The lost Daughter

My husband and I planned this Italy trip, which was: three nights in Rome, two nights in Naples, and then off to Roseto Valfortore for the rest of the trip where I desperately needed to find out more about my father’s family, especially my grandfather.

Before we left, Tom and I looked up Roseto Valfortore on youtube, and at that time we didn’t realize God was going to send us an angel. Then, Dorina popped up. It was interesting listening to her, and how she organizes trips to Roseto Valfortore helping people like me find a connection to their past, which is not only rewarding, but very self-satisfying. My desperation to find answers exceeded all time limitations, so I quickly emailed her, and she answered me in twenty-four hours. She arranged a cooking lesson for us, an interpreter and set us up in La Terrazza sul bosco. The room was beautiful, and it also supplied us with a great view of the mountain I had grown to love. Dorina sent us a written list of restaurants and things we could do, along with directions to Roseto Valfortore, and believe me when I say, we would have gotten lost if not for those directions. The roads were quite entertaining! I remembered thinking, how do these people drive this mountain road? Being of a very courageous nature, we plodded on in first gear. Then, I remembered what Dorina said, “You have to go through a little hell to find Heaven,” and she was right. I couldn’t tell you how many hours the trip took from Naples, but we finally rolled into this village in first gear. My first impression: Wow! Every mile was worth it. The stonemasonry was beautiful, and the cobblestone roads dated back to the Romans well before Roseto Valfortore became a town on its own. This was ancient history, and my ancestors came from here.

My Pop Pop: Fillipo Antonio Morfesi born on April 25, 1898 in Roseto Valfortore, taught me what you give to life is exactly what you get back, not so much in words, but how he lived his life. Looking back at those precious pictures that I dug out of dark closets under old photo albums told a story. I learned about a man that loved life. He was so much an integral part of Roseto Pennsylvania. It made me proud when I found a picture of my grandfather talking to Mayor Casiolli from Roseto Valfortore at the Marconi club in Roseto Pennsylvania, not sure if it was fifties or sixties.

My grandfather was a man that was respected for his kindness, generosity, honesty and especially his compassion, a savvy businessman that always put his customers first, especially when it came to his tailor shop that he established in downtown Bangor. He custom made clothes, and could fix what most people would think unsalvageable. My grandfather was a musician. He played professionally and was a member of the Brown’s Royal Dance Band in Pennsylvania, of which he played the trombone. He was a loyal member of Our Lady Mt Carmel church, and he attended church every Sunday morning. I felt a strong connection to him as I walked on those cobblestone roads that my grandfather trodden over 100 years ago.

Now, my thoughts drifted back to those lazy summer nights in Pennsylvania when parents and grandparents took to the porches, a mixture of English and Italian could be heard, as they talked about upcoming events, birthdays, holidays, or our next progressive dinner, or whatever was the hot topic at that time. My grandfather always took his trombone during those nights. He played 76 trombones as we kids gathered around him, and we marched up and down the street spreading our joy as we encouraged others to join our human train, and then turning the corner to the other block, we continued gathering even more followers. Those sacred memories deeply touched my heart. That was the era that people spoke to each other. People enjoyed each other’s company. No one was too busy, or didn’t have the time for you. You didn’t need an appointment to visit your neighbor, progressive dinners a must, and socialization key to life. We cared! We loved! That is why Roseto Valfortore captured my heart upon arrival. I saw! I knew, and I definitely wanted to know more.

My grandfather emigrated from this village back in 1921 after he served 3 years in the Italian army in mountain artillery. My grandmother and father joined him in 1928.

Roseto Valfortore is a village of strength, grit, determination, caring, and pride. Love flows through these people, and this love is passed down from generation to generation. Socialization is a necessity, and children are taught a good work ethic, and most important the unity of family is paramount. A study of Roseto Pennsylvania was conducted back in the fifties and sixties of why people had less heart attacks living in that little town. It wasn’t the food. It was the way they lived and loved. People need socialization and love. Love is a healing mechanism, and since then many studies have been done on why certain cultures live healthier lives than others. It appears that socialization is the key to success, especially the conversation around the dinner table, where laughter is heard and problems solved. That is the Roseto Pennsylvania I remembered and also loved, and I really thought that life was long gone. I was wrong.

In 2023, in this small mountainous village, and especially in an age of smartphones, social networking, and texting, old values hold true in Roseto Valfortore, and those are the same cherished values that my grandfather and grandmother brought to the kitchen table many years ago. In today’s world being tech savvy is more important than people. Texting replaced conversations. Talking to a friend “back in the day” was not only normal, but expected. Friendship is crucial, making plans to meet up, or even console a friend when she or he needed comfort. A student once told me, and I quote, “I rather text because I really don’t like talking to people.” I gave a dumbfounded, “What?” Technology dominates today, but at what cost? Yes, technology reached this small village, but the values never left. Lives are enriched here because people care. It’s all about family, food and conversation. I personally believe our vocal chords can handle a good sound conversation. Even Facebook has to remind you to wish your friend or even a relative a “Happy Birthday,” and why waste a phone call when responding on Facebook is easier because “I’m too busy.”

