AMICA DELLA COSTA CATHY BROVIA - REMEMBERS

Cathy Brovia (center) with sister-in-law Lena (Brovia)Castiglione and the "Old Rancere" at 'La Nostra Costa Day' held at Jim Cochron's Swanton Berry Farm last year. Small photo in background is of a very young Joe 'Pino' Brovia the 'Davenport Destroyer'. Cathy's husband, Joe Brovia is also photographed (Top Right) in his Cincinnati Reds Uniform circa 1955 (Click on photos for enlarged image.)
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SO SOME OF YOU THINK THAT THE ITALIANS LIVING 'SU PER LA COSTA' HAD IT ROUGH. CHECK OUT CATHY BROVIA'S RECOLLECTION OF THOSE 'HARD TIMES' -AND NOT 'SU PER LA COSTA'.

Hi Ivano,

Thanks for your book and the ‘Blagga’. I understand completely when you say that some Italian people are less interested in their history in Davenport during those times of depression and hard work, than people who are not Italians. I may be a lot older than you, but I came from a very small town in Minnesota, just like Davenport. I worked in a restaurant, doing everything for $12.00 a week (6 days a week).. It was a greyhound stop on the way to Minneapolis. I also shocked grain with my mother for .05 and .10 cents an hour.... 8 hour days... and the canning factories, working along side of prisoners from Germany, Poland and a few other countries...I worked in sweat shops, different jobs, grabbing chickens that had been stabbed in the neck, and dipped in hot water, so that I could grab them steaming hot still alive, and put them on the ruffer to take most of the feathers off (with infection in my eyes from the feathers) and rotating other duties.

These chickens and poultry were frozen and sent to our troops in WW II. I don't remember what I was paid, but not very much. We appreciated any work, and did anything to make a few dollars to buy the rationed things including food and clothing and GASOLINE.. ABOUT .25 cents a gal... I know I could do those things again, but the kids today might laugh at you if they were offered a job like that...

We did not have indoor toilets, or bathrooms. On Saturday night all the kids had to bathe in the same tub, after heating the water from the stove, or getting it from a barrel which collected rain water, and was heated by the sun. I remember every room in that farm house, and when I got scalded on both legs pulling down a tea kettle full of hot water off the pot belly stove that I thought needed changing on a cold winter's night. I remember my uncle Paul, big fisherman,that was playing cards when it happened. I remember standing in the sink, people pumping cold water from the cistern on my legs, only to make big blisters. I remember doctors office,,,, aunt changing dressings on the burns from my hips to the toes. ( My mother could not do it.... Aunt Corrine, did the dressings) I still have scars from the burns on the inside of my knees. Aunt Corrine has long been gone, and husband Peanut succumbed many years before her... Bless her...

I have a beautiful Aunt ‘Snooks’ who is 86; we used to go on wallpaper and paint jobs when other work was not available...Boy, some of those old farm houses had so many layers of wallpaper on them... causing the corners to be rounded. The ceilings were the worse to paper...But when we finished the job, it was perfect...We were probably paid $1.50 a room... My beautiful Aunt "Snooks" and I still talk on the telephone and we just reminisce over those great years.

I also lived in South Dakota with another aunt and uncle during the canning season, Saturday nights were very special. We all went to a nice place on the lake for dinner that had a great band. I recall Lawrence Welk and a three piece band playing there... My uncle was a great dancer, and loved to enjoy himself. He loved to have a great time. What a beautiful man he was...They are both dead now, but I still remember those wonderful times as a young person.


Two years ago, my brother John and I drove back to Minn. for a graduation. We had a wonderful time together, as we had not been together for many years.... We drove to our family farm, which is now property of the state. As I remembered, it was such a beautiful place in a valley. The old school house is still standing, as well as a few unoccupied old homes. Our home has been torn down, however; the barn is still standing.... the barn that my father borrowed money to build for $1000.00. Later, after my father died, the bank foreclosed. I think about 365 acres of ground along a beautiful falls and creek, is now a state park.

My grandmother on my fathers side managed a boarding house at one time. My grandparents on my mother’s side are long gone, but the old house is still..... barely.... standing... no one tore it down... I have pictures of these buildings, and it breaks my heart to think, I stayed in that house so many times, sleeping on the feather mattresses between my aunts, that my grandmother had made from the goose down... and eating the food that my grandmother cooked on the old small dark and dreary kitchen wood stove... all by kerosene light... The table was made by my grandfather...He had a beautiful library that he built, and had so many books, along with the beautiful family bible, containing all the family births and deaths. (I remember the damn geese would chase us kids every time we would go outside... but grandma finally cooked their goose at Thanksgiving time.


Ivano, you have certainly brought back so many memories to me, but I have no one to share them with.... I guess that is why I respect you for doing your beautiful book, and the love that you showed of your parents and aunts etc... I have so many thoughts that go through my mind at times.

My home town had a 100th anniversary quite a few years back, but I did not know about it... I took my husband Joe (Brovia) back in 1971. Joe wanted to know what kind of town I lived in after we left the beautiful farm. I said(kidding), “ Oh, its just a small town like Davenport”. Not quite. I didn’t tell him that at that time we had several gas stations, a bank, several groceries, barber shop, pool hall, butcher shop, post office, merchandise store, liquor store, hardware store, bowling alley, and many other businesses. In fact, it really was a great lively, beautiful town when I lived there.

Well, after not being back in my home town of Morton, Minnesota for so many years, I was so shocked to see that so many businesses had left....... including the restaurant, where I worked and the greyhound bus station. I was amazed that NOW, it really did look like DAVENPORT.!!

.... Bless you Ivano..... Thanks for the good job!!!! Cathy

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To view comments on this article, 'clicca' on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then if you wish to add a comment, write your comment in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

LOUSY - COP - UNTIL YOU NEED ME - BY AL WILSON

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ KNOW THAT CHP OFFICERS PATROLLING THE OLD COAST ROAD HAD A GREAT INFLUENCE ON ME CROSSING OVER TO THE POLICE PROFESSION.

THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS SUBMITTED BY CHP OFFICER AL WILSON (LaNorma’s Husband), WHO APPEARS IN THE PHOTO ON THE LEFT. THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT IS OF CHP SERGEANT AL VOIGHT, WHO STARTED HIS POLICE CAREER WITH ME AT THE SAN JOSE POLICE DEPARTMENT. BOTH OF THESE OFFICERS SERVED MANY YEARS IN THE SANTA CRUZ AREA. THEY ARE RETIRED NOW AND LIVE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.

ALL OF US WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR TIME IN THE 'MURKY WORLD' OF THE POLICE, HAVE HAD, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, THE THOUGHTS THAT ARE EXPRESSED IN THE ARTICLE.

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LOUSY COP – UNTIL YOU NEED ME



Well, Mr. Citizen, I guess you have figured me out. I seem to fit neatly into the category you place me in. I’m stereotyped, characterized, standardized, classified, grouped, and always typical. I’m the Lousy Cop.

Unfortunately, the reverse isn’t true. I can never figure you out.

From birth you teach your children that I am a person to be wary of ….and then you’re shocked when they identify me with my traditional enemy, the criminal.

You accuse me of coddling juvenile criminals, until I catch your kid.

You may take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day, but point me out as a loafer if you see me having just one cup.

You pride yourself on your polished manners, but think nothing of interrupting my meals with your troubles.

You raise Hell about the guy who cuts you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing and I’m picking on you.

