Community News

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will host a pair of local luminaries at their annual media luncheon on May 26 at Galleria Marchetti. Mary Ann Ahern will receive the Dante Award, given each year to a member of the Fourth Estate who has proven to be no timid friend to truth, and Robert Allegrini will receive the Dominic DiFrisco Lifetime Achievement Award, given to bridge builders inside and outside of the Italian-American community. Ahern is an Emmy award-winning political reporter for NBC 5 Chicago, and Allegrini is president of the National Italian American Foundation. (708-450-9050)  

If you’ve finally decided to visit Italy but you’re worried about being able to communicate with the locals, the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia has the class for you. This six-week course will introduce you to important travel phrases and expressions used by native speakers in real life situations (e.g., at the airport, restaurants, hotels, banks, etc.) in a conversational format. Conducted via Zoom, the class will run from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays from May 24 to June 28. The fee is $295 until May 15 and $345 thereafter. To register, click here.    

Chicago Attorney Anthony Licata presented “Studying Latin and Ancient Rome: Why It Matters Today” and “Legal Latin: Lawyers Love It!” at the 2023 Illinois Junior Classical League Convention in Schaumburg in February. The three-day convention drew more than 200 students from across the state who study Latin in high school. An avid fan of ancient Rome, Licata has written a pair of novels on the subject. He was invited to speak at the convention by Carol Valentino-Barry, executive director of the Accende! Mentoring Mission and one of the convention chaperones and assistants.  

Dr. Mary Harris has risen through the ranks to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society, becoming the youngest female president in the organization’s 88-year history. Joining her as officers are President-Elect Dr. Jessica Mattern, Vice President Dr. Lauren Allegretti, Treasurer Dr. Charles Martello and Secretary Dr. Megan Ratliff. The niece of past Arcolian President Dr. Michael Biasiello, Harris joined the organization right after going into practice six years ago. “I originally started coming to the meetings at the suggestion of my uncle. I quickly learned that the Arcolians are an amazing group of talented dentists that are passionate …

A capacity crowd converged on Empress Banquets in Addison for the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s first annual Carnevale di Venezia. Acrobats, dancers and musicians performed for guests, who turned out in force to honor beloved Casa Italia staffers Nancy Cometa and Darrell Marchioretto. Dinner featured an extravagant cicchetti (appetizers) buffet, a spaghettata of three pastas and Nutella crepes in celebration of World Nutella Day.  

When the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations hosted an Italian American Future Leaders conference in January (see page 6), the Chicago area was ably represented. Pasquale Gianni trekked down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to take part in the three-day conclave. While there, he was able to network with other young adults of Italian descent and share his expertise as the founder and president of the Avanti Group. “I’m proud to say that the Avanti Group is the only organization of its kind in the nation,” Gianni reports. “I’ll be working with young adults in other parts of …

Fra Noi correspondent Sam Tinaglia rubbed elbows with Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy at the 25th annual Ballo di Savoia in New York City in December 2022. The event raised funds in support of various scholarships and Cooley’s Anemia Foundation. The celebration commemorated the 450th anniversary of the creation of the ancient chivalric Order of Saints Maurice & Lazarus. The American branch of the order supports charities consistent with the traditions of the Royal House of Savoy. Prince Victor Emanuele of Savoy is the grandmaster of the orders, and his son, Emanuele Filiberto, spearheads the fundraising efforts.  

The 2023-24 officers and executive board of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America were installed by Judge Jennie Giambastiani in December. Pictured are (seated, from left) Financial Secretary Janis Ryan, President Lyn Scolaro, Sergeant-at-Arms Stella Weber, (standing, from left) Trustee Carrie Peck, Vice President Mary Wroblewski, trustees Rich Reiss and Ralph Cardone, and Treasurer Jeff Sanderson. Not pictured are Past President Joe Papa and Secretary Patricia Schultz. The March meeting of SADIA will feature a St. Joseph’s Table. (sadia-chicago.org)  

The Mazzini-Verdi Club started December off with a bang, honoring Steve Menconi and Catherine Di Venere Ciminello as Man and Woman of the Year at its Dec. 3 President’s Ball. On the menu were an outstanding dinner and dancing that went well into the evening. Then came the Ladies Club’s Dec. 17 Christmas party, featuring a decorated tree and other traditional décor, carols in English and Italian, delicious home-baked treats and elegant baskets created by members to be raffled off. Two weeks later, more than 160 revelers partied until well after midnight at the club’s New Year’s Eve bash. (847-671-0055) …

The Lucchesi nel Mondo of Chicago celebrated a time-honored Italian tradition at a family-friendly gathering on Jan. 8 at the Mazzini Verdi Club in Franklin Park. Nearly 40 children and more than 60 adults were treated to a delicious lunch followed by a meet and greet with La Befana, who handed out gifts to every child 12 years of age and under. In Italian folklore, La Befana travels throughout the world on the Feast of the Epiphany distributing presents to all of the good girls and boys.