Worcester Talk

Genealogy => Worcester Italian Genealogy/History => Topic started by: Robin Patriarca on June 22, 2005, 08:29:12 PM

Title: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Robin Patriarca on June 22, 2005, 08:29:12 PM
My name is Robin Patriarca, I'm 42 and now reside in Northern Maine (there are no Italians here only French). My family is from Shrewsbury Street. My grandmothers maiden name was D'Angelo, she was Calabraise. My grandfather came here when he was 16 from Southern Italy with his parents through Ellis Island, NY. My father Larry Patriarca played accordian in the Perry Conte Trio for 25 years - 1960 to 85. Jerry Conte played bass and at one time Tony Casino. Al Lopez played guitar (he has an Italian name but changed his image to Spanish due to the Cuban influence on music in the 50's). They knew how to MC a wedding. Something you don't see being done very well anymore. I have kept up the traditional recipes handed down by my grandmother (food being so important in this culture). Weddings, there were many, my father being in a wedding band and all. Always the Italian ones were all homemade food, aunts cooking up a storm. Christmas Eve was a big deal, I remember that. My family was hearty, loud and fun. I miss them. I remember Derrico's Market on Shrewsbury St. and fresh cannoli's from Scano's. I remember my grandmother making macaroni, she'ld roll out the doe with a very long rolling pin and then lay the doe out on a homemade board with wires like a harp and spaghetti would form on the other side. Then she would hang it to dry on the drying rack. Being a musical family my cousiins were the D'Angelo's in rock band Mad Angel circa early 70's. These are a few of my stories what are some of yours?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on June 24, 2005, 12:41:41 PM
My name is Robin Patriarca, I'm 42 and now reside in Northern Maine (there are no Italians here only French). My family is from Shrewsbury Street. My grandmothers maiden name was D'Angelo, she was Calabraise. My grandfather came here when he was 16 from Southern Italy with his parents through Ellis Island, NY. My father Larry Patriarca played accordian in the Perry Conte Trio for 25 years - 1960 to 85. Jerry Conte played bass and at one time Tony Casino. Al Lopez played guitar (he has an Italian name but changed his image to Spanish due to the Cuban influence on music in the 50's). They knew how to MC a wedding. Something you don't see being done very well anymore. I have kept up the traditional recipes handed down by my grandmother (food being so important in this culture). Weddings, there were many, my father being in a wedding band and all. Always the Italian ones were all homemade food, aunts cooking up a storm. Christmas Eve was a big deal, I remember that. My family was hearty, loud and fun. I miss them. I remember Derrico's Market on Shrewsbury St. and fresh cannoli's from Scano's. I remember my grandmother making macaroni, she'ld roll out the doe with a very long rolling pin and then lay the doe out on a homemade board with wires like a harp and spaghetti would form on the other side. Then she would hang it to dry on the drying rack. Being a musical family my cousiins were the D'Angelo's in rock band Mad Angel circa early 70's. These are a few of my stories what are some of yours?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on June 24, 2005, 12:50:00 PM
Hello Robin..........how nice to be able to talk about our Italian heritage! I grew up on Bell Hill. My name is Diane Morgan,however my maiden name is Bellione. I too, remember Derrico's market. I am 53 years old and went to Our Lady of Mt Carmel church as a kid. I grew up on Bell hill and as a really young child lived on Shelby St. Are you familiar with that area?? I used to love going to Derrico's with my mom and looking at all that wonderful food! I've lived in Calif. for the last 28 years and miss all the good traditions and foods of our heritage. Callif. has it's Italian deli's but nothing like the east coast. I now live in Missouri and there are not many Italians here in my neighborhood. OH well........I went to Gage St grammer school for one year. I am very familiar with Shrewsbury St. I haven't been there in many years so I'm sure things are different.  I always felt at home there. I remember the Italian Kitchen had very good food.I wonder if they're still there?? My mom was born in Italy. SHe is 84 and my dad is 81 and she still cooks her pasta on Wed. nights. I miss all the great food from the east. Though I must say I went to an Italian restaurant last week in Kansas City and the food was AWESOME! Good talking to you!
Diane Bellione Morgan
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Robin Patriarca on June 24, 2005, 06:27:17 PM
Hi Diane,
Nice to meet you. I'm familiar with Bell hill but not Shelby St. I remember the Italian Kitchen and have been there a few times in the 70's. There was a house on Hamilton St. where an Italian family used to serve patrons in there living room and kitchen! Besides my Aunt Lorraine they had the best Italian food I ever had. There is no Italian food where I live but I share my heritage with friends. My parents and grandparents are deceased now but whenever I cook those recipes I feel like there here with me. I've cooked Eggplant Parmesan and Annisette Cookies for two of my friends weddings and it was an honor to be able to do that. I loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding although they were Greek in this movie it was reminicent of the weddings and family gathering I went to as a child and they were loud like that. So much laughter and kids running everywhere. Good times. As children we weren't hidden. We went to all the adult parties in our jammies. With all the musicians in my family, there was always music and guitar jams. So much fun. My father's band would always play the "snake" song, Hava Nikea (don't know if thats spelled right). And sometimes they would play it at family parties and we'ld all hold hands and snake through the house and outside. I teach my children as much as I can about their Italian heritage. Their not in touch with anyone as everyone has moved away and we are here. I would love to go to Italy one day. My brother has gone and learned that our last name means the Patriarch or the father. Anyway, great to meet you.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on June 24, 2005, 07:56:05 PM
