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"PAST & PRESENT"

REV. CONNELL J. MAGUIRE,"WITH DUE APOLOGY, I WOULDLIKE TO MAKE A SMALLCORRECTION AND AN ADDITIONTO A HISTORICAL NOTE IN THEJJ OF MAY 15. FATHER PASTOREWAS GONE SOME YEARSBEFORE THE POPULAR WEASELBROTHER WON THE NUMBERSBY PLAYING 220 FROM ET CUMSPIRITU TUO. IT HAPPENED ATBILLY DAY'S FUNERAL. THATWAS HIS BOXING NAME. HISLAST NAME WAS TRIGNANI.BILL Y WAS A BUDDY OF MINEAND I BOTH GAVE HIM LASTRITES AND CELEBRATED HISFUNERAL MASS. RIGHT AFTERMASS, RECORD TIME, THEHOUSEKEEPER ASKED MEABOUT A NUMBER RECITED ATMASS. I WAS PUZZLEDMOMENT ARIL Y. SHORTLYAFTER THE FUNERAL, ISTOPPED TO TALK TO THE GUYSON THE CORNER OF 21 ST ANDTORONTO. THE WEASALBROTHER RECOUNTED TO METHE STORY OF HIS WIN. I SAID,"SEE! IF YOU GO TO CHURCHYOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK."SOME 30 YEARS LATER AT AREUNION, I MET HIM, AND BYTHEN HE WAS A VERY ACTIVEMEMBER OF THE CHURCH. THELORD HAS STRANGE WAYS OFGATHERING US IN. I REMEMBERTHE WEASAL BROTHERS WITHGREAT AFFECTION-----EVENTHOUGH I DID NOT GET A CUTOF THE WIN. IF I HAD ASKED, IWOULD HAVE."

ANTHONY BONANNI, 2040 W.CLEARFIELD ST. "I MUSTAPPLAUD YOUR EFFORT ANDSUCCESS IN PUBLISHING THE JJ.I WAS RECENTLY STRUCK WITHTHE IDEA OF HAVING A GAMEOF HALFBALL. HAVE YOUHEARD OF ANYONE TRYING TOPUT TOGETHER A GAME?PLEASE CONTACT ME, IF YOU

KNOW OF ANY EFFORTSTOWARDS THIS END."m3csl95(ilhotmail.com

ELAINE COLASANTI, 2937 N.LAMBERT ST. "MYGRANDFATHER AND UNCLEMICHAEL PICCIONE LIVED ONSTELLA ST. MY MOTHER WASEDITH PICCIONE AND MY DAD ISANGELO COLASANTI. MY SISTERNINA GRADUATED ST. MARY'STHEN WE MOVED TO CORPUSCHRISTI. MY OTHER SISTERSWHO ARE TWINS AND IGRADUATED CORPUS CHRISTI.WE LIVED AT 3137 N. 32:>;DSTREET ALONG WITH MYBROTHER LOUIS. WE ARE ALLNURSES TODAY EXCEPT LOUIS.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THEJJ IT WAS A PLEASURE TO READAND BROUGHT BACK SO MANYMEMORIES!"

VINCENT CAMPELLONE "I'MJOHN CAMPELLONE'S YOUNGERBROTHER. SURPRISE! HE ONLYHAD 5 YOUNGER BROTHERS. IKNOW I'VE HEARD THAT ALLMY LIFE. ANY WAY MY WIFE,LORAINE LANZA AND I ENJOYREADING ABOUT THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD. YOU MIGHTREMEMBER HER AS "LOUIE THELOUSE" LAFOCADE'S YOUNGERCOUSIN. IN ANY EVENT, I'DAPPRECIATE YOUR CHANGINGOUR ADDRESS. ITS GREAT TOREAD ABOUT SOME OF THEOLDER CROWD IN THE JJ. YOUKNOW THE GUYS WHO ALWAYSPICKED ON THE YOUNGERBROTHERS AND SISTERS. JUSTKIDDING! WE ALWAYS KNEW ITWAS ALL IN FUN."momanddadcamps@aol.com

RICHEL D' AM BRA, ST. MARY'S1963, "I ENJOY READING ABOUTTHE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IRAREL Y READ ABOUT ST.MARY'S CLASS OF 1963. SO FORMY FORMER CLASSMATES, IWILL START MY TRIP DOWNMEMORY LANE AS A VERY

