My grandparents are full Italian, came over through Ellis Island in the 20’s, worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania and lived in San Francisco. Joe and Jennie Berardi retired to Santa Rosa in 1977. Since then, we have spent many evenings with NBICF. I was born in San Francisco, spent my childhood in West Marin and Sierra counties. I have 8 siblings, three moms and one dad. I raised my three children in Santa Rosa and they attended Cali Calmecac Language Academy and are bi-literate in Spanish. They have also
attended NBICF summer youth language courses. I have one granddaughter, Charlie Reign, who attended her first NBICF dinner just last month. I live with my partner, Ted, and recently retired from 36 years of teaching. Our most recent trip to Italy this past September included my granddaughter. I am currently
remodeling our house in Italy that has been in my family for six generations in the tiny hamlet of Isola Fossara, the Marche region. I intend to spend 3-6 months each year there. It’s important to keep cultural traditions, connections to our ancestors and the rich variety they bring to our world. I would love to see Italian traditions taught by our members. We all know someone who makes manicotti, pasta, wine, who speaks the language, is familiar with Ellis Island, art, history, and helpful with travel ideas or geography. Let’s connect and offer that to each other and by all means include the children!