Timely Writer - Part One: Humble Beginnings

Domenic Imprescia with Timely Writer

 My grandmother's brother was a bit of a legend within the family.  From his very humble beginnings in Fitchburg as a son of Italian immigrants, he became a nationally known thoroughbred horse trainer.  Dom always had a love of horses. His first business was a riding academy at his parents' house on South Street in 1941.

Nov. 13, 1941 Fitchburg Sentinel

He later opened his riding school on Klondike Avenue in Lunenburg and then entered the Merchant Marines during World War Two. 

After returning from the war in 1946 he began a career in used auto sales first with existing car dealers then branching out on his own with a used car business on Water Street.  Soon after starting the auto dealership he became the owner of racehorses in 1947. After a year and a half none of the five horses had won a race, so he took matters into his own hands and became the horse trainer.

Working seven days a week, starting at the stables at 5am and ending at the car lot at 9pm, Dom held down two jobs for 12 years until 1960 when he sold the auto business and became a full time trainer at 42 years old.

Working the New England race circuit he became the trainer of several horses including those from two butchers in Boston, Francis and Peter Martin. In 1980 the Martin’s purchased a colt for $13,500 (a small price for a thoroughbred) and named him Timely Writer after the horse's parents, Staff Writer and Timely Roman. 

1981 - A year of success

At 63 years old, when many consider retirement, Domenic had what may have been the best year of his career.  Under his training he had a promising two-year old filly, Elpaso Patty, a five-year-old colt Soldier Boy, and finally there was the start of the career of his greatest horse Timely Writer.

I do not know much about horse racing but read up on the hierarchy to races.  The Kentucky Derby, for example, is a Grade 1 race, reserved for the best of the best.  There are also Grade 2 and Grade 3 races, which also carry prestige and are stepping stones to qualify for higher Grade races.  At the very bottom of the hierarchy are Claimer races.  Claimer races have a claim amount announced at the start of the race for anyone (usually a trainer or owner) to "claim" or buy the horse at the end of the race.  Win or lose, if someone claims the horse they own it; if no one claims the horse, it stays with the current owner.  This is one of the most common types of races since it allows easy entrance for horses that are new or average performers.  These would be the blue-collar types of races, where the non-millionaire types who love horse racing buy a horse - like two butchers from Boston - and race for a chance at some small prize purses.  Not the stuff of the elite stables and trainers with six or seven figure dollar horses would ever compete.  The claimers were Dom's bread and butter, training horses for the modest owners who would race in Suffolk Downs, Rockingham Park or Gulfstream and Calder in Florida 

So in June 1981, Dom chose a $30,000 Claimer race in Monmouth Park, NJ, for Timely Writer's first race.  Someone could have literally put down $30k to buy the horse at the start of the race so obviously the horse had unknown greatness at that time.  But it did not take long for it to be revealed - he took the top spot in his first race.

His second race at Suffolk Downs in Boston on July 4th was the Mayflower Stakes.  One of two major stakes races held at Suffolk, the other being The Massachusetts Handicap which was held two weeks prior - and won by a 24-1 odds horse - Soldier Boy - also trained by Domenic!  So it is hard to imagine lightning would strike twice for Dom so soon, but Timely Writer easily won and almost broke a 38-year-old track record, missing it by one-tenth of a second.

The same trainer winning the two most prestigious races at Suffolk Downs was unprecedented in the then 47 year history of the Suffolk.  As Dom told the Boston Globe after the race, "If someone told me a couple weeks ago that I would win the Masscap AND the Mayflower - I would have told them they were smoking something."

In August Dom entered Timely Writer in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes in Saratoga, NY.  Again he pulled out a surprise win over premier horses by 4 1/2 lengths.

 

The end of Timely Writer's career as a 2 year old was in another Grade 1 race, The Champagne Stakes in Belmont Park, NY.  This race also featured the other standout, a 2 year old named Deputy Minister, a horse that won eight out if its last nine starts and was considered the top contender for Canadian Horse of the Year as well as the Eclipse Award, the American Thoroughbred awards.  The other contender for the Eclipse - Timely Writer.  This head to head race would surely show the best horse in 1981.

