The Cegliesi Italo American Association will honor two men of the cloth at their 42nd annual dinner dance on Oct. 16 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Both are priests of the Oblate Fathers of St. Joseph and both are natives of Ceglie del Campo, the town in Bari to which the organization traces its roots. (708-278-8004) The Rev. Michael Piscopo is Superior General of the Order and the Rev. Joseph Sibiliano is the Rector of the Order’s Seminary in Pittston, Penn. Fr. Joseph has celebrated the Mass at our dinner dance virtually since its inception, and we have also …

The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago will honor Archbishop Blase Joseph Cupich with its Man of the Year Award at the organization’s 2016 gala on Oct. 22 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “Archbishop Cupich is a man of deep humility and faith,” says IALC President Tony Guida. “It’s a true privilege to be able to celebrate his life and accomplishments.” Blase Joseph Cupich was born on March 19, 1949, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Blase and Mary (Mayhan) Cupich. He is one of nine children, with five sisters and three brothers. Archbishop Cupich was ordained to the priesthood …

  The Casa Italia film series continues to roll along, with films scheduled through November. “One Year Later” will be screened on Friday, Sept. 30. The film represents the feature-length debut of local director Lucia Mauro, who thoroughly engaged the Casa film series audience with her presentation of her award-winning short “In My Brother’s Shoes” in July. This uplifting narrative film – shot in Chicago, and in Milan, Turin and Aosta, Italy in Fall 2015 — tells the story of an American woman who takes a cathartic trip to the Italian Alps one year after completing cancer treatment. Looking ahead, …

  The Italian Catholic Federation’s Our Lady Mother of the Church Branch #439 will host its fifth annual dinner dance on Oct. 30 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (847-341-1847) The event will raise funds for the residential treatment program sponsored by Lydia and honor Mel Gonzales, the organization’s program developer and volunteer/mentor coordinator. LYDIA’s Residential Treatment Program provides a structured, therapeutic environment for children and adolescents with serious behavioral issues, many of whom have been traumatized by abuse or neglect. The program provides healing while teaching its residents practical life skills. Gonzales has been with the program since 1991, …

  The Scholarship Committee of UNICO National recently announced its 2016 awards. Among the more than two-dozen grants bestowed were scholarships for nursing, literature, science, fine arts, Italian studies, engineering and study abroad. “While we assist talented students to realize their aspirations, we encourage our recipients to become exceptional, contributing members of society,” committee Chair Joan Tidona explains. “As our program continues to expand, it is clear that UNICO National recognizes education as an essential investment in the future.” The complete list of scholarships follows. Major Don S. Gentile Memorial Scholarship Henry Francis Taibi Sponsored by Orange/West Orange, New Jersey Chapter …

Michael Segreti, president of REX Electric and Technologies, announced several promotions on the management team. Mike Bosco has moved into the position of executive vice president of sales/business development. Bosco has been with Rex for 23 years, the majority of that time being spent in senior management roles overseeing operations. Mike Ahern will be moving onto the global sales team along with Will Sutila, and Jim Jaskolski has been promoted to vice president of operations for the Electrical Interior Division. Rex Electric & Technologies is a leading electrical and technology contractor. Family owned and operated since 1919, it was founded …

  It is 2 a.m., Saturday April 13, 2016. Italo Americo Bove, or “Bob” to his friends, rises out of bed. He has a 4a.m. appointment with 100 other Veterans. On this morning, forty WWII veterans and sixty-one Korean War veterans will gather at Midway Airport in Chicago to board Southwest Airlines, courtesy of Honor Flight Chicago. Honor Flight Chicago was founded in February of 2008 to recognize Chicagoland’s World War II and Korean War veterans by flying them, all-expense-paid to Washington DC for a day of honor, remembrance and celebration. To date, 6355 Chicago area veterans have made this …

  Ivana Di Piero Hair Studio in Norridge recently celebrated a quarter century of making life more beautiful for customers and community alike. Born in Italy and a resident of the Chicago area since the age of 2, Di Piero was raised in Norridge since the age of 9. She graduated from John V. Leigh School and Ridgewood High School, where she took the cosmetology class that launched her career. Di Piero opened for business on Aug. 21, 1991, thanks to her husband, Frank, who came home with the lease and said, “Here’s your shop.” The couple bought the property …

  Italian pop superstar Eros Ramazzotti will bring his Perfetto World Tour to the Rosemont Theatre on Oct. 7. The show will feature selections from his multi-platinum “Perfetto” album plus hits that span more than three decades. Born in 1963 in a suburb of Rome, Ramazzotti began playing the guitar at the age of 7 and writing songs as a teenager. His career took off in 1984, when his song, “Terra promessa,” won in the Newcomers category at the Sanremo Festival and was subsequently released throughout Europe. Since then, he has released 11 studio albums, one EP, three compilation albums, …

    Prominent attorney Antonio M. Romanucci and esteemed television reporter Vince Gerasole shared the spotlight when the Justinian Society of Lawyers hosted its annual installation and awards dinner on Sept. 15 at the Palmer House Hilton. The following officers were formally installed at the event: Frank A. Sommario (president), Michael F. Bonamarte (first vice president), Vincent R. Vidmer (second vice president), Natalie M. Petric (third vice president), Judge Regina A. Scannicchio (treasurer) and Dion U. Davi (secretary).   Antonio M. Romanucci — Award of Excellence Antonio M. Romanucci is a principal and partner in the Chicago-based law firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, …