rico Allegrino, Tomasso Mazza, Ivan Jones, Ravi Ganesh and Frankie Yupari. On July 13, AMHS President Chris Renneker, Peter Bell, Barbara Friedman, and Sam Yothers were joined by members of the Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, all of whom work with Maria D’Andrea-Yothers. The group enjoyed a one-hour walk along the C&O Canal Towpath in Georgetown, followed by an excellent lunch of porchetta sandwiches from Porchetta District. Anyone looking for a great porchetta sandwich in the Washington, DC area – Porchetta District is the place to go (they cater too!). Photo credit: Maria D’Andrea-Yothers AMHS President Emeritus Lucio D’Andrea and his wife, Edvige, are pleased to announce the marriage of their eldest granddaughter, Angela Pisoni. Angela married Daniel Hopper on July 12, in an intimate ceremony in Charlotte, NC, where the happy couple reside with their dog, Bruno. Congratulations Angela & Daniel, many blessings for a life of love and happiness. Photo credit: Fred Pisoni July/August 2024
GIOVANNI FALCONE REMEMBERED AT CASA ITALIANA CEREMONY - Our annual wine-tasting, always one of our most popular programs, was a more freewheeling event this year. Held at Casa Italiana on November 19, 2023, the attendees not only tasted some wonderful wines from Abruzzo and Molise, they were also treated to a superb talk by the son-in-law of our board member, Frank Bonsiero. Author Ronald G. Capalaces Will Address AMHS on WWII Era Memories - Our annual wine-tasting, always one of our most popular programs, was a more freewheeling event this year. Held at Casa Italiana on November 19, 2023, the attendees not only tasted some wonderful wines from Abruzzo and Molise, they were also treated to a superb talk by the son-in-law of our board member, Frank Bonsiero.
How Six Immigrant Brothers Left Their Mark On American Cities - By Nancy DeSanti, 1st Vice President—Programs John Belardo (at lectern) gave a presentation on the work of the Piccirilli brothers to assembled AMHS members and guests on May 19.Credit: Carmine James Spellane Most Americans are not aware of the many masterpieces of the Piccirilli brothers, but AMHS members and guests at a recent program at Casa Italiana had the opportunity to learn a great deal about them from John Belardo, an accomplished sculptor from New York City. Belardo is an expert on the six famous Italian immigrant brothers who had a hand in some of the most important and famous sculptures we have both in Washington, D.C., and in New York City. The AMHS program on Sunday, May 19, 2024, was co-sponsored by the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center. Among the attendees were Steven Livengood, the Public Historian for the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, and Davide Prete, an Italian sculptor from Treviso, now living in Washington. He donated two of his works to the Italian-American Museum of Washington, D.C. Belardo became interested in the marble carvings and sculptures of the Piccirilli brothers while he was a teacher in the Bronx, not too far from the building where the brothers set up their studio after emigrating from the Tuscan province of Massa-Carrara in 1888, first settling in Manhattan. They ended up in the Bronx, about 20 blocks from where Yankee Stadium is now located, after their mother became ill and the doctor advised her to “move to the country.” It is hard for us today to imagine that back then the Bronx was considered the country! Belardo was educated as a sculptor at the New York Academy of Art and has been a visiting scholar for the Institute for American Universities. His work is wide ranging, from monumental public installations to digital prototypes and designs, as well as large-scale ceramic sculptures. He was recently the Artist in Residence at Chesterwood, which is the historic home of Daniel Chester French, the designer of the Lincoln Memorial. Belardo’s work is permanently installed at Georgetown University, Cooperstown N.Y., and Lehman College CUNY, where he currently teaches. He recently presented a talk, “Piccirilli Studio,” at the annual conference of the National Sculpture Society. According to Belardo, among the six talented Piccirilli brothers—Ferruccio, Attilio, Furio, Masaniello, Orazio, and Getulio–the most accomplished was Attilio. The brothers learned from their father Giuseppe, who himself came from a long line of stone carvers. While the