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Italian Roots Newsletter February 2024
February 2024
Bob Sorrentino, Ed Iannuccilli, Kate Kelley & Dorina Lantella-Martirano
February 05, 2024
Presented by
January 2024
Welcome to the Fifth edition of the Italian Roots Newsletter. Every month we will highlight our latest YouTube interviews, guest contributors, book reviews and recipes. With premium membership we will post our family recipes, lessons special, offers and more. Please subscribe at the bottom of the page.
We also have a new feature below. The Italian Nobility Spotlight where we highlight some of the most prominent Italian nobles from the 13th to 18th centuries.
Frank Di Piero - Italian American Moment
Frank Di Piero was born in Chicago and is 100% Italian origin. He has traveled to Italy many times and attended two study abroad programs in Italy, one in Roma and one in Firenze. He is the former President of The Harlem Avenue Italian & American Business Association and was on the committee to start an Italian American Studies Program at Loyola University Chicago. He is a Director of Casa Italia, and LITTLE ITALY Cenetta. He is a volunteer at Casa Italia Library and the Italian Cultural Center.
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Ed Writes - Dr. Ed Iannuccilli
What Is It About Gum? Dr. Ed Iannuccilli
Monday, January 29, 2024
Dr. Ed Iannuccilli, Columnist
PHOTO: Aleks Dorohovich, Unsplash
Fresh off my stale gum under-the-seat catastrophe at the movie theater comes further recollections of my experiences with that sticky resin. At one point, gum seemed a necessary part of my life as I chewed it nearly religiously. And what did I chew?
My favorites were Dubble Bubble and Bazooka, with Bazooka tipping the scale because of the adventurous Bazooka Joe, the guy with the black eye patch. Joe’s character was named after the rocket-style weapon used during WW II. Here’s the catch and the draw with Bazooka. Inside the package came a comic strip.
As I recall, the gum came in pink, sugary, strawberry-flavored slabs. There was something about slipping the wad from side to side, chomping, and spurting. I remember Nellie Fox, the diminutive second baseman for the Chicago White Sox. His wad bulged his cheek because it enveloped a chunk of tobacco. And he spit a stream of brown juice. Ugh.
Dubble Bubble, the world’s first bubble gum, was also a favorite. Their comic strip was nowhere as memorable as Joe's, but I liked the gum because it came wrapped in a single chunk, I was able to blow gooey, pink, big bubbles with it, sometimes as large as my face, sometimes getting the sticky stuff gum in my hair when it popped. Dubble Bubble was once considered nutritious and was part of the US military's ration kits in the 1930s. Early on, along with the gum, cards were issued with pictures of war heroes, wild west figures, and professional athletes.
Imagine this. During World War II, gum was featured in every soldier’s meal rations. Chiclets and Spearmint also made their appearances in the overseas service population. Soldiers used gum as a means of socializing with allied forces and civilians. Gum advertisements even displayed patriotic imagery to boost morale. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I chewed. Gum boosted my morale. Or it’s more likely that I chewed because everyone else did.
Though I don’t remember what I did when I was done chewing (the flavor dissipated quickly), I hope I didn’t slap my wad under any seat. But what did people do with the tons of chewed-up gum? Well, guess what? The subject has been studied.
Most teachers, businessmen, housewives, secretaries, and employees wrapped their gum in paper and threw it in the garbage. Kids usually stuck theirs under furniture(uh, oh there you go). I’m guessing no one ever instructed a kid where to dispose of their gum.
Why even chew gum? It can cause headaches and strain jaw muscles. It can increase the risk of tooth decay. It can cause digestive issues . . . bloating, gas, diarrhea. It is unprofessional, and it looks awful. Oh, one other thing. You may burn three calories per hour while chewing gum, but the usual stick contains eleven.
Gum is a popular product that people chew for various reasons, such as to freshen their breath, and relieve stress. Maybe even to snap it or blow bubbles. Not me. I’m done.
The Photo Angel - Kate Kelley
Meet Rose (Dondero) McGuire (1896–1991) of Wallingford, Connecticut (girl with the bow). Rose was the daughter of Italian immigrants Luigi and Maria (Valente) Dondero of Moconesi, Italy. Staci Thornton Ryan kindly sent me these photos to reunite with family. Two relatives were interested in these so I decided to give each of them one of the portraits.The first will be on its way home to Connecticut this week and I am currently waiting for the address of the second recipient.
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Pizza Rustica! Dorina’s Kitchen
So this is a recipe that I make every year around Easter time .... everyone who has had it loves it and people who don't know what it is are dying to try it!!!
It's a savory pie and oh so good. It's meant to be a treat after the fasting of the Lenten season.
I hope you enjoy my version of this recipe! (below you will find the written recipe on my own recipe card and a video I did on how to make it!).
I must add that although it is not traditional to make it without meat... I DO make a really tasty vegetarian one that is so good! I created the vegetarian version about 10 years ago for some guests who were vegetarian. I always feel bad when someone can't have something good that I make!!! So the Veg Version was born... and it's been a hit with vegetarians and meat-eaters alike!
Buon appetito!!!
Italian Nobility Spotlight
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Your Dolce Vita -- Dawn Mattera Helping people create a dolce vita. For over 25 years, I’ve helped people create a dolce vita by connecting to their purpose and continuing their legacy for the future. Contact Dawn Learn More Facebook Instagram Linkedin As Featured On: About Dawn A former engineer, Dawn is also a best-selling author and a certified coach. |  |
Image retrieved from Library of Congress site: Alleva Dairy – 188 Grand St.
Oldest Cheese Shop in US Must Leave the Little Italy Location It Has Had for 130 Years
Video regarding “Alleva”
The National Archives site is a vast collection of all kind of records with a limited online search/retrieval feature. Here is a snapshot of the feature called: “Access to Archival Databases (AAD).” The category within the “AAD” I used here is the; Genealogy/Personal History.
Data Files Relating to the Immigration of Italians to the United States, created, ca. 1977 - 2002, documenting the period 1855 – 1900
Within this search field I looked up my Italian ancestral town of “Biccari.” The database returns all those listed that noted “Biccari” as their respective city/town in Italy. Keep in mind this search feature is only specific within the range of years; 1855-1900.
The University of Minnesota Libraries (UMedia) website notes; “Discover 208,663 images, maps, manuscripts, video, audio, and more. UMedia provides open access to digitized materials from across the University of Minnesota.”
From this link I search “Italian Immigration” and it returned numerous photos, letters, and fascinating oral history files. You might find an audio of your Italian immigrant ancestor!
About me the author Rich Letto
I was born and raised in the Italian enclave of South Philadelphia, PA. (South Philly). As a proud third-generation Italian American I enjoy informal writing as a hobbyist and have been doing my family genealogy research for many years as part of the Italian American experience. I am the grandson of Italian immigrants who emigrated to America during the Great Arrival and settled in Philadelphia. On my paternal side my grandparents Francesco and Caterina (Tropiano) Leto emigrated (circa 1910) from Santa Caterina dello Ionio (Calabria). On my maternal side my grandparents Aniello and Elisa (Basile) Lucera emigrated (circa 1902/1910) from Comune di Biccari (Puglia).
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