The Federation of Italian-American Organizations (FIAO) celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sunday, March 26, with a gala dinner and a ceremony at El Caribe Country Club part of which included presenting scholarships to students preparing to go to college. Three honorees were in the spotlight during the event, including attorney Arthur L. Aidala, managing partner at Aidala, Bertuna, and Kamins, P.C., a law firm specializing in civil and criminal litigation.

Also honored was Francesco Pedulla of Pedulla Ceramic Tiles, Inc. One of five brothers born in Italy, Pedulla emigrated to the U.S. with his brother Domenico in 1969. The brothers started their now-renowned company in 1979 in a little shop at 60th Street and 20th Avenue. Pedulla donated all the tiles used in FIAO’s new community center, Il Centro.