We’re either too busy or we forget. Everyone is rushing around trying to finish work, and then what? Does that mean the work is done? Or do you find something else to do instead of taking time to spend with family and friends. I loved sitting at the table at Bar Ristorante Pizzeria Del Corso talking to other people, and with the words I picked up in Italian and a new word that Rosaria picked up, or whoever we talked to, and of course with the help of Siri, we did communicate. Getting to know each other enriches lives, and we were enriched. Tom and I cherished every moment we spent in this village, and also felt blessed to get to know some of the villagers on more of a personal level. And for that special privilege, they have a special spot in our hearts forever. What’s the glue that holds this community together? Simply, it’s the people.

Whether it’s Filomena, who volunteers at the municipio building, very professional and business like. But, that twinkle in her eye showed a kind-hearted woman that took pleasure helping me find much needed answers about my family.

And then Rosaria, what’s not to love about Rosaria? She’s a loving mother and wife who not only loves her family, but enjoys the interaction with her customers, whether, Italian or Americano. Both Filippo and Rosaria have great personalities, and their two beautiful daughters, Margherita and Antonella, work with their parents. Water with gas, and white grapes usually made it to the table before Tom and I, and the red wine was fantastic. I don’t like red wine, but I liked that. Great food, great pizza, great wine, all at Bar Ristorante Pizzeria Del Corso.

Antonietta, owns the bakery below the B&B. LaTerrazzasulbosco was a beautiful place to stay. I would recommend this place to anyone who’s willing to take on the mountain roads of this quaint village. Quiet and serene in the heart of this town, Antonietta made sure she supplied us every morning with delicious bakery goods, and did I say freshly made? Hopefully, we’ll meet Antonietta’s daughter, Elisa, in the very near future.

Pinuccia, exceptional cook, and Michele, her devoted husband welcomed two strangers into a home full of love for a cooking lesson. The pictures around the house portrayed a story of a family devoted to each other. Bravo to Pinuccia for being so patient with an Italian that doesn’t’ cook, virtually unheard of in Roseto Valfortore. Pina’s experts hands made noodles from scratch, quite expertly and quite efficiently, and mine quite awkwardly, but I still got a bravo, and we clapped. Loved that twinkle in Michele’s eye, and I wondered at times about the mischievousness of his nature, but always a good deputy cook to Pina. They made a great team.

Michelle La Penna, my interpreter, not any more, more my friend. Honesty, trustworthy, and respected is Michelle. She took time out of her busy schedule to help me. We went to the municipio building more than once, not sure what they were thinking when I showed up again and again, but I was always met with kindness. Michelle did a great job as my interpreter and in some cases I’m sure she kept me out of trouble. I enjoyed the tour of this picturesque village that so much captured my heart, especially its scenic view of the mountains. She came to the ‘circolo culturale’ and interpreted for us, and that is where I also met Mariagrazia and Lorenzo, Michele and Maria, and Maria and Giovanna. We felt special to be invited, and I felt honored to share my story. These people glowed with pride, but they also had a sense of comfortable belonging, I so yearned for. We laughed and joked, and enjoyed every minute we were there. Because of Michelle, conversation flowed easily. And, the bright side, it seems that my grandmother is the glue that connects me to Michelle’s husband, Luigi, sixth cousin.

My trip to Roseto Italy was a dream come true. Growing up, I lived in the small community of Roseto, Pennsylvania. I didn’t realized how blessed I was. Everyone knew everybody. The downside, when you screwed up, you didn’t have to make up a story to tell your parents. They knew before you entered the door.

And the question was, “So, do you have something to tell me?

The history of this charming town of Roseto Pennsylvania originated from the village of Roseto Valfortore with its breathtaking mountainous views. Roseto Valfortore, valley of the river, which flows below the town. This beautiful village literally sits on a mountain and the people are the heart and soul of this tiny village of only over 1000 people. I loved standing on the balcony of B and B La Terazza looking up at the mountain of many faces. I thought, WOW! Excitement took over as thrilling and dangerous captivated me, and I wanted to be closer. The clouds skimmed the mountain tops making you wonder if there was going to be a major mood change, and maybe we should be aware of what Mother Nature had to offer that day. Then, there were times it was hard to see when the mountain bordered the horizon as the sun glared down on the windmills providing energy to the village. The changing faces of the mountain intrigued me. Certain days the sun lingered on the mountain tops giving an illusion of snowcapped mountain peaks. This mountain told me a story of good, down to earth people that would give you the shirt off their back, salt of the earth honest, loving people. Sometimes the sun stayed hidden behind the mountain, and then a rain shower occurred. Suddenly, the sun peeked over the mountain giving a sense that all is right with the world. It really is! I found my connection. I closed my eyes and breathed in the clean air that the mountain offered, and in my mind’s eye I could see my grandfather hiking a mountain as a young boy. It made me smile.

I whispered, “I’m here. I finally made it, Grandpa.”

Then, I saw it, the multicolored arc. The rainbow was beautiful, and I knew that Pop Pop was smiling down at me.

All my life I felt that there was a missing link. Details fade, but memories persist, and I remembered. My grandfather would say, reach out and you will find what you need, and I did. In my eyes, my grandfather was a man worthy of respect, and I credit all that my grandfather was back to this little village that sits so neatly in the mountain. It’s definitely true, the values, education and integrity starts in the home where strong foundations are set in concrete. I’m proud to be Fillipo Antonio Morfesi’s granddaughter and equally proud to know and have met some of the people personally. At the meeting I was asked if I found what I was looking for. I did. I found more than I thought I would ever find, a deep connection that opened my heart. I was a lost daughter of Roseto that finally found home.

Be kind when I say,
Amore, Arrivederici per ora.
Maria Morfesi Florkiewicz
Buon Natale