REMEMBERING RITA DEL PIERO STRINGARI -FIGLIA DEL FRIULI

IVANO SAYS: The above photo (mostly Furlans) was taken on the Del Piero Ranch in Watsonville, circa 1948 at Rita's sister's (Aurora) wedding. Unfortunatly, Rita does not appear in the photo, however, members of the Del Piero and Comelli famlies do.

THE BELOW REMEMBRANCE OF RITA APPEARED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL.

Rita was the daughter of Timo and Caterina Del Piero who were very close family friends to my parents Valentina and Gervasio (Bronco) Comelli. The Del Piero's who were originally from Nimis, Udine Italy (same birth place as my parents)owned and Apple Orchard in Watsonville near Pinto Lake. Timo originally began his farming career on the North Coast of Santa Cruz, CA ('su per la costa'). ADDIO RITA - UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN - ACROSS 'IL ULTIMO PONTE'.


***

With profound loss, we share with you the passing of Rita Del Piero Stringari. Rita was a passionate advocate for literacy and the language arts. For over sixty years she was a beloved teacher who inspired and enriched generations of families in the Pajaro Valley. Rita's childhood experience as an immigrant struggling with two languages gave her a personal perspective and a deep concern for the bilingual children she taught. She believed in the potential for success in every child and felt that learning to read and write well was the basis for achieving that success. Rita's passion for books and her dedication to the children of this Valley have had a lasting effect on the community.

Rita was born in the village of Nimis, Udine, in northeastern Italy, the first child of Caterina Comelli and Timoleone Del Piero. In 1921, still in her mother's arms, she immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island. She traveled by land across country to join her father, Timo, in Davenport, CA where he had settled the previous year. In time, her sister, Aurora, and brother, Richard, were born and the family moved to Castroville and then to Moss Landing and Watsonville where they farmed coastal acreage.

Rita attended Moss Landing School, Monterey High School and Hartnell College. In 1942 she graduated with an elementary teaching credential from San Jose State University and married Lawrence S. Stringari, a graduate of the University of Santa Clara, and a resident of Colorado. After the war ended, they moved with their children, Lorita and Tim, to Watsonville to be near family.

In the late 1940's, Rita began as a teacher at Moss Landing School and Pajaro Union Elementary School. She taught the primary grades and art [for all levels] until she retired in 1985. Following retirement, Rita continued to teach as a "preferred' substitute in part time and long term assignments and as a volunteer at T.S. McQuiddy School until 2008.

In 1976 Rita and a small group of professional educators founded the Asilomar Regional Reading Conference [ARRC] for the Santa Cruz, Monterey, and surrounding counties. The conference annually invited vendors and authors of children's literature to provide educators from local counties a weekend of ideas and speakers on language arts teaching materials. She continuously served on the board and as the Coordinator for Vendors through the final conference held in 2009.

The T.S. McQuiddy Elementary School teachers and parents honored Rita by naming the school library in her honor in 2006. Rita was appointed to the Watsonville City Council Library Board of Trustees and served as Board President the year that the newly constructed Watsonville Library was dedicated. She was a member of the Santa Cruz County Reading Association for almost forty years, served as President for two years, received the Gold Medal honor as Member of the Year. She was honored again in 2010 for her years of service.

Other organizations in which Rita was a long term active member include American Association of University Women, Y.L.I, Watsonville Women's Club, International Reading Association, California Reading Association, Pajaro Valley Arts Council, Delta Kappa Gamma.

Rita Del Piero Stringari is survived with loving memories by her family: Lorita Winfield [daughter] of Scottsdale, Az; Tim [son] and Kay Stringari of Truckee; Aurora [sister] and Clyde Mitchell of San Mateo; Richard [brother] Del Piero of Watsonville. She will be dearly missed by her nieces and nephews and their families: Kathy and Michael Ladra, Dr. Matthew Ladra, Jeff Ladra, Michael Mitchell, Marc and Tina Del Piero, Paul Del Piero, John Del Piero, Dr. Eric and Teresa Del Piero, Kris Del Piero. She has the love of her Winfield step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, the Virgil and Barbara Stringari Family, the Ileene Ericson Family and Rita's Italian cousins, the Comellis and Del Pieros of Nimis, Italy.A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church [The Valley Church] 2401 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, California, 95076 on Saturday, July 9, 2011, at 2:15 pm. A reception will follow at the Church Community Hall for Rita's family, friends and former students. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Rita's memory to: The Cabrillo College Foundation, [memo: The AAUW Watsonville Branch Endowed Scholarship Fund] 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos CA 95003; Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066; or to the Watsonville City Library.

Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on June 29, 2011

FIRST DAVENPORT -NORTH COAST REUNION - 1977

IVANO SAYS: THE ABOVE NEWSPAPER CLIPPING RE: THE FIRST DAVENPORT-COAST ROAD REUNION WAS SENT TO ME BY 'LaNORMA'. IT APPEARS THAT HER PARENTS DANTE AND DIANA DINELLI SAVED IT FOR ALL OF US TO SAVOR. 'CLICCA' ON THE ABOVE ARTICLE TO ENLARGE FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE.

WHAT: FIRST DAVENPORT- NORTH COAST REUNION

WHEN: AUGUST 1977

WHERE: SOCIAL HALL - CAPITOLA - ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

WHO: 325+ OLDTIME AND PRESENT DAY RESIDENTS OF DAVENPORT AND THE NORTH COASTAL AREA OF SANTA CRUZ, CA.

