Independence Day Dinner Dance - IASC

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NAPLES
The Italian name is Napoli. The people living there are called in English Neapolitans. Yes, it is an ice cream too. In Italian
they are Napolitani, the singular being Napolitano. Many individuals have that as a last name and usually they originate from Naples.
Naples is the regional capital of Campania. The city is known for its rich history, art and cultural aspects to the extent that, it has been
classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
The city is considered to be 2,800 years old. The ancient Greeks founded the city and it was a part of Magna Graecia until the
arrival of the Romans, who made it a capital of that part of the empire. The Greek name for the city was Neapolis, or in English New
City. The city has seen a multitude of cultures and conquerors come and go. It was, as stated, a part of Magna Graecia, then the Roman
Empire, part of France, part of Spain, part of the Empire of the Saracens, an independent Kingdom and, for a period of time an
independent Maritime nation and lastly it became a part of Italy during the unification struggles in the 1860’s.
Naples is also known for its music, cuisine and the famous pizza. The people speak a Neapolitan dialect that is consistent
with the dialects of the surrounding area. The bordering provinces are Lazio, Molise, Basilicata, and Puglia. When thinking of Naples
the most frequent aspects that come to mind is Mt. Vesuvius (Monte Vesuvio) and Pompeii. Mt. Vesuvius has erupted many times,
(thirty-three since 1800 BC.) the worst occurring that year, the Avellino Eruption. Italy has three volcanoes, the aforementioned, the
Stromboli and the Etna, both being on islands and not posing as much of a threat. Mt Vesuvius is the most dangerous volcano in the
world not only for its history of eruptions, but also for the human victimization. Three million people live in the danger zone. Its name
comes from Greek in reference the son of Zeus, Hercules in the ancient Greek language somehow worked into Vesuvius. Mt. Vesuvius’
most famous or noted eruption was the one of AD 79 when its ash covered Pompeii and a number of other towns around its
base. This occurrence provided archeologists and historians a wealth of information on how people lived two thousand years ago. Areas
of Pompeii and Herculaneum are still being uncovered. There are a number of private villas that existed in the countryside that as
yet remain to be uncovered.
Two ancient writers of that time, Pliny the Elder and Younger were on the opposite side of the bay during the eruption. However,
Pliny the Elder sailed across the bay to rescue friends, but the winds and smoke blocked his return. He died on the beach trying
to make it to his boat. Others with him survived. It is believed he died from a heart attack for the next day his body was found and it
was in good condition. The most reliable account of the eruption is from Pliny the Younger (the nephew) who was seventeen years
old at the time and subsequently wrote about it.
Nearby, of which many people are unaware is the ancient city of Paestum, settled by the Greeks in the 7 th century B.C. The
local Oscan people and the Greeks lived harmoniously. Its original name was Poseidonia after the Greek god Poseidon. The name is
equal to the Roman god Neptune. When Hannibal was raising havoc in the peninsula the people kept their allegiance to Rome. After
the defeat of Hannibal it received special recognition and was able to mint its own coinage. The town declined in the middle ages and
became overgrown with weeds and vines until 1840 when a new interest in things ancient became popular. The city was uncovered to
reveal a number of temples still standing that were built in the 7 th Century B.C. Paestum is about fifty miles south of Naples. It is well
worth a visit. I recently visited again in June this past year.
Laurence Amuso, Member Heritage Committee
In accordance with the by-laws, the General Election was held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 to select the officers and directors who will serve on the
2010-2011 Executive Board. Based on the outcome of the election, the 2010-2011 Executive Board will be comprised of the following members:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Director (Incumbent*):
Director (Incumbent*):
Director (Incumbent*):
Director
Director
Director
Joe Minotti
Pat LaCorte
Marie Luke
Tomme Mayne
Pete DiGuilio
Jerry Esposito
Donna Macaluso
Lois Big Mountain
Rosemarie Corbo
Honey Maresco
*Incumbent Directors will be serving the last year of their two-year commitment.
The Committee thanks the members for their participation and cooperation in the election process.
My thanks to Committee members Roseann Vastano, Joe Abitante, and Larry Amuso and also to Rosemarie and Marty Litwak and AnneMarie
Walker who generously agreed to assist in the balloting and tallying procedures on election night.
Tom Fallon, Election Chairperson