January Meeting! Tuesday, January 26 • American Legion, Hagerstown • Dutch treat 6:00pm, Meeting 7:00pm

Tony Petrucci greets you with that genuine home-town smile which makes you feel instantly welcome...not too untypical of us Italians I’d say.

And it’s that smile which opens the door to a rich family history. In 1920 Tony’s grandparents come from the tiny 2,000 ft. high town of Trisungo, about 80 miles NW of Rome in the Marches region. Grandpa first arrived in Detroit, and went to work as a laborer in the auto industry. Later he learned that there were plentiful jobs in Big Springs, W.Va., so he moved his family there and became a skilled laborer in the cement business. There were 35 other Italian families living in the company provided housing, so the Petrucci’s found other paesani to share a social life with. Everyone was treated well, and enjoyed summer activities together eating and playing competitive bocce. Grandma was quite the cook, while Grandpa spent some of his leisure time butchering, making sausage, and his trademark wine. A small family garden provided most of the fresh ingredients which keep the family growing...and grow it did. The Petrucci family grew by 6, and the family moved to Martinsburg. Christmas was a memorable occasion with many traditional hometown

feasts prepared including squid with tomato sauce, pasta, and lasagne. When Tony’s dad Ray returned from his proud military service in Korea, he went to work for CassCo Ice Company in Martinsburg. The process he described for how ice is made in volume was amazing, and you should stop by and get the whole story yourself. The finished ice was cut and loaded on trucks to deliver to customers at home in the pre-refrigerator

days. By the early 60s the refrigerator arrived and the company switched focus to cube ice, which also served a valuable purpose...cooling peaches for hydracooling. In 1978 Tony start-ing working in the ice business with his dad, and the two learned, and kept an eye always open for opportunity. Dad retired in 2002, and

You’ve heard the saying, “A little bit country, a little bit Rock n’ Roll”...well my new friends at Petrucci’s Country Market are just that...almost. They’re a “Little bit country and a little bit Italian”, in the most sincerest of ways.

While just about everyone in Martinsburg stops in to buy milk, bread, grocery items, country hams, or any other convenience store necessity, you can still see signs of the family’s Italian heritage peeking through. From the prosciutto and provolone sand-wiches on delightfully crusty sub rolls, to the ever-popular, and traditional pepperoni sticks which were the daily staple of the Italian immigrant mine workers... you’re always in the presence of a Petrucci, ready to share with whomever asks, the stories of how they came to be here in Martinsburg.

I had the rewarding experience of stopping by to

s a m p l e some of Petrucci ’s c o u n t r y ham with f e l l o w m e m b e r Victor Tri-olo, and we were both reminded of why the locals call this their number one stop during their daily commute.

If you have a heart for all things nostalgic, wan-der over to their antiques corner, and find that perfect notion to fit in your cozy country home. Petrucci’s Country Market & Ice and Fruits Storage Anthony & Raymond Petrucci Route 9, Martinsburg, W.Va.

2010 Membership Dues Due Now

It’s time to RENEW your membership dues of $20 per person for the period covering Jan 1–Dec 31, 2010. Please make check payable to: Dan DiMucci Lodge #2465 and mail to:Barbara Foulois, Financial Secretary194 Dunrobin DriveMartinsburg, WV 25405

Andiamo!A Family Affair, With Flair!

Petrucci’s Country MarketShop Italian!

Dan Di Mucci Lodge of Order Sons of Italy in America JAN 10

Continued on page 3

Petrucci family members Austin, Tina, Raymond, Phyllis, and Anthony “Tony”.

By John Cangemi

Membership

Renewal Time!

Raymond Petrucci

Back in 2000, when going to Italy wasn’t so expensive for Americans, it was okay to splurge a little here and there on those more luxurious destinations like Venice, or Milan, but for Joan and I, we wanted to get down to the salty roots of Italian heritage. And what better way to do that than hop on a train from Rome and look lovingly into each others eyes on the short hour-and-a-half rail trip to that spicy, saucy, hot-bed of activ-ity...Naples! (Napoli).We heard all the warnings...”Watch out for pickpockets”, “Careful crossing the streets!”, “Don’t get lost”, “Always be alert!”. Okay, Okay. But we had an expert guide and buf-fer between our obvious touristy naivete, and those lurking, no-good Neapolitans...Carlo. First of all, we encountered only friendly mini-hosts wherever we went. Each 300th generation Neapolitan knew their town so well he or she could circumvent it blindfolded. Lending a help-ing hand, giving directions, explaining ANY history of the city, or giving smart shopping advice comes easy to them, and it flows freely.There is a slight language bar-rier though. The Neapolitans definitely speak more compre-hensive English than Italian dialect. How’s that? My cousin Carlo inquired to a curbside taxi driver directions to so-and-so church, to which he explained in perfect Neapolitan dialect. Hmm...Carlo returned only to com-ment, “I didn’t understand a word he said,” shaking his head. I was only until we found a local who spoke English that we were able to get the directions we needed. Why does the United Colors of Benneton in Naples only sell black clothing? Funny. Seri-ously, I have witnesses.One thing we learned a long time ago...don’t

