Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Blue Island Mayor Fred Bilotto joined local and state officials in August to welcome Orlandino Greco, mayor of Castrolibero, Calabria, to Casa Italia in Stone Park. The get-together was organized by Tony Turano and the Calabresi in America Organization. Blue Island is sister cities with Castrolibero as well as Ripacandida, Basilicata, and Estancia de Animas, Mexico.
“Earlier this year, my family and I had the honor of meeting Mayor Greco and his family during our trip through Italy, and it was a pleasure to return the favor and welcome his family to our community,” says Bilotto, who also visited Ripacandida during the trip.
Bilotto also took Mayor Greco and his son on a tour of Blue Island that included the newly restored city hall, St. Donatus Church, Meadows Golf Club and Blue Island Beer Co., among other sites. Bilotto was joined by State Rep. Bob Rita, City Clerk Raeann Cantelo-Zylman and City Treasurer Jairo Frausto, as well as several Blue Island business leaders. The day was capped by a reception and dinner at the historic Lyric Theater.
Speaking through an interpreter, the two mayors were able to connect over their shared passion for public service. “We had a great conversation about the history of Blue Island and how Italian immigration shaped the city that it is today,” Bilotto explains.
Bilotto also highlighted the upcoming Sister City Park that Blue Island is creating as part of the newly renovated Olde Western Avenue Historic District. The park will include memorials and flags of international communities that have shared their histories and cultures with Blue Island.
