January 2008 News and Events

Archived News and Events pages:

News and Events ~ January 2008

News from the Society:

As we close out our first year the news is good. The Craco Society is established, and I am very proud that our year ended so strongly. Our dues raising revenues along with careful management of expenses helped us end the year in a cash-positive position. During the fourth quarter of the year, we completed a Strategic Planning process; further strengthened the Society management team with additions of Advisory Members, held a successful Reunion, launched our website, began developing a Charitable Campaign strategy; and successfully negotiated new initiatives with partners. In addition, we saw a significant increase in our members and website use continues to grow at an impressive pace. As I look back now, I am struck by how much was accomplished in 2007. Most of all, I am grateful to you for your important support during this initial year. We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals involved in our ongoing operations, on our Board, Advisors, and among our members at large. Many opportunities and challenges still lie before us, so your continuing help is always appreciated.

In our Strategic Plan, we outlined four major activities for the Society over the next few years: expanding the organization, developing more events for members to participate in, maintaining ongoing communications, and preserving Craco history. Today, I can say that we are well on our way to achieving milestones for each of these objectives. From the initial group of 55 Founding Members that met last August we now have 153 members – an amazing testament to the Crachesi spirit that resides within us. Plans for a group trip to Craco and another August Reunion are being finalized. Meanwhile, our Society website was developed within two months of our meeting and is updated monthly with relevant information to allow members instant access to Society material. Among the material that is constantly added are genealogical records to help members’ research family history. The Society was the beneficiary of personal records provided by Fr. Nick Mormando and also several documents and map information from the Town of Craco that arrived at year end and will be available shortly.

I am sure all of you recognize that without the diligent efforts of volunteers we would not have archived these results. I think it is important to recognize some unique contributions. Janet Rubertone was instrumental in tackling the task of creating the Society website and spent untold hours not only getting the site developed but she continues to constantly monitor it. Rick Rinaldi has been invaluable in translating Society communications into Italian so they can be sent to the one-third of our members whose native language is Italian. Pietro D’Elia not only obtained a small treasure trove of historical documents within the Town of Craco for the Society but continues his efforts to purse them and other relevant material. I would be remiss in not recognizing the efforts of our Advisory Members who provided us with good counsel and were instrumental in spreading the word about the Society.

In closing, thank you again for your dedication and support to our cause. I want to wish you and your family all the best in 2008.

Warm regards,

Joseph Rinaldi

President

The Craco Society (Inc.)

The Craco Society’s Inaugural Craco Trip

The Craco Society proudly invites people interested in visiting the historic southern Italian hill town of Craco and the Province of Matera to register for our inaugural Craco Trip June 14-21, 2008.

The week-long event opens with an informal cocktail reception on Saturday evening, followed by a visit to Craco with a meeting at the historic monastery of the Observant Friars of St. Peter. On Tuesday, the group will again return to Craco and visit Craco Peschiera. Friday evening, the last night of the Society's trip, will be highlighted by a group event in Craco. There is plenty of free time to explore the region, its people and your heritage.

See Craco and its people

This trip provides a unique opportunity to see Craco and meet its current residents- maybe even long lost family! Everyone attending will leave the session with an information packet about the town, and have an opportunity to see the land that nurtured generations of ancestors. There will be plenty of time to share information, pictures, addresses and stories with your “Cracotan” cousins.

Interested? Read the trip details below and begin making your plans. A brochure with a detailed itinerary and registration form will follow shortly.

Traveling to Italy & Craco:

In an effort to keep costs as low as possible and to allow for maximum flexibility for our members who wish to travel before or after our organized events, trip participants will make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. The Craco Society has researched local options and proudly offers discounted accommodation rates at the Magna Grecia Village Resort in Metaponto. For an easy airport transfer, the Craco Society suggests arrival at the Bari, Italy airport as the resort offers shuttle pick up from this airport for about ˆ20 per person one way.