always rely on maps, or on directions, as I be-lieve every night they shift the streets around and rotate all the signs. We frequently found intersections where they shouldn’t be, and no building where it should be. Also, check when stuff is supposed to be open,

as when we finally found the museum we were dying to get into, we found it closed. Drat! Joan looked around and r e m a r k e d how every a p a r t m e n t

seemed to have it’s laundry hanging out on lines. “Look,” she exclaimed, “They’re closed because it’s laundry day!”In any case, go to Mt. Vesuvius, it’s always open. So is Capri, and all those glorious eateries. Like Pizzeria Brandi, my Mecca for pizza homaging. It’s THE oldest pizzeria in the world. And Naples is the undisputed origin of this favorite. I don’t think pizza was being

made in the US in 1780. Actually there were pizza ovens found in the rubble of Pompeii, right across the bay. So wherever your travel bug takes you, make sure to stop at Naples, as there is plenty to see, do, eat, and avoid...with a minimal amount of effort really. Pizzeria Brandi: www.brandi.it (for delivery)Archeological Museum: marcheo.napolibeni-culturali.it, Open everyday except TUESDAY, 9am to 8pm

Christmas in ItalyAndiamo a Napoli

Mt. Vesuvius is a reminder that life is short, so enjoy it while we can...right? Andiamo!

If anyone ever tells you pizza was started in the US, tell them this place has been here since 1780!

By John Cangemi

Milano

Partinico, Sicily

Verona

Trieste

Venice

Recipe of the month

Lorenzo de’ Medici

Palermo55/51/12

Venice43/30/10

Rome55/39/6

Milan44/25/8

Italy’s Average TemperaturesJanuary

(°F) Day/Night/Rain days Sicilian Braciole

honoring the past

Petrucci, continued from page 1

Ingredients8 pork cutlets (2 lbs.)

2 oz. raisins

1/3 cup pine nuts

31/2 tablespoons capers rinsed

11/2 tablespoons fresh bread

crumbssalt and pepper

2 oz. prosciutto thinly sliced

4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup meat broth or boullion

11/2 tablespoons tomato paste smoothed with a little water

1 dried red chile

The tangy Arab flavors of braciole is also a traditional dish of Naples. I have made this many times and it is really good! 1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. (optional, see step 11)2) See if your butcher can pound these down flat, about 1/8 inch. If not just do it yourself. It’s easy!3) Soak the raisins in warm water for 15 minutes. Drain and squeeze dry.4) Chop together the raisins, pine nuts, and capers, then mix in the bread crumbs.5) Lay each piece of meat on a work surface and salt and pepper them6) Lay a piece of prosciutto on each piece.7) Sprinkle on the pine nut mixture, leaving room to fold in the edges8) Roll each piece up and secure with a tootpick or two.9) Warm the oil in a heavy saute pan and brown the prok rolls on all sides. Add the meat broth.10) Stir in the tomato paste and the dried pepper.11) Cover and cook over the lowest heat for 11/2 hours, or cook covered with foil in the oven at 325 degrees for 2 hours. Make sure you turn the meat every once in a while and add water to keep the meat moist and making sure it doesn’t burn. 12) Remove the toothpicks and ladle the sauce over the meat.

Lodge Meeting–6pm–January 26Meeting begins at 7:00pm

Join us Tuesday, January 26, at the American Legion, Hagerstown, Dutch treat 6:00pm, Meeting 7:00pm

Calendar

Day Year Famous Italian January Dates in History1 1449 Lorenzo de’ Medici, Statesman, born7 1797 Modern Italian flag is first used

5 1932 Umberto Eco, Writer, born17 1971 Leonardo Ciampa, Musician, born25 1708 Pompeo Girolamo Batoni, Painter, born21 1885 Umberto Nobile, General born

Birthdays & Facts

January 20101 Euro equals $1.43 U.S. -.06/+-0 yr.

A n Italian statesman and de facto ruler of the Floren-tine Republic during the

Italian Renaissance. Known as Lorenzo the Magnificent by contemporary Florentines, he was a diplomat, politician and patron of scholars, artists, and poets. Lorenzo was considered the brightest of the five children, tutored by a diplomat, Gentile Becchi. He participated in jousting, hawking, hunting, and horse breeding for the palio, a horse race in Siena. His own horse was named Morello.Piero sent Lorenzo on many important dip-lomatic missions when he was still a youth. These included trips to Rome to meet with the pope and other important religious and political figures. Lorenzo however was a man whose only weakness was separating politics

from the many young women who were interested in courting him.Lorenzo, like his grandfather, father and son ruled Flor-ence indirectly, through surrogates in the city councils, through threats, payoffs, and strategic mar-riages. Although Florence flourished under Lorenzo’s rule, he effectively ruled as a des-pot and people had little political freedom.His life coincided with the high point of the early Italian Renaissance; his death marked the end of the Golden Age of Florence. Lorenzo de’ Medici is buried in the Medici Chapel in Florence.