The race ultimately did show the best horse - Timely Writer - with an impressive come from behind win over the 4-5 odd favorite Deputy Minister, winning down the stretch by 5 lengths.  The press were now believers that Timely Writer was the leading contender for the Eclipse Award for a 2 year old Horse of the Year.

Boston Globe October 23, 1981

The $13,500 colt was also fetching $3 million dollars for half-interest in the horse, which would include lucrative stud fees once his racing career was complete.  Dom was also nominated for several awards from the New England Turf Writer Awards.  And Kentucky Derby favorite was mentioned in every article about Timely Writer at this point.  Things could not have been better for the Martin's, Dom Imprescia and Timely Writer. 

But in an unexplainable snub, Deputy Minister was awarded the Eclipse Award for the Outstanding 2 year old.  The owners of Timely Writer took the snub very personally as shown in this Boston Globe article in December 1981.  The Martins as well as the fans of the horse in Boston felt like the elites did not want to accept a horse that rose up the ranks from a claimer to Grade 1 horse compared to a horse with the money and power establishment behind it.

Sports writers in Boston were also outraged at the snub as seen by editorial below:

Dom fared much better at the end of the year with the New England Tuft Writers Awards.  He had a stunning year with not just Timely Writer but two other horses.

In 1982 Timely Writer was poised to be dominant in his 3 year old season including the biggest - The Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.  But there were several big races in Florida for the winter season that would prepare him.

But no one could be prepared for what 1982 would bring and it will go down as one of the most tragic stories in Thoroughbred racing history.

To be continued...

Nine lives of Filippo

My great grandfather Filippo Imprescia had nine lives. Born in Pietraperzia, Sicily, in 1880, he was one of three surviving children of Dominic and Anna (Viola) Imprescia (who may have had up to 17 children) who made it to America.  Once here he did face at least two near death experiences that were documented in the local newspaper.

The first incident occurred on March 17, 1917 when Filippo (Philip) was 37 years old and already had four children (Concetta, Anna, Palma and Josephine) and lost one (Connie in 1916).  Filippo spent most of his career as an unskilled laborer, and in 1917 he was working for Simonds Manufacturing Company.  His job must've required him to go to the Brown Engine Shop on Willow St. on this day.  

Fitchburg Sentinel headline March 17, 1917

At about 9am Filippo was working along side 28-year-old Brown Engine Co. employee Ernest Simonelli when the head of a hydraulic pump blew off striking Ernest directly in the head.  Filippo was also indirectly struck in the head causing a wound over his right eye.  An ambulance was called and both men were rushed to Burbank Hospital, Ernest was dead when they reached the hospital, but Filippo was in serious condition.  An X-ray did not reveal internal injuries or fractures, but he stayed at the hospital.  Read full article here.

Fitchburg Sentinel March 18, 1917

The article in the newspaper the next day describes his recovery as "simply a matter of time and care."

The second incident occurred about 27 years later. A now 63-year-old Phillip again faced death, this time while walking down Water Street near the intersection of Newton Street.  The story indicates he stepped off the curb and was hit by a car around 7am on November 15th, 1944.  The impact shattered his right leg causing a compound fracture and various contusions and lacerations.

Fitchburg Sentinel November 15, 1944

The article above does not seem to correctly describe the severity of Phillip's injuries. I found another article dated March 31, 1945 - a full four months after the accident - that thanks people for their assistance and care of Phillip while at the hospital.

Fitchburg Sentinel March 31, 1945

So Philip clearly was very seriously injured again and survived - like a cat with 9 lives.

Cent' Anni - 100 Year's of St. Anthony Church (2008)

 I was involved in a project for the 100 year anniversary of St. Anthony's Church in Fitchburg back in 2008.  We produced this video that was sold as a DVD to benefit the Church.  This is a 1 hour documentary that shows the history from 1908 - 2008.  After message from Bishop, there is a universally interesting segment on Italian's arriving in Fitchburg.  The remainder is tailored to the history of the church through the years.

