Italian American Herald - June 2022

ACHIEVER
Honoring
Rosemary Cappello’s lifetime in letters
PAGE 3
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JUNE 2022
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For jazz pioneers, S. Philly is where the journey began
By Frank Cipparone
If all the world’s a stage, South Philadelphia’s Italian community has provided it with an estimable list of players. Vocalists like Buddy Greco and Al Martino. Rock ‘n roll pioneers Charlie Gracie and Danny Cedrone, lead guitarist for Bill Haley and The Comets. Teen heart-throbs Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon and James Darren from the Bandstand era. Country, blues, rock singer- songwriter Jim Croce who moved along the highway too soon. And, of course, operatic
See JAZZ - page 9
The dream of a saint lives on
Care for those with disabilities is Luigi Guanella’s legacy of love
Don Guanella
By Jeanne Cannavo
Rooted in a mission of transforming the lives of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, the communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence offer programs worldwide to provide care to those who were lovingly called “good children” by founder St. Luigi Guanella.
Luigi Guanella was born in Fraciscio, Italy, on Dec. 19, 1842. He entered the seminary in 1866 and 11 years later he began assisting St. John Bosco in his care
of homeless children. The populace and other priests often misunderstood his own personal journey and mission. He spent three years collaborating with Father Bosco to help rehabilitate children abandoned and
rejected by society because of their physical and mental disabilities.
He was undeterred by opposition of civil authorities, criticism of the wealthy and naysayers who labeled him a dreamer. He was a prolific writer and preacher, penning books and articles and giving
The lingering intrigue of the Bomb Bomb Restaurant
By Al Kemp
PHILADELPHIA – Few eateries in this town say “neighborhood landmark” more emphatically than the curiously named Bomb Bomb.
A pair of cartoon-style bombs fashioned in red neon illuminate the front door of what was once a corner taproom situated among the shade trees and brick rowhomes of Wolf and Warnock streets.
Inside, the kitchen pumps out house specialties such as barbecue ribs, homemade
pasta and seafood creations, along with tempting pub grub like wings, mac-and- cheese, crab-cake sliders and pulled-pork French fries.
Bomb Bomb could literally not exist anyplace outside of South Philly, because it plays a key role in an intriguing chapter of city history involving racketeers, business rivals, revenge and a couple of explosions that demolished the front door of the establishment and sent neighbors tumbling from their beds in wonderment.
See BOMB BOMB - page 9
BOMBBOMBPHILLY.COM
Continued on page 6
Vol. 9 / No. 6