Hey Robin, I make Anise cookies every single Christmas, and my friends love them. I make the real soft ones, not the ones that you dip in coffee. Mine are the ones with the icing on them, do you know which ones I'm talking about?? Did you go to North High School? What grammer school did you go to????? By the way I have a sister that lives in Maine. She lives in Cape ELizabeth. Have you heard of it??
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Robin Patriarca on June 25, 2005, 08:47:57 AM
Those are the same that I make, soft ones with icing and non-parelles on top. And yeah everyone loves those cookies. I make a family project out it with my 5 year old. Where I live in Maine is the most northern section. Fort Kent which is where Route 1 starts on upper border of Canada. I'm not real familiar with the coastal towns as thats 4 to 5 hours from here. I went to Chaffins in Holden for grammar school, moved to Worcester at age 11 and went to Providence Junior High and South High when it was brand new. Being into art, I miss the Art Museum and go when I visit my brother down yonder.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Tony Bellione on July 13, 2005, 07:12:32 AM
My name is (Norman) Anthony Bellione.... Diane Bellione is my cousin... the last time I saw her was in California in Lake Elsenor about fifteen years ago... I now live in Tennessee.  I see that she has returned home to Worcester, Mass.  Her uncle, my farther, Anthony Joseph Bellione died in 1994 in Rhode Island.  I would like to be able to talk to her in person.  My phone number is 615-595-9777.... this is my office number.
My oldest son is now back in Iraq for the third time... He is an officer/pilot in the Air Force.  He has three girls, the oldest in twelve.  My youngest son lives in Reno with his wife and two children, his oldest is three. My wife and I go to Italy every year and have been able to locate two relatives... Luca and Sabina Bellione in Milan. I also have information about our grandfather, Pasquale Bellione.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 13, 2005, 03:46:37 PM
Hey Toni, I am so glad that you discovered this great website~ and I am so glad that we're back in touch:)
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: MaryLand on July 24, 2005, 01:18:17 PM
I lived in Worcester 50S-mid 60's and around Shrewsbury St too. (also in Shrewsbury) I am not of Italian heritage but feel like I am because of the background and surroundings of Shrewsbury St that I grew up in.  It was great food!!  I remember Derricos' too, D'Amicos' Bakery cream cakes, cream horns, anise cookies and Ferraro's restaurant where my mother worked for over 10 years. Their food was so good and they were good people.! 
On weekends we'd sometimes get Italian club sandwiches, and if it was hot weather, lemon ice !  I moved every so often so I went to Adams St School and Elizabeth St School. I played at Bell Hill, Green Hill and around Shrewsbury St.  I recall the religious feasts where they'd parade down Shrewsbury St carrying a statue with money pinned to the skirt of the statue. (even though I am Catholic I cannot recall if it was Fatima or Mary, or Lady of Mt Carmel ??)  Robin if you'd share your recipe of Soft Anise Cookies, I'd love it!  I laughed when the mention of Big Fat Greek Wedding came up, because as we watched that with my family, I could point out things that I could relate to.  Although Sopranos is over the top, even that show could bring back many, many memories.
My family moved out of state in the mid 60's and I've always checked up on the Worcester websites to keep up on the area. 
Good memories!
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 24, 2005, 01:25:02 PM
Hi Maryland, I can't believe you went to Elizabeth St School, so did I! That was in the early 60's. When did you go there? Do you remember Ms. Gatti?? What's your maiden name?? You bet those are good memories, and they were the good old days too weren't they??
diane
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: MaryLand on July 24, 2005, 02:00:12 PM
Hi Diane,
I'm older than you are. I went to Eliz. St School in 1958 - 1959.  Yes, I remember Miss Gatti.  Those schools were ancient!  That was where we first started PHY ED, or so to speak.  We'd play bean bag toss in the basement, and I'm wondering if it was one of the very first type of presidential physical fitness programs.  Otherwise we played kickball on the upper level of the shool yard.
I lived on Farwell St. on the 3rd floor of a triple decker owned by an Italian family and on Sunday mornings after church they'd play Italian music, and of course with only screens on our hot 3rd floor window I heard it and became very familiar with those songs.   During lent my sister and I would walk towards the Bell Hill area over Shrewsbury St and we'd get Fish & Chips for supper on Friday nights. 
I remember Gypsies too during those times in a store front not far from the auditorium.  They advertised palm reading.  Lots of good memories and it is so much fun to see all of the photos posted on this great website. It takes time to search but there is lots of info on here.
Thanks for the chat!
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 24, 2005, 03:18:43 PM
I can't believe this, I lived at the corner of Farwell and Eastern Ave.......I am 53 years old.........I wonder if we know each other.......Do you want to tell me your name (maiden name)?? I remember Elizabeth St School so well. Remember how safe and wonderful life was then?? Do you still live in Worcester? Do you remember me at all?? My name is Diane Bellione, and I have 3 sisters, Mary, Joan and Debi. Do you recall any of us? Do you know Pete Zompetti?? Laura Troio? Glenn Smith? So good talking to you....... ;)
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: MaryLand on July 24, 2005, 04:47:08 PM
How about that?  WOW....No, I don't live there anymore.  My family moved to the Midwest in the mid60's.  As a family we visited back to Worc. up until the 70's and I've lived elsewhere in MA over the years, and vacation on the shore, but never went to Worcester as no family was there after that. 

