A Timeline of Italian immigration to the United States of America.
Archive for November, 2010
http://wbxapp.com/ne-italian-connect
The link above can help you stay connected to the Italian-American community in and surrounding Conn. The NE Italian Connect app can keep you connected and updated with the community while you are on the go. This app has been created for those who participate in Italian culture and those who simply wish to know more about the culture. The app’s features include RSS feeds to this blog and the the Italian American Girl Blog. It features pictures from current local Italian Events and offers an interactive poll. A map of the Italian American Stars is also featured because it is one of the most frequented Italian social clubs in Conn. This app is perfect for those who would like to stay updated on the latest events and happenings in the community. Mobile connections are the future, the world can literally be in the palm of your hand, so explore it.
A map of 10 of the societies in the greater Hartford Area.
There are over 40 Italian clubs in the greater Hartford area. Why is the community so divided? This fact is particularly interesting because most of the Italian families in the area are all from different areas of Sicily. These different societies mainly represent different towns in the province of Siracusa (Syracuse).
Floridian Ladies Society member Alfina Rizza comments on this divide in the community.
“There are so many societies just in Hartford and the funny thing is that most of them are from different parts of Sicily, towns that are right next to each other and they all do the same thing at their club meetings, said Rizza. I am not sure why, at the risk of stereotyping, I think Italians always had this thing about their town being better than others and wanting to be in control and not compromising too much,” said Rizza.
The clubs are also divided by interests such as different saints, education, and calcio (soccer). Some have been established to help improve the community and promote community service such as UNICO. Others give out scholarships such as the Sons of Italy, and those such as the Floridian Ladies Society are strictly social.
Cianfaglione, “Back in 1960 ‘s to 7o’s when the Italians came to Conn. they emigrated by the thousands from different regions and towns. Entire families and paisans (fellow townsmen) came together to form different groups because they did not know the language or the area. They adopted the idea of let us stay together within our own people. Italians today do participate on a larger scale in groups such as NIAF (National Italian American Foundation) and the Sons of Italy. Now we participate together as a whole and as separate groups,” said President of the COM.IT.ES. N.Y Conn. Quintino.
Though at first the community seems to be divided by various categories, there are organizations such as the Sons of Italy, NAIF , and UNICO that bring together Italians from many areas of Italy. These groups also unite when it comes to participating in Columbus Day ceremonies. As the generations begin to age and some of the smaller societies begin to disappear, the community should become even closer.
Preserving a Heritage 