COMMITTE:

LOUIE MAZZEI, CHAIRMAN

FRED MORO

RAY TAMBELLINI

ANN (PAPA) PERKINS

GENE TERRINI

ELMER MORELLI

PETE PIANAVILLA

TOMMY DIAZ

DATE OF NEXT REUNION: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011, HARVEY WEST PARK, SANTA CRUZ, CA. AND YES, SEMPRE AVANTI CON LA HISTORIA DELLA COSTA.

BREAKING NEWS: 'DAVENPORT NORTH COAST REUNION 2011' NOW ON FACEBOOK

DAVENPORT-COAST ROAD COMMITTEE SETS DATE FOR REUNION BBQ-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: YOUR MASTERS OF CERAMONIES FOR THIS YEARS DAVENPORT
NORTH COAST BBQ WILL BE:
LaNORMA (NORMA DINELLI WILSON) AND
IN HIS 'GUISE' AS THE "OLD RANCERE",
IVANO COMELLI. LaNORMA IS THE GOOD LOOKING ONE ON THE LEFT.
REMEMBER DEADLINE FOR ORDERING
TICKETS IS SEPT 7, 2011. SCROLL DOWN THE
PAGE FOR ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO ORDER TICKETS.

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN TO VIEW
MOST RECENT INFORMATON(WITH MAIL IN COUPON) FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT.
Salute a Tutti!

DATE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

LOCATION: EVERGREEN PICNIC AREA

HARVEY WEST PARK IN SANTA CRUZ, CA.

TIME: 11:30 AM TO 4:00 PM

(BBQ: 12:30 PM TO 3;00 PM)
MENU: Appetizer: Sauage BBQ Lunch: Tri-tip or Chicken and beans, vegetable stir-fry, salad & garlic bread. Hot dogs availble for Children. Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake

BEVERAGES: Lemonade and water w/meal. Beer, wine and soda will also be available.

ALSO YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN ETHNIC FOOD. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL FEEL FREE TO SHARE.

PRICE: Adults: $20.00 Children under 12 - $5:00

(After expenses, proceeds will be donated towards projects that benefit the Davenport Community)

Pre-ordered tickets will be available at the event (tickets will not be mailed).

DEADLINE FOR ORDERING TICKETS: SEPT 7, 2011

PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

ROSA RADICCHI: 831-460-0545 NORMA DINELLI WILSON: 831-438-8316

TINA OLIMPIO CUTTER: 831-566-9082

-OR-

email: davenport_nc_reunion@yahoo.com


SPECIAL GUEST TO BE HONORED: ALVERDA ORLANDO

FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE PRESERVING AND PROMULGATING DAVENPORT-NORTH COAST HISTORY.

____________________________________________________________

COPY AND MAIL TO D.C.R.R., P.O. BOX 234, DAVENPORT, CA 95017-0234

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: D.C.R.R

Total Adults___Total Children ___Total enclosed _____

Name _____________________

Phone_______________

E-mail: __________________ Confirmation request: e-mail __ tp #:__ (check one)

GUEST NAMES:_______________________________________________________

____ I/we are unable to attend. Enclosed is my/our donation.

************************************************************************

'DAVENPORT NORTH COAST REUNION 2011' NOW ON FACEBOOK.

REMEMBERING 'FIGLIA DEL FRIULI' EVELINA CANTARUTTI

TOGETHER AGAIN - ACROSS 'IL ULTIMO PONTE'

(Photo: Evelina on the left, and Valentina, c. 1946)

1912-2011 - Evelina Cantarutti, nee Venturini, was born in Rodeano Basso, a small town in the Friuli Region of Northeastern Italy. Her childhood and upbringing there would forever shape her life, values and view of the world. Evelina passed away peacefully the morning of March 28, 2011 at Nazareth House in San Rafael, California.

Evelina met her husband, Guido, in the nearby town of Cisterna. The couple married in 1931. Their first son, Carino (Reno), was born in Cisterna shortly thereafter.

In 1935, Evelina with her infant son, immigrated to America where they rejoined Guido, who had previously immigrated to the North Coast of Santa Cruz, near Davenport, CA. There they were befriended by Gervasio (Bronco) and Valentina Comelli, who had also immigrated to America from Friuli. The two families formed bonds that would last a life time.

Initially, Guido made his living working as a rancere on the Venturini Ranch, su per la costa.The newly immigrated family lived in a ‘wind blown shack’ located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, seven miles north of Davenport. (Evelina would often say in Italian, “We had nothing then. Nothing. No money,no property. All we had was the clothes on our back and il vento (the wind)in our faces.") During this period there second son, Lido was born. In 1947, a daughter, Norma, was born to them. This was after they had relocated to Richmond, California. (Thus,Norma didn't get to experience life in the 'windblown shack' su per la costa)

Evelina undertook her life in the new world and with her growing family with characteristic hard work and determination –trying to learn the language, always making new friends and ever maintaining her ties, contacts and support with all of the family relatives in Italy. This included two brothers and sisters and many other relatives. For many years, Evelina and Guido with their family, lived in Richmond, CA, then moved in the early fifties to the home she loved so much in El Cerrito. Evelina continued to live there following the death of her beloved husband, Guido, in 1971, and until moving into Nazareth House eight years ago.

Evelina lived a long and full life and cherished it all: the family, the friendships, the hard work, Italy, her town of Rodeano Basso, America, Davenport,Santa Cruz, Richmond, El Cerrito and San Rafael. She especially loved and was proud of all her grandchildren; Dino, Steven and Gary Cantarutti(parents Franca and Reno); Jeffrey and Perry Cantarutti (parnts Mary Brent and Lido); and Anne Marie van Amson and Lisa Beebout(parents Norma and Randy Reiter) plus six great grandchildren! Her children were all around her as she left this world, and wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who loved and helped her, especially the clergy, the medical staff and caregivers at Nazarath House. Evelina’s family is very grateful.

