I appreciate the criticism, and I appreciate the support.

“A lot of us will be monitoring this site.”

And

“If you have a comment or something to say about our festivals be a man and say it to someones face.”

Dave, these people obviously don’t know you very well nor have they read much of your blog. Move to Toronto, our Italian community is much bigger and has a sense of humor.

JV (J. Venditti)

P.S. – Hey relentless native, monitor this!

I come from an Italian family and have attended many of the Italian Feasts both in my hometown as well as the North End. So I have seen my share of statues and know what they represent. Dave admitted what he said was ignorant, asked for forgiveness – and that is good enough for me. I don’t think he has ever apologized for anything he’s written here before.

This aggression towards Dave that I have read today saddens me because I think it is unfortunate and misdirected. If you look back through his archives and read the many entries he has posted in the past attesting to his adoration, you will see that Dave is a true friend to the North End and all the cultures it has to offer.

Dave: What offended me and many other “old school North Enders” was your apparent lack of understanding of how important our traditions are to us. Yes, fried dough and sausages are a part of many of the Feasts but more importantly it is the faith and customs that they symbolize.

Many of us who do carry the “creepy religious statues” do so as an act of faith, with true belief in the good that these blessed people have done on earth.

Many more of us carry on these traditions because our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were the ones to begin these centuries’ old traditions here in America. They began these Feasts when the North End was considered a slum, when the people who lived here were treated as second class citizens. They were poor and had nothing except each other, their faith and these traditions.

That is what you mocked. That is what pissed us off. You ridiculed something much bigger and much more important to many of us NEW and OLD North Enders than you realized. We just don’t carry a plaster statue around the streets for ten hours for laughs. There is a much deeper meaning to it all.

I invite you down this summer as we prepare for the feasts and see the hundreds of hours that are volunteered by many people to continue these traditions. All of our time & toil allows us not only to pay the expenses of the feast but also permits us to donate thousands of dollars back to our neighborhood through scholarships for kids at Saint John School, little league sponsorship, donations to the nursing home, the parish churches and even to NEMPAC. That is just to name a few of our charities.

I have heard through our mutual friend and others that you are a great guy. You obviously have shown a commitment to the neighborhood by your work at NEMPAC, and I applaud you for that. I also want to thank you for your apology, it was appreciated.

I look forward to seeing at the any of the feasts this year and possibly to say hello when we march by your window this August. I also hope you can join us at our neighborhood BBQ on Thursday, August 24th on Endicott Street. I will treat you to an ice cold Schlitz!

Thank you, Jason Aluia

A lot of the people that made this neighborhood the way it is are upset. Ignorant people like you should move out of this neighborhood if you find our traditions comical or somewhat foolish. You won’t be missed.

P.S.
If you have a comment or something to say about our festivals be a man and say it to someones face.

Ciao

And as for who? Take your pick, apparently. I don’t want to perpetuate it. I’ll tell you more when I see you in person.