Columns

Never underestimate the power of one person to make a difference, especially if that person has the vision, drive and reach of Pat Capriati. In a matter of months, Capriati was able to conjure an American-Italian Sister Cities relationship out of thin air, bringing together good people on both sides of the Atlantic who otherwise never would have met. It all started while Capriati was browsing through his Facebook feed. “A post by the Roselle Sister Cities Association Italian Committee caught my eye,” he explains. “I was aware of the committee but I didn’t know their counterpart in Italy so …

“Many hands make light work,” the Old Testament tells us, and that time-honored proverb is as true today as it was when the Jewish people rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls 2,500 years ago. For proof of that, you need look no further than Casa Italia during the holiday season. As many of you know, the village of Stone Park bought the property on which the Casa stands from the Missionaries of St. Charles in the waning months of 2024. Opinions may differ, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s a win-win-win situation. The Scalabrinians have been well compensated and the village has …

The Italian Verb Avere The Italian verb avere means to have and, given this definition, is an essential Italian verb to know. Avere serves an important function alone and also as an “assistant,” or auxiliary verb, for compound verbs (created from two or more verbs). For now, we will focus on the present tense of avere. “I have, you have, he/she has,” will be used often when conversing in Italian, and all present tense forms of this verb should be memorized and readily available for use. Avere is an irregular verb in all present tense conjugations, except for the voi form; …

The title is of this column is what March is all about, as we head into spring always looking forward to what’s to come now that we are entering into a new season. “Sempre avanti!” is a catch phrase that is used to spur people into action despite the odds. It is a simple way of saying “Don’t let anything stand in your way! Move forward!” I could go on and on about the new things coming up in Roseland and Pullman, but we’re waiting for these projects to move forward. The Red Line Extension is going to have its …

Chosen as Italy’s Official Selection for the 2025 Academy Awards, Maura Delpero’s “Vermiglio” is a heartfelt story of one family’s experience during the final days of World War II. Awarded the Silver Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, the film is set in the picturesque mountain village of Vermiglio during the final days of World War II. The film follows a large family as they navigate a series of impactful events following the arrival of a reserved Sicilian soldier (Giuseppe De Domenico) who has deserted the army and is seeking refuge in the town. As the soldier forms a …

When I was off from school and my mother had to go to John’s Grocery down the block in our South Bronx neighborhood, she often left me with Jenny, who lived two flights beneath us on the fourth floor and became my surrogate Italian grandmother. Childless old Jenny had an unflagging delight in children, and I became the solace of her identical days. She always begged to let me stay even after the shopping was done, so my mother would retreat upstairs, while I spent a few hours preening myself in the mirror of Jenny’s love. Besides teaching me how …

Italy’s new Road Traffic Code, approved in late 2024, introduces substantial changes for drivers nationwide. Effective Dec. 14, 2024, the updated rules aim to enhance road safety, regulate emerging transportation modes like e-scooters, and implement stricter penalties for common violations. Here’s what drivers — both residents and visitors — should know about this reform. Stricter Penalties for Dangerous Behavior — One of the most significant updates is the increased penalties for using mobile phones while driving. Drivers caught texting or calling without a hands-free system face fines ranging from €250 to €1,000. Additionally, license suspension for at least one week …

There are many ways to say, “I love you” in Italian, and there are special Italian phrases for friends, family members, and one’s true love. These important phrases were discussed  in our blog from  2020, Italian Phrases for Dating, a section of which is reprinted below. The most important ways to say, “I love you” in Italian: “Ti voglio bene” is an old Italian expression that is still in use today for both platonic and romantic love. The meaning of this phrase is not easily translated into English, but it is used often in Italy to express one’s feeling of …

Depending on which genealogical web site you prefer, there is good, or bad news. In several columns I have mentioned that some Italian genealogical records are available on FamilySearch, some on Portale Antenati, and some on both. Recently, there has been a significant change, one I am profoundly unhappy with. An agreement was signed recently that has done the following: If the records appear on the Antenati site, they will be in the FamilySearch catalog, but you cannot view them EVEN IN A FAMILYSEARCH CENTER OR AFFILIATE, unless you are logged into FamilySearch with a church login. If the records …

Can we manage it: An entire month of showing love? Such a major challenge considering the times we live in. With bills to pay, family issues, friends on different pages, and now the depths of winter! But come on! None of those are real challenges when we’re talking about people from Roseland. “Why?” you might ask? Because we started out with love! We can all remember getting some “home” love! That love would start with our parents or grandparents. Maybe we depended on a brother or sister for a good dose of love. And we could all rest assured that …