You know all the traffic laws, but never got one ticket you deserved.

You shout “FOUL!” if you observe me driving fast enroute to an emergency call, but literally raise Hell if I take more than ten seconds responding to your call.

You call it “part of my job” if someone strikes me. But it’s “Police Brutality” if I strike back.

You wouldn’t think of telling your dentist how to pull a badly decayed tooth, or your doctor how to take out your appendix, but you are always willing to give me pointers on law enforcement.

You talk to me in a manner and use language that would assure a bloody nose from anyone else, but you expect me to stand there and take it without batting and eye.

You cry, “Something has to be done about all the crime!” but you can’t be bothered with getting involved.

You’ve got no use for me at all, but, of course, it’s OK if I change a tire for your wife, deliver your baby in the back seat of my patrol car on the way to the hospital, save your son’s life with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or work many hours overtime to find your lost daughter.

So, Dear Citizen, you stand there on your soapbox and rant and rave about the way I do my job, calling me every name in the book, but never stop for a moment to think that your property, your family, or maybe your life might depend on one thing – Me, or one of my Buddies.

Yes, Me, The Lousy Cop.

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PVT, AMEDEO LUCCHESI - INFORMATION REQUESTED ON WWII VETERAN KILLED IN ACTION

Photo above is of 'Figlio Della Costa" Attilio Dogliottie who also was killed in World War II. Please see related article in December 2006 archives. Photo courtesy of Gino Campioni.

Photos of Nomandy Beach Head, Memorial, Map and Graveyard, courtesy of Norma and Al Wilson. (Click on Photos for enlarged image.)
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Alverda Orlando forwards a request from Robert and Joan Nelson, seeking information on 'Figlio Della Costa' Amedeo Lucchesi who was killed inWWII.


Hi Ivan.

Do you know where this soldier was buried. I was not aware of this man living in Davenport. I have an incomplete list of coastside men killed in WW 2 and he is not among them.
Thanks for any information you can give me and I will pass it on to the inquirer.
Alverda

From: Robert and Joan Nelson

Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 3:22 PM
Subject: Amadeo Lucchesi

Good Afternoon Alverda, Below you will find the main source of information which I have on Amedeo Lucchesi, the soldier from Davenport who was killed at Normandy.
If you are able to locate any additional information on Lucchesi, his burial location and hopefully a photograph (ideally in uniform) that would be of great assistance. This information is being accumulated for a project I am working on in conjunction with the Central Library. Thanks in advance for any information which you migh provide.
nels


(Santa Cruz, Sentinel August 10, 1944 1:3)

Amadeo Lucchesi Killed in Action on Normandy Front
Pvt. Amadeo Lucchesi, a member of the 314th infantry, was killed in action in France June 20, his widow, Mrs. Mary Lucchesi of Davenport, learned in a telegram from the war department this week.

Pvt. Lucchesi entered the army June 15, 1943. He got his training at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, and Camp Phillips, Kansas, and was first assigned to the 42nd or Rainbow division. He later was transferred to the 314th infantry, Mrs. Lucchesi told the Sentinel-News today.
He lived in Sunnyvale before going into the service. His parents still reside there. Mrs. Lucchesi is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Modolo of Davenport.

The telegram gave no details, but it is presumed he died on the Normandy battlefront.

LNC: I don't have any information on Pvt. Lucchesi although the last name is very familiar. Perhaps some of our 'Blaggatori" do. I know that the Modolo name mentioned in the article was/is well known 'su per la costa.' Please write any information you might have in the space provide after clicking on "comments" below. Mille Grazie. ivn0

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Wish to comment on this article??? Click on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then write your comments in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

LaNORMA REMEMBERS THE SCARONIS

The Scaroni’s – The Dairy and Family – BEFORE it was the Red, White and Blue Nudie Beach – when it was hard working and Fun people.

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Photos of Scaroni House Courtesy of Al and Norma Wilson. TOP PHOTO 'LA NOSTRA COSTA ARCHIVES': 'BEACH PARTY AT THE SCARONI BEACH' [C.1956]. (From Left to Right: Shirley Wilson(?), Florence Bianco,Unknown, Esther Frizza,Jerrill ('The Old Professor' Kerrick, Alan Cornick (deceased), Jim (FA)Ceragioli, Christine Roen and Jerry Mungai at the extreme right hand edge. )

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Katie, Bill, Johnny and Arnold were the neatest and most unique people. None of them every married. Who remembers?! I know that Dee Murray (Dolores Viviani) does and I am sure many many others. Here are some 0f the things I remember:

They loved company and accommodated so many – in summer I remember Ted Templeton (and some friends) spending time at the Dairy and helping bring down the hay in big wagons (with horses) from the north side of the Old Hwy l. Also Bill and John would stop cars and the cement trucks on the Hwy in the morning and afternoon in order to cross their cows from the north side to the south by their house and where the milking barn was. (The Borges - Arvelas Dairy was the next one
Going to Santa Cruz – when Vera and Della Borges Dad was not feeling well – we girls stopped the cars and crossed the cows from one side to the other – then their brother Frank would milk the cows – this was the old Annand property by the Dal Porto Ranch)

Bill was rather quiet and very nice and kind of the head of the family. I remember him going to Holy Cross Church for Easter and Christmas.

John the youngest (most of us called him Johnny), was short and was full of pep and a real jokster – but had a good heart. Took his family matters very seriously, though he was always joking around.


Katie had been a school teacher but I do not remember where she taught. When her parents passed she took over caring for her brother Arnold who was blind and the rest of the family. She cooked, washed, etc for all the brothers.

Arnold (I believe) was the oldest and a real sweetheart. He was an inspiration and had a way of not making you feel sorry for him because he was blind.




He was so talented – he did some wood carvings, chopped and stacked firewood and many other things. His job with the dairy was to go to the milking barn and pick up two buckets full of milk (that were always placed in a certain place by the door); then walk l50 feet and up about 20 stairs to the “cheese house” and dump the buckets in a trough that then pasteurized the milk. He kept doing this until the milking was done – quite a job! It seems he never even spilled a drop of milk.




Arnold knew his way by feeling around and always going the same exact way. From the house to the barn there was a white picket fence with a gate always open. No one ever parked in front of the gate because that was his path. One day one of the neighbors accidentally parked at the gate and Arnold walked straight into into the car . (The neighbor felt really bad about this.)



One Sunday my mother (Diana Dinelli) and I walked to the Scaronis. No one was home except Arnold. With Arnold, we started to walk around the front yard – talking and looking at the flowers (this was an unfamiliar part of the yard for Arnold). Arnold felt the fence and plants and then cautiously found the clothesline and walked holding onto the line until it stopped – there was still a little ways to go around the house to where he was familiar so he called me over and said, "Let's see how tall you’ve gotten". He kind of held onto me until we walked to the house again and onto familiar territory. He never asked for help and I did not even notice he was using me as a guidance.



In the summer , Katie would pick me up once or twice a week and I would help clean her house. She would then fix lunch. After lunch we did the the dishes and then we would walk down to the beach (no nudies then). At times Katie would do something special with me tagging along. After putting on her straw hat, we would take a drive to Santa Cruz to get meat out of the meat lockers (where Lenz Art store is now) or drive up to Scotts Valley to visit the Don Santos family or the English family that ran a dairy where Nob Hill is now (at the time it was all pasture and cows – their House was where Walgreens now is located).

