Bollettino – June 2022
Those of you who attended our BICS meeting on May 19th heard a heartfelt, sincere talk by a very engaging young Italian immigrant struggling to succeed in a new business during a period of extremely discouraging circumstances. His name is Matteo Ronzi. He and his wife, Francesca sold everything and came to America the land of opportunity, in order to pursue their dream of owning their own food and restaurant store. Opening a new business in Italy is very hard but America has presented them with a whole new set of its challenges, visas, Covid restrictions, labor shortages, and supply problems. But it is their dream and they have passion, intelligence and drive. Along with just a little bit of good luck, they will succeed if anyone can.
Their new store, named Gusto Italiano Market is located in Bedford a little behind and to the side of Walgreen’s. (Gusto an Italian word meaning, taste or flavor.)
Several people who attended the meeting told me that one had to be moved by Matteo’s inspiring talk. He has overcome so many obstacles and more keep coming, yet he never gives up. You felt his frustrations and disappointments and yearned for him to succeed. In one sense he has, because word has it that his pizza is truly sensational. I for one intend to buy one and some other items and in my little way help Matteo and Francesca succeed. I would encourage all of our members to drop by and visit their store. If for no other reason than to show appreciations for his stirring presentation to us.
Our next meeting, on June 16th is guaranteed to be one not to miss. Our featured speaker is Professor Gary Devore, an expert in Italian archeology, history and art. He will be speaking on the new and exciting discoveries in the area of the lost city of Pompei. Gary has spoken to us in the past and all of his presentations have been excellent. I can guarantee no one will fall asleep. His talks are very emotional and demonstrative. His subjects become alive! You will want to be there.
News on Italy. Frances and I missed the May meeting because we were on a bicycle vacation in Tuscany. We had not been to Italy since pre Covid. Most things about the bel paese remain the same. It is still the land of beauty and art. The food, wine, gelato and cappuccinos are still exceptionally delicious. The weather in early May was ideal. We found the hills, vineyards, olive orchards, and fields of poppies of Tuscany to be as soul satisfying as in the movies. And they are even more gratifying on a bicycle because you can actually see, smell, and touch them.
However, one thing is different and it makes international travel a bit more tedious, Covid. The Covid situation and travel requirements are constantly changing. One must stay aware of what the requirements are both to go and then to return. When we went it was not necessary for fully vaccinated Americans to take a Covid test prior to departure for Italy. However, you do have to take a Covid test in Italy within 24 hours of flight departure to return to the US. These tests are inexpensive and readily available at the numerous farmacia’s and they will email you the results soon after the test.
However, the test result must be negative. I had been too nonchalant about this. I knew that I had Covid before and had recovered. I just assumed I would be negative. And fortunately, I and Frances were both negative and got home without incident.
However, a surprising number of people in Rome, not feeling sick, nor exhibiting any symptoms had been testing positive. They had to remain in Italy isolated for 7 days. Then get tested again. We became friends with a couple from Vermont. Both of them tested positive. Then the second time one was positive again. They got back to America two weeks later than we did. This extended stay can get expensive! So, if you go to Europe at least be aware of this potential problem.
One of the little joys of our club is our socialization period at the end of our meetings. This is possible by the occasional contribution of a dessert dish by our members. If you feel it may be your turn to contribute soon, please contact Nina Castro first by email to coordinate. ninacastro@aol.com
Allora, e’ tutto per ora. A presto.
Riccardo
Bollettino – May 2022
Our featured speaker for the April meeting was our own BICS member, Claira Monier. She had a unique and interesting story for us, the story of her life. She got us to feel what it was like growing up in Bedford in the early years of the 1940’s and 50’s. What made her story unique was back then most of the foreigners living in Bedford were French Canadian, or Greek with a few Polish. Her family, the Pirozzi’s was the only Italian family.
Her father, Vincenzo Pirozzi was born in 1909 in a farming region north of Rome. After World War I while he was a young boy, the Spanish Flu erupted. His region north of Rome was devastated by the pandemic. Both of his parents, along with millions of other Italians died. Young Vincenzo became an orphan. After such devastation, Vincenzo, his grandmother, and his uncle, John Rossi made the decision to start life anew in the land of opportunity, America. Their first destination was Boston, on the East End, where some other relatives lived. They worked there and saved money for a few years while looking for a permanent location. They eventually found it on a small farm in rural Bedford, New Hampshire.
