Mrs. Anna Sabini the president of the Berceto Foundation was honored by the Friend of Radio Maria on November 13 2016.  

Anna Sabinini (Castognoli) was born in the small village of Montegroppo in the province of Parma, Italy Marc 27 1942. Growing up in a poor and humble family, Anna was the only child and had to help support her family. She left for France at 14 years 9old where she found a job in the lovely town Madelieu, Capitou on the French Riviera. She enjoyed her life in France- she lerned the Fench language, became close with her employer,s family and loved her work harvesting Mimosa for the perfumeries. It was in the summer when she returned home to visit her family and her village that she met Aldo Sabini, who was in Montegroppo on his own summer vacation (he had emigrated to New York city 10 years prior). Aldo and Anna wrote many letters and stayed in touch when he returned to New York. She returned to her work in France and he was drafted in the US army and shipped off to California but they continued to write and did not see each other for four years. When Aldo’s time in the US army was completed he returned to Montegroppo to marry Anna- July 23^rd 1966. Aldo had to leave Italy again without Anna- but she joined him in New York later on that year on November 14^th, 1966 for her permanent emigration to the United States along with her beloved mother , Rosa.

As newly weds, Anna and her husband settled in Astoria. Anna came to United States not knowing a word of English but her fluency in Italian, French and Spanish she began piecing together her new language as best she could. Before long she knew English well and found a job. She worked foe the same office cleaning company for 40 years and even became shop steward for the union, 32BJ. Anna worked evenings, her mother, Rosa, helped to take care of the children and this gave her the opportunity to do many other things during the day. Her mother lived with Anna, Aldo and their children until her death in 1996.

Anna has always been active in her community. When her children were little she was active in their school, she always been involved in her church, Immaculate Conception and is always available to lend a helping hand with whomever need it! Anna is a woman of strong faith and an exemplary Catholic in her community. Anna is Eucharistic Minister, a Minister of Consolation, member of the Pastoral Council, member of the Generation of Faith, Santa Marta Committee and coordinates many fundraising events for the Immaculate Conception Church. Through the years Anna and her husband Aldo have strengthened their faith by taking part in many pilgrimages such as Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre’ Shrine, Asisi, Lourdes, Padre Pio, La Madonna di Loretto, Padua and of course Rome. Her volunteer work and dedication is not limited to her faith- she is also committed to helping her Italian community as well. She is currently the president of the Berceto Foundation and Board member of thee Italian Family club and The Parmigiana Club. She has been honored in Italy by the Mayor of Berceto, Luigi Lucchi, with an award for her volunteerism in August , 2013.

Her 50 years  in the United States with her husband Aldo have been busy and they raised two wonderful Children. Their daughter, Rosemary, is married  to Jeffrey and they live in Connecticut with their 3 children- Luc, Marc, Stella. Their son , George, is married to Geraldine and they live next door to Anna with their children Kelly and Patrick. Like her mother before her, Anna has helped raise all her grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them! Both Anna and Aldo, say they credit their grandchildren with keeping them young and active. Aldo and Anna have joyfully celebrated their 50 Anniversary this summer. They had wonderful summer celebration with a mass and luncheon with close family and friends as well as a  once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii with their two children and all 5 of their grandchildren! Family and service is the joy of Anna’s life!

Claudio Pedretti is a stong supporter of the Berceto Foundation and has been supplying flowers  to the dances for decades.

Claudio Pedretti was born in Fidenza , a province of Parma, Italy in June 29, 1936. His parents were Laura Belli and Romeo Pedretti. Romeo was born in Fidenza an August 16, 1909, and Laura was born in New York on March4, 1916. Laura returned to Italy at age 5 and ultimately met Romeo and they were married in Fidenza on February 17, 1936. Along with Claudio, sister Fernanda was born on October 31, 1938 in Fidenza completing the family. Soon after came the beginning of World War 2, one of the most difficult times the family endured. Romeo was drafted into the Italian army and began 6 long years of not seeing him, leaving Laura to raise 2 small children. Romeo was deployed to Greece for 3 years where he was taken hostage by the German army. He spent the next 29 months in a camp in Dusseldorf, but was fortunate that he returned to us even though he was in bad shape. Upon his return, the family made plans to come to America.