brothers were known primarily as architectural modelers and carvers of other sculptors’ works, Attilio and Furio further distinguished themselves as sculptors in their own right. Belardo noted that the brothers were known for treating their workers well, and at one point their workers numbered up to 100. Not surprisingly, the brothers’ talent was quickly recognized, and artists from all over the country came to their studio. At that time, most prominent sculptors created their original work in clay. From that clay model, a caster generated a plaster model. The plaster model was then sent to the Piccirilli brothers who carved it in stone, usually marble. As Belardo pointed out, if you make a mistake working with clay, it can be fixed, but not so with stone and marble. Soon, well-known designers, such as Daniel Chester French, called on the brothers to help to execute the “city beautiful” idea of transforming American cities to look like the grand cities of Europe. The Piccirillis did much to beautify New York City, including the original pediment of the New York Stock Exchange, and their carvings are exhibited in the atrium of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Perhaps their best-known works there are the magnificent lions flanking the entrance to the New York City Public Library. In Washington, their best-known work is the colossal Lincoln statue which was designed by Daniel Chester French and unveiled in 1922. The 28 separate blocks were shipped from their Bronx studio and put together here inside the Lincoln Memorial. Another one of their projects in Washington was the beautiful DuPont Circle fountain, which has three allegorical figures representing modes of navigation by the sea, the stars, and the wind. The figures are very fitting, since the fountain is named after Rear Admiral Samuel DuPont. The last of Attilio’s public commissions was the Guglielmo Marconi statue located outside a public library at 16th & Lamont Streets, N.W., in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of D.C. It was dedicated in 1941. The sculpture features two bronze pieces. In the front, there is a bust of Marconi while the second bronze is an allegorical female figure sitting on a globe. It is a fine tribute to the great inventor whose 150th birthday anniversary is being celebrated this year. Belardo summarized the Piccirilli style as embodying simplicity, beauty, and elegance. To pass on their knowledge, Attilio established the Leonardo da Vinci Art School for impoverished, mostly immigrant students who could not afford regular tuition and who attended school mostly at night, after work. Unfortunately, the school closed during World War II. Not long afterwards, a fire damaged the studio, including their historical records. Washington, D.C., and New York City owe a debt of gratitude for the legacy which the brothers left in the cities that they beautified. Our sincerest thanks to our speaker John Belardo for making the trip from New York City with his son Joseph at their own expense. Also, many thanks to Peter Bell for delivering the delicious lunch from A. Litteri’s, and to those members who donated raffle prizes and bought tickets. June 2024
AMHS Membership - By Rico Allegrino, 2nd Vice President-Membership New Members Welcome to our New Members: Maxwell Tomashek, Dayna Cavanaugh,Daniela Di Tullio, Mark Evans, Julie Klosky, and Frank Di Piero Birthdays Compleanni a MaggioMichael Iademarco, May 1; Joseph Scafetta Jr., May 10; Amy Antonelli, May 15; Kathlyn Nudi, May 16; Victor Ferrante, May 16; Robert Woolley, May 19; Peter Bell, May 20; Giulia Michonski, May 21; Aldo D’Ottavio, May 22; Cora Williams, May 22; John Dunkle, May 25; Richard Leibold, May 29; Ennio DiTullio, May 29; Renato Orcino, May 30 Compleanni a GiugnoRev. Frank Donio, June 3; Jo-Ann Pilardi, June 9; Alberto L. Paolantonio, June 10; Tony Andreoli, June 16; Tania Colavita Callas, June 18; Joan Galles, June 24; Helen Antonelli Free, June 30; Laura Gentile, June 30 Compleanni a LuglioJulia Paola, July 5; Dianne Francesconi Lyon, July 6; Daniel Piazza, July 11; Raymond Bernero, July 12; David Ciummo, July 13; Teresa Black, July 13; Anthony D’Onofrio, July 15; Roberto Severino, July 19; Mary Smargiassi Muth, July 22; Lina Pronio, July 23; and Lynn Sorbara, July 27 Anniversaries Anniversari a MaggioRev. John DiBacco, May 13 (ordination); Barry & Midge Shawley, May 17; Francesco & Anna