How Christopher Columbus statue could return through million-dollar art project
A city initiative supported by a $2 million grant is seeking public opinion to decide what should happen to the Christopher Columbus statue removed from outside of City Hall in Columbus (OH) in 2020. The statue was ordered for removal by Mayor Andrew Ginther and placed in storage after community input. At the time, Ginther said the statue represent...
Chicago reconsiders ‘offensive’ plan to rename Columbus Drive for Barack Obama after outraged Italian-Americans step in
A Chicago politician is thinking twice about renaming Columbus Drive for Barack Obama after outraged Italian-Americans questioned why the former president should be honored “at the expense of one ethnic group.” The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans had blasted the proposed rebranding as “offensive” last week, with president Ron Onesti desc...
Air National Guard E4 Specialist Salvatore Palazzolo
The eldest of four children, Salvatore Palazzolo was born in Chicago to Paolo and Giuseppa (Leone) Palazzolo. Salvatore’s parents emigrated from Cinisi, a small town in Sicily, to Elmwood Park in 1976. They later moved to River Grove, where Palazzolo grew up. Most of his father’s family lived in the surrounding area. “We were all close,” says Palaz...
Angelica Ross to Participate in National Italian American Foundation Trip to Italy
Each year forty-eight deserving college students are selected to participate in the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Ambassador Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery. This fourteen-day all-expenses paid trip embarks on an educational expedition to NIAF’s Region of Honor, which is Friuli Venezia Giulia this year. The students explore UNE...
Fr. Enzo Addari’s Retirement Celebration: A Tribute to Service and Community
Since 1983, Fr. Enzo Addari has been an unwavering beacon of compassion and dedication in our community. His tireless advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has touched countless lives both near and far. As we honor his remarkable legacy, we invite you to join us in celebrating his retirement at a special e...
Building up by digging deep: Faculty partner to break international ground at Italian archaeological dig
An archaeological site in Central Italy dating back more than 2,500 years is a special place for two Illinois State University researchers. For the past three years, Associate Professor of History Kathryn Jasper and Professor of Art History Lea Cline have been leading the Northwest Bolsena Archaeological Project at Valle Gianni. The excavation is...
Dover UCC to screen film linking Italian culture to diaspora
Dover Congregational United Church of Christ is proud to host a screening of the award-winning documentary, "La Mia Strada: My Road." Six-time Emmy Award recipient, Michael Angelo DiLauro will be on hand to share his feature-length documentary. The program offers a personal perspective on ethnicity and culture as it links ancient and contemporary I...
Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Ernest “Skip” Dalle Molle
Over the course of a 28-year career as an administrator for the Air Force, Ernest “Skip” Dalle Molle came to realize the key role that helping people played in so many of his job descriptions. One of five children, Ernest “Skip” Dalle Molle was born in Evergreen Park to Ernest and Mary (Bertoletti) Dalle Molle. He grew up in the Roseland neighborho...
Pechulis helps fill urgent health-care need
Westlake Urgent Care is a labor of love and source of pride for Shellye Pechulis, a nurse with more than four decades of experience who was integral to its creation in 2021. Pechulis, 71, currently works as nurse administrator at the non-profit urgent care facility in Melrose Park, which was created by her and a team of doctors, nurses and medical...
Schiro pours passion for heritage into OSDIA role
Being Italian has always been central to Frank Schiro’s identity, and for decades he has devoted himself to highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of the community in the United States. An experienced litigator and trial attorney in Milwaukee, Schiro recently was elected president of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Gra...
Italian heritage club donates artifacts to Jake Meneghini Museum
The Tyrolean Trentino Club of Norway, MI donated almost $1,200 to the Jake Meneghini Museum. The Trentino Club was an Italian heritage club dedicated to preserving the memories and culture of the early immigrant Italians in Dickinson County. The club dissolved following a decline in membership and donated the remaining funds and cultural artifacts...
City getting community input on what to do with Christopher Columbus statue
The City of Columbus is looking to discover how the community wants to display the city's Christopher Columbus statue. That statue was removed from its pedestal outside city hall on July 1, 2020 and put in storage in a secret location. "Mayor Ginther made the decision that the statue, as it was displayed, didn't reflect our values and our aspiratio...