South-Side Scranton
Blaire Byrley
January 6, 2011
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Introduction
Giuseppe ―Joseph‖ Noto, Sr., was born in Santo Margherita, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, in
1864. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1889 with his wife, Margherita Zummo, also of his
home town, and his five brothers. They then migrated from Brooklyn, New York, to
Scranton, Pennsylvania around the turn of the century, where Joseph and Margherita
raised 13 children. Margherita was known to say she ―baptized all of her children
catholic and democrat‖ (Carro, 9 Dec).
Joseph Noto, Sr., and Family at 1200 Stafford Avenue, Scranton, PA:
Front from left: Anna Scartelli, Katherine Noto Raymond, Frances Noto Wolfe, club member Giuseppe Noto, Sr.,
Margaret Noto Nazar, Margherita Zummo Noto, club member Thomaso Noto, Anna Hayes Noto, club member
Nicholas Noto. Back from left: Grace Noto Reina, club member Nicholas Scartelli, club member Antonio ―Anthony‖
Raymond, Nathan Reina, club member Louis Wolfe, club member Sam Sigonna, Consetta Noto Sigonna, club
member Joseph Noto, Jr., Margretta Noto, club member Peter Noto, Claire Noto, Lizzie Noto, club member Casper
Noto, Helen Noto, club member Anthony Noto, Gina Noto
In 1933, the Notos and some neighbors founded the Italian-American Club of South-
Side Scranton. They were an isolated group of Italian immigrants, surrounded by a
community of Germans and Irish. The club met often, sometimes more than once a
month, and kept meticulous and official notes of their meetings in their log book: first in
Italian; later in English. The club was very involved in local politics, charitable causes,
recreational activities, and building a community network of cooperating businessmen
(builders, stonemasons, contractors).
D. Maldonato has explained that being together will make us strong, but
if we’re not united, then we’re wasting our time. So in order to be
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strong, we need to be united. —
Record Book, p. 3, May 5, 1933
The members were exclusively male, and spoke Italian – at least until membership grew
to include some of the German and Irish neighbors. The club eventually held a special
meeting and voted to allow a Women’s Auxiliary to be formed. This allowed their
wives, sisters, and daughters and mothers to use the clubhouse – only in the daytime,
and not on Sundays. By the start of World War II, many of the men in the group and
their sons were fighting abroad, and the club’s formal status came to an end. However,
the tradition of meeting together socially in the neighborhood, and networking with
neighbors and relatives for business went on for generations.
When the original record book of their minutes came into my possession here in
Northern Virginia, I was intrigued and compelled to grasp its significance. It was
personal to me, as club organizer Joseph Noto, Sr., was my great-great grandfather. I
wanted to know who these people were, why they started this club, what they wanted to
accomplish, and whether or not they were successful at it. I have set out in this study to
explain the context of their meetings, and the impact they had on the South-side
Scranton community.
Methodology
Armed with the club’s record book (and English translation of Italian text), I drove to
Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 1, 2002. Before I left, I called several relatives
and explained what I was working on, and I invited them to talk with me on tape
regarding the Italian-American club. On November 2nd, I conducted three interviews,
and I visited the original club house: the Noto family home at 1207 Stafford Avenue.
The house is currently occupied by my cousin James Joseph Carro, great-great grandson
of Joseph Noto, Sr., and his family (now the 5th and 6th generations to live there). I also
visited two cemeteries where I found markers for many of the original club members
and their families.
1. I interviewed 88-year old Anna Marie Noto Scartelli (retired beautician and
homemaker), daughter of Joseph Noto, Sr., and my great-great aunt, in her
living room. Her house happens to be across the street from the original club
house on Stafford Avenue. She described an Italian community in isolation,
banding together because they had limited resources. She focused also on the
social aspect of the club: the dances and parties held there. She talked about the
women who met during the day. She described a ―woman from the state‖ that
came and taught them quilting, piano, and tap dancing. Mrs. Scartelli discussed
more about the wives and sisters of club members than the actual men that met
together. She also described the men of the neighborhood who met in the club
to conduct their business together: builders, contractors, stonemasons. The
Italian-American club expanded to include any neighbors who were accepted –
Italians and Germans alike. She told me, ―it was always a party up there no
matter what.‖
It was an added treat that after we talked, Aunt Annie served us her homemade
meatballs with sauce and pizza frita, followed by anisette cookies and chocolate-
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pepper cookies. (I noted the recipes, too, and promised to return for a cooking
lesson!)
2. I interviewed Nancy Marie Noto Napolitano (age 72, retired bakery/deli owner),
grand-daughter of Joseph Noto, Sr., and my great-aunt, in her family room. We
talked about the memories she had of the Italian-American club that was held in
her childhood home. She described the clubhouse environment where the men
used to smoke stogies, and the young girls weren’t allowed to go in (but they
snuck in when they could). She remembered the piano playing (by Mr. Proffero,
who was missing two fingers on one hand), and the card playing at night. She
also remembered when Mrs. Roosevelt visited the Harriet Beacher Stowe
School to install a nursery school for working mothers. Nancy was a child at
that time, but presented the flowers to Mrs. Roosevelt that day and had a
photograph made with her.
