Members of Associazione Regionale Campania in Chicago were overjoyed when Napoli won the coveted Serie A title, clinching the Scudetto with a 1-1 draw against Udinese. It was the first time in 33 years and the second time in history that Naples rose to the top of Serie A. The organization watched the game at Fenice Banquets at Casa Italia, enjoying a sumptuous meal prepared by Chef Mark Triggiano. ARC President Filippo Aliperta later created a painting celebrating Diego Maradona and Victor Osimhen, stars of the 1987 and 2023 championship teams, respectively.

When Leonard Amari traveled with family members to his paternal grandfather’s hometown in Calamonaci, Sicilia, he came home with far more than he expected. Town Mayor Pino Spinelli rolled out the red carpet for the Chicago attorney, presenting him with a ceramic plate and a photo history of the town. “Paesi in bianco e nero — Come eravamo.” Amari and Spinelli discussed administrative and cultural exchanges between Calamonaci and west suburban Bloomingdale, where Amari has a law office.  

Com.It.Es (Comitato per gli italiani all’estero) and Associazione Campania in America teamed up on June 4 for a celebration that ranged across the Windy City. The day began with the annual Festa della Repubblica celebration at Our Lady of Pompeii on Taylor Street, then relocated to Piazza Italia on Harlem Avenue, where they held a victory rally for the Naples soccer team that had won the Serie A title the day before. Cake and champagne were provided by ARC President Filippo Aliperta. “We’d like to thank Gino and Tony Bartucci of Piazza Italia for their hospitality,” Com.It.Es President Carlo Vaniglia …

Windy City crooner Sam Fazio debuted a newly discovered Cubs song before the team’s Aug. 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Titled “Come Out to Wrigley Field,” the tune was written by Pasquale “P.J.” Panico, a World War II veteran, musician and retired city of Chicago employee who passed away at the age of 95. A recording of the song was discovered among Panico’s belongings by his grandson, Rob Sarwark. “I was gathering up his old records for safekeeping, and one was clearly not commercially produced,” Sarwark says. What he unearthed was a demo of a Cubs …

Donato Ancona currently serves as president of the West Suburban Chapter of UNICO National. He was elected to the post in July 2022, having previously served as treasurer and secretary. “If I had to choose one word, it would be ‘honored,’” Ancona says of his election to the presidency of the chapter. “To be nominated by the board to lead the organization along with them is special. I have been involved and I’ve helped out wherever I could from the first day I joined, and the board recognized that. I look forward to giving back to the organization and the …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans honored Vito Gargano at their general meeting on June 27. Gargano, 95, is the former president of the Italian American Federal Club, an organization comprising hundreds of federal employees of the United States Postal Service. Gargano’s career spans more than 40 years in the USPS. He started as a clerk/level 5 and rose to the highest level in the postal system, level 27, as district director of mail processing for Illinois. Along the way, he served as postmaster for Des Plaines, Illinois, and Racine, Wisconsin, as well as officer-in-charge at the post office …

Friends and family of Tito Renghini are asking the community to consider donating bone marrow to help him in his battle to overcome Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a form of cancer that attacks immature blood cells. The son of Italian immigrants, Tito is married and has three children. “My faith keeps me strong and guides me,” he says as he awaits word of a perfect match. Potential donors should be of Italian descent, between the ages of 18 and 55, and in general good health. Compatibility is determined by sending a cheek swab to a national registry.  For details, click here.

At a recent meeting with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca reiterated his push to include greater funding for the Local Government Distributive Fund in this year’s budget. The LGDF is a designated portion of state income tax revenues that cities and counties receive from the state in lieu of local taxes. The percentage of the state tax has been steadily reduced over the last decade. DeLuca underscored the fact that an increase in LGDF funding would reduce the burden on local taxes and fees.  

The Sons and Daughters of Italy in America will turn out in force at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg on July 21 when the Schaumburg Boomers take on the Trois-Rivieres Aigles of Quebec. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for members and $24 for non-members, with the cost covering seating along the first base line on the home side of the field and a hot dog, chips and beverage. Activities for the kids before and during the game and fireworks are included in the festivities. (president.sadia@gmail.com)  

Marissa De Paoli and Michael Carioscia are engaged to be married, after Mike proposed during a walk after dinner on the first night of a trip to Vail, Colorado. “The scenery was beautiful, and it felt like the perfect moment,” Mike says. “The first thing we did was call our family to let them know the news.” The couple met at Hardcore Italians, a producer and marketer of Italian pride products that Mike co-founded with his father in 2011. “Marissa started as a brand ambassador and would take photos wearing the merchandise to help us with promotions. Since I did …