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The Christmas season in Wooster Square used to begin with the decorations that were placed in downtown New Haven. You see, we were all just a few blocks away from the splendor that was created in the store windows, the lighted arches across Chapel Street with a small tree on either side, Santa and the reindeer sailing through the air on the corner...

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On Friday, December 18, the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Milford presented Franco and Sal Laragione with the Citizens of the Year Award. The award was given in recognition for the actions of the two brothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are here to recognize the Laragione’s and Mama Maria’s Restaurant for the outstanding service to the commu...

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Two Columbus statues were saved in Connecticut over the past two months, one in Waterbury and one in New Britain, as city leaders and voters pushed back against protestors who demanded their removal. In November, 60 percent of Waterbury’s voters (more than 17,000 people) cast ballots to keep the 12-foot, 6-ton statue — located near the town’s city...

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New Britain’s controversial Christopher Columbus statue won’t be heading to storage — at least not yet. Mayor Erin Stewart on Thursday vetoed the common council’s decision to take down the statue, meaning the issue will drag into January or possibly beyond. After learning of her decision Thursday afternoon, a top council Democrat said he’ll try to...

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Over spirited protests by Italian-Americans, New Britain on Wednesday night decided to take down its controversial Christopher Columbus statue. The decision was an apparent win for the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, Puerto Rican activists and Democrats on the council, who’ve all been campaigning to remove what they call a racist memorial....

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Rocco Polletta, 90, of Waterbury, entered into the gates of heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, at the VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital. He was the loving husband of Angela Maria (Ciarlo) Polletta. Rocco was born in Pontelandolfo, Benevento, Italy, on Aug. 13, 1930, son of the late Giuseppe and Teresa (Longo) Polletta. Growing up...

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Five months after the Columbus statute in front of City Hall was decapitated by a vandal with a hammer, a sculptor set the repaired head back in place Wednesday morning. “I think the sun is out, so God’s in our favor, I think,” Francine Nido, head of the Waterbury chapter of Italian-American service organization UNICO told sculptor Randall Nelson....

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Anthony Rodia is a real character. In fact, with Snapchat filter-aided alter egos Uncle Vinny and Zia Lucia on Facebook, he’s several funny characters to his growing legion of fans. Earlier this year, the New Rochelle, N.Y.-raised stand-up comic with the gift of gab was on the brink of performing in his largest venue at the time, Foxwoods’ Fox Thea...

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After months of debate, New Britain city government may ask residents to say whether the controversial Columbus statue at McCabe Park stays or goes. Mayor Erin Stewart is floating the idea of a nonbinding referendum on what to do with the 14-foot-high bronze monument that’s become a political lightning rod. Local Democratic leaders say that’s...

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Those who enjoy reading this column seem to have dual goals: nostalgia, reminiscing about the days and times of youth, and also to gather information about the way things were when grandparents or parents lived in Wooster Square. You see, for some, family history remains fragmented or unknown. Those who are now seeking DNA-based documentation are a...

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