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15,2001

IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDGROWING UP ON TORONTOSTREET. THIS IS WHERE I SPENTTHE FIRST EIGHT YEARS OF MYLIFE ALONG WITH MYBROTHERS TOMMY AND RICKYAND MY ONLY FRIEND JIMMYMORTON. I WAS SURROUNDEDBY BOYS, UNTILL AT THE AGEOF FIVE MY SISTER DENISE WASBORN. I WILL AL WAYSREMEMBER THE TORONTOSTREET BLOCK PARTIES. AFTERMOVING TO RINGGOLD STREETON THE SQUARE IN 1957, WEWOULD ALWAYS SPEND NEWYEARS EVE AT MYGRANDFATHER BILARDO'SHOUSE ON TORONTO STREET.SINCE HIS HOUSE WASDlRECTL Y ACROSS FROM THESCN CLUB, WE HAD A FRONTROW SEAT WHEN THE ACTIONBEGAN AFTER MIDNIGHT.ALONG WITH MY COUSINS THED' AM ORES, STUFFOS ANDBILARDOS WE WOULD WITNESSTHE INEVITABLE FIGHTS THATWOULD BREAK OUT. THEREWOULD BE FIST FIGHTING ANDTHE COPS WOULD ALWAYS BEON THE SCENE. OUR PARENTSWOULD ALWAYS RUIN THESHOW AND GET US INSIDE THEHOUSE. FROM THE STEPS,(WHERE MY MOM JOSEPHINEAND VERA RAVENNA SPENTMANY NIGHTS), OF OUR HOUSE,ON THE SQUARE, DIRECTLYACROSS FROM MAUREENRAVENNA I WOULD STUDYEVERY DETAIL ABOUT HER ANDHER FRIENDS. WHENMAUREEN'S FRIENDS JOANNETRIGNANI, NANCY GANGI, VICKIVITALE, VIRGIL PROCACCINO,LOUIS NATALE, PAT SCOLES,JIMMY MARTOSELLA AND JOHNDIODATTI WOULD STOP OVER IWOULD MAKE MENTAL NOTESOF WHAT THESE OLDER KIDSWERE ABOUT. I'D HEAR THEMUSIC THEY WERE PLAYING,HOW THEY WORE THEIR HAIRAND MAKEUP AND HOW MANYBOYFRIENDS THEY HAD. THEY

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DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I EXISTED,AS I SAT QUIETLY AND STUDIEDTHEM AND FANTASIZED THAT IWAS PART OF THE CROWD AND ICOULD'T WAIT TO GROW UP. IWAS ALWAYS LEARNING FROMMY MOTHER WHO WAS ANENTREPRENEUR IN HER OWNRIGHT, FROM HER BEAUTYBUSINESS TO HER CLOTHINGBOUTIQUE. I WILL NEVERFORGET HOW I WOULD HEARTHE GIRLS TALKING TO MYMOTHER ABOUT GOING TOELIZABETH ARDEN IN CENTERCITY AND HAVING ADA Y OFBEAUTY. I COULDN'T WAITUNTIL I TURNED 17 AND GO TOELIZABETH ARDEN'S FOR MYDAY OF BEAUTY, FACIALMASSAGE, MANICURE,PEDICURE, ETC. THE GIRLSWOULD RETURN FROM THEIRDAY OF BEAUTY, BUFFED ANDPUFFED TO ATTEND THEIRPROM, OR GO ON A SPECIALDATE AND OF COURSE WHENTHEY GOT MARRIED. THEN THEFASION SHOW BEGAN. OURREGULAR SATURD AY WASGOING TO ST. MARY'S TO SEEWHO WAS GETTING MARRIED,WHAT THEIR GOWN LOOKEDLIKE AND HOW EVERYONE WASSO BEAUTIFULLY DRESSED. ATTHIS POINT I WAS IN SEVENTHGRADE, JOEY CAIRONE ANDMYSELF WE WERE THE PARTYPLANNERS OF OUR GRADE.ALWAYS PLANNING WHAT OURCLASS WOULD DO AND BOTH OFUS ALWAYS HOSTING PARTIESAT OUR HOMES, OF COURSECHAPERONED. WITH THE HELPOF JOEY'S SISTER FRANNIE,(SHE WAS A BIG HELP), JANETDILACQUA, CONCETTAPICCARELLO, EILEEN LIGNELLI,MARIANNE MCDADE,ANTOINETTE DIBENEDETTO,MARGIE CRESTANI, LIBBYPARIS, DELORES MEGILINO WEST ARTED ON OUR OWNADVENTURES; GOING TO THEMOVIES, SITTING NEXT TO THEBOYS IN CHURCH, RUNNING

INTO MUSHlES, OR GOING TOSHARKEY'S FOR A CHEESESTEAK. NO ONE WILL EVERFORGET THE GREAT PIZZATHAT EMILY MADE,ESPECIALL Y ON FRIDAYNIGHTS. SHARING OUR INTENSESECRETS OF THE BOYS WEWERE CRAZY ABOUT AND VISA-VERSA. JOEY Al'(D I ALWAYSMAi\AGED TO ARRANGECOINCIDENTAL MEETINGS OFTHE OPPOSITE SEXES. WE WERECREATIVE AND IT WAS VERYSERIOl:S AND INTENSE TO US.snN THE BOTTLE, SOON LED TO7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN AND OFCOURSE YOU ALWAYS PICKEDTHE PERSON YOU WANTED TOBE WITH. THE BOYS WERE PAl:LGATTO, LOUE IOBBI, GERRYMORESSI, BOBBY MANGINI, JOEBONES PALLOTTA AND PATLA VANGA. MANY NIGHTS WESAT ON THE SQUARE, SINGINGDO-WOP AND HARMONIZING.THEN AFTER THE 8TH GRADEDANCE AT ST. MARY'S WITHTHE CRYSTAL BALL SPINNINGFROM WHEN OUR PARENTSWENT TO THE DANCE, SOONFOLLOWED WITH THE SOPH-HOPS, THE JUNIOR AND SENIORPROM AND GRADUATION FROMHIGH SCHOOL. ST MARY OF THEETERNAL CHURCH AND SCHOOLWAS THE LIFE FORCE OF THENEIGHBORHOOD ALL OF THEWONDERFUL MEMORIES THATSURROUND IT. WE CAN NEVERFORGET WONDERFUL FATHERBUSCO AND THE OTHER PRIESTSAND NUNS THAT WERE PART OFOUR FAMILIES. I RECENTLYMET FATHER MAGUIRE WHOREMARRIED MY AUNT CONNIEAND UNCLE PHILIP D' AMORE ONTHEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY. WETALKED ABOUT THEWONDERFUL MEMORIES ANDESPECIALL Y THE BEAUTIFULMAY PROCESSIONS. SODALITYNIGHT FOR THE WOMEN WAS SOSPECIAL WHEN WE WENT WITHOUR MOTHERS AND MET ALLOUR FRIENDS."