The Scaronis were a wonderful family. -As Ivano (The Gran Blaggatore) said, Katie
always counted heads coming and going to her beach. She wanted to make sure everyone was safe. I miss you Katie. I miss all of you. Thanks for giving us such wonderful memories. ****Norma (Dinelli) Wilson
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Wish to comment on this article??? Click on ‘comments’ below -- which will take you to the “Comments” page. Then write your comments in space provided. When done, check off ‘Other’ or ‘Anonymous’ ( NOT 'google/blogger -- and IGNORE ‘Goggle Password Section’). If you check off ‘Other’ write your name in space provided and then click on ‘Publish’. (Note: ‘Other’ must be checked off BEFORE you write your name. ‘Anonymous’ writer: Leave name space blank --just click on Publish.) Ivn0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIOVANNI PRIMO

TODAY IS MY BROTHER’S BIRTHDAY. GIOVANNI PRIMO COMELLI (JOHN),WAS BORN ON JUNE 4. SOME 73 YEARS AGO IN SANTA CRUZ. THE PHOTOS (Directly Above) ARE PROBABLY HIS FOURTH GRADE PICTURES. THE PHOTO AT THE TOP IS HIS FIRST COMMUNION PICTURE. THE GOOD LOOKING LAD ON HIS LEFT IS YOUR FUTURE 'GRAN BLAGGATORE'. (OF COURSE YOU ALL KNEW THAT I WOULD FIND SOME WAY TO 'WORM' MYSELF INTO AT LEAST ONE OF THESE PHOTOS.) VALENTINA, OUR MOTHER, ALWAYS MADE JOHN WAIT FOR ME TO CATCH UP. THUS, WE BOTH RECEIVED FIRST COMMUNION AT HOLY CROSS CHUCH IN SANTA CRUZ ON THE SAME DAY.

I have told this story several times during my presentations and I also have written about it in “La Nostra Costa” (Pgs. 89-90). In the year that my brother was born (1934), Primo Carnera was the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. Primo, who stood 6 foot 6 inches tall and weighted approximately 260 pounds, was born in the Friuli Region in Italy. This was the same Region that Bronco, my father, was born. Thus, Primo Carnera was a source of great pride for my father.

In 1934, Primo Carnera was scheduled to defend his Championship against a most formidable challenger, Max Baer. Bronco went out on a limb and vowed that if Primo successfully defended his Title, he would name his first born son, Primo Giovanni. Those of you, who by chance, might have seen the movie “Cinderella Man”, know that Max Baer floored Primo some twelve times and went on to win that fight.

Bronco was extremely disappointed, however; he still felt honor bound (somewhat)to his fellow Friulano. Primo became my brother’s middle name. Later when my brother was able to comprehend what might have been, he thanked Max Baer many times for beating the “Ambling Alp”, as Carnera was known in boxing circles. He did not relish the idea of being called Primo for the rest of his life. On the other hand Carnera’s defeat deprived me 0f a great ‘war cry’ when attacking my brother. ‘CREAM DA PREEM’ was not to be heard ‘su per la costa’....... at least not by me. ivn0

HAPPY GRADUATION - GRANDSONS

THE PHOTO (ABOVE) WAS TAKEN AT “LA NOSTRA COSTA DAY” IN DAVENPORT LAST YEAR. THE TALL GOOD-LOOKING LAD ON THE LEFT IS ANDREW FRITTER. REMEMBER HIM IN ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’?? “DAMN YOU MARE!! FROM THEE I SNATCH THIS INNOCENT SOUL” (Pg. 365).

ANDREW GRADUATED LAST WEEK FROM VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL IN SAN JOSE. ANDREW IS INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE STARS. A TRIP TO MARS IS NOT UNLIKELY FOR THIS INDUSTRIOUS LAD.

THE OTHER GOOD LOOKING LAD IN THE PHOTO IS MICHAEL IVANO FRITTER. AS I WRITE IN THE BOOK, FELLOW STUDENTS HAVE A PROBLEM PRONOUNCING HIS MIDDLE NAME (LNC: Pg.33). EVEN SO, AT HIS GRADUATION FROM VALLEY CHRISTIAN JR. HIGH SCHOOL YESTERDAY, IT WAS A THRILL FOR ME TO HEAR HIS NAME ANNOUNCED OVER THE LOUD SPEAKER AS HE RECEIVED HIS DIPLOMA: MICHAEL ‘EYE-VANO’ FRITTER. (DON’T WORRY MICHAEL ‘EE-VANO’, ONE OF THESE DAYS THEY WILL GET IT RIGHT.) MICHAEL WILL BE ENTERING VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL THIS COMING FALL.

THE PRETTY LADY IN THE PHOTO IS MY DAUGHTER MADELINE FRITTER. SHE IS HOLDING HER DOG ‘GRINDER’ (HE DID NOT GRADUATE.) UNFORTUNATELY, MY OTHER GRANDSON WILLIE FRITTER WAS NOT AT THE EVENT AND THUS NOT IN THE PHOTO. HE ALSO WILL BE GRADUATING IN TWO WEEKS FROM RUCKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN GILROY.

HAPPY GRADUATION, GRANDSONS. BUONA FORTUNA E SEMPRE AVANTI!! *******PAPA IVANO

REMINDER OF ALVERDA'S BOOK SIGNING IN SANTA CRUZ

ALVERDA ORLANDO WRITES TO REMIND ALL 'BLAGGATORI' OF HER BOOK SIGNING EVENT ('LIME KILN LEGACIES') IN SANTA CRUZ, SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1PM TO 3 PM AT THE MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY. SHE ALSO INCLUDES A SCHEDULE OF HER UPCOMING EVENTS. (THAT'S ALVERDA WITH THE "OLD RANCERE" IN THE PHOTO TAKEN LAST YEAR AT "LA NOSTRA COSTA DAY" IN DAVENPORT.)

Hi Ivan

Here is a list of my book activities.

Thursday afternoon Bob Piwarzak and Frank Perry will be interviewed by Bruce Bratton on the UCSC radio station. (The station room is very small so no audience except me)

Saturday from 1-3 will be a book signing at the Museum of Art and History. Good speeches and light refreshments before the main event. Everybody welcome

July 2. A book talk at the RedCross. " "

Tuesday evening July 24 a book signing at the Capitola Book Cafe.

Favorable reviews have appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Metro.

We are taking a leaf out of your book and going after as much publicity as possible.

Would you let the people on the Blog know of these dates so if they can't make one program maybe they can get to another.

Alverda

'LA NORMA' SAYS: "NUDIE BEACH FOR SALE"

Drove up the coast (la costa) the other day with an “American” friend. We drove down by the red, white and blue beach on the way home. You probably know that it is for sale – would love to buy it. The present owner has closed down the nudie beach – all chained up.

It consists of l70 acres and he is selling by owner for (are you sitting down?) …………$45,000.000.00 !!!!!! Want to go in on it……we’ll probably need few more partners!!! I know you guys used to party up there.

I spent a lot of time with Katie (Scaroni) and her brothers and helped her clean her house, etc. So many great stories – would you be interested in my doing a little story on them for the Blagga? (LNC: You bet Norma. Bring it on.)