Zio John and Vincenzo took care of the farm while nonna ran the house. Nonna did all of the cooking and set down the rules. But nonna spoke no English; thus, Italian was the language spoken in the home. Vincenzo soon became of an age where he was interested in girls. He met and fell in love with a daughter of Polish descendants in the area. They married, and Claira was born. Claira grew up as a little girl isolated on “an Italian island farm.” She only became Americanized when she started school. However, being a very sharp little girl, she did not remember language ever being a problem, she just blended right in by quickly absorbing English from the other school children. What she did find distressing at school was the food. She longed for the familiar Italian meals provided by nonna. Claira loved school and did well in her studies.
The Pirozzi family was very industrious. Often the men worked in the mills in addition to working the farm. The growing number of children were given age-appropriate chores and mom managed the money. They extended themselves and bought a second farm with a large mortgage. Paying off the loan made things very tight for several years. Life was not easy.
A big moment in Claira’s life was when she was about to graduate from 8th grade. She longed to continue on to high school. But Bedford had no high school and that would be an unwelcomed additional expense. Besides, her parents had always expected her, to start working in a full-time job after 8th grade. It would be the time for her to contribute to the family coffer. That was a crisis moment in her life. But an unexpected visit from her school principal made a big difference. He explained to her parents that Claire was an exceptional student and it would be a sad loss for all if she were not allowed to continue her education. The parents listened to the principal and allowed her to continue in school. Claira graduated from high school and then went far beyond.
Her good education prepared her well for living a full and productive life. She became very active in the community and also a successful business woman. She received many rewards including being once declared, “Manchester’s Citizen of the Year.” As Bedford grew, conditions changed and their farms that were located in areas of rapid Bedford growth became valuable real estate. Little by little the farms were to be no longer. But the hard-working, immigrant family had done well. Her father’s decision to immigrate to America proved to be a wise one.
Claira’s story fits in well with that of our next presenter in May, Matteo Ronzio. He along with his wife Francesca Dallora also immigrated to Bedford from Italy. Only they did not come 100 years ago, but rather only 7 years ago. And they did not come to farm but instead to open an Italian food store. They too have an interesting story. Be sure to come and listen to why they immigrated and what confronted them in the process of starting Gusto’s Italiano Market. It is located behind Walgreen’s in Bedford. They have another interesting story.
About things Italian: There will be several Italian events happening in New Hampshire this year. Maybe some of these will interest you. Check out the website, OperaNorth.org They will be performing two outdoor Italian Opera’s this summer in northern NH. They also will be offering a Venetian Festival event. There are even other activities, check it out.
Are you interested in getting more deeply involved in Italian culture or want help in planning a trip to Italy? Perhaps you may want to learn the language and would like help in how to get started? There is a group that can help you. It is called “mi.o”. Their web site is ModernItalian.org, check that one out also.
“Three Coins in the Fountain.” Do you remember that romantic movie that came out way back in 1954? The fountain of course, is the beautiful Trevi Fountain in Rome. The legend says if you throw one coin into the fountain you will return to Rome one day. If you throw in two coins you will come back and fall in love. And if you throw in three coins, you will come back, fall in love and marry. But do not waste your coins because you have to throw them in correctly. Be sure to put your back to the fountain and with your right hand toss the coin over your left shoulder.
“Three Coins in the Fountain.” Do you remember that romantic movie that came out way back in 1954? The fountain of course, is the beautiful Trevi Fountain in Rome. The legend says if you throw one coin into the fountain you will return to Rome one day. If you throw in two coins you will come back and fall in love. And if you throw in three coins, you will come back, fall in love and marry. But do not waste your coins because you have to throw them in correctly. Be sure to put your back to the fountain and with your right hand toss the coin over your left shoulder.
Before that movie it was rare to find many coins in the fountain. After the movie, the coins started pouring in, and there is no end in sight. Each night the city of Rome collects over 3,000 Euro in coins. The money is given to charities which enrich them by about 1.5 million Euros every year. Try it the next time you are in Rome. It serves a good purpose and it works… I know.
Our next meeting is on the third Thursday in May, the 19th. Get there a little early, around 6 PM. Put on your name tag and introduce yourself to others. Meet and have fun.
A presto!
Riccardo