 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
Newsletter Update: Fall 2006
Taylor Street Archives
www.taylorstreetarchives.com
Historic Scrap Book
Vince Romano
1524 So. Sangamon #803
Chicago, IL 60608
312-443-6240 (Business) 312-218-4044 (Cell)
Newsletter Update: Fall 2006
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 and brief history 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.
Taylor Street Archives Home Parties. Home parties are being
organized to instruct neighbors and friends on filing out the application
to the Archives. Information on how to recommend or write stories to add
to he Archives is also on the agenda for these home parties. Call for more
information.
Near West Side Reunion Dinner Dance Once more, Frank Peccia, et al,
are breaking the previous year’s record in putting together another dinner
dance, whose elegance clearly states, “Taylor made.”
Neighborhood/Groups. 1) Rocky Saviano recently contributed a 1948
Holy Guardian Angel Church ad book listing the Church’s parishioners
at that time. 2) Mike “Wacker” Alesia took the time from his jewelry &
diamond business to complete the list of the Morgan Fads. 3) The Tay-
Hal list (Taylor Halsted neighborhood has gone through its first draft
and awaits its second draft. 4) Cecilia Boosters, Goodrich School, Hull
House, and Sheridan Park lists are all in their first stages. 5) The Bowen
Country Club list is near completion. Individuals have graciously
returned them with the names of individuals they recalled. All group
lists are being upgraded for inclusion in the Archives. You are
encouraged to submit your individual profiles as well names to be added
to the group lists. Please search your memory bank and add the names of
those you remember to the attached list. Be sure to identify, per
instructions, the group or groups to which they may have been associated
The following should fill you in on some important issues as well as the
reception the Taylor Street Archives (TSA) has received from the broader
community and the media.
Media -- The media continues to support the Archives by publishing its
stories. Recently added to the media stable is The Chicago Flame Student
Newspaper. Public Service Television (WTTW) and NBC5 will air the
documentary, And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy.
Joe Montegna had agreed to come on board as the narrator of the
documentary. The importance of Taylor Street and the Italian American’
s crucial role in nurturing the neighborhood and its institutions will,
apparently, receive their full attention in the film.
Writers, thesis, etc. Historians, novelists, script writers, and post
graduate students writing their doctoral thesis have all sought
permission to either quote from the stories in the Archives, reference the
Archives, and/or to amplify upon the concepts espoused in the writings
contained in the Archives. The most recent request came from a writer
commissioned to write the history of Chicago’s Legendary Taylor Street.
Shrine Fest—The annual Fest of Our Lady of Pompeii was, once again, a
resounding success. Most of that multitude received applications for the
Taylor Street Archives with a proportionate number of potential
scholarship recipients (their offspring) becoming aware of the $1,000
annual scholarship. Dominic Di Frisco, recovering from a recent hip
operation, was able to, once again, serve as the MC. As mentioned before,
Rev Fragomeni felt strongly that the Archives was consistent with and
promoted the mission statement of the Shrine. The operations staff,
however, still retains its veto over the Shrine’s patrons having access to
information about the Archives and its scholarships.
UIC’s Hull House Museum A new administrator, Lisa Lee, has been
assigned to the Hull House Museum. She is sensitive to our needs and
has a keen interest in 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.” A welcome response,
after a two year silence by the previous administrators/guardians of the
Hull House and Bowen Country Club web sites which, by both omission
and commission, were redefining “The Hull House Neighborhood” and
its history.
Danny Solis, ward alderman, stopped to convey his concern about the
Italian American community’s efforts to recapture its heritage and
rightful place in the history of Taylor Street and its institutions.
Anthony Fornelli is 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, whom Congressman Annunzio once described as, “the crown
jewel of the JCCIA.” His personal odyssey, as a first generation offspring
of one of the many emigrants who had found their way to the streets of
our Little Italy, 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. During our recent conversation regarding the
Archives and the TV documentary, he related the following story which I
share with you. His two daughters came to Taylor Street to enjoy some
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 in this neighborhood.” "Yeah!