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15,2001

JOHN DIBENEDETTO, 2918 :\I. 25TH

ST. " THE DAYS OF PINKCARNATIONS" WAS AREFRESHING BLAST FROM THEPAST. I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUTTHAT ANNUAL EVENT. YOUCONTINUE TO OUTDOYOURSELF WITH CREATIVITYAND MEMORIES OF CHURCHEVENTS, VISITING THECEMETERY, SHOOTING POINTSAT CATS, ETC. GETTING THE JJGIVES ME THE FEELING IREMEMBER FROM "SENDINGAWAY" TO BATTLECREEKMICHIGAN FOR THE LATESTWIDGET ADVERTISED ON THECEREAL BOX, AND THEN ITFINALLY ARRIVED. I SINCERELYAPPRECIATE ALL OF YOUREFFORTS AND TALENTS INMAINT AINING THIS GIFT TO ALLOF US.ON A SADDER NOTE, TOMMYLAMBERTO, (MUSCLES), PASSEDAWAY LAST MONTH. THEY SAYTHE GOOD DIE YOUNG AND ITAPPLIES TO MUSCLES. HE WASONE OF THE VERY BEST OF OURNEIGHBORHOOD. I CAN'TREMEMBER A CRITICAL WORDFROM HIM AGAINST ANYONE,BUT SEE HIS POSITIVE SPIN ON ASITUATION. HE WAS ALWAYSSOLUTION ORIENTED. WEPLAYED BASEBALL TOGETHERON THE NORPHIL TEAMCOACHED BY RAY WALKER. ITWAS A TRAVELING TEAM, AGES17 TO 19 AND INCLUDED DAVIDCARUSO, PAT DEBELLE (RIP),ALBIE MARTINO (RIP), TOMMYWALTERS (BABY HUEY), JOECAIRONE, LOUIS IOBBI, MARIOCHIODETTI, BUT I CAN'TREMEMBER THE REST OF THETEAM. MUSCLES WAS OUR MVPTWO YEARS IN A ROW. HE HITWITH POWER AND FORAVERAGE, AND WAS AFABULOUS DEFENSIVEINFIELDER. HE WAS ANEXCELLENT PLAYER AND TEAMMEMBER. WE ALSO DOUBLEDATED FOR THE CARDINALDOUGHERTY SENIOR PROM. HE

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TOOK MARYANN DIGIACOMO,(THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR'SDAUGHTER), I TOOK MY FUTUREBRIDE, JOANN RIZZO, AND WEHAD A GREAT TIME AT THE OLDPHILADELPHIA 1776RESTAURANT & CLUB ON THEWATERFRONT. IT SADDENED METO HEAR THAT MUSCLES HAD ADEBILITATING STROKE IN HISEARLY 40'S AND I AM DEEPLYTOUCHED BY HIS PASSING ATTHE YOUNG AGE OF 52. HISMEMORY AND GOOD WILLSHALL BE LASTING. PLEASEACCEPT THIS DONATION TOHELP WITH YOUR EXPENSES."

GLORIA GROSSO FELICI, 25TH &CLEARFIELD STS. "I RECEIVED ACOPY OF THE JJ FROM A FRIENDAND ENJOYED IT VERY MUCHAND WOULD LIKE TO BEINCLUDED ON THE MAILINGLIST. MY PARENTS ROSE ANDVINCENT HAD A GROCERYSTORE FOR MANY YEARS. IHAVE ONE BROTHER LOUIS. IMARRIED MY WONDERFULHUSABND PETER FELICI WHOLIVED ON JUDSON STREET ANDWAS ALSO A MEMBER OF ST.MARY'S.I AM AN OB NURSE ATFITZGERALD MERCY HOSPITALAND PETER IS RETIRED FROMTHE POST OFFICE, (HE RETIREDYOUNG!). PETE'S FATHER HAD ATAILOR SHOP ON JUDSONSTREET MANY YEARS AGO. WEHAVE 2 CHILDREN VINCENT ADENTIST AND ROSEANN A CPA.WE HAVE 4 GRANDCHILDREN."

BUD GIANNETTI, 2948 N. JUDSONST. "MY WIFE KATHY, (SHE IS ALITTLE FLOWER GRADUATE),AND I HAVE ENJOYEDRECEIVING AND READING THEJJ. IT BRINGS BACK A LOT OFMEMORIES. I HAVE TO THANKMY COUSIN ROCKY FORPUTTING MY '\TAME ON THE:\JAILI:"G LIST. I LEFT JUDSONSTREET I:" JC'\TE OF '62 WHEN IGRADLHED FROM LASALLE,\L-\RRIED A:"D "lOVED TO

QUANTICO FOR BASIC SCHOOLIN THE USMC. I SPENT 6 YEARSIN THE CORPS AND 25 YEARSWITH THE FEDERALGOVERNMENT AND WE MOVED14 TIMES, BUT HAVE BEEN INTHE WASHINGTON, DC AREAFOR MANY YEARS. KATHY AND IHAVE 3 DAUGHTERS AND A SONAND THREE GRANDCHILDRENWITH A FOURTH DUE INNOVEMBER. I HAVE ENCLOSEDA CHECK. KEEP UP THE GOODWORK!"

