Little Italy Festival makes its return to Clinton
For the 55th year, the streets of Clinton, Indiana are filled with colors of the Italian flag as they prepare for their Little Italy Festival. This event first started in 1966 but was cancelled last year due to COVID. Italian and American flags flood the downtown streets as organizers and community members are putting the finishing touches on this...
Festival Italiano returns to Hurley
The Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Festival Italiano event starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday. This year’s celebration of Italian heritage will include a craft show, games for kids and live music. The festival is returning after it was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber of Commerce Director Rita Franzoi s...
College of DuPage President Brian Caputo
If you’re facing a real crisis — say, the need to keep a 21,000-student college going through a global pandemic — it’s not a bad idea to have a guy like Brian Caputo in charge. Caputo started honing his leadership skills as a teen in the Chicago suburbs, earning his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Award, then attended the United States Military Academy...
Chicago Columbus Day Parade returns after 2020 cancellation due to COVID pandemic
The annual Columbus Day Parade is returning this year to downtown Chicago. It was canceled last fall and replaced with a car parade because of the COVID pandemic. The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans introduced this year's queen and court Wednesday night. The parade is at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11 on State Street from Wacker Drive to Van...
Support Chicago's Little Italy and this New Mural
Please help Save Chicago's Little Italy with the costs associated to pay Art by Joseph to create this mural on the brick wall facing the piazza on Taylor and Bishop. Carlo Vaniglia and I have hired the painter and secured use of the wall by the owner of the building to have this amazing mural created. This mural will be painted on the brick wall ea...
Youngstown festival celebrates Italian history with games, food
As festivals make their comeback, there’s one on Youngstown’s north side this weekend that may be small in size — running only about two blocks — but has a huge history and attracts quite the crowd. It was 30 years ago, the streets of Brier Hill neighborhood lit up for the first time with the Brier Hill Festival. “This was where the first Italian i...
DiMaria to preside over police association
Retired Chicago police officer Frank DiMaria has been elected president of the Italian American Police Association. An IAPA member since 1997, he previously served as second vice president. Founded in 1964, the IAPA organizes and advocates on behalf of Italian Americans in law enforcement, and serves as a social, professional and charitable outlet...
JCCIA to honor worthy pair at Dante luncheon
The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will honor Jennifer Lyons and Antonio M. Romanucci at this year’s Dante Awards luncheon. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 14 at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago. Tickets are $75. (708-450-9050, www.jccia.com) Jennifer Lyons will receive the Dante Award. She is a celebrated television news exe...
Lauretana, Incoronata fests keep the faith
The feasts of Maria SS. Lauretana and Maria SS. Incoronata are testaments to the ability of faith to overcome adversity. Both have been running continuously in the Chicago area for more than 120 years, and both rolled with the pandemic punches last year, hosting modified versions of their traditional celebrations. Now, they’re ready to shake free o...
Santa Fara Society garners street name
Società Santa Fara di Cinisi has been a beacon of italianità at Addison Street and Oleander Avenue in Chicago since the organization opened the doors to its social hall and chapel on the northeast corner of the intersection in 1985. The society’s light shines a little brighter now that the city has named Oleander from Addison to Waveland Avenue Hon...
The 122nd Feast of the Assumption brought out the crowds to Little Italy
The 122nd Feast of the Assumption brought out the crowds back to Little Italy. The hustle and bustle returned to the neighborhood after the iconic parade was cancelled last year because of COVID-19 concerns. Gracco Dan told 19 News the feast holds a special place in his heart. “Actually use to come out here with my mom and dad when we were growing...
A New Era: Record Growth & Digital Unveiling Define ISDA 45
Ninety-one years have passed since ISDA was founded, 45 National Biennial Conventions have been held, and in 2021 we’re proud to say that Italian Sons and Daughters of America is stronger and more influential than ever. The latest ISDA National Convention was held this past week in Cleveland, Ohio at the Downtown Hilton, and a rich slate of events...