That was Midge and Jerry. (Tony's parents, Madelyn and Gerald
Fornelli, who later moved out to one of the many satellite Little Italies
throughout the Chicagoland area.) Right across the street there is where
they lived--in the Briatta barber shop building.”
George Randazzo and I go back to the very origins of the IASHF when
George held the first IASHF award dinner (boxers only at that time) on
River Road. At that same time, the Gregorians, just a few hotels away
down on River Road, were hosting their annual Scholarship dinner. We
were honoring either Congressman Frank Annunzio, Alderman Vito
Marzullo, or Jerry Sbarbaro that evening, as our “Man of the Year.”
Ralph DiBartolo, president of the Italian American Police Association
(IAPA), invited me as a guest speaker to their monthly dinner affair. A
number of IAPA members, including Ralph, have their origins in Taylor
Street’s Little Italy. Mike Jaconetti, one of Chicago’s most highly
decorated police officers, whose roots also trace back to Taylor Street, was
recently featured in the Amici Journal.
John Calfa, member of the Shrine of Our lady Of Pompeii’s board of
directors, continues to support the Archives by submitting the names of
family members and acquaintances.
Frank Peccia agreed that the history of the Near West Side Reunion
should be documented for the Archives. We expect that a significant
number of the eligible members (700 plus) of the Near West Side Club are
eligible to be listed in the TSA directory--and a proportionate number of
their offspring are equally eligible for the annual TSA student
scholarship.
Both DiFazio and DiFrisco, of the Old Neighborhood Italian American
Club, recognized the value of the Archives and agreed on holding a future
meeting to introducing the concept to their members—many of whom
have Taylor Street roots.
Ray “Shorty Ray” DiJulio’s daughter, Diane Fata, recently submitted his
profile for inclusion in the Archives. Her note acknowledged his being
mentioned in the Archive’s Bowen Country Club (BCC) story and
reminded us that “Shorty Ray” had his honeymoon at the BCC.
Vince Romano
Enclosures: Group Directory, Summer Newsletter, Index, Application,
Scholarship, Flawed History, etc..
Taylor Street Archives
www.taylorstreetarchives.com
Historic Scrap Book
Vince Romano
1524 So. Sangamon #803
Chicago, IL 60608
312-443-6240 (Business) 312-218-4044 (Cell)
Newsletter Update: Fall 2006
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 and brief history 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.
Taylor Street Archives Home Parties. Home parties are being
organized to instruct neighbors and friends on filing out the application
to the Archives. Information on how to recommend or write stories to add
to he Archives is also on the agenda for these home parties. Call for more
information.
Near West Side Reunion Dinner Dance Once more, Frank Peccia, et al,
are breaking the previous year’s record in putting together another dinner
dance, whose elegance clearly states, “Taylor made.”
Neighborhood/Groups. 1) Rocky Saviano recently contributed a 1948
Holy Guardian Angel Church ad book listing the Church’s parishioners
at that time. 2) Mike “Wacker” Alesia took the time from his jewelry &
diamond business to complete the list of the Morgan Fads. 3) The Tay-
Hal list (Taylor Halsted neighborhood has gone through its first draft
and awaits its second draft. 4) Cecilia Boosters, Goodrich School, Hull
House, and Sheridan Park lists are all in their first stages. 5) The Bowen
Country Club list is near completion. Individuals have graciously
returned them with the names of individuals they recalled. All group
lists are being upgraded for inclusion in the Archives. You are
encouraged to submit your individual profiles as well names to be added
to the group lists. Please search your memory bank and add the names of
those you remember to the attached list. Be sure to identify, per
instructions, the group or groups to which they may have been associated
The following should fill you in on some important issues as well as the
reception the Taylor Street Archives (TSA) has received from the broader
community and the media.
Media -- The media continues to support the Archives by publishing its
stories. Recently added to the media stable is The Chicago Flame Student
Newspaper. Public Service Television (WTTW) and NBC5 will air the
documentary, And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy.
Joe Montegna had agreed to come on board as the narrator of the
documentary. The importance of Taylor Street and the Italian American’
s crucial role in nurturing the neighborhood and its institutions will,
apparently, receive their full attention in the film.