JENNIE FORTUNATO MAIO, 2906N. 24TH ST. "LEST WE FORGETTHE BROWNIES AND THE GIRLSCOUTS FROM ST. MARY'S. IHAD THE PRIVELEDGE OFWORKING WITH LYDIA LISA ASA TROOP LEADER AND IT ISWONDERFUL TO SEE SOME OFTHEIR NAMES IN THE JJ ABOUTTHEIR LIVES AND FAMILIES. ST.MARY'S WAS THE ONLYCHURCH TO RECEIVE THEMARIAN AWARDS FOR THE GIRLSCOUTS. I MARRIED LOU MAIOFROM 23RD STREET. THEYCALLED HIM SIX 0 CLOCK ANDLUCKY LOU AT CATS CLUB. HEPASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF67. MY DAUGHTER CHRISTINEPASSES THE JJ ON TO ME.THANKS FOR THE MEMORIESTHAT YOUR PAPER CONNECTSUS TO THE FAMILIES ANDFRIENDS OF ST. MARY'S! IHEARD JOAN WALTERSCROTHAMEL MAKE HER FIRSTCRY THE DAY SHE WAS BORNACROSS THE STREET ONJUDSON. PLEASE ADD MYBROTHER FRANK FORTUNATOTO THE MAILING LIST.ENCLOSED IS A CHECK FORYOUR EXPENSES. THE BELLS OFST. MARY SHOULD TOLL FORYOU FOR YOUR GOOD DEEDS,SOME DAY!"

PAT CARLUCCI MATHERS, 3009N. LAMBERT ST. ST MARY'S 1969," I ENJOY READING ABOUT THEOLD NEIGHBORHOOD. MY

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15, 2001

PARENTS MARY AND DON"HOTWIRES" CARLUCCI, AND IREGRETTED MISSING THEREUNION. MY DAD WAS IN THEHOSPITAL AND PASSED AWAYMARCH 19, 2001. HE WOULDHAVE LOVED TO GO. HE WAS AREAL TALKER! PLEASE SEND ME3 PLAQUES AND ONE CALENDAR.I HAVE ENCLOSED A CHECK.KEEP THE BALANCE FOREXPENSES. I CAN'T WAIT FORTHE NEXT REUNION. MYBROTHER JOHN AND MY SISTERVIRGINIA THOMPSON WILLLOVE THE PLAQUES."

FRAN NOVIA, 2931 N. 22ND ST."I'M WRITING TO CORRECT ANITEM IN THE LAST ISSUE OF THEJJ. "HOW CAN WE EVERFORGET?" BIG BEN'S GIVENNAME WAS JOHN ANGELINI ANDHE LIVED ON THE 3000 BLOCKOF CROSKEY ST. HE WAS ALL-CATHOLIC AND I BELIEVE EVENALL SCHOLASTIC AT ROMANCATHOLIC. UNFORTUNATELY,ACADEMICS WERE NEVER HISSTRONG SUIT AND ALTHOUGHHE RECEIVED OFFERS HENEVER PLAYED IN COLLEGE. INEVER HEARD LOU DORANZOREFERRED TO AS LOUSY LOU.THEIR PROFESSIONAL NAMESWERE: BIG BEN- BERNIE JAY,LOU - LOU DORANT, LEFTY-DOM DELL. THERE WAS AFOURTH TO THAT GROUP,RITCHIE THOMPSON FROM 23RD

STREET."

JOHANNE BOCCHI PALERMO,3000 BLOCK OF 23RD ST. "THANKSTO THE JJ, I RECEIVED A PHONECALL FROM A DEAR FRIENDFROM THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD! JEANNEMARIE KACHELRIES AND IWERE INSEPERABLE DURINGOUR DAYS AT ST. MARY'S SHEAND I AND LUCILLE DISANTISSPENT MANY HOURS TOGETHERDURING THOSE YEARS. I WASJUST SENT A PICTURE BYLUCILLE OF THE THREE OF US

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ON OUR 8TH GRADEGRADUATION DAY. IT BROUGHTBACK SOME WONDERFULMEMORIES THAT WERE DEEP INTHE RECESSES OF MY MIND.JEANNE AND I TALKED NEARLY2 HOURS AND EVEN MADEPLANS TO GET TOGETHER WITHLUCILLE FOR OUR BIRTHDAYS,WHICH THE THREE OF USCELEBRATE IN SEPTEMBER.THE LAST TIME I SAW JEANNEWAS THE FIRST DAY ATHALLAHAN, SITTING IN THEGYM WAITING TO BE CALLEDTO OUR HOMEROOM. BOTH OFUS SCARED-THE THOUGHT OFBEING A FRESHMAN IN HIGHSCHOOL, WAS A FRIGHTENINGEXPERIENCE BACK THEN. MYLAST NAME STARTED WITH B,JEANNE'S WAS A K- I WASCALLED FIRST TO GO TO MYHOMEROOM AND THAT WASTHE LAST TIME I SAW JEANNE.SHE MOVED TO ROXBOROUGHSHORTL Y THEREAFTER, ANDFOR SOME UNKNOW REASON, IHAD NOT BEEN GIVEN HERADDRESS. I OFTEN WONDEREDWHAT BECAME OF JEANNE ANDHER FAMILY AND VISA-VERSA.SHE TOLD ME SHE THOUGHT IWAS IN A CONVENT, SINCE IOFTEN TALKED ABOUTBECOMING A NUN."