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Photo above: 'La Norma' with husband Al Wilson and your 'Gran Blaggatore' taken at Agnus Dei Book Store book signing event, downtown Santa Cruz, June 2006

AMICO DELLA COSTA DERRILL KERRICK'S SHARK ADVENTURE

'AMICO DELLA COSTA' DERRILL KERRICK AND HIS WIFE KATHY HAD AN AMAZING ADVENTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA. DERRILL IS A RENOWNED GEOLOGY PROFESSOR EMERITUS WHO HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL BOOKS ON THE SUBJECT. HE IS ALSO A SANTA CRUZ HIGH SCHOOL AND SAN JOSE STATE GRADUATE. ' THE 'GRAN BLAGGATORE' THOUGHT THAT HIS FELLOW 'BLAGGATORI' MIGHT ENJOY WHAT DERRILL HAD TO SAY.

Carissimi Blaggatori:

We just returned from an amazing four-week trip to South Africa. This included completing my scuba certification (open water), four fantastic days in a safari camp near Kruger National Park (saw a leopard kill an impala!), and (the most awesome of all) watching great white sharks from a submerged cage attached to a boat. We have hundreds of digital pictures and a dynamic DVD of the shark cage experience (made by a professional photographer).

On our South African trip this was a moment (photo above) when I soiled my underwear. I am in the front of the boat and my South African buddy (Russell Sweeney) is in the back...with a spear. Apparently the shark got indigestion from eating the front part of the boat...this saved us. "Amico della Costa" Derrill Kerrick

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LNC: The top photo of Derrill, Kathy and your 'Gran Blaggatore' was taken last year at our initial book signing at the Agnus Dei Christian Book Store in Santa Cruz. Kathy is the good looking one in the center.

MORE PHOTOS OF SCCGS PRESENTATION

'CLICCA' ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

'CLICCA ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.

PRESENTATION IN SANTA CRUZ

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Photos Top: Norma (Dinelli) Wilson and Nunni Radicchi. Center: The 'Old Rancere' Presenting his 'Blagga'.

Bottom: "La Norma" and Lea (Grossi) Lambert holding picture of Family and Friends at a Laguna Picnic 'su per la costa'.

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THANKS TO ALL WHO WERE PRESENT AT THE SANTA CRUZ PRESENTATION

YOUR ‘GRAN BLAGGATORE’ AND THE ‘OLD RANCERE’ WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY’S PRESENTATION AT THE ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA PHOTO DISPLAY’.

We think that a fun time was had by all. We especially want to thank Al and Norma Wilson who were there to take pictures of the event and Roger 'Ruggero' Princevalle who handled 'special' logistics. (The photos above are courtesy of Al and Norma.) Also a special thanks to those who brought along guests to see the presentation. New faces are always welcomed. And of course thanks to Maxine McNamara and Marion Pokriots for all there hard work in setting up the event for SCCGS. Marion says that she plans to keep the 'Display' through the month of June. So, your 'Gran Blaggatore' and the 'Old Rancere' may not be there, but the photos will.

Oh yes. Thanks to Wayne Thalls the 'Duty Officer of the Day' for patiently putting up with all our antics. ivn0

REMINDER OF GUEST APPEARANCE IN SANTA CRUZ

Costantino "Augie" Gemignani ------------------'Old Rancere'
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THIS IS A REMINDER TO ALL ‘BLAGGATORI’ THAT YOUR ‘GRAN BLAGGATORE’ WILL BE MAKING A GUEST APPEARANCE AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY, 224 CHURCH STREET, DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ, ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 AT 1:00 PM. BRING YOUR CAMERAS IF YOU WISH TO TAKE PICTURES WITH “THE OLD RANCERE”. HE SAYS THAT HE WILL BE THERE.

The above photo is of Costantino (Augie) Gemignani and the ‘Old Rancere’ aka Ivano Franco Comelli. The photo was taken by Roger ‘Ruggero’ Princevalle at a visit to Augie’s house in Santa Cruz, last year. You notice that Augie swiped the ‘Old Rancere’s’ hat and placed it on his head. This is indeed a great compliment to the ‘Old Rancere’ because the hat belonged to ‘Bronco’ (my father) who worked with Augie on the Gulch Ranch “su per la costa”. The photo on the right (below) is of Augie with his wife Victoria (Ghio). Augie is holding their one year old (?) daughter Donna. This photo appears to have been taken circa 1950. (Photo found in the La Nostra Costa Archives.)

I believe that Augie is the last of the original ranceri still alive that actually worked with Bronco. I was privileged to have worked with Augie and Bronco on the Gulch Ranch in the Summer of 1953. I was 16 years old at the time and it was my first summer job. The old ‘cooka housa’ in ‘Il Buco’ was still in operation so I actually got to eat with the ‘ranceri’. Reminiscing on this, I thought it might be fun to go around the boarding room table in an attempt to identify those who sat there in the summer of 1953. Many of these ranceri, I do describe in ‘La Nostra Costa”.

The table was set facing east to west. At the head of the table (east end) a place was reserved for “La Cuoca”, ‘Sunta’ Ramaciotti. As I recall ‘Sunta’, for what ever reason, never eat with the ranceri, so the chair remained empty. Seated on what would have been her right, was Pietro “Pete” Rinaldi, ‘Il Bosso”. Almost directly across from Pete sat Bronco. Ironically, this meant that the two faced each other at every meal. (In “La Nostra Costa”, I explain that the two often did not get along.) On Pete’s right sat Dante Ramaciotti. (He of shotgun toting fame and Sunta’s husband.) On his right, sat my brother, John,who also was working a summer job on the Gulch. A rancere named Paolo sat on my brother’s right at the extreme west end of the table. (Paolo was a day laborer; I do not recall is last name.)

Across the table from Paolo (still at the west end) sat “Baffi” Campioni with his bowl of minestrone soup and French bread. (“Baffi” for some reason, insisted on eating the same thing, minestrone and French bread at every meal.) Next to “Baffi”, on his right, sat Costantino (Augie) Gemignani who appears in the photos above. (Augie was in his early 40s during this time period.) On Augie’s right sat that grizzly old rancere, Louis Scannoni. Louis was a day laborer and as described in the book, loved to soak his biscotti cookies into his red wine. (Hmmmm. Buono, Buono!!) Next to him sat Jimmy Corno, another day laborer. Jimmy operated and maintained all the mechanical farm equipment (such as the ‘carapilla') on the Gulch Ranch. Next to Jimmy, sat my father and I sat next to Bronco (far east end, next to Sunta’s vacant chair, on what would have been her left.)

All of these ranceri (except for my brother) have crossed “Il Ultimo Ponte”. All, that is, except for Costantino “Augie’ Gemingani. The “Old Rancere” tells me that Augie might even show up at the Santa Cruz Library, Wednesday. Now that would really be something. If he does show, the "Old Rancere” might have to relinquish his title for the day. ivn0

THE LEGACY OF CHARLIE AND PRINCE

IN ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ I WRITE EXTENSIVELY ABOUT CHARLIE AND PRINCE ( PAGES 71-74) THE TWO WORK HORSES ON THE GULCH RANCH ‘SU PER LA COSTA’. IT SEEMS FROM THE PHOTOS ABOVE, THAT MY COUSIN FERRUCCIO HAS TAKEN THEIR STORY TO HEART. HE IS NOW STARTING HIS OWN ‘CHARLIE AND PRINCE’ HORSE FARM AT HIS ROMANDOLO CLUB IN ITALY.

Carissimo Ivano,

This is Nanà, the newborn of Ramandolo Club.
On April 16th Frieda gave birth to Nanà. These are the pictures.
Please, insert the news on your “Blagga”!!
I’ll send you soon the the origin of the Dri family of Ramandolo.

