LINA BRESSANI GEMIGNANI. THE PHOTO THAT WON THE HEART OF 'UN FIGLIO DI FERRO' - C.1947THANKS TO THE PORTER MEMORIAL LIBRARY AND STAFF. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT WITH MANY NEW FRIENDS (AS WELL AS SOME FAMILIER FRIENDS) OF "LA NOSTRA COSTA" ATTENDING. WHAT A GREAT GROUP.
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO MY AUNT LINA BRESSANI GEMIGNANI FOR HELPING ME TELL HER STORY OF BEING A GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR IN WWII AND HER AMAZING STORY ON HOW SHE CAME TO AMERICA AND MARRIED MY UNCLE JOE GEMIGNANI (UN FIGLIO DI FERRO). AS I WRITE IN 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' LINA AND JOE'S STORY IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS (AND PERHAPS THE SCREEN).
THE OLD RANCERE E TRE BELLE DONNE DELLA COSTA. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ANGIE BELTRAMI, FLORA BARGIACCHI
ANECITO AND LaNORMA. (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Peter Graves, SJPD Retired)
7 comments:
Ivano,
We really enjoyed your talk today at the Soquel Library. A friend of
mine who grew up here ( Jim Vail, son of Doctor Vail,) told me
about your book.
I picked it up about a week & a half ago, and am enjoying reading it.
As I mentioned briefly today, my wife & I have lived in Santa Cruz 35 years. I have been a building contractor for close to 30 years here in the Santa Cruz area. Around 25 years ago I had
the pleasure of working for Mac & Jeannie( Rodoni )Morelli. I built
their home on Moore Creek road.
(Jeannie's last home)
I have really felt a kinship with the local Italians, even though I
am half Aburuzzi, and the other half Napolitan. (It seems most of
the Italians here in town are from the northern part of the country.)
I also had the pleasure of building Tiger Rosellini's
( Former owner of Cimarelli's plumbing ) last home in 1984, on Quarry lane. Being an
Italian American myself, I found it quite comfortable working for the local Italians.
In 1990 I built all the buildings for the former "Abalone Farm" on
the Lorenzi Ranch, for Pete Scravani.
In 2002 I spent a year and a half turning the former Artichoke &
Sprout Growers building at 402 Ingalls to the Swift St. Court Yard & Kelly's Bakery. for Mark Sanchez.
Last year I remodeled the former Z's liquor on Mission Street, into
the West-side Pharmacy. (Originally built by one of the Stagnero's )
We are going to be having an open house on Feb 1st, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm I'll email you a flyer.
I have been building some historic displays for some of the places
that I worked on. You can view them, one is in the retail portion of Kelly's bakery at 402 Ingalls.
The other is in the Buttery at 700 Soquel ave. next to Shoppers corner.
A large California historic diorama will be on display at our home.
It has been a 12 1/2 year project, and still going.
I also have been restoring old stuff , like the gas pumps.
Oh, I forgot to mention my dad, Fidel LaBarba , was Olympic Gold
Medalist in the 1924 games, and in 1927 was the Flyweight boxing
Champion of the world. ( Italian American Boxer )
Here are a few links: about him.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0479324/bio
http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/Fidel_LaBarba
http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/labarba.htm
I truly hope you will be able to make our open house.
Sincerely,
F. John & Beth Ann LaBarba
THANKS GIOVANNI (JOHN THE BEARD)LABARBA. I wish I had more time to talk to you at my presentation. Your's is a very interesting story.
We will try to make your open house on Feb 1. Once you complete your flyer I will publish it (if you wish)on the 'blagga'.) You might have a big crowd there to view your beautiful home and historic displays.
BTW: I understand your feelings about being a lone Southern Italian in a Mostly Northern Italian Area, it's the other way around with me in the San Jose Area. Sempre Avanti! ivn0
Hey This is a message for Signore Labarba !! Yes I recall seeing information on your father at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota NY !!! I am a big time boxing fan and also make special mention to all the Italian - American - Canadian Boxers throughout the years. This is real good news. I am as you might have heard Friulano-Canadian my parents came to Canada in early 50's I was born in Canada but lived in Italia Friuli for a year. Ivano is doing an excellent job !!
Great information blogga
Ciao e Mandi
Doriano
Hey This is a message for Signore Labarba !! Yes I recall seeing information on your father at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota NY !!! I am a big time boxing fan and also make special mention to all the Italian - American - Canadian Boxers throughout the years. This is real good news. I am as you might have heard Friulano-Canadian my parents came to Canada in early 50's I was born in Canada but lived in Italia Friuli for a year. Ivano is doing an excellent job !!
Great information blogga
Ciao e Mandi
Doriano
I was impressed with the turnout. It was really packed. I think there were 30-40 people there. I always enjoy your presentation. It is always a little different. I enjoyed talking with Lina. Its been quite some time since I've seen her. Take care and let me know when there is another presentation in our area.
Ivano,
We are still getting hammered by the weather here in Washington. Both I-5 south and highway 8 to the coast (Ocean Shores etc.) are closed. I would like nothing better than to show up at the Porter Memorial Library on the 14-th to give a surprise introduction, but we will have to wait until spring (or summer) when the weather is better.
In your email you mentioned that you were going to recreate true events as recorded in "La Nostra Costa." Does that include the coast's party line? With all these cell phones today, young people would have difficulty believing you. What about Argentina's garden? Don't forget the name-change at Laurel School. Under threat of corporal punishment, the school system forced my step father (Uncle Joe Major's nephew) to switch from being left-handed to right-handed. They actually thought there was something wrong with left-handed people back then!
Jerry
Thanks Jerry 'Auld Professore'. Sorry you missed the presentation.
As I have noted it went really great. A lot of nice people attended and they gave me the chance to spread the good word of "La Nostra Costa".
I didn't cover all I promised you.
Left out Argentina's Garden and the party line. I did cover Laurel School. Marvin Del Chiaro was there and we re-lived our winning the Traffic Boy Trophies in '49 and our trip in the 'Old Box' Ford over snow-covered Hwy 17 in '56-57.
Also talked about the 'Old Carrettone and the '49 Chevrolet.
Also adlibbed a scene from screen play that I have been working on with ur brother Derrill. (The audience seemed to have liked it.)
I am really sorry about ur traumatic episode with your left hand. I suppose you still can still use it for useful hygienic tasks.
Take care and I do hope to see you next time the "Old Rancere"
breaks out the 'shavola' ivno
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