Colonel Renato Bacci, U.S. Army (Retired), was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service in a ceremony at the Pentagon Office Complex in Washington D.C. on Nov. 15. He was recognized for his service as state chair of the Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve from October 2013 to September 2019. The award was presented by ESGR Chairman Ronald E. Bogle (on left in photo). The award citation states that his exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to the mission of the Illinois Committee significantly enhanced and sustained employer support for …

Mario Salerno has been elected president of the Calabresi in America Organization. A member for eight years, Salerno served as an advisor for two years and worked his way up through the vice presidential ranks before being elected president. “Being involved has given me the opportunity to share my Calabrese background with others and celebrate it as well,” he explains. “I like being able to provide outreach not only to other Calabrese but to members of other Italian-American organizations.” Being elected president is both on honor and an opportunity for Salerno, who follows in the footsteps of his father, Frank, …

Stan Kuczynski has been elected president of the Chicago West Suburban Chapter of UNICO National. Kuczynski was inducted into the organization in 2014, and served as recording secretary and chairman of the Scholarship, Fundraising and Bylaws committees before ascending to the presidency. “To be president of this 61-year-old organization comes with a lot of history and responsibility,” he says. “I only hope I can live up to the expectations of the generations that came before me.” Kuczynski says that he joined the chapter because he wanted to be a part of an organization that not only did charitable and patriotic …

Paul Loparco has been elected president of the Illinois-Wisconsin Grand Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. A member of OSDIA since 1999, Loparco served as trustee, vice president and president of Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700 before ascending to the state presidency. “It’s a big step for me and I still have a lot to learn, but I’m certain I can handle it,” he says. “My goals are to increase membership, continue the OSDIA mission, and inform people about all of our wonderful charitable activities.” Loparco joined the local lodge at the invitation of a friend, and he …

Mina Amendola has vivid memories of travelling as a child with her family to their charming ancestral hometown of Altomonte, Cosenza in Calabria. In those early journeys, the die was cast. “I always felt connected to Italy, and I knew that I wanted to spend my career helping others make those same connections,” the Midwest Director of Sales and Marketing for Perillo Tours explains. As the public face of the Italian Government Travel Office for more than two decades, she dedicated herself to building bridges between the USA and the land of her ancestors. Through her work, she had plenty …

Quando eravamo in Italiano 3, non vedevamo l’ora di continuare nella classe di AP l’anno dopo. Specialmente sapendo che nella classe di AP avremmo studiato molto della cultura Italiana. Veniamo offerti molte cose autentiche durante la nostra lezione. Rimaniamo interessati alla lezione. È motivo d’orgoglio sapere che ci stiamo preparando per l’esame di AP in primavera. Siamo fortunati ad avere l’opportunità di studiare l’Italiano a livello liceale. Non ci sono tante scuole che lo offrono, e quando altri studenti sentono che Maine South ha questi corsi rimangono sorpresi. Tutti noi in questa classe siamo diventati piccoli adulti e ringraziamo la …

Quest’anno Lisa M. Turano, JD, MBA VP Legale di Turano, e Melissa Medina, Comunicazioni, Coordinatore Assunzioni, sono venuti a visitare gli studenti a Indian Trail Junior High School a Addison. Sono venuti a visitare gli studenti in 8° grado nella classe d’Italiano. Questo è il secondo anno la famiglia Turano è venuta a parlare della loro conoscenza e l’amore per il pane. Loro hanno approfondito con gli studenti quali sono i valori dell’attività commerciale. Hanno anche condiviso le molte carriere che Turano ha avuto. Gli studenti hanno posto domande e sono stati in grado di comprendere meglio la cultura Italiana …

Il maggio scorso, il nostro liceo ha ricevuto una donazione generosa dalla famiglia Capitanini. Con la donazione, l’aula italiana è stata dedicata alla famiglia. La famiglia Capitanini voleva dedicare l’aula d’italiano al suo padre defunto, Franklin Delano Capitanini. Ha frequentato Fenwick e si è laureato nel 1950. Al Fenwick ha praticato la corsa, ha giocato a pallacanestro, e a football americano ma non ha studiato italiano perché Fenwick non ha offerto l’italiano fino al 2000. Adesso, moltissimi studenti studiano italiano in quest’aula dove imparano in classe e partecipano al circolo italiano dopo scuola. I corsi e il circolo sono coinvolgenti …

La nostra settimana con gli studenti italiani era una che non possiamo dimenticare. Durante il nostro tempo insieme non siamo ritornati alle nostre case prima di 11 o 12 perché ci stavamo divertendo molto. Durante quel tempo, siamo andati a una partita di Football Americano, Six Flags, Dave ‘n Busters, Chicago, Sonny Acres e la casa di uno studente dove abbiamo ballato molto! Noi, gli Americani, eravamo entusiasti di mostrare gli studenti italiani la vita Americana, e pensiamo che gli studenti italiani abbiano avuto un’esperienza divertentissimo. In Marzo, andremo a Triggiano, nella provincia di Bari e nella regione di Puglia. …

The Italian American Labor Council honored Michael Somone as its 2019 Man of the Year, and the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago VP couldn’t have been prouder. “It was so great to be surrounded by all of my friends in the labor movement and to accept the award with my parents, Tom and Antoinette, in the audience,” Somone says. “And the framed copy of the pages that appeared in Fra Noi were a wonderful touch. It made the night even more special. I was so very humbled by the entire evening.”