SAMUEL PANNELLA, "MY GREATGRANFATHER AND HIS FAMILYCAME FROM MONTECORVINOIN 1896. THEY SETTLED IN THESWAMPOODLE AREA. THEYWERE SABATO AND SERAFINADESIMONE PANNELLA. THEYHAD 4 CHILDREN AND THEYLIVED AT 2125 W. CAMBRIA. MYGRANDPARENTS WERE ANIELO& GIONINNA PUNZO PANNELLATHEY ALSO HAD 4 CHILDRENAND LIVED AT 3038 N.HEMBERGER ST. MY FATHERSAMUEL PANNELLA LEFT THENEIGHBORHOOD IN 1952 WHENHE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY.UNFORTUNATELY MY FATHERDIED BEFORE I COULD FIND OUT

MUCH ABOUT HIS LIFE. I AMSURE GUYS FROM THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD KNOW HIM.ALSO I WAS WONDERING IFANYONE FROM THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD HASSUCCESSFULLY TRACED THEIRFAMILY HISTORY TO THE OLDCOUNTRY? IF ANYONE KNOWS AWAY FOR ME TO CONTACT THEMADONNA DEL ETERNOSANCTUARY INMONTECORVINO, PLEASECONTACT ME AT 215-637-5825 ORFAX ME AT 215-637-2521?"

AL PASTRE, 3055 N. BONSALL ST."I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT AGREAT JOB YOU AND YOURCOMMITTEE DID ON THEREUNION. THE CALENDAR WASA GOOD IDEA. I SHOWED IT TOMONSIGNOR DOOLAN, HE GOT AKICK SEEING IT. HE KNEWEVERYONE IN THE PICTURES.AT THE REUNION I SAW ANDTALKED TO PEOPLE I HAVEN'TSEEN l:'-i OVER 20 YEARS. GENELUCARINI AND HIS WIFE GILDALOOKED THE SAME. ALSO MARYJULIANI AND HER DAUGHTERTERRI AND HER HUSBAND JOE,MARY LUSCIE SAITTA LOOKEDGOOD. DOM CHIODETTILOOKED THE SAME, HE NEVERCHANGES. MY NEPHEW RONNANNI AND I TALKED TO EMILYLAURENZI. WE ASKED HER IFSHE COULD WHIP US UP A FEWPIZZAS WHILE WE WAITED FORDINNER. SHE GOT A KICK OUTOF THAT. SHE IS STILL THESAME, TALKING, MAKING JOKESAND LAUGHING. THE WHOLETHING WAS GREAT. I RECEIVEDTHE MAY 15TH ISSUE OF THE JJ.IT ALWAYS MAKES ME FEELGOOD. MY MIND WANDERSBACK TO THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD AND THEGREAT TIMES AND FRIENDS WEHAD. WHENEVER I BUMP INTOSOMEONE FROM ST. MARY'S,WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THEGOOD TIMES WE HAD. WE WERELIKE ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15,2001

AND I SURE MISS THOSE DAYS.ENCLOSED IS A CHECK."

ROSE DELLORUSSORICHARDSON, 2908 N. 24TH ST."THIS IS A NOTE TO KEEP INTOUCH AND TO SAY THANKS!THE DAYS OF PINK CARNATIONSWAS FILLED WITH NOSTALGICMEMORIES OF ALL THEMOTHER'S DAYS WE WEREFORTUNATE TO HAVE. ADONA TION FOR THE JJ ISENCLOSED. I ALWAYS LOOKFORWARD TO THE NEXT ISSUE."

RONALD ROCCO, " I REALLYENJOY READING THE JJ. ITBRINGS BACK SO MANY GREATMEMORIES. COULD YOU ADDMY MOM & DAD, FRANK &NETTIE TO THE MAILING LIST.ENCLOSED IS SOMETHING FORTHE COST OF PUBLISHING THEJJ. KEEP THOSE MEMORIESCOMING!"

FRANK SALVATORE, " IENJOYED READING THE JJ, ANDI SEEM TO RECOGNIZE SOME OFTHE NAMES, BUT OTHERSESCAPE ME. NEEDLESS TO SAYIT IS A VERY INTERESTINGNEWSLETTER. I AM SURE YOUARE AWARE THAT MY BROTHERBUTCH DIED 2 YEARS AGO ANDANGELO DIED IN FEBRUARY.ANGELO WAS MARRIED TOVIVIAN LIUGGERI. I DON'T SEETOO MANY OF THE PEOPLEFROM THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD, BUT ONCE INAWILE I HEAR," I KNOW YOUFROM THE OLDNEIGHBORHOOD!" KEEP UP THEGOOD WORK!"