Day Our member’s birthdays in January

3 Marco Caponi

8 Russ Pitzer

21 Gary Chicchirichi

28 Joseph Sottile

Born: January 1, 1449 Died: April 9, 1492

landed a contract to store fruit and frozen food for the Berkley County school system. They also sold fresh local fruits and vegetables at their roadside stand. In 2003 they built the convenience store and market. Tony and his wife Tana (an elementary school princi-pal) enjoy family time together with their 3 children, Avery (18), and twins Austin and Ashlin (14). While dad’s busy with his duties on the pastoral council at St. Joseph’s, or Berkeley County Commissioner, his daughter’s enjoy showing horses and riding. Tony’s never been to Italy, but it’s definitely something he wants to do in his lifetime. Tony says that none of the success of the business would have been possible without the love, and support of his family. And that I believe is the real story here.

The original home town of the Petrucci family, Trisungo, Italy

Dan Di Mucci Lodge #2465

12628 Trinity Church Drive

Martinsburg, W.Va. 21772

Juliet’s Italian Market and Cafe, Juliet Kaufman9 East Church Street, Frederick, Md.301-620-0077 Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm

BCT – Bank of Charles TownMartinsburg, Kearneysville, Hedgesville,Harpers Ferry304-725-8431

Masterpiece Painting & Home ImprovementsFree Estimates Insured, MHIC # 79358 Joey Sottile, Hagerstown, Md. 301-797-8238 – Cell 301-988-2290

Lawn Medic Tom Wenner Shepherdstown, W.V . 304-876-2494 – Cell: 304-279-4563

Dr. Robert Cirincione, Orthopedic Surgeon 1120 Professional Court, Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-7900

Frank Fargo, Insurance Agent 500 Williamsport Pike, Martinsburg, W.V . 1-800-283-4915

Brown Funeral HomeMartinsburg, Inwood,Ranson, Charles Town304-263-8896

Bank of Charles Town Martinsburg: 304-262-0089, Hedgesville: 304-754-0000, Charles Town: 304-725-8431, Kearneysville: 304-876-2563, Harpers Ferry: 304-535-6336 – www.mybct.com

John Salvatore Attorney-at-Law 82 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-3600

Petrucci’s Country Market & Ice and Fruits Storage Anthony & Raymond Petrucci Route 9, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Broccoli Hall Antiques, Gifts, Crafts Elsa Burns 4505 Williamsport Pike, Williamsport, Md.

Tony’s Italian Ristorante New York Pizza 14224 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, Md. 301-739-TONY

Salvatore Di Mercurio, M.D. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Center FREE CONSULTATION 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 241, Hagerstown, Md. 301-714-4460

Appraisal Associates Frank & Dodi Bradley P.O. Box 1206, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-1167

Guy’s Buick, Pontiac, GMC Guy & Gary Chicchirichi Charlestown, W.V . 304-725-3448

Edward Jones® Benito Vattelana 301-733-9465 Stonehouse Square, Hagerstown, Md. Retirement (IRA, 401Ks) Estate Considerations, Educa-tion Savings, Insurance

Triolo Real Estate & Construction “From Tepees to Mansions” Victor Triolo 304-876-2985 – Cell: 304-676-2950

Sycamore Pottery Reynolds & Paela Parziale 5210 Paynes Ford Road, Kearneysville, W.Va. 304-725-4251

Karen’s Kraft’s Specialty Crocheted Baby Apparel Karen J. Santamaria Designer & Creator 304-267-1455

Cecil’s Building Supply, Inc. 210 Adams Street, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-5442

Rosedale Funeral Home Joseph R. Spewock 917 Cemetery Road Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-263-4922

Russo’s RX Family Pharmacy & Natural Concepts 25 N. Cannon Avenue Hagerstown, Md. 301-791-5220 Mon.–Fr. 9:00am–5:30 pm, Sat. 9:00am – 1:00pm, Closed Sun. & Holidays

Joseph B. Cordell, Lawyer 115 1/2 W King St, Martinsburg, W.Va. Md: 301-745-6464, or W.V: 304-263-3377 Practicing in Maryland and West Virginia

Apple Ridge Counseling Assoc. 2914 Hedgesville Road, Martinsburg, W.Va. 304-754-8495 Andrea Kackley-Petrucci, MA, LPC, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor

Knights of Columbus–Pangborn Council No. 1365Bingo every Tuesday night 6:45pmDoors open at 5:00pmHagerstown, Md.–301-714-0909

Graphic Design and Video ServicesJohn Cangemi240-291-0741

Di Parma Spinoni Italian Dogs for Hunting, Conformation and Companions D. Katherine Cooker & Dorothy B. Davis 301-582-2788 – www.diparmaspinoni.com

C & O Tile Showroom & Design Center 10226 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 4004, Williamsport, Md. 301-223-1717 – Toll Free: 1-866-663-0567

Tina M. Mussolino Certified Public Accountant 714 Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Md. 301-714-2047 Email: tmussolino@mussolinocpa.com

Cafe’ Italia Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, Md. Antonello Scotto, Proprietor 240-420-6677