Oh, we probably were IN school at the same time, even though we had to line up in our own room/grade lines in the schoolyard. 

I don't recall many names at all, other than the Cournoyers on Farwell St.  I used to play with her. They had an old barn in the back of their yard, connected to the house and used as a shed for storage.  Upstairs in the barn must have been a living area way back when, as there were the studs and rafters of rooms, sink area, openings for windows etc.   They had twin babies in 1958.  I am not sure where Eastern Ave is, and I'll have to check on some Worc. maps to see the city better.   
Across the street from where I lived was a large white 2 story house with dark green trim and the yard was big, and entirely fenced in yard.  I played with the girl upstairs sometimes.
No I don't recall any of those classmates you mentioned.    
I also lived on Caprera Rd when I went to Adams Street School and that was in 7th grade.  TTYL ~M
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 24, 2005, 05:46:40 PM
I knew the Courneyors well, my sister Mary was good friends with Joyce. And my sister Debi was good friends with the twins, Norma and Donna. Norma passed away a few years ago from uterine cancer. As I recall there were 2 other sisters, Barbara and Beverly?? We lived directly behind their house, our back yard was right behind their house. Which of the girls were you friends with? Do you remember the Fergersons? There was JoAnne, and she had a few brothers, Gerald and a few others who I can't recall now. I live in the mid west now, I live in Missouri. That area of Worcester is pretty bad now. How sad it was to go down there and see what it has become. I drove by there a few years ago when I went to see my parents. Do you remember  Vessio's market at the corner of Belmont and Eastern Ave?? Do you remember Bell Pond??
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: MaryLand on July 25, 2005, 03:44:11 AM
I think I was friends to Joyce.  We buried an instant coffee jar in her backyard near the swing set with our names on paper supposedly as a time capsule for the future. Ha, this is better than that. Yes I do recall the Fergusons, JoAnne and Gerald.  I would go get them on the way to walk to school.  Yes I recall the markets.  We'd buy penny candy and cold popsicles on hot summer days.  So that tells me that Eastern Ave. was up at the top of the Farewell St.  Bell Pond was fun and the park too.  I got swimmers rash from swimming in Bell Pond though.  I would like to return and go to the cemeteries to visit graves.  Our small family always visited the graves on Memorial Day.
I also recall a boy nearer to the school who had pigeons on his back porch.
Unless Robin came up to the school yard to play in our area, I know I did not go down to the Shelby area other than the walks to get Fish 'n'Chips and to go to church.   Since I only lived there 1 year or so I probably can't recall all of the kids' names.  There were times we all played hide & seek and all slid down the sidewalks on sleds, or swam at Bell Pond.  We probably were shoulder to shoulder many times and now get to chat.   8)  We'll have to think on this, maybe more memories will come up. 
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 25, 2005, 04:15:05 AM
This whole conversation is boggling my mind.How funny about the time capsule thing. As I mentioned my sister Mary (55 years old) used to be good friends with Joyce. Do you remember her grandmother that lived upstairs that always sat looking out the window? She also had a dog named Tiny that I was so afraid of. I remember too, walking down to Vessio's and buying popsicles for a nickel! I sure wish I could recall you and which house you lived in. Do you recall who your teachers where at Elizabeth St School? Do you also recall those pizza sales the school would have? I gather your first name is Mary? I am going to ask my sister if she remembers you. It's so good chatting with ya:)
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Robin Patriarca on July 27, 2005, 06:28:31 AM
Hi,