Mill Tragedy Fallout - Lawsuits and Prosecution

September 13, 1908 - Lawsuit filed by Dominic Imprescia
(Fitchburg Sentinel 14 Sep 1908)

I had a misconception when I was writing the blog post of Concetta Imprescia' death in woolen mill, I assumed in the "old days" this type of event happened and it was chalked up as the dangers of time and there were few repercussions.  In other words, the world was unsafe and workers were not protected, but I was wrong.

In 1908 there were child labor laws in Massachusetts that were more progressive than other states.  Employers were required to have on file a certificate of age and schooling for each child under 16, verifying they met the legal requirements for employment, in other words, a work permit when you are under age (like today).  So within 17 days of Concetta's death the lawsuits began.

 

September 14th - Lawsuit for $10,000 filed by Concetta's father Dominic Imprescia 17 days after her funeral.  The lawsuit was seeking $5,000 for her injuries and another $5,000 for her death. 

September 15th - The Commonwealth of Massachusetts summoned the superintendent of Star Worsted Wool to answer questions on the employment of Concetta and if proper paperwork procedures were followed.  The superintendent testified Concetta told him she was 18 years old when she started working on June 7th, 1908, roughly 2 months before her death on August 25th.

Fitchburg Sentinel September 15, 1908

 

September 16th - Due to the confusion around the actual age of Concetta, authorities sent to Italy for actual birth records.

Fitchburg Sentinel September 16th, 1908

September 30th - The trial of the Superintendent of Star Worsted Wool was concluded with a guilty verdict.  The case was placed on file, which indicates no jail time was imposed.  The case was based on a missing permit for Concetta's employment and the confusion on her actual age and date of birth.

Fitchburg Sentinel September 30th, 1908

 When she applied for school in 1907, the school administrators had difficulty getting information from the parents who had limited english skills.  The young Concetta acted as the translator between the school and her parents and at that time the school recorded her birthday as January 13, 1894.  The prosecutors did not receive a response from her hometown (Pietraperzia) in Italy on their request for her actual birth certificate by the September 29th court date, so it was still unclear if she was under 16.  Even her parents did not know the correct age for Concetta when asked by the Mill representatives days after the incident.  Her mother Anna said she was 15, her father Dominic said she was 16, but remember from prior post - they may have had 17 children so remembering everyones birthday would be a challenge! 

From my research I have her birth certificate that has her actual date of birth which was March 25, 1894.  Using that date and according to the school, she last attended class on June 7th to work,  she would have been 14 years and 3 months old - well under 16 years old.  But she could have worked legally at that age if she had a proper work permit from the school.  

The labor safety inspector for the Commonwealth did not agree with the judges ruling (basically no sentencing and a slap on the wrist) but he did agree that the Mill had a clean record before this incident and the superintendent of the mill had no previous complaints against him in the 25 years of his career.  So the guilty plea was placed on file and with no further action or penalty.

November 3 - Lawsuit settled

Fitchburg Sentinel November 3, 1908

On the positive side, the civil lawsuit against the Star Worsted Company was settled.  The original suit was for $10,000 for injuries and death.  Unfortunately the newspaper microfilm is a terrible copy and I cannot read the details of the judgement.  But I can assume the award was somewhere between $5,000 to the maximum of $10,000 originally requested in the lawsuit.

According to a calculator I found on the internet, $1,000 in 1908 would be worth over $34,000 in today’s dollars, so they could have received $170,000 - $300,000 in 2024 dollars . So it is good to know the Imprescias' did get something from the mill that took the life of one of their last three living children.  

Long Lost Cousin

Andy Russo (1942-2017)

The period between 2000 and 2004 was a dark time for Andrew Russo and his mother, Palma (Imprescia) Russo. The losses they endured seemed relentless. It began with the passing of Palma's husband, Theodore Russo, on August 18, 2000, after 62 years of marriage. Less than two years later, on May 5, 2002, Andrew's wife of 31 years, Kristine Wilson, succumbed to cancer. This loss left Andrew and their only son, Anthony "Tony" Russo, grappling with profound grief. Sadly, Tony struggled to cope and we lost him at the age of 27 in June 2004.

Andy and Kristine

As if the pain wasn't already unbearable, Andrew's brother Phillip passed away six months later on December 15, 2004, at the age of 55. The family gathered at my house in Fitchburg for Phillip's memorial service, but Andrew was too distraught to attend. He unexpectedly left town, seeking solitude at his brother Jeff's house in Florida while Jeff was in Fitchburg for the funeral.

