Comments on: The Power of Place and Purpose
Keene State is more than a college. It is a place where geography and family history meet. The campus Maria Dintino walks every day was her grandparents’ backyard, a piece of land they turned into a garden a century ago.
mike grieco on 22 Jan 2010 at 4:38 am #
WOW MARIA ,like tim,i too shed some tears as i read this article..i’m proud to be a part of your family…this article is a perfect tribute to your nona and tata….i too remember 60 butler ct. and how very pleasant it was with all the familys on the same street…your family,i’m sure are proud of you also…do the mushrooms still grow in the one dormatory?..claudia always said that that was tata’s way of telling the college,thank you…mike
bill coppola on 28 Jan 2010 at 6:53 am #
Dear Maria Bella,
How beautiful you have woven your words into heartfelt imagery! I know because I remember that place so well. Your grandfather was always so glad to see us, and your grandmother–so wonderful and always so positive, I miss them both so much. It breaks my heart that my children could never know them, my grandparents, and so many others.
But as for you, little Maria, you speak as someone so much older, so much wiser. But I am not surprised. Just like the apple tree that still stands in Fiore’s yard, whose roots tell the history of that great time, so to your roots now show themselves in the way you write.
Thank you for writing this, and God bless all of you! My love to your parents…
Billy Coppola
Marie Anderson on 29 Jan 2010 at 2:03 am #
Hi Maria,
Nick & I are totally blown away by your article! I know my parents and grandparents are looking down and are so warmed by your words. I remember going to Uncle Fiore’s with my father and eating vegetables from the garden, while they drank wine - of course. I would visit with Aunt Annie and Claudia was oftentimes there…such fun times. We also remember Butler Court and how it was transformed during our years at KSC. Not sure if you know this, but both Sarah & Joe received the Fiore Dintino Scholarship when they graduated from KHS. These are things our memories are made from. Thanks Maria for writing this beautiful article.
Marie Anderson
Michele Chaput-Schubert on 29 Jan 2010 at 11:37 am #
What a wonderful story, this is agreat way to set the mood and time of all of our experiences and memories there. I remember when i would go over to the house, and remember Fiore listening to opera. We also enjoyed visiting with Aunt Annie, Caroline, and lso having a little glas of wine. (As Marie had mentioned) It was fun just sitting around the table and having coffee and treats!
Thanks for sharing and bringing back all the good memories.
Carol Lepisto on 30 Jan 2010 at 11:41 pm #
Dear Maria,
I loved your article about Annie and Fiore. Annie was my mothers (Dot Casillo) Godmother. I remember going to their house when I was a little girl, always a enjoyable time. Somehow I remember Fiore’s hot peppers and I certainly remember the grownups with their wine! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Paul Farrey on 02 Feb 2010 at 7:12 am #
Dear Maria,
What an interesting story. I had heard of the Butler Ct. legacy before, but I never knew you were so closely related. Father DiGuilio spoke of it often. I hope all is well with you and your family.
Paul
Linda DiTullio-Lord on 03 Feb 2010 at 4:33 am #
Dear Maria,
I, too, have tears in my eyes from reading about all the wonderful memories that have gone on in that “special Butler Court neighborhood”. My Mother, used to refer to going to see Aunt Annie and Uncle Fiore as, “let’s go to Butler Court today.”
There were so many of our relatives on that street, we would see on our walk over there.
I remember going to your grandparents home, with my Mom, Helen and Aunt Vi to just sit in the shade of the porch, having lemonade, with Caroline and Aunt Annie and listening to them talking of “old” times. Ha, little did they know that they were making the “old” time memories for us.
It was a “special time” for all of us. I am very proud of you for writing this beautiful article.
Much Love,
Linda (DiTullio) Lord
Cape Cod, Ma
Bill Coppola on 26 Jul 2010 at 9:44 pm #
Hi Maria,
Yesterday (07/25/2010) we were at KSC to drop off my daughter at soccer camp. Right next to the registration table was (I think) Uncle Fiore’s apple tree. I admired it for a long time! Looks like about 2/3 thirds of it has been cut away–too bad, but gee, it is at least 80 years old! Anyway, I was wondering, is that the same tree in the background of the picture with your father and Carmine? Ask your dad.
Bill Coppola