Today in San Marino Week: The Outpost’s John Kennedy O’Connor is please to welcome Luis Busignani, a New York native with deep Sammarinese roots, who has split time between the USA and the enclave. What does it mean to be Sammarinese in the world?
Video above, rough machine transcript below.
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JOHN KENNEDY O’CONNOR:
Well, welcome to another San Marino Conversation, and I’m really pleased to say we’re joined by Luis Busignani. Did I get that right?
LUIS BUSIGNANI:
Yeah.
O’CONNOR:
Luis, it’s lovely to meet you. Thank you.
BUSIGNANI:
It’s like Luigi in Italian.
O’CONNOR:
Okay. Yeah. But you have a slight accent. You don’t necessarily sound like you’re from here. Have you lived in the US at all?
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, I am a native American speaker. I am from Brooklyn, New York. Oh, wow. You know, after the Second World War, there were such huge migration fluxes to America and all the New York residents’ surroundings. So my grandparents moved to New York. From San Francisco.
O’CONNOR:
Marina?
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, yeah, my mother’s side grandparents moved to New York and where my mother was born and my brother and me were born.
O’CONNOR:
So you were born in New York?
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, Brooklyn.
O’CONNOR:
When did you come back to San Marino?
BUSIGNANI:
Actually, it’s such a long story, but not so long. You know, it’s like, I did huge things in New York, and I’ve been living mostly in New York and in Italy because of my job. You know, I work on acting, teaching drama English. I am an artist, illustrator. I’m working on different things and different projects. So that’s the reason why traveling and getting different bases all around the world sounds really nice.
O’CONNOR:
Okay, now what do you do here in San Marino? I believe you work in the jewelery industry.
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, you know, after the… they say it’s finished? I don’t know, because I was living in New York once again, but I got stuck here in Europe because of the COVID, you know. That was such a hard period for us artists, and, you know, who works in entertainment and stuff like that. But we survived, and I kept on working on remote teaching and writing and cooperating with different people, and, you know. And I’ve been teaching English as a second language to Italians and kids, adults as well.
O’CONNOR:
Our audience is very interested to know because we are based around the small, very small, city of Eureka in California, and yet that’s more or less the same size as San Marino. So here you have this tiny little city which is about 26,000 people but you have San Marino, an independent nation, a very old independent nation. How does San Marino find its way in the world? How does it even exist?
BUSIGNANI:
I don’t know because I think that the real San Marino ones strongly believe in the fact of there is San Marino within the world. I think that those people fought a lot for their independence and to be considered such a nation with their own laws and regulations and everything and they protected a lot, themselves a lot from the rest of the world, you know, like conflicts and wars. And this is something coming from a really antique past, I think, that even now if you talk to natives here, they sound like really linked to their own nation, like San Marino and people from here.
O’CONNOR:
It is very much a unique identity. People don’t, for example, they don’t think of themselves ever as Italians, even though Italian is the language that they use.
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, that’s really singular because you know as an American, all the times in New York as well, it counts billions of people, but nobody knows San Marino as a republic, honestly. As you said before, most people think about that one in California.
O’CONNOR:
There is a San Marino in California.
BUSIGNANI:
It’s really strange because it’s got the same colours on its flag, the one in California, and quite a similar icon on its flag, and I honestly don’t know the reason why it’s like that. But anyway, what I know through books, and you know, that’s like, since the very beginning, a man who was kind of a sculpture during the Christian persecutions caused by the Roman emperors, I think it was Dio Clasci, Dio Clasciano, that’s in Italian, and this man was persecuted because he was a Christian, faithful to that religion, sort of, and with a friend named Galileo, they moved to the Adriatic Sea coast, and once they split it, and Marino, this man, moved to this land, named now San Marino for this reason, and he founded one of the first small communities of people who believed in Christ, and they had different caves which they lived in.
O’CONNOR:
They lived in the caves on the mountain? Yeah.
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, that’s true. And that was the very beginning of the Sammaritan’s history.