Isgro, May 19; Carmine Spellane & Ruth Bergman, May 29 Anniversari a GiugnoOmero & Belinda Sabatini, June 6; Jeff & Macarena Clark, June 16; Lucio & Edvige D’Andrea, June 27 Anniversari a Luglio Joseph & Joann Novello, and Joseph “Sonny” & Teresa Scafetta, July 4; Berardino Palazzo & Ilaria Pirocchi, July 10; Robert & Barbara Verdile, July 17; Renato & Rita Orcino, July 19; Greg & Diane Bernabei, July 21; Daniel & Jill Piazza, July 22; Brian R. Corbin & Donna M. DeBlasio, July 25; Stephan & Rita Carrier, July 31 Membership Information Category # of PersonsAssociate (Couple): 2 x 2 = 4Associate (Individual): 37General (Couple): 41 x 2 = 82General (Individual): 74Honorary: 8Scholarship: 2Student: 7Total Membership: 214
Courageous Journalist Antonio Russo Gave His Life in Search of Truth - By Joseph “Sonny” Scafetta, Jr. On June 3, 1960, an unknown mother left a newborn baby boy on the door steps of the only orphanage in the town of Francavilla al Mare (population 25,622 in the 2022 Census) in the province of Chieti in the region of Abruzzo. When the boy was six years old, he was adopted by a single woman named Beatrice Russo who named him Antonio. After graduating from the local high school, he went to Pisa to study veterinary medicine. He became a faculty member, but left in 1986 at the age of 26 to study philosophy at the Sapienza University in Rome. There he co-founded the magazine Philosophema, which launched his career as a journalist. After earning his degree in philosophy in 1990 at the age of 30, Russo went to work as a reporter for Radical Radio. During the next nine years, he initially reported from Siberia in the Soviet Union, from Algeria during its bloody repression of dissent, and from Rwanda during the Hutu-Tutsi War. He was then assigned to cover the Second Congo War, Russian agitation in the eastern part of Ukraine, and political unrest in Colombia. In early 1999, Russo was elected vice president of the Freelance International Press. Shortly thereafter, he was given the 20th International Journalism Prize by the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples. On May 28 of that year, he won the seventh “Clean Pens” Journalist Award given by the municipality of Sarteano in the province of Siena in the region of Tuscany. Also, on October 10 of the same year, he was bestowed with the third Ethics of Objectivity Prize by Mantua which is the capital of the province of the same name in the region of Lombardy. In the year 2000, Russo was sent by Radical Radio to cover the Second Chechnya War in Russia. However, he was denied entry by the Russians, so he went to Tbilisi, the capital of neighboring Georgia, to interview refugees who had escaped from Chechnya and who claimed to have been victims of war crimes. He sent films and reports of his interviews to Radical Radio. On the evening of October 15, he telephoned his adoptive mother and informed her that he had obtained a videotape documenting war crimes in Chechnya and that he planned to leave for Rome the next day. However, the next morning, his bruised and battered body was found on the edge of a country road which leads from the Vaziani Military Base where Russian forces were stationed. A search of his apartment by Georgian investigators revealed that it had been looted. His laptop computer, mobile telephone, video camera, and video tapes were missing. They believed but could not prove that agents of the Russian Federal Security Service murdered him. Antonio Russo was 40 years old. He never married. In 2003, L’inquilino di via Nikoladze (The tenant on Nicholas Way) was released. It won the UNESCO Prize. In 2004, “Chechnya” was released about the time spent by Russo there. In May 2009, Daniel Biacchessi published his book entitled “Passionate Reporter” about Russo. Sources: (all accessed April 23, 2024) June 2024
WITH THANKS TO ROMEO SABATINI AND RYAN TURNER
The Society dedicates its website to Romeo Sabatini, who worked tirelessly for over 10 years developing and maintaining our original site; and to Ryan A. Turner who, in honor of his grandmother Rosemarie Antonelli Turner (whose father Frank emigrated from Abruzzo), gifted the Society with funds to develop this new site. The Society is grateful for Romeo’s time and for Ryan’s generosity, which bridge the past with the future for the benefit of all AMHS members and friends.
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