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| Mr. Morrissey and Mayor Fiorletta signing the Offical Documnet on Monday May 15, 2006 | |
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Ferentino, Italy Rockford's Sister City
Sister City Committee
Valeri DeCastris
Whitey Marinelli
John Falzone
Panoramic View of Ferentino, Italy
Ferentino a city is a city of 22,000 people, it is an ancient per-Roman-era walled hill town 45 miles southeast of Rome. Ferentino has origins in the eighth century B.C. and boasts of three distinct important periods of architecture. It once was home to Catholic bishops who entertained popes and emperors. The city is famous for its many Roman ruins, including ancient markets, theaters and distinctive stone gates. Its major industries are Henkel soaps, cheeses, electronics and gelato. The popular Baths of Pompey natural spas are nearby.
A grand procession and holiday, the Feast of St. Ambrogio, venerates its patron saint annually on May 1st. Numerous cultural festivities occur throughout the year through the Pro Loco Association, its local governmental arts, history and cultural organization.
Sister Cities: Rockford and Ferentino Bridge the Gap
On May 15, 2006 Rockford and Ferentino, Italy signed the Sister City agreement solidifying a connection between our cities that has endured for more than 100 years. Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey welcomed a delegation that included Ferentino's Mayor Dr. Piergianni Fiorletta to Rockford for the signing of the agreement, which will promote economic cooperation and trade, and carry on exchanges in the areas of business, technology, culture and education and health.
Mayor Fiorletta and his delegates enjoyed touring the many businesses, museums, Italian Clubs and the Cathedral of St. Peter School where the Italian Language is taught. The Sister City committee planned a whirlwind itinerary for the group. Sig. Pietro Scerrato from Ferentino took many photos of our community and these may be found in the Festa Italiana newspaper, and on line at http://www.scerrato.it/rockford/index.html
It is estimated that 300 families within the larger Italian-American population in Rockford trace their roots to Ferentino, located in the province of Frosinone in the Lazio region. "We have several community leaders who have ties to Ferentino. For us, this is formalizing a link that has existed for decades," says Cynthia Hall, director of the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Culture and Special Events.
Mayor Fiorletta presenting Mayor Morrissey the crest la stemma of Ferentino
Mayor Fiorletta with the Delegation from Ferentino honoring St. Ambrose the patron of Ferentino. This statue is housed at St. Anthony of Padua Church
August 30th thru September 16th of 2007
What a exciting, whirlwind life style for two weeks that our Sister City of Ferentino high school students and their teachers have had …breezing through Rockford’s many sites…from Waterfront and Magic Waters, to a ride on the RMTD’s Trolley to the Ethnic Heritage Museum where the students relived their culture through Ferentino city displays, to the Discovery Center, handcrafted Native American Homes at Burpee, to the unique Auto Museum, Tinker’s delicate woodwork and “fun” bridge for many photos, to Boylan Catholic high school to Belvidere public high to the awesome Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza and the Sister City Gardens where the teachers and students placed their gift…the Ferentino Crest embellished on a typical stone of the region. Mayor Morressey watched and smiled as many photos were taken, then on to
The goal of this visit was to see and be a part of a “typical Midwestern city”. That goal was lived to the fullest due to the wonderful, warmth of our city’s families, friends meeting, greeting, and laughing with each other in the “typical” American spirit!
GRIAA and the Sister City Committee wish to thank the Host Families pictured below and Rockford's many generous Italian-Americans who sponsored
the Ferentino-Rockford student exchange program.
