Last night was opening ceremonies for the Down Memory Lane home coming. They are off on a river cruise this evening. Hopefully I can get some pictures Saturday night at the Alumni Center.
This evening was opening ceremonies for the 12th Annual Italian Festival. Above are a few pictures of that event. In his remarks "Mr. Italian Festival" Nunzio Lombardozzi said the festival has been going on for 77 years. That's even older than Nunzi! The twelve years they are talking about is the festival as we know it. In the old days they use to get the statue of St. Rocco from the Catholic church and parade it around town. It's a custom from the old country.
At any event it is a beautiful balmy August evening for both events. Hopefully the weather will hold out through the week-end. Both events are a home coming of sorts with old friends getting together.
Enjoy...
old nib
19 comments:
I think it would be interesting to find out the truth of who actually started the Italian Festival in Wellsville because it was not Nunzio. The St. Rocco's festival was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Italian Festival is sponsored by the Sons of Italy. Do some digging Ole Nib and give credit where credit is due, it isn't always Nunzio.
If you will open your eyes and read what was written you will realize that I didn't say Nunzi started this festival. The picture of the banner across the stage clearly shows that the event is presented by the SOI. I don't claim to know all the particulars but I well remember the K of Cs putting on the St.Rocco festival. The fireworks display they put on was some of the best I've ever seen. Perhaps you can give us a more detailed history. It would be interesting especially since it is indeed part of the ville's history. I do remember, as a kid, I looked forward to the annual Fireman's Carnival in the spring and the St. Rocco Festival in August. They were great fun and entertaining. Both ceased to exist until recently. Then 12 years ago the St. Rocco Festival seemed to evolve into the Italian Festival. The firemen got started back just this year. Although the Italian Festival is a different format than the St. Rocco carnival many of the folks that organize the event were also in the K of C, especially some of the older SOI members. Nunzi himself said last night in the opening ceremonies that it can't be done by one person and indeed there were three co-chairs. In addition to those three there are many men & women that put in a lot of hard work getting the event ready, getting it set up and running it. They all deserve a pat on the back and a hearty thank-you for their efforts. All the hours and labor they put in is what makes this festival a success and something to look forward to each year.
ole nib
The S.O.I. Italian Festival has nothing, and I mean nothing to do with the St. Rocco Festival. The only person who brings up St. Rocco and S.O.I in the same breath is Nunzio. The members at the S.O.I. CAN NOT STAND WHEN HE DOES THIS. Everybody at the S.O.I knows they are 2 different festivals, except Nunzio. He is reliving his days at the K OF C. It is a pain in the ass to here him talk about St. Rocco each year. Wake up Nunzio, all of the members at the S.O.I ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT St. Rocco, it's history. This is a fact. Quit living your days in the St. Rocco Festival through the S.O.I Italian Festival, IF YOU WANT TO START THE ST. ROCCO UP AGAIN, GO TO THE K.OF C. AND DO IT. LEAVE THE S.O.I. FESTIVAL TO THE SONS OF ITALY. One more time, Sons of Italy Italian Festival started by Sons of Italy members in 1997, nothing to do with St. Rocco Festival, what so ever. This is the truth. I hope this clears it up for everyone who cares.
Most of the S.O.I. members are not, or were they ever members of the Knights of Columbus. Go ask them, you will see what I mean.
This is the worst ever that I have seen Nunzio blowing his own horn. The write up in the papers on the Festival were jokes. You would think he is the only member up there. What a joke Nunzi. We know you are chairman, but damn, didn't noboby else help this year. I think you need to quit taking all the credit in the papers, it's getting old.
You guys are all jumping on Nunzi. You should jumping on me. I put his picture on here. He didn't. I called him "Mr. Italian Festival". He didn't. You all must be reading different newspaper articles and seen a different opening ceremony than what I saw. I certainly did not get the impression that Nunzi was tooting his own horn. He credited many for their part from the other co-chairs, to the club's members and the sponsors. I heard him frequently say "we" - not "I". Having been a public figure so long it is easy for him to get up and talk. For others it's not so easy. I got the impression that the others were willing to let him talk for most of them. Why do you find fault with that?
ole nib
No we should not be jumping on you Nib. Those statements are true whether you put it on this site or not. This has needed said for years. Even if you did not take his picture or mention his name, those statements are the truth. Nunzi needs to realize the truth, all the other members know what's up. Ask nunzi were the t-shirts the Daw Middle School are selling came from. Sneaky , sneaky, sneaky, Nunzi, but we know she is your niece.
The truth is, Nunzio is the only person in the S.O.I. who can run the festival. This is why club members let him get away with his crap. If he would quit, there would be no festival, or it would be half-ass. So he can do just about what he wants, and they let him go.
HE ALWAYS DOES ALL THE TALKING. THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE NOT ASKED TO TALK,IT'S HIS WAY OR NO WAY. MR. FESTIVAL MY ASS.
People are so mean spirited, and I would bet that most of the people complaining didnt lift a finger to help. Nunzio is a wonderful person and does so much to help Wellsville, has for years. I will blow his horn for him. No good deed ever goes unpunished in this hell hole.
Gee, I wonder who put that comment on here. His only fan?
He does things, but boy he lets you know about it. He had his wife film him cutting bushes at the old Sterling China lot, and then they sent it to News 9. Give us a break. He is a glory hound, he never was like that, but boy he is now.
You gotta give credit where credit is due. I wish we could clone Nunzi. He's a doer and for years has worked himself practically to death doing things for this place we call home. He does it for free and the things that he does are needed. He probably has more volunteer hours put in than any 20 other people you could name. He's done this for so many years some take him for granted. So what if his wife filmed him doing something and then sent it into the media? It's good publicity for the ville in trying to put our best foot forward. Nunzi is a pro-active man. He doesn't whine much about things that should be done. If he can fit it in his schedule he'll be there pitching in. He's done it for more years than I can recall. You can count me in as a Nunzi fan.
nib
Good publicity hell, he got paid for doing it. so you can be his fan, he has got everyone fooled.
Why don't you bashers go back into the hole you crawled out of. He is one of a handful of people that work hard to improve the village. The rest of you sit back and complain about everything. I wonder why he even stays a member of the soi or why anyone does. I never saw such a pack of back-stabbers in my life and that is exactly why so many people quit going there.
You can count me too, and I know many others who love Nunz. You said it best when you said you wish we could clone him. Yeah, try to put Wellsville in the spotlight for something other than our administration being a circus and you get critisized. People in this town have a huge problem with the green eyed monster. It consumes them. Keep on keepin on Nunzio. We dont want a half assed festival and that is what you would get. It is probably 2 people with their green showing writing this shit.
Nunzio Lombardozzi is "DOer". What have you "done" lately anonymous?
For the record Faye Lombardozzi submitted a comment denying that she has ever filmed her husband doing any type of volunteer work and then sending it to News 9.
Faye - the rest of your comment I feel is personal between you and the party you named. For me it is unsubstantiated. I ain't going there.
For the rest, I will not be accepting any more negative comments on Nunzi on this piece. He's a good man with a heart of gold in my opinion. He certainly does not deserve this kind of treatment. For all he's done for our village & all he'll do in the future I say thanks Nunz.
ole nib
Good job Nib. You are right, Nunz doesnt deserve it. He deserves everyones thanks.
Post a Comment