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Juneteenth at Clark Botanic Italian American association lectures
Michael Genovese, historian and genealogist, from Floral Park recently launched a series of lectures sponsored by the Italian American Studies Association – Long Island Chapter.
The presentations will concentrate on the lives of lesser-known Italian Americans. In this initial audio-visual talk, for which Genovese did extensive research, he spoke at length on the lives of a father and son: Joseph Sanfilippo, as lead projectionist for Pathe News, was instrumental according to a 1929 company newsletter in introducing sound and visual effects to newsreels.
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His son Frank Sanfilippo, who studied art in Paris, became a leading illustrator for many leading Hollywood film companies such as MGM, Fox, and United Artists, and later for various publications.
Genovese’s PowerPoint presentation had numerous examples of the contributions and talents of this father-son legacy. For information on future lectures consult: https:// www.facebook.com/IASALongIslandRegionalChapter
Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D — Freeport) and Legislators Siela A. Bynoe (D — Westbury) and Carrié Solages (D — Lawrence) are partnering with Town of North Hempstead Councilman Robert J. Troiano, the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County, the Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Nassau County Guardians Association Inc. to present a Juneteenth celebration at the Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson on Saturday, June 17.
The event will feature food and vendors, musical and dance performances, and a special Kids Corner, sponsored by Glory House Recovery, Inc. and Beth- page Federal Credit Union as part of the afternoon’s festivities.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It specifically refers to the June 19, 1865 issuance of Union General Gordon Granger’s “General Order No. 3,” which brought news of President Lincoln’s Emancipa- tion Proclamation to the people of Texas in these words:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” the order reads in part. “This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves…”