-------

IVANO SAYS: The Rosary was held Wednesday evening (3-30-2011) at Monte’s Chapel of the Hills, San Anselmo CA. The Funeral Mass was celebrated the next day at Nazareth House, 245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903. In lieu of flowers The family prefers contributions to Nazareth House, or a charity of one’s choice.

ADDIO EVELINA. UNTIL WE ME AGAIN “ACROSS IL ULTIMO PONTE”.

REMEMBERING 'FIGLIA DELLA COSTA' - NADINE (FAMBRINI) SCARGILL

Nadine Marie (Fambrini) Scargill On Friday, March 25, Nadine Marie [Fambrini] Scargill passed from this world after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 72. A native of Santa Cruz, Nadine was born on December 16, 1938 where she lived on the north coast for 40 years before retiring with her husband, David, to Scotts Valley, Ca. She graduated from Holy Cross High in 1956 and then married David, her high school sweetheart and together raised a family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Every day of Nadine's life was spent taking care of her family, friends, and neighbors. She was admired by many for her love of life and was never without a nurturing moment or willingness to help. Nadine was an active volunteer at Vista Del Lago, which she and David have called home since 1995. Nadine was an active member of YLI for over 50 years and supported numerous local charities. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Margaret Fambrini, Uncle Fred Dimeo, Aunt Theresa Modena, Aunt Etta Finley, Uncle's Alfred and Marvin Fambrini. Nadine is survived by her loving husband of 54 years David Scargill of Scotts Valley, son Raymond Scargill and daughter-in-law Tish Scargill of Scotts Valley, son Jeffery Scargill of Santa Cruz, daughter Elaine Delgado of Scotts Valley, daughter Catherine Bruce and son-in-law Jacob Bruce of Santa Cruz. Nadine has nine grandchildren: Lindsey, Jennifer, Kaleena, Marco, John, Graeme, Christina, Jordan, and Sean and her treasured four great-grandchildren: Trajan, Auden, Hamish and Questen. She is also survived by her brother, Raymond and wife Zelma Fambrini of Santa Cruz, her nephews John, Steve and Brian Fambrini of Santa Cruz, her Uncle Charles Modena of Santa Cruz and numerous other family members. Viewing will be held Thursday March 31 from 4pm-7pm, followed by a rosary at 7pm, at Santa Cruz Memorial Oakwood Chapel 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday April 1, 2011, 11am, at Holy Cross Church, 126 High Street in Santa Cruz. Interment will be held immediately after the mass at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nadine's name to "Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center" or St. John's Catholic Church in Felton, Ca Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on March 30, 2011 ---------------- IVANO SAYS: IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LITTLE GIRL I PLAYED WITH IN THE OLD BARN ON THE GULCH RANCH 'SU PER LA COSTA' NO SO LONG AGO. ADDIO, NADINE, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS 'IL ULTIMO PONTE'

THE RIVER RISES AGAIN - BY DON MILLER, EDITOR SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL

Don Miller: Santa Cruz County disasters -- The river rises again - It's not a dream. It never is. Thursday was that kind of day. It had been raining off and on for seemingly weeks, but the way it was falling, falling that morning reminded me of so many other moments in time. And it probably brought unwelcome memories to lots of other folks who have been around Santa Cruz County for more than a decade or so. Because one of our barely repressed secrets is that in an area blessed with so much beauty -- we're a mecca for natural disasters. That's a little difficult to fathom a little more than two weeks after the apocalypse in Japan, but here at the Sentinel the river of experience and memory runs deep. Our most recent rain and wind storms culminated in flooding that ruined manufactured homes in a Capitola park, sent water and mud into businesses in Capitola Village, toppled trees into homes, caused epic landslides and mud ooze, and forced homeowners to evacuate along the surging and cresting San Lorenzo River on the stretch between Felton and Santa Cruz. Less than two weeks before, a tsunami surged through the Santa Cruz boat harbor, causing more than $26 million in damages and destroying or sinking 10 boats. And even recent emigres to Santa Cruz County can talk with some authority about the '89 earthquake, which killed six people and pretty much destroyed downtown Santa Cruz and Watsonville along with 700 homes countywide. Damages. In recent years, we've also endured a series of wildfires that have destroyed property and set off millions of dollars in damages and firefighting costs. But the most frequent unwelcome visitor -- please allow me to introduce myself -- is water. Our coastal-mountain geography lends itself to torrential downpours -- and low lying areas can be helpless in the face of raging rivers and streams, often choked with logs that once were mighty redwoods and douglas firs in Santa Cruz Mountain forests. In December 1955, after days of heavy rainfall, the San Lorenzo River jumped its banks and took a trip through downtown Santa Cruz. Nearly every business in the area suffered extensive damages and losses. Neighborhoods were at the mercy of the floodwaters and houses were ripped from foundations. Homes along the river in the San Lorenzo Valley were ruined and cabins swept into the torrent. A logjam in Soquel Creek led to Soquel Village being flooded. More than 2,000 residents were evacuated -- and this was a time when the entire population of the county was only 66,500 about 22,000 in the city of Santa Cruz, less than a quarter of today's population. Eight people died and damages were estimated in 1955 dollars at $7.5 million. The Great Flood of '55 led to government funding for a flood control project to tame the routes the San Lorenzo River and Branciforte Creek took through the city -- and for rebuilding downtown Santa Cruz. But that storm was surpassed by the disaster of Jan. 4, 1982, that left 22 people dead and more than $100 million in damages as incessant storms led to devastating flooding and mudslides. The Love Creek slide in Ben Lomond killed 10 people when an entire saturated hillside collapsed. Aptos Creek went on its own death and destruction rampage and Soquel Creek, shades of 1955, was again backed up by a logjam and flooded its namesake village. Although the river levees held in downtown Santa Cruz, the surging San Lorenzo River threw a section of the Soquel Avenue bridge into the water. On March 11, 1995, the Pajaro River's levees failed, flooding Watsonville neighborhoods, the town of Pajaro and miles of rich Pajaro Valley agricultural lands. Sixteen years later, a much discussed and disputed flood control project for the river remains just talk. Our merry band of photographers, reporters and editors have become battle-scarred veterans covering disasters. Today, the effort includes keeping up-to-date emergency information posted on our website, which sees incredible traffic during these events. We solicit and post readers' photos and videos -- and host discussion forums where people in the midst of what is happening share their experience, strength and hope -- and tell other readers what to avoid and how. Meanwhile, our news team constantly updates what we know, when we know it. The next morning, you, the print reader, get to relive the event. And while all of us are feeling weary these days because life just keeps surging over our boundaries and riverbanks, we also know that in Santa Cruz County, the next big thing is inevitably just moving downstream. Don Miller is the editor of the Sentinel. Email him at dmiller@santacruzsentinel.com. You can read his blog at santacruzlive.com/blogs/dmillereditor/ The Sentinel is using Facebook for your feedback and commenting on this page. See our commenting policy. ------- The above article was first published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ and was posted on the LNostra-Costa Blog with the permission of Don Miller, Editor.