Here's the annisette cookie recipe

1/2 lb butter
1. Place the beaten eggs in a large mixing bowl and while the eggs are still beating add the melted butter, oil, anisette and last the sugar. Mix until well blended.

2. Then, using your hands add the flour and baking powder until you get a good firm ball. Let it rest ona board for 10 to 15 mintures and then proceed.

3. Break off small pieces and roll like a pencil to form a knot or shape into balls or rings.

4. Bake on a greased cookie sheet in a preheated oven 375 for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

5. These also can be made into loaves, bake until brown, remove from cookie sheet and slice diagonally.

Icing for Anisette Cookies:

for 100 cookies

1 box confectioners sugar
1tsp lemon flavor
4 to 6 tbsp of cold water
color tints for pastel colors
non-parelles for decorating

Add the water a little at a time. Put all the cookies in a large pan and add all the frosting on top and with both hands cover all the cookies. When they are well coated place them on cookie sheet lined with wax paper, sprinkle with non-parelles and allow to dry.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Robin Patriarca on July 27, 2005, 07:10:06 AM
sorry, screwed that up, I'm going to make a new topic just for Italian recipes. Sound like a good idea?
Robin
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 27, 2005, 07:54:09 AM
Hey Robin, sounds like a great idea:)
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: MaryLand on July 27, 2005, 04:54:40 PM
Hi Robin,
that is great to give the recipe thank you, and I LUV the idea of posting more....as I can see already it has more people reading.  GREAT to share.  I must tell you New England has fantastic Italian food.  You can't find it everywhere.
Thank you, I'll watch for more.
~MaryLand
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Barb Knox on February 01, 2006, 12:34:42 PM
Late comer here - hope some of you are checking on replies.  While not being Italian (Polish) and not living on Shrewsbury Street, I recall most of the places that you talked about.  I also remember the religious festival where the statue was carried and recall going to one of the "festivals" with an Italian young man who worked with me at my summer job at a local sweatshop.

Remember Speedy drive-in (I think that was the name).  That was my first teenage encounter with the kids who lived around Shrewsbury Street.  Hung out that for awhile, although the names have gone.  I actually lived closer to downtown in the King Street Area (City Hospital).  I graduated from South High in 1964 and attended Salter Secretarial School for one year.  I worked at Paul Revere Life Insurance Company for awhile and then left when I was pregnant with my first child.  I have lived in Sunny California, not too far from Elsinore, since 1978.

Barb (Siergie) Knox
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on February 01, 2006, 12:47:40 PM
Hello Barbara, nice hearing from someone from Worcester! I no longer live in Calif. May I ask where in Calif you live???
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on February 01, 2006, 12:49:53 PM
Hi Barbara, nice to hear from someone from Worcester. I no longer live in Calif. May I ask where in Calif you live??
Diane (Bellione) Morgan
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Barb Knox on February 02, 2006, 09:48:47 AM
I live in Cathedral City, and my office is in Palm Springs.

Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on February 02, 2006, 05:05:34 PM
Hi Barb, what a small world uh?? What brought you to Calif.?? I loved Calif and miss it very much, I lived there for 28 years. I am going "home" to Worcester in May for a visit with my family. It's been about 5 years since I've been there.
diane
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Barb Knox on February 08, 2006, 01:20:28 PM
I escaped from the Worcester area (Northboro) in July of 1978 after telling everyone who would listen that I had experienced my last blizzard.  I just ended up in the Palm Springs area and have enjoyed living here - even during the hot summer.

I have two brothers who still live in Worcester and a cousin in Brookfield.  I haven't been back in years...

Barb
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Natalie on March 01, 2006, 02:40:43 PM
Hi:

My name is Natalie (Bargnesi) Siedentopp. I lived on Camassa Terrace, (Off Shrewsbury St.) From 1946 for many years, I hung around Speedys and East Park. The Zona family, Errede Family were close friends. Any one know  of these families? I went to Adam Street School and remember a teacher by the name of Mr. Riley.
My father had a trucking company and came from Farno Italy thru Ellis Island in 1911. I miss Shrewsbury Street so much, I go back often, just to eat at the Parkway, go to Scanos for Italian cookies weekly.


Natalie
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Barb Knox on March 02, 2006, 11:14:50 AM
You are one of the few people on these boards that has even mentioned Speedy's.  Lots of teenagers hung out there in the 60's.  I recall one my older friends taking her boyfriend's car out and then driving it over one of the islands where a speaker had broken off - took lots of the guys to get the car off there, but the driver was pretty so they were happy to do it.  One of the guys that hung out there had lost his license and one of his friends was driving him around.  He got into the trunk of his car and, after asking if the driver had the other set of keys, shut the car door.  The driver had said yes only kidding around, and the owner was locked in the trunk.  He was eventually gotten out, but it took awhile and it was entertaining to watch.  I think the non-licensed person was related to someone who owned Worcester Sand & Gravel, but I'm not sure.  Didn't Worcester Sand & Gravel have a "bottomless" pond that we weren't supposed to swim in, but did?.

Speedy's had a "special" sauce onthe hamburgers and car hops.  Gas could be gotten for $.25 per gallon on the other end of Shrewsbury street during the gas wars. 

Barb (Siergie) Knox
Palm Springs, Ca
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Natalie on March 02, 2006, 02:07:55 PM
You are absolutely right about the bottomless swimming hole. The sauce was great, the hamburgers had cole slaw on them, and it was the Merit gas station that had gas for 25cents a gallon. I ghuess now we are giving our age away. Did you live on Shrewsbury street?

Natalie
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Barb Knox on March 03, 2006, 12:55:58 PM
I didn't live on Shrewsbury Street, in fact, I lived in the King/Queen Street area - but after getting friends started getting driver's licenses became much more mobile.  I guess that was the Merit gas station, I'd forgotten that.  Did you ever go to a dance in the Lake Quinsig area where the Black Orchids were playing.  We followed them when they played to some extent. 

Barb
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Natalie on March 03, 2006, 03:12:32 PM
No I never did go to dances there. Hung around the Black Orchid on Shrewsbury Street, with Will Rock and a bunch of others. As I got older 18 or so, I followed the band "The Wild Things" The guitar player was Hawiian his name was Poncho and we dated for a year or so. Te mostly played at the Sitzmark, now called Mount Wachusett. Did you ever hear of them?

Natalie
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: tommyg on March 09, 2006, 04:06:52 AM
Hi,,, was a Speedy "regular" from 1963 till it burned down. The Wild Things... remember them well. They used to travel around in an old limo. Anyone remember the dances they had at "The Moors" in Shrewsbury? There is a Speedy`s reunion held every year, and yes the owners Fred and Marion are still living and looking quite well. Anyone ever swim at Bell Pond?  That was almost a bottomless pit, in the middle it was close to 30 feet deep.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Natalie on March 09, 2006, 01:50:15 PM
HI TommyG:

Did you live in the area of Shrewsbury Street? When and where do they have the Speedy's reunion?
I lived on Camassa Terrace, it is where the White Truck garage use to be. Did you know Joe Martocci, Paul Errede, the Zona's?

