Community News

Past UNICO National President Tony Fornelli; the Rev. Thomas Regan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Past UNICO National President Mike Veselka; local historian Dominic Candeloro; and Art Lurigio, associate dean for faculty at Loyola’s College of Arts and Sciences, celebrate the first installment of UNICO National’s $25,000 pledge toward the fundraising drive to create an endowed chair of Italian American Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. The drive is only $65,000 shy of its $500,000 goal. http://luc.edu/italianamerican/

Every year, the Italian American Executives of Transportation undertakes two noble goals: to give students a chance to further their academic dreams and recognize those who’ve made a big difference in the lives of others. That they feed people generously at their annual banquet is another story (which we’ll get to eventually). But to be sure, a capacity crowd enjoyed the festivities at the Nov. 22 event, held at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “Without the help and encouragement of the officers, board members, our committees, and the membership of the IAET, this event could not be possible,” says Vito …

by Ron Gruendl During the opening luncheon at the ISDA Convention in Chicago this summer, Hilton Worldwide executive Robert Allegrini opened his remarks by noting his first ISDA convention was held in Pittsburgh back in the late 1980s. “I never thought that a quarter century later, I would be addressing you as a keynote speaker,” he quipped. Allegrini said that his remarks would focus on evangelism “in the noble cause of promoting, preserving and protecting the Italian American culture and heritage.” When visiting the Coliseum in Rome at 10 years of age, his father dug a small stone from a …

The Italian Cultural Center Vocal Scholarship began quietly in 1976 when Josephine LiPuma, an opera singer, music teacher and volunteer at the Italian Cultural Center, approached the Rev. August Feccia about starting a vocal competition under the name of the center. Ms. LiPuma wanted to start the scholarship as an encouragement to young students of opera. Fr. Feccia was in agreement that this would be a perfect event for the ICC. Two opera scholarships were offered to students of Italian Heritage and each year the scholarship honored a different Italian singer or composer. In 1987, Ms. LiPuma was terminally Ill …

The Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America, celebrated its 90th annual Columbus Banquet on Oct. 11 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. 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. Highlighting the evening were the presentations of the 2014 Humanitarian Award and the first-ever Columbus Patriot Award. In addition, the Illinois Sons of Italy Foundation awarded nine scholarships to Italian-American students who are continuing their education. Receiving the Humanitarian Award was Giovanni Bucci, an Italian-American artist best known for …

The Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia is proud to honor local legal titan Louis C. Cairo as Man of the Year at its 45th annual dinner dance. The event will take place on April 11 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Louis is a senior partner at the GWC Law Firm: Chicago’s largest personal injury and workers’ compensation firm. Growing up as the son of an Italian immigrant who owned a union construction company in Northern Illinois, Louis acquired considerable experience with and respect for the men and women working in the construction industry. His close family upbringing has …

The Italian American Veterans Museum took a quantum leap forward on Sept. 28, celebrating its grand reopening with the dedication of a new exhibit celebrating Italian-American Medal of Honor recipients. State Senator Don Harmon and Stone Park Mayor Ben Mazzulla were among the dignitaries who took part in the noon dedication ceremony, which was attended by nearly 200 well-wishers, including more than four dozen veterans. The United States Navy Band from the Great Lakes Naval Station and the Marine Color Guard from the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment from Foster Avenue in Chicago graced the event with their presence. Joe and …

The Flowers of Italy Club will honor a longstanding pillar of the community as their 2015 Man of the Year. Sonny Nicotera will take center stage when the venerable Melrose Park-based organization celebrates its 54th annual dinner dance on March 28 at Villa Brunetti in Franklin Park. Born in Cicero, Nicotera moved with his family to Melrose Park as a teen to the house that he still calls home. He was a manager of the Dining Car Services for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad until his retirement 12 years ago. A longtime member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel …