Balducci Incorporated is a one-stop business when it comes to home development. For decades the Balducci name has been known in the restaurant as well as the reality and construction world. Rino Balducci’s father immigrated to America from Italy in 1905. From his father’s hard work and dedication to his trade and family, Rino Balducci learned the value of a dollar. Rino Balducci established a reality business that all four of his sons have taken over now. Chris, Dennis, Rick and David Balducci have added several components to the business including home development, home improvement, reality, electrical and security work.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Italian mom leads Richmond organization

 

MaryAnn DeVincentis educates Richmond that there is more to Italian culture than wine and pasta through the Italian American Cultural Association if Virginia.

With a license plate that reads “Italian Mom” and a passion for Italian culture, MaryAnn DeVincentis is taking steps to ensure that the spirit of Italy is alive and strong in Richmond.           

While speaking Italian is not one of her strong points, her leadership and organizational skills are responsible for her current success as the president of the Italian American Cultural Association of Virginia.

Under DeVincentis’s leadership she has orchestrated several activities such as a singles meet and mingle group, book clubs and monthly luncheons to bring the Italian-American community together.

“She has done a fantastic job,” said Joe Florino, a member of IACAVA.

Initially, DeVincentis thought that she could not handle such a position.

“When I was asked to be president of the Italian-American Cultural Association I panicked,” said DeVincentis.  “I had only been in the organization for three months.” After thinking about the invitation to be president, she accepted and has been working hard for three years to promote Italian culture in the area.

IACAVA is one of three Italian organizations in Richmond. The Italian American Business and Professional Societa and the Order Sons of Italy (the Giuseppe Verdi Lodge) are the other two.

“I find it wonderful to gravitate to these Italian organizations because we all share the same cultural background and heritage,” said DeVincentis.

The organization was founded 25 years ago under the leadership of Hope Montoni. IACAVA helps organize Richmond’s Original Italian Street Festival which is always held in October. Members also participate in the Christmas exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia by displaying ceppos, an Italian version of a Christmas tree. They provide scholarships for students at Virginia Commonwealth University and Richard Bland College in Petersburg.

“We also help with the St. Joseph’s Italian Festival,” said Virginia Nuara-Hudert, historian of the IACAVA. “We also have our Italian ‘Souper’ Bowl,” she said with laughter. The “Souper” Bowl is held each year and allows members to taste different types of soups.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With more than 150 years of Italian cuisine and restaurant excellence in Italy and America, Pasta Luna has been named the best Italian restaurant in Richmond for five consecutive years. It has the finest ingredients and emphasizes excellent service which has helped Pasta Luna’s longevity in Richmond. Homemade sauces and deserts make customers feel like they are eating in the little shops of Italy. Pasta Luna emphasizes a modern look with real Italian cuisine that owner Peter Caserda believes can not be replicated in Richmond.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Italian-American community in Richmond is small, representing less than 1.5 percent of Richmond’s population according to Hello Richmond. The organization is a group for anyone who appreciates the Italian culture, thus you do not have to be Italian to join.

Chip Cipoletti, vice president of IACAVA, said he joined because he longed for the Italian atmosphere.

“I was always brought up in an Italian ethnic surrounding,” said Cipoletti. “So I miss all the Italian shops, imports and foods. This group helps me.”

DeVincentis remembers the “Little Italy” stores and businesses and always had family around while she grew up in the small town of Scranton, Pa. She was born on February 28, 1947.

She grew up poor. As a teenager she accepted a job in a movie theater. Every paycheck she received she immediately relished over to her father to help with the family’s finances.

“I didn’t think two thoughts about it,” said DeVincentis. “I just handed over everything. We were very poor but we didn’t know it because we were rich in love, because everyone was all around.”

DeVincentis is one of three children, which is considered small for an Italian family. DeVincentis is part of the second generation of American born Italians in her family. The knowledge of her heritage traces back to a small rural area in Basilicata, Italy where her grandparents were born.

Her parents, Teodora Marzolino and Raphael ScioScia, were married for 54 years through an arranged marriage. It was not uncommon for Italian families to have arranged marriages at that time.

“Marriages lasted,” said DeVincentis. “The word divorce was out of our vocabulary.” The Italian culture and their religion, Roman Catholicism, strongly encourages the preservation of marriage.

DeVincentis’s family was large and lived in close proximity to each other. They all ate together, lived together and played together

“A typical Sunday for my family would be going to mass,” said DeVincentis. “After mass we would come home, sit down and have a meal.”

DeVincentis’s family ate together while listening to The Italian Hour, a musical program that only had Italian music and singing. Her fondest memory is baking cookies with her grandmother for wedding ceremonies.

Although DeVincentis has only been to Italy once she still incorporates Italian traditions and morals to her two children and grandchild.

She is married to Guiseppe “Joe” DeVincentis who is also of Italian descent. She is currently a stay-at-home mom but has a degree in nursing.

DeVincentis’s hard work and dedication never ends. DeVincentis is currently working on the fourth annual Richmond’s Original Italian Street Festival. She knows that IACAVA and other Italian groups and businesses will continue to show Richmond the Italian way of life.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Facts about Italian Culture in Richmond

 

Italians started to arrive in America as early as the 1850’s. At that time there were less than 4,000 Italian immigrants in the U.S. The Italian population in Richmond is small representing less than 1.5 percent of Richmond’s population. However, this small number of Italians want Richmond to know about Italian culture and traditions. The Italian American Culture Association of Virginia, Italian America Business and Professional Societa and The Order of Sons of Italy are the only three Italian organizations in Richmond. In Richmond there are tens of Italian restaurants and businesses. The Italian community in Richmond is friendly and willing to educate Richmond on its long but prosperous history.

(Reported in July 2008)