3. Finally, I interviewed Mary Ellen Carro Niemotka (high school teacher), great-
granddaughter of Joseph Noto, Sr., and my second cousin. She told me about
the descendants of the club members, and how they sometimes interact in
unforeseen ways today. Mrs. Niemotka discussed more facts off-the-record
about the daughters and sisters of club members, and how the women were
forced to deal with the more personal aspects of the family life.
4. I conducted a casual phone interview with Joan Noto Carro (retired nurse)
granddaughter of Joseph Noto, Sr., and my great-aunt, who now lives in Florida.
She described her grandparents’ immigration to the U.S., the political scene in
Scranton of the 1930’s, and the WPA program. The WPA was started by
President Roosevelt, and was responsible for the woman from the state that
came out to teach the ladies how to quilt, sew, and tap dance.
The record book itself provided a wealth of information about the club’s activities.
They served refreshments at every meeting: beer and ―eats.‖ They had numerous social
functions, card parties, and they conducted raffles. They donated proceeds to charities
such as the Red Cross (Record book, 113).
The minutes of the meetings span a period from 1933 until the beginning of World War
II. The last two entries were made in 1941 and 1942. One entry per year was made at
the end, rather than the numerous meetings recorded in the intervening years. One
surprising observation I made about the actual book is that the ink was used liberally
throughout the book, with many blotches and strike-outs, but the last entry was made
entirely from one dipping, fading to the end – this illustrated to me the attitude of
rationing and using all resources completely, as was prevalent in 1942. It saddened me
to read about a harsh reality in this final entry where the club rooms were to be used as
quarters for Air Raid Wardens during the war, and all members who had not been
present for months were still considered to be in good standing.
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Analysis of Context and Values
Although it was called the ―Italian-American Club,‖ it was not, in fact, restricted to
Italians. There were several German members from the neighborhood: Jack Lantaff
(president 1933), Louis Graff, Leo ―Guard‖ Schimpft, Peter Mach, William Snyder, and
Louis Wolfe. However, they were well outnumbered by the many Notos, Maldonatos,
Proferras, Ventimiglias, Sagonas, and Gabellos. I have been able to identify over 30
members listed through the minutes; however, many of their sons were included but not
named.
President Ralph Marino gave a fine talk on the development of the
Italian American Club of So. Scranton into one of the finest clubs locally
and to establish this he again asks the co-operation of every member of
this club.
— Record Book, p. 101, December 29, 1935
The folk group represented, then, is better defined by the latter part of the club’s title:
―South-side Scranton.‖ (The club’s title was later changed to ―The Italian American
Club of South Scranton.‖)
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The club members were active in local politics at every level. They investigated the
different candidates for mayor, city council, commissioner, clerk of courts, magistrate,
etc., and then decide which candidate to support. Once this decision was made, the club
conducted social events and invited their chosen candidate to speak. These events
ranged from coffee clutches to clam bakes, and usually turned into profitable fund
raisers for the candidate. They even assisted people in getting their voter registration
cards to enable every voice to be heard. Among the many entries in the record book
regarding this type of interest is the following:
It was regularly moved and seconded that committee be appointed to
approach the chairman of Margiotti for govener, committee as to how the
club may benefit in the event said candidate be elected. — Record Book, p. 45, April 19, 1934
A Report on Candidate … Mike Ventimiglia and Ralph Marino had a
talk on Marciotti. They said they had a big crowd at the meeting and we
should all go strong for Marciotti… A report by Pres. Casper Noto that it
would be a good idea to pick two men from each block, seeing that all
people register and vote in this coming election.— Record Book, p. 47-48, April 26, 1934
When club member Casper Noto ran for office in local politics, all club and family
members changed their party registration to republican in order to vote for Casper in the
election. Afterward, they all changed back to democrat (Carro, 9 December). When
any club member needed assistance in a political sense, they were advised to see Casper
Noto for guidance. The need for these neighbors to maintain such solidarity seems to
be primarily focused on their own business interests. Club members practiced a
reciprocal business network, where they engaged each other on their projects.
Joseph Noto and four of his brothers successfully plied their trades, starting first in the
coal mines, and then in home construction. They each began businesses that were inter-
related: stone masonry, electrical, plumbing, and building contractor. Joseph was hired
by the Citizen’s Savings and Loan to appraise houses – he was the only Italian on the
Board of Trustees (the bank gained the trust of the growing Italian community through
him, and was able to secure more home loans). This work gained him exposure in the
community, and brought the Noto brothers a great deal of work.
One contractor would involve another club member on a job, in whatever specialty the
other member may have. They worked together when the homes in Scranton began to
sink into the underground coal mines. They shored up the homes, built basements,
monitored and engineered ventilation systems, and were quite sophisticated and
successful on these large scale projects.
