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About 120 Chicago-area residents meet for a Valenzanesi picnic on the grounds
of Montalbano Majestic International Furniture in Stone Park, Illinois,
on July 2, 2000. Organized by the Association of St. Rocco of Valenzano,
the picnic is the sixth consecutive annual celebration that brings together
local residents with ancestral roots and interest in Valenzano, Italy.
The reunion started out with a mass in the chapel with the statue of
St. Rocco, and continued outdoor on the park and under picnic tents,
courtesy of Rick Montalbano, a strong supporter of St. Rocco of Valenzano.
Italian sausage as well as gourmet Bari-style sausage was served in what
have become a tradition and a major aspect of this celebration.
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While the rain held off this year long enough not to spoil the festivities,
the soccer game between Italy and France galvanized the attention of the
participants at the height of the festivities in early afternoon. Italy's
sudden loss to France at the end of a game that Italy had led most of
the time, dampened the spirit of many, and cauised a somber,
low-keyed tone for the rest of the festivities.
Nevertheless, the reunion offered a unique opportunity for these folks with
ancestral roots in Valenzano to meet, exchange news, and renew their friendship.
An item of discussion was the restoration of the paintings at the
Franciscan Monastery in Valenzano
(click here to read story). |
The following is a sample of pictures from the picnic.
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Fig. 1. |
Statue of St. Rocco in Montalbano's Chapel.
The statue and its cult are the rallying forces for Valenzanesi in the Chicago area.
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Fig. 2. |
Rick Montalbano reading the Gospel during Mass.
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Fig. 3. |
Worshippers on the right aisle. Notable in foreground are Maria Losurdo and Sofia Bolognini, "Fefina".
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Fig. 4. |
Worshippers on the left aisle. Notable in foreground are Mario Laudizio
and Nicola Tangorra (kneeled down), known also as "Chicchino."
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Fig. 5. |
Picnic tents set up at end of parking lot on a cloudy and hot day.
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Fig. 6. |
Vito Caringella, "Picciaccio," and Michele Losurdo
roasting sausage, traditional Italian sausage as well
as gourmet Bari-style sausage.
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Fig. 7. |
Setting up tables under the tents.
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Fig. 8. |
Staking out seats for relatives and friends.
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Fig. 9. |
Nicola Petrera and Pinuccio Vitucci with wife Maria in foreground.
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Fig. 10. |
Michele Losurdo and wife Graziella in middle of picture.
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Fig. 11. |
Open roasting of Italian sausage. From left: Frank Caringella, Vito Caringella, Frank DeFrenza, and Vito Lollino.
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Fig. 12. |
Line snaking through parking lot to partake to this epicurean delight.
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Fig. 13. |
Serving the sausage were Chiarina Caringella and Consiglia Uva.
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Fig. 14. |
Nicola Bolognini, son of "Meste Stefene, u Pintniere," being served,
while Nicola Lonigro, nephew of "Mariuccia la Culabresciata," waits beyond in line.
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Fig. 15. |
Special guest, Mike Bellomo from Grand Rapids, Michigan, attending the picnic.
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Fig. 16. |
Nicola Petrera being served with Frank Cassano waiting next in line,
and Teresa Vitucci waiting by the side.
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Fig. 17. |
Rosa Labellarte, daughter-in-law of Francesco "Laciola," being served,
with Nicola Tangorra, son of "Cesaria la Gravnese," waiting in line.
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Fig. 18. |
Die-hard fish gluttons preparing dishes of fresh mussels. From left: Frank Cassano,
Maria Losurdo, Lellino Losurdo e Giovanni, the son of "la Gravnese."
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Fig. 19. |
Another mussel glutton, a native of Montrone.
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Fig. 20. |
At 1:00PM local time, the soccer game Italy-France started out.
All the men moved closer to a TV set with satellite hook up that had been hastily set up
for the occasion at one end of the main tent. No picnic was going to deprive
these hard-core fans of watching this important game.
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Fig. 21. |
The mood was good after Italy scored its goal.
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Fig. 22. |
The atmosphere turned tense when France scored near the end of the game.
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Fig. 23. |
Disappointment set it with the win by France.
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Fig. 24. |
The regrets were clearly legible on the face of many fans.
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Fig. 25. |
Disappointed Frank Cassano.
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Fig. 26. |
Vito Lollino and Michele Losurdo finishing with the roasting.
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Fig. 27. |
Rick Montalbno handing out popcorn to kids.
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Fig. 28. |
And kids playing in the park.
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Fig. 29. |
Hanging out. Foreground group from left: Mike Bruno, Mariella,
Linuccio Vitucci, and Maria and Tonino DeBellis.
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Fig. 30. |
Girls hanging out.
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Fig. 31. |
More girls hanging out.
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Fig. 32. |
DeBellis'.
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Fig. 33. |
Lora DiVietro with sister in law and all the kids.
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Fig. 34. |
Game of bocce, from left: Raffaele Vitucci, Nino Palmisano, and Pierino Caringella.
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Fig. 35. |
Domenica DiVietro having lots of fun.
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