Angie’s Toy Chest Grand Opening: “Every Child Deserves a Little Christmas”
On July 31, Angie’s Toy Chest celebrated the opening of their new location in St. Clair Shores, Michigan with a ribbon cutting ceremony and an open house reception. Italian American Angie D’Aleo Morelli, the executive director of the organization, was delighted with the welcome they have received from the community of St. Clair Shores. The Lakesh...
‘Cleveland’s 126th ‘Feast’ includes Italian religious traditions and ethnic food
Thousands will fill the streets of Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood for the 126th celebration of the Feast of the Assumption. Known to locals simply as “The Feast,” the four-day event takes place Thursday Aug. 14, to Sunday, Aug. 17, along Mayfield and Murray Hill roads in the historic neighborhood. For Catholics, August 15 marks the Assumpti...
Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Welcomes a Proud Tradition: The 47th Biennial ISDA Convention
ISDA, with its record-setting asset growth and thriving membership, is ready to ring in its founding tradition: the Biennial National Convention, for both the Order and Fraternal Association. The 47th Order Convention and the 27th Fraternal Convention will be held at the elegant Omni Chicago Hotel, located along the city’s Magnificent Mile, from Au...
Veroni Takes Center Court at the 2025 Cincinnati Open: Italian Lifestyle Meets American Tennis
Veroni, the leading Italian charcuterie brand in the US, renews its winning partnership with the tennis world. From August 5 to August 18, and for the fourth consecutive year, the brand returns as the Official Italian Charcuterie Sponsor of the Cincinnati Open—one of the most anticipated tournaments on the global tennis calendar—where it will unvei...
Army Dentist Richard Munaretto
The oldest of four sons, Richard Munaretto was born in Chicago to Frank and Adelina Peruzzo Munaretto. The family lived near Western and Ohio and later moved to 3750 W. Chicago Ave., living behind his father’s business, Alamo Barber Shop. Munaretto’s maternal grandparents emigrated from Carmignano di Brenta, Padua, and his mother was born in Chicag...
Cleveland Italian Film Festival 2025
The Cleveland Italian Film Festival 2025 is showcasing award winning films from Italy Sept. 18 – Sept. 25, 2025 at the Cedar Lee Theater and Atlas Cinemas Great Lakes. All films are shown on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. with the support of Italian Tours & Travel by Diana and media sponsor La Gazzetta Italiana. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. M...
Durpetti earns Chicago street dedication
As part of Gene & Georgetti’s 85th anniversary celebrations, a portion of Franklin Street near the legendary Chicago steakhouse was officially dedicated as Way. Durpetti, who took over the restaurant in 1989 after the passing of his father-in-law, died last year. “It was a moment decades in the making and one that reflects the indelible impact Tony...
Holy cannoli! Festa Italiana demo to give Rockford (IL) a delicious 'taste of home'
Delicate fried pastry shells, dusted with powdered sugar and hand-filled with sweetened ricotta cheese — commonly known as cannoli — have long been a celebratory, special occasion dessert staple in Polly Matranga Happach’s family. “When the cannoli came out, it was a celebration, a big deal,” Happach said. “It was always a special occasion for a ca...
JCCIA hosts another stellar Dante/DiFrisco Awards Luncheon
The legacy of Florentine poet Dante Alighieri was once again celebrated as the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hosted its annual Dante and DiFrisco Awards Luncheon at the Galleria Marchetti in Chicago on May 22. Lynn Sweet was the 2025 recipient of the Dante Award. A respected journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 40 years,...
Crest Hill club to host 25th festa
Officially held on Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption celebrates the Blessed Mother’s passage into heaven. A public holiday in Italy, the occasion is marked across the country by masses, processions, and festivals involving food and entertainment. Here in the Chicago area, that tradition has been kept alive for the last 25 years by the American I...
IM’s Italian Fest to celebrate area heritage Aug. 9
The sights, sounds and aromas of Italy will fill the air Saturday, Aug. 9, as Italian Fest transforms downtown Iron Mountain (MI) into a vibrant celebration of the culture. The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority will host its 18th-annual event, sponsored by LiUNA Local 1329, from noon to 11 p.m. in Iron Mountain’s downtown parking lot at...
41st annual Challenge Cup of Bocce set in Wickliffe: What to know
The 41st Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce is coming up. The annual event is scheduled for Aug. 22-24 at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club. The tournament will host 120 teams (104 open division and 16 women’s division) and showcase world-class players from across the United States and Canada. Players will vie for more than $34,000 in competition o...