Joan Carro mentioned, ―We had every profession except a priest until my brother
Jimmy – I was the first nurse and he was the first priest‖ (Carro, 9 Dec). Doctor
Maldonato was everyone’s dentist, but his education was funded by club member
Joseph Noto. Joe Proferra had the local pizza restaurant on the corner. He fed the
crews, but he also started a Noto son-in-law in his own pizza business.
Money played an important role in the lives of club members. Regular dues were
collected at every meeting, which was recorded in detail, along with all expenses,
charges for refreshments and utilities, and overhead. It is even noted that if anyone
were to bring a guest who is not a member of the club to a social function, they would
be fined $1.50 to be paid to the club. (They usually carried the motion to be allowed to
bring their wives.) Further notes of interest on economics from the record book:
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Proposed and seconded that any new members of this club must
purchase 1 share of $5, payable in 2 years. Non-paying in 2 years, he
will be part of the club, but will lose whatever he has paid.— Record Book, p. 2, May 5, 1933
Proposed and seconded that any member of this club has the right after
he’s dead to a wreath of flowers for $10. In case the [cossa] doesn’t have
the funds, each member will be compelled to pay his share after it’s been
divided.
— Record Book, p. 3, May 5, 1933
The men of the Club conducted themselves as law-abiding gentlemen. Because of their
esoteric concerns that the group be the finest club of its kind, insults were not abided,
rules of conduct were kept and regularly reviewed, and all local laws were upheld. I
was amused when I read an entry that each member had to keep his own beer on the
premises.
Moved and seconded each member be mark on file for the purpose of
having one half case of Beer each in Club. — Record Book, p. 59, May 17, 1934
It was Joan Carro who put this in context for me. ―They didn’t have a license to sell
alcohol. So they had each person buy and keep his own, so that if anyone came, they
wouldn’t get into trouble‖ (Carro, 9 Dec). She went on to attest that with all of these
men and their families in this community, over 60-70 kids at that time, ―there was never
one person ever arrested for anything!‖ (Carro, 9 Dec).
In one of the final entries, October 31, 1940, there is an entry regarding a special
meeting:
New Business. A special meeting to be called on purpose to take down
the Italian flag Nov. 7. — Record Book, p. 211, October 31, 1940
This speaks to the growing World War in Europe at that time. It is important to
note that the referenced special meeting was not recorded. Whether it was held,
whether the Italian flag was taken down from the club house at that time, is
unknown. But what is interesting is that this proud group of Italian immigrants
was separating its identity from that of their homeland during World War II.
Clearly, their focused had shifted by that time from Italian to American. They
were writing their minutes in English, speaking English, and pursuing their
American dream of prosperity in every way they could.
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Conclusion
The social context described in the record book and in the interviews I conducted is
fairly consistent. A family of Italian immigrants came to America because they wanted
to live a prosperous life style that was not possible in Sicily. They came to
Pennsylvania and remained focused and unified. They brought the community together,
and maintained a strong sense of moral values, intentionally setting their families on a
path of social and political involvement. They were law-abiding, intelligent, hard
working people who enjoyed their recreational down-time. Even when playing cards or
enjoying parties, they had purpose: profits were donated to charitable institutions,
manners and deportment were upheld, political and business interests were advanced.
Ethnicity was not as big a factor as I first assumed. Because of the cultural diversity in
the neighborhood and in the family, English was spoken as a matter of courtesy. If
Italian food was the primary staple, it was the women who perpetuated those traditions.
As noted in one of the latter entries, the Italian flag itself was questioned as a necessary
symbol of the club’s identity.
As Robert Redfield defines Folk, a group that is ―small, isolated, nonliterate, and
homogeneous, with a strong sense of group solidarity…,‖ this group of men in south
Scranton qualifies as a folk group primarily based on their strong sense of solidarity
(Shoemaker, 234). They were isolated somewhat, small, and strong, but they were not
homogeneous, and the record book itself is impressive in its sophistication: in both
Italian and English languages.
Personally, this study has made me proud of the accomplishment of all of the club
members and their families. I see their descendants working in the finest professions,
all over the country. We are a family of teachers, lawyers, and builders, firemen,
bakers, and law enforcers. Most of us are in service to others. All of us know that our
family was built on a strong foundation by the finest craftsmen, and it is upon that
foundation which we all stand today.
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Bibliography
Carro, Joan Noto. Interview. 9 December 2002.
Niemotka, Mary Ellen Carro. Tape-recorded Interview. 3 November 2002.
Noto, Nancy. Tape-recorded Interview. 2 November 2002.
Record Book for The Italian-American Club of South-side Scranton. Meeting
minutes from 1933 – 1942.
Scartelli, Anna Noto. Tape-recorded Interview. 2 November 2002.
Shoemaker, George H. The Emergence of Folklore in Everyday Life. Trickster
Press: Bloomington, Indiana, 1990.
Yasuhara, Ornella Ceretto-Giannone. Tape-recorded record book translation. 14
October 2002.