i'm not from a military family, but I can relate to that having moved oh, I don't know, 18 or so times by the time I was 15... I still get anxious every few years. Last year was bad. Beantown is the longest stretch I've ever had anywhere (will be 4 years in March 2004), although we have shuffled apartments... anyhow, I liked your post.

Parco Azzuro! From 1976-1980, just a stroll thru the vineyards away! I managed to go back in 1995 and was in awe that our parents used to let us just run wild in a foreign country like we did! I skateboarded with religious fervor in those days and was shocked to come back to neighborhoods with streets that seemed to be maybe 3 feet wider the than the Geo Metro (badged as a Opel for Europe) I had rented! I was a jr.high to High School aged kid then and can't believe that all my friends survived our fathers deployments!

I've managed to hit a few brat reunions and it is shocking how well everyone gets along. But then we were all from the same socio-economic and political mindset families! I share something with those kids my stateside friends will probably never understand. I grew up envying cousins in a small town who had the same friends their whole lives, while mind slipped away every 2 to 3 years.

Your comments about the desire for roots, but the itch to move are so true. Till my fathers retirement in 1983, the longest I ever lived in one place was Italy for 4 years! When people asked "where are you from?" I was always tempted to say "Naples Italy!" They'd have never gotten the joke though. "U.S.Navy would have been more accurate!

I was searching for Parco Azzuro and came across your page. I used to live there from 1972-1976. I was in Elementary School at Pintemare. My sisters went to Forest Sherman.

I went to Pintemare from '72 to '76.

Lived at Parco Palumbo next to Lago Patria. Played sports at Carney Park.

Navy brat. It's amazing how much you look back on that time with fond memories.

Drop me a message, as it is good to share old memories.

i also lived in parco palumbo on the shore of lago patria. 92-95, i was ages 10-12 there. i had a wonderful time, and carney park was also one of my most vivid childhood memories, playing soccer and baseball inside of a volcano. drop a line if you like.

I lived in Parco Mazzola from 1982-1987. My parents were both civil service, working at NSA. I went to Pinetamare, then NAHS until I moved to Germany in 9th grade. I loved my years in Naples!

I lived in Italy and attended FSES from1964 to 1968.(3rd thu 6th) Was hoping to locate some old friends, Vicki McFarland,JoAnn,Jimmy Cox, Steve,Sylvana and Billie Bird. I had 3 younger brothers Bill, Chris and Reed Blanton. We lived outside of Puztuoli,cant remember the name of the little town. But lived right by the ocean, and a salt water lake and a freash water lake. Hope to hear from someone!

I'm 33, lived in Parco Cuma, went to 7th grade there, and blew stuff up alot. Maybe we blew stuff up together. I even live in New England myself (Maine.) Small World. Congrats on the one year old. Kids are fun stuff. I've got 5 of them. Drop me a line. Dave

I can so relate to what everyone here is saying. The longest I ever lived in one place by the time I was 16 was Naples Italy. My dad was Airforce and we moved constantly. I was in 3rd thu 6th grade in Naples. Pretty much those were my growing up years. I had a good life there. Learning to ride at the riding accadamy, ballet after school 3 times a week, recitals and on stage presentations. Thats where I learned to shoot a gun, behind our apts. shooting rats. Its the first place I figured out how cuel people could be, finding burlap sacks of drowned puppies and kittens in the lake. It was the first time I ever saw my mom stick up for our family as some yelling Italian was screaming americano go home! I had never seen her so mad. She especially didnt want to be there! She was a nervous wreck the whole 3 years. It was the first place I had a dog of my very own. God, I loved that dog, and when it was time to go stateside, my dad made me leave her. To this day I havnt forgiven him, and I still cry over her 38 years later. I remember going to the recreation field (rec field) watching my brothers play baseball, riding our bikes, and staying for the movie. Thats the first time I ever saw Kurk Russle in a movie, god was I in love. After we came state side we went to Boloxi, Miss, then California, where dad and mom split. All my adult life Ive had problems staying in one place, always renewing love relationships and freindships and have often wondered if it might have something to do with my upbringing. Im 48 now and have a good life and a wonderfull husband. I had my first and only child at 16, she is a wonderful person and has led a good life. I figured I showed her everthing not to do.LOL Thanks for this site and letting me tell some of my story

I ran across this while doing research for homeschooling. I lived in Naples from 1974-1978 and attended Pinetamare Elementary then as well. K5-3rd grades. Feel free to email me if you think we may have known each other then. I can completely identify with getting the itch to move every 4 years but also longing for real roots.....

