Community News

Highland Park’s Cloverdale Park was recently renamed Fontana-Pasquesi Park and dedicated to the many immigrants from the province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy who settled in the northern suburb in the early 1900s and contributed significantly to the town’s history. Modena is one of Highland Park’s sister cities. The name change and dedication are the result of a donation by North Shore residents Larry and Maria (Fontana) Pasquesi, who trace their roots to both Highland Park and Modena.  

More than 300 people gathered in Mishawaka, Indiana, on Oct. 8 to celebrate Columbus Day and Italian Heritage Month. A 1 p.m. ceremony at the Columbus statue in the city’s Central Park featured presentations by Mayor Dave Wood, Elkhart County Judge Mike Christofeno and St. Joseph County Assessor Rosemary Mandrici as well as representatives of local clubs from St. Joseph and Elkhart counties. Festivities continued with an Italian buffet luncheon at the DiLoreto Club, with food provided by local Italian restaurants. The event was sponsored by the DiLoreto Society, DeAmicis Italian Club, Italian American Heritage Society of Notre Dame/Michiana, Italian …

The Sons and Daughters of Italy in America will host its second annual Carnevale di Venezia from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 at Empress Banquets in Addison. Dubbed “La Commedia dell’Arte,” this year’s celebration will feature antipasto and dessert buffets; a family-style spaghettata; live entertainment, including acrobats and costumed performers; dancing; and more. Tickets are $75 and sponsorships are available. Reservations are required by Jan. 27. (president.sadia@gmail.com)

It may come as a surprise to Italian Americans living in the northern half of the Chicago area, but the far southwest suburbs boast substantial communities of paesani as well. “Mokena’s population is the highest and Homer Glen has a large one as well,” reports longtime local elected official Steve Balich. “Joliet and Crest Hill have good-sized populations, too, and so does Lockport and a couple of the neighboring suburbs.” Balich and others formed the Will County Italian American Association last summer to rally their compatriots around each other and their culture. “We started the group to support our heritage …

Eight dogs and three horses that gave their lives while serving alongside Chicago police officers were recently honored in a new memorial. Local sculptor Jessica LoPresti designed and sculpted the piece along with fellow artist Oscar Leon. The work was created at the Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany in Highwood, Illinois. “Our intention was to create a meaningful and moving tribute dedicated to the K9 and equine units of the Chicago Police Department that highlights the bond between the animals and their human partners, and to honor their service and sacrifice,” says LoPresti, a Chicago-area resident and DePaul University graduate. …

More than 30 pilgrims gathered at the steps of the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee for a day of spiritual revitalization and historical enlightenment. The Altar and Rosary Society of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Shrine revived its tradition of conducting an annual pilgrimage after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic. There are only 91 basilicas in the country, and the Basilica of St. Josaphat was the third in the United States to earn that designation. Built with bricks from the original Chicago post office, St. Josaphat is inspired by both St. Peter’s Basilica in …

The Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA) held its annual Italian Hall of Fame and Special Recognition Award Dinner on Oct. 14 at the Venetian Club in Rockford. Fr. James Ciamataro and Frank Valentine were inducted into the Hall of Fame, Bove’s Auto and Truck Repair received a Special Recognition Award for Business, and Dan Appino received a Special Recognition Award for Sports. The awardees were also recognized at the annual Columbus Day Mass on Oct. 15 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Rockford. Ciamataro served as pastor of St. Anthony’s from 1988-2022. Realizing that the histories of the …

The sporadic rain on Sept. 11 couldn’t diminish the feeling everyone had as they gathered in front of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and Shrine to watch the awe-inspiring silent arrival of fire and police vehicles. First responders from 10 neighboring communities participated in a procession from Wolf Road down Lake Street in Berkeley to 25th Avenue in Melrose Park.  The anticipation mounted as the flashing lights quietly moved north on 25th to Division Street and then south to 23rd Avenue. As the procession approached the church, Fr. Leandro Fossà, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, greeted each …

A statue of St. John Baptist Scalabrini was unveiled at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and Shrine in Melrose Park on Nov. 12. The 6-foot-tall statue was commissioned in honor of the one-year anniversary of the canonization of Bishop Scalabrini, founder of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, the religious order that runs Mt. Carmel. It was installed in front of the church.  

A new era of political engagement dawned on Aug. 8 when the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hosted its inaugural Government Relations Luncheon. More than 100 public officials at every level of local government converged on the Des Plaines Theatre for the event, which honored State Rep. Anthony DeLuca and former county official turned political consultant Enza Raineri. DeLuca received the Legislator of the Year Award for sponsoring the law that permanently designates October as Italian American Heritage Month in Illinois (page 25). Raineri received the Government Relations Award for the pivotal role she played in convincing the Cook …