1920's - Tontitown's Connection to Church and Each Other
The St. Joseph parish encouraged their young people to consider vocation to the church. (See additional story on page 63.) From Joe Lazarri’s family, Irene became Sister Rosaire in 1925. She was followed by Edmund John, Agnes (Sister Teresina), and Robert. Also from Tontitown were Josephine Perona (Sister Xavier) and Clara Pellin (Sister Eugenia). The Sisters of Mercy had returned in 1924 to administer the highly respectedSt. Joseph convent and school. In January 1927, the building and musical instruments were destroyed by fire. Immediately the parish began rebuilding and completed it by September. A few years later, it became Tontitown Public School, where elementary through 9th grade were taught regular curriculum by the nuns. During these years, Tontitown grew both innotoriety and size with new businesses, such as Morsani Cannery and Ardemagni’s Pioneer Grape Nursery. Tontitown had been holding their Grape Festivals for approximately 25 years now. It had grown to include Holy Mass, booths, games, as well as carnivals provided by White River Red, a dance, sometimes a pageant, and of course that wonderful Italian food. This festival began to draw a crowd from surrounding communities and was quite well known. In 1925, when Welch’s had begun processing grapes, Springdale Civic Club held a regional festival called the Ozark Grape Festival. Since it was well attended, they planned a major celebration in 1926. Queens were selected by vote from over fifteen towns, or provinces, as they were called back then. Then these queens were selected by lot to preside over the festival. Lavinia Morsani of Tontitown was chosen. The Springdale workers found the undertaking too much work, and by 1932, Tontitown was again the only community providing a Grape Festival. That year they expanded to a three-day event, and for the first time in their festival, selected a Queen by vote, Albina Montegani. This festival had music programs, boxing contests, a rodeo, baseball games, the traditional dance and meals. This was also the year that Tontitown began to serve those famous Italian Spaghetti dinners to the public.