February 2010

Next Lodge Meeting! Tuesday, February 23 • Martinsburg, WV • Dinner 6:00pm, Meeting 7:00pm

W hen I was 6 years old I didn’t have any notion or awareness of my Italianess. We lived far (College Park, Maryland) from my father’s childhood home of South Boston, Massachusetts.

It was only 9 years earlier that my father John Cangemi, Sr. decided to take the printing apprentice job offered him by his kind older brother Nick. Nick wound up in Virginia after serving in the US Navy as an on- board photographic lab technician...having been the very person to originally print the photos from the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. But I should go back further...Giusseppe Cangemi, my grandfather was born near or in Palermo, Sicily in 1897. It was in 1919 that he decided that steam-fitter work in Sicily was not paying, so in order to escape the poverty, he and his friend Joe Puglio joined the Navy, on the condi-tion, as my uncle Buddy describes, “I’m a no joining da navy unless we a do only steam-fitter work on da sheep. I done like a no guns.” Oh yes, replied the recruiter, no problem. Then, as soon as they signed up...slam went the rubber stamp...you two are gunner’s mates! I was August 25 when the Conte di Cavour, the pride of the Italian Navy pulled into Boston Harbor on a good will tour of North America, to thank our country for it’s friendship and sup-port during World War I. Huge crowds gathered to welcome their country-men, the only Italian citizens they’ve seen since leaving home. This was a big deal and they braved the rain soaked afternoon in spite of the ceremonies having been cancelled. When the band heard that the people had showed up anyway, they organized and came to play!While ashore, the two sailors stopped at a local shop and purchased some civvies, and had their uniforms wrapped and tied in paper. While walking along the pier my grandfather asked “Pepino”, “hey, let me see your package of clothes.” So, Pepino handed him his wrapped uniform. “eh...we done a need these no more”, and tossed them in the harbor. “Hey,” yelled Pepino, “I was a gonna keep mine!” That was that. In February of 1919, just six months before their arrival, a 2.3 million gallon tank of molasses, which was being converted into alcohol for the military, erupted because of the unseasonably warm

day. Up to 35 years later one could still smell the sweet scent of the molasses which had seeped into the basements and walls of homes and businesses. It is no surprise to me if my grandfather caught on to this recently added scent, because it was not long after that he was working at New England Confectionary Company (NECCO), makers or NECCO wafers, Sky Bars, and Bolster Bars. Giuseppe met and married a local Italian girl, Margherita Barone in 1920, and soon after their family grew...and grew...and grew. They had 13 children in all. My father was in the middle of the group. He had a very interesting and adventurous youth, usually innovating his way into creating fun with his friends out of anything laying around the docks. They built a makeshift boat and paddled out into the harbor, only to leave it at the bottom and swim back. They sold newspapers, caught fish, rode the street cars, returning at night to eat supper and go to bed. While living a life with this much freedom might be a concern to any adult, they were raised to respect their elders and their property, and be polite. Other than that, look out! My grandfather raised fig trees, and veggies out back. He worked hard to support his family, and always made sure his children got enough attention from him. My grandmother was a saint, always putting her children first, and remaining calm in any situation...like the time the 10 year old twins were chopping wood down in the basement, and while one was holding on, Mae leaned in a little too far, only to

2010 Membership Dues Due Now

Please pay membership dues of $20 per person by March 15, 2010. After then a $3 late charge will apply. Anna will be collecting dues at February meeting, otherwise, please make check payable to Dan DiMucci Lodge #2465 and mail to:Anna Ciampa253 Tufts LaneFalling Waters WV 25419

Andiamo!A Life Filled With Love

Dan Di Mucci Lodge of Order Sons of Italy in America FEB 10

Continued on page 3

Giuseppe Cangemi, January 9, 1897–July 13, 1960

John Cangemi, Sr., February 20, 1935– September 15, 1992 He loved photography

and cooking Italian food.

By John Cangemi

Membership

Renewal Time!

Cangemi, continued from page 1The quintessential tour guide, Carlo Cangemi, takes a break on the bridge adjacent to the Castello di Sant’Angelo.

