Wednesday, October 24, 2007

East Harlem, New York

Italian Harlem also called East Harlem

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It seems as though I can't stop talking about the old neighborhood, East Harlem, especially when it comes to the Italian Feast of Mount Carmel on First Avenue. This was one of the most exciting experiences, that I always looked forward to in the summer, during my childhood days. We never missed a feast. The whole family went, and what a great time we had. There was something special about the feast that seemed to stand out. The first whiff of fried Zeppole mixed with the irresistible alluring aromas of Italian delights, carried by the summer breeze, would make anyone's head giddy. Masses of people standing in lines would wait anxiously for their turn , hoping there was enough food treats to satisfy every one's long awaited taste buds. Yummy, yum...drool. Finally there in front of us, among the delicious Italian delicacies, were the enticing Zeppoles (fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar). You never saw a bunch of kids devour so quickly those Zeppoles, and walk away grinning from ear to ear with powdered mustaches. This I could still remember.

Forty-three year old , Italian American first generation, Al Guerra, grew up in East Harlem, who followed the feast every summer. Although He currently lives in Florida with his wife and three children, he still travels to East Harlem every year for the Feast. Al Guerra has managed to put together a fascinating website about the Feast of Mt. Carmel .This is a wonderful website dedicated to the people who helped make this great festive tradition possible. This website portrays a yearly tradition that has been in existence among the Italian Immigrants since 1881 and will continue to exist even into the future. Lots of research , photos and valuable historical information has been invested by its webmaster in the preparation of this website. A definite must see. Please visit their photo gallery for pictures of the feast.

One of the many outstanding features of his website is Gerald Meyer's article on "Italian Harlem":

"Italian Harlem--which was located on Manhattan's east side between 96th Street and 125th Street from Lexington Avenue to the East River-at its height in 1930 was home to eighty-nine thousand first- and second-generation Italian Americans. Its large population. (see original article for the rest)

Another important website which I would like to mention that is dedicated to Italian Traditions, the Giglio di San Antonio in East Harlem, which is an Italian Festa in continium since the early 19th century. Bob Maida, who is an active member and photographer of the East Harlem Giglio Society located in the East Harlem Giglio, website has done a fantastic job of providing pictures, current as well as historical which can be viewed by the public. Bobby also helps promote the festival.



Gerard Madio..55 a third generation East Harlemite feels this feast is: "the last of Italian East Harlem as we remember it, that is why it is very important for everyone who was raised in this neighborhood or their parents or grandparents to come back again & again to enjoy the old neighborhood, old stories and old and new friends. The "Giglio" is the only true relic that belongs to us, so that is why we have it and cherish it. It might look like "The Giglio" was built in a day, but it's not. It requires fund raising and a year round event of planning, with men who put their heart and soul into it, to keep a tradition alive, and in the end, after looking at the smiling face's of children with their parent's or grandparents, it's all worth it."

To enter the Giglio site. There are links to other websites both in America and Italy that are devoted to or sponsors of Giglio Feasts. This is another definitely must see. To view 2007 Photos from East Harlem's Annual Feast--Giglio Di Sant' Antonio Click Here

Here is a little background history:

The Giglio Society of East Harlem is a group of men who have dedicated their lives to honor Sant’ Antonio, their beloved saint. Their love and devotion is on display each year during their Annual Festival held in East Harlem, New York. They honor their Patron Saint in very much the same fashion as their ancestry did and still do annually today in Brusciano by building a Giglio and dancing it in the streets of Manhattan, N.Y.

Giglios are built in honor of a town’s patron saint and carried on the shoulders of approximately 120 men in a ritual that dates back to 409AD in the town of Nola Italy.

"Around the turn of the 1900's, Italian immigrants left Italy in search of a better life for their families. During this time, Southern Italy was a very desperate place holding little to no promise of a bright future for the many starving and hungry families. Many had no other choice but to pack up their belonging and take a chance on moving to the promise of the 'New World' - America! (to continue reading, click here).



If you would like to leave a comment,
Contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
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6 comments:

THERESA MEDIC I said...

HI MIMI, LOVE THE SITE I AM A PAST RESIDENT OF E. HARLEM, I CAME FROM
E. 114 ST MY NAME IS THERESA MEDICI
I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT IS WERE I WAS BORN, WE HAD 25 COUSINS ON THE SAME BLOCK AND AUNTS, UNCLES, AND ETC. I STILL GO THERE FOR THE GILGO
MY BOTH PARENTS CAME FROM POLLA,
ITALY, THAT SAINT THAT IS IN THAT
CHURCH CAME FROM THAT TOWN.
WE HAVE A REUNION EVERY YR HERE IN THE BRONX, WE HAD 650 PEOPLE LAST YEAR, THAT CAME FROM ALL OVER TO SEE THEIR OLD FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT.AGAIN WE WILL HAVE IT IN APRIL 2008.
I WANT TO KEEP IN TOUCH, HAVE A LOT OF INFO ON E. HARLEM CATHOLIC MUSEUM.LOCATED IN THE OLD MT CARMEL SCHOOL,ITS THE STATE OF THE ART MUSEUM. OK THANK YOU,
THERESA MEDICI

Anonymous said...

Hi Mimi,
What a great site! I really enjoyed reading about the old days and remembering some very familiar people and places. My name is AnnMarie Bonasera and I went to St. Ann's School and grew up on 109th St. between first and second avenues. My family lived from 106th Street (the Sicilians) to 116th St and Pleasant Ave. I still go back periodically to the Feast of Mt. Carmel. My grandmother, Anna Bonasera used to work for the church in the 50s and 60s and Father Pistella used to visit her on holidays. So much to say and to remember!!!

Anonymous said...

I am not from Italian Harlem but I appreciate the Neighborhook.
Anche Parlo Italiano.

I'm from Brooklyn, and took a walk around the Italian Harlem a year or so ago.
It was nice to find it.
On one of the streets off Pleasan Avenue , (A dead end street which almost meets the FDR drive) , I saw a row of homes and at the end the whole side wall of one painted Red White and Green.

I have read much on Italian Harlem online, and see that Italian Harlem is coming back in A Strong way.
Patsys, Orbits (on 2nd Ave) , Raos, Claudios Barber shop are original Italian Harlem Business still doing good Business and Quality.
I've read that many new Italian Residents are moving back into Italian Harlem (around Pleasant Avenue Area).

Also , come leave you e mails address on our website.
www.solomusicanapoletana.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Annmarie Is This Really You This Is Millie From 111st Mickeys Friend Hey Remember Tommy Petito

Anonymous said...

Hi Theresa Are You Terry From 114th st 2nd Ave An Lived On Stafford Ave In The Bx ???

Anonymous said...

Hi East Harlemites Terry are u Still On Here Did u Stay With {Olga }Lefty I See Ann Marie Hey Ann MArie Happy to see u too did u knoW genie ~ Boy From 324 hu 09 ?? Get Back To Me My e mail is flowerbell19@yahoo.com LUV TO HEAR FROM U MILLY XO