Bulletin Board - Suggestion Box

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

Got a message you want to leave for all members or just a few? This is the place! Also, let me know what you like or don't like about Two Rosetos!

NOTE: Messages are posted oldest-to-newest (reverse order), so go to the bottom of the last page for the latest entry!

Headings - The first 27 characters (both letters and spaces), of your post will become the header on the Home page. Be sure to use them for the best impact!

[Cathy McKoski]

Well, since you asked, I love the pictures but I sure add a lot of comments in the form of questions to some of them. It would be nice to add a paragraph of explanation to pictures so that I'm not wondering so much, especially about religious issues. Many of us are not very familiar with the history of Italy or the culture. For example, what is a masseria? Thanks again for the wonderful site and maybe we could start a discussion about streggi, or whatever they call the southern italian witchcraft because I have many questions to ask.

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

Hi Cathy,
I try to stress to all those who upload pictures to give as much detail as possible. Unfortunately, it's a very human instinct to assume that everyone will know what they are uploading. Don't be afraid to ask for an explanation; whenever I don't get the point of things, I look them up on wikipedia or I ask for detail. I suggest that you poke and prod the people who upload stuff without details. The masseria or masserie, can have different connotations. In the rural sense, it's an estate or family farmhouse. In the urban sense it is similar to factory. In the medieval sense it would be the castle that protected the surrounding farmers (a co-operative).

As for the witchcraft, Roseto is quite full of strange practices. Carla Bianco's book, "The Two Rosetos" is full of tales, myths, legends, etc. She suggests that many Catholic traditions have their origins and roots in witchcraft (St. Blaise and the candles at the throat for instance). If you like, you can start a discussion under Forum: Related Heritage on this.

[Cathy McKoski]

I read an article on the internet recently about a culture of blood in southern italian witchcraft. (San Gennaro for one) There was also a connection between the black madonna and witchcraft. I've never heard a clear explanation about either from someone knowledgeable on the subject.

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

Cathy - I am sending you a direct email to explain some of these things you ask here and in other places.

[Roseanne Hill]

I also would love to know about "streggi" (I'm not sure of the spelling, but I know that "strega means witch, so I think the plural might be "streghe".) I would find such tales and folklore REALLY INTERESTING. Can someone enlighten us?

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

Try this Wikipedia reference: Stregheria

[Cathy McKoski]

On the subject of the Roseto Prescription I was wondering if anyone got into the death index for Northampton county, Washington township and could get some statistics on longevity such as, how many over age ninety, who's the oldest, etc. during the early years. I'm sure it's in the studies somewhere but a quick breakdown here would save me a lot of reading. Cath

[Roseanne Hill]

I'm still not able to navigate well through this site. For example, I just read one member's profile and wanted to ask a question. There was no way to do that, except (I think) by asking him to be a "friend". So that's what I did. Basically, I wanted to ask anyone what they thought about buying property in Italy. I know it's very expensive (especially with the devaluation of the dollar), but I bet that purchasing real estate in one of the villages, like Roseto Valfortore or others in Puglia or nearby regions, could be affordable. What are your thoughts about that? Owning a little place in Italy would be a wonderful way to connect with our roots, while at the same time allowing us to use it as a base for visiting other areas of La Bella Italia.

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

Roseanne, you only need to add a person as a friend if you wish to send them Private Messages. You can always add your note into their Comment Wall as long as you are signed in.

As for property rates, I think that while certain parts of Puglia are less expensive than others, I don't believe anything there is cheap, unless you're thinking under $90K.

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

I don't know if any of you keep searching Ancestry.com. I check back there every so often; but I am saddened by the fact that no Italians post for Northampton County (Roseto, PA), any longer. There is little activity for Roseto Valfortore and nothing relevant for Foggia province. So, I guess that we are now the de facto website for this information.

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

For all those who have had problems contacting friends and relatives in Roseto Valfortore for the last week, I have this just in from Michelle LaPenna:
"We had a real bad lightening strike which has burnt out various electrical appliances - our computer being one of them! I am writing from a friend's at the moment. Most people who didn't have their computer burnt, lost the internet connection for about a week. The bank was without connection too and no ATM machine (people were left without money)! Lets hope we meet lots of new people. Take care and enjoy the summer Michelle"

[Phil Falcone - Site Admin]

I am asking anyone who is familiar with any online blog or rss feed for Roseto, PA to let me know of it. I currently only have the one from Topix and it's not much more than scant news and the police blotter. I would prefer more daily life, lifestyles, and human interest postings if possible.