LUCILLE SPERA, "I HEARD OFYOUR JJ THROUGH ANITASAULINO FAHY OF CHERRYHILL, WHO LIVES ACROSS FROMMY SISTER NANCY SPERANICASTRO. CONSILIA D'ANDREA,MY COUSIN WHO LIVES INCALIF., TOLD ME SHE WROTETO YOU AND MENTIONED MY

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NAME. ALSO HELEN CARLINOOF N.J. SENT HER THE JJ ANDCALENDAR. I HAVE BEENWANTING TO WRITE TO YOUFOR A LONG TIME ABOUT THATWONDERFUL PIECE OF HISTORYCALLED 'LITTLE ITALY'. THOSEOF US WHO LEFT THERE WILLNEVER FORGET WHAT APARADISE IT WAS, BECAUSE ITLIVES ON IN OUR COLLECTIVEMEMORY. SINCE I DON'T KNOWYOUR AGE, I ASSUME YOU MAYHAVE BEEN AMONG THOSETENDER YOUNG THINGS OF MYAGE WHO WENT TO THEMOVIES AND SCAREDOURSELVES TO DEATHWATCHING HORROR FLICKS,SUCH AS FRANKENSTEIN,DRACULA AND THE WOLFMAN.MY SISTER MARYDIBENEDETTO, MY COUSIN,LUCY SPERA AND I WOULD GOSEE THESE MOVIES AND WALKWITHOUT FEAR OF ANY HUMANFOLLOWING US TO HARM US,BUT IN THOSE DAYS, WHO WASTHERE TO FEAR ON THESTREETS? IN DREADFULHORROR WE WOULD RUN TOOUR RESPECTIVE HOMES. WHATA LAUGH WE HAVE OVER THATNOW! THE CREATURES NEVERDID CATCH US! MYGRANDFATHER WAS VITOSPERA WHO WAS THE FIRSTITALIAN IMMIGRANT TO OPEN ASHOE STORE ON 22ND STREET.THIS MADE HIM A WELL KNOWNFIGURE. HIS WIFE MARYALFIERI HAD MANY NIECES ANDNEPHEWS, AS A RESULT WE ARERELATED TO MANY PEOPLE. HEWAS ALSO AN AGENT FOR THEFUNERAL DIRECTOR, JOSEPHGRIES, AS MOST PEOPLE DIDNOT SPEAK ENGLISH, SO THEYWENT TO HIM WHEN SOMEONEPASSED AWAY. MY FATHERPASQUALE ALSO WORKED INTHE SHOE STORE. MY MOTHERJOSEPHINE CARUGNO'SPARENTS FRANK AND MARYWERE TAYLORS ON 22ND STREET.MY MOTHER'S FATHER WAS AN

ENCHANTING MAN WHO WASALSO SECRETARY OF THEITALIAN BUILDING AND LOANASSOCIATION. I WENT TOSCHOOL WITH YOUR SISTERMARY JULIAN I AND WEOCCASION ALL Y MEET AND SHEIS AS DELIGHTFUL AS WHEN WEWERE SCHOOL GIRLSTOGETHER. I'LL CLOSE WITHALL GOOD WISHES FOR YOURCONTINUING ENDEAVORS FORALL OF THE WONDERFULPEOPLE WHO HAD THEPRIVELEGE OF EXPERIENCING"LITTLE ITALY'. ENCLOSED IS ADONATION!"

ALBERT "AL LONDON"STAFFIERI, 2217 W INDIANA AVE."IN THE LAST JJ IT WAS GOODTO HEAR FROM BUSTERMEGLIO WHO LIVED A FEWHOUSES DOWN FRO:\I ME. HEHAD A COUPLE OF BROTHERSAND A SISTER MARIE. I HOPETHEY ARE ALL DOING FINE.ALSO VINCENT PONGIA, WHO IWENT TO NORTHEAST HIGHSCHOOL WITH ALONG WITHNICK DITOMASSI AND GUIDOFESTA. MY WIFE, JOSEPHINEAND I NOW LIVE INWILLIAMSTOWN, NEW JERSEYAND SPEND THE WINTERMONTHS IN DISNEY WORLD,FLORIDA. IF ANYONEVACA TIONS THERE IN THEWINTER, YOU MAY BUMP INTOUS WORKING IN ONE OF THERETAIL SHOPS AT MGMSTUDIOS. IT WAS GREAT BEINGWITH MARY & JOE CALCI ANDMY COUSIN JOHNNY EIGHTBALLSTAFFIERI AT THE LASTREUNION. CAN'T WAIT FOR THENEXT ONE! ENCLOSED IS ADONATION FOR THE JJ."

ALBERT TORDELLA, 3029 N. 29TH

ST. "THE MAY 15TH JJ IS FULL OFMONTECORVINO THAT I FELTCOMPELLED TO WRITE ABOUTOUR HERITAGE AT ST. MARY'SAND THOMAS MAY PEIRCE. THEOLDER PEOPLE HAD TO GO TO