Sempre avanti,

Ferruccio (Dri)


LNC: Congratulations PaPa Ferruccio.

UPDATE ON CAMERON

FIGLIO DELLA COSTA, MARVIN DEL CHIARO SENDS PHOTO OF HIS WIFE ELAINE (COSTELLA) AND GRANDSON CAMERON STANDING IN FRONT OF 'ROARING CAMP' SPECIAL#2. UNKOWN WHO THE 'OLD' CONDUCTOR IS. AS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED (ARCHIVES: 3-29-07) ON THE LA NOSTRA COSTA BLAGGA, CAMERON AGE 4, SUFFERED A SERIOUS EYE INJURY. MARVIN REPORTS THAT CAMERON IS PROGRESSING WELL, HOWEVER, IT WILL BE A LONG REHABILITATION PROCESS. OUR HOPES AND PRAYERS ARE WITH CAMERON FOR A COMPLETE RECOVERY. THANKS FOR THE PHOTO MARVIN AND ELAINE. NEXT TIME WOULD YOU PLEASE INCLUDE A PHOTO OF MARVIN. IVNO

GUEST APPEARANCE AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY

********************* IVANO AND GRANDSONS



MAXINE MCNAMARA AND MARION POKRIOTS OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT IVANO FRANCO COMELLI, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ HAS AGREED TO A GUEST APPEARANCE AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY, ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 AT 1:00 PM.

IVANO WILL BE GREETING GUESTS AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS AT THE ‘LA NOSTRA COSTA’ PHOTO DISPLAY LOCATED IN THE GENEALOGY SECTION OF THE LIBRARY. HE WILL ALSO GIVE A SHORT PRESENTATION ON HIS BOOK AND COMMENT ON THE PHOTOS CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY.


WHERE: GENEALOGY SECTION OF THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY
224 CHURCH STREET
DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ


DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

TIME: 1:00 PM

ADMISSION: FREE

Web: www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com

ALVERDA ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NEW BOOK

NORTH COAST /DAVENPORT HISTORIAN ALVERDA ORLANDO HAS A NEW BOOK COMING OUT NEXT MONTH. MUCH TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT SHE DID NOT FOLLOW MY SUGGESTION TO TITLE IT: "LIMESTONE COWBOYS." CONGRATULATIONS ALVERDA. PEOPLE ARE ALREADY GATHERING IN SANTA CRUZ TO GET AN ADVANCE COPY. (Photo: "La Nostra Costa" Archives.)



Ivan(O)I wonder if your "Blaggatori" would be interested in a new book coming out on June 2. The name is "LIME KILN LEGACIES"and tells the story of the Lime Industry in Santa Cruz County and the North Coast when Davenport was only a sparkle in the eyes of Italians Respini, Morelli, Fillipini and Moretti. The book signing will be at the Museum of Art and History at the McPherson Center on Front Street from 1-3. There will be refreshments, speeches and a gathering of local historians.

Saturday, June 2 Book signing and reception for: Lime Kiln Legacies: The History of the Lime Industry in Santa Cruz CountyMAH is delighted to announce its latest publication. Please join us for a celebratory occasion with authors Frank A. Perry, Robert W. Piwarzyk, Michael D. Luther, Alverda Orlando, Allan Molho, Sierra L. Perry and Kenneth Jensen. Location: MAH Auditorium, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, cost: free.

"LA STORIA DI ADA" BY GINO CAMPIONI

*********************Photo: Courtesy of Gino Campioni******************



Ivano,

Since you had the effrontery to post photos of me on the Nostra Costa blog along with the one of my handsome father, I thought I would give you this one. I wouldn't intentionally leave out my beautiful mother. Didn't we all have handsome parents, Ivano? No wonder you and your brother turned out so good looking. I don't know why I went this way.

Yesterday I found the above photo in my mother's passport. It is tiny, not much bigger than a postage stamp. From the passport I learned that it was issued 24 February, 1934, just 6 months before my parent's departure from Genova. My mother was just one month expectant at the time of the issuing. Seven months along during the trip.


Maria Ada Berti nei* Campioni, as the passport is signed, was born 13 February, 1896 at Ponte a Moriano near Lucca in Toscana.
She used to jokingly say that she was born one day after Abraham Lincoln. She always thought that being born on the 13th was unlucky, and perhaps she was right. (Personally I don't believe in good or bad luck)

She was the daughter of Giuseppe Berti and Rosa Piegaia. Rosa died of meningitis at a very early age, after having given birth to 9 children, of whom Ada was one of the youngest. Giuseppe and sons Nello and Pietro struggled to keep the family fed. All three were barbers.

Ada had three years of school before she had to get a full time job. Her first effort was with a jute factory, sewing sacks. She worked there for 20 years, and left that employment to enter the "service", which is to say she took a job as a maid. The factory offered her a pension which they paid to her for life. It amounted to a few lire per year. I can remember having an affidavit of existence in life made for her each year and sending it to her brother so he could collect it. It was just enough for her family to buy a bottle of somewhat better than average wine to celebrate Ada's health.

Her next job was in the household of a minor nobleman, the Marchese Bottini. Bottini was a close friend of the famous Giovanni Bosco, known as Padre Don Bosco, a saintly priest who founded orphanages, and whom the Catholic Church canonized some time after his death. There her duties were maintaining upstairs bedrooms, and washing laundry. This was done at the river. Il bucato, (soap) was made with ashes and water mixed in a conca or basin. She carried the linens in a cesta (wicker basket) on her head, using a succapolo or padding to protect the scalp from the heavy basket. The laundry was pounded on rocks using the bucato, rinsed in the waters of the Serchio which flows through Ponte a Moriano, and spread out on rocks to dry before being carried back to the house.

Ada was happy in the service of the Marchese, but that did not last very long, as the old gentleman died, and the household was disbanded.

Her next job was similar, working for a commoner by the name of Carrara. She was not happy there, as she missed the special privileges the Marchese offered, such as having Sundays, evenings, and one weekday off.

Thus, when that rough looking contadino (''Baffi'') from America came along, offering a "life of ease" in California, she reluctantly accepted his offer of marriage. First, however, she insisted on his losing that ugly handlebar moustache. This he resisted doing. Ada came up with a fix for the problem. Knowing that Guglielmo liked to have her brother Nello give him shaves and haircuts, and that he often fell asleep in the barber chair, she ordered her brother to "do something with that horrid moustache". Sure enough, the next occasion in the barber shop, "Baffi" fell asleep in the chair and Nello snipped off half the moustache. This woke him, and on seeing himself in the mirror, he roared, "What have you done? Get rid of the rest of it!" He never wore a moustache again.

The promise of an easy life in America was a great hope for both my parents, but easy it never was. Things started to go wrong on the Atlantic crossing. The first day at sea was heavenly. Passing Gibraltar, the ship began to roll. Ada went to her bunk below, and was sick for the entire four and a half days at sea, plus the week crossing the continent by train. Meanwhile, Baffi, untroubled by motion, enjoyed 2 or 3 dinners, bottles of fine wine, (the camerieri would bring a full bottle whenever they saw an empty one) and usually was the only person in the mess hall. The rest were suffering the same as Ada. Meals were served to all tables, and things not eaten went overboard.

Two months after their arrival in California, their only child was born. Finished with being a servant in Italy, Ada spent her entire life serving her husband, helping him to keep our family of three fed, and serving her child. She never saw her homeland nor her own relatives again.