Phillip Russo in 1967

Amidst this grief I remembered story about a long-lost son of Andrew Russo. At 19, Andrew got married to his girlfriend Cecile and in 1961, their son Andrew Jr. was born. The marriage was brief, and after the divorce, Andrew's ex-wife Cecile moved out of state, cutting off contact with the Russo family. Andrew gave up his parental rights, and Andrew Jr. was adopted by Cecile's new husband. Over the years, Palma and Teddy tried to locate their grandson but were met with silence from Cecile's family in Fitchburg.

Determined to fulfill Palma's wish to find her grandson, I turned to the internet a few days before Phillip's memorial service. My search led me to a genealogy message board where someone named Terry Lane had posted in 2002, seeking information about the Russos from Fitchburg. I reached out to Terry, hoping this could be the key to reuniting the family.

The Emails

Here are the exact communications that followed:

From Kevin Caravella:

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 8:44 AM

Name: Kevin Caravella

Email: kevincaravella@hotmail.com

Submit: Submit

Comment:

I have tracked you down based on some posting on genealogy forum. You were looking for information on Russo's of Fitchburg back in 10/2002. I have information and would also like information (if possible). I am assuming you were looking on behalf of Andrew (Jantz?) son of Andrew Russo. Would he like to contact his family? His 91-year-old grandmother would LOVE to contact him. She has tried in the past but the family has not been helpful. Please contact me. Thanks. Kevin

Response from T. A. Lane:

From: T. A. Lane 

Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 1:27 PM

To: kevincaravella@hotmail.com

Subject: FW: Data posted to form 1 of http://terrylane.com/contact.htm

Hi Kevin,

Andrew Jantz is my friend, I have all of his contact information. I was looking for his family, the Russo's from Fitchburg. I did track down the address of Andrew Russo Sr., and also Andrew Russo's brother, (I forget his name right now, I think it was Philip or Pete). I spoke to the Sr.'s brother on the phone and at first he was very excited about meeting his nephew Andrew Jantz, but then he called the grandmother and when I called him back he said that she wanted nothing to do with him. Since then my friend has written at least one letter to his father and has not heard back anything. So, we have the feeling the family does NOT want to meet him. I wrote a letter to Andrew Sr. and his brother asking just for genealogical information, even if they never wanted to meet Andrew Jr., I wanted to at least give him his family tree so he could pass it down to his sons. I never heard back from anyone. It would be a wonderful way to start the new year if this is not so, and that they do in fact have interest in meeting him, or at least in imparting information to him about his family roots. I always thought that the younger brother of my friend, his half-brother (Anthony Andrew Russo) whom he has never met, would want to know he had a big brother. I could not find anything out about him. Are you related to this family? I have included all of the information I have on Andrew's Russo family genealogy.

Thank you,

Terry Lane

I wasn't sure why previous communications with Phillip led to the belief that the family didn't want to see Andrew Jr. Understanding the turmoil in Andrew Sr.'s life at the time, I offered to be the mediator between Andrew Jr. and his grandmother Palma.

From Kevin Caravella to Joan Jantz:

----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Caravella [mailto:kevincaravella@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 1:18 PM
To: terrylane
Subject: Please forward to Joan Jantz

Hi Joan,

I really enjoyed speaking with you Sunday evening. I know this is a very confusing situation, but with a little time I think we will all be able to meet. Here is the rundown of situations and information since we spoke.

Tuesday was the funeral for Phillip Russo, I spoke with Jeffery Russo about your husband. He is very interested in contacting him. He drove up from Florida for the funeral and drove back. He also took his mother Palma back with him for a vacation. She also wants to contact her grandson – but – she is very nervous if this will upset Andrew, so she is very torn with feelings. Andrew left Fitchburg on Christmas eve (without really telling anyone, including his mother who is currently living with) and drove to Jeffery’s house in Florida. By this weekend they should all be together at Jeffery’s house. In speaking with Jeffery he wants to talk to Andrew Sr. about this situation to help reunite him with his son. But in any case, he would like to get to know his nephew. He will also like to connect his mother Palma with Andrew Jr. without having any feelings hurt. (Confusing, yes – hopeless, no).

