L'Italo-Americano

Continued from page 16 e t y w i t h b i t t e r n e s s , " W e have become a country that d o e s n o t t h i n k , d o e s n o t g r o w , h a s n o m o r e h o p e , and drowns in amorality, w h i c h i s w o r s e t h a n immorality," he said. H i s n a t i v e N u s c o w a s built over solid principles of morality. It has been a land of monks and bishops for s e v e r a l c e n t u r i e s — a n d a spiritual feel still attracts visitors. In the 11th century, the place acquired the title and status of civitas – the body of citizens who consti- tute a city – because Amato di Nusco, the first bishop of N u s c o , h e l p e d f o u n d t h e community. Amato was a h o l y m a n a n d s t i l l t h e town's patron saint. Thanks to him, Nusco became an episcopal seat. The streets are beautiful- ly preserved and spotless. The buildings' façades fea- ture iron ornated balconies and decorated portals with gargoyles. Those are just a few things that make this s m a l l t o w n s p e c t a c u l a r l y photogenic. For centuries Nusco has been producing artisans and craftsmen who embellished t h e i r s i g n a t u r e b u i l d i n g s a n d s h o p s f o r l o c a l m e r - chants. The happy town of four thousand souls flour- ished in the early Middle A g e s a f t e r t h e L o m b a r d s built a castle to defend the valley. From its ruins, visi- tors enjoy a stunning view. T h e y f e e l l i k e s i t t i n g o n the Balcone dell'Irpinia as t h e o l d e r g e n e r a t i o n s dubbed the town. B u t t h e p l a g u e t h a t s t r u c k i n 1 6 5 6 c h a n g e d I r p i n i a ' s d e s t i n y . T h r e e - quarters of the population died. Nusco started to lose i t s e c o n o m i c p o w e r a n d prosperity strictly linked to the history of the Catholic Church. The town began to experience the poverty and m i s e r y o f m a n y o t h e r Southern rural cities and villages. In the late 19th century, f a m i l i e s l e f t N u s c o f o r wealthier Italian regions or n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d S o u t h America. However, the emi- g r a n t s f r o m N u s c o n e v e r forgot their roots. Among t h e m w a s a f l u t e student, Nicola Laucella, born in 1882. He fled to the US with his family in 1895. He became a fine flutist in A m e r i c a , t h e p r i n c i p a l flutist with the New York Philarmonic and the Metro- p o l i t a n O p e r a O r c h e s t r a . Nicholas Laucella died in New York in 1952. Very proud of his origins a n d N u s c o h e r i t a g e w a s F r a n k S c o b b o , a n I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n p o l i c e commissioner. He wrote a b o o k t i t l e d M y M o t h e r Came from Nusco, a mem- oir recalling a young man's rise from the poor son of Italian immigrants to a suc- cessful businessman, happy f a m i l y m a n , c o m m u n i t y leader, and police commis- sioner of Port Washington, NY. "Frank Scobbo was the poor son of an Italian immi- grant. He became a success- ful businessman and never stopped volunteering when- ever his strong back or his determined leadership were n e e d e d , " r e a d s t h e 2 0 1 5 o b i t u a r y t h a t H o w a r d B l a n k m a n w r o t e f o r h i s excellent good friend Frank. " I n h i s p r i m e , F r a n k Scobbo was built like a full- back and strong as a bull. But I never saw him use his strength or even threaten anyone harm. Only a strong man like Frank could be as gentle, thoughtful, and gen- e r o u s — a n d l i v e w i t h h i s kind of high values." Mr. B l a n k m a n w r o t e t h a t t h e Port Washington residents would never forget such a benevolent police commis- sioner who "served the com- m u n i t y f o r 2 7 y e a r s a n d made our police department as good as possible." In 1980 Nusco was hit by a severe quake. Many build- i n g s c o l l a p s e d , b u t m a n y o t h e r s , a n d s o m e o f t h e most ancient, were spared. The inhabitants learned the art of solidarity. They knew how to be united behind the c o m m o n g o a l o f r e c o n - structing their community. T h e n a t u r a l c a l a m i t y brought pain and suffering but could not erase the aura of tranquillity, the sense of peace that you still feel in Nusco. You slow down and enjoy the moment in Nusco. Y o u m i g h t l i s t e n t o t h e chirping of the birds or eat a plate of Cicaluccoli - hand- made gnocchi served with a s a u c e m a d e w i t h l o c a l sausage. You might ride a horse, bike a trail, or hunt for truffles in the Piacentini Mountains. In any case, you s a v o r a n e x p e r i e n c e o f human ecology in Nusco. S t a r t a b s o r b i n g t h e l i g h t and inhaling the sweetness of the air. Nusco: scorcio del Duomo di Sant'Amato (Photo: Lucamato/Dreamstime) "We are a corner of paradise, ideal for slow tourism," says a local. "The fresh mountain air and natural surroundings offer an unplugged stay far from city chaos, pollution, and noise" Un angolo colorato di Nusco (Photo: Antonio Maggiorino) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano

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