Italian Heritage Month Recognized in West Orange
West Orange Township recognized October as Italian Heritage Month in a ceremony organized by the West Orange High School Italian Department and Italian Club, and sponsored by the local chapter of UNICO, on Oct. 15. UNICO, an Italian American service organization, which stands for "Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity", was for...
Amerigo Vespucci Society Holds Annual "Gagliano" Tripe Dinner
The Amerigo Vespucci Society (AVS) of Long Branch - New Jersey, held its annual Tripe Dinner this past October 21st. The historic traditional dinner originally began over 60 years ago by the late Thomas Gagliano Sr., a stone mason who arrived from the small town of Miglierina which is located in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of I...
Bayonne Italian Heritage Parade: A Celebration of Culture
The Bayonne (NJ) Italian Heritage Parade kicked off on 56th Street and Avenue C on Sept. 20, marking the first parade in 15 years honoring the contributions of the Italian American community. Council President Gary La Pelusa, who was named Grand Marshall, led a group of distinguished Italian Americans, pausing at St. Vincent's Church for a Padre Pi...
Honoring a Lifetime of Service and Dedication: Woodland Park's Terry Olivo Turns 90
Woodland Park came together to celebrate a remarkable milestone on Wednesday, as the borough honored long-time resident Teresa "Terry" Olivo on her 90th birthday. Terry, a cherished member of the community, was recognized for her decades of unwavering dedication and contributions to the borough. Mayor Tracy Kallert led the celebration, expressing h...
Teatro Grattacielo collaborates with the Light Opera of NJ (LONJ) to bring L'Elisir d'Amore to New Jersey
Following two sold-out performances of Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore at The Flea Theater in NYC this past June, Teatro Grattacielo, in collaboration with Camerata Bardi International Academy and the Light Opera of New Jersey, brings this co-production to New Jersey for three highly anticipated dates. Audiences can enjoy the performances on N...
Italy’s Iconic 1000 Miglia Returns to Middleburg, Virginia
Middleburg, Virginia, will once again welcome a piece of automotive history this October as the 1000 Miglia Warm Up USA rolls into town. From October 24 to 26, classic car enthusiasts can witness up to 40 stunning vehicles compete in a race that allows U.S. drivers to qualify for Italy’s prestigious Mille Miglia, dubbed “the world’s most beautiful...
Livingston UNICO Members Lead Community in Italian Heritage Month Activities
In celebration of Columbus Day, Livingston UNICO recently hosted its annual Italian flag raising ceremony at Livingston Town Hall with a subsequent reception featuring traditional Italian refreshments such as espresso, cannolis, homemade panettone, cookies, homemade freselle and gelato donated by Turano’s Pizza Kitchen. “Today we raise the Italian...
Truelove Seeds: A growing business that connects people with their cultural heritage
On one green-thumbed hand, Truelove Seeds is about thoughtful and thought-provoking concepts like food sovereignty, cultural preservation, rematriation and sustainable agriculture. On the other, also green-thumbed, hand, the company is a way for co-founder Owen Taylor to connect with his Italian roots – and for so many of its customers to connect t...
Pennacchio Receives Legislator of the Year Award from COANJ
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) was recently honored with the “Legislator of the Year Award” by the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey on October 9, 2024. “I am extremely honored and grateful to the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey for this prestigious award,” said Sen. Pennacchio. “From county clerks and registers of...
Jersey Arts Podcast: American Theater Group Celebrates Family and Heritage with 'My Italy Story'
"My Italy Story," written by Joseph Gallo, starring Michael Notardonato, is a nostalgic exploration of family, heritage and the ties that bind us. Spurred by pleas to help reunite his fractured family, a young man quits his job as a New York account executive and travels to Vallata — the tiny Italian town of his ancestors. Not until he returns home...
Italians in America - Our Immigrant Stories: Nonna’s journey: Five years in an orphanage lead to resilience, freedom & love
Starting at the age of 4, I’d walk with my grandmother daily, helping to pull her little cart to the corner store owned by a “paesan” from the “old country.” The shelves bursting with olives, sardines and brioschi towered over me as she encouraged me to help her pick out ingredients. It was an adventure I adored, sorting through all those breads an...
"L'Italia" by Dr. Mary Rorro performed at The White House 2024 Italian American Heritage Month Celebration
"L'Italia!" is an original song composed by Dame, Dr. Mary Rorro to celebrate the cultural treasure Italy is to the world. She wrote the melody and lyrics and the arrangement was composed by now 99-year-old World War II Veteran Maestro Matteo Giammario, who is also Italian American, and Dr. Rorro's former Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra conductor...