O’CONNOR:
And it is very proudly the oldest republic, certainly in Europe. I think many people think it may be the oldest republic in the world. Yeah. So it was always a very democratic, very… Yeah. And in fact, now you have this unusual system. You have two heads of state, I believe. Two at once. Yeah. How does that work? And with so few people, I’m curious. Surely everybody will eventually be the head of state for San Marino. Yeah.
BUSIGNANI:
Yeah, that’s true, that’s true. It’s really unique, it’s really unique, it’s really unique, you know. Because as a Sammaritan, you could get your own privileges, you know. It’s like the passport and just not citizenship naturally, but the possibility to live here with no troubles and to get a job.
O’CONNOR:
I mean, there is no crime here at all. No. I mean, I know you have a prison, in fact, it’s just across the street, but there’s only one person in there and he’s an ex-government official, I believe, for corruption. Yeah. It’s a very… That’s true. You have no military and you have… I mean, the only people I suppose would ever want to invade would be the Italians, and why would they? They’ve let you be peaceful here for two centuries. But it’s interesting because San Leo, who you mentioned, San Leo is now on another mountaintop. So you have these two mountaintop communities. So why does San Leo never become independent? It’s always been part of Italy, whereas San Marino was able to survive.
BUSIGNANI:
It’s really singular, it’s really singular because San Leo is part of Italy. It’s like in Illia Romagna, and it’s a region, it’s a small center there. They name it Comuni in Italian. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s it. Marino, that founder was really strong and proud of opening a new way to find an independence and independence.
O’CONNOR:
Well it’s worked very well. It’s a beautiful place, no crime. It’s raining like crazy outside, but normally it’s beautiful weather whenever I’ve been here before. It’s very interesting. Well, I don’t want to give anyone in Eureka any ideas about becoming an independent nation, but you never know. It’s more or less the same size, so perhaps when I go home, Eureka will be the first republic within the US. You just never know. Louis, it’s a real pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much for joining us for a San Marino conversation. And thank you for joining us, and hopefully join us for another San Marino soon. We have one more conversation before I leave, and we’ll look forward to that. Bye-bye.
Carol Jean Swain, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March
29, 2023.
She was born on December 9, 1939, to Forrest Gurnsey and Ila May Bandy Gurnsey.
Carol had many creative talents. She painted many beautiful paintings on
canvas and old saw blades. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, making gifts for
her friends and family. The family always looked forward to Grandma Carol’s
hand made slippers, wash cloths, afghan blankets and scarves. She loved traveling
with her husband and little doggies in their RV. They were always adventurous in
their RV traveling, trying out new places and parks and meeting new people. One
of her favorite places to RV was close to home, at the Church Camp in
Richardson’s Grove where they enjoyed visiting and helping their friends Bruce
and Theresa. Carol always loved and enjoyed attending ladies lunch and bible
study. She was a collector of butterfly trinkets and jewelry. She loved to read, but
unfortunately, the last six months made that a difficult thing to do so she turned to
watching her old cowboy movies. She was loved so much and is missed beyond
measure.
Carol is survived by her husband Gerald “Steve” Swain, Son Forrest
Johnson (Judy), Step-sons Gerald Swain (Jessica), Scott Swain (Taj),
Grandchildren- Shayla Verbich (Mike), Shaun Bagley, Linnea Haycock (Tim),
Meagan Johnson, Seth Johnson, Christopher Swain, Cassondra Swain-Stoner,
Kenny Swain (Tessa), Shelsey McDonald, Dustin Swain, Tyler Swain, Shyanne
Swain. Great-Grandchildren- Dylan, Braydan, Kolby, Dusty, Taylin, Lucus,
Ariana, Aubree, Meagan, Connor, Rachael, Cash, Koda, Zeipher, Kinsley,
Remington and Brody. Nephews Michael Murrish (Gina) and Stephen Murrish
(Becky), Niece Dawna Kyber (Tim). Doggies, Heidi, Toby and Toto and her
feathered friend Beamer.