Natalie
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: tommyg on March 13, 2006, 03:51:44 AM
Hi Natalie,
              Yes, grew up right off Shrewsbury St. The Speedy`s reunion is somewhat of a private affair, invitation only, like we were so high class back then, lol. Knew Joe Martocci, (sadly, he passed away a few years back), The Zonas, (Pete). East Park was our hang-out, before we graduated to cars. I live near by, so I usually pass by the street 2-3 times a week. Sure has changed, but in some ways it still the same. Have you recently been by there?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Natalie on March 13, 2006, 01:31:07 PM
I go to Scanos Bakery to get Italian cookies a few times a month. I also go to the Parkway to eat a few times a month. When they have the Italian Feast on Shrewsbury Street during the Summer I go.
I'll bet somewhere along the earlier years our paths have crossed on Shrewsbury Street. I hung around with Maria Zone Peters sister. We lived on the next street (Camassa Terrace) They lived on Muskego Street. Did you go the Adams Street School?

Natalie
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: tommyg on March 17, 2006, 03:48:43 AM
Yes, I did go to Adams st. school. lived almost right across the street from it. Then it was on to Gage St. school from there. I remember my folks wanted me to go to Sacred Heart, but I won that one, the only one I ever won against them. Camassa  ran right from Shrewsbury St. right into East Park if I remember right. There was a few three deckers, but other than that not many houses. I was in the Wonder Bar last week and looking across the street I remembered those frozen leomomnade cups from Steve`s Spa, ever have any of those?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Keva on May 24, 2006, 07:54:45 AM
Robin,

I just wandered on the site and have been enjoying catching up with the walk down memory lane in Worcester. Your message caught my attention because my father,( Rocco Savino) also played with Pete LaConto's ( Perry Conte's) band during those same years. He played accordion, piano and the organ . He also taught at the Perry Conte Studio on Front Street ( at least I think that is the name of the street.)

My fathers family lived at 55 East Central Street and then my Mom's also moved in after they married during WW2 in Ireland.

I remember your family name... did your father also play at Bronzo's?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Frankie on June 26, 2006, 08:04:22 AM
Hello To All,

Great Site with so many interesting stories. My name is Frank Savastano and I also grew up on Shresbury Street (Risso Court) went to Gage Street School/ North High and U- Mass. I like you, miss all the great traditions growing up in that area. The food was amazing and all the great little family owned business were special.
I played in a group called the New Breed and have been living and working in Floroda for a long time but still have all those great memories. Seems like I knew some you you from those days and truly enjoying reading the mail. Lets keep it going.


Frankie Savastano
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: oldtimer on July 17, 2006, 06:33:49 AM
Hi all , I presently live on Lyon St . it's across Shrewsbury St . from the old Jewetts Garage and the East Side Improvement Club . I've lived here since getting married in 1972 . If I can bring you up-to-date on whats happened here then let me know . There are very few Italians left here...mostly Brazilians... :( Worcester is trying to push Shrewsbury St as ' Resturant Row ' , much like Federal Hill in Providence or the North End in Boston... ::)  Certain people and company's are investing a lot of money down here so we'll see how it works out .
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 17, 2006, 08:27:23 AM
Hello Oldtimer, I am very surprised to hear that the Italians are moving away from Shrewsbury St! Why is that happening? I  grew up there and am very saddened to hear that. Why did they leave?? thanks for your reply.......Diane Bellione Morgan
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: oldtimer on July 17, 2006, 11:19:57 AM
Hi Diane , As the ' heads of the family's ' died off the children would sell the houses and move to the suburbs . Just like our grandparents did when they came to Shrewbury St . the Brazilians would buy a 3 decker and rent out floors/rooms to fellow Brazilians new to the country . On Lyon St alone there are only 3 family's left from the time I moved here . Oh well , nothing stay's the same...
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on July 17, 2006, 11:25:54 AM
Sadlyl, you're right. That's really too bad, I am going to talk to my mom about this. I think she still shops at D'Errico's ( I assume that's still there?????). thanks for the reply take care
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: oldtimer on July 17, 2006, 02:49:45 PM
I just moved my bakery from the 2nd floor of what USE to be D'erricos and is now a Brazilian restaurant ( see what I mean ? ) D'erricos mkt is now next door in what use to be Argentos mkt... ??? Cant tell the players without a scorecard anymore...
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: woostahgirlatheart on November 06, 2006, 05:05:20 AM
Hi Robin
My dad Donald Misale "Chico" played out with your dad for many years, Along with Vic Mercandante.  I mentiond your post to my dad and he remembers him fondly......he's got some great stories about the different places (that don't exist anymore) that they played out in.  He said they were one of the best bands at the time out there....if my dad could turn the clock back he'd still be playing with the guys =)


Robin,

I just wandered on the site and have been enjoying catching up with the walk down memory lane in Worcester. Your message caught my attention because my father,( Rocco Savino) also played with Pete LaConto's ( Perry Conte's) band during those same years. He played accordion, piano and the organ . He also taught at the Perry Conte Studio on Front Street ( at least I think that is the name of the street.)

