Justinians go to bat for kids in need
The Justinian Society of Lawyers held its 21st annual Children’s Endowment Fund grant reception on March 16 at Lux Bar in Chicago. Justinian President Bruno Marasso and Endowment Fund Chairman Frank Sommario presented a total of $15,000 in CEF grants at the event to the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, Direct Effect Charities and St. Anth...
Madison Welcomes ‘Pinta’, replica Christopher Columbus Ship
On Friday, May 26, the “Pinta”, a Replica of a Portuguese Caravel used by Christopher Columbus and many early explorers will open as a “floating museum” in Madison for dockside educational tours. The ship will be docked at Madison Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, on Vaughn Dr, in Madison, until her departure on May 30. In 2005, the “Pinta” was Launched...
Stolen Cincinnati sculpture being remade in Italy
The disappearance of an important Cincinnati sculpture remains a mystery. Work is underway halfway around the world to replace it. Artists in Italy are making a new Capitoline Wolf statue. Last June, someone stole it from Eden Park. The white stone pedestal sits empty in Eden Park. On top once sat a gift from Rome in 1931, a mother wolf nursing the...
HerrinFesta Italiana kicks off this week
HerrinFesta Italiana has kicked off their week-long festival for 2023, featuring food, games and entertainment. The popular festival was founded in 1991 and voted Best Festival in Illinois in 2014. This is a celebration of the rich Italian heritage in the City of Herrin. In early April, they announced the entertainment lineup for the large event, i...
15th annual Festa della Repubblica set for Pompeii
Com.It.Es (Comitato per gli italiani all’estero) and Comitato Tricolore Italiani nel Mondo will host the 15th annual Festa della Repubblica on June 4 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago. The event celebrates the birth of the Italian republic and bears the distinction of being the only such celebration outside of Italy to feature a parad...
Joyce Mariani inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Joyce Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Garden Foundation and founder of the Cleveland Italian Film Festival, was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame on April 18, 2023. Basil M. Russo nominated Joyce Mariani to receive this prestigious award. Basil Russo is the national president of the Order of Italian Sons...
An oasis of italianità
The cover of Fra Noi reads “Embrace your inner Italian”: words that inspire us to explore every aspect of our heritage and community. In my case, the catchy phrase opened the door to the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia. An oasis of italianità in Stone Park, the center is home to a hardy band of volunteers who truly live this calling. I paid...
Undo's Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival honors several at dinner
Although the Undo's Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival is in July, on Wednesday night, it was about recognizing this year's Italian-American of the Year and some bright young minds in the Ohio Valley. It was announced in February that Tom Fato was this year's Italian-American of the Year; an honor that for Fato, started when he was a kid growing up...
CCS Trustee Al Lucarelli – In Memoriam
Al passed away on May 14, 2023 at the age of 83. Al is survived by his partner Waltraud (Wally) Prechter and sons Alphonse II and Francesco, along with their wives, Sonya and Kerri respectively, and his grandchildren Steffan, Leonardo and Andrea. He also valued his close relationships with Stephanie Prechter, Paul and Paige Prechter and their daugh...
Replica of ship sailed by Christopher Columbus makes stop in Evansville
A replica of a Christopher Columbus ship is now in Evansville. The replica of the Pinta was built in Brazil by eighth-generation Portuguese shipwrights. The ship has been sailing around the U.S. for the past 12 years. This is its first stop in Evansville. The ship serves to educate people on this type of ship, which is a Portuguese Caravel. Captain...
Gullo celebrates 50th as opera house’s resident barber
A half century at any job is something to celebrate, but Sam Gullo is marking five decades as the barber at one of Chicago’s most iconic buildings, the Civic Opera House, home of the Lyric Opera. Gullo and his family arrived in Chicago from Caccamo, Sicily, in 1961. “I came here with my father and brother,” Gullo says from his shop on the 15th floo...
Italian-American Days festival set May 26-28 in Benld
The Italian Club of Benld is inviting everyone to Benld City Park for the 69th Annual Italian-American Days Festival on May 26-28. Festivities will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26 at Benld City Park, 305 N. Main St. Conny Family Amusements will offer carnival arm bands for rides from 6-10 p.m. The Owlz will provide music from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Satu...