Joseph V. Belisi, Vietnam War Vet From Farmingdale, Dead At 73
Joseph Vincent Belisi, a "Daler Hero" from Farmingdale, died on June 16 at the age of 73 due to Parkinson's Disease, according to the Village of Farmingdale. Belisi is a two-time Purple Heart recipient from the Vietnam War, retired Nassau County police sergeant, former Superior Officers Association vice president, and Nassau County Legislator for t...
Meaning behind Columbus statue getting lost
The controversy surrounding statues in this country has intensified and Christopher Columbus statues have been damaged, defaced or removed. Our statue on the Memorial Parkway is now a target of that same controversy. A petition to remove the statue has been started online by an individual who may have been from this area but who now lives out of st...
Mayor Walsh Announces Formation of Columbus Circle Action Group
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced he will form a Columbus Circle Action Group to advise the City of Syracuse on the creation of an all-season, education and learning site at the downtown park space that has been home to a statue of Christopher Columbus since 1934. Walsh said the group’s charge will include recommendations on the presence of the mo...
Some Pushing For Christopher Columbus Statue To Be Taken Down In Northern Westchester
An online petition has been circulating, with more than 650 signatures, calling for the Mount Kisco Board of Trustees to remove the Columbus statue located outside the public library. “Mount Kisco is a diverse town, populated with about 10,710 people. It is appalling to see a Christopher Columbus Statue in this town,” organizers stated. “Christophe...
"Dottoressa" - An American Doctor in Rome Book Presentation
A webinar with Susan Levenstein, author of "Dottoressa: An American Doctor in Rome", in conversation with Alexander Stille. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Part memoir—starting with her epic quest for an Italian medical license—and part portrait of Italy from a unique point of view, "Dottoressa" is packed with vignettes that illuminate the national differen...
Carmen G. “Sonny” Pepe, 92, formerly of Watertown
Carmen G. “Sonny” Pepe, 92, Las Vegas, NV and formerly of Watertown passed away Monday morning, June 22, 2020, at Mountain View Hospital, Las Vegas. Born May 23, 1928, in Watertown, the son of Joseph P. and Tessie Greco Pepe, he attended Watertown High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from National University. In January 1946 h...
Italian-Americans’ Plea: Don’t Tear Down Columbus Statues
The nationwide movement by protesters to tear down statues of Christopher Columbus is misguided and flat-out wrong, according to Italian-American leaders, who said demonstrators should not lump in the explorer with other targets of their wrath in the wake of George Floyd’s death. “We will fight this tooth and nail,” said Carlo Scissura, chairman of...
Festival Italia to be virtual on Saturday
Festival Italia will be virtual on Saturday. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to adapt accordingly to keep businesses and events relevant throughout 2020. The Festivals Fredonia organization is no different and is hosting this year’s Festival Italia in a virtual, online manner. Even though we won’t be in person, we will deliver the best possi...
1934: Even before its unveiling, Syracuse’s Columbus statue was controversial
Almost from its inception, downtown Syracuse’s Christopher Columbus monument has been surrounded by controversy. Its dedication at St. Mary’s Circle, now Columbus Circle, on Oct. 12, 1934 was the culmination of a 25-year campaign that spanned a world war, a depression, a lawsuit and disagreements over its location. The idea began as early as 1909 w...
Why we should let Columbus statues stand
Christopher Columbus is again under siege. New York police currently surround the 75-foot-high bronze Jeronimo Sunol monument to the explorer, which has stood in Central Park since 1894, describing it as “a known target” to those who put Columbus in the same class as Confederate generals and slave traders. Indeed, vandals in Boston decapitated the...
Save Little Italy's Oldest Gift Shop Est 1910 NYC
This fund-raiser is organized as a birthday tribute for Ernesto & Margaret Rossi, owners of E.Rossi & Company. The volunteers will assist with responding to inquiries. Email can be sent to [email redacted]. Thank You, Grazie Mille, from Team Rossi www.erossico.com #erossiconyc. The Rossi company includes a small retail storefront, wholesale warehou...
Charles A. Mecca, 75, was sheriff's undercover narcotics detective – and Santa, too
During his years as an undercover narcotics detective with the Erie County Sheriff's Office, Charles A. Mecca also worked in security at sporting events, concerts and at the old Record Theater. During the busy pre-Christmas period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mr. Mecca wore a Santa costume while guarding the record store on Main Street at Laf...