Kevin Caravella
Fitchburg, MA

Our communication continued, and I finally spoke to Andrew Jantz on the phone, arranging to meet in person. We planned a dinner in Arlington on May 25, 2005. That meeting marked the beginning of Andy's reconnection with his Russo family. He spent the following years with his grandmother Palma and father Andrew before they passed away, maintaining close relationships with his "Italian" side of the family.

"Long Lost Cousin" - Andy Jantz
Uncanny family resemblance!

Andy has also written several books including one poem about the Upper Common in Fitchburg.

The Horse Thief

 

Stephen Benjamin Smith (1881)
The son of "Horse Thief" Stephen R. Smith

In researching family history you can uncover some family mysteries or secrets that as descendents we had no idea occurred.  This story is one of those unexpected family stories that remained hidden.

In February 1938 when Dominic F. Imprescia 20 years old he married 22 year old Pricilla Glen, but 6 months later in October, they filed for divorce.  Then in October 1940, Dominic married Ethel May Smith.  It was second marriage for both, Ethel was married to Charles Fattori and had two daughters, Carol and Judy before they divorced.  Once Ethel married Dom, both daughters were adopted by Dominic and took the Imprescia name.  Together they had two more children, Gale and Dominic Jr.

Dominic was a 1st generation American since both of his parents immigrated to the US in 1908.  But the Smith family goes back much further, I am still working on getting the facts and sources straight, but the Smith's could date back to a 1710 immigration of Germans know as The Palatines that settled in New York near Albany.  What I do know and is verified is listed below.

Ethel May Smith's father was Rudolph Smith, who was born in Gardner, Massachusetts in 1883 and died in 1977.  Rudolph was the son of Stephen B. Smith who made a name for himself in Fitchburg as a Realtor before he died in 1934 at the age of 74.

Fitchburg Sentinel Nov. 26, 1934

Stephen was born in Dannemora, New York in 1860.  Dannemora is a small town that was know for one thing - Clinton Prison.  Stephen B. Smith's father, Stephen R. Smith was very familiar with this facility and his incredible life of crime.  Here is a timeline I have been able to gather.

Pre-1846

Stephen is sentenced a term in Clinton prison.  I have not found the record of what that crime or sentence was, but he had to be in prison BEFORE March 1846, I estimate is was around 1840 due to an 1858 document indicating he spent 18 years in prison.  My guess, horse thief.

1846

Stephen escapes from prison!

1855/56

Sent back to Clinton state prison for Grand Theft following Petty theft. 

1858

In January discharged from Clinton Prison.  

1859

At some point Stephen (age 51) married Arullia Leonard (age 20) and she became pregnant around April 1859.

While in Clinton prison Stephen fabricated molds to create counterfeit coins, months after his release - it was discovered he was using the tools and dies to create bogus coins.  Stephen sentenced on 21 Oct 1859 for counterfeiting coins, so he was in prison before his son Stephen Benjamin was born.  Since Counterfeiting was a Federal Crime, he was sent to Auburn Prison in Auburn NY.

1860

January 29th 1860, Stephen Benjamin was born in Dannemora, NY while his father was serving time in Auburn NY.

1861

Henry L. Smith born on November 27, 1861. But her husband is in prison in Auburn NY, so he is most likely NOT the father.  According to the 1860 Federal Census, Aurilla (age 22) is living in Dannemora, NY with 6 month old Stephen in the house of David Lamarra (which could be misspelled Lamoureaux) age 65 and Alexander Lamarra (Lamoureaux) age 14.  So it may be assumed that 65 year old David is the father, which brings up a lot of question on that relationship, was this consensual or was David taking advantage of a desperate young woman with a young child and husband in prison?  Henry has the Smith name not Lamoureaux - so they were never married.

1863

Mary Jane Smith born, again while Aurilla's husband is in prison.  So it could be assumed that is again  David Lamarra (Lamoureux) child, he would be 67 years old and Aurilla would be 24.  