IL MARE SPAVENTOSO (THE SCARY OCEAN)

COASTAL BEACH 3-MILES NORTH OF

SANTA CRUZ, CA. WHERE THE "TSUNAMI"

HIT CIRCA 1950.
(Photos taken by Gino Campioni)

'BAFFI' CAMPIONI LOOKING AT A CALM PACIFIC OCEAN IN SANTA CRUZ, (C.1950)
-Beware, Baffi! Beware!-

The tsunami in Japan and the tragic events that followed reminded me how scary the ocean can be. My mother would always warn us of this by saying, “Il Mare e traditore” (The ocean is a traitor). What she meant was quite clear to us. The ocean can appear calm one minute; then sweep you out to sea the next showing no mercy. Pretty scary stuff to us kids.

Kristian, my 13-year-old Grandson, asked me if a tsunami had ever hit Santa Cruz. I responded, “Not until now”.

“But Grandpa”, he said, “You write about one in your book.”

The event that Kristian was talking about occurred in the early 1950s. I don’t think it was labeled a tsunami, however, the storm and giant ocean waves did quite a bit of damage. At the time, my family and I were living on the Gulch Ranch, 3-miles north of Santa Cruz.

The following is an excerpt from my book, “La Nostra Costa” (pgs. 299-300) describing the event.

“. . . .circa 1950, a giant rainstorm hit the coast. The rain and wind came down upon us,buffering the walls and roof of our small fragile house. Rain hit the Coast Road in such volume that it quickly caused the drainage ditches to overflow. Water formed on the road, creating wild currents of water which flowed past our house and down into the Gulch. Amid the sounds of rain, wind and rush of flowing water, we could hear the ocean roaring in the not-too-faraway distance.

The whole scene reminded me of a film that Dante (Rodoni) would often show us at (his) ranch. (I think it was a Laurel and Hardy silent feature.) The old flick was a comedy, but rather scary because it depicted and old rickety house situated on a beach. A big storm hit and giant waves swept the house off its foundation and into the ocean. To ride out the storm, the fat man and the skinny guy sat on the roof of their house, as it bobbed about in the ocean. If the 1950 storm had continued, I imagined that we would have gotten into the same situation as those two guys. Thankfully, the rains would stop in time and we would be once again safe. However, in the background we could still hear the roar of the ocean loud and clear.

A few days later, I took a stroll down to the beach. The ground was still wet, but the sun was shining and things were getting back to normal. I walked to the top of the bluff overlooking the beach . . . . What greeted me was something unreal, something that you might now see in a special effects movie. It was as if I was looking at the creation of a whole new world. The surf had hit so hard that it had completely wiped out the sandy beach, exposing the bedrock beneath and had so much force that the tide was driven up into the gulch by about 300 feet (or more). The sides of the gulch were completely denuded of vegetation. It was as if giant bulldozers had carved out a new canyon, making it ready for development. The only difference was that the sides of this canyon were soaking wet and dripping with salt-laden kelp and seawater. As I stood looking agape at this amazing scene, Il Mare in the background kept roaring, its sound now reminiscent of rolling thunder, I could almost hear it saying to me: ‘See there, little boy. This is what I have done in the past and what I can still do in the future. Beware. Beware.’” *


* From the book, “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast), published by Authorhouse (2006). Copyrighted (2006) by the author, Ivano Franco Comelli. All rights reserved.

"La Nostra Costa" is now available in ebook format: http://www.amazon.com/kindle

'EAT POLENTA' - T-SHIRT- BY RENO DI CISTERNA

IVANO SAYS: My Grandson, Kristian
is proud to announce that 'Reno Di
Cisterna' has designed a brand new
'EAT POLENTA - THAT'S ITALIAN'
T-Shirt.

THE 'OLD RANCERE SAYS: "If Kristian likes it, I like it!
Sempre Avanti
.

REMEMBERING FIGLIA DELLA COSTA EMMA FERRARI MUSITELLI

IVANO SAYS: THE REMEMBERANCE BELOW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL:
www.santacruzsentinel.com


Emma Ferrari Musitelli [Auntie Emma] passed away peacefully of natural causes at her Westside Santa Cruz home, surrounded by her loving family on February 5th, 2011. She was 91, and a resident of Santa Cruz County for 90 years.

