Left to right: Joe Cavalli, Dave Neumann, Teresa Neumann. Center: "Babe" Violenza Bertozzi Neumann

On Sunday, February 20, I was honored to speak at the Tuscan Association of Oregon at the St. Philip Neri Church in Portland.  Carlo Stellati, our cousin’s husband in Italy, had contacted me shortly after the publication of Bianca’s Vineyard to tell me that I absolutely must get in touch with Joe Cavalli, the president of the association.  I knew better than to question Carlo; he knows his stuff!  A few phone calls later, Joe invited me to Portland to share about the Bertozzi story.

It was so much fun!  Thanks, Joe — and the Tuscan Association of Portland!

Babe signing copies of "Bianca's Vineyard"

The group that came to hear my presentation were warm, welcoming, enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the story behind Bianca’s Vineyard.  What a great bunch of Italian-Americans!  Come to find out, there are several Italian-American groups in Portland (and other pockets in Oregon) and I’m thrilled at the prospect of meeting many of them.

Stay tuned for updates on other presentations in Oregon in the near future, and all you North-Westerners mark your calendar for the Festa Italiana in  Portland, August 25-27.

And, see more pictures from the Tuscan Association meeting by going to Always Summer Books on Facebook.

Until we meet again, arreverderci! — Teresa