Buzzetti Family Reunion
Missoula, Montana, USA - August, 2002

146 years ago, a 17 year old Giovanni Battista Buzzetti (GBB) sailed to America with his cousin, G. B. Zabolio. His Aunt Maria may have accompanied them or may have come later. Their descendants are now spread across the continent. However, most of the Buzzettis remained in Italy.
The visit to America by cousin Edith DeMarchi Melchiorri provided an opportunity for those with a Buzzetti connection to gather. Missoula was the meeting place and relatives came from afar. Two of GBB's grandchildren, Ed Buzzetti and Charles Buzzetti, were in attendance. Melinda Jankord Steedman, a member of the Buzzetti-Zabolio branch, also came. GBB's grandaughter, Irene Buzzetti Ross (age 95), lives in Billings and was unable to attend but was visited by Edith and Sergio before the reunion.
Everyone shared pictures, stories and recipes and exchanged addresses. On Friday, the younger and more daring ones took a 4 hour white water rafting trip and Don and Karen took Edith and Sergio up in their plane for an aerial view of Montana. On Saturday, a risotto cook-off took place at the home of Jan Hall, sister- in-law of Ed Buzzetti.
Buzzetti historian, Tony Buzzetti, provided all with copies of the Buzzetti Family History, translations of precious old letters and a geneology report. Ed Buzzetti and his great grandchildren gave the attendees a Sacajewea dollar piece and commemorative tablets. The Tailfeathers family presented Edith and Sergio with a print of the American bald eagle by Bob Tailfeathers, a Blackfoot Indian, college educator and artist. Kate and Erin Pattison made the celebration banner and provided the table decorations.
The Buzzetti festa succeeded in transforming previously unknown cousins into friends and celebrated the odyssey that began 146 years ago.