She is preceded in death by her parents Forrest and Ila May Gurnsey, her
Sister and Brother-in-law Betty Murrish and Don Murrish, Son Franklin Johnson,
Step-Daughter Sherry McDonald, Step-Son Donald Swain, Nephew Curtis
Murrish, Granddaughter Crystal, Grandsons, Brandon Swain and Steven Swain.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 1:00p.m. at
Sunrise Cemetery, 3315 Newburg Road, Fortuna, followed by a Celebration of
Life at Wood Street Chapel, 1649 Wood Street, Fortuna. In lieu of flowers, you
may donate to Wood Street Chapel.
We would like to thank Hospice of Humboldt for their care and support.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Carol Swain’sloved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
HUMBOLDT TODAY: It’s Humboldt County news delivered on a darkened street corner on the European microstate of San Marino… what of it?! Catch up on the Humboldt day that was in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
In late February of this year, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division received information regarding an adult male suspected of sexually assaulting two (2) juvenile females who were ages nine (9) and ten (10) at the time of the incident. The male was not a family member but was known to the female juveniles.
During the course of the investigation, with the assistance of the Humboldt County Child Abuse Services Team (C.A.S.T.), the suspect was identified as Lucas William Russell, age 21 of Arcata.
On 5/11/2023 at about 10:00 a.m., Investigators with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division served a Search Warrant and Arrest Warrant at a residence in the 11000 block of West End Rd. in Arcata. Based upon statements and evidence located during service of the Search Warrant, Investigators confirmed that Russell had assaulted the two (2) minor juveniles.
Russell was arrested without incident and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on felony charges of Sexual Intercourse with a Minor Age 10 or Younger – 2 counts (PC 288.7(a)), False Imprisonment (PC 236), and Dissuading a Witness/Victim by Implied/Threatened Force or Violence (PC 136.1 (c)(1)).
The case is being submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Russell’s bail has been set at $1,500.000.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Press
release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
In
late March of this year, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major
Crimes Division received information from the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a subject in the
Humboldt County area suspected of possessing more than 50 images
depicting child pornography.
Sampanes.
Through
a lengthy investigation, the suspect was identified as Brandon Markus
Allen Sampanes, age 31, of McKinleyville. During the course of
the investigation, it was discovered that Sampanes was in possession
of additional images and videos depicting child pornography.
On
May 11, 2023, at about 7:00 a.m., Investigators with the Humboldt
County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division served a Search
Warrant and Arrest Warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of
Killdeer Rd. in McKinleyville. Sampanes was arrested without
incident. Based upon statements and evidence located during
service of the Search Warrant, Investigators confirmed that Sampanes
was the person in possession of the child pornography.
Sampanes
was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on felony
charges of Possession of Child Pornography (PC 311.11(c)(1)). The
case is being submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s
Office for prosecution.
Anyone
with information about this case or related criminal activity is
encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707)
445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
HHUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
INFORMATION
WANTED
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS SUSPECT?
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about an individual in relation to an ongoing investigation into the robbery of a bank in Hoopa that occurred last week.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or location is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539, and reference HCSO Case# 202302071.
Self-taught Humboldt documentarian Ray Olson is back with another edition of his inspirational travel series “Humboldt Outdoors.”
In the first installment of this multi-part series, Olson takes us to the headwaters of Jolly Giant Creek, located in the Arcata Community Forest, and follows the stream across the campus of Cal Poly Humboldt. From there, the creek flows under downtown to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary and ends at Humboldt Bay – spanning a distance of almost four miles.
Olson links up with a couple of friends on his adventure – licensed drone cinematographer Jake Stoll and former Arcata Environmental Services Director Mark Andre.
“I think what makes this creek interesting is a lot of its history and it being a water source for the city,” Andre tells Olson. “It links together two of Arcata’s biggest open space areas – the community forest and the [Arcata Marsh and] Wildlife Sanctuary at Humboldt Bay. It’s part of this community’s identity.”
Watch the full video to learn more about Jolly Giant Creek, the Arcata Community Forest’s complex network of trails and the value of having not one, but FIVE trout streams within the Arcata City Limits.
