Community

In June 2020, as attacks on Columbus statues across the country heated up, a group of Italian Americans led by Carlo Vaniglia started meeting at Arrigo Park in Little Italy every Sunday morning. Originally dubbed “Coffee with Columbus,” the gatherings were meant as a peaceful show of support for their heritage. When the city of Chicago decided to remove the Columbus statues in the middle of the night, the get-togethers morphed into a protest against the move. In the months that followed, others joined in and the Chicago Italian-American Patriots group was born. The Patriots organized a 2020 Columbus Day …

In lieu of their annual Memorial Day remembrance, which was canceled due to COVID-19, the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club made a donation to the Fisher House at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. Hines Fisher House provides a home away from home for the family members, caregivers and loved ones of patients receiving medical care at Hines. “We’re proud to be honoring our veterans with this contribution for such a worthy cause,” says ONIAC member Pete Scalise, who presented Fisher House Manager Holly Wright with the donation.  

The Harlem Avenue Little Italy Business Association was out in force recently for its first annual Strada Bella street cleanup. An enthusiastic team of 30 community members began the day at Riviera Foods at 3220 N. Harlem Ave. Sweeping and tossing trash as they went, they made their way up to Forno Rosso at 3719 N. Harlem Ave. Cleaning equipment was provided by 38th Ward Alderman Nicholas Sposato. To find out about upcoming events, click here.

The National Italian American Foundation has elected its board of directors for the 2021-25 term. Robert Carlucci, former NIAF vice chair of development, will serve as the foundation’s chairman, succeeding Patricia de Stacy Harrison and the late Gabriel Battista, who served as co-chairs. Carlucci is the founder and CEO of RC Group, which operates Yum Brands Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut. He also co-founded Bay National Bank of Annapolis, Maryland. On the philanthropic front, he served on the board of the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and established the Carlucci Entrepreneurship Forum at the American University …

COLUMBUS UPDATE A Freedom of Information Act request submitted to the Chicago Park District by attorneys for the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans yielded an abundance of documents about the statue that once served as the centerpiece for Columbus Plaza in Arrigo Park. Among them was a signed agreement that stated, “The Park District will, in perpetuity, obtain the written approval of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans before making any substantial change to Columbus Plaza or the statue.” The statue was ordered removed by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the middle of the night on July 24, …

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame will offer a special salute to Tommy Lasorda at a virtual gala and induction ceremony on June 23. “Tommy Lasorda was one of the Hall’s biggest fans,” NIASHF President Ron Onesti says. “It’s only fitting to pay tribute to him.” Testimonials by Kirk Gibson, Steve Garvey, Orel Hershiser, Ron Cey, Mike Scoscia, Reggie Smith, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Franco Harris and more will be aired during the live-streamed celebration. The Class of 2020 will be ushered into the Hall at the gala, and the Class of 2021 will be announced. The 2020 …

At press time, a scaled-back Festa della Repubblica was in the works for June 6 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago. Hosted by Comitato Tricolore Italiani nel Mondo, the event celebrates the birth of the Italian republic. The occasion will be marked by an 11 a.m. Mass at the shrine, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Columbus Plaza in Arrigo Park. Reservations for the Mass are a must. (312-421-3757) A procession and street festival are possible additions if state and city restrictions are sufficiently lifted. For an update, call Carlo Vaniglia at 708-217-1004.

Food and culture are central to the Italian-American experience. The mission of the Mary Ann Esposito Foundation is to preserve that experience for future generations while offering culinary students the opportunity to become the next generation of great Italian chefs. The foundation is currently raising funds to create the Ciao Italia Italian Heritage and Education Resource Center. The center will be maintained at a major American university and house the entire catalogue from Esposito’s Ciao Italia books and website. Admission will be open to any student wishing to research Italian gastronomy. The Esposito family is contributing significantly to the project’s …

The Alpine Country Club is hosting an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 5. Founded in 1892, the ACC is a private, member-owned club located on the shores of Round Lake. Facilities include a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, five cottages and a 44-boat marina. The clubhouse features a 270-seat dining area/banquet hall, a full-service kitchen, an indoor bocce facility, a play area for younger kids, a recreation room for older kids, and a recently renovated pool and deck, among other amenities. Call 847-546-4544 to make a reservation for the open house, or visit thealpinecountryclub.com for more information.  

The Mazzini-Verdi Club will ease back into gear on June 7, reopening its doors for the first time since the pandemic struck last spring. The club will start out slowly by reinstating its Monday bocce matches and cenetta. Occupancy is limited, and reservations for the cenetta are a must. Large-scale events will return as state restrictions permit, club President Bernard Ghilarducci says, noting that officers are exploring the possibility of bringing back Festa Fuori in August. For details, call 847-671-0055.