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"Bella Sicilia"
and "Mangia Mangia", (eat, eat) were words heard by every
southern Italian growing up in America. The words came from
parents, numerous aunt, uncles, and cousins, and especially
from grandparents whose ties to the old World were the
strongest.
It was their way of caring about others.
Offering great food and an abundance of it were expressions of
love. My great grandfather Bernado Coverdale, son of Salvator,
left Corleone, Sicily, for the bright horizons of the new
World just about one hundred years ago. Accompanied by my
great grandmother Bernarda Rao,
and their young daughters
Tina and Bessie as well as infant daughter Jennie (later to be
very special to me), the family arrived in New York in 1906.
They made their way to the Port of Galveston and settled on
the Gulf Coast mainland at Dickson, where a large Sicilian
community was already established. As with all farm families at
the time, Bernardo and Bernarda ("Bernice") were blessed with
six more children to a total of nine. Four sons - Joe, Sam,
Frank and Lee (my grandfather) - were born in the new homeland
of Texas. My great grandparents left Dickinson and came to
Houston with dreams of great fortune and with hard
work,
they established grocery stores and real estate hold8ings,
which they passed on to their children. Through marriages this
generation brought to the Covernale clan the families of
Vernagallo, Bonario, Lampasas, Saporita, Ragusa, and my
grandmother, Lena Tallerine, who was married to my grandfather
Lee Covernale - southern Italians all. Thanks to my mom, Diane
Covernale Craig, for making me part of this warm family
tradition and for its great fine Italian food. From my family
to yours..
"Godere" (Enjoy!!) Ricky
Craig. |