Was sitting here thinking about the place we lived when my dad was stationed in Naples when I decided to look up Parco Palumbo for the heck of it, and was surprised to run across this site! Talk about lots of memories. I lived there from '75-'77.....5th throuth 7th grades, and I loved living there...I'd love to be able to get back there now and show my kids the places we lived and visited.

hi, I am 28 and lived in Marco Lago Allocca and I went to Pinetamare from 3rd t 5th grade, and I played soccer in Carney Park, among 10 different other things, and my brother went to NAHS and played football there. Those were some very good memories. If anyone was there at the same time as me, drop ME a line. amethystocean76@hotmail.com

I was a military brat as well. My father was in the Navy and I lived in Naples from 1979-1982. I attended Pinetamare Elementary from '81-'82 (first grade). I am looking for anyone who may have been in Ms. Angelo's class from '81-'82.

Parco Azzuro (sp?) 1974-76 approximately.
Pinetamare for 3rd, 4th grade. Had Mr. Couch for 4th grade - best teacher I ever ever had. Still remember when the road to the great pizza place (Michelangelos?) got a sink hole and it took twice as long to get there because it took the italians forever to fix it....too many tunnels under those road. I miss that pizza more than I can say.
Thanks for the spot to share thoughts on a great place!

I lived in Parco Azzurro from 1978-1981,,,raised my two boys, Jamie and Andy Ross. We all did lots of community theater with the NATO group...Naples Little Theater. I'd love to hear from some of the "older" former residents of the area. We go back to Naples every few years...can't stay away! Loved your site.

I can't believe that many of these people lived at Parco Palumbo. I lived at Parco Palumbo from 76-80. My brother went to Pintamare and I went to the Happy Horseshoe and High School up at the Posillipo(sp). I'll never forget the house we lived in at the bottom of the parco and we had an archway that led right to the lago. I so miss Naples and I can't believe also that our parents let us get around in a foreign country at such a young age. How times have changed. I remember Carney park and when we got Baskin Robbins ice cream store! There was an awesome pizzeria at Arco Felice (sp). I was active in singing with the choirs and we went to Sorrento for a week, it was groups of
American kids from all over Italy and we did a show at the end of the week. We skateboarded down the main street of the parco and rode our mopeds/vespas all over to the different parcos off of the "4-laner". I'd love to see pictures of how it all is now if anyone has pictures. spthomason@gmail.com

I lived in pinetamare july74to july77 5th thru 7th grades had Mr. clark in 5th got to play paul revere on horseback for a reenactment of the famous ride what a great teacher. heidi above mentions the sinkhole my mom and me were the last car to pass that point before the road caved in I kid you not

I lived in parco azzurro from 76 to 80! I would love to touch with anyone that was there! I've been trying to find the neighborhood using Google Earth but not much luck!

Hey there,

Former Parco Cumo resident here as well, we lived there from 1974-1977. I also went to the "Happy Horseshoe" Forest Sherman, for 2nd-5th grades. I had Mr. Kenney as my 3rd (I think?) grade teacher and man, was he a riot.

I have lost contact with ALL my friends, so if anyone remembers me, or has any info on the neighborhood on Google Earth, lemme know. I have found the school, the ballfields, and Edenlandia (LOL Does anyone else remember that dump?)

:)
kim

I did not live in the parco's mentioned in this site, but I felt very much attracted to all of you posted in this site, for the simple reason that I saw most of you come and go through the years. I did all my schooling in Naples from K-12 first at the Happy horse shoe and then graduated at the FSHS(Wild Cat Breed) at Via Manzoni in 1983, It is the only American High School in the world with view of Mt. Vesuvius. The only thing close to the Parco Azzuro, was the K-Bar does that ring a bell for anyone?

I too lived in Parco Cuma! With that crazy boy Dave Dermody! :) I lived in Naples from 1980-87 when my sister Gia graduated from there. I am still pissed off at the folks for moving me in the middle of high school. I graduated in Japan in 90. I went to that little school Pinetamare from 3-6 grade 1980-84. Loved it! I still remember all the teachers! OH, K-Bar,Mikes,sooo many places I remember so fondly. I currently live in Corfu,Greece with my husband and son ( 13 months) and live so close. I went to visit in 95 but haven't been since. If anyone remembers me, email me and I wouild love to hear from all of you!

Navy brat, lived in Parco Azzurro from 1973-1977. Horseshoe for 3rd grade, then Pinetamare for 4th & 5th, then back to the Horseshoe for 7th. Great memories - playing softball and cheerleading at Carney Park, "Water Ballet" at the pool in the parco, Michaelangelo's pizza, AFSouth, getting a cholera shot with a "gun" needle, my dad worked above Jim's Marble Alabaster shop across from NSA, mozzarella in carrozza (not sure of spelling), Humpty Dumpty (who can forget her), running through the vineyards next to the parco. My sisters went to the high school (Wildcat years). I remember when George Kennedy filmed "The Human Factor" in the parco? Great memories!