1865

Stephen R. Smith is still serving time in Auburn prison, but there has been a major change in the US.  President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated and the new President is Andrew Johnson.  As new President and a Southerner he made decisions to issue pardons to Confederates instead of prosecuting them.  In Proclamation 179  there is a section related to amnesty for those who interrupted commerce, so Stephen being a counterfeiter applied for a Presidential Pardon.

1866

Stephen R. Smith received a Presidential pardon from Andrew Johnson on December 28th 1866 as a cost cutting measure after the Civil War.

Aurilla (age 27) is now located in Vermont and has a new husband Augusta LaWare (age 50) a 2nd marriage for both.  She has a son with Augusta names Simeon.

1870

Stephen R. Smith is listed in 1870 Federal Census as living in Clinton Prison.  So it seems between 1867 when released from Federal prison in Auburn NY, he committed another crime and was sentenced to Clinton State Prison.

1871

Aurilla has daughter Josephine with husband Augusta in Vermont.

1872

Aurilla has another son Gustay with husband Augusta in Vermont.

1875

Shortly after Stephen's release from Clinton in 1875, he went down to New Scotland New York, where he was from, visited family, and stole one of his brother's horses and got into a gun fight with police.  He was 64 years old at this time.

1876

Aurilla has another daughter Julia with husband Augusta in Vermont.

1877

Aurilla has another daughter Lucy with husband Augusta in Vermont.

1880

Stephen R. Smith is listed as resident of Clinton State Prison in 1880 Federal Census.  He is 73 years old.  This is the last record I can find for Stephen so his must have died sometime after 1880 but before 1890 when the next Federal Census was performed.

1894

Aurilla's husband Augusta dies in Vermont at the age of 84

1900

Aurilla marries for a 3rd time to widower Moses LaBell of Duxbury, Vermont.  He is 65 years old and she is 60 years old.

1912

Aurilla dies July 2, 1912 in Fitchburg, ironically of her eight children five of them now live in Fitchburg.

To summarize the family link to the infamous Stephen R. Smith, career criminal:  Stephen's son with Aurilla was Stephen B. Smith.  He was the father of Rudolph Smith, who was the father of Ethel May Smith.  And of course, Ethel was the wife on Dominic F. Imprescia.  So her Great-Grandfather was a "Noted Horse Thief" and Dominic and Ethel were noted thoroughbred owners and trainers.

Ethel (in black coat and sunglasses) and Dominic (in blue sport coat) with one of their horses

 

Big Night and Louie Prima

 

There is a movie from 1996 called Big Night, you may have missed it - but it is a gem.  The story is of two restaurants in NJ, one has great food but no customers, the other has "Americanized" Italian food and is popular, the kind of place with signed photos on the wall from famous people.  So in a devious plot to shut down the place with the great food, the owner of the popular restaurant convinces them to spend all their money to make the best dinner they can and for his part he will invite Louis Prima to the "Big Night".  With a celebrity of Louis Prima level at their restaurant they hoped it would help establish them and save their business.

So younger people may say "Who is Louis Prima?"  He was an Italian band leader famous from the 1940's through the 1960's.  He sings a couple of classics like "Che le Luna", "Just a Gigolo", and the song from Disney Jungle Book "I Wanna Be Like You" (as well as playing the orangutan character).

So why does this matter?

Carbone's Restaurant had a REAL BIG NIGHT!

Carbone's restaurant from my previous post was located near Whalom Park which also had the Whalom Playhouse which hosted plays and bands.  In May 1950, Louis Prima's Orchestra was playing in town and where did they eat? 

Monday May 15, 1950 Fitchburg Sentinel Ad

 Carbone's Restaurant.  Now at this point, the restaurant was only open for about a month and I am not sure if they already had a guest book - or if they ran out and got one when Louis Prima arrived - but it holds the proof to his visit.

Very first signature in the Guest Book for Carbone's
May 15, 1950: Louis Prima - New York City 

 

Female vocalist and later wife of Louis Prima, "Keeley" Smith

So an amazing parallel to movie Big Night - Carbone's did host Louis Prima for dinner!

But there is MORE to the story.

