How it all began...

On Sept. 27, 1913 at the age of 18, Filippo Celestino arrived at Ellis Island on the S.S Perugia from Palermo with $25 in his pocket. He was classified by the immigration officials at as a laborer in good health and mental status who could read and write. When asked to state a current address while living in New York, Filippo listed that of his uncle Salvatore Tese, 4466 13th Street, NY, New York. He listed his father, Calogero as his nearest relative in the country that he had came from. Two years later, at the age of 20 Filippo returned to Naro, though unbeknownst to him this would be his last trip home before being shipped to Austria to fight in the first World War. On October 14, 1923, Filippo returned to the United States on the S.S. Conte Verde out of Napoli for what would be his final trip to the United States. He arrived again with a mere $25 in his pocket and took up residence with his cousin Salvatore Tese at 339 Store E/ 21st Street, NY New York. Filippo was now 28 years of age, and at the time of his crossing, he had left behind 3 children and a wife, Vincenza Salvaggio, in Naro. He had come to America once again classified as a laborer in search for work, yet this time his search was different, it had more meaning. For this time, he came looking for work that would not only sustain him but his family, which he hoped to bring over from Italy as soon as the conditions were right.

In December of 1927, with Carmella, Carlo and three year old Leanora in tow, Vincenza Celestino reluctantly left Naro, Sicily to join her husband in New York. The four set sail on the S.S. Conte Biancamano out of Naples. For months prior to their journey, family members had spent time baking cookies for the family to take with them on their long voyage, but when Vincenza fell ill due to rough seas, the children happily handed out cookies to the rest of their fellow passengers much to the dismay of their mother. Upon reaching New York, Leanora remembers her first glimpse being that of her father standing in a small row boat just off shore near the port at 53rd Street, holding up a doll that he had promised her upon her arrival. (By 1927 Ellis Island had closed and new immigrants were being received at the Port at 53rd Street in Manhattan.) From the port, the family then headed to what would be their first home in the United States, the home of Salvatore Tese on 21st Street. Years later Filippo and Vincenza would move their family to Manhattan’s other little Italy, East 96th Street and Second Avenue where they would begin to expand their family, first with Concetta, then with Josephine and Baldessaro (Buster), and last but surely not least with Rose. All seven children lived and worked in Manhattan until marriage when each then began their own expansion of the Celestino family line. An expansion which ultimately resulted in 25 grandchildren for Filippo and Vincenza as well as countless great grandchildren to boot!

In tatters, in great herds we in pain beyond belief journeyed to the vast and distant land. Some of us did drown. Some of us did die of privation. But for every ten that perished a thousand survived and endured. All of us, who are descendants of those who died, as well as those who survived and endured, take great pride in the indomitable will and courage of the Italian immigrants.

The "Conte Biancamano" was built by W.Beardmore & Co.Ltd, Glasgow in 1925 for Lloyd Sabaudo. She was a 24,416 gross ton liner, length overall 650.9ft x beam 76.1ft, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 19 knots. There was accommodation for 180-1st, 220-1st or 2ndclass, 200-2nd class, 390-economic 2nd class, and 2,660-3rd class passengers. Designed for North American routes, the ship was meant for a rich clientele brought up in an atmosphere of gracious living.

Where it all began...

Naro (Zip Code 92028) is 36 Km. distant from Agrigento, the province it belongs to,43 Km. from Caltanissetta, 169 Km. from Catania, 84 Km. from Enna, 272 Km. from Messina, 151 Km. from Palermo, 127 Km.from Ragusa, 208 Km. from Siracusa, 209 Km. from Trapani. The municipality counts 9.742 inhabitants, its surface measures 20.751 hectares, and its population density is of 47 inhabitants per square kilometre. It rises on a hilly area, 520 meters above the sea-level.

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Naro, Sicily is rich of history and monuments, Naro is a big agricultural center, as it boasts a conspicuous production of grapes, wheat, olives, citrus fruits, and almonds, that can be tasted during the annual Fairs held in the months of May, June, and September. The outstanding handicraft is characterized by the art work of wooden objects and the hand made riggings. Cattle breeding is flourishing.

The name Naro derives from the Greek term Naron, that means "fiume" (river) and, in fact, the homonymous river runs nearby. The ancient center of the town was built during the XII century, over a preexistent Arab farmhouse.

In 1233, King Federico II of Swabia raised the town to royal city, denominating it "fulgentissima" (splendor, brightness) because of its fortunate strategical position that allowed overlooking and dominating a vast territory. Only as of the XIII century the town walls were lifted, inside of which the current urban center was built. During the Middle Ages, the suburb belonged to the noble Chiaramonte family, responsible of the construction of some of the town's most magnificent buildings. In 1398, Naro returned to be State property, and remained so during the following centuries. First among all monuments is the imposing Castello Chiaramonte built in 1330. Relevant are also the Matrice, dated 1300, the XVI century typically baroque Chiesa del SS. Salvatore, and the Santuario di S. Calogero, one of the most ancient sanctuaries of all Sicily, that beholds a crypt containing the statue of the Santo Nero, the town's black patron saint.

As it was said before we ever started a meal at Grandma's house...

"Eat up and give the house a good name"^TM