I lived in Parco Azzurro 1974-75. I was the Surface to Air Missle Office for Air South. It was a great year with great memories. I am trying to find the name of the Roman ruins where Calicula spent the summers. It was near Cumes. I too was there when they filmed "the Human Factor" I receintly bought a video of the film. If anyone knows the name of the ruins, please let me know.

I lived in Italy from 1970 to 1976. I went to Pinetamare elementary from 1973-1976 and I live in New Hampshire. I am 40 years old so I doubt that we would have been class mates, I graduated high school stateside in 1983

I lived in Ischetella, Italy.. my Dad was Army w/ NATO.. and I went to school at Pinetamare 75-76... my teacher then as Miss Ahlgrim. I remember living in a hotel on base for a short bit and even living off base too. I know I had alot of friends that were American and Italian. Looking for Ratchford's and Uffenorde's and some others.
Email if you know what I'm talking about. I even have a class pic. for the years I mentioned.

I am also a Navy brat (and now retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer myself) who lived in Naples for four years growing up. We lived in Fusaro with an Italian family that I am still friends with almost 30 years later. I went to Pinta Mare 71-74 and remember misssing the bus home one day. I ended up playing at the construction site next door until my mother came running up scared to death that I was lost forever while I was having a blast playing in a pile of sand. I guess six year old boys look at the world a lot different... I have been back to Naples many times and enjoy it every time! I'll have to find my elementary school things to see if any of your names are on here, if you remember me please write... Best Wishes to all...
Jerry

Thank-you for hosting your Naples brats webpage/blog. I feel that your webpage/blog can be sometimes like a social support group for those of us who had a constantly changing childhood due to a military brat lifestyle. My best friend from Naples and I both have talked through the years about how we envied our relatives who stayed in their hometowns, graduated with their classes, have high school reunions, and feel so close to each other... Sometimes we feel left out and are left out as we did not have that emotional closeness through years of growing up in the same place with them, yet at the same time we marvel at our fortune and blessings of having been a world traveler and exposed to different geographical regional cultures within the USA and the world. When we overseas brats look at culture, we don't look at culture through the narrow categories the USA defines, we look at culture and people through a wider lens from our concrete and personal lives growing up as military brats and overseas brats. In this way and so many other ways, we are different from our family of origin and our extended family and relatives. Thank-you for hosting this webpage and blog on Naples. I lived with my family and brother Bill Michie '86 in Parco Lago D'Allocca from 1979-1983. I graduated with Paul Augustine, who posted earlier, in 1983 from Forrest Sherman High School (a.k.a. Naples American H.S.). No one can ever forget our humorous English teacher, Mr. Gordon Von Harter. I remember our Italian teacher, Signora Regina Albarella Woods, with fondness and love. Wish that I would have had the chance to visit her in Italy after high school while she was alive. Italy spoiled me with mozzarella di buffalo, pasta al dente, and pizza cooked the Italian way, not Italian-American, and not American. I love the Italian language, its music, art, churches and cathedrals, and architect. Most of all, I love the Italian people and yes, even Bella Napoli! Thanks for the memories everyone. I look forward to revisiting this webpage/blog in the future. Until we meet again or Ci Vediamo Ancora, Tawnya Michie (now Tawnya Kumarakulasingam)

How cool is it to find this site after so many years...I am Will and lived in Parco Mazzola on Via Medusa from 1986 - 1988 and went to NAHS the Horseshoe by NSA ( 7th - 9th grade). I have so many memories of Naples and am wanting to go back for a visit. Remembering the times in Parco Mazzola being the orchards towards the back of the parco and the cool well...the buffalo on the side of the parco and literally jumping in with them and scaring the Pellegrino out of myself...ha, ha. Definately remember Parco Azzuro as well...knew lots of people that lived there. My first job was at the USO on a summer program on the base. I can't remember the name of the amusement park over by AFSOUTH but that was where I went on my first date with a girl named Jeanette Ham. A lot of the youth took a trip to East/West Berlin before the wall came down and the train systems are so awesome there! I learned to ski In Garmisch, Germany...learned to white water raft in Austria and learned diversity in all of Europe. I hung out with Scott Nelson who was on my swimteam "Gators", Andre Dalton, Michelle Bova, Jennifer Supancheck, Jeremy Blanford and Jeanette Ham to name a few. I moved to Northern Virginia in 1989 and with the exception on ski instructing i Killington, VT for a season and a two year stay in Key West, Florida, I have lived here in Northern Virginia ever since. Hope to hear from you all.

