New Jersey school district restores holiday names to calendar
Holidays are back on the school calendar in Randolph. The school board on Monday reversed a controversial decision to scrap holiday names after a big battle over Columbus Day. Tempers flared during the township's Board of Education meeting. Residents had demanded to be heard when earlier this month the board voted without public input to get rid of...
Little Italy Days Return To Bloomfield: ‘The Businesses Need A Shot In The Arm’
Most major events in our area were canceled last year due to COVID and there were fears more cancellations would occur this year. But Tuesday, there is word the popular Little Italy Days in Bloomfield will return this summer. Businesses were devastated by COVID-19. Bloomfield got hit especially hard when it had to cancel its little Italy Days, whic...
NJ family on the culture-war front lines over Columbus Day cancellation
Three generations of a New Jersey clan are on the front lines of a culture-war fight over Christopher Columbus, their Italian heritage — and, they say, historical truth. It’s boiling over because a school district voted to remove all holidays from the school calendar, replaced by “Days Off.” The family’s youngest member, 19-year-old Chiara Ricupero...
Judge To Mediate Dispute Over Schenley Park’s Columbus Statue
A western Pennsylvania judge will mediate a dispute over a statue of explorer Christopher Columbus in a Pittsburgh park. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John McVay declared an impasse in the dispute between the city of Pittsburgh and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America over the Columbus statue in Schenley Park, the Tribune-Review reported...
Theater League to Hold Auditions For "My Big Gay Italian Wedding"
The Theater League of Clifton will hold auditions for its dinner/theater production of My Big Gay Italian Wedding on June 22 and 23 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at Mario’s Restaurant (710 Van Houten Ave) in Clifton. Call backs are slated for June 24 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm, if necessary. In the play, Andrew and Anthony are getting married – and everyone wan...
Randolph Board of Ed to consider rescinding controversial Columbus Day decision
Members of the K-12 district's Board of Education could be backing down from their decision to remove the name of Columbus Day and other holidays from the school calendar. According to an announcement issued Tuesday afternoon by District Communications Director Matthew Pfouts, the 9-member board will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June...
Italian-Americans Take Issue With Randolph, N.J. Board Of Education’s Decision To Drop All Holidays From Calendar
There is controversy in a New Jersey town. Randolph Township‘s Board of Education has announced holidays will no longer be marked on school calendars — a decision that has sparked outrage from some members of the public, CBS2’s Kiran Dhillon reported Sunday. “Don’t divide the town and divide our country and pit group against group,” Italian America...
Randolph BOE Votes To Remove Names of All Holidays on School Calendar; Everything to be Called “Day Off”
The Randolph, NJ Board of Ed, in an unprecedented move, voted unanimously last night to eliminate all holidays on the school calendar and instead label each one a 'school holiday'. The move was promoted by pressure from the Italian American community angry over the board's decision last month to rename Columbus Day Indigenous' Peoples' Day. "This w...
Washington Township centenarian credits 'good Italian genes,' active lifestyle for longevity
Frank Pugliano Sr. of Washington Township doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet. The new centenarian remains almost entirely self-sufficient, including handling his weekly lawn-mowing duties on his own. “I have to trim too,” Pugliano said. Pugliano, a World War II veteran, celebrated his 100th birthday with a large, picnic-style party at Boyce...
Italian American Civil Rights - Press Conference Randolph Diner NJ
Attention All Italian Americans: We would like to invite you and your friends to attend this Press Conference. The Randolph NJ Italian American community asked the IAOVC to reach out to you because we will be holding a press conference on Sunday June 13th 2:00PM ET at the Randolph NJ Diner - 517 NJ-10 E, Randolph, NJ 07869. This is regarding the re...
Keeping Mario Lanza’s memory alive and well
South Philly native Mario Lanza will always be known as one of the best tenors the world has ever seen. And a continuous effort forges forward to make sure he won’t be forgotten. Now in its fifth home in Philadelphia, the Mario Lanza Institute and Museum is open for business at its new location at 1214 Reed St. in Passyunk Square. Photos, movie pos...
JCVA applauds WWII veteran during service
The Jefferson County Veterans Association held its annual Memorial Day program on Monday at Veterans Memorial Park located in Friendship Park, Smithfield. Guest speaker David Charvat of Dillonvale related about military personnel who sacrificed their lives in time of peace. Charvat, who flew jets off USS Midway, noted that in two years’ time, from...