Mille Grazie a tutti
Angelica Cantagallo with her host family Jeanine & Tom Dabson and Theresa
Mariavittoria Coppotelli with her host family John and Lisa Foti and Jessica, Nick and Julia
Riccardo Fontevecchia with his host family(his aunt and uncle) Franca and Americo Isabelli
Giulia Coppotelli with her host family Louise and Carl Isabelli
Selene Malancona with her host family Lucy and Tony Isabelli
Danielle Valleriani with his host family mother Holly Lazzerini Mathur
Manuel Mosca with his host family Jody and Paul Logli and sons Jacob and Ben
Francesco and Claudia Battisti with host family Whitey Marinelli
AnnaPaola Fiorletta with her host family Kathy and David Monteleone also in the picture is Antonella Fiorletta AnnaPaola mother who was hosted by the Dennis & Julia Schaer
Noemi Cecchetti with host family Mario & Ann Reali and daughter Laura
Matteo Coppotelli with host family Wendy and Charlie Salamone and daughter and sons Frank and
Claudia Leoni and Antonella Tonachella Fiorletta with host family Julia and Dennis Schaer and daughter Elizabeth and son Mark
Photo Gallery of Rockford-Ferentino Sister City Exchange Program
On the Waterfront August 2007 Students from Ferentino with Rockford Students
Left to Right: Danielle Valleriani, Ricardo Fontevecchia, Anna Paula Fiorletta,
Claudia Battisti and Manuel Mosca
Ferentino Students Eating Funnel Cakes at On The Waterfront 2007
Left to Right Selena Malancona, Noemi Cecchetti, Claudia Leoni
Matteo Coppotelli playing the steel drums at On the Waterfront 2007
Ferentino Students doing the congo line at On the Waterfront 2007
Elizabeth Schaer (third from left) a Host Family student and her friends meet-up with Ferentino students at Waterfront 2007
Mariavittoria Coppotelli enjoys a day with her host family at Sinissippi Park in Rockford
Left to right: Nick Foti, Matteo Coppotelli, Claudia Battisti, Mariaavittoria Coppotelli and the
Foti host family, Jessica, John,Lisa and Julia
Ferentino students and teachers at Rockford Symbol
The Rock Man on the river was just a stroll down the river
Ferentino Students enjoy the day at Rockford Council Chambers
Manuel Mosca trying his had at Rockford"s Golf Shack
While touring southwest Rockford we stopped to visit Tinker Swiss Cottage
The Ferentino Girls having fun on the swinging bridge that connects Tinker Cottage to the railroad stop for Rockford, Illinois
The Ferentino Students at the Ethnic Heritage Museum in Rockford,Il
Shirley is welcoming the Students to the Museum.
Notice, the Rockford Ferentino families beautiful linens and other artifacts on display.
Some of these items were given to the Ethnic Heritage Museum's Italian Gallery by the following friends of Ferentino. They are Franco Martini, Ennio Malancona, and Pietro Scerrato, and Luigi Sonni
Rockford Ferentino families donations to our Museum are from Armida Musa. Americo & Franca Issabelli family, Gino & Palma Reali, and Eleanor Pro-Biasen father, Dario's mandolin, music and her mother Aurelia Marinelli's silk scarf worn om 1918 when she came to Rockford.
Pietro & Mara Scerrato's gift of Ferentino made ceramic fruit also represented.
St. Ambrose Banner on display from the Thomas & Debbie Luchetti family.
The groom's suit made in Ferentino was worn by Americo Isabelli at his wedding to Franca Datti. Notice the bride cutting the wedding torta! Franca's linens are near by on display.
Angelica Cantagallo from Ferentino typing on an Italian Olivetti original typewriter.
This tyepwriter owned by Franca Datti Isabelli, was used for many years in her profession.
The students enjoying the original art work by Professor Edigio Marinelli of Ferentino.
Danielle Valleriani planning his moves with a "Rozzolone" used in Ferentino in competition with teams from the "Four Doorways (or entrances) of the city. Riccardo Fontevecchia looks in agreement. The "Rozzolone" is replaced with a wheel of cheese once a year called the "Lancio del Formaggio" which is held in September.
This unique artifact of Ferentino was donated by Franco Martini of Ferentino.