Rome wasn’t built in a day...and neither should you accept anyone’s itinerary of only spending one day, or even two days there. Rome is to be experienced like the process of preparing Tripa di Roma...slow, simmering, savoring...all the senses open, alert, and all-together willing to enjoy the bounty of this eternal joy. Joan and I have no problem sitting in the Sistine Chapel for an hour or more, simply gazing upward at Michelan-gelo’s frescos, taking in all the memories from books we’ve read about all his difficulities with cramped spaces, stiff necks, paint dripping in his eyes, and the impatient inquiries from Rex Harrison as to “When will you make an end?!”See? It takes time to make a masterpiece, and it takes time to enjoy them. Rome is around 2,900 years old. It’s ruins, monuments, churches, and what have you have been there a long, long time. The world continues on around it’s treasures. And that’s why you’ll see great icons like the Pantheon stuck right in the middle of office and apartment buildings. Why if you weren’t looking for it, the Trevi fountain might go un-noticed while you headed from the ministry of defense over to Kinkos, if it weren’t for it’s stereophonic sound of wooshing water 24/7.Rome is a huge tourist attraction for a rea-son. These sights are magnificent creations, far exceeding our ability today to imagine or duplicate them. Don’t tell me this city is over-rated until you’ve been there yourself mister man! Go ahead, walk up the 320 steps to the cupola of St. Peter’s cathedral, look out over the city and tell me this doesn’t compare to spitting off the Talahachee bridge. Walk from the Colosseum to the Baths at Caracala and tell me you aren’t impressed with their 60 foot arched walls, where regular citizens bathed alongside the rich. A place where you could go from the frigidarium, to the tepidarium, to the caldarium,

all in one day. You just can’t get that at the YMCA, huh Biaggio?Everyday Romans keep to themselves mostly except for family and friends. So when a gyp-sy couple hopped onboard the bus and start playing violin and dancing, everyone ignored

them. NOT ME! I quickly connected back with my Tran-sylvanian roots and stood up and danced, clapped, slung my head back, and en-couraged others to do the same. Andia-mo I shouted! No one moved. But when the bus stopped, and the music ended, I reached into my sweaty pockets for a

few euro. I looked around and saw amazingly, everyone smiling, and contributing to the the gypsy relief fund. Don’t let anyone, anywhere dictate where and when you open up your little bag of fun, and share it with love to those around you. Get out there, stomp your feet, share your joy, and you’ll see that those around you will learn that it’s okay to show your love in pub-lic. Andiamo a Roma!

Scholarship AwardsAndiamo a Roma

You know, I don’t make this stuff up. Don’t ignore gypsies, these two might wind up as guards at the pearly gates!

Life was good for us Cangemi boys Mickey, John and Gary seen here at grandma’s house in 1963.

This long lost statue “Laocoön and His Sons” was unearthed in 1506 in a farmer’s vineyard. When Michel-angelo heard it had been found, he rushed to the sight to see it’s magnificent representation of the human body.

have the ax embedded in her head by Josephine. She ran upstairs with it still in her head. No damage was done, but as the story goes, my grandmother calmly took her to the doctor for treatment.Dad met and married my mother in 1951, and they moved to Maryland to join the 50s crowd in the pleasant suburbs. It was a great time for me in the late 50s. I too had an easy time with my friends, explor-ing the wooded area near our home. Our uncle Phil came to live with us, after grandpa died, and at 12 years old this

By John Cangemi Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Dan Di Mucci Lodge Annual Scholarship Award.The criteria for eligibility is as follows:1. The student must be a son / daughter or a grand-

son/granddaughter of an active and good standing member of the Dan Di Mucci Lodge.

2. The student is a graduating senior going on to college.

3. The student is in good standing and has maintained a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

4. The student is required to complete an application form and an essay.

5. The parent or grandparent must be a Dan Di Mucci Lodge member of at least one year.

6. The parent or grandparent must attend at least six monthly meetings per year.

7. The parent or grandparent must support the Lodge’s fund raisers.

8. Once recognition is made, the student is required to submit a photo and a biography for inclusion in our October dinner dance program, by July 31st.