She was born to Battista John Ferrari and Antonietta Mattei Ferrari on February 24, 1919, in the Butchertown District of San Francisco [now known as the Bayview/Hunters Point District].

At 1 ½ years of age, along with her mother and sister Effie, she traveled in a Model T Ford to her new family home in Davenport, over the treacherous Devil's Slide roadway, driven by a neighbor, Mr. Collins, who prayed the rosary the entire way. That must have somehow influenced her, as she prayed the rosary daily until her passing.

After attending local schools, she graduated from Smith's School of Business.

She played the guitar and often accompanied her father as he sang songs from his native Piedmont in northern Italy.

She met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Musitelli, who preceded her in death in 2000, as classmates at the one room Agua Puerca schoolhouse at Davenport Landing, north of Santa Cruz. They were married in Salinas, CA on November 18, 1958.

She was known for her generosity, wonderful upbeat personality, and hospitality. During WWII, Emma and her parents hosted many card games at the ranch house, sharing food and coffee, with members of the 54th Coast Artillery Regiment, of which a subordinate unit was co-located on the Ferrari family cattle ranch north of Davenport, establishing lifelong friendships.

Although Emma and Bob did not have any children of their own, they were blessed with seven loving nieces and nephews, of which six survive her, as follows: Emma Garbini Bertoli, Norma Garbini Quilici [Paul], Dolores Del Chiaro Locatelli, Donald Innocenti [Claudia], Marvin Del Chiaro [Elaine], and Robert Innocenti, numerous cousins, and 14 great, 25 great-great, and 2 great-great-great nephews and nieces.

Besides her husband Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Giovanna Garbini Dorsa, Marie Innocenti, Florence Laurendine, and Effie Del Chiaro, and her niece Elizabeth "Betty" Innocenti Le Baron.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. David Beck, for his loving care, all of his staff, and Hospice of Santa Cruz.

The funeral procession will leave Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA on Friday February 11, 2011 at 9:30 am for Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am. The vigil prayer service will be held at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm. Friends are invited to call at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday from 1:00 pm until service time. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to express your condolences to the family and sign the online guest book.

Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, or your favorite charity.

-----

ADDIO EMMA. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS IL ULTIMO PONTE. IVANO

REMEMBERING MARGARET KOCH - HISTORIAN

IVANO SAYS: THE BELOW REMEMBRANCE ON MARGARET KOCH WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/

Margaret Rau Koch, age 92, died peacefully on January 7th, 2011 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Eternal Hills Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Margaret R. Koch was born April 13, 1918 in Sacramento, California. Her father was Dr. George James Rau, a dentist and U.S. Naval Officer in World War I. Her mother was Callista Marie Martin, a teacher. She also had a younger brother, George James Rau, born in 1919.

She grew up and spent almost her entire life in Santa Cruz, California. Margaret studied journalism at U.C. Berkeley where she met her husband, Edward C. Koch. They were married in 1938, on Margaret's birthday April 13th.

Margaret was a staff writer for the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper for over twenty years. She was a California historian and published six books. She was a community activist and key in preserving and restoring historic downtown Santa Cruz. She was also named woman of the year in 1972.

She and Ed were world travelers and very adventuresome, starting with a car trip-honeymoon from California to Mexico City in 1938. The entire family spent two weeks every summer hiking and camping in the High Sierras of California. Margaret and Ed traveled to Japan, Russia, China, South America, Guatemala, Mexico, Europe, British Isles, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. They had two sons, Edward and Thomas and a daughter Kathleen. They had five grandchildren and four great-grand children.

There will be a small memorial service at Crystal Terrace on Sunday, January 16th at 1:00 PM. A private family service will be held in April in Santa Cruz on the property that has that has been in the family for six generations.

IVANO SAYS (CONT'D): ADDIO, MARGARET. As one of my sources for historical background in writing my book, "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), I extensively used your book, "Santa Cruz County, Parade of the Past", published in 1973, by Valley
Press. Thanks Margaret for enlightening and educating us all with your life and great works.

-------------------------------------------------------

01-24-11: This just in from Len Klempnauer:

Ivan,
Attached is a B/W photo of Margaret Koch that was published with a news story -- added below -- about her death that was published in Saturday's Sentinel (Jan. 22).
-- Len Klempnauer
P.S. I worked with her at the Sentinel for about 15 years.