Some time after the passing of Baffi, while I was doing something in front of the house, I heard a shriek and a sound much like a watermelon falling on concrete. I knew exactly what had happened. Ada had tripped on the concrete stairs at the Dogliotti house next door, and had sustained a concussion. I begged her to come with me to the doctor, but she could not be moved from her house. This may have been the beginning of the slow decline which eventually made her completely helpless. This accident happened sometime in 1966 or so. She eventually had to have nursing home care. She finally left this world in 1974. She is now reunited with Guglielmo in eternal happiness. I only hope I can qualify to be reunited with them too.

*nei - "among the family of"

A VIEW OF THE PAST AT THE SANTA CRUZ LIBRARY

"Clicca" on Photo to Enlarge

THIS IS A REMINDER TO ALL 'BLAGGATORI' OF THE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' PHOTO DISPLAY AT THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY IN SANTA CRUZ. THE DISPLAY RUNS THROUGH THE MONTH OF MAY.

I REALIZE THAT MANY 'BLAGGA FANS' CAN NOT TRAVEL TO SANTA CRUZ TO VIEW THE DISPLAY. AS THE PHOTO ABOVE (SUBMITTED BY AL AND NORMA WILSON)SHOWS, MARION POKRIOTS , OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY HAS DONE AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB. THE PHOTOS FROM THE 'LA NOSTRA COSTA' ARCHIVES TELL OF A PAST LIFE 'SU PER LA COSTA' AND BEYOND. AN ADDED NOTE, THE 'OLD RANCERE' IS PLANNING TO MAKE A GUEST APPEARANCE SOMETIME IN MAY TO ADD MORE 'COLOR' TO THE MOSTLY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS. THE 'BLAGGA' WILL NOTIFY ALL OF DATE AND TIME . IVNO

ASK A DUMB QUESTION.........

******************Photo Courtesy of Gino Campioni*****************

ASK A DUMB QUESTION ABOUT THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND YOU ARE APT TO GET A VERY SPECIFIC ANSWER FROM “LA NOSTRA COSTA” LINGUIST GINO CAMPIONI, WHO IS PICTURED ABOVE AS A YOUNG “BOBBY DELLA COSTA” CIRCA 1950.


Gino.
What is the difference between "della" and "dalla" I noticed that certain songs such "Quel Mazzoline D'Fiori use dalla as in "dalla montagna". Either way you deserve the title “Cavaliere Supremo della (or dalla) Costa. ivn0


About della vs. dalla. Della is "of the" and Dalla is "from the". Molto semplice, no? If it refers to a source which is plural, such as a family, etc. then Degli means "of them" and Dagli means "from them".

Italian in all its simplicity is so much more specific than English. Nouns have gender, i.e. masculine, feminine or neuter. Their spelling indicates that. The adjectives must agree with the nouns. There are a few exceptions. Some nouns which are masculine if singular become neuter when plural. A notable one is the word "lenzuolo" (bed sheet)
It is masculine when singular. When referring to several bed sheets it becomes "lenzuoli", (masculine) but when referring to a pair it becomes "le lenzuola" (neuter)

Where things really get simple is in spelling and pronunciation. I used to ask my mother how to spell something in Italian, and she would tell me that spelling is not even taught. If you know how to pronounce it, you can write it just fine. Not so in English, in which all the vowels can have 3 to 5 different pronunciations depending on the word.

Here's a funny: How do you pronounce GHRETI GHOTI ? It is "FRESH FISH! (GH as in "rough", TI as in "fictitious") That sort of confusion would never happen in Italian. The "O" in "GHOTI" is pronounced like the "O" in "Phoenix".



You ask a simple question and I send you a book.

Ciao Gino

DECORATED WAR TIME 'FIGLIO DELLA COSTA' MIKE DEMOS - REMEMBERED

IN “LA NOSTRA COSTA” , I WRITE EXTENSIVELY OF WW II AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED ON THE NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ. MANY ‘FIGLI DELLA COSTA’LIKE JOE GEMIGNANI, JOE BROVIA, FRED DIMEO, FERD MORO,LOUIS ALUFFI,ALVIN GREGORY,ALBIE ROSSI AND ATTILIO DOGLIOTTI, SERVED HONORABLY IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DURING THIS WAR TIME PERIOD. AS THE PHOTO ABOVE AND THE REMEMBRANCE BELOW (PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL) INDICATE, MIKE DEMOS WAS A MUCH DECORATED WAR TIME ‘FIGLIO DELLA COSTA’. ADIO, MIKE. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS ‘IL ULTIMO PONTE’


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


.
Demos, Michael Daniel "Mike"

Major, U.S.A.F., retired,
Took his last flight from this world ""¦into the wild blue yonder" on Thursday, April 12, 2007.

Born and raised in Davenport, the oldest son of Dennis and Anita Marini Demos, he is survived by his wife of 58 years Mary Jane, and children Marilyn Bill Fravel, Dennis, Michael, Debra and Ann Marie Marty Herman, as well as his sister, Dolly Gregory and brother Alvin Demos.
He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Derek and Travis, Emery, Carly Rose, Katie and Reyna, Odin and Hawkin and Avery.

Some of Mike's happiest days were those spent in service to our country during World War II. He flew the P-51 Mustang for the US Army/Air Force and was overseas for 11/2 years. Mike entered the service January 15, 1942, at Monterey, California and was sent to Sheppard Field. He then received training at Chanute Field, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, Cadet training at Maxwell Field, Ala., Helena, Ark., and lastly Bush Field, Ga., and Harding Field, La. Overseas he was stationed at Mohanbau Field, Assam Valley, India, Tincoksikan, Burma and Hsiam, China. He participated in the Battle of Burma, Mandalay, Rangoon, the Irrawaddy Valley, the railroad sweeps in the Yellow River Valley in China.

Mike's outfit was the 311th Fighter Group, 530th Fighter Squadron, known as the Yellow Scorpions. He flew 117 combat missions in Burma and China and received 14 decorations, including 7 medals, 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and 3 Battle Stars. The Yellow Scorpion Squadron also received 2 Presidential Citations. Mike retired as a Major after 21 years of service.
Mike's family remembers great 'edge" stories about his flying antics:
: He "buzzed" the Davenport cement plant and was reported but not busted; passed through Davenport and "tipped his wings" to Myrtle Garaventa, Postmistress
: He "buzzed" between the women's dormitory buildings at Louisiana State University, missed by radar
: He acrobatted a forward roll in a P-51, something "impossible and unheard of" and was punished by being sent overseas, which was his heart's desire at that time.

Mike spent his working years selling and distributing seed, agricultural aides fertilizer! and sprinkler systems to the farmers up and down the California Coast between Salinas and Pescadero. He was known for his honesty and integrity and was recently heralded as ""¦the best international seller of hybrid brussel sprout seeds." He was once awarded a national top-salesman award by Food Machinery Corporation, but refused to go to New York to accept — he only abided planes that he could fly!
The Demos family will drive Mike's pickup the new red one with the P-51 etched on the rear window up the Coast and scatter his ashes on the Davenport Coast which he loved so much.
The family extends its appreciation to the staff of Dominican Hospital and the Acute Rehab Unit, and the wonderful staff especially Tina! of the Hospice Caring Project. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Hospice Caring Project.
Fly on, Dad!


Published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on 4/22/2007.