My fathers family lived at 55 East Central Street and then my Mom's also moved in after they married during WW2 in Ireland.

I remember your family name... did your father also play at Bronzo's?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: woostahgirlatheart on November 06, 2006, 05:14:08 AM
Hi Robin

I am glad I found your post.   My dad Donald Misale "Chico"  also played with Perry Conte as well as Tony D'angelo and Vick Mercadante for years....he is sad that the era is gone.  I remember my dad going out to play in the band with the polyester suit and big velvet bow ties...not to mention ruffle shirts!!! god love the 70's!!!!   I live in SC now I don't miss the winters but I sure miss Dino's and Shrewsbury Street...I've got alot of family history there.  When my grandmother imigrated they were living on Larkin Street...I would have loved to see the old neighborhoods then, now they are falling apart =(  it's sad....but at least here in SC I get to introduce my southern friends to annisette cookies!!! you know how hard it is to find anise extract in the south!!!???? I have to stock up when I find it....my friends here have no idea what a cookie tray is and why you would bring it to a wedding etc..it's funny.    I am so proud of my heritage and family and of being from Worcester =)

All the best!

Ciao!
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane on November 06, 2006, 03:25:17 PM
Hi Woostagal! I can relate to trying to find Anise extract........and of course cookie trays. I lived in Missouri. (lived in Calif. the last 25 years). My son met a Mo. girl so we all ended up here. When they got married it was like pulling teeth trying to get "cookie trays" together. No one knew what I was talking about. I miss Worc. sometimes..........I gather you grew up in the Shrewsbury St area??? Did you know the Bellione's??? That's my maiden name.
Ciao back at you!:)
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: woostahgirlatheart on November 07, 2006, 08:59:57 AM
Hi Diane

No your last name does not ring a bell...I actually grew up off Hamilton Hill\Grafton Street.  My last name is Misale (maiden name).  I feel bad that the city is not the same I every time I go home to visit family I cringe at how old and run down things look...my mom's neighborhood has drugs and crime they NEVER had before...I think they will have to move =(  they've lived on the same block for 60 years!!! so I can't even imagine them someplace else....even moving by in SC they'd be like fish out of water....I am hopeful things will change.  I am glad that I am raising my family here because the public schools are amazing....can only say that about a few public schools now back home.  Glad to know someone else feels my "cookie" pain.  All the best!

Lisa
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Frankie on November 07, 2006, 12:08:18 PM
If you can find Anise Oil  -It will make those cookies even better

Frank
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Frankie on November 07, 2006, 01:12:03 PM
Hi Robin,