Writers, thesis, etc. Historians, novelists, script writers, and post
graduate students writing their doctoral thesis have all sought
permission to either quote from the stories in the Archives, reference the
Archives, and/or to amplify upon the concepts espoused in the writings
contained in the Archives. The most recent request came from a writer
commissioned to write the history of Chicago’s Legendary Taylor Street.
Shrine Fest—The annual Fest of Our Lady of Pompeii was, once again, a
resounding success. Most of that multitude received applications for the
Taylor Street Archives with a proportionate number of potential
scholarship recipients (their offspring) becoming aware of the $1,000
annual scholarship. Dominic Di Frisco, recovering from a recent hip
operation, was able to, once again, serve as the MC. As mentioned before,
Rev Fragomeni felt strongly that the Archives was consistent with and
promoted the mission statement of the Shrine. The operations staff,
however, still retains its veto over the Shrine’s patrons having access to
information about the Archives and its scholarships.
UIC’s Hull House Museum A new administrator, Lisa Lee, has been
assigned to the Hull House Museum. She is sensitive to our needs and
has a keen interest in 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.” A welcome response,
after a two year silence by the previous administrators/guardians of the
Hull House and Bowen Country Club web sites which, by both omission
and commission, were redefining “The Hull House Neighborhood” and
its history.
Danny Solis, ward alderman, stopped to convey his concern about the
Italian American community’s efforts to recapture its heritage and
rightful place in the history of Taylor Street and its institutions.
Anthony Fornelli is 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, whom Congressman Annunzio once described as, “the crown
jewel of the JCCIA.” His personal odyssey, as a first generation offspring
of one of the many emigrants who had found their way to the streets of
our Little Italy, 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. During our recent conversation regarding the
Archives and the TV documentary, he related the following story which I
share with you. His two daughters came to Taylor Street to enjoy some
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 in this neighborhood.” "Yeah!
That was Midge and Jerry. (Tony's parents, Madelyn and Gerald
Fornelli, who later moved out to one of the many satellite Little Italies
throughout the Chicagoland area.) Right across the street there is where
they lived--in the Briatta barber shop building.”
George Randazzo and I go back to the very origins of the IASHF when
George held the first IASHF award dinner (boxers only at that time) on
River Road. At that same time, the Gregorians, just a few hotels away
down on River Road, were hosting their annual Scholarship dinner. We
were honoring either Congressman Frank Annunzio, Alderman Vito
Marzullo, or Jerry Sbarbaro that evening, as our “Man of the Year.”
Ralph DiBartolo, president of the Italian American Police Association
(IAPA), invited me as a guest speaker to their monthly dinner affair. A
number of IAPA members, including Ralph, have their origins in Taylor
Street’s Little Italy. Mike Jaconetti, one of Chicago’s most highly
decorated police officers, whose roots also trace back to Taylor Street, was
recently featured in the Amici Journal.
John Calfa, member of the Shrine of Our lady Of Pompeii’s board of
directors, continues to support the Archives by submitting the names of
family members and acquaintances.
Frank Peccia agreed that the history of the Near West Side Reunion
should be documented for the Archives. We expect that a significant
number of the eligible members (700 plus) of the Near West Side Club are
eligible to be listed in the TSA directory--and a proportionate number of
their offspring are equally eligible for the annual TSA student
scholarship.
Both DiFazio and DiFrisco, of the Old Neighborhood Italian American
Club, recognized the value of the Archives and agreed on holding a future
meeting to introducing the concept to their members—many of whom
have Taylor Street roots.
Ray “Shorty Ray” DiJulio’s daughter, Diane Fata, recently submitted his
profile for inclusion in the Archives. Her note acknowledged his being
mentioned in the Archive’s Bowen Country Club (BCC) story and
reminded us that “Shorty Ray” had his honeymoon at the BCC.
Vince Romano
Enclosures: Group Directory, Summer Newsletter, Index, Application,
Scholarship, Flawed History, etc..