There was some type of mix up and there were not enough rooms booked for the band to sleep that night - not sure how that discussion came up at the restaurant - but Palma (Imprescia) Russo had a solution.  She and her husband's family owned an apartment building on Daniels Street in Fitchburg with a vacant room, so she offered it to the displaced band members.  And supposedly  - Louis Prima and three band members took her up on the offer!  

The next morning Palma even made them breakfast before they left.  And as the story goes - the room was free of charge.

Free night in "Cleghorn" section of Fitchburg

The "Tiff" and Carbone's Resturant

In "The Patch" section of Fitchburg in the 1940's there was a social club, the Pietraperzia Club (P.P. Club) for Italians that originated from the town Pietraperzia in Sicily.  The club funded such annual events as The Feast of the Madonna della Cava and other Feast Days.  To provide revenue to the club other than the annual dues the club sold pizza on weekends.  The way this was done in the early days was by members wives volunteering to cook each month.  Each month a different wife hosted the pizza kitchen which led to "The Tiff".

Anna (Imprescia) Carbone was an excellent cook and when it was her month to run the kitchen it was a sell out.  As time went on, it became evident that Anna's month was the most popular and other wives became jealous.  This boiled over when one of the wives confronted Anna and claimed she was telling people NOT to order pizza on nights when she was not working.  Anna was offended at the premise it was not her excellent pizza - but she was sabotaging others by turning people away.  The insult was too much and made Anna realize if they love my pizza when I volunteer at the P.P. Club - why won't they love it at my own restaurant?  

The idea for Carbone's Restaurant was born.

Carbone's 1950-1968

Located directly across the street from Whalom Amusement Park

So Anna was now determined to open her own restaurant.  Her husband Louie Carbone already ran a small grocery store on Second and Middle Street on the ground floor of the multi family home where they lived in with their two daughters Linda and Marie.  

Anna Imprescia and her younger brother Sam Imprescia
inside Carbone's Market on 2nd and Middle St.

So she convinced Louie they should open their own place and found an amazing location in Lunenburg directly across the street from Whalom Park and purchased it on February 9, 1950.  

Grand Opening Announcement
Fitchburg Sentinel March 31, 1950

The efforts and preparations all come to fruition on April 1st, 1950 when Carbone's Pizza first opened its doors.  Anna was 39 years old and Louie was 51 yeas old at the time.

Opening Day April 1950

The restaurant was a family event in the picture above from the left is Filippo and Filippa Imprescia (Anna's parents), Angela Russo (Anna's sister Palma's sister-in-law), daughter of Lewis Esposito (the man who sold them the restaurant), Mary Dantini (Anna's cousin),Anna Carbone, Louie Carbone, Connie (DiNatale) Imprescia (Anna's sister-in-law), Connie (Imprescia) Picolomini and Palma (Imprescia) Russo (both Anna's sisters).

Grandma Imprescia (Filippa) making the pizza

Dominic Imprescia enjoying meal a with family & Friends

The restaurant was a success from the start and became Anna and Louie's life for the next 18 years. The Sicilian style "square" pizza was a favorite - but the menu was much more than pizza - several home cooked food are listed in this menu - but I am not sure if this was from the 1950's or 1960's.

Click here for full Carbone's Spaghetti House Menu.  A few notable highlights:

• a strict 30 cent minimum per person
• Seafood plate with Scallops/Clams only $1.25, but the 1/2 chicken is $1.75
• Sandwich called "Steamroller"?
• Large tray pizza - 18 slices $3.50.  That would be a party pizza size today.
• Near Beer served.  Louie did not want to have beer/wine served to avoid problems

Some oddities I found:

Poster on wall near jukebox (1950)
"If your wife is a Bum Cook. Keep her for a pet and EAT HERE"

"Knives, Forks, Spoons, Ash Trays, Salt and Pepper Shakers are not medicine
Please Don't Take After Meal!"

Help wanted ad from 1966
"Middle-aged or older women preferred"

By the late 1960's, Louie's health was starting to fail and on November 13, 1968 the restaurant was sold.  But for anyone of a certain age that lived in the area during those years will fondly remember the best pizza and food "Made the way you like it".  Who would have know a tiff (as my grandmother called it) would lead to a way of life for the Carbone's and a restaurant legacy.

My last visit on October 31, 1968
(I was almost 3 years old)