Life on the Corner: Birds of Passage, Part 2, The New Colossus
The history of immigration in this country is one of exploitation; the wealthy, property owning classes exploiting the poor and desperate. We saw this when our parents and grandparents immigrated to America and we still see it today. When cheap labor was needed, the gates to the United States were thrown open and a tidal wave of immigrants flooded...
Baroque master Carlo Dolci gets his first US retrospective
Carlo Dolci: Most people either love him or hate him. John Ruskin, the 19th-century British critic, described the Italian Baroque artist’s paintings as “excrescence and a deformity.” Thomas Jefferson called him a “violent favorite.” Dolci’s perfectionism and his piety divided his audience. Detractors deemed his work — lustrous, naturalistic, each p...
2017 Italian Heritage Month in Western Massachusetts
We have already started planning our 2017 Italian Heritage Month activities and we are now accepting nominations for Serviam award recipients. The Serviam Award recognizes individuals of Italian ancestry who have significantly contributed to the community of Western Massachusetts. The recipient, who must be of Italian ethnic heritage, is someone wh...
Pannese Society plans ‘Taste of Italy’ on Feb. 26
If you enjoy traditional Italian dinners that include pasta, chicken and more, plan on being at the Johnston Senior Center on Sunday afternoon, February 26. That’s where the proud Pannese Society of Rhode Island will host and serve what promises to be a unique “Taste of Italy” after the doors open at one o’clock. According to Louis Mansolillo, a me...
PIB Helps Building a Gathering Space for Earthquake Victims in Central Italy
We are excited to provide you with a brief update following the November 8th event featuring Mons. Gennaro Matino.The $5000 collected by PIB were used by the Mondo Amico Association, led by Mons. Matino, to build a community room adjacent to a newly constructed church in Arquata del Tronto, one of the towns most badly hit by the 2016 earthquakes wh...
Joseph Guarino,Beloved Community Member, at 75
The community is mourning the loss of longtime community member and one of the most recognizable faces in East Boston. Joseph Guarino who, outside of his career as a newspaper man, dedicated his life to St. Joseph St. Lazarus Church, the Golden Age Club and other Eastie civic organizations where he was a regular fixture during their community event...
Unico to honor Gentilcore as volunteer of the year
Jeff Gentilcore, who’s known for his stylist skills and selfless volunteering, will be recognized as volunteer of the year by Unico Manchester. “I’m very proud,” Gentilcore said of the distinction. “It caught me off guard, although I prefer to be on the other side of the microphone, working behind the scenes.” He will be honored Friday, Feb. 24, at...
A little glimpse of Italy in Northampton
The Alumnae House at Smith College, situated at 33 North Elm St. in Northampton, is currently housing Elisabetta Franchini’s temporary “Facades of Italy” art exhibit. Visitors enter the stunning Georgian building through a portico with Doric columns, turn left to the first floor and there they can find the Alumnae Gallery. The Gallery houses severa...
East Haven Rotary to hold ‘Anginetti Wars’ fundraiser
The East Haven Rotary Club will hold an “Anginetti Wars” fundraiser, a competition for bakers of the iconic Italian cookies, April 6 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church Hall, 80 Taylor Ave. Anginetti are the cakey, frosted cookies Italian-Americans make for holidays and special occasions. Prizes will be awarded for Best Tasting C...
UNICO announces membership drive
The Watertown-Oakville Chapter of UNICO International is expanding their membership.The drive focuses on men or women of Italian heritage or is married to a person of Italian heritage. UNICO is an Italian-American service organization with more than 6,000 members nationwide. They are very active in awarding scholarships to deserving local residents...
Rose Marie (Fortuna) Drohan, 76, Was Consentino Teacher
Rose Marie (Fortuna) Drohan, 76, of Haverhill, passed away unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 6, at home. She was born in Lawrence Nov. 6, 1940, daughter of the late Benjamin and Elizabeth Loungo Fortuna. Drohan was educated in Haverhill schools and was a graduate of U Lowell graduating with her master’s degree in education. She was a teacher at the former...
A plea to save Our Lady of Mount Carmel
As a Catholic parishioner, born into an Italian-American family, I was brought up with a strong faith in Catholicism. Many of us were baptized, received communion, confirmed and married within her walls. Our church served as a place where many of us found solace, a place where many of us reflected on our life's problems, a place where we became a f...