Do you have a family member named '"Babe" I grew up on Risso Court and use to know Babe very well.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Frankie on November 07, 2006, 01:17:41 PM
Does anyone remember the bakery on the corner of Shrewsbury Street and Risso Court? I cant remember the name even though I grew up on Risso Court.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Lam2861 on November 16, 2007, 09:07:04 AM
Hello Robin!!!!
My name is Lisa, and i grew up on Shrewsbury St. as well..
I lived there till i was 20,and went to the Grafton Hill area..My Maiden name is
Loverro,and i lived on Lyon Street till i moved away, i was born & raised there,and have lots of my own fond memories as well.
There are 7 kids in my family,and i am number 6.. i am 46 years old,and still in the Grafton St area..i sometimes visit the old neighborhood occasionally, and its not what it use to be..and its too bad..
I lived across the street from the barrel company..do you remember that place?
I was on the last house on the right, corner of Lyon & Albany Street..lived across the sand pit too..lol
My whole family worked at the Parkway Diner for years, everyone but my dad,and i learned lots from them by working there ,and today i am a Food Service Manager at a Nursing home, so i have the Parkway Diner to thank for all the cooking experience i learned..
I remember when Joe Viscosi had his store on Shrewsbury St,and When the Manzi's ran a supermarket on the corner of shrewsbury,and cross st.
We also had Steve's spa who had the best lemonade you could ever get, and Toscano's Market ..those were the good ole days,and we will never get them back..
Did you ever know anybody who lived on Lyon St.?  Let me know if you do..
Take care of yourself..
Ciao..;)
Lisa
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Diane Bellione Morgan on November 16, 2007, 03:59:19 PM
Hi Lisa, good getting some feedback from this website, seems like people don't visit here that often. We're about 10 years apart so that's probably why your name isn't familiar to me. (or is it??) My maiden name is Bellione. How I would love to go back to Worc. and take a stoll through the old neighborhood. I love Derrico's market, is it still there/?? Now living in Missouri we have NO Italian markets in the town where I live. Such a bummer.
Let's hope more people start coming here to this board to chat, I find it very nice to be able to talk to people from my hometown. I miss it sometimes though I don't think I'd ever want to go back. My family still lives there and my mom (almost 87) still goes to OLMC church.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Lam2861 on November 16, 2007, 04:34:12 PM
Hello,and where do you presently reside on Lyon Street?
I use to live at # 28, i was born and raised there..
After my dad passed away i left there in 81, i use to live right across the sand pit,and the barrel company..last house on the right..the 3 decker..
My maiden name is Loverro...ever heard of us?
I have 7 in my family,and i am the 6th one,and my name is Lisa..:)
I use to work at the Parkway Diner back in the day..do you ever go there?
They were always competitive with the Boulevard..lol , but how i had great times there..too bad that cant come back..
Ciao for now..
Lisa
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: rolli cannoli on March 17, 2008, 11:54:34 AM
are u related to the pizzarella's from lyon st.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Lam2861 on May 03, 2008, 09:07:40 AM
No,not related to the Pizzarella's, but i use to hang out with Janet Pizzarella when i was a teenager, and that girl was too wild for me, the things she use to do, was not my style, but i do know the whole family..
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: frankiethefox on August 01, 2008, 08:24:11 AM
Hello,and where do you presently reside on Lyon Street?
I use to live at # 28, i was born and raised there..
After my dad passed away i left there in 81, i use to live right across the sand pit,and the barrel company..last house on the right..the 3 decker..
My maiden name is Loverro...ever heard of us?
I have 7 in my family,and i am the 6th one,and my name is Lisa..:)
I use to work at the Parkway Diner back in the day..do you ever go there?
They were always competitive with the Boulevard..lol , but how i had great times there..too bad that cant come back..
Ciao for now..
Lisa
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Federica on August 19, 2008, 12:52:01 AM
Hi everybody,
my name is Federica and I'll come in Worcester for a postgraduate corse at the Umass Medica Center from September 2008 to November 2008, can you help me to find italians in this town?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Michael Bellione on August 19, 2008, 01:48:25 PM
I don't have any stories of my Italian heritage besides my father singing Dean Martin and other Italian love songs on the weekends while cooking spaghetti or something else he learned from my grandfather Tony Bellione.  I remember one summer visitinig my grandfather and him taking me down for my first "Frap" man that was good!  Reading all of these memories really makes me wish my children could have grown up in such a wonderful neighborhood and such a fantastic time.  Thank you all for sharing and maybe I can get back there one day and smell the smells, taste the tastes and see all the wonderful things you have mentioned.

God bless.

Michael.
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: K on September 19, 2008, 10:03:16 PM
My grandfather was Perry Conte.  He was such an amazing man.  I miss him terribly.  Anyone have any stories?
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: Catino on November 29, 2011, 10:01:01 AM
Does anyone remember the bakery on the corner of Shrewsbury Street and Risso Court? I cant remember the name even though I grew up on Risso Court.
Hi I just stumbled on this site while looking for info on my husbands family. They lived E entral stree when they first arrived and moved to Shelby street later on. Their house was on the part of Shelby street that is now 190.lol They moved out to Holden in the 60's. When I saw your post about someone named babe I thought maybe it was my Aunt. Everyone calls her babe and always has. Her real name is Mildred. Oh and my husband name is Catino anyone recognize that?
Carrie
Title: Re: your personal stories about your Italian heritage or family
Post by: thatsanice on October 10, 2012, 12:00:29 AM
Seems like all the stories on this post go back a while ,but i just came accross this site a few daysmago and reading some of the posts i may have known some of the people  who posted
i lived on cammasa terr, i knew the barnegese's they were ida and rosie it wasnt speedes when we hung around there it was Laipsons Ice Cream Bar, When I left worcester in the 50's i returned every year to visit family moved back in 77 left in 88 went to nv still visit