The Cook County Board marked the 25th anniversary of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation with a special resolution on Dec. 12. Present were Columbian Club members (from left) Robert DiSilvestro Jr.; Carmen Forte Jr.; Leonard J. Maniscalco and Gabe Caporale; Commissioner Peter Silvestri; and Chairman Toni Preckwinkle. Maniscalco and fellow founding CCCF members Phillip C. Corrado, Anthony B. Corrado, Sen. Renato G. Turano, Sam Sciambatterra, Robert Novelle Sr., Ronald J. Giordano, Robert DiSilvestro Sr. and Fred Mazzei were honored at the club’s installation on Jan. 13.

The Italian Social Club of Chicago started with a conversation over dinner. The concept was simple: find a way to foster all things Italian — including food and wine — with others who have an affinity for the culture. Along the way, members can create new and lasting memories and friendships. The group enjoys monthly dinners at Chicago-area Italian restaurants with special events planned for most Italian holidays, and each evening spotlighting art, music and other aspects of Italian culture. Last September’s event included a visit to the studio of Ginny Sykes, an artist who exhibits regularly in galleries in …

Each year, the best pizzaiuoli from around the world compete for the coveted Caputo Cup, preparing and serving their signature pizze for judges who assess them based on taste, bake, crust and appearance. This year, Chicago’s own Gianni Gallucci of Forno Rosso Pizzeria and Zero Ottantuno Mobile Pizzeria took home the cup, wowing the judges with his “Margherita Extra” pizza topped with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, piennolo tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil.

Tireless community leader Jo Ann Serpico joined the ranks of the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia at a special ceremony at the Italian Consulate in Chicago on Dec. 11. The honor was bestowed by Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. “My parents [Joseph R. and Ella (Cataldo) Salerno] were born in America yet instilled a love of our Italian heritage in their daughters,” Jo Ann explains. “I am honored that Senatore Renato Turano and Commendatore Dominic Di Frisco support my position in the community, and I’m extremely honored that the president of Italy deems me …

Accountant Lisa Perkins has stepped up to the presidency of the Calabresi in America Organization. A member for 18 years, she joined to re-establish ties to her Italian roots. “My Calabrese grandparents passed away several years ago, and the Italian experience was no longer a part of my life,” she explains. “Joining a group whose members share the same heritage filled that void in my life.” Perkins likens CIAO to an extended family of unique individuals with shared interests. “I like how so many varied personalities come together to accomplish great things,” she says. “Just like a family, we are …

Financial planner Jack P. Cannata has ascended to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago. Cannata joined the club in 1995. “I found out about the organization through longtime members Peter Fazio and Anthony Morizzo, and I was impressed with the caliber of the membership and the depth of the charitable work that they do,” he recalls. “The lasting friendships we’ve all made and the belief that we can truly make a difference in the community are the best attributes of the club.” Cannata has worked his way up through the ranks of the officers to the presidency, and …

The Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, celebrated their 93rd Annual Columbus Banquet on Saturday evening, October 7, 2017. The event was held at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, IL. Anna DeLuca, Columbus Banquet Chairwoman, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois. The MC introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, our honored award recipients, the Consul General of Italy and the Columbus Day Queen as they entered the hall. Highlighting the evening were the presentation of the 2017 Humanitarian Award …

The Cesare Battista Lodge #27 has a long and proud history of serving the Italian-American community of Northwest Indiana. Formed in 1919 as the Loggia Cesare Battisti Musicale, the group soon joined forces with a large Chicago-area fraternal organization that morphed into the Italo American National Union, which eventually merged with the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. After decades of meeting in halls throughout the area, the lodge built a clubhouse in 1956 in East Chicago, and then a new, multi-million-dollar facility in 1989 in Schererville. Dubbed Villa Cesare, the new clubhouse boasts three banquet rooms, a commercial kitchen, …

The editors of “Routledge History of Italian Americans” pored through thousands of images in their search for the best ones to illustrate their new compendium, which encompasses 40 contributors and 660 pages. For the cover, they ultimately settled on “The Migrants,” a painting by John Cadel that hangs in the permanent art exhibit that bears his name at the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italian in Stone Park. Cadel was a teacher at the Art Institute in the 1970s when the Rev. August Feccia, then the director of the cultural center, commissioned the work. The artist passed away in his …

Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi recently received a $20,000 grant from the National Italian American Foundation. The grant was presented to school co-founder Laura Granara and Italian Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro by National Italian American Foundation Executive Vice President Robert V. Allegrini during a ceremony attended by the school’s students and board members. Located at 1510 N. Claremont Ave. in Chicago, the school offers bilingual education via the world-renowned Reggio Emilia method. It is only the second school in the United States to be accredited by both the American and Italian education systems.