Long Island Italian American leaders have launched the Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island (IAHSLI). This non-profit will serve as a harbinger of advocacy, community engagement, and education for the Italian American community.  As one of the most populated Italian American regions in the United States, Long Island embodies an ethos of...

“Sharks have two dicks,” actor Isabella Rossellini tells me in a tone so casual, you’d think she was directing me towards the nearest bathroom. We’re in the bed and breakfast attached to her 28-acre estate, Mama Farm, located in Brookhaven, New York—a small Long Island town that is something of a hideaway for untouchable New Yorkers such as Anna Wi...

Anthony A. Nozzolillo has spent years in school and dedicated a good portion of his life to becoming an Attorney, but it’s his identity as a first-generation Italian American that has prepared him most for his legal journey. Nozzolillo’s parents were both born in Italy, his father coming to the U.S. at the age of 10 and his mother at 16. They both...

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Italian-American advocacy groups have criticized Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip’s campaign for referring to Suozzi as the “godfather of the border crisis.” The phrase “godfather,” particularly in usage against Italian-Americans, carries a negative stereotype of association with the Mafia, as a result of...

There were no sonograms in 1933. So one could imagine Nunziata Pierro’s surprise when, 15 minutes after giving birth to her son, there were suddenly two bundles of joy to hold. Those twins — Giuseppe “Joe” and Nicola “Nick” Pierro — celebrated their 90th birthday, on Dec. 27, in East Rockaway. Between the two of them exists 180 years of life, 130 y...

Is it even Christmas in Italian households, and most especially Naples, without struffoli on the table? Those delectable, golden, fried balls of dough perfectly coated in honey and crowned with sprinkles represent a time honored tradition and family heritage for so many Italians, including myself. After making, kneading, rolling, cutting and frying...

The 3rd annual New York Panettone Festival is coming back to Long Island City, taking place December 15-17, while supplies last. The festival, sponsored by TF Cornerstone and Bauli, will be held at TFC Piazza’s; part of TFC’s two-tower luxury development complex in Long Island City’s Hunters Point South.  For those unfamiliar with this Italian holi...

The Diocese of Rockville Center, which encompasses the majority of Long Island, New York, is hosting an exhibition all the way from the Italian diocese of Assisi. The exhibition is a permanent display at the Museum of Memory in Assisi, but they take it on the road for a tour titled “Assisi 1943-1944.”  This traveling show of Italian history highlig...

On Saturday, October 7th at 9:30AM the John Michael Marino Lodge #1389 and the Loggia Glen Cove Lodge #1016 will conduct the Fifty-ninth Annual Christopher Columbus Wreath Laying Ceremony. The event takes place at the Columbus statue located at the northeast side of the Mineola Court House in Mineola (nearest cross street is Washington Avenue). A l...

After being uprooted from her life in Italy in 1968, Rita Monte turned to poetry to express how she felt about leaving her home country, which led her to a world of like-minded poets. Monte wrote her first poem, called “Italia,” upon arriving from her native land at the age of 12. She has won several poetry contests, with some of her work being fea...