The student(s) will be presented an award certificate at his/her school’s award ceremony, either by our Lodge president or the student’s parent or grandparent. The student will be our guest at our annual dinner dance in October, at which time, the check will be presented. If unable to attend, other arrangements will be made. Applications may be obtained by calling President Tina Martin–301-992-7950Deadline for receipt of completed applications is April 15, 2010.

Recipe of the month

Galileo Galilei

Palermo59/51/8

Venice46/34/9

Rome56/40/7

Milan47/27/9

Italy’s Average TemperaturesFebruary

(°F) Day/Night/Rain days

Crema di Anguria

honoring the past

Bostonian was like a fish out of water. He eventually had enough and went to live with relatives back there. My mother quickly got tired of responsibility too, and when my younger brother Mickey was just 3, she left my dad. I have no ill feelings toward her because my dad loved us so much. It took a toll on him though and he passed away at only 57 in 1992. I was taught many things from my dad. But the ones which have kept me always smiling, and upbeat have been that family is very important, and treating others kindly will keep joy in your heart.

Italian sailors line up on Boston’s North End pier awaiting the grand parade and ceremonies to begin, hororing their arrival.

Ingredients2 cups watermelon

7 ozs. sugar

5 tbspn. corn starch

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

crumbled chocolate

pistachios, unsalted and

chopped

While I am typing I am eating this very dessert! Is it good? Well, I’ll tell you this...submit a travel article, recipe, or submit to a biography and I’ll make you a delicious meal, complete with dessert of your choice (from my list)Blend watermelon pieces separately until you get 2 cups of juice. In a saucepan, put the watermelon juice, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over low heat and stir until boiling. Lower the heat and cook, while stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cinnamon and set aside to cool to room temperature.Pour into those ramekins or a large bowl lined with plastic wrap. Put in the refrigerator for several hours, or until well chilled. Turn over onto a serving dish, decorate with the chocolate and pistachios, and enjoy!While this treat is best eaten during those hot summer days, I couldn’t wait. Are you rediscovering the joys of cooking the arti-san recipes of your Italian ancestors? I hope so...you’ll enjoy every minute, plus when you share it with your friends, they’ll know how much you love them.

A Message From the President of Our Lodge From Tina Martin: Thanks to everyone for the get well wishes. They were much appreciated !

Lodge Meeting–dinner 6pm–February 23Meeting begins at 7:00pm

Join us Tuesday, February 23, at the St. Joseph’s school auditorium; dinner 6:00pm, Meeting 7:00pm

Brunch at the Track!1pm–Sunday, March 21

Let’s have fun at Charlestown Race Track, Terrace Buffet. Come enjoy fine food, races and the slots! Please contact Ed Porturica by Email or phone: [email protected] or 304-267-6022. Please RSVP by March 13th

Calendar

Birthdays & Facts

G alileo Galilei was an Italian physi-cist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a

major role in the scientific revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical ob-servations, and support for Copernicanism. Galileo has been called the “father of modern observational astronomy,” the “father of modern physics,” the “father of science,” and “the father of modern science.” Stephen Hawking says, “Galileo, perhaps more than any other single person, was responsible for the birth of modern science.” The motion of uniformly accelerated objects, taught in nearly all high school and introduc-tory college physics courses, was studied

by Galileo as the subject of kinemat-ics. His contributions to observational astronomy include the telescopic confirmation of the phases of Venus, the discovery of the four largest satellites of Jupiter (named the Galilean moons in his honour), and the observation and analysis of sunspots. Galileo also worked in applied sci-ence and technology, inventing an improved military compass and other instruments.The next time you look to the stars for your destiny, thank Galileo Galilei!

Day Our member’s birthdays in February

9 Eligio Cordelli

21 Elizabeth Carson

21 Celeste Porturica

23 Audrey Spencer ♣

25 Biaggio Dimercurio

2 Michael Cardello

2 Abe Lincoln Di Bacco

28 Dodi Bradley

Born: February 12, 1564 Died: January 8, 1642

February 20101 Euro equals $1.37 U.S. -.06/ yr.