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15,2001

PEIRCE, SINCE OUR CHURCHWASN'T BUILT UNTIL 1911 ANDTHE SCHOOL CAME LATER. THEOLDER CHILDREN, MYBROTHER AND SISTERINCLUDED, WENT TO SCHOOLNOT KNOWING A WORD OFENGLISH. AS YOU CANUNDERSTAND, WE OWE AGREAT DEAL TO THEDEDICATED TEACHERS OFPEIRCE WHO TAUGHT THEITALIAN KIDS. THE RESULT:OUR FIRST DOCTOR, SEVERINAMADONNA: OUR FIRST DENTIST,ELIGIO CERINO, (SUECHIARLANZA'S BROTHER), OURFIRST LAWYER, VINCE PANATI,OUR FIRST ARCHITECTS, FREDCHIARLANZA AND DANIELSALVATO. THEN ALONG CAMEST. MARY'S WHICH PRODUCEDMANY DOCTORS, LAWYERS,ARCHITECTS, ETC. AND THENOUR FIRST PRIEST, ARTHURDIGIACOMO, WHO LATERBECAME A MONSIGNOR ANDPASSED AWAY MUCH TOOEARLY. SPEAKING OF VINCENTPONGIA'S COLUMN, WE ALLOWE A DEBT TO FR. PASTORE,WHO TOLD ME HE HAD AN EYEON A YOUNG SEMINARIAN ATST. CHARLE'S. HIS NAME WAS J.JOHN BUSCO. FR. PASTOREWANTED TO RETIRE ANDRETURN TO ITALY, BUT NOTBEFORE HE LEFT ST. MARY'S INGOOD HANDS. I HAVESHORTENED THE STORY, BUTNEED I SAY MORE. I SPOKE TOMSGR. BUSCO BEFORE THEREUNION AND HE WASN'T UP TOPAR. HE STILL SAYS MASS IN HISOWN CHAPEL AT HOL Y SAVIORIN NORRISTOWN. WE OWE HIMSO MUCH! IT WAS VERY NICE OFYOU TO REMEMBER FREDDY'SMOTHER SUE CHIARLANZA. WELOST ANOTHER OLD NEIGHBORABOUT A MONTH AGO - LEODIGIACOMO - WHO CUT MYHAIR UNTIL ABOUT A YEARAGO. HE RAN HIS BARBER SHOPIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FORABOUT 80 YEARS. HIS LAST SHOP

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WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROMTHE OLD CONVENT ON INDIANAAVENUE. HOPE TO SEE YOU INNOVEMBER AT IHM FOR THEMEMORIAL MASS FOR THEBOYS OF WWII. ENCLOSED IS ACHECK!"

FRANK YANNESSA, 2035 W.INDIANA AVE. "THE JJ WASGIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER-IN-LAW JEANNE PICARELLOYANNESSA. SHE WAS MARRIEDTO MY BROTHER REYNOLD,WHO DIED LAST YEAR. AFTER ICAME HOME FROM WWIl WESTARTED THE SALVIA VFWPOST. I WAS THE COMMANDER.OH! HOW I REMEMBER THOSEDOLLAR NIGHTS. THER WERE 10KIDS IN OUR FAMILY THEOLDEST TANGRED, WHO THEYCALLED TANGERINE. I'M NEXTTO THE YOUNGEST. TWO OF MYSISTERS, ESTHER CORSO ANDHELEN HERBERT ARE STILLLIVING. I'D LOVE TO HEARFROM ANYONE WHOREMEMBERS US. WRITTEN BYHIS WIFE DEBBIE, AS HE HAD ASTROKE AND CAN'T WRITE."

"HOW CAN WE EVER FORGET'?"By Vincent Pongia

As someone so aptly stated, playingpool In Art Jare's, (Cat's), poolroomwas sort of a "rite of passage." We alllearned on his tables taking hisMarine Corps tough non-compassionate pool-shooting trainingfrom him. At one time or another weheard him yell, "Lets go Gypsy", andhis little gray mongrel female dogwould jump out from her bed beneaththe large pool table and spew feedingpuppies all the way to the door.Poolroom etiquette required that wenot interrupt, "Cat", when he waslistening to the Jimmy Durante Show.I can recall Carlo Midora hazardingsuch an interruption. The argumentprogressed to the point where Catasked Carlo, "Are you trying to makean Ass out of me?" Carlo responded,

"I'm sorry Cat, But It's too late!"Even Cat had to laugh at that one.What about the big crap games at 23rd

and Indiana across form Guiffrida'sGrocery Store?Among other major events at 23rd andIndiana were the two hand touchfootball games. These were epic, largein size and hard fought. Starring atquarterback was Sammy Vassallo. Histeam was usually high spirited andenergetic. I hope I don't get into anytrouble, but I also believe they usuallywon.Besides our good athletes we can bejustly proud of other neighborhoodaccomplishments. At our reunion itwas a pleasure to talk to some whobecame lawyers, doctors, and likemyself engineers, There were otherswho succeeded in other meaningfulwalks of life. We can be proud andfrankly, I Am. We all were thechildren of largely uneducatedimmigrant parents, but they allunderstood the benefits of hard workand education. Because of them andtheir sometimes, "tough love", weprospered. God love them and keepthem safe for us when we meet againin eternity.TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!

HOW SWAMPOODLEGOT ITS NAME!By Mario AmiciThis information was given to me byMary Olivastro and was told to her byher father, Domenic Deodatti.

" ... Prior to the building of theoriginal St. Mary's Church, whichwas located on Toronto Streetbetween 20th and 21 ,t Streets, peopleattended services at St. Columba'sChurch, at 24th Street and LehighAvenue.

Our neighborhood, at the time, waslargely undeveloped and abounded invast swampy areas, especially thestreets we know today as Clearfield,2znd and 23rd Streets.The women in those days wore dressesvirtually touching the ground. As they

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15,2001

made their way to Church, their hemlines would become soiled and wet andsplattered by other pedestriansmaking their way through thesemurky wetlands."So this area geographically identifiedas a swampy area full of puddles,became known in the local vernacular,as "Swampoodle.

