Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

With this update to the web site occurring during the traditional 12 days of Christmas we have another opportunity to express our wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year along with wishes for the joyous feelings of the season.

Similar greetings were received from Il Sindaco and l’Amministrazione Comunale di Craco (shown at right), Don Franco Laviola, Anna Lucia Nuzzo, Domenica Mormando, and Enzo Rinaldi; along with messages from Prof. Dino D’Angella and Antonio Rinaldi in Italy. Well wishes also arrived from Jerry and Jo Carlson, Fr. John Carl Lombardi, and Ann Pirozzi.

With this New Year we also look forward to the plans for the Craco Society in 2011.  This year marks our 5th Annual Reunion and it is scheduled to coincide with the Feast of San Vincenzo during the weekend of October 21-23.  This date was chosen because it is the 110th anniversary of the statue of San Vincenzo Martire that resides at St. Joseph’s Church in Manhattan, NY. The statue, originally donated by the Società San Vincenzo Martire di Craco, is the last remaining vestige of the Crachesi migration to New York City that occurred at the turn of the 20th century.

 Before we gather in New York, we will make a return trip to Craco this spring.  It is timed so that we can participate in the feast of the Madonna della Stella. This is another major event that was traditionally celebrated by our ancestors. The tentative plans have the trip scheduled from April 27-May 5, 2011.  Timing for the air travel on this trip appears to be good with roundtrip flights currently running around $500 from New York to Rome. Although the itinerary is still being finalized, we are planning on using the Torre Fiore Hotel as our base again this year while we explore Craco and Basilicata. Torre Fiore has become recognized as a world class hotel with recent articles in Azure, Buon Vento (in Italian) and the New York Times.

 Now with Craco on your mind, we would again like to extend our best wishes to all the members and friends of the Society for a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! 

Cracotans in the Movies

 Although the town of Craco has a long history of being the setting for many movies, we now can say some Cracotans have made it to Hollywood.

Joe Muzio, who presented his book, Buddy Remembers-Then And Now at our reunion in Brooklyn has two Hollywood connections. You may remember Joe’s sister Maria (Muzio) Russell from the book, along with Joe mentioning his son Matthew. In December a film, The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg was released. The director, David Owen Russell is Joe’s nephew and one of the minor roles in the movie is played by Joe’s son, Matthew Muzio.

 The film, its director, and lead actor’s accomplishments were recognized with best in category nominations by the Golden Globe Awards.

 David Owen Russell also directed Three Kings, Flirting with Disaster, Spanking the Monkey, and I Heart Huckabees.  Matthew Muzio has appeared in several films.

 Joe Muzio continues to write and express opinions on topics at his blog: Musings by Muzio For those not familiar with Joe’s work or his book you can visit his website: www.JoeMuzio.com