Saint Anthony’s Feast in Boston’s North End kicks off with tighter security
Officials are stepping up security for the annual Saint Anthony’s Feast in Boston’s North End this year. The security increase comes after several reports of underage drinking at last year’s celebration. The festival begins Thursday and runs through Sunday night, and organizers are preparing to enforce new protocols. “What we’re trying to do is mak...
Salem proclaims 'Sean Stellato Day' to honor local sports agent
Sports agent and Salem native Sean Stellato was at City Hall Wednesday for the proclamation of “Sean Stellato Day,” marking the first time the city honored a living person with a designated day. Stellato, a sports agent for more than 100 NFL players, says his gratitude for the city he grew up in has never waned. As the founder of Stellato Sports in...
Criscuolo Invites All to SGMG 10th Annual Italian Festival
St. George Men’s Group member Paul Criscuolo is excited to help spread the news about the SGMG Italian Festival, ready to celebrate its 10th year in Guilford (CT) as the shoreline’s favorite Italian fest on Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24. Located behind St. George Catholic Church at 33 Whitfield Street, this year’s fest features two family f...
Carabetta Cares 1st Annual Golf Tournament
Join us on October 4th for the 1st Annual Carabetta Cares Golf Tournament! All proceeds go to helping children & their families in our community. 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Meriden, 688 Westfield Rd, Meriden, CT 06450. RSVP here Carabetta Cares Inc. has collected & distributed toys to many boys & girls throughout Connecticut. This year the organization wil...
This Italian Bakery Was Rated as the Best in Maine Read More: This Italian Bakery Was Rated as the Best in Maine
There’s no denying that our Pine Tree State boasts plenty of bakery options, but apparently, this one stands out as the best of the best! Everyone loves a good bakery, but there’s something special about the ones in our neck of the woods. Blueberry pastries, for instance, are always a hit, but in Maine, as the State Berry, they just hit differently...
St. Jude Italian Festival returns this week, bringing thrills, food and fun
Stewart Amusement Co. trucks in the parking lot behind St. Jude Parish Friday morning had rides yet to be unloaded, including an Elephant Fly, which is popular with young children. But two large food tents had already been erected, standing side-by-side. “Today, refrigerators and equipment for the food tent will be brought down,” said Paul Seperack...
Portobello's Italian Restaurant Coming To Derby’s Main Street
A new Italian restaurant, Portobello’s, is slated to open in September in the space that was previously occupied by River Rock Tavern at 5 Main St. in Derby, CT. Derby resident and chef Dennis Basuljevic, whose family ran the former Fratelli’s Restaurant in Derby for more than a decade, is planning a soft opening in a few weeks. Basuljevic, 35, is...
The Feast for La Madonna dell’Assunta in Springfield
The Feast for La Madonna dell ‘Assunta that honors the Assumption of Mary, brought the Italian community of Springfield to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for a holy mass and a celebration. “The Italian community is really faith driven,” expressed Frank Girmaldi, an usher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. “There is a lot of faith behind it and we...
Italian American Podcast Ep. 333 Finding the Italian American Dream in Hartford
What happens when family expectations clash with personal desires? In our latest episode, we explore the powerful influence of family values and identity within Italian American communities. From the intense pressure to uphold family honor to the warmth and security provided by close family ties, we uncover stories that highlight both the joy and t...
The Del Gallo Restaurant was a Pittsfield family affair. It later became the city's center of political gravity
When I grew up on Holmes Road in Pittsfield in the 1950s and 1960s, my next-door neighbors were Gabe and Sophie Virgilio, proprietors of the East Side Café. A couple of doors away on the other side of my home lived Ray (Remo) and Bertha Del Gallo, proprietors of the Del Gallo Restaurant. Interestingly, both of their businesses were located just as...
Food tour at Federal Hill highlights crime and cuisine
There's a food tour with a felonious twist on Federal Hill in Providence, RI. The Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill tour has been bringing in tourists for about three years now. However, some people may wonder if it's painting the iconic Providence neighborhood in a bad light. The tour, starting at Garbaldi Park, which was the former bath house for...
Caraluzzi’s Celebrates 75 Years by Giving Back to the Community
Caraluzzi’s Markets, a staple in the Connecticut community, is celebrating 75 years of family business. Founded in 1949 by Tony Caraluzzi, Sr., the journey began with a small fruit and vegetable market in Bethel, CT. After 27 years of working for Gristedes Supermarkets in New York, Tony Sr. took a leap of faith, using his life savings to purchase t...