The Bari airport is served by many European airlines, including budget airlines such as RyanAir. Connections from overseas are easily arranged through Rome, Milan, Venice or other European cities. Expect about a 1.5 hour ride to the resort from the airport. For those arriving in Rome or other cities, the Italian railway system is highly efficient and the station in Metaponto is virtually across the street from the resort. You may also consider a rental car as the Italian roadways are well marked and easy to navigate.

Where to Stay Near Craco:

Magna Grecia Village has provided us with a special of rate of ˆ 54 per person double occupancy for full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner included). This resort has its own beach shuttle, sports activities, pool, entertainment and other resort amenities included in the price. Booking can be made directly with the resort at: www.magnagreciavillage.com or by phone at 39-0835-745661. A deposit will be required with settlement on arrival. Single supplement is 20%. Children receive discounted rates. Hotel style rooms as well as larger apartments and villas are available. The special Craco Society rate is valid only until February 10, 2008.

Craco Society Group Gatherings:

Craco Society gatherings will be held at several locations including the Magna Grecia Village and the town of Craco. Transportation to Craco will be provided from the Magna Grecia Village for all Society sponsored events. Anyone staying at another facility will need to provide their own transport to meeting sites.

Sightseeing Options

Lounging by the pool/beach or playing tennis not your thing? Magna Grecia Village offers daily sightseeing adventures to nearby places including Matera, the Metaponto temple and museum and the incredible trulli (beehive houses) in Puglia. When not participating in Craco Society events, you can choose your own adventures and book directly with the resort or just enjoy the slow paced resort lifestyle. Several quality golf courses are also located nearby.

Count Me In! What Do I Do?

Ready to commit to the Craco 2008 trip? You can get there in three steps:

Book your flight to Italy. If you would like to use the resort’s shuttle, be sure to book your flight into Bari.
Book your accommodations at Magna Grecia Village.
Send in your payment for the Craco Society sponsored events and transportation.

Within the Craco Society, we have a wealth of information on traveling to and within Italy. If you should have any special requirements or need assistance with locating services, please let us know. E mail Lena Camperlengo: lenacamperlengo@hotmail.com or call 850-212-6993.

See you in Craco!

Our Membership Drive continues

For those founding members who have not yet renewed their 2008 memberships, as well as anyone interested in joining The Craco Society for the first time, the on-line version of our membership form is available on the "Join Us" page or simply by clicking here.

The T-Shirts are here!

Just in time for a most unique St. Valentine's Day present for that very special Cracotan in your life, The Craco Society is proud to introduce our line of golf and tee shirts for every member of your family. These shirts are printed with the stemma The Craco Society has adopted as our official logo . The tee shirts bear the stemma on the front, and "Uniti per Craco" on the reverse. The golf shirts are made from a very thin, tee shirt like cotton, and have the stemma on the upper left chest area. Due to manufacturer's limitations, they are available only in white. You can visit our store, and order online at www.cafepress.com/thecracosociety . In future months, you can find a link to our online store on the "Exclusively Ours" page of our website. If you have any questions or suggestions about our store, please drop us a line at TheCracoSociety@aol.com.

Men's Tee Shirt Women's Tee Shirt

Move cursor over the above images to view the reverse.

Lightweight Golf Shirt

Events this Month in Craco:

Gennaio

January 6 - Befana

Carnevale begins

Soppressata, salami, prosciutto, pancetta, lard

January 6: celebrate La Befana. The Befana is an old woman, who brings gifts to the good children on Epiphany Eve. If children have been good they would find oranges, almonds, or candy in their stocking. "Bad" children would find pieces of coal instead.

§First half of January: busy with processing of pork – will kill the pork that they have been fattening since October, will make soppressata, pancetta, salami, prosciutto, lard.

§This also marks the beginning of Carnevale – a time of feasting and serenades with the “cupa cupa” – a homemade musical instrument.

Click here to view A Year in Craco. Events in Craco for every month are listed. Thank you to Joe Rinaldi in Canada for his contribution to this page.

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