Day Year Famous Italian February Dates in History13 1633 Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before Inquisition for professing belief that earth revolves around the Sun2 1208 St Francis of Assisi, 26, received his vocation in Portiuncula, Italy

4 1783 Worst quake in 8 years kills some 50,000 (Calabria, Italy)15 1564 Galileo Galilei, Pisa Italy, astronomer/physicist born

Dan Di Mucci Lodge #2465

12628 Trinity Church Drive

Martinsburg, W.Va. 21772

Juliet’s Italian Market and Cafe, Juliet Kaufman9 East Church Street, Frederick, Md.301-620-0077 Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm

BCT – Bank of Charles TownMartinsburg, Kearneysville, Hedgesville,Harpers Ferry304-725-8431

Masterpiece Painting & Home ImprovementsFree Estimates Insured, MHIC # 79358 Joey Sottile, Hagerstown, Md. 301-797-8238 – Cell 301-988-2290

Lawn Medic Tom Wenner Shepherdstown, W.V . 304-876-2494 – Cell: 304-279-4563

Dr. Robert Cirincione, Orthopedic Surgeon 1120 Professional Court, Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-7900

Frank Fargo, Insurance Agent 500 Williamsport Pike, Martinsburg, W.V . 1-800-283-4915

Brown Funeral HomeMartinsburg, Inwood,Ranson, Charles Town304-263-8896

Bank of Charles Town Martinsburg: 304-262-0089, Hedgesville: 304-754-0000, Charles Town: 304-725-8431, Kearneysville: 304-876-2563, Harpers Ferry: 304-535-6336 – www.mybct.com

John Salvatore Attorney-at-Law 82 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-3600

Petrucci’s Country Market & Ice and Fruits Storage Anthony & Raymond Petrucci Route 9, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Broccoli Hall Antiques, Gifts, Crafts Elsa Burns 4505 Williamsport Pike, Williamsport, Md.

Tony’s Italian Ristorante New York Pizza 14224 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-TONY

Salvatore Di Mercurio, M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center FREE CONSULTATION 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 241, Hagerstown, Md. 301-714-4460

Appraisal Associates Frank & Dodi Bradley P.O. Box 1206, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-1167

Guy’s Buick, Pontiac, GMC Guy & Gary Chicchirichi Charlestown, W.V . 304-725-3448

Edward Jones® Benito Vattelana 301-733-9465 Stonehouse Square, Hagerstown, Md. Retirement (IRA, 401Ks) Estate Considerations, Educa-tion Savings, Insurance

Triolo Real Estate & Construction “From Tepees to Mansions” Victor Triolo 304-876-2985 – Cell: 304-676-2950

Sycamore Pottery Reynolds & Paela Parziale 5210 Paynes Ford Road, Kearneysville, W.Va. 304-725-4251

Karen’s Kraft’s Specialty Crocheted Baby Apparel Karen J. Santamaria Designer & Creator 304-267-1455

Cecil’s Building Supply, Inc. 210 Adams Street, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-5442

Rosedale Funeral Home Joseph R. Spewock 917 Cemetery Road Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-4922

Russo’s RX Family Pharmacy & Natural Concepts 25 N. Cannon Avenue Hagerstown, Md. 301-791-5220 Mon.–Fr. 9:00am–5:30 pm, Sat. 9:00am – 1:00pm, Closed Sun. & Holidays

Joseph B. Cordell, Lawyer 115 1/2 W King St, Martinsburg, W.Va. Md: 301-745-6464, or W.V: 304-263-3377 Practicing in Maryland and West Virginia

Apple Ridge Counseling Assoc. 2914 Hedgesville Road, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-754-8495 Andrea Petrucci-Kackley, MA, LPC, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor

Knights of Columbus–Pangborn Council No. 1365Bingo every Tuesday night 6:45pmDoors open at 5:00pmHagerstown, Md.–301-714-0909

Graphic Design and Video ServicesJohn Cangemi240-291-0741

Di Parma Spinoni Italian Dogs for Hunting, Conformation and Companions D. Katherine Cooker & Dorothy B. Davis 301-582-2788 – www.diparmaspinoni.com

C & O Tile Showroom & Design Center 10226 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 4004, Williamsport, Md. 301-223-1717 – Toll Free: 1-866-663-0567

Tina M. Mussolino Certified Public Accountant 714 Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Md. 301-714-2047 Email: [email protected]

Cafe’ Italia Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, Md. Antonello Scotto, Proprietor 240-420-6677