 With the help of Laura’s brother, they arrived in America on April 7, 1956. Laura was able to reunite with the family she had left many years before. The family settled in Astoria with our extended family. Laura’s family supported us and Claudio ultimately landed a job in the restaurant business. Most of our family and friends were working in the restaurant  business so  it was an easy transition. After a few years working, Claudio was drafted into the American army and spent the next 18 months in Korea. Upon his return Claudio married former Josephine Figoni and her family are from Poggiolo, a small town outside Farini D’Olmo. Their family started with the birth of a son, Paul, on February 6, 1967 and was followed on August 14, 1969 with the birth of a daughter, Laura. After the birth of the children, Claudio decided that the restaurant industry was not conductive to spending time with family and decided to begin a new career in a new city of Syosset, in Long Island. In 1973 , Claudio began to work with his brother-in-law at one of his flower shops. Claudio was able to learn the business from someone who had shops in Manhattan and Long Island. After a few years, Claudio became the proud owner of Caesar Colonial Flower and Gift Shop. Claudio found his passion in the flower business. It really is a testament to his dedication and the professionalism of his staff, that has been with him for many years, that they are now booking wedding for the children of those parents they did the same for many years before. He is beginning his 43rd year  and retirement in not on the horizon anytime soon.

Claudio and Josephine have been married for 53 years and along with their 2 children now have six amazing grandchildren: Brianna, Rose, Alexa, Carissa, Luke and Ava. He is also blessed to have his in-laws Pietro and Candida who at the age of 100 and 97 respectively have been married for 76 years. Even while working a full schedule, Claudio spends 2 weeks a year in his timeshare in the Caribbean and a month in Italy.

He is active in the son of Italy organization along with other regional organization to ensure the Italian heritage that made him what he is today continues to inspire other young Italians.

Lino Spagnoli

Peter Spagnoli 1921-2012

By Carol (Spagnoli) Schiavi

Peter Spagnoli was born on November 1, 1921 in Borgo Val di Taro, a little town, nestled in a picturesque valley in the Apennine Mountains of northern Italy.  Peter was the second son born to Emilio and Ernesta (Dellapina) Spagnoli.   (The Dellapina family was better known by their nickname, “il Gein”.)  Two years later, in 1923, Emilio, Ernesta and their two sons, Aldo and Peter, crossed the Atlantic and landed in the “promised land”, the USA.  After passing through Ellis Island, the Spagnoli family made their new home in New York City, a far cry from the quiet countryside of the Borgo.  They found an apartment on 60^th Street overlooking the 59^th Street Bridge on the east side of Manhattan.  It was there that Peter would later enter his destiny as a professional musician and devotee of Valtaro music.  When Peter was 10 years old, a friend of the family came to live with them.  His name was John Brugnoli, affectionately known as “Scud’lein.”  Scud’lein, an accordionist and composer from Borgo Val di Taro, offered to teach Peter the accordion in exchange for room and board.  Peter took to it like a duck takes to water, so his parents bought him his first accordion – a secondhand one that cost about $25. Scud’lein taught him to read music and to play by ear.  Most of the music Peter learned was folk songs from the Valtaro region, but many of these tunes were not written down.  He learned by hearing them sung, listening with a keen ear, and then by playing them with his teacher.  Early on in his music career, another friend of the family, Johnny Valentini, took Peter to play the accordion for the military at Governor’s Island.  This was Peter’s first gig.  For some reason, Johnny bought him a Spanish costume to wear and even though Peter only knew two songs, it didn’t seem to matter.  It wasn’t long before Peter had a bigger repertoire and was using his musical skills to earn a little spending money.  For $3.00 Pete would play all night at a local bar, the “Emiliana,” and also at some little “holes in the wall,” as he puts it.  Peter continued his music lessons for four years in the accordion studios of Pietro Diero.  There he honed his musical skills, as he received instruction in accordion technique and classical training.

