Summit County Italian-American Festival returns for 3 days
The Summit County Italian-American Festival will return to Lock 3 in downtown Akron (OH) starting today, July 10, and running through Saturday, July 12. This year marks the 75th year for the festival, which is organized by the Council of Italian American Societies of Summit County. Admission is free for the fest, which offers Italian and American f...
Italian Workmen's Club to be recognized with national status
The Italian Workmen's Club building in Madison (WI) will be receiving a national recognition next Tuesday. The Italian Workmen's Club, located at 914 Regent Street, is set to receive the prestigious designation of a National Historic Landmark. This recognition underscores the building's cultural and historical significance, having served as a corne...
Finding the Missing Family Link
Sometimes, finding family information begins in a non-suspecting way! Flight attendant Raymond DiBiasi was having a discussion with his mother about the family lore of being Armenian since having Italian cousins living in Sicily appeared to be a dead issue according to his late grandfather. Raymond’s grandfather implied that there were no relatives...
2025 Columbus Day Queen Contest
Saturday, July 26, 2025 - Des Plaines Theatre - 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, IL . 1:00pm. In a tradition as old as the JCCIA, every year the Columbus Day Queen Pageant is held to select a new reigning young woman. Be part of history! Apply now to become the next Bella Regina! Eligibility Requirements:Contestants must be between the ages of 17-26; C...
Consul Allegra Baistrocchi Awards Cavalierato During Halftime at Italian Bowl XLIV
Consul of Italy in Detroit Allegra Baistrocchi took the opportunity during halftime at Italian Bowl XLIV to bestow the honor of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy) to Toledo resident Mr. Louis Tosi. Mr. Tosi is an attorney, a national leader in environmental law, and a changemaker who helped rewri...
Why do some Michigan towns have unusual names? How Italian immigrants left their mark
Michigan's Italian roots stretch back to its founding, and small towns, streets and other locations highlight that history. From industrial metro Detroit to Upper Peninsula iron mining communities, Italian immigrants and their Italian American descendants have played a key role in shaping Michigan's history. As of 2000, when the U.S. Census last in...
Brooks brings sights of Italy to Columbus
From the rooftops of Florence to the vast countrysides of Tuscany, Hoosier artist Lloyd Brooks has captured scenes and their stories all on canvas. Now others are invited to view these moments in time at the Art In Focus Gallery at Stillframes Art & Design in an exhibit titled “Italy Al Fresco.” Born in a small Indiana town, Brooks started as an il...
Cleveland Museum of Art acquires Giambologna sculpture
“The Fata Morgana is a masterpiece within Giambologna’s oeuvre, deploying his favorite subject in marble—the female nude—to express his trademark modeling and dynamism,” the release reads. “This extraordinarily rare and internationally renowned sculpture will go on view in a dedicated gallery of the Italian Renaissance collection (117B) of the Clev...
St. Maria Goretti invites you to Italian Festival
All are welcome to come to St. Maria Goretti’s Italian Fest from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Mass will precede the festival at 4:30 p.m. The Italian Festival is a festival for the parish and surrounding community that celebrates the feast day of the parish’s patroness St. Maria Goretti each year. It is an evening for families to come togethe...
The World Of Accordions Museum In WI Shines A Light On History
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend The NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants) in Anaheim. While I was there, I got to meet many amazing musicians, including Cory Pesaturo, who is a three-time World Accordion Champion and Guinness World Record Holder. Another interesting fact about Pesaturo, he's a young guy. In fact, he...
Army Pfc. and boot camp boxer Louis Grippo
This is a story about Pfc. Louis Grippo and his travels during World War II. But a little background first. I grew up in my father’s family building on West Taylor Street in one of the Italian enclaves of Chicago. My mom’s family lived on South May Street, two blocks away. In my early years, we went over there almost every day. When I was in gramma...
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Moses W. Harrison II
“I had the great pleasure of meeting Illinois Supreme Court Justice Moses W. Harrison II — or “Mose,” as he liked to be called — about the time he declared his candidacy for the Illinois Supreme Court in 1987. We became dear friends over the years. Named after his paternal grandfather, Justice Harrison was highly respected and the first Italian Am...