Retired Stamford educator first woman to lead Stamford Columbus Day Parade
By Angela Carella When Connie Scarella Stevenson leads the Columbus Day Parade next month, she will bring the intermingled history of her family and her city, and insight into the saga of the Italians who made their way to America since the turn of the last century. Stevenson will also be the first woman to be grand marshal of the parade, which b...
Caggiano Becomes Bridgeport Bishop In Ceremony Of Hope
by Daniela Altimari Frank J. Caggiano became the fifth bishop of Bridgeport Thursday in a ceremony rich with tradition and imbued with hope. The Brooklyn-born son of Italian immigrants who once studied at Yale University delivered a message of inclusion to the more than 460,000 Catholics who live in Fairfield County, especially those...
The Italian Girl in Algiers & La Traviata among Opera Company of Middlebury's 2014 Season
It has been called a major force in the New England opera world. After ten years of sold-out successes, The Opera Company of Middlebury returns with its 11th season of "grand opera in an intimate setting." The season opens with a riotous comedy by Gioachino Rossini, The Italian Girl in Algiers (L'Italiana in Algeri), which plays from May 3...
He Served His Country, His Church And His City
His friends knew him as Rico Pace, but his official name was Americo Pace, his parents' tribute to their adopted country. Pace showed his love of his country in many ways, from serving in World War II to spending his retirement years volunteering at his church, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and at the state Capitol. "He lived...
Explore Your Italian Roots Seminar in Beverly, MA
ORIGINS ITALY Founder and "Genealogy Roadshow" Host Mary Tedesco will present two Italian genealogy lectures at the Explore Your Italian Roots Seminar in Beverly, MA on 14 May 2016: "Roads to Rome: Locating Your Italian Ancestral Town" and "Andiamo in Italia: Italian Genealogical Research in Italy and from Home." Detailed lecture descriptions below...
What Is La Cosa Nostra, Infamous New York Mafia?
by Janice Williams More than 40 members of iconic mafia families were arrested Thursday in New York City, the FBI announced. The agency's Twitter handle revealed early in the day that those who were arrested were members from four La Cosa Nostra crime collectives, including the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese and Bonanno families. 46 leaders, m...
2014 Pirandello Lyceum's I Migliori in Mens et Gesta Awards Dinner
Pirandello President Rosario Cascio has announced the 2014 recipients of the Pirandello Lyceum's prestigious I Migliori in Mens et Gesta awards. The Board of Governors has recognized a group of outstanding Americans of Italian-American descent who have made important contributions to their profession, to society and to the Italian-American...
How Middletown became an important center for Italians in Connecticut
by Kent Pierce Italian in Connecticut week continues in Middletown today. It's our way of paying tribute to one of the most influential ethnic groups in Connecticut. The First and Last Tavern is just one of many businesses owned by Italian Americans along Main Street in Middletown. But there was a time when they could only be on o...
Senator Joseph John Dinielli
Senator Joseph John Dinielli, 88, of Bristol, beloved husband of Mae (Harrington) Dinielli, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at home with his wife by his side. Born in New York City on April 8, 1927, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Maria (LoMonte) Dinielli who immigrated to New York from Audria, Province of Bari, Italy. Joe grew up on Art...
Our Lady of Mount Carmel feast in Springfield keeps tradition alive
By Cori Urban When Frank P. Magagnoli was growing up in Springfield in the 1960s, his family couldn't go on summer vacation until after the Our Lady of Mount Carmel festival. "Everything revolved around the feast.... You didn't do anything until the feast was over," he said. On July 16, 1251, the Blessed Virgin...
Friends of the North End Hold Bocce Banquet
by Arthur A. Lauretano The Friends Of The North End (FONE) held their summer bocce banquet at the Sons of Italy Hall in Winchester, MA on July 13th. Prizes consisting of a plaque and a bottle of wine were awarded to the winning team of Angelo DiGirolamo, Richie DeSantis, Bobby Carbone and Mario Antidormi. This bocce season was very c...
Annual Italian festival held in Enfield, Connecticut
by Rachel Fazio An Italian festival drew thousands to Enfield, Connecticut on Saturday. For three days, an annual Italian festival hosted by the Catholic American Cultural organization offers all sorts of family fun and entertainment, and, of course, lots of homemade Italian food. For 91 straight years, the Our Lady of Mount Carme...