[Ed. Note: We would like to thank Patty Friend, appointed historian for the Town of Brant, for submitting the following photo and contextual background to share with our readers.  It is always a pleasure to work with our many colleagues in the town and county historians’ offices, as well as those associated with the many museums and historical societies throughout Western New York. Thank you, Patty, for sharing this part of your community’s heritage with us!]

This photo of the Columbus Band of Angola was submitted to the Brant-Farnham Historical Society a few years ago, by Augustine “Gus” Pingitore.  Gus’ dad, Frank Pingitore Sr., was the organizer of the band and also the teacher and conductor.  The Pingitore family once lived in Farnham and Gus, who currently resides in Angola (and has for most of his adult life), has many happy memories of his boyhood life in Farnham.

The back of the photo contains the following information: “The Columbus Band of Angola was organized in 1926 by Frank Pingitore Sr. of Farnham.  The photo was taken in 1930.”  

The names of the band members in the photo are listed on the reverse side as follows: 

 “BOTTOM ROW- Russell Faraci, Frank Pingitore Jr., Carl LoGrasso, Horace LoGrasso, Joseph Pantano, Samuel Pingitore, Samuel Addeo.  NEXT ROW- Louis Chiappone, Anthony Pingitore, Nicholas Ricci, Angelo Zanghi, Carl Faraci, Russell Provenzo, Samuel Muscarella, Antonio Leone.  NEXT ROW - Samuel Scaletta, Murphy Ciccarella, Michael Cecala, Anthony Arcara, Frank Faraci, Carl Iannello, Louis Chiappone, Charles or Joseph Rizzuto (not sure).  TOP ROW - Mr. Zanghi, John Faraci, Frank Barone, “Posy” Muscarella, Frank Pingitore Sr. (Teacher & Conductor), Anthony Pingitore, Augustine Pingitore, Joseph Fustino.  BEHIND DRUM - Charles Faraci Sr.”

A photo such as this is a joy—not only because the photo is so clear, but because someone also took the care to include the names of those pictured and date of the photo on the reverse!  We are grateful that Gus shared this treasured photo with us so that we in turn are able to share a “local history bond” between the Evans and Brant-Farnham historical societies with your readers!