OMG - I just stumbled here! I lived in Parco Azzuro from 1974-1977, went to 7-8th grade at the Happy Horseshoe and 9-10th at Forrest Sherman. What memories! Carney Park, the wild New Year's eves in Napoli, yes! there was a K-Bar, exploring the Cuma caves, Edenlandia, skipping school to go swim at the cove, meeting at the AFSOUTH teen club then hopping on the train for pizza and beer, Mergellina, learning to ski at Rocarosso (sp?), and yes, the Human Factor was filmed at the home of one of the families I babysat for (Hi Maureen! how are Colleen and Kathy?).

FYI, for anyone out there that doesn't know, there's a message board for keeping in touch or finding those lost friends from FSHS - this board won't allow me to post the site, but email me and I'll send it to you.

Ciao!

Naples 75-78. PinteMare for 3rd, 4th and 5th. I was the kid who got the horrible case of Chickenpox in 5th grade! What a nightmare. I hope none of you were the ones who teased me but if you were...it's history and I am over it. Does anyone remember Clara Coppola? She was the granddaughter of the guy who owned Coppola Pintemare. I think that she was in my class for 5th Grade -Mrs. Arena (sp?). I had Mr. Coach and I did not care for him much; he was too harsh or I was too tender. I don't remember who I had for 3rd grade. I do however, remember a bean mosiac that sprouted. I can remember the park and how I really sucked at TBall. My kids don't believe that I use to play in a volcano. Somewhere around here I have the school pictures and I think the team picture for Softball. I remember a kid named Heidi but I am not sure if she was the one who's mother put her on the boiled egg diet. Maybe she was the kid with the cool patchwork denim pants. Does anyone remember the music teacher? She always wore a moomoo. I was in the Annie play one year - a maid. Does anyone remember the Thanksgiving that we upset the teacher by peeling off the corn kernels? She got a little upset about that for some reason. It is hard to remember alot of it since it was almost 30 years ago. I attended the mormon church there with a kid from my class but I don't remember the names. We met in an old house and there was a willow tree in the area. My maiden name was Dawn Rumbaugh and my little sister was Heather (she was 4 years younger). My folks are Pam and John " Jay" Rumbaugh. Dad was with SubGroup8 as a RM. Everyone is still living and we all live in the same general area in Florida. Married a Navy guy but he got out after his 6 years. My kids never got the opportunity to be BRATS. We have 3 children who are homeschooled. I think that it is interesting that I run into homeschoolers whereever I go these days. They were grand old days and I have fond memories, fading but fond.

We stayed in the Tennis Hotel upon arrival. Ah, the smell of sulfur. We lived in Parco Azzurro from 1979-1981. I remember sitting on skateboards and riding down the street to the bottom. I don't know how we never got hurt! Anyone remember hiding out in the old plane? I went to Pinetamare Elementary for 3rd and 4th grade. I have fond memories of our time there and would love to get in touch with anyone who was there when we were.

What a blast from the past. I googled Parco Azzurro because I was thinking of all you navy brats, so lucky that your dad's (mostly dad's in those days) weren't in the Pacific in the early 70s. I was a civilian in the mix, my dad working for the State Department, but we got PX and Carney Park rights; 4th grade, in 1972/73 was in Naples Elementary School, which everybody else here remembers as the Horseshoe; then Pinetamare for the 5th grade, 73/74, Miss Smith's class. Pinetamare had just opened then, and I remember one day when an entire wall collapsed when we were on the playground. A couple of workmen were trapped underneath the tufa blocks... but remember tufa was a sandstone you could gouge with your fingertips? I think they were just bruised. I'm looking at class pictures of both schools: color xerox really brings out those vibrant threads. Man, talk about hippy-influenced fashion disasters! There were lots of cute girls then... except they were still kind of oogie.

We lived in Parco Azzurro, roughly midway up the slope, across the street from a rare empty lot, where great gangs of us had battle royals with unripe apricots and dirt clods. I remember the cholera shots, too, and the red larvae in the water; lime trees in the yard, and trying to catch lizards and ending up with just their tails. I learned I couldn't see for damned when my Dad asked me what the scoreboard said at a Carney Park football game. There was the beach club with the movie screen: I think it was a NATO operation. One of my strongest memories is unfortunately sad: the kid across the street (my brother's age, a teenager) borrowed someone else's bicycle and zoomed down the hill and out on the autostrada when driving was banned on Sundays during the OPEC embargo...he was hit and killed by a police car, horrible irony, the only vehicle on the road.

I'm still a hippie, except for the clothes, so peace all.