VALENTINA REMEMBERED

On this date, April 23, 1977, my mother Valentina Bressani Comelli, age 64, died after a year long battle with cancer. Her “Journey To And From The North Coast of Santa Cruz” was over. Prior to her death, hard work, perseverance, and above all her unmitigated love for her two sons Giovanni Primo and Ivano Franco, granted her a life long dream; “a better life for John and me and consequently for our two families.”

The photograph above (from the ‘La Nostra Costa’ archives) was taken circa 1952. It shows my mother, Valentina on the right, and her very best friend, Andreina Rodoni in their “Sunday Bests”. My mother would have been 39 years old at the time the photo was taken.

WHEN THE 'OLD' BIRTHDAY ROLLS AROUND

*************************Ivano with Model of Rubber Gun ***************

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY. AS USUAL, WHEN THE ‘OLD’ BIRTHDAY ROLLS AROUND, I START THINKING OF MY MOTHER. AFTER ALL SHE WAS THE ONE THAT HAD TO DO ALL THE WORK THIS DAY SOME 70 YEARS AGO.

As I thought about her I pulled out some of the family photos. Looking at the photos, I soon realized that most of the people photographed (including my mother) were younger than I am today. As a boy growing up ‘su per la costa’, I can remember thinking, “These people are really old.” This being true, then I must be really old today.

Then again, I can remember an octogenarian friend of mine once commenting as a trim young lass walked by, “Oh to be 70 again”.

I guess the time to strike is now. Sempre Avanti. Ivano

POLETTI FAMILY TREE AND A THANK YOU FROM CORRADO

'CLICCA' UP THERE TO MAKA BIGGA!! I maka da funny, no??

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

THE ABOVE IS IL SCHEMATICO OF THE POLETTI FAMILY TREE AS DONE BY PROFESSOR CORRADO POLETTI. BELOW IS A LETTER OF GRATITUDE FROM THE PROFESSOR TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED HIM IN THIS ENDEAVOR. THE ORIGINAL LETTER IN ITALIANO CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.polettisfamilytree.blogspot.com/ . MAH SHUA!! THE TRANSLATION BELOW WAS DONE BY SIG. GINO CAMPIONI. THANKS GINO.


"Here are the results to date of my research work of the origins of my family. Thanks for the help of many friends and relatives, through whom I wish to remember:

At Condino, Cousin Paola, Uncle Giuliano and my Cousin Gevan; at Merino my father, Renato; at Maggia in Switzerland, Cousin Elda; in California, friend Ivano Franco Comelli, who thanks to his Blog, has put me in contact with many persons who have aided me in the research (thanks Aldo Penniman, Thelma Gill, Diane Strong, Diane Bianconi, Carol & Don Schwartz, Gino Campioni from Oregon for his precious translations; at New York the Ellis Island Foundation where I began my American inquiry, from Santa Cruz Mr. Doug Martin and Mrs. Gina Merolla (Monumental Cemetery of Santa Cruz), Mrs. Christina Moretta of the San Francisco History Center; in New Zealand, Tony Cairns for his data bank which aided me in the Swiss research.
I take this occasion to thank all these persons and all who wish to join in this effort. Heartfelt thanks to all."

Corrado Poletti"
************************************************************

PEOPLE OF MAGGIA INTERVIEWS - PART II

(Above) Letter from Sophie Poletti Costella to Poletti relative in Italy (1959), courtesy of Corrado Poletti. [Click on letter to view enlarged image.]

-

THIS IS PART II OF THE INTERVIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF MAGGIA. PART II AND PART I BELOW, CAN BE READ SEPARATELY AS THEY PROVIDE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF THE IMMIGRANTS. AGAIN, THE INTERVIEWS WERE SENT TO ME BY PROF. CORRADO POLETTI IN THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN AND WERE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY SIG. GINO CAMPIONI. PROF. POLETTI HAS HIS OWN BLOGSPOT AT:

WWW.POLETTISFAMILYTREE.BLOGSPOT.COM.

THE PICTURE ABOVE IS OF MY FATHER GERVASIO "BRONCO' COMELLI, DRESSED IN HIS RANCERE OUTFIT; WITH VIRGINIA BROVIA. THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN CIRCA 1937 IN NEW TOWN, A "SUBURB" OF DAVENPORT, 'SU PER LA COSTA'. THE PICTURE - TOP RIGHT, WAS SENT BY PROF. POLETTI. ACCORDING TO THE PROFESSOR, LOUIS POLETTI IS STANDING IN FRONT OF HIS STORE.

In the centuries past the people lived mostly by agriculture and raising of animals. They worked as farmers, but were forced to emigrate anyway because there was no work available. Every patch of soil was worked assiduously, and the farmers pieced together bits of gardens among the great boulders of glacial or flood origins which we find here in Valle Maggia in order to plant something. Hunger was always present and our people lived out their lives even in danger.

In letters of Ticinese emigrants who left for California we have found that to be able to leave for the trip (emigration) they asked their parents for funds. We left at about the age of 18 years. Some emigrants, in their letters, have recounted and explained their lives.
They said that even in California, the life was hard. The people, parents who remained in Ticino waited with anxiety for letters and funds from America. In particular were the wives remaining at home, having to raise their children and busy themselves caring for animals and doing work in the fields.

There are aspects of these letters which are most interesting. Letter no. 390 sent by Felicita Leoni says: "Sad happenings, that is great droughts that are occurring in these our towns are incredible. All are lamenting, all say that if this keeps on, we can do nothing." This phrase indicates that here in Ticino there was no water and this rendered the work even more difficult.

However, this letter (no. 730) is written by a gentleman, whose name is not given, sent to brother Pompeo: "In whatever time you wish to come, you need not do any more than let me know, and I shall forward you the money necessary for the trip, and if you need to keep it for some years, I will ask no interest on it." Herein we note how the emigrants aided those that were still in Ticino to prepare them for the departure.

The trip to California

The emigrants left Valle Maggia for a long and tiring trip. From Valle Maggia, they went to Locarno by stagecoach, took the train for Bellinzona, traveled the Leventine Valley, the tunnel of Gottardo, crossed Switzerland and arrived at Le Havre, France. Once reaching Le Havre, the emigrants embarked toward America. They took about 13 days to make the Atlantic crossing. The thirteenth day they arrived in New York and then by train continued their trip to San Francisco. (California)

The trip from Locarno to San Francisco cost about 400 Fr. in third class and lasted two or three weeks. To the emigrants on the steamship were assigned some cots with straw for bedding and small and prickly blankets. All found themselves in the same compartment. This made the trip uncomfortable and tiring.

At times the trip was stormy, others more tranquil. When there were storms and gales the trip became perilous and the people were gripped with fear: "The sea from that day was most agitated. I believed that it was truly the end of the world." (Letter no. 853, Beniamino Tomasini)

At California

The Ticinese emigrants, on arriving at New York, found great differences: They were impressed by the very wide streets, by very tall buildings, by the perfect order. "Everything was colossal, grandiose city blocks, wide streets in straight lines and very long, great and luxurious trains with every imaginable commodity." (letter no. 730)

At New York they took the train for California. The Ticinese emigrants, immediately debarking, found at their arrival parents, friends, acquaintances with whom they sought hospitality. They were happy but had problems with banks and language: they had to learn English and find jobs at once. Furthermore, they had to adapt to the climate of the place and obtain clothing adequate for the rain.