A tour of Rock Valley College where the Ferentino students met with the Rock Valley girls volleyball players
We had lunch at the RVC Student Center where Mary Foreman, the director of International Students presented them with backpacks.
A tour of the outdoor theatre at Rock Valley the students had their picture taken in the antique Ford that was used in the play called "Ragtime".
A tour of Midway Village Museum with a stop to visit Bert Hassell's oroginal plane.
A stop at the old style printer's shop at Midway Village Museum was a must!
Antonella Tonachella makes a pruchase of antique lace at the General Store.
Matteo Coppotelli with Rick Nielsen's (Cheap Trick) Monkey
Attenzione!! Teacher Antonella tries to control the class in the Old School at Midway Village Museum.
Here is the focused attention of the Ferentino Students??
Notice who were captured and put into the Jail Cells...:
Ferentino students are meet with an exciting welcome at Belvidere High School!
Mariavittoria starts the students singing an Italian song called "Eppure Sentire" by Elisa
Karen Cantele and Principal Chester Pulaski greet the Ferentino students and teachers at Belvidere High School during a gym session at the school.
Francesco Battisti discusses the "Tornado" monument with his students.
Relaxing after dinner and a swim at the home of Dr. Paul and Karen Maxwell.
Enjoying life! Marriavictoria planning to take the dive.
"Come on in!...the water is perfect!"
Making friends with Federica
The new "Bonnie and Clyde!"
Bed Rock..."Yabba Dabba Doo!"
Large and petite!
Magic Waters in Rockford!
Manuel & Riccardo ready to take the plunge!
AnnaPaola and Claudia came in first!
Guess who finished last?
Mayor Morrissey and Cyndie Hall greet Ferentino teachers and students at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza
Jim Keeling, Mayor Larry Morrissey and Sunil Puri watch as AntonellaTonachella Fiorletta places the stone from Ferentino into the Italian Sister City Garden of the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza
Many of the Rockford Host Families at the Sister City Peace Garden
Volcano Falls: Is this the equilivant of the Monza Race Track in Italy?
Claudia Leoni pulling in first with the "hot" car #95
Ferentino students trying to out race each other!
Volcano Falls car #78 battered but still in the race, as Angelica and Giulia cross the finish line!
"How does this golf game work?"
"This is a crazy game, but I can do it!"
Giulia, Angelica and Riccardo relaxing in front of Volcano Falls.
The Lazer Tag A Team!
"Are they around the corner? Shhh...
Signora Maria Diemer and the Cathedral of St. Peter kindergarten class greeting the Ferentino Students
Mariavicttoria meets with her host family's daughter, Julia Foti
Mateo takes time to enjoy the day with Gina Maggio
Art Teacher Cindy Buffo working with the Ferentino Students
Can the boys "out-create" the girls in Mrs. Buffo's art class?
Another art project taught by Cindy Buffo
Selene Malancona's masterpiece!
Francesco Battisti and JoAnne Meyer in Boylan's Physics Class
Lynn Cuppini McConville with Francesco Battisti at Boylan Catholic High School
Enjoying Boylan's Physical Education activities with Mary Horvat PE teacher at Boylan
Left to Right: Antonella Tonachella, Mary Horvat and Lynn Cuppini McConville
Reminescing about Ferentino at St. Ambrose Club
St. Ambrose Club's Bocce tournment with Giulia and Noemi
St. Anthony of Padua Church where the Ferentino students gather for Mass
Host families and Sister City Committee meet after Mass at St. Anthony Church
Students seranade the Host Families at the Farewell Party at Francesco's Restaurant
Holly Lazzerini-Mathur presents a Thank You gift to Shirley and Gene Fedeli for their planning the two week program that the Ferentino teachers and students enjoyed.
Shirley and Gene Fedeli enjoy the gift that Selene Malancona gives to them
Francesco and Antonella ready to cut the farewll cake!
© 2006 - 2010, GRIAA Greater Rockford Italian American Association, All Rights Reserved.
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