Just stumbled onto your site trying to Googleing the Parco Azzuro neighborhood. I lived there 1970-1972, and attended Forrest Sherman/Horseshoe in 2nd and 3rd grade. Most Naples recollections have faded, but remember our Italian school bus drivers racing each other home. Carney Park, Edenlandia, Isle of Capri, etc. were a blast, and we used to run thru the terraced vineyards to visit our housekeeper's (Pina) home.

Hope to visit again someday, but know it will really look different than my fond memories as an 8-year old.

Chris Horton, if you are still out there, I haven't forgotten all the great times we had.

My brother and I lived in Parco Azzuro from 82-85. I went to Pinetamare Elementary and my brother went to Naples High School. I enjoyed the parco pizzeria and pool.

I was in Mr. Clark's 5th grade class at Pinetamare during the 73'-74' school year. I was the tallest kid in the school and played the "April Fool" in a Christmas play. That was the same year a time capsule was sealed at the school.

I lived near Lago Lucrino at the base of Monte Nuovo. We had the best school buses and used to sing "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Bubble Gum Bay," or something like that, on the way to school. I attended FS the year before and the year following Pinetamare. Thanks Mr. Clark, you were the greatest teacher!

I just about cried reading all these posts. I still love my friends from Parco Azzurro (OK now I'm crying) '74-'77.
The memories are so fresh and strong....
Mr. Knowles and Mrs. Smith at Pentamare and 'Bort' and Mr. Z in the happy horseshoe. Trading comics in front of the greasy spoon and how can you forget the foot long 'craut dogs out front too?

We played 'ditch' throughout the parco til dark and sneaked into the pool after hours. Lizzard hunting with David Poach and class officer with Micheal Tierney...my first crush on Alison Y. and kiss with Maggie D.

I was the one who blew his lip off with a flare. Thank you Dr. Goldstien for putting it back.

Does anyone remember sliding the pipes at Carne Park...Bucaneer burgers...Campo Di Verno...or how BIG the oranges were?

Well, if love is in the will of like minds, I love you all in loving this all with me.

My brother Wiggy and I lived at the top of Parco Azzuro from "77-80". Still keep touch with a number of characters from the glory years. It is amazing that any of us survived the anarchy... lemon fights, expeditions through the farmers fields, rats, snakes, and rumbles with the indigenous population. Here are some names... Matt Kelm, Tony DiBenedetto, Scott McGinn, Kristen Brinkley, the Banero brothers, Dan Limbaugh, the Scows, Jerry Custin, Moe and Dana Smith.... good times!
Ciao Tutti...

Ah, reading this takes me back....I lived in Naples from 81-84, the end of 6th grade thru the middle of 9th. We lived in Parco Palumbo. We moved to Misawa, Japan, and then in Friendswood, TX. I moved back to Naples in 1988-90 and lived in Parco Azzurro just a few streets up from the Il Panteloni & the pool. God, I mis that place. La Giarra & K-Bar were some really fun spots. I was in college the 2nd time, but Ashley & Rob were in H.S. then. If you remember us, e-mail. I'd love to catch up.
:)Amy

WOW! I was searching the web for Coppola Pinetamare and this came up! I lived in CP from 1974-1978 (5th to 8th grades) in the towers next to the elementary school.
I went to school at Pinetamare Elementary and "the Horseshoe". I had Mr. Richards, Mr. Z, Ms. Sanseverino - those are all that I can remember. I have been in contact with Mr. Z - but we've lost contact again.
I have kept in contact with my friend Karry Scott now living in Virginia. I too have fond memories of Carney Park, Italian pizza, going to the indoor pool in Pinetamare, setting up chairs at the elementary school for the movies, steak night and Bucaneer Burgers!
I would have to say that Naples was probably my Dad's lengthliest duty station while growing up. While in the Hotel getting ready to come back to the states - I got Chicken Pox - it was miserable!
I'm now in Orange County, CA - if anyone remembers - please get in touch with me. Would love to catch up!

Wow! I lived in Parco Mazzola on Via Medusa from 1987-1990. I actually remember the Crawford family (one of the posters above). We lived in the very first house on the street (a duplex) and the lived in the very last house on the street.
I have so many fond memories from those years! I learned to ski in Germany, my parents bought a Volvo at the factory in Sweeden and we drove it home visiting places throughout Europe on the way, played in "the field" next to our house & built forts with the other American kids in the Parco, going to the Trattoria across the main road outside the Parco, going to the pool everyday in the summer @ Carney Park, and so many more!
I had a lot of friends that lived in Parco Azzuro at the time and we would always go to the pizzeria and have dinner and then have slumber parties afterwards.
I went to the elementary school in Pinetamare while we lived there and I had Mrs. Clark for 5th grade.
We moved to Virginia afterwards and have lived here ever since. If anyone remembers me at all I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email!