Headline: Newspaperwoman, Author and County Historian Margaret Koch Dies

As a fourth-generation Santa Cruz resident who lived on the property first settled by her great-grandparents, it's fitting Margaret Rau Koch dedicated much of her life to preserving the history of Santa Cruz County.
She died Jan. 7 in Klamath Falls, Ore. She was 92.
During her tenure as a staff writer at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, where she worked from 1957-1981, Koch's work focused heavily on the county's history. She penned articles that helped lead to the restoration and preservation of some of the historical buildings in Santa Cruz, including an adobe building on School Street, part of the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
"It was a life well lived and full of adventure and enthusiasm," said Soquel resident Barbara Burklo, a former Sentinel co-worker and life-long friend.
"She had a real zest for life," and was a "fountain of knowledge" about Santa Cruz County, she added.
Koch was born April 13, 1918, in Sacramento, but spent most of her life in Santa Cruz. She met her husband, Edward Koch, while studying journalism at UC Berkeley, and they married in 1938 -- on her 20th birthday.
As a reporter, Koch focused on feature stories, as well as religion and history, and even had her own column, "My Mountain Home," about life around her Glenwood homestead.
Koch also wrote numerous books about the county's history, including "Santa Cruz County: Parade of the Past."
In fact, a distant relative found Koch earlier this decade because she was such a prolific writer.
Lompoc resident Gail Benson was conducting online research into her family's history in Santa Cruz, and found one of Koch's books. Benson saw a notation that Koch was looking for a picture of a gentleman by the name of Nicholas Gann, who Benson said is one of her distant relatives.
She did some sleuthing and found Koch's phone number and the two met several times.
"She was just a very bright lady, fun to talk to and cheerful," Benson recalled.
Carolyn Swift, director of the Capitola Historical Museum, still has a copy of "Parade of the Past," which was published in 1973 and is filled with pictures taken during the course of her interviews.
Gathering all of the information about the history of the entire county was a "phenomenal feat," Swift said, and set the framework those who came after her such as Sandy Lydon, historian emeritus at Cabrillo College.
"People still talk about her," Swift said. "She was very influential in telling people's stories. She was synonymous with Santa Cruz history before Sandy Lydon came along."
In her later years, Koch moved to Sedona, Ariz., to live closer to one of her sons, and became active in the artist community there showing her watercolor paintings.
Koch most recently had moved to Klamath Falls to live closer to her other son Thomas Koch.
"We're all sort of just passing through," Swift said. "When you move away, people tend to forget about you, but people still talk about her . . . She passed through, but she didn't get forgotten, and I think that's kind of a tribute."

REVIEWING SOME INTERESTING ARTICLES APPEARING ON THE LA NOSTRA COSTA BLOG

SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING???

IVANO SAYS: LISTEN TO THIS!

La Nostra Costa Blog is in its Fifth year. As we enter the New Year, the 'Old Rancere' thought it would be appropriate to list some past articles that may be of interest to new readers of the "blagga" and perhaps to others, offer an opportunity to review them . To retrieve :

'CLICCA' ON THE LINK PROVIDE AT THE END OF EACH ARTICLE.


The "Blagga's" first year was 2006. (Coincidentally, "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast) was published in 2006):



August 2, 2006 - CARABINIERE - "THE GHOST WHO WALKED" - A story about one of Davenport's most legendary characters and the mystery of what might have happened to him after his death.

www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/08/ghost-who-walked.html









Aug 8, 2006 - HUGO'S LETTER- Hugo Bianchini of Monterey, gives his best review of "La Nostra Costa" and links it to his own personal experiences growing up in a different locale.
http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/08/hugos-letter.html






Sep 6,2006 - THE RANCERE's LAMENT - BY RITA (FRANCESCHINI) GIANNADREA- Rita, who grew up "su per la costa" captures the true essence of the "Rancere's Lament", as it appears in "La Nostra Costa. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/09/essence-of-ranceres-lament.html





August 10, 2006 - IL FAMOSO BAFFI - A short bio of Guglielmo 'Baffi" Campioni by his son Gino Campioni - Describes the life and times of one of the most colorful ranchers "su per la costa".
www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/08/il-famoso-baffi.html








Sep 4,2006 - A WHITE SPORTS COAT AND A PINK CARNATION - Carol (Costella) Swartz
remembers Santa Cruz and a certain fellow who went out with her sister Pat. A very charming story. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/white-sport-coat-and-pink-carnation.html





Oct 23, 2006 - FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE LEN KLEMPNAUER- Len describes the efforts of his German American Family as they establish themselves in Santa Cruz. Not too surprisingly
they were very similar to those experienced by the Italian immigrants. htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2006/10/figlio-di-santa-croce-len-klempnauer.html

Nov 5, 2006 - FROM SANTA RADICCHIO TO SANTA ROSA- What starts out as a discussion of Chiogga Beets and Radicchio turns out to be a very interesting story of Italian World War II prisoners who settled in Santa Rosa. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/from-santa-radicchio-to-santa-rosa.html

Nov 11, 2006 - PETE PIANAVILLA VS FORREST McDERMOTT - The story of a colorful coastal "poacher" and a zealous Game Warden who confront each other "su per la costa". www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/pete-pianavilla-vs-forrest-mcdermott.html

Nov 21 and 27 2006 - FIGLIA DELLA COSTA NORMA (DINELLI) WILSON PART I AND PART II - The story of a little girl growing up 'su per la costa".






www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/11/figlia-della-costa-norma-dinelli.html


Dec 4, 2006 - FIGLIO DELLA COSTA LIEUTENANT ATTILIO JOSEPH DOGLIOTTI REMEMBERED - A remembrance of one 0f the first Santa Cruzans of Italian descent to be killed in World War II. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/12/figlio-della-costa-lieutenant-attilio.html

Dec 9, 2006 - FIGLIA DI SANTA CROCE - MARGARET GHIO-HARTMAN - Tells the story of Italian immigrant fishermen struggling in Santa Cruz under "Enemy Alien Restrictions" during World War II. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/12/figlia-di-santa-croce-margaret-ghio.html





Dec 13, 2006 - DISASTRI DI SANTA CROCE - Robert Lemmon Jr. remembers certain disasters that befell Santa Cruz and request further info on same. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2006/12/disastros-di-santa-croce.htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2006/12/disastros-di-santa-croce.html

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The following articles were published in 2007 :



March 22, 2007 - GINO'S OFFICIAL ITANGLISH DICTIONARY - Gino Campioni spent a considerable amount of time composing this dictionary of "Italianized" words. One of the "Blaggas" most favorite publications. http://www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/03/ginos-official-itanglish-dictionary.htmldictionary.htmlofficial-itanglish-dictionary.html

June 23, 2007 - AMICA DELLA COSTA CATHY BROVIA - REMEMBERS - Cathy tells the story of growing up in a small town in Minnesota during hard times. www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/06/amica-della-costa-cathy-brovia.html



