Horace Greeley's famous phrase, "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country", could very well apply to Italians. Let's explore that idea in this newsletter.
I enjoyed your visit to Portland, Tessa at St Philip's a few weeks ago. Thank you for letting us all share our stories. I'm looking forward to reading your work.
Hello Sandra, Thanks for commenting! Yes, I'm aware of all that you stated below, and have some questions. I'd love to continue our correspondence privately so please reach out via email tessawriter@tessafloreano.com
I have just read about your visit to Casa Italiana in Burien, WA. I live in Walla Walla, WA and a longtime member of the Italian Heritage Association of Walla Walla (IHA). Are you aware of the Italian American community that has existed in Walla Walla since the late 1800's? The Walla Walla Sweet Onion was developed by early Walla Walla Italian farmers and the community has more recently contributed to the valley's growing wine industry. The community was the subject of a study conducted by ethnographer, Jens Lund in 1989, results of which can be found in the Library of Congress and published in the book, "Old Ties, New Attachments" (1992). Further information about the community can be found in Vincenza Scarpaci's book "Journey of the Italians in America" 2008. Whitman College in Walla Walla also maintains an archival collection, "Italians in Walla Walla Collection" with materials dating from 1917 to present. Please contact me if you wish further information. Sandra McCoy PS my Italian family immigrated from Casamarciano to Renton in 1911, where my great grandfather worked in coal mines, a brick yard, the Denny Renton Clay and Coal Company and a railroad yard.
I enjoyed your visit to Portland, Tessa at St Philip's a few weeks ago. Thank you for letting us all share our stories. I'm looking forward to reading your work.
Rhonda (Loprinzi) Orazio
I look so forward to reading your research. My grandfather came from Bari and my grandmother from Maribella. They met in South Park. Joan Roppo Cruz
Hello Sandra, Thanks for commenting! Yes, I'm aware of all that you stated below, and have some questions. I'd love to continue our correspondence privately so please reach out via email tessawriter@tessafloreano.com
I have just read about your visit to Casa Italiana in Burien, WA. I live in Walla Walla, WA and a longtime member of the Italian Heritage Association of Walla Walla (IHA). Are you aware of the Italian American community that has existed in Walla Walla since the late 1800's? The Walla Walla Sweet Onion was developed by early Walla Walla Italian farmers and the community has more recently contributed to the valley's growing wine industry. The community was the subject of a study conducted by ethnographer, Jens Lund in 1989, results of which can be found in the Library of Congress and published in the book, "Old Ties, New Attachments" (1992). Further information about the community can be found in Vincenza Scarpaci's book "Journey of the Italians in America" 2008. Whitman College in Walla Walla also maintains an archival collection, "Italians in Walla Walla Collection" with materials dating from 1917 to present. Please contact me if you wish further information. Sandra McCoy PS my Italian family immigrated from Casamarciano to Renton in 1911, where my great grandfather worked in coal mines, a brick yard, the Denny Renton Clay and Coal Company and a railroad yard.