I was so happy to find your site.
We lived in Lucrino fron 1956-59.
My sister and I and a childhood friend from those years returned this past April.
What a special and amazing visit that was.
Please give us an update on your life now, and your memories of Bella Italia.

Parco Mazzola, 1977-1980. Spent 4th and 5th at Pinetamare (Mr. Morris & Ms. Byars for 4th, Mrs. Larson for 5th). 6th was at the Happy Horseshoe with Mr. Z, Mrs. Fletcher and the rest.

When we lived there, they were just building the Tangi (sp?), and there were very few houses. Ours was one of the green townhouses just next to the giant pink house and the big brown house (our landlord, i think).

Did Girl Scouts (camping in Aviano), played softball in Carney Park and froze in the pool there. Our bus driver always used to race the bus from Parco Palumbo down the road. Loved the pizza at Liberty Bell, but dang, it was always so crowded!

Long-lost best friends: Angie Roth, Lisa Desmond. Also remember Mike Roth, Glen Aswig, Kim Mandell, Patrice Westfall, Stephen Shaeffer, Sally Jenkins(?), Tracy Walker, Mike Cohen (in touch with him).

I actually have class pictures from the Pinetamare days, so if you were in Morris's 4th in '77 or Larson's 5th in '78, let me know. I also have a couple of pictures of the view of Parco Mazzola when we lived there and there was very little development back towards Lago Patria.

Wow, I was searching for Parco Azzuro online as well and stumbled upon this page. I lived there with my parents around '91-'94. Is it still around? I was trying to find it on Google Maps, but couldn't remember any addresses. Used to eat at Il Pentalone, which I believe was inside of the neighborhood.

Elisa,
If this is your blog, let me know. I'm trying to get ahold of your sister to find out what she's up to...afterall, it's been 20 years since we graduated. Last I knew, she was still in California.
Jim

Parco Azzuro! Dan Nelson, if you read this, email me at carlthomasr@verizon.net. We were in Parco Azzuro from 74-77 (Pinetemare for 2nd thru 4th) and I vividly remember Dan's blackened lips! Oh yeah, and Dan, my Brother and I ran into you in Seattle of all places around '89 or '90 -- hung out for a few months in the U-district.

Anyway, back to Naples, Mr. Couch at Pinetemare was a huge influence on me and still is to this day. What memories! Marbles, comic books, ladyfingers (firecrackers, not cookies!), trips up to the tobacci, the fabled salt guns wielded by the local farmers, "W"ell water, Mrs. Ondak's swimming lessons at the parco azzuro pool, stray dogs, putt-putts, and of course the pizze! Oh and how about those Italian schoolbus drivers??? Those guys made going to school fun AND exciting did they not? AAAHAHAHAH!!! And what the heck was with all the plaid pants we were all wearing???

Took my wife to Venice on our honeymoon in '95, and just couldn't resist sidetracking the whole trip to spend a week in Naples. I LOVE NAPLES!!! We had so much fun. The pizze was just as I remembered it, and like nothing else in this World!

Great site! Great memories! We are now living in Bothell, WA. Drop a note if you are in the area.

Tom Carl
carlthomasr@verizon.net

Wow, good reading here. Some familiar names too, like Dave Dermody and Elisa and Gia Magliulo. I too lived in Parco Palumbo from '83 to '87. Went to Pinetamare Elementary for 5th and 6th grades then to NAHS for 7th and 8th. My sister Tanya and brother David went to NAHS for the whole 4 years we were there. Tanya graduated from NAHS in '87. Best time of my childhood. Awesome experience that I wouldn't give up for anything. I hope to go back someday with my wife and son and show them the old stomping grounds.

Wow! Just killing time and did a google search and found this site. I was there (Airforce brat) 1970-72 (part 2nd, 3rd, and part 4th grades). We lived at Villa #83 -- a big pink house in Parco Azzuro. Does anyone remember the British Consulate who lived in in the neighborhood? They had a big house with a vineyard. I used to play with his kids Leslie, John and Paul. What about David Susskind or Jimmy Durland??? Man, when I think of how we used to race around that place--it was magical. Remember the pizza place on the beach that made the best margarhetti pizzas ever---with olive oil so hot from the oven it would melt the tines of the plastic fork. So many memories of that place! I can empathize with many of you. I went to 9 different schools K thru 12. We went to Adana Turkey 72-74 then to Biloxi 75. Dad retired in 1983 and passed away within two months. Great to hear all your stories!

looking for anyone who remembers me. Lived in naples 1970-1976.

drop me an e-mail !!!!!

sandy

:D I went to Pinetamare Elementary from '92 to '95 and did kinder, 1st and 2nd grade! I've missed living there sooo much! Carney park was my most favorite place in the world!! I've stayed in touch with one of the families that i went to school with, but I constantly think about all the other friends i had then, and miss so much so i was hoping to find a way to contact them again!
I was sad to hear that our school is now a run down, empty, unused building...! I know those first few years of elementary might be hard to remember...but if anyone who happens by and might recall being there when i was, my e-mail is arodrigu@fit.edu!

