September 5, 2004 in Features

Professor updating book on history of Italian immigrants needs photos of Italian-Americans

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North America, as we’ve been told again and again, is a land of immigrants. Many of those immigrants came from sunny Italy, the boot-shaped country of pasta, gelato and the best cappuccino in the world.

Vincenza Scarpaci, author of “Portrait of Italians in America,” is in the process of updating her book, documenting the history of Italian immigrants to the U.S. and Canada through photographs.

Scarpaci, a professor of history at the University of Oregon, is looking for photos of Italian-American families. Those photos still in family albums are particularly valuable, she says, because they “can tell the personal story more expressively than photos in official archives.”

All photos will be copied and returned to the donors, who will be credited for their contribution.

“The kinds of photos that make the best stories are ones showing daily family life, different occupations and Italian communities in different locales across the U.S. and Canada,” Scarpaci says.

E-mail her at scarpaci@uoregon.edu or write to Vincenza Scarpaci, History Dept., University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403.

Senior time

The seniors program of the Institute for Extended Learning (IEL) is again offering writing classes, including a Writers’ Workshop, a Poetry Workshop and Self-Publishing Workshop taught by Lisa Conger and/or Virginia White.

For specific course information, call the Seniors Program office (279-6025).

Book talk

“ Modern Fiction Book Group (“Catch-22”), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Valley Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave. (922-4104).

“ Romance/Mystery Book Group (“The Body in the Lighthouse,” by Katherine Hall Page), 7 p.m. Thursday, Valley Barnes & Noble.

“ Literary Freedom Book Group (“The Death of Vishnu,” by Manil Suri), 1 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington (838-0206).

The reader board

“ Cherry Adair (“On Thin Ice”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

“ Mary Clearman Blew (“Writing Her Own Life: Imogene Welch, Western Rural Schoolteacher”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

“ Diane Chamberlain (“You Are Not Alone In a Lonely World”), signing, 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, Auntie’s Bookstore.

“ Corliss Morris (“From Showgirl to Skid Row”), signing, 1 p.m. Saturday, Valley Barnes & Noble.

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