It started more than 100 years ago when the three Bianco sisters arrived from Erice, Sicily, with their husbands, Antonina and Gaspar Bica, Rosa and Giovanne Bruno and Diaga and Paul Sgaraglino. This year, the descendants of those original three families gathered in the traditional way, with about 300 people in attendance at the festivities held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Ravenna.
At this year's reunion, breakfast was served at 8 a.m. and then the picnic, with set-up starting at 10 a.m. and Siciliano's chicken was a big hit. In traditional Italian style, the tables were loaded with wonderful food with everyone helping themselves.
On Ellis Island, immigrants were subjected to tough physicals and were often sent back if there were any signs of sickness. Names were shortened or changed for easier spelling, and entrance to the United States did not mean citizenship.
Brooklyn was the first home for many of these immigrants until Angela Cosintina spread the word that Ravenna, Ohio, was the place to go for work.
At that time, Ravenna was the crossing point of four railroads and the hub of much business. Many male relatives in this family worked for the railroads, while the women worked in the Cleveland Worsted Mills. Almost all families talked about how their parents spoke Italian between themselves or close friends, but children were encouraged to speak only English.
The families of the three couples got together on July 4 on Crown Avenue to celebrate a birthday, and as the families grew, they picnicked on Ohio Avenue, (then Sivy's Farm, which is where West Branch Dam is now) where they used outhouses, played in dirty water and played bocci after wonderful food.
As the group continued to grow, the reunion moved to Tower Lodge at John Tontimonia City Park in Ravenna and West Branch and has been held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ravenna for many, many years. The date has always remained the Fourth of July.
Frances and Willie Kester celebrated their 75th year of marriage on July 11. Frances had 10 children. What a wonderful way to have a family reunion for 110 years. We should all be so lucky.
Ryan Kester was a big help getting this column together, and Brett Fairleg was the photographer.
Contact Angie Reedy at 330-297-7228 with your Ravenna news.