We lived in Parco Azzurro and reading these has been quite a trip down memory lane. I'm not even sure how i stumbled onto this site. We were there from 75-79. I had just finished 3rd grade when we left. Reading about playing marbles in what seemed like the biggest sand lot, skateboarding down the hill (but never standing?? why did we sit the whole way down?), and the mention of Mrs. Ondak's swim lessons makes me assume she was Kristie Ondak's mom who was my first crush (Kristie, not the mom). Anybody remember trick or treating twice in 2 different costumes? Or singing Andiamo as the buses raced each other to school? Anybody want to drop me a line hit me at johnnyrouge@verizon.net. Would love to find someone my age.

I lived in Parco Azzurro from 82-85. Went to NAHS. I also am trying to Google Earth Parco Azzurro, but am having a hard time trying to remember street names. I lived below the pizzeria and the pool. Could someone please help me? Also looking for the following people: Christian Turritto, Matt Woodall, Emily Smollen, Tracy Westmoreland and anyone else who wants to give me a shout out!

Forrest Sherman/Naples American H.S.

Reunion: Classes 1980-1986 & Faculty
Where: Caribe Royal Hotel, Orlando, FL
When: July 11-13, 2008

Reunion Registration: www.regonline.com/festaamericana2008

Caribe Royale Online Reservation System: http://cariberesorts.com/2008/NAHS/

Reunion Memory Website: www.whoyouareforever.com/NAHS.html

Andrea from May 2007 post. What is your last name. I can't recall an Andrea, but I think we were close to each other. I had Mr. Morris in the "cluster" in, I think, the 77-78 school year. I don't remember which one was parco Mazzola, but there was a parco being built directly behind parco palumbo. Was that it? The only person I remember from that parco was Ronnie Stanley.
Mr. Morris -- "That's about as boooring as watching paint dry" or "That's about as booooring as watching the grass grow." I'll never forget him.
Bus racing to school -- Holy crap. After I read that I found myself in the car by myself screaming Andiamo, Andiamo, LET'S GO -- I'm 40 years old, this is not normal.
You mentioned a Mike Roth. There was a Mike Rothwell I played sports and was in scouts with. He lived in a parco further up the 4-laner from palumbo.
I was in Naples from 76-80. Email me at tseelbach@oct.net
It was great finding this site. I could write about Naples all day. I can't get it out of my mind I spent 12 years in the Marines and until I moved to my present home, Naples was the longest I ever lived in one place in my entire life.

Parco Mazzola from 79-82, attended FSHS, great memories of Carney Park and being "allowed" to skip school to see Europe. Much has changed as it has alomost been 30 years! My sisters Teri and Sarah both went to Pinetamare. We were on the Jersey Shore last week for vacation and found a roadside stand selling mozzarella di bufala - that brought back memories too!

Lived in Parco Azzurro from 76 - 81
8th grade to 12 th lots of fun
Email bobeckstine@cox.net

So fun reading and remembering Naples. We lived in Parco Cuma and I was there from grades 4-6 (Pinetamare) from 1984-1987. Brian Novak - your name is REALLY familiar. And my older brother Jeff was friends with Dave Dermody (January '05 post) and I think the Magliulo sisters (August '05 post). Like others on the board, I had Mr. Couch for 4th grade. Anyone here have Mrs. Gunderman (5th grade) or Mr. Halbfoster (6th grade)? Wonderful teachers, all of them. Anyway, living in Italy is an experience I'll always cherish. If any of my old Parco Cuma buddies are out there, drop me a line. I'm in Alexandria, VA now.

Ciao!!

Frutchey!! What is up man? Woodall here. Brett, I can't type fast enough to get this out to you. It looks like you haven't posted since Apr 08, but hopefully you will look on again. I have looked for you for yrs. I live in S FL, last I heard years ago was that you were in Daytona Bch?! I am tripping out and so happy to see your name and that you were looking for me. E Smollen, T westmoreland and many others are on a new NAHS site, everybody swapping stories, pics, etc. Haven't heard a thing from Fish since '88ish.
Get back to me if you get this. I will fwd the NAHS site to you on here. Be well old friend!! WoW!!!.....