July 4, 2007 - PRIMO CARNERA - FIGLIO DEL FRIULI - A short Bio by Doriano Degano of
Primo Carnera, former Heavyweight Champion of the World and a fan favorite "su per la costs". www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/figlio-del-friuli-primo-carnera.html

July 12, 2007 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIGLIO DELLA COSTA - MARVIN DEL CHIARO - Marvin celebrates his 70th birthday with a bio of his family who lived and worked "su per la costa". www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/happy-birthday-figlio-della-costa.html



July 26, 2007 - SPROUZZI ALA JOUNZZI - Russ Jones a former San Jose Police Officer recalls some boyhood memories of Hwy 17 and Santa Cruz. He also sends along a recipe for one of his favorite dishes featuring Brussel Sprouts. His follow up article on January 21, 2008 - SPROUZZI ALLA JOUNZZI 2 - features his favorite recipe for Osso Buco (w/Brussel Sprouts)
and much more. Buono Appitito . www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/sprouzzi-ala-jounzzi.html



July 30, 2007 - COLLISION COURSE: THE DELUCCA ACCIDENT - A dissertation by Ivano Comelli as to how one of the worse traffic accidents in Davenport history happened and how it might have been avoided.
http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/07/collision-course-delucca-accident.html

August 5, 2007 - RICHARD HUERTA - FALLEN OFFICER - REMEMBERED - A remembrance by Ivano Comelli regarding his best friend, San Jose Police Officer Richard Huerta, killed in the line of duty Aug. 6, 1970. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/08/fallen-officer-richard-huerta.html







August 28, 2007 - "LA STORIA DI ADA" BY GINO CAMPIONI - Gino tells the story of his beloved mother Ada (Berti) Campioni. Ada and her husband 'Baffi' lived in Santa Cruz for many years. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/04/la-storia-di-ada-by-gino-campioni.html


Oct 1, 2007 - RAMANDOLO/NIMIS/FRIULI CON FOTOS - Prof. Derrill Kerrick and wife Kathy send us some interesting photos taken during their trip to Friuli. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/10/ramandolonimisfriuli-con-fotos.htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2007/10/ramandolonimisfriuli-con-fotos.html

Oct 5, 2007 - FIGLI DELLA COSTA - SUPREME SACRIFICE - A remembrance of Amadeo Lucchesi and Atilio Dogliotti who were killed in World War II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/10/figlio-medeo-lucchesi-revisited.html

Oct 14, 2007 - LaNORMA: O DIO CHE TRENO LUNGO - A little girl's memories of the Old Train that used to travel to and from Santa Cruz and Davenport every day. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/10/lanorma-o-dio-che-treno-lungo.html

Nov 5, 2007 - LOU MORO: FURLAN, AMICO DELLA COSTA, AMERICAN - A remembrance of one of Santa Cruz's best loved man. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/11/lou-moro-furlan-amico-della-costa.html

Nov 17, 2007 - ITALIAN FAMILY NAMES - 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' - A list of family names associated with the 'La Nostra Costa' story compiled from memory by Gino Campioni and others. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/11/family-names-santa-cruz-la-costa.html

Dec 7, 2007 - THELMA (MICOSSI) GILL - EYEWITNESS REPORT TO THE BURNING OF THE HOTEL D'ITALIA - Thelma tells of her memories of the night in 1945 when one of the famous hotels in Davenport burned to the ground. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/12/thelma-micossi-gill-eyewitness-report.html

Dec 25, 2007 - HATCH MAP - THE 'OLD COAST ROAD - Bryan Robinson sends a copy of 1859 Hatch Map that depicts La Nostra Costa as it once was. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/12/hatch-map-old-coast-road.html





Dec 29, 2007 - DAVENPORT- A MOMENT IN TIME - A delightful story by Patty Morelli based on her memories growing up in Davenport in the 1940s -50s. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2007/12/davenport-moment-in-time.html







---------------------

The Following articles were published in 2008:

Jan 5, 2008 - ADDIO MI BELLA GILDA- A remembrance of Gilda Stagnaro of Gilda's Restaurant, 0ne of the best known and best loved women of Santa Cruz. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/01/addio-mi-bella-gilda.html

Jan 9, 2008 - THE 'DAVENPORT DESTROYER' HAS A BENCH- Cathy Brovia describes her successful quest in getting a BENCH in memory of her beloved husband, Hall of Famer, Joe Brovia 'The Davenport Destroyer', established in 'La Barranca Park' in Santa Cruz. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/01/davenport-destroyer-has-bench.html

Jan 29, 2008 - LA NOSTRA COSTA - THOUGHTS AND RECOLLECTIONS BY LaNORMA
LaNorma -recalls more of her memories including story's about the DMV in Santa Cruz. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/01/la-nostra-costa-thoughts-and.html

Feb 8, 2008 - THE FAMILY QUILICI BY NANCY (QUILICI) JACOBS - Nancy Jacobs writes a bio of her family who lived and worked on a ranch just north of Davenport. Nancy recalls some of her memories as a little girl growing up on that ranch. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/02/family-quilici-by-nancy-quilici-jacobs.htmlcosta.blogspot.com/2008/02/family-quilici-by-nancy-quilici-jacobs.html




Feb 20, 2008 - WELCOME GABRIELE CARMINE FALVO-CITRIGNO - Gabe tells us about his family who used to own the Napoli Cafe in San Jose. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome-gabriele-carmine-falvo-citrigno.html



March 15, 2008 - AMICO DELLA COSTA: LUIGI 'MORO' DEGLI ESPOSTI - Roberto Degli Esposti writes a bio on his father 'Moro' Degli Esposti and tells the story of his family's immigration from Italy to "La Costa" shortly after World War II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/03/amico-della-costa-luigi-moro-degli.html