The life in the "ranches" was most difficult. "When finally the first rains began, the work life became even more heavy, here a weak cow was stuck in mud, another caught in some ditch, another in muck up to her belly and they needed to go with horses to free them from the dangers with ropes and chains." (letter no. 730) Almost all worked in ranches but some remained in cities and worked in restaurants, hotels or stores. In the cities were hotels with names such as: "Hotel Gottardo", "Ticino" and thus they found themselves at once with a sense of home.

Life on the Ranch

The major part of the Ticinese arriving in California went to work in ranches that were large farms. We have read some letters of Ticinese emigrants, in one is written that in their ranch were more than 90 animals, 29 or 30 cows, a large number of chickens, 2 goats, 2 dogs and some horses. The work in the ranches was most time consuming, having to arise very early:"In the morning we must awake at 4 am and must saddle the horse and go round up the cows, then milk them. Having done that we must go cut wood until it is milking time again." Letter no. 226 Venanzi)

They also had to mow hay, cut wood, plow the fields, clean the horses, feed the pigs, and toward evening round up the cows to milk them again. At the end they had to clean the stalls. Not all the Ticinese did these peasant jobs when they emigrated to California: Some worked for travel agencies, others as watchmakers, or worked in stores, some were artisans, bakers, vintners or opened restaurants, trattorie and small hotels.

The Letters

The emigrants of California communicated with parents remaining in Ticino by letter. The letters were written with many spelling errors; but in those times many had only the opportunity of attending the elementary schools and some had no schooling at all. Also in these times we spoke mainly in dialect. In the letters which were sent asking about the health of their parents, they related their own health and living conditions, which animals they had, if they earned well, and the natural disasters happening in California.
"Suddenly I saw a huge flash of light above me, and a thunderbolt landed right on the fork I was holding on my shoulder, smashing it, and even the hat I was wearing was completely burned and I remained safe only by a miracle. I think I was indeed saved by a miracle by Our Madonna of The Graces to whom I pray you to have a painting made by some good artist to put into our church with all the others. I send you $50 to have this painting done, and if perchance more is requested, let me know in your letter." (Letter no. 634, Luigi)
They also would write about how much money they would send to Ticino. They also sent cashiers' checks. Some funds also served to pay the debts for the trip: they had to refund parents that which they had borrowed to go to California. In California we earned more, and there was more work available. The nephew, the son or the parent would always send funds to support the family remaining in Ticino or to have some house built.

We have noted that the letters of the time sent to emigrants and families are written with many errors of spelling and syntax, there are many words in dialect and some in English. However, they are most interesting letters telling of the life that the emigrants from Valle Maggia led in California.

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

SUMMARY: PEOPLE OF MAGGIA INTERVIEWS - PART I

THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF MAGGIA REGARDING THEIR IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES WAS SENT TO ME BY PROFESSOR CORRADO POLETTI. IT WAS TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN BY SIG. GINO CAMPIONI. IN MANY WAYS THE EXPERIENCES OF THESE EARLY IMMIGRANTS WERE VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE FROM OTHER PARTS OF ITALY WHO IMMIGRATED TO 'LA COSTA'.


This morning I read through the entire summary from Corrado. I gather that this is a compilation of questions he or others posed to older family members or acquaintances regarding the emigration from the Ticino of Switzerland to California and various other places.

He (the interviewer) identifies the persons questioned only by their initials. Since there were many identical questions and answers, I only included those that were different or more interesting.

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

Question: What was your trade?
Answers: 1.Here at home most had no trade. They were mountaineers or peasant farmers or townspeople. My great-grandfather, when he left the first time worked as a waiter on the ship.
2. A baker 3. A mason 4. Manual laborer 5. Stone cutter 6. Woodcutter 7. Chimney sweep 8. Shoemaker 9. Waiter 10. Most of those from Ticino worked on California ranches, great farms raising cattle and horses.

Question: Why did we emigrate?
Answers: 1. There was no work, the people were starving, they were many and there was little land, and so to live we had to leave. Then there was gold discovered in Australia and California. 2. To find alternate means of earning. 3. To join a relative in California
4. To help his mother who had been left a widow with 5 children 6. Because of the poverty in Ticino.

Question: How and when did you leave?
Answers: 1. On foot to Locarno, by train to Le Havre, thence by ship. 2. Most were young, 18-20 years. They left by train, then by ship. 3. We left in Springtime on horseback, then by ship.

Question: How long was the voyage?
Answers: 1. Two to six months 2. Three to four weeks 3. Three days by airplane

Question: How much did the trip cost and how did you procure the funds?
Answers: 1. 375 Francs in third class. Money was furnished by parents or friends, eventually the community, or town elders, in hope they would eventually be repaid. 2. By their own savings. 3. By borrowing from fellow workers. 4. By selling their animals
5. By borrowing from family in America.

Question: How much did they earn?
Answers: 1. They earned very little but also spent very little. 2. My great grandfather earned $1 per day and had to milk 25 cows for that. 3. Not more than we got here. 4. We did extraordinary work to earn enough to help our families. 5. From 15 to 20 time what we earned in Ticino. 6. About $25 per month.

Question: What was done with the money? How much was sent to Ticino? To whom?
Answers: 1. Most tried to save the money, and send some of it to parents or to refund loans. Some spent on homes, or opened savings accounts. 2. More than half was sent home to families.

Question: Who remained in Ticino?
Answers: 1. Mostly the women, babies, and men who had a trade (woodcutters, stone cutters, blacksmiths, foresters, and those who had enough land to work) 2. The old and the rich.

Question: What did the people remaining in Ticino do?
Answers: They continued their usual work and the raising of children, keeping house, etc. In other words, they continued their accustomed lives.

Question: What was the feeling of those who left?
Answers: They did not feel good. There were no conveniences we know now. It took months for letters to be received and then answered, thus all the people suffered from nostalgia, plus many of the places the people went did not treat them well. 2. They were very sad and had a great desire to return. 3. They were sad having to leave loved ones behind, but also scared, not knowing what lay ahead of them.

Question: What did those returning bring back to Valle Maggia?
Answers: 1. Some brought money, others their experiences, knowledge, new jobs, some brought nothing. 2. My father brought a car which later he demolished in a crash with a train. 3. They left a mark on life, learning something new, they saw that the world was bigger than our part. 4. Some brought money with which they rebuilt our town. 5. My father and uncle stayed in California. 6. Some helped restore church buildings and cemeteries. Signs of the emigration of my town are found around the church. (the cemetery of the rich)

A few persons, though, recently immigrated back to Valle Maggia.

Question: Why did our family establish again in Valle Maggia?
Answers: 1. My parents did so because returning from around the world, they sought a nice place in Switzerland, and Valle Maggia was the one they liked best. 2. We settled there because we sought tranquility, less pollution, more space for children. 3. My grandfather did because he found work. 4 To live better 5. The mother moved to Ticino to learn Italian and to work.

A brief story: My father left in 1919 being 19 years old, and having been given the funds by his father. He went to America to be a keeper of cows in various ranches. Then he returned in 1935. He met my mother. He returned to America for 2 more years, then returned here and married and remained here; though his fortune was not yet made. He always earned what little he needed to live.

When he arrived in San Francisco he had only $1 and he thought, "I must try to spend it well'. Then he found a store with some cans of meat and some bread, which he bought. When he opened a can of meat, he discovered that it was not meat, but snuff, as he could not read English, therefore he had to be content with the bread. Then he found an Italian who gave him work on a ranch.

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