Dominic (Nay) Mautone celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 23. He was born in 1917 in Chicago to Raphael and Antoinette (Trotta) Mautone, and baptized at Guardian Angel Church. His Mom and Dad owned a building on Forker Street and the family lived upstairs. On the ground floor was the Ralph Mautone Grocery Store, where his mother and father worked. In addition to Italian, his mother spoke Yiddish to accommodate the Jewish customers. After selling the store, Ralphael and Antoinette bought a building at 912 S. Ashland Boulevard between Taylor and Polk streets. Dominic was one of eight siblings. In order …

One the most popular Italian singers made a once-in-a-lifetime appearance at Casa Italia in Stone Park, courtesy of Ron Onesti and Onesti Entertainment. Over the course of a stellar half-century career, Peppino di Capri has released nearly 250 recordings and appeared at the Festival of Sanremo more than any other singer. (See profile below.) In October, he embarked on a 50th anniversary tour that included a stop on Oct. 18 at the Festival Center on the Casa Campus. The show was originally scheduled for the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, but Onesti wanted to bring di Capri closer to his …

Robert Urbinati President, Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization How long have you been a member? I have been a member for approximately 13 years. Why did you join? CIACO was having a membership drive and I was invited by a current member and personal friend to attend the meeting. I remember there being a lot of people I already knew at the meeting. Due to the number of friends and acquaintances that were already members, I felt comfortable and decided to join. They’re very enthusiastic about celebrating their Italian American heritage and giving back to the community. What do you …

Italian-American women commanded the spotlight when the JCCIA Women’s Division staged its Impresa Awards Gala on Oct. 1 at the Medinah Country Club. The event will honor the following outstanding individuals: Lissa Druss Christman, public affairs specialist and award-winning journalist; Andrea Collaro, senior director, Walgreens Boots Alliance; Emilia DeMenco, president and CEO, Women’s Development Center; Jessica D’Onofrio, general assignment reporter, ABC 7; Catherine DeOrio, host, “Check Please,” WTTW; Felicia Ferrone, award-winning industrial and furniture designer; Jomarie Fredericks, deputy general counsel, Rotary International; Toni Ginnetti, groundbreaking Chicago sportswriter; Gloria Nardini, scholar, educator and author; Dr. Louise Sclafani, director, Optometric Services, University …

Associazione Regionale Siciliana in America staged Sapori di Sicilia at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 at Altavilla Banquets in Addison. The event featured an extensive array of Sicilian appetizers followed by a sumptuous dinner, music and dancing. This year, ARSA honored the Sicilian Band of Chicago for its decades-long commitment to celebrating Italy’s musical traditions in America. A staple at patron feast celebrations across the Chicago area and around the country, the ensemble plays everything from centuries-old folk melodies to stirring symphonic and operatic numbers to more modern Italian and American tunes. “One of our main objectives is to maintain …

  The Order Sons of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin honored Chef Bruno Abate as Humanitarian of the Year and State Rep. Anthony DeLuca as Columbus Patriot at their 93rd annual Columbus Banquet on Oct. 7 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Chef Bruno Abate Born in Naples and raised in Milan, Chef Abate has a passion for food and fashion that was inspired at an early age by his parents. His mother was an accomplished chef and his father was a tailor. Abate opened his first company in Milan selling fish and caviar to high-end …

The Order Sons of Italy in America Lodge 2700 presented its 2017 Joseph Caldarone Memorial Scholarship to (from left) Gianna Politano, who plans to major in music education at Illinois State University; Samantha Schwieger, who plans to major in music therapy at Belmont University; Lucas D’Antonio, who plans to major in computer science at Purdue Northwest University; Angelina Loparco, who plans to major in education at Eastern Illinois University; and Jessica Buggy, who plans to major in architecture at Tulane University.

The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans recently held their 51st annual Scholarship Presentation and Fashion Show at Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace. President Rose Mary Ranallo and fashion show chairman Carmella Capriati greeted the 300 guests in attendance and thanked them for their support and generosity, which enables the women’s division to provide scholarships to five outstanding young Italian-American women who are entering college. Annually, the women’s division presents high school seniors who have excelled scholastically with $2,000 scholarships. This year, they were fortunate to provide scholarships to five outstanding young ladies: Christina Marie …

The Grand Lodge of IL/WI, Order Sons of Italy in America, recently elected the following officers: Marie Marsalli, President; Frank Schiro, 1st VP; Maria Mancini, 2nd VP; Richard Della Croce, Immediate Past President; James LasCola, Orator; Anna DeLuca, Recording Secretary; John Simoni, Financial Secretary; Carl Busateri, Treasurer; Elia Kress, Historian; the Rev. John Belmonte, Chaplain; and Margurite Rowley, Christine Della Croce, Joseph Dentice, Judith Simoni, Paul Loparco and Giacomo Mancini, Trustees. Lodge presidents are Giacomo Mancini (Chicago Heights), Bert Jacobson (Americo Vespucci), Anthony DiMile (Southwest), Nicholas DeQuardo (Mazzei), Ben Todaro (Rockford), Paul Loparco (Leone d’Oro) and Mike Cimaglia (IACOB).

Chicago attorney Antonio M. Romanucci has been nominated as second vice president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. A founding partner and principal at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Romanucci has been an ITLA board member since 2003, serving on several committees and participating in regular events. Founded in 1952, the 2,000-member ITLA believes that when large entities act irresponsibly by creating unsafe products and workplaces, polluting the environment or swindling employees, they must be held accountable in the courts. “I am honored to receive this nomination from an organization that I have the upmost respect and admiration for,” Romanucci says. …