Brett, go to this sitehttp://napleswildcats.ning.com/...

woody

http://wikimapia.org/6139083/Parco_Azzurro

you will trip out if you to this site

I was searching for Pinetemare on the internet, it isn't listed on Classmates, anyway I found you! I lived in Lago Patria for a year May 1974 to September 1975 and every summer til 78. My dad was Communications Offficer at NAVCOMTELSTA. I lived on Via Marinola. I have many fond memories of swimming in the AFSOUTH pool, the greasy spoon on NSA, the "happy horsehoe", Carney Park and Gaeta, getting Pozzuli plague from eating ice cream and then being sick all over Capri. Gaeta and the 80,000 steps to the beach. I too have ichy feet and solved it for a few years by marrying my own sailor!

Hello to all Parco Azzurro residents. Have come across this site twice, and each time have gotten a kick from reading comments. I lived in Parco Azzurro from 1969 to 1986 near the vacant lot where everyone used to play war. My father was the P.E. teacher at Pinetamare.
I went to Pinetamare, the Happy Horseshoe, Via Manzoni and back to the Happy Horseshoe, where I graduated in 1986. Nothing but GREAT memories!! Too many to count. It was a terrific place to live and the schools were excellent.
Just read someone's comments about sliding down poles at Carney Park, and I had actually forgotten about that event. Do remember climbing the trail to the top of Carney Park. One of my favorite afterschool activities was rollerskating up to the top of the Parco, or even up to the church and then skating down to the bottom, all the while jumping the sewer plates. WE always tried to go faster and when a car would come we'd either try to come to a quick halt or jump over the sidewalk. When we hit the curve near the pool we'd slow down as there was much room to stop, except in front of the pool gates. I could continue on forever with activies and people from those days.

A few of us would ride our bikes to the Cuma ruins near the beach. There was also a shortcut at the bottom of the parco, through the vineyards that would take us to the same location.
The shortcut (steps on the side of the club house) to walk down to the bus stop. Those steps were fine during the daytime but a bit scary when it got dark.
No one has mentioned playing kickball or soccer on the lot near the church. We could usually get the Italians to join us. There is now a site on classmates.com for Pinetamare elementary school and there is another site napleswildcats.ning.com where many people of all ages have left comments. There is also a forum for Parco Azzurro residents:)
Would love to hear from old friends.
Anne Silverstein Danjoux
I now live in France where I teach English in an elementary school.

Wow! this is what you can find on the web when you least expect it.
I was googling Pinetamare and up pops this fantastic site.
I lived in the 1st tower and went to pinetamare elem from 76-80---2nd thru 5th grades. I remember Mr Silverstein for P.E, Mrs. Mings and Mr Kenney.
I played football and baseball at Carney Park. on the Broncos and Steelers with Joe Chipazzi.
The Walkawich brothers,Steve Farris and Gordon Miller are some names I remember.

Reading all the posted messages reminds me how lucky we all were to have lived in such a special place and time. They really were " Wonder Years"

My mother who's been gone almost 19 years now always said Naples was the best place she'd ever lived. well I'm turning 40 next year and I'm starting to see and agree with her, finally.

Would love to hear from anyone who wants to talk about the good ol days in Naples.

My name is Mike deGuzman, I'm a police Officer in Rhode Island.

http://napleswildcats.ning.com/

Mike,

Don't know if you have been to the above site. If not, go to it. It is a real trip. 1000's of Naples people have converged. You mentioned the Walkowich bros. Was one of them Jimmy? I went to elem sch w Jimmy in VA and then he moved to Naples around 1980ish, then I moved to Naples in '82 and he had just left Naples. Have fun on the NAHS site. Matt

Matt, Good lookin out.
That's an Awesome site, who would of thunk it. the cult of Pinetamare. Yes it was Jimmy and Doug, both great football players for our ages. After Naples I moved to Norfolk, went to Ruffner and Norview, Lived in Hewitt Farms for 5 years. Played football for Azalea Packers and Norview Pilots and baseball on Amphib bse at Little Creek. State champs for Little Creek National in 83. Thanks for the link, Mike.

I lived in Parco Azzurro as well. I don't remember when we moved there (I was real little) but we left the end of the summer of 78. We lived at the top of the hill. Gene Hodson was my best friend and neighbor until he moved about a year before us. My parents were missionaries in the country and worked with the Calvary Baptist Church in Parco di Luca close to Carney Park. My last year in school there was the 75-76 year at the Happy Horseshoe for my 6th grade. Definitely good years. I got to go back four years ago and had it not been for my wife and two kids at home, I think I could have stayed.