Italian American Digest 7Italian American Digest FALL 2018 | Page 7

FALL 2018
I talian A merican D igest
PAGE 7
Independence and Its Sicilian Connection
by Sam Puliafico
In our Summer issue of the Italian American
Digest, we showcased the contributions of Italians
in New Orleans for the city’s 300th anniversary.
But over the course of that
300 years, Italians dispersed
throughout Louisiana and the
American South. So where
might other significant popu-
lations of Italians, particularly
Sicilians, be found in our state?
In the 1800s, the port of New
Orleans served as a direct link
between Palermo and the Unit-
ed States. At that time, many
agricultural industries dotted
southern Louisiana, making
work easily accessible for those Sicilian immi-
grants. Strawberry farming was one such industry
beginning to take off in nearby Tangipahoa Par-
ish. Many enterprising Sicilians were enticed into
working at these farms, earning enough money
over time to purchase their
own homes and farms in the
town of Independence.
Independence is a well-
known Italian American
enclave that continues the rich
traditions passed down from
those first-generation Sicilians
and Italians who settled there.
Known for its St. Joseph’s Day
celebrations, today Indepen-
dence is home to the annual
Sicilian Festival in March, and
the neighboring community of Tickfaw hosts an
annual Italian Festival in April.
Butera cont. from page 1
assisted on the path to their championship last
year.
Though Butera certainly has the experience
needed to be an effective manager, his age puts
him in a rare position—at 26, he often gets
mistaken for a player by fans and reporters alike.
However, his age also gives him an advantage in
managing the team: he understands the position
of the players better than anyone else and uses
this connection to help players improve.
As the Renegades reach the end of the season,
the defending champions and their Wappingers
Falls fans hope to repeat and surpass the success
of last season. And with the skilled Blake Butera
at helm, the expectations are high.
Blake Butera