April 21, 2008 - DAVEPORT JAIL: PHOTOS PLEASE - Alverda Orlando announces that the "Old Davenport Jail" is open for business (for tours, I mean). She requests old photos to display. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/04/davenport-jail-photos-please.html

May 30, 2008 - LaNORMA: MORE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' FAMILY NAMES - LaNorma submits additional Italian names to augment Gino Campioni's original list. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/05/lanorma-more-la-nostra-costa-family.html

July 2, 2008 - THE STORY OF 'BONZO' DA DEERHEAD' - Patty Morelli subits a charming story of 'Bonzo' the deerhead that hung on the wall of Charlie Bella's Ocean View Hotel in Davenport . http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/07/story-of.html

July 20, 2008 - IL CAPITANO MICOSSI AND THE FUSARI FAMILY- Jolene Fusari sends us a bio (with photos) on the Fusari Family and La Nostra Costa's Frank Micossi whose mother, Rosina, was a Fusari. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/07/il-capitano-frank-micossi-and-fusari.html

Sept 6, 2008 - MAL OCCHIO BY LAWRENCE DISTASI- A bio of Prof. Lawrence Distasi, Project Director of "Una Storia Segreta", and a review of his book, "Mal Occhio" (The Evil Eye)http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/09/mal-occhio-by-lawrence-distasi.html


Sept 19, 2008 - THE KING OF JORDON VISITS THE WHALE CITY BAKERY-DAVENPORT
LaNorma submits a true story regarding a visit by the King of Jordon as told to her by Bakery employees. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2008/09/king-of-jordon-visits-whale-city-bakery.html


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The following article were published in 2009:

Jan 27, 2009 - MRS. HELEN SONNEBORN'S CITIZENSHIP CLASS - 1945 - The re-production of an article appearing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel announcing the newly made US Citizens (including my mother, Valentina Comelli) of Santa Cruz County. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/01/mrs-helen-sonneborns-citizenship-class.html






April 7, 2009 - FIGHTING FURLANS OF WW II BY DORIANO DEGANO - A true story of bravery and hardships endured by Furlan and other Italian soldiers fighting for Italy during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/04/fighting-furlans-of-ww-ii-by-doriano.html

July 16, 2009 - NANNETTE MORGAN'S FAMILY STORY- Nannette writes a bio on her family including her own memories about growing up in Salinas, Ca. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/07/nannette-morgans-family-story.html

July 23, 2009 - AN OX'S TALE - ANON FURLAN - An amusing, yet true, story of a Furlan, his wife and two Oxen. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/07/oxs-tale-anon-furlana.html




Sep 2, 2009 - A 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' SOLDIERS STORY - NANCY JACOBS - A bio of Guliano Quilici (Nancy's brother) who served in the Pacific Theatre (including Iwo Jima) during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/09/la-nostra-costa-soldiers-story-nancy.html

Nov 6, 2009 - STORIES OF THE 'OLD COAST ROAD' BY LaNORMA - Once again LaNorma digs deep into her bag of memories to recall some amusing stories (some about the CHP) that occurred on the Coast Road. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/11/stories-of-old-coast-road-by-lanorma.html





Nov 16, 2009 - MICHAEL NANNA REMEMBERS SANTA CRUZ - A bio and boyhood memories of a former Santa Cruzan. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/11/michael-nanna-remembers-santa-cruz-2nd.html











Nov 28, 2009 -'PANE AMARAO' (BITTER BREAD) FOR THANKSGIVING - A synopsis and review of Gianfranco Norelli's documentary film about the struggles of early Italian immigrants upon their arrival in l'america. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2009/11/pane-amaro-bitter-bread-for.html






Dec 12, 2009 - COAST ROAD BLOG - The 'blagga' finds Anneliese Agren's new Coast Road Blog on the net: http://www.coastroad.wordpress.com/










-----
The following articles were published in 2010:

March 3, 2010 - THE GREAT POLENTA CONTROVERSY - A re-print of Santa Cruz Sentinel columnist Donna Maurillo's article on 'quick and easy polenta'. This article caused great controversy among the 'traditional slow-cook' polenta lovers. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/03/great-polenta-controversy.html





July 18, 2010 - FIGHTING FURLANS (CONT'D) - BY RENO DI CISTERNIA - An incredible but true story of hardships faced by Italian soldiers fighting on the Russian Front during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/07/fighting-furlans-ii-by-reno-di.html






Aug 28, 2010 - LA NOSTRA COSTA DAYS REVIVAL - SPECIAL GUEST - LIDO CANATARUTTI - A bio on Figlio della Costa, and Director of the Italian Film Festival of Marin ( http://www.italianfilm.com/ ) who braved the rain all the way from San Raphael to be our very special guest at LNCD Revival II. Thanks again, Lido. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/08/la-nostra-costa-days-revival-speical.html









Sep 20, 2010 - AN AMERICAN STORY BY GINO CAMPIONI - A story of hardships faced by the Okamoto Family of Portland, Oregon under 'Enemy Alien' restrictions during WW II. http://nostra-costa.blogspot.com/2010/09/american-story-by-gino-campioni.html




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IVANO SAYS (CONT'D): There are many others of course. To view all articles in the LNostra Costa archives, simply click on the year (right hand side of the blog page),
then scroll down the retrieved page. (You may have to click on "Older" at the bottom of the page to continue.) I want to thank everyone for submitting their aritcles - without a doubt -the reason for the 'blagga's" success. Sempre Avanti and Happy New Year.

BTW: You can also retrieve many articles pertaining to "La Nostra Costa" by "googling": la nostra costa blog