CONFESSION IS GOODFOR THE SOUL!By Sylvester MarshFritz the cop was mentioned in the lastJJ. 'Veil, I have a confession to make.When I was about ten or eleven yearsold, I bet some of the gang that I couldthrow a snowball from Croskey andClearfield Streets to 2znd Street. Ipacked a snowball about the size of abaseball and threw it as high and asfar as I could. It took four to fiveseconds to reach 2znd Street. At thesame time, Fritz was walking north on22nd Street toward Sam and NatesCandy Store. The snowball and Fritzarrived at the exact same point and heended up being smashed on the leftside of his face. It was purelyaccidental. In fact, I didn't see Fritzwhen I unloaded. I was afraid to gonear 2znd and Clearfield for the nextmonth. The crime has finally beensolved. I liked Fritz as well as anyone.I later became a policeman.Fortunately I had no encounters withwayward snowballs.When I was stationed in Germany inthe late '50's, I went on leave to Italy.I had stops in Rome, Naples, Sorrentoand a week on the Isle of Capri. Isurely hope many JJ readers take thetrip. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay inItaly. I hope to see many of you at thenext reunion.

THE SAGA OF CECILAND ORAZIO RUNNINGAWAY FROM HOME!By Carmen (Fatty) F. Ricardo 3042 N.Hemberger Street.We were in the seventh grade at St.Mary's in 1943. It was the end of thesecond marking period and we had

8

our report cards to take home to ourparents. Cecil, (Whimpy), Palermo of3100 N. 22nd Street and Orazio, (MushMouth), DiGiacomo reviewed theirmarks at Sam & Nate's Candy Store.The news wasn't good. Cecil said hisfather would kill him, if he gotanother report card that looked likethat one did. Orazio said his motherwould do the same to him. The planbegins, the two decided to avoidcorporal punishment by running awayfrom home. Since Cecil and Oraziowere my very best buddies that meantthat I was going also. Elwood Bullockof3100 N. Croskey Street, a black kidalso came with us, but I can'tremember why he was running away.We walked to Fairmount Park,somewhere above Midvale Avenue.The plan was to hop a freight trainthat ran alongside the SchuylkillRiver. It was getting cold and we werehungry. We pooled our money asusual I had none. Our total was aboutfifteen cents. I forget who went to thestore and bought a five-cent loaf ofsliced American bread and ten centsworth of bologna. We also pulled wildonions and washed the dirt off in theSchuylkill. We made sandwiches andwe all ate. At this point I said, "I'mgoing home! This is crazy! I don'thave any reason to runaway fromhome!" They were very upset. Oraziosaid, "You could have left before youate!" Then they warned me not to sayanything about there location. Laterthat day, Cecil's cousin PeterMarzzano of 2100 W. ClearfieldStreet, came to my house and askedme, if I knew where he was, NaturallyI said I didn't know a thing.This is the story I was told aboutwhere they were found and sent home.They hopped a gondola coal car andended up in Milton Pennsylvania inthe early morning hours and it washard to tell who was black and whowas white. Wandering aroundpenniless in a strange town, it wasn'tlong before the local police spottedthem and arrested them as vagrants.They were so cold that they weregiving each other hotfoots to try andwarm up their feet. Needless to say

they were returned home and theproper amount of Italian corporalpunishment and love was meted out.

Reunion News!THE ST. MARY'S CLASS OF1951 IS PLANNING AN 8TH

GRADE REUNION ONOCTOBER 28TH AND ISLOOKING FOR FORMERCLASSMATES.AS OF THIS PRINTING THEYHAVE INFORMATION ONONLY 21 PEOPLE, IF YOUHAVE NOT HEARD FROMTHEM PLEASE CONTACTTHEM AND GET ON THEMAILING LIST.THESE ARE SOME OF THEPEOPLE THEY KNOW AREMISSING, BUT ANYONE FROMTHE CLASS OF 1951, OR ANYREADER WHO KNOWS THEWEARABOUTS OF ANY OFTHE CLASS IS URGED TOREPLY:BILL DIETRICH, LARRYCARNEGLIA, LARRY TESSIO,ANDREW RINALDI, PATRICIABROWNE, PATRICIASPERANZA, BETTY ANNROSETTI AND JOANKEBELNIC.CONTACT EITHER JOANNDILACQUA FANELLI AT 610-356-8328, OR MARIE BASILEROBERTO AT 215-632-3574.YOU MAY ALSO EMAIL YOURRESPONSE TO:jfanelli@erols.com, orjrobertoll@ao1.com.

THANK YOU! AVERY SPECIALTHANKS TO THEFOLLOWINGCONTRIBUTORS:

The Judson JournalAUGUST 15,2001

DENISE BASILEARTENZIO BRASCETTAJOSEPH CERINOJOHN DIBENEDETTONICK PICKLES DITOMASSICHARLES BUD GIANNETTIPHILIP LUDOVICIJENNIE MAIOSYLVESTER MARSHPATRICIA CARLUCCI MATHERSALPASTRECARMEN RICCARDIRONALD ROCCOROSE DELLORUSSORICHARDSONROSE SALVATOREALBERT AL LONDONSTAFFIERILUCILLE SPERAALBERT TORDELLAJOSEPH TORDELLAMARY VIANELLOFRANK YANNESSAJEANNE PI CARELLOYANNESSA

CALENDARS ANDPLAQUES ARE STILLAVAILABLE!

PRAYER TO SAINT RITAOF CASIA. MYCONSOLER.GLORIOUS ST. RITA, THOUWHO MIRACULOUSLY SHAREDIN THE PAINFUL PASSIONOF OUR LORD JESUSCHRIST, OBTAIN THAT IMAY BEAR THE SORROWS OFTHIS LIFE WITHRESIGNATION, AND PROTECTME IN ALL MY NEEDS.

PUBLISHER:AARON ROSSI DOMENICO

P.O. BOX 58HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ 08035

FAX: 856-427-7850e-mail jjeditor@ao1.com