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www.taylorstreetarchives.com
Vince Romano
1524 So. Sangamon #803
Chicago, IL 60608
312-443-6241 (Business) 312-218-4044 (Cell)
Newsletter Update: August 8, 2007 Italian Fest
If we do not act now, the following shall be our epitaph: “…and it
came to pass that, for those who followed us, it was as if we never
were here.”
Purpose of the Archives. The Taylor Street Archives (TSA) is our
historic scrapbook, which is designed to preserve the memories of
those emigrants (and the offspring of those emigrants) who found
their way to the legendary Taylor Street’s “Little Italy” from their
Italian origins. Your contributions, whether they simply add to the
demographics by submitting your names or expand upon the theme
of “Growing Up in Taylor Street’s “Little Italy,” by submitting your
stories, will add to the richness of a time and a people.
Writers, thesis, etc. Historians, novelists, script writers, and post
graduate students writing their doctoral thesis have all sought
permission to quote or reference the Archives, and/or to amplify
upon the concepts espoused in the writings contained in the
Archives. Kathy Catrambone discussed the Archives with me prior
to the publication of her new book, Taylor Street: Chicago’s Little
Italy. Book signing will take place in early 2007.
Neighborhood/Groups. Among the recently received lists are: 1)
1948 Holy Guardian Angel Church parishioners list; 2) Cecilia
Boosters, Morgan Fads, Tay-Hals, and Fosco S.A.C.s; 3) Bowen
Country Club, Near West Reunion and Hull House Debs,
Media --The media continues to support the Archives by publishing
its stories. Recently added to the media stable is the UIC Student
Newspaper. Public Service Television (WTTW) and NBC5 plan to air
the documentary, And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American
Legacy. Joe Montegna agreed to come on board as the narrator of the
documentary. Producer, Gia Maria Amella: “The importance of
Taylor Street and the Italian American’s crucial role, in nurturing the
neighborhood and its institutions, will receive our full attention in
the film.”
Neighborhood Institutions The new administrator of the UIC’s
Hull House Museum, Lisa Lee, stated , of The Taylor Street Archives
“…an amazing resource that should be a part of any story we need to
tell about the history of this place and its continuing relevance for
issues today.” We are waiting for her to fulfill her pledge, made in a
recently published interview, “History should be told by those who
lived it.” We continue our efforts to encourage the lay staff of Our
Lady of Pompeii Shrine, responsible for their day to day operations,
to permit the Shrine’s patrons to become aware of the existence of
the Taylor Street Archives. Sheridan Park Like the frozen leopard
on the north slope of Earnest Hemingway’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the
dedication plaque at the northeast corner of Sheridan Park continues
to puzzle visitors…”What is it doing there.?
SCHOLARSHIP An annual scholarship of $1,000 is offered to that
individual (child or adult) who submits the best story on “Growing
Up in The Legendary Taylor Street’s Little Italy.”
Anthony Fornelli, a long time acquaintance going back some
decades when we were both politically and socially active with the
JCCIA—he, as a Justinian and JCCIA force, and I as President of the
Gregorian Society of Educators. His personal odyssey, as a first
generation offspring of one of the many emigrants who had found
their way to Chicago’s legendary Taylor Street, produced a leader of
the Italian American community during its Camelot days of the
1970s. Other notable figures, such as U.S. Congressman Frank
Annunzio, Chicago Alderman Vito Marzullo, Illinois Congressman
Victor Arrigo, and the likes of Anthony Sorrentino were included in
that roundtable of those Camelot days. Tony related the following
story which I share with you. His two daughters came to Taylor Street
to enjoy Italian lemonade. They engaged in conversation with
members of one of the Old Neighborhood Italian Clubs that still
exist., “our father, Anthony Fornelli, was born somewhere
somewhere in this neighborhood,” “Yeah! That was Midge and
Jerry. Right across the street is where they lived…in the Briatta
barber shop building.”
Ralph DiBartolo, and Mike Jaconetti, one of Chicago’s most highly
decorated police officers, along with a number of other members of
the Italian American Police Association, also have their origins in
Taylor Street’s Little Italy. .
George Randazzo also goes back to the 1970s, an era which saw the
birth of the NIASHF. George held the first award dinner (boxers only
at that time) on River Road. At that same time, the Gregorians, just a
few hotels down on River Road, were hosting their annual
Scholarship dinner. Our “Man of the Year,” that same evening, was
either Congressman Frank Annunzio or Alderman Vito Marzullo.
Danny Solis, alderman, continues to support the Italian American
community’s efforts to recapture its heritage and rightful place in the
history of Taylor Street and its institutions.
New Stories submitted to the archives include: View from Morgan
Street, Mike Garippo and Who Said You can Never Go Home. A
quote from one of those recently submitted stories: “You guys are so
much alike, it’s as if you all had the same mother.”
Vince Romano