Saturday, July 29, 2006

LETTER FROM ROSEMARIE

I recently received this letter from RoseMarie Giannandrea. She is related to the Modolo family who lived and worked in the Swanton Valley, "su per la costa." (La Nostra Costa-pages 354-357.)

"What a wonderful surprise! I had no idea someone wrote a book about growing up on the coast road, where my mother, Mary Modolo was born and where my grandparents started their lives in America.

When I was a little girl my mom would tell me all about her childhood on the coast road, the ranch and all of the families. My Nonna and I would work in the vineyards or in the kitchen and she would tell me so many stories about the ranch where she would cook all the meals for thirty men everyday and how she got to the coast from Italy.

I lived with my grandparents from the time I was four years old and they had just moved to Dinuba, CA. Because of our long and many talks I feel like I know so many of the families mentioned in your book. I have to tell you of all the tears that came with reading it as well.

How it makes me miss my Nonna and my mom. (Mom passed away five years ago from cancer). Mom was visiting Nonno and Nonna for Christmas when mother went into labor with me and that's why I was born in Sant Cruz! I can still remember the long wooden tables on the ranch where Nonno would stand me on the table after the the dishes were cleared, but of course not the wine and I would sing along to all the Italian records.

I remember when I asked Nonna why they left Davenport, she told me it was because of Uncle John's death (Johnny Modolo-La Nostra Costa- page 356). Nonna showed me all the newspaper articles of his death. My grandparents never got over the death of my uncle. Both my grandparents and Uncle John are in the mausoleum in Santa Cruz and I still go and put the flowers there.

It's amazing how the death of my uncle did sadden a whole community. About ten years ago or so there was an article written about the ranches on the coast highway and a picture of my grand parent's house; the old torn and tattered curtains were blowing through the broken windows and there was mention about my Uncle John and "was his spirit still in the house?" My Nonna told me when my son was born, "If his name (isn't) John don't bring him home." I think she meant it!

The year before Nonna's death, I took her to her one and only Coast Highway Reunion in 1987. After 40 years every one knew exactly who she was when we entered the room and of coure they told me how much I looked just like my mother and everyone made mention of my uncle.

I remain very close to my Aunt Rita. It's kind of like still having my mom. She and my mom were very very close friends and had been since the age of four. They were more like sisters. When mom passed away, I wrote her obituary, listing her surviving family and also put "One life long friend, Rita (Franceschini) Giannandrea". Uncle Deno and my step-father were the best friends and that's how mom and dad met."

Thanks RoseMarie. What a wonderful letter. "La Nostra Costa" has 1001 stories. A few I was able to recount in the book. The story of Johnny Modolo and his untimely death, and the "Ghosts of the Coast" were included. ivno
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5 comments:

Ivano Franco Comelli said...

I received the following e-mail from Jolene: "Ivano,just went on to your blog and read RoseMarie's wonderful letter. See there, "La Nostra Costa" made her day too!!!
What wonderful memories it brought back about her Nonna and Nonno and her heritage throught the Modolo Family. Keep the stories Coming. I love them."Jolene

Ivano Franco Comelli said...

I received the following e-mail from Jolene: "Ivano,just went on to your blog and read RoseMarie's wonderful letter. See there, "La Nostra Costa" made her day too!!!
What wonderful memories it brought back about her Nonna and Nonno and her heritage throught the Modolo Family. Keep the stories Coming. I love them."Jolene

Ivano Franco Comelli said...

E-Mail from Dick Tush, Retired San Jose Police Officer:

"Ivano....was great seeing you and watching from all appearances a successful book signing. I knew you were Italian...but didn't know you were THAT Italian. Began reading your book and some of it cracked me up...like when you speak of "The Gulch" and the truck noise. I immediately reflected back to my youth in Pittsburgh. There were a couple trucking lines right down the street from the house. Late at night they'd begin pulling out for a trip and there was a stop sign at the corner where we lived. They'd have to stop and you'd hear the whissshhhhh....then they'd begin lumbering out again...and those old trucks like the Reos made quite a bit of noise....whrrr...whrrrr...whrrr. It was especially bad in the summer when the window was open....but something you eventually get acclimated to....like the old trolley noise a block the other way."

Thanks Dick: Fortunately we didn't have a trolley coming up the grade. On the other hand mabye some of the 'ranceri" could have hitched a ride to the "Lucca Lunch", for a "poncino" or two . ivnO

Ivano Franco Comelli said...

Excerpts of Letter from Rita (Franceschini)Giannandrea, received 8/3/06:

"Caro Ivano:

You must be basking in your glory ----and rightly so. Just think about all of these people that you have brought smiles of happiness into their lives simply by helping them relive the past. I think it is a splendid idea that you gather thoughts and memories and then share them from time to time.

Question in my own mind today:
What has happened to the sons and daughters and grandchildren of these Italian immigrants from the coast road? Where is everybody at now-a-days. What are they doing?

Our parents left their parents from different parts of northern Italy to spend a lifetime on the windy coast in hopes of a better life for themselves and their children. They instilled in us good moral values and were excellent role models in our lives. They laid the ground rules for each of us to spread our wings---and where did we all go?
Ciao per ora, Rita"

Thanks for the kind words Rita. The question is a good one. There out there somewhere, some with good old American names. It is hard to tell whose Italian these days. Maybe my book and this "Blog" will help "out" some of these closet Italians. "Tongue in cheek lads and lassies, tongue in cheek." Ivno

Ivano Franco Comelli said...

E-mail from Patty:

Hello, Ivano....
Enjoyed your 'blog', but most of all, enjoyed the photo of your grandchildren. A handsome bunch, indeed. Thanks for sharing.
I've been reading your book and thoroughly enjoy it. Each night before I go to sleep, I read a little more about 'la costa' and Davenport. You are such a good writer!
Ciao,
Patty