            In 1936, Scud’lein and Pete DelGrosso, also known as “Filumena,” opened up “The Valtaro,” a cabaret on Second Avenue and 46^th Street.  It soon became popular for the dance music of their home town.  Scud’lein and Filumena were the standard duo, but Peter and other accordionists, like Emilio Chiesa, played there as well.  The unique sound of the Valtaro music was created by having two accordions playing a duet – one the melody, the other the harmony.  The waltzes, mazurkas, and two steps from the Valtaro region were the main stay of their repertoire.  Eventually, Peter would play at “The Terrace,” a cabaret that his father, Emilio, and Scud’lein bought in 1939.  It was located uptown on Second Avenue and 59^th Street.  The Terrace came with two “in-house” and excellent musicians, a pianist, Norma McFeeters, a black woman from the West Indies, and a drummer, Willy Wohlman who was Jewish.  Before long, the two of them were playing Valtaro as if it was part of their own DNA.  Together with accordionists Mindy Cere, Scud’lein and Peter, on occasion, they became a tight knit band and The Terrace became a stomping ground for Valtaro aficionados.  The place also became a local employment center and marriage bureau.  Many “paesans” came together to enjoy the music and dancing and some had the extra bonus of meeting their future spouse.  In 1943, during World War II, Peter joined the Air Force.  For the next three years he put away his accordion and became a navigator for the B24 bomber and later the B29.  He returned to civilian life in 1946 and went right back to playing at The Terrace on a steady basis.  It was during this time that he, in fact, met his own girl of his dreams, Dilma Viotti.  They tied the knot on Easter Sunday, 1948.  Peter desired to impart his ability and knowledge of the instrument so characteristic of the folk and romantic sound of the music of Europe.  He became a teacher at the Elsie Bennett Accordion Studio in Brooklyn.  He taught there for several years until he opened up a studio of his own.  Through word of mouth and because of his good reputation, Peter amassed quite a number of accordion students.

            Peter continued playing at The Terrace with Norma at the piano until the 1960’s.  During this time he expanded his repertoire to a more diverse and international flavor.  Other bandleaders would ask him to play gigs like weddings.  At these affairs he was able to meet and share the bandstand with other excellent musicians.  Peter’s reputation preceded him and was well deserved.  His musicianship and flare for knowing how to stir a crowd resulted in his becoming a well-known and popular bandleader, providing music for weddings, formal affairs, political dinners and even for Bar Mitzvahs and Communions.  Some of his clientele included people such as Metropolitan Opera singers, political figures, actors and clergy.  His talent was indisputable, whether performing solo or with a ten piece band.  Peter played music of all kinds – from big band, Latin, pop, to rock no roll, but his signature style was the beloved Valtaro.  That is what he was best known for.  That is where he came from.  Many of Peter’s accordion students caught his love for Valtaro, thus passing it on to the next generation.  One such student, Dominic Karcic, a gifted accordionist and bandleader is dedicated to keeping the music of Valtaro alive and thriving.  During his career Peter recorded two long playing records with his respected teacher, Scud’lein, featuring folk songs of Valtaro.  “Balliamo e Cantiamo Con Valtaro.”  Canto I Due Menestrelli  (Fiesta Records FLPS 1542) and an instrumental, “Valtaro Musette”:  Popular Italian Favorites (Fiesta Records FLPS 1515).  Peter has been recognized for his excellence and years of service in the field of music.  In 1994, he received the “Man of the Year” Award by the Valtarese Foundation.  Peter was also honored by the Committee of Berceto Foundation and Xaverian Missionary Fathers, il Comune di Borgo Val di Taro, and The American Accordionists’ Association, to mention a few.

            After an illustrious career of over 50 years, Peter officially retired in 1995 but did not put away his accordion for good.  He currently makes “guest appearances” at places like Magnanni Winery and other venues where the Valtaro music is featured.  His latest guest appearance was at his granddaughter’s wedding in June 2005.  He opened the Valtaro set with what has come to be his grandchildren’s favorite, “Tutti Mi Chiamano Bionda.”  Today, Peter lives in Whitestone, Queens with his wife, Dilma, of 63 years.  They have two married daughters, four grandchildren, and a recent great grand child.  His musical legacy did not stop with him, but was passed